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PLoS Computational Biology Jun 2024Biological structures are defined by rigid elements, such as bones, and elastic elements, like muscles and membranes. Computer vision advances have enabled automatic...
Biological structures are defined by rigid elements, such as bones, and elastic elements, like muscles and membranes. Computer vision advances have enabled automatic tracking of moving animal skeletal poses. Such developments provide insights into complex time-varying dynamics of biological motion. Conversely, the elastic soft-tissues of organisms, like the nose of elephant seals, or the buccal sac of frogs, are poorly studied and no computer vision methods have been proposed. This leaves major gaps in different areas of biology. In primatology, most critically, the function of air sacs is widely debated; many open questions on the role of air sacs in the evolution of animal communication, including human speech, remain unanswered. To support the dynamic study of soft-tissue structures, we present a toolkit for the automated tracking of semi-circular elastic structures in biological video data. The toolkit contains unsupervised computer vision tools (using Hough transform) and supervised deep learning (by adapting DeepLabCut) methodology to track inflation of laryngeal air sacs or other biological spherical objects (e.g., gular cavities). Confirming the value of elastic kinematic analysis, we show that air sac inflation correlates with acoustic markers that likely inform about body size. Finally, we present a pre-processed audiovisual-kinematic dataset of 7+ hours of closeup audiovisual recordings of siamang (Symphalangus syndactylus) singing. This toolkit (https://github.com/WimPouw/AirSacTracker) aims to revitalize the study of non-skeletal morphological structures across multiple species.
PubMed: 38913743
DOI: 10.1371/journal.pcbi.1012222 -
The Science of the Total Environment Jun 2024The global health implications of fine particulate matter (PM) underscore the imperative need for research into its toxicity and chemical composition. In this study,...
Prediction of developmental toxic effects of fine particulate matter (PM) water-soluble components via machine learning through observation of PM from diverse urban areas.
The global health implications of fine particulate matter (PM) underscore the imperative need for research into its toxicity and chemical composition. In this study, zebrafish embryos exposed to the water-soluble components of PM from two cities (Harbin and Hangzhou) with differences in air quality, underwent microscopic examination to identify primary target organs. The Harbin PM induced dose-dependent organ malformation in zebrafish, indicating a higher level of toxicity than that of the Hangzhou sample. Harbin PM led to severe deformities such as pericardial edema and a high mortality rate, while the Hangzhou sample exhibited hepatotoxicity, causing delayed yolk sac absorption. The experimental determination of PM constituents was followed by the application of four algorithms for predictive toxicological assessment. The random forest algorithm correctly predicted each of the effect classes and showed the best performance, suggesting that zebrafish malformation rates were strongly correlated with water-soluble components of PM. Feature selection identified the water-soluble ions F and Cl and metallic elements Al, K, Mn, and Be as potential key components affecting zebrafish development. This study provides new insights into the developmental toxicity of PM and offers a new approach for predicting and exploring the health effects of PM.
PubMed: 38906297
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2024.174027 -
Arteriosclerosis, Thrombosis, and... Jun 2024The chromatin-remodeling enzymes BRG1 (brahma-related gene 1) and CHD4 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4) independently regulate the transcription of genes...
BACKGROUND
The chromatin-remodeling enzymes BRG1 (brahma-related gene 1) and CHD4 (chromodomain helicase DNA-binding protein 4) independently regulate the transcription of genes critical for vascular development, but their coordinated impact on vessels in late-stage embryos has not been explored.
METHODS
In this study, we genetically deleted endothelial and in mixed background mice (), and littermates that were negative for Cre recombinase were used as controls. Tissues were analyzed by immunostaining, immunoblot, and flow cytometry. Quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to determine gene expression, and chromatin immunoprecipitation revealed gene targets of BRG1 and CHD4 in cultured endothelial cells.
