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Frontiers in Physiology 2019is a powerful genetic model to study the circadian clock. Recently, three drosophilists received the Nobel Prize for their intensive past and current work on the... (Review)
Review
is a powerful genetic model to study the circadian clock. Recently, three drosophilists received the Nobel Prize for their intensive past and current work on the molecular clockwork (Nobel Prize 2017). The brain clock is composed of about 150 clock neurons distributed along the lateral and dorsal regions of the protocerebrum. These clock neurons control the timing of locomotor behaviors. In standard light-dark (LD) conditions (12-12 h and constant 25°C), flies present a bi-modal locomotor activity pattern controlled by the clock. Flies increase their movement just before the light-transitions, and these behaviors are therefore defined as anticipatory. Two neuronal oscillators control the morning and evening anticipation. Knowing that the molecular clock cycles in phase in all clock neurons in the brain in LD, how can we explain the presence of two behavioral activity peaks separated by 12 h? According to one model, the molecular clock cycles in phase in all clock neurons, but the neuronal activity cycles with a distinct phase in the morning and evening oscillators. An alternative model takes the environmental condition into consideration. One group of clock neurons, the dorso-posterior clock neurons DN1p, drive two peaks of locomotor activity in LD even though their neuronal activity cycles with the same phase (late night/early morning). Interestingly, the locomotor outputs they control differ in their sensitivity to light and temperature. Hence, they must drive outputs to different neuropil regions in the brain, which also receive different inputs. Since 2010 and the presentation of the first specific DN1p manipulations, many studies have been performed to understand the role of this group of neurons in controlling locomotor behaviors. Hence, we review what we know about this heterogeneous group of clock neurons and discuss the second model to explain how clock neurons that oscillate with the same phase can drive behaviors at different times of the day.
PubMed: 31969832
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01540 -
Frontiers in Nutrition 2022Light is an important environmental factor that regulates the activity of metabolism-related biochemical pathways during tomato maturation. Using LED to improve lighting...
Light is an important environmental factor that regulates the activity of metabolism-related biochemical pathways during tomato maturation. Using LED to improve lighting conditions during the process of tomato growth and development is a feasible and efficient method to improve the quality of tomato fruit. In this study, red and blue LEDs were used to supplement light on "MicroTom" tomato plants for different periods of time in the morning and evening, and the differences between the primary and secondary metabolites and other nutrient metabolites in the tomato fruit were analyzed using liquid chromatography and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry and other methods. Supplementing light in the morning promoted the accumulation of vitamin C, organic acids, amino acids, carotenoids, phenolic acids, and other health-promoting substances in the tomato fruits. Supplementing light in the evening significantly increased the content of sugars, flavonoids, and aromatic substances in tomato fruits, whereas the promoting effect of LED on the accumulation of amino acids and carotenoids was lower in the evening than in the morning. Both morning and evening light supplementation reduced the mineral content of fruit. In conclusion, morning light supplementation improved the nutritional quality of tomato fruits, while evening light supplementation improved their flavor.
PubMed: 35174200
DOI: 10.3389/fnut.2022.833723 -
Frontiers in Pharmacology 2023Ondansetron is a selective antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor that is commonly used to treat morning sickness. It is estimated that 70%-80% of pregnant women...
