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1.
Syst Rev ; 12(1): 194, 2023 10 13.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37833785

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Establishing and maintaining relationships and ways of connecting and being with others is an important component of health and wellbeing. Harnessing the relational within caring, supportive, educational, or carceral settings as a systems response has been referred to as relational practice. Practitioners, people with lived experience, academics and policy makers, do not yet share a well-defined common understanding of relational practice. Consequently, there is potential for interdisciplinary and interagency miscommunication, as well as the risk of policy and practice being increasingly disconnected. Comprehensive reviews are needed to support the development of a coherent shared understanding of relational practice. METHOD: This study uses a scoping review design providing a scope and synthesis of extant literature relating to relational practice focussing on organisational and systemic practice. The review aimed to map how relational practice is used, defined and understood across health, criminal justice, education and social work, noting any impacts and benefits reported. Searches were conducted on 8 bibliographic databases on 27 October 2021. English language articles were included that involve/discuss practice and/or intervention/s that prioritise interpersonal relationships in service provision, in both external (organisational contexts) and internal (how this is received by workers and service users) aspects. RESULTS: A total of 8010 relevant articles were identified, of which 158 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the synthesis. Most were opinion-based or theoretical argument papers (n = 61, 38.60%), with 6 (3.80%) critical or narrative reviews. A further 27 (17.09%) were categorised as case studies, focussing on explaining relational practice being used in an organisation or a specific intervention and its components, rather than conducting an evaluation or examination of the effectiveness of the service, with only 11 including any empirical data. Of the included empirical studies, 45 were qualitative, 6 were quantitative, and 9 mixed methods studies. There were differences in the use of terminology and definitions of relational practice within and across sectors. CONCLUSION: Although there may be implicit knowledge of what relational practice is the research field lacks coherent and comprehensive models. Despite definitional ambiguities, a number of benefits are attributed to relational practices. SYSTEMATIC REVIEW REGISTRATION: PROSPERO CRD42021295958.


Subject(s)
Criminal Law , Social Support , Humans , Interpersonal Relations , Attitude
2.
bioRxiv ; 2023 Aug 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37662251

ABSTRACT

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most prevalent and aggressive malignant primary brain tumor. GBM proximal to the lateral ventricles (LVs) is more aggressive, potentially due to subventricular zone (SVZ) contact. Despite this, crosstalk between GBM and neural stem/progenitor cells (NSC/NPCs) is not well understood. Using cell-specific proteomics, we show that LV-proximal GBM prevents neuronal maturation of NSCs through induction of senescence. Additionally, GBM brain tumor initiating cells (BTICs) increase expression of CTSB upon interaction with NPCs. Lentiviral knockdown and recombinant protein experiments reveal both cell-intrinsic and soluble CTSB promote malignancy-associated phenotypes in BTICs. Soluble CTSB stalls neuronal maturation in NPCs while promoting senescence, providing a link between LV-tumor proximity and neurogenesis disruption. Finally, we show LV-proximal CTSB upregulation in patients, showing the relevance of this crosstalk in human GBM biology. These results demonstrate the value of proteomic analysis in tumor microenvironment research and provide direction for new therapeutic strategies in GBM. Highlights: Periventricular GBM is more malignant and disrupts neurogenesis in a rodent model.Cell-specific proteomics elucidates tumor-promoting crosstalk between GBM and NPCs.NPCs induce upregulated CTSB expression in GBM, promoting tumor progression.GBM stalls neurogenesis and promotes NPC senescence via CTSB.

3.
Food Nutr Bull ; 43(1): 104-120, 2022 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34747237

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The rural district of Ntchisi is in the central region of Malawi. Among children aged 6 to 23 months, the stunting prevalence is 40% to 50%. To address this high prevalence, the World Food Programme, with cooperating partners, supported the Government of Malawi to implement an integrated stunting prevention program entitled The Right Foods at the Right Time from 2013 to 2018. OBJECTIVE: To provide implementation lessons learned from systematic documentation of how the Scaling Up Nutrition (SUN) movement, combined with other international and national initiatives and policies, was translated into tailored programming. METHODS: During program conception, early design, and implementation, this descriptive study systematically documented the process of translating SUN principles and government policies into an operational stunting prevention program in rural Malawi. RESULTS: We identified 8 factors that contributed to successful translation of policy into program activities: (1) well-structured National SUN framework, (2) reliable coordination platforms and district ownership, (3) systematic and evidence-informed program design, (4) multiple forms of data used to inform program planning, (5) multisectoral implementation approaches to stunting prevention, (6) innovation in technology to improve overall program efficiency, (7) systematic collaboration among diverse stakeholders, and (8) strong public health nutrition capacity of program team members. CONCLUSIONS: Lessons from this nutrition program in Ntchisi, Malawi, provide one case illustrating how the SUN movement, government policies, and global evidence base can be operationalized into tailored programming for improving nutrition.


