Metabolic Processes Research Articles

Approach to the patient with abnormal liver biochemistry

Altered liver function tests are a common finding that requires careful interpretation and thorough correlation with the patient's clinical picture. This paper provides a systematic and practical approach to the management of patients with alterations in their liver biochemistry. The fundamental concepts of liver anatomy and physiology are reviewed, emphasizing the importance of understanding the microscopic organization of the organ and key metabolic processes. The most used liver tests, their interpretation and the patterns of alterations that may occur will be described, and the importance of a detailed anamnesis will be emphasized. Guidelines are provided for the diagnostic approach according to the pattern of alteration observed and the different patterns of transaminase elevation, from mild to moderate and severe, and their possible causes are discussed in detail. The importance of considering fatty liver disease as a frequent cause of mild and persistent transaminase elevations is highlighted, and noninvasive tools for the evaluation of liver fibrosis, such as specialized scores and markers, are mentioned. In summary, this document presents an updated and practical text for the proper interpretation of alterations in liver biochemistry, emphasizing the importance of a close correlation with the clinical context of the patient, which will allow an accurate diagnosis and appropriate management.

Maternal supplementation with n-3 fatty acids affects placental lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, the endocannabinoid system, and the neonate cytokine concentrations in dairy cows

BackgroundThe placenta plays a crucial role in supporting and influencing fetal development. We compared the effects of prepartum supplementation with omega-3 (n-3) fatty acid (FA) sources, flaxseed oil (FLX) and fish oil (FO), on the expression of genes and proteins related to lipid metabolism, inflammation, oxidative stress, and the endocannabinoid system (ECS) in the expelled placenta, as well as on FA profile and inflammatory response of neonates. Late-pregnant Holstein dairy cows were supplemented with saturated fat (CTL), FLX, or FO. Placental cotyledons (n = 5) were collected immediately after expulsion, and extracted RNA and proteins were analyzed by RT-PCR and proteomic analysis. Neonatal blood was assessed for FA composition and concentrations of inflammatory markers.ResultsFO increased the gene expression of fatty acid binding protein 4 (FABP4), interleukin 10 (IL-10), catalase (CAT), cannabinoid receptor 1 (CNR1), and cannabinoid receptor 2 (CNR2) compared with CTL placenta. Gene expression of ECS-enzyme FA-amide hydrolase (FAAH) was lower in FLX and FO than in CTL. Proteomic analysis identified 3,974 proteins; of these, 51–59 were differentially abundant between treatments (P ≤ 0.05, |fold change| ≥ 1.5). Top canonical pathways enriched in FLX vs. CTL and in FO vs. CTL were triglyceride metabolism and inflammatory processes. Both n-3 FA increased the placental abundance of FA binding proteins (FABPs) 3 and 7. The abundance of CNR1 cannabinoid-receptor-interacting-protein-1 (CNRIP1) was reduced in FO vs. FLX. In silico modeling affirmed that bovine FABPs bind to endocannabinoids. The FLX increased the abundance of inflammatory CD44-antigen and secreted-phosphoprotein-1, whereas prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 was decreased in FO vs. CTL placenta. Maternal FO enriched neonatal plasma with n-3 FAs, and both FLX and FO reduced interleukin-6 concentrations compared with CTL.ConclusionMaternal n-3 FA from FLX and FO differentially affected the bovine placenta; both enhanced lipid metabolism and modulated oxidative stress, however, FO increased some transcriptional ECS components, possibly related to the increased FABPs. Maternal FO induced a unique balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory components in the placenta. Taken together, different sources of n-3 FA during late pregnancy enhanced placental immune and metabolic processes, which may affect the neonatal immune system.

Microbial central carbon metabolism in a tidal freshwater marsh and an upland mixed conifer soil under oxic and anoxic conditions.

