Robust Correlations Research Articles

The neuropathological basis of elevated serum neurofilament light following experimental concussion

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) or concussion is a substantial health problem globally, with up to 15% of patients experiencing persisting symptoms that can significantly impact quality of life. Currently, the diagnosis of mTBI relies on clinical presentation with ancillary neuroimaging to exclude more severe forms of injury. However, identifying patients at risk for a poor outcome or protracted recovery is challenging, in part due to the lack of early objective tests that reflect the relevant underlying pathology. While the pathophysiology of mTBI is poorly understood, axonal damage caused by rotational forces is now recognized as an important consequence of injury. Moreover, serum measurement of the neurofilament light (NfL) protein has emerged as a potentially promising biomarker of injury. Understanding the pathological processes that determine serum NfL dynamics over time, and the ability of NfL to reflect underlying pathology will be critical for future clinical research aimed at reducing the burden of disability after mild TBI. Using a gyrencephalic model of head rotational acceleration scaled to human concussion, we demonstrate significant elevations in serum NfL, with a peak at 3 days post-injury. Moreover, increased serum NfL was detectable out to 2 weeks post-injury, with some evidence it follows a biphasic course. Subsequent quantitative histological examinations demonstrate that axonal pathology, including in the absence of neuronal somatic degeneration, was the likely source of elevated serum NfL. However, the extent of axonal pathology quantified via multiple markers did not correlate strongly with the extent of serum NfL. Interestingly, the extent of blood–brain barrier (BBB) permeability offered more robust correlations with serum NfL measured at multiple time points, suggesting BBB disruption is an important determinant of serum biomarker dynamics after mTBI. These data provide novel insights to the temporal course and pathological basis of serum NfL measurements that inform its utility as a biomarker in mTBI.

A Simple and Cost-Effective Extraction for Piscine Environmental DNA Metabarcoding Using Guanidine Hydrochloride Method.

Environmental DNA (eDNA) metabarcoding is a valuable tool for assessing aquatic biodiversity, but the high cost and complexity of DNA extraction pose challenges for widespread adoption, especially in developing countries. This study presents a cost-effective eDNA extraction method using a guanidine hydrochloride (GuHCl) buffer, proteinase-K digestion, and isopropanol precipitation to improve the detection of fish communities. Comparison with the Qiagen DNeasy Blood & Tissue Kit using MiFish universal primers showed that the GuHCl protocol detected more fish species in freshwater samples, with comparable performance in relative read abundance metrics. However, the GuHCl method exhibited higher PCR inhibition in brackish samples, likely due to salinity and natural inhibitors. The results suggest that the GuHCl-based method is a viable alternative, offering enhanced sensitivity for low-abundance species in freshwater samples and cost savings. This protocol facilitates large-scale eDNA metabarcoding for ecological studies and conservation management efforts.•The GuHCl protocol identified a greater diversity of fish species in freshwater samples than the Qiagen kit, but detected fewer species in brackish water samples.•Both extraction methods demonstrated robust positive correlations in metrics of relative read abundance.

Volatile organic compounds (VOC) metabolites in urine are associated with increased systemic inflammation levels, and smokers are identified as a vulnerable population

