Tissue Composition Research Articles

Dietary and metabolic effects on intestinal stem cells in health and disease.

Diet and nutritional metabolites exhibit wide-ranging effects on health and disease partly by altering tissue composition and function. With rapidly rising rates of obesity, there is particular interest in how obesogenic diets influence tissue homeostasis and risk of tumorigenesis; epidemiologically, these diets have a positive correlation with various cancers, including colorectal cancer. The gastrointestinal tract is a highly specialized, continuously renewing tissue with a fundamental role in nutrient uptake and is, in turn, influenced by diet composition and host metabolic state. Intestinal stem cells are found at the base of the intestinal crypt and can generate all mature lineages that comprise the intestinal epithelium and are uniquely influenced by host diet, metabolic by-products and energy dynamics. Similarly, tumour growth and metabolism can also be shaped by nutrient availability and host diet. In this Review, we discuss how different diets and metabolic changes influence intestinal stem cells in homeostatic and pathological conditions, as well as tumorigenesis. We also discuss how dietary changes and composition affect the intestinal epithelium and its surrounding microenvironment.

Effect of a multidisciplinary lifestyle intervention on body composition in people with osteoarthritis: Secondary analysis of the “Plants for Joints” randomized controlled trial

ObjectiveThe Plants for Joints (PFJ) intervention significantly improved pain, stiffness, and physical function, and metabolic outcomes, in people with metabolic syndrome-associated osteoarthritis (MSOA). This secondary analysis investigated its effects on body composition. MethodIn the randomized PFJ study, people with MSOA followed a 16-week intervention based on a whole-food plant-based diet, physical activity, and stress management, or usual care. For this secondary analysis, fat mass, muscle mass, and bone mineral density were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) for all participants. Additionally, in a subgroup (n ​= ​32), hepatocellular lipid (HCL) content and composition of visceral adipose tissue (VAT) were measured using magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS). An intention-to-treat analysis with a linear-mixed model adjusted for baseline values was used to analyse between-group differences. ResultsOf 66 people randomized, 64 (97%) completed the study. The PFJ group experienced significant weight loss (−5.2 ​kg; 95% CI –6.9, −3.6) compared to controls, primarily from fat mass reduction (−3.9 ​kg; 95% CI –5.3 to −2.5). No significant differences were found in lean mass, muscle strength, or bone mineral density between groups. In the subgroup who underwent MRI scans, the PFJ group had a greater reduction in HCL (−6.5%; 95% CI –9.9, 3.0) compared to controls, with no observed differences in VAT composition. ConclusionThe PFJ multidisciplinary intervention positively impacted clinical and metabolic outcomes, and appears to significantly reduce body fat, including liver fat, while preserving muscle mass and strength.

T cell receptor clonotype in tumor microenvironment contributes to intratumoral signaling network in patients with colorectal cancer.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has contributed to understanding cellular heterogeneity and immune profiling in cancer. The aim of the study was to investigate gene expression and immune profiling in colorectal cancer (CRC) using scRNA-seq. We analyzed single-cell gene expression and T cell receptor (TCR) sequences in 30 pairs of CRC and matched normal tissue. Intratumoral lymphocytes were measured with digital image analysis. CRC had more T cells, epithelial cells, and myeloid cells than normal colorectal tissue. CRCs with microsatellite instability had more abundant T cells than those without microsatellite instability. Immune cell compositions of CRC and normal colorectal tissue were inversely correlated. CD4 + or CD8 + proliferating T cells, CD4 + effector memory T cells, CD8 + naïve T cells, and regulatory T cells of CRC showed higher TCR clonal expansion. Tumor epithelial cells interacted with immune cells more strongly than normal. T cells, myeloid cells, and fibroblasts from CRCs of expanded T cell clonotypes showed increased expression of genes related to TNF and NFKB signaling and T cell activation. CRCs of expanded T cell clonotypes also showed stronger cellular interactions among immune cells, fibroblasts, and endothelial cells. Pro-inflammatory CXCL and TNF signaling were activated in CRCs of expanded T cell clonotype. In conclusion, scRNA-seq analysis revealed different immune cell compositions, differential gene expression, and diverse TCR clonotype dynamics in CRC. TCR clonality expansion is associated with immune activation through T cell signaling and chemokine signaling. Patients with CRCs of expanded clonotype can be promising candidates for immunotherapy.

