Development Of Immune System Research Articles

ОТДАЛЕННЫЕ ПОСЛЕДСТВИЯ ПРЕНАТАЛЬНОГО СТРЕССА И ПОДХОДЫ К КОРРЕКЦИИ НАРУШЕНИЙ В РАННЕМ РАЗВИТИИ

This work published and original data about the effects of various stressful stimuli on neuroendocrine and immune system development in animals and humans, with particular focus on effects of maternal infection, inducing inflammation, on developing fetus. Inflammatory processes may modify physiological levels of regulatory factors and hence disrupt developmental mechanisms. The central nervous system is particularly affected by inflammatory products during critical periods of ontogenesis. It leads in prospect to an increase of risk of different psychoneurological diseases, such as autism, Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, schizophrenia and depression, in the offspring. Inflammation-induced disorders of reproductive axis can lead to suppressed reproductive ability and infertility. Epigenetic mechanisms of development are highly sensitive to various regulatory factors, that opens up opportunities for disorder correction. Attempts to prevent the after-effects of prenatal inflammation are made over recent years. The approaches aimed at timely detection and correction of the perinatal disorders open a prospect of health maintenance in adult offspring.

Maternal immune activation mediated prenatal chronic stress induces Th17/Treg cell imbalance may relate to the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway in offspring rats

Maternal immune activation (MIA), defined as elevated levels of inflammatory markers beyond the normal range, can occur due to psychological stress, infection, and other disruptions during pregnancy. MIA affects the immune system development in offspring and increases the risk of immune-related disorders. Limited studies have investigated the effects of prenatal stress on offspring's immune system. In this study, pregnant rats were exposed to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) during pregnancy, involving seven different stressors. We examined the impact of prenatal stress stimuli on the offspring's immune system and observed activation of the PI3K/Akt/NF-κB signaling pathway, resulting in an imbalance of Th17/Treg cells in the offspring's spleen. Our findings revealed increased plasma levels of corticosterone, IL-1β, and IL-6 in female rats exposed to prenatal stress, as well as elevated serum levels of IL-6 and TNF-α in the offspring. Furthermore, we identified a correlation between cytokine levels in female rats and their offspring. Transcriptome sequencing and qPCR experiments indicated differentially expressed mRNAs in offspring exposed to prenatal stress, which may contribute to the imbalance of Th17/Treg cells through the activation of the Gng3-related PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway.

Features of the functioning of the natural defense mechanisms of piglets under the influence of immunotropic substances

The number of studies related to detailed characteristics of immune system development in early stages of ontogenesis are directed to expansion of concepts of mechanisms of inherent and adaptive immunity in premature newborns. However, discrepancy in publication data and absence of clear conceptions about unique features of immune system in newborn piglets for different gestation periods have significant actuality for further investigation. The study was carried out to establish characteristics of phenotypic and functional characteristics of the immune cells and establishment of adaptive immunity in piglets. The antibody repertoire of sow has interested immunologists for decades, in part because of the ease with which large quantities of high affinity antibodies can be observed in serum, and into other fluids because of the presence of genetic variants for both light and heavy chain of all known immunoglobulin types. The integrative analysis of the cellular and humoral immunity in piglets during early ontogenesis carried out to clarify the exact mechanisms of the immune response modulation. Effectiveness and selectivity of the immunotropic chemicals application to regulate immune cell populations in piglets is presented. The progress in immune cell populations is regulated by the various cytokines production in the universal concentration-dependent manner. Furthermore, the development of the immune functions cross reacts with innate immunity mechanisms including anti-bacterial enzymes, epithelial barrier integrity in the both skin and intestine. The interaction between multiple components of innate immunity is a critic initiator of the dynamic changes in adaptive immunity. The natural resistance targets to the establishment of infection root and delays disease progression. The duration of the exposure to colostrum in important role in the dynamics of immune response as well as its efficacy. The chapter discusses the plural mechanisms so far proposed to be responsible for the modulation natural resistance.

Microbial underdogs: exploring the significance of low-abundance commensals in host-microbe interactions.

