Disruption Of Communication Research Articles

Potential of an Attractive High-Rate Navel Orangeworm (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) Pheromone Dispenser for Mating Disruption or for Monitoring

Mating disruption is used to manage Amyelois transitella (Walker) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae). Current mating disruption uses a single compound, but at least one other is necessary for source contact in laboratory assays and efficient capture in traps in the field. We conducted experiments to examine disruption of sexual communication and attraction of males to these high-rate dispensers with either one or both compounds. Trap suppression experiments compared males captured in pheromone traps in orchard blocks treated at a low, medium, or high number of dispensers per ha, and a trapping study used the dispensers as attractants in sticky traps to compare their relative attractiveness. The 2-compound dispensers suppressed male capture in pheromone traps more effectively than the 1-compound dispensers at the intermediate density. The trapping study found that both dispensers captured fewer males than a monitoring lure in the absence of mating disruption but more males in the presence of mating disruption. These data provide additional support for a hybrid mechanism of mating disruption for this species and indicate that the use of the more attractive 2-compound dispensers could make mating disruption more effective at the lowest dispenser density currently used. Alternatively, a lure base on the 2-compound dispenser could provide equally effective monitoring in the presence of mating disruption.

Romantic Functioning in the Aftermath of Adult Sexual Assault: A Scoping Review.

This scoping review investigates the influence of Adult Sexual Assault (ASA) on romantic functioning through an analysis of 16 studies. Four databases were searched (Google Scholar, PsycINFO, Taylor & Francis Online, and ProQuest) in June 2023 for relevant published and grey literature. Emphasis was placed on conducting analyses solely among individuals who had experienced ASA, defined in this context as non-consensual sexual contact occurring at or after the age of 18 years. The review highlighted several factors explored in existing literature, encompassing relationship satisfaction, sexual functioning, partner effects, risk assessment, and protective factors. Results yielded mixed findings on the effects of ASA on relationships and sexual functioning. Insights from the partners of individuals who have experienced ASA illuminate emotional repercussions and communication disruptions, highlighting the intricate relationship dynamics affected by ASA within romantic relationships. Moreover, the review identifies protective factors, such as enhanced relationship communication and partner support, potentially mitigating adverse romantic outcomes. The review also revealed shortcomings in the existing literature, including sparse research on ASA, limited demographic representation, and inadequate control between adult and child sexual assault. These insights inform evidence-based interventions, policy development, and future research directions, highlighting the need for tailored approaches to address ASA's multifaceted impact on survivors' romantic well-being.

Microvessel isolation protocol for RNA visualization and profiling

Disruptions in pericyte and endothelial cell communication can compromise the integrity of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), leading to neurovascular dysfunction and the development of neurological disorders. However, the evaluation of microvessel RNAs has been limited to tissue homogenates, with spatial visualization only available for protein targets. The aim of the present study is the development of an innovative microvessel isolation technique that is RNA-friendly for the purpose of coupling with in situ hybridization RNAscope analysis. RNA-friendly microvessel isolation combined with RNAscope analysis enables the visualization of cell-specific RNA within the spatial and histological context of the BBB. Using this approach, we have gained valuable insights into the structural and functional differences associated with the microvessels of 5xFAD mice, a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). RNAscope analysis revealed a decrease in pericytes from microvessels isolated from 5xFAD mice in comparison to wild-type mice. Additionally, the microvessels of 5xFAD mice exhibited an increase in TYRO protein tyrosine kinase binding protein (TYROBP) mRNA expression. These findings significantly advance our understanding of neurovascular interactions and hold great promise for guiding the development of targeted therapeutic interventions. This innovative approach enables visualization of cell RNA while preserving the spatial and histological context of the BBB, shedding light on the mechanisms underlying neurovascular unit communication.