The central carbon (C) metabolic network is responsible for most of the production of energy and biosynthesis in microorganisms and is therefore key to a mechanistic understanding of microbial life in soil communities. Many upland soil communities have shown a relatively high C flux through the pentose phosphate (PP) or the Entner-Doudoroff (ED) pathway, thought to be related to oxidative damage control. We tested the hypothesis that the metabolic organization of the central C metabolic network differed between two ecosystems, an anoxic marsh soil and oxic upland soil, and would be affected by altering oxygen concentrations. We expected there to be high PP/ED pathway activity under high oxygen concentrations and in oxic soils and low PP/ED activity in reduced oxygen concentrations and in marsh soil. Although we found high PP/ED activity in the upland soil and low activity in the marsh soil, lowering the oxygen concentration for the upland soil did not reduce the relative PP/ED pathway activity as hypothesized, nor did increasing the oxygen concentration in the marsh soil increase the PP/ED pathway activity. We speculate that the high PP/ED activity in the upland soil, even when exposed to low oxygen concentrations, was related to a high demand for NADPH for biosynthesis, thus reflecting higher microbial growth rates in C-rich soils than in C-poor sediments. Further studies are needed to explain the observed metabolic diversity among soil ecosystems and determine whether it is related to microbial growth rates.IMPORTANCEWe observed that the organization of the central carbon (C) metabolic processes differed between oxic and anoxic soil. However, we also found that the pentose phosphate pathway/Entner-Doudoroff (PP/ED) pathway activity remained high after reducing the oxygen concentration for the upland soil and did not increase in response to an increase in oxygen concentration in the marsh soil. These observations contradicted the hypothesis that oxidative stress is a main driver for high PP/ED activity in soil communities. We suggest that the high PP/ED activity and NADPH production reflect higher anabolic activities and growth rates in the upland soil compared to the anaerobic marsh soil. A greater understanding of the molecular and biochemical processes in soil communities is needed to develop a mechanistic perspective on microbial activities and their relationship to soil C and nutrient cycling. Such an increased mechanistic perspective is ecologically relevant, given that the central carbon metabolic network is intimately tied to the energy metabolism of microbes, the efficiency of new microbial biomass production, and soil organic matter formation.

Conjoint analysis of nitrogen and phosphorus metabolism in urban system: A case study of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

AbstractNitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) metabolism is becoming an increasingly complex process during urbanization due to increasing rates of consumption and emission worldwide. Understanding the urban N and P metabolism helps identifying production capacity, consumption demand, and the impact of N and P emissions on the environment, providing a scientific basis for decision‐making in sustainable utilization of N and P resources. Quantifying and mapping the source, path, and sinks of N and P in an urban system is the premise of controlling emissions. In this paper, we used the substance flow analysis (SFA) method to describe the N and P metabolism processes in the urban system of Dar es Salaam (Tanzania) in 2017, and used the scenario‐based analysis method to understand the impact of different N and P metabolisms on potentially recoverable N and P sources by 2030. The results showed that the urban system of Dar es Salaam receives a total input flow of 28,101.8 tN/year and 3,379 tP/year, with a total output flow of 18,859.6 tN/year and 1,849.3 tP/year with net stock changes of 9,242.2 t/year for N and 1,529.7 t/year for P, respectively. We noticed that increased human activities largely represented the city's waste released after the household consumption, and would become the main causes of N and P emissions. In addition to this, 59.38%, 31.25%, and 9.38% of N flow quantification quality were at high, medium, and low levels, respectively, while 74.07%, 11.11%, and 14.81% of P flow quantification quality were at high, medium, and low levels, respectively. Our results suggest that implementing integrated nutrient management measures, such as changes in people's diets and the use of washing products, and improved management and technologies of manure, sewage, and landfill leachate treatment, would be the most effective approach to resolve the urban nutrient emissions in Dar es Salaam.

