bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Temporal scaling and computing time in neural circuits: Should we stop watching the clock and look for its gears?
Authors: De Corte Benjamin J. , Akdoğan Başak , Balsam Peter D.
Published: December 2022

Timing underlies a variety of functions, from walking to perceiving causality. Neural timing models typically fall into one of two categories—“ramping” and “population-clock” theories. According to ramping models, individual neurons track time by gradually increasing or decreasing their activity as an event approaches. To time different intervals, ramping neurons adjust their slopes, ramping steeply for short intervals and vice versa. In contrast, according to “population-clock” models, multiple neurons track time as a group, and each neuron can fire nonlinearly. As each neuron changes its rate at each point in time, a distinct pattern of activity emerges across the population. To time different intervals, the brain learns the population patterns that coincide with key events. Both model categories have empirical support. However, they often differ in plausibility when applied to certain behavioral effects. Specifically, behavioral data indicate that the timing system has a rich computational capacity, allowing observers to spontaneously compute novel intervals from previously learned ones. In population-clock theories, population patterns map to time arbitrarily, making it difficult to explain how different patterns can be computationally combined. Ramping models are viewed as more plausible, assuming upstream circuits can set the slope of ramping neurons according to a given computation. Critically, recent studies suggest that neurons with nonlinear firing profiles often scale to time different intervals—compressing for shorter intervals and stretching for longer ones. This “temporal scaling” effect has led to a hybrid-theory where, like a population-clock model, population patterns encode time, yet like a ramping neuron adjusting its slope, the speed of each neuron’s firing adapts to different intervals. Here, we argue that these “relative” population-clock models are as computationally plausible as ramping theories, viewing population-speed and ramp-slope adjustments as equivalent. Therefore, we view identifying these “speed-control” circuits as a key direction for evaluating how the timing system performs computations. Furthermore, temporal scaling highlights that a key distinction between different neural models is whether they propose an absolute or relative time-representation. However, we note that several behavioral studies suggest the brain processes both scales, cautioning against a dichotomy.
Altered expression of glycan patterns and glycan-related genes in the medial prefrontal cortex of the valproic acid rat model of autism
Authors: Liu Yingxun , Di Yuanyuan , Zheng Qi , Qian Zhaoqiang , Fan Juan , Ren Wei , Wei Zhaoming , Tian Yingfang
Published: December 2022

Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent a group of neurodevelopmental defects characterized by social deficits and repetitive behaviors. Alteration in Glycosylation patterns could influence the nervous system development and contribute to the molecular mechanism of ASD. Interaction of environmental factors with susceptible genes may affect expressions of glycosylation-related genes and thus result in abnormal glycosylation patterns. Here, we used an environmental factor-induced model of autism by a single intraperitoneal injection of 400 mg/kg valproic acid (VPA) to female rats at day 12.5 post-conception. Following confirmation of reduced sociability and increased self-grooming behaviors in VPA-treated offspring, we analyzed the alterations in the expression profile of glycan patterns and glycan-related genes by lectin microarrays and RNA-seq, respectively. Lectin microarrays detected 14 significantly regulated lectins in VPA rats, with an up-regulation of high-mannose with antennary and down-regulation of Siaα2-3 Gal/GalNAc. Based on the KEGG and CAZy resources, we assembled a comprehensive list of 961 glycan-related genes to focus our analysis on specific genes. Of those, transcription results revealed that there were 107 differentially expressed glycan-related genes (DEGGs) after VPA treatment. Functional analysis of DEGGs encoding anabolic enzymes revealed that the process trimming to form core structure and glycan extension from core structure primarily changed, which is consistent with the changes in glycan patterns. In addition, the DEGGs encoding glycoconjugates were mainly related to extracellular matrix and axon guidance. This study provides insights into the underlying molecular mechanism of aberrant glycosylation after prenatal VPA exposure, which may serve as potential biomarkers for the autism diagnosis.
Effect of manual physical therapy on sleep quality and jaw mobility in patients with bruxism: A biopsychosocial randomized controlled trial
Authors: El-Gendy Mohamed H. , Ibrahim Mostafa M. , Helmy Emad S. , Neamat Allah Neama H. , Alkhamis Batool Abdulelah , Koura Ghada M. , Hamada Hamada A.
Published: December 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effects of deep-stripping and trigger-point pressure release massage on the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), jaw mobility, and pressure pain threshold (PPT) of masticatory muscles in patients with sleep bruxism. A randomized controlled trial was conducted among 45 patients diagnosed with sleep bruxism. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups. Group I was the control group and included five men and 10 women; Group II was the deep-stripping massage group, which included two men and 13 women; and Group III was the pressure release group, which involved four men and 11 women. Patients were tested two times, before and after 6 weeks. Group I received transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and passive stretching; Group II received a deep-stripping massage; and Group III received a trigger-point pressure release massage. Findings revealed significant improvements in PSQI (p = 0.0001), jaw opening (p = 0.0001), jaw protrusion (p = 0.0001), jaw left lateral movement (p = 0.004), jaw retraction (p = 0.0001), right temporalis PPT (p = 0.0001), left temporalis PPT (p = 0.0001), right master PPT (p = 0.001), left master PPT (p = 0.001), right lateral pterygoid PPT (p = 0.001), left lateral pterygoid PPT (p = 0.001), right digastric muscle PPT (p = 0.001), and left digastric muscle PPT (p = 0.001) in the post-test condition in Group II compared with Group I and Group III. Deep-stripping massage improved PSQI, jaw mobility, or PPT of the masticatory muscles compared with trigger-point pressure release massage and traditional treatment techniques in patients with sleep bruxism.
Deficits in ascending pain modulation pathways in breast cancer survivors with chronic neuropathic pain: A resting-state fMRI study
Authors: Liu Rui , Qiao Na , Shi Shuwei , Li Suyao , Wang Yingman , Song Jie , Jia Wenting
Published: December 2022

