Lower Protein Levels Research Articles

Family ties: Root-root communication within Solanaceae

Root–root communication effects on several physiological and metabolic aspects among Solanaceae relatives were studied. We examined cherry (C) and field (F) tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and bell pepper (B) (Capsicum annuum), comprising three degrees of relatedness (DOR): high (H-DOR; CC, FF and BB), medium (M-DOR; CF) and low (L-DOR; CB and FB). Plants were grown in pairs of similar or different plants on a paper-based and non-destructive root growth system, namely, rhizoslides. Root growth, including the proliferation of fine roots, and respiration increased as the DOR decreased and were highest in paired L-DOR plants, as was shown for root respiration that increased by 63, 110 and 88 % for C, F, and B when grown with B, B and F, respectively. On the other hand, root exudates of L-DOR plants had significantly lower levels of total organic carbon and protein than those of H-DOR plants, indicating different root–root communication between individuals with different DOR. Our findings indicate, for the first time, that carbon allocation to root growth, exudation and respiration depends on the degree of genetic relatedness, and that the degree of relatedness between individual plants plays a key role in the root-root communication within Solanaceae.

Attenuated frontotemporal brain activation during cognitive tasks is associated with lower succinate dehydrogenase protein levels in patients with major depressive disorder

BackgroundPrevious studies have shown a lower hemodynamic response in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) during cognitive tasks. However, the mechanism underlying impaired hemodynamic and neural responses to cognitive tasks in MDD patients remains unclear. Succinate dehydrogenase (SDH) is a key biomarker of mitochondrial energy generation, and it can affect the hemodynamic response via the neurovascular coupling effect. In the current study, cerebral hemodynamic responses were detected during verbal fluency tasks (VFTs) via functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) and SDH protein levels were examined in serum from MDD patients to quickly identify whether these hemodynamic alterations were related to mitochondrial energy metabolism. MethodsFifty patients with first-episode drug-naïve MDD and 42 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited according to inclusion and exclusion criteria. The 17-item Hamilton Depression Rating Scale (17-HDRS), Hamilton Anxiety Rating Scale (HAMA) and Inventory of Depressive Symptomatology-Self Report (IDS-SR) were used to assess the clinical symptoms of the patients. All participants underwent fNIRS measurements to evaluate cerebral hemodynamic responses in the frontal and temporal cortex during VFTs; moreover, SDH protein levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. ResultsActivation in the frontal-temporal brain region during the VFTs was lower in patients with MDD than in HCs. The SDH level in the serum of MDD patients was also significantly lower than that in HCs (p = 0.003), which significantly affected right lateral frontal (p = 0.025) and right temporal (p = 0.022) lobe activation. Both attenuated frontal-temporal activation during the VFTs (OR = 1.531) and lower SDH levels (OR = 1.038) were risk factors for MDD. ConclusionsMDD patients had lower cerebral hemodynamic responses to VFTs; this was associated with mitochondrial dysfunction, as indicated by SDH protein levels. Furthermore, attenuated hemodynamic responses in frontotemporal regions and lower SDH levels increased the risk for MDD. LimitationsThe sample size is relatively small. SDH protein levels in peripheral blood may not necessarily reflect mitochondrial energy generation in the central nervous system.

Rapid assay development for low input targeted proteomics using a versatile linear ion trap.

Advances in proteomics and mass spectrometry enable the study of limited cell populations, where high-mass accuracy instruments are typically required. While triple quadrupoles offer fast and sensitive low-mass accuracy measurements, these instruments are effectively restricted to targeted proteomics. Linear ion traps (LITs) offer a versatile, cost-effective alternative capable of both targeted and global proteomics. Here, we describe a workflow using a new hybrid quadrupole-LIT instrument that rapidly develops targeted proteomics assays from global data-independent acquisition (DIA) measurements without needing high-mass accuracy. Using an automated software approach for scheduling parallel reaction monitoring assays (PRM), we show consistent quantification across three orders of magnitude in a matched-matrix background. We demonstrate measuring low-level proteins such as transcription factors and cytokines with quantitative linearity below two orders of magnitude in a 1 ng background proteome without requiring stable isotope-labeled standards. From a 1 ng sample, we found clear consistency between proteins in subsets of CD4 + and CD8 + T cells measured using high dimensional flow cytometry and LIT-based proteomics. Based on these results, we believe hybrid quadrupole-LIT instruments represent an economical solution to democratizing mass spectrometry in a wide variety of laboratory settings.