Periprostatic adipose tissue inhibits tumor progression by secreting apoptotic factors: A natural barrier induced by the immune response during the early stages of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most prevalent malignancy in men worldwide. The risk factors for PCa include obesity, age and family history. Increased visceral fat has been associated with high PCa risk, which has prompted previous researchers to investigate the influence of body composition and fat distribution on PCa prognosis. However, there is a lack of studies focusing on the mechanisms and interactions between periprostatic adipose tissue (PPAT) and PCa cells. The present study investigated the association between the composition of pelvic adipose tissue and PCa aggressiveness to understand the role played by this tissue in PCa progression. Moreover, PPAT-conditioned medium (CM) was prepared to assess the influence of the PPAT secretome on the pathophysiology of PCa. The present study included 50 patients with localized PCa who received robot-assisted radical prostatectomy. Medical records were collected, magnetic resonance imaging scans were analyzed and body compositions were calculated to identify the associations between adipose tissue volume and clinical PCa aggressiveness. In addition, CM was prepared from PPAT and perivesical adipose tissue (PVAT) collected from 25 patients during surgery, and its effects on the PCa cell lines C4-2 and LNCaP, and the prostate epithelial cell line PZ-HPV-7, were investigated using a cell proliferation assay and RNA sequencing (RNA-seq). The results revealed that the initial prostate-specific antigen level was significantly correlated with pelvic and periprostatic adipose tissue volumes. In addition, PPAT volume was significantly higher in patients with extracapsular tumor extension. PCa cell proliferation was significantly reduced when the cells were cultured in PPAT-CM compared with when they were cultured in control- and PVAT-CM. RNA-seq revealed that immune responses, and the cell death and apoptosis pathways were enriched in PPAT-CM-cultured cells indicating that the cytokines or other factors secreted from PPAT-CM induced PCa cell apoptosis. These findings revealed that the PPAT secretome may inhibit PCa cell proliferation by activating immune responses and promoting cancer cell apoptosis. This mechanism may act as a first-line defense during the early stages of PCa.

Being thin-skinned can still reduce damage from dynamic puncture.

The integumentary system in animals serves as an important line of defence against physiological and mechanical external forces. Over time, integuments have evolved layered structures (scales, cuticle and skin) with high toughness and strength to resist damage and prevent wound expansion. While previous studies have examined their defensive performance under low-rate conditions, the failure response and damage resistance of these thin layers under dynamic biological puncture remain underexplored. Here, we utilize a novel experimental framework to investigate the mechanics of dynamic puncture in both bilayer structures of synthetic tissue-mimicking composite materials and natural skin tissues. Our findings reveal the remarkable efficiency of a thin outer skin layer in reducing the overall extent of dynamic puncture damage. This enhanced damage resistance is governed by interlayer properties through puncture energetics and diminishes in strength at higher puncture rates due to rate-dependent effects in silicone tissue simulants. In addition, natural skin tissues exhibit unique material properties and failure behaviours, leading to superior damage reduction capability compared with synthetic counterparts. These findings contribute to a deeper understanding of the inherent biomechanical complexity of biological puncture systems with layered composite material structures. They lay the groundwork for future comparative studies and bio-inspired applications.

