Article
Developmental Biology
Bruce A. Rheaume, Jian Xing, Agnieszka Lukomska, William C. Theune, Ashiti Damania, Greg Sjogren, Ephraim F. Trakhtenberg
Summary: Central nervous system projection neurons cannot spontaneously regenerate injured axons. Targeting developmentally regulated genes or pro-growth tumor suppressor genes such as Pten can promote long-distance axon regeneration in a small subset of injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). A recent study identified rare RGC types that can regenerate long-distance axons, and revealed their cellular features, as well as novel therapeutic targets for axon regeneration.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Tal Falick Michaeli, Ofra Sabag, Rimma Fok, Batia Azria, Jonathan Monin, Yuval Nevo, Yuval Gielchinsky, Benjamin P. Berman, Howard Cedar, Yehudit Bergman
Summary: Muscle injury activates stem cells and changes their methylation pattern to facilitate myocyte differentiation. This change can also occur in satellite cells from other muscles and in muscle stem cells (MuSCs) of female animals following pregnancy.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMY OF SCIENCES OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Aiwen Xu, Michael Beyeler
Summary: This study used a biophysical model to simulate the retina and investigated the impact of neuroanatomical changes on cellular responses during retinal degeneration. The findings revealed that retinal cell activity increased and electrical stimulation thresholds also increased during retinal degeneration, and testable predictions about the underlying neuroanatomical mechanisms were proposed.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Azusa Yoneshige, Man Hagiyama, Yasutoshi Takashima, Satoru Ueno, Takao Inoue, Ryuichiro Kimura, Yoshiki Koriyama, Akihiko Ito
Summary: The study shows that elevation of hydrostatic pressure directly upregulates the expression of Lcn2 in the retina, leading to neurotoxic effects on retinal cells. Modulating Lcn2 and iron levels could be a promising therapeutic approach for retinal degeneration.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Surgery
Haythem Najah, Rodrigo C. L. Edelmuth, Maria Cristina Riascos, Alex Grier, Hala Al Asadi, Jacques A. Greenberg, Ileana Miranda, Carl V. Crawford, Brendan M. Finnerty, Thomas J. Fahey III, Rasa Zarnegar
Summary: This experimental study found that vonoprazan has an impact on gut microbiota, and the use of different doses and durations can alter the composition and relative abundance of gut microbiota.
SURGICAL ENDOSCOPY AND OTHER INTERVENTIONAL TECHNIQUES
(2023)
Article
Gastroenterology & Hepatology
Varsha Singh, Kelli Johnson, Jianyi Yin, Sun Lee, Ruxian Lin, Huimin Yu, Julie In, Jennifer Foulke-Abel, Nicholas C. Zachos, Mark Donowitz, Yan Rong
Summary: One of the features of ulcerative colitis (UC) is a defect in the protective mucus layer, which is partly due to a reduced number of goblet cells (GCs). However, it is not known whether abnormal GC mucus secretion also contributes to the reduced mucus layer. This study found that chronic inflammation in UC causes long-term changes in GCs, leading to abnormal mucus secretion, which may contribute to the recurrence of UC.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR GASTROENTEROLOGY AND HEPATOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Guiomar Liste, Inma Estevez
Summary: Phenotype alterations in domestic fowl can have negative effects on their welfare and increase the risk of aggression. This study analyzed the behavioral consequences of sequential phenotype alterations in stable social groups of adult birds. Results showed that aggression was significantly affected by phenotype alteration, with aggression directed towards the first altered birds. Long-term effects were observed, as victimized individuals had a submissive behavior and avoided aggressive encounters. This highlights the relevance of phenotype alteration on the social dynamics and welfare of affected birds.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2023)
Article
Geriatrics & Gerontology
Pei Ying Lee, Da Zhao, Vickie H. Y. Wong, Vicki Chrysostomou, Jonathan G. Crowston, Bang V. Bui
Summary: Aging and elevated intraocular pressure are two major risk factors for glaucomatous optic neuropathy. This study found that functional recovery of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following an elevation in intraocular pressure was delayed in older mice compared to young mice. In addition, RGCs in young eyes showed adaptations in response to the pressure elevation, while older eyes did not. The loss of RGC cellular adaptations may contribute to the delayed functional recovery in older eyes.