A viral effector blocks the turnover of a plant NLR receptor to trigger a robust immune response

Plant intracellular nucleotide-binding and leucine-rich repeat immune receptors (NLRs) play a key role in activating a strong pathogen defense response. Plant NLR proteins are tightly regulated and accumulate at very low levels in the absence of pathogen effectors. However, little is known about how this low level of NLR proteins is able to induce robust immune responses upon recognition of pathogen effectors. Here, we report that, in the absence of effector, the inactive form of the tomato NLR Sw-5b is targeted for ubiquitination by the E3 ligase SBP1. Interaction of SBP1 with Sw-5b via only its N-terminal domain leads to slow turnover. In contrast, in its auto-active state, Sw-5b is rapidly turned over as SBP1 is upregulated and interacts with both its N-terminal and NB-LRR domains. During infection with the tomato spotted wilt virus, the viral effector NSm interacts with Sw-5b and disrupts the interaction of Sw-5b with SBP1, thereby stabilizing the active Sw-5b and allowing it to induce a robust immune response.

Research on cognitive impairment and potential risk factors in peritoneal dialysis patients: An observational study.

The objective of this study is to investigate the associated risk factors and their effects on cognitive impairment (CI) in patients undergoing peritoneal dialysis. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the basic information of 268 patients who underwent continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) at our hospital from January 2020 to September 2023. Cognitive function was assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale during their subsequent dialysis visits. Participants were categorized into a CI group and a cognitively normal group. Blood and other biological samples were collected for relevant biomarker analysis. Subsequently, we analyzed and compared the factors influencing CI between the 2 groups. The prevalence of CI among CAPD patients was 58.2%. Compared to the cognitively normal group, the CI group had a higher prevalence of alcohol consumption, lower levels of education, and reduced serum uric acid levels (P < .05). There was also a higher incidence of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus in the CI group (P < .05). In terms of dialysis efficacy, the residual kidney Kt/V and residual kidney Ccr were significantly lower in the CI group compared to the cognitively normal group. In blood parameters, the CI group showed elevated total cholesterol levels and lower serum calcium concentrations (P < .05). Logistic regression analysis identified male gender, older age, lower educational attainment, hypercholesterolemia, and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels as independent risk factors for CI in CAPD patients (P < .05). Additionally, in this patient cohort, dialysis duration and residual renal function were protective factors against CI (P < .05). CI is prevalent among PD patients. Elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels, male gender, older age, lower educational attainment, and hypercholesterolemia constitute an independent risk factor for CI in CAPD patients, whereas residual renal function acts as a protective element.

Using fosfomycin to prevent infection following ureterorenoscopy in response to shortage of cephalosporins: a retrospective preliminary study

BackgroundIn 2019, the shortage of cefazolin led to the demand for cefotiam and cefmetazole exceeding the supply. The Department of Nephro-urology at Nagoya City University Hospital used fosfomycin as a substitute for perioperative prophylaxis. This retrospective preliminary study evaluated the efficacy of fosfomycin and cefotiam for preventing infections following ureterorenoscopy.MethodsThe study included 182 patients who underwent ureterorenoscopy between January 2018 and March 2021). Perioperative antibacterial treatment with fosfomycin (n = 108) or cefotiam (n = 74) was administered. We performed propensity score matching in both groups for age, sex, preoperative urinary catheter use, and preoperative antibiotic treatment.ResultsThe fosfomycin and cefotiam groups (n = 69 per group) exhibited no significant differences in terms of patients’ median age, operative duration, preoperative urine white blood cell count, preoperative urine bacterial count, and the rate of preoperative antibiotic treatment. In the fosfomycin and cefotiam groups, the median duration of postoperative hospital stay was 3 and 4 days, respectively; the median maximum postoperative temperature was 37.3 °C and 37.2 °C, respectively. The fosfomycin group had lower postoperative C-reactive protein levels and white blood cell count than the cefotiam group. However, the frequency of fever > 38 °C requiring additional antibiotic administration was similar.ConclusionsDuring cefotiam shortage, fosfomycin administration enabled surgeons to continue performing ureterorenoscopies without increasing the complication rate.

