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Open Biology Jul 2024The vertebrate organizer plays a crucial role in building the main (antero-posterior) axis of the embryo: it neuralizes the surrounding ectoderm, and is the site of...
The vertebrate organizer plays a crucial role in building the main (antero-posterior) axis of the embryo: it neuralizes the surrounding ectoderm, and is the site of emigration for cells making axial and paraxial mesendoderm during elongation. The chick organizer becomes a stem zone at the onset of elongation; it stops recruiting cells from the neighbouring ectoderm and generates all its derivatives from the small number of resident cells it contains at the end of gastrulation stages. Nothing is known about the molecular identity of this stem zone. Here, we specifically labelled long-term resident cells of the organizer and compared their RNA-seq profile to that of the neighbouring cell populations. Screening by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and hybridization identified four genes (, , and ) that are upregulated only in the organizer region when it becomes a stem zone and remain expressed there during axial elongation. In experiments specifically labelling the resident cells of the mature organizer, we show that only these cells express these genes. These findings molecularly define the organizer as a stem zone and offer a key to understanding how this zone is set up, the molecular control of its cells' behaviour and the evolution of axial growth zones.
Topics: Animals; Chick Embryo; Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental; Organizers, Embryonic; Body Patterning; Gastrulation; Transcriptome; Gene Expression Profiling
PubMed: 38955223
DOI: 10.1098/rsob.240139 -
International Journal of Surgery... Jul 2024Tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) surgery has become an ideal treatment for patients with type 2 severe diabetic foot ulcerations (DFUs) while conventional...
BACKGROUND
Tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) surgery has become an ideal treatment for patients with type 2 severe diabetic foot ulcerations (DFUs) while conventional treatments are ineffective. Based on our clinical practice experience, the protective immune response from TTT surgery may play a role against infections to promote wound healing in patients with DFUs. Therefore, this research aimed to systematically study the specific clinical efficacy and the mechanism of TTT surgery.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
Between June 2022 and September 2023, 68 patients with type 2 severe DFUs were enrolled and therapized by TTT surgery in this cross-sectional and experimental study. Major clinical outcomes including limb salvage rate and antibiotics usage rate were investigated. Ten clinical characteristics and laboratory features of glucose metabolism and kidney function were statistically analyzed. Blood samples from 6 key time points of TTT surgery were collected for label-free proteomics and clinical immune biomarker analysis. Besides, tissue samples from 3 key time points were for spatially resolved metabolomics and transcriptomics analysis, as well as applied to validate the key TTT-regulated molecules by RT-qPCR.
RESULTS
Notably, 64.7% of patients did not use antibiotics during the entire TTT surgery. TTT surgery can achieve a high limb salvage rate of 92.6% in patients with unilateral or bilateral DFUs. Pathway analysis of a total of 252 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) from the proteomic revealed that the immune response induced by TTT surgery at different stages was first comprehensively verified through multi-omics combined with immune biomarker analysis. The function of upward transport was activating the systemic immune response, and wound healing occurs with downward transport. The spatial metabolic characteristics of skin tissue from patients with DFUs indicated downregulated levels of stearoylcarnitine and the glycerophospholipid metabolism pathway in skin tissue from patients with severe DFUs. Finally, the expressions of PRNP (prion protein) to activate the immune response, PLCB3 (PLCB3, phospholipase C beta 3) and VE-cadherin to play roles in neovascularization, and PPDPF (pancreatic progenitor cell differentiation and proliferation factor), LAMC2 (laminin subunit gamma 2) and SPRR2G (small proline rich protein 2G) to facilitate the developmental process mainly keratinocyte differentiation were statistically significant in skin tissues through transcriptomic and RT-qPCR analysis.
CONCLUSION
Tibial cortex transverse transport (TTT) surgery demonstrates favorable outcomes for patients with severe type 2 DFUs by activating a systemic immune response, contributing to anti-infection, ulcer recurrence, and the limb salvage rate for unilateral or bilateral DFUs. The specific clinical immune responses, candidate proteins, genes, and metabolic characteristics provide directions for in-depth mechanistic research on TTT surgery. Further research and public awareness are needed to optimize TTT surgery in patients with severe type 2 DFUs.