Ondansetron is a selective antagonist of the serotonin 5-HT3 receptor that is commonly used to treat morning sickness. It is estimated that 70%-80% of pregnant women suffer from morning sickness, a condition characterized by nausea and vomiting. However, it is still controversial regarding its safety during pregnancy, and continued research will be necessary to fully understand the risks and benefits associated with its use. Therefore, we aimed to identify and provide details of the efficacy and safety of ondansetron in clinical trials. A search was conducted of the ClinicalTrials.gov database on 13 April 2023, using the search term "ondansetron and pregnancy." Inclusion and exclusion criteria were defined to identify relevant clinical trials. The inclusion criteria encompassed clinical trials related to pregnancy that utilized ondansetron as a treatment, while other clinical trials were excluded from consideration. All data extractions such as study title, study status, study type, intervention details, and outcome were collected. A total of 18 clinical trials were identified, of which only 6 focused on studying the effects of ondansetron. Their respective study titles, statuses, conditions, interventions, outcome measures, and enrollment sizes have been written in detail. The information collected from these trials will contribute to our understanding of the potential benefits and risks of ondansetron in the context of pregnancy and its complications. Ondansetron has been shown to be an effective treatment for nausea and vomiting, including pregnancy-related morning sickness. Further research is needed to better understand the potential risks and benefits associated with its use in pregnant women. ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier.
PubMed: 37936910
DOI: 10.3389/fphar.2023.1291235 -
Journal of the Endocrine Society Dec 2022Blood pressure and plasma catecholamines normally decline during sleep and rapidly increase in early morning. This is blunted in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
CONTEXT
Blood pressure and plasma catecholamines normally decline during sleep and rapidly increase in early morning. This is blunted in adults with type 2 diabetes (T2D).
OBJECTIVE
We hypothesize that increased sympatho-adrenal activity during sleep differentiates youth with T2D from nondiabetic obese youth and lean youth.
METHODS
Fasting spot morning and 24-hour urines were collected in obese adolescents with and without T2D, and normal-weight controls. Fractionated free urine catecholamines (epinephrine, norepinephrine, and dopamine) were measured, and the ratio of fasting spot morning to 24-hour catecholamines was calculated.
RESULTS
Urinary 24-hour catecholamine levels were comparable across the 3 groups. Fasting morning epinephrine and the ratio of fasting morning/24-hour epinephrine were higher in youth with T2D ( = 0.004 and = 0.035, respectively). In males, the ratio of fasting morning/24-hour epinephrine was also higher in youth with T2D ( = 0.005). In females, fasting morning norepinephrine and the ratio of fasting morning/24-hour dopamine were lower in obese youth with and without T2D ( = 0.013 and = 0.005, respectively) compared with lean youth. Systolic blood pressure was higher in diabetic participants than other groups; males trended higher than females.
CONCLUSION
Circadian rhythm in catecholamines is disrupted in youth-onset T2D, with a blunted overnight fall in urinary epinephrine in males. Conversely, fasting morning norepinephrine and dopamine levels were lower in obese females with or without T2D. Higher nocturnal catecholamines in males with T2D might associate with, or predispose to, hypertension and cardiovascular complications. Lower catecholamine excretion in females with obesity might serve an adaptive, protective role.
PubMed: 36632209
DOI: 10.1210/jendso/bvac190 -
Neurology Feb 2023In medical school, students learn to view the world through a biomedical lens. While necessary clinically, this lens can be impersonal. For example, the mental status...
In medical school, students learn to view the world through a biomedical lens. While necessary clinically, this lens can be impersonal. For example, the mental status examination (MSE) evaluates cognitive function through a brief assessment of alertness and orientation to person, place, time, and situation. While clinically useful, the MSE often neglects to capture a person's individuality. Visiting my grandmother who has Alzheimer disease highlighted this tension. I juxtaposed the impersonality of our MSE orientation scale with my grandmother's lived experiences. My grandmother is identified using a pseudonym. Informed consent was obtained from her health care power of attorney and family.Birds twitter and chirp as they flit into the shade,the covered patio a respite from the morning's heat.I sit with Joanna and show her a painting:an apple, red peppers, a garlic clove, and a grapefruitrest on a white napkin.Produce so vibrant the napkin is stainedwith their vivid reflections.The wrinkles around her eyes deepen as she squints at the picture.She always liked to see my artwork.Bright colors illuminate the lines of confusion on her face.Where did you get all this food?We're rationing for the war to stop Hitler.I have evaluated dementia:limited treatment options, behavioral interventions.Cognitive changes alterorientation to self,place, time, situation.Joanna and I sit on the memory care patio.The birdfeeder dances in the humid summer air.I've shared my artwork with Grandma Jofrom crayons' waxy scrawlto crisp acrylic colors.Today a t-shirt replaces my white coat.The war is over, grandma.The produce is from a grocery store.I redirect with another painting.This is a bridge in a park-She smiles: it's New York City, I miss going there.In the middle of Central Park,a cement bridge in a grassy parkspans a wide, still pond.Today, the colors of the bridge,reflected on the water,spark a glimmer of my grandmother.This time she knows the memory is in the past,as she tells me about New York in the Forties.With the beating of sparrow wings,the moment of clarity endsas past and present are blended again.When the sun sinks, my visit will fade.I clutch what happenedoutside, away from the clinical setting.What we cannot quantifywith A&O x1: oriented to self.
