Negative Correlation Research Articles

Linkages between atmospheric rivers and humid heat across the United States

Abstract. The global increase in atmospheric water vapor due to climate change tends to heighten the dangers associated with both humid heat and heavy precipitation. Process-linked connections between these two extremes, particularly those which cause them to occur close together in space or time, are of special concern for impacts. Here we investigate how atmospheric rivers relate to the risk of summertime humid heat in the United States. We find that the hazards of atmospheric rivers and humid heat often occur in close proximity, most notably across the northern third of the United States. In this region, high levels of water vapor – resulting from the spatially organized horizontal moisture plumes that characterize atmospheric rivers – act to amplify humid heat, generally during the transition from dry high-pressure ridge conditions to wet low-pressure trough conditions. In contrast, the US Southeast, Southwest, and Northwest tend to experience atmospheric rivers and humid heat separately, representing an important negative correlation of joint risk.

Explaining Youth Unemployment in Malaysia. The Auto-Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) Approach

This study examines the influence of macroeconomic factors, namely Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Inflation, Population and Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) on Youth Unemployment in Malaysia from 1991 to 2021 using time series analysis. The data was obtained from World Bank Data and analyzed using EViews software. The time series data was conducted using the Augmented Dickey-Fuller (ADF) test. The Auto-Regressive Distributive Lag (ARDL) approach to cointegration was then employed to determine the short- and long-term analysis of the series. The ARDL bound test analysis indicates that there is a cointegration relationship between macroeconomic factors and youth unemployment. The results suggest that economic growth, inflation, and population have a negative and significant impact on youth unemployment, while foreign direct investment has a positive but insignificant effect on youth unemployment in the long term. Upon analyzing the short-term outcome, it was observed that all factors exhibited a negative correlation and exerted a substantial impact on youth unemployment’s rate.

Influence of Physico-chemical Traits of Chickpea Genotypes on Preference and Non-preference of Pulse Beetle, Callosobruchus maculatus (Fab.)

Background: Chickpea is one of the most important and nutritionally rich pulse crops widely grown in India. Pulse beetle is a cosmopolitan insect pest that can cause significant losses in stored chickpeas. Host Plant Resistance, one of the most effective methods, being adopted for decades to identify the traits in the host plants that confer resistance against the insect pests. The present study has been undertaken to screen different genotypes of chickpea against pulse beetle and to understand the influence of physico-chemical traits of chickpea genotypes on the population buildup of pulse bruchid. Methods: Twenty chickpea genotypes including thirteen desi and seven kabuli type were screened against pulse beetle through free choice test at Department of Entomology, Agricultural College, Bapatla during 2020-21. Certain physical and biochemical parameters of chickpeas were assessed and the level of their influence on growth and development of pulse bruchid was estimated by correlation and regression analyses. Result: The desi chickpea genotypes viz., NBeG 452, NBeG 1129, ICC 86111, NBeG 49 and NBeG 776 with less oviposition, less number of adults emerged, less grain damage were found relatively with less test weight, total soluble sugars and more seed coat thickness, total phenols and tannins and the kabuli genotypes viz., NBeG 440, NBeG 789 and NBeG 833 with more oviposition, more number of adults emerged, more grain damage were found relatively with more test weight, total soluble sugars and less seed coat thickness, total phenols and tannins. Thus, test weight, total soluble sugars exhibited significant positive correlation with growth and damage parameters of pulse beetle, while the seed coat thickness, total phenols and tannins exhibited significant negative correlation. Despite the fact that the biochemical components of the genotypes of chickpea varied significantly, they had little effect on the development of pulse bruchid.

An ultra-sensitive and high-throughput trapping-micro-LC-MS method for quantification of circulating vitamin D metabolites and application in multiple sclerosis patients

