Article
Toxicology
Qiang Gu, Jyotshna Kanungo
Summary: Research shows that ketamine can impact the expression of specific genes related to hypoxia, p53, Wnt, Notch, TGF beta, PPAR, and oxidative stress pathways. Further investigation of these pathways can help elucidate the mechanisms by which ketamine elicits a toxic response.
JOURNAL OF APPLIED TOXICOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Li Liu, Mengyao Li, Gaowen Liu, Jian He, Yang Liu, Xuesong Chen, Yungui Tu, Jie Lin, Yue Feng, Xueshan Xia
Summary: This study developed a highly sensitive and efficient method for the detection of brucellosis using a one-tube nested quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) approach. The method showed an impressive analytical sensitivity of 100 fg/μL, surpassing conventional qPCR and allowing detection of low levels of Brucella DNA. An evaluation of 250 clinical samples demonstrated a specificity of 100% and a sensitivity of 98.6%, indicating its reliability and accuracy. Importantly, the new method significantly improved the detection rate of low-burden samples by reducing cycle threshold values by an average of 6.4. These findings highlight the immense potential of this approach for rapid and accurate brucellosis diagnosis, critical for disease management and control.
MICROBIOLOGY SPECTRUM
(2023)
Article
Plant Sciences
Fangzhou Zhao, Nathan A. Maren, Pawel Z. Kosentka, Ying-Yu Liao, Hongyan Lu, James R. Duduit, Debao Huang, Hamid Ashrafi, Tuanjie Zhao, Alejandra Huerta, Thomas G. Ranney, Wusheng Liu
Summary: Optimizing primer design and qPCR parameters are crucial for improving primer efficiency and data analysis accuracy.
HORTICULTURE RESEARCH
(2021)
Article
Biochemical Research Methods
Paulo Roberto Queiroz, Marina Cassago Posso, Erica Soares Martins, Priscila Grynberg, Roberto Togawa, Rose Gomes Monnerat
Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis is an important bacterium in the Bacillus cereus group due to its insecticidal properties. The detection of cry genes is crucial for characterizing strains and indicating their toxic potential. A multiplex assay using specific primers was developed to identify the presence of cry1A, cry1C, and cry1F genes in samples of B. thuringiensis. The system was validated and shown to be reliable in characterizing strains.
JOURNAL OF MICROBIOLOGICAL METHODS
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Kangxu Wang, Meiling Che, Erhu Chen, Fuji Jian, Peian Tang
Summary: Resistance of Tribolium castaneum to phosphine is related to point mutations in DNA code corresponding to amino acid changes associated with a core metabolic enzyme DLD. Our developed ARMS-qPCR method can rapidly detect these mutations and determine strong resistant phenotypes. Additionally, there is a strong linear relationship between resistance ratio and resistance allele frequency among strong resistant populations.
PESTICIDE BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Microbiology
Danielle E. Madden, Olusola Olagoke, Timothy Baird, Jane Neill, Kay A. Ramsay, Tamieka A. Fraser, Scott C. Bell, Derek S. Sarovich, Erin P. Price
Summary: The rise of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria is a global health emergency. This study designed and validated two multiplex qPCR assays to detect differential expression of AMR genes. The experiments on patient sputum samples revealed the difficulty of in vivo AMR diagnosis and illustrated expression profile differences in different respiratory infection patients.
ANTIMICROBIAL AGENTS AND CHEMOTHERAPY
(2022)
Article
Chemistry, Analytical
Teruaki Tozaki, Aoi Ohnuma, Shinichi Iwai, Mio Kikuchi, Taichiro Ishige, Hironaga Kakoi, Keiichi Hirota, Kanichi Kusano, Shunichi Nagata
Summary: The study investigated the robustness of digital PCR and real-time PCR in transgene detection. Digital PCR was relatively robust when primer and probe sequences did not completely match the template transgene, while real-time PCR was less sensitive. Lowering the annealing temperature can improve PCR sensitivity.
ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Joshua T. Atkinson, Lin Su, Xu Zhang, George N. Bennett, Jonathan J. Silberg, Caroline M. Ajo-Franklin
Summary: In this study, biosensors that produce electrical readouts with fast detection times were developed by combining synthetic biology and materials engineering. Escherichia coli were programmed to produce an electrical current in response to specific chemicals, allowing for rapid detection of thiosulfate and an endocrine disruptor. This new platform provides design rules for sensing various chemicals and offers a potential solution for safeguarding ecological and human health.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Matej L'uptak, Zdenek Fisar, Jana Hroudova
Summary: This study evaluates and quantifies the effects of antidepressant drugs (agomelatine, ketamine and vortioxetine) on pig brain-isolated mitochondria in vitro. The results indicate that vortioxetine is the most potent inhibitor of mitochondrial complexes and complex I-linked respiration, while agomelatine and ketamine have inhibitory effects on specific complexes. Vortioxetine may activate an antioxidant mechanism, while agomelatine may contribute to oxidative damage and adverse effects.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Jana Palicova, Pavel Matusinsky, Veronika Dumalasova, Alena Hanzalova, Ivana Svacinova, Jana Chrpova
Summary: The reaction of 25 winter wheat cultivars to Oculimacula yallundae and Oculimacula acuformis was evaluated over a period of three years (2019-2021). Cultivars with the resistance gene Pch1 showed the lowest levels of eyespot infection, while Turandot and RGT Sacramento were the most susceptible. The qPCR method was able to distinguish between the two eyespot pathogens, with O. yallundae being detected at higher concentrations. The highest infection rate occurred in 2020 due to favorable weather conditions.
