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Cell Metabolism Nov 2022The analogy of mitochondria as powerhouses has expired. Mitochondria are living, dynamic, maternally inherited, energy-transforming, biosynthetic, and signaling... (Review)
Review
The analogy of mitochondria as powerhouses has expired. Mitochondria are living, dynamic, maternally inherited, energy-transforming, biosynthetic, and signaling organelles that actively transduce biological information. We argue that mitochondria are the processor of the cell, and together with the nucleus and other organelles they constitute the mitochondrial information processing system (MIPS). In a three-step process, mitochondria (1) sense and respond to both endogenous and environmental inputs through morphological and functional remodeling; (2) integrate information through dynamic, network-based physical interactions and diffusion mechanisms; and (3) produce output signals that tune the functions of other organelles and systemically regulate physiology. This input-to-output transformation allows mitochondria to transduce metabolic, biochemical, neuroendocrine, and other local or systemic signals that enhance organismal adaptation. An explicit focus on mitochondrial signal transduction emphasizes the role of communication in mitochondrial biology. This framework also opens new avenues to understand how mitochondria mediate inter-organ processes underlying human health.
Topics: Humans; Mitochondria; Signal Transduction; Cell Communication; Cell Nucleus
PubMed: 36323233
DOI: 10.1016/j.cmet.2022.10.008 -
Journal of Dairy Science Dec 2017Mastitis is the most frequent disease of dairy cows and has well-recognized detrimental effects on animal wellbeing and dairy farm profitability. Since the beginning of... (Review)
Review
Mastitis is the most frequent disease of dairy cows and has well-recognized detrimental effects on animal wellbeing and dairy farm profitability. Since the beginning of modern dairy farming, producers have sought effective methods to minimize the occurrence of mastitis in their herds. The objective of this paper is to review and highlight important advances in detection, management, and prevention of mastitis that have occurred since the first volume of the Journal of Dairy Science was published in 1917. Initial research efforts were directed at understanding the nature of pathogenic bacteria that were responsible for most intramammary infections. For decades, researchers worked to identify effective strategies to control mastitis caused by Streptococcus agalactiae and Staphylococcus aureus. To develop successful control programs, mastitis workers first had to identify mechanisms of infection, define the clinical and subclinical states of the disease, discover appropriate screening tests, determine likely points of exposure, identify pathogen-specific characteristics, and develop effective procedures for machine milking. Pioneering researchers eventually recognized that mastitis control was based on preventing new infections from occurring in healthy cows and reducing the duration that cows remained infected. Development of a control program that incorporated post-milking teat dipping, hygienic milking procedures, and strategic use of antibiotic therapy at dry-off resulted in widespread control of contagious pathogens. As herd management changed, researchers were tasked with defining control of mastitis caused by opportunistic pathogens originating from environmental sources. As mastitis pathogens have evolved, researchers have sought to define antimicrobial usage that will maintain animal wellbeing while minimizing unnecessary usage. During the last century, tremendous significant advances in mastitis control have been made but changing herd structure and more rigorous processor standards ensure that mastitis will remain an important subject focus of future research.
Topics: Animals; Cattle; Dairying; Female; Mammary Glands, Animal; Mastitis, Bovine; Milk; Staphylococcal Infections; Staphylococcus aureus; Streptococcal Infections; Streptococcus agalactiae
PubMed: 29153171
DOI: 10.3168/jds.2017-13023 -
Facial Plastic Surgery Clinics of North... Nov 2016Microtia reconstruction is a challenging endeavor that has seen significant technique evolution. It is important to educate patients and their families to determine the... (Review)
Review
Microtia reconstruction is a challenging endeavor that has seen significant technique evolution. It is important to educate patients and their families to determine the best hearing rehabilitation and ear reconstructive options. Microtia is often associated with aural atresia, hearing loss, and craniofacial syndromes. Optimal care is provided by multiple disciplines, including a reconstructive surgeon, an otologic surgeon, an audiologist, and a craniofacial pediatrician. Microtia management includes observation, prosthetic ear, autologous cartilage reconstruction, or alloplastic implant placement. Hearing management options are observation, bone conduction sound processor, or atresiaplasty with and without hearing aids. Appropriate counseling should be done to manage expectations.