Quantitative analysis of the biologically-active metabolites of vitamin D (VitD), which are crucial in regulating various physiological and pathological processes, is important for clinical investigations. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS) has been widely used for this purpose but existing LC-MS methods face challenges in achieving highly sensitive and accurate quantification of low-abundance VitD metabolites while maintaining high throughput and robustness. Here we developed a novel pipeline that combines a trapping-micro-LC-(T-µLC) with narrow-window-isolation selected-reaction monitoring MS(NWI-SRM) for ultra-sensitive, robust and high-throughput quantification of VitD metabolites in serum samples after derivatization. The selective-trapping and delivery approach efficiently removes matrix components, enabling high-capacity sample loading and enhancing sensitivity, throughput, and robustness. The NWI-SRM further improves the sensitivity by providing high selectivity. The lower limits of quantification (LOQs) achieved were markedly lower than any existing LC-MS methods: 1.0 pg/mL for 1,25(OH)2D3, 5.0 pg/mL for 24,25(OH)2D3, 30 pg/mL for both 25(OH)D2 and 25(OH)D3, all within a 9-min cycle. The method is applied to quantify VitD metabolites from 218 patients with multiple sclerosis. This study revealed negative correlations(r=− 0.44 to − 0.51) between the levels of 25(OH)D2 and all the three D3 metabolites in multiple sclerosis patients.

Neuroanatomical and neurocognitive correlates of delusion in Alzheimer’s disease and mild cognitive impairment

BackgroundNeuropsychiatric symptoms and delusions are highly prevalent among people with dementia. However, multiple roots of neurobiological bases and shared neural basis of delusion and cognitive function remain to be characterized. By utilizing a fine-grained multivariable approach, we investigated distinct neuroanatomical correlates of delusion symptoms across a large population of dementing illnesses.MethodsIn this study, 750 older adults with mild cognitive impairment and Alzheimer’s disease completed brain structural imaging and neuropsychological assessment. We utilized principal component analysis followed by varimax rotation to identify the distinct multivariate correlates of cortical thinning patterns. Five of the cognitive domains were assessed whether the general cognitive abilities mediate the association between cortical thickness and delusion.ResultsThe result showed that distributed thickness patterns of temporal and ventral insular cortex (component 2), inferior and lateral prefrontal cortex (component 1), and somatosensory-visual cortex (component 5) showed negative correlations with delusions. Subsequent mediation analysis showed that component 1 and 2, which comprises inferior frontal, anterior insula, and superior temporal regional thickness accounted for delusion largely through lower cognitive functions. Specifically, executive control function assessed with the Trail Making Test mediated the relationship between two cortical thickness patterns and delusions.DiscussionOur findings suggest that multiple distinct subsets of brain regions underlie the delusions among older adults with cognitive impairment. Moreover, a neural loss may affect the occurrence of delusion in dementia largely due to impaired general cognitive abilities.

Influence of Prevailing Weather Parameters on Population of Fruit Borer, Helicoverpa armigera (Hubner) on Tomato in Western Uttar Pradesh

A field experiment was conducted for two years (2021-22 and 2022-23) at Crop Research Center, College of Agriculture, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology, Meerut, to ascertain the influence of various meteorological parameters on population fluctuations of Helicoverpa armigera on tomato. The peak period of occurrence of this insect was observed in 20th standard week (fourth week of May, 2022). The maximum population of this insect was recorded as 4.73 larvae/plant. Larval population of fruit borer had significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r=0.593*) and minimum temperature (r=0.551*). Larval population of fruit borer had significant negative correlation with morning relative humidity (r=-0.598*) and evening relative humidity (r=-0.531*). Non-signification positive correlation was observed with the rainfall and larval population (r=0.052NS). The peak period of occurrence of this insect was observed in 23rd standard week (second week of June, 2023). The maximum population of this insect was recorded as 3.80 larvae/plant. Larval population of fruit borer had highly significant positive correlation with maximum temperature (r=0.693**) and minimum temperature (r=0.635**).

Dietary calcium is inversely associated with hepatitis B virus infection: an analysis of US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2007–2020

BackgroundThere have been studies on the relationship between hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and diet. We hypothesized HBV infection is related to dietary calcium intake, but the evidence is limited. This study aimed to examine whether dietary calcium intake is independently related to HBV infection in the United States population.MethodsA total of 20,488 participants aged over 20 years from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), conducted from 2007 to 2020, were included in this study. Pearson correlation was used to test the association between dietary calcium and serum calcium. The relationships of HBV infection with dietary calcium and serum calcium were assessed by logistic regression models.ResultsThere was a weak correlation between dietary calcium and serum calcium (r = 0.048). Logistic regression models indicated that HBV infection had a linear negative correlation with dietary calcium (OR 0.37; 95%CI 0.19, 0.76). For each additional 10 mg dietary calcium, the possibility of HBV infection was reduced by 63%. Hepatitis B positive participants had lower serum calcium content than negative participants. Stratified analysis shown the linear relationship between calcium and HBV infection varied among sex, race/ethnicity, and body mass index.ConclusionOur findings demonstrated HBV infection was linearly and inversely correlated with dietary calcium. The current study is expected to offer a fresh perspective on reducing HBV infection.

