Article
Pediatrics
Jefferson Terry, Roger A. Dyer
Summary: This study found increased variability in the colonic metabolome and a trend towards increased colonic serotonin in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). However, there was no significant difference in the expression of serotonin synthesis and transport genes between the SIDS and non-SIDS control groups. Microbiome analysis also showed no significant difference between the two groups.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2023)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Malosree Maitra, Corina Nagy, Anjali Chawla, Yu Chang Wang, Camila Nascimento, Matthew Suderman, Jean-Francois Theroux, Naguib Mechawar, Jiannis Ragoussis, Gustavo Turecki
Summary: The authors present an optimized workflow for isolating single nuclei from archived postmortem tissues, which does not require sorting or ultracentrifugation. This protocol allows for efficient capture of single nuclei for high-quality snRNA-seq libraries and is compatible with the 10X Genomics Chromium system.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Eugenia Annunzi, Loreta Cannito, Fabio Bellia, Francesca Mercante, Matteo Vismara, Beatrice Benatti, Alberto Di Domenico, Riccardo Palumbo, Walter Adriani, Bernardo Dell'Osso, Claudio D'Addario
Summary: This study investigated the epigenetic and genetic regulation of the oxytocin receptor, dopamine transporter, and serotonin transporter genes in relation to Internet addiction. The results showed significant changes in DNA methylation levels and their correlation with psychometric properties. These findings contribute to our understanding of the neurobiology of Internet addiction and offer potential biological predictors for early diagnosis and treatment.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Trent Davidson, David B. Braudt, Robert Keers, Elham Assary, Kathleen Mullan Harris, Jason D. Boardman
Summary: This study re-evaluated one of the most cited and disputed papers in gene-environment interaction literature, using a genome-wide polygenic indicator to examine the genetic determinants of stress sensitivity. The results supported the stress-diathesis perspective and validated the scientific contributions of the original paper.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell Biology
Colby E. Witt, Sergio Mena, Lauren E. Honan, Lauren Batey, Victoria Salem, Yangguang Ou, Parastoo Hashemi
Summary: This study used fast-scan controlled-adsorption voltammetry (FSCAV) to measure low-periodicity fluctuations in serotonin levels in mouse hippocampi. Correlation analyses revealed that these oscillations were present in vivo but not in vitro, and were not significantly different under different conditions (sex and stress paradigm). The administration of a selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor resulted in a shift in the frequency of the oscillations, suggesting regulation by transporter proteins. Additionally, the experimental parameters of FSCAV were optimized for higher temporal resolution, leading to more pronounced shifts in oscillation frequency and decreased amplitude.
Article
Cell Biology
Huangfei Yu, Tianyin Qu, Jinlan Yang, Qing Dai
Summary: In this study, it is reported that serotonin transporter (SERT) transports serotonin into colorectal cancer cells, enhancing Yes-associated protein (YAP) expression and promoting colon cancer cell growth. The transglutaminase 2 (TG2) mediates RhoA serotonylation and activates RhoA-ROCK1/2 signaling to upregulate YAP expression. Blocking SERT with citalopram reverses serotonin-induced YAP expression and cell proliferation. In addition, SERT expression is correlated with YAP in human colorectal cancer samples and the levels of serotonin are significant in patients with colorectal cancer. Therefore, targeting the serotonin-SERT-YAP axis may be a potential therapeutic strategy for colorectal cancer.
CELL COMMUNICATION AND SIGNALING
(2023)
Article
Psychiatry
Sarah Nazzari, Serena Grumi, Fabiana Mambretti, Marco Villa, Roberto Giorda, Livio Provenzi
Summary: This study observed the methylation status of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 genes in Italian mothers and infants exposed to COVID-19 lockdown during different stages of pregnancy. The findings revealed lower methylation of NR3C1 and SLC6A4 in mothers and infants exposed during the first trimester, which remained significant after controlling for confounders. Therefore, women and infants should be adequately monitored for psychological health during and after the pandemic.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Review
Psychiatry
David E. Nichols
Summary: At first glance, the molecular structures of MDMA and MDA seem similar, but their activity stereochemistry differs. MDMA is distinct from classical hallucinogenic phenethylamines in structure and psychopharmacology. It promotes affiliative social behavior, has acute anxiolytic effects, and induces introspection and personal reflection. Its mechanism of action involves the transport and release of neuronal serotonin.