The asymptotic convergence based on marked locators for time-varying nonlinear multi-agent systems with the protected random switching topologies against stochastic communication disruptions

The asymptotic convergence based on marked locators for time-varying nonlinear multi-agent systems with the protected random switching topologies against stochastic communication disruptions

Performance Analysis of Reconnaissance Coverage for HUAV Swarms under Communication Interference Based on Different Architectures

In environments with unknown communication interference, the mission efficiency of heterogeneous unmanned aerial vehicle (HUAV) swarms is often impacted by communication disruptions due to regions of strong interference encountered when executing reconnaissance and coverage missions. Existing research has rarely focused on communication interference or on the differences in HUAV characteristics under various control architectures; thus, in this paper we explore the performance differences between HUAV swarms based on centralized, distributed, and centralized-distributed architectures when executing reconnaissance and coverage missions in environments with unknown communication interference. First, a communication model in an unknown interference environment is constructed to reflect the real-time communication status of the swarm. Second, in response to the limitations of the traditional artificial potential field (APF) algorithm in this environment, a coverage-oriented artificial potential field (COAPF) algorithm is proposed. Finally, based on the COAPF algorithm, a multi-dimensional comparison of the mission completion efficiency of HUAV swarms with three different architectures is conducted. Our simulation results indicate that the distributed architecture is suitable for large-scale environments with strong interference, while the centralized–distributed architecture performs better in small-scale environments with weak interference. Conversely, the centralized architecture exhibits poor performance in all interference scenarios due to its lack of decision-making capabilities.

Nurse-led self-management support to improve symptom management and self-reported outcomes in people with irritable bowel syndrome

Abstract Objectives: Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder of gut-brain interaction with an unknown precise etiology. Intricate mechanisms underlying the disruption of bidirectional communication between the brain and the gut may influence the severity of symptoms as well as the response to self-management interventions. Management of IBS can be particularly challenging due to recurrent and resistant symptoms to therapeutic approaches. The present study aimed to evaluate the role of nurse-led self-management support on symptom management and self-reported outcomes in people with IBS. Methods: In the current study, which was part of a parent randomized controlled trial, participants with IBS received one-on-one self-management intervention either by phone or in-person by Registered Nurses (RNs) in three sessions over 12 weeks. Each intervention was between 15–30 minutes. During the first intervention, the RN asked open-ended questions on symptom episodes, stress, physical activity, Quality of Life (QOL), and diet to provide recommendations for improved self-management. At the second and the third nurse-led self-management sessions, the RN helped in problem-identification and solving throughout the intervention. Quantitative content analysis was performed using the coding system developed by two authors for analyzing the participants’ responses. Results: In total, 24 participants with IBS completed the three nurse-led self-management sessions. Participants’ mean age was 21.37 (± 2.55) years old, and 83.33% were female. At the first nurse-led self-management session, 79% of participants reported pain, 62.5% reported bloating, 50% reported diarrhea, 37.5% reported constipation, 100% reported stress, and 95.6% had physical activity as part of their routines, while only 33.3% of the participants reported having a “high” QOL. After three nurse-led self-management sessions, participants reported improved IBS symptoms in pain 73%, bloating 73.7%, diarrhea 76.8%, constipation 50%, stress 42.1%, and physical activity 45%, as well as 66.7% of the participants experienced a “high” QOL. Dairy, fast/processed foods, and high-fat foods were the most frequent triggers of the symptoms, with a frequency of 40%, 24.5%, and 12%, respectively. After receiving nurse-led support, 69.20% of the participants reported improved dietary habits. Conclusions: Nurse-led self-management can support participants to manage various IBS symptoms and improve their QOL. The unique strength of this study was evaluating participant needs and offering individualized solutions. A further study utilizing novel nurse-led self-management approaches may provide a valuable platform for empowering IBS patients’ self-management.

Subthreshold amyloid deposition, cerebral small vessel disease, and functional brain network disruption in delayed cognitive decline after stroke.