Early-life diet does not affect preference for fish in herring gulls (Larus argentatus).

Urban populations of herring gulls (Larus argentatus) are increasing and causing human-wildlife conflict by exploiting anthropogenic resources. Gulls that breed in urban areas rely on varying amounts of terrestrial anthropogenic foods (e.g., domestic refuse, agricultural and commercial waste) to feed themselves. However, with the onset of hatching, many parent gulls switch to sourcing more marine than anthropogenic or terrestrial foods to provision their chicks. Although anthropogenic foods may meet chick calorific requirements for growth and development, some such foods (e.g., bread) may have lower levels of protein and other key nutrients compared to marine foods. However, whether this parental switch in chick diet is driven by chicks' preference for marine foods, or whether chicks' food preferences are shaped by the food types provisioned by their parents, remains untested. This study tests whether chick food preferences can be influenced by their provisioned diet by experimentally manipulating the ratio of time for which anthropogenic and marine foods were available (80:20 and vice versa) in the rearing diets of two treatment groups of rescued herring gull chicks. Each diet was randomly assigned to each of the 27 captive-reared chicks for the duration of the study. We tested chicks' individual food preferences throughout their development in captivity using food arrays with four food choices (fish, cat food, mussels and brown bread). Regardless of the dietary treatment group, we found that all chicks preferred fish and almost all refused to eat most of the bread offered. Our findings suggest that early-life diet, manipulated by the ratio of time the different foods were available, did not influence gull chicks' food preferences. Instead, chicks developed a strong and persistent preference for marine foods, which appears to match adult gulls' dietary switch to marine foods upon chick hatching and may reinforce the provisioning of marine foods during chick development. However, whether chicks in the wild would refuse provisioned foods, and to a sufficient extent to influence parental provisioning, requires further study. Longitudinal studies of urban animal populations that track wild individuals' food preferences and foraging specialisations throughout life are required to shed light on the development and use of anthropogenic resource exploitation.

Comparison of the Response to an Electronic Versus a Traditional Informed Consent Procedure in Terms of Clinical Patient Characteristics: Observational Study.

Electronic informed consent (eIC) is increasingly used in clinical research due to several benefits including increased enrollment and improved efficiency. Within a learning health care system, a pilot was conducted with an eIC for linking data from electronic health records with national registries, general practitioners, and other hospitals. We evaluated the eIC pilot by comparing the response to the eIC with the former traditional paper-based informed consent (IC). We assessed whether the use of eIC resulted in a different study population by comparing the clinical patient characteristics between the response categories of the eIC and former face-to-face IC procedure. All patients with increased cardiovascular risk visiting the University Medical Center Utrecht, the Netherlands, were eligible for the learning health care system. From November 2021 to August 2022, an eIC was piloted at the cardiology outpatient clinic. Prior to the pilot, a traditional face-to-face paper-based IC approach was used. Responses (ie, consent, no consent, or nonresponse) were assessed and compared between the eIC and face-to-face IC cohorts. Clinical characteristics of consenting and nonresponding patients were compared between and within the eIC and the face-to-face cohorts using multivariable regression analyses. A total of 2254 patients were included in the face-to-face IC cohort and 885 patients in the eIC cohort. Full consent was more often obtained in the eIC than in the face-to-face cohort (415/885, 46.9% vs 876/2254, 38.9%, respectively). Apart from lower mean hemoglobin in the full consent group of the eIC cohort (8.5 vs 8.8; P=.0021), the characteristics of the full consenting patients did not differ between the eIC and face-to-face IC cohorts. In the eIC cohort, only age differed between the full consent and the nonresponse group (median 60 vs 56; P=.0002, respectively), whereas in the face-to-face IC cohort, the full consent group seemed healthier (ie, higher hemoglobin, lower glycated hemoglobin [HbA1c], lower C-reactive protein levels) than the nonresponse group. More patients provided full consent using an eIC. In addition, the study population remained broadly similar. The face-to-face IC approach seemed to result in a healthier study population (ie, full consenting patients) than the patients without IC, while in the eIC cohort, the characteristics between consent groups were comparable. Thus, an eIC may lead to a better representation of the target population, increasing the generalizability of results.

