Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Calum X. Cunningham, Tristan A. Nunez, Yasmine Hentati, Ben Sullender, Catherine Breen, Taylor R. Ganz, Samantha E. S. Kreling, Kayla A. Shively, Ellie Reese, Jeff Miles, Laura R. Prugh
Summary: The overlap between wildlife and human activity is a key factor in causing wildlife-vehicle collisions. This study uses the biannual shift between standard and daylight saving time as a natural experiment to investigate the influence of human activity timing on deer-vehicle collisions. The findings show that collisions are significantly more frequent 2 hours after sunset, highlighting the importance of traffic during dark hours as a determinant of collision risk.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Sheida Zolfaghari, Marieve Cyr, Amelie Pelletier, Ronald B. B. Postuma
Summary: This study aimed to compare sleep symptoms among participants who were interviewed in different seasons and before/after the transition into DST and ST. The results showed no difference in sleep satisfaction, sleep onset, sleep maintenance, and hypersomnolence among participants interviewed in different seasons. However, the transition from DST to ST was associated with an increase in sleep disorders.
Article
Clinical Neurology
Angus C. Burns, Richa Saxena, Celine Vetter, Andrew J. K. Phillips, Jacqueline M. Lane, Sean W. Cain
Summary: The study found that longer time spent in daytime outdoor light was associated with better mood, sleep, and circadian-related outcomes, including lower odds of depression, greater happiness, and easier wake-up.
JOURNAL OF AFFECTIVE DISORDERS
(2021)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Qingqing Lu, Jin Young Kim
Summary: The brain is a complex structure composed of hundreds of regions forming networks to cooperate body functions. Understanding how different brain regions communicate with each other and with peripheral organs is crucial for understanding human physiology. The circadian clock, governed by the SCN in the brain, plays a key role in maintaining daily physiological rhythms and metabolism.
Editorial Material
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Eva C. Winnebeck
Summary: Daylight saving time, which involves earlier human activity, has been found to have negative effects on human health and safety. However, a new study suggests that deer may actually benefit from this change as it could potentially reduce deer-vehicle collisions.
Article
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Anna Wirz-Justice, Debra J. Skene, Mirjam Munch
Summary: Daylight plays a crucial role in mammalian vision and non-visual functions, influencing mood, cognition, and sleep, as well as contributing to disease prevention and overall health.
BIOCHEMICAL PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Cardiac & Cardiovascular Systems
Jason R. Carter, Kristen L. Knutson, Babak Mokhlesi
Summary: In March 2022, the US Senate passed the Sunshine Protection Act to abolish the biannual clock change and permanently adopt daylight saving time. However, leading scientific and medical organizations suggest a permanent switch to standard time instead. This article summarizes their recommendations and highlights the potential cardiovascular implications of the legislative change.
AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PHYSIOLOGY-HEART AND CIRCULATORY PHYSIOLOGY
(2022)
Review
Respiratory System
Michael C. Antle
Summary: Ceasing the biannual clock change may be a good choice, but governments need to be mindful of choosing the right permanent time. Many regions already follow the wrong time during standard time, and moving to permanent daylight saving time could exacerbate circadian misalignment. Standard Time aligns better with our circadian clock in many regions, providing a more natural light cycle to minimize circadian misalignment.
CURRENT OPINION IN PULMONARY MEDICINE
(2023)
Article
Biology
Peter S. Johnstone, Maite Ogueta, Olga Akay, Inan Top, Sheyum Syed, Ralf Stanewsky, Deniz Top
Summary: This study developed a new method, called Locally Activatable BioLuminescence (LABL), to directly measure the transcriptional oscillation of specific neuronal and peripheral clocks in intact Drosophila. The results showed that loss of the receptor for the circadian neurotransmitter PDF only disrupted locomotor activity but not all tissue-specific circadian clocks.
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Amy R. Poe, Kyla D. Mace, Matthew S. Kayser
Summary: Research shows that while molecular circadian rhythms are present in early development, most behavioral rhythms, like sleep-wake cycles, only emerge later. The study focuses on the development of circadian clocks, outputs, and behaviors in various species, with a specific emphasis on Drosophila. Potential mechanisms for communication between central clocks and circadian output sites are explored, along with the evolutionary perspective on why behavioral rhythms emerge long after central clocks begin functioning.