BackgroundPrevious studies indicated that exposure to VOCs was linked to increased systemic inflammation levels. However, the dose-response relationships between urine VOCs metabolites and systemic inflammation have not been established, and the key metabolite of the toxic compounds has not been identified. MethodsWe used data in 7007 US adults in the NHANES cycles (2011–2018) across 8 years. Urinary VOC metabolites were measured using ultra-performance liquid chromatography and electrospray tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-ESI/MSMS). VOC metabolites were adjusted by urinary creatinine level before analysis. Systemic inflammation was assessed by systemic immune-inflammation index (SII) and systemic inflammation response index (SIRI) indices. Generalized linear models, restricted cubic splines (RCS), and weighted quantile sum (WQS) regression were applied to evaluate the associations, exposure-response (E-R) curve and identify the key contributor compound, adjusting for gender, age, race, BMI, marital condition, education level, smoking level, alcohol consumption and physical activity. Smoking status was assessed as an effect modifier. ResultsSignificant and robust positive correlations were found between 8 VOC metabolites and both SII and SIRI. They were N-Acetyl-S-(2-carboxyethyl)-L-cysteine (CEMA), N-Acetyl-S-(2-cyanoethyl)-L-cysteine (CYMA), N-Acetyl-S-(3,4-dihydroxybutyl)-L-cysteine (DHBMA), N-Acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl)-L-cysteine (3HPMA), mandelic acid (MA), N-Acetyl-S-(4-hydroxy-2-butenyl)-L-cysteine (MHBMA3), phenylglyoxylic acid (PGA), and N-Acetyl-S-(3-hydroxypropyl-1-methyl)-L-cysteine (HPMMA). The RCS curves showed J-shaped or exponential shaped E-R relationships for most VOC metabolites. WQS regression found that exposure to the mixture of VOC metabolites was related to increased systemic inflammation, and MA was the key VOC metabolite contributing most to systemic inflammation levels. Smokers exhibited higher levels of urinary VOCs and larger susceptibility to VOC-related increases in SII and SIRI compared to non-smokers. ConclusionThis study demonstrated a strong link between urinary VOC metabolites and increased systemic inflammation, and smokers were more susceptible. Our findings highlighted the significance of reducing VOC exposure to mitigate the inflammation levels, particularly for smokers.

More than stridulation: signal interaction and constraint in the complex vibroacoustic courtship of a cricket

Field crickets (Gryllidae) produce sounds by tegminal stridulation, well-studied for its role in female attraction and choice. However, understanding female preferences for their courtship song remains elusive, despite considering additional chemical, visual, and thermal signals. Beyond stridulation, crickets also display vibrational courtship behaviours that remain largely unexplored. Using Acheta domesticus as a model, we conduct the first comprehensive analysis of the entirety of vibroacoustic courtship signals in crickets, including their interaction. Employing audio recording, laser vibrometry, and videorecording, we unveil a complex signal involving simultaneous wing stridulation, body tremulation, and leg drumming against the substrate in a prolonged display, unique among insects. We identify robust correlations, coupling, and coordination between these signal components. We show the tightest coupling between the two types of stridulation pulses, and between tremulation and drumming signals, while drumming-stridulation coupling is less consistent, revealing a constraint on drumming performance. This constraint in the expression of one signal component, without a trade-off, represents a specific case within complex dynamic signalling. In addition, we find no correlation between drumming rate and its accuracy relative to stridulation, challenging common expectations. Our findings indicate that the information conveyed by the complex courtship display in A. domesticus is not simply proportional to that in the song, shedding light on previous ambiguities surrounding its function. Spectral-intensity analysis indicates the closest perceptual connection between stridulation and drumming signals, likely commonly influencing female choice, while proposing another function for tremulation. Further research should delve deeper into the function of this intricate signal.

Regional homogeneity patterns reveal the genetic and neurobiological basis of State-Trait Anxiety

ObjectiveState anxiety and trait anxiety are differentially mapped in brain function. However, the genetic and neurobiological basis of anxiety-related functional changes remain largely unknown.MethodsParticipants aged 18–30 from the community underwent resting-state fMRI and were assessed with the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory. Using a general linear regression model, we analyzed the effects of state and trait anxiety, as well as their sum and difference (delta), on regional homogeneity (ReHo) in cortical areas. ReHo patterns denote the spatial distribution of ReHo associated with anxiety scores. We further explored the spatial correlations between ReHo patterns and neuromaps, including gene expression, neurotransmitter receptor density, myelination, and functional connectivity gradients, to elucidate the genetic and molecular substrates of these ReHo patterns.ResultsOur findings demonstrated robust spatial correlations between whole-brain ReHo patterns for state and trait anxiety, with trait anxiety and the delta value exhibiting stronger network correlations, notably in the dorsal attention, salience, visual, and sensorimotor networks. Genes highly correlated with ReHo patterns exhibited unique spatiotemporal expression patterns, involvement in oxidative stress, metabolism, and response to stimuli, and were expressed in specific cell types. Furthermore, ReHo patterns significantly correlated with neuromaps of neurotransmitter receptor density, myelination, and functional connectivity gradients.ConclusionsThe ReHo patterns associated with anxiety may be driven by genetic and neurobiological traits. Our findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathogenesis of anxiety from a genetic and molecular perspective.

