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1.
Wellcome Open Res ; 9: 7, 2024.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38867756

ABSTRACT

We present a genome assembly from an individual male Protodeltote pygarga (the Marbled White Spot; Arthropoda; Insecta; Lepidoptera; Noctuidae). The genome sequence is 421.1 megabases in span. Most of the assembly is scaffolded into 31 chromosomal pseudomolecules, including the Z sex chromosome. The mitochondrial genome has also been assembled and is 15.48 kilobases in length. Gene annotation of this assembly on Ensembl identified 17,784 protein coding genes.

2.
J Am Vet Med Assoc ; : 1-10, 2024 Jun 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38906171

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: To determine the rate of nodal metastasis in dogs with thyroid cancer and evaluate whether immunohistochemistry (IHC) identifies additional metastases beyond evaluation with H&E. ANIMALS: 70 prospectively enrolled client-owned dogs with thyroid cancer managed with thyroidectomy. METHODS: Dogs underwent thyroidectomy with concurrent elective bilateral medial retropharyngeal (MRP) ± deep cervical lymphadenectomy. Thyroid tumors and associated lymph nodes were reviewed by a single board-certified pathologist. Immunohistochemistry was used for all primary tumors (thyroid transcription factor-1 and calcitonin) to support a diagnosis of follicular or medullary carcinoma. Lymph nodes without evidence of metastasis after H&E review were labeled with the antibody associated with the wider uptake in the primary tumor. RESULTS: 77 thyroid cancers were resected from the 70 dogs enrolled, including 61 (79.2%) follicular, 8 (10.7%) medullary, and 7 (9.3%) mixed follicular/medullary carcinomas, with 1 (1.3%) carcinosarcoma. Twelve dogs had evidence of nodal metastasis following H&E review. Occult micrometastasis was identified in 1 dog following nodal IHC, resulting in documented metastasis in 13 of 70 (18.6%) dogs. Metastasis was more common with medullary (5/8) and follicular/medullary carcinoma (3/7) than follicular carcinoma (5/61). All MRP metastases were ipsilateral (7/77 [9.1%]), without contralateral MRP metastases (0/62). Fourteen of 41 (34.1%) deep cervical lymph nodes were metastatic. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Nodal metastasis was uncommon for follicular carcinoma but was seen in > 50% of dogs with thyroid cancer involving a medullary component. Routine nodal IHC appears to be low yield for thyroid carcinoma. Extirpation of ipsilateral MRP and identifiable deep cervical lymph nodes is recommended with thyroidectomy until detailed preoperative risk stratification becomes available.

3.
Cell ; 187(13): 3249-3261.e14, 2024 Jun 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38781968

ABSTRACT

Thermostable clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR) and CRISPR-associated (Cas9) enzymes could improve genome-editing efficiency and delivery due to extended protein lifetimes. However, initial experimentation demonstrated Geobacillus stearothermophilus Cas9 (GeoCas9) to be virtually inactive when used in cultured human cells. Laboratory-evolved variants of GeoCas9 overcome this natural limitation by acquiring mutations in the wedge (WED) domain that produce >100-fold-higher genome-editing levels. Cryoelectron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the wild-type and improved GeoCas9 (iGeoCas9) enzymes reveal extended contacts between the WED domain of iGeoCas9 and DNA substrates. Biochemical analysis shows that iGeoCas9 accelerates DNA unwinding to capture substrates under the magnesium-restricted conditions typical of mammalian but not bacterial cells. These findings enabled rational engineering of other Cas9 orthologs to enhance genome-editing levels, pointing to a general strategy for editing enzyme improvement. Together, these results uncover a new role for the Cas9 WED domain in DNA unwinding and demonstrate how accelerated target unwinding dramatically improves Cas9-induced genome-editing activity.


