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Oxford Open Neuroscience 2024The marble-burying test is a pharmacologically validated paradigm used to study anxiety-like behaviors in laboratory rodents. Our laboratory has employed this assay as...
The marble-burying test is a pharmacologically validated paradigm used to study anxiety-like behaviors in laboratory rodents. Our laboratory has employed this assay as part of a behavioral screen to examine drug-induced negative affective states. Historically, the majority of our prior binge alcohol-drinking studies employed male subjects exclusively and reliably detected adolescent-adult differences in both basal and alcohol withdrawal-induced negative affect. However, age-related differences in marble-burying behavior were either absent or opposite those observed in our prior work when female subjects were included in the experimental design. As chemosensory cues from females are reported to be anxiolytic in males, the present study examined how odors from adult members of the opposite and same sex (obtained from soiled bedding) influence marble-burying behavior in adult, as well as adolescent, mice. Control studies examined the responsiveness of mice in the presence of novel neutral (vanilla) and aversive (tea tree) odors. Adult males exhibited reduced signs of anxiety-like behavior in the presence of female-soiled bedding, while adult females and adolescent mice of both sexes increased marble-burying behavior in the presence of both male- and female-soiled bedding. All mice exhibited increased burying in the presence of an aversive odor, while only adolescents increased marble-burying in response to the novel neutral odor. These data indicate sex by age interactions in the effects of volatile and nonvolatile odors from sexually-naive adult conspecifics on indices of anxiety-like behavior in the marble-burying test of relevance to the experimental design and procedural timing of experiments including sex as a biological variable.
PubMed: 38915792
DOI: 10.1093/oons/kvae009 -
Current Addiction Reports Apr 2024Stress is associated with alcohol drinking, and epidemiological studies document the comorbidity of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),...
PURPOSE OF REVIEW
Stress is associated with alcohol drinking, and epidemiological studies document the comorbidity of alcohol use disorder (AUD) and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), with higher comorbid prevalence in females than in males. The aim of this paper is to highlight information related to sex differences in stress-enhanced alcohol drinking from clinical studies and from preclinical studies utilizing an animal model of traumatic stress.
RECENT FINDINGS
Stress is associated with alcohol drinking and relapse in males and females, but there are sex differences in the alcohol-related adaptation of stress pathways and in the association of different prefrontal regions with stress-induced anxiety. The predator stress model of traumatic stress produced enhanced alcohol drinking in a subgroup of stress-sensitive male and female animals, which could be associated with sex and subgroup differences in stress axis responsivity, behavioral responses to predator odors, and epigenetic mechanisms engaged by traumatic experiences.
SUMMARY
While additional studies in females are necessary, existing clinical and preclinical evidence suggests that biological mechanisms underlying stress-enhanced drinking likely differ between males and females. Thus, effective treatment strategies may differ between the sexes.
PubMed: 38915732
DOI: 10.1007/s40429-023-00540-0 -
BioRxiv : the Preprint Server For... Jun 2024Mice are able to navigate an odor plume with a complex spatiotemporal structure in the dark to find the source of odorants. We developed a protocol to monitor behavior...
UNLABELLED
Mice are able to navigate an odor plume with a complex spatiotemporal structure in the dark to find the source of odorants. We developed a protocol to monitor behavior and record Ca transients in dorsal CA1 stratum pyramidale neurons at the hippocampus (dCA1) in mice navigating an odor plume in a 50 cm x 50 cm x 25 cm odor arena. Ca transients were imaged by an epifluorescence miniscope focused through a GRIN lens on dCA1 neurons expressing the calcium sensor GCaMP6f in Thy1-GCaMP6f mice. We describe the behavioral protocol to train the mice to perform this odor plume navigation task in an automated odor arena. We provide the step-by-step procedure for the surgery for GRIN lens implantation and baseplate placement for imaging GCaMP6f in CA1. We provide information on real time tracking of the mouse position to automate the start of the trials and delivery of a sugar water reward. In addition, we provide information on the use of an Intan board to synchronize metadata describing the automation of the odor navigation task and frame times for the miniscope and a FLIR camera tracking mouse position. Moreover, we delineate the pipeline used to process GCaMP6f fluorescence movies by motion correction using NorMCorre followed by identification of regions of interest (ROIs) with EXTRACT. Finally, we describe use of artificial neural network (ANN) machine learning to decode spatial paths from CA1 neural ensemble activity to predict mouse navigation of the odor plume.
