Effects Of MT Research Articles

Effects of 17α-methyltestosterone and letrozole on growth and gonadal development in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmodies).

In order to optimize the parameters for reversing masculinization and establish the techniques for sex induction of pseudo-males and creation of all-female fry in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmodies, LMB), 15-day-old LMB (1.00 ± 0.10cm in length, 0.10 ± 0.01g in weight) were fed a diet supplemented with either 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) or letrozole (LE) and their combination. The experimental groups were M20 (20mg/kg MT), L20 (20mg/kg LE) and M10L10 (10mg/kg MT and 10mg/kg LE). The control group, named C, was not feed MT or LE. After 60 days, exogenous hormone in the diets was stopped and the effects of MT and LE on growth, male ratio, and gonadal development in LMB were evaluated. At 12-month-old, blood and gonadal tissue samples were collected to measure sex steroid hormones levels, analyze expression levels of dmrt1 and cyp19a1a genes, as well as examine the gonads morphology. The results showed no significant differences in growth between the experimental groups and the control group after a 60-day feeding period with the formulated diet (p > 0.05). The sex reversal ratio of M20, L20, M10L10 were 95.00%, 80.00%, 76.47%, respectively. The gonadal tissue sections showed that the gonadal structure of masculinized fish morphologic resembled that of control male fish. At 12-month-old, the sex reversal ratio in M20, L20, M10L10 and C groups were 100%, 86.67%, 73.33% and 50.00%, respectively. The testicular of pseudo-male fish in the M20 group exhibited well-developed morphology similarities to that of the control group males. However, the testes of pseudo-male fish in the L20 and M10L10 groups were smaller size Estradiol (E2) levels in the experimental groups was significantly lower than those in the control group females (p < 0.05), while testosterone (T) levels were significantly higher than that of the control group (p < 0.05). Compared to the female fish in the control group, pseudo-male fish from all experimental groups showed significantly upregulated expression of dmrt1 (p < 0.05), and significantly downregulated expression of cyp19a1a (p < 0.05). Pseudo-males selected from group M20 exhibited a significantly higher proportion of female offspring (92.00%) compared to the control group (46.50%). In summary, 20mg/kg MT was the optimal inducing concentration.

Influence of 17α-Methyltestosterone on Morphological Deformities and Pigmentation Development in Juvenile Japanese Eels, Anguilla japonica.

17α-methyltestosterone (MT) is a synthetic steroid used to induce masculinization when administered during the larval stage of fish. However, the side effects of MT on eel are still poorly understood and, in this study, we examined the various effects of MT on juvenile eel A. japonica (100.63 ± 8.56 mm total length (TL)). To further investigate growth and sex differentiation, juvenile eels (n = 1000) were exposed to 25 µg/g MT for 6 months. We analyzed growth-related factors, sex steroid hormones, skin pigmentation, and color-related gene expression. Through this study, we found a 90% sex conversion of juvenile eels to males using MT treatment. In the MT-treated eel group (285.97 ± 26.21 mm TL) where sexual maturity was induced, spermatogonia stages were observed in the gonads. In contrast, the control group (395.97 ± 27.72 mm TL) exhibited an 80% immaturity rate, with only 20% of the subjects that were rapidly developing displaying early oogonia. ELISA analysis results showed that the level of growth hormone, which is known to be secreted from spermatogonia, did not change as a result of MT treatment. We confirmed that MT delayed growth and caused morphological changes, particularly a shortened snout length and pigmentation of the fin. The total length, body weight, and snout length were considerably lower in the experimental group than in the control group. In addition, in histological analysis we also observed that some of the MT-treated group (5 out of 10 fish) showed liver atrophy and inflammation, and physiological analysis showed that the cortisol concentration increased in the MT-treated eels. Interestingly, we found that some pigment color-related genes, such as melanocortin 1 receptor (MC1R), tyrosinase (Tyr), and dopachrome tautomerase (DCT), were significantly overexpressed in the fins of MT-treated eels. These results suggest that the treatment of A. japonica larvae with MT induced masculinization but also causes growth side effects from the use of synthetic hormones.