RESULTS
We found double mutants grew normally but died soon after birth with small and compact lungs. Despite having normal cellular composition, distal air sacs of the mutant lungs displayed diminished ECM (extracellular matrix) components and TGFβ (transforming growth factor-β) signaling, which typically promotes ECM synthesis. Transcripts for collagen- and elastin-related genes and the TGFβ ligand were decreased in mutant lung endothelial cells, but genetic deletion of endothelial failed to recapitulate the small lungs and ECM defects seen in mutants. We instead found several ECM genes to be direct targets of BRG1 and CHD4 in cultured endothelial cells.
CONCLUSIONS
Collectively, our data highlight essential roles for endothelial chromatin-remodeling enzymes in promoting ECM deposition in the distal lung tissue during the saccular stage of embryonic lung development.
PubMed: 38868942
DOI: 10.1161/ATVBAHA.124.320881 -
ELife Jun 2024Abnormal lung development can cause congenital pulmonary cysts, the mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. Although the cystic lesions are believed to result...
Abnormal lung development can cause congenital pulmonary cysts, the mechanisms of which remain largely unknown. Although the cystic lesions are believed to result directly from disrupted airway epithelial cell growth, the extent to which developmental defects in lung mesenchymal cells contribute to abnormal airway epithelial cell growth and subsequent cystic lesions has not been thoroughly examined. In the present study using genetic mouse models, we dissected the roles of bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor 1a (Bmpr1a)-mediated BMP signaling in lung mesenchyme during prenatal lung development and discovered that abrogation of mesenchymal disrupted normal lung branching morphogenesis, leading to the formation of prenatal pulmonary cystic lesions. Severe deficiency of airway smooth muscle cells and subepithelial elastin fibers were found in the cystic airways of the mesenchymal knockout lungs. In addition, ectopic mesenchymal expression of BMP ligands and airway epithelial perturbation of the Sox2-Sox9 proximal-distal axis were detected in the mesenchymal knockout lungs. However, deletion of Smad1/5, two major BMP signaling downstream effectors, from the lung mesenchyme did not phenocopy the cystic abnormalities observed in the mesenchymal knockout lungs, suggesting that a Smad-independent mechanism contributes to prenatal pulmonary cystic lesions. These findings reveal for the first time the role of mesenchymal BMP signaling in lung development and a potential pathogenic mechanism underlying congenital pulmonary cysts.
Topics: Animals; Bone Morphogenetic Protein Receptors, Type I; Signal Transduction; Mice; Mice, Knockout; Lung; Mesoderm; Cysts; Bone Morphogenetic Proteins; Lung Diseases; Disease Models, Animal
PubMed: 38856718
DOI: 10.7554/eLife.91876 -
Frontiers in Neurology 2024Calvarial bone marrow has been found to be central in the brain immune response, being connected to the dura through channels which allow leukocyte trafficking. Temporal...
Calvarial bone marrow has been found to be central in the brain immune response, being connected to the dura through channels which allow leukocyte trafficking. Temporal bone marrow is thought to play important roles in relation to the inner ear, but is still largely uncharacterized, given this bone complex anatomy. We characterized the geometry and connectivity of rat temporal bone marrow using lightsheet imaging of cleared samples and microCT. Bone marrow was identified in cleared tissue by cellular content (and in particular by the presence of megakaryocytes); since air-filled cavities are absent in rodents, marrow clusters could be recognized in microCT scans by their geometry. In cleared petrosal bone, autofluorescence allowed delineation of the otic capsule layers. Within the endochondral layer, bone marrow was observed in association to the cochlear base and vestibule, and to the cochlear apex. Cochlear apex endochondral marrow (CAEM) was a separated cluster from the remaining endochondral marrow, which was therefore defined as "vestibular endochondral marrow" (VEM). A much larger marrow island (petrosal non-endochondral marrow, PNEM) extended outside the otic capsule surrounding semicircular canal arms. PNEM was mainly connected to the dura, through bone channels similar to those of calvarial bone, and only a few channels were directed toward the canal periosteum. On the contrary, endochondral bone marrow was well connected to the labyrinth through vascular loops (directed to the spiral ligament for CAEM and to the bony labyrinth periosteum for VEM), and to dural sinuses. In addition, CAEM was also connected to the tensor tympani fossa of the middle ear and VEM to the endolymphatic sac. Endochondral marrow was made up of small lobules connected to each other and to other structures by channels lined by elongated macrophages, whereas PNEM displayed larger lobules connected by channels with a sparse macrophage population. Our data suggest that the rat inner ear is surrounded by bone marrow at the junctions with middle ear and brain, most likely with "customs" role, restricting pathogen spread; a second marrow network with different structural features is found within the endochondral bone layer of the otic capsule and may play different functional roles.