Subject(s)
Diet , Nutritional Status , Child , Growth Disorders/epidemiology , Growth Disorders/prevention & control , Humans , Infant , Malawi/epidemiology , Rural Population
4.
Genesis ; 56(9): e23246, 2018 09.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-30114334

ABSTRACT

Development of the embryonic head is driven by the activity of gene regulatory networks of transcription factors. LHX1 is a homeobox transcription factor that plays an essential role in the formation of the embryonic head. The loss of LHX1 function results in anterior truncation of the embryo caused by the disruption of morphogenetic movement of tissue precursors and the dysregulation of WNT signaling activity. Profiling the gene expression pattern in the Lhx1 mutant embryo revealed that tissues in anterior germ layers acquire posterior tissue characteristics, suggesting LHX1 activity is required for the allocation and patterning of head precursor tissues. Here, we used LHX1 as an entry point to delineate its transcriptional targets and interactors and construct a LHX1-anchored gene regulatory network. Using a gain-of-function approach, we identified genes that immediately respond to Lhx1 activation. Meta-analysis of the datasets of LHX1-responsive genes and genes expressed in the anterior tissues of mouse embryos at head-fold stage, in conjunction with published Xenopus embryonic LHX1 (Xlim1) ChIP-seq data, has pinpointed the putative transcriptional targets of LHX1 and an array of genetic determinants functioning together in the formation of the mouse embryonic head.


Subject(s)
Gene Regulatory Networks , Genes, Homeobox , Head/embryology , LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Animals , Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism , Gene Expression Profiling , Germ Cells/physiology , Transcription, Genetic , Xenopus laevis/embryology
5.
J Gastrointest Oncol ; 9(3): 416-424, 2018 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29998006

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The correlation between DPYD*9A (c.85T>C) genotype and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) deficiency clinical phenotype is controversial. Reference laboratories either did not perform DPYD*9A genotyping or have stopped DPYD*9A genotyping and limited genotyping to high-risk variants (DPYD*2A, DPYD*13 and DPYD*9B) only. This study explored DPYD*9A genotype and clinical phenotype correlation in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) malignancies treated with fluoropyrimidines. METHODS: Between 2011 and 2017, 67 patients with GI malignancies were genotyped for DPYD variants. Fluoropyrimidines-associated toxicity was graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (version 3.0). Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: DPYD variants were identified in 17 out of 67 (25%) patients. One patient was homozygous for DPYD*9A variant and one patient was double heterozygous for DPYD*9A and DPYD*9B variants. In patients with identified DPYD variants, 13/17 (76%) patients had DPYD*9A variant, 3/17 (18%) patients had DPYD*2A variant and 2/17 (12%) patient had DPYD*9B variant. Only patients genotyped prior to 2015 were genotyped for DPYD*9A variant (N=28). Of those, 13/28 patients (46%) had DPYD*9A variant. Grade 3-4 diarrhea was associated with DPYD*9A variant in patients treated with full dose fluoropyrimidines (P=0.0055). CONCLUSIONS: In our cohort, DPYD*9A variant was the most common diagnosed variant. The correlation between DPYD*9A genotype and DPD deficiency in clinical phenotype was noticeable in patients who received full dose fluoropyrimidines as they all experienced grade 3-4 toxicities (diarrhea).

6.
Data Brief ; 9: 372-375, 2016 Dec.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27699189

ABSTRACT

This article contains data related to the research article entitled "Transcriptional targets of TWIST1 in the cranial mesoderm regulate cell-matrix interactions and mesenchyme maintenance" by Bildsoe et al. (2016) [1]. The data presented here are derived from: (1) a microarray-based comparison of sorted cranial mesoderm (CM) and cranial neural crest (CNC) cells from E9.5 mouse embryos; (2) comparisons of transcription profiles of head tissues from mouse embryos with a CM-specific loss-of-function of Twist1 and control mouse embryos collected at E8.5 and E9.5; (3) ChIP-seq using a TWIST1-specific monoclonal antibody with chromatin extracts from TWIST1-expressing MDCK cells, a model for a TWIST1-dependent mesenchymal state.