Clonal Transgenerational Effects of Parental Grazing Environment on Offspring Shade Avoidance

Grassland plants that endure livestock grazing exhibit a dwarf phenotype, which can be transmitted to clonal offspring. Yet to date, it remains poorly understood whether such transgenerational dwarf effects alter the plants’ response to shade. Here, we conducted a common garden experiment under sunlight and shade conditions with clonal Leymus chinensis offspring, the parents of which had endured livestock overgrazing (OG) and non-grazing (NG) in the field, respectively. Plant morphological, physiological, and transcriptomic analyses were carried out. The results indicated that NG offspring showed greater shade avoidance than OG offspring. That is, NG offspring exhibited greater plasticity of vegetative height and leaf width, which may be contributed to their greater photosynthetic capacity and gibberellin (GA3) content compared with OG offspring when treated with shade. In addition, RNA-Seq profiling showed that differentially expressed genes in NG offspring were mainly enriched in RNA modification and metabolic processes, which facilitated rapid response to shade. Phytochrome interacting factors (PIFs) promoted downstream shade marker genes in NG offspring by significantly downregulating the expression of PHYC, SPY, and DELLA. Our findings suggest that light conditions should be taken into account to better understand transgenerational dwarf effects induced by livestock grazing on grassland ecosystems. These results provide new insights into the inducible factors of phenotypic variations in grassland plants that experience grazing.

Delayed Luminescence in Monitoring the Postharvest Ripening of Tomato Fruit and Classifying According to Their Maturity Stage at Harvest

AbstractRipening is an irreversible phenomenon involving several physiological, biochemical and organoleptic changes that affect the nutritional value, colour, texture and taste of fruit. Amongst the physical non-destructive technologies, Delayed Luminescence (DL) has been reported able to provide valid information on the functional status of living biological systems, reflecting changes in quality parameters following the occurrence of certain metabolic processes. In this study, we followed up and analysed the variations in the colour and DL signals emitted by tomato fruit as a function of their ripening degree. Four lots of tomato fruit, similar to each other for cultivar and geographical origin, were considered. Tomatoes were harvested at various maturity stages and stored in the dark at room temperature. The changes in DL emission trends were monitored at different times after harvesting for a period of about 20 days and correlated with the a*/b* colour ratio, which is normally used as an indicator of fruit ripeness degree. Results highlighted that the emission intensities, as well as the parameters by fitting DL decay curves, were strongly dependent on harvest maturity, varying significantly even as fruit ripeness progressed after their harvesting. Significant differences were also found between DL signals emitted by field-ripened tomatoes at the beginning of storage and those emitted by postharvest-ripened tomatoes at the end of the storage period. Delayed Luminescence may be used as a fast, reliable and sensitive tool for evaluating, more generally, the sensorial quality of fruit during postharvest storage.

Unraveling the Microbiome–Human Body Axis: A Comprehensive Examination of Therapeutic Strategies, Interactions and Implications

This review scrutinizes the intricate interplay between the microbiome and the human body, exploring its multifaceted dimensions and far-reaching implications. The human microbiome, comprising diverse microbial communities inhabiting various anatomical niches, is increasingly recognized as a critical determinant of human health and disease. Through an extensive examination of current research, this review elucidates the dynamic interactions between the microbiome and host physiology across multiple organ systems. Key topics include the establishment and maintenance of microbiota diversity, the influence of host factors on microbial composition, and the bidirectional communication pathways between microbiota and host cells. Furthermore, we delve into the functional implications of microbiome dysbiosis in disease states, emphasizing its role in shaping immune responses, metabolic processes, and neurological functions. Additionally, this review discusses emerging therapeutic strategies aimed at modulating the microbiome to restore host–microbe homeostasis and promote health. Microbiota fecal transplantation represents a groundbreaking therapeutic approach in the management of dysbiosis-related diseases, offering a promising avenue for restoring microbial balance within the gut ecosystem. This innovative therapy involves the transfer of fecal microbiota from a healthy donor to an individual suffering from dysbiosis, aiming to replenish beneficial microbial populations and mitigate pathological imbalances. By synthesizing findings from diverse fields, this review offers valuable insights into the complex relationship between the microbiome and the human body, highlighting avenues for future research and clinical interventions.

Red and far-red light improve the antagonistic ability of Trichoderma guizhouense against phytopathogenic fungi by promoting phytochrome-dependent aerial hyphal growth.