Article
Neurosciences
Xin Liang, Jing Tang, Ying-qiang Qi, Yan-min Luo, Chun-mao Yang, Xiao-yun Dou, Lin Jiang, Qian Xiao, Lei Zhang, Feng-lei Chao, Chun-ni Zhou, Yong Tang
Summary: Exercise has been shown to effectively alleviate depression. This study compared the therapeutic efficacy between exercise and the classic antidepressant fluoxetine in treating depression, and found that exercise exerted earlier and more comprehensive antidepressant effects than fluoxetine.
EXPERIMENTAL NEUROLOGY
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Qi Min, Lu Yang, Yu Wang, Yili Liu, Mingfeng Jiang
Summary: In this study, 15 candidate reference genes (CRGs) were identified based on transcriptome sequencing and literature review. Four algorithms were used to evaluate the stability of these CRGs in the yak stomach. RPS15, MRPL39, and RPS23 were found to be the most stable genes throughout the growth cycle. This study provides suitable reference genes for gene expression analysis in the yak stomach.
Article
Plant Sciences
Leandro Francisco de Oliveira, Amanda Rusiska Piovezani, Dimitre A. Ivanov, Leonardo Yoshida, Eny Iochevet Segal Floh, Massuo Jorge Kato
Summary: This study identified stable reference genes for gene expression analysis in four Piper species and provided a list of recommended gene pairs for each species. These findings will facilitate further transcriptomic and functional gene research.
PLANT PHYSIOLOGY AND BIOCHEMISTRY
(2022)
Article
Plant Sciences
Yong Ju Jin, Seung Yeup Lee, Hyun Gi Kong, Su In Yang, Hyeonheui Ham, Mi-Hyun Lee, Dong Suk Park
Summary: Fire blight, caused by Erwinia amylovora, is a highly destructive disease of apple and pear. A specific primer set targeting a hypothetical gene in the chromosomal DNA of E. amylovora was designed, which allowed accurate estimation of the population of E. amylovora using real-time PCR. Developing a rapid and accurate diagnostic method using this novel primer set enables effective defense against pathogen spread through continuous monitoring and quick response.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Joonhee Lee, Young H. Kim, Kyungmun Kim, Dongwon Kim, Si H. Lee, Sanghyeon Kim
Summary: This study investigated the genetic responses of Varroa mites to acaricides and identified eight stable reference genes for transcriptional profiling. eEF1A1 and NADHD were recommended for comparing the effects of acaricides on the whole body, while alpha-tubulin and RpL5 were recommended for studying tissue-specific expression profiles of target genes.
ARCHIVES OF INSECT BIOCHEMISTRY AND PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Neurosciences
Shokouh Arjmand, Gregers Wegener, Anne M. Landau, Amanda Eskelund
Summary: Behavioural animal experimentation is a crucial method for studying human behavior, diseases, and their underlying mechanisms. This article discusses common issues and provides solutions and suggestions to ensure the excellence of research in this field while considering animal welfare and experimental design.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2022)
Article
Psychiatry
Shokouh Arjmand, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Gregers Wegener
Summary: With a significant number of patients not responding well to treatments for major depression, the management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has been a challenge. Recently, the term TRD has been replaced with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD) to address some limitations and barriers. Quasi-tenacious depression (QTD) is suggested as an alternative, emphasizing the importance of proper treatment and the measurement of the tenacity index (TI) for achieving remission. QTD acknowledges the need for continuous pursuit of new treatments and understanding contributing factors to high TI.
EUROPEAN PSYCHIATRY
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Zita Dosa, Jose Luis Nieto-Gonzalez, Betina Elfving, Karin Sorig Hougaard, Mai Marie Holm, Gregers Wegener, Kimmo Jensen
Summary: Prenatal stress can lead to changes in the foetal brain, increasing the risk of developing neuropsychiatric disorders. This study investigated GABAergic neurotransmission in a rat model of depression. The results suggests that altered GABA release may be an essential feature in the depressive-like phenotype of low birth weight rats.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2023)
Article
Neurosciences
Rachele Rossi, Simone Larsen Baerentzen, Majken B. Thomsen, Caroline C. Real, Gregers Wegener, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Albert Gjedde, Anne M. Landau
Summary: This study explores whether the density of synaptic vesicle glycoprotein 2A (SV2A) in target brain areas associated with cocaine-induced boost of dopaminergic neurotransmission changes after a single exposure during adolescence. The results show a significant increase in SV2A density in the hippocampus 7 days after cocaine administration, but no differences were observed 1 hour after injection.