Our understanding of host-microbe interactions has broadened through numerous studies over the past decades. However, most investigations primarily focus on the dominant members within ecosystems while neglecting low-abundance microorganisms. Moreover, laboratory animals usually do not have microorganisms beyond bacteria. The phenotypes observed in laboratory animals, including the immune system, have displayed notable discrepancies when compared to real-world observations due to the diverse microbial community in natural environments. Interestingly, recent studies have unveiled the beneficial roles played by low-abundance microorganisms. Despite their rarity, these keystone taxa play a pivotal role in shaping the microbial composition and fulfilling specific functions in the host. Consequently, understanding low-abundance microorganisms has become imperative to unravel true commensalism. In this review, we provide a comprehensive overview of important findings on how low-abundance commensal microorganisms, including low-abundance bacteria, fungi, archaea, and protozoa, interact with the host and contribute to host phenotypes, with emphasis on the immune system. Indeed, low-abundance microorganisms play vital roles in the development of the host's immune system, influence disease status, and play a key role in shaping microbial communities in specific niches. Understanding the roles of low-abundance microbes is important and will lead to a better understanding of the true host-microbe relationships.

Antenatal corticosteroid treatment and infectious diseases in children: a nationwide observational study.

Antenatal Corticosteroid Treatment (ACT) improves the outcome of preterm infants, but may influence immune system development and risk of immune-related diseases. We investigated whether ACT is associated with infectious diseases in children born at term (≥37 gestational weeks), and very-to-moderate (<34 gestational weeks), and late (34-36 completed gestational weeks) preterm. All singleton live births in Finland between 01/01/2006 and 31/12/2021, were followed-up until 31/12/2021. Exposure was maternal ACT. Primary outcomes were numbers of inpatient treatment days, episodes, and specialized care outpatient visits with any infectious disease diagnoses between ages 0 and 4 years. We considered mother- and child-related covariates, and conducted term-born co-sibling comparisons. Data comprised 855,234 children. Of the 20,858 (2.4%) treatment-exposed children, 5981 (28.2%) were very-to-moderate preterm-born, 5809 (27.9%) late preterm-born, and 9069 (43.5%) term-born. Of the 271,767 term-born co-sibling pairs, 5010 (1.8%) were treatment-exposure-discordant, and 266,522 (98.1%) nonexposure-concordant. Among the term- and late preterm-born, treatment-exposed children had more inpatient treatment days than nonexposed children (term: 0.87 vs. 0.56 day/y, adjusted mean difference [aMD] 0.19, 95% CI 0.17-0.28; late preterm: 1.35 vs. 1.00 days/y, aMD 0.31,0.13-0.31), more inpatient treatment episodes (term: 0.43 vs. 0.33 episodes/y, aMD 0.06, 0.06-0.11; late preterm: 0.55 vs. 0.48 episodes/y, aMD 0.12, 0.06-0.18), and specialized care treatment visits (term: 1.46 vs. 0.95 visits/y, aMD 0.38; 0.34-0.43; late preterm: 1.63 vs. 1.28 visits/y, aMD 0.22, 0.12-0.32). Treatment-exposed and nonexposed very-to-moderate preterm-born children were similar in these outcomes, though they had less inpatient treatment days and episodes at 3-4 years. Differences remained in term-born co-sibling comparisons. These findings reinforce previous suggestions for careful consideration of risks and benefits of ACT. Academy of Finland, HiLIFE Fellows-Programme.