Light as a source of information regulates morphological and physiological processes of fungi, including development, primary and secondary metabolism, or the circadian rhythm. Light signaling in fungi depends on photoreceptors and downstream components that amplify the signal to govern the expression of an array of genes. Here, we investigated the effects of red and far-red light in the mycoparasite Trichoderma guizhouense on its mycoparasitic potential. We show that the invasion strategy of T. guizhouense depends on the attacked species and that red and far-red light increased aerial hyphal growth and led to faster overgrowth or invasion of the colonies. Molecular experiments and transcriptome analyses revealed that red and far-red light are sensed by phytochrome FPH1 and further transmitted by the downstream MAPK HOG pathway and the bZIP transcription factor ATF1. Overexpression of the red- and far-red light-induced fluffy gene fluG in the dark resulted in abundant aerial hyphae formation and thereby improvement of its antagonistic ability against phytopathogenic fungi. Hence, light-induced fluG expression is important for the mycoparasitic interaction. The increased aggressiveness of fluG-overexpressing strains was phenocopied by four random mutants obtained after UV mutagenesis. Therefore, aerial hyphae formation appears to be a trait for the antagonistic potential of T. guizhouense.

Dietary Modulations in Preventing Cardiometabolic Risk in Individuals with Type 2 Diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex health issue include obesity, high cholesterol, high blood pressure, and chronic inflammation that increase the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). CVDs are of great concern in the disease progression and prognosis of T2DM. This review is a comprehensive examination of the literature on the relationship between T2DM and cardiovascular risk, nutrition-related cardiometabolic risk (CMR) factors, and impact of dietary modulations on CMR. In recent years the researches has been focus on the importance of a comprehensive treatment approach like dietary modulations to address multiple cardiovascular risk reductions, including hypertension and dyslipidemia. Modulation of dietary patterns are the most promising interventions to prevent CMR factors and T2DM via affecting the body weight, glucose control, and microbial diversity of individuals. Current evidence suggests that high-quality dietary patterns such as the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) eating plan and the Mediterranean diet is important in the metabolic control processes of T2DM with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant compounds, glucagon-like peptide agonist compounds, and intestinal microbiota changes. Nutrition plays a critical role in preventing and improving CVD outcomes in patients with T2DM. Dietary modulations should be planned considering individual differences in responses to dietary composition and nutritional changes, personal preferences, eating behaviors and gut microbiota differences.

The role of the circadian timing system on drug metabolism and detoxification: an update.

The 24-hour variations in drug absorption, distribution, metabolism, and elimination, collectively known as pharmacokinetics, are fundamentally influenced by rhythmic physiological processes regulated by the molecular clock. Recent advances have elucidated the intricacies of the circadian timing system and the molecular interplay between biological clocks, enzymes and transporters in preclinical level. Circadian rhythm of the drug metabolizing enzymes and carrier efflux functions possess a major role for drug metabolism and detoxification. The efflux and metabolism function of intestines and liver seems important. The investigations revealed that the ABC and SLC transporter families, along with cytochrome p-450 systems in the intestine, liver, and kidney, play a dominant role in the circadian detoxification of drugs. Additionally, the circadian control of efflux by the blood-brain barrier is also discussed. The influence of the circadian timing system on drug pharmacokinetics significantly impacts the efficacy, adverse effects, and toxicity profiles of various drugs. Moreover, the emergence of sex-related circadian changes in the metabolism and detoxification processes has underscored the importance of considering gender-specific differences in drug tolerability and pharmacology. A better understanding of coupling between central clock and circadian metabolism/transport contributes to the development of more rational drug utilization and the implementation of chronotherapy applications.