7.
Dev Biol ; 418(1): 189-203, 2016 10 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27546376

ABSTRACT

TWIST1, a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor is essential for the development of cranial mesoderm and cranial neural crest-derived craniofacial structures. We have previously shown that, in the absence of TWIST1, cells within the cranial mesoderm adopt an abnormal epithelial configuration via a process reminiscent of a mesenchymal to epithelial transition (MET). Here, we show by gene expression analysis that loss of TWIST1 in the cranial mesoderm is accompanied by a reduction in the expression of genes that are associated with cell-extracellular matrix interactions and the acquisition of mesenchymal characteristics. By comparing the transcriptional profiles of cranial mesoderm-specific Twist1 loss-of-function mutant and control mouse embryos, we identified a set of genes that are both TWIST1-dependent and predominantly expressed in the mesoderm. ChIP-seq was used to identify TWIST1-binding sites in an in vitro model of a TWIST1-dependent mesenchymal cell state, and the data were combined with the transcriptome data to identify potential target genes. Three direct transcriptional targets of TWIST1 (Ddr2, Pcolce and Tgfbi) were validated by ChIP-PCR using mouse embryonic tissues and by luciferase assays. Our findings reveal that the mesenchymal properties of the cranial mesoderm are likely to be regulated by a network of TWIST1 targets that influences the extracellular matrix and cell-matrix interactions, and collectively they are required for the morphogenesis of the craniofacial structures.


Subject(s)
Extracellular Matrix/genetics , Mesoderm/growth & development , Neural Crest/embryology , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Skull/embryology , Twist-Related Protein 1/genetics , Animals , Binding Sites , Cell Differentiation , Cell Line , Dogs , Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition/genetics , Extracellular Matrix/metabolism , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Madin Darby Canine Kidney Cells , Mesenchymal Stem Cells/metabolism , Mice , Mice, Knockout , Morphogenesis/genetics , Nuclear Proteins/biosynthesis , Twist-Related Protein 1/biosynthesis
8.
Biol Open ; 5(2): 130-9, 2016 Jan 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26772200

ABSTRACT

Early development of the gut endoderm and its subsequent remodeling for the formation of organ buds are accompanied by changes to epithelial cell shape and polarity. Members of the Rho-related family of small GTPases and their interacting proteins play multiple roles in regulating epithelial morphogenesis. In this study we examined the role of Cdc42 in foregut development and organ bud formation. Ablation of Cdc42 in post-gastrulation mouse embryos resulted in a loss of apical-basal cell polarity and columnar epithelial morphology in the ventral pharyngeal endoderm, in conjunction with a loss of apical localization of the known CDC42 effector protein PARD6B. Cell viability but not proliferation in the foregut endoderm was impaired. Outgrowth of the liver, lung and thyroid buds was severely curtailed in Cdc42-deficient embryos. In particular, the thyroid bud epithelium did not display the apical constriction that normally occurs concurrently with the outgrowth of the bud into the underlying mesenchyme. SHROOM3, a protein that interacts with Rho GTPases and promotes apical constriction, was strongly expressed in the thyroid bud and its sub-cellular localization was disrupted in Cdc42-deficient embryos. In Shroom3 gene trap mutant embryos, the thyroid bud epithelium showed no apical constriction, while the bud continued to grow and protruded into the foregut lumen. Our findings indicate that Cdc42 is required for epithelial polarity and organization in the endoderm and for apical constriction in the thyroid bud. It is possible that the function of CDC42 is partly mediated by SHROOM3.

9.
Genesis ; 54(3): 115-22, 2016 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26789794

ABSTRACT

Rbm47 encodes a RNA binding protein that is necessary for Cytidine to Uridine RNA editing. Rbm47(gt/gt) mutant mice that harbor inactivated Rbm47 display poor viability. Here it was determined that the loss of Rbm47(gt/gt) offspring is due to embryonic lethality at mid-gestation. It was further showed that growth of the surviving Rbm47(gt/gt) mutants is impaired. Rbm47 is expressed in both the visceral endoderm and the definitive endoderm. Using the utility of the switchable FlEx gene-trap cassette and the activity of Cre and FLP recombinases to generate mice that conditionally inactivate and restore Rbm47 function in tissue-specific manner, it was demonstrated that Rbm47 function is required in the embryo proper, and not the visceral endoderm, for viability and growth. genesis 54:115-122, 2016. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Subject(s)
Embryonic Development , Genes, Lethal , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Genetic Engineering , Mice , Mutation , Organ Specificity , Survival Analysis
10.
Development ; 142(11): 2069-79, 2015 Jun 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25977363