Clinical Experience of Thymic Regeneration with Thymus Extracts, Thymic Peptides and Stem Cells in General Medicine, Oncology and Anti-Aging Medicine: A Review

Thymus plays a crucial role in immune system development and T-cell maturation. With aging, thymus activity declines, which leads to a weakened immune system and an increased risk of infections and cancer

Вплив перенесених паразитарних інфекцій під час вагітності на імунну систему плода (огляд літератури)

Transmission of infections during pregnancy is known to alter the development and functioning of the fetus immune system, resulting in an inadequate immune response to common childhood infections and immunizations. Although it is a developing and actively researched topic, maternal parasitic infections remain poorly understood. Millions of women of reproductive age are currently at risk of parasite infection, while many pregnant, chronically infected women are excluded from mass drug administration due in part to a lack of resources, as well as fear of unknown adverse fetal outcomes. infection, there is no clear mechanism for understanding how maternal infection reprograms offspring immunity. Purpose - to determine the currently studied mechanisms of the influence of parasitic infections transmitted during pregnancy on the immune system of the fetus and to describe the possible effects of these influence in the long term on the health of children. Conclusions. The study of maternal parasitic infections is a rapidly developing field. Although infant mortality rates are declining, areas with endemic parasites still have the highest infant mortality rates. As antiparasitic therapy is not always curable, there is a critical need to understand the effects of maternal infection on offspring immune development. Due to the increased risk of immune alteration due to maternal inflammation and reduced passive antibody transmission, maternal parasitic infections and their mechanism of adverse immunomodulation must be uncovered to improve vaccination regimens and reduce childhood morbidity in endemic regions. No conflict of interests was declared by the author.

Perinatal exposure to the immune-suppressant di-n-octyltin dichloride affects brain development in rats

Disruption of the immune system during embryonic brain development by environmental chemicals was proposed as a possible cause of neurodevelopmental disorders. We previously found adverse effects of di-n-octyltin dichloride (DOTC) on maternal and developing immune systems of rats in an extended one-generation reproductive toxicity study according to the OECD 443 test guideline. We hypothesize that the DOTC-induced changes in the immune system can affect neurodevelopment. Therefore, we used in-vivo MRI and PET imaging and genomics, in addition to behavioral testing and neuropathology as proposed in OECD test guideline 443, to investigate the effect of DOTC on structural and functional brain development. Male rats were exposed to DOTC (0, 3, 10, or 30 mg/kg of diet) from 2 weeks prior to mating of the F0-generation until sacrifice of F1-animals. The brains of rats, exposed to DOTC showed a transiently enlarged volume of specific brain regions (MRI), altered specific gravity, and transient hyper-metabolism ([18F]FDG PET). The alterations in brain development concurred with hyper-responsiveness in auditory startle response and slight hyperactivity in young adult animals. Genomics identified altered transcription of key regulators involved in neurodevelopment and neural function (e.g. Nrgrn, Shank3, Igf1r, Cck, Apba2, Foxp2); and regulators involved in cell size, cell proliferation, and organ development, especially immune system development and functioning (e.g. LOC679869, Itga11, Arhgap5, Cd47, Dlg1, Gas6, Cml5, Mef2c). The results suggest the involvement of immunotoxicity in the impairment of the nervous system by DOTC and support the hypothesis of a close connection between the immune and nervous systems in brain development.

PSIV-1 Effects of Poor Maternal Nutrition During Gestation on F0 and F1 Ewe Colostrum and Milk Composition and Colostrum Igg