Clinicopathological features and prognosis of IgA vasculitis nephritis with nephrotic-range proteinuria in children.

To investigate the clinical features, kidney pathology, treatment regimens, and clinical outcomes of IgA vasculitis nephritis (IgAVN) with nephrotic-range proteinuria in children. A retrospective review of children diagnosed with IgAVN between January 2019 and December 2022 was conducted. Participants were divided into two groups based on their urine protein/creatinine (UPCR) levels. Biodata, clinical characteristics, laboratory findings, pathologic features, treatment regimens, and outcomes were abstracted from case records and analyzed. A total of 255 children were identified, 94 with nephrotic-range proteinuria (UPCR ≥ 200 mg/mmol) and 161 with non-nephrotic proteinuria (UPCR < 200 mg/mmol). Patients in the nephrotic-range proteinuria group were significantly younger and had worse grades of glomerular and acute tubulointerstitial injury compared to those in the non-nephrotic proteinuria group. Higher levels of blood urea nitrogen (BUN), D-dimer (DD), and fibrin degradation products (FDP), and lower levels of total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), urine creatinine (Cr), prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), IgG, CD3 + cells, and CD4 + cells were found in patients in the nephrotic-range proteinuria group. Clinical outcome of patients with nephrotic-range proteinuria was significantly associated with ISKDC grading, proportion of glomerular crescents and severity of acute tubulointerstitial injury. Children with nephrotic-range proteinuria exhibit more severe disordered immunologic function, hypercoagulability, glomerular and tubulointerstitial pathological damage, and have worse outcomes than those with lower proteinuria levels. Clinicians should pay great attention to the kidney injury and more extensive studies are required to identify optimal treatment regimens to improve outcomes in patients.

Causal relationships between inflammatory cytokines and myopia: an analysis of genetic and observational studies.

This study aims to explore the causal relationship between inflammatory markers and myopia through the use of bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) and myopia animal models. The authors utilized data from a comprehensive and publicly accessible genome-wide association study (GWAS) for our analysis, which includes 460536 European ancestry control subjects and 37362 myopia patients. Utilizing a two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis framework, 27 inflammatory markers were investigated as exposure variables with myopia serving as the outcome variable. Nine MR analysis techniques were employed, with inverse-variance weighting (IVW) as the principal MR analysis method. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochrane's Q test. The identification of single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and outliers linked to myopia was achieved via MR-PRESSO. The expression of interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the vitreous of guinea pigs subjected to experimentally induced form-deprivation myopia (FDM) was examined. Elevated concentrations of IL-2 and IL-2ra were found to be associated [IVW estimate odds ratio (OR): 1.003, 95% CI: 1.001-1.005, P=0.001] and strongly associated (IVW estimate OR: 1.002, 95% CI: 1.000-1.003, P=0.049) with an increased risk of myopia, respectively. Conversely, lower levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (IVW estimate OR: 0.996, 95% CI: 0.994-0.999, P=0.002) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (IVW estimate OR: 0.995, 95% CI: 0.994-0.996, P<0.001) were robustly linked to a heightened risk of myopia. IL-2 expression was notably upregulated in the vitreous of guinea pigs with experimentally induced FDM. Elevated levels of inflammatory factors, especially IL-2 and IL-2ra, have a potential causal relationship with myopia susceptibility, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of myopia.

