BDNF Val66Met Is Associated With Performance in a Computerized Visual-Motor Tracking Test in Healthy Adults

Motor Control ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
pp. 122-134 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yeimy González-Giraldo ◽  
Shane T. Mueller ◽  
Ana Adan ◽  
Johana Rojas ◽  
Brian J. Piper ◽  
...  

The brain-derived neurotrophic factor gene (BDNF) is known to play an important role in neuroplasticity and cognitive processes. We explored the association of BDNF Val66Met polymorphism with performance in a visual-motor tracking test. One hundred and sixty-seven young, healthy Colombian adults completed a computerized version of the Pursuit Rotor Task, using the Psychology Experiment Building Language (PEBL) platform. DNA genotyping was performed by allele-specific polymerase chain reaction. We found that BDNF Val/Met and Met/Met subjects performed better in the pursuit rotor task (p = .03). Our findings suggest that the BDNF gene is essential to understand differences in motor performance in healthy participants in different populations. This approach could be useful for future fine mapping of genetic modifiers for neuropsychiatric diseases.

1994 ◽  
Vol 71 (05) ◽  
pp. 651-654 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rainer Kalb ◽  
Sentot Santoso ◽  
Katja Unkelbach ◽  
Volker Kiefel ◽  
Christian Mueller-Eckhardt

SummaryAlloimmunization against the human platelet alloantigen system Br (HPA-5) is the second most common cause of neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia (NAIT) in Caucasian populations. We have recently shown that a single base polymorphism at position 1648 on platelet mRNA coding for GPIa results in an aminoacid substitution at position 505 on the mature GPIa which is associated with the two serological defined Br phenotypes.Since DNA-typing of platelet alloantigens offers possibilities for useful clinical applications, we designed genomic DNA-based restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) typing for Br alloantigens. To establish this technique we analyzed the genomic organization of GPIa adjacent to the polymorphic base. Using the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) of blood cell DNA we have identified two introns (approximately 1.7 and 1.9 kb) flanking a 144 bp coding sequence of the GPIa gene encompassing the polymorphic base 1648. Based on the in- tron sequence, a PCR primer was constructed to amplify a 274 bp fragment which was used for allele-specific RFLP to determine the Br genotypes. The results of RFLP analysis using Mnll endonuclease obtained from 15 donors (2 Br37*, 2 Br^ and 11 Brb/b) correlate perfectly with serological typing by monoclonal antibody-specific immobilization of platelet antigens (MAIPA) assay.


Author(s):  
Sara Keränen ◽  
Santeri Suutarinen ◽  
Rahul Mallick ◽  
Johanna P. Laakkonen ◽  
Diana Guo ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Brain arteriovenous malformations (bAVM) may rupture causing disability or death. BAVM vessels are characterized by abnormally high flow that in general triggers expansive vessel remodeling mediated by cyclo-oxygenase-2 (COX2), the target of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. We investigated whether COX2 is expressed in bAVMs and whether it associates with inflammation and haemorrhage in these lesions. Methods Tissue was obtained from surgery of 139 bAVMs and 21 normal Circle of Willis samples. The samples were studied with immunohistochemistry and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Clinical data was collected from patient records. Results COX2 expression was found in 78% (109/139) of the bAVMs and localized to the vessels’ lumen or medial layer in 70% (95/135) of the bAVMs. Receptors for prostaglandin E2, a COX2-derived mediator of vascular remodeling, were found in the endothelial and smooth muscle cells and perivascular inflammatory cells of bAVMs. COX2 was expressed by infiltrating inflammatory cells and correlated with the extent of inflammation (r = .231, p = .007, Spearman rank correlation). COX2 expression did not associate with haemorrhage. Conclusion COX2 is induced in bAVMs, and possibly participates in the regulation of vessel wall remodelling and ongoing inflammation. Role of COX2 signalling in the pathobiology and clinical course of bAVMs merits further studies.