Abstract High-quality colostrum and milk are critical for proper neonatal growth and immune system development. Immunoglobulin G (IgG) is the predominant antibody class in colostrum and is vital for passive immune transfer in sheep. There is limited understanding of how poor maternal nutrition during gestation (restricted- and over-feeding) might influence colostrum and milk composition and colostrum IgG concentrations and how F1 offspring colostrum and milk are impacted as a result of F0 maternal diet. The objective of this experiment was to determine if poor maternal nutrition during gestation impacts F0 and F1 colostrum and milk composition, including IgG concentrations. We hypothesized that maternal restricted-feeding would decrease, and maternal over-feeding would increase total solids, fat, and protein during early and transitional lactation and that restricted-feeding would increase IgG concentrations and over-feeding would decrease IgG concentrations in F0 and F1 ewe colostrum. Multiparous Dorset ewes pregnant (n = 46) with twins were fed 100% (control; n = 13), 60% (restricted; n = 17) or 140% (over; n = 16) of National Research Council (NRC) requirements. After birth and during lactation, dams were fed 100% NRC for lactating ewes, so the nutritional insult only occurred during gestation. Resulting ewe offspring (n = 32) were raised on control diets and were bred between 16 and 19 mo of age. Colostrum samples were collected within 24 h of parturition and milk samples were collected at d 3 and d 21 postpartum. Colostrum and milk composition were evaluated using Brix Refractometry (total solids, g/dL) and spectrophotometry (crude fat, %; crude protein, %). Additionally, a radial immunodiffusion assay was used to determine IgG concentrations (mg/dL) in colostrum. A treatment by time interaction was observed for F0 colostrum crude fat where restricted-fed ewes had less fat than control-fed ewes (P ≤ 0.024). No interaction was detected for all other F0 and F1 composition variables (P ≥ 0.16). We did not detect a main effect of diet on F0 or F1 total solids, crude fat, and crude protein of colostrum nor milk (P ≥ 0.24). A main effect of time was observed for all variables where colostrum had greater total solids, crude fat, and crude protein compared with milk at d 3 and d 21 (P ≤ 0.0001). No effect of maternal diet on IgG concentrations were detected in F0 or F1 ewe colostrum (P ≥ 0.46). These data indicate that poor maternal diet has minimal effects on F0 and F1 ewe colostrum composition and IgG concentrations, and d 3 and d 21 milk composition. In addition, the impact of F0 diet on colostrum fat composition did not persist into the F1 generation.

Progressive Gut Microbiome Dysbiosis Is Associated with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Pathogenesis and Development in the Eµ-TCL1 Mouse Model

Introduction: The gut microbiome is home to a community of microorganisms such as bacteria, fungi, viruses, archaea, and protozoa. Maintaining a balance between “favorable” and “unfavorable” bacteria within the gut microbiome is essential for homeostatic physiological processes including proper immune system development, regulation of metabolic pathways, protection against pathogens, and gut epithelium integrity. Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is a mature B-cell malignancy characterized by the accumulation of CD5 + B-cells in the blood, bone marrow, and secondary lymphoid tissues. The pathogenesis of CLL is related to the activation of critical survival pathways such as B-cell and toll-like receptor signaling pathways, where microbial antigens are known to be key stimulators driving CLL B-cell proliferation. In this study, we investigated how the gut microbiota composition contributes and correlates to CLL disease progression. Methods: Using a well-established murine model representative of CLL development in humans, we profiled the gut microbiota of transgenic Eµ-TCL1 mice and age-matched wild-type B6 (WT B6) mice over the course of 12 months (n = 7-10/group). Fecal pellets were collected aseptically from study mice at four time points (4, 7, 10, and 12 months) for DNA extraction using the QIAamp® PowerFecal® Pro DNA Kit. To characterize the gut microflora, we utilized 16S rRNA sequencing using the Illumina 16S metagenomics protocol. Bacterial taxonomy was assigned and analyzed using the QIIME2™ platform. Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) Effect Size (LEfSe) analysis was employed to identify differentially expressed bacterial taxa between cohorts. Beta diversity indices were used to evaluate intersample differences in the fecal microbiota. Mice were monitored for peripheral expansion of leukemia cells (%CD45 +/CD19 +/CD5 + cells) via flow cytometry. Next, we evaluated the microbiome in an aggressive model of CLL. Utilizing the Eµ-TCL1 adoptive transfer murine model, similar methods were adopted to profile the gut microbiome over the course of 7 weeks. Lastly, to evaluate the contribution of the gut microbiota to CLL development, we employed an antibiotic-mediated gut microflora ablation to the adoptive transfer Eµ-TCL1 model, with leukemia expansion monitored post-engraftment on a weekly basis. Results: A unique microbiome signature was identified in both the indolent and aggressive model of CLL. Evaluation of beta diversity, using Bray-Curtis distance metrics, confirmed distinct differences in the gut microbial communities between Eµ-TCL1 and WT B6 cohorts. At the phylum level, the gut microbiota of the Eµ-TCL1 and WT B6 cohorts were similarly dominated by Firmicutes and Bacteroidota. However, Proteobacteria Deferribacterota and Desulfobacterota were more abundant in the Eµ-TCL1 mice over 12 months as compared to age-matched WT B6. Abundance of Actinobacteriota increased specifically at 12 months in the Eµ-TCL1 mice. Additionally, LEfSe analysis showed enrichment of certain phyla in the Eµ-TCL1 mice at 4 months, 10 months, and 12 months. Presence of these bacteria paralleled with expansion of disease. In the aggressive model of CLL, beta diversity confirmed distinct differences in gut microbial communities as CLL disease progressed. Moreover, certain phyla were enriched in leukemic mice at 7 weeks post-engraftment including Proteobacteria and Actinobacteriota. Lastly, in the antibiotic-mediated gut flora ablation model, a delay of disease onset was reflected in mice with ablated gut microbiomes compared to mice with intact gut microbiomes, resulting in prolonged overall survival. Conclusion: We provide novel results associating the gut microbiome with the initiation and progression of CLL disease. In both the indolent and aggressive CLL disease models, we showed that there is a distinct gut microbiome as evident by beta diversity. A dysbiotic signature represented by increasing Proteobacteria abundance was similarly identified in both models. Proteobacteria are known to be evident in diseases characterized by inflammation. These findings support future studies to determine a potential causal mechanism between gut microbiota changes and CLL pathogenesis.