Exploring genetic diversity and trait associations with foliar blast disease among parental lines in pearl millet [Pennisetum glaucum (L.) R Br

Thirty-seven pearl millet genotypes were evaluated for morphometric traits and disease incidence and severity during summer and kharif, 2022. Pooled ANOVA revealed significant variation were present in all genotypes across different season. Association studies identified high positive correlations between grain yield and traits such as single earhead weight, single ear head threshed weight, and test weight, with direct and indirect effects on grain yield through key characters. E2 (kharif – 2022) showed favourable conducive weather parameters for disease infection throughout the growing season compared to E1. The higher PCV relative to GCV for disease incidence underscores the environmental influence in disease resistance programs. Negative correlations between disease metrics and yield traits highlight blast disease’s detrimental effect on grain yield. Disease severity indirectly suggests environmental factors may enhance its impact. Disease incidence exhibited a direct negative impact on yield, supported by negative genotypic correlations. The line, PT 6679, exhibit both high yield and highly resistant to blast. Restorer lines (PT 6029, PT 6067, PT 6300, PT 6707, PT 7068) and B lines (ICMB 01666, ICMB 02777) showed promising yield attributes with high to moderate disease resistant for future breeding programs. In D2 analysis, five clusters revealed distinct genetic diversity with Clusters II and V indicating strong hybrid vigor, while Clusters IV (PT 6946, ICMB 06111) and V (ICMB 93111, ICMB 95444) excelled in disease resistance. Clusters I (PT 6029, PT 7068) and II (GMR 58) exhibited superior grain yield, particularly Cluster I, had potential restorer lines for future breeding. Clear differentiation between B and R lines underscored genetic distinctions in trait expression, validating the use of morphological data for assessing genetic diversity.

The Application of Information Technology in Physical Education Teaching and Training

This research determined the application strategy of information technology in the learning of physical education, and sports and training of Hunan Institute of Physical Education. The study conducted a parallel analysis of the assessment collected from both sports-student-respondents and physical education teacher-respondents. This research which used a purposive sampling technique adopted the descriptive-comparative-correlational research design. It was conducted during the second semester of school year 2022-2023. The results garnered from both group of respondents were compared, analyzed, and interpreted. Based from the findings, majority of the students are below 18 years old, mostly females, and were from grade 10. majority of the teachers are 31 -40 years and 41-50 years old; are females; and have up to 16-20 years of teaching experience. On the application of information technology in the learning of physical education in terms of learning experience, the assessment showed that the students and teachers agreed, denoting a high level of the use of technology for improved learning experience when it comes to increased flexibility as in virtual learning, providing individual-oriented experience, use of gaming systems in gym classes to enhance learning experience, etc. The assessment scores of the teachers on the use of IT for learning physical education were significantly higher compared to those of the students. From the perspective of the students and teachers, technology was used for analyzing sports performance at a high level because coaches apply information technology for visual feedback and replays, high-definition cameras are used to monitor players in the pitch, data analytics are used to study and understand the team, information technology is applied in sports to provide measurable training routines, for Live-tracking performances, etc. The assessment scores of the teachers on the use of information technology for sports and training were significantly lower compared to those of the students. The negative correlation between the use of information technology for sports and training and the learning experience of the students suggests that a low-level usage of information technology for sports and training was connected to a poor learning experience of the students. Lastly, the researcher proposed a plan to promote the use of information technology in physical education learning and sports training

Leaf stoichiometry of potassium, calcium, and magnesium in tropical plants: Responses to climatic and geographical variations—A case study from Hainan Island