PubMed: 38817550
DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2024.1386654 -
Ecotoxicology and Environmental Safety Jul 2024Strobilurins, among the most used fungicides worldwide, are considered non-toxic to mammals and birds, but there is growing evidence that these compounds are highly...
Strobilurins, among the most used fungicides worldwide, are considered non-toxic to mammals and birds, but there is growing evidence that these compounds are highly toxic to aquatic species. Dimoxystrobin has been included in the 3rd Watch List of the European Commission, and it has been classified as very toxic to aquatic life. However, previous studies focused on acute toxicity and only two reports are available on its impact on fish, and none on its effects during the early life stages. Here, we evaluated for the first time the effects induced on zebrafish embryos and larvae by two dimoxystrobin sublethal concentrations (6.56 and 13.13 μg/L) falling in the range of predicted environmental concentrations. We demonstrated that short-term exposure to dimoxystrobin may exert adverse effects on multiple targets, inducing severe morphological alterations. Moreover, we showed enhanced mRNA levels of genes related to the mitochondrial respiratory chain and ATP production. Impairment of the swim bladder inflation has also been recorded, which may be related to the observed swimming performance alterations.
Topics: Animals; Zebrafish; Fungicides, Industrial; Larva; Strobilurins; Mitochondria; Embryo, Nonmammalian; Water Pollutants, Chemical; Swimming; Air Sacs; Behavior, Animal
PubMed: 38805825
DOI: 10.1016/j.ecoenv.2024.116493 -
Sensors (Basel, Switzerland) May 2024Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilation of the aorta artery larger than its normal diameter (>3 cm). Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive...
Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a dilation of the aorta artery larger than its normal diameter (>3 cm). Endovascular aneurysm repair (EVAR) is a minimally invasive treatment option that involves the placement of a graft in the aneurysmal portion of the aorta artery. This treatment requires multiple follow-ups with medical imaging, which is expensive, time-consuming, and resource-demanding for healthcare systems. An alternative solution is the use of wireless implantable sensors (WIMSs) to monitor the growth of the aneurysm. A WIMS capable of monitoring aneurysm size longitudinally could serve as an alternative monitoring approach for post-EVAR patients. This study has developed and characterised a three-coil inductive read-out system to detect variations in the resonance frequency of the novel Z-shaped WIMS implanted within the AAA sac. Specifically, the spacing between the transmitter and the repeater inductors was optimised to maximise the detection of the sensor by the transmitter inductor. Moreover, an experimental evaluation was also performed for different orientations of the transmitter coil with reference to the WIMS. Finally, the FDA-approved material nitinol was used to develop the WIMS, the transmitter, and repeater inductors as a proof of concept for further studies. The findings of the characterisation from the air medium suggest that the read-out system can detect the WIMS up to 5 cm, regardless of the orientation of the Z-shape WIMS, with the detection range increasing as the orientation approaches 0°. This study provides sufficient evidence that the proposed WIMS and the read-out system can be used for AAA expansion over time.
Topics: Aortic Aneurysm, Abdominal; Wireless Technology; Humans; Monitoring, Physiologic; Prostheses and Implants; Equipment Design
PubMed: 38794049
DOI: 10.3390/s24103195 -
The Journal of Veterinary Medical... Jun 2024A 21-year-old captive female Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) was in good health until the day before the animal died. However, the animal suddenly exhibited...