PubMed: 38954658
DOI: 10.1097/JS9.0000000000001897 -
Interdisciplinary Sciences,... Jul 2024The electrical activity of the neural processes involved in cognitive functions is captured in EEG signals, allowing the exploration of the integration and coordination...
The electrical activity of the neural processes involved in cognitive functions is captured in EEG signals, allowing the exploration of the integration and coordination of neuronal oscillations across multiple spatiotemporal scales. We have proposed a novel approach that combines the transformation of EEG signal into image sequences, considering cross-frequency phase synchronisation (CFS) dynamics involved in low-level auditory processing, with the development of a two-stage deep learning model for the detection of developmental dyslexia (DD). This deep learning model exploits spatial and temporal information preserved in the image sequences to find discriminative patterns of phase synchronisation over time achieving a balanced accuracy of up to 83%. This result supports the existence of differential brain synchronisation dynamics between typical and dyslexic seven-year-old readers. Furthermore, we have obtained interpretable representations using a novel feature mask to link the most relevant regions during classification with the cognitive processes attributed to normal reading and those corresponding to compensatory mechanisms found in dyslexia.
PubMed: 38954232
DOI: 10.1007/s12539-024-00634-x -
International Journal of Developmental... Jul 2024Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a diverse profile of cognitive functions. Heterogeneity is observed among both baseline and comorbid... (Review)
Review
OBJECTIVES
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder with a diverse profile of cognitive functions. Heterogeneity is observed among both baseline and comorbid features concerning the diversity of neuropathology in autism. Symptoms vary depending on the developmental stage, level of severity, or comorbidity with other medical or psychiatric diagnoses such as intellectual disability, epilepsy, and anxiety disorders.
METHOD
The neurodiversity movement does not face variations in neurological and cognitive development in ASD as deficits but as normal non-pathological human variations. Thus, ASD is not identified as a neurocognitive pathological disorder that deviates from the typical, but as a neuro-individuality, a normal manifestation of a neurobiological variation within the population.
RESULTS
In this light, neurodiversity is described as equivalent to any other human variation, such as ethnicity, gender, or sexual orientation. This review will provide insights about the neurodiversity approach in children and adults with ASD. Using a neurodiversity approach can be helpful when working with children who have autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
DISCUSSION
This method acknowledges and values the various ways that people with ASD interact with one another and experience the world in order to embrace the neurodiversity approach when working with children with ASD.
PubMed: 38953464
DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10356 -
Microcirculation (New York, N.Y. : 1994) Jul 2024Intravascular lymphatic valves often occur in proximity to vessel junctions. It is commonly held that disturbed flow at junctions is responsible for accumulation of...
OBJECTIVE
Intravascular lymphatic valves often occur in proximity to vessel junctions. It is commonly held that disturbed flow at junctions is responsible for accumulation of valve-forming cells (VFCs) at these locations as the initial step in valve creation, and the one which explains the association with these sites. However, evidence in favor is largely limited to cell culture experiments.
METHODS
We acquired images of embryonic lymphatic vascular networks from day E16.5, when VFC accumulation has started but the developing valve has not yet altered the local vessel geometry, stained for Prox1, which co-localizes with Foxc2. Using finite-element computational fluid mechanics, we simulated the flow through the networks, under conditions appropriate to this early development stage. Then we correlated the Prox1 distributions with the distributions of simulated fluid shear and shear stress gradient.
RESULTS
Across a total of 16 image sets, no consistent correlation was found between Prox1 distribution and the local magnitude of fluid shear, or its positive or negative gradient.
CONCLUSIONS
This, the first direct semi-empirical test of the localization hypothesis to interrogate the tissue from in vivo at the critical moment of development, does not support the idea that a feature of the local flow determines valve localization.
PubMed: 38953384
DOI: 10.1111/micc.12873 -
Journal of Experimental Zoology. Part... Jul 2024There is an increased interest in the evolution and development of newts from the genus Triturus because: (1) morphological differentiation among the nine constituent...
