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International Journal of Systematic and... Jul 2024Four rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive lactic acid bacteria, designated as EB0058, SCR0080, LD0937 and SCR0063, were...
Four rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, facultative anaerobic, Gram-stain-positive lactic acid bacteria, designated as EB0058, SCR0080, LD0937 and SCR0063, were isolated from different corn and grass silage samples. The isolated strains were characterized using a polyphasic approach and EB0058 and SCR0080 were identified as by 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis. Based on whole-genome sequence-based characterization, EB0058 and SCR0080 were separated into a distinct clade from DSM 20178, together with CECT9104 and UD2202, whose genomic sequences are available from NCBI GenBank. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) values within the new subgroup are 99.9 % and the digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values are 99.3-99.9 %, respectively. In contrast, comparison of the new subgroup with publicly available genomic sequences of strains, including the type strain DSM 20178, revealed dDDH values of 70.2-72.5 % and ANI values of 96.2-96.6 %. Based on their chemotaxonomic, phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics, EB0058 and SCR0080 represent a new subspecies of . The name subsp. subsp. nov. is proposed with the type strain EB0058 (=DSM 116376=NCIMB 15474). According to the results of 16S rRNA gene sequencing, LD0937 and SCR0063 are members of the group. The dDDH value between the isolates LD0937 and SCR0063 was 67.6 %, which is below the species threshold of 70 %, clearly showing that these two isolates belong to different species. For both strains, whole genome-sequencing revealed that the closest relatives within the group were DSM 11542 (dDDH 66.5 and 65.9 %) and DSM 20011 (dDDH 64.1 and 64.9 %). Based on the genomic, chemotaxonomic and morphological data obtained in this study, two novel species, sp. nov. and sp. nov. are proposed and the type strains are LD0937 (=DSM 116105=NCIMB 15471) and SCR0063 (=DSM 116297=NCIMB 15473), respectively.
Topics: RNA, Ribosomal, 16S; Phylogeny; Bacterial Typing Techniques; Zea mays; Silage; DNA, Bacterial; Nucleic Acid Hybridization; Sequence Analysis, DNA; Fatty Acids; Poaceae; Base Composition; Whole Genome Sequencing; Lacticaseibacillus
PubMed: 38954457
DOI: 10.1099/ijsem.0.006441 -
Biogerontology Jul 2024The accumulation of pro-inflammatory senescent cells within tissues is a common hallmark of the aging process and many age-related diseases. This modification has been... (Review)
Review
The accumulation of pro-inflammatory senescent cells within tissues is a common hallmark of the aging process and many age-related diseases. This modification has been called the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and observed in cultured cells and in cells isolated from aged tissues. Currently, there is a debate whether the accumulation of senescent cells within tissues should be attributed to increased generation of senescent cells or to a defect in their elimination from aging tissues. Emerging studies have revealed that senescent cells display an increased expression of several inhibitory immune checkpoint ligands, especially those of the programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1) ligand-1 (PD-L1) proteins. It is known that the PD-L1 ligands, especially those of cancer cells, target the PD-1 receptor of cytotoxic CD8 T and natural killer (NK) cells disturbing their functions, e.g., evoking a decline in their cytotoxic activity and promoting their exhaustion and even apoptosis. An increase in the level of the PD-L1 protein in senescent cells was able to suppress their immune surveillance and inhibit their elimination by cytotoxic CD8 T and NK cells. Senescent cells are known to express ligands for several inhibitory immune checkpoint receptors, i.e., PD-1, LILRB4, NKG2A, TIM-3, and SIRPα receptors. Here, I will briefly describe those pathways and examine whether these inhibitory checkpoints could be involved in the immune evasion of senescent cells with aging and age-related diseases. It seems plausible that an enhanced inhibitory checkpoint signaling can prevent the elimination of senescent cells from tissues and thus promote the aging process.
PubMed: 38954358
DOI: 10.1007/s10522-024-10114-w -
Probiotics and Antimicrobial Proteins Jul 2024Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global epidemic complex and will cause serious metabolic comorbidities without treatment. A prevention strategy for MetS development has...
Effect of Lacticaseibacillus casei LC2W Supplementation on Glucose Metabolism and Gut Microbiota in Subjects at High Risk of Metabolic Syndrome: A Randomized, Double-blinded, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.
Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a global epidemic complex and will cause serious metabolic comorbidities without treatment. A prevention strategy for MetS development has been proposed to modulate gut microbiota by probiotic administration to improve intestinal dysbiosis and benefit the host. Lacticaseibacillus casei LC2W has exhibited positive effects in preventing colitis and anti-hypertension in vivo. However, the effect of L. casei LC2W on subjects at high risk of MetS is unknown. Here, a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study was conducted on 60 subjects with high risk of MetS, and the hypoglycemic and hypolipidemic activity and possible pathways of L. casei LC2W were inferred from the correlation analysis with gut microbiome composition, function, and clinical phenotypic indicators. The results showed that oral administration of L. casei LC2W could exert significant benefits on weight control, glucose and lipid metabolism, inflammatory and oxidative stress parameters, and SCFA production, as well as modulate the composition of gut microbiota. The relative abundance of Lacticaseibacillus, Bifidobacterium, Dorea, and Blautia was enriched, and their interaction with other gut microbes was strengthened by oral administration of L. casei LC2W, which was beneficial in ameliorating gut inflammation, promoting glucose and lipids degradation pathways, thus alleviated MetS. The present study confirmed the prevention effects of L. casei LC2W towards MetS from aspects of clinical outcomes and microflora modulation, providing an alternative strategy for people at high risk of MetS.Trial registration: The study was proactively registered in ClinicalTrial.gov with the registration number of ChiCTR2000031833 on April 09, 2020.
PubMed: 38954305
DOI: 10.1007/s12602-024-10312-5 -
Neuromolecular Medicine Jul 2024Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. This disorder shows nearly complete penetrance and high phenotypic variability....
Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) is a genetic disorder caused by mutations in the NF1 gene. This disorder shows nearly complete penetrance and high phenotypic variability. We used the whole-exome sequencing technique to identify mutations in 32 NF1 cases from 22 Iranian families. A total of 31 variants, including 30 point mutations and one large deletion, were detected. In eight cases, variants were inherited, while they were sporadic in the remaining. Seven novel variants, including c.5576 T > G, c.6658_6659insC, c.2322dupT, c.92_93insAA, c.4360C > T, c.3814C > T, and c.4565_4566delinsC, were identified. The current study is the largest in terms of the sample size of Iranian NF1 cases with identified mutations. The results can broaden the spectrum of NF1 mutations and facilitate the process of genetic counseling in the affected families.
Topics: Humans; Iran; Neurofibromatosis 1; Neurofibromin 1; Female; Male; Genes, Neurofibromatosis 1; Exome Sequencing; Child; Pedigree; Adult; Point Mutation; Mutation; Adolescent; Child, Preschool; Young Adult; DNA Mutational Analysis; Sequence Deletion
PubMed: 38954284
DOI: 10.1007/s12017-024-08790-5 -
Clinical Rheumatology Jul 2024Pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis (PING) is commonly associated with the presence of antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) but a significant number...
BACKGROUND
Pauci-immune necrotizing glomerulonephritis (PING) is commonly associated with the presence of antineutrophilic cytoplasmic antibodies (ANCAs) but a significant number of patients do not have these antibodies. The significance of ANCA-negativity in the context of Berden's classification of PING is not known.
METHODS
A retrospective analysis was conducted on all patients with histopathological diagnosis of idiopathic PING irrespective of ANCA status diagnosed between January 1998 to December 2018 and followed up at renal clinic for > 12 months. All biopsies were reclassified by Berden's classification. Clinicopathological characteristics and renal outcomes of ANCA-positive and ANCA-negative patients were compared.
RESULTS
Out of 134 patients, 66 (49.5%) were ANCA-negative. The mean age was 34.76 ± 13.3 years. Compared with the ANCA-positive patients, ANCA-negative patients had significantly greater prevalence of nephrotic-range proteinuria (74.23% Vs 57.9%, P = 0.036) with less extra-renal manifestations (P < 0.05)). On histology, focal and crescentic classes dominated with less number of globally sclerosed glomeruli (2.7% Vs 5.07%, P = 0.02) and more mesangial proliferation (22.7% Vs 4.41%, P = 0.002) in the ANCA-negative group, whereas sclerotic was predominant in the ANCA-positive group (P = 0.05). More patients achieved complete and partial recovery in ANCA-negative patients (42.4% Vs 20.5%, P < 0.05) with better renal survival (27.27% Vs 16.17%, log-rank test: P = 0.03) and less patient mortality (13.63% vs 30.8%, log-rank test: P = 0.04) at 2 years.