AbstractGrasping how climate change will affect the tropical region's leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium content is pivotal for enhancing our comprehension of plant stoichiometry. Currently, there is limited research on leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium in tropical plants, which is particularly evident with the increasing importance of tropical rainforest biodiversity studies. This study investigated the impact of geographical and climatic factors on the leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium content in 346 plants (including woody plants, herbs, and vines) on Hainan Island. The findings demonstrated that the average leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium contents were 5.77, 11.86, and 2.92 mg·g−1, respectively, which were less than that in the Chinese flora. Mean annual precipitation (MAP) has a promoting effect on leaf potassium content (p < 0.05), suggesting that artificial potassium fertilization is needed due to the increasing MAP. Leaf potassium and magnesium content were positively correlated with latitude (p < 0.05) and longitude (p < 0.01); and there was a negative correlation between leaf calcium content and latitude (p < 0.05), showing that geographical factors have a significant impact on the potassium, calcium, and magnesium content of plant leaves. Additionally, the variables regulating leaf potassium, calcium, and magnesium varied across woody plants, herbs, and vines. Therefore, it is necessary to make corresponding adjustments according to local conditions and the plant functional types during nutrient management. In conclusion, this study sheds light on their potential responses to global changes and is instrumental in informing the management of these nutrients in tropical rainforest plants.

A Comparison between Attitudes and Knowledge Towards Fast-Food and Probiotics of Undergraduates

Consumption of fast-food is increasing rapidly, whereas fast-food does not provide enough nutrients. Probiotics contribute to optimal nutrition and health benefits. This study aims to evaluate the consumption frequency, habits, and knowledge regarding fast-food and probiotics among undergraduates. We used a face-to-face interview method to obtain the data from 405 undergraduates aged 18-24 studying in Konya, Turkey. There were 46.9% of males and 53.1% of females, with an average Body Mass Index (BMI) of 22.3±0.168 kg/m2. A difference was detected in BMI according to gender (p 0.000). There were 84% of the students consuming at least one fast food a day, and 58.5% consumed probiotics daily. Statistically, there was no significance between the frequency of fast-food (p 0.456) and probiotic (p 0.680) consumption for BMI. The fast-food knowledge scores differ according to BMI (p 0.004). Probiotic knowledge scores of the overweight and obese group were lower than the other groups. A negative correlation between fast-food knowledge and BMI was (R2 - 0.011). A positive correlation between probiotic knowledge and BMI was (R2 0.034). Undergraduates consumed fast-food at high frequency, and they also know about probiotics. Nevertheless, the level of knowledge about both fast food and probiotics should be increased.

Effect of duration of sodium valproate therapy on bone mineral density and vitamin D levels

ObjectiveThis study aimed to evaluate the impact of prolonged sodium valproate use on bone mineral density (BMD) and Vitamin D levels in pediatric epilepsy patients. MethodsIn a cross-sectional study conducted at the Epilepsy Clinic of Niloufer Hospital, Hyderabad, India, 50 pediatric patients (aged 4–10 years) were recruited. The cohort comprised 30 epilepsy patients on sodium valproate treatment (cases) and 20 healthy siblings without epilepsy or valproate use (controls). BMD was assessed using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry to measure height-adjusted total body less head Z-scores (TBLH Z-scores), and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured. Statistical analysis included independent samples t-tests, Mann-Whitney U tests, and Pearson correlation, with a preliminary power analysis ensuring adequate sample size. ResultsCases exhibited significantly lower BMD TBLH Z-scores (Mean = -1.543) compared to controls (Mean = 0.515, p <.001) and reduced Vitamin D levels (Mean = 9.17 for cases vs. 27.80 for controls, p <.001). A negative correlation was observed between the duration of sodium valproate use and both BMD Z-scores (r = -0.626, p <.001) and Vitamin D levels (r = -0.707, p <.001). ConclusionsThe findings suggest a significant negative impact of prolonged sodium valproate use on both bone density and Vitamin D levels in pediatric patients. These results underscore the importance of monitoring and managing bone health in children receiving long-term sodium valproate therapy.

Treatment of Symptomatic Spinal Muscular Atrophy with Nusinersen: A Prospective Longitudinal Study on Scoliosis Progression.