There is an increased interest in the evolution and development of newts from the genus Triturus because: (1) morphological differentiation among the nine constituent species largely corresponds to different ecological preferences, (2) hybridization between different species pairs has various evolutionary outcomes in terms of life history traits and morphology, and (3) the genus expresses a balanced lethal system that causes arrested growth and death of half of the embryos. These features provide natural experimental settings for molecular, morphological, and life-history studies. Therefore, we produce a staging table for the Balkan crested newt (T. ivanbureschi). We provide detailed descriptions of 34 embryonic stages based on easily observable and interpretable external morphological characters, to ensure reproducibility. Compared with previous staging tables for Triturus, we include a vastly increased sample size and provide high-resolution photographs in lateral, ventral, and dorsal view, complemented by videos of specific developmental periods, and accompanied by detailed explanations on how to delineate the specific stages. Our staging table will serve as a baseline in comparative studies on Triturus newts: an emerging model system in evolutionary and developmental studies.
PubMed: 38953174
DOI: 10.1002/jez.b.23269 -
Frontiers in Veterinary Science 2024Post-ovulatory aging is a time-dependent deterioration of ovulated oocytes and a major limiting factor reducing the fitness of offspring. This process may lead to the...
INTRODUCTION
Post-ovulatory aging is a time-dependent deterioration of ovulated oocytes and a major limiting factor reducing the fitness of offspring. This process may lead to the activation of cell death pathways like apoptosis in oocytes.
METHODOLOGY
We evaluated oocyte membrane integrity, egg developmental competency, and mRNA abundance of apoptosis-related genes by RT-qPCR. Oocytes from zebrafish were retained at 28.5°C for 24 h post-ovulation (HPO). Viability was assessed using trypan blue (TB) staining. The consequences of in vivo oocyte aging on the developmental competence of progeny were determined by the embryo survival at 24 h post fertilization, hatching, and larval malformation rates.
RESULTS
The fertilization, oocyte viability, and hatching rates were 91, 97, and 65% at 0 HPO and dropped to 62, 90, and 22% at 4 HPO, respectively. The fertilizing ability was reduced to 2% at 8 HPO, while 72% of oocytes had still intact plasma membranes. Among the apoptotic genes (b-cell lymphoma 2), (bcl2-associated agonist of cell death a), (tumor protein p53), (cyclin-dependent kinase 1) studied, mRNA abundance of anti-apoptotic decreased and pro-apoptotic increased at 24 HPO. Furthermore, and mRNA transcripts decreased at 24 HPO compared to 0 HPO.
DISCUSSION
Thus, TB staining did not detect the loss of oocyte competency if caused by aging. TB staining, however, could be used as a simple and rapid method to evaluate the quality of zebrafish oocytes before fertilization. Taken together, our results indicate the activation of cell death pathways in the advanced stages of oocyte aging in zebrafish.
PubMed: 38952806
DOI: 10.3389/fvets.2024.1389070 -
Zhongguo Xue Xi Chong Bing Fang Zhi Za... Apr 2024To evaluate the potential risk of transmission of angiostrongyliasis by common freshwater snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, so as to provide...
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the potential risk of transmission of angiostrongyliasis by common freshwater snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province, so as to provide insights into local surveillance of angiostrongyliasis.
METHODS
Common freshwater snails were collected from Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Yunnan Province from March to April, 2020, and identified and bred in laboratory. SD rats were infected with third-stage larvae of that were isolated from commercially available snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and freshwater snails were infected with the first-stage larvae of that were isolated from the feces of SD rats 39 days post-infection at room temperature. The developmental process and morphological characteristics of worms in hosts were observed, and the percentages of infections in different species of freshwater snails were calculated. Then, SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of that were isolated from -infected freshwater snails, and the larval development and reproduction was observed.
RESULTS
More than 3 000 freshwater snail samples were collected from farmlands, ditches and wetlands around Erhai Lake in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, and , , , , , , , spp., spp. and spp. were morphologically identified. A total of 105 commercially available snails were tested for infections, and 2 snails were found to be infected with , in which the third-stage larvae of were isolated. Ten species of freshwater snails were artificially infected with the third-stage larvae of , and all 10 species of freshwater snails were found to be infected with , with the highest positive rate of infections in spp. (62.3%, 137/204), and the lowest in (35.5%, 11/31). After SD rats were infected with the third-stage larvae of isolated from different species of freshwater snails, mature adult worms of were yielded.
