Changes In Functions Research Articles

Impact of humid climate on rheumatoid arthritis faecal microbiome and metabolites

Studies have shown that high humidity is a condition that aggravates the pain of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relevant mechanism is controversial. Currently, there is a lack of experimental animal studies on high humidity as an adverse factor related to the pathogenesis of RA. We used healthy SD rats and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) rats to investigate the effects of high humidity on arthritis. Integrated metabolomics analyses of faeces and 16S rRNA sequencing of the faecal microbiota were performed to comprehensively assess the diversity of the faecal microbiota and metabolites in healthy and CIA rats. In this study, high humidity aggravated arthritis in CIA rats, which manifested as articular cartilage lesions, increased arthritis scores, and an increase in proinflammatory cytokines. High humidity had a certain effect on the articular cartilage extent, arthritis score and proinflammatory cytokines of healthy rats as well. Furthermore, high humidity caused significant changes in faecal microbes and metabolites in both healthy and CIA rats. 16S rRNA sequencing of faecal samples showed that high humidity increased the amount of inflammation-related bacteria in healthy and CIA rats. Faecal metabolomics results showed that high humidity significantly altered the level of faecal metabolites in healthy rats and CIA rats, and the changes in biological functions were mainly related to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. Combined analysis showed that there was a strong correlation between the faecal microbiota and faecal metabolites. High humidity is an adverse factor for the onset and development of RA, and its mechanism is related to the inflammatory response and oxidative stress. However, the question of how high humidity impacts RA pathogenesis needs to be further investigated.

Simulated microgravity attenuates skin wound healing by inhibiting dermal fibroblast migration via F-actin/YAP signaling pathway.

Skin and its cell components continuously subject to extrinsic and intrinsic mechanical forces and are mechanical sensitive. Disturbed mechanical homeostasis may lead to changes in skin functions. Gravity is the integral mechanical force on the earth, however, how gravity contributes to the maintenance of skin function and how microgravity in space affects the wound healing are poorly understood. Here, using microgravity analogs, we show that simulated microgravity (SMG) inhibits the healing of cutaneous wound and the accumulation of dermal fibroblasts in the wound bed. In vitro, SMG inhibits the migration of human foreskin fibroblast cells (HFF-1), and decreases the F-actin polymerization and YAP (yes-associated protein) activity. The SMG-inhibited migration can be recovered by activating YAP or F-actin polymerization using lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) or jasplakinolide (Jasp), suggesting the involvement of F-actin/YAP signaling pathway in this process. In SMG rats, LPA treatment improves the cutaneous healing with increased dermal fibroblasts in the wound bed. Together, our results demonstrate that SMG attenuates the cutaneous wound healing by inhibiting dermal fibroblast migration, and propose the crucial role of F-actin/YAP mechano-transduction in the maintenance of skin homeostasis under normal gravity, and YAP as a possible therapeutic target for the skin care of astronauts in space.

Modulation of Methacrylated Hyaluronic Acid Hydrogels Enables Their Use as 3D Cultured Model.

Bioengineered hydrogels represent physiologically relevant platforms for cell behaviour studies in the tissue engineering and regenerative medicine fields, as well as in in vitro disease models. Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an ideal platform since it is a natural biocompatible polymer that is widely used to study cellular crosstalk, cell adhesion and cell proliferation, and is one of the major components of the extracellular matrix (ECM). We synthesised chemically modified HA with photo-crosslinkable methacrylated groups (HA-MA) in aqueous solutions and in strictly monitored pH and temperature conditions to obtain hydrogels with controlled bulk properties. The physical and chemical properties of the different HA-MA hydrogels were investigated via rheological studies, mechanical testing and scanning electron microscopy (SEM) imaging, which allowed us to determine the optimal biomechanical properties and develop a biocompatible scaffold. The morphological evolution processes and proliferation rates of glioblastoma cells (U251-MG) cultured on HA-MA surfaces were evaluated by comparing 2D structures with 3D structures, showing that the change in dimensionality impacted cell functions and interactions. The cell viability assays and evaluation of mitochondrial metabolism showed that the hydrogels did not interfere with cell survival. In addition, morphological studies provided evidence of cell-matrix interactions that promoted cell budding from the spheroids and the invasiveness in the surrounding environment.