Purpose

Breast cancer (BC) is the highest frequent malignancy in women globally. Approximately 25–60% of BC patients with chronic neuropathic pain (CNP) result from advances in treating BC. Since the CNP mechanism is unclear, the various treatment methods for CNP are limited. We aimed to explore the brain alternations in BC patients with CNP and the relationship between depression and CNP utilizing resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI).

Methods

To collect the data, the female BC survivors with CNP (n = 20) and healthy controls (n = 20) underwent rs-fMRI. We calculated and compared the functional connectivity (FC) between the two groups using the thalamus and periaqueductal gray (PAG) as seed regions.

Results

Patients with BC showed increased depression and FC between the thalamus and primary somatosensory cortices (SI). Moreover, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale-Depression (HADS-D) and pain duration were linked positively to the strength of FC from the thalamus to the SI. Furthermore, the thalamus-SI FC mediated the impact of pain duration on HADS-D.

Conclusion

In BC patients with CNP, the ascending pain regulation mechanism is impaired and strongly associated with chronic pain and accompanying depression. This research increased our knowledge of the pathophysiology of CNP in patients with BC, which will aid in determining the optimal therapeutic strategy for those patients.
Retrospective analysis of image characteristics of 76 cases of cerebral vascular fenestrations
Authors: Xu Luyao , Chen Xiaodi , Xiang Wei , Wei Hongchun , Liang Zhigang
Published: December 2022

Objectives

This study aims to summarize the clinical and imaging features of cerebral vascular fenestration and to explore the association between cerebral vascular fenestration and cerebral infarction and aneurysm.

Materials and methods

The computed tomography angiography (CTA), magnetic resonance angiography (MRA), and digital subtraction angiography (DSA) imaging data of 76 cases of cerebral vascular fenestration from January 2021 and December 2021 in the Yantai Yuhuangding Hospital Affiliated to Qingdao University were analyzed. The general information was described. The location, morphology, and size of cerebral vascular fenestration were described. The association between cerebral vascular fenestration and infarction and aneurysm was analyzed.

Results

Among 76 patients, a total of 80 fenestrations were detected (two patients had three fenestrations), and basilar artery fenestration was the most common (28/80). The fenestration <5 mm was 43/80, 5–10 mm was 12/80, and ≥10 mm was 25/80. Moreover, 19 patients had other vascular diseases: 10 with aneurysms, 5 with moyamoya diseases, and 4 with cerebral artery dissections. Except for one aneurysm at the site of the fenestration, other aneurysms were separate from the fenestrations. In addition, 37 patients had cerebral infarctions, of which 16 had cerebral infarctions in the blood supply area of the arterial fenestration. Among these 16 patients, there was more cerebral infarction in posterior circulation than in anterior circulation. However, no statistically significant differences were detected in the risk factors between the fenestration-relevant cerebral infarctions group and the non-fenestration-relevant cerebral infarctions group.

Conclusion

In our study, cerebral vascular fenestration occurred most frequently in the basilar artery and may be combined with other vascular diseases. Fenestration in posterior circulation may be related to cerebrovascular diseases. Nonetheless, no clear clinical relevance was observed between fenestration and cerebral infarction. Also, we did not find a definite association between fenestration and aneurysm. For fenestration patients with cerebral infarctions, long-term antiplatelet and statin therapy may be safe and effective.
The role of circadian clock in astrocytes: From cellular functions to ischemic stroke therapeutic targets
Authors: Zhang Yuxing , Zhao Xin , Zhang Ying , Zeng Fukang , Yan Siyang , Chen Yao , Li Zhong , Zhou Desheng , Liu Lijuan
Published: December 2022

Accumulating evidence suggests that astrocytes, the abundant cell type in the central nervous system (CNS), play a critical role in maintaining the immune response after cerebral infarction, regulating the blood-brain barrier (BBB), providing nutrients to the neurons, and reuptake of glutamate. The circadian clock is an endogenous timing system that controls and optimizes biological processes. The central circadian clock and the peripheral clock are consistent, controlled by various circadian components, and participate in the pathophysiological process of astrocytes. Existing evidence shows that circadian rhythm controls the regulation of inflammatory responses by astrocytes in ischemic stroke (IS), regulates the repair of the BBB, and plays an essential role in a series of pathological processes such as neurotoxicity and neuroprotection. In this review, we highlight the importance of astrocytes in IS and discuss the potential role of the circadian clock in influencing astrocyte pathophysiology. A comprehensive understanding of the ability of the circadian clock to regulate astrocytes after stroke will improve our ability to predict the targets and biological functions of the circadian clock and gain insight into the basis of its intervention mechanism.
The autonomic nervous system: A potential link to the efficacy of acupuncture
Authors: Li Yan-Wei , Li Wei , Wang Song-Tao , Gong Yi-Nan , Dou Bao-Min , Lyu Zhong-Xi , Ulloa Luis , Wang Shen-Jun , Xu Zhi-Fang , Guo Yi
Published: December 2022

