Generalized Linear Models Research Articles

The Effect of Xanthohumol and Thymol on Candida albicans Filamentation and Its Impact on the Structure, Size, and Cell Viability of Biofilms Developed over Implant Surfaces

The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate the effect of xanthohumol and thymol on the impact of Candida albicans on the structure, size and cell viability of subgingival biofilms formed on dental implant surfaces. The structure and microbial biomass of biofilms developed after 72 h, treated and untreated with both extracts, were compared by scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and confocal laser microscopy (CLSM). Quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) was used to quantify the number of viable and total microorganisms of each of the biofilm-forming strains in each condition. A general linear model was used to compare and validate the CLSM and qPCR results. The presence of xanthohumol and thymol during biofilm development inhibited the filamentous growth of C. albicans. The biofilm incubated with xanthohumol had significantly lower bacterial biomass and cell viability than the biofilm not exposed to the extract (p < 0.05). In contrast, these global parameters showed no differences when the biofilm was incubated with thymol. In the presence of xanthohumol, there was a decrease in counts and cell viability of Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans. Thymol treatment reduced the viability of F. nucleatum and P. gingivalis. The presence of these vegetable extracts during the development of a dynamic in vitro multispecies biofilm model inhibited the filamentous growth of C. albicans, partially reversing the effect that the fungus exerted on the structure, size and vitality of periodontopathogenic bacteria.

Neuroinflammation modifies the relationship between stress and perivascular spaces in an elderly population with different levels of cognitive impairment

BackgroundPerivascular spaces (PVS) are fluid-filled spaces surrounding the brain parenchymal vasculature. Literature suggests that PVS may play a significant role in aging and neurological disorders, including Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The aim of this study is to investigate whether the relationship between MRI-visible PVS and stress is influenced by neuroinflammation in an elderly population with different levels of cognitive impairment.MethodsUsing brain MRI scans acquired at 1.5 T, PVS were quantified in a cohort of 461 individuals, consisting of cognitively healthy controls (n = 48), people with mild cognitive impairment (MCI, n = 322) and Alzheimer’s disease (AD, n = 91). PVS volume fraction was calculated in the basal ganglia and centrum semiovale using a semi-automated segmentation approach. Stress was quantified with levels of salivary cortisol. Inflammatory biomarkers measured from plasma included cytokines, matrix metalloproteinases and C-reactive protein. General linear models were used to test the relationship between PVS and cortisol, when interacting with inflammatory markers. This was done on the whole cohort and within each clinical cognitive group.ResultsIn the centrum semiovale, higher inflammation levels reduced the relationship of cortisol with PVS. In basal ganglia, higher levels of C-reactive protein reduced the negative relationship of cortisol with PVS. All analyses were accounted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI) and total hippocampal volume. There was a significant interaction effect between cortisol and C-reactive protein on PVS volume fraction in the MCI group.DiscussionThese findings suggest an influence of neuroinflammation on the PVS structure in Alzheimer’s disease spectrum, and offer insight for better understanding physiological processes of cognitive impairment onset.

Twelve-Year Changes in Pre-Schoolers’ Oral Health and Parental Involvement in Children’s Dental Care: Results from Two Repeated Cross-Sectional Surveys in Lithuania

Background and objectives: The role of parents and the family in promoting children’s oral health is increasingly acknowledged in the dental literature. This study aimed to investigate twelve-year changes in pre-schoolers’ oral health and parental involvement in children’s dental care using data from two repeated cross-sectional surveys. The objectives were (1) to assess the temporal changes in children’s dental health status and oral health-related behaviours, (2) to examine temporal changes in parental attitudes toward their children’s oral health care, and (3) to analyze the associations between observed changes. Materials and methods: Two identical cross-sectional surveys were conducted in 2010/2011 (n = 294) and 2023 (n = 304). In both surveys, parents answered questions regarding their children’s oral health care and completed the 38-item ‘Parental Attitudes toward Children’s Oral Health’ (PACOH) scale, while the dental health of their 3–7-year-old children was clinically assessed. Changes in the examined characteristics were analyzed using general linear models. Results: Significant positive changes (p < 0.001) were observed when comparing the surveys: the dmf-t (decayed, missing, filled teeth) score for deciduous teeth decreased from 5.56 to 3.31; the Silness–Löe Plaque Index decreased from 1.45 to 1.15; the percentage of children brushing their teeth regularly increased from 33.0% to 55.3%; the percentage of parents assisting their child with tooth brushing increased from 19.2% to 85.1%; and regular visits to a children’s dentist increased from 36.4% to 85.1%. Moreover, the study revealed better parental attitudes toward their children’s oral health care, as reflected by a change in the total score of the PACOH scale from 112 to 122. Conclusions: It was concluded that changes in parental attitudes played a crucial role in driving positive trends in oral health-related behaviours, which likely contributed to the improvement of dental health in children. Therefore, understanding and influencing parental attitudes can be essential for promoting good oral health skills and good oral health in young children.