Functional FDG-PET: Measurement of Task Related Neural Activity in Humans-A Compartment Model Approach and Comparison to fMRI.

Neuroimaging holds an essential position in global healthcare, as brain-related disorders are a substantial and growing burden. Non-degenerative disorders such as stress, depression and anxiety share common function related traits of diffuse and fluctuating changes, such as change in brain-based functions of mood, behavior and cognitive abilities, where underlying physiological mechanism remain unresolved. In this study we developed a novel application for studying intra-subject task-activated brain function by the quantitative physiological measurement of the change in glucose metabolism in a single scan setup. Data were acquired on a PET/MR-scanner. We implemented a functional [18F]-FDG PET-scan with double boli-tracer administration and finger-tapping activation, as proof-of-concept, in five healthy participants. The [18F]-FDG data were analyzed using a two-tissue compartment double boli kinetic model with an image-derived input function. For stand-alone visual reference, blood oxygenation level dependent (BOLD) functional MRI (fMRI) was acquired in the same session and analyzed separately. We were able to measure the cerebral glucose metabolic rate during baseline as well as activation. Results showed increased glucose metabolic rate during activation by 36.3-87.9% mean 62.0%, locally in the peak seed region of M1 in the brain, on an intra-subject level, as well as very good spatial accuracy on group level, and localization compared to the BOLD fMRI result at subject and group level. Our novel method successfully determined the relative increase in the cerebral metabolic rate of glucose on a voxel level with good visual association to fMRI at the subject-level, holding promise for future individual clinical application. This approach will be easily adapted in future clinical perspectives and pharmacological interventions studies.

Seasonal patterns of prolactin, prolactin receptor, and STAT5 expression in the ovaries of wild ground squirrels (Citellus dauricus Brandt).

Prolactin (PRL) is a hormone crucial for normal reproduction, functioning as an autocrine, paracrine, and endocrine factor. This study aimed to examine the immunolocalization and expression patterns of PRL, prolactin receptor (PRLR), and signal transducer and activator of transcription 5 (STAT5) in the ovaries of wild ground squirrels during both breeding and non-breeding periods. Significant seasonal variations were observed in ovarian weights, with higher values during the breeding season and relatively lower values during the nonbreeding season. PRL, PRLR, STAT5, and p-STAT5 were immunolocalized in granulosa cells and luteal cells during the breeding season, whereas they were exclusively found in granulosa cells during the non-breeding season. The mRNA expression levels of Prl, Prlr, and Stat5 were increased in ovarian tissues during the breeding season compared to the non-breeding season. Moreover, the mean mRNA levels of Prl, Prlr, and Stat5 exhibited a positive correlation with ovarian weights. Both circulating PRL and ovarian PRL concentrations were significantly elevated during the breeding season. Additionally, transcriptomic analysis of ovarian tissues revealed differentially expressed genes possibly associated with ovarian function and mammary gland development, including ovarian follicle development, steroid synthesis, and regulation of reproductive process. These findings suggest that PRL might play an essential endocrine, autocrine, or paracrine role in the regulation of seasonal changes in the ovarian functions in wild ground squirrels.

Town-planning tasks and principles of restoration of urbanized territories of the Luhansk region, destroyed as a result of hostilities

The war in Ukraine has led to large-scale destruction. The scale and nature of changes in the urban planning parameters of the Luhansk region under the influence of hostilities and the restoration of urbanized territories are studied. The purpose of the study is to determine the models and principles for the restoration of urban areas affected by hostilities. Theoretical and empirical methods of system and statistical analysis, analytical comparisons, urban planning analysis were used for the study. The paper considers the quantitative and qualitative nature of the impact of destruction and the socio-demographic and economic consequences caused by them on the change in the urban planning parameters of the Luhansk region. The information base consists of literary and archival sources, cartographic materials. The analysis of urban planning tasks for the restoration of urbanized territories destroyed as a result of hostilities is carried out. It is established that the war changed certain functions of the region. The task arises to determine how the change in functions affects the transformation of the territorial typology of the use of territories. The region is at the beginning of the phase transformation of the urban form. A methodology for assessing and making urban planning decisions is proposed. The urban planning tasks and directions for the restoration of the urbanized territories of the Lugansk region, destroyed as a result of hostilities, are analyzed. From the intermediate conclusions, it is advisable to single out that the region has significantly changed its functions. The military and special nature of the use of the territories will be a priority. So, the planning frame of the territory should undergo changes. It is necessary to revise and update general layouts, regional development schemes aimed at the advanced development of programs and projects that primarily ensure the structural growth of territories. The region will experience a labor shortage. So, recovery programs will face a shortage of builders. It is advisable to create and strengthen the departments of the chief architect of the city, expand the staff, to develop current and future tasks for the development of cities.