Subject(s)
CRISPR-Associated Protein 9 , CRISPR-Cas Systems , Cryoelectron Microscopy , DNA , Gene Editing , Humans , Bacterial Proteins/metabolism , Bacterial Proteins/genetics , Bacterial Proteins/chemistry , CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/metabolism , CRISPR-Associated Protein 9/genetics , CRISPR-Cas Systems/genetics , DNA/metabolism , DNA/genetics , Gene Editing/methods , Geobacillus stearothermophilus/genetics , Geobacillus stearothermophilus/metabolism , HEK293 Cells , Protein Domains , Genome, Human , Models, Molecular , Protein Structure, Tertiary , Nucleic Acid Conformation , Biocatalysis , Magnesium/chemistry , Magnesium/metabolism
5.
World Neurosurg X ; 23: 100374, 2024 Jul.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38584879

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Optimal management of transverse sacral fractures (TSF) remains inconclusive. These injuries may present with neurological deficits including cauda equina syndrome. We present our series of laminectomy for acute TSF with cauda equina compression. Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients that underwent sacral laminectomy for treatment of cauda equina compression in acute TSF at our institution between 2007 through 2023. Results: A total of 9 patients (5 male and 4 female) underwent sacral laminectomy to decompress the cauda equina in the setting of acute high impact trauma. Surgeries were done early within a mean time of 5.9 days. All but one patient had symptomatic cauda equina syndrome. In one instance surgery was applied due to significant canal stenosis present on imaging in a patient with diminished mental status not allowing proper neurological examination. Torn sacral nerve roots were repaired directly when possible. All patients regained their neurological function related to the sacral cauda equina on follow up. The rate of surgical site infection (SSI) was 33%. Conclusion: Acute early sacral laminectomy and nerve root repair as needed was effective in recovering bowel and bladder function in patients after high impact trauma and TSF with cauda equina compression. A high SSI rate may be reduced by delaying surgery past 1 week from trauma, but little data exists at this time for clear recommendations.

6.
Vet Comp Oncol ; 22(2): 239-244, 2024 Jun.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38488259

ABSTRACT

Thyroid follicular tumours may take up iodide via the sodium-iodide symporter. Knowledge of iodide uptake could then allow treatment with I-131 in dogs with high-risk tumours. The objective of this study was to determine the relationship between clinically detectable iodide uptake (as determined by scintigraphy and/or thyroxine concentrations) and sodium iodide symporter immunohistochemical labelling on histologically fixed thyroid tumours. Nineteen dogs were identified who were diagnosed with thyroid carcinoma and underwent surgery from November 2017 to July 2021. All had recorded thyroid hormone concentrations and were hyperthyroid and/or underwent preoperative nuclear imaging using planar scintigraphy (technetium-99m or I-123), or I-124 PET-CT. All dogs subsequently underwent surgery to remove the thyroid mass. Twenty-two tumours were submitted for histopathologic analysis immediately following surgery, which confirmed a diagnosis of thyroid carcinoma for each tumour. Images and/or thyroid hormone concentrations were reviewed for the included cases, and tumours were sorted into an avid/functional group (group 1) and a non-avid/functional group (group 2). The tumour tissues were re-examined histologically using sodium iodide symporter (NIS) immunohistochemistry (IHC). Group 1 contained 15 avid/functional tumours. Twelve of these tumours had membranous NIS IHC labelling. Group 2 contained 7 non-avid tumours. One of these tumours had membranous NIS IHC labelling. This resulted in an overall sensitivity and specificity for identification of avid/functional tumours with membranous NIS of 80.0% and 85.7%, respectively. NIS IHC may predict ion trapping in canine follicular thyroid tumours. Further studies using iodide-based imaging are warranted to better determine the clinical utility of this diagnostic modality.


Subject(s)
Dog Diseases , Symporters , Thyroid Neoplasms , Animals , Dogs , Symporters/metabolism , Thyroid Neoplasms/veterinary , Thyroid Neoplasms/metabolism , Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnosis , Thyroid Neoplasms/pathology , Dog Diseases/metabolism , Dog Diseases/diagnosis , Male , Female , Iodine Radioisotopes , Immunohistochemistry/veterinary , Iodides/metabolism
7.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Feb 29.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38464307

ABSTRACT

Hachiman is a broad-spectrum antiphage defense system of unknown function. We show here that Hachiman comprises a heterodimeric nuclease-helicase complex, HamAB. HamA, previously a protein of unknown function, is the effector nuclease. HamB is the sensor helicase. HamB constrains HamA activity during surveillance of intact dsDNA. When the HamAB complex detects DNA damage, HamB helicase activity liberates HamA, unleashing nuclease activity. Hachiman activation degrades all DNA in the cell, creating 'phantom' cells devoid of both phage and host DNA. We demonstrate Hachiman activation in the absence of phage by treatment with DNA-damaging agents, suggesting that Hachiman responds to aberrant DNA states. Phylogenetic similarities between the Hachiman helicase and eukaryotic enzymes suggest this bacterial immune system has been repurposed for diverse functions across all domains of life.

