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Frontiers in Neuroscience 2023Juvenile myoclonus epilepsy (JME) is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome. Functional connectivity studies based on graph theory have demonstrated changes in...
BACKGROUND
Juvenile myoclonus epilepsy (JME) is an idiopathic generalized epilepsy syndrome. Functional connectivity studies based on graph theory have demonstrated changes in functional connectivity among different brain regions in patients with JME and healthy controls. However, previous studies have not been able to clarify why visual stimulation or increased cognitive load induces epilepsy symptoms in only some patients with JME.
METHODS
This study constructed a small-world network for the visualization of functional connectivity of brain regions in patients with JME, based on system mapping. We used the node reduction method repeatedly to identify the core nodes of the resting brain network of patients with JME. Thereafter, a functional connectivity network of the core brain regions in patients with JME was established, and it was analyzed manually with white matter tracks restriction to explain the differences in symptom distribution in patients with JME.
RESULTS
Patients with JME had 21 different functional connections in their resting state, and no significant differences in their distribution were noted. The thalamus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, supplementary motor area, visual cortex, and prefrontal lobe were the core brain regions that comprised the functional connectivity network in patients with JME during their resting state. The betweenness centrality of the prefrontal lobe and the visual cortex in the core functional connectivity network of patients with JME was lower than that of the other brain regions.
CONCLUSION
The functional connectivity and node importance of brain regions of patients with JME changed dynamically in the resting state. Abnormal discharges originating from the thalamus, cerebellum, basal ganglia, supplementary motor area, visual cortex, and prefrontal cortex are most likely to lead to seizures in patients with JME. Further, the low average value of betweenness centrality of the prefrontal and visual cortices explains why visual stimulation or increased cognitive load can induce epileptic symptoms in only some patients with JME.
PubMed: 37859762
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1214687 -
Journal of Insect Science (Online) Sep 2023The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), often poses a challenge in strain identification due to similarities in morphology and genetic...
The domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori Linnaeus (Lepidoptera: Bombycidae), often poses a challenge in strain identification due to similarities in morphology and genetic background. In South Korea, around 40 silkworm strains are classified as premium, including 5 endemic tri-molting strains: Goryeosammyeon, Sammyeonhonghoeback, Hansammyeon, Sun7ho, and Sandongsammyeon. These strains have potential for breeding programs in response to emerging industry demands, necessitating a reliable strain identification method. In this study, we established a molecular diagnosis approach for these 5 strains. We selected 2-4 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) for each strain from whole-genome sequences of 39 strains, encompassing 37 previously studied and 2 newly added. These SNPs were utilized to construct decision trees for each endemic strain identification. The SNPs can be used to distinguish each target strain from the 38 nontarget strains by the tetra-primer amplification refractory mutation system-polymerase chain reaction, with the exception of HMS which needs the addition of PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism method at the final step. This decision tree-based method using genomic SNPs, coupled with the 2 typing methods, produced consistent and accurate results, providing 100% accuracy. Additionally, the significant number of remaining SNPs identified in this study could be valuable for future diagnosis of the other strains.
Topics: Animals; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; Bombyx; Chromosome Mapping; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Republic of Korea
PubMed: 37804503
DOI: 10.1093/jisesa/iead088 -
Scientific Reports Feb 2024Neuromodulation through implantable pulse generators (IPGs) represents an important treatment approach for neurological disorders. While the field has observed the...
Neuromodulation through implantable pulse generators (IPGs) represents an important treatment approach for neurological disorders. While the field has observed the success of state-of-the-art interventions, such as deep brain stimulation (DBS) or responsive neurostimulation (RNS), implantable systems face various technical challenges, including the restriction of recording from a limited number of brain sites, power management, and limited external access to the assessed neural data in a continuous fashion. To the best of our knowledge, for the first time in this study, we investigated the feasibility of recording human intracranial EEG (iEEG) using a benchtop version of the Brain Interchange (BIC) unit of CorTec, which is a portable, wireless, and externally powered implant with sensing and stimulation capabilities. We developed a MATLAB/SIMULINK-based rapid prototyping environment and a graphical user interface (GUI) to acquire and visualize the iEEG captured from all 32 channels of the BIC unit. We recorded prolonged iEEG (~ 24 h) from three human subjects with externalized depth leads using the BIC and commercially available clinical amplifiers simultaneously in the epilepsy monitoring unit (EMU). The iEEG signal quality of both streams was compared, and the results demonstrated a comparable power spectral density (PSD) in all the systems in the low-frequency band (< 80 Hz). However, notable differences were primarily observed above 100 Hz, where the clinical amplifiers were associated with lower noise floor (BIC-17 dB vs. clinical amplifiers < - 25 dB). We employed an established spike detector to assess and compare the spike rates in each iEEG stream. We observed over 90% conformity between the spikes rates and their spatial distribution captured with BIC and clinical systems. Additionally, we quantified the packet loss characteristic in the iEEG signal during the wireless data transfer and conducted a series of simulations to compare the performance of different interpolation methods for recovering the missing packets in signals at different frequency bands. We noted that simple linear interpolation has the potential to recover the signal and reduce the noise floor with modest packet loss levels reaching up to 10%. Overall, our results indicate that while tethered clinical amplifiers exhibited noticeably better noise floor above 80 Hz, epileptic spikes can still be detected successfully in the iEEG recorded with the externally powered wireless BIC unit opening the road for future closed-loop neuromodulation applications with continuous access to brain activity.