Although its incidence is relatively low, delayed-onset post-stroke cognitive decline (PSCD) may offer valuable insights into the "vascular contributions to cognitive impairment and dementia," particularly concerning the roles of vascular and neurodegenerative mechanisms. We postulated that the functional segregation observed during post-stroke compensation could be disrupted by underlying amyloid pathology or cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD), leading to delayed-onset PSCD. Using a prospective stroke registry, we identified patients who displayed normal cognitive function at baseline evaluation within a year post-stroke and received at least one subsequent assessment. Patients suspected of pre-stroke cognitive decline were excluded. Decliners [defined by a decrease of ≥3 Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) points annually or an absolute drop of ≥5 points between evaluations, confirmed with detailed neuropsychological tests] were compared with age- and stroke severity-matched non-decliners. Index-stroke MRI, resting-state functional MRI, and 18F-florbetaben PET were used to identify cSVD, functional network attributes, and amyloid deposits, respectively. PET data from age-, sex-, education-, and apolipoprotein E-matched stroke-free controls within a community-dwelling cohort were used to benchmark amyloid deposition. Among 208 eligible patients, 11 decliners and 10 matched non-decliners were identified over an average follow-up of 5.7 years. No significant differences in cSVD markers were noted between the groups, except for white matter hyperintensities (WMHs), which were strongly linked with MMSE scores among decliners (rho = -0.85, p < 0.01). Only one decliner was amyloid-positive, yet subthreshold PET standardized uptake value ratios (SUVR) in amyloid-negative decliners inversely correlated with final MMSE scores (rho = -0.67, p = 0.04). Decliners exhibited disrupted modular structures and more intermingled canonical networks compared to non-decliners. Notably, the somato-motor network's system segregation corresponded with the decliners' final MMSE (rho = 0.67, p = 0.03) and was associated with WMH volume and amyloid SUVR. Disruptions in modular structures, system segregation, and inter-network communication in the brain may be the pathophysiological underpinnings of delayed-onset PSCD. WMHs and subthreshold amyloid deposition could contribute to these disruptions in functional brain networks. Given the limited number of patients and potential residual confounding, our results should be considered hypothesis-generating and need replication in larger cohorts in the future.

Survey of fault management techniques for edge-enabled distributed metaverse applications

The metaverse, envisioned as a vast, distributed virtual world, relies on edge computing for low-latency data processing. However, ensuring fault tolerance – the system’s ability to handle failures – is critical for a seamless user experience. This paper analyzes existing research on fault tolerance in edge computing over the past six years, specifically focusing on its applicability to the metaverse. We identify common fault types like node failures, communication disruptions, and security issues. The analysis then explores various fault management techniques including proactive monitoring, resource optimization, task scheduling, workload migration, redundancy for service continuity, machine learning for predictive maintenance, and consensus algorithms to guarantee data integrity. While these techniques hold promise, adaptations are necessary to address the metaverse’s real-time interaction requirements and low-latency constraints. This paper analyzes existing research and identifies key areas for improvement, providing valuable research guidelines and insights to pave the way for the development of fault management techniques specifically tailored to the metaverse, ultimately contributing to a robust and secure virtual world.

COVID-19 pandemic: advancing international marketing theory and guiding practice

Purpose This paper has a dual purpose. The first is to provide a thorough analysis of developments in international marketing in relation to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic; the second is to capitalize on these developments to set an agenda for future research in the field of international marketing.Design/methodology/approach This paper zooms in on and reviews the 18 papers published in International Marketing Review’s (IMR) Special Issue on “Covid 19: advancing international marketing theory and guiding practice” (2023, volume 40, issue 5). It also integrates recent research at the intersection of international marketing and the COVID-19 pandemic.Findings The paper highlights five areas that embody significant contemporaneous changes brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic and affect international marketing practice. These include (1) shifts in consumer behavior, (2) digitalization and artificial intelligence, (3) disruptions in supply chains, (4) communication and corporate social responsibility (CSR), and (5) international dynamic marketing capabilities. In order to advance international marketing theory in relation to pandemics and other external crises, the paper establishes research directions for each of these areas.Originality/value The paper provides a novel and comprehensive categorization of fundamental shifts caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and lays out a research roadmap to advance research in the field of International Marketing (IM). Important implications for practice are also discussed.