8.
J Am Chem Soc ; 146(7): 4500-4507, 2024 Feb 21.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38330246

ABSTRACT

Preparation of a redox-frustrated high-energy-density energetic material is achieved by gentle protolysis of Mn[N(SiMe3)2]2 with the perchlorate salt of the tetrazolamide [H2NtBuMeTz]ClO4 (Tz = tetrazole), yielding the Mn6N6 hexagonal prismatic cluster, Mn6(µ3-NTztBuMe)6(ClO4)6. Quantum mechanics-based molecular dynamics simulations of the decomposition of this molecule predict that magnetic ordering of the d5 Mn2+ ions influences the pathway and rates of decomposition, suggesting that the initiation of decomposition of the bulk material might be significantly retarded by an applied magnetic field. We report here experimental tests of the prediction showing that the presence of a 0.5 T magnetic field modulates the ignition onset temperature by +10.4 ± 3.9 °C (from 414 ± 4 °C), demonstrating the first example of a magnetically modulated explosive.

9.
bioRxiv ; 2024 Jan 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38260254

ABSTRACT

Cytokine therapies are potent immunotherapy agents but exhibit severe dose-limiting toxicities. One strategy to overcome this involves engineering cytokines for intratumoral retention following local delivery. Here, we develop a localized cytokine therapy that elicits profound anti-tumor immunity by engineered targeting to the ubiquitous leukocyte receptor CD45. We designed CD45-targeted immunocytokines (αCD45-Cyt) that, upon injection, decorated the surface of leukocytes in the tumor and tumor-draining lymph node (TDLN) without systemic exposure. αCD45-Cyt therapy eradicated both directly treated tumors and untreated distal lesions in multiple syngeneic mouse tumor models. Mechanistically, αCD45-Cyt triggered prolonged pSTAT signaling and reprogrammed tumor-specific CD8+ T cells in the TDLN to exhibit an anti-viral transcriptional signature. CD45 anchoring represents a broad platform for protein retention by host immune cells for use in immunotherapy.

10.
Appl Physiol Nutr Metab ; 49(4): 514-525, 2024 Apr 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38079618

ABSTRACT

There is a significant effect of sex and muscle mass on the cardiorespiratory response to the skeletal muscle metaboreflex during isometric exercise. We therefore tested the hypothesis that sex differences would be present when isolated following dynamic exercise. We also tested the hypothesis that single and double leg post-exercise circulatory occlusion (PECO) following heavy exercise would elicit a cardiorespiratory response proportional to the absolute muscle mass. Healthy (24 ± 4 years) males (n = 10) and females (n = 10) completed pulmonary function and an incremental cycle test to exhaustion. Participants completed two randomized, 6 min bouts of intense cycle exercise (84 ± 7% V̇O2peak). One exercise bout was immediately followed by 3 min PECO (220 mmHg) of the legs while the other exercise bout was followed by passive recovery. Males completed an additional session of testing with single leg PECO. The mean arterial pressure during PECO and control was greater in males compared to females (p = 0.004). The was a significant time by condition by sex interaction in the heart rate response to PECO (p = 0.027). There was also a significant condition by sex interaction in the ventilatory response to PECO (p = 0.026). In males, we observed a dose-dependent cardiovascular, but not ventilatory, response to muscle mass occluded (all p < 0.05). Our findings suggest the metaboreflex contribution to cardiorespiratory control during dynamic exercise is greater in males compared to females. The ventilatory response induced by double-leg occlusion but not single-leg occlusion, suggests that the ventilatory influence of the metaboreflex is less sensitive than the cardiovascular response and may be linked to the greater afferent activation induced by double-leg occlusion.


