bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
A cross-sectional analysis of association between visceral adiposity index and serum anti-aging protein Klotho in adults
Authors: Cui Jianwei , Yang Zhenzhen , Wang Jiahao , Yin Shan , Xiao Yunfei , Bai Yunjin , Wang Jia
Published: February 2023

Background

The visceral adiposity index (VAI) is regarded as a reliable indicator to assess body fat distribution and dysfunction. Klotho protein is a hormone with anti-aging biological functions. However, the relationship between them has not been researched.

Objects

This study aimed to evaluate the association between VAI and serum anti-aging protein klotho in American adults.

Methods

A cross-sectional study of participants was conducted based on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) 2007–2016. Visceral adiposity was determined using the VAI score, while the klotho protein concentration was measured by ELISA kit. After adjusting some possible confounding variables, multivariate regression model was conducted to estimate the relationship between VAI and klotho protein. Furthermore, the smooth curve fitting and the segmented regression model were applied to examine the threshold effect and to calculate the inflection point.

Result

In total, 6 252 adults were eligible, with a mean VAI of 2.04 ± 0.03 and a mean klotho protein concentration of 848.79 ± 6.98 pg/ml. Multivariate regression analysis indicated that serum klotho protein concentration was lower in participants with high VAI score. When VAI was divided into quartiles, participants in the fourth quartiles of higher VAI had lower klotho protein levels (Q4: -32.25 pg/ml) than participants in the lowest quartile (Q1) after full adjustment (P < 0.05). Segmented regression suggested that the turning point value of VAI was 3.21. A 1-unit increase in VAI was significantly associated with lower klotho protein levels by -18.61 pg/ml (95% CI: -28.87, -8.35; P < 0.05) when VAI ranged from 0.29 to 3.21(accounting for 83.7% of the participants), however, the association was not significant when VAI ranged from 3.21 to 11.81 (P = 0.77).

Conclusion

There was a nonlinear correlation between VAI score and the serum anti-aging protein klotho concentrations, showing a saturation effect. When VAI was less than 3.21, they were negatively correlated, and when VAI was greater than 3.21, they had no obvious correlation.
Identification and validation of ferroptosis-related gene signature in intervertebral disc degeneration
Authors: Xiang Qian , Zhao Yongzhao , Li Weishi
Published: February 2023

Lower back pain (LBP) is a leading cause of disability in the elderly and intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is the major contributor to LBP. Ferroptosis is a newly discovered programmed cell death, characterized by iron-dependent lethal lipid peroxidation. Growing evidence has shown that ferroptosis plays important roles in various human diseases. However, the underlying mechanism of ferroptosis in IDD remains elusive. This study is aimed to uncover the key roles of ferroptosis in the pathogenesis and progression of IDD comprehensively. To investigate the ferroptosis related differentially expressed genes (FRDEGs) in IDD, we analyzed the microarray data from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Then we performed functional enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis, and screened out the hub FRDEGs. To further evaluate the predictive value of these hub FRDEGs, we performed ROC analysis based on the GSE124272 dataset. A total of 80 FRDEGs were identified, including 20 downregulated and 60 upregulated FRDEGs. The FRDEGs were primarily involved in the biological processes of response to chemical, and response to stress. KEGG pathway enrichment analysis showed that the FRDEGs were mainly involved in ferroptosis, TNF signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, NOD-like receptor signaling pathway, and IL-17 signaling pathway. Ten hub OSRDEGs were obtained according to the PPI analysis, including HMOX1, KEAP1, MAPK1, HSPA5, TXNRD1, IL6, PPARA, JUN, HIF1A, DUSP1. The ROC analysis and RT-qPCR validation results suggested that most of the hub FRDEGs might be potential signature genes for IDD. This study reveals that ferroptosis might provide promising strategy for the diagnosis and treatment of IDD.
Land use/land cover change and its implication on soil erosion in an ecologically sensitive Himachal Himalayan watershed, Northern India
Authors: Prashanth Manthena , Kumar Arun , Dhar Sunil , Verma Omkar , Rai Shashi Kant , Kouser Beena
Published: February 2023

Soil erosion is a major environmental problem that affects land and w ater resources. It has many negative implications that lead to deforestation, poor agricultural practices, loss of soil fertility, and siltation that hinder socio-economic development. In view of this, the present study was conducted with the aim of estimating soil loss in relation to long-term land use/land cover change (LULC) in the Dehar watershed, Himachal Himalaya, North India. The study was carried out using Landsat and Sentinel imageries for the years 1999, 2010, and 2020. A GIS-based Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) model was applied to assess the potential soil risk. The parameters used as input for computing the spatiotemporal changes of soil loss were rainfall erosivity, soil erodibility, topographic, crop management, and conservation support practice factors. The results showed a mean soil loss of 63.71, 60.99, and 66.71 t/ha/yr for the years 1999, 2010, and 2020, respectively. In the LULC class defined as Built-up Land, the mean soil loss decreased from 32.19 t/ha/yr in 1999 to 18.77 t/ha/yr in 2010, and in the year 2020 the mean soil loss slightly increased to 20.15 t/ha/yr. Moreover, the LULC class Barren Land registered a decrease in mean soil loss for the years 1999, 2010, and 2020 of 86.43, 74.60, and 73.19 t/ha/yr, respectively. Regarding the Agriculture Land class, the rate of mean soil loss slightly increased from 32.55 t/ha/yr in 1999 to 33.35 t/ha/yr in 2010, and the mean soil loss decreased to 25.43 t/ha/yr in the year 2020. Areas covered under Forest Land experienced an increase in mean soil loss from 65.30 t/ha/yr in 1999 to 65.87 in 2010 and 74.72 t/ha/yr in 2020. The study demonstrated that LULC changes apparently influenced the soil loss in the Dehar watershed. Therefore, urgent interventions are required with the involvement of scientists, policymakers, and the general public for conservation and management of soil resources.
Genome-wide association study reveals genetic loci and candidate genes for meat quality traits in a four-way crossbred pig population
Authors: Wang Huiyu , Wang Xiaoyi , Li Mingli , Sun Hao , Chen Qiang , Yan Dawei , Dong Xinxing , Pan Yuchun , Lu Shaoxiong
Published: February 2023