CONCLUSIONS
Multiple species of freshwater snails may serve as intermediate hosts of under laboratory conditions in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture of Yunnan Province. Further investigations on natural infection of in wild snails in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture seem justified.
Topics: Animals; Snails; China; Angiostrongylus cantonensis; Rats, Sprague-Dawley; Rats; Fresh Water; Larva; Strongylida Infections
PubMed: 38952317
DOI: 10.16250/j.32.1374.2022245 -
ACS Applied Bio Materials Jul 2024Dopamine, alongside norepinephrine and epinephrine, belongs to the catecholamine group, widely distributed across both plant and animal kingdoms. In mammals, these...
Dopamine, alongside norepinephrine and epinephrine, belongs to the catecholamine group, widely distributed across both plant and animal kingdoms. In mammals, these compounds serve as neurotransmitters with roles in glycogen mobilization. In plants, their synthesis is modulated in response to stress conditions aiding plant survival by emitting these chemicals, especially dopamine that relieves their resilience against stress caused by both abiotic and biotic factors. In present studies, there is a lack of robust methods to monitor the operations of dopamine under stress conditions or any adverse situations across the plant's developmental stages from cell to cell. In our study, we have introduced a groundbreaking approach to track dopamine generation and activity in various metabolic pathways by using the simple nitrogen and sulfur co-doped carbon quantum dots (N, S-CQDs). These CQDs exhibit dominant biocompatibility, negligible toxicity, and environmentally friendly characteristics using a quenching process for fluorometric dopamine detection. This innovative nanomarker can detect even small amounts of dopamine within plant cells, providing insights into plant responses to strain and anxiety. Confocal microscopy has been used to corroborate this occurrence and to provide visual proof of the process of binding dopamine with these N, S-CQDs inside the cells.
PubMed: 38952293
DOI: 10.1021/acsabm.4c00506 -
Animal Microbiome Jul 2024To promote sustainable aquaculture, the formulation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) feeds has changed in recent decades, focusing on replacing standard marine-based...
Modulation of gut microbiota composition and predicted metabolic capacity after nutritional programming with a plant-rich diet in Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar): insights across developmental stages.
To promote sustainable aquaculture, the formulation of Atlantic salmon (Salmo salar) feeds has changed in recent decades, focusing on replacing standard marine-based ingredients with plant-based alternatives, increasingly demonstrating successful outcomes in terms of fish performance. However, little is known about how these plant-based diets may impact the gut microbiota at first feeding and onwards. Nutritional programming (NP) is one strategy applied for exposing fish to a plant-based (V) diet at an early stage in life to promote full utilisation of plant-based ingredients and prevent potential adverse impacts of exposure to a plant-rich diet later in life. We investigated the impact of NP on gut microbiota by introducing fish to plant ingredients (V fish) during first feeding for a brief period of two weeks (stimulus phase) and compared those to fish fed a marine-based diet (M fish). Results demonstrated that V fish not only maintained growth performance at 16 (intermediate phase) and 22 (challenge phase) weeks post first feeding (wpff) when compared to M fish but also modulated gut microbiota. PERMANOVA general effects revealed gut microbiota dissimilarity by fish group (V vs. M fish) and phases (stimulus vs. intermediate vs. challenge). However, no interaction effect of both groups and phases was demonstrated, suggesting a sustained impact of V diet (nutritional history) on fish across time points/phases. Moreover, the V diet exerted a significant cumulative modulatory effect on the Atlantic salmon gut microbiota at 16 wpff that was not demonstrated at two wpff, although both fish groups were fed the M diet at 16 wpff. The nutritional history/dietary regime is the main NP influencing factor, whereas environmental and host factors significantly impacted microbiota composition in M fish. Microbial metabolic reactions of amino acid metabolism were higher in M fish when compared to V fish at two wpff suggesting microbiota played a role in digesting the essential amino acids of M feed. The excessive mucin O-degradation revealed in V fish at two wpff was mitigated in later life stages after NP, suggesting physiological adaptability and tolerance to V diet. Future studies are required to explore more fully how the microbiota functionally contributes to the NP.
PubMed: 38951941
DOI: 10.1186/s42523-024-00321-8