Topics: Humans; Electrocorticography; Benchmarking; Brain; Epilepsy; Brain Mapping; Electroencephalography
PubMed: 38332136
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-52487-5 -
The Plant Journal : For Cell and... Jun 2024Next-generation sequencing (NGS) library construction often involves using restriction enzymes to decrease genome complexity, enabling versatile polymorphism detection...
Next-generation sequencing (NGS) library construction often involves using restriction enzymes to decrease genome complexity, enabling versatile polymorphism detection in plants. However, plant leaves frequently contain impurities, such as polyphenols, necessitating DNA purification before enzymatic reactions. To overcome this problem, we developed a PCR-based method for expeditious NGS library preparation, offering flexibility in number of detected polymorphisms. By substituting a segment of the simple sequence repeat sequence in the MIG-seq primer set (MIG-seq being a PCR method enabling library construction with low-quality DNA) with degenerate oligonucleotides, we introduced variability in detectable polymorphisms across various crops. This innovation, named degenerate oligonucleotide primer MIG-seq (dpMIG-seq), enabled a streamlined protocol for constructing dpMIG-seq libraries from unpurified DNA, which was implemented stably in several crop species, including fruit trees. Furthermore, dpMIG-seq facilitated efficient lineage selection in wheat and enabled linkage map construction and quantitative trait loci analysis in tomato, rice, and soybean without necessitating DNA concentration adjustments. These findings underscore the potential of the dpMIG-seq protocol for advancing genetic analyses across diverse plant species.
Topics: High-Throughput Nucleotide Sequencing; Polymerase Chain Reaction; Genotyping Techniques; DNA Primers; Quantitative Trait Loci; Oryza; Triticum; Solanum lycopersicum; Chromosome Mapping; DNA, Plant; Glycine max; Gene Library; Polymorphism, Genetic; Crops, Agricultural; Genotype
PubMed: 38459738
DOI: 10.1111/tpj.16708 -
Huan Jing Ke Xue= Huanjing Kexue May 2024Understanding the strength of trade-off and synergistic relationships among ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for ecological management and restoration in the Fenhe...
Understanding the strength of trade-off and synergistic relationships among ecosystem services (ESs) is crucial for ecological management and restoration in the Fenhe River Basin. However, there is still a lack of sufficient research on the driving variables and spatial pattern optimization of the strength of ESs relationships in this area. Based on the quantitative assessment of six ESs in the Fenhe River Basin in 2000 and 2020, the ecosystem services trade-off synergy index (TSI) was introduced to quantitatively measure the strength of trade-off and synergistic relationships between each pair of ESs. A Bayesian network was constructed to identify the driving variables of trade-off and synergistic relationships, and sensitivity analysis was conducted to determine the degree of influence of key variables on the strength of these relationships. The optimization area of the strength of ESs trade-off and synergistic relationships was characterized in spatial patterns. The results showed that:① There were significant spatiotemporal differences in the six ESs in the Fenhe River Basin in 2000 and 2020. In terms of time scale, water yield, net primary productivity, crop productivity, soil conservation, and carbon storage all showed a trend of fluctuating increase. In terms of spatial scale, the spatial distribution changes in the six ESs were relatively small over the 20 years. ② The TSI of carbon storage was high in the surrounding area and low in the middle, showing a four-high and four-low pattern. The areas with the highest TSI between grain supply and other services were distributed from north to south. ③ Sensitivity analysis found that the strength of water yield, soil conservation, and habitat quality were significantly affected by precipitation, plant root depth restriction, and rainfall erosion. According to the conditional probability of different states of key variables, Wenshui County, Qingxu County, and Qi County in the central part of the Fenhe River Basin were identified as high-value areas for trade-off and synergistic relationships, which could be used as key areas for ecological restoration. These findings have important theoretical and practical significance for understanding the complex relationship between multiple ESs trade-off and synergistic relationships and their driving variables and for proposing sustainable ecological environment management policies.