Topics: Humans; Female; Alzheimer Disease; Emotions; Brain; New York City
PubMed: 36443014
DOI: 10.1212/WNL.0000000000201602 -
Frontiers in Genetics 2022Aberrant sleep parameters are associated with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, existing information is inconsistent among studies and...
Aberrant sleep parameters are associated with the risk of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). However, existing information is inconsistent among studies and involves reverse causation. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the observational associations and causations between sleep traits and NAFLD. We performed multivariable regression to assess observational associations of seven sleep traits (sleep duration, easiness of getting up in the morning, chronotype, nap during day, snoring, insomnia, and narcolepsy), and NAFLD in the UK Biobank (1,029 NAFLD). The Cox proportional hazards model was applied to derive hazard ratios and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Furthermore, a bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was used to explore the causal relationships between sleep traits and NAFLD. In the multivariable regression model adjusted for potential confounders, getting up in the morning not at all easy (HR, 1.51; 95% CI, 1.27-1.78) and usually insomnia (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.21-1.75) were associated with the risk of NAFLD. Furthermore, the easiness of getting up in the morning and insomnia showed a dose-response association with NAFLD (P <0.05). MR analysis found consistent causal effects of NAFLD on easiness of getting up in the morning (OR, 0.995; 95% CI, 0.990-0.999; = 0.033) and insomnia (OR, 1.006; 95% CI, 1.001-1.011; = 0.024). These results were robust to weak instrument bias, pleiotropy, and heterogeneity. Findings showed consistent evidence of observational analyses and MR analyses that trouble getting up in the morning and insomnia were associated with an increased risk of NAFLD. Bidirectional MR demonstrated causal effects of NAFLD on sleep traits.
PubMed: 35656325
DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.792558 -
Nursing ResearchMorning and evening fatigue are distinct and distressing symptoms experienced during chemotherapy that demonstrate a large amount of interindividual variability.
BACKGROUND
Morning and evening fatigue are distinct and distressing symptoms experienced during chemotherapy that demonstrate a large amount of interindividual variability.
OBJECTIVES
The objectives of this study were to identify subgroups of patients with distinct morning and evening fatigue co-occurrence profiles and evaluate for differences among these subgroups in demographic, clinical, and symptom characteristics and quality of life.
METHODS
Oncology patients ( n = 1,334) completed the Lee Fatigue Scale to self-report morning and evening fatigue, six times over two cycles of chemotherapy. Latent profile analysis was used to identify subgroups of patients with distinct morning and evening physical fatigue profiles.
RESULTS
Four distinct morning and evening fatigue profiles were identified (i.e., Both Low, Low Morning + Moderate Evening, Both Moderate, and Both High). Compared to the Both Low profile, the Both High profile was significantly younger, less likely to be married or partnered, more likely to live alone, had a higher comorbidity burden, and lower functional status. The Both High profile had higher levels of anxiety, depressive symptoms, sleep disturbance, and pain and lower levels of quality of life.