Effects of exposure to 17α-methyltestosterone on hepatic lipid metabolism in Gobiocypris rarus

This study aimed to investigate the effects of 17α-Methyltestosterone (MT) on hepatic lipid metabolism in Gobiocypris rarus. G. rarus was exposed to varying concentrations of MT (0, 25, 50, and 100 ng/L) for durations of 7, 14, and 21 d. Biochemical and transcriptomic analyses were conducted using methods, such as ELISA, RT-qPCR, Western Blotting, and RNA-seq, to decipher the key signals and molecular mechanisms triggered by MT in vivo. The results revealed that MT induced hepatomegaly in G. rarus and markedly increased the hepatic steatosis index (HSI). After 14 d of exposure, significant increase in PPARγ mRNA expression was observed, whereas after 21 d, PPARα mRNA expression was significantly reduced. The expression pattern of SREBP1C mRNA initially decreased before increasing, mirroring the trend observed for SREBP1C protein expression. Furthermore, MT increased the levels of key lipid synthesis enzymes, including HSL, CPT1, GPAT, and FAS, thereby fostering lipid accumulation. RNA-seq analysis revealed that MT modulated hepatic bile acid metabolism via the PPAR pathway, consequently influencing cholesterol and lipid metabolism. Considering the differential metabolic pathways of MT across genders, it is postulated that MT may undergo aromatization to estrogen within G. rarus, thereby exerting estrogenic effects. These findings provide crucial experimental insights into the detrimental effects of MT in aquatic settings, underscoring its implications for safeguarding aquatic organisms and human health.

Autonomic nervous system and viscera-related responses to manual therapy: A narrative overview

BackgroundManual therapy (MT) has long-held that it physiologically impacts autonomic nervous system (ANS) and viscera-related function. This narrative review is intended to serve as a consolidated interdisciplinary resource of original studies related to physiological effects of MT as it relates to the ANS for MT clinicians and researchers new to this MT-related topic. ObjectiveThis review seeks to identify ANS and viscera-related physiological responses to MT interventions using search terms commonly used by chiropractic, massage, osteopathic, physical therapy, and structural integration clinicians and to provide a quick reference resource of original MT-related studies investigating ANS effects. MethodsFor this interdisciplinary review, the search was limited to the largest and most commonly used database (PubMed) between years 2000 and 2024, with a focus on direct ANS-related physiological outcomes. Unlike systematic reviews, assessment of scientific rigor and potential bias of included articles was beyond the scope and purpose of the current work. ResultsOriginal MT-related studies provide mixed evidence with regards to immediate and/or short term ANS and/or viscera-related responses on blood pressure, heart rate variability, skin conductance/temperature, respiratory and lymphatic changes. ConclusionsThis review identified a large number of MT and ANS-related original research in PubMed. Careful study of original MT-related research is needed with particular attention focused on the standardization of MT methodological approaches, appropriate controls, study design, appropriate populations, MT techniques, and anatomical site delivery so as to design more rigorous studies in order to arrive at definitive conclusions regarding direct effects of MT on the ANS.

Registry alteration in Dynein's microtubule-binding domain: A AAA domain-guided event

Dynein, a motor protein, harnesses chemical energy from ATP hydrolysis to generate mechanical output as it travels along microtubular tracks. Essential to this process is the microtubule-binding domain (MTBD), which facilitates the interaction with and detachment from microtubules. Previous studies have proposed that the mechanism governing this interaction is primarily driven by the coiled-coil stalk attached to the MTBD. However, conflicting arguments suggest the presence of two-way communications, where the binding and unbinding mechanisms may also influence the nucleotide state of dynein. In this study, we employed all-atom explicit solvent simulations, enhanced sampling techniques, and coarse-grained methodologies to systematically investigate the effects of stalk and MT on the structural stabilities of different conformations of MTBD and their sequence of events during the transition from one to another. We found that the globular MTBD domain without stalk and MT predominantly resides in its weak binding configuration. Upon introduction of a limited length of stalk and interaction with MT, a balance between the strong and weak binding configurations is restored. Further introduction of the full-length stalk and interaction with MT strengthen the kinetic stability of these two configurations. We have also explored the sequence of events of the relevant transition between these two states using coarse-grained simulation protocols both in the presence and absence of interaction with MT. In the absence of MT interactions, we found a mixed conformational state of the system that corresponds to the already published crystal structure of Dynein. In the presence of MT, the conformational change of the stalk precedes the conformational change of the MTBD globular domain. Our findings support the view that the nucleotide state of the AAA+ ring determines the state of the MTBD domain through stalk, shedding light on the intricate mechanisms governing dynein's interaction with microtubules.