Therapeutic Effect of Nano-Extract of Nigella Sativa Seeds on The Histological Structure of The Testis In Male Albino Rats Induced With Anemia

Background: The study explores the effect of nanoparticles derived from the aqueous extract of Nigella sativa seeds on the histological structure of the testis in male albino rats with tartrazine-induced anemia. Nanoparticles, ranging in size from 1 to 100 nanometers, possess unique physical and chemical properties that enhance their ability to interact and deliver drugs. Objective: This study focuses on the therapeutic potential of Nigella sativa seed extract nanoparticles in treating testicular histological changes in anemic rats. The testicle is an oval organ involved in sperm formation and hormone production. It contains seminiferous tubules, Sertoli cells, and Leydig cells, which are responsible for sperm production and testosterone synthesis. Methods: The study included 36 male albino mice, aged between 8-12 weeks, and weighing 240-260 grams, from the Iraqi Center for Cancer Research and Medical Genetics. The animals were divided into six groups, each group having six animals. Results: The study showed that tartrazine at a concentration of 20 mg/kg: with Nigella sativa nanoparticles 50 mg/kg: an increase in weight. the body. While tartrazine at a concentration of 20 mg/kg with N.sativa nanoparticles at 75 mg/kg did not show significant differences compared with the control group. The results showed the Nigella sativa seed nanoparticles at a concentration of (50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg): showed an increase in body weight, while tartrazine at a concentration of 20 mg/kg: a decrease in body weight, and no significant changes were observed in testicle weight in all treatments compared with the control group. Non-significant changes in testicle weight compare with Control group. The study showed that treatment with tartrazine 20 mg/kg showed noticeable histological changes in the histological structure of the testicle. Tartrazine with N.sativa nanoparticles (50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg): No histological changes, indicating attenuation of tartrazine-induced damage. N.sativa nanoparticles (50 mg/kg, 75 mg/kg): demonstrated normal composition of testicular tissue, indicating no harmful effects on testicular tissue. has protective effects. Conclusion:The study aimed to investigate the potential of using nanoparticles extracted from Nigella sativa seeds to protect against damage caused by tartrazine in male albino rats.with significant therapeutic implications for the use of natural antioxidants in biomedical applications.

Reproductive factors and mammographic density within the International Consortium of Mammographic Density: A cross-sectional study

BackgroundElevated mammographic density (MD) for a woman’s age and body mass index (BMI) is an established breast cancer risk factor. The relationship of parity, age at first birth, and breastfeeding with MD is less clear. We examined the associations of these factors with MD within the International Consortium of Mammographic Density (ICMD).MethodsICMD is a consortium of 27 studies with pooled individual-level epidemiological and MD data from 11,755 women without breast cancer aged 35–85 years from 22 countries, capturing 40 country-& ethnicity-specific population groups. MD was measured using the area-based tool Cumulus. Meta-analyses across population groups and pooled analyses were used to examine linear regression associations of square-root (√) transformed MD measures (percent MD (PMD), dense area (DA), and non-dense area (NDA)) with parity, age at first birth, ever/never breastfed and lifetime breastfeeding duration. Models were adjusted for age at mammogram, age at menarche, BMI, menopausal status, use of hormone replacement therapy, calibration method, mammogram view and reader, and parity and age at first birth when not the association of interest.ResultsAmong 10,988 women included in these analyses, 90.1% (n = 9,895) were parous, of whom 13% (n = 1,286) had ≥ five births. The mean age at first birth was 24.3 years (Standard deviation = 5.1). Increasing parity (per birth) was inversely associated with √PMD (β: − 0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): − 0.07, − 0.03) and √DA (β: − 0.08, 95% CI: − 0.12, − 0.05) with this trend evident until at least nine births. Women who were older at first birth (per five-year increase) had higher √PMD (β:0.06, 95% CI:0.03, 0.10) and √DA (β:0.06, 95% CI:0.02, 0.10), and lower √NDA (β: − 0.06, 95% CI: − 0.11, − 0.01). In stratified analyses, this association was only evident in women who were post-menopausal at MD assessment. Among parous women, no associations were found between ever/never breastfed or lifetime breastfeeding duration (per six-month increase) and √MD.ConclusionsAssociations with higher parity and older age at first birth with √MD were consistent with the direction of their respective associations with breast cancer risk. Further research is needed to understand reproductive factor-related differences in the composition of breast tissue and their associations with breast cancer risk.

Dense Collagen I as a Biomimetic Material to Track Matrix Remodelling in Renal Carcinomas.