Nusinersen treatment has demonstrated efficacy in improving clinical outcomes for spinal muscular atrophy (SMA), yet its impact on scoliosis progression remains unclear. This study aimed to assess the progression of scoliosis in pediatric patients with SMA undergoing nusinersen treatment. In this prospective study, data were systematically collected from Hong Kong pediatric SMA patients receiving nusinersen between 2018 and 2023. All patients had longitudinal radiographic studies pre-nusinersen, and at half-yearly or yearly intervals during treatment based on the scoliosis severity. Motor function evaluations were conducted pre-nusinersen, and after starting treatment at 6- and 12-month intervals. Twenty-three patients ((SMA type 1 (SMA1) = 8, SMA type 2 (SMA2) = 7, SMA type 3 (SMA3) = 8)) with a median age of 5.8 years (range: 0.4-17.5 years) at nusinersen initiation, and median follow-up duration of 3.4 years (range: 1.1-5.2 years) were included. During the study period, motor scores remained stable or improved in 83% of patients. However, scoliosis progressed across all subtypes, with mean annual progression rates of 5.2, 11.9, and 3.6 degrees in SMA1, SMA2, and SMA3 respectively. Patients initiating nusinersen between ages 5 and 11 years exhibited the most rapid progression, with rates of 11.8, 16.5, and 7.3 degrees per year in SMA1, SMA2, and SMA3 respectively. Positive correlations were observed between the difference in CHOP-INTEND score post-nusinersen and scoliosis progression in SMA1 (rs = 0.741, p = 0.041). Conversely, negative correlations were found between the difference in HFMSE score post-nusinersen and scoliosis progression in SMA2 (rs =-0.890, p = 0.012) and SMA3 (rs =-0.777, p = 0.028). This study reveals that nusinersen treatment in symptomatic pediatric SMA patients with motor improvement is linked to increased scoliosis progression in SMA1, whereas it is associated with decreased progression in SMA2 and SMA3. Age, baseline Cobb angle, and motor milestone improvement are influential factors in scoliosis progression.

Assessment of Genetic Variability and Character Associations in Sunflower (Helianthus annuus L.) Yield Related Traits

Aims: To investigate yield and yield related characteristics for variability and association studies in fifty-two powdery mildew differentials of sunflower.&#x0D; Study Design: Augmented block design.&#x0D; Place and Duration of Study: Main agricultural Research station, University of Agricultural Science, Raichur, Karnataka between November 2022 and February 2023.&#x0D; Methodology: Study included 52 powdery mildew differentials of sunflower studied factors such as genetic variability, heritability, and genetic advance in characters such as head diameter, seed filling percent, test weight, number of seeds per head, volume weight, oil content and seed yield. Correlation and path analysis was also done.&#x0D; Results: Findings revealed significant differences among the traits, especially in seed yield per plant, head diameter, seed filling percent, test weight, and number of seeds per head which conclude that there is variability present in the studied character and there is scope for crop improvement. Correlation coefficients showed positive connections between seed yield per plant and traits like head diameter, test weight, seed filling percentage, and number of seeds per head. However, volume weight had a negative correlation. Path coefficient analysis helped us understand the direct and indirect impacts of these traits on seed yield per plant. Head diameter, seed filling percentage, test weight, and number of seeds per head had positive direct effects on seed yield per plant. In contrast, volume weight had a negative direct effect.&#x0D; Conclusion: The study contributes to the understanding of the genetic architecture of sunflower traits related to yield and provides a foundation for developing targeted breeding strategies. These insights can guide sunflower breeding programs in selecting traits for improved yield.

Spatiotemporal Evolution of the Land Cover over Deception Island, Antarctica, Its Driving Mechanisms, and Its Impact on the Shortwave Albedo