ABSTRACT

Lhx1 encodes a LIM homeobox transcription factor that is expressed in the primitive streak, mesoderm and anterior mesendoderm of the mouse embryo. Using a conditional Lhx1 flox mutation and three different Cre deleters, we demonstrated that LHX1 is required in the anterior mesendoderm, but not in the mesoderm, for formation of the head. LHX1 enables the morphogenetic movement of cells that accompanies the formation of the anterior mesendoderm, in part through regulation of Pcdh7 expression. LHX1 also regulates, in the anterior mesendoderm, the transcription of genes encoding negative regulators of WNT signalling, such as Dkk1, Hesx1, Cer1 and Gsc. Embryos carrying mutations in Pcdh7, generated using CRISPR-Cas9 technology, and embryos without Lhx1 function specifically in the anterior mesendoderm displayed head defects that partially phenocopied the truncation defects of Lhx1-null mutants. Therefore, disruption of Lhx1-dependent movement of the anterior mesendoderm cells and failure to modulate WNT signalling both resulted in the truncation of head structures. Compound mutants of Lhx1, Dkk1 and Ctnnb1 show an enhanced head truncation phenotype, pointing to a functional link between LHX1 transcriptional activity and the regulation of WNT signalling. Collectively, these results provide comprehensive insight into the context-specific function of LHX1 in head formation: LHX1 enables the formation of the anterior mesendoderm that is instrumental for mediating the inductive interaction with the anterior neuroectoderm and LHX1 also regulates the expression of factors in the signalling cascade that modulate the level of WNT activity.


Subject(s)
Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Head/embryology , LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Transcription Factors/metabolism , Animals , Cadherins/metabolism , Endoderm/cytology , Endoderm/metabolism , Gene Deletion , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Germ Layers/cytology , Germ Layers/metabolism , LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/genetics , Mice, Knockout , Models, Biological , Mutation , Phenotype , Signal Transduction , Transcription Factors/genetics , Wnt Proteins/metabolism
11.
Philos Trans R Soc Lond B Biol Sci ; 369(1657)2014 Dec 05.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25349457

ABSTRACT

Mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) display temporal differences in the upregulation of Mixl1 expression during the initial steps of in vitro differentiation, which can be correlated with their propensity for endoderm differentiation. EpiSCs that upregulated Mixl1 rapidly during differentiation responded robustly to both Activin A and Nodal in generating foregut endoderm and precursors of pancreatic and hepatic tissues. By contrast, EpiSCs that delayed Mixl1 upregulation responded less effectively to Nodal and showed an overall suboptimal outcome of directed differentiation. The enhancement in endoderm potency in Mixl1-early cells may be accounted for by a rapid exit from the progenitor state and the efficient response to the induction of differentiation by Nodal. EpiSCs that readily differentiate into the endoderm cells are marked by a distinctive expression fingerprint of transforming growth factor (TGF)-ß signalling pathway genes and genes related to the endoderm lineage. Nodal appears to elicit responses that are associated with transition to a mesenchymal phenotype, whereas Activin A promotes gene expression associated with maintenance of an epithelial phenotype. We postulate that the formation of definitive endoderm (DE) in embryoid bodies follows a similar process to germ layer formation from the epiblast, requiring an initial de-epithelialization event and subsequent re-epithelialization. Our results show that priming EpiSCs with the appropriate form of TGF-ß signalling at the formative phase of endoderm differentiation impacts on the further progression into mature DE-derived lineages, and that this is influenced by the initial characteristics of the cell population. Our study also highlights that Activin A, which is commonly used as an in vitro surrogate for Nodal in differentiation protocols, does not elicit the same downstream effects as Nodal, and therefore may not effectively mimic events that take place in the mouse embryo.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation/physiology , Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism , Endoderm/embryology , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/physiology , Germ Layers/embryology , Inhibin-beta Subunits/metabolism , Nodal Protein/metabolism , Animals , Endoderm/cytology , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental/genetics , Germ Layers/cytology , Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Mice , Signal Transduction/physiology , Transforming Growth Factor beta/metabolism
12.
Development ; 141(20): 3859-67, 2014 Oct.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25231759