Advancing Antibiotic-Resistant Microbe Combat: Nanocarrier-Based Systems in Combination Therapy Targeting Quorum Sensing.

The increase in antibiotic-resistant bacteria presents a significant risk to worldwide public health, emphasizing the necessity of novel approaches to address infections. Quorum sensing, an essential method of communication among bacteria, controls activities like the formation of biofilms, the production of virulence factors, and the synthesis of secondary metabolites according to the number of individuals in the population. Quorum quenching, which interferes with these processes, emerges as a vital approach to diminish bacterial virulence and prevent biofilm formation. Nanocarriers, characterized by their small size, high surface-area-to-volume ratio, and modifiable surface chemistry, offer a versatile platform for the disruption of bacterial communication by targeting various stages within the quorum sensing pathway. These features allow nanocarriers to infiltrate biofilms, disrupt cell membranes, and inhibit bacterial proliferation, presenting a promising alternative to traditional antibiotics. Integrating nanocarrier-based systems into combination therapies provides a multi-pronged approach to infection control, enhancing both the efficacy and specificity of treatment regimens. Nonetheless, challenges related to the stability, safety, and clinical effectiveness of nanomaterial-based antimicrobial treatments remain. Continued research and development are essential to overcoming these obstacles and fully harnessing the potential of nano-antimicrobial therapies. This review emphasizes the importance of quorum sensing in bacterial behavior and highlights the transformative potential of nanotechnology in advancing antimicrobial treatments, offering innovative solutions to combat antibiotic-resistant pathogens.

Sense of smell reduction as factor for mammoth’s and other mammals extinction. Immunoglobulins as possible markers

One of the possible mechanisms for the extinction of animals during climate change could be a violation of the sense of smell due to the development of allergies when the flora changes. During the breeding season, susceptibility to odors is very important for animals. The development of allergies from plant pollen, changes in pollen's allergic toxicity, pollen's release period increasing or the emergence of a large quantity of flowering plants during climate change, could lead to decrements in sensitivity to odors in animals during the breeding season. This may explain the extinction of animals due to a decrease in sexual intercourse. Probably these changes in allergic responses of mammoths at period of climate changes led to a decrease in the mammoth population and, as a result, to their disappearance. For example, elephants have the most sensitive sense of smell. Immunoglobulin’s traces can provide information about the health of extinct animals. The search and characterization of immunoglobulins from extinct animals and comparison with the plant composition (pollen, plant remains) found with the animals can provide information about possible allergic diseases of these animals.The purpose of our article is to show that immunoglubulin’s fragments found in the remains of mammoths indicate the presence of possible allergic diseases in mammoths. Also, the purpose of this work is to propose a new evolutionary mechanism for the extinction of mammoths and other animals based on the disruption of communications between animals during the breeding season due to a decrease in the sense of smell and sensitivity to odors due to allergies to plants.

A resilient event-triggered control strategy for truck platooning cyber–physical systems against denial-of-service attacks

With the deployment of vehicle-to-everything(V2X) communication technology, Denial-of-Service(DoS) attacks gradually pose potential threats for the truck platooning cyber–physical systems(TPCPS) due to disruption of information exchange in vehicular networks, resulting in instability of truck platooning and even traffic accidents. Motivated by this, the study proposes a resilient event-triggered control strategy to maintain the performance or stability of the TPCPS when DoS attacks happen. First, a resilient event-triggered mechanism is proposed to ensure that the onboard controller can receive and update status information in time after attack intervals, mitigating effect of the vehicle-to-vehicle(V2V) communication disruptions. Subsequently, the sufficient condition is derived which is to confine DoS attacks and makes a key role in maintaining the platoon’s internal stability. To guarantee the consensus control performance of the TPCPS, the switched event-triggered controller is designed by the Lyapunov approach. The controller is expected to output corresponding control based on the updated status information in communication interval. Ultimately, the proposed strategy’s effectiveness is validated through simulations. The proposed resilient event-triggered control strategy is shown to be able to effectively mitigate abnormalities in the TPCPS under DoS attacks, thus ensuring safe and comfortable driving. Compared with event-triggered sliding mode control, the proposed method achieves smaller inter-vehicle distances while ensuring stability, enhancing traffic efficiency.

