Behavioral and emotional abnormalities in mice with orthotopic colitis-associated colorectal cancer.

Running exercise attenuates excitatory synaptic loss in the medial prefrontal cortex of CUS rats: Potential modulation of microglial and astrocytic synaptic contacts.

Antidepressant effects of combined eucommia-gastrodia extract via modulation of the HIF-1α-EPO/cAMP-CREB-BDNF pathway: An integrated network pharmacology and in vivo study.

Marine mammals such as cetaceans and pinnipeds are known to have largely lost their sense of taste, probably due to their transition from a mixed to a strictly carnivorous diet and from masticating plant-based food to swallowing their animal prey whole. In contrast, nothing is known so far about the functionality of the sense of taste in sirenians, the only extant herbivorous marine mammals. Using two-bottle preference tests of short duration (2 min), we therefore assessed the gustatory responsiveness of three adult male Greater Caribbean manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus) to food-associated substances representing the five canonical taste qualities. Further, we assessed if the manatees display a preference for the taste of freshwater over that of seawater. We found that the manatees showed no significant preference for or significant avoidance of any of the taste stimuli when presented at concentrations that are detectable for most mammal species tested so far. This was true both when using seawater or freshwater as the solvent and as the alternative stimulus. The manatees also showed no significant preference for freshwater over seawater. These results are not consistent with anatomical findings that reported manatees to possess a high number of taste buds and with genetic findings suggesting the taste receptor genes of manatees to be intact. Further, they do not align with the notion that access to freshwater sources is an important feature of their habitat. Our results suggest that the herbivorous dietary specialization of manatees may not have prevented a reduction in their sense of taste. However, at this point we cannot decide whether the manatees can't taste or don't care about taste.

Antidepressant effects of supercritical CO2 extract of Citri Reticulatae Pericarpium through mediating gut microbiota dysbiosis, tryptophan and bile acid metabolisms.

Left hippocampal subiculum-hypothalamus hyperconnectivity as a neural correlate of stress vulnerability.

To demonstrate women's preferences for three human papillomavirus (HPV) self-sampling devices. Cross-sectional, programme-embedded paired comparative study with randomised sampling order within device pairs. Organised cervical cancer screening programme in the Capital Region of Denmark. 1760 women eligible for cervical cancer screening (April 2024 to May 2025), assigned to one of three groups: (1) Evalyn versus FLOQSwab (n=518), (2) Evalyn versus SensiGrip (n=657) and (3) FLOQSwab versus SensiGrip (n=585). Primary: device preference. Secondary: sampling-experience (self-reported). Data were assessed with χ² tests for preference, logistic regression for predictor analysis and Wilcoxon signed-rank equivalence test with two one-sided test procedures to assess sampling experience. Overall, 95.7% rated HPV self-sampling a positive experience and 87.3% preferred HPV self-sampling in future screening. SensiGrip was preferred significantly over FLOQSwab (p<0.001), with participants rating ease of use and sampling certainty higher for SensiGrip. No significant differences in preference were observed between Evalyn and either alternative device in the primary analysis (p>0.05) although Evalyn scored higher in sampling certainty. Sampling order influenced preference in Evalyn comparisons. Prior experience with self-sampling, screening history and subcohort membership did not significantly influence device preference. Overall, participants rated self-sampling a positive experience. SensiGrip was preferred over FLOQSwab, while Evalyn demonstrated comparable overall acceptability to both alternative devices in the primary implementation-focused analysis. These findings suggest that device replacement would be acceptable from a screening participation perspective, particularly a shift from FLOQSwab to SensiGrip.

The active ingredient Monotropein in Morinda officinalis alleviates neuroinflammation via inhibiting cGAS/STING signaling pathway.

Spinal-level activation of GPR37 in TRPV1-expressing sensory neurons erases nociceptive system sensitization in murine models.

Behavioral, biochemical, and endocrine stress responses in zebrafish exposed to azithromycin, nimesulide, and their combination.

The effect of social isolation on rat behavior and expression of genes related to neuroinflammation depends on sex.

Para-chlorophenylalanine induces multidimensional affective-like behaviors in adult zebrafish.