Abstract 4146319: Racial Disparities and Driving Factors in the AHA's Life's Essential 8 Among American Adults: Insights from NHANES 2011-2020

Backgrounds: The AHA introduced "Life's Essential 8" (LE8) in 2022 as a comprehensive metric to facilitate detailed tracking and management of cardiovascular health (CVH) at the population level. However, the racial/ethnic differences in LE8, how these differences change over time, and the driving factors of LE8 in each subgroup remain unclear. Methods: We utilized data from the continuous NHANES from 2011 to 2020 to examine racial disparities and driving factors in the AHA's LE8 among American adults. To ensure national representation, appropriate weights were applied. Survey-weighted and age-standardized trends in LE8 scores by racial and ethnic groups were analyzed using generalized linear models (GLMs). To identify the driving factors—specific metrics influencing the LE8 overall score—we calculated z-scores for all components. Then we used the spider chart to visualize the driving factors. Results: A total of 13,915 adult were included, of whom the mean age is 47.9 ± 0.37 years, 6,612 (47.55%) were women, 3,485 (14.63%) were Hispanics, 5,335 (69.74%) were non-Hispanic Whites, 3,464 (10.82%) were non-Hispanic Blacks, and 1,631 (4.81%) were Asians. From 2011-2020, the LE8 scores did not change significantly overall and across all racial groups (all p-trend > 0.10, Figure 1 ). During the study period, racial/ethnic disparity persisted with Asian adults consistently having the highest LE8 scores and Black adults having the lowest scores. Notably, the lower LE8 scores in Black adults were primarily driven by lower scores of diet, blood pressure, and sleep health, whereas the higher LE8 scores in Asian adults primarily driven by higher scores of diet, nicotine exposure, and BMI. The LE8 scores in White adults were primarily driven by blood glucose and physical activity and the LE8 score in Hispanic adults were primarily driven by blood pressure ( Figure 2-A ). In 2017-2020 ( Figure 2-B ), Black adults had the lowest scores for all LE8 components, except for blood lipids. In contrast, Asian adults had the highest scores in diet, physical activity, nicotine exposure, and sleep health. Throughout the study period, the racial/ethnic disparity in LE8 score did not change significantly (all p >0.10). Conclusion: We found persistent racial disparities in cardiovascular health among U.S. adults, with Black adults having the lowest LE8 scores in almost all components. The driving factors for LE8 scores varied by racial subgroups, emphasizing the need for targeted interventions.

Vertical variations in enzymatic activity and C:N:P stoichiometry in forest soils under the influence of different tree species

Abstract Tree species play a crucial role in shaping soil properties, significantly influencing nutrient cycling and ecological dynamics within forest ecosystems. In this comprehensive study, we examined the influence of tree species on soil chemistry especially on C/N/P stoichiometry and enzymatic activities across soil profiles. We analyzed soil samples beneath eight distinct tree species at three vertical horizons of soil: organic (O), humus mineral (A), and mineral enrichment (B) horizons. Our study involved detailed assessment of soil carbon, nitrogen, and phosphorus contents, along with the activities of key enzymes: β-glucosidase, N-acetyl-β-glucosaminidase, and phosphatase. The study revealed pronounced vertical stratification in soil properties, significantly influenced by the tree species. General linear models (GLMs) highlighted differences in C: N:P stoichiometry and enzymatic activity across different soil horizons and among tree species. Enzymatic activity was strongly correlated with C, N and P content. The conducted research confirms the distinctiveness of coniferous and deciduous species in terms of C, N and P stoichiometry and the activity of the tested enzymes involved in the C, N and P circulation. These variations are indicative of the intricate interactions between tree species and soil processes. Our findings underscore the role of diversity of trees in modulating soil nutrient dynamics and enzyme-driven processes, which are crucial for understanding soil ecosystem functions and nutrient cycling. This study provides new insights into the role of tree species in shaping the soil environment, offering implications for forest management and conservation strategies. Taking into account the impact of individual tree species covered by the research on the soil, it is worth considering the cultivation of mixed stands.