The autonomic nervous system (ANS) is a diffuse network that regulates physiological systems to maintain body homeostasis by integrating inputs from the internal and external environment, including the sympathetic, parasympathetic, and enteric nervous systems (ENS). Recent evidence suggests that ANS is one of the key neural pathways for acupuncture signal transduction, which has attracted worldwide attention in the acupuncture field. Here, we reviewed the basic and clinical research published in PubMed over the past 20 years on the effects of acupuncture on ANS regulation and homeostasis maintenance. It was found that acupuncture effectively alleviates ANS dysfunction-associated symptoms in its indications, such as migraine, depression, insomnia, functional dyspepsia, functional constipation. Acupuncture stimulation on some specific acupoints activates sensory nerve fibers, the spinal cord, and the brain. Using information integration and efferents from a complex network of autonomic nuclei of the brain, such as the insular cortex (IC), prefrontal cortex, anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), amygdala (AMG), hypothalamus, periaqueductal gray (PAG), nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS), ventrolateral medulla (VLM), nucleus ambiguus (AMB), acupuncture alleviates visceral dysfunction, inflammation via efferent autonomic nerves, and relieves pain and pain affect. The modulating pattern of sympathetic and parasympathetic nerves is associated with acupuncture stimulation on specific acupoints, intervention parameters, and disease models, and the relationships among them require further exploration. In conclusion, ANS is one of the therapeutic targets for acupuncture and mediates acupuncture’s actions, which restores homeostasis. A systemic study is needed to determine the rules and mechanisms underlying the effects of acupoint stimulation on corresponding organs mediated by specific central nervous networks and the efferent ANS.
Lumbar trans-spinal direct current stimulation: A modeling-experimental approach to dorsal root ganglia stimulation
Authors: Pereira Mariana , Fernandes Sofia Rita , Miranda Pedro Cavaleiro , de Carvalho Mamede
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The excitability of spinal motor neurons (MN) can be altered through subthreshold currents, such as transcutaneous spinal direct-current stimulation (tsDCS). Current evidence shows that tsDCS can interfere with ascending somatosensory pathways and lower motor neurons’ (LMN) excitability, which points to its therapeutic potential for repairing altered spinal responses. We aim to define the best tsDCS montage for maximizing the electric field (E-field) in the lumbar spinal cord (L-SC) by computer modeling; and to apply this montage to measure the effect on LMN excitability and somatosensory evoked potentials (SSEP).

Methods

A human volume conductor model was obtained from an available database. The E-field distribution was calculated considering three different electrode settings aiming at maximizing the field at L-SC and right dorsal root ganglia (DRG). The best electrode setting was then selected and applied in a blind crossover pseudo-randomized study including 14 subjects. tsDCS was delivered for 15 min (cathodal vs. sham) over L2 vertebra level (4 mA, 144 mC/cm2), and its effect on F-waves, H-reflex (including homosynaptic depression, HD) and SSEPs was investigated in the lower limbs.

Results

All simulated montages showed higher current density and E-field magnitudes between the electrodes (>0.15 V/m), with a major longitudinal component and with rostral-caudal direction. The induced E-field involved the sensory ganglia and was maximum in the right T8-left L2 montage, which was the one selected for the experimental protocol. We disclosed a statistically significant increase of the H-reflex amplitude at 0.1 Hz, after cathodal tsDCS (c-tsDCS) on both sides. No other significant change was observed.

Discussion

Our results can suggest the c-tsDCS applied to the L-SC and DRG can modulate synaptic efficiency increasing lower motor neurons response to Ia fibers excitation. The possible implications of our findings for treating clinical conditions will be addressed in future studies.
Ischemic post-conditioning in acute ischemic stroke thrombectomy: A phase-I duration escalation study
Authors: Wu Longfei , Zhang Bohao , Zhao Wenbo , Ji Xunming , Wei Ming
Published: December 2022

Background

Previous experimental studies have found that ischemic post-conditioning exhibits neuroprotective effects by alleviating ischemia-reperfusion injury in an acute ischemic stroke model, and its efficacy is thought to be related to the duration of ischemic post-conditioning. However, ischemic post-conditioning has not been used in patients with acute ischemic stroke. This study aims to determine the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerable duration of ischemic post-conditioning in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving mechanical thrombectomy.

Methods

Patients with acute ischemic stroke with unilateral middle cerebral artery M1 segment occlusion eligible for mechanical thrombectomy will be enrolled. We adopt a 3 + 3 dose-escalation design with a duration escalation schedule of 0, 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 min × 4 cycles for the ischemic post-conditioning study. After successful reperfusion following mechanical thrombectomy, the balloon for ischemic post-conditioning will be inflated at the site proximal to the culprit lesion four times for 0–5 min with low-pressure (3–4 atmospheres) inflations, each separated by 0–5 min of reflow. We pre-defined the major responses (vessel perforation or rupture, reocclusion of the culprit vessel after ischemic post-conditioning, vessel dissection, severe vasospasm, ischemic post-conditioning related thrombotic events, and rupture of the balloon used for ischemic post-conditioning) as the stopping rules. Each patient will undergo a rigorous evaluation to determine the safety, tolerability, and maximum tolerable duration of ischemic post-conditioning.