Quantification of Interstitial Lung Diseases, From the AJR Special Series on Quantitative Imaging.

High-resolution CT (HRCT) plays an important role in diagnosing and monitoring interstitial lung diseases (ILDs). Despite advances, predicting disease progression and treatment response remains challenging. HRCT enables noninvasive visualization and classification of patterns of lung injury and assessment of disease extent. Visual estimation of CT extent of fibrotic lung disease is an independent predictor of mortality and progression, but is subjective, with only modest interobserver agreement for radiologic interpretation of ILD. Machine learning-based textural analysis of fibrosis extent on baseline and serial HRCT scans shows robust correlations with physiologic measures and strong association with risk of disease progression or mortality across various fibrosing ILDs. In idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis, quantitative CT (QCT) assessment is associated with physiologic impairment and risk of progression and death, and increasing severity of fibrosis on longitudinal evaluation is associated with increased risk of progression and death. Similar results have been noted for fibrotic hypersensitivity pneumonitis and connective tissue disease. This review focuses on QCT techniques for ILDs. We describe the clinical need for quantification of lung disease and illustrate the role of conventional visual evaluation and of QCT approaches in defining disease severity, prognosis, and longitudinal progression, both in established disease and in preclinical interstitial abnormality.

Transcriptome profiling uncovers differentially expressed genes linked to nutritional quality in vegetable soybean.

Vegetative soybean (maodou or edamame) serves as a nutrient-rich food source with significant potential for mitigating global nutritional deficiencies. This study undertook a thorough examination of the nutritional profiles and transcriptomic landscapes of six soybean cultivars, including three common cultivars (Heinong551, Heinong562, and Heinong63) and three fresh maodou cultivars (Heinong527, HeinongXS4, and HeinongXS5). Nutrient analysis of the seeds disclosed notable differences in the levels of protein, fat, soluble sugars, vitamin E, calcium, potassium, magnesium, manganese, iron, and zinc across the cultivars. Through comparative transcriptome profiling and RNA sequencing, distinct variations in differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between fresh and traditional maodou cultivars. Functional enrichment analyses underscored the involvement of DEGs in critical biological processes, such as nutrient biosynthesis, seed development, and stress responses. Additionally, association studies demonstrated robust correlations between specific DEG expression patterns and seed nutrient compositions across the different cultivars. Sankey diagrams illustrated that DEGs are strongly linked with seed quality traits, revealing potential molecular determinants that govern variations in nutritional content. The identified DEGs and their relationships with nutritional profiles offer valuable insights for breeding programs focused on developing cultivars with improved nutritional quality, tailored to specific dietary needs or industrial applications.

Facial disbiosis and UV filters.

Acne is a multifactorial inflammatory disease with a robust microbial component and numerous correlations with dysbiosis states. Furthermore, various factors are recognized as triggers for skin dysbiosis, including the use of certain cosmetics. Based on these arguments, we hypothesized that using photoprotective formulations could trigger dysbiosis and the occurrence of acne manifestations. To verify this assumption, six volunteers between 19 and 23 years of age, meeting all the inclusion criteria, received two applications a day of a non-commercial sunscreen formulation developed with the sun filters ethylhexyl methoxycinnamate, ethylhexyl salicylate, methyl anthranilate, and octocrylene dispersed in a base gel, with an estimated protection factor of 28.8. The pure base gel was used as a control. The samples were applied to an area delimited by a standard template (15 cm2) in an amount corresponding to 30mg (2mg cm2) for ten days. At two points in time, pre- and post-sample applications, the facial skin surface was swabbed to collect extracted DNA and processed to verify divergent degrees of 16S RNA coding sequences. The data obtained allowed us to determine the abundance of different bacterial entities at the genus and species levels. The results showed that critical species of the acne process, such as Cutibacterium acnes and Staphylococcus epidermidis, seem to tolerate the evaluated formulation well and are not significantly affected by the formulation, suggesting no interference of its use concerning dysbiosis induction. These findings refute the idea that photoprotectors may cause skin dysbiosis in men.