Finite-time error constraint control for multi-AUV systems with unknown uncertainties based on observer and tan-type barrier Lyapunov function

PurposeAutonomous underwater vehicle (AUV) is widely used in resource prospection and underwater detection due to its excellent performance. This study considers input saturation, nonlinear model uncertainties and external ocean current disturbances. The containment errors can be limited to a small neighborhood of zero in finite time by employing control strategy. The control strategy can keep errors within a certain range between the trajectory followed by AUVs and their intended targets. This can mitigate the issues of collisions and disruptions in communication which may arise from AUVs being in close proximity or excessively distant from each other.Design/methodology/approachThe tracking errors are constrained. Based on the directed communication topology, a cooperative formation control algorithm for multi-AUV systems with constrained errors is designed. By using the saturation function, state observers are designed to estimate the AUV’s velocity in six degrees of freedom. A new virtual control algorithm is designed through combining backstepping technique and the tan-type barrier Lyapunov function. Neural networks are used to estimate and compensate for the nonlinear model uncertainties and external ocean current disturbances. A neural network adaptive law is designed.FindingsThe containment errors can be limited to a small neighborhood of zero in finite time so that follower AUVs can arrive at the convex hull consisting of leader AUVs within finite time. The validity of the results is indicated by simulations.Originality/valueThe state observers are designed to approximate the speed of the AUV and improve the accuracy of the control method. The anti-saturation function and neural network adaptive law are designed to deal with input saturation and general disturbances, respectively. It can ensure the safety and reliability of the multiple AUV systems.

The priorities for a prisoner are food, being able to talk to their family, and taking a shower: the experiences of prisoners placed in emergency isolation due to COVID-19 in a Catalan prison

PurposeThis study aims to learn about the experiences of inmates who experienced long periods of isolation due to a COVID-19 outbreak in the Brians 1 penitentiary centre. This approach is relevant, as it sought to understand the experiences from the perspective of the prisoners during periods of isolation. The aim was to gain in-depth knowledge, based on the idiosyncrasies of this population, of their emotions and coping strategies in the prison context. This information that may be useful to prison institutions and prison primary healthcare teams to guide the organisation in future health emergencies involving the isolation of prisoners.Design/methodology/approachA qualitative interpretative phenomenological study was conducted. Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with a sample of 30 people who had undergone a period of isolation due to a COVID-19 outbreak in one or two of the last two outbreaks at the Brians 1 (Barcelona) prison in 2022, in the days following periods of social isolation. The interviews were transcribed and analysed using the content analysis approach, and were coded using the NVivo 12 qualitative software. The credibility and validity of the data analysed were increased through triangulation at different levels. In this study, data was collected from a heterogeneous sample of prisoners, capturing different views among the prison population.FindingsThis research gave us the opportunity to collect prisoners’ accounts of isolation due to COVID-19, in which it became clear that it conditioned the management of time and space in daily prison life. The restrictions amplified negative emotions such as anxiety, stress and restlessness and led to disruptions in communication with the outside world, daily prison activities and judicial processes. Despite these changes, the prisoners understood the imperatives of isolation and the need to adapt to the new situation for a limited period of time. Faced with the detrimental effect on their well-being, the prisoners employed coping strategies focused on emotional management, social supports and occupational engagement.Research limitations/implicationsThis study is subject to several limitations related to the characteristics of the sample. No women participated in the study as the modules studied were exclusively for men. People with impaired cognitive abilities, were not included. With regard to the method, it is understood that conducting the interviews in the days after the isolation may have influenced the content and enthusiasm of the participants. Despite these limitations, we are confident that the data triangulation may have given us reliable insight that will further our knowledge of prisoners’ experiences in this type of situation.Originality/valueThe issue of the negative impact of restrictive measures in the prison environment has rarely been studied from the perspective of prisoners. To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this study is the first to provide qualitative data on the experiences of prisoners during periods of social isolation due to COVID-19 outbreaks in prisons in Catalonia (Spain). The narratives allowed the authors to determine what impact the restrictions had on the emotional well-being and daily life of the prison population, information that can help prison institutions and healthcare teams understand how prisoners experienced this type of situation. The authors were also able to carry out an in-depth study of the coping strategies used by the prisoners to deal with negative emotions during the COVID-19 outbreaks, which may serve to guide the organisation of material and human resources in future emergencies or regimented situations involving social isolation.