The re-emerging role of linoleic acid in paediatric asthma.

Asthma is the most common chronic disease within the paediatric population. Although it is multifactorial, its onset may be linked to early-life exposures with subsequent impact on immune system development. Microbial and dietary metabolic products have been implicated in the development and exacerbation of paediatric asthma. Linoleic acid is the most common omega-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid in the Western diet. In this review, we summarise the literature regarding the involvement of linoleic acid in the development of and its impact on existing paediatric asthma. First, we summarise the existing knowledge surrounding the relationship between human microbial metabolism and allergic diseases in children. Next, we examine cellular or animal model-based mechanistic studies that investigated the impact of dietary- and microbial-derived linoleic acid metabolites on asthma. Finally, we review the literature investigating the impact of linoleic acid metabolites on the development and exacerbation of childhood asthma. While there is conflicting evidence, there is growing support for a role of linoleic acid in the onset and pathophysiology of asthma. We recommend that additional cellular, animal, and longitudinal studies are performed that target linoleic acid and its metabolites.

290 Vitamin A and Beta-Carotene Supplementation on Growth Performance, Immune System, and Mammary Gland Development in Finishing Pigs

Abstract A total of 224 finishing pigs were randomly assigned to split-sex pens (n = 4 pigs per pen). Each pen was assigned to one of four diets: control (7,656 IU vitamin A/kg), control diet supplemented with vitamin A (4.36 ppm; Rovimix A 1000, DSM, NJ, US), control diet supplemented with beta-carotene (163.28 ppm; Rovimix β-Carotene 10%, DSM, NJ, US), or control supplemented with oxidized beta-carotene (40 ppm; 10% active ingredient, Avivagen, Ottawa, ON, Canada). Pigs and feeder weights were recorded at the start of the study (d 0) and end of each phase (days 21, 42, and 63). A subset of gilts was randomly selected and a blood sample for vitamin A (retinol) analysis was collected on days 0, 18, 39, 60, and 63. The same gilts were vaccinated against Lawsonia intracellularis and porcine circovirus. Antibodies against each vaccination were measured on days 18, 39, and 60. At the end of the study, the subset of gilts was euthanized to obtain a liver sample for vitamin A (retinyl palmitate is converted to retinol for measurement) analysis and a jejunum sample to measure the mRNA abundance of genes involved in vitamin A metabolism (alcohol dehydrogenase class 1, lecithin retinol acyltransferase phosphatidylcholine-retinol O-acyltransferase, retinol binding protein, and beta-carotene oxygenase 1). Mammary tissue from the second and fourth right anterior mammary glands were collected to assess gland development via immunohistochemical staining for T cells, B cells, and macrophages (CD3, CD20, and IBA1, respectively) and DNA extraction. Vaccine antibodies measures, vitamin A analysis, and mammary immunohistochemical staining was completed at Iowa State University Veterinarian Diagnostic Laboratory (Ames, IA). Data were analyzed in SAS 9.4 (Statistical Analysis System, Cary, NC) via GLIMMIX procedure. Pen was the experimental unit and fixed effects were diet and time. Gilts were nested within pen when appropriate to account for more than one gilt per pen. Oxidized beta-carotene supplementation increased (P = 0.02) average daily gain across phases; however, there were no differences (P = 0.18) in the body weight of pigs. There was no effect (P &amp;gt; 0.05) of diet on plasma or hepatic retinol, IgG or IgM concentrations, immune cell presence, or DNA in mammary tissue. Supplemented vitamin A tended (P = 0.05) to increase the expression of retinol binding protein in the jejunum, but other genes were not affected (P &amp;gt; 0.05) by dietary treatments. A diet by time interaction (P = 0.04) was noted for circovirus sample-to-positive ratios and titer levels, where vitamin A supplementation had better vaccine responses at the end of the study. Thus, pigs supplemented with oxidized beta-carotene had an improved average daily gain over vitamin A supplemented pigs, but pigs supplemented with vitamin A appeared to have a more robust immune system.