Meat quality traits (MQTs) have gained more attention from breeders due to their increasing economic value in the commercial pig industry. In this genome-wide association study (GWAS), 223 four-way intercross pigs were genotyped using the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) and phenotyped for PH at 45 min post mortem (PH45), meat color score (MC), marbling score (MA), water loss rate (WL), drip loss (DL) in the longissimus muscle, and cooking loss (CL) in the psoas major muscle. A total of 227, 921 filtered single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) evenly distributed across the entire genome were detected to perform GWAS. A total of 64 SNPs were identified for six meat quality traits using the mixed linear model (MLM), of which 24 SNPs were located in previously reported QTL regions. The phenotypic variation explained (PVE) by the significant SNPs was from 2.43% to 16.32%. The genomic heritability estimates based on SNP for six meat-quality traits were low to moderate (0.07–0.47) being the lowest for CL and the highest for DL. A total of 30 genes located within 10 kb upstream or downstream of these significant SNPs were found. Furthermore, several candidate genes for MQTs were detected, including pH45 (GRM8), MC (ANKRD6), MA (MACROD2 and ABCG1), WL (TMEM50A), CL (PIP4K2A) and DL (CDYL2, CHL1, ABCA4, ZAG and SLC1A2). This study provided substantial new evidence for several candidate genes to participate in different pork quality traits. The identification of these SNPs and candidate genes provided a basis for molecular marker-assisted breeding and improvement of pork quality traits.
Differential expression and effect analysis of lncRNA-mRNA in congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia
Authors: Li Zhuoyang , Mei Haibo , Liu Kun , Yang Ge
Published: February 2023

Background: To analyze the lncRNA-mRNA differential expression and co-expression network of periosteal stem cells (PSCs) from congenital pseudarthrosis of the tibia (CPT) and normal patients, and to explore the role of key lncRNAs.

Methods: Differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs in PSCs were obtained by sequencing, and biological functions of differentially expressed mRNAs were detected by gene ontology (GO), Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway and protein -protein interaction (PPI) analysis. The co-expression network of lncRNA-mRNA was constructed by correlation analysis of differentially expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs, and the key lncRNAs were screened according to the connectivity degree. After that, the cis-regulated target genes of differential expressed lncRNAs and mRNAs were predicted.

Results: A total of 194 differentially expressed lncRNAs were identified, including 73 upregulated and 121 downregulated genes. A total of 822 differentially expressed mRNAs were identified, including 311 upregulated and 511 downregulated genes. GO, KEGG and PPI enrichment analysis showed that the regulatory function of differentially expressed mRNAs were mainly gathered in skeletal system development and tissue morphogenesis. The co-expression network with 226 nodes and 3,390 edges was constructed based on correlation analysis. A total of 10 key lncRNAs, including FAM227B, POM121L9P, AF165147 and AC103702, were screened according to connectivity degree. Prediction of target genes indicated that FAM227B-FGF7 and AC103702-HOXB4/5/6 may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CPT.

Conclusion: A total of 10 key lncRNAs, including FAM227B, POM121L9P, AF165147, and AC103702, occupy the core position in the co-expression network, suggesting that these lncRNAs and their target genes may play an important role in the pathogenesis of CPT.
Hyaluronan promotes intracellular ROS production and apoptosis in TNFα-stimulated neutrophils
Authors: Niemietz Iwona , Brown Kelly L.
Published: February 2023

Background

Hyaluronan (HA) is an important structural component of the extracellular matrix and has well-described roles in maintaining tissue integrity and homeostasis. With inflammation, HA metabolism (synthesis and degradation) increases and results in higher concentrations of soluble HA. Previously, we demonstrated that (soluble) HA primed resting neutrophils for the oxidative burst in response to a secondary stimulus. Notably, HA-mediated priming was not dependent on degranulation, which is a hallmark of priming by classical agents such as TNFα. In this study, we queried the ability of HA to prime neutrophils to different stimuli and its capacity to modulate neutrophil function in the presence of TNFα.

Methods

Blood neutrophils from healthy donors were stimulated ex vivo with HA in the absence and presence of classic neutrophil agonists, inclusive of TNFα. Western blotting was used to assess the activation (phosphorylation) of p38 MAPK, and key neutrophil functions associated with priming and activation, such as intracellular and extracellular ROS production, degranulation, and apoptosis, were evaluated by standard chemiluminescence assays (ROS) and flow cytometry.