The aim of this work is to provide a full description of how air temperature and solar radiation induce changes in the land cover over an Antarctic site. We use shortwave broadband albedo (albedo integrated in the range 300–3000 nm) from a spaceborne sensor and from field surveys to calculate the monthly relative abundance of landscape units. Field albedo data were collected in January 2019 using a portable albedometer over seven landscape units: clean fresh snow; clean old snow; rugged landscape composed of dirty snow with disperse pyroclasts and rocky outcrops; dirty snow; stripes of bare soil and snow; shallow snow with small bare soil patches; and bare soil. The MODIS MCD43A3 daily albedo products were downloaded using the Google Earth Engine API from the 2000–2001 season to the 2020–2021 season. Each landscape unit was characterized by an albedo normal distribution. The monthly relative abundances of the landscape units were calculated by fitting a linear combination of the normal distributions to a histogram of the MODIS monthly mean albedo. The monthly relative abundance of the landscape unit consisting of rugged landscape composed of dirty snow with dispersed clasts and small rocky outcrops exhibits a high positive linear correlation with the monthly mean albedo (R2 = 0.87) and a high negative linear correlation with the monthly mean air temperature (R2 = 0.69). The increase in the solar radiation energy flux from September to December coincides with the decrease in the relative abundance of the landscape unit composed of dirty snow with dispersed clasts and small rocky outcrops. We propose a mechanism to describe the evolution of the landscape: uncovered pyroclasts act as melting centers favoring the melting of surrounding snow. Ash does not play a decisive role in the melting of the snow. The results also explain the observed decrease in the thaw depth of the permafrost on the island in the period 2006–2014, resulting from an increase in the snow cover over the whole island.

Drought, temperature, and moisture availability: understanding the drivers of isotopic decoupling in native pine species of the Nepalese Himalaya.

The Himalayas experienced long-term climate changes and recent extreme weather events that affected plant growth and the physiology of tree species at high-elevation sites. This study presents the first statistically robust δ18OTR chronologies for two native pine species, Pinus roxburghii, and Pinus wallichiana, in the lower Nepalese Himalaya. The isotope chronologies exhibited 0.88‰ differences in overall mean isotope values attributed to varying elevations (460-2000m asl). Comparative analysis of climate response using data sets from different sources and resolutions revealed the superiority of the APHRODITE (Asian Precipitation - Highly-Resolved Observational Data Integration Towards Evaluation) data set calibrated for the South Asian Summer Monsoon (SASM)-dominated region. Both species exhibited negative correlations with monsoon precipitation and positive correlations with temperature. However, during the peak monsoon season (July-August), daily resolved climate data disentangled statistically insignificant relationships, and revealed that δ18OTR is influenced by atmospheric moisture. Both congeneric species showed a decoupling between the chronologies after 1995. However, no significant change in air moisture origin and monsoon regime between the study sites was observed, indicating a consistent dominant moisture source during different monsoon seasons. Besides, we also observed the decreased inter-series correlation of both δ18OTR chronologies after 1995, with P. wallichiana experiencing a steeper decrease than P. roxburghii. The weakening correlations between and within the chronologies coincided with a regional drought during 1993-1995 in both sites, highlighting the strong regulation of local climate on the impact of regional extreme climate events. Our findings emphasise the importance of employing climate data with optimal spatial and temporal resolution for improved δ18OTR-climate relationships at the intra-annual scale while considering the influence of site-specific local environmental conditions. Assessing climate data sets with station data is vital for accurately interpreting climate change's impact on forest response and long-term climate reconstructions.

The Influence of Vegetation on Climate Elements in Northwestern China

Vegetation plays a crucial role in maintaining the balance between nature, water and soil resources. However, understanding its impact mechanisms in arid and semi-arid areas remains limited. This study aims to analyze the spatial–temporal characteristics of the vegetation leaf area index (LAI) and climate elements in typical regions of northwest China and the correlations between LAI and climate elements; it also aims to explore the influence of regional vegetation growth on climate change. The results reveal significant correlations between LAI and various climate elements. Specifically, within the same region, surface temperature, precipitation, vegetation transpiration, and total evaporation show positive correlations with the LAI, whereas surface albedo shows a negative correlation. Vegetation may affect climate through both heat and water exchange between the land and atmosphere. Increased vegetation leads to the enhanced absorption of solar radiation by the land surface, elevating surface temperature. Increased levels of vegetation also increase vegetation transpiration and total evaporation, increasing the water vapor content in the atmosphere and thus leading to increased surface precipitation. Therefore, vegetation distribution plays a role in climate change, and ecological restoration projects in the northwest region hold significant potential for addressing ecological challenges in its arid and semi-arid areas.

Combined Experiments with in Vivo Fiber Photometry and Behavior Tests Can Facilitate the Measurement of Neuronal Activity in the Primary Somatosensory Cortex and Hyperalgesia in an Inflammatory Pain Mice Model.

