Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Alain Couvineau, Pascal Nicole, Valerie Gratio, Thierry Voisin
Summary: Orexin neuropeptides and their receptors play crucial roles in wakefulness, food consumption, hormone secretion, and blood pressure regulation. The expression of OX1R in various cancers may have a therapeutic potential by inducing apoptosis in tumor cells.
Review
Immunology
Masato Tamari, Aaron M. Ver Heul, Brian S. Kim
Summary: Traditionally seen as a mere structural barrier, the skin is now recognized as a complex immunological barrier involved in antimicrobial immunity and wound healing, housing a sophisticated sensory network to sense various stimuli. Recent studies suggest that the skin's nervous system is integrated with the immune system to encode specific sensations into protective behaviors, showcasing a dynamic and systemic organ with coordinated physical, immunological, and neural functions.
ANNUAL REVIEW OF IMMUNOLOGY, VOL 39
(2021)
Review
Behavioral Sciences
Hari G. Lakshmanan, Elayna Miller, Annelizabeth White-Canale, Lynnette P. McCluskey
Summary: This article reviews the mechanisms of regeneration of taste and smell sensation cells and the impact of immune responses. Despite the lack of consensus on the role of macrophages and neutrophils in regeneration, progress in this field is crucial for the development of therapies to restore taste and smell sensation.
Article
Biology
G. Larisa Maier, Nikita Komarov, Felix Meyenhofer, Jae Young Kwon, Simon G. Sprecher
Summary: Despite the small number of gustatory sense neurons in Drosophila larvae, researchers found that neurons can be activated by different combinations of taste modalities, including opposite hedonic valence. They also identified distinct temporal dynamics of response and external sucrose sensing neurons in the larval external taste center, suggesting that external and internal gustation may use distinct and complementary mechanisms in sugar sensing.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Azel Zine, Bernd Fritzsch
Summary: Sensorineural hearing loss is a common sensory deficit in humans, mainly caused by the degeneration of key structures in the cochlea. Cell-based strategies are being extensively researched to replace damaged inner ear tissue and restore hearing function. Experimental in vitro models that mimic the early development of the inner ear are crucial for these treatment approaches. This review highlights the developmental events and cellular transformations involved in the formation of the inner ear and its sensory cells.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Entomology
Long-Long Sun, Xiao-Lan Liu, Ya-Nan Wang, Bente G. Berg, Gui-Ying Xie, Wen-Bo Chen, Yang Liu, Gui-Rong Wang, Xin-Cheng Zhao, Qing-Bo Tang
Summary: The study characterized single neurons in the gnathal ganglion of Helicoverpa armigera larvae using the intracellular recording/staining technique, identifying different types of neurons including sensory neurons, interneurons, and motor neurons. The diverse morphologies of these neurons and their arborizations seemingly cover the whole gnathal ganglion. The representation of single neurons responding to sweet and bitter cues did not show distinct patterns in the gnathal ganglion, suggesting taste signals may be processed in a manner consistent with population coding in H. armigera larvae.
Article
Veterinary Sciences
Jaime Figueroa, Carolina Valenzuela, Sergio A. Guzman-Pino
Summary: This study examined the effect of sucrose supplementation into maternal diets on the feeding behavior of post-weaning pigs. The results showed that pigs born from treated sows had a higher sucrose threshold and decreased intake of sucrose after weaning, indicating that the inclusion of sucrose in maternal diets may not be practical in pig production systems.
VETERINARY SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Bhavya Ravi, Jian Zhao, Sana Chaudhry, Rossana Signorelli, Mattingly Bartole, Richard J. Kopchock, Christian Guijarro, Joshua M. Kaplan, Lijun Kang, Kevin M. Collins
Summary: The study demonstrates that G alpha(o) signaling within the HSN inhibits egg-laying circuit activity, preventing entry into the active state. Loss of inhibitory G alpha o signaling causes precocious entry into the egg-laying active state. Feedback mechanisms involving vulval opening and egg release activate neuroendocrine cells.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Gabriela de Brito Sanchez, Anna Exposito Munoz, Li Chen, Weifone Huang, Songkun Su, Martin Giurfa
Summary: Manipulating the energy budget of bee foragers revealed a significant impact of the energy budget (starved vs. partially-fed) on the decision to ingest or respond to pure sucrose solution and sucrose solution spiked with salicin, but no direct effect of AKH. These findings support the hypothesis of a loss of function of AKH in honey bee foragers due to their social life and energy resource storage in the hive.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Mariana Muelbert, Tanith Alexander, Chris Pook, Yannan Jiang, Jane Elizabeth Harding, Frank Harry Bloomfield
Summary: In this study, the researchers used Near-Infrared Spectroscopy to observe the responses of preterm babies to smell and taste before receiving gastric tube feeds. The results showed that tube feeds activated the orbitofrontal cortex, but sensory stimulation alone did not activate it. Boys showed more response to the smell of milk. Further research is needed to determine the impact of sensory stimulation on nutrition and the influence of environmental inputs on cortical activation in preterm babies.