Deciphering nitrogen dynamics in aeroponics: physio-biochemical and enzymatic responses influencing nitrogen use efficiency in contrasting potato genotypes

Excessive use of nitrogen (N) in crops, such as potatoes, can lead to economic and environmental repercussions. We hypothesized that potato genotypes with resilient root systems and high genetic capabilities for nitrogen-use efficiency (NUE) could effectively mitigate these challenges. Consequently, we investigated intraspecific variations and characteristics within six distinct potato genotypes exhibiting diverse NUEs in response to varying nitrogen levels in an aeroponic system. The morpho-physiological and biochemical properties showed significant genotypic variations, especially related to the N-assimilating enzyme levels and root characteristics. Notably, the root systems of all genotypes demonstrated greater responsiveness to low nitrogen levels, with genotype C17 showcasing the most substantial root system irrespective of nitrogen concentration. Root morphological traits displayed robust positive correlations with NUtE, primarily influenced by genotype rather than nitrogen concentration. Conversely, nitrogen levels, displaying positive correlations with NUpE, influenced growth and activities of N-assimilating enzymes. Based on their distinct root systems, metabolic activities, and NUE profiles, genotypes C17 and C11 were determined to be N-efficient and N-inefficient, respectively. This study provides novel insights into the physiological and biochemical mechanisms underlying nitrogen use efficiency in potato genotypes under aeroponic conditions, offering potential targets for breeding programs, optimizing fertilizer management and cultivation strategies to improve crop performance under nitrogen-deficient conditions. Future investigations, employing multi-omics approaches, will elucidate key genes and pathways in nitrogen metabolism, potentially offering avenues to enhance root architecture and improve NUE.

Multi-institutional validation of an AI-based sinus CT analytic platform with olfactory assessments.

AI-based CT sinus analysis may have advantages over visual based systems, for example, Lund-Mackay score. Here, we show multi-institutional validation of an AI algorithm using novel OMC classification. Significant, robust correlations are seen between algorithm outputs and clinical outcomes.

Portuguese translation, cultural adaptation and psychometric properties of the temporomandibular joint scale: a cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe temporomandibular joint (TMJ) scale assesses the severity of temporomandibular joint disorders (TMD), yet a European Portuguese translation is lacking.ObjectivesTo translate, cross-culturally adapt and to examine the psychometric properties (construct validity and reliability) of the TMJ scale.MethodsTranslation and cultural adaptation were carried out according to international recommendations, including initial translation, evaluation of this translation and cultural adaptation by a panel of experts, and back translation. The final Portuguese version was used to examine the reliability and validity, and participants with TMD were recruited from a Portuguese outpatient clinic. Reliability measures included internal consistency with Cronbach’s alpha and test-retest reliability with the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC2,1). The Spearman correlation comparing the TMJ scale with the Fonseca and Helkimo indexes was used to assess the construct validity.ResultsA total of 63 participants (23 ± 2 years; 61,9% female) were included. Similar internal consistency was observed between the two moments of application (0.921 and 0.918), and test-retest reliability was excellent, with an ICC2,1 = 0.998 (95%CI: 0.988–0.999). Robust positive correlations (rho 0.554–0.611, p < 0.001) were found between the TMJ scale and Fonseca and Helkimo indexes.ConclusionThe European Portuguese version of TMJ scale is now available to improve the assessment of severity of TMD in routine clinical practice. This version is also reliable and valid.

Interpreting The Impetus of Artificial Intelligence (AI) On Customer Satisfaction in The Digital Banking Landscape

Artificial Intelligence (AI) transforms digital banking technology by augmenting the consumer banking experiences. This study explored the stimulus of AI attributes-trendiness, visual attractiveness, and problem-solving on customer satisfaction in digital banking. To accomplish this, a descriptive and quantitative research approach was embraced, gathering and analysing 120 sample using SPSS 23.0. The correlation analysis exposed positive association between AI attributes and customer satisfaction. Trendiness indicated a modest correlation, Visual Attractiveness and Problem Solving exhibited robust correlations. The regression analysis proved that visual attractiveness is exceptionally significant, problem solving exhibited significant impact and trendiness did not forecast substantial customer pleasure. This study emphasizes the significance of visual attractiveness and problem-solving in shaping positive customer experiences in AI-induced digital banking, stressing the necessity for the constant innovation in the competitive business environment.