FRONTIERS IN PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Nikita Deo, Gregory Redpath
Summary: This article examines the important role of endocytosis in the cellular basis of depression and anxiety. It provides a detailed explanation of the endocytic regulation of 5-HT receptors and SERT, and explores how SSRIs and hallucinogenic compounds modulate serotonin signaling through endocytosis.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Review
Geosciences, Multidisciplinary
Mats E. Eriksson, Randolph De La Garza, Esben Horn, Johan Lindgren
Summary: This article provides a review of research on ichthyosaurs, focusing on their soft-tissue structures and inferences made from them, such as coloration and thermoregulation. The authors present a detailed, 1:1 scale, three-dimensional reconstruction of an ichthyosaur based on empirical evidence obtained directly from the fossil record. This reconstruction is currently the most scientifically up-to-date representation of an ichthyosaur available.
EARTH-SCIENCE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Miriam A. Schiele, Jan Lipovsek, Pascal Schlosser, Michael Soutschek, Gerhard Schratt, Michael Zaudig, Goetz Berberich, Anna Koettgen, Katharina Domschke
Summary: Altered DNA methylation has been observed in several candidate genes in adult patients with OCD. In this study, an epigenome-wide association study was conducted for the first time in a sample of OCD patients of European ancestry, and significant quantitative trait methylation sites (QTMs) and suggestive hits were identified. These findings may provide valuable insights into the pathogenesis of OCD and potentially serve as peripheral epigenetic markers for OCD risk, informing targeted preventive and therapeutic efforts.
TRANSLATIONAL PSYCHIATRY
(2022)
Article
Immunology
Johannes Hoch, Niklas Burkhard, Shanshan Zhang, Marina Rieder, Timoteo Marchini, Vincent Geest, Krystin Krauel, Timm Zahn, Nicolas Schommer, Muataz Ali Hamad, Carolina Bauer, Nadine Gauchel, Daniela Stallmann, Claus Normann, Dennis Wolf, Ruediger Eberhard Scharf, Daniel Duerschmied, Nancy Schanze
Summary: This study found that deficiency of the serotonin transporter (SERT) is associated with metabolic derangements in mice. High-fat diet feeding in SERT-deficient mice resulted in enhanced insulin resistance, liver steatosis, and adipose tissue inflammation. These findings suggest that SERT deficiency may contribute to altered inflammatory processes.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Juhee Lim, Yeojin Bang, Kyeong-Man Kim, Hyun Jin Choi
Summary: This study investigated the effects of differentiation on the serotonergic neuronal phenotype of the mouse hippocampal neuronal cell line HT22. The results showed that differentiation promoted neurite outgrowth and upregulation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor and choline acetyltransferase in HT22 cells. Furthermore, proteins required for serotonergic neurotransmission were significantly upregulated in differentiated HT22 cells. These findings suggest that differentiated HT22 cells have enhanced functional serotonergic properties and could be used for assessing the efficacy of antidepressant 5-HT reuptake inhibitors.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Carmen M. Deveau, Eric Rodriguez, Allen Schroering, Bryan K. Yamamoto
Summary: This study found that statins and lipid signaling intermediates can modulate serotonin uptake in serotonergic neurons through regulation of the serotonin transporter, independently of cholesterol.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Plant Sciences
Nan Shan, Yupei Zhang, Yunhe Xu, Xin Yuan, Chunpeng Wan, Chuying Chen, Jinyin Chen, Zengyu Gan
Summary: In this study, the researchers isolated 12 KT/HAK/KUP genes from kiwifruit and analyzed their characteristics. They found that AcKUP2 may be an important potassium transporter gene involved in ethylene-regulated kiwifruit postharvest ripening.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anna M. Lavezzi, Giulia Ottaviani, Luigi Matturri
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2015)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Anna Maria Lavezzi, Achille Cappiello, Teresa Pusiol, Melissa Felicita Coma, Veronica Termopoli, Luigi Matturri
