Elevated microRNA-181c and microRNA-30d levels in the enlarged amygdala of the valproic acid rat model of autism.

Autism spectrum disorders are severe neurodevelopmental disorders, marked by impairments in reciprocal social interaction, delays in early language and communication, and the presence of restrictive, repetitive and stereotyped behaviors. Accumulating evidence suggests that dysfunction of the amygdala may be partially responsible for the impairment of social behavior that is a hallmark feature of ASD. Our studies suggest that a valproic acid (VPA) rat model of ASD exhibits an enlargement of the amygdala as compared to controls rats, similar to that observed in adolescent ASD individuals. Since recent research suggests that altered neuronal development and morphology, as seen in ASD, may result from a common post-transcriptional process that is under tight regulation by microRNAs (miRs), we examined genome-wide transcriptomics expression in the amygdala of rats prenatally exposed to VPA, and detected elevated miR-181c and miR-30d expression levels as well as dysregulated expression of their cognate mRNA targets encoding proteins involved in neuronal system development. Furthermore, selective suppression of miR-181c function attenuates neurite outgrowth and branching, and results in reduced synaptic density in primary amygdalar neurons in vitro. Collectively, these results implicate the small non-coding miR-181c in neuronal morphology, and provide a framework of understanding how dysregulation of a neurodevelopmentally relevant miR in the amygdala may contribute to the pathophysiology of ASD.

Impact of type D personality on adherence to oral appliance therapy for sleep-disordered breathing.

PURPOSE: Type D personality, defined as a combination of social inhibition and negative affectivity, has been associated with poor medication adherence and lower adherence to continuous positive airway pressure in patients with sleep-disordered breathing. Up to this date, the association of patient's personality with adherence with a mandibular advancement device (MAD) has not been studied. The purposes of this study were to examine the association between type D personality and poor adherence to MAD treatment and to examine the impact of type D personality on perceived side effects during this treatment. METHODS: Eighty-two patients out of 113 patients with a known baseline type D scale who have started MAD treatment between June 2006 and December 2009 were included. Information about side effects and adherence were collected via a postal questionnaire. Thirty-three patients were using a monobloc MAD and 49 patients were using a duobloc MAD. RESULTS: Forty-five percent of type D patients discontinued MAD treatment, whereas only 15 % of non-type D patients reported treatment discontinuation. The odds ratio for treatment discontinuation was 6.03 (95 % confidence interval 1.22-29.81; p = 0.027) for type D personality, adjusted for age, gender, MAD type (monobloc or duobloc), and decrease in apnea severity. In continuing MAD users, no significant difference in perceived side effects was reported between the personality types. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to examine the relationship between type D personality and adherence to MAD treatment. Type D patients reported a significantly higher discontinuation rate when compared to patients without type D personality.

Quantitative analysis of anabolics on thin-layer chromatographic plates using image analysis techniques.

A new detection system is introduced for the quantitative analysis of thin-layer chromatographic plates, which is based on a relatively simple, cheap but advanced image analysis system. Both one- and two-dimensional plates can be analysed. Recording and analysis can also be performed from photographs or even slides. Applications are shown for a number of samples containing anabolic compounds.

Assay for trenbolone and its metabolite 17 alpha-trenbolone in bovine urine based on immunoaffinity chromatographic clean-up and off-line high-performance liquid chromatography-thin-layer chromatography.

An high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC)-thin-layer chromatography (TLC) method was developed to detect the illegal use of the xenobiotic growth promotor Trenbolone acetate (TBA). Very effective clean-up of bovine urine was achieved by immunoaffinity chromatography (IAC). The active form of TBA, the steroid 17 beta-Trenbolone (17 beta-TB), as well as its major metabolite 17 alpha-Trenbolone (17 alpha-TB), were assayed simultaneously with HPLC and on-line UV detection. The fraction containing 17 alpha-TB and 17 beta-TB (TB-fraction) was collected, and for confirmation 17 beta- and 17 alpha-TB were subsequently separated and identified by TLC. The limit of detection by on-line HPLC-UV (350 nm) was 1-2 micrograms TB/l. Off-line TLC detection was even more sensitive, 0.5 microgram 17 beta- or 17 alpha-TB/1. The assay was validated by investigating urine samples from veal calves implanted with TBA. The presence of 17 beta- and 17 alpha-TB was clearly demonstrated. A survey of the illegal use of TBA in cattle was performed by applying the assay to urine obtained at slaughter. No residues of TBA or its metabolites were found in any of the 144 random samples from the Dutch public health surveillance programme.