ABSTRACT

The Otx2 gene encodes a paired-type homeobox transcription factor that is essential for the induction and the patterning of the anterior structures in the mouse embryo. Otx2 knockout embryos fail to form a head. Whereas previous studies have shown that Otx2 is required in the anterior visceral endoderm and the anterior neuroectoderm for head formation, its role in the anterior mesendoderm (AME) has not been assessed specifically. Here, we show that tissue-specific ablation of Otx2 in the AME phenocopies the truncation of the embryonic head of the Otx2 null mutant. Expression of Dkk1 and Lhx1, two genes that are also essential for head formation, is disrupted in the AME of the conditional Otx2-deficient embryos. Consistent with the fact that Dkk1 is a direct target of OTX2, we showed that OTX2 can interact with the H1 regulatory region of Dkk1 to activate its expression. Cross-species comparative analysis, RT-qPCR, ChIP-qPCR and luciferase assays have revealed two conserved regions in the Lhx1 locus to which OTX2 can bind to activate Lhx1 expression. Abnormal development of the embryonic head in Otx2;Lhx1 and Otx2;Dkk1 compound mutant embryos highlights the functional intersection of Otx2, Dkk1 and Lhx1 in the AME for head formation.


Subject(s)
Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Head/embryology , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , LIM-Homeodomain Proteins/metabolism , Mesoderm/physiology , Otx Transcription Factors/physiology , Transcription Factors/metabolism , 3T3 Cells , Animals , Crosses, Genetic , Luciferases/metabolism , Mice , Mutation , Phenotype
13.
EMBO Rep ; 15(8): 903-10, 2014 Aug.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24916387

ABSTRACT

Cytidine (C) to Uridine (U) RNA editing is a post-transcriptional modification that is accomplished by the deaminase APOBEC1 and its partnership with the RNA-binding protein A1CF. We identify and characterise here a novel RNA-binding protein, RBM47, that interacts with APOBEC1 and A1CF and is expressed in tissues where C to U RNA editing occurs. RBM47 can substitute for A1CF and is necessary and sufficient for APOBEC1-mediated editing in vitro. Editing is further impaired in Rbm47-deficient mutant mice. These findings suggest that RBM47 and APOBEC1 constitute the basic machinery for C to U RNA editing.


Subject(s)
Cytidine Deaminase/physiology , RNA Editing , RNA-Binding Proteins/genetics , APOBEC-1 Deaminase , Animals , Caco-2 Cells , Cell Nucleus/metabolism , Cytidine/metabolism , Gene Expression , Humans , Mice, Transgenic , Protein Transport , RNA, Messenger/genetics , RNA, Messenger/metabolism , RNA-Binding Proteins/metabolism , Uridine/metabolism
14.
Eur J Ophthalmol ; 24(4): 550-8, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24338579

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: To examine the level of agreement and reasons for disagreement between grading of diabetic retinopathy and maculopathy using mydriatic digital photographs in a diabetic retinopathy screening service (DRSS) and hospital eye service (HES). METHODS: English NHS Diabetic Eye Screening Programme grades for diabetic retinopathy prospectively recorded on a hospital electronic medical record were compared to the grades from the DRSS event that prompted referral. In cases of disagreement, images were reviewed. RESULTS: Data for 1,501 patients (3,002 eyes) referred between 2008 and 2011 were analyzed. The HES retinopathy grades were R0 (no retinopathy) in 341 eyes, R1 (background retinopathy) in 1,712 eyes, R2 (pre-proliferative retinopathy) in 821 eyes, and R3 (proliferative retinopathy) in 128 eyes. The DRSS grades were in agreement in 2,309 eyes (76.9%), recorded a lower grade in 227 eyes, and recorded a higher grade in 466 eyes. Agreement was substantial (κ = 0.65). The commonest cause for disagreement was overgrading of R1 as R2 by hospital clinicians. The HES maculopathy grades were M0 (no maculopathy) in 2,267 eyes and M1 (maculopathy) in 735 eyes. The DRSS were in agreement in 2,111 eyes (70.2%), recorded a lower grade in 106 eyes, and recorded a higher grade in 785 eyes. Agreement was fair (κ = 0.39). The commonest cause for disagreement was hospital clinicians missing fine exudates. CONCLUSIONS: This study establishes a benchmark standard for agreement between HES and DRSS grading. Review of DRSS and grading reports images for newly referred patients is likely to improve levels of agreement, particularly for diabetic retinopathy, and should be strongly encouraged.