SUMMARY
This protocol describes how to investigate the brain-behavior relationship in hippocampal CA1 in mice navigating an odor plume. We provide a step-by-step protocol including the surgery to access imaging of the hippocampus, behavioral training, miniscope GCaMP6f recording and processing of the brain and behavioral data to decode the mouse position from ROI neural activity.
PubMed: 38915584
DOI: 10.1101/2024.06.12.598681 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024Monoterpenes are among the most important volatile aromatic compounds contributing to the flavor and aroma of grapes and wine. However, the molecular basis of...
BACKGROUND
Monoterpenes are among the most important volatile aromatic compounds contributing to the flavor and aroma of grapes and wine. However, the molecular basis of monoterpene biosynthesis has not yet been fully elucidated.
RESULTS
In our study, transcriptomics and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) were used to mine candidate genes and transcription factors involved in monoterpene biosynthesis between high-monoterpene and zero-monoterpene table grape cultivars. We found that monoterpene biosynthesis was positively correlated by the expression of five genes encoding 1-deoxy-D-xylulose-5-phosphate synthase (VvDXSs), one encoding 4-hydroxy-3-methylbut-2-enyl diphosphate reductase (VvHDR), three hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA synthases (VvHMGSs) and one mevalonate kinase (VvMVK), whereas the expression of one isopentenyl diphosphate isomerase (VvIDI) and one 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-CoA reductase (VvHMGR) negatively correlated monoterpene biosynthesis. Of these genes, VvIDI was selected to validate its function in monoterpene accumulation through a transient overexpression experiment, and was shown to inhibit the biosynthesis of grape linalool and α-terpineol. Meanwhile, we found that a 64-amino acid extension sequence at the N-terminus can guide the VvIDI protein to target the chloroplast.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings of this study should help to guide future functional analysis of key genes as well as mining the potential regulatory mechanism of monoterpene biosynthesis in grapes and grape products.
Topics: Vitis; Monoterpenes; Carbon-Carbon Double Bond Isomerases; Transcriptome; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry; Odorants; Hemiterpenes
PubMed: 38914931
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05306-y -
Frontiers in Chemistry 2024A promising pollution control technology is cold plasma driven chemical processing. The plasma is a pulsed electric gas discharge inside a near...
A promising pollution control technology is cold plasma driven chemical processing. The plasma is a pulsed electric gas discharge inside a near atmospheric-pressure-temperature reactor. The system is energized by a continuous stream of very short high-voltage pulses. The exhaust gas to be treated flows through the reactor. The methods applied involve the development of robust cold plasma systems, industrial applications and measuring technologies. Tests of the systems were performed at many industrial sites and involved control of airborne VOC (volatile organic compound) and odor. Electrical, chemical and odor measuring data were collected with state-of-the-art methods. To explain the test data an approximate solution of global reaction kinetics of pulsed plasma chemistry was developed. It involves the Lambert function and, for convenience, a simple approximation of it. The latter shows that the amount of removal, in good approximation, is a function of a single variable. This variable is electric plasma power divided by gas flow divided by input concentration. In the results sections we show that in some cases up to 99% of volatile pollution can be removed at an acceptable energy requirement. In the final sections we look into future efficiency enhancements by implementation of (sub)nanosecond pulsed plasma and solid state high-voltage technology and by integration with catalyst technology.
PubMed: 38911992
DOI: 10.3389/fchem.2024.1386055 -
Journal of Dairy Science Jun 2024Infant formulas (IFs), the sole adequate substitute to human milk, undergo several thermal treatments during production that can damage milk proteins and promote the...
