Differential coexpression analysis of obesity-associated networks in human subcutaneous adipose tissue.

OBJECTIVE: To use a unique obesity-discordant sib-pair study design to combine differential expression analysis, expression quantitative trait loci (eQTLs) mapping and a coexpression regulatory network approach in subcutaneous human adipose tissue to identify genes relevant to the obese state. STUDY DESIGN: Genome-wide transcript expression in subcutaneous human adipose tissue was measured using Affymetrix U133 Plus 2.0 microarrays (Affymetrix, Santa Clara, CA, USA), and genome-wide genotyping data was obtained using an Applied Biosystems (Applied Biosystems; Life Technologies, Carlsbad, CA, USA) SNPlex linkage panel. SUBJECTS: A total of 154 Swedish families ascertained through an obese proband (body mass index (BMI) >30 kg m(-2)) with a discordant sibling (BMI>10 kg m(-2) less than proband). RESULTS: Approximately one-third of the transcripts were differentially expressed between lean and obese siblings. The cellular adhesion molecules (CAMs) KEGG grouping contained the largest number of differentially expressed genes under cis-acting genetic control. By using a novel approach to contrast CAMs coexpression networks between lean and obese siblings, a subset of differentially regulated genes was identified, with the previously GWAS obesity-associated neuronal growth regulator 1 (NEGR1) as a central hub. Independent analysis using mouse data demonstrated that this finding of NEGR1 is conserved across species. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that in addition to its reported role in the brain, NEGR1 is also expressed in subcutaneous adipose tissue and acts as a central 'hub' in an obesity-related transcript network.

Meals and energy intake among elderly women--an analysis of qualitative and quantitative dietary assessment methods.

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse whether a qualitative method, in relation to traditional dietary assessment methods, was adequate to establish sufficient energy intake and energy content in separate meals in a population of elderly women. METHODS: One hundred and thirty-five elderly women, aged 63-88 years, living at home from three communities in mid-eastern Sweden participated in the present study. The quantitative methods used were a combination of repeated 24-h recall and a 3-day estimated food diary. The qualitative method used was the Food-Based Classification of Eating episodes model (FBCE). RESULTS: The mean intake of energy estimated by the 5-day registration was 6.8 +/- 1.9 MJ. The total number of eating events was 5.22 +/- 1.04 per day. On a group level, FBCE was useful to describe the diet among a group of elderly women; however, on an individual level, some complete meals were low or very low in energy, due to small portion sizes. CONCLUSION: The main conclusion was that a qualitative method, such as FBCE, must be supplemented with a dietary assessment method giving the energy intake to ensure that it is sufficient, especially when studying groups at risk for malnutrition.

[Clonidine: prophylactic action in rapid cycling manic-depressive psychosis]. / Clonidine: action prophylactique dans la psychose maniaco-dépressive à cycles rapides?

The authors report a study, carried on more for than three years, concerning a long lasting experimentation with Clonidine as a prophylactic way. Seven patients, with affective disorders, isolated or joined to other psychiatrical affections were concerned. For four patients, the result is conclusive, the singularity of the Norepinephrine way in the Manic-Depressive illness being confirmed. To try to explain these results the authors suggest a critical model, including the receptor alpha 2 in its qualitative and quantitative aspects, probably modified by the permanent character of the treatment. More particularly, they postulate a dose-dependent activity of Clonidine, activity which could explain the noted alpha 2 pre- and probably postsynaptic effects.

[Anatomo-clinical and neurochemical aspects of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease]. / A propos des aspects anatomo-cliniques et neuro-chimiques de la maladie de Pelizaeus-Merzbacher.

The classification of the diffuse cerebral sclerosis has been possible because of the new advances in biochemical and histochemical studies of myelin and of neuropathological findings. The enzymatic disturbances in metachromatic leucodystrophy and in Krabbe's disease were determined. That allowed the definition of new diagnostic methods, safe and no traumatic. About the sudanophilic leucodystrophy, it is, even now, more doubtful: in this paper, we compared the data of own two observations of Pelizaeus-Merzbacher's disease with the 52 cases from the literature.

Serum level monitoring and therapeutic effect of haloperidol in schizophrenic patients.

Haloperidol serum concentrations were determined after IM or oral treatment in 15 schizophrenic patients. No correlation was found between drug levels and therapeutic effect. However, a good relationship was found between the half-life calculated after the first IM injection and the BPRS decrease after 3 weeks. Therefore a serum level study to the first day may forecast the therapeutic response.

[Relations between the levels of neuroleptics and the doses, the therapeutic effects and the side effects]. / Relation des taux des neuroleptiques avec les doses, les actions thérapeutiques et les effets secondaires.

The mass fragmentography and the gas-liquid chromatography are available actually for quantitation of very low levels of neuroleptics. The Radio-immunological assay is full of promise. Their plasma levels are not correlated with their dosage in a man to another, but, for some of them, there is lineary relation for one person. A correlation between their levels and their clinical efficacy is not certainly demonstrated for thioridazine and non transformed chlorpromazine; it could be possible for his sulphoxide metabolite and for butaperazine. The sides-effects are relatively correlated with their levels in the begining of the therepautic. The antiparkinsonian drugs, the antidepressants and the lithium could influenced them.

Hemispheric disconnection syndrome with a "crossed avoiding" reaction in a case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease.

A clinicopathological study is presented of a case of Marchiafava-Bignami disease with a hemispheric disconnection syndrome, an association that does not appear to have been reported previously. Gross and microscopic examination of the brain revealed necrosis of the corpus callosum (sparing a small area in front of the splenium) and of the anterior commissure, cortical and subcortical infarction of the right lingual gyrus, diffuse cortical lesions of the laminar sclerosis type, and lacunae in the basal ganglia and the pons. The patient was unable to grasp objects presented to the right visual half-field with the left hand, or to respond to contralateral somaesthetic stimuli with either of the upper limbs. This motor inhibition, with the associated extended posture, is described as a "crossed avoiding reaction", and attributed to the inability of one hemisphere to respond to visual or somaesthetic stimuli projected to the other hemisphere. Clinicopathological correlations and visuomotor coordination mechanisms are discussed in the light of previous clinical and experimental studies. Anomia to pictures projected tachistoscopically to the left visual field, disturbances in the transfer of somaesthetic information, left sided ideomotor apraxia with agraphia, right sided dyscopia, and ideational apraxia especially marked in the right visual field were observed.