Discussion

This will be the first clinical study to ascertain the safety and tolerability of ischemic post-conditioning in patients with acute ischemic stroke receiving mechanical thrombectomy. The maximum tolerable duration obtained in this study will also serve as a starting point for future studies on the efficacy of ischemic post-conditioning.

Clinical trial registration

[https://clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [NCT05153655].
The Shank3Venus/Venus knock in mouse enables isoform-specific functional studies of Shank3a
Authors: Bouquier Nathalie , Sakkaki Sophie , Raynaud Fabrice , Hemonnot-Girard Anne-Laure , Seube Vincent , Compan Vincent , Bertaso Federica , Perroy Julie , Moutin Enora
Published: December 2022

Background

Shank3 is a scaffolding protein essential for the organization and function of the glutamatergic postsynapse. Monogenic mutations in SHANK3 gene are among the leading genetic causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The multiplicity of Shank3 isoforms seems to generate as much functional diversity and yet, there are no tools to study endogenous Shank3 proteins in an isoform-specific manner.

Methods

In this study, we created a novel transgenic mouse line, the Shank3Venus/Venus knock in mouse, which allows to monitor the endogenous expression of the major Shank3 isoform in the brain, the full-length Shank3a isoform.

Results

We show that the endogenous Venus-Shank3a protein is localized in spines and is mainly expressed in the striatum, hippocampus and cortex of the developing and adult brain. We show that Shank3Venus/+ and Shank3Venus/Venus mice have no behavioral deficiency. We further crossed Shank3Venus/Venus mice with Shank3ΔC/ΔC mice, a model of ASD, to track the Venus-tagged wild-type copy of Shank3a in physiological (Shank3Venus/+) and pathological (Shank3Venus/ΔC) conditions. We report a developmental delay in brain expression of the Venus-Shank3a isoform in Shank3Venus/ΔC mice, compared to Shank3Venus/+ control mice.

Conclusion

Altogether, our results show that the Shank3Venus/Venus mouse line is a powerful tool to study endogenous Shank3a expression, in physiological conditions and in ASD.
Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 5 alleviates Alzheimer’s disease-like pathological characteristics in a cell model
Authors: Wang Bingyan , Liu Weiying , Sun Fengxian
Published: December 2022

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) remains one of the most common dementias of neurodegenerative disease-related diseases. Nucleosome assembly protein 1-like 5 (NAP1L5) belongs to the NAP1L protein family, which acts as a histone chaperone. However, the function and mechanism of NAP1L5 in AD are still unclear. Bioinformatics analysis, RT-qPCR, and Western blotting results showed that NAP1L5 was downregulated in the brain tissues of AD patients and a mouse cell model of AD. NAP1L5 overexpression alleviated (Amyloid-β precursor protein) APP metabolism and Tau phosphorylation. We further demonstrated that NAP1L5 regulated the AD-like pathological characteristics through the GSK3B/Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway. Moreover, we showed that the Wnt/β-Catenin signaling pathway, regulated by NAP1L5, was mediated by AQP1-mediated mechanism in N2a-APP695sw cell. In sum, these results suggested that NAP1L5 overexpression has neuroprotective effects and might act as potential biomarker and target for the diagnosis and treatment of AD.
Pupillary dynamics of mice performing a Pavlovian delay conditioning task reflect reward-predictive signals
Authors: Yamada Kota , Toda Koji
Published: December 2022

Pupils can signify various internal processes and states, such as attention, arousal, and working memory. Changes in pupil size have been associated with learning speed, prediction of future events, and deviations from the prediction in human studies. However, the detailed relationships between pupil size changes and prediction are unclear. We explored pupil size dynamics in mice performing a Pavlovian delay conditioning task. A head-fixed experimental setup combined with deep-learning-based image analysis enabled us to reduce spontaneous locomotor activity and to track the precise dynamics of pupil size of behaving mice. By setting up two experimental groups, one for which mice were able to predict reward in the Pavlovian delay conditioning task and the other for which mice were not, we demonstrated that the pupil size of mice is modulated by reward prediction and consumption, as well as body movements, but not by unpredicted reward delivery. Furthermore, we clarified that pupil size is still modulated by reward prediction even after the disruption of body movements by intraperitoneal injection of haloperidol, a dopamine D2 receptor antagonist. These results suggest that changes in pupil size reflect reward prediction signals. Thus, we provide important evidence to reconsider the neuronal circuit involved in computing reward prediction error. This integrative approach of behavioral analysis, image analysis, pupillometry, and pharmacological manipulation will pave the way for understanding the psychological and neurobiological mechanisms of reward prediction and the prediction errors essential to learning and behavior.
The association of dietary resistance starch intake with all-cause and cause-specific mortality
Authors: Wan Jiang , Li Xiaocong , Gu Ming , Li Qi , Wang Chuyun , Yuan Run , Li Lin , Li Xiang , Ye Shaodong , Chen Jichun
Published: December 2022

Background

Several studies have estimated daily intake of resistant starch (RS), but no studies have investigated the relationship of RS intake with mortality.

Objective

We aimed to examine associations between RS intake and all-cause and cause-specific mortality.