Results

Hyaluronan is capable of atypical priming and, with TNFα, co-priming neutrophils for an enhanced (rate and/or magnitude) oxidative burst to various secondary stimuli. In addition, HA can augment intracellular ROS production that is directly induced by TNFα in resting neutrophils, which coincided with the activation of p38 MAPK and apoptosis.

Conclusions

These data demonstrate that the extracellular matrix component HA is a key modulator of neutrophil function(s) in the presence of inflammatory agents such as TNFα. Moreover, it provides additional evidence for the diversity and complexity of neutrophil priming and activation during inflammation.
Pyrolyzed deketene curcumin controls regulatory T cell generation and gastric cancer metabolism cooperate with 2-deoxy-d-glucose
Authors: MaruYama Takashi , Miyazaki Hirofumi , Lim Yun-Ji , Gu Jian , Ishikawa Masaki , Yoshida Taichi , Chen WanJun , Owada Yuji , Shibata Hiroyuki
Published: February 2023

Pyrolyzed deketene curcumin GO-Y022 prevents carcinogenesis in a gastric cancer mouse model. However, it is still less clear if GO-Y022 affects tumor-induced immune suppression. In this study, we found that GO-Y022 inhibited Treg generation in the presence of transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β). However, GO-Y022 showed less impact on Foxp3+ Tregs in the gastric tumor microenvironment. Gastric tumor cells produce a large amount of L-lactate in the presence of GO-Y022 and diminish the inhibitory role of GO-Y022 against Treg generation in response to TGF-β. Therefore, naïve CD4+ T cells co-cultured with GO-Y022 treated gastric tumor cells increased Treg generation. GO-Y022-induced tumor cell death was further enhanced by 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2DG), a glycolysis inhibitor. Combination treatment of GO-Y022 and 2DG results in reduced L-lactate production and Treg generation in gastric tumor cells. Overall, GO-Y022-treatment with restricted glucose metabolism inhibits gastric tumor cell survival and promotes anti-tumor immunity.
Laser-induced microinjury of the corneal basal epithelium and imaging of resident macrophage responses in a live, whole-eye preparation
Authors: Gulka Sebastian M. D. , Gowen Brent , Litke Anastasia M. , Delaney Kerry R. , Chow Robert L.
Published: February 2023

The corneal epithelium is continuously subjected to external stimuli that results in varying degrees of cellular damage. The use of live-cell imaging approaches has facilitated understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying the corneal epithelial wound healing process. Here, we describe a live, ex vivo, whole-eye approach using laser scanning confocal microscopy to simultaneously induce and visualize short-term cellular responses following microdamage to the corneal epithelium. Live-cell imaging of corneal cell layers was enabled using the lipophilic fluorescent dyes, SGC5 or FM4-64, which, when injected into the anterior chamber of enucleated eyes, readily penetrated and labelled cell membranes. Necrotic microdamage to a defined region (30 μm x 30 μm) through the central plane of the corneal basal epithelium was induced by continuously scanning for at least one minute using high laser power and was dependent on the presence of lipophilic fluorescent dye. This whole-mount live-cell imaging and microdamage approach was used to examine the behavior of Cx3cr1:GFP-expressing resident corneal stromal macrophages (RCSMs). In undamaged corneas, RCSMs remained stationary, but exhibited a constant extension and retraction of short (~5 μm) semicircular, pseudopodia-like processes reminiscent of what has previously been reported in corneal dendritic cells. Within minutes of microdamage, nearby anterior RCSMs became highly polarized and extended projections towards the damaged region. The extension of the processes plateaued after about 30 minutes and remained stable over the course of 2-3 hours of imaging. Retrospective immunolabeling showed that these responding RCSMs were MHC class II+. This study adds to existing knowledge of immune cell behavior in response to corneal damage and introduces a simple corneal epithelial microdamage and wound healing paradigm.
Interleukin 17 B regulates colonic myeloid cell infiltration in a mouse model of DSS-induced colitis
Authors: Zhang Xiaomin , Zhang Xiaokai , Song Xiaomei , Xiang Chuanying , He Chunmei , Xie Yu , Zhou Yangyang , Wang Ning , Guo Gang , Zhang Weijun , Li Yan , Liu Kaiyun , Zou Quanming , Guo Hong , Shi Yun
Published: February 2023

Cytokines play vital roles in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease. IL17B is protective in the development of colitis. However, how IL17B regulates intestinal inflammation and what cells are regulated by IL17B is still unknown. Here, we aimed to illustrate the IL17B dependent cellular and molecular changes in colon tissue in a mouse colitis model. The results showed that IL17B expression in colon tissues was elevated in inflamed tissues than non-inflamed tissues of IBD patients. Wild type (WT) and Il17b deficient (Il17b-/-) mice were given 2.5% dextran sodium sulfate (DSS) water, and in some case, Il17b-/- mice were treated with recombinant mouse IL17B. IL17B deficiency resulted in severe DSS-induced colitis with exaggerated weight loss, shorter colon length, and elevated proinflammatory cytokines in colon. Reconstitution of Il17b-/- mice with recombinant IL17B alleviated the severity of DSS-induced colitis. Single cell transcriptional analyses of CD45+ immune cells in colonic lamina propria revealed that loss of IL17B resulted in an increased neutrophil infiltration and enhanced inflammatory cytokines in intestinal macrophages in colitis, which were confirmed by real-time PCR and flow cytometry. IL17B treatment also inhibited lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation in bone marrow-derived macrophages and mice. IL17B inhibits colitis by regulating colonic myeloid cell response. It might represent a novel potential therapeutic approach to treat the colitis.
Acoustic tracking of a threatened juvenile shark species, the smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena), reveals vulnerability to exploitation at the boundary of a marine reserve
Authors: Albano Patricia S. , Fallows Chris , Fallows Monique , Williams Lacey H. , Murray Taryn , Sedgwick Oliver , Hammerschlag Neil
Published: February 2023