The Physiological and Molecular Mechanisms of Exogenous Melatonin Promote the Seed Germination of Maize (Zea mays L.) under Salt Stress.

Salt stress caused by high concentrations of Na+ and Cl- in soil is one of the most important abiotic stresses in agricultural production, which seriously affects grain yield. The alleviation of salt stress through the application of exogenous substances is important for grain production. Melatonin (MT, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is an indole-like small molecule that can effectively alleviate the damage caused by adversity stress on crops. Current studies have mainly focused on the effects of MT on the physiology and biochemistry of crops at the seedling stage, with fewer studies on the gene regulatory mechanisms of crops at the germination stage. The aim of this study was to explain the mechanism of MT-induced salt tolerance at physiological, biochemical, and molecular levels and to provide a theoretical basis for the resolution of MT-mediated regulatory mechanisms of plant adaptation to salt stress. In this study, we investigated the germination, physiology, and transcript levels of maize seeds, analyzed the relevant differentially expressed genes (DEGs), and examined salt tolerance-related pathways. The results showed that MT could increase the seed germination rate by 14.28-19.04%, improve seed antioxidant enzyme activities (average increase of 11.61%), and reduce reactive oxygen species accumulation and membrane oxidative damage. In addition, MT was involved in regulating the changes of endogenous hormones during the germination of maize seeds under salt stress. Transcriptome results showed that MT affected the activity of antioxidant enzymes, response to stress, and seed germination-related genes in maize seeds under salt stress and regulated the expression of genes related to starch and sucrose metabolism and phytohormone signal transduction pathways. Taken together, the results indicate that exogenous MT can affect the expression of stress response-related genes in salt-stressed maize seeds, enhance the antioxidant capacity of the seeds, reduce the damage induced by salt stress, and thus promote the germination of maize seeds under salt stress. The results provide a theoretical basis for the MT-mediated regulatory mechanism of plant adaptation to salt stress and screen potential candidate genes for molecular breeding of salt-tolerant maize.

The effect of live music therapy on white matter microstructure in very preterm infants – A randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveMusic therapy (MT) is proposed to enrich the acoustic environment of very preterm infants (VPT) on the neonatal intensive care unit during a vulnerable period of brain development. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of MT on the white matter (WM) microstructure. It is hypothesized that MT affects WM integrity in VPT. MethodsRandomized controlled trial enrolling infants born <32 weeks’ gestation. Infants were randomized to MT or standard care. Live MT was provided twice weekly from the second postnatal week onwards by a trained music therapist. At term equivalent age, participants underwent a cranial magnetic resonance imaging scan including sequences for diffusion tensor imaging analysis. Differences in WM microstructure were assessed using tract based spatial statistics with fractional anisotropy. ResultsOf 80 infants enrolled, 42 were eligible for diffusion tensor imaging analysis (MT: n = 22, standard care: n = 20). While primary tract based spatial statistics analysis revealed no significant differences between groups, post hoc analysis with uncorrected p-values and a significance threshold of p < 0.01 revealed significant fractional anisotropy differences in several WM tracts including the bilateral superior longitudinal fasciculus, the left forceps minor and left fasciculus uncinatus, the corpus callosum, the left external capsule, and the right corticospinal tract. ConclusionPost hoc analysis results suggest an effect of MT on WM integrity in VPT. Larger studies including long-term outcome are necessary to confirm these effects of MT on WM microstructure and to assess its impact on clinical neurodevelopment. Clinical trial registrationClinical trial number DRKS00025753.