Beneficial effects of dietary omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids on offspring brain development in gestational diabetes mellitus

Various mechanisms through which maternal diet influences offspring brain development in gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) remains unclear. We speculate that prenatal omega 3 fatty acids will improve the levels of brain neurotrophins and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), an angiogenic factor leading to improved cognitive performance in the offspring. GDM was induced in Wistar rats using streptozotocin. They were assigned to either control, GDM or GDM+O (GDM + omega-3 fatty acid supplementation). The offspring were followed till 3 mo of age and cognitive assessment was undertaken. Data analysis was carried out using one-way ANOVA followed by LSD test. GDM induction increased (p < 0.01) dam glucose levels and lowered brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels (p = 0.056) in the offspring at birth. At 3 months, GDM group showed significantly lower levels of neurotrophic tyrosine kinase receptor-2 (NTRK-2) and VEGF, lower mRNA levels of NTRK-2 and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) (P < 0.05 for all) as compared to control. The GDM offspring had a higher escape latency (p < 0.01), made lesser % correct choices and more errors (p < 0.05 for both). Prenatal supplementation with omega 3 polyunsaturated fatty acids was beneficial since it ameliorated some of the adverse effects of GDM.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Neonatal Hepatoblastoma: A Single Center Study

ObjectiveHepatoblastoma (HB) diagnosed within one month following birth qualifies for a diagnosis of neonatal HB, whose prognosis is reportedly controversial, and its treatment is challenging. This study discussed the diagnosis, treatment, and outcomes of neonatal HB at a single center so as to enhance its overall management in the future. MethodsThe clinical information of babies diagnosed with neonatal HB at our center from August 2009 to September 2023 were retrospectively analyzed for demographics, clinical features, therapy, and outcomes. The outcomes were estimated by the Kaplan–Meier analysis method. ResultsThe study comprised 79 patients aged less than one year old, among which 14 had neonatal HB whereas 65 were non-neonatal HB patients. No differences were found between groups regarding gender, birth weight, delivery details, parental age, clinical signs, or treatment strategies. Neonatal HB patients were more likely to have PRETEXT I-II, smaller tumor size, congenital diseases, and lower risk tumor grade (p < 0.05). Additionally, the AFP levels of all neonatal HB patients were greater than 10,000 ng/ml (p = 0.009) and they had higher levels of ferritin (p = 0.003) and hemoglobin (p = 0.021), but lower levels of serum total proteins (p = 0.001). The three-year survival rate (100% vs 90.8%) and three-year event-free survival rate (100% vs 86.2%) in the neonatal HB group were higher than the non-neonatal HB group. ConclusionNeonatal HB patients have unique clinical features and can achieve an excellent prognosis following combined treatment with surgery and chemotherapy. Tumor resection, when carefully performed, was safe even in babies younger than one months old. Further and long-term studies are needed from a larger neonatal HB population. Level of EvidenceLevel III.

Evaluation of the short-term complications of intracorporeal anastomosis in right-sided colectomy.

The benefits of intracorporeal anastomosis in laparoscopic colorectal cancer surgery remain unclear. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the short-term postoperative outcomes of intracorporeal anastomosis. We retrospectively analyzed 87 patients who underwent laparoscopic surgery for right-sided colon tumors using a colon database. Of the 87 patients, 23 underwent intracorporeal anastomosis and 64 underwent extracorporeal anastomosis. Intraoperative bleeding, wound length, exhaust gas, preoperative white blood cell count, and C-reactive protein (postoperative day 1) were higher in the extracorporeal anastomosis group than in the intracorporeal anastomosis group. The incidence of wound infection was higher in the intracorporeal anastomosis group than in the extracorporeal anastomosis group. In the irrigation water bacterial culture collected after anastomosis, the positive group had a higher white blood cell count on postoperative day 1 and higher C-reactive protein levels on postoperative day 3 than did the negative group. Patients who underwent chemical preparation had lower C-reactive protein levels on postoperative day 1 than did the group who did not undergo chemical preparation. Despite the advantages of intracorporeal anastomosis in terms of wound length and intraoperative bleeding, the risk of infection may increase during the introduction phase. Fever and inflammatory responses are significantly elevated in culture-positive cases.

