Insect nicotinic receptor interactions in vivo with neonicotinoid, organophosphorus, and methylcarbamate insecticides and a synergist.

The nicotinic acetylcholine (ACh) receptor (nAChR) is the principal insecticide target. Nearly half of the insecticides by number and world market value are neonicotinoids acting as nAChR agonists or organophosphorus (OP) and methylcarbamate (MC) acetylcholinesterase (AChE) inhibitors. There was no previous evidence for in vivo interactions of the nAChR agonists and AChE inhibitors. The nitromethyleneimidazole (NMI) analog of imidacloprid, a highly potent neonicotinoid, was used here as a radioligand, uniquely allowing for direct measurements of house fly (Musca domestica) head nAChR in vivo interactions with various nicotinic agents. Nine neonicotinoids inhibited house fly brain nAChR [(3)H]NMI binding in vivo, corresponding to their in vitro potency and the poisoning signs or toxicity they produced in intrathoracically treated house flies. Interestingly, nine topically applied OP or MC insecticides or analogs also gave similar results relative to in vivo nAChR binding inhibition and toxicity, but now also correlating with in vivo brain AChE inhibition, indicating that ACh is the ultimate OP- or MC-induced nAChR active agent. These findings on [(3)H]NMI binding in house fly brain membranes validate the nAChR in vivo target for the neonicotinoids, OPs and MCs. As an exception, the remarkably potent OP neonicotinoid synergist, O-propyl O-(2-propynyl) phenylphosphonate, inhibited nAChR in vivo without the corresponding AChE inhibition, possibly via a reactive ketene metabolite reacting with a critical nucleophile in the cytochrome P450 active site and the nAChR NMI binding site.

Increased C-Reactive Protein in Patients with Post-Stroke Depression: A Meta-analysis of Cohort Study.

Background: Pathophysiological mechanisms and related biological markers for post-stroke depression (PSD) are unknown. Some studies have noted that C-reactive protein (CRP) is activated in the serum of PSD patients. We aim to quantitatively summarize the concentrations of CRP in PSD patients compared to non-PSD patients. Methods: Original studies evaluating the association between CRP and PSD were searched in 4 specific databases from the establishment of the databases to March 2023. RevMan 5.20 and Stata 11.0 statistical software were used for meta-analysis. Publication bias was tested by Egger's test. The CRP level were combined by standardized mean difference (SMD) with 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: A total of 43 relevant literatures were retrieved, while 13 cohort studies were collected. The heterogeneity test result of the level of CRP in patients with PSD vs. non-PSD was (Q = 98.38, P < .001, I2 = 88%). The combined value of the estimated effect was [SMD = 0.34, 95% CI (0.12-0.56); P = .003]. Sensitivity analysis indicated that no study had a remarkable influence on the result of the pooled estimate. Egger's test was used to test the bias and the result was (Egger's test, P = .548), suggesting that there was no publication bias, and the results were credible. We found that different depression evaluation criteria (P = .035) and stroke types (P = .024) were considered as influencing factors for potential sources of heterogeneity. Conclusion: In conclusion, compared to those without depressive symptoms, patients with post-stroke depression have higher concentrations of CRP in the blood.

Habitat Suitability and Determinants for Anatidae in Multi-Watershed Composite Wetlands in Anhui, China.

Habitat suitability analysis is essential in habitat and species conservation. Anatidae are known for their migratory behaviour, high population density, and wide distribution range. Understanding their habitat utilzation and influencing factors is crucial in targeted conservation and management. In this study, we collected Anatidae diversity data, including the number of species, through field surveys from October 2021 to March 2022 and thirty habitat variables through an online database in Anhui Province, China. By using MaxEnt, we simulated the habitat suitability of twenty-one Anatidae species, revealing potential distribution sites in Anhui Province. Generalized linear mixed models (GLMM) were employed to identify factors affecting the distribution of geese and ducks. The results showed that high-suitability habitats were predominantly located in the large lakes of the Yangtze River floodplain. The GLMM analysis showed significant correlations between Anatidae richness and altitude, distribution of farmland, and human footprint. In addition, ducks were more sensitive to the human interference factor than geese. In summary, the lakes in the Yangtze River floodplain emerged as the most important Anatidae habitats in Anhui Province due to their abundant wetland resources, flat terrain, and high distribution of farmlands. These findings provide a scientific basis for the development of relevant conservation strategies and measures, aiding in wildlife epidemic monitoring, prevention, and control.

Gender differences and risk factors for acute kidney injury following cardiac surgery: A single center retrospective cohort study.

Background: We studied AKI incidence and prognosis in cardiac surgery patients under and over 60 years old. Methods: We studied AKI in patients who underwent cardiac surgery at the First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University between Jan 2020 and Dec 2021, using improved global prognostic criteria for diagnosis. Results: After analyzing 781 patients (402 males, 379 females), AKI incidence after surgery was 30.22 %. Adjusting for propensity scores revealed no significant difference in AKI incidence between young males (24.1 %) and females (19.3 %). However, young females had higher AKI stages. Among older patients, AKI incidence was comparable between males (43.4 %) and females (42.2 %), but females had longer intubation times. Independent risk factors for AKI included age, male gender, and BMI, while intraoperative hemoglobin level was protective. Conclusions: No gender gap in AKI frequency for <60 years old and ≥60 years old post-cardiac surgery, yet women display increased AKI severity and extended intubation duration.

Impact of Urbanisation Intensity on Bird Diversity in River Wetlands around Chaohu Lake, China.

Urbanisation is known to result in 'urban stream syndrome', which poses a huge threat to the river health. Birds, which are an important part of the river ecosystem, are sensitive to environmental changes in the basin. The ratio of the impervious surface area is a macroscopic indicator of urbanisation intensity in river basins. In this study, we combined the results of a year-round field survey of seven river wetlands around Chaohu Lake (China) with satellite remote sensing image data from the same period. The species richness at sections of the lake entrance was higher than in the middle sections of the river, and the Shannon-Wiener index during autumn was higher than that during winter. The waterbird diversity index declined exponentially with increases in the intensity of urbanisation. The changes in the land use patterns around river wetlands associated with urbanisation resulted in the loss of food resources and habitats. Therefore, the intensity of urbanisation was an important driving factor that leads to changes in the bird community structure of river wetlands, so it had a significant impact on the diversity of river wetland birds in all four seasons combined with a variety of influencing factors. Our research could be a guide for urban landscape planning and bird diversity protection. For example, the results suggested that it is necessary to identify river wetlands as an important part of the urban ecosystem, reduced building area, increased vegetation coverage, and retained slope protection and river beach land.

Azobenzene-diamides as Photopharmacological Ligands for Insect Ryanodine Receptor.

Photoresponsive ligands are powerful tool compounds for studying receptor function with spatiotemporal resolution. However, to the best of our knowledge, such a ligand is not available for the ryanodine receptor (RyR). Herein, we present a photochromic ligand (PCL) for insect RyR by decorating chlorantraniliprole (CHL) with photoswitchable azobenzene (AB). We demonstrated that one potent ligand, named ABCHL13, shows light-induced reversible trans-cis isomerization and 3.5-fold insecticidal activity decrease toward oriental armyworm (Mythimna separata) after UV-light irradiation, that is, trans-ABCH13 has higher activity than the cis-ABCH13. ABCHL13 enables optical control over intracellular Ca2+ release in dorsal unpaired median (DUM) neurons of M. separata and American cockroach (Periplaneta americana) and cardiac function of P. americana. Our results provide a first photopharmacological toolkit that is applicable to light-dependent regulation of RyR and heart beating.