Review
Pharmacology & Pharmacy
Jingxuan Zhou, Jiechen Wang, Xiaozhao Zhang, Qingming Tang
Summary: Circadian clocks play a vital role in maintaining homeostasis and are closely related to cancer development. Chronotherapy for cancer treatment should leverage circadian rhythms for higher efficacy, and an individualized approach is recommended due to interpatient differences in circadian functions. Understanding the specific association between circadian clocks and cancers will pave the way for more effective clinical treatments.
FRONTIERS IN PHARMACOLOGY
(2021)
Article
Psychology, Biological
O. Hecmarie Melendez-Fernandez, James C. Walton, A. Courtney DeVries, Randy J. Nelson
Summary: Physiology and behavior are regulated by internal circadian rhythms, which are synchronized to a 24-hour day by exposure to bright light. Artificial light exposure outside of the normal solar day may negatively impact physiology and behavior in both humans and animals. The present study found that dim light during the daytime can affect body weight similarly to nighttime light exposure in mice, indicating that dimly illuminated days may have adverse metabolic effects similar to artificial light exposure at night.
PHYSIOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
(2023)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Leonardo Vinicius Monteiro de Assis, Henrik Oster
Summary: The circadian clock plays a crucial role in maintaining systemic homeostasis by synchronizing with environmental challenges and biological processes. Communication between central and peripheral clocks is essential, and the modulation of metabolic organs by the circadian clock is a key aspect of its function. Recent studies on communication between peripheral tissues provide new insights into circadian organization.
CELLULAR AND MOLECULAR LIFE SCIENCES
(2021)
Article
Energy & Fuels
Sinan Kufeoglu, Sahincan Ucler, Furkan Eskicioglu, E. Busra Ozturk, Hao Chen
Summary: The study found that the Daylight Saving Time policy did not result in measurable energy savings in Turkey or noticeable load shift. The authors claim that these findings should also apply to countries between 42.0 degrees north and south of the equator.
Article
Biology
Motohide Seki, Hiroshi Ito
Summary: This theoretical study investigates the evolutionary mechanism of self-sustained oscillation and finds that it is rare in nature, with networks possessing self-sustainability having a higher fitness score. The results suggest that seasonality facilitated the evolution of self-sustained circadian rhythms.
PROCEEDINGS OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY B-BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES
(2022)
Editorial Material
Physiology
Ghulam Shere Raza, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Niiranen, Kari A. Makela, Anthony Dona, Jan Krumsiek, Toni Karhu, Markus J. Makinen, Olaf Thalmann, Seppo Saarela, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Summary: The raccoon dog is a promising model for studying metabolic regulation in a species undergoing cycles of seasonal obesity and fasting. Research has shown that the raccoon dog developed seasonal regulatory mechanisms to accommodate autumnal fattening and prolonged fasting, making it unique in coping with extreme environmental challenges.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2021)
Review
Agriculture, Dairy & Animal Science
Ghulam Shere Raza, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Juhani Leppaluoto
Summary: MFGM components have positive effects on human health, particularly in different life stages such as infants, children, and older adults, improving neurodevelopment, cardiometabolic health, and muscle quality. The components of MFGM have a wide range of beneficial effects and are worth further research.
JOURNAL OF DAIRY SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Environmental Sciences
Aleksandra Makarewicz, Malgorzata Jamka, Maria Wasiewicz-Gajdzis, Joanna Bajerska, Anna Miskiewicz-Chotnicka, Jaroslaw Kwiecien, Aleksandra Lisowska, Dominque Gagnon, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Edyta Madry, Jaroslaw Walkowiak
Summary: This study compared subjective and objective methods of measuring physical activity in subjects with normal cognitive function and mild cognitive impairment, finding differences between the two methods in different subject groups and identifying some independent predictors.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH
(2021)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Gozde Gurdeniz, Matti Uusitupa, Kjeld Hermansen, Markku J. Savolainen, Ursula Schwab, Marjukka Kolehmainen, Lea Brader, Lieselotte Cloetens, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Janne Hukkanen, Fredrik Rosqvist, Stine Marie Ulven, Ingibjorg Gunnarsdottir, Inga Thorsdottir, Matej Oresic, Kaisa S. Poutanen, Ulf Riserus, Bjorn Akesson, Lars Ove Dragsted
Summary: This study characterized a multicenter randomized controlled trial comparing a healthy Nordic diet (HND) to a control diet (CD) using plasma and urine metabolic profiles and associated them with cardiometabolic markers. The results showed that the metaboic profiles of blood and urine were able to distinguish between the two diets and were associated with glucose metabolism and lipoproteins.
