Scientists discover 'fickle' DNA changes in brain

Monday, October 3, 2011

Johns Hopkins scientists investigating chemical modifications across the genomes of adult mice have discovered that DNA modifications in non-dividing brain cells, thought to be inherently stable, instead underwent large-scale dynamic changes as a result of stimulated brain activity. Their report, in the October issue of Nature Neuroscience, has major implications for treating psychiatric diseases, neurodegenerative disorders, and for better understanding learning, memory and mood regulation.

Specifically, the researchers, who include a husband-and-wife team, found evidence of an epigenetic change called demethylation ? the loss of a methyl group from specific locations ? in the non-dividing brain cells' DNA, challenging the scientific dogma that even if the DNA in non-dividing adult neurons changes on occasion from methylated to demethylated state, it does so very infrequently.

"We provide definitive evidence suggesting that DNA demethylation happens in non-dividing neurons, and it happens on a large scale," says Hongjun Song, Ph.D., professor of neurology and neuroscience and director of the Stem Cell Program in the Institute for Cell Engineering of the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine. "Scientists have previously underestimated how important this epigenetic mechanism can be in the adult brain, and the scope of change is dramatic."

DNA comprises the fixed chemical building blocks of each person or animal's genome, but the addition or removal of a methyl group at the specific location chemically alters DNA and regulates gene expression, enabling cells with the same genetic code to acquire and activate separate functions.

In previously published work, the same Hopkins researchers reported that electrical brain stimulation, such as that used in electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) for patients with drug resistant depression, resulted in increased brain cell growth in mice, due likely to changes in DNA methylation status.

This time, they again used electric shock to stimulate the brains of live mice. A few hours after administering the brain stimulation, the scientists analyzed two million of the same type of neurons from the brains of stimulated mice, focusing on what happens to one building block of DNA ? cytosine ? at 219,991 sites. These sites represented about one percent of all cytosines in the whole mouse genomes.

In collaboration with genomic biologist Yuan Gao, now at the Lieber Institute for Brain Development, the scientists used the latest DNA sequencing technology and compared neurons in mice with or without brain stimulation. About 1.4 percent of the cytosines measured showed rapid active demethylation or became newly methylated.

"It was mind-boggling to see that so many methylation sites ? thousands of sites ? had changed in status as a result of brain activity," Song says. "We used to think that the brain's epigenetic DNA methylation landscape was as stable as mountains and more recently realized that maybe it was a bit more subject to change, perhaps like trees occasionally bent in a storm. But now we show it is most of all like a river that reacts to storms of activity by moving and changing fast."

The majority of the sites where the methylation status of the cytosine changed as a result of the brain activity were not in the expected areas of the genome that are traditionally believed to control gene expression, Song notes. Rather, they were in regions where cytosines are low in density, in genomic regions where the function of DNA methylation is not well understood.

Because DNA demethylation can occur passively during cell division, the scientists targeted radiation to the sections of mouse brains they were studying, permanently preventing passive cell division, and still found evidence of DNA demethylation. This confirms, they say, that the DNA methylation changes they measured occurred independently of cell division.

"Our finding opens up new opportunities to figure out if these epigenetic modifications are potential drug targets for treating depression and promote regeneration, for instance," says Guo-li Ming, M.D., Ph.D., professor of neurology and neuroscience.

###

Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions: http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org

Thanks to Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions for this article.

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Source: http://www.labspaces.net/113904/Scientists_discover__fickle__DNA_changes_in_brain

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Laptop Ergonomics ? Basic Tips - Health Tips for Everyone

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Ergonomic use of Laptop or Computer devices for recreation or work at home, office or school can bring you great benefits, including your children or kids, if you adopt healthy habits by using them as a correct posture, regular breaks and a proper adjustment of equipment. Awareness of these Ergonomics basic safety tips and suggestions can help prevent or relive occupational work, classroom or home stresses or disorders such as Carpal Tunnel Syndrome, Back / Neck Pain or vision care when using laptop devices: Adult or Child Laptop Use at Home, Work or Classroom: www.youtube.com Laptop Use while Traveling on Planes, Trains and in Hotels: www.youtube.com Mobile or Smart Phone Use while Driving, Traveling or on the Move: www.youtube.com Follow these basic Laptop safety tips to improve your experience: ? If you use your laptop on the couch : ? Make more frequent breaks because it is the best posture for the back. ? Try to have your back straight and supported on a cushion. ? To relieve muscle tension in the neck : ? Use a chair that allows you to have your back straight at 90 degrees thighs. ? Relax your neck and keep it aligned with your back. ? Place the top of the screen at eye level. ? To relieve muscle tension in arms : ? Use a separate keyboard and mouse. ? Keep arms and forearms at 90 degrees. ? To relieve stress at the hearing : ? Target your job so you are not reflections or glare. ? Blink frequently to keep the eyes hydrated. ? Children / Kids use of laptop ?