Misrepresentation of MDMA in the United States, 1999–2023

Background and aimsThe misrepresentation of illicit drugs in unregulated markets increases the risk of adverse health events. This study analyzed drug checking data to compare represented, expected, and actual content of alleged MDMA samples, estimate trends in the quality of the MDMA supply, document the presence of adulterants, compare patterns of adulteration, and validate drug checking against law enforcement data. MethodThe study analyzed 4719 alleged MDMA samples submitted to the DrugsData drug checking service between 1999–2023. Measures captured characteristics and quality of the MDMA supply, including represented content, expected and actual content, sample form, and specific adulterants. Tests of association were conducted using Pearson’s chi-square or Spearman’s rho, and tests for trends were performed using joinpoint regression. FindingMost samples (75 %) were expected to contain MDMA, but this varied significantly by represented content (p<0.001). About half the samples (48 %) contained MDMA-only, which also varied significantly by represented content (p<0.001). MDMA-only prevalence declined from 1999–2009 (57.4–15.2 %, p<0.05), recovered from 2009–2017 (15.2–56.0 %, p<0.05), and increased more moderately from 2017–2023 (56.0–74.1 %, p<0.05). Overall, 199 unique adulterants were detected in the MDMA supply across 25 years. We confirmed robust correlations in adulterant prevalence trends between drug checking and law enforcement seizure data. ConclusionsWhile users typically expected alleged MDMA samples to contain only MDMA, more than half of the submitted MDMA samples were misrepresented in some manner. Despite high levels of misrepresentation, MDMA quality has stabilized at relatively high levels in recent years

INSIGHTS INTO THE MOHO DEPTH VARIATIONS AND CRUSTAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE GUELMA–CONSTANTINE BASIN, NORTHEASTERN ALGERIA: A SHORT-PERIOD SEISMIC-RECEIVER-FUNCTION PERSPECTIVE

Teleseismic receiver functions (RF) were extracted from data collected at eight short-period, three-component seismic recording stations over the Guelma–Constantine Basin, northeastern Algeria, to improve the understanding of crustal structure and geodynamic processes. The H-κ stacking method was used to determine the Moho depths and average vP/vS ratios at each station. Careful linear inversion of RF was performed to determine the most appropriate average shear-wave and P-wave velocity profiles at each site. Both methods have yielded highly congruent results, with Moho depths showing robust correlations with previous seismological and geophysical studies. The previously observed pattern of the increasing Moho depth from north to south in the Tell Atlas has been confirmed. Furthermore, the identified transitional nature of the Moho in the Constantine Basin is consistent with a recent study. In addition, we identify a low-velocity zone (LVZ) at approximately 20 km depth within the southern Guelma Basin, confirming previous results in the Constantine Basin and suggesting an eastward elongation of the LVZ, at least into the southern periphery of the Guelma Basin. Examination of data from the northern tip of the Hammam Debbagh–Roknia NW–SE fault, the western boundary of the Guelma pull-apart basin, revealed a shallow Moho depth (22 km), less than the basin average depth of 25 km. The LVZ observed in the lower crust (12 km) suggests the presence of partial melts, consistent with gravimetric and chemical analyses of hydrothermal sources in the area. The extensional tectonic activity along this boundary, coupled with the low-viscosity zone and low average vP/vS ratio, is potentially associated with delamination processes. The effectiveness of our approach underscores its potential as a viable alternative or complementary method for investigating variations in the Moho depth.

Patterns of variation and relationships among fat, protein, and milk yield of individual dairy cattle in a Thai multibreed population.