Profilage quantitatif des constituants nutraceutiques dans la pulpe de quatre cultivars d'avocat : une étude approfondie des régions d'Itasy et de Vakinankaratra à Madagascar

The study of avocado pulp samples reveals distinct mineral compositions, highlighting their potential for nutritional and industrial applications. Notably, the Fucca variety from Vakinankaratra shows the highest magnesium levels, while elements such as sulfur, calcium, and cobalt are absent. Potassium, magnesium, and aluminum are present across varieties, with other minerals detectable in trace amounts. Fucca surpasses the Fuerte and Bacon cultivars in mineral content, with water content ranging from 46% to 55%. The protein content is significantly higher in Fucca from Vakinankaratra (42.28%) and Fuerte from Itasy (46.01%) compared to other varieties, which have much lower protein levels. Organic matter is high in all varieties, especially Fucca from Itasy (69.37%). Water-extractable substances are notably higher in Fucca from Itasy, contrasting with the absence of flavonoids and leucoanthocyanins in Bacon and Fuerte pulps. All varieties contain trace amounts of tannins, with low polyphenol levels in Fucca from Itasy. Different quantities of pulp and drying methods influence oil yield, varying from 49 to 56 grams per 100 grams of dry pulp. Fucca from Vakinankaratra has the highest oil content (56.93%), followed by Fucca from Itasy (53.15%), Bacon from Vakinankaratra (52.03%), and Fuerte from Itasy (49.37%). These findings highlight the nutritional diversity of avocado varieties, suggesting potential targeted applications in the food, pharmaceutical, and cosmetic industries to optimize the use and value of this versatile fruit. Keywords : Avocado cultivars, Nutraceuticals, Secondary metabolites, Mineral composition, Madagacar.

Changes in cottonseed meal quality during post-harvest processing of cottonseed

This study investigates aflatoxin contamination levels during the post-harvest processing of whole cottonseed into defatted cottonseed meal, a critical feed component in the dairy industry. Whole fuzzy cottonseed, a byproduct of cotton gins, undergoes various processes to extract oil and produce meal and hulls. These are either used as animal feed or soil amendments. However, aflatoxin contamination poses significant challenges due to strict FDA action levels for dairy and beef cattle feed. This contamination occurs when Aspergillus flavus infects crops under specific environmental conditions or through improper handling during post-harvest processes. Our research aims to document aflatoxin levels during each stage of post-harvest processing, from cleaning to meal formation. Preliminary findings suggest that certain stages may concentrate aflatoxins akin to other agricultural products like dried distillers’ grains and solubles (DDGS). The implications of these findings could be profound for the dairy industry, where low allowable aflatoxin levels impact both economic and animal health outcomes. The cottonseed post-harvest process consists of cleaning, delinting, hull removal, kernel flaking, oil extraction, and meal formation. Understanding how aflatoxin levels change during these steps is crucial for ensuring safe and high-quality defatted cottonseed meal for livestock consumption. Microbial levels increased by 4 orders of magnitude during the acid delinting process, from 7.0× 105 to 5.2 × 109 CFU/g, and 5 orders of magnitude during the mechanical delinting process, from 7.3× 105 to 1.5 × 1010 CFU/g for the inoculated cottonseed samples. Higher microbial load was associated with lower protein levels and lower fat acidity levels. Further research will shed light on the effects of aflatoxin concentration on the nutritional value of the final product.

HGF, HNRPD, and sFLT1 Interfere with the Induction of VEGF in Patients with Severe Psoriasis.

Restructuring of dermal microcapillaries is one of the hallmarks of plaque psoriasis. To control the proliferation of vascular endothelial cells, vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) promotes the remodeling of the existing blood vessels and angiogenesis. This study aimed to explain the lowering protein and mRNA levels of VEGF in lesional skin of patients with severe psoriasis (the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index, PASI > 25). Using the method of qPCR, we assessed the expression of VEGF mRNA in lesional and nonlesional psoriatic skin. Using ELISA, we also compared the levels of VEGF in skin homogenates of psoriasis patients and healthy volunteers. We found that the exacerbation of psoriasis induced VEGF on mRNA and protein levels 12 and 20 times, respectively. We also confirmed a strong correlation between VEGF and PASI score in patients with PASI < 25. In addition, we showed that several factors, namely HGF, HNRPD, and sFLT1 interfere with the biosynthesis of VEGF in skin lesions of patients with PASI > 25%. Thus, using VEGF as a biomarker to monitor the disease shall be done cautiously in patients with severe psoriasis.