Subject(s)
Cardiovascular System , Muscle, Skeletal , Female , Humans , Male , Blood Pressure/physiology , Exercise/physiology , Exercise Therapy , Hand Strength/physiology , Heart Rate/physiology , Muscle, Skeletal/physiology , Reflex , Young Adult , Adult
11.
Psychopharmacology (Berl) ; 241(3): 461-478, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38038817

ABSTRACT

RATIONALE: Behavioral effects of testosterone depend on dose, acute versus sustained formulation, duration of administration, personality, genetics, and endogenous levels of testosterone. There are also considerable differences between effects of endogenous and exogenous testosterone. OBJECTIVES: This study was the secondary behavioral arm of a registered clinical trial designed to determine if testosterone protects against loss of lean body mass and lower-body muscle function induced by a severe energy deficit typical of sustained military operations. METHODS: Behavioral effects of repeated doses of testosterone on healthy young men whose testosterone was reduced by severe energy deficit were examined. This was a double-blind, placebo-controlled, between-group study. Effects of four weekly intramuscular injections of testosterone enanthate (200 mg/week, N = 24) or matching placebo (N = 26) were evaluated. Determination of sample size was based on changes in lean body mass. Tasks assessing aggression, risk-taking, competition, social cognition, vigilance, memory, executive function, and mood were repeatedly administered. RESULTS: During a period of artificially induced, low testosterone levels, consistent behavioral effects of administration of exogenous testosterone were not observed. CONCLUSIONS: Exogeneous testosterone enanthate (200 mg/week) during severe energy restriction did not reliably alter the measures of cognition. Study limitations include the relatively small sample size compared to many studies of acute testosterone administration. The findings are specific to healthy males experiencing severe energy deficit and should not be generalized to effects of other doses, formulations, or acute administration of endogenous testosterone or studies conducted with larger samples using tests of cognitive function designed to detect specific effects of testosterone.


Subject(s)
Aggression , Testosterone , Testosterone/analogs & derivatives , Male , Humans , Testosterone/pharmacology , Cognition , Risk-Taking
12.
J Magn Reson Imaging ; 59(3): 1070-1073, 2024 Mar.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37246446

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease. NAFLD diagnosis and follow-up relies on a combination of clinical data, liver imaging, and/or liver biopsy. However, intersite imaging differences impede diagnostic consistency and reduce the repeatability of the multisite clinical trials necessary to develop effective treatments. PURPOSE/HYPOTHESIS: The goal of this pilot study was to harmonize commercially available 3 T magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) measurements of liver fat and stiffness in human participants across academic sites and MRI vendors. STUDY TYPE: Cohort. SUBJECTS: Four community-dwelling adults with obesity. FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 1.5 and 3 T, multiecho 3D imaging, PRESS, and GRE. ASSESSMENT: Harmonized proton density fat fraction (PDFF) and magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) protocols were used to quantify the FF of synthetic phantoms and human participants with obesity using standard acquisition parameters at four sites that had four different 3 T MRI instruments. In addition, a harmonized magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) protocol was used to quantify liver stiffness among participants at two different sites at 1.5 and 3 T field strengths. Data were sent to a single data coordinating site for postprocessing. STATISTICAL TESTS: Linear regression in MATLAB, ICC analyses using SAS 9.4, one-sided 95% confidence intervals for the ICC. RESULTS: PDFF and MRS FF measurements were highly repeatable among sites in both humans and phantoms. MRE measurements of liver stiffness in three individuals at two sites using one 1.5 T and one 3 T instrument showed repeatability that was high although lower than that of MRS and PDFF. CONCLUSIONS: We demonstrated harmonization of PDFF, MRS, and MRE-based quantification of liver fat and stiffness through synthetic phantoms, traveling participants, and standardization of postprocessing analysis. Multisite MRI harmonization could contribute to multisite clinical trials assessing the efficacy of interventions and therapy for NAFLD. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: 2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY STAGE: 2.