Subject(s)
Diabetic Retinopathy/diagnosis , Diagnostic Techniques, Ophthalmological , Microscopy, Acoustic/classification , Photography/classification , Retinal Diseases/diagnosis , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Physical Examination , Referral and Consultation , Reproducibility of Results , Young Adult
15.
Methods Mol Biol ; 1092: 367-93, 2014.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24318831

ABSTRACT

A well-established experimental paradigm to analyze gene function in development is to elucidate the impact of gain and loss of gene activity on cell differentiation, tissue modelling, organogenesis, and morphogenesis. This chapter describes the experimental protocols to study gene function by means of electroporation and lipofection to manipulate genetic activity in whole embryos and fetal organs in vitro. These techniques allow for more precise control of the timing, with reference to developmental age or stage, and the cell/tissue-specificity of the changes in gene activity. They provide an alternative strategy that can expedite the analysis of gene function before resorting to the conventional means of transgenesis and gene targeting in the whole organism.


Subject(s)
Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Embryonic Development/genetics , Morphogenesis/genetics , Organogenesis/genetics , Animals , Electroporation , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , Gene Targeting , Mice , Molecular Biology/methods
16.
Cell Stem Cell ; 14(1): 107-20, 2014 Jan 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24139757

ABSTRACT

Mouse epiblast stem cells (EpiSCs) can be derived from a wide range of developmental stages. To characterize and compare EpiSCs with different origins, we derived a series of EpiSC lines from pregastrula stage to late-bud-stage mouse embryos. We found that the transcriptomes of these cells are hierarchically distinct from those of the embryonic stem cells, induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), and epiblast/ectoderm. The EpiSCs display globally similar gene expression profiles irrespective of the original developmental stage of the source tissue. They are developmentally similar to the ectoderm of the late-gastrula-stage embryo and behave like anterior primitive streak cells when differentiated in vitro and in vivo. The EpiSC lines that we derived can also be categorized based on a correlation between gene expression signature and predisposition to differentiate into particular germ-layer derivatives. Our findings therefore highlight distinct identifying characteristics of EpiSCs and provide a foundation for further examination of EpiSC properties and potential.


Subject(s)
Cell Differentiation , Cell Lineage , Embryo, Mammalian/cytology , Embryonic Stem Cells/cytology , Germ Layers/cytology , Pluripotent Stem Cells/cytology , Primitive Streak/cytology , Animals , Biomarkers/metabolism , Blotting, Western , Cell Proliferation , Cells, Cultured , Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Embryonic Stem Cells/metabolism , Female , Fibroblasts/cytology , Fibroblasts/metabolism , Gastrulation , Gene Expression Profiling , Germ Layers/metabolism , Immunoenzyme Techniques , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis , Pluripotent Stem Cells/metabolism , Primitive Streak/metabolism , RNA, Messenger/genetics , Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
17.
Schizophr Res ; 152(2-3): 487-9, 2014 Feb.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24360822

ABSTRACT

The current study explored whether individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia and a high level of PTSD symptoms experience more frequent neutral intrusive memories than individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia with low level PTSD symptoms. Results supported a vulnerability to neutral intrusive memories within the comorbid group, which did not seem to be related to psychotic symptom severity. It is possible that a subgroup of psychotic individuals processes information in a manner that make them susceptible to frequent intrusive memories, characteristic of a PTSD presentation. A longitudinal study is required to specify the development of this vulnerability so as to inform future interventions.


Subject(s)
Memory Disorders/diagnosis , Memory Disorders/etiology , Schizophrenia/complications , Schizophrenia/epidemiology , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/complications , Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic/epidemiology , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Comorbidity , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Neuropsychological Tests , Psychiatric Status Rating Scales , Trauma Severity Indices , Young Adult
18.
Dev Biol ; 374(2): 295-307, 2013 Feb 15.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23261931

