-
World Psychiatry : Official Journal of... Jun 2024In response to the mass adoption and extensive usage of Internet-enabled devices across the world, a major review published in this journal in 2019 examined the impact...
In response to the mass adoption and extensive usage of Internet-enabled devices across the world, a major review published in this journal in 2019 examined the impact of Internet on human cognition, discussing the concepts and ideas behind the "online brain". Since then, the online world has become further entwined with the fabric of society, and the extent to which we use such technologies has continued to grow. Furthermore, the research evidence on the ways in which Internet usage affects the human mind has advanced considerably. In this paper, we sought to draw upon the latest data from large-scale epidemiological studies and systematic reviews, along with randomized controlled trials and qualitative research recently emerging on this topic, in order to now provide a multi-dimensional overview of the impacts of Internet usage across psychological, cognitive and societal outcomes. Within this, we detail the empirical evidence on how effects differ according to various factors such as age, gender, and usage types. We also draw from new research examining more experiential aspects of individuals' online lives, to understand how the specifics of their interactions with the Internet, and the impact on their lifestyle, determine the benefits or drawbacks of online time. Additionally, we explore how the nascent but intriguing areas of culturomics, artificial intelligence, virtual reality, and augmented reality are changing our understanding of how the Internet can interact with brain and behavior. Overall, the importance of taking an individualized and multi-dimensional approach to how the Internet affects mental health, cognition and social functioning is clear. Furthermore, we emphasize the need for guidelines, policies and initiatives around Internet usage to make full use of the evidence available from neuroscientific, behavioral and societal levels of research presented herein.
PubMed: 38727074
DOI: 10.1002/wps.21188 -
Preparative Biochemistry & Biotechnology May 2024Oleaginous organisms accrue more than twenty percent of their biomass as lipids and hence are promising feedstocks for biodiesel production. In this study, lipid...
Oleaginous organisms accrue more than twenty percent of their biomass as lipids and hence are promising feedstocks for biodiesel production. In this study, lipid accumulating bacteria were isolated from diesel-contaminated soils and screened with Sudan black B stain. The most oleaginous was done using 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Lipid production was initially optimized based on media, nitrogen source, pH and temperature. Response surface methodology (RSM) was then employed for the enhancement of lipid weight and content. Obtained lipid was converted to biodiesel using direct transesterification, and both lipid and biodiesel were characterized using FTIR. A total of thirteen bacteria were isolated and the most prominent lipid producer was identified as with lab number BA6. Preliminary optimization studies revealed optimum lipid production when nutrient broth and acetic acid served as carbon source; KNO as nitrogen source, pH 7.0 and 30 °C. Optimization using RSM resulted in a 5.1% and 74.1% increase in the biomass and lipid content of BA6 respectively. FTIR analyses confirmed the presence of functional groups characteristic of lipids and biodiesel. is a novel oleaginous organism that represents a promising feedstock for biodiesel production.HIGHLIGHTSThe bacterium designated as BA6 identified as has the highest lipid contents of the oleaginous bacteria isolated.It accumulates lipids up to 47.73 % of its biomassThe percentage lipids accumulation increased to about 74 % when RSM was used. is being reported as an oleaginous organism for the first time.
PubMed: 38727011
DOI: 10.1080/10826068.2024.2344516 -
Journal of Biosciences 2024Bacterial species referred to as magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) biomineralize iron oxides and iron sulphides inside the cell. Bacteria can arrange themselves passively...
Bacterial species referred to as magnetotactic bacteria (MTB) biomineralize iron oxides and iron sulphides inside the cell. Bacteria can arrange themselves passively along geomagnetic field lines with the aid of these iron components known as magnetosomes. In this study, magnetosome nanoparticles, which were obtained from the taxonomically identified MTB isolate sp. PRB-1, were characterized and their antibacterial activity was evaluated. An test showed that magnetosome nanoparticles significantly inhibited the growth of sp., , and . Magnetosomes were found to contain cuboidal iron crystals with an average size of 42 nm measured by particle size analysis and scanning electron microscope analysis. The energy dispersive X-ray examination revealed that Fe and O were present in the extracted magnetosomes. The extracted magnetosome nanoparticles displayed maximum absorption at 260 nm in the UV-Vis spectrum. The distinct magnetite peak in the Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy spectra was observed at 574.75 cm. More research is needed into the intriguing prospect of biogenic magnetosome nanoparticles for antibacterial applications.