Reorganizing the Waterscape: Asymmetric Loss of Wetlands and Gain of Artificial Water Features in a Mixed-use Watershed

Between the 1780 and 1980s, more than half of the wetlands in the conterminous US were lost. As wetlands have been lost, numerous artificial water features (AWFs), such as stormwater retention ponds, golf course water features, and reservoirs, have been constructed. We contrasted the loss of wetland area and perimeter to the gain of AWF area and perimeter and further explored how this transformation has altered the spatial characteristics of the waterscape. We conducted this analysis in the Tampa Bay Watershed, a large coastal watershed that lost 33% of its wetland area between the 1950s-2007. Trends have been towards fewer, smaller wetlands and more, smaller AWFs. The loss of wetland area far exceeds the gain in AWF area, leading to an overall loss of 23% of the combined wetland and AWF area. However, the loss of wetland perimeter almost equals the gain in AWF perimeter, leading to an overall loss of just 2% of the combined wetland and AWF perimeter. The loss of wetlands and gain of AWFs have predominantly occurred in different geographic locations, with the loss of wetlands predominantly in the headwaters and the gain in AWFs predominantly adjacent to Tampa Bay. Wetlands became further apart, though generally retained their natural distribution, while AWFs became closer to one another and now mirror the more natural wetland distribution. Overall, the physical structure of the waterscape of today is different than in the past, which likely reflects a change in functions performed and related ecological services provided at local and landscape scales.

Darboux transformations of the modified BKP hierarchy by fermionic approach

The modified BKP (mBKP) hierarchy is an important integrable hierarchy related with BKP hierarchy. Darboux transformation is a powerful method to obtain various solutions of integrable systems. But for mBKP hierarchy, it is usually very difficult to construct the corresponding Darboux transformations, since it has a more complicated constraint on the Lax operator, compared with the BKP hierarchy. In this paper, we use the fermionic approach to obtain the explicit Darboux transformation operators of the mBKP hierarchy starting from the changes in tau functions. Also we investigate the relations among these new Darboux transformation operators. It is usually very difficult to convert the changes in tau functions to the ones in the Lax operator, while here we provide one successful example.

Machine learning techniques in diagnostics and prediction of the clinical features of schizophrenia: a narrative review.

Schizophrenia is a severe psychiatric disorder associated with a significant negative impact. Early diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia has a favorable effect on the clinical outcome and patients quality of life. In this context, machine learning techniques open up new opportunities for a more accurate diagnosis and prediction of the clinical features of this illness. This literature review is aimed to search for information on the use of machine learning techniques in the prediction and diagnosis of schizophrenia and the determination of its clinical features. The Google Scholar, PubMed, and eLIBRARY.ru databases were used to search for relevant data. The review included articles that had been published not earlier than January 1, 2010, and not later than March 31, 2023. Combinations of the following keywords were applied for search queries: machine learning, deep learning, schizophrenia, neural network, predictors, artificial intelligence, diagnostics, suicide, depressive, insomnia, and cognitive. Original articles regardless of their design were included in the review. Descriptive analysis was used to summarize the retrieved data. Machine learning techniques are widely used in the functional assessment of patients with schizophrenia. They are used for interpretation of MRI, EEG, and actigraphy findings. Also, models created using machine learning algorithms can analyze speech, behavior, and the creativity of people and these data can be used for the diagnosis of psychiatric disorders. It has been found that different machine learning-based models can help specialists predict and diagnose schizophrenia based on medical history and genetic data, as well as epigenetic information. Machine learning techniques can also be used to build effective models that can help specialists diagnose and predict clinical manifestations and complications of schizophrenia, such as insomnia, depressive symptoms, suicide risk, aggressive behavior, and changes in cognitive functions over time. Machine learning techniques play an important role in psychiatry, as they have been used in models that help specialists in the diagnosis of schizophrenia and determination of its clinical features. The use of machine learning algorithms is one of the most promising direction in psychiatry, and it can significantly improve the effectiveness of the diagnosis and treatment of schizophrenia.

