Virginia Commonwealth University

About: Virginia Commonwealth University is a education organization based out in Richmond, Virginia, United States. It is known for research contribution in the topics: Population & Health care. The organization has 23822 authors who have published 49587 publications receiving 1787046 citations. The organization is also known as: VCU.

Patterns of Lipid Storage and Utilization in Birds

Abstract: synopsis. Nowhere among the vertebrates does the capability for storing and using triglyc? eride as an energy reserve exceed the level found in the class Aves. Adult avian depot fats are composed largely of 16- and 18-carbon fatty acids and are mostly unsaturated. Variation in fatty acid composition among species may be attributed to dietary differences and physiological state of the bird. Storage occurs mainly by addition of lipid to adipocyte vacuoles without an increase in cell number. Daily cycles of fat deposition and use are of greater amplitude at higher latitudes, but in general the lipid stored during the day will only provide energy for the overnight fast plus a few daylight hours. Storage levels may be minimized due to the disadvantages of increased wing-loading. A variety of behavioral, physiological and morphological adaptations may be used to reduce the need for overnight energy reserves. Migratory fattening is largely a function of migration speed, magnitude of barriers to be crossed and aerodynamic considerations. Lipid reserves are greatest in eggs of precocial birds and are retained longer in precocial young. Adaptive strategies of fat deposition in young birds are related largely to the ability of adults to feed young before and after fledging.

Expression profile of histone deacetylase 1 in gastric cancer tissues.

Abstract: Although histone deacetylases (HDACs) appear to play a crucial role in carcinogenesis, the expression status of HDACs in primary human cancer tissues has not yet been reported. In this study, we investigated the expression level of HDAC1 in 25 paired primary human gastric cancer (GC) tissues and corresponding normal tissues through semi-quantitative RT-PCR and immunoblot analysis. The HDAC1 expression pattern was also topologically examined through immunohistochemistry. Overexpression of HDAC1 mRNA was detected in 68% of GC tissues (17 of 25), and the relative density of HDAC1 mRNA in GC tissue was increased 1.8-fold versus the normal counterpart (P < 0.01). Elevated expression of HDAC1 protein was also detected in 61% of GC samples (11 of 18), which also showed an increased mRNA level of HDAC. Immunohistochemically, overexpression of HDAC1 was predominantly localized in the nuclei of most neoplastic cells, including embolic tumor cells, whereas normal glandular epithelial cells revealed only weak HDAC1 expression that was focal in distribution. Thus, the present study clearly demonstrates that HDAC1 is overexpressed in GC and probably plays a significant role in gastric carcinogenesis.

Alcohol, liver disease and the gut microbiota

Abstract: Alcoholic liver disease, which ranges from mild disease to alcoholic hepatitis and cirrhosis, is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality worldwide. Alcohol intake can lead to changes in gut microbiota composition, even before liver disease development. These alterations worsen with advancing disease and could be complicit in disease progression. Microbial function, especially related to bile acid metabolism, can modulate alcohol-associated injury even in the presence of cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. Microbiota changes might also alter brain function, and the gut-brain axis might be a potential target to reduce alcoholic relapse risk. Gut microbiota manipulation including probiotics, faecal microbial transplant and antibiotics has been studied in alcoholic liver disease with varying success. Further investigation of the modulation of the gut-liver axis is relevant, as most of these patients are not candidates for liver transplantation. This Review focuses on clinical studies involving the gut microbiota in patients with alcoholic liver disease across the spectrum from alcoholic fatty liver to cirrhosis and alcoholic hepatitis. Specific alterations in the gut-liver-brain axis that are complicit in the interactions between the gut microbiota and alcohol addiction are also reviewed.

The Structure of Genetic and Environmental Risk Factors for Syndromal and Subsyndromal Common DSM-IV Axis I and All Axis II Disorders

Abstract: Objective:The authors sought to clarify the structure of the genetic and environmental risk factors for 22 DSM-IV disorders: 12 common axis I disorders and all 10 axis II disorders. Method:The authors examined syndromal and subsyndromal axis I diagnoses and five categories reflecting number of endorsed criteria for axis II disorders in 2,111 personally interviewed young adult members of the Norwegian Institute of Public Health Twin Panel. Results:Four correlated genetic factors were identified: axis I internalizing, axis II internalizing, axis I externalizing, and axis II externalizing. Factors 1 and 2 and factors 3 and 4 were moderately correlated, supporting the importance of the internalizing-externalizing distinction. Five disorders had substantial loadings on two factors: borderline personality disorder (factors 3 and 4), somatoform disorder (factors 1 and 2), paranoid and dependent personality disorders (factors 2 and 4), and eating disorders (factors 1 and 4). Three correlated environmental factors...