Changes in sex differences in mental health over time: the moderating effects of educational status and loneliness

Background Limited evidence exists regarding how sex differences in mental health are changing over time, especially in the context of recent health and economic adversities. Aims To examine the temporal shifts in mental health issues among males and females, and explore the influence of education and loneliness on these trends. Methods Data were utilized from the 2020 to 2023 Monitor study, a repeated cross-sectional survey of adults 18 years and older in Ontario, Canada. The study employed a Qualtrics-based web panel survey (n = 5,317). Mental health was assessed using Kessler-6 questionnaire, and analyses were performed using Generalized Linear Model (GLM) with gamma distribution. Results The results showed that there was a significant three-way interaction effect between sex, time and education with psychological distress (p = 0.014), suggesting that psychological distress increased between 2020 and 2023 among males who had less than college education. However, it remained stable among males with college/university degrees and females overall. Interaction between sex and feeling lonely on psychological distress was also evident (p = 0.004). Conclusions Mental health issues remained a significant public health challenge among adults, especially psychological distress increasing among males with less than a college education. This underscores the importance of targeted interventions addressing males’ mental health.

Examining the Potential of Biogas: A Pathway from Post-Fermented Waste into Energy in a Wastewater Treatment Plant

Biogas has improved due to technological advancements, environmental awareness, policy support, and research innovation, making it a more cost-effective and environmentally friendly renewable energy source. The Generalized Linear Model (GLM) was employed to examine the relationship between purchased and generated energy from 2007 to 2023. Metrics such as deviance, log likelihood, and dispersion phi were examined to assess model fit. The Mann–Kendall test was utilized to detect trends in energy datasets. Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD5) and Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction was significant, exceeding 97% from 2014 to 2023. However, treated sewage displayed limited susceptibility to biological degradation, with COD to BOD5 ratios increasing from 2.28 to 6.59 for raw sewage and from 2.33 to 7.05 for treated sewage by 2023. Additionally, the efficiency of sewage purification processes was calculated, and multivariate regression analysis was conducted on gas composition data. Principal Coordinate Ordination (PCO) and k-means clustering were used for dimensionality reduction and biogas component clustering, respectively. This research showed that biogas from the waste water treatment process can be used, particularly in methane production. Technological advancements have made biogas production more efficient, enhancing energy generation within a circular economy framework.

Determinant analysis of oil agglomeration of coal fines using multiple regression and neural network models

ABSTRACT Oil agglomeration has gained importance owing to its simplicity and efficiency in beneficiating coal fines. In this study, high ash coal samples taken from six mines in India were put through an oil agglomeration process to investigate the usage of castor oil or blend of castor and turpentine for recovery of coal fines from coal-water slurry. The performance of the process has been evaluated based on ash rejection [AR (%)] and yield (%). Various Statistical analyses were carried out to investigate the role of various process parameters, such as PD, OD, AT, and oil-type on AR (%) and yield (%). Step-wise regression was performed for development of prediction model for AR (%) and yield (%). Determinant analysis was performed using general linear model (GLM). Our findings indicate that pulp density was the strongest determinant for AR (%), followed by oil dosage and agitation time. Similarly, oil dosage was the primary determinant for yield (%), followed by pulp density and agitation time. Sensitivity analysis was also carried out using artificial neural network (ANN) and the results in respect AR (%) revealed that agitation time was the most important predictor followed by pulp density and oil dosage.