ACTA NEUROPSYCHIATRICA
(2023)
Article
Clinical Neurology
Shokouh Arjmand, Marie Vadstrup Pedersen, Nicole R. Silva, Anne M. Landau, Samia Joca, Gregers Wegener
Summary: This study aims to investigate the impact of sex and estrous/menstrual cycle on the antidepressant action of ketamine. The results showed that both male and female rats exhibited similar antidepressant effects of ketamine, and the fluctuations in the estrous cycle did not affect its efficacy. These findings provide important scientific evidence for the use of ketamine in treating depression.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anne Marlene Landau, Steen Jakobsen, Majken Borup Thomsen, Aage Kristian Olsen Alstrup, Dariusz Orlowski, Jan Jacobsen, Gregers Wegener, Arne Mork, Jens Christian Hedemann Sorensen, Doris J. Doudet
Summary: This study combines PET and microdialysis to explore the use of [C-11]yohimbine in assessing changes in synaptic noradrenaline during acute pharmacological challenges. The results suggest that [C-11]yohimbine can be used to evaluate acute variations in synaptic noradrenaline concentrations after pharmacological challenges.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Okko Alitalo, Gemma Gonzalez-Hernandez, Marko Rosenholm, Piia Kohtala, Nobuaki Matsui, Heidi Kaastrup Mueller, Wiebke Theilmann, Anders Klein, Olli Karkkainen, Stanislav Rozov, Tomi Rantamaki, Samuel Kohtala
Summary: This study examines the mechanisms of acute antidepressant drug-induced activation of TrkB neurotrophin receptors. The results suggest a close relationship between TrkB activation, sedation, and hypothermia, as well as a connection between metabolic activity and neurotrophic signaling. The maintenance of body temperature plays a role in preventing the activation of TrkB and other targets associated with antidepressant effects.
ACS CHEMICAL NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Review
Neurosciences
Simone Hyldgaard Andersen, Tallan Black, Rodrigo Grassi-Oliveira, Gregers Wegener
Summary: Early-life exposure to high fructose may increase the risk of developing anxiety or depression-like behaviors, but the current evidence is weak and contradictory, further research is needed.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Bardia Varastehmoradi, Karen L. Smith, Heidi Kaastrup Mueller, Betina Elfving, Connie Sanchez, Gregers Wegener
Summary: Depression is a common disorder that has a significant impact on individuals and society. While there are various available treatments, not all patients respond adequately. Recent research has highlighted the potential role of the opioid system in depression, specifically the kappa opioid receptor. This study aimed to investigate the effects of activating the kappa opioid receptor on stress hormones and stress-related protein expression.
EUROPEAN NEUROPSYCHOPHARMACOLOGY
(2023)
Article
Endocrinology & Metabolism
Stine Thorhauge Bak, Martin Haupt-Jorgensen, Anete Dudele, Gregers Wegener, Tobias Wang, Anders Lade Nielsen, Sten Lund
Summary: Obesity and associated comorbidities are globally prevalent. Paternal obesity increases the risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes in the next generation through epigenetic inheritance. Recent studies suggest that altered levels of tsRNAs in sperm cells can transmit the effects of paternal obesity to offspring. In this study, the anti-inflammatory agent 5-ASA was used to intervene in the transmission of epigenetic inheritance of paternal obesity.
JOURNAL OF DIABETES AND ITS COMPLICATIONS
(2023)
Article
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Birgitte S. Kousholt, Kirstine F. Praestegaard, Jennifer C. Stone, Anders F. Thomsen, Thea T. Johansen, Merel Ritskes-Hoitinga, Gregers Wegener, Johnny Roughan, Laura Calvillo
Summary: Currently, there is insufficient reporting of 3Rs approaches in preclinical publications to guide researchers. Other strategies such as education, interdisciplinary collaboration, and 3Rs funding initiatives are needed.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Shokouh Arjmand, Dirk Bender, Steen Jakobsen, Gregers Wegener, Anne M. Landau
Summary: This article discusses the role of estrogen receptors in brain function and disorders, as well as the limitations of using PET tracers for imaging ERs in the brain. The authors propose avenues for developing efficient PET tracers to study the dynamics of ERs and neuropsychiatric diseases associated with their malfunction.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Pedro Henrique Gobira, Jacob LaMar, Jade Marques, Ariandra Sartim, Kennia Silveira, Luana Santos, Gregers Wegener, Francisco S. Guimaraes, Ken Mackie, Hui-Chen Lu, Samia Joca
Summary: This study investigates the involvement of cannabinoid type 1 receptors (CB1R) in the antidepressant and psychostimulant effects induced by ketamine. The results suggest that CB1R mediate the psychostimulant side effects of ketamine, but do not play a role in its antidepressant properties. Furthermore, pharmacological blockade of CB1R has similar antidepressant effects, but does not potentiate the effects of ketamine.
CANNABIS AND CANNABINOID RESEARCH
(2023)