The coastal waters of South Africa are habitat to a diverse composition of sharks that are vulnerable to exploitation, many of which are endemic and/or classified by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List as Threatened or Data Deficient. Accordingly, this region has been identified as a global research and conservation priority for elasmobranchs. The De Hoop Marine Protected Area (MPA), in the Western Cape Province of South Africa, provides 288 km2 of no-take protection within its boundaries. However, the region experiences heavy commercial fishing, with two vessels actively operating as dedicated shark longliners (as of 2022). When crossing MPA boundaries, sharks are susceptible to capture by these vessels. Utilizing passive acoustic telemetry, the present study evaluated the movements of a threatened juvenile shark species, the smooth hammerhead (Sphyrna zygaena), both inside and adjacent to the De Hoop MPA, and along the greater coastline. Movement data from 20 tagged sharks were used to explore the effects of spatial, environmental, and management variables on their residency and movement patterns. Results indicate a high reliance of sharks on unprotected waters immediately adjacent to the MPA’s eastern boundary, an area of high biological productivity due to its proximity to the mouth of an estuary. Although some tagged sharks did move regionally along the South African coastline, individuals spent 95% of their days detected just outside the eastern boundary of the MPA, rendering them vulnerable to commercial shark longlining occurring there. These findings have conservation implications for smooth hammerhead sharks in South Africa and present an opportunity to revisit management practices that may optimize spatial protection for an important life stage of this threatened species.
Utilization of sodium carbonate activator in strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete (SH-UHPGC)
Authors: Lao Jian-Cong , Xu Ling-Yu , Huang Bo-Tao , Zhu Ji-Xiang , Khan Mehran , Dai Jian-Guo
Published: February 2023

In this study, strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete (SH-UHPGC) was produced using Na2CO3, Na2SiO3 and their hybridization (1:1 in mole ratio) as alkaline activators. An ultra-high compressive strength was achieved for all the developed strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete (i.e., over 130 MPa). Strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete with hybrid Na2CO3 and Na2SiO3 activators showed the highest compressive strength (186.0 MPa), tensile strain capacity (0.44%), and tensile strength (11.9 MPa). It should be highlighted that very significant multiple cracking can be observed for all the strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete even at a very low tensile strain level (e.g., 0.1%). According to the reaction heat, microstructures, and chemical composition analyses, strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete with hybrid activators had the highest reaction degree, while that of Na2CO3-based strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete was the lowest. It was found that the Na2CO3-based strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete showed the best sustainability, and the strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete with hybrid Na2SiO3 and Na2CO3 presented the best overall performance (considering the mechanical performance, energy consumption, environmental impact, and economical potential). The findings of this work provide useful knowledge for improving the sustainability and economic potential of strain-hardening ultra-high-performance geopolymer concrete materials.
Crosstalk between autophagy and immune cell infiltration in the tumor microenvironment
Authors: Yang Tiantian , Zhang Yang , Chen Junhang , Sun Longhao
Published: February 2023

Autophagy is a conserved process for self-degradation and provides cells with a rescue mechanism to respond to circumstances such as stress and starvation. The role of autophagy in cancer is extremely complex and often paradoxical. Most of the related published studies on tumors are always focused on cancer cells. However, present studies gradually noticed the significance of autophagy in the tumor microenvironment. These studies demonstrate that autophagy and immunity work synergistically to affect tumor progression, indicating that autophagy could become a potential target for cancer immunotherapy. Therefore, it is crucial to clarify the correlation between autophagy and various tumor-infiltrating immune cells in the tumor microenvironment. The context-dependent role of autophagy is critical in the design of therapeutic strategies for cancer.
Antarctic Ardley Island terrace — An ideal place to study the marine to terrestrial succession of microbial communities
Authors: Nopnakorn Potjanicha , Zhang Yumin , Yang Lin , Peng Fang
Published: February 2023