Diabetes is one of the main cause and major risk factor for the developmentof neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, including depression, with rising prevalence and increasing co-morbidities worldwide. However, the relationship between diabetes and depression in animal models has not been thoroughly investigated. The present study aimed to investigate the antidepressant potential of empagliflozin (EMPA) in diabetic mice subjected to a chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model, focusing on its interaction with the corticotropin-releasing factor 1 receptor (CRF1). Initially, diabetes was induced in animals by injection of streptozotocin (STZ) at low dose (35mg/kg, i.p.), followed by CUMS to provoke depression-like state (1-20days). EMPA at doses of 5 and 10mg/kg was administered orally as the test compound, while metformin (MET; 200mg/kg) and clomipramine (CLMP, 10mg/kg) alone and in combination (MET + CLMP) were used as standard treatments. All treatments were given once daily for 14 consecutive days (21-35days). Behavioral assessments were carried out from days 36 to 41, using several paradigms like splash tests, sucrose preference test, open field test, tail suspension test, and forced swim test, respectively. EMPA, particularly at 10mg/kg, significantly improved behavioral outcomes, indicated by increased distance traveled, higher open-arm entries, reduced immobility time, and shorter grooming latency. Biochemically, EMPA restored antioxidant levels (glutathione and catalase), reduced lipid peroxidation in the brain, and decreased blood corticosterone (CORT) levels. In silico molecular docking and MD-simulation analysis revealed strong binding affinity and interactions between EMPA and CRF1. This proposes that the potential of EMPA to regulate CUMS-induced aggravated depression in diabetic animals may be mediated through CRF1 modulation. These results suggested that EMPA has potential as a therapeutic agent for depression, especially in diabetic conditions linked to oxidative stress, likely through the CRF1-receptor.

Children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) often have a reduced functional capacity. The study aimed to evaluate the functional capacity of children with CKD by using three field tests: 6min walk (6MWT), 2min walk (2MWT), and 3min step test (3MST), and investigate relationships between these tests and to determine which tests patients prefer. This study evaluated 51 children with CKD (19 female, 32 male). The 6MWT, 2MWT, and 3MST were used to measure functional capacity. After performing the tests, participants reported their preferred one. Quadriceps muscle strength (QMS) and hand grip strength (HGS) were assessed using dynamometers. The mean age of the patients was 13.7 ± 3.2years. A total of 22 patients (43.1%) were in stage 2 CKD, 13 patients (25.5%) in stage 3, six patients (11.8%) in stage 4, two patients (3.9%) in stage 5 non-dialysis (3.9%) and eight patients (15.7%) in stage 5 on dialysis. No statistically significant differences were observed between the early and advanced CKD groups for any of the field tests (p > 0.05). However, the early CKD group had a significantly higher dominant QMS than the advanced CKD group (p = 0.023). Most children preferred walking tests (6MWT: 43.1%; 2MWT: 43.1%), while 13.8% preferred the 3MST. Moderate positive correlations were found between 6 and 2MWT (r = 0.669, p < 0.001) and between 6MWT and 3MST (r = 0.422, p = 0.002). Peripheral muscle strength was deteriorated in advanced CKD. The 2MWT is a practical and time-efficient alternative to the 6MWT. The 3MST remains a viable option when walking tests are not feasible. NCT06683339.

Context Toxic invasive prey poses a threat to consumers by causing physiological disorders and death. Some consumers use toxic prey as food and sequester toxins for chemical defense. However, studies on the predation potential of toxic invasive prey by those consumers are limited. Aims We assessed the predation potential of the Taiwan keelback snake (Rhabdophis formosanus), a species that sequesters toxins from native toads, on an invasive cane toad (Rhinella marina). Methods We conducted prey preference tests based on odor and visual cues, and a toxin tolerance test. Key results Rhabdophis formosanus showed the strongest preference for its typical toxin source, Central Formosa toad (Bufo bankorensis), based on odor cues, but for the invasive Rhinella marina, based on visual cues. In the toxin tolerance test, juvenile Rhabdophis formosanus exhibited a marked decline in locomotor performance and died when administered a dose equivalent to one quarter of the quantity of toxin contained in the largest toad it could consume; adults survived without substantial impairment of physiological functions. When administered a higher dose equivalent to half the toxin present in the largest toad that they could consume, all Rhabdophis formosanus experienced severe impairment in locomotor performance and eventually died. Conclusions Rhabdophis formosanus may prey on Rhinella marina when encountered and small toads can be consumed; however, large toads may cause poisonous death. Implications To conserve Rhabdophis snakes and other native consumers, assessing their predation potential when sympatric with Rhinella marina, and evaluating the potential impacts of this invasive toad are essential.