COMFORTneo scale in preterm infants during live performed music therapy-Difference between close physical contact and hand touch contact.

There is evidence that music therapy combined with physical contact to parents stabilizes the vital signs of hospitalized preterm infants. Yet, there is no evidence for the difference between simple contact by touching the infant in the incubator or cod, or close physical contact during music therapy sessions (MT). Behavioral effects of the various forms of attention toward the infant during therapy need to be elucidated. Our study aimed to quantify the effects of hand touch contact (HTC) and close physical contact (CPC) during live performed MT in preterm infants regardless of gestational age on behavioral state (assessed via COMFORTneo scale) and vital signs. A maximum of ten live music therapy sessions were delivered three to four times a week until hospital discharge to 50 stable infants. Pre-, during- and post-therapy heart rates, respiratory rates, oxygen saturations and COMFORTneo scores were recorded for each session. A total of 486 sessions was performed with 243 sessions using HTC and CPC each. The mean gestational age was 33 + 3 weeks, with 27 (54%) infants being male. We observed lower COMFORTneo scores, heart and respiratory rates and higher oxygen saturation during and after live performed music therapy independent of the kind of physical contact than before therapy. While pre-therapy values were better in the CPC group for all four variables, a higher mean response on COMFORTneo scale and vital signs was observed for HTC (COMFORTneo score -5.5, heart rate -12.4 beats per min., respiratory rate -8.9 breaths per min, oxygen saturation + 1.5%) compared to CPC (COMFORTneo score -4.6, heart rate -9.6 beats per min., respiratory rate -7.0 breaths per min, oxygen saturation + 1.1%). Nonetheless, post-therapy values were better for all four measures in the CPC group. Regression modeling with correction for individual responses within each patient also yielded attenuated effects of MT in the CPC group compared to HTC, likely caused by the improved pre-therapy values. Live performed music therapy benefits preterm infants' vital signs and behavioral state. During CPC with a parent, the absolute therapeutic effect is attenuated but resulting post-therapy values are nonetheless better for both the COMFORTneo scale and vital signs.

Effects of combined exposure to polystyrene microplastics and 17α-Methyltestosterone on the reproductive system of zebrafish

Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) are important carriers of pollutants in water. 17α-Methyltestosterone (MT) is a synthetic environmental endocrine disrupting chemical (EDC) with androgenic effects. To study the effects of PS-MPs and MT on zebrafish reproductive systems, zebrafish were exposed to 0 or 50 ng L−1 MT, 0.5 mg∙L−1 PS-MPs, or 50 ng∙L−1 MT + 0.5 mg∙L−1 PS-MPs for 21 d. The results showed that the different exposure reagents caused varying degrees of damage to the reproductive systems in zebrafish, with the extent of damage increasing as the exposure duration increased. Histological analysis of the gonads revealed that the ratio of mature oocytes and mature spermatozoa in the gonad decreased gradually with increased exposure time, with the ratio being Control > PS-MPs > MT > MT + PS-MPs in decreasing order. The results of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT‒PCR) showed that in female fish treated for 7 d, the expression of cyp11a mRNA was significantly reduced in all three treatment groups(MT, PS-MPs, and MT + PS-MPs), while in the group treated for 14 d with MT + PS-MPs, the expression of cyp19a1a and StAR mRNA was significantly increased. In male fish exposed for 21 d, the expression of cyp11a, cyp17a1, cyp19a1a, StAR, 3β-HSD, and 17β-HSD3 mRNA was significantly decreased in MT + PS-MPs. ELISA results showed that after 14 d of exposure, the levels of E2, LH, and FSH in the ovaries of female fish were significantly reduced in all three treatment groups. Similarly, the levels of T, E2, LH, and FSH in the testis of male fish were significantly reduced after 14 d of exposure to PS-MPs and MT + PS-MPs. Offspring of zebrafish exposed to MT and MT + PS-MPs exhibited delayed incubation time and slow development. The cross-generational toxicity of PS-MPs themselves may be negligible, but it can exacerbate the toxicity of MT, making the cross-generational effects more pronounced in the offspring, causing offspring mortality and malformations. Offspring of zebrafish exposed to MT and MT + PS-MPs exhibited delayed incubation time and slow development. In addition, MT caused malformations such as pericardial edema, yolk cysts, and spinal deformities in zebrafish during the incubation period.