The study of chronosequences is an effective tool to study the effects of environmental changes or disturbances on microbial community structures, diversity, and the functional properties of ecosystems. Here, we conduct a chronosequence study on the Ardley Island coastal terrace of the Fildes Peninsula, Maritime Antarctica. The results revealed that prokaryotic microorganism communities changed orderly among the six successional stages. Some marine microbial groups could still be found in near-coastal soils of the late stage (lowest stratum). Animal pathogenic bacteria and stress-resistant microorganisms occurred at the greatest level with the longest succession period. The main driving factors for the succession of bacteria, archaea, and fungi along Ardley Island terrace were found through Adonis analysis (PERMANOVA). During analysis, soil elements Mg, Si, and Na were related to the bacterial and archaeal community structure discrepancies, while Al, Ti, K, and Cl were related to the fungal community structure discrepancies. On the other hand, other environmental factors also play an important role in the succession of microbial communities, which could be different among each microorganism. The succession of bacterial communities is greatly affected by pH and water content; archaeal communities are greatly affected by NH4+; fungal communities are affected by nutrients such as NO3−. In the analysis of the characteristic microorganisms along terrace, the succession of microorganisms was found to be influenced by complex and comprehensive factors. For instance, environmental instability, relationship with plants and ecological niches, and environmental tolerance. The results found that budding reproduction and/or with filamentous appendages bacteria were enriched in the late stage, which might be connected to its tolerance to rapid changes and barren environments. In addition, the decline in ammonia oxidation capacity of Thaumarchaeota archaeade with succession and the evolution of the fungi-plant relationship throughout classes were revealed. Overall, this research improves the understanding of the effect of the marine–to–terrestrial transition of the Ardley Island terrace on microbial communities. These findings will lay the foundation for more in-depth research regarding microbial adaptations and evolutionary mechanisms throughout the marine–terrestrial transition in the future.
Mathematical model of mechanobiology of acute and repeated synaptic injury and systemic biomarker kinetics
Authors: Gharahi Hamidreza , Garimella Harsha T. , Chen Zhijian J. , Gupta Raj K. , Przekwas Andrzej
Published: February 2023

Background

Blast induced Traumatic Brain Injury (bTBI) has become a signature casualty of military operations. Recently, military medics observed neurocognitive deficits in servicemen exposed to repeated low level blast (LLB) waves during military heavy weapons training. In spite of significant clinical and preclinical TBI research, current understanding of injury mechanisms and short- and long-term outcomes is limited. Mathematical models of bTBI biomechanics and mechanobiology of sensitive neuro-structures such as synapses may help in better understanding of injury mechanisms and in the development of improved diagnostics and neuroprotective strategies.

Methods and results

In this work, we formulated a model of a single synaptic structure integrating the dynamics of the synaptic cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) with the deformation mechanics of the synaptic cleft. The model can resolve time scales ranging from milliseconds during the hyperacute phase of mechanical loading to minutes-hours acute/chronic phase of injury progression/repair. The model was used to simulate the synaptic injury responses caused by repeated blast loads.

Conclusion

Our simulations demonstrated the importance of the number of exposures compared to the duration of recovery period between repeated loads on the synaptic injury responses. The paper recognizes current limitations of the model and identifies potential improvements.
Cuticular hydrocarbon reception by sensory neurons in basiconic sensilla of the Japanese carpenter ant
Authors: Watanabe Hidehiro , Ogata Shoji , Nodomi Nonoka , Tateishi Kosuke , Nishino Hiroshi , Matsubara Ryosuke , Ozaki Mamiko , Yokohari Fumio
Published: February 2023

To maintain the eusociality of a colony, ants recognize subtle differences in colony-specific sets of cuticular hydrocarbons (CHCs). The CHCs are received by female-specific antennal basiconic sensilla and processed in specific brain regions. However, it is controversial whether a peripheral or central neural mechanism is mainly responsible for discrimination of CHC blends. In the Japanese carpenter ant, Camponotus japonicus, about 140 sensory neurons (SNs) are co-housed in a single basiconic sensillum and receive colony-specific blends of 18 CHCs. The complexity of this CHC sensory process makes the neural basis of peripheral nestmate recognition difficult to understand. Here, we electrophysiologically recorded responses of single basiconic sensilla to each of 18 synthesized CHCs, and identified CHC responses of each SN co-housed in a single sensillum. Each CHC activated different sets of SNs and each SN was broadly tuned to CHCs. Multiple SNs in a given sensillum fired in synchrony, and the synchronicity of spikes was impaired by treatment with a gap junction inhibitor. These results indicated that SNs in single basiconic sensilla were electrically coupled. Quantitative analysis indicated that the Japanese carpenter ants have the potential to discriminate chemical structures of CHCs based on the combinational patterns of activated SNs. SNs of ants from different colonies exhibited different CHC response spectra. In addition, ants collected from the same colony but bred in separate groups also exhibited different CHC response spectra. These results support the hypothesis that the peripheral sensory mechanism is important for discrimination between nestmate and non-nestmate ants.
Electrically-evoked responses for retinal prostheses are differentially altered depending on ganglion cell types in outer retinal neurodegeneration caused by Crb1 gene mutation
Authors: Roh Hyeonhee , Otgondemberel Yanjinsuren , Eom Jeonghyeon , Kim Daniel , Im Maesoon
Published: February 2023

Background

Microelectronic prostheses for artificial vision stimulate neurons surviving outer retinal neurodegeneration such as retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Yet, the quality of prosthetic vision substantially varies across subjects, maybe due to different levels of retinal degeneration and/or distinct genotypes. Although the RP genotypes are remarkably diverse, prosthetic studies have primarily used retinal degeneration (rd) 1 and 10 mice, which both have Pde6b gene mutation. Here, we report the electric responses arising in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) of the rd8 mouse model which has Crb1 mutation.

Methods

We first investigated age-dependent histological changes of wild-type (wt), rd8, and rd10 mice retinas by H&E staining. Then, we used cell-attached patch clamping to record spiking responses of ON, OFF and direction selective (DS) types of RGCs to a 4-ms-long electric pulse. The electric responses of rd8 RGCs were analyzed in comparison with those of wt RGCs in terms of individual RGC spiking patterns, populational characteristics, and spiking consistency across trials.