Aims: Renal tissue is a dynamic biophysical microenvironment, regulating healthy function and influencing tumor development. Matrix remodelling is an iterative process and aberrant tissue repair is prominent in kidney fibrosis and cancer. Biomimetic 3D models recapitulating the collagen composition and mechanical fidelity of native renal tissue were developed to investigate cell-matrix interactions in renal carcinomas. Methods: Collagen I and laminin hydrogels were engineered with renal cancer cells (ACHN and 786-O), which underwent plastic compression to generate dense matrices. Mechanical properties were determined using shear rheology and qPCR determined the gene expression of matrix markers. Results: The shear modulus and phase angle of acellular dense collagen I gels (474 Pa and 10.7) are similar to human kidney samples (1410 Pa and 10.5). After 21 days, 786-O cells softened the dense matrix (∼155 Pa), with collagen IV downregulation and upregulation of matrix metalloproteinases (MMP7 and MMP8). ACHN cells were found to be less invasive and stiffened the matrix to ∼1.25 kPa, with gene upregulation of collagen IV and the cross-linking enzyme LOX. Conclusions: Renal cancer cells remodel their biophysical environment, altering the material properties of tissue stroma in 3D models. These models can generate physiologically relevant stiffness to investigate the different matrix remodelling mechanisms utilized by cancer cells.

Adipose Tissue Plasticity: A Comprehensive Definition and Multidimensional Insight.

Adipose tissue is composed of adipocytes, stromal vascular fraction, nerves, surrounding immune cells, and the extracellular matrix. Under various physiological or pathological conditions, adipose tissue shifts cellular composition, lipid storage, and organelle dynamics to respond to the stress; this remodeling is called "adipose tissue plasticity". Adipose tissue plasticity includes changes in the size, species, number, lipid storage capacity, and differentiation function of adipocytes, as well as alterations in the distribution and cellular composition of adipose tissue. This plasticity has a major role in growth, obesity, organismal protection, and internal environmental homeostasis. Moreover, certain thresholds exist for this plasticity with significant individualized differences. Here, we comprehensively elaborate on the specific connotation of adipose tissue plasticity and the relationship between this plasticity and the development of many diseases. Meanwhile, we summarize possible strategies for treating obesity in response to adipose tissue plasticity, intending to provide new insights into the dynamic changes in adipose tissue and contribute new ideas to relevant clinical problems.

Carbon isotope composition of biomass and water use efficiency in young plants of Jatropha curcas L. under irrigated or water deficit conditions

Jatropha curcas L. is a non-food crop quoted as a promising natural feedstock for biodiesel production in tropical and subtropical regions. Although an efficient mechanism of drought avoidance through stomatal control of transpiration has been demonstrated in this species, low carbon assimilation and growth rates preclude any advantage of such strategy under water limitation. Two greenhouse experiments were conducted with the objective of investigating varietal differences in water use as the trade-off between carbon isotope composition (δ13C) in different tissues and water use efficiency, in young plants of J. curcas. The first experiment was a survey with seven provenances of J. curcas under non-limiting water availability. There were no significant differences among provenances for leaf gas exchange rates, growth and whole-plant transpiration (T). However, significant effects of provenance and tissue (stem bark or leaf) in δ13C were demonstrated. The provenances CNPAE183 and CNPAE222 were selected for the second experiment, as variations in water use traits and δ13C between the two provenances were observed. Soil water deficit, imposed for 18 days, led to significant physiological, biochemical, and morphological changes. An early and sharp response to water deficit in CNPAE183 as compared to CNPAE222 was observed, as indicated by a 44% higher rate of decrease of T in the former. In addition, water deficit led to increase of δ13C, which was more pronounced in CNPAE222 (13% in young leaves) when compared to CNPAE183 (11% in young leaves). In both provenances, δ13C was less negative in young as compared to mature tissues. Significant and direct correlations between stem bark and leaf δ13C and leaf-level intrinsic water use efficiency were observed. Contrasting results, particularly on T and δ13C, suggest the existence of genetic diversity for water relations and metabolic traits linked to drought tolerance in J. curcas. Using stem bark or leaf δ13C measurements as the basis for large-scale screening of water-use efficient genotypes should be considered.