Methods

Data from US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) from 1999 to 2018 with 24-h dietary recall data was used in current study. The main exposure in this study was RS intake, and the main outcome was the mortality status of participants until December 31, 2019. The multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models were developed to evaluate the hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence interval (95% CI) of cardiovascular disease (CVD), cancer, and all-cause mortality associated with RS intake.

Results

A total of 42,586 US adults [mean (SD) age, 46.91 (16.88) years; 22,328 (52.43%) female] were included in the present analysis. During the 454,252 person-years of follow-up, 7,043 all-cause deaths occurred, including 1,809 deaths from CVD and 1,574 deaths from cancer. The multivariable-adjusted HRs for CVD, cancer, and all-cause mortality per quintile increase in RS intake were 1 (95%CI, 0.97–1.04), 0.96 (95%CI, 0.93–1), and 0.96 (95%CI, 0.95–0.98), respectively. The associations remained similar in the subgroup and sensitivity analyses.

Conclusion

Higher RS intake is significantly associated with lower cancer and all-cause mortality, but not significantly with CVD mortality. Future studies focusing on other populations with different food sources of RS and RS subtypes are needed to access the dose–response relationship and to improve global dietary recommendations.
Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill is an effective nutrition risk screening tool in severely burned patients, compared with Nutrition Risk Screening 2002
Authors: Ma Zhenzhu , Zhang Yin , Zhang Qin , Wu Beiwen
Published: December 2022

Objective

The present study aimed to evaluate the value of Modified Nutrition Risk in Critically ill (mNUTRIC) and Nutrition Risk Screening 2002 (NRS2002) in the prognosis of severely burned patients.

Methods

The retrospective cohort study used medical data of severely burned patients admitted to the burn center of Shanghai Ruijin Hospital between January 2015 and September 2021. Demographics, clinical characteristics, laboratory nutritional indicators, mNUTRIC score and NRS2002 score were collected and analyzed in evaluation the value of two nutrition risk screening tools. Spearman correlation analysis was carried out to show the correlation between variables. The area under receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was used to assess the ability of mNUTRIC and NRS2002 to predict mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves and log-rank tests were conducted to compare the overall survival (OS). Multivariate Cox proportional hazard regression model was used to identify risk factors for 28-day mortality of severely burned patients.

Results

A total of 429 adult patients with burn area larger than 30% total body surface area (TBSA) were included in this study. Incidence of nutrition risk was detected in 52.21% by mNUTRIC and 20.51% by NRS2002. However, mNUTRIC was superior to NRS2002 in predicting 28-day mortality (area under ROC curve: 0.795 vs. 0.726). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that high mNUTRIC [hazard ratio (HR) = 4.265, 95% CI = 1.469–12.380, P = 0.008] and TBSA (HR = 1.056, 95% CI = 1.033–1.079, P < 0.001) were independent predictors for 28-day mortality. After adjusting for covariates, high NRS2002 was not associated with 28-day mortality (P = 0.367).

Conclusion

The present study illustrated the effectiveness of mNUTRIC as nutrition risk screening tool among severely burned patients. Early identification of nutrition risk may help to maximize benefits of nutritional therapy by providing more aggressive nutritional therapy for patients at nutrition risk.
Functional bioactive compounds in ginger, turmeric, and garlic
Authors: Ajanaku Christiana Oluwatoyin , Ademosun Olabisi Theresa , Atohengbe Prudence Osahenomanse , Ajayi Samuel Oluwakayode , Obafemi Yemisi Dorcas , Owolabi Olayinka Ayotunde , Akinduti Paul Akinniyi , Ajanaku Kolawole Oluseyi
Published: December 2022

Nutrition plays a very important role in the health promotion of individuals and brought about a global paradigm shift from pharmaceuticals to nutraceuticals. This is due to the high cost, non-availability, and side effects associated with the unregulated consumption of pharmaceuticals. Over the ages, nutraceuticals from food products were reported to contain bioactive compounds with great health and physiological benefits. This report reviews bioactive compounds in selected foods namely ginger (Zingiber officinale), turmeric (Curcuma longa), and garlic (Allium sativum) as potential natural therapeutics for ailments of cancer and heart-related diseases. Analytical profiles, functional activities, and characterization of these compounds were discussed with possible recommendations for the prospective treatment of diseases using these nutraceuticals.
Causal effect of polyunsaturated fatty acids on bone mineral density and fracture
Authors: Tao Sha-Sha , Wang Peng , Wang Xin-Yi , Yin Kang-Jia , Yang Xiao-Ke , Wang Zhi-Xin , Wang De-Guang , Pan Hai-Feng
Published: December 2022

Background

Polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) are closely related to osteoporosis. To test their causal relationship, we conducted a Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis.