CONCLUSION
Our study confirms high prevalence of ANCA negativity among our cohort and this group presents with isolated renal involvement with better renal and patient survival. The ANCA-positive group showed significantly more patients in the sclerotic class, lower 2-year renal survival, and higher 2-year mortality as compared to the ANCA-negative group. However, the complete and partial responses to treatment were significantly better in the ANCA-negative group. Key Points • This study shows a high prevalence of ANCA negativity in cases of PING in Pakistani population, as almost half of patients in this study did not have these antibodies. • This negativity is more prevalent in the Asian populations but its significance in the context of Berden's classification of PING is unknown. • ANCA-negative group exhibited less severe phenotype and better outcomes compared with ANCA-positive group.
PubMed: 38954279
DOI: 10.1007/s10067-024-07047-7 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Jul 2024Encephalopathy is part of the clinical triad of Susac syndrome, but a detailed understanding of the neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric profile of this condition is... (Review)
Review
Encephalopathy is part of the clinical triad of Susac syndrome, but a detailed understanding of the neurocognitive and neuropsychiatric profile of this condition is lacking. Existing literature indicates that cognitive deficits range in severity from subtle to profound. Executive function and short-term recall are affected frequently. Psychiatric manifestations may be absent or may include anxiety, mood disorders or psychosis. If psychiatric phenomena develop during the disease course, it can be hard to disentangle whether symptoms directly relate to the pathology of Susac syndrome or are secondary to treatment-related side effects. In this article, we review what is known about the cognitive and psychiatric morbidity of Susac syndrome and identify areas where knowledge is deficient. Importantly, we also provide a framework for future research, arguing that better phenotyping, understanding of pathophysiology, evaluation of treatments on cognitive and psychiatric outcomes, and longitudinal data capture are vital to improving patient outcomes.
PubMed: 38954275
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07672-9 -
Neurological Sciences : Official... Jul 2024It has been recently acknowledged that deficits in experiencing and processing one's own emotions, also termed alexithymia, may possibly feature the...
INTRODUCTION
It has been recently acknowledged that deficits in experiencing and processing one's own emotions, also termed alexithymia, may possibly feature the frontotemporal-spectrum disorders. This study aims to determine whether alexithymia could be included within the frontotemporal syndromes of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).
METHODS
Alexithymic traits were estimated in a cohort of 68 non-demented ALS patients with the 20-item Toronto Alexithymia Scale (TAS-20). Patients were assessed for the identification of motor-phenotypes and frontotemporal syndromes based on current classification criteria. Spearman's coefficients explored the correlates of TAS-20 measures with motor-functional profiles, global cognitive, social-cognitive (emotion recognition and empathy) and behavioral status.
RESULTS
Abnormal TAS-20 scores were found in 13% of patients, and their distribution did not vary within motor and frontotemporal phenotypes. Significant associations were detected between TAS-20 and executive (p ≤ .011), memory (p = .006), state-anxiety (p ≤ .013) and depression measures (p ≤ .010). By contrast, TAS-20 scores were unrelated to social-cognitive performances, dysexecutive and apathetic profiles. Disease duration was the only motor-functional feature being related to the TAS-20 (p ≤ .008).
CONCLUSIONS
Alexithymia of potential clinical relevance occur in a minority of ALS patients, and its neuropsychological correlates mostly resemble those featuring the general population. Hence, it is unlikely that alexithymia is a specific feature of frontotemporal-spectrum characterizing ALS, rather it could be an expression of psychogenic factors as a reaction to the disease.
PubMed: 38954274
DOI: 10.1007/s10072-024-07671-w -
Veterinary Research Communications Jul 2024Here we report the case of a cow with two ovaries that each exhibited hyperplasia but that otherwise had normal gross morphology. Both ovaries had a large number of...