Subject(s)
Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease , Adult , Humans , Non-alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease/pathology , Pilot Projects , Reproducibility of Results , Liver/pathology , Magnetic Resonance Imaging/methods , Obesity/pathology
13.
Vet Surg ; 53(3): 524-534, 2024 Apr.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37753557

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: To categorize the fascial planes and the intersections of these fascial planes in the hindlimb of the dog to facilitate preoperative planning for superficial cancers. STUDY DESIGN: Qualitative anatomical study. SAMPLE POPULATION: Four male and five female mixed breed dogs, weighing ~15-35 kg. METHODS: Skin and subcutaneous fat were removed, and fascial planes were explored to determine borders and quality. Fascia was categorized as type I (discrete sheets), type II (adhered to thin muscles), type III (adhered to thick muscles), or type IV (associated with periosteum). Digital modification of specimen photographs was performed to map tissues. RESULTS: Differences in dogs were noted due to either size or sex but were sufficiently minor to allow mapping. Fasciae of the hindlimb were predominantly type II or III, with type I fascia primarily at the lateral gluteal region, fascia lata, and lateral crus. Type IV fascia was seen at the iliac wing, ischium, patella, tibial tuberosity, medial tibia, distal crus, and pes. Fascia for surgical use was thin or absent at the ischiorectal fossa, femoral triangle, extensor mechanism, medial and distal crus, and pes. Intersections and tissues at the ventral perineum may also pose challenges for maintenance of a deep margin. CONCLUSION: Fascial types and integrity of the hindlimb varied with location, with the perineum, cranial stifle, and distal limb presenting the greatest challenges. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: These images may be used to guide both therapeutic decision-making and intraoperative excision of superficial tumors of the hindlimb and pelvis.


Subject(s)
Lower Extremity , Tibia , Male , Dogs , Female , Animals , Stifle , Pelvis , Fascia Lata
14.
J Orthop Trauma ; 38(1): e36, 2024 Jan 01.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37559214

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to quantify social media usage among Orthopaedic Trauma Association (OTA) members. METHODS: All active OTA members were searched for involvement among common social media platforms. Surgeons were then classified as "active" on any given social media site if they posted within the past 6 months. Surgeons were also identified by the region they practiced in, sex, and their practice setting (academic vs. private). Finally, a surgeon's score and number of reviews from common physician review websites were examined. RESULTS: A total of 1465 OTA members were included in the analysis. Most surgeons were male (89.1% [n = 1305]) and practiced in a private setting (54.5% [n = 799]). A total of 590 surgeons (40.3%) had at least one form of social media account. Social media sites most used were LinkedIn with 48.7% (n = 713) and ResearchGate with 29.2% (n = 428). Academic surgeons were more likely to have a ResearchGate, LinkedIn, and Twitter account while private surgeons were more likely to have a personal website ( P < 0.05). Finally, there was no correlation between surgeons more active on social media and average scores on Vitals.com or Healthgrade.com ( P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Most orthopaedic trauma surgeons do not have professional social media accounts. Although social media may help spread scholarship, having a professional social media account does not correlate with better online physician reviews or increased online reviews among orthopaedic trauma surgeons.


Subject(s)
Orthopedic Surgeons , Orthopedics , Social Media , Surgeons , Humans , Male , Female
15.
Mol Biol Evol ; 40(11)2023 Nov 03.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37935057

ABSTRACT

Color vision in insects is determined by signaling cascades, central to which are opsin proteins, resulting in sensitivity to light at different wavelengths. In certain insect groups, lineage-specific evolution of opsin genes, in terms of copy number, shifts in expression patterns, and functional amino acid substitutions, has resulted in changes in color vision with subsequent behavioral and niche adaptations. Lepidoptera are a fascinating model to address whether evolutionary change in opsin content and sequence evolution are associated with changes in vision phenotype. Until recently, the lack of high-quality genome data representing broad sampling across the lepidopteran phylogeny has greatly limited our ability to accurately address this question. Here, we annotate opsin genes in 219 lepidopteran genomes representing 33 families, reconstruct their evolutionary history, and analyze shifts in selective pressures and expression between genes and species. We discover 44 duplication events in opsin genes across ∼300 million years of lepidopteran evolution. While many duplication events are species or family specific, we find retention of an ancient long-wavelength-sensitive (LW) opsin duplication derived by retrotransposition within the speciose superfamily Noctuoidea (in the families Nolidae, Erebidae, and Noctuidae). This conserved LW retrogene shows life stage-specific expression suggesting visual sensitivities or other sensory functions specific to the early larval stage. This study provides a comprehensive order-wide view of opsin evolution across Lepidoptera, showcasing high rates of opsin duplications and changes in expression patterns.