Methods

We analyzed the causal relationship between four PUFAs measures, n-3 PUFAs (n-3), n-6 PUFAs (n-6), the ratio of n-3 PUFAs to total fatty acids (n-3 pct), and the ratio of n-6 PUFAs to n-3 PUFAs (n-6 to n-3), and five measures of osteoporosis, including estimated bone mineral density (eBMD), forearm (FA) BMD, femoral neck (FN) BMD, lumbar spine (LS) BMD, and fracture, using two-sample MR analysis. In order to verify the direct effect between PUFAs and BMD, we chose interleukin-6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor-β (TNF-β), and bone morphogenetic proteins 7 (BMP-7), three markers or cytokines strongly related to BMD, as possible confounding factors, and analyzed the possible causal relationships between them and PUFAs or BMD by MR. Inverse variance weighting (IVW), MR-Egger, weighted and weighted median were conducted. MR Pleiotropy RESidual Sum and Outlier (MR-PRESSO) and MR-Egger regression methods were used to evaluate the potential pleiotropy of instrumental variables (IVs) and outliers were identified by MR-PRESSO. Cochran’s Q statistic was used to detect the heterogeneity among IVs. Leave-one-out sensitivity analysis was used to find SNPs that have a significant impact on the results. All results were corrected by the Bonferroni correction.

Results

The IVW results showed that n-3 PUFAs (OR = 1.030, 95% CI: 1.013, 1.047, P = 0.001) and n-6 PUFAs (OR = 1.053, 95% CI: 1.034, 1.072, P < 0.001) were positively correlated with eBMD, while n-6 to n-3 (OR = 0.947, 95% CI: 0.924, 0.970, P < 0.001) were negatively correlated with eBMD. These casual relationships still existed after Bonferroni correction. There were positive effects of n-3 PUFAs on FA BMD (OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.176, P = 0.025) and LS BMD (OR = 1.056, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.104, P = 0.014), n-3 pct on eBMD (OR = 1.028, 95% CI: 1.002, 1.055, P = 0.035) and FA BMD (OR = 1.090, 95% CI: 1.011, 1.174, P = 0.025), n-6 to n-3 on LS BMD (OR = 1.071, 95% CI: 1.021, 1.124, P = 0.005); negative effects of n-3 pct on fracture (OR = 0.953, 95% CI: 0.918, 0.988, P = 0.009) and n-6 to n-3 on FA BMD (OR = 0.910, 95% CI: 0.837, 0.988, P = 0.025). However, these causal effects all disappeared after Bonferroni correction (all P > 0.0025). None of IL-6, TNF-β, and BMP-7 had a causal effect on PUFA and BMD simultaneously (all P > 0.05).

Conclusion

Evidence from this MR study supports the genetically predicted causal effects of n-3, n-6, n-3 pct, and n-6 to n-3 on eBMD. In addition, n-3 not only associate with FA BMD and LS BMD through its own level and n-6 to n-3, but also link to fracture through n-3 pct.
Anaerobic solid-state fermentation with Bacillus subtilis for digesting free gossypol and improving nutritional quality in cottonseed meal
Authors: Li Jia , Gao Tongguo , Hao Zhimin , Guo Xiaojun , Zhu Baocheng
Published: December 2022

Microbial fermentation is an effective method to degrade free-gossypol, which is a toxic substance restricting the utilization of cottonseed meal in animal husbandry. However, there are few researches on the nutritional effect and the change of bacterial community on cottonseed meal fermented with anaerobic solid-state fermentation. This study evaluated the effects of fermentation with Bacillus sp. on gossypol degradation and nutritional quality improvement in cottonseed meal (CM), as well as the changes of bacterial community structure during fermentation. The strains with high activity for digesting free gossypol were screened from high protease-producing strains preserved in the laboratory. Then the strains which had both the gossypol degradation activity and protease producing activity were selected to degrade macromolecular protein and free gossypol in CM. The unsterilized SSF medium was inoculated with 109 CFU/kg Bacillus culture and fermented at room temperature for 14 days. Each group had three parallels. And the effects of anaerobic solid-state fermentation on unsterilized CM was evaluated. Results showed that for the seven strains with high activity for digesting free gossypol and producing protease that were screened, free gossypol content in fermented cottonseed meal (FCM) decreased and acid-soluble protein (ASP) contents increased. Among them, strain M-15 had the best fermentation effect, with the free gossypol degradation rate of 93.46% and acid soluble protein content of 13.26%. M-15 was identified as Bacillus subtilis. During fermentation with M-15, the bacterial diversity in CM was reduced, but not significant and the community structure was simpler significantly. The strain M-15 selected in this experiment reduced the free gossypol content and improved the nutritional quality of CM through anaerobic solid-state fermentation, which can be used for industrial large-scale production.
Plasma elaidic acid level is associated with periodontal health in American adults: A cross-sectional study
Authors: Jiaxin Hu , Zhu Chen , Jing Yang , Qianhui Shi , Fuqian Jin , Qiyuan Pang , Yi Luo , Jukun Song
Published: December 2022

Background

Whether there is an association between TFAs and periodontitis is unclear. The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between moderate/severe periodontitis and plasma level of elaidic acid, a major trans-fatty acid component, in American adults.

Methods

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) years 2009–2010 were used to screen a total of 1,610 people. The independent variable of interest is plasma elaidic acid level, the dependent variable is periodontitis, and the covariates include socio-demographic variables, lifestyle variables, systemic diseases, etc. The distribution of variables in the covariate differences between the different independent groups according to tertile was investigated using a multiple linear regression model. To examine the association between plasma elaidic acid levels and moderate/severe periodontitis, three models were used.

Results

Multiple logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between plasma elaidic acid level and moderate/severe periodontitis after adjustment for potential confounders (OR = 1.021, 95%CI: 1.004–1.039, P = 0.01394). Subjects with the highest tertile of plasma elaidic acid levels were 51.9% more likely to have periodontitis compared with subjects with the lowest tertile of plasma elaidic acid levels (OR = 1.519, 95% CI: 1.136–2.030, P = 0.00477). No possible sources of heterogeneity were identified in the subgroup analyses.