Influence of β2-adrenergic selective agonist formoterol on the motor unit of a mouse model of a congenital myasthenic syndrome with complete VAChT deletion

Congenital Myasthenic Syndromes (CMS) are a set of genetic diseases that affect the neuromuscular transmission causing muscular weakness. The standard pharmacological treatment aims at ameliorating the myasthenic symptom by acetylcholinesterase inhibitors. Most patients respond well in the short and medium term, however, over time the beneficial effects rapidly fade, and the efficacy of the treatment diminishes. Increasing evidence shows that β2-adrenergic agonists can be a suitable choice for the treatment of neuromuscular disorders, including CMS, as they promote beneficial effects in the neuromuscular system. The exact mechanism on which they rely is not completely understood, although patients and animal models respond well to the treatment, especially over extended periods. Here, we report the use of the long-lasting specific β2-adrenergic agonist formoterol in a myasthenic mouse model (mnVAChT-KD), featuring deletion of VAChT (Vesicular Acetylcholine Transporter) specifically in the α-motoneurons. Our findings demonstrate that formoterol treatment (300 μg/kg/day; sc) for 30 days increased the neuromuscular junction area, induced skeletal muscle hypertrophy and altered fibre type composition in myasthenic mice. Interestingly, β2-adrenergic agonists have shown efficacy even in the absence of ACh (acetylcholine). Our data provide important evidence supporting the potential of β2-adrenergic agonists in treating neuromuscular disorders of pre-synaptic origin and characterized by disruptions in nerve-muscle communication, through a direct and beneficial action within the motor unit.

Addressing GI Health Through the Bidirectional Modulation of the Gut-Brain Axis With Herbal Extracts: A Narrative Review.

Functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGIDs) refer to agroup of disorders with chronic symptoms, such as abdominal pain, dysphagia, dyspepsia, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating. Among these, functional constipation significantly impacts the quality of life and is linked with comorbidities, such as anxiety and depression. The exact pathophysiology remains unclear despite the widespread occurrence. Research suggests that the gut-brain axis plays a role in FGIDs. Disruptions in the bidirectional communication between the brain and gastrointestinal (GI) tract contribute to GI symptoms and mood disturbances. The incomplete understanding of FGID pathophysiology has led to limited treatment options. Traditional treatments often focus on single symptoms and come with side effects, prompting the need for alternative approaches that address both GI and psychological components. Alternative approaches including herbal supplements offer a natural alternative to conventional medicine by promoting regularity and gut health. Abelmoschus esculentus L. or okra has a history of use in traditional medicine. Bioactive compounds such as polysaccharides and fibers found in okra offer gastroprotective benefits. Withania somnifera is a plant commonly referred to as ashwagandha. The plant root has been used for its health-promoting effects. Research supports the use of W. somnifera to help with stress and sleep. Digexin is a herbal supplement combining W. somnifera (ashwagandha) and A. esculentus (okra). It has shown promise in improving both GI regularity and mood by modulating the gut-brain axis. Clinical studies support the potential of a novel herbal supplement that aids in the management of FGIDs. This narrative review looks at FGIDs, etiologies, current treatment, and possible therapeutic supplements to aid in symptom management.