5 DPP Lecture: Investigating the Impact of Weaning and Biological Sex on Gut Development: Discovering New Targets for Gut Inflammation

Abstract Early life stress is known to have a profound impact on the development and function of the gut and immune system in various species, including pigs. In particular, the process of weaning is a significant source of stress in pigs and has been shown to negatively affect gut health and immunity. This presentation aims to examine the current knowledge on the impact of early life stress, particularly weaning, on gut development and immunity in pigs with a focus on chronic inflammation as a driver of disease risk. The presentation will also compare the immune system and gut development between female and male castrates, highlighting the influence of biological sex on gut health. Additionally, new data on potential targets for gut inflammation will be presented. The findings of this presentation will be analyzed in the context of pig production and the implications for enhancing gut health and immunity throughout production. Overall, this presentation will provide a comprehensive overview of the current understanding of the impact of early life stress on gut development and immunity in pigs and highlights key areas for future research.

Letter to Editor

As a researcher and public health lecturer, the misinformation on vaping is perturbing. The prime belief of the society that vape is a safe alternative to smoking is completely mistaken. The fact that vaping is not less harmless than smoking needs to be widely disseminated. Vape does contain harmful chemicals i.e. nicotine, propylene glycol, glycerol and few others that aren’t listed on the pack. These chemicals when inhale can lead to serious respiratory problems including lung injuries (EVALI), pneumonia, pneumothorax and acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS). Apart from that, nicotine can cause addiction, poisoning and prolong use of nicotine can lead to increased risk of heart disease, suppress immune system, DNA mutation and brain development retardation. The health effects of vaping not only affecting those who vape but also other people who are exposed as second-hand vapers.

Exploring the microbial landscape of the nasopharynx in children: a systematic review of studies using next generation sequencing

IntroductionThe nasopharynx harbours a diverse and dynamic microbial community, which plays an important role in maintaining the health and homeostasis of the respiratory tract, as well as in immune system development. Understanding factors that influence the composition of the nasopharyngeal microbiome in children and its association with diseases is of particular importance, as children are at a heightened risk for respiratory infections and other adverse health outcomes.ObjectivesThis review systematically summarises studies which investigated the nasopharyngeal microbiome in children, including its dynamics, stability over time, and the influence of intrinsic and extrinsic factors on its composition.MethodsMEDLINE was searched using the OVID interface. Original studies which investigated the nasopharyngeal microbiome using next generation sequencing in children were summarised.ResultsThe search identified 736 studies, of which 77 were included. The studies show that the nasopharyngeal microbiome in children is dynamic and influenced by many external factors. A high abundance of Haemophilus, Moraxella, and Streptococcus and a low abundance of Corynebacterium and Dolosigranlum are associated with adverse health outcomes such as respiratory tract infections, wheezing and asthma exacerbations. Factors which have been identified as risk factors for these adverse health outcomes, such as being born by Caesarean section, not being breast-fed, having siblings, day-care attendance, and antibiotic exposure have been shown to be associated with the aforementioned features in the nasopharyngeal microbiome.ConclusionThe association between specific nasopharyngeal microbial profiles and adverse health outcomes highlights the potential of the nasopharyngeal microbiome as a marker for identifying children at risk for disease and even more importantly, as an avenue for targeted interventions and preventive strategies.