Results

In the histological examination, the rd8 mice showed partial retinal foldings, but the outer nuclear layer thicknesses remained comparable to those of the wt mice, indicating the early-stage of RP. Although spiking patterns of each RGC type seemed similar to those of the wt retinas, correlation levels between electric vs. light response features were different across the two mouse models. For example, in comparisons between light vs. electric response magnitudes, ON/OFF RGCs of the rd8 mice showed the same/opposite correlation polarity with those of wt mice, respectively. Also, the electric response spike counts of DS RGCs in the rd8 retinas showed a positive correlation with their direction selectivity indices (r = 0.40), while those of the wt retinas were negatively correlated (r = −0.90). Lastly, the spiking timing consistencies of late responses were largely decreased in both ON and OFF RGCs in the rd8 than the wt retinas, whereas no significant difference was found across DS RGCs of the two models.

Conclusion

Our results indicate the electric response features are altered depending on RGC types even from the early-stage RP caused by Crb1 mutation. Given the various degeneration patterns depending on mutation genes, our study suggests the importance of both genotype- and RGC type-dependent analyses for retinal prosthetic research.
Cognitive function in soccer athletes determined by sleep disruption and self-reported health, yet not by decision-reinvestment
Authors: Pourhassan Jasmin , Sarginson Jane , Hitzl Wolfgang , Richter Kneginja
Published: February 2023

Background

Sleep disruption (SD) increases sympathetic activity and cortisol secretion, and delays cognitive functions such as reaction-time (RT). Sympathetic activity of disturbed sleepers, is similar to those of so-called decision-reinvesters. Decision-reinvestment refers to traits in individuals with greater tendency to ruminate and reinvest in their decisions, with significant decrease in both motor-control and cognitive performance. Decision-making quality is a crucial attribute to athletic performance which relies on RT. Consequently, SD affects pitch-performance negatively, particularly in decision-reinvesters. This observational pilot-study examined the relationship between SD and cognitive function, perceived health, as well as reinvestment strategies. The hypothesis was that athletes with lower SD perceive their health better, report lower stress levels, perform better in cognitive tasks, and show lower tendency for decision-reinvestment.

Methods

Twenty-one football player recorded their sleep with fit-trackers for 7 nights. Participants self-reported their mental and physical health, decision-reinvestment strategy, sleep behaviour, and perceived stress levels. Athletes then performed a set of cognitive tests to examine memory function (Backwards Corsi), selective attention (STROOP), and cognitive flexibility (Wisconsin Card Sorting Test, WCST). Normality was tested with a Shapiro-Wilk test, and analysed with a Pearson's or Spearman's correlation test.

Results

Significant correlation appeared between extended sleep-interruptions and Backwards Corsi RT, r = 0.66, p = 0.010, as further in total sleep time and wellbeing r = 0.50, p = 0.029. A negative correlation exist in regard of pain scores and Backwards Corsi scores r = −0.57, p = 0.110. Physical health correlated with error-rates in the WCST, r = 0.69, p ≤ 0.001. Also, reinvestment negatively correlated with physical health, r = −0.80, p ≤ 0.001.

Conclusion

Wellbeing relies on total sleep-time. Athletes with extended sleep-interruptions are slower in recalling memory, and those with greater reported pain have lower memory scores. Participants who rate physical health greater, have more error-rates in the WCST; indicating that cognitive flexibility is enhanced in individuals with inferior perceived health. However, individuals with lower physical health scores also have greater tendency to ruminate and reinvest in decisions, suggesting interrelation between reinvestment and physical health.
Video head impulse testing in patients with isolated (hemi)nodular infarction
Authors: Lee Seung-Han , Kim Jae-Myung , Kim Joon-Tae , Tarnutzer Alexander Andrea
Published: February 2023

Background

Isolated (hemi)nodular strokes as underlying cause of acute dizziness are rare, thus there are still gaps of knowledge in the clinical presentation of affected patients. Clinical and experimental evidence has suggested that lesions involving the nodulus lead to various vestibulo-ocular deficits including prolonged velocity-storage, periodic-alternating nystagmus, positional nystagmus, abolished suppression of post-rotatory nystagmus by head-tilt and impaired verticality perception. At the bedside, the angular vestibulo-ocular reflex (aVOR), as assessed by the horizontal head-impulse test (HIT), has been reported to be normal, however quantitative assessments of all six semicircular canals are lacking.

Objective

The primary aim of this case series was to characterize the spectrum of clinical presentations in isolated (hemi)nodular strokes. Furthermore, based on preliminary observations, we hypothesized that the aVOR is within normal limits in isolated nodular strokes.

Methods

We retrospectively included patients with isolated (hemi)nodular stroke on diffusion-weighted MR-imaging from a prospective stroke-registry. All patients received a standardized bedside neuro-otological assessment and quantitative, video-based HIT (vHIT) of all six semicircular canals. Overall ratings of vHIT (normal vs. abnormal function) were performed independently by two reviewers and disagreements were resolved.