This study systematically examines the patterns of milk yield (MY, kg), fat (FAT, %), and protein (PROT, %) in a diverse population of Thai multibreed dairy cattle, considering the tropical environment's impact on lactating cows. Using a dataset of 47,205 monthly test-day records from 4,440 first-lactation cows across 446 farms, we analyze variations and interrelationships through mathematical averaging and introduce the fat-to-protein ratio (FPR) to assess acidosis (FPR < 1.1) and ketosis (FPR > 1.5) risks during lactation. Pearson correlation analysis elucidated trait associations. The findings, aligned with established lactation norms, indicate peak production at 297 days in milk (DIM) for FAT (4.08%; SD = 0.96%), PROT (3.43%; SD = 0.47%), and 52 DIM for MY (18.09kg; SD = 4.91kg). Nadirs are observed at 72 DIM for FAT (3.27%; SD = 0.74%), 47 DIM for PROT (2.86%; SD = 0.36%), and 299 DIM for MY (9.05kg; SD = 2.95kg). FPR variations highlight acidosis (46.48%), normal (43.66%), and ketosis (9.86%), especially during early lactation (100 DIM). Significant negative correlations emerge between MY, FAT, and PROT (P < 0.05), while a positive correlation is identified between FAT and PROT (P < 0.01), with robust correlations during early lactation. This study contributes to understanding tailored nutritional strategies for dairy cows' holistic health and sustainability in tropical environments, guiding efficient production practices and mitigating health-related productivity impediments.

SARS-CoV-2 induced vitamin D deficiency and psychological stress: a manifestation of autoimmune disease onset.

The global SARS-CoV-2 pandemic significantly altered lifestyles, access to healthcare, and social interactions, introducing unprecedented physical and psychological stress all over the world. This study explores the relationship between psychological stress, vitamin D (Vit-D) levels, and autoimmune connective tissue diseases, including systemic lupus erythematosus, systemic sclerosis, polymyositis, dermatomyositis, and rheumatoid arthritis. The analysis was based on over one million patient data points derived from anti-nuclear antibody (ANA) testing conducted both before and during the COVID-19 pandemic 2017-2021. In a subset of patients, longitudinal data were collected bi-yearly to yearly over 5-8 years using the same three-month criteria. The dataset was analyzed using GraphPad Prism9 using paired t-tests or ordinary one-way ANOVA with a significance threshold of p < 0.05 to ensure robust correlations between the variables. Data indicated that Vit-D levels peaked between 2017 and 2019 before declining, while ANA data demonstrated a rise in autoimmune connective tissue disease cases during the pandemic, reaching a peak in 2021. A clear correlation was observed, with autoimmune disease incidence increasing as Vit-D levels decreased. In-depth case analysis revealed that declining Vit-D levels preceded higher ANA titers and increased autoimmune disease severity, whereas improvements in Vit-D levels were associated with reduced ANA titers and less severe disease manifestations. The findings suggest that maintaining mental health and ensuring adequate Vit-D supplementation could be essential strategies for mitigating autoimmune disease risks and maintaining immune stability, particularly in pandemic scenarios. Clinically, these results underscore the need for early interventions targeting both psychological well-being and Vit-D levels to reduce the burden of autoimmune diseases.

Emotion recognition using cross-modal attention from EEG and facial expression

The fusion of facial expression and Electroencephalogram (EEG) signals in a multi-modal framework is a comprehensive and accurate method for emotion recognition. However, current methods often tend to directly concatenate two modalities, thereby overlooking the interplay between modalities. Furthermore, the selection of single static facial images for extracting facial features neglected the dynamic changes in facial expressions. These limitations have been identified as factors that constrain the accuracy and stability of the model. In this study, an innovative multimodal emotion recognition network was introduced, which using continuous facial expressions and EEG signals. It incorporated the cross-modal attention fusion mechanism to establish robust correlations between modal feature vectors, thereby generating amalgamated vectors with mutual information. Additionally, a Self-Attention Convolutional Long Short-Term Memory (SA-ConvLSTM) was employed to capture spatiotemporal information from facial expression images. The model proposed in this paper was experimentally evaluated on the DEAP and MAHNOB-HCI datasets. Its recognition accuracy was higher than the existing advanced research methods. At the same time, it still performed well in the Leave-One-Subject-Out (LOSO) experiment based on DEAP dataset. The experimental results showed the effectiveness of the proposed model in the task of multimodal emotion recognition.