Biocrusts Indicators of Livestock Grazing Effects on Soil Stability in Sagebrush Steppe: A Case Study from a Long-Term Experiment in the Northern Great Basin

Biocrusts are sensitive to changes in livestock grazing intensity in arid rangelands and may be useful indicators of ecosystem functions, particularly soil properties like soil stability, which may suggest the potential for soil erosion. We compared biocrust community composition and surface soil stability in a big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata) steppe rangeland in the northwestern Great Basin in several paired sites, with or without long-term cattle grazing exclusion, and similar soils (mostly sandy loams), climate, and vegetation composition. We found that livestock grazing was associated with both lower surface soil stability and cover of several biocrust morphogroups, especially lichens, compared with sites with long-term livestock exclusion. Surface soil stability did not modify the effects of grazing on most biocrust components via interactive effects. Livestock grazing effects on total biocrust cover were partially mediated by changes in surface soil stability. Though lichens were more sensitive to grazing disturbance, our results suggest that moss (mostly Tortula ruralis in this site) might be a more readily observable indicator of grazing-related soil stability change in this area due to their relatively higher abundance compared with lichens (moss: mean, 8.5% cover, maximum, 96.1%, lichens: mean, 1.0% cover, maximum, 14.1%). These results highlight the potential for biocrust components as sensitive indicators of change in soil-related ecosystem functions in sagebrush steppe rangelands. However, further research is needed to identify relevant indicator groups across the wide range of biocrust community composition associated with site environmental characteristics, variable grazing systems, other rangeland health metrics, and other disturbance types such as wildfire.

Oral risdiplam for specific therapy in adult patients with 5q spinal muscular atrophy in the Moscow region

5q spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a rare autosomal recessive neuromuscular disease characterized by gradual loss of motor neurons with progressive muscle weakness and atrophy. A specific therapy has changed the prognosis for such patients, prevented worsening disability, and improved the quality of life. Here are presented follow-up data for 13 patients with SMA aged 1942 years receiving oral therapy for 20212023. Changes in motor functions were assessed using a Revised Upper Limb Module (RULM) every 6 months. According to the follow-up data for risdiplam use in adult patients with SMA in the Moscow region, condition can be stabilized and motor functions can be improved even in patients with a severe neurological deficit at advanced disease stages.

Lactobacillus intestinalis/Lactobacillus rhamnosus protects against AFB1-induced liver damage: involvement of intestinal mucosal barrier

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a widely spread mycotoxin that poses a threat to the healthy to human and animals. The liver is the main target organ for AFB1-induced damage, primarily causing inflammatory injury and oxidative stress. When AFB1 enters the body, it can damage the intestinal barrier function, and its metabolites are transported to the liver. Therefore, the damage to the liver is closely associated with intestinal barrier impairment. Lactobacillus plays a crucial role in mitigating liver damage by improving the intestinal barrier function. In our previous report, we reported that Lactobacillus reduces liver damage caused by AFB1. However, it is still unclear how the intestinal barrier contributes to the protective effects of Lactobacillus against AFB1. To investigate the protective effects and intestinal barrier mechanisms of Lactobacillus intestinals /rhamnosus against AFB1-induced liver damage, we orally administered AFB1 and Lactobacillus intestinals/rhamnosus to male SD rats. Then the body weight, organ index, histopathological changes in the liver and gut, liver and kidney function indicators, intestinal mucosal barrier indicators, serum AFB1 content and inflammatory factors, liver oxidative stress index, and short-chain fatty acids content were analyzed. Our findings demonstrate that exposure to AFB1 resulted in changes in liver histopathology and biochemical functions, altered inflammatory response and oxidative stress, compromised the intestinal mucosal barrier, and induced the accumulation of inflammatory factor and inflammation in the liver. However, supplementation with Lactobacillus intestinals or Lactobacillus rhamnosus significantly prevented AFB1-induced liver injury, alleviated histopathological changes and hepatic injury by the maintenance of intestinal mucosal barrier integrity.

Soil nutrient management influences diversity, community association and functional structure of rhizosphere bacteriome under vegetable crop production.