The Gut-Brain Axis in Schizophrenia: The Implications of the Gut Microbiome and SCFA Production.

Schizophrenia, a severe mental illness affecting about 1% of the population, manifests during young adulthood, leading to abnormal mental function and behavior. Its multifactorial etiology involves genetic factors, experiences of adversity, infection, and gene-environment interactions. Emerging research indicates that maternal infection or stress during pregnancy may also increase schizophrenia risk in offspring. Recent research on the gut-brain axis highlights the gut microbiome's potential influence on central nervous system (CNS) function and mental health, including schizophrenia. The gut microbiota, located in the digestive system, has a significant role to play in human physiology, affecting immune system development, vitamin synthesis, and protection against pathogenic bacteria. Disruptions to the gut microbiota, caused by diet, medication use, environmental pollutants, and stress, may lead to imbalances with far-reaching effects on CNS function and mental health. Of interest are short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), metabolic byproducts produced by gut microbes during fermentation. SCFAs can cross the blood-brain barrier, influencing CNS activity, including microglia and cytokine modulation. The dysregulation of neurotransmitters produced by gut microbes may contribute to CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. This review explores the potential relationship between SCFAs, the gut microbiome, and schizophrenia. Our aim is to deepen the understanding of the gut-brain axis in schizophrenia and to elucidate its implications for future research and therapeutic approaches.

Nutritional and Specialty Maize Production, Consumption, and Promising Impact on Ethiopia's Food and Nutrition Security: A Review

In this paper, the significance of maize as a staple grain in Ethiopia is reviewed. Additionally, it advances our understanding of the relationship between the nutritional composition of maize and the high incidence of micronutrient deficiencies in Ethiopia. Malnourishment is still a serious problem in the population, especially for women and children. Maize is a crucial crop within cereal crops as it is a significant source of proteins and carbs, delivering 17–60% of people's daily protein needs. Vitamin A has a vital part in human growth, the immune system, and eye, vision, and ocular health. Vitamin A deficiency is the main contributor of blindness worldwide and has been linked to immune system development and cell differentiation. Thus, for good health to be attained, maize kernel contents like carbohydrate, protein, and several micronutrients are vital. In white maize constituted 90% of all maize production in Africa, whereas yellow maize accounted for 90% of global production, implying that there is still a shortage of specialty maize in Africa in particular Ethiopia. In Ethiopia, a variety of technologies have recently been made accessible in terms of maize varieties in the aim to alleviate malnutrition in regions where maize is the primary crop. Nutritious and specialty maize varieties like QPM, PVA, sweet corn, and popcorn are released in Ethiopia, but government and extension sector attention is still needed to promote the technology.

Expression and functional analysis of fam76b in zebrafish

FAM76B is nuclear speckle-localized protein with a molecular weight of 39 kDa. The amino sequence of FAM76B protein is highly conserved among species, suggesting that FAM76B has important biological functions. However, the biological function of FAM76B is currently still unclear. To explore the biological function of FAM76B, we firstly used zebrafish as the experimental model to study the distribution and expression level of Fam76b. The results indicated that fam76b is highly expressed in hematopoiesis and immune systems of zebrafish by real-time quantitative PCR, in situ hybridization and Tg(fam76b: eGFP) transgenic zebrafish. Then, the fam76b gene was knocked out by CRISPR/Cas9 in zebrafish and fam76b rescue in fam76b−/− zebrafish was performed using the TOL2 transposable system. fam76b gene knockout zebrafish exhibit reduced thymus, excessive inflammatory response, and increased mortality. FAM76B was further found to be involved in regulating the development of hematopoiesis and immune system, and participate in the process of inflammatory response. Our findings in the study lay the groundwork for elucidating the function of the new molecule Fam76b and provide new insights into the development of zebrafish hematopoietic and immune system.