Design and building of a room light control System based on iot arduino cloud

The development of Internet of Things (IoT) technology opens up various opportunities to improve efficiency and convenience in various aspects of life, including in the management of electrical devices in the room. One of the innovative solutions that utilizes IoT technology is the Arduino Cloud-based room light control system using the NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller. This system is specifically designed to improve the efficiency of using room lights in the PLC laboratory of the Electrical Engineering department. This research aims to design and develop an Arduino Cloud-based IoT room light control system that can be controlled remotely using an Android device, PC, or laptop. NodeMCU ESP8266, as the core of this system, is a microcontroller that can connect with IoT, allowing users to control room lights via WiFi network. With this system, it is expected that users can control the PLC laboratory room lights in the Electrical Engineering department more easily, practically, and efficiently. In addition, this system is also expected to help save energy usage in the room. This research uses the method of designing and making a room light control system based on IoT Arduino Cloud. The research stages include system design, hardware and software development, and system testing. The test results show that the developed room light control system is able to turn on and off four lights in the PLC laboratory room via WiFi network using an Android device. In addition, this system is also equipped with an On/Off switch that can be used in the event of internet communication disruption. Thus, the IoT Arduino Cloud-based room light control system using the NodeMCU ESP8266 microcontroller is proven to provide convenience and efficiency for users in managing lighting in the PLC laboratory of the Electrical Engineering department, while helping to save energy.

Tanycytic transcytosis inhibition disrupts energy balance, glucose homeostasis and cognitive function in male mice

ObjectivesIn Western society, high-caloric diets rich in fats and sugars have fueled the obesity epidemic and its related disorders. Disruption of the body-brain communication, crucial for maintaining glucose and energy homeostasis, arises from both obesogenic and genetic factors, leading to metabolic disorders. Here, we investigate the role of hypothalamic tanycyte shuttles between the pituitary portal blood and the third ventricle cerebrospinal fluid in regulating energy balance. MethodsWe inhibited vesicle-associated membrane proteins (VAMP1-3)-mediated release in tanycytes by expressing the botulinum neurotoxin type B light chain (BoNT/B) in a Cre-dependent manner in tanycytes. This was achieved by injecting either TAT-Cre in the third ventricle or an AAV1/2 expressing Cre under the control of the tanycyte-specific promoter iodothyronine deiodinase 2 into the lateral ventricle of adult male mice. ResultsIn male mice fed a standard diet, targeted expression of BoNT/B in adult tanycytes blocks leptin transport into the mediobasal hypothalamus and results in normal-weight central obesity, including increased food intake, abdominal fat deposition, and elevated leptin levels but no marked change in body weight. Furthermore, BoNT/B expression in adult tanycytes promotes fatty acid storage, leading to glucose intolerance and insulin resistance. Notably, these metabolic disturbances occur despite a compensatory increase in insulin secretion, observed both in response to exogenous glucose boluses in vivo and in isolated pancreatic islets. Intriguingly, these metabolic alterations are associated with impaired spatial memory in BoNT/B-expressing mice. ConclusionsThese findings underscore the central role of tanycytes in brain-periphery communication and highlight their potential implication in the age-related development of type 2 diabetes and cognitive decline. Our tanycytic BoNT/B mouse model provides a robust platform for studying how these conditions progress over time, from prediabetic states to full-blown metabolic and cognitive disorders, and the mechanistic contribution of tanycytes to their development. The recognition of the impact of tanycytic transcytosis on hormone transport opens new avenues for developing targeted therapies that could address both metabolic disorders and their associated cognitive comorbidities, which often emerge or worsen with advancing age.