ADVANCEMENTS IN UNDERSTANDING THE MOLECULAR MECHANISMS REGULATING URIC ACID METABOLISM IN THE INTESTINE

This review provides contemporary insights into the direct and indirect pathogenetic connections between purine compound metabolism and biochemical processes within the cells of the gastrointestinal system. A thorough analysis of recent publications from 2000 to 2024, sourced from databases including Scopus, PubMed, eLIIBRARY, and Google Scholar, was conducted. Uric acid serves as the end product of purine-containing compound catabolism. Its concentration is intricately regulated through the collaboration of the kidneys and gastrointestinal organs, namely the small intestine and liver. Gout, a chronic condition, emerges from the interplay between molecular genetic factors and external influences. Elevated levels of urates in the blood serum (hyperuricemia) and the deposition of sodium urate crystals in organs and tissues set off a cascade of inflammatory and fibrotic processes within mucosal, smooth muscle, parenchymal, and endothelial cells, including those within the gastrointestinal tract. Normally, a person excretes about 1.5 g of uric acid per day. Under physiological conditions, two-thirds of uric acid is excreted from the body by the kidneys, one-third through the intestines, and a small part is excreted with bile. The hypothesis that links the pathogenesis of hyperuricemia with “renal overload” suggests that the disease may develop as a result of impaired renal excretion with insufficient elimination of uric acid through the intestines. Part of uric acid transport systems actively works in hepatocytes and enterocytes, which determines its formation and clearance. Uric acid transporter proteins are divided into two categories: urate reabsorption transporters and urate excretion transporters, their expression is regulated by transcription factors, hormones and metabolites of intestinal microflora. The influence of intestinal microbiota on uric acid metabolism is related to its participation in purine metabolism, decomposition and elimination of uric acid with metabolites of intestinal flora and inhibition of gouty inflammation and is evaluated as a new therapeutic potential in gout and hyperuricemia, which allows to avoid kidney damage and urolithiasis.

PHARMACOLOGICAL EFFECTS OF MELATONIN AND ITS POTENTIAL APPLICATION IN THERAPY OF GOUT AND ASSOCIATED DISEASES

Introduction. The disturbance in biosynthetic activity of pinealocytes of the pineal gland and subsequent melatonin deficiency in the body are linked to the progression of certain chronic diseases. This has prompted research into correcting chrono-biological dysfunctions, particularly in conditions such as gout and its comorbidities. This study aims to analyze the potential use of melatonin in correcting metabolic disorders in gout and to justify its use as a pharmacotherapeutic agent for treating metabolic and cardiovascular diseases. Materials and methods. We conducted a comprehensive analysis of modern scientific literature from specialized domestic and foreign sources. Emphasis was placed on studies exploring the pharmacological and pharmacotherapeutic aspects of melatonin use in both experimental and clinical settings, particularly those conducted in the last 5-6 years. Results. The research data revealed three main aspects of the problem that must be addressed to understand the experimental, biological, pharmacological, and pharmacotherapeutic foundations for the long-term use of melatonin in clinical practice. The first part of the review highlighted the significant impact of melatonin homeostasis disruption on the pathogenesis of gout and its progression in comorbidity with other conditions such as hypertension, obesity, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, and type 2 diabetes. The role of chronobiological disorders and desynchronosis in the progression of these diseases was also established. Pharmacological studies demonstrated the pivotal role of melatonin, as an important factor in neuroendocrine regulation, in organizing the circadian rhythm of the body's vital functions under normal and pathological conditions. Melatonin was found to normalize the pathological processes underlying gout development and comorbid diseases, providing a scientific basis for its use in the treatment of gout, cardiovascular diseases, disturbed metabolic processes, and normalization of circadian rhythms in patients with these conditions. Conclusions. This paper presents data on the causes of gout development and progression, as well as some comorbid diseases, from the perspective of chronobiological disruptions in the body's functions. The review sections delve into the pharmacological and pharmacotherapeutic aspects of melatonin's therapeutic action. The findings confirm the importance of melatonin in effectively treating gout and other comorbid diseases and metabolic disorders.

Accumulation of senescent cells in the adrenal gland induces hypersecretion of corticosterone via IL1β secretion.