Perception and Experience of Physicians Towards the Use of a Targeted Vitamin B-Complex Combination in Attaining Faster Recovery in Acute Illnesses Like Fever vs. Other Competing Combinations in the Market

Background: Vitamin B-complex aids in the development and maintenance of a healthy immune system and also helps to prevent or lessen various infections, especially cases of acute sickness like fever. This study investigates the opinions and experiences of doctors about the effectiveness and usefulness of the targeted vitamin B-complex combinations comprising of pyridoxine hydrochloride, cyanocobalamin, nicotinamide, chromium chloride, sodium selenite, L-lysine in hastening the recovery from acute diseases like fever and others. It offers insight on the perceived advantages, disadvantages and general efficacy of target vitamin B-complex combinations in comparison to other current medications by assessing doctors' preferences, clinical observations and patient outcomes. Additionally, the study also outlines the role of selenium, chromium and L-lysine aiding in the faster recovery along with the targeted vitamin B-complex combination. Studies show that selenium supplementation can reduce mortality rates in viral infections, improve recovery rates in COVID-19 patients and improve the recovery rate. Chromium offers antioxidant properties, and influences immune response and hence helps in the faster recovery of several acute illnesses. Lysine serves as a pivotal building block for proteins, which in turn contribute significantly to the growth and restoration of bodily tissues following damage. Methods: The study was a retrospective study in July 2023 used a questionnaire-based survey to assess the efficacy and tolerability of vitamin B-complex combinations for faster recovery in acute illnesses, focusing on fever. The study used a validated questionnaire with 13 questions, and data was entered into asoftware database. Complete cases were analyzed, and missing data was excluded due to low occurrence. The final report was prepared after cleaning the data. Result: The study included 132 doctors from various medical specializations aimed to understand their perception and experience of using vitamin B-complex for faster recovery from acute illnesses. The most important factor contributing to choosing vitamin B-complex was the uses of micronutrients, which help produce red blood cells (40.2%), followed by use in treating mouth ulcers (31.1%) and are critical for pregnant ladies (28.8%). Antioxidants like selenium and chromium were found to be significantly effective (57.6%) for faster recovery in acute illnesses, while 39.4% considered them moderately effective. The study revealed that 88.6% of doctors considered the use of vitamin B-complex combination advantageous due to the presence of folic acid, L-lysine and selenium, and that 97.7% of doctors had a positive attitude about continuing to prescribe vitamin B-complex supplementation in the future. The study found that the current vitamin B-complex combination outperforms its competitors mostly (82%), especially in helping to recover from acute illnesses faster. It was also found to be friendly for the elderly, as no side effects were observed. Conclusion: Results suggest that the targeted vitamin B-complex combination can improve acute disease management and help health care professionals make informed decisions for optimal well-being. The findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the medical decisionmaking process and the nuanced considerations that impact the prescription of specific treatment options for acute illnesses.

PVC pellet leachates affect adult immune system and embryonic development but not reproductive capacity in the sea urchin Paracentrotus lividus

Microplastic pollution is a major concern of our age, eliciting a range of effects on organisms including during embryonic development. Plastic preproduction pellets stunt the development of sea urchins through the leaching of teratogenic compounds. However, the effect of these leachates on adult sea urchins and their fertility is unknown. Here we investigate the effect of PVC leachates on the capacity to produce normal embryos, and demonstrate that adults kept in contaminated water still produce viable offspring. However, we observe a cumulative negative effect by continued exposure to highly polluted water: adult animals had lower counts and disturbed morphological profiles of immune cells, were under increased oxidative stress, and produced embryos less tolerant of contaminated environments. Our findings suggest that even in highly polluted areas, sea urchins are fertile, but that sublethal effects seen in the adults may lead to transgenerational effects that reduce developmental robustness of the embryos.