Results

Between January 2015 and December 2021 six patients with isolated nodular (n = 1) or heminodular (n = 5) ischemic stroke were included. Clinical presentation met diagnostic criteria for acute vestibular syndrome (AVS) in 5/6 patients and for episodic vestibular syndrome (EVS) in 1/6 patients. Ocular motor abnormalities observed included the presence of spontaneous horizontal nystagmus (n = 2), positional nystagmus (5/6), head-shaking nystagmus (3/6), skew deviation (n = 1), and moderate or severe truncal ataxia (5/6). Bedside HIT was normal in all patients and no gaze-evoked or periodic alternating nystagmus was observed. aVOR-gains were within normal range in all patients and overall aVOR-function as assessed by vHIT was rated as normal in all six patients.

Conclusions

Using quantitative, video-based testing of the horizontal and vertical aVOR, preserved integrity of the aVOR in (hemi)nodular strokes was confirmed, extending preliminary findings at the bedside. Furthermore, widespread deficits of both ocular stability, postural control and volitional eye movements were observed in our study cohort, being consistent with findings reported in previous studies.
In-vivo time course of organ uptake and blood-brain-barrier permeation of poly(L-lactide) and poly(perfluorodecyl acrylate) nanoparticles with different surface properties in unharmed and brain-traumatized rats
Authors: Bechinger Patrick , Serrano Sponton Lucas , Grützner Verena , Musyanovych Anna , Jussen Daniel , Krenzlin Harald , Eldahaby Daniela , Riede Nicole , Kempski Oliver , Ringel Florian , Alessandri Beat
Published: February 2023

Background

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) has a dramatic impact on mortality and quality of life and the development of effective treatment strategies is of great socio-economic relevance. A growing interest exists in using polymeric nanoparticles (NPs) as carriers across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) for potentially effective drugs in TBI. However, the effect of NP material and type of surfactant on their distribution within organs, the amount of the administrated dose that reaches the brain parenchyma in areas with intact and opened BBB after trauma, and a possible elicited inflammatory response are still to be clarified.

Methods

The organ distribution, BBB permeation and eventual inflammatory activation of polysorbate-80 (Tw80) and sodiumdodecylsulfate (SDS) stabilized poly(L-lactide) (PLLA) and poly(perfluorodecyl acrylate) (PFDL) nanoparticles were evaluated in rats after intravenous administration. The NP uptake into the brain was assessed under intact conditions and after controlled cortical impact (CCI).

Results

A significantly higher NP uptake at 4 and 24 h after injection was observed in the liver and spleen, followed by the brain and kidney, with minimal concentrations in the lungs and heart for all NPs. A significant increase of NP uptake at 4 and 24 h after CCI was observed within the traumatized hemisphere, especially in the perilesional area, but NPs were still found in areas away from the injury site and the contralateral hemisphere. NPs were internalized in brain capillary endothelial cells, neurons, astrocytes, and microglia. Immunohistochemical staining against GFAP, Iba1, TNFα, and IL1β demonstrated no glial activation or neuroinflammatory changes.

Conclusions

Tw80 and SDS coated biodegradable PLLA and non-biodegradable PFDL NPs reach the brain parenchyma with and without compromised BBB by TBI, even though a high amount of NPs are retained in the liver and spleen. No inflammatory reaction is elicited by these NPs within 24 h after injection. Thus, these NPs could be considered as potentially effective carriers or markers of newly developed drugs with low or even no BBB permeation.
Why has the taxing policy on sugar sweetened beverages not reduced their purchase in Iranian households?
Authors: Ghodsi Delaram , Haghighian-Roudsari Arezoo , Khoshfetrat MohammadReza , Abdollah-PouriHosseini Seyedeh Fatemeh , Babapour Mitra , Esfarjani Fatemeh , Ajami Marjan , Zargaraan Azizollaah , Mohammadi-Nasrabadi Fatemeh
Published: February 2023

Objective

This study aimed at analyzing the effectiveness of the policy of taxing Sugar-Sweetened Beverages (SSBs) on their purchases during the last decade in Iranian households.

Methods

The present mixed method study was done in 2017 in four phases: (1) A meta-review of the fiscal policies during the last decade, (2) Collecting existing data on soft drinks’ production, price, and household expenditure during the last decade, (3) Conducting 19 semi-structured interviews with key informants, and (4) Facilitating a national meeting to achieve a consensus on the recommendations and future implications.

Results

Document reviews showed that based on the Permanent Provisions of National Development Plans of Iran, the Ministry of Health and Medical Education (MOHME) should announce the list of health threatening products to increase taxation for them. The government is allowed to impose taxes on domestically produced and imported SSBs. The average household expenditure on SSBs increased in the rural and urban households of Iran during 2006–2016 in spite of taxation. In the different key informants’ opinion, only value-added tax (VAT) was implemented among different fiscal policies, and the other parts, including tax and tolls were debated.