Conclusion

Plasma elaidic acid levels are associated with periodontal disease in American adults.
Effect of the Mediterranean diet and probiotic supplementation in the management of mild cognitive impairment: Rationale, methods, and baseline characteristics
Authors: Cardelo Magdalena P. , Corina Andreea , Leon-Acuña Ana , Quintana-Navarro Gracia M. , Alcala-Diaz Juan F. , Rangel-Zuñiga Oriol Alberto , Camargo Antonio , Conde-Gavilan Cristina , Carmona-Medialdea Claudia , Vallejo-Casas Juan A. , Carmona-Asenjo Elvira , Ochoa-Sepulveda Juan J. , Aguera-Morales Eduardo , Delgado-Lista Javier , Katsiki Niki , Lopez-Miranda José , Perez-Jimenez Francisco , Yubero-Serrano Elena M. , Perez-Martínez Pablo
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) can progress to Alzheimer’s disease (AD). When MCI is not properly controlled, the speed of deterioration can dramatically increase. Reduction of oxidative stress/inflammation and the modulation of the gut-brain axis could be new potential therapeutic targets for the prevention and treatment of AD. Consumption of specific nutrients, diets and probiotic supplementation have been evaluated for neurodegenerative disorders. We focus on a detailed description of the study methods and baseline characteristics of a clinical trial aiming to evaluate the efficacy of a combined nutritional intervention, i.e., a Mediterranean diet with probiotics, on cognitive capacity in a population with MCI.

Methods

In this randomized, latin-square crossover, double-blind, and controlled dietary intervention trial (clinicaltrials.gov NCT05029765), 47 MCI patients were randomized to consume three dietary interventions for 24-weeks each: (1) A Mediterranean diet supplemented with probiotics (109 colony-forming units of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium longum); (2) A Mediterranean diet + placebo; and (3) A Healthy diet according to the World Health Organization (WHO) recommendations. Participants will be evaluated before and after each of the three intervention periods (each 24-weeks, with a total of 72-weeks) for adherence to the assigned diet, blood tests, cognitive performance, gut microbiota analysis and functional neuroimaging studies.

Results

Fifty patients, ≥60 years-old and diagnosed with MCI, underwent randomization. A total of 47 patients completed follow-up dietary interventions (57.4% males), with a good glycemic control (HbA1c 5.8 ± 0.1%, fasting glucose and insulin 99.7 ± 3.3 mg/dL and 10.4 ± 0.9 mU/L, respectively), elevated systolic blood pressure (136.9 ± 2.1 mmHg) and increased degree of inflammation (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, 8.8 ± 0.9 mg/dL). Baseline adherence to the Mediterranean diet was medium (7.5 ± 0.3 points on the score that ranged from 0 to 14 points).

Conclusion

The results of this clinical study would provide more evidence on the need for dietary therapeutic strategies, for clinical and individual practice, in the management of MCI patients to reduce the risk of AD development. Targeting lifestyle modifications in high-risk populations could prevent substantial cases of cognitive decline.

Clinical trial registration

[ClinicalTrials.gov], identifier [NCT05029765].
Barriers and enablers of breastfeeding in mother–newborn dyads in institutional settings during the COVID-19 pandemic: A qualitative study across seven government hospitals of Delhi, India
Authors: Maria Arti , Mukherjee Ritika , Upadhyay Swati , Pratima Kumari , Bandyopadhyay Tapas , Gupta Rachita , Dubey Bhawna , Sharma Abhinav , Mall Pranaya Kumar , Sahoo Manaswinee , Pathak Keshav Kumar , Pawar Priyanka , Mohapatra Archisman
Published: December 2022

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic disrupted newborn care and breastfeeding practices across most healthcare facilities. We undertook this study to explore the barriers and enablers for newborn care and breastfeeding practices in hospitals in Delhi, India for recently delivered mother (RDM)–newborn dyads during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic (2020) and inductively design a “pathway of impaction” for informing mitigatory initiatives during the current and future pandemics, at least in the initial months.

Materials and methods

We used an exploratory descriptive design (qualitative research method) and collected information from seven leading public health facilities in Delhi, India. We conducted separate interviews with the head and senior faculty from the Departments of Pediatrics/Neonatology (n = 12) and Obstetrics (n = 7), resident doctors (n = 14), nurses (labor room/maternity ward; n = 13), and RDMs (n = 45) across three profiles: (a) COVID-19-negative RDM with healthy newborn (n = 18), (b) COVID-19-positive RDM with healthy newborn (n = 19), and (c) COVID-19 positive RDM with sick newborn needing intensive care (n = 8) along with their care-giving family members (n = 39). We analyzed the data using grounded theory as the method and phenomenology as the philosophy of our research.

Results

Anxiety among clients and providers, evolving evidence and advisories, separation of the COVID-positive RDM from her newborn at birth, providers' tendency to minimize contact duration and frequency with COVID-positive mothers, compromised counseling on breastfeeding, logistic difficulties in expression and transportation of COVID-positive mother's milk to her baby in the nursery, COVID restrictions, staff shortage and unavailable family support in wards and nursery, and inadequate infrastructure were identified as major barriers. Keeping the RDM–newborn together, harmonization of standard operating procedures between professional associations and within and between departments, strategic mobilization of resources, optimization of human resources, strengthening client–provider interaction, risk triaging, leveraging technology, and leadership-in-crisis-situations were notable enablers.