Silencing sensory neuron membrane protein RferSNMPu1 impairs pheromone detection in the invasive Asian Palm Weevil

The red palm weevil (RPW), Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier), also known as the Asian palm weevil, is an invasive pest that causes widespread damage to palm trees around the globe. As pheromone communication is crucial for their mass attack and survival on palm trees, the olfactory concept of pest control strategies has been widely explored recently. We aim to understand the molecular basis of olfaction in RPW by studying one of the key olfactory proteins in insect pheromone communication, sensory neuron membrane proteins (SNMPs). SNMPs belong to the CD36 (cluster of differentiation 36) family that perform two distinct olfactory roles in insects, either in pheromone (odorant) transfer to the odorant receptors (SNMP1) or in the pheromone clearing process (SNMP2). In this study, we performed antennal transcriptomic screening and identified six SNMPs, mapping them on the R. ferrugineus genome, and confirmed four distinct SNMPs. Both SNMP1 proteins in RPW, viz., RferSNMPu1 and RferSNMPu2, were mapped onto the same scaffold in different loci in the RPW genome. To further understand the function of these proteins, we first classified them using phylogenetic analysis and checked their tissue-specific expression patterns. Further, we measured the relative transcript abundance of SNMPs in laboratory-reared, field-collected adults and pheromone-exposure experiments, ultimately identifying RferSNMPu1 as a potential candidate for functional analysis. We mapped RferSNMPu1 expression in the antennae and found that expression patterns were similar in both sexes. We used RNAi-based gene silencing to knockdown RferSNMPu1 and tested the changes in the RPW responses to aggregation pheromone compounds, 4-methyl-5-nonanol (ferrugineol) and 4-methyl-5-nonanone (ferrugineone), and a kairomone, ethyl acetate using electroantennogram (EAG) recordings. We found a significant reduction in the EAG recordings in the RferSNMPu1 knockdown strain of adult RPWs, confirming its potential role in pheromone detection. The structural modelling revealed the key domains in the RferSNMPu1 structure, which could likely be involved in pheromone detection based on the identified ectodomain tunnels. Our studies on RferSNMPu1 with a putative role in pheromone detection provide valuable insight into understanding the olfaction in R. ferrugineus as well as in other Curculionids, as SNMPs are under-explored in terms of its functional role in insect olfaction. Most importantly, RferSNMPu1 can be used as a potential target for the olfactory communication disruption in the R. ferrugineus control strategies.

Hypermetabolic state is associated with circadian rhythm disruption in mouse and human cancer cells

Crosstalk between metabolism and circadian rhythms is a fundamental building block of multicellular life, and disruption of this reciprocal communication could be relevant to disease. Here, we investigated whether maintenance of circadian rhythms depends on specific metabolic pathways, particularly in the context of cancer. We found that in adult mouse fibroblasts, ATP levels were a major contributor to signal from a clock gene luciferase reporter, although not necessarily to the strength of circadian cycling. In contrast, we identified significant metabolic control of circadian function across a series of pancreatic adenocarcinoma cell lines. Metabolic profiling of congenic tumor cell clones revealed substantial diversity among these lines that we used to identify clones to generate circadian reporter lines. We observed diverse circadian profiles among these lines that varied with their metabolic phenotype: The most hypometabolic line [exhibiting low levels of oxidative phosphorylation (OxPhos) and glycolysis] had the strongest rhythms, while the most hypermetabolic line had the weakest rhythms. Pharmacological enhancement of OxPhos decreased the amplitude of circadian oscillation in a subset of tumor cell lines. Strikingly, inhibition of OxPhos enhanced circadian rhythms only in the tumor cell line in which glycolysis was also low, thereby establishing a hypometabolic state. We further analyzed metabolic and circadian phenotypes across a panel of human patient-derived melanoma cell lines and observed a significant negative association between metabolic activity and circadian cycling strength. Together, these findings suggest that metabolic heterogeneity in cancer directly contributes to circadian function and that high levels of glycolysis or OxPhos independently disrupt circadian rhythms in these cells.