Source: http://healthtips.blogreviewplus.com/laptop-ergonomics-basic-tips-adult-or-child-laptop-use-at-home-work-or-school/

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    Suggestions for Choosing a Retirement Community | Articles Bold

    Are you getting ready for your retirement? As soon as you have decided that your finances are in great standing, you might get worried with your living arrangements. Regardless of the fact that numerous retirees select to stay right where they are, numerous more opt for retirement home communities. If you?re interested in doing so, you?ll want to choose your retirement community prudently.

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    Health and Fitness ? Bikini Hair Removal ? Health and Fitness

    Bikini Hair Removal ? Don?t take away Moles with Home Laser Systems!
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    Article source: http://goarticles.com/article/Bikini-Hair-Removal-Don-t-take-away-Moles-with-Home-Laser-Systems/5429626/

    Related posts:

    1. Is Laser Hair Removal Safe For Me?
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    4. Body Hair Removal: Techniques for Smoother Skin
    5. What Are the Benefits of Laser Hair Removal?

    Source: http://medicaltips.biz/2011/09/29/bikini-hair-removal/

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    Is Team Beachbody Fitness The Solution To The Obesity Crisis ...

    Is Team Beachbody Fitness The Solution To The Obesity Crisis?

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    Ford sticks to adding 7,000 U.S. jobs, says recovery encouraging (Reuters)

    BANGKOK (Reuters) ? Ford Motor Co (F.N) on Thursday stuck to its target of adding 7,000 jobs in the United States over the next two years, saying it sees an economic expansion there and not a double-dip recession.

    "In the U.S., we're still seeing economic expansion," Alan Mulally, chief executive of the second-largest U.S. automaker, told a small group of reporters in Bangkok. "We're very encouraged by the recovery even though it is slower than in the past."

    Ford had said in January it would add the 7,000 jobs in 2011 and 2012. According to its 2010 annual report, there were 75,000 employees in Ford North America.

    Mulally declined to comment on progress in negotiations in the United States with the United Auto Workers union on a new four-year contract.

    Reports have indicated the UAW may reach a deal this week.

    Asked if workers would get a stronger deal from Ford than General Motors (GM.N) because Ford is healthier, Mulally said he had no further comment.

    "But to your point, it really is about the competitiveness and if you look at the history of Ford and UAW, we have a very good track record of working together to improve competitiveness of Ford," he said, declining to comment "out of respect of the negotiation process."

    SUSTAINABLE ASIA-PAC GROWTH EYED

    Ford, the only U.S. automaker to avoid bankruptcy, would not be slowing its expansion in Asia Pacific, despite slower economic growth in China and India, said Mulally. The 66-year-old CEO was in China earlier this week for the groundbreaking of an engine transmission plant at Ford's venture with Changan Automotive Group.

    "In Asia-Pacific overall, even though it slows down, it's pretty substantial growth, even in China. They're thinking of 9 percent (GDP growth forecast) maybe so it's almost like even more sustainable over the long term."

    Ford is spending $1.6 billion to build four factories in China where it plans to triple its lineup by offering 15 models by the middle of the decade.

    Aggressive expansion of Ford in Asia is part of Mulally's wider plan to boost annual global sales 50 percent to 8 million vehicles by 2015.

    Joe Hinrichs, the head of Ford's Asia and Africa operations, said the slowdown in growth that is occurring in China and India has to deal with inflation and it was keeping a close watch on capacity, especially in China.

    "We weren't planning for the kind of growth over the next five years in places like China, India that we saw in the previous two years because those were not sustainable levels, you know 32 percent growth in the industry last year in China, for example.