Topics: Cartilage; Congenital Microtia; Directive Counseling; Humans; Prostheses and Implants; Plastic Surgery Procedures; Ribs; Transplantation, Autologous
PubMed: 27712823
DOI: 10.1016/j.fsc.2016.06.011 -
The Cochrane Database of Systematic... Dec 2020Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide, contributing to nutritional rickets and osteomalacia which have a major impact on health, growth, and development of infants,... (Meta-Analysis)
Meta-Analysis
BACKGROUND
Vitamin D deficiency is common worldwide, contributing to nutritional rickets and osteomalacia which have a major impact on health, growth, and development of infants, children and adolescents. Vitamin D levels are low in breast milk and exclusively breastfed infants are at risk of vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency.
OBJECTIVES
To determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation given to infants, or lactating mothers, on vitamin D deficiency, bone density and growth in healthy term breastfed infants.
SEARCH METHODS
We used the standard search strategy of Cochrane Neonatal to 29 May 2020 supplemented by searches of clinical trials databases, conference proceedings, and citations.
SELECTION CRITERIA
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-RCTs in breastfeeding mother-infant pairs comparing vitamin D supplementation given to infants or lactating mothers compared to placebo or no intervention, or sunlight, or that compare vitamin D supplementation of infants to supplementation of mothers.
DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS
Two review authors assessed trial eligibility and risk of bias and independently extracted data. We used the GRADE approach to assess the certainty of evidence.
MAIN RESULTS
We included 19 studies with 2837 mother-infant pairs assessing vitamin D given to infants (nine studies), to lactating mothers (eight studies), and to infants versus lactating mothers (six studies). No studies compared vitamin D given to infants versus periods of infant sun exposure. Vitamin D supplementation given to infants: vitamin D at 400 IU/day may increase 25-OH vitamin D levels (MD 22.63 nmol/L, 95% CI 17.05 to 28.21; participants = 334; studies = 6; low-certainty) and may reduce the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency (25-OH vitamin D < 50 nmol/L) (RR 0.57, 95% CI 0.41 to 0.80; participants = 274; studies = 4; low-certainty). However, there was insufficient evidence to determine if vitamin D given to the infant reduces the risk of vitamin D deficiency (25-OH vitamin D < 30 nmol/L) up till six months of age (RR 0.41, 95% CI 0.16 to 1.05; participants = 122; studies = 2), affects bone mineral content (BMC), or the incidence of biochemical or radiological rickets (all very-low certainty). We are uncertain about adverse effects including hypercalcaemia. There were no studies of higher doses of infant vitamin D (> 400 IU/day) compared to placebo. Vitamin D supplementation given to lactating mothers: vitamin D supplementation given to lactating mothers may increase infant 25-OH vitamin D levels (MD 24.60 nmol/L, 95% CI 21.59 to 27.60; participants = 597; studies = 7; low-certainty), may reduce the incidences of vitamin D insufficiency (RR 0.47, 95% CI 0.39 to 0.57; participants = 512; studies = 5; low-certainty), vitamin D deficiency (RR 0.15, 95% CI 0.09 to 0.24; participants = 512; studies = 5; low-certainty) and biochemical rickets (RR 0.06, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.44; participants = 229; studies = 2; low-certainty). The two studies that reported biochemical rickets used maternal dosages of oral D3 60,000 IU/day for 10 days and oral D3 60,000 IU postpartum and at 6, 10, and 14 weeks. However, infant BMC was not reported and there was insufficient evidence to determine if maternal supplementation has an effect on radiological rickets (RR 0.76, 95% CI 0.18 to 3.31; participants = 536; studies = 3; very low-certainty). All studies of maternal supplementation enrolled populations at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. We are uncertain of the effects of maternal supplementation on infant growth and adverse effects including hypercalcaemia. Vitamin D supplementation given to infants compared with supplementation given to lactating mothers: infant vitamin D supplementation compared to lactating mother supplementation may increase infant 25-OH vitamin D levels (MD 14.35 nmol/L, 95% CI 9.64 to 19.06; participants = 269; studies = 4; low-certainty). Infant vitamin D supplementation may reduce the incidence of vitamin D insufficiency (RR 0.61, 95% CI 0.40 to 0.94; participants = 334; studies = 4) and may reduce vitamin D deficiency (RR 0.35, 95% CI 0.17 to 0.72; participants = 334; studies = 4) but the evidence is very uncertain. Infant BMC and radiological rickets were not reported and there was insufficient evidence to determine if maternal supplementation has an effect on infant biochemical rickets. All studies enrolled patient populations at high risk of vitamin D deficiency. Studies compared an infant dose of vitamin D 400 IU/day with varying maternal vitamin D doses from 400 IU/day to > 4000 IU/day. We are uncertain about adverse effects including hypercalcaemia.
AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS
For breastfed infants, vitamin D supplementation 400 IU/day for up to six months increases 25-OH vitamin D levels and reduces vitamin D insufficiency, but there was insufficient evidence to assess its effect on vitamin D deficiency and bone health. For higher-risk infants who are breastfeeding, maternal vitamin D supplementation reduces vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency, but there was insufficient evidence to determine an effect on bone health. In populations at higher risk of vitamin D deficiency, vitamin D supplementation of infants led to greater increases in infant 25-OH vitamin D levels, reductions in vitamin D insufficiency and vitamin D deficiency compared to supplementation of lactating mothers. However, the evidence is very uncertain for markers of bone health. Maternal higher dose supplementation (≥ 4000 IU/day) produced similar infant 25-OH vitamin D levels as infant supplementation of 400 IU/day. The certainty of evidence was graded as low to very low for all outcomes.
Topics: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D 2; Bone Density; Bone and Bones; Breast Feeding; Female; Humans; Hypercalcemia; Infant; Lactation; Mothers; Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; Rickets; Term Birth; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins
PubMed: 33305822
DOI: 10.1002/14651858.CD013046.pub2 -
Clinical Nutrition (Edinburgh, Scotland) Oct 2023Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB) are influenced through dietary protein intake and physical (in)activity, which it follows, regulate... (Review)
Review
Muscle protein synthesis (MPS) and muscle protein breakdown (MPB) are influenced through dietary protein intake and physical (in)activity, which it follows, regulate skeletal muscle (SKM) mass across the lifespan. Following consumption of dietary protein, the bio-availability of essential amino acids (EAA), and primarily leucine (LEU), drive a transient increase in MPS with an ensuing refractory period before the next MPS stimulation is possible (due to the "muscle full" state). At the same time, MPB is periodically constrained via reflex insulin actions. Layering exercise on top of protein intake increases the sensitivity of SKM to EAA, therefore extending the muscle full set-point (∼48 h), to permit long-term remodelling (e.g., hypertrophy). In contrast, ageing and physical inactivity are associated with a premature muscle full set-point in response to dietary protein/EAA and contractile activity. Of all the EAA, LEU is the most potent stimulator of the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1)-signalling pathway, with the phosphorylation of mTORC1 substrates increasing ∼3-fold more than with all other EAA. Furthermore, maximal MPS stimulation is also achieved following low doses of LEU-enriched protein/EAA, negating the need for larger protein doses. As a result, LEU supplementation has been of long term interest to maximise muscle anabolism and subsequent net protein accretion, especially when in tandem with resistance exercise. This review highlights current knowledge vis-à-vis the anabolic effects of LEU supplementation in isolation, and in enriched protein/EAA sources (i.e., EAA and/or protein sources with added LEU), in the context of ageing, exercise and unloading states.
Topics: Humans; Leucine; Dietary Proteins; Muscle, Skeletal; Amino Acids, Essential; Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1; Aging; Muscle Proteins
PubMed: 37625315
DOI: 10.1016/j.clnu.2023.08.010 -
Scientific Reports May 2021Droplets produced within microfluidics have not only attracted the attention of researchers to develop complex biological, industrial and clinical testing systems but...