ABSTRACT

The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor Twist1 is a key regulator of craniofacial development. Twist1-null mouse embryos exhibit failure of cephalic neural tube closure and abnormal head development and die at E11.0. To dissect the function of Twist1 in the cranial mesoderm beyond mid-gestation, we used Mesp1-Cre to delete Twist1 in the anterior mesoderm, which includes the progenitors of the cranial mesoderm. Deletion of Twist1 in mesoderm cells resulted in loss and malformations of the cranial mesoderm-derived skeleton. Loss of Twist1 in the mesoderm also resulted in a failure to fully segregate the mesoderm and the neural crest cells, and the malformation of some cranial neural crest-derived tissues. The development of extraocular muscles was compromised whereas the differentiation of branchial arch muscles was not affected, indicating a differential requirement for Twist1 in these two types of craniofacial muscle. A striking effect of the loss of Twist1 was the inability of the mesodermal cells to maintain their mesenchymal characteristics, and the acquisition of an epithelial-like morphology. Our findings point to a role of Twist1 in maintaining the mesenchyme architecture and the progenitor state of the mesoderm, as well as mediating mesoderm-neural crest interactions in craniofacial development.


Subject(s)
Embryo, Mammalian/metabolism , Mesoderm/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/genetics , Twist-Related Protein 1/genetics , Animals , Apoptosis/genetics , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/genetics , Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors/metabolism , Craniofacial Abnormalities/genetics , Craniofacial Abnormalities/metabolism , Craniofacial Abnormalities/pathology , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Fluorescent Antibody Technique , Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental , In Situ Hybridization , Mesoderm/embryology , Mice , Mice, Inbred C57BL , Mice, Knockout , Mice, Transgenic , Models, Anatomic , Models, Genetic , Neural Crest/cytology , Neural Crest/embryology , Neural Crest/metabolism , Nuclear Proteins/deficiency , Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction , Skull/embryology , Skull/metabolism , Time Factors , Twist-Related Protein 1/deficiency
19.
J Behav Ther Exp Psychiatry ; 43(3): 871-6, 2012 Sep.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22269251

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Individuals who score high on positive schizotypy personality traits are vulnerable to more frequent trauma-related intrusive memories after a stressful event. This vulnerability may be the product of a low level of contextual integration of non-stressful material combined with a heightened sensitivity to a further reduction in contextual integration during a stressful event. The current study assessed whether high scoring schizotypes are vulnerable to frequent involuntary autobiographical memories (IAMs) of non-stressful material. METHODS: A free-association word task was used. Participants completed three recorded trials which were then replayed to allow the identification of any associations where an involuntary autobiographical memory had come to mind. Self-report measures of schizotypy and anxiety were completed. RESULTS: All participants retrieved at least one IAM from the three free-association word trials, with 70% experiencing two or more IAMs. Individuals scoring high in schizotypy reported more IAMs than those who scored low. Over 75% of the memories retrieved were neutral or positive in content. LIMITATIONS: The current study is an improvement on previous methodologies used to assess IAMs. However, bias due to retrospective recall remains a possibility. CONCLUSIONS: Individuals scoring high in schizotypy are vulnerable to an increased level of neutral intrusive memories which may be associated with a 'baseline' level of information-processing which is low in contextual integration.


Subject(s)
Memory, Episodic , Mental Recall , Schizotypal Personality Disorder/psychology , Adolescent , Adult , Anxiety/psychology , Cues , Female , Free Association , Humans , Male , Personality Inventory/statistics & numerical data , Psychomotor Performance , Self Report
20.
Cell Cycle ; 11(1): 26-32, 2012 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22157093

ABSTRACT

The formation of the embryonic head begins with the assembly of the progenitor tissues of the brain, the head and face primordia and the foregut that are derived from the primary germ layers during gastrulation. Specification of the anterior-posterior polarity of major body parts and the morphogenesis of the head and brain specifically is driven by inductive signals including those mediated by BMP, Nodal, FGF and WNT. A critical role of ß-catenin dependent WNT signalling activity for head morphogenesis has been revealed through the analysis of the phenotypic impact of loss of function mutation of an antagonist: DKK1, a transcriptional repressor: GSC; and the outcome of interaction of Dkk1 with genes coding three components of the canonical signalling pathway: the ligand WNT3, the co-receptor LRP6 and the transcriptional co-factor, ß-catenin. The findings highlight the requirement of a stringent control of the timing, domain and level of canonical WNT signalling activity for the formation of the embryonic head.


Subject(s)
Head/embryology , Signal Transduction , Wnt Proteins/metabolism , Animals , Bone Morphogenetic Proteins/metabolism , Embryo, Mammalian/embryology , Embryonic Development , Fibroblast Growth Factors/metabolism , Intercellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins/metabolism , Mice , Nodal Protein/metabolism , beta Catenin/metabolism
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