    "The kind of 5-10 percent automotive industry growth we've been seeing this year is the kind of number we expect is a more sustainable level of growth."

    THAILAND HURDLE

    Thailand is home to Ford's largest sales operation in ASEAN, which groups 10 Southeast Asian countries.

    Strong demand for its Fiesta small cars helped drive Ford's sales in Thailand up 209 percent in August to 2,676 units, boosting overall sales through the first eight months of this year to 20,514 units, according to the company's website.

    But Ford is facing a major hurdle after the new government introduced a tax break for first-time car buyers.

    This is restricted to cars with engines of up to 1,500 cc, meaning the Thai-built Fiesta with its 1,600 cc engine is not eligible.

    Peter Fleet, president of Ford ASEAN, said he remained optimistic that Ford would be able to persuade the government to adjust the rules so the Fiesta could be included.

    Ford, which makes Fiesta, Ranger and Everest models in Thailand, would start manufacturing its Focus early next year as its $450 million plant in eastern Rayong province is almost ready to roll out, Fleet said.

    Mulally later met with Thai Prime Minister Yingluck Shinawatra on Thursday afternoon to push for the change. A government official told reporters the government was unrelenting. ($1 = 31.00 Baht)

    (Editing by Muralikumar Anantharaman)

    Source: http://us.rd.yahoo.com/dailynews/rss/economy/*http%3A//news.yahoo.com/s/nm/20110929/bs_nm/us_ford

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    Built like the Dreamliner: 2013 debut of carbon composite cars

    [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 28-Sep-2011
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    Contact: Michael Bernstein
    m_bernstein@acs.org
    202-872-6042
    American Chemical Society

    The revolutionary material used to build the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A350 super-jumbo jet, and the military's stealth jet fighter planes is coming down to Earth in a new generation of energy-saving automobiles expected to hit the roads during the next few years. That ultra-strong carbon fiber composite material 50% lighter than steel and 30% lighter than aluminum is the topic of the cover story in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS's weekly newsmagazine.

    In the story, C&EN Senior Correspondent Marc S. Reisch describes how carmakers such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi are turning to carbon fiber composites to reduce the weight and improve the mileage of their next-generation of electric and hybrid vehicles. Carbon fiber composites are plastics containing fine strands of carbon that are spun into fibers and woven into a fabric. Manufacturers lay the fabric into a mold with the shape of the final part, and soak it with epoxy or other resin to produce parts for aircraft and other products.

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    ###


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    ?


    AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


    [ Back to EurekAlert! ] Public release date: 28-Sep-2011
    [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

    Contact: Michael Bernstein
    m_bernstein@acs.org
    202-872-6042
    American Chemical Society

    The revolutionary material used to build the Boeing 787 Dreamliner, the Airbus A350 super-jumbo jet, and the military's stealth jet fighter planes is coming down to Earth in a new generation of energy-saving automobiles expected to hit the roads during the next few years. That ultra-strong carbon fiber composite material 50% lighter than steel and 30% lighter than aluminum is the topic of the cover story in the current edition of Chemical & Engineering News, ACS's weekly newsmagazine.

    In the story, C&EN Senior Correspondent Marc S. Reisch describes how carmakers such as BMW, Mercedes, and Audi are turning to carbon fiber composites to reduce the weight and improve the mileage of their next-generation of electric and hybrid vehicles. Carbon fiber composites are plastics containing fine strands of carbon that are spun into fibers and woven into a fabric. Manufacturers lay the fabric into a mold with the shape of the final part, and soak it with epoxy or other resin to produce parts for aircraft and other products.

    Despite concerns about the high cost of carbon fiber composites, automakers are embracing this energy-saving material, even though it may increase the cost of small electric or hybrid cars by $5,000 or more, the article notes. It describes major auto manufacturers' plans for marketing vehicles made with carbon fiber composites, and research underway to reduce the cost of the material.

    ###


    [ Back to EurekAlert! ] [ | E-mail | Share Share ]

    ?


    AAAS and EurekAlert! are not responsible for the accuracy of news releases posted to EurekAlert! by contributing institutions or for the use of any information through the EurekAlert! system.


    Source: http://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2011-09/acs-blt092811.php

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