Aging progresses through the interaction of metabolic processes, including changes in the immune and endocrine systems. Glucocorticoids (GCs), which are regulated by the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, play an important role in regulating metabolism and immune responses. However, the age-related changes in the secretion mechanisms of GCs remain elusive. Here, we found that corticosterone (CORT) secretion follows a circadian rhythm in young mice, whereas it oversecreted throughout the day in aged mice >18 months old, resulting in the disappearance of diurnal variation. Furthermore, senescent cells progressively accumulated in the zF of the adrenal gland as mice aged beyond 18 months. This accumulation was accompanied by an increase in the number of Ad4BP/SF1 (SF1), a key transcription factor, strongly expressing cells (SF1-high positive: HP). Removal of senescent cells with senolytics, dasatinib, and quercetin resulted in the reduction of the number of SF1-HP cells and recovery of CORT diurnal oscillation in 24-month-old mice. Similarly, administration of a neutralizing antibody against IL1β, which was found to be strongly expressed in the adrenocortical cells of the zF, resulted in a marked decrease in SF1-HP cells and restoration of the CORT circadian rhythm. Our findings suggest that the disappearance of CORT diurnal oscillation is a characteristic of aging individuals and is caused by the secretion of IL1β, one of the SASPs, from senescent cells that accumulate in the zF of the adrenal cortex. These findings provide a novel insight into aging. Age-related hypersecretory GCs could be a potential therapeutic target for aging-related diseases.

Metabolic Modernities: Digestion, Energy Transformations, and the Making and Unmaking of the World in Early Soviet Literature

AbstractEarly Soviet society featured clear nutrition guidelines and a robust plan for streamlined logistics in food processing, distribution, and consumption, all of which was aimed at building a stronger state through a virtuous transformation of calories into labor power. Such rhetoric appeared even in children’s illustrated books, such as Vladimir Maiakovskii and Nikolai Kupreianov’s Story of Petia, Fat Boy, and of Sima, Who is Skinny (1926). This paper shows how in the 1920s authors such as Viktor Shklovskii and Iurii Olesha turned that rhetoric on its head and pushed back against the early Soviet obsession with planning and mastering nature and the human body by employing metaphors of food, digestion, and agriculture. In Shklovskii’s memoirs A Sentimental Journey (1923) and Knight’s Move (1923) and Olesha’s novel Envy (1927), the October Revolution itself emerges as a metabolic process on a vast scale: prerevolutionary aesthetic threads, motifs, and concepts are broken down and processed, reassembled, and repurposed into a seemingly new society and worldview, in which the individual original components are still recognizable.

Hydrogen Sulfide Increases Drought Tolerance by Modulating Carbon and Nitrogen Metabolism in Foxtail Millet Seedlings

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S), a novel gas signaling molecule, has been shown to enhance plant resistance to various abiotic stresses. Here, we investigated the effect of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS, a H2S donor) on the growth, photosynthetic parameters, and enzyme activities related to carbon and nitrogen metabolism, as well as the levels of carbohydrates and nitrogen metabolites in foxtail millet seedlings subjected to drought stress conditions in pots. The findings revealed that drought stress led to a significant 41.2% decline in the total dry weight (DW) after 12 days of treatment, whereas plants treated with NaHS showed a lesser reduction of 18.7% in total DW. Under drought stress, exogenous NaHS was found to enhance carbon metabolism in foxtail millet seedlings by significantly enhancing photosynthetic capacity, starch, and sucrose content. Additionally, exogenous NaHS was observed to improve nitrogen metabolism by substantially increasing soluble protein content, nitrogen assimilate activity, and synthesis of nitrogen-containing compounds in foxtail millet seedlings. In summary, the exogenous application of NaHS stimulated seedling growth and enhanced drought resistance in foxtail millet by modulating carbon and nitrogen metabolism processes affected by drought stress.