Characterization of male and female rats' responses to social isolation and unpredictable stress: Motivational and hedonic effects.

Congenital Kir6.2 deficiency, but not acute KATP channel blockade, attenuates apomorphine-induced locomotor activity in mice.

Major depressive disorder is a debilitating condition linked to dysregulated serotonin (5-HT) signaling, neuroinflammation, and oxidative stress. Boldine (BDN), a natural aporphine alkaloid with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties, might have antidepressant potential, which is still unexplored. This study investigates the effects of BDN on chronic unpredictable stress (CUS)-induced depression-like behavior in male Wistar rats. It focuses on neuroinflammation, oxidative stress, monoamine levels, and 5-HT3A receptor modulation. Rats were subjected to CUS for 42 days and treated with BDN (20, 40, or 80 mg/kg, po) or vortioxetine (VORT, 20 mg/kg, p.o) from the 22nd to 42nd day. Behavioral assessments (sucrose preference test, forced swim test, hole board test) revealed that BDN significantly alleviated anhedonia, despair, and anxiety-like behaviors. CUS increased serum and hippocampal cortisol, oxidative stress (elevated malondialdehyde, reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase), and pro-inflammatory markers (NLRP3, IL-1β), which BDN effectively normalized. High-performance liquid chromatographic analysis of the brain region showed that BDN restored hippocampal dopamine, norepinephrine, and serotonin levels. RT-PCR analysis demonstrated that BDN downregulated hippocampal Htr3a, CAMKII and upregulated Htr1a gene expression, suggesting serotonergic modulation. Histopathological evaluation confirmed BDN neuroprotective effects preventing CUS-induced neuronal damage in the CA1 and CA3 hippocampal regions. These findings indicate that BDN exerts antidepressant effects by mitigating oxidative stress, suppressing NLRP3-mediated neuroinflammation, normalizing HPA axis hyperactivity, and modulating 5-HT receptor signaling. Thus, BDN represents a promising multitarget therapeutic candidate for stress-related depression.

Depression is a complicated mental disorder that has a high rate of occurrence all over the world and still ranks as the main reason for the occurrence of both disability and death. Although a lot has been discovered, the neurobiological mechanisms underlying depression are still not fully comprehended, and the current pharmacotherapies, most of the time, are not enough to bring about the desired results, thus leading to a large number of patients with treatment-resistant symptoms. Animal models, especially those in rodents, are crucial in the entire process of discovering the mechanisms of depression and evaluating new therapeutic strategies. This paper introduces a critical perspective on the different models and behavioral paradigms that are frequently utilized to simulate depressive-like phenotypes such as anhedonia, hopelessness, apathy, cognitive dysfunction, anxiety, and social withdrawal, among others. A major focus is placed on the dimensions of model validity-construct, face, and predictive validity-as well as reliability, which collectively determine the translational potential of animal studies. Importantly, this article focuses on the Species, Strain, and Sex framework as a guiding principle for model selection, emphasizing its value in improving reproducibility and generalizability across studies. Key paradigms such as Chronic Mild Stress (CMS), Learned Helplessness (LH), Chronic Social Defeat Stress (CSDS), and pharmacological models are evaluated in terms of their strengths, limitations, and relevance to human depressive disorders. In addition, behavioral assays, including Forced Swim Test (FST), Tail Suspension Test (TST), Open Field Test (OFT), Sucrose Preference Test (SPT), and social interaction paradigms, are discussed for their utility in assessing depressive-like behaviors and antidepressant efficacy. Finally, the review highlights the need for refinement and innovation in preclinical depression research. A better integration of neurobiological insights with carefully chosen animal models will enhance translational validity, aid the discovery of novel therapeutic targets, and improve clinical outcomes for depressive disorders.

Protocol for gaze estimation using facial orientation in marmosets during a social preference test.