Droplets produced within microfluidics have not only attracted the attention of researchers to develop complex biological, industrial and clinical testing systems but also played a role as a bit of data. The flow of droplets within a network of microfluidic channels by stimulation of their movements, trajectories, and interaction timing, can provide an opportunity for preparation of complex and logical microfluidic circuits. Such mechanical-based circuits open up avenues to mimic the logic of electrical circuits within microfluidics. Recently, simple microfluidic-based logical elements such as AND, OR, and NOT gates have been experimentally developed and tested to model basic logic conditions in laboratory settings. In this work, we develop new microfluidic networks, control the shape of channels and speed of droplet movement, and regulate the size of bubbles in order to extend the logical elements to six new logic gates, including AND/OR type 1, AND/OR type 2, NOT type 1, NOT type 2, Flip-Flop, Synchronizer, and a parametric model of T-junction as a bubble generator. We further designed and simulated a novel microfluidic Decoder 1 to 2, a Decoder 2 to 4, and a microfluidic circuit that combines several individual logic gates into one complex circuit. Further fabrication and experimental testing of these newly introduced logic gates within microfluidics enable implementing complex circuits in high-throughput microfluidic platforms for tissue engineering, drug testing and development, and chemical synthesis and process design.
PubMed: 34040102
DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-90485-z -
Annals of Medicine Dec 2022White light imaging (WLI) is the most common endoscopic technique used for screening of gastrointestinal diseases. However, despite the advent of a new processor that... (Review)
Review
White light imaging (WLI) is the most common endoscopic technique used for screening of gastrointestinal diseases. However, despite the advent of a new processor that offers sufficient clear illumination and other advanced developments in endoscopic instrumentation, WLI alone is inadequate for detecting all gastrointestinal diseases with abnormalities in mucosal discoloration and morphological changes to the mucosal surface. The recent development of image-enhanced endoscopy (IEE) has dramatically improved the detection of gastrointestinal diseases. Texture and colour enhancement imaging (TXI) is a new type of IEE that enhances brightness, surface irregularities, such as elevations or depressions, and subtle colour changes. TXI with two modes, namely modes 1 and 2, can selectively enhance brightness in dark areas of an endoscopic image and subtle tissue differences such as slight morphological or colour changes while simultaneously preventing over-enhancement. Several clinical studies have investigated the efficacy of TXI for detecting and visualizing gastrointestinal diseases, including oesophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), Barret's epithelium, gastric cancer, gastric mucosal atrophy and intestinal metaplasia. Although TXI is often more useful for detecting and visualizing gastrointestinal diseases than WLI, it remains unclear whether TXI outperforms other IEEs, such as narrow-band imaging (NBI), in similar functions, and whether the performance of TXI modes 1 and 2 are comparable. Therefore, large-scale prospective studies are needed to compare the efficacy of TXI to WLI and other IEEs for endoscopic evaluation of patients undergoing screening endoscopy. Here, we review the characteristics and efficacy of TXI for the detection and visualization of gastrointestinal diseases.Key MessagesTXI mode 1 can improve the visibility of gastrointestinal diseases and qualitative diagnosis, especially for diseases associated with colour changes.The enhancement of texture and brightness with TXI mode 2 enables the detection of diseases, and is ideal for use in the first screening of gastrointestinal tract.