Article
Genetics & Heredity
Denise M. Ferkey, Piali Sengupta, Noelle D. L'Etoile
Summary: Chemosensory neurons in C. elegans play a crucial role in responding to chemical cues, such as odorants, tastants, and pheromones. Studies have shown that the sensory mechanisms in C. elegans share remarkable homology with those in other organisms, and the development of new tools and technologies can provide further insights into the animal's detection and discrimination of chemical cues with a limited sensory neuron repertoire.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Adib Behrouzi, Hanyu Xia, Eric L. Thompson, Mark R. Kelley, Jill C. Fehrenbacher
Summary: Cisplatin-induced neurotoxicity is a common complication of anti-cancer treatment. Inhibition of OGG1 and APE1 endonuclease activity exacerbates oxidative DNA damage and neurotoxicity in sensory neurons.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Ari-Pekka Koivisto, Maria G. Belvisi, Rachelle Gaudet, Arpad Szallasi
Summary: Recent findings in TRP channel structural biology have important implications for drug development and clinical indications. TRP channels play diverse roles in cellular physiology and sensory perception, with implications for various diseases. Carefully targeted approaches are needed to minimize potential side-effects due to the multifunctional roles of TRP channels.
NATURE REVIEWS DRUG DISCOVERY
(2022)
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Sonny H. J. Sliepen, Johanna Korioth, Thomas Christoph, Thomas M. Tzschentke, Marta Diaz-delCastillo, Anne-Marie Heegaard, Kris Rutten
Summary: This study investigated the analgesic potential of NOP receptor activation in a rodent cancer-induced bone pain model, finding that Nociceptin and Ro65-6570 could inhibit cancer-induced mechanical allodynia, with J-113397 selectively antagonizing the effect of Ro65-6570. Additionally, MRMT-1/Luc2-bearing animals showed elevated plasma cytokine levels and altered expression of NOP-r gene in DRG and bone marrow.
BRITISH JOURNAL OF PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Pediatrics
S. Nivetha, Arya Geetha, Navitha Ulaghanathan
Summary: This study developed and validated an oro-motor/sensory training module for addressing feeding challenges in preschool-aged children with autism spectrum disorder. The module was validated by experienced speech language pathologists and occupational therapists, and received positive feedback, indicating its potential usefulness for professionals in the field.
JOURNAL OF INDIAN ASSOCIATION FOR CHILD AND ADOLESCENT MENTAL HEALTH
(2023)
Article
Infectious Diseases
James M. Hodge, Andrey A. Yurchenko, Dmitriy A. Karagodin, Reem A. Masri, Ryan C. Smith, Mikhail I. Gordeev, Maria V. Sharakhova
Summary: This study developed molecular tools based on ITS2 sequences for the malaria vector An. punctipennis and clarified the phylogenetic position of the species within the Maculipennis group. Analysis of the ITS2 sequence confirmed that An. punctipennis represents a single species in the studied geographic locations. The species was found in urban, rural, and forest settings, suggesting its potential broad role in pathogen transmission.
Article
Microbiology
Hyeogsun Kwon, Maria L. Simoes, Rebekah A. Reynolds, George Dimopoulos, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: Experimental results show that an additional blood meal can significantly reduce the infection of Plasmodium berghei, while having no effect on the human parasite Plasmodium falciparum. Furthermore, additional feeding promotes the growth of P. falciparum oocysts.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Inoussa Sanane, Judith Legrand, Christine Dillmann, Frederic Marion-Poll
Summary: The study introduced a high throughput leaf-disk consumption assay system for screening plant resistance, utilizing a webcam to capture feeding activities and a computer program for image analysis. Results showed that increasing doses of azadirachtin reduced and delayed larval feeding, while quinine was ineffective at tested concentrations.