Neural Mechanism of Musical Pleasure Induced by Prediction Errors: An EEG Study

Background/Objectives: Musical pleasure is considered to be induced by prediction errors (surprise), as suggested in neuroimaging studies. However, the role of temporal changes in musical features in reward processing remains unclear. Utilizing the Information Dynamics of Music (IDyOM) model, a statistical model that calculates musical surprise based on prediction errors in melody and harmony, we investigated whether brain activities associated with musical pleasure, particularly in the θ, β, and γ bands, are induced by prediction errors, similar to those observed during monetary rewards. Methods: We used the IDyOM model to calculate the information content (IC) of surprise for melody and harmony in 70 musical pieces across six genres; eight pieces with varying IC values were selected. Electroencephalographic data were recorded during listening to the pieces, continuously evaluating the participants’ subjective pleasure on a 1–4 scale. Time–frequency analysis of electroencephalographic data was conducted, followed by general linear model analysis to fit the power-value time course in each frequency band to the time courses of subjective pleasure and IC for melody and harmony. Results: Significant positive fits were observed in the β and γ bands in the frontal region with both subjective pleasure and IC for melody and harmony. No significant fit was observed in the θ band. Both subjective pleasure and IC are associated with increased β and γ band power in the frontal regions. Conclusions: β and γ oscillatory activities in the frontal regions are strongly associated with musical rewards induced by prediction errors, similar to brain activity observed during monetary rewards.

Study on the Effect of n-Hexane Insolubles on Pyrolysis Product Yields Based on Statistical Regression Analysis

Pyrolysis technology has attracted much attention due to its efficient biomass conversion capability, but the significant impact of n-hexane insoluble matter (INS) concentration on pyrolysis product yield has not been fully studied. Therefore, it is of great significance to explore the impact of INS on the yields of tar, water and coke residue. This study developed a linear regression model to analyze the effect of INS concentration on these pyrolysis products. The results show that INS concentration has a significant positive impact on tar yield, but has a smaller impact on water and coke residue yields. In addition, this study constructed a generalized linear model (GLM) to examine the interaction between INS concentration and mixing ratio, and found that the interaction effect was not significant. These findings provide valuable insights into optimizing the co-pyrolysis process of biomass and coal, helping to improve energy conversion efficiency and reduce environmental impact.

Heat Index: An Alternative Indicator for Measuring the Impacts of Meteorological Factors on Diarrhoea in the Climate Change Era: A Time Series Study in Dhaka, Bangladesh

Heat index (HI) is a biometeorological indicator that combines temperature and relative humidity. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the Heat Index and daily counts of diarrhoea hospitalisation in Dhaka, Bangladesh. Data on daily diarrhoea hospitalisations and meteorological variables from 1981 to 2010 were collected. We categorised the Heat Index of >94.3 °F (>34.6 °C), >100.7 °F (>38.2 °C) and >105 °F (>40.6 °C) as high, very high and extremely high Heat Index, respectively. We applied a time series adjusted generalised linear model (GLM) with negative binomial distribution to investigate the effects of the Heat Index and extreme Heat Index on hospitalisations for diarrhoea. Effects were assessed for all ages, children under 5 years old and by gender. A unit higher HI and high, very high and extremely high HI were associated with 0.8%, 8%, 7% and 9% increase in diarrhoea hospitalisations in all ages, respectively. The effects varied slightly by gender and were most pronounced in children under 5 years old with a rise of 1°F in high, very high and extremely high HI associated with a 14.1% (95% CI: 11.3–17.0%), 18.3% (95% CI: 13.4–23.5%) and 18.1% (95% CI: 8.4–28.6%) increase of diarrhoea, respectively. This suggests that the Heat Index may serve as an alternative indicator for measuring the combined effects of temperature and humidity on diarrhoea.

Preoperative anemia is associated with increased length of stay in adult spinal deformity surgery: evaluation of a large single-center patient cohort and future suggestions for patient optimization.

This study aimed to investigate the relationship of preoperative hemoglobin levels as an independent prognostic factor for hospital and intensive care unit (ICU) length of stay (LOS) in patients undergoing surgery for adult spinal deformity (ASD), with the intent of determining whether there exists a correlation and enhancing patient preoperative optimization protocols. The authors reviewed consecutive patients who underwent elective thoracolumbosacral posterior spinal fusion (PSF) involving six or more vertebrae for ASD from January 1, 2013, to December 13, 2021, with a minimum follow-up period of two years. This study primarily investigated the association of preoperative hemoglobin levels with hospital and ICU LOS. To analyze the data, both unadjusted and adjusted generalized linear models (GLM), incorporating cubic splines for non-linear variables, were applied. A total of 598 patients were included. GLMs for hospital and ICU LOS demonstrated nonlinear relationships with preoperative hemoglobin levels. Specifically, hospital LOS decreased with increasing preoperative hemoglobin until a significance threshold of 13.5g/dl. Similarly, ICU LOS significantly decreased with increasing preoperative hemoglobin until 13.0g/dl. Lower preoperative hemoglobin was associated with more perioperative transfusions, less likely discharge to home, and greater risk of reoperation. Preoperative anemia is an independent non-linear risk factor that significantly affects LOS, disposition, and outcomes after surgery for ASD. These findings advocate for a systemic preoperative approach and highlight the need for future research to improve postoperative outcomes and reduce hospital resource utilization. IV.