Investigating the Correlation between Genotypes and Hepatic Protein Expression of CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5 Using Postmortem Tissue from a Danish Population.

The cytochrome P450 (CYP) family of enzymes plays a central role in the metabolism of many drugs. CYP genes are highly polymorphic, which is known to affect protein levels, but for some low frequent CYP genotypes the correlation between genotype and CYP protein expression is less established. In this study, we determined the CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5 genotypes of 250 Danish individuals included in a postmortem study. For 116 of the individuals, the hepatic CYP protein levels were investigated by a proteomics approach. Overall, we found the postmortem genetic and proteomic data to be in agreement with those of other studies performed on fresh hepatic tissue, showing the usability of postmortem hepatic tissue for this type of investigation. For less investigated genotypes, we could corroborate previously found results: 1) statistically significantly lower levels of hepatic CYP2C9 protein in individuals carrying the CYP2C9*3 variant compared with individuals with two wild type (wt) alleles; 2) comparable levels of CYP2C19 in CYP2C19*2/*17 and CYP2C19*1/*2 individuals; 3) reduced CYP2D6 protein levels in heterozygous individuals with the CYP2D6*3, CYP2D6*4, and CYP2D6*5 gene deletion variants; and 4) significantly lower levels of CYP3A5 protein in CYP3A5*3 homozygous individuals compared with individuals who were heterozygous for the CYP3A5*3 allele or homozygous individuals for the wt alleles. In conclusion, the use of postmortem tissue significantly increases the access to human specimens for research purposes, and postmortem proteomics can be used to investigate the link between CYP genotypes and hepatic protein expression. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: In tissue samples from a large postmortem cohort (n = 250) we determined the CYP2C9, CYP2C19, CYP2D6, and CYP3A5 genotypes. Hepatic CYP protein levels were investigated in 116 individuals using a proteomics approach. For common genotypes, we found results similar to previous knowledge, pointing toward the usability of postmortem tissue. For the less investigated genotypes, we were able to corroborate genotype/protein expression correlations. It is a novel approach to use a large postmortem cohort to investigate genetic/protein expression correlations.

Influence of the season on the main components of cow milk in Ukraine

The quality of dairy products depends on the safety and quality of raw materials, therefore, the analysis of physicochemical and sanitary indicators of raw cow milk is of great importance. The composition of bulk milk of three technological groups of cows: early lactation (5–60 days in milk), primiparous cows and all other cows starting from the second lactation was studied according to seasons. Regardless of the group of animals, the fat content in bulk milk was significantly lower in summer than in other seasons of the year, and the highest in winter. In each group of animals, the lowest somatic cell count was observed in the fall, while the highest indicator of the study of bulk milk of cows in early lactation and primiparous was determined in the winter, and in the spring of cows from the second lactation. The lowest milk urea content in all groups of animals was noted in summer. The lowest protein level was observed in autumn (3.27 ± 0.11%), and the highest in winter (3.39 ± 0.11%) in the bulk milk of cows in early lactation. The ratio of fat to protein in summer 1.12 ± 0.03 was significantly lower compared to other seasons of the year. The highest level of somatic cells was recorded in this group in winter (290 ± 82 * 103 cells/mL), which was twice as much as in autumn (141 ± 54 * 103 cells/mL), and by 56.8% more than in summer (185 ± 39 * 103 cells/mL). The milk urea content in the summer was 194.0 ± 17.6 mg/kg, which is significantly lower than the indicators in other seasons of the year in the group of early lactation. In the summer period, the lowest protein content (3.23 ± 0.06%) in the bulk milk of primiparous cows was observed compared to other seasons of the year. The winter was characterized by the highest level of somatic cell count in milk (221 ± 49 * 103 cells/mL), which was almost twice as high as the autumn period (116 ± 31 * 103 cells/mL). The highest urea content in the milk of primiparous cows was found in autumn (228.6 ± 21.9 mg/kg), which exceeded the summer figure by 14.5%. The lowest protein content (3.29 ± 0.06%) and the highest in winter (3.44 ± 0.09%) was observed in the bulk milk of cows of the second lactation and older. The somatic cell count in milk in autumn (160 ± 69 * 103 cells/mL) was lower than the winter and spring indicators by 37.5% and 49.3%, respectively. The milk urea content in the summer (198 ± 22 mg/kg) was significantly lower than the autumn and winter indicators. In further studies, to improve the sanitary quality of milk, it is planned to use different hygienic means for processing the udder of cows depending on the season.