PubMed: 38629541
DOI: 10.13227/j.hjkx.202305204 -
CoDAS 2024To map the vocal risk in professional classical singers, analyzing their self-assessment of voice and self-perception of singing voice handicap and vocal fatigue.
PURPOSE
To map the vocal risk in professional classical singers, analyzing their self-assessment of voice and self-perception of singing voice handicap and vocal fatigue.
METHODS
The study sample comprised of 52 professional classical choir singers, aged 31 to 72 years. They answered an online questionnaire in Google Forms, addressing their characterization, self-assessment of voice, the Voice Handicap Index-10 (VHI-10), Classical Singing Handicap Index (CSHI), and Vocal Fatigue Index (VFI).
RESULTS
The mean self-assessment of voice was between "Good" and "Very good" (1.2). The mean total VHI-10 score was 1.35, which is below the cutoff. The mean total CSHI score was 10.04. The mean total VFI score was 10.83, near the cutoff value. Classical singers who use their voice to give examples to students in their classes had higher scores in VHI-10 (p = 0.013), VFI voice restriction (p = 0.011), and VFI total score (p = 0.015). Besides, classical singers who already visited a Speech-Language Pathologist for voice problems had higher scores in VFI voice restriction (p = 0.040) and VFI recovery with voice rest (p = 0.019), in addition to correlations between instrument scores.
CONCLUSION
Professional classical singers did not have voice handicaps. However, their self-perception of vocal fatigue was more present when the singing voice was used, such as giving examples with their own voice in class. Having had voice problems and visited a Speech-Language Pathologist in the past led to a greater perception of vocal recovery with rest.
Topics: Humans; Voice Quality; Singing; Middle Aged; Adult; Voice Disorders; Male; Self Concept; Female; Aged; Surveys and Questionnaires; Occupational Diseases; Self-Assessment; Disability Evaluation
PubMed: 38896630
DOI: 10.1590/2317-1782/20242023088pt -
PLoS Pathogens Jan 2024BST2/Tetherin is a restriction factor with broad antiviral activity against enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses. Specifically, BST2 traps nascent particles to...
BST2/Tetherin is a restriction factor with broad antiviral activity against enveloped viruses, including coronaviruses. Specifically, BST2 traps nascent particles to membrane compartments, preventing their release and spread. In turn, viruses have evolved multiple mechanisms to counteract BST2. Here, we examined the interactions between BST2 and SARS-CoV-2. Our study shows that BST2 reduces SARS-CoV-2 virion release. However, the virus uses the Spike (S) protein to downregulate BST2. This requires a physical interaction between S and BST2, which routes BST2 for lysosomal degradation in a Clathtin- and ubiquitination-dependent manner. By surveying different SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (Alpha-Omicron), we found that Omicron is more efficient at counteracting BST2, and that mutations in S account for its enhanced anti-BST2 activity. Mapping analyses revealed that several surfaces in the extracellular region of BST2 are required for an interaction with the Spike, and that the Omicron variant has changed its patterns of association with BST2 to improve its counteraction. Therefore, our study suggests that, besides enhancing receptor binding and evasion of neutralizing antibodies, mutations accumulated in the Spike afford more efficient counteraction of BST2, which highlights that BST2 antagonism is important for SARS-CoV-2 infectivity and spread.
Topics: Humans; Bone Marrow Stromal Antigen 2; SARS-CoV-2; COVID-19; GPI-Linked Proteins; Mutation; Spike Glycoprotein, Coronavirus
PubMed: 38190411
DOI: 10.1371/journal.ppat.1011912 -
Physical Review. E Feb 2024A path integration (PI) approach that is progressive for studying the stochastic response driven by Lévy white noise is presented. First, a probability mapping is...
A path integration (PI) approach that is progressive for studying the stochastic response driven by Lévy white noise is presented. First, a probability mapping is constructed, which decouples the domain of interest for the system state and the probability space derived from the randomness of Lévy white noise within a short time interval. Then, solving the probability mapping yields the short-time response of the system. Finally, the stochastic evolution of the system can be grasped in a stepwise manner based on the fundamental concept of the PI method. The applicability and effectiveness of our approach in addressing the transient and stationary responses under Lévy white noises are verified by Monte Carlo simulation results. Moreover, the advances in utilization of this method are that it eliminates the restriction of the previous PI method on the controlling parameter of Lévy white noises, and it is highly efficient for solving responses of systems under Lévy white noises.
PubMed: 38491635
DOI: 10.1103/PhysRevE.109.024215