The abnormally increased functional connectivity of the locus coeruleus in migraine without aura patients

BackgroundThe neurovascular theory is thought to be one of the main pathological mechanisms of migraine. Locus coeruleus (LC) is a major node in the neurovascular pathway. Exploring the functional network characteristics of LC in migraine without aura (MwoA) patients can help us gain insight into the underlying neural mechanisms in MwoA patients.MethodsIn this study, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rsfMRI) and a functional connectivity (FC) approach to explore the functional characteristics of LC in MwoA patients. 17 healthy controls (HCs) and 28 MwoA patients were included in the study. FC was calculated based on rsfMRI data collected by a 3T MRI scanner. General linear model were used to compare whether there were differences in LC brain networks between the two groups. We also utilized logistic regression to explore the role of LC functional networks in the clinical diagnosis of MwoA.ResultsAfter general linear analysis, MwoA patients displayed increased FC from right LC to the left lingual and calcarine sulcus, as well as to the right frontal medial gyrus/orbit part, when compared with HCs. The results of the logistic regression showed that the LC FC signals were 81% accurate in distinguishing MwoA from the HCs.ConclusionOur results demonstrated that patients with MwoA exhibited significant LC FC differences in the brain areas associated with visual and cognitive function. Understanding the changes in the LC brain network in MwoA patients can provide us with new ideas to understand the pathological mechanisms of MwoA.

The Influence of Sex and Gender on the Level and Course of Subjective Cognitive Complaints After Percutaneous Coronary Intervention.

Cognitive complaints (e.g., health anxiety and illness disruption) are commonly experienced by patients with coronary heart disease (CHD). While it is known that sex and gender affect health, their influence on cognitive complaints remains unknown. The current study explored sex and gender differences in cognitive complaints during the first month (acute phase) and beyond, up to 2years (recovery phase) after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). A total of 514 (Mage = 64.2 ± 8.9, 84.2% male) completed the cognitive scale of the Health Complaints Scale (i.e., overall cognitive complaints, health worry, illness disruption) at baseline, 1, 12, and 24months post-PCI. Additional questionnaires to gauge gender identity, traits, and norms were administered in a follow-up study. General linear mixed model analyses were conducted to examine the influence of sex, gender, sex × gender, and covariates on cognitive complaints. Cognitive complaints only decreased in the first month post-PCI (all p < .01). There were no clear sex differences. However, gender generally predicted cognitive complaints in the first 2 years post-PCI: masculinity was related to less complaints, whereas feminine individuals reported higher absolute levels of complaints. The current findings reveal that gender is a valuable factor concerning health complaints and indicate the need to further elaborate on the discrepancies between sex and gender in health research.

Scale-specific effects of urban landscape pattern on the COVID-19 epidemic in Hangzhou, China

ContextUnderstanding the scale-specific effects of different landscape variables on the COVID-19 epidemics is critical for developing the precise and effective prevention and control strategies within urban areas.ObjectiveBased on the landscape epidemiology framework, we analyzed the scale-specific effects of urban landscape pattern on COVID-19 epidemics in Hangzhou, China.MethodsWe collected COVID-19 cases in Hangzhou from 2020‒2022 and combined the datasets of land use and land cover (LULC) and social gathering point (SGP) to quantify the urban landscape pattern. Optimal general linear model with stepwise regression was applied to explore the dominant landscape factors driving the COVID-19 transmission in the city. Furthermore, multi-scale geographically weighted regression illustrated the spatial heterogeneity and scale specificity of these landscape variables’ effects to COVID-19 epidemic.ResultsEight landscape variables of LULC and SGP patterns were identified which explained 68.5% of the variance in spatial risk of COVID-19. Different optimal bandwidths across these variables in MGWR indicated their scale-specific effects. LSI of green space enhanced the spatial risk across the entire region. The effects of landscape contagion, the number of water bodies, LSI of cropland and built-up areas, and the density of commercial houses were detected to vary between urban and suburban areas. The effects of LSI of water bodies and the density of shopping malls were found to vary among different districts.ConclusionsIn this study, we firstly discriminated the scale-specific effects of different landscape variables on the COVID-19 epidemic in the urban region. These findings can help to optimize the differentiated zoning prevention and control strategies for COVID-19 in cities and guide policy-making and urban planning at a multi-scale hierarchical perspective to improve public health and urban sustainability.