Topics: Anti-Bacterial Agents; Iron; Klebsiella pneumoniae; Magnetite Nanoparticles; Magnetosomes; Microbial Sensitivity Tests; Nanoparticles; Particle Size; Providencia; Pseudomonas aeruginosa; Spectroscopy, Fourier Transform Infrared; Staphylococcus
PubMed: 38726825
DOI: No ID Found -
Scientific Reports May 2024Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract associated with multiple pathogenic factors, including...
Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) are a group of chronic inflammatory conditions of the gastrointestinal tract associated with multiple pathogenic factors, including dysregulation of the immune response. Effector CD4 T cells and regulatory CD4 T cells (Treg) are central players in maintaining the balance between tolerance and inflammation. Interestingly, genetic modifications in these cells have been implicated in regulating the commitment of specific phenotypes and immune functions. However, the transcriptional program controlling the pathogenic behavior of T helper cells in IBD progression is still unknown. In this study, we aimed to find master transcription regulators controlling the pathogenic behavior of effector CD4 T cells upon gut inflammation. To achieve this goal, we used an animal model of IBD induced by the transfer of naïve CD4 T cells into recombination-activating gene 1 (Rag1) deficient mice, which are devoid of lymphocytes. As a control, a group of Rag1 mice received the transfer of the whole CD4 T cells population, which includes both effector T cells and Treg. When gut inflammation progressed, we isolated CD4 T cells from the colonic lamina propria and spleen tissue, and performed bulk RNA-seq. We identified differentially up- and down-regulated genes by comparing samples from both experimental groups. We found 532 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the colon and 30 DEGs in the spleen, mostly related to Th1 response, leukocyte migration, and response to cytokines in lamina propria T-cells. We integrated these data into Gene Regulatory Networks to identify Master Regulators, identifying four up-regulated master gene regulators (Lef1, Dnmt1, Mybl2, and Jup) and only one down-regulated master regulator (Foxo3). The altered expression of master regulators observed in the transcriptomic analysis was confirmed by qRT-PCR analysis and found an up-regulation of Lef1 and Mybl2, but without differences on Dnmt1, Jup, and Foxo3. These two master regulators have been involved in T cells function and cell cycle progression, respectively. We identified two master regulator genes associated with the pathogenic behavior of effector CD4 T cells in an animal model of IBD. These findings provide two new potential molecular targets for treating IBD.
Topics: Animals; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Mice; Gene Regulatory Networks; CD4-Positive T-Lymphocytes; Disease Models, Animal; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Gene Expression Regulation
PubMed: 38719901
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-024-61158-4 -
Hematology, Transfusion and Cell Therapy Apr 2024
PubMed: 38719721
DOI: 10.1016/j.htct.2024.02.024 -
European Journal of Clinical... May 2024Providencia genus is known to harbor certain opportunistic pathogens capable of causing human infections. Here, we report two strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria...
Providencia genus is known to harbor certain opportunistic pathogens capable of causing human infections. Here, we report two strains of multidrug-resistant bacteria initially identified as Providencia rettgeri by mass spectrometry, but genome analysis revealed their ANI (79.84-84.20%) and dDDH (21.1-25.6%) values to fall below the accepted species threshold for known Providencia species. We therefore propose that these isolates be recognized as a novel species, Providencia xianensis sp. nov. Alarmingly, both strains, isolated from locations far apart, exhibited resistance to last-resort antibiotics, indicating their possible wide distribution, underscoring the urgency for immediate attention and enhanced surveillance for this emerging multidrug-resistant pathogen.