Topics: Humans; Color; Endoscopy, Gastrointestinal; Stomach Neoplasms; Image Enhancement
PubMed: 36420822
DOI: 10.1080/07853890.2022.2147992 -
Frontiers in Neuroscience 2022Interictal high-frequency oscillations (HFO) detected in electroencephalography recordings have been proposed as biomarkers of epileptogenesis, seizure propensity,... (Review)
Review
Interictal high-frequency oscillations (HFO) detected in electroencephalography recordings have been proposed as biomarkers of epileptogenesis, seizure propensity, disease severity, and treatment response. Automatic HFO detectors typically analyze the data offline using complex time-consuming algorithms, which limits their clinical application. Neuromorphic circuits offer the possibility of building compact and low-power processing systems that can analyze data on-line and in real time. In this review, we describe a fully automated detection pipeline for HFO that uses, for the first time, spiking neural networks and neuromorphic technology. We demonstrated that our HFO detection pipeline can be applied to recordings from different modalities (intracranial electroencephalography, electrocorticography, and scalp electroencephalography) and validated its operation in a custom-designed neuromorphic processor. Our HFO detection approach resulted in high accuracy and specificity in the prediction of seizure outcome in patients implanted with intracranial electroencephalography and electrocorticography, and in the prediction of epilepsy severity in patients recorded with scalp electroencephalography. Our research provides a further step toward the real-time detection of HFO using compact and low-power neuromorphic devices. The real-time detection of HFO in the operation room may improve the seizure outcome of epilepsy surgery, while the use of our neuromorphic processor for non-invasive therapy monitoring might allow for more effective medication strategies to achieve seizure control. Therefore, this work has the potential to improve the quality of life in patients with epilepsy by improving epilepsy diagnostics and treatment.
PubMed: 35720714
DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.861480 -
ACS Nano Dec 2021A key goal of bottom-up synthetic biology is to construct cell- and tissue-like structures. Underpinning cellular life is the ability to process several external...
A key goal of bottom-up synthetic biology is to construct cell- and tissue-like structures. Underpinning cellular life is the ability to process several external chemical signals, often in parallel. Until now, cell- and tissue-like structures have been constructed with no more than one signaling pathway. Many pathways rely on signal transport across membranes using protein nanopores. However, such systems currently suffer from the slow transport of molecules. We have optimized the application of these nanopores to permit fast molecular transport, which has allowed us to construct a processor for parallel chemical signals from the bottom up in a modular fashion. The processor comprises three aqueous droplet compartments connected by lipid bilayers and operates in an aqueous environment. It can receive two chemical signals from the external environment, process them orthogonally, and then produce a distinct output for each signal. It is suitable for both sensing and enzymatic processing of environmental signals, with fluorescence and molecular outputs. In the future, such processors could serve as smart drug delivery vehicles or as modules within synthetic tissues to control their behavior in response to external chemical signals.
Topics: Lipid Bilayers; Lipid Droplets; Nanopores; Proteins; Water
PubMed: 34788543
DOI: 10.1021/acsnano.1c08217 -
Contamination of live virus during tissue homogenizing by ultrasonic processor and tissue disperser.Biomedical and Environmental Sciences :... Apr 2012To quantitatively evaluate the contamination area and risk of a live pathogen during tissue homogenization by either ultrasonic processor or tissue disperser.
OBJECTIVE
To quantitatively evaluate the contamination area and risk of a live pathogen during tissue homogenization by either ultrasonic processor or tissue disperser.
METHODS
A recombinant Herpes Simplex Virus (rHSV) containing GFP gene was used as the index virus, and fresh liver tissue from healthy mice was used as simulated specimen. After 10% liver homogenate was mixed with rHSV (100 TCID50/0.1 mL) in a 5 mL tube, the stability of rHSV in liver homogenate and influences of an ultrasonic processor and a tissue disperser on viral infectivity were determined by GFP expressions in cell cultures. The contaminating areas of live viruses during homogenization were evaluated by a cell culture-based sedimentary. The contamination radii were counted by measurement of the distance between the operator and the farthest GFP positive well.
RESULTS
The infectivity of rHSV in 10% liver homogenate maintained almost unchanged after it was incubated at room temperature for 30 min. Treatment with an ultrasonic processor clearly dropped down the virus infectivity, while a disperser not. Obvious spills and slashes of live viruses were observed in processes of homogenization with those two apparatuses. The contamination radii are positively related with sample volume, output energy of operator and handling time.
CONCLUSION
Homogenizing infectious samples with an ultrasonic processor and a tissue disperser at commonly used conditions caused obvious spills and splashes of live viruses, which possesses high risk to induce Laboratory acquired infections (LAIs).
Topics: Simplexvirus; Ultrasonics; Virulence
PubMed: 22998823
DOI: 10.3967/0895-3988.2012.02.007