Subject(s)
Color Vision , Lepidoptera , Humans , Animals , Opsins/genetics , Gene Duplication , Lepidoptera/genetics , Evolution, Molecular , Rod Opsins/chemistry , Rod Opsins/genetics , Insecta/genetics , Phylogeny , Gene Expression
16.
Front Public Health ; 11: 1200415, 2023.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38035298

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Glycemic markers throughout life are associated with increased risk of midlife cognitive decline, yet it is unclear whether these associations differ by race and sex. Methods: This study used cross-sectional analysis of prospectively maintained cohort. 1,295 participants in the Bogalusa Heart Study, a biracial epidemiological cohort located in a micropolitan area core setting, provided fasting plasma insulin (FPI) and glucose (FPG) biannually from 1973 to 2016. Memory, executive function (EF), attention, working memory (WM), and global cognition (GC), collected 2013-2016. Glycemic markers (i.e., FPG, FPI, and HOMA-IR) averaged within lifespan epochs (≤ 20 years, childhood/adolescence (C/A); 21-40 years, early adulthood (EA); and 40-58 years, midlife). Linear regression models were analyzed for each epoch and separate models were analyzed with sex and race, education as a covariate. Results: Sample was 59% women, 34% African American (AA). Among women, higher C/A FPG was associated with poorer memory and poorer GC. Higher EA FPG was associated with poorer WM. Among men, higher EA HOMA-IR was associated with worse attention. Higher C/A HOMA-IR and FPI were associated with better memory, as was higher EA FPI. Among AA, higher C/A FPG was associated with worse attention, EF, and GC. Higher EA HOMA-IR was associated with worse attention. Higher midlife FPI and C/A HOMA-IR were associated with worse WM and EF among White Americans (WAs). Discussion: Markers indicative of hyperglycemia at different epochs were associated with worse midlife cognition in women, AAs, and WAs; but not in men. Differences in the relationship between lifespan glycemic exposures and midlife cognition could reflect broader health disparities.


Subject(s)
Blood Glucose , Insulin Resistance , Adolescent , Adult , Child , Female , Humans , Male , Blood Glucose/analysis , Cognition , Cross-Sectional Studies , Longevity , Longitudinal Studies , Sex Characteristics , Racial Groups
17.
Aging Dis ; 2023 Nov 20.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-38029396

ABSTRACT

Type-2 diabetes is associated with an increased risk of dementia, and the underlying mechanism might involve abnormal insulin signaling in the brain. The objective of this study was to examine the association of postmortem brain insulin signaling with late-life cognitive decline. Among participants of Religious Orders Study, a community-based clinical-pathological cohort, 150 deceased and autopsied older individuals (75 with diabetes matched to 75 without by age at death, sex, and education) had postmortem brain insulin signaling measurements collected in the prefrontal cortex using ELISA and immunohistochemistry. By using adjusted linear mixed-effects models, we examined the association of postmortem brain insulin signaling with late-life cognitive function assessed longitudinally (mean follow-up duration = 9.4 years) using a battery of neuropsychological tests. We found that a higher level of serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT) phosphorylation (pT308AKT1/total AKT1) was associated with a faster decline in global cognition (estimate = -0.023, p = 0.030), and three domains: episodic memory (estimate = -0.024, p = 0.032), working memory (estimate = -0.018, p = 0.012), and visuospatial abilities (estimate = -0.013, p = 0.027). The level of insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS1) phosphorylation (pS307IRS1/total IRS1) was not associated with decline in global cognition or most cognitive domains, except for perceptual speed (estimate = 0.020, p = 0.020). The density of pS616IRS1-stained cells was not associated with decline in global cognition or any of the domains. In conclusion, these findings provide novel evidence for an association between brain insulin signaling and late-life cognitive decline. AKT phosphorylation is associated with a decline in global cognition and memory in particular, whereas IRS1 phosphorylation is associated with a decline in perceptual speed.