Rhizosphere bacterial communities play a crucial role in promoting plant and soil ecosystem health and productivity. They also have great potential as key indicators of soil health in agroecosystems. Various environmental factors affect soil parameters, which have been demonstrated to influence soil microbial growth and activities. Thus, this study investigated how rhizosphere bacterial community structure and functions are affected by agronomic practices such as organic and conventional fertiliser application and plant species types. Rhizosphere soil of vegetable crops cultivated under organic and conventional fertilisers in different farms was analysed using high-throughput sequencing of the 16S rRNA gene and co-occurrence network pattern among bacterial species. The functional structure was analysed with PICRUSt2 pipeline. Overall, rhizosphere bacterial communities varied in response to fertiliser type, with soil physicochemical parameters, including NH4, PO4, pH and moisture content largely driving the variations across the farms. Organic farms had a higher diversity richness and more unique amplicon sequence variants than conventional farms. Bacterial community structure in multivariate space was highly differentiated across the farms and between organic and conventional farms. Co-occurrence network patterns showed community segmentation for both farms, with keystone taxa more prevalent in organic than conventional farms. Module hub composition and identity varied, signifying differences in keystone taxa across the farms and positive correlations between changes in microbial composition and ecosystem functions. The organic farms comprised functionally versatile communities characterised by plant growth-promoting keystone genera, such as Agromyces, Bacillus and Nocardioides. The results revealed that organic fertilisers support high functional diversity and stronger interactions within the rhizosphere bacterial community. This study provided useful information about the overall changes in soil microbial dynamics and how the changes influence ecosystem functioning under different soil nutrient management and agronomic practices.

BFGF-like Activity Supported Tissue Regeneration, Modulated Neuroinflammation, and Rebalanced Ca2+ Homeostasis following Spinal Cord Injury.

A spinal cord injury (SCI) is a well-defined debilitating traumatic event to the spinal cord that usually triggers permanent changes in motor, sensory, and autonomic functions. Injured tissue becomes susceptible to secondary mechanisms caused by SCIs, which include pro-inflammatory cytokine release, the activation of astrocytes and microglia, and increased neuronal sensibility. As a consequence, the production of factors such as GFAP, IBA-1, TNF-α, IL-1β, IFN-γ, and S100-β slow down or inhibit central nervous system (CNS) regeneration. In this regard, a thorough understanding of the mechanisms regulating the CNS, and specifically SCI, is essential for the development of new therapeutic strategies. It has been demonstrated that basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) was successful in the modulation of neurotrophic activity, also promoting neurite survival and tissue repair, thus resulting in the valuable care of CNS disorders. However, bFGF therapeutic use is limited due to the undesirable effects developed following its administration. Therefore, the synthetic compound mimetic of bFGF, SUN11602 (with chemical name 4-[[4-[[2-[(4-Amino-2,3,5,6-tetramethylphenyl)amino]acetyl]methylamino]-1-piperidinyl]methyl]benzamide), has been reported to show neuroprotective activities similar to those of bFGF, also demonstrating a good pharmacokinetic profile. Here, we aimed to investigate the neuroprotective activity of this bFGF-like compound in modulating tissue regeneration, neuroinflammation, and Ca2+ overload by using a subacute mouse model of SCI. SUN11602 (1, 2.5, and 5 mg/kg) was administered orally to mice for 72 h daily following the in vivo model of SCI, which was generated by the extradural compression of the spinal cord. The data obtained demonstrated that SUN11602 treatment considerably decreased motor alteration and diminished the neuroinflammatory state through the regulation of glial activation, the NF-κB pathway, and kinases. Additionally, by controlling Ca2+-binding proteins and restoring neurotrophin expression, we showed that SUN11602 therapy restored the equilibrium of the neuronal circuit. Because of these findings, bFGF-like compounds may be an effective tool for reducing inflammation in SCI patients while enhancing their quality of life.