Infant formulas (IFs), the sole adequate substitute to human milk, undergo several thermal treatments during production that can damage milk proteins and promote the formation of Maillard reaction products, modifying nutritional and sensory properties. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of a minimally processing route based on membrane filtration associated with different levels of heat treatment, on the odor, taste, texture and color attributes of IFs, then to compare with those of commercial milks. Three experimental IFs (produced with membrane filtration associated with low - T, medium - T, or high thermal treatments - T) were evaluated. Triangular tests conducted with a panel of 50 adults highlighted clear disparities between all the IFs. The same panel applied the Check-All-That-Apply method to evaluate the IFs: the range of variability between T and T was similar to that between the 2 commercial IFs, and the sensory characteristics of the experimental IFs were not far from the commercial brands for flavor and texture attributes. Analysis performed on the citation frequencies for each descriptor differentiated T/T from T, but all the experimental IFs were described with positive sensory characteristics, unlike one commercial IF. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) content of IFs with low and high thermal treatments were analyzed. Forty VOCs were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry. T contained a higher quantity of VOCs than T, except for benzaldehyde (Maillard reaction product), and aldehydes (oxidation-related products) were the most represented compounds. In conclusion, the processing was associated with sensory differences among IFs, but no marked difference in flavors was found according to CATA and physicochemical analysis. Additionally, no unpleasant sensory descriptors were noted. This shows that the minimally processed route leads to IFs that could fit well within the market from a sensory point of view.
PubMed: 38908693
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2024-24937 -
Frontiers in Sports and Active Living 2024Overall physical activity (PA) has been linked to decreased olfactory dysfunction and could improve olfactory function. Additionally, decreased olfactory function can...
INTRODUCTION
Overall physical activity (PA) has been linked to decreased olfactory dysfunction and could improve olfactory function. Additionally, decreased olfactory function can contribute to reduced overall PA levels, given its association with neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to examine the relationship between specific PA parameters (duration, frequency, intensity) and olfactory function in adults.
METHODS
A total of 3,527 participants from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2013-2014 underwent assessments for weekly PA duration, frequency, and intensity, alongside a smell test (including odors such as chocolate, strawberry, grape, onion, smoke, natural gas, leather, and soap). Correlation analyses and binary logistic regressions using SPSS were used to evaluate associations.
RESULTS
The total smell score exhibited small yet significant positive correlations with the duration, frequency, and volume of moderate PA (correlation coefficients ranging between 0.05 and 0.08; all ≤ 0.05) and frequency of vigorous PA (correlation coefficient of 0.05; < 0.05). For moderate PA, the duration, frequency, and volume were significantly and positively associated with the ability to correctly detect the smell of grapes while the frequency was significantly and positively associated with the ability to identify smoke and leather odors (odds ratios ranging from 1.01 to 1.07; < 0.05). For vigorous PA, the frequency of PA was positively associated with the detection of grape smell (odds ratio of 1.05; < 0.05).
CONCLUSION
Some parameters of an active lifestyle are associated with improved odds of accurately identifying odors by up to 7.4%. Moderate PA duration, frequency, and volume were linked to better olfactory scores, while high-intensity PA had limited associations.
PubMed: 38903386
DOI: 10.3389/fspor.2024.1394858 -
BMC Plant Biology Jun 2024The plant-specific YABBY transcription factor family plays important roles in plant growth and development, particularly leaf growth, floral organ formation, and...
BACKGROUND
The plant-specific YABBY transcription factor family plays important roles in plant growth and development, particularly leaf growth, floral organ formation, and secondary metabolite synthesis.