Progesterone and Estradiol Levels Associated with Concussion and Clinical Outcomes and Recovery in Female Athletes and Cadets.

Introduction: Female athletes are underrepresented in concussion research, and few studies have investigated associations of ovarian hormones with concussion outcomes. This study explored associations of concussion with levels and variability of progesterone, estradiol, and their ratio (P/E) and examined relationships of hormone levels with clinical measures and recovery after concussion in CARE Consortium female athletes and cadets.Methods: Female participants enrolled (n = 749) at pre-injury baseline. Participants with concussion (mean age 19.34 years; n = 130, 90 athletes, 40 non-athlete cadets) completed one or more visits at non-standardized times of day: immediately post-injury, 24-hours post-injury, upon initiating the return-to-play protocol (Init RTP), and seven days following unrestricted return-to-play (PRTP). Controls (mean age 19.85 years; n = 67, 61 athletes, 6 non-athlete cadets) completed similar visits. Linear mixed models and general linear models tested associations of hormone levels and/or variation with concussion status, symptoms, and recovery, controlling for self-reported birth control use at pre-injury baseline.Results: Female participants with concussion had higher progesterone levels relative to controls on average across all visits (mean difference (ln ng/mL) (standard error) MD = 0.26(0.08), t(193) = 3.03, p = 0.003). Those with concussion had elevated estradiol at 24 hours (MD = 0.27(0.09), t(506) = 3.04, p = 0.02), Init RTP (MD = 0.38(0.09), t(508) = 4.29, p < 0.001), and PRTP (MD = 0.30(0.09), t(515) = 3.25, p = 0.01) relative to pre-injury baseline, and compared to controls at Init RTP (MD = 0.35(0.12), t(429) = 2.78, p = 0.006). Concussed participants had a lower range of estradiol over 7-28 days than controls (B(SE) = -0.24(0.09), F(1,145) = 6.43, p = 0.01). Acutely after concussion, estradiol was positively associated with Brief Symptom Inventory Global Severity Index scores (B(SE) = 0.29(0.12), F(1,102) = 5.60, p = 0.02). No significant relationships were found between hormones and recovery.Conclusions: These results, which warrant further research, suggest ovarian hormones may be associated with concussion and psychological symptom severity post-concussion.

Gelatinolytic activity in dentin upon adhesive treatment

In this multi-parameter study, the effect of diverse factors related to adhesive application on the activation of host-derived gelatinases was investigated by gelatin zymography, in-situ zymography, fluorogenic DQ-gelatin assay and micro-tensile bond-strength (μTBS) testing. Gelatin zymography disclosed the presence of gelatinases in phosphoric acid-etched dentin powder, while two gold-standard adhesives generated no measurable MMP activation. In-situ zymography revealed that the interfacial gelatinolytic activity from specimens treated with the two adhesives appeared similar as that of the EDTA negative control, indicating no detectable gelatinases were activated upon adhesive treatment. In solution, MMP-2/9 activity significantly decreased upon interaction with both adhesives (two-way linear mixed effects model [LMEM]: p < 0.05); gelatinases were almost completely deactivated upon 1-week incubation at 37 °C (general linear model: p < 0.05); light-curing adhesives increased temperature up to 55 °C, which appeared sufficient to dramatically decrease MMP-2/9 activity (two-way ANOVA: p < 0.05). Finally, challenging adhesive-dentin interfaces with highly concentrated MMP-9 (at a much higher concentration than present in saliva) for 1 m did not significantly affect μTBS (two-way LMEM: p > 0.05). Taken together, the two adhesives did not activate but rather inhibited the release and activation of dentinal gelatinases.

Self-awareness from whole-body movements.