FRONTIERS IN AGING NEUROSCIENCE
(2022)
Article
Ecology
Dario Domingo, Jasper van Vliet, Anna M. Hersperger
Summary: This study characterizes the horizontal and vertical patterns of urban development in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Zaragoza between 1965 and 2015. It finds a significant downward trend in building height for the four cities since the 1970s, with a decrease after the 2008 real estate bubble for Barcelona and Valencia. The urbanized volume of all cities together has expanded by roughly 350% between 1950 and 2015, with new urban clusters developing closer to the main cities.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Ecology
Dario Domingo, Jasper Van Vliet, Anna M. Hersperger
Summary: This study analyzes the changes in building density and height in Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, and Zaragoza between 1965 and 2015. It finds a decreasing trend in the height of new buildings and a trend towards expansion in city outskirts and densification in city cores. The study highlights the importance of understanding 3D urban form for guiding sustainable urban growth.
LANDSCAPE AND URBAN PLANNING
(2023)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Tian Huang, Xiaoli Li, Jie Xie, Liang Zhang, Guanrong Zhang, Aiping Zhang, Xiangting Chen, Ying Cui, Qianli Meng
Summary: The study assessed long-term retinal microvascular, neural, and choroidal changes following panretinal photocoagulation in patients with severe nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy and proliferative diabetic retinopathy. The findings showed no significant differences in visual acuity, vessel density, and choroidal thickness post-PRP, but indicated increased macular thickness and changes in RNFL and GCC thickness. The results suggest that PRP may help prevent retinal neurovascular and choroidal damage in diabetic retinopathy patients.
FRONTIERS IN MEDICINE
(2021)
Article
Physiology
Linjiang Lou, Baskar Arumugam, Li-Fang Hung, Zhihui She, Krista M. Beach, Earl L. Smith, Lisa A. Ostrin
Summary: Long-term exposure to 12-h narrowband blue light significantly disrupts nighttime behavioral patterns in rhesus monkeys, while pupil responses remain consistent across different lighting conditions.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Anatomy & Morphology
Bum Jun Kim, Daryl A. Scott
Summary: RERE plays a crucial role in controlling apoptosis of retinal cells and its deficiency leads to retinal atrophy and optic nerve degeneration. RERE-deficient mice exhibit reduced number of retinal ganglion cells and progressive loss of retinal cells, particularly in the ganglion cell layer.
DEVELOPMENTAL DYNAMICS
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Yuxi Jin, Dashuan Tian, Jiangwen Li, Qian Wu, Zhanlei Pan, Mengqi Han, Yuehua Wang, Jun Zhang, Guodong Han
Summary: Heavy grazing reduces grassland biomass and carbon sink. Specific carbon sink, reflecting grassland adaptive response, shows a positive response to grazing in wetter years. However, grazing effects on specific carbon sink shift from positive in wetter years to negative in drier years. This study highlights the importance of grassland adaptive response in mitigating climate warming.
SCIENCE OF THE TOTAL ENVIRONMENT
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Joseph M. Holden, Lauren K. Wareham, David J. Calkins
Summary: Astrocytes in the retina have been mischaracterized as stellate in morphology, underestimating their complexity and their role in neurovascular regulation. By analyzing the membranous morphology of over fifteen hundred individual astrocytes in the mouse retina, we found recurring morphological motifs that predict the underlying neurovascular architecture and suggest function. Our data also reveals a higher degree of astrocyte participation in neurovascular interactions than previously reported, with 100% of cells contacting the vasculature and neuronal elements.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Biomedical
Adam Khalifa, Seyed Mahdi Abrishami, Mohsen Zaeimbashi, Alexander D. Tang, Brian Coughlin, Jennifer Rodger, Sydney S. Cash, Nian X. Sun
Summary: This study proposes a new concept of noninvasive focal stimulation of deep brain regions using temporal interference of two high-frequency magnetic fields. The experimental results show that regions affected by only one high-frequency magnetic field have low C-Fos expression, while regions affected by two fields interfering to create a low-frequency envelope display a significant increase in C-Fos expression.
JOURNAL OF NEURAL ENGINEERING
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Benjamin Aliphon, Twain Dai, Jessica Moretti, Marissa Penrose-Menz, Wilhelmina H. A. M. Mulders, Dominique Blache, Jennifer Rodger
Summary: This study validated a repeated measures cognitive affective bias (CAB) test in a rat model of chronic stress and compared it with the forced swim test (FST). The results showed that the CAB test can be used as a behavioral testing method for assessing affective disorders.
PSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Maitri Tomar, Jamie Beros, Bruno Meloni, Jennifer Rodger
Summary: Topographic mapping is crucial for the structural and functional organization of brain regions and disruption of this process is linked to neurodevelopmental disorders. This review focuses on the mechanisms involved in creating and refining well-defined maps in the brain, with emphasis on the Eph and ephrin families of axon guidance cues. Transgenic models manipulating ephrin-A expression and behavioral consequences of lacking ephrin-A guidance cues are discussed. The review also explores the therapeutic potential of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) in compensating for disrupted brain organization in neurodevelopmental disorders.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Faiz M. Kassim, Samra Krakonja Lahooti, Elizabeth Ann Keay, Rajan Iyyalol, Jennifer Rodger, Matthew A. Albrecht, Mathew T. Martin-Iverson
Summary: The study found that dexamphetamine increased illusory perception in the tactile funneling illusion, suggesting a role of dopamine or other catecholamines in increasing tactile spatial and temporal binding windows.
JOURNAL OF PSYCHIATRY & NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Joanes Grandjean, Gabriel Desrosiers-Gregoire, Cynthia Anckaerts, Diego Angeles-Valdez, Fadi Ayad, David A. Barriere, Ines Blockx, Aleksandra Bortel, Margaret Broadwater, Beatriz M. Cardoso, Marina Celestine, Jorge E. Chavez-Negrete, Sangcheon Choi, Emma Christiaen, Perrin Clavijo, Luis Colon-Perez, Samuel Cramer, Tolomeo Daniele, Elaine Dempsey, Yujian Diao, Arno Doelemeyer, David Dopfel, Lenka Dvorakova, Claudia Falfan-Melgoza, Francisca F. Fernandes, Caitlin F. Fowler, Antonio Fuentes-Ibanez, Clement Garin, Eveline Gelderman, Carla E. M. Golden, Chao C. G. Guo, Marloes J. A. G. Henckens, Lauren A. Hennessy, Peter Herman, Nita Hofwijks, Corey Horien, Tudor M. Ionescu, Jolyon Jones, Johannes Kaesser, Eugene Kim, Henriette Lambers, Alberto Lazari, Sung-Ho Lee, Amanda Lillywhite, Yikang Liu, Yanyan Y. Liu, Alejandra Lopez-Castro, Xavier Lopez-Gil, Zilu Ma, Eilidh MacNicol, Dan Madularu, Francesca Mandino, Sabina Marciano, Matthew J. McAuslan, Patrick McCunn, Alison McIntosh, Xianzong Meng, Lisa Meyer-Baese, Stephan Missault, Federico Moro, Daphne M. P. Naessens, Laura J. Nava-Gomez, Hiroi Nonaka, Juan J. Ortiz, Jaakko Paasonen, Lore M. Peeters, Mickael Pereira, Pablo D. Perez, Marjory Pompilus, Malcolm Prior, Rustam Rakhmatullin, Henning M. Reimann, Jonathan Reinwald, Rodrigo Triana Del Rio, Alejandro Rivera-Olvera, Daniel Ruiz-Perez, Gabriele Russo, Tobias J. Rutten, Rie Ryoke, Markus Sack, Piergiorgio Salvan, Basavaraju G. Sanganahalli, Aileen Schroeter, Bhedita J. Seewoo, Erwan Selingue, Aline Seuwen, Bowen Shi, Nikoloz Sirmpilatze, Joanna A. Smith, Corrie Smith, Filip Sobczak, Petteri J. Stenroos, Milou Straathof, Sandra Strobelt, Akira Sumiyoshi, Kengo Takahashi, Maria E. Torres-Garcia, Raul Tudela, Monica van den Berg, Kajo van der Marel, Aran T. B. van Hout, Roberta Vertullo, Benjamin Vidal, Roel M. Vrooman, Victora X. Wang, Isabel Wank, David J. G. Watson, Ting Yin, Yongzhi Zhang, Stefan Zurbruegg, Sophie Achard, Sarael Alcauter, Dorothee P. Auer, Emmanuel L. Barbier, Juergen Baudewig, Christian F. Beckmann, Nicolau Beckmann, Guillaume J. P. C. Becq, Erwin L. A. Blezer, Radu Bolbos, Susann Boretius, Sandrine Bouvard, Eike Budinger, Joseph D. Buxbaum, Diana Cash, Victoria Chapman, Kai-Hsiang Chuang, Luisa Ciobanu, Bram F. Coolen, Jeffrey W. Dalley, Marc Dhenain, Rick