Modulation of TRPM8 alters the phagocytic activity of microglia and induces changes in sub-cellular organelle functions

In this work, we investigated the presence and function of TRPM8, a non-selective and cold-sensitive Ca2+-permeable ion channel in the primary microglia cell as well as in microglia cell line BV2. We demonstrate that primary microglia as well as BV2 express TRPM8 endogenously. Both pharmacological activation or inhibition of TRPM8 causes enhanced uptake of bacterial particles at early time points of infection. In BV2, TRPM8 activation and/or LPS-signaling alters its surface expression and cytosolic ROS production. TRPM8 modulation in the absence and presence of LPS causes differential regulation of cytosolic pH and lysosomal pH. Notably, TRPM8 modulation also alters the correlation between lysosomal pH and cytosolic pH depending on TRPM8 modulation and the presence or absence of LPS. Collectively our data suggest that TRPM8 is involved in the regulation of subcellular organelle, i.e. mitochondrial and lysosomal functions. Data also suggest that primarily TRPM8 activation, but often deviation from endogenous TRPM8 function is linked with better innate immune function mediated by microglial cells. We suggest that TRPM8-mediated regulations of sub-cellular organelle functions are more context-dependent manner. Such understanding is relevant in the context of microglial cell functions and innate immunity.

Novel HDAC inhibitors provide neuroprotection in MPTP-induced Parkinson's disease model of rats

Parkinson's Disease (PD) is the most rapidly growing neurological disorder globally in terms of disability and mortality. While symptomatic treatment is available for PD, there is a critical unmet need for effective disease-modifying therapies. Recently, histone deacetylase inhibitors (HDACi), an important class of epigenetic modulators grabbed significant attention as drug targets for neurodegenerative diseases including PD. In this regard, novel pan-HDACi, cinnamyl sulphonamide hydroxamate derivatives (NMJ-2 and NMJ-3), synthesized and characterized in our laboratory, were screened for neuroprotective effects in the 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) rat model of PD. Twenty-four hours after the bilateral intranigral injection of MPTP, rats were administered orally with NMJ-2 or NMJ-3 (150 mg/kg) daily for 30 days. MPTP administration resulted in a marked rise in lipid peroxidation, and interleukin-1β concentration accompanied by reduced tyrosine hydroxylase and dopamine levels in the striatum compared to the sham group. These biochemical changes were associated with functional motor and non-motor deficits as revealed by loss of motor coordination (rota rod test), impaired grip strength (beam walk test), enhanced rigidity (catalepsy scores), loss of memory (novel object recognition test) and depressive-like behaviour (forced swim test). However, oral treatment with NMJ-2 or NMJ-3, or valproic acid for 30 days significantly attenuated the PD-induced adverse changes in motor and non-motor functions by ameliorating the oxidative stress as well as inflammation, and restoring the dopamine levels in the striatum comparable to the valproic acid group. These results suggest that targeting HDACi could be a rational therapeutic strategy for the development of disease-modifying therapies for PD.

Peatland restoration increases water storage and attenuates downstream stormflow but does not guarantee an immediate reversal of long-term ecohydrological degradation

Peatland restoration is experiencing a global upsurge as a tool to protect and provide various ecosystem services. As the range of peatland types being restored diversifies, do previous findings present overly optimistic restoration expectations? In an eroding and restored upland peatland we assessed short-term (0–4 year) effects of restoration on ecohydrological functions. Restoration significantly reduced discharge from the site, transforming peat pans into pools. These retained surface water over half the time and were deeper during wet periods than before. In the surrounding haggs water tables stabilised, as drawdown during dry conditions reduced, increasing the saturated peat thickness. Despite these changes, there were no effects on photosynthesis, ecosystem respiration or dissolved organic carbon loads leaving the site. Soil respiration did not decrease as water tables rose, but methane emissions were higher from rewet pools. Restoration has had a dramatic effect on hydrology, however, consequent changes in other ecosystem functions were not measured in the 4 years after restoration. Whilst restoration is crucial in halting the expansion of degraded peatland areas, it is vital that practitioners and policymakers advocating for restoration are realistic about the expected outcomes and timescales over which these outcomes may manifest.