Comprehensive Postnatal Anatomical, Histological and Geometric Morphometric Analysis of Thymus Development in Dromedary Camels (Camelus dromedarius).

The thymus, a primary lymphoid organ, plays a critical role in T lymphocyte development and adaptive immunity. This study focuses on the anatomical, histological and geometric morphometric characteristics of the thymus in dromedary camels (Camelus dromedarius) during postnatal development. Thymus samples were collected from camels aged approximately 4, 8, 12 and 16 months. Using photogrammetry and 3D modelling, the samples were analysed to generate landmarks and conduct geometric morphometry with the 3D Slicer and ALPACA algorithm. Principal component analysis (PCA) was then performed to evaluate shape variations. Histologically, the samples underwent Haematoxylin and Eosin and Masson's trichrome staining. Image analysis using QuPath software quantified trabeculae, adipose tissue and Hassall's corpuscles. The results revealed significant anatomical and histological changes in the thymus across the different age groups. Notable variations in tissue composition and structural integrity were observed, with the PCA highlighting distinct morphometric patterns associated with age-related development. These findings provide a deeper understanding of thymus maturation in dromedaries and offer valuable data for comparative anatomy and veterinary medicine. This comprehensive analysis enhances our knowledge of species-specific immune development, with important implications for the health and resilience of these animals in arid environments.

Clustering-independent estimation of cell abundances in bulk tissues using single-cell RNA-seq data.

Single-cell RNA-sequencing has transformed the study of biological tissues by enabling transcriptomic characterizations of their constituent cell states. Computational methods for gene expression deconvolution use this information to infer the cell composition of related tissues profiled at the bulk level. However, current deconvolution methods are restricted to discrete cell types and have limited power to make inferences about continuous cellular processes like cell differentiation or immune cell activation. We present ConDecon, a clustering-independent method for inferring the likelihood for each cell in a single-cell dataset to be present in a bulk tissue. ConDecon represents an improvement in phenotypic resolution and functionality with respect to regression-based methods. Using ConDecon, we discover the implication of neurodegenerative microglia inflammatory pathways in the mesenchymal transformation of pediatric ependymoma and characterize their spatial trajectories of activation. The generality of this approach enables the deconvolution of other data modalities such as bulk ATAC-seq data.

An optimized pipeline for high-throughput bulk RNA-Seq deconvolution illustrates the impact of obesity and weight loss on cell composition of human adipose tissue.

Cellular heterogeneity of human adipose tissue, is linked to the pathophysiology of obesity and may impact the response to energy restriction and changes in fat mass. Here, we provide an optimized pipeline to estimate cellular composition in human abdominal subcutaneous adipose tissue (ASAT) from publicly available bulk RNA-Seq using signature profiles from our previously published full-length single nuclei (sn)RNA-Seq of the same depot. Individuals with obesity had greater proportions of macrophages and lower proportions of adipocyte sub-populations and vascular cells compared with lean individuals. Two months of diet-induced weight loss (DIWL) increased the estimated proportions of macrophages; however, two years of DIWL reduced the estimated proportions of macrophages, thereby suggesting a bi-phasic nature of cellular remodeling of ASAT during weight loss. Our optimized high-throughput pipeline facilitates the assessment of composition changes of highly characterized cell types in large numbers of ASAT samples using low-cost bulk RNA-Seq. Our data reveal novel changes in cellular heterogeneity and its association with cardiometabolic health in humans with obesity and following weight loss.

Learnable real-time inference of molecular composition from diffuse spectroscopy of brain tissue.

