Association between high voltage overhead transmission lines and mental health: a cross-sectional study

We examined the association between residential proximity to 60 Hz high voltage (22-500 kV) overhead transmission lines (HVOTLs) and mental health (MH). The subjects were 223 mothers with a mean age of 37 years. The distance from the subject's residence to the closest HVOTL was measured on a map. MH status was assessed by the SF-36 Health Survey, which was scored on a 0-100 point scale, and an individual with a score of 52 points or less was defined as having poor MH. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between the distance from the subjects' residence to the closest HVOTL and MH status. The prevalence of poor MH was 15%. Among the 223 subjects, 10 lived within 100 m of a HVOTL. The adjusted odds ratios (OR) for poor MH among those who lived 101-300 m or within 100 m from HVOTL were 1.29 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.35-10.13) and 1.87 (95% CI: 0.35-10.13), respectively, against the reference category (300+ m). MH status was not significantly associated with the distance between the subject's residence and the closest HVOTL.     

Mapping QTLs and candidate genes for iron and zinc concentrations in unpolished rice of Madhukar×Swarna RILs

Identifying QTLs/genes for iron and zinc in rice grains can help in biofortification programs. 168 F(7) RILs derived from Madhukar×Swarna were used to map QTLs for iron and zinc concentrations in unpolished rice grains. Iron ranged from 0.2 to 224ppm and zinc ranged from 0.4 to 104ppm. Genome wide mapping using 101 SSRs and 9 gene specific markers showed 5 QTLs on chromosomes 1, 3, 5, 7 and 12 significantly linked to iron, zinc or both. In all, 14 QTLs were identified for these two traits. QTLs for iron were co-located with QTLs for zinc on chromosomes 7 and 12. In all, ten candidate genes known for iron and zinc homeostasis underlie 12 of the 14 QTLs. Another 6 candidate genes were close to QTLs on chromosomes 3, 5 and 7. Thus the high priority candidate genes for high Fe and Zn in seeds are OsYSL1 and OsMTP1 for iron, OsARD2, OsIRT1, OsNAS1, OsNAS2 for zinc and OsNAS3, OsNRAMP1, Heavy metal ion transport and APRT for both iron and zinc together based on our genetic mapping studies as these genes strictly underlie QTLs. Several elite lines with high Fe, high Zn and both were identified.     

Genome-wide Epigenetic Data Facilitate Understanding of Disease Susceptibility Association Studies

Complex traits such as susceptibility to diseases are determined in part by variants at multiple genetic loci. Genome-wide association studies can identify these loci, but most phenotype-associated variants lie distal to protein-coding regions and are likely involved in regulating gene expression. Understanding how these genetic variants affect complex traits depends on the ability to predict and test the function of the genomic elements harboring them. Community efforts such as the ENCODE Project provide a wealth of data about epigenetic features associated with gene regulation. These data enable the prediction of testable functions for many phenotype-associated variants.     

Modulation of neuropeptide FF (NPFF) receptors influences the expression of amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference and amphetamine withdrawal anxiety-like behavior in rats

Many data indicate that endogenous opioid system is involved in amphetamine-induced behavior. Neuropeptide FF (NPFF) possesses opioid-modulating properties. The aim of the present study was to determine whether pharmacological modulation of NPFF receptors modify the expression of amphetamine-induced conditioned place preference (CPP) and amphetamine withdrawal anxiety-like behavior, both processes relevant to drug addiction/abuse. Intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injection of NPFF (5, 10, and 20 nmol) inhibited the expression of amphetamine CPP at the doses of 10 and 20 nmol. RF9, the NPFF receptors antagonist, reversed inhibitory effect of NPFF (20 nmol, i.c.v.) at the doses of 10 and 20 nmol and did not show any effect in amphetamine- and saline conditioned rats. Anxiety-like effect of amphetamine withdrawal was measured 24h after the last (14 days) amphetamine (2.5mg/kg, i.p.) treatment in the elevated plus-maze test. Amphetamine withdrawal decreased the percent of time spent by rats in the open arms and the percent of open arms entries. RF9 (5, 10, and 20 nmol, i.c.v.) significantly reversed these anxiety-like effects of amphetamine withdrawal and elevated the percent of time spent by rats in open arms at doses of 5 and 10 nmol, and the percent of open arms entries in all doses used. NPFF (20 nmol) pretreatment inhibited the effect of RF9 (10 nmol). Our results indicated that stimulation or inhibition of NPFF receptors decrease the expression of amphetamine CPP and amphetamine withdrawal anxiety, respectively. These findings may have implications for a better understanding of the processes involved in amphetamine dependence.     