DISCUSSION
The variability in the morning and evening severity scores among the four profiles supports the hypothesis that morning and evening fatigue are distinct but related symptoms. Clinically meaningful levels of both morning and evening fatigue were reported by 50.4% of our sample, which suggests that the co-occurrence of these two symptoms is relatively common. Patients in Both Moderate and Both High profiles experienced an extremely high symptom burden that warrants ongoing assessments and aggressive symptom management interventions.
Topics: Humans; Quality of Life; Anxiety; Fatigue; Pain; Palliative Care; Neoplasms
PubMed: 37084242
DOI: 10.1097/NNR.0000000000000661 -
ELife Jun 2022Homeostatic and circadian processes collaborate to appropriately time and consolidate sleep and wake. To understand how these processes are integrated, we scheduled...
Homeostatic and circadian processes collaborate to appropriately time and consolidate sleep and wake. To understand how these processes are integrated, we scheduled brief sleep deprivation at different times of day in and find elevated morning rebound compared to evening. These effects depend on discrete morning and evening clock neurons, independent of their roles in circadian locomotor activity. In the R5 ellipsoid body sleep homeostat, we identified elevated morning expression of activity dependent and presynaptic gene expression as well as the presynaptic protein BRUCHPILOT consistent with regulation by clock circuits. These neurons also display elevated calcium levels in response to sleep loss in the morning, but not the evening consistent with the observed time-dependent sleep rebound. These studies reveal the circuit and molecular mechanisms by which discrete circadian clock neurons program a homeostatic sleep center.
Topics: Animals; Circadian Clocks; Circadian Rhythm; Drosophila; Drosophila Proteins; Drosophila melanogaster; Sleep
PubMed: 35735904
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.74327 -
Frontiers in Physiology 2023People can be classified into three chronotypes (CT): morning-type (M-type), Neither-type (N-type) and Evening-type (E-type). M-types perform better in the morning,...
People can be classified into three chronotypes (CT): morning-type (M-type), Neither-type (N-type) and Evening-type (E-type). M-types perform better in the morning, E-types in the evening. It seems that bad sleep worsens physical performance. The impact of sleep and CT on specific sports and populations is unclear. Therefore, we wanted to assess agility, strength and endurance in young soccer players in relation to their sleep and chronotype. 58 players (13-19 years) were recruited. Sleep and CT were assessed by questionnaires. The physical trial was performed at 8:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m., and included three tests to determine agility, strength and endurance. The sample was classified by CT as (n = 11), (n = 29) and (n = 18). Furthermore, they were categorized as (GSW, n = 28) and (BSW, n = 30). Comparing the three CTs in the aerobic test, M-types performed better in the morning ( = 0.01), while E-types in the evening ( < 0.001). GSW performed better than BSW ( = 0.019) in the aerobic test in the p.m. session. These results underline the difference in aerobic power between M-and E-types during the morning and evening session; moreover, they show a difference in p.m. aerobic performance according to sleep quality.
PubMed: 37250130
DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2023.1190956 -
Frontiers in Microbiology 2022Endosymbionts play important roles in the life cycles of many macro-organisms. The indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine is produced by heritable fungi that occurs in...
Endosymbionts play important roles in the life cycles of many macro-organisms. The indolizidine alkaloid swainsonine is produced by heritable fungi that occurs in diverse plant families, such as locoweeds (Fabaceae) and morning glories (Convolvulaceae) plus two species of Malvaceae. Swainsonine is known for its toxic effects on livestock following the ingestion of locoweeds and the potential for pharmaceutical applications. We sampled and tested herbarium seed samples ( = 983) from 244 morning glory species for the presence of swainsonine and built a phylogeny based on available internal transcribed spacer (ITS) sequences of the sampled species. We show that swainsonine occurs only in a single morning glory clade and host species are established on multiple continents. Our results further indicate that this symbiosis developed ∼5 mya and that swainsonine-positive species have larger seeds than their uninfected conspecifics.
PubMed: 35591984
DOI: 10.3389/fmicb.2022.871148