M. Dijkhuizen, Oscar Esteban, Cornelius Faber, Marcelo Febo, Kirk W. Feindel, Gianluigi Forloni, Jeremie Fouquet, Eduardo A. Garza-Villarreal, Natalia Gass, Jeffrey C. Glennon, Alessandro Gozzi, Olli Grohn, Andrew Harkin, Arend Heerschap, Xavier Helluy, Kristina Herfert, Arnd Heuser, Judith R. Homberg, Danielle J. Houwing, Fahmeed Hyder, Giovanna Diletta Ielacqua, Ileana O. Jelescu, Heidi Johansen-Berg, Gen Kaneko, Ryuta Kawashima, Shella D. Keilholz, Georgios A. Keliris, Clare Kelly, Christian Kerskens, Jibran Y. Khokhar, Peter C. Kind, Jean-Baptiste Langlois, Jason P. Lerch, Monica A. Lopez-Hidalgo, Denise Manahan-Vaughan, Fabien Marchand, Rogier B. Mars, Gerardo Marsella, Edoardo Micotti, Emma Munoz-Moreno, Jamie Near, Thoralf Niendorf, Willem M. Otte, Patricia Pais-Roldan, Wen-Ju Pan, Roberto A. Prado-Alcala, Gina L. Quirarte, Jennifer Rodger, Tim Rosenow, Cassandra Sampaio-Baptista, Alexander Sartorius, Stephen J. Sawiak, Tom W. J. Scheenen, Noam Shemesh, Yen-Yu Ian Shih, Amir Shmuel, Guadalupe Soria, Ron Stoop, Garth J. Thompson, Sally M. Till, Nick Todd, Annemie van der Linden, Annette van der Toorn, Geralda A. F. van Tilborg, Christian Vanhove, Andor Veltien, Marleen Verhoye, Lydia Wachsmuth, Wolfgang Weber-Fahr, Patricia Wenk, Xin Yu, Valerio Zerbi, Nanyin Zhang, Baogui B. Zhang, Luc Zimmer, Gabriel A. Devenyi, M. Mallar Chakravarty, Andreas Hess
Summary: Task-free functional connectivity in animal models is an important tool for studying connectivity phenomena. However, the lack of standardized protocols and analysis methods hampers result comparison and integration. In this study, the authors developed a standardized protocol, called StandardRat, for rat functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) acquisition and analysis, which enhances the detection of functional connectivity patterns and promotes cooperation in neuroscience research.
NATURE NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Laetitia A. Hughes, Danielle L. Rudler, Stefan J. Siira, Tim McCubbin, Samuel A. Raven, Jasmin M. Browne, Judith A. Ermer, Jeanette Rientjes, Jennifer Rodger, Esteban Marcellin, Oliver Rackham, Aleksandra Filipovska
Summary: The nucleotide sequence of a tRNA gene encodes a functional tRNA molecule. The authors used CRISPR editing to knockout the phenylalanine tRNA gene family in mice and studied the consequences at molecular and physiological levels. They found that the loss of specific tRNA-Phe genes had distinct effects on neuronal function, translation accuracy, embryonic viability, and survival. The presence of multiple copies of tRNA genes in mammalian genomes is crucial for translation and viability in mammals.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Twain Dai, Bhedita J. Seewoo, Lauren A. Hennessy, Samuel J. Bolland, Tim Rosenow, Jennifer Rodger
Summary: This study aimed to construct reproducible resting-state networks (RSNs) in healthy rats and evaluate the functional connectivity changes within and between these networks following chronic restraint stress (CRS). The results showed that CRS decreased the anticorrelation between the default mode network and autonomic network, and decreased the correlation between amygdala and a functional complex in the corpus striatum network. However, there was high inter-subject variability in the functional connectivity within networks. These findings contribute to a better understanding of functional alterations in the brains of patients with depression and improve the sensitivity and translational impact of animal models in studying psychiatric conditions.