Melatonin as an Antioxidant Supplement in Athletes: A Literature Review of Current Evidence

PURPOSE: Melatonin (MT; N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine) is synthesized and released during the night in specialized pineal gland cells. Among its variety of physiological properties, recent research indicates that MT has both antioxidant and anti-inflammatory actions. The aim of this literature review was to summarize recent evidence that describes the effects of MT on the muscle function and preventive role of MT on exercise-induced muscle damage.METHODS: This review included previous research using the PubMed, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases.RESULTS: We discussed the molecular structure and biological function of MT and the potential role of this hormone in antioxidant and anti-inflammatory processes. These activities have been studied in relation to the protection of muscle function against oxidative damage. In addition, MT is reported to have positive effects on muscle damage, lipid metabolism, and inflammatory responses in well-trained athletes following exercise training. Moreover, the potential beneficial effects of melatonin and mechanisms related to performance were revealed through improved sleep quality, muscle damage, and antioxidant levels in trained athletes.CONCLUSIONS: Finally, this review suggested that possibilities of MT as a supplementation for athletes; however, further research is required to investigate the specific mechanisms involved, the dose and duration of use, and the beneficial and detrimental effects of MT on athletic performance.

Contribution of changes in vegetation composition and climate variability on streamflow across the global watersheds

Vegetation and climate play critical roles in the hydrological cycle as vital components of the earth system. Understanding the impacts of changes in vegetation composition and climate on hydrological processes is essential for water balance and sustainable water resource management. We analyzed the effects of changes in vegetation composition and climate variability on streamflow changes in 3434 global watersheds from 2003 to 2016 using the Budyko framework. We found that ignoring changes in terrestrial water storage would result in large errors in the influence of landscape changes on streamflow changes. The sensitivity of streamflow changes to climate seasonality index (CSI), precipitation seasonality index (PSI), total vegetation coverage (M), tree coverage (MT), and non-tree coverage (MNT) varied in different regions. Effective precipitation (Pe), potential evapotranspiration (PET), CSI, PSI, M, MT, and MNT changes were the dominant factor in streamflow changes for 64.8%, 3.0%, 5.1%, 4.1%, 9.8%, 7.7%, 5.6% of global watersheds, respectively. Attributing streamflow changes showed that the effects of MT and MNT on streamflow changes were mutually reinforcing in most basins. The influence of vegetation composition on streamflow changes was greater in semi-humid and arid regions than in humid regions. This research quantified the impacts of vegetation composition changes and climate change on streamflow changes worldwide and could clarify the hydrological responses to changing environments.

Matrine-induced nephrotoxicity via GSK-3β/nrf2-mediated mitochondria-dependent apoptosis

IntroductionMatrine (MT), an ingredient extracted from the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens, can result in nephrotoxicity because of long-term exposure. However, the underlying mechanism by which MT leads to kidney injury remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the roles of oxidative stress and mitochondria in MT-induced kidney toxicity both in vitro and in vivo. MethodsMice were exposed to MT for 20 days, and NRK-52E cells were exposed to MT with or without LiCl (a GSK-3β inhibitor), tert-Butylhydroquinone (t-BHQ, an Nrf2 activator), or small interfering RNA. ResultsThe results showed that MT caused nephrotoxicity accompanied by an increase in reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation and mitochondrial dysfunction. Meanwhile, MT significantly upregulated glycogen synthase kinase-3β (GSK-3β) activity, released cytochrome c (Cyt C) and cleaved caspase-3, decreased the activity of nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related Factor 2 (Nrf2), and reduced the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H:quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO-1), which led to the inactivation of antioxidant enzymes and the activation of apoptosis. In addition, GSK-3β inhibition by LiCl or small interfering RNA pretreatment or Nrf2 activation by t-BHQ pretreatment attenuated the toxic effects of MT in NRK-52E cells. ConclusionsTaken together, these results revealed that MT-induced apoptosis triggered kidney toxicity and that GSK-3β or Nrf2 might serve as a promising nephroprotective target for MT-induced kidney injury.