2018 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Rui Geng ◽  
Yuansheng Xu ◽  
Wenhao Hu ◽  
Hui Zhao

Matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1) degrades cartilage, which may result in osteoarthritis (OA) development. Several studies have explored the association between MMP-1 gene rs1799750 polymorphism and OA in different populations. However, the results are inconsistent. The aim of this case–control study was to investigate the association between MMP-1 gene rs1799750 polymorphism and knee OA in a Chinese population. The present study included 308 cases and 404 controls. Genotyping was performed using standard polymerase chain reaction and restriction fragment length polymorphism. The present study found that 2G2G genotype (2G2G vs 1G1G: OR & 95% CI, 2.28 (1.47–3.53), P<0.001; 2G2G + 1G2G vs 1G1G: OR & 95% CI, 1.61 (1.15–2.24), P=0.005; 2G2G vs 1G2G + 1G1G: OR & 95% CI, 1.84 (1.26–2.68), P=0.002) or 2G allele carriers (2G vs 1G: OR & 95% CI, 1.48 (1.20–1.83), P<0.001) of MMP-1 gene rs1799750 polymorphism increased the risk of OA. In conclusion, this case–control study confirms that MMP-1 gene rs1799750 polymorphism increases the risk of knee OA in Chinese Han population.


2018 ◽  
Vol 142 (12) ◽  
pp. 1485-1502 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brigitte M. Ronnett

Context.— Distinction of hydatidiform moles from nonmolar specimens and subclassification of hydatidiform moles as complete hydatidiform mole versus partial hydatidiform mole are important for clinical practice and investigational studies. Risk of persistent gestational trophoblastic disease and clinical management differ for these entities. Diagnosis based on morphology is subject to interobserver variability and remains problematic, even for experienced gynecologic pathologists. Objectives.— To explain how ancillary techniques target the unique genetic features of hydatidiform moles to establish diagnostic truth, highlight the issue of diagnostic reproducibility and importance of diagnostic accuracy, and illustrate use of p57 immunohistochemistry and polymerase chain reaction–based DNA genotyping for diagnosis. Data Sources.— Sources are the author's 10-year experience using ancillary techniques for the evaluation of potentially molar specimens in a large gynecologic pathology practice and the literature. Conclusions.— The unique genetics of complete hydatidiform moles (purely androgenetic), partial hydatidiform moles (diandric triploid), and nonmolar specimens (biparental, with allelic balance) allow for certain techniques, including immunohistochemical analysis of p57 expression (a paternally imprinted, maternally expressed gene) and genotyping, to refine diagnoses of hydatidiform moles. Although p57 immunostaining alone can identify complete hydatidiform moles, which lack p57 expression because of a lack of maternal DNA, this analysis does not distinguish partial hydatidiform moles from nonmolar specimens because both express p57 because of the presence of maternal DNA. Genotyping, which compares villous and decidual DNA patterns to determine the parental source and ratios of polymorphic alleles, distinguishes purely androgenetic complete hydatidiform moles from diandric triploid partial hydatidiform moles, and both of these from biparental nonmolar specimens. An algorithmic approach to diagnosis using these techniques is advocated.


2017 ◽  
Vol 108 (2) ◽  
pp. 271-281 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Karimi ◽  
H. Izadi ◽  
M. Askari Seyahooei ◽  
A. Bagheri ◽  
P. Khodaygan

AbstractThe date palm hopper,Ommatissus lybicus, is a key pest of the date palm, which is expected to be comprised of many allopatric populations. The current study was carried out to determine bacterial endosymbiont diversity in the different populations of this pest. Ten date palm hopper populations were collected from the main date palm growing regions in Iran and an additional four samples from Pakistan, Oman, Egypt and Tunisia for detection of primary and secondary endosymbionts using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay with their specific primers. The PCR products were directly sequenced and edited using SeqMan software. The consensus sequences were subjected to a BLAST similarity search. The results revealed the presence of ‘CandidatusSulcia muelleri’ (primary endosymbiont) andWolbachia,ArsenophonusandEnterobacter(secondary endosymbionts) in all populations. This assay failed to detect ‘CandidatusNasuia deltocephalinicola’ andSerratiain these populations. ‘Ca. S. muelleri’ exhibited a 100% infection frequency in populations andWolbachia,ArsenophonusandEnterobacterdemonstrated 100, 93.04 and 97.39% infection frequencies, respectively. The infection rate ofArsenophonusandEnterobacterranged from 75 to 100% and 62.5 to 100%, respectively, in different populations of the insect. The results demonstrated multiple infections by ‘Ca. Sulcia muelleri’,Wolbachia,ArsenophonusandEnterobacterin the populations and may suggest significant roles for these endosymbionts on date palm hopper population fitness. This study provides an insight to endosymbiont variation in the date palm hopper populations; however, further investigation is needed to examine how these endosymbionts may affect host fitness.


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