Impact of Low-Temperature Plasma Radiofrequency Tonsillectomy on Pain, Inflammatory Markers, and Sleep Quality in Adults with Chronic Tonsillitis.

Chronic tonsillitis (CT) is a very common ear, nose, and throat disease worldwide, and in severe cases it can cause sleep apnea hypoventilation syndrome, which can affect the patient's health and can even be life-threatening. Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy is one of the commonly used methods for treating CT with remarkable results, but more detailed reports are lacking. In this study, we aimed to explore the impact of low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy on pain, inflammatory markers, and sleep quality in adult CT patients for clinical reference. A retrospective study was performed on adult patients diagnosed with CT at our hospital between June 2019 and October 2023. Patients were categorized into a control group receiving traditional tonsillectomy and a treatment group undergoing low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy. The groups were compared in terms of baseline characteristics, surgical parameters, visual analogue scale (VAS) scores, 36-item short form (SF-36) health survey questionnaire scores, inflammatory markers, and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) scores. Group differences in postoperative complications were also analyzed. There were 160 patients, 80 in the treatment group (50 males and 30 females, mean age 28.90 ± 2.46 years) and 80 in the control group (46 males, 34 females, mean age 28.89 ± 2.01 years). Differences between the two groups in terms of age, sex, duration of disease, smoking history, body mass index, and other baseline characteristics were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Operation time, intraoperative bleeding, return to normal diet, and pseudomembrane detachment time in the treatment group were all significantly lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in VAS or SF-36 scores before treatment (p > 0.05). Post-treatment, both groups had lower VAS scores and higher SF-36 scores in the treatment group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were no significant differences in levels of inflammatory markers before treatment (p > 0.05). Both groups showed increased levels of inflammatory markers post-treatment, but the treatment group had lower post-treatment levels of Interleukin-6 (IL-6) and hypersensitive-C reactive protein (hs-CRP) than the control group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was observed between the two groups in PSQI scores before treatment (p > 0.05). Following treatment, both groups had decreased PSQI scores, with lower scores in the treatment group than in the control group (p < 0.05). The complication rate was lower in the treatment group than in the control group, with rates of 8.75% and 23.75%, respectively (p < 0.05). Low-temperature plasma radiofrequency tonsillectomy for adult CT patients offers advantages such as shorter surgical time, reduced intraoperative bleeding, minimal trauma, and fewer postoperative complications. This procedure significantly alleviates pain, improves quality of life, reduces levels of inflammatory markers, and enhances sleep quality.

Blue mussel (Mytilus edulis) lipid extract ameliorates insulin resistance in diabetic rats by regulating the SphK/So1P signaling pathway

Studies have shown that blue mussel lipid extract (BMLE) has strong anti-inflammatory activity in both rheumatoid arthritis patients and animal arthritis models. Present study aimed to investigate the effect of BMLE on insulin resistance and its potential mechanisms. Diabetic rats were randomly divided into three groups and received corn oil (CO), fish oil (FO) and BMLE. The results showed that BMLE could effectively reduce Homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in diabetic rats. BMLE group showed a significantly lower protein levels of SphK1 and a significantly higher protein levels of SphK2, AKT and P-AKT of liver and skeletal muscle compared with the both CO and FO groups. The liver sphingosine-1 phosphate (So1P) in the BMLE group was significantly higher than in the CO group. In conclusion, the present results demonstrate that BMLE can improve insulin resistance in diabetes rats by reducing inflammatory factors, regulating SphK/So1P pathway and activating insulin signaling pathway.