An improved wavelet threshold for correcting static effects of MT

In this study, we employ wavelet analysis, which involves low-frequency reconstruction, as well as a hard and a soft threshold function to suppress static effects. Our research has uncovered that the application of these methods results in an unjustifiable loss of anomalous information on the local geology, as an excessive or insufficient number of wavelet coefficients are removed. This observation serves as the basis for developing an improved wavelet thresholding method based on the discrete wavelet transform to suppress static effects. The experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method effectively suppresses static effects while preserving anomalous information on the local geology.

Does Music Therapy Improve Gait after Traumatic Brain Injury and Spinal Cord Injury? A Mini Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

There is a growing body of research examining the potential benefits of music therapy-based auditory stimulation (MT) for individuals with movement disorders in improving gait performance. However, there is limited knowledge about the effects of MT on gait outcomes in individuals with traumatic brain injury (TBI) or spinal cord injury (SCI). A previous review of MT's impact on gait in TBI had limitations, and there are no studies on its effects on gait in SCI. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis to more thoroughly evaluate the impact of MT on gait outcomes in individuals with TBI and SCI. We systematically searched through eight databases and found six studies on MT in TBI and four on SCI. Our meta-analysis showed that MT has positive medium effect improvements on spatiotemporal aspects of gait in individuals with TBI (Hedge's g: 0.52) and SCI (0.53). These findings suggest that MT could be a practical intervention for enhancing different aspects of gait in these populations, although the limited number and "fair" quality of the studies included in the meta-analysis may affect the generalizability of the outcomes. Further research is needed to fully understand the mechanisms by which MT may influence gait and determine the optimal parameters for its use.

Exogenous melatonin mediates radish (Raphanus sativus) and Alternaria brassicae interaction in a dose-dependent manner.

Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) is an economically important vegetable worldwide, but its sustainable production and breeding are highly threatened by blight disease caused by Alternaria brassicae. Melatonin is an important growth regulator that can influence physiological activities in both plants and microbes and stimulate biotic stress resistance in plants. In this study, 0-1500 μM melatonin was exogenously applied to healthy radish seedlings, in vitro incubated A. brassicae, and diseased radish seedlings to determine the effects of melatonin on host, pathogen, and host-pathogen interaction. At sufficient concentrations (0-500 μM), melatonin enhanced growth and immunity of healthy radish seedlings by improving the function of organelles and promoting the biosynthesis of antioxidant enzymes, chitin, organic acid, and defense proteins. Interestingly, melatonin also improved colony growth, development, and virulence of A. brassicae. A strong dosage-dependent effect of melatonin was observed: 50-500 μM promoted host and pathogen vitality and resistance (500 μM was optimal) and 1500 μM inhibited these processes. Significantly less blight was observed on diseased seedlings treated with 500 μM melatonin, indicating that melatonin more strongly enhanced the growth and immunity of radish than it promoted the development and virulence of A. brassicae at this treatment concentration. These effects of MT were mediated by transcriptional changes of key genes as identified by RNA-seq, Dual RNA-seq, and qRT-PCR. The results from this work provide a theoretical basis for the application of melatonin to protect vegetable crops against pathogens.