JOURNAL OF THE NEUROLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2015)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Anna M. Lavezzi, Teresa Pusiol, Luigi Matturri
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
L. Matturri, G. Del Corno, A. M. Lavezzi
CURRENT MEDICINAL CHEMISTRY
(2014)
Article
Behavioral Sciences
Beatrice Paradiso, Stefano Ferrero, Gaetano Thiene, Anna Maria Lavezzi
BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR
(2018)
Article
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Anna M. Lavezzi, Francesco Piscioli, Teresa Pusiol, Gianfranco Jorizzo, Stefano Ferrero
BMC PREGNANCY AND CHILDBIRTH
(2019)
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Antonietta M. Gatti, Stefano Montanari, Stefano Ferrero, Anna Maria Lavezzi
Summary: This article reports the unexpected presence of toxic nanoparticles, especially silver, in the brain of a fetus who died at the end of a regular pregnancy. The study highlights the importance of investigating nanosubstances in the brain during routine investigations following unexpected and unexplained fetal and infant deaths, potentially caused by nanomaterials used in various industries and medical fields.
Article
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Antonietta M. Gatti, Marko Ristic, Stefano Stanzani, Anna M. Lavezzi
Summary: This study verifies the presence of inorganic nanoparticle entities in brain tissue samples from cases of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and Sudden Intrauterine Unexplained Death Syndrome (SIUDS). The study suggests that these inorganic particles may compromise the functionality of brain tissue. Although nanoparticles were also found in control samples, they were not associated with brain anomalies, unlike in SIDS/SIUDS cases. The researchers conclude that these inorganic particles could be co-factors contributing to the lethality.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna Maria Lavezzi
Summary: This study found anatomical and functional degenerations of dopaminergic neurons in most SIDS cases, indicating that dopamine depletion, which is already known to be linked especially to Parkinson's disease, is strongly involved in the pathogenesis of SIDS.
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna M. Lavezzi, Teresa Pusiol, Beatrice Paradiso
Summary: This article contributes to the understanding of the role of toxic substances, such as nicotine, in the pathogenesis of sudden intrauterine unexplained deaths (SIUDS). The study suggests that cigarette smoke can easily cross the placental barrier and damage sensitive organs, such as the lungs and brain, in the fetus. Additionally, the involvement of toxic nanoparticles, like agricultural pesticides and nanomaterials, is also hypothesized.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anna M. Lavezzi, Riffat Mehboob, Francesco Piscioli, Teresa Pusiol
Summary: The aim of this study was to investigate the involvement of the mesencephalic superior colliculus (SC) in the pathogenetic mechanism of SIDS. In-depth neuropathological investigations showed alterations in the laminar arrangement of the SC deep layers in 69% of SIDS cases, but never in the controls. These SC anomalies represent a new step in understanding the pathogenetic process of SIDS.
Article
Neurosciences
Anna M. Lavezzi, Riffat Mehboob
Summary: This study focused on investigating the involvement of the periaqueductal gray (PAG) in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), revealing hypoplasia of the PAG subnucleus medialis in 65% of SIDS cases but not in controls, and significantly higher expression of tyrosine hydroxylase in controls than in SIDS. The findings also showed a significant correlation between PAG and substantia nigra abnormalities, suggesting a common involvement in the sleep-arousal phase failure leading to SIDS.
Article
Neurosciences
Anna M. Lavezzi, Riffat Mehboob, Graziella Alfonsi, Stefano Ferrero
Article
Environmental Sciences
Anna Maria Lavezzi
Letter
Pediatrics
Teresa Pusiol, Doriana Morichetti, Maria Grazia Zorzi, Luigi Matturri, Anna Maria Lavezzi
IRANIAN JOURNAL OF PEDIATRICS
(2014)