PubMed: 38714595
DOI: 10.1007/s10096-024-04821-y -
Purinergic Signalling May 2024Purinergic signaling is a crucial determinant in the regulation of pulmonary vascular physiology and presents a promising avenue for addressing lung diseases. This... (Review)
Review
Purinergic signaling is a crucial determinant in the regulation of pulmonary vascular physiology and presents a promising avenue for addressing lung diseases. This intricate signaling system encompasses two primary receptor classes: P1 and P2 receptors. P1 receptors selectively bind adenosine, while P2 receptors exhibit an affinity for ATP, ADP, UTP, and UDP. Functionally, P1 receptors are associated with vasodilation, while P2 receptors mediate vasoconstriction, particularly in basally relaxed vessels, through modulation of intracellular Ca levels. The P2X subtype receptors facilitate extracellular Ca influx, while the P2Y subtype receptors are linked to endoplasmic reticulum Ca release. Notably, the primary receptor responsible for ATP-induced vasoconstriction is P2X1, with α,β-meATP and UDP being identified as potent vasoconstrictor agonists. Interestingly, ATP has been shown to induce endothelium-dependent vasodilation in pre-constricted vessels, associated with nitric oxide (NO) release. In the context of P1 receptors, adenosine stimulation of pulmonary vessels has been unequivocally demonstrated to induce vasodilation, with a clear dependency on the A receptor, as evidenced in studies involving guinea pigs and rats. Importantly, evidence strongly suggests that this vasodilation occurs independently of endothelium-mediated mechanisms. Furthermore, studies have revealed variations in the expression of purinergic receptors across different vessel sizes, with reports indicating notably higher expression of P2Y, P2Y, and P2Y receptors in small pulmonary arteries. While the existing evidence in this area is still emerging, it underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive examination of the specific characteristics of purinergic signaling in the regulation of pulmonary vascular tone, particularly focusing on the disparities observed across different intrapulmonary vessel sizes. Consequently, this review aims to meticulously explore the current evidence regarding the role of purinergic signaling in pulmonary vascular tone regulation, with a specific emphasis on the variations observed in intrapulmonary vessel sizes. This endeavor is critical, as purinergic signaling holds substantial promise in the modulation of vascular tone and in the proactive prevention and treatment of pulmonary vascular diseases.
PubMed: 38713328
DOI: 10.1007/s11302-024-10010-5 -
Indian Journal of Pediatrics May 2024
PubMed: 38710954
DOI: 10.1007/s12098-024-05145-7 -
ESC Heart Failure May 2024The viability of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in inotrope-dependent heart failure (HF) has been a matter of debate.
AIMS
The viability of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) in inotrope-dependent heart failure (HF) has been a matter of debate.
METHODS AND RESULTS
We searched Medline, EMBASE, Scopus, and the Cochrane Library until 31 December 2022. Studies were included if (i) HF patients required inotropic support at CRT implantation; (ii) patients were ≥18 years old; and (iii) they provided a clear definition of 'inotrope dependence' or 'inability to wean'. A meta-analysis was performed in R (Version 3.5.1). Nineteen studies comprising 386 inotrope-dependent HF patients who received CRT (mean age 64.4 years, 76.9% male) were included. A large majority survived until discharge at 91.1% [95% confidence interval (CI): 81.2% to 97.6%], 89.3% were weaned off inotropes (95% CI: 77.6% to 97.0%), and mean discharge time post-CRT was 7.8 days (95% CI: 3.9 to 11.7). After 1 year of follow-up, 69.7% survived (95% CI: 58.4% to 79.8%). During follow-up, the mean number of HF hospitalizations was reduced by 1.87 (95% CI: 1.04 to 2.70, P < 0.00001). Post-CRT mean QRS duration was reduced by 29.0 ms (95% CI: -41.3 to 16.7, P < 0.00001), and mean left ventricular ejection fraction increased by 4.8% (95% CI: 3.1% to 6.6%, P < 0.00001). The mean New York Heart Association (NYHA) class post-CRT was 2.7 (95% CI: 2.5 to 3.0), with a pronounced reduction of individuals in NYHA IV (risk ratio = 0.27, 95% CI: 0.18 to 0.41, P < 0.00001). On univariate analysis, there was a higher prevalence of males (85.7% vs. 40%), a history of left bundle branch block (71.4% vs. 30%), and more pronounced left ventricular end-diastolic dilation (274.3 ± 7.2 vs. 225.9 ± 6.1 mL).
CONCLUSIONS
CRT appears to be a viable option for inotrope-dependent HF, with some of these patients seeming more likely to respond.
PubMed: 38710670
DOI: 10.1002/ehf2.14835 -
Heart Rhythm May 2024
PubMed: 38704078
DOI: 10.1016/j.hrthm.2024.04.096