Diffuse optical modalities such as broadband near-infrared spectroscopy (bNIRS) and hyperspectral imaging (HSI) represent a promising alternative for low-cost, non-invasive, and fast monitoring of living tissue. Particularly, the possibility of extracting the molecular composition of the tissue from the optical spectra deems the spectroscopy techniques as a unique diagnostic tool. No established method exists to streamline the inference of the biochemical composition from the optical spectrum for real-time applications such as surgical monitoring. We analyze a machine learning technique for inference of changes in the molecular composition of brain tissue. We propose modifications to the existing learnable methodology based on the Beer-Lambert law. We evaluate the method's applicability to linear and nonlinear formulations of this physical law. The approach is tested on data obtained from the bNIRS- and HSI-based monitoring of brain tissue. The results demonstrate that the proposed method enables real-time molecular composition inference while maintaining the accuracy of traditional methods. Preliminary findings show that Beer-Lambert law-based spectral unmixing allows contrasting brain anatomy semantics such as the vessel tree and tumor area. We present a data-driven technique for inferring molecular composition change from diffuse spectroscopy of brain tissue, potentially enabling intra-operative monitoring.

Vascularised Composite Allotransplantation – A guide to optimal dissemination of scientific outputs

PurposeThe impact of academic research is not just important within the clinical domain but within society as a whole. Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) offers a means of assessing how scholarly outputs are interacted with online. Vascularised Composite Allotransplantation (VCA) is a modern but rapidly evolving topic which encompasses a broad range of complex and clinically significant surgical interventions. Primarily VCA is utilised in the reconstruction of complex, composite tissue defects, including limb and face transplantation. There is also a growing interest in the role of VCA as an early means of real-time immuno-monitoring, in sentinel skin flap transplant (SSF). Materials & methodsIn July 2024, a search was conducted using the Altmetric Explorer (AE) database using the search term ‘vascular-composite’ AND ‘allograft’ OR ‘allotransplant’. A simultaneous literature search was carried out using Web of Science (WoS) database utilising the same search terms with extraction of traditional citation-based metrics as well as relevant ‘meso’ and ‘micro’ subject headings. Corresponding citation-based metrics were extracted utilising SCImago. Data was compiled and analysed using a linear regression model with level of significance set at p < 0.05. ResultsThe Top 100 (T100) performing articles relating to VCA displayed a mean Altmetric Attention Score (AAS) of 3.31. All T100 papers were published in the English language. Sixty percent (n = 60) of T100 papers were published in Q1 Journals. News outlet mentions (r = 6.95), blog mentions (r = 6.20), and Twitter/X mentions (r = 0.52) demonstrated the greatest positive impact on AAS upon application of a linear regression model (p < 0.05). ConclusionAltmetric Scores offer a means of appraising the impact of research outputs in both academic and societal domains. Such modern metrics are useful in evolving topics such as VCA as AAS is not dependent on citation counts. Publishing of outputs in high quartile, open access journals with timely utilisation of news and social media outlets should be utilised by researchers aiming to maximise dissemination of research outputs in the field of VCA.

Benchmarking bulk and single-cell variant-calling approaches on Chromium scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq libraries.

Single-cell sequencing methodologies such as scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq have become widespread and effective tools to interrogate tissue composition. Increasingly, variant callers are being applied to these methodologies to resolve the genetic heterogeneity of a sample, especially in the case of detecting the clonal architecture of a tumor. Typically, traditional bulk DNA variant callers are applied to the pooled reads of a single-cell library to detect candidate mutations. Recently, multiple studies have applied such callers on reads from individual cells, with some citing the ability to detect rare variants with higher sensitivity. Many studies apply these two approaches to the Chromium (10x Genomics) scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq methodologies. However, Chromium-based libraries may offer additional challenges to variant calling compared with existing single-cell methodologies, raising questions regarding the validity of variants obtained from such a workflow. To determine the merits and challenges of various variant-calling approaches on Chromium scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq libraries, we use sample libraries with matched bulk whole-genome sequencing to evaluate the performance of callers. We review caller performance, finding that bulk callers applied on pooled reads significantly outperform individual-cell approaches. We also evaluate variants unique to scRNA-seq and scATAC-seq methodologies, finding patterns of noise but also potential capture of RNA-editing events. Finally, we review the notion that variant calling at the single-cell level can detect rare somatic variants, providing empirical results that suggest resolving such variants is infeasible in single-cell Chromium libraries.

Diabetes and Cognitive Decline: An Innovative Approach to Analyzing the Biophysical and Vibrational Properties of the Hippocampus.