Conclusion

The separation of the RDM and newborn led to a cascade of disruptions to newborn care and breastfeeding practices in the study institutions. Separating the newborn from the mother should be avoided during public health emergencies unless there is robust evidence favoring the same; routine institutional practices should be family centered.
The influence of early selenium supplementation on trauma patients: A propensity-matched analysis
Authors: Chiu Yu-Cheng , Liang Chia-Ming , Chung Chi-Hsiang , Hong Zhi-Jie , Chien Wu-Chien , Hsu Sheng-Der
Published: December 2022

Introduction

Oxidative stress is involved in numerous inflammatory diseases, including trauma. Micronutrients, such as selenium (Se), which contribute to antioxidant defense, exhibit low plasma levels during critical illness. This study aimed to investigate the impact of early Se supplementation on trauma patients.

Materials and methods

A total of 6,891 trauma patients were registered at a single medical center from January 2018 to December 2021. Twenty trauma patients with Se supplemented according to the protocol were included in the study group. Subsequently, 1:5 propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was introduced. These patients received 100 mcg three times a day for 5 days. The primary outcome was overall survival (OS); the secondary outcomes were hospital/intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS), serologic change, ventilator dependence days, and ventilation profile.

Results

The hospital LOS (20.0 ± 10.0 vs. 37.4 ± 42.0 days, p = 0.026) and ICU LOS (6.8 ± 3.6 vs. 13.1 ± 12.6 days, p < 0.006) were significantly shorter in the study group. In terms of serology, improvement in neutrophil, liver function, and C-reactive protein (CRP) level change percentile indicated better outcomes in the study group as well as a better OS rate (100 vs. 83.7%, p = 0.042). Longer ventilator dependence was found to be an independent risk factor for mortality and pulmonary complications in 6,891 trauma patients [odds ratio (OR) = 1.262, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.039–1.532, p < 0.019 and OR = 1.178, 95% CI = 1.033–1.344, p = 0.015, respectively].

Conclusion

Early Se supplementation after trauma confers positive results in terms of decreasing overall ICU LOS/hospital LOS and mortality. Organ injury, particularly hepatic insults, and inflammatory status, also recovered better.
Probiotics, prebiotics, and synbiotics in chronic constipation: Outstanding aspects to be considered for the current evidence
Authors: Araújo Maísa Miranda , Botelho Patrícia Borges
Published: December 2022

This integrative aimed to evaluate the effects and the potential mechanism of action of prebiotics, probiotics, and synbiotics on constipation-associated gastrointestinal symptoms and to identify issues that still need to be answered. A literature search was performed in the PubMed database. Animal models (n = 23) and clinical trials (n = 39) were included. In animal studies, prebiotic, probiotic, and synbiotic supplementation showed a decreased colonic transit time (CTT) and an increase in the number and water content of feces. In humans, inulin is shown to be the most promising prebiotic, while B. lactis and L. casei Shirota probiotics were shown to increase defecation frequency, the latter strain being more effective in improving stool consistency and constipation symptoms. Overall, synbiotics seem to reduce CTT, increase defecation frequency, and improve stool consistency with a controversial effect on the improvement of constipation symptoms. Moreover, some aspects of probiotic use in constipation-related outcomes remain unanswered, such as the best dose, duration, time of consumption (before, during, or after meals), and matrices, as well as their effect and mechanisms on the regulation of inflammation in patients with constipation, on polymorphisms associated with constipation, and on the management of constipation via 5-HT. Thus, more high-quality randomized control trials (RCTs) evaluating these lacking aspects are necessary to provide safe conclusions about their effectiveness in managing intestinal constipation.
Simulation of dosimetric consequences of intrafraction variation of tumor drift in lung cancer stereotactic body radiotherapy
Authors: Han Bin , Wu Bian , Hu Fala , Ma Yangguang , Wang Haiyang , Han Xinwei , Liu Gang , Guo Yuexin
Published: December 2022

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the target dose discrepancy caused by intrafraction variation during stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for lung cancer.

Methods

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) plans were designed based on average computed tomography (AVG CT) utilizing the planning target volume (PTV) surrounding the 65% and 85% prescription isodoses in both phantom and patient cases. Variation was simulated by shifting the nominal plan isocenter along six directions from 0.5 mm to 4.5 mm with a 1-mm step size to produce a series of perturbed plans. The dose discrepancy between the initial plan and the perturbed plans was calculated as the percentage of the initial plan. Dose indices, including ΔD99 for internal target volume (ITV) and gross tumor volume (GTV), were adopted as endpoint samples. The mean dose discrepancy was calculated under the 3-dimensional space distribution.

Results

We found that motion can lead to serious dose degradation of the target and ITV in lung SBRT, especially during SBRT with PTV surrounding the lower isodose line. Lower isodose line may lead to larger dose discrepancy, while make steeper dose fall-off gradient. This phenomenon was compromised when 3-dimensional space distribution was considered.

Discussion

This result may provide a prospective reference for target dose degradation due to motion during lung SBRT treatment.