The genetic landscape of basal ganglia and implications for common brain disorders

The basal ganglia are subcortical brain structures involved in motor control, cognition, and emotion regulation. We conducted univariate and multivariate genome-wide association analyses (GWAS) to explore the genetic architecture of basal ganglia volumes using brain scans obtained from 34,794 Europeans with replication in 4,808 white and generalization in 5,220 non-white Europeans. Our multivariate GWAS identified 72 genetic loci associated with basal ganglia volumes with a replication rate of 55.6% at P < 0.05 and 87.5% showed the same direction, revealing a distributed genetic architecture across basal ganglia structures. Of these, 50 loci were novel, including exonic regions of APOE, NBR1 and HLAA. We examined the genetic overlap between basal ganglia volumes and several neurological and psychiatric disorders. The strongest genetic overlap was between basal ganglia and Parkinson’s disease, as supported by robust LD-score regression-based genetic correlations. Mendelian randomization indicated genetic liability to larger striatal volume as potentially causal for Parkinson’s disease, in addition to a suggestive causal effect of greater genetic liability to Alzheimer’s disease on smaller accumbens. Functional analyses implicated neurogenesis, neuron differentiation and development in basal ganglia volumes. These results enhance our understanding of the genetic architecture and molecular associations of basal ganglia structure and their role in brain disorders.

Grazing intensity and associated frequency of human contact, and horn status, influence activity on pasture, physiological pre-slaughter reactions and meat quality in beef heifers

Meat quality is influenced by many factors related to the animal, such as its genetics and health status, farm management, and slaughter and processing conditions. The present study aimed to investigate the effects and interactions of grazing intensity and horn status on behaviour, physiological pre-slaughter stress status and meat characteristics of beef heifers. The study involved 32 horned and 32 disbudded F1 crossbred (Limousin ☓ Swiss Dairy breed) heifers during summer grazing on mountain pastures. Half of the heifers of each horn status were assigned to one of two grazing systems, balanced for live weight, dam and behavioural reactivity: grazing at either high (HI) or low (LI) grazing intensity. HI groups grazed in 3 times smaller paddocks and changed the paddock three times more often than LI groups. The effects of horn status and grazing intensity on physical activity on pasture, pre-slaughter stress and meat quality of the m. longissimus thoracis were studied. Compared to HI heifers, LI Heifers walked more when on pasture, showed greater stress levels before stunning, and their meat had greater water losses and greater early troponin levels. The varying pre-slaughter stress levels may be attributed to the differing frequency of human contact resulting from the differing frequency of paddock changes and may explain part of the effects on meat quality. Compared to disbudded heifers, horned heifers had faster heart rates at the abattoir, and their meat had lower cooking loss and was less juicy. Pre-slaughter heart rates showed robust correlations with various meat quality indicators. The study shows that both horn status and grazing management, including human contact, influence meat quality. Part of the effects may be related to different pre-slaughter physiological reactions, which subsequently influence meat quality.

Naringenin and caffeic acid increase ethanol production in yeast cells by reducing very high gravity fermentation-related oxidative stress.

Very high gravity (VHG) fermentation is an industrial-scale process utilizing a sugar concentration above 250g/L to attain a significant ethanol concentration, with the advantages of decreased labor, production costs, water usage, bacterial contamination, and energy consumption. Saccharomyces cerevisiae is one of the most extensively employed organisms in ethanol fermentation through VHG technology. Conversely, high glucose exposure leads to numerous stress factors that negatively impact the ethanol production efficiency of this organism. Here, the impact of various phytochemicals added to the VHG medium on viability, glucose consumption, ethanol production efficiency, total antioxidant-oxidant status (TAS and TOS), and the response of the enzymatic antioxidant system of yeast were investigated. 2.0 mM naringenin and caffeic acid increased ethanol production by 2.453 ± 0.198 and 1.261 ± 0.138-fold, respectively. The glucose consumption rate exhibited a direct relationship with ethanol production in the naringenin-supplemented group. The highest TAS was determined as 0.734 ± 0.044 mmol Trolox Eq./L in the same group. Furthermore, both phytochemical compounds exhibited robust positive correlations with TAS (rnaringenin = 0.9986; rcaffeic acid = 0.9553) and TOS levels (rnaringenin = -0.9824; rcaffeic acid = -0.9791). While naringenin caused statistically significant increases in glutathione reductase (GR) and thioredoxin reductase (TrxR) activities, caffeic acid significantly increased TrxR and superoxide dismutase (SOD). Both phytochemicals seem to impact the ethanol production ability by regulating the redox status of the cells. We believe that the incorporation of particularly cost-effective antioxidants into the fermentation medium may serve as an alternative way to enhance the efficiency of bioethanol production using VHG technology.