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is a disease characterized by high blood glucose levels, known as hyperglycemia. Diabetes represents a risk factor for the development of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer's Disease (AD), one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, which leads to progressive mental, behavioral, and functional decline, affecting many brain structures, especially the hippocampus. Here, we aim to characterize the ultrastructural, nanomechanical, and vibrational changes in hyperglycemic hippocampal tissue using atomic force microscopy (AFM) and Raman spectroscopy. DM was induced in rats by streptozotocin injection (type 1) or dietary intervention (type 2). Cryosections of the hippocampus were prepared and analyzed on an MM8 AFM (Bruker) in Peak Force Quantitative Nanomechanics mode, performing 25 μm2 scans in 9 regions of 3 samples from each group. Ultrastructural and nanomechanical data such as surface roughness, area, volume, Young's modulus, and adhesion were evaluated. The hippocampal samples were also analyzed on a T64000 Spectrometer (Horiba), using a laser λ = 632.8 nm, and for each sample, four spectra were obtained in different regions. AFM analyses show changes on the ultrastructural scale since diabetic animals had hippocampal tissue with greater roughness and volume. Meanwhile, diabetic tissues had decreased adhesion and Young's modulus compared to control tissues. These were corroboratedby Raman data that shows changes in the molecular composition of diabetic tissues. The individual spectra show that the most significant changes are in the amide, cholesterol, and lipid bands. Overall, the data presented here show that hyperglycemia induces biophysical alterations in the hippocampal tissue of diabetic rats, providing novel biophysical and vibrational cues on the relationship between hyperglycemia and dementia.

Study on performance regulation of electro-mechanical properties 3D printed BaTiO3/HA porous structure composite ceramic

BaTiO3/Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 composite ceramic is an outstanding representative of piezoelectric biomaterials, with excellent biocompatibility and piezoelectric effect, and has potential applications in the field of bone tissue repair. In this work, vat photopolymerization 3D printing technology was used to fabricate triply periodic minimal surface structure BaTiO3/Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 composite ceramic bone tissue scaffolds with different pore sizes and porosity, and their mechanical and electrical properties were studied. First, the ceramic slurry configuration process was optimized to obtain a ceramic slurry with high solid content (45 vol%) and excellent rheological properties. Then the effect of sintering temperature on microstructure, relative density, mechanical properties, and electrical properties is discussed. The results show that when sintering at 1300 °C, the BaTiO3/Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 composite ceramic has the highest relative density (99.18 %), the highest compressive strength (44 MPa), large relative dielectric constant (379–389), and low dielectric loss. The polarization electric field strength of the BaTiO3/Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 composite ceramic was set to 15 kV/cm through the test of the hysteresis loop. Finally, based on multi-physics coupled finite element simulation, the effects of different porosity and different pore sizes on stress distribution and piezoelectric potential were analyzed, and the relationship between them was explored through experiments. The results show that as the porosity increases and the pore size decreases, the mechanical properties of the scaffold decrease significantly, and its compressive strength ranges between 1.67 and 4.26 MPa; as the porosity increases and the pore size increases, the piezoelectric coefficient (d33) of the scaffold showed a decreasing trend, and its d33 ranged between 2 and 9 pC/N. The mechanical and electrical properties of the scaffold meet the performance requirements of cancellous bone. In summary, this work provides a strategy for the application of customized BaTiO3/Ca10(PO4)6(OH)2 composite ceramic scaffolds in new-generation orthopedic implants.

Meta-analysis of cardiac magnetic resonance in prognosticating left ventricular function in peripartum cardiomyopathy.