The pain matrix, which includes several brain regions that respond to pain sensation, contribute to the development of chronic pain. Thus, it is essential to understand the mechanism of causing chronic pain in the pain matrix such as anterior cingulate (ACC), or primary somatosensory (S1) cortex. Recently, combined experiment with the behavior tests and in vivo calcium imaging using fiber photometry revealed the interaction between the neuronal function in deep brain regions of the pain matrix including ACC and the phenotype of chronic pain. However, it remains unclear whether this combined experiment can identify the interaction between neuronal activity in S1, which receive pain sensation, and pain behaviors such as hyperalgesia or allodynia. In this study, to examine whether the interaction between change of neuronal activity in S1 and hyperalgesia in hind paw before and after causing inflammatory pain was detected from same animal, the combined experiment of in vivo fiber photometry system and von Frey hairs test was applied. This combined experiment detected that amplitude of calcium responses in S1 neurons increased and the mechanical threshold of hind paw decreased from same animals which have an inflammatory pain. Moreover, we found that the values between amplitude of calcium responses and mechanical thresholds were shifted to negative correlation after causing inflammatory pain. Thus, the combined experiment with fiber photometry and the behavior tests has a possibility that can simultaneously consider the interaction between neuronal activity in pain matrix and pain induced behaviors and the effects of analgesics or pain treatments.

Reduced sleep quality defines a subtype of obsessive-compulsive disorder with lower Glx levels in the resting thalamus and worse response inhibition

BackgroundThe aim of this study was to investigate the differences between resting and active thalamic neurometabolite levels and inhibitory function in obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) patients with poor sleep quality (PSQ was defined as Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index >5 and sleep efficiency ≤85%) compared to OCD patients with good sleep quality (GSQ) and healthy controls (HCs), as well as the relationship of these indices to obsessive compulsive symptoms. MethodsFunctional magnetic resonance spectroscopy (fMRS) was used to measure resting and active thalamic neurometabolite levels in 72 subjects (20 HCs and 38 OCD patients included in study analysis). Response inhibition function was measured by the Go-Nogo task before and during MRS recording. Subjective sleep quality was assessed using the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI). The symptoms of OCD, anxiety and depression were evaluated using relevant clinical scales. ResultsOCD patients exhibited significantly reduced Glx/Cr levels in the resting thalamus. The levels of resting thalamic Glu/Cr and Glx/Cr in OCD patients with PSQ were significantly lowest. OCD patients had significantly lower correct rates on Go tasks, higher error rates on Nogo tasks, and longer error average response times (EART) to the Nogo task. OCD patients with PSQ demonstrated the highest Nogo task error rate and the longest EART to Nogo task. Furthermore, PSQI scores exhibited negative correlations with Glu/Cr and Glx/Cr in the resting thalamus. ConclusionOCD patients with PSQ demonstrated reduced levels of thalamic resting Glx and more pronounced response inhibitory function impairment. Aberrant neurometabolite levels in critical brain regions, coupled with heightened response inhibition function deficits, may be a neurobiological basis for the PSQ that OCD patients generally exhibit.

Adiponectin index to assess metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance in obese adolescents

Background: Adiponectin level is decreased in obesity, and is suspected to be the cause of metabolic syndrome (MetS) and even linked with the onset of insulin resistance (IR). Adiponectin index (AI) has been used to determine IR and MetS in polycystic ovary syndrome (POCS).Objectives: To assess the usefulness of AI to determine IR and MetS in obese adolescents.Method: A cross sectional study was performed in obese adolescents from January to May 2020 in Sidoarjo and Surabaya Junior/High School, Indonesia.Results: AI had a weak negative correlation with body weight, waist circumference, hip circumference and body mass index. AI also correlated with triglyceride, systolic blood pressure, fasting insulin, homeostatic model assessment for IR (HOMA-IR) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol HDL-c. Obese adolescent with MetS had bigger AI than non-MetS (0.21+ 0.18 vs. 0.13+0.09, p=0.0000). A similar phenomenon was seen in obese adolescents with IR (0.37+0.51 vs. 0.11+0.07, p=0.000). AI had a better prognostic value to determine IR than MetS, with larger area under curve (AUC), 0.890 vs. 0.606. Cut-off value to determine IR was &lt;0.17, with sensitivity 81.3% and specificity 88.5%.Conclusions: AI is better to determine IR than MetS with a cut-off of &lt;0.17 in obese adolescents.