Humans can recognize their whole-body movements even when displayed as dynamic dot patterns. The sparse depiction of whole-body movements, coupled with a lack of visual experience watching ourselves in the world, has long implicated non-visual mechanisms to self-action recognition. We aimed to identify the neural systems for this ability. Using general linear modeling and multivariate analyses on human brain imaging data from male and female participants, we first found that cortical areas linked to motor processes, including frontoparietal and primary somatomotor cortices, exhibit greater engagement and functional connectivity when recognizing self-generated versus other-generated actions. Next, we show that these regions encode self-identity based on motor familiarity, even after regressing out idiosyncratic visual cues using multiple regression representational similarity analysis. Last, we found the reverse pattern for unfamiliar individuals: encoding localized to occipito-temporal visual regions. These findings suggest that self-awareness from actions emerges from the interplay of motor and visual processes.Significance Statement: We report for the first time that self-recognition from visual observation of our whole-body actions implicates brain regions associated with motor processes. On functional neuroimaging data, we found greater activity and unique representational patterns in brain areas and networks linked to motor processes when viewing our own actions relative to viewing the actions of others. These findings introduce an important role of motor mechanisms in distinguishing the self from others.

Relationship Status Rather than Sociosexuality or Sexual Orientation Predicts Male Sexual Functioning.

Male sexual functioning is a prerequisite for conception and consequently for reproduction and is thus a crucial mechanism from an evolutionary and social perspective. Previous studies reported better sexual functioning in coupled compared to single individuals. However, it is not clear whether sexual functioning increases or decreases with a short-term casual sexual strategy, which is another possibility, along with a long-term strategy. Furthermore, sexual orientation may represent yet another mating strategy that may influence sexual functioning. Here, we aimed to test the possible associations between male sexual functioning and sexual strategies, as measured through sociosexuality, relationship status, and sexual orientation. We hypothesize that due to its relationship with the evolved motivation of mate acquisition and mate retention, both stable relationships and sociosexuality would be positively associated with male sexual functioning. We did not expect significant differences in sexual functioning among men with different sexual orientations. We sampled 427 healthy men of different sexual orientations (203 heterosexuals, 77 bisexuals, and 147 gay men) who completed the Male Sexual Function Index (MSFI) and its subscales of desire, arousal, erection, orgasm, and satisfaction; the Sociosexual Orientation Inventory-Revised; and sociodemographic questions. A multivariate general linear model showed that, compared to single individuals, partnered individuals reported greater MSFI-arousal, MSFI-erection, MSFI-orgasm, and MSFI-satisfaction. Sociosexuality and sexual orientation only weakly predicted MSFI domains. Male sexual functioning thus seems to be moderately associated with a long-term mating strategy and can thus serve for relationship maintenance rather than for acquiring new partners.

Sex-Dependent Effects of CYP2D6 on the Pharmacokinetics of Berberine in Humans.

An over-the-counter product berberine (a major alkaloid in goldenseal) is a substrate of the uptake transporter OCT1 and the metabolizing enzyme CYP2D6. The two genes exhibit common functional polymorphisms. Approximately 9% of Europeans and white Americans are either poor CYP2D6 metabolizers or poor OCT1 transporters. In this study, we investigated the effects of OCT1 and CYP2D6 polymorphisms on berberine pharmacokinetics in humans. We confirmed in vitro that berberine is an OCT1 substrate (KM of 7.0 μM, CLint of 306 ± 29 μL/min/mg). Common OCT1 alleles *3 to *6 showed uptake reduced by at least 65% and Oct1/2 knockout mice showed 3.2-fold higher AUCs in liver perfusion experiments. However, in humans, poor OCT1 transporters did not show any differences in berberine pharmacokinetics compared with reference participants. In contrast, CYP2D6 polymorphisms significantly affected berberine metabolism, but exclusively in females. Females who were poor CYP2D6 metabolizers had an 80% lower M1-to-berberine ratio. General linear model analyses suggest strong synergistic, rather than additive, effects between female sex and CYP2D6 genotype. Overall, berberine displayed low oral bioavailability, yet females had a 2.8-fold higher AUC and a 3.6-fold higher Cmax than males (P < 0.001). These effects were only partially attributable to the sex-CYP2D6 genotype interaction. In conclusion, despite berberine being an OCT1 substrate, OCT1 deficiency did not affect berberine pharmacokinetics in humans. In contrast, CYP2D6 emerges as a critical enzyme for berberine metabolism in females, but not in males, highlighting sex-specific differences. We suggest that factors beyond CYP2D6 metabolism are determining berberine's systemic exposure, especially in males (NCT05463003).