Calculating independent contrasts for the comparative study of substitution rates

Phylogenetic comparative methods have been used to study patterns of correlated evolution between biological traits of all kinds, and are increasingly used to identify predictors of the rate of DNA substitution. Substitution rate differs from most traits studied in that it cannot be observed directly, but must be inferred from substitutions accrued over a long period of time. Studying a mathematical model of trait and rate evolution, we show that the special nature of substitution rates can lead to a severe loss of power for standard comparative methods. We further show how strategies designed to maximise power, by increasing the number of data points, can have the opposite effect when substitution rate is involved. We then propose two modifications of the standard methods that can mitigate these problems. First, we show how pre-existing tests for homogeneity of variance can be used to identify and exclude those data from which changes in substitution rate cannot be reliably inferred. Second, we show that power can be increased by comparing substitution rate with the time average of the predictor trait along the history of the lineage, and introduce a maximum likelihood estimator of this quantity.     

Amygdala protein kinase C epsilon regulates corticotropin-releasing factor and anxiety-like behavior

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF), its receptors, and signaling pathways that regulate CRF expression and responses are areas of intense investigation for new drugs to treat affective disorders. Here, we report that protein kinase C epsilon (PKCɛ) null mutant mice, which show reduced anxiety-like behavior, have reduced levels of CRF messenger RNA and peptide in the amygdala. In primary amygdala neurons, a selective PKCɛ activator, ψɛRACK, increased levels of pro-CRF, whereas reducing PKCɛ levels through RNA interference blocked phorbol ester-stimulated increases in CRF. Local knockdown of amygdala PKCɛ by RNA interference reduced anxiety-like behavior in wild-type mice. Furthermore, local infusion of CRF into the amygdala of PKCɛ^−/− mice increased their anxiety-like behavior. These results are consistent with a novel mechanism of PKCɛ control over anxiety-like behavior through regulation of CRF in the amygdala.     

Genetic influences on behavioral inhibition and anxiety in juvenile rhesus macaques

In humans and other animals, behavioral responses to threatening stimuli are an important component of temperament. Among children, extreme behavioral inhibition elicited by novel situations or strangers predicts the subsequent development of anxiety disorders and depression. Genetic differences among children are known to affect risk of developing behavioral inhibition and anxiety, but a more detailed understanding of genetic influences on susceptibility is needed. Nonhuman primates provide valuable models for studying the mechanisms underlying human behavior. Individual differences in threat-induced behavioral inhibition (freezing behavior) in young rhesus monkeys are stable over time and reflect individual levels of anxiety. This study used the well-established human intruder paradigm to elicit threat-induced freezing behavior and other behavioral responses in 285 young pedigreed rhesus monkeys. We examined the overall influence of quantitative genetic variation and tested the specific effect of the serotonin transporter promoter repeat polymorphism. Quantitative genetic analyses indicated that the residual heritability of freezing duration (behavioral inhibition) is h ² = 0.384 ( P  = 0.012) and of 'orienting to the intruder' (vigilance) is h ² = 0.908 ( P  = 0.00001). Duration of locomotion and hostility and frequency of cooing were not significantly heritable. The serotonin transporter polymorphism showed no significant effect on either freezing or orienting to the intruder. Our results suggest that this species could be used for detailed studies of genetic mechanisms influencing extreme behavioral inhibition, including the identification of specific genes that are involved in predisposing individuals to such behavior.