Peripartum cardiomyopathy (PPCM) may result in a number of detrimental adverse cardiovascular events, notably persistent left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) reduction or even mortality. Imaging parameters on cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) and their prognostic implications have rarely been perused in PPCM. We aimed to describe CMR's prognostic value in predicting poor left ventricular (LV) function recovery using late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and T2-weighted or T2 mapping. PubMed, Europe PMC, and ScienceDirect were screened for studies on late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) and myocardial oedema using CMR and PPCM. The outcome of interest was poor LV function recovery, with a follow-up period of at least 6months. Comparisons between groups with the presence of LGE, myocardial oedema, and recovered against non-recovered patients were pooled. A random-effects model was employed to calculate the effect size. All pooled results were expressed as risk ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). The area under the curve (AUC) was generated to test overall prognostic accuracy. Six cohort studies with 162 patients were included. The mean age of participants in this study was 30.6years, and the majority of patients were diagnosed with PPCM after delivery. LGE was associated with a higher risk of poor LV function recovery, particularly when conducted at a later stage of disease (≥2.8months) [RR=2.83 (95% CI=1.25-6.40); P=0.001]. On the contrary, CMR conducted early (<2.8months) exhibited a greater predictive value for myocardial oedema perceived by T2 mapping [RR=3.44 (95% CI=1.04-11.34); P=0.043]. Diagnostic-test accuracy meta-analysis revealed that LGE had a sensitivity of 73% (95% CI, 56-85%), specificity of 79% (95% CI, 45-95%), and AUC of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.75-0.82) in predicting poor LV recovery when performed in the later phase, whereas significant myocardial oedema in those with non-recovered LV function had a sensitivity of 12% (95% CI, 2-52%), specificity of 68% (95% CI, 39-88%), and AUC of 0.40 (95% CI, 0.36-0.44) while undertaken in the latter phase. Our findings support the notion that inflammation plays a significant role in PPCM and that alterations to tissue composition occur in a time-dependent manner. Contrast-enhanced CMR can be utilized as an adjunct examination in post-partum PPCM patients to stratify the risk of poor LV function recovery while conducted at a suitable point in time.

Multi-omics analysis reveals regime shifts in the gastrointestinal ecosystem in chickens following anticoccidial vaccination and Eimeria tenella challenge.

Coccidiosis, caused by Eimeria parasites, significantly impacts poultry farm economics and animal welfare. Beyond its direct impact on health, Eimeria infection disrupts enteric microbial populations leading to dysbiosis and increases vulnerability to secondary diseases such as necrotic enteritis, caused by Clostridium perfringens. The impact of Eimeria infection or anticoccidial vaccination on host gastrointestinal phenotypes and enteric microbiota remains understudied. In this study, the metabolomic profiles and microbiota composition of chicken caecal tissue and contents were evaluated concurrently during a controlled experimental vaccination and challenge trial. Cobb500 broilers were vaccinated with a Saccharomyces cerevisiae-vectored anticoccidial vaccine and challenged with 15,000 Eimeria tenella oocysts. Assessment of caecal pathology and quantification of parasite load revealed correlations with alterations to caecal microbiota and caecal metabolome linked to infection and vaccination status. Infection heightened microbiota richness with increases in potentially pathogenic species, while vaccination elevated beneficial Bifidobacterium. Using a multi-omics factor analysis, data on caecal microbiota and metabolome were integrated and distinct profiles for healthy, infected, and recovering chickens were identified. Healthy and recovering chickens exhibited higher vitamin B metabolism linked to short-chain fatty acid-producing bacteria, whereas essential amino acid and cell membrane lipid metabolisms were prominent in infected and vaccinated chickens. Notably, vaccinated chickens showed distinct metabolites related to the enrichment of sphingolipids, important components of nerve cells and cell membranes. Our integrated multi-omics model revealed latent biomarkers indicative of vaccination and infection status, offering potential tools for diagnosing infection, monitoring vaccination efficacy, and guiding the development of novel treatments or controls.IMPORTANCEAdvances in anticoccidial vaccines have garnered significant attention in poultry health management. However, the intricacies of vaccine-induced alterations in the chicken gut microbiome and its subsequent impact on host metabolism remain inadequately explored. This study delves into the metabolic and microbiotic shifts in chickens post-vaccination, employing a multi-omics integration analysis. Our findings highlight a notable synergy between the microbiome composition and host-microbe interacted metabolic pathways in vaccinated chickens, differentiating them from infected or non-vaccinated cohorts. These insights pave the way for more targeted and efficient approaches in poultry disease control, enhancing both the efficacy of vaccines and the overall health of poultry populations.