Conclusion

The present research findings further proposed some suggestions for increasing the effectiveness of financial policies in reducing the prevalence of NCDs in Iran.
Prevention and treatment of catheter-related venous thrombosis in long-term parenteral nutrition: A SINuC position statement
Authors: Zaccone Vincenzo , Santoro Luca , Guerrieri Emanuele , Diblasi Ilaria , Roncarati Ilaria , Viticchi Giovanna , Vecchiarelli Pietro , Santoliquido Angelo , Fiore Francesca , Molfino Alessio , Landi Francesco , Moroncini Gianluca , Gasbarrini Antonio , Muscaritoli Maurizio , Falsetti Lorenzo
Published: February 2023

The implementation of long-term parenteral nutrition (PN) often requires the placement of central venous access, a procedure that carries a considerable risk of catheter-related venous thrombosis (CRT). The occurrence of CRT represents a major event in the natural history of patients in PN since it can lead to central venous access loss and PN failure. Despite the importance of this topic in clinical nutrition, the prevention and treatment of CRT in PN represents one of the “gray areas” of the literature of the presence of few randomized controlled clinical trials and the generally low level of evidence of published scientific papers. Through a narrative review of the literature and a Delphi consensus, the Italian Society of Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (SINuC) aimed to collect some practical recommendations regarding the current state-of-the-art in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of CRT in patients undergoing long-term PN.
Monitoring Turkish white cheese ripening by portable FT-IR spectroscopy
Authors: Yaman Hulya , Aykas Didem P. , Rodriguez-Saona Luis E.
Published: February 2023

The biochemical metabolism during cheese ripening plays an active role in producing amino acids, organic acids, and fatty acids. Our objective was to evaluate the unique fingerprint-like infrared spectra of the soluble fractions in different solvents (water-based, methanol, and ethanol) of Turkish white cheese for rapid monitoring of cheese composition during ripening. Turkish white cheese samples were produced in a pilot plant scale using a mesophilic culture (Lactococcus lactis subsp. lactis, Lactococcus lactis subsp. cremoris), ripened for 100 days and samples were collected at 20-day intervals for analysis. Three extraction solvents (water, methanol, and ethanol) were selected to obtain soluble cheese fractions. Reference methods included gas chromatography (amino acids and fatty acid profiles), and liquid chromatography (organic acids) were used to obtain the reference results. FT-IR spectra were correlated with chromatographic data using pattern recognition analysis to develop regression and classification predictive models. All models showed a good fit (RPre ≥ 0.91) for predicting the target compounds during cheese ripening. Individual free fatty acids were predicted better in ethanol extracts (0.99 ≥ RPre ≥ 0.93, 1.95 ≥ SEP ≥ 0.38), while organic acids (0.98 ≥ RPre ≥ 0.97, 10.51 ≥ SEP ≥ 0.57) and total free amino acids (RPre = 0.99, SEP = 0.0037) were predicted better by using water-based extracts. Moreover, cheese compounds extracted with methanol provided the best SIMCA classification results in discriminating the different stages of cheese ripening. By using a simple methanolic extraction and collecting spectra with a portable FT-IR device provided a fast, simple, and cost-effective technique to monitor the ripening of white cheese and predict the levels of key compounds that play an important role in the biochemical metabolism of Turkish white cheese.
Fruit and vegetable intake in relation to gastric cancer risk: A comprehensive and updated systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of cohort studies
Authors: Naemi Kermanshahi Mohammad , Safaei Ehsan , Tutunchi Helda , Naghshi Sina , Mobarak Sara , Asadi Masoomeh , Sadeghi Omid
Published: February 2023

Background

Since the release of previous meta-analyses, some studies on the associations between fruit and vegetable intake with gastric cancer risk have been published. Therefore, we aimed to update the previous meta-analyses on these associations by including recently published studies as well as considering the main limitations of those meta-analyses.

Methods

A comprehensive search was conducted in online databases including PubMed, Scopus, ISI Web of Science, and Google Scholar to detect relevant prospective cohort studies published up to October 2021. Summary relative risks (RRs) were estimated using a random-effects model.

Results

Overall, 17 articles containing 18 prospective studies with a total sample size of 1,527,995 participants, aged between 18 and 90 years, were included in the current meta-analysis. During the follow-up periods ranging between 4.5 and 21 years, 8,477 cases of gastric cancer were diagnosed. A higher intake of total fruit [RR: 0.87, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.80 to 0.94, I2 = 0%] and total fruit and vegetable (RR: 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61 to 0.93, I2 = 55.2%) were associated with a lower risk of gastric cancer. For total vegetable intake, a significant inverse association was found among the studies that controlled their analysis for energy intake. Based on the linear dose-response analysis, each 100 g/day increase in total fruit intake (Pooled RR: 0.95, 95% CI: 0.90 to 0.99, I2 = 49%) and 200 g/day increase in total fruit and vegetable intake (RR: 0.94, 95% CI: 0.88 to 0.99, I2 = 37.6%) were associated with a 5 and 6% lower risk of gastric cancer, respectively.

Conclusion

Fruit and vegetable consumption has a protective association with gastric cancer risk.
Case report: Primary mediastinal Ewing’s sarcoma presenting with chest tightness
Authors: Cui Manman , Zhai Duchang , Liu Yan , Zhou Xiuzhi , Wang Tingting , Wang Lihuan , Cai Wu , Fan Guohua , Ju Shenghong
Published: February 2023

Ewing’s sarcoma is a part of a rare group of malignant neoplasms, whose pathological morphological features are small round cells. Extraskeletal Ewing’s sarcoma is a more uncommon primary tumor. Herein, we report the case of a 66-year-old man who complained of chest tightness. Subsequent chest CT scans revealed an irregular and uneven density mass on the right side of the anterior mediastinum with invasion of the superior vena cava, pericardium and right lung. The patient’s clinical symptoms were improved after performing excision of the mediastinal lesions under cardiopulmonary bypass. Based on histological and immunohistochemical findings, the tumor was diagnosed as extraskeletal Ewing’s sarcoma.