Effects of 17α-Methyltestosterone on the Transcriptome and Sex Hormones in the Brain of Gobiocypris rarus

17α-Methyltestosterone (MT), a synthetic environmental endocrine disruptor with androgenic effects, has been shown to disrupt the reproductive system and inhibit germ cell maturation in Gobiocypris rarus. To further investigate the regulation of gonadal development by MT through the hypothalamic-pituitary-gonadal (HPG) axis, G. rarus were exposed to 0, 25, 50, and 100 ng/L of MT for 7, 14, and 21 days. We analyzed its biological indicators, gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH), gonadotropins, reproduction-related gene expression, and brain tissue transcriptome profiles. We found a significant decrease in the gonadosomatic index (GSI) in G. rarus males exposed to MT for 21 days compared to the control group. GnRH, follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, as well as the expressions of the gnrh3, gnrhr1, gnrhr3, fshβ, and cyp19a1b genes, were significantly reduced in the brains of both male and female fish when exposed to 100 ng/L MT for 14 days compared to the controls. Therefore, we further constructed four RNA-seq libraries from 100 ng/L MT-treated groups of male and female fish, obtaining 2412 and 2509 DEGs in male and female brain tissue, respectively. Three common pathways were observed to be affected in both sexes after exposure to MT, namely, nicotinate and nicotinamide metabolism, focal adhesion, and cell adhesion molecules. Furthermore, we found that MT affected the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway through the upregulation of foxo3 and ccnd2, and the downregulation of pik3c3 and ccnd1. Therefore, we hypothesize that MT interferes with the levels of gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH, FSH, and LH) in G. rarus brains through the PI3K/Akt/FoxO3a signaling pathway, and affects the expression of key genes in the hormone production pathway (gnrh3, gnrhr1 and cyp19a1b) to interfere with the stability of the HPG axis, thus leading to abnormal gonadal development. This study provides a multidimensional perspective on the damaging effects of MT on fish and confirms that G. rarus is a suitable model animal for aquatic toxicology.

A META-ANALYSIS OF MUSIC THERAPY AND SLEEP QUALITY: TRENDS AND IMPLICATIONS FOR OLDER ADULTS

Abstract Music therapy (MT) has been an established healthcare profession in the United States for over seven decades. MT interventions are non-pharmacological approaches, administered by board-certified music therapists, designed to promote physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual well-being. One aspect of health where MT may be of use to older adults is in improving poor sleep quality, which is associated with increased risk for morbidity and mortality. Many pharmacological treatments for insomnia and other conditions carry adverse effects. Investigating the impact of evidence-based non-pharmacological interventions (e.g., MT) on sleep could be beneficial, particularly among older adults who are at greater risk for polypharmacy-related challenges. The purpose of this study was to investigate the average effect of MT on sleep quality via a meta-analysis across 46 studies (N=2912). This study included a review of the effects of MT on sleep, the characteristics of strongest and weakest MT interventions, the role age plays on the efficacy of MT, and differences in effects between adults with and without dementia. Results revealed robust improvements in sleep quality, as a function of MT. These improvements were observed among teams that included a professional music therapist. Clinical and practical implications will be discussed, particularly as they apply to older adults and interprofessional practice.

Transcriptome response of pubertal male Clarias macrocephalus to dietary 17α-methyltestosterone