Change and Transformation of Functions in Turkey’s Felt Objects

This study analyses felt and the practice of felting from the geography of Turkey, as a way to explore felt’s function in material culture. Felting is a method of craft making that consists of compressing fibres (wool or other). Felt, (in Turkish “keçe”) can be defined as the outcome product of felting process. However, keçe represents more than just a cloth or a textile. It was an important part of daily life in the geography of Turkey, for instance among nomads who produced their daily necessities from felt. For the study, first, I introduce some felt products from Turkey. Afterwards, I share the processes and results of a field study, through observations and interviews conducted with feltmakers in Tire region in Turkey. Then I share an analysis and results from the product research and field study. Nowadays felt is found through another range of accessories and artistic works, such as decorational products, hair bands, slippers, vase, tumbler, hats. While felt was commonly used for important functions such as carrying, moving; today, other materials are used for these functions. Therefore, felt objects can be perceived and bought as accessories rather than necessities in modern culture. Nevertheless, felt is still used for the representation of identities. Although felt is considered to have lost its value, for the context of Turkey, I argue that the functions have shifted to new contexts. Through different functionalities such as being tools for self-expressions/communication, felt has a similar value in the current culture.

Effect of reindeer pituitary peptide extract on cognitive functions in rats with changes light regime

BACKGROUND: Disruption of circadian rhythms can cause significant damage to sensory processing, learning, and memory. At the same time, the structure of the endogenous biological clock contributes to the adaptation of the organism to changes in the conditions for the existence of a biosystem in the external environment. The possibility of synchronization of the endogenous rhythms of the organism with disturbed light periodicity is an urgent problem of modern society, where different rhythms of labor, motor, cognitive activity are used.
 AIM: To study the effect of peptides from the pituitary gland of the Reindeer on the parameters of cognitive functions in rats with a long-term change in the light regime on models with altered cellular oscillation due to oxidative stress caused by poisoning of animals with sodium thiopental in a half-lethal dose.
 MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted on 56 white Wistar male rats after acute poisoning with sodium thiopental at a dose of 85 mg/kg under conditions of light desynchronosis. In the passive avoidance conditioned reflex test, the cognitive functions of animals were assessed after a two-week pharmacological correction with a cellular extract of the pituitary gland of the Reindeer at a dose of 100 mg/kg.
 RESULTS: The peptide extract of the pituitary gland of the Reindeer contributes to the change in the higher integrative functions of the central nervous system in case of disturbed periodicity of the light signal. The results obtained indicate the chronobiotic activity of the peptide extract of the pituitary gland of the Reindeer at a dose of 100 g/kg when administered intranasally.
 CONCLUSIONS: The light regime change for 1 month under conditions of altered cellular oscillation led to impaired of the higher integrative functions of the central nervous system in rats, which was accompanied by an increase in the rate of reflex extinction and a disturbance of the processes of memory consolidation; under conditions of constant light, these disorders are more pronounced. The result of the pharmacological correction of these changes with the reindeer pituitary peptide extract was an improvement in the processes of memory consolidation and information reproduction (an increase in the number of trained animals with a change in the light regime).

Tai Chi for the prophylaxis of episodic migraine: protocol of a non-inferiority randomized controlled trial with mechanism exploration

BackgroundMigraine is a complex neurovascular disorder with considerable clinical, social and economic issues. Tai chi has the potential to be an alternative prophylactic treatment for migraine with high safety since the adverse effects and limited efficacy of available medications.AimsThe proposed study aims to compare the prophylaxis efficacy of 24-week Tai Chi training on migraine attacks with the standard prophylactic medication; and to explore the mechanism of Tai Chi in preventing migraine attacks by analyzing the associations between changes of migraine attacks and changes of neurovascular functions and inflammatory makers.MethodThis is a two-arm parallel non-inferiority randomized controlled trial. In total 220 Hong Kong Chinese women aged 18–65 years with diagnosis of episodic migraine will be recruited and randomized to either the Tai Chi training group or the standard prophylactic medication group with 1:1 ratio, and receive the 24 weeks of modified 33-short form Yang-style Tai Chi training and the standard prophylactic medications, respectively. A 24-week follow-up will be implemented for both groups. For efficacy examination, the primary outcome was the frequency of migraine attacks measured by the migraine diary; and for the mechanism exploration, the primary outcome was the volume and number of white matter hyperintensity (WMH) measured by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). The measurements will be conducted at the baseline, 24th weeks, and 48th weeks. Linear mixed model will be adopted to comprehensively analyze the changes of variables within and between groups.DiscussionGiven the importance of reducing disease burden and financial cost of migraine attacks, the findings of this study will provide new insights regarding the role of Tai Chi in alleviating migraine burden and further shed light on the mechanism action of Tai Chi on preventing headache attacks.Trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov NCT05690737. Registered on January 28, 2023.