FRONTIERS IN NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Milica Zeljkovic Jovanovic, Jelena Stanojevic, Ivana Stevanovic, Andjela Stekic, Samuel J. Bolland, Nebojsa Jasnic, Milica Ninkovic, Marina Zaric Kontic, Tihomir V. Ilic, Jennifer Rodger, Nadezda Nedeljkovic, Milorad Dragic
Summary: Parkinson's disease (PD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic system degeneration and various motor and nonmotor symptoms. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), specifically intermittent theta burst stimulation (iTBS), has shown beneficial effects in animal models of neurodegeneration, including PD. This study aimed to investigate the effects of prolonged iTBS on motor performance and behavior in a PD model, and found positive effects at both levels. iTBS reduced dopaminergic neuron degeneration and increased dopamine levels, and also altered protein expression and NMDAR subunit composition, suggesting a sustained effect. Early application of the iTBS protocol may be a promising candidate for early-stage PD therapy, addressing both motor and nonmotor deficits.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Jamie M. Walker, Miranda E. Orr, Timothy C. Orr, Emma L. Thorn, Thomas D. Christie, Raquel T. Yokoda, Meenakshi Vij, Alexander J. Ehrenberg, Gabriel A. Marx, Andrew T. Mckenzie, Justin Kauffman, Enna Selmanovic, Thomas Wisniewski, Eleanor Drummond, Charles L. White, John F. Crary, Kurt Farrell, Tiffany F. Kautz, Elena V. Daoud, Timothy E. Richardson
Summary: This study found differences in protein expression within hippocampal subregions between AD and PART cases, which were correlated with p-tau burden and subfield specificity. Additionally, there were various differences in proteostasis, A beta processing, inflammation, microglia, oxidative stress, and neuronal/synaptic health between definite PART and possible PART as well as between AD and PART.
ALZHEIMERS & DEMENTIA
(2023)
Article
Audiology & Speech-Language Pathology
Jack W. Zimdahl, Jennifer Rodger, Wilhelmina H. A. M. Mulders
Summary: This study investigates the effects of acoustic trauma-induced hearing loss on the functional connectivity between the amygdala and the medial geniculate nucleus (MGN). The findings suggest that activation of the amygdala results in changes in MGN neuronal activity, and the functional connectivity between the amygdala and the MGN is significantly altered following acoustic trauma and subsequent hearing loss.
Editorial Material
Biology
Shannon D. Algar, Jennifer Rodger, Michael Small
PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS
(2023)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Faiz M. Kassim, J. H. Mark Lim, Sophie V. Slawik, Katharina Gaus, Benjamin Peters, Joseph W. Y. Lee, Emily K. Hepple, Jennifer Rodger, Matthew A. Albrecht, Mathew T. Martin-Iverson
Summary: This study aimed to examine the effects of d-amphetamine and caffeine on spatial working memory and verbal working memory, as well as their influences on psychosis-like experiences. The results showed that d-amphetamine increased psychosis-like experiences, which were negatively correlated with changes in spatial working memory. Neither d-amphetamine nor caffeine directly affected working memory performance.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Manor Askenazi, Tomas Kavanagh, Geoffrey Pires, Beatrix Ueberheide, Thomas Wisniewski, Eleanor Drummond
Summary: The authors compiled a comprehensive database of protein changes in human Alzheimer's disease brain tissue, including different brain regions, disease stages, and specific protein accumulations. They identified 848 consistently altered proteins and found differential protein changes between early-stage and advanced Alzheimer's disease. The resource provides valuable insights into Alzheimer's disease mechanisms and suggests potential therapeutic targets.
NATURE COMMUNICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Engineering, Environmental
Shiva Soltani Dehnavi, Arianna Cembran, Negar Mahmoudi, Lilith M. Caballero Aguilar, Yi Wang, Samuel Cheeseman, Nicolo Malagutti, Stephanie Franks, Benjamin Long, Leszek Lisowski, Alan R. Harvey, Clare L. Parish, Richard J. Williams, David R. Nisbet
Summary: Gene therapy shows promise for untreatable diseases, but faces challenges in immune response and delivery control. This study demonstrates the use of advanced biomaterials as injectable gene carriers to focus therapeutic potential and achieve precise control over viral release.
CHEMICAL ENGINEERING JOURNAL
(2023)
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Bradley Roberts, Zahra Cooper, Stephanie Lu, Susanne Stanley, Bernadette T. Majda, Khan R. L. Collins, Lucy Gilkes, Jennifer Rodger, P. Anthony Akkari, Sean D. Hood
Summary: Pharmacogenetics (PGx) studies how individual genetic differences can affect drug responses. PGx testing can individualize primary care and provide a safer drug prescription model. It has shown promising evidence in improving drug efficacy and reducing toxicity in psychiatry. However, there are barriers hindering its implementation.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2023)