RESULTS
Here, we identified a total of 13 OfYABBY genes from the Osmanthus fragrans genome. These 13 OfYABBY genes were divided into five subfamilies through phylogenetic analysis, and genes in the same subfamily showed similar gene structures and conserved protein motifs. Gene duplication promoted the expansion of the OfYABBY family in O. fragrans. Tissue-specific expression analysis showed that the OfYABBY family was mainly expressed in O. fragrans leaves and floral organs. To better understand the role of OfYABBY genes in plant growth and development, OfYABBY12 was selected for heterologous stable overexpression in tobacco, and OfYABBY12-overexpressing tobacco leaves released significantly fewer volatile organic compounds than wild-type tobacco leaves. Overexpression of OfYABBY12 led to the downregulation of NtCCD1/4 and decreased β-ionone biosynthesis. Correspondingly, a dual-luciferase assay showed that OfYABBY12 negatively regulated the expression of OfCCD4, which promotes β-ionone synthesis. Furthermore, tobacco leaves overexpressing OfYABBY12 were curled and wrinkled and had significantly reduced leaf thickness and leaf inclusions and significantly extended flower pistils (styles).
CONCLUSION
Overall, the results suggest that the OfYABBY gene family may influence the biosynthesis of the floral scent (especially β-ionone) in O. fragrans and may regulate leaf morphogenesis and lateral organs.
Topics: Plant Leaves; Oleaceae; Flowers; Transcription Factors; Plant Proteins; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant; Phylogeny; Nicotiana; Odorants; Volatile Organic Compounds
PubMed: 38902627
DOI: 10.1186/s12870-024-05047-y -
Nature Communications Jun 2024The ability to establish associations between environmental stimuli is fundamental for higher-order brain functions like state inference and generalization. Both the...
The ability to establish associations between environmental stimuli is fundamental for higher-order brain functions like state inference and generalization. Both the hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) play pivotal roles in this, demonstrating complex neural activity changes after associative learning. However, how precisely they contribute to representing learned associations remains unclear. Here, we train head-restrained mice to learn four 'odor-outcome' sequence pairs composed of several task variables-the past and current odor cues, sequence structure of 'cue-outcome' arrangement, and the expected outcome; and perform calcium imaging from these mice throughout learning. Sequence-splitting signals that distinguish between paired sequences are detected in both brain regions, reflecting associative memory formation. Critically, we uncover differential contents in represented associations by examining, in each area, how these task variables affect splitting signal generalization between sequence pairs. Specifically, the hippocampal splitting signals are influenced by the combination of past and current cues that define a particular sensory experience. In contrast, the OFC splitting signals are similar between sequence pairs that share the same sequence structure and expected outcome. These findings suggest that the hippocampus and OFC uniquely and complementarily organize the acquired associative structure.
Topics: Animals; Hippocampus; Prefrontal Cortex; Neurons; Mice; Male; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Association Learning; Cues; Odorants; Memory
PubMed: 38902232
DOI: 10.1038/s41467-024-49652-9 -
Neurobiology of Disease Jun 2024Within the adult mouse subventricular zone (SVZ), neural stem cells (NSCs) produce neuroblasts and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). T, the active thyroid hormone,...
Within the adult mouse subventricular zone (SVZ), neural stem cells (NSCs) produce neuroblasts and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs). T, the active thyroid hormone, influences renewal and commitment of SVZ progenitors. However, how regulators of T availability affect these processes is less understood. Using Mct8/Dio2 knockout mice, we investigated the role of MCT8, a TH transporter, and DIO2, the T-generating enzyme, in regulating adult SVZ-neurogliogenesis. Single-cell RNA-Seq revealed Mct8 expression in various SVZ cell types in WT mice, while Dio2 was enriched in neurons, astrocytes, and quiescent NSCs. The absence of both regulators in the knockout model dysregulated gene expression, increased the neuroblast/OPC ratio and hindered OPC differentiation. Immunostainings demonstrated compromised neuroblast migration reducing their supply to the olfactory bulbs, impairing interneuron differentiation and odor discrimination. These findings underscore the pivotal roles of MCT8 and DIO2 in neuro- and oligodendrogenesis, offering targets for therapeutic avenues in neurodegenerative and demyelinating diseases.
PubMed: 38901782
DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2024.106572