18.
bioRxiv ; 2023 Oct 02.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37873319

ABSTRACT

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) has evolved to be exquisitely adapted to survive within host macrophages. The capacity to damage the phagosomal membrane has emerged as central to Mtb virulence. While Mtb factors driving membrane damage have been described, host factors that repair that damage to contain the pathogen remain largely unknown. We used a genome-wide CRISPR screen to identify novel host factors required to repair Mtb-damaged phagosomal membranes. Vacuolar protein sorting-associated protein 18 (Vps18), a member of the HOPS and CORVET trafficking complexes, was among the top hits. Vps18 colocalized with Mtb in macrophages beginning shortly after infection, and Vps18-knockout macrophages demonstrated increased damage of Mtb-containing phagosomes without impaired autophagy. Mtb grew more robustly in Vps18-knockout cells, and the first-line anti-tuberculosis antibiotic pyrazinamide was less effective. Our results identify Vps18 as required for phagosomal membrane integrity in Mtb-infected cells and suggest that modulating phagosome integrity may hold promise for improving the efficacy of antibiotic treatment for TB.

19.
J Mech Behav Biomed Mater ; 148: 106171, 2023 12.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37890344

ABSTRACT

In this study, the fracture behavior of ribosylated bovine cortical bone is investigated under loading conditions simulating a fall event. Single edge notched specimens, separated into a control group (n = 11) and a ribosylated group (n = 8), were extracted from the mid-diaphysis of a single bovine femur harvested from a mature cow. A seven-day ribosylation process results in the accumulation of Advanced-Glycation End Products (AGEs) cross-links and AGE adducts. Specimens were subjected to symmetric three point bending (opening mode) and an impact velocity of 1.6 m/s using a drop tower. Near-crack displacement fields up to fracture initiation are determined from high-speed images post-processed using digital image correlation. A constrained over-deterministic least squares regression and orthotropic material linear elastic fracture mechanics theory are used to extract the in-plane critical stress intensity factors at fracture initiation (i.e., fracture initiation toughness values). Statistically significant differences were not observed when comparing the in-plane fracture initiation toughness values (p≥0.96) or energy release rate (p=0.90) between the control and seven-day ribosylated groups. The intrinsic variability of bone may require high sample numbers in order to achieve an adequately powered experiment when assessing dynamic fracture behavior. While there are no detectable differences due to the ribosylation treatment investigated, this is likely due to the limited sample sizes utilized.


Subject(s)
Fractures, Bone , Cattle , Animals , Bone and Bones , Cortical Bone , Femur , Lower Extremity
20.
Glob Chang Biol ; 29(22): 6261-6275, 2023 Nov.
Article in English | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-37733768

ABSTRACT

As mean temperatures increase and heatwaves become more frequent, species are expanding their distributions to colonise new habitats. The resulting novel species interactions will simultaneously shape the temperature-driven reorganization of resident communities. The interactive effects of climate change and climate change-facilitated invasion have rarely been studied in multi-trophic communities, and are likely to differ depending on the nature of the climatic driver (i.e., climate extremes or constant warming). We re-created under laboratory conditions a host-parasitoid community typical of high-elevation rainforest sites in Queensland, Australia, comprising four Drosophila species and two associated parasitoid species. We subjected these communities to an equivalent increase in average temperature in the form of periodic heatwaves or constant warming, in combination with an invasion treatment involving a novel host species from lower-elevation habitats. The two parasitoid species were sensitive to both warming and heatwaves, while the demographic responses of Drosophila species were highly idiosyncratic, reflecting the combined effects of thermal tolerance, parasitism, competition, and facilitation. After multiple generations, our heatwave treatment promoted the establishment of low-elevation species in upland communities. Invasion of the low-elevation species correlated negatively with the abundance of one of the parasitoid species, leading to cascading effects on its hosts and their competitors. Our study, therefore, reveals differing, sometimes contrasting, impacts of extreme temperatures and constant warming on community composition. It also highlights how the scale and direction of climate impacts could be further modified by invading species within a bi-trophic community network.

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