Here we report the case of a cow with two ovaries that each exhibited hyperplasia but that otherwise had normal gross morphology. Both ovaries had a large number of tertiary follicles on the ovarian surface. Oocytes from one ovary were studied in more detail. The transcriptome was largely similar to other oocytes. Oocytes could undergo cleavage at a rate consistent with other oocytes and result in blastocyst-stage embryo formation after in vitro maturation and fertilization. Review of the literature from cattle and other species did not reveal reports of a similar type of spontaneous ovarian abnormality. Whole genome sequencing revealed many single nucleotide polymorphisms with predicted large effects on protein structure that could potentially be causative for the phenotype. The variant considered most likely to cause the observed alteration in ovarian function was a mutation in the glycoprotein-modifying enzyme MAN1A2.
PubMed: 38954257
DOI: 10.1007/s11259-024-10435-8 -
Molecular Neurobiology Jul 2024Insomnia is a typical type of sleep disorder. Huanglian Wendan Decoction (HWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the effects of regulating Qi, drying dampness...
Insomnia is a typical type of sleep disorder. Huanglian Wendan Decoction (HWD) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) with the effects of regulating Qi, drying dampness and resolving phlegm, calming the mind, and relieving irritation. This study aims to investigate the effect of HWD on insomnia in rats and its mechanism. Para-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA)-induced insomnia in rats was used for in vivo experiments and then treated with HWD. Behavioral tests, Western blot, real-time PCR, immunofluorescent staining, 16S rRNA sequencing were conducted. The content of SCFAs was determined by GC-MS. Acetic acid-pretreated rat hippocampal nerve cells were used for in vitro experiments. The results showed that HWD significantly improved the learning memory ability, decreased sleep latency, and prolonged sleep duration in insomniac rats. HWD reduced TNF-α and IL-6 levels and increased IL-10 and Foxp3 levels. HWD also promoted the polarization of macrophages from M1 pro-inflammatory phenotype to M2 anti-inflammatory phenotype. In addition, HWD increased the expression levels of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus. Administration of the TrkB receptor agonist 7,8-dihydroxyflavone (7,8-DHF) confirmed the mechanism by which HWD activates BDNF/TrkB signaling to ameliorate insomnia. Furthermore, HWD restored gut microbiota richness and diversity and promoted short-chain fatty acid (SCFA) production in insomniac rats. In vitro experiments confirmed that the acetic acid-treated SCFA group could activate the BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway in neuronal cells, further promoting neuronal cell growth. In conclusion, HWD alleviated insomnia by maintaining gut microbiota homeostasis, promoting SCFA production, reducing neuroinflammatory response and microglia activation, and activating BDNF/TrkB signaling pathway.
PubMed: 38954253
DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04330-1 -
Journal of Cancer Survivorship :... Jul 2024This study aimed to investigate the impact of nutritional status and frailty phenotype and the predictors of temporal changes on health-related quality of life (HRQoL)...
Factors influencing health-related quality of life in patients with bladder or kidney cancer: a prospective cohort study of the impact of nutritional status and frailty phenotype.
PURPOSE
This study aimed to investigate the impact of nutritional status and frailty phenotype and the predictors of temporal changes on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of patients with bladder or kidney cancer.
METHODS
Frailty phenotype, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment, and Quality-of-life questionnaire Core-30 were applied twice to patients diagnosed with bladder or kidney cancer. Patients also completed a sociodemographic questionnaire, and clinical data were collected from records.
RESULTS
Sixty-two individuals completed the study, mostly male, with a mean age of 62.5 (± 11.4) years. The median time of follow-up was 14.5 months. Role functioning, emotional functioning, and fatigue improved over time (p < 0.05). The factors that negatively affected the long-term quality of life summary score were being female, malnourished, pre-frail and frail, cancer treatment, performance status, and lower income. Using the multivariate model, being malnourished (β = - 7.25; 95% CI, - 10.78 to - 3.71; p < 0.001), frail (β = - 7.25; 95% CI, - 13.39 to - 1.11; p = 0.021), and each one-point increase in performance status (β = - 6.9; 95% CI, - 9.54 to - 4.26; p < 0.001), were the ones that most negatively impacted the HRQoL between the two assessments.
CONCLUSION
This study confirmed that frailty, nutritional status, and performance status are the main predictors of HRQoL of patients with bladder or kidney cancer over time.
IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS
These findings may be the first step towards highlighting the importance of preventing malnutrition and frailty, in favor of a better long-term QoL for cancer patients.
PubMed: 38954250
DOI: 10.1007/s11764-024-01637-9