A SNF1-related protein kinase regulatory subunit functions as a molecular tuner

Metabolic processes in prokaryotic and eukaryotic organisms are often modulated by kinases which are in turn, dependent on Ca2+ and the cyclic mononucleotides cAMP and cGMP. It has been established that some proteins have both kinase and cyclase activities and that active cyclases can be embedded within the kinase domains. Here, we identified phosphodiesterase (PDE) sites, enzymes that hydrolyse cAMP and cGMP, to AMP and GMP, respectively, in some of these proteins in addition to their kinase/cyclase twin-architecture. As an example, we tested the Arabidopsis thaliana KINγ, a subunit of the SnRK2 kinase, to demonstrate that all three enzymatic centres, adenylate cyclase (AC), guanylate cyclase (GC) and PDE, are catalytically active, capable of generating and hydrolysing cAMP and cGMP. These data imply that the signal output of the KINγ subunit modulates SnRK2, consequently affecting the downstream kinome. Finally, we propose a model where a single protein subunit, KINγ, is capable of regulating cyclic mononucleotide homeostasis, thereby tuning stimulus specific signal output.

Analysis of the intestinal microbiota and profiles of blood amino acids and acylcarnitines in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia

ObjectiveThis study aimed to discuss the distinctive features of the intestinal microbiota in neonates with hyperbilirubinemia and to comprehensively analyse the composition of the intestinal microbiota as well as the levels of free amino acids and acylcarnitines in the peripheral blood of neonates experiencing hyperbilirubinemia.ResultsAt the phylum level, Proteobacteria, Firmicutes, Actinobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Chloroflexi were the five predominant microbial groups identified in both the hyperbilirubinemia and control groups. Alpha diversity analysis, encompassing seven indices, showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups. However, Beta diversity analysis revealed a significant difference in intestinal microbiota structure between the groups. Linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) indicated a significant reduction in the abundance of Gammaproteobacteria and Enterobacteriaceae within the hyperbilirubinemia group compared to that in the control group. The heatmap revealed that the control group exhibited increased abundances of Escherichia and Bifidobacterium, while the hyperbilirubinemia group exhibited increased levels of Enterococcus and Streptococcus. Regarding blood amino acids and acylcarnitines, there were greater concentrations of citrulline (Cit), arginine (Arg), ornithine (Orn), and valine (Val) in the hyperbilirubinemia group than in the control group. The hyperbilirubinemia group also exhibited significant increases in medium-chain fatty acids (C6, C8), long-chain fatty acids (C18), and free carnitine (C0).ConclusionBy comparing neonates with hyperbilirubinemia to those without, a significant disparity in the community structure of the intestinal microbiota was observed. The intestinal microbiota plays a crucial role in the bilirubin metabolism process. The intestinal microbiota of neonates with hyperbilirubinemia exhibited a certain degree of dysbiosis. The abundances of Bacteroides and Bifidobacterium were negatively correlated with the bilirubin concentration. Therefore, the fact that neonates with hyperbilirubinemia exhibit some variations in blood amino acid and acylcarnitine levels may provide, to a certain degree, a theoretical basis for clinical treatment and diagnosis.

Impact of breath sample collection method and length of storage of breath samples in Tedlar bags on the level of selected volatiles assessed using gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS)

The analysis of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in exhaled air has attracted the interest of the scientific community because it provides the possibility of monitoring physiological and metabolic processes and non-invasive diagnostics of various diseases. However, this method remains underused in clinical practice as well as in research because of the lack of standardized procedures for the collection, storage and transport of breath samples, which would guarantee good reproducibility and comparability of results. The method of sampling, as well as the storage time of the breath samples in the polymer bags used for sample storage and transport, affect the composition and concentration of VOCs present in the breath samples. The aim of our study was to compare breath samples obtained using two methods with fully disposable equipment: a Haldane sampling tube intended for direct breath collection and breath samples exhaled into a transparent Tedlar bag. The second task was to monitor the stability of selected compounds of real breath samples stored in a Tedlar bag for 6 h. Gas chromatography coupled with ion mobility spectrometry (GC-IMS) implemented in the BreathSpec® device was used to analyse exhaled breath. Our results showed a significant difference in the signal intensity of some volatiles when taking a breath sample with a Haldane tube and a Tedlar bag. Due to its endogenous origin, acetone levels were significantly higher when the Haldane tube sampler was used while elevated levels of 2-propanol and unidentified VOC (designated as VOC 3) in the Tedlar bag samples likely originated from contamination of the Tedlar bags. The VOC stability study revealed compound-specific signal intensity changes of the selected VOCs with storage time in the Tedlar bags, with some volatiles showing increasing signal intensity during storage in Tedlar bags. This limits the use of Tedlar bags only for very limited time and carefully selected purpose. Our results highlight the importance of careful design and implementation of experiments and clinical protocols to obtain relevant and reliable results.