A 21-year-old captive female Humboldt penguin (Spheniscus humboldti) was in good health until the day before the animal died. However, the animal suddenly exhibited symptoms of vomiting and anorexia, and died in shortly thereafter. The autopsy revealed a blood clot in the abdominal air sac and 280 mL of dark red fluid in the body cavity. The ovary was twisted around a blood vessel. Based on the findings described, it was considered that the cause of death was hypovolemic shock due to massive intracoelomic hemorrhage by vascular collapse resulting from ovarian torsion. This is the first report of ovarian torsion in penguins.
Topics: Animals; Female; Shock, Hemorrhagic; Spheniscidae; Bird Diseases; Hemorrhage; Ovarian Torsion; Fatal Outcome; Animals, Zoo
PubMed: 38719569
DOI: 10.1292/jvms.23-0501 -
Veterinary Microbiology Jun 2024Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease in poultry. A novel vaccine, Vaxsafe MG304 (the ts-304 strain), has greater protective efficacy in chickens...
Mycoplasma gallisepticum causes chronic respiratory disease in poultry. A novel vaccine, Vaxsafe MG304 (the ts-304 strain), has greater protective efficacy in chickens than the Vaxsafe MG (strain ts-11) vaccine when delivered by eye drop at 3 weeks of age. Applying this vaccine in the hatchery to 1-day-old birds, using mass administration methods, would improve animal welfare and reduce labour costs associated with handling individual birds. This study assessed the protection provided by vaccination with Vaxsafe MG304 after administration to 1-day-old chicks. Chicks were administered a single dose of the vaccine to assess the efficacy of either a high dose (10 colour changing units, CCU) or a low dose (10 CCU) after eye drop or spray (in water or gel) administration against experimental challenge with virulent M. gallisepticum strain Ap3AS at 7 weeks of age. The vaccine was able to colonise the palatine cleft of chicks after vaccination by eye drop (at both doses) or by spray (in water or gel) (at the high dose). The high dose of vaccine, when delivered by eye drop or spray, was shown to be safe and induced a serological response and protective immunity (as measured by tracheal mucosal thickness and air sac lesion scores) against challenge. Vaccination of 1-day-old chicks with Vaxsafe MG304 by eye drop induced protective immunity equivalent to vaccination at 3 weeks of age. Vaxsafe MG304 was also protective when applied by both coarse- and gel spray methods at the higher dose and is therefore a suitable live attenuated vaccine for use in 1-day-old chicks.
Topics: Animals; Mycoplasma gallisepticum; Chickens; Poultry Diseases; Bacterial Vaccines; Mycoplasma Infections; Specific Pathogen-Free Organisms; Vaccination; Antibodies, Bacterial
PubMed: 38692193
DOI: 10.1016/j.vetmic.2024.110093 -
Radiology Case Reports Jul 2024Small bowel jejunoileal diverticulosis is an uncommon and usually asymptomatic condition. Complications may occur such as acute diverticulitis including infection or...
Small bowel jejunoileal diverticulosis is an uncommon and usually asymptomatic condition. Complications may occur such as acute diverticulitis including infection or perforation, bleeding, small bowel obstruction and volvulus. Herein we report a case of a 76 years-old woman with acute left side abdominal pain and tenderness. A clinical suspected diagnosis of colonic diverticulitis was formulated. She underwent Ultrasound that revealed a collapsed small bowel loop with a large sac-like out-pouching lesion with mixed content (fluid and pockets of air) associated to hyperechogenicity of perilesional fat. Because of the atypical US findings, the patient underwent abdominopelvic CT that confirmed that the large sac-like out-pouching was a jejunal inflamed diverticulum. The patient underwent emergency surgery. Radiologist should be aware of imaging findings of jejunoileal diverticulitis in order to achieve a prompt diagnosis.
PubMed: 38680749
DOI: 10.1016/j.radcr.2024.04.003