We studied the mechanism of the effects of 17α-methyltestosterone (MT) on previously reported enhanced growth and maturation of the Asian catfish Clarias macrocephalus. A total of 18 pubertal male (3 fish·tank-1) catfish (ABW=125.97 g) were stocked into six experimental circular tanks and fed with a basal diet (control) or a basal diet containing 60 mg MT kg-1 diet for 90 days. At the termination of the experiment, livers were excised, and total RNA was extracted, evaluated, and reverse transcribed to cDNA. Six libraries of cDNA (3 for the control and 3 for the MT-treated group) were subjected to bioinformatics. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using similarity scores of the de novo assembled transcript with those in the seven public databases. There were 141 up- and 72 down-regulated DEGs, mostly belonging to uncharacterized/not yet identified proteins. Thus, DEGs in the top enriched KEGG pathways were used to characterize the effects of MT. Upregulated DEGs included tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), Cytoplasmic Polyadenylation Element Binding (CPEB), Fas-associated death domain (FADD), Major Histocompatibility Complex class 1 (MHC-1), other immune-related genes, among others. Down-regulated DEGs included Cytochrome P450 family one subfamily A member 1 (CYP1A1), Alternative oxidase (AOX), UDP-glycosyltransferase (UGT), Acyl-CoA Synthase Bubblegum Family Member 1 (ACSBG), Stearoyl-CoA Desaturase (SCD), among others. In conclusion, MT-treated male Clarias macrocephalus exhibited up-regulation of some pathways protecting cellular conditions like cell proliferation, survival, development and homeostasis processes, for development and homeostasis processes. MT also affected changes in bile acid production and the inhibition of the production/conversion of testosterone. MT resulted in the down-regulation of a serotonergic system that possibly affected gonadal development, inhibition of the retinoid enzyme that would otherwise diminish the full effects of MT or its metabolite, and inhibition of the formation of estrogen, leading to down-regulation of several estrogen-related KEGG pathways.

Examining the efficacy of dance movement and music mixed treatment on social communication impairment in children with autism - Based on family parent-child situation.

Despite impairments in social communication in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), existing studies only examine the effects of either MT or DMT interventions. In the family setting, few studies have investigated interventions for social communication impairments in children with ASD. This study designed and tested a mixed intervention program of both MT and DMT through a 3-month intervention and training for children with ASD in the family setting including parent and child. A pre-test and post-test were conducted in the experimental and control groups, and the childhood autism rating scale (CARS) and autism treatment evaluation checklist (ATEC) scales were used to assess the severity of ASD symptoms and the effects of intervention. A t-test and analysis of variance were performed based on the experimental results. The results indicated that the experimental and control groups did not differ significantly on the CARS pre-test (t = 1.218, p > 0.05) and that there was no significant difference in the ATEC pre-test (t = 0.546, p > 0.05; F = 0.074, p > 0.05, partial η2 = 0.003). There was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores for the CARS in the control group (t = 0.635, p > 0.05), and there was no significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores for the ATEC in the control group (t = 0.027, p > 0.05; F = 5.251, p > 0.05, partial η2 = 0.313). There was a significant difference between the pre- and post-test scores on the CARS in the experimental group (t = 4.327, p > 0.05) and the pre- and post-test scores on the ATEC in the experimental group (t = 5.763, p > 0.01; F = 32.615, p > 0.01, partial η2 = 0.759), with the post-test scores being lower than the pre-test scores. This demonstrates that the mixed intervention of MT and DMT in the family parent-child setting can reduce autism and improve social communication impairment in children with ASD.

Tunable mechanical properties of glass fiber/epoxy composites by incorporating bioinspired montmorillonite–carbon nanotube/epoxy interface layer around the fiber

The mutual exclusiveness between strength and toughness restricts the engineering application of glass fiber/epoxy composites requiring both high strength and suitable toughness. Inspired by natural nacre, a hetero-structural montmorillonite−multiwalled carbon nanotube (Mt−MWCNT) hybrid was coated on the curved surface of glass fibers to construct a nacre-like interface layer, consisting of Mt as “brick”, MWCNTs as “anchor” and initial epoxy resin as “mortar”. MWCNTs were employed for guaranteeing the effective separation of Mt nanosheets and strong interfacial interactions among the Mt, matrix and fiber. The enhanced dispersion degree of Mt−MWCNT hybrids and strongly bonded interface layer were established, and synergistic effects of Mt and MWCNTs on the strength and toughness of composites were also demonstrated. Compared with pure glass fiber/epoxy composite, interlaminar shear strength and work of break of resulting composites were improved by approximately 28% and 189%, respectively; meanwhile, such composite exhibits higher storage modulus in the glassy region and superior thermal stability. This work demonstrates a practical and effective strategy for fabricating high-performance yet low-cost fiber-reinforced composites through the nature-inspired interface.