Effects of Hibernation on Colonic Epithelial Tissue and Gut Microbiota in Wild Chipmunks (Tamias sibiricus)

The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the host’s metabolic processes. Many studies have shown significant changes in the gut microbiota of mammals during hibernation to adapt to the changes in the external environment, but there is limited research on the colonic epithelial tissue and gut microbiota of the wild chipmunks during hibernation. This study analyzed the diversity, composition, and function of the gut microbiota of the wild chipmunk during hibernation using 16S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing technology, and further conducted histological analysis of the colon. Histological analysis of the colon showed an increase in goblet cells in the hibernation group, which was an adaptive change to long-term fasting during hibernation. The dominant gut microbial phyla were Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Proteobacteria, and the relative abundance of them changed significantly. The analysis of gut microbiota structural differences indicated that the relative abundance of Helicobacter typhlonius and Mucispirillum schaedleri increased significantly, while unclassified Prevotella-9, unclassified Prevotellaceae-UCG-001, unclassified Prevotellaceae-UCG-003 and other species of Prevotella decreased significantly at the species level. Alpha diversity analysis showed that hibernation increased the diversity and richness of the gut microbiota. Beta diversity analysis revealed significant differences in gut microbiota diversity between the hibernation group and the control group. PICRUSt2 functional prediction analysis of the gut microbiota showed that 15 pathways, such as lipid metabolism, xenobiotics biodegradation and metabolism, amino acid metabolism, environmental adaptation, and neurodegenerative diseases, were significantly enriched in the hibernation group, while 12 pathways, including carbohydrate metabolism, replication and repair, translation, and transcription, were significantly enriched in the control group. It can be seen that during hibernation, the gut microbiota of the wild chipmunk changes towards taxa that are beneficial for reducing carbohydrate consumption, increasing fat consumption, and adapting more strongly to environmental changes in order to better provide energy for the body and ensure normal life activities during hibernation.

Resonating with the World: Thinking Critically about Brain Criticality in Consciousness and Cognition

Aim: Biofields combine many physiological levels, both spatially and temporally. These biofields reflect naturally resonant forms of synaptic energy reflected in growing and spreading waves of brain activity. This study aims to theoretically understand better how resonant continuum waves may be reflective of consciousness, cognition, memory, and thought. Background: The metabolic processes that maintain animal cellular and physiological functions are enhanced by physiological coherence. Internal biological-system coordination and sensitivity to particular stimuli and signal frequencies are two aspects of coherent physiology. There exists significant support for the notion that exogenous biologically and non-biologically generated energy entrains human physiological systems. All living things have resonant frequencies that are either comparable or coherent; therefore, eventually, all species will have a shared resonance. An organism’s biofield activity and resonance are what support its life and allow it to react to stimuli. Methods: As the naturally resonant forms of synaptic energy grow and spread waves of brain activity, the temporal and spatial frequency of the waves are effectively regulated by a time delay (T) in inter-layer signals in a layered structure that mimics the structure of the mammalian cortex. From ubiquitous noise, two different types of waves can arise as a function of T. One is coherent, and as T rises, so does its resonant spatial frequency. Results: Continued growth eventually causes both the wavelength and the temporal frequency to abruptly increase. Two waves expand simultaneously and randomly interfere in an area of T values as a result. Conclusion: We suggest that because of this extraordinary dualism, which has its roots in the phase relationships of amplified waves, coherent waves are essential for memory retrieval, whereas random waves represent original cognition.