JOURNAL OF CHEMICAL ECOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Microbiology
Doug E. Brackney, Jacquelyn C. LaReau, Ryan C. Smith
Article
Biology
Hyeogsun Kwon, Mubasher Mohammed, Oscar Franzen, Johan Ankarklev, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to characterize mosquito immune cells, revealing a greater complexity in subtypes compared to previous definitions. Functional assays and gene-silencing experiments identified markers for accurately distinguishing immune cell subtypes and provided evidence for immune cell maturation and differentiation. These findings lay a solid foundation for future studies on mosquito immune cell biology and are a valuable resource for comparative invertebrate immunology.
Article
Immunology
Hyeogsun Kwon, David R. Hall, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: This study identified a prostaglandin E2 receptor (AgPGE2R) in the mosquito Anopheles gambiae and showed its role in regulating specific prophenoloxidases (PPOs) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) to enhance immune responses. The research also demonstrated that PGE2 signaling is concentration-dependent, with high concentrations leading to cell lysis.
FRONTIERS IN IMMUNOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
David R. Hall, Ryan E. Tokarz, Eleanor N. Field, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: This study reports the surveillance efforts on the invasive mosquito species Aedes albopictus in Iowa, United States, and identifies stable and persistent populations of the species in three counties. The data suggests that Ae. albopictus has likely become established in the state, with overwintering success potentially influenced by ecological factors such as urbanization. The study provides evidence for the further expansion of Ae. albopictus into temperate regions of the United States, increasing the risks of vector-borne disease transmission.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Physiology
Hyeogsun Kwon, Ryan Smith
Summary: This study examines the role of uric acid metabolism in Anopheles gambiae mosquitoes following malaria parasite infection. They find that uric acid levels are decreased in infected mosquitoes and demonstrate an increase in the expression of urate oxidase and allatoicase enzymes. Silencing urate oxidase results in elevated uric acid levels and enhances malaria parasite survival. The study suggests that nitrogen metabolism is an essential pathway in defining mosquito vector competence.
FRONTIERS IN PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Article
Entomology
James S. Adelman, Ryan E. Tokarz, Alec E. Euken, Eleanor N. Field, Marie C. Russell, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: The characteristics of mosquito communities have a greater impact on the transmission of West Nile virus (WNV), while the characteristics of bird communities have little influence. These results provide new information on the ecological and host factors that heavily influence WNV transmission.
Article
Microbiology
Tahir Hussain, Jose Linera-Gonzalez, John M. Beck, Manuel A. Fierro, Gunnar R. Mair, Ryan C. Smith, Josh R. Beck
Summary: During vertebrate infection, Plasmodium parasites utilize a dual-function pore formed by EXP2 for nutrient transport and effector protein export. This study reveals the importance of EXP2 in intrahepatic parasite development, suggesting that PTEX components also function at the hepatocyte-parasite interface.
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
Carles Amat, Frederic Marion-Poll, Miguel A. Navarro-Roldan, Cesar Gemeno
Summary: This study investigated the number and distribution of sensilla chaetica in labial palps of adult Lepidoptera and examined their gustatory function through electrophysiology recordings. The results showed that the response of these sensilla varied with concentration, with stronger responses in the palps compared to the antennae, and higher responses to sugars than to salts. Differences in sensilla distribution between species and between palps and antennae suggest an unforeseen role of taste sensilla on the palps in adaptation.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2022)
Article
Agriculture, Multidisciplinary
J. B. Guillaume, S. Mezdour, F. Marion-Poll, C. Terrol, P. Schmidely
Summary: This study proposes a method to estimate the digestibility rate of black soldier fly larvae larvae based on larval density and feed quality. The results demonstrate that the digestibility of organic substrates increases with larval density, but the digestibility of ash decreases at higher densities. These findings suggest the importance of developing diets based on digestible macronutrient contents, rather than crude measurements.
JOURNAL OF INSECTS AS FOOD AND FEED
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Jyothsna Ramesh Kumar, Jessica P. Smith, Hyeogsun Kwon, Ryan C. Smith
Summary: Researchers successfully depleted phagocytic immune cells in fruit flies and yellow fever mosquitoes using clodronate liposomes (CLD), validating the critical role of phagocytes in combating bacterial pathogens. This study demonstrates the broad utility of CLD in insect systems, advancing research on phagocyte function in insect innate immunity.
FRONTIERS IN CELL AND DEVELOPMENTAL BIOLOGY
(2021)