CLINICAL NUTRITION
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Laura Niiranen, Dawid Leciej, Hanna Edlund, Carolina Bernhardsson, Magdalena Fraser, Federico Sanchez Quinto, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Mattias Jakobsson, Jaroslaw Walkowiak, Olaf Thalmann
Summary: Epigenetic changes play a major role in fundamental metabolic pathways and have been closely linked to various diseases. This review focuses on the study of epigenetic changes in animals, with a special emphasis on human DNA methylation using ancient and modern genomes. Through ancient DNA research, we can infer past epigenetic changes and gain a comprehensive understanding of how our ancestors adapted to the changing environment and modified their lifestyles. However, working with ancient DNA presents challenges, but new paleoepigenomic data holds promise for future studies.
Editorial Material
Physiology
Ghulam Shere Raza, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Raila Aro, Sanna Merilainen, Paivi Sirnio, Juha P. Vayrynen, Vesa-Matti Pohjanen, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Tero T. Rautio, Elisa Makarainen, Reetta Haivala, Kai Klintrup, Markus J. Makinen, Juha Saarnio, Anne Tuomisto
Summary: Sarcopenia and myosteatosis are associated with the inflammatory marker NLR in colorectal cancer patients, but not with mGPS. Patients with serrated CRC may have an increased risk of myosteatosis. However, sarcopenia and myosteatosis are not independent predictors of patient survival.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Food Science & Technology
Remi Kamakura, Ghulam Shere Raza, Nalini Sodum, Vesa-Pekka Lehto, Miia Kovalainen, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Summary: Obesity is a major global health threat and a risk factor for cardiometabolic diseases and certain cancers. GLP-1, a hormone involved in appetite and glucose regulation, has been approved for the treatment of obesity and type 2 diabetes. This review article explores the use of nutrients to stimulate the secretion of GLP-1 and PYY as a preventive measure to reduce appetite. It also discusses various delivery technologies for targeting nutrient delivery to the colon.
MOLECULAR NUTRITION & FOOD RESEARCH
(2022)
Article
Medicine, General & Internal
Ville Stenback, Juhani Leppaluoto, Rosanna Juustila, Laura Niiranen, Dominique Gagnon, Mikko Tulppo, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Summary: The aim of this study was to compare the accuracy of three research-grade accelerometers in step detection and energy expenditure estimation in a laboratory setting, particularly in overweight/obese participants. The results show that the activPAL accelerometer had the most accurate step detection, while all three devices underestimated energy expenditure regardless of speed.
JOURNAL OF CLINICAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Review
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Ghulam Shere Raza, Nalini Sodum, Yagmur Kaya, Karl-Heinz Herzig
Summary: This review summarizes the importance of Rev-Erb in extracellular matrix remodeling and tissue fibrosis, and highlights the beneficial effects of Rev-Erb activation in the heart, lung, liver, and adipose tissue.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Anssi Nikkola, Kari Antero Makela, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Shivaprakash Jagalur Mutt, Aishwarya Prasannan, Hanna Seppaenen, Terho Lehtimaki, Mika Kahonen, Olli Raitakari, Ilkka Seppala, Pihla Pakkanen, Isto Nordback, Juhani Sand, Johanna Laukkarinen
Summary: SPINK1 mutation has a significant impact on the development of acute alcohol pancreatitis (AAP) and is more prevalent in heavy alcohol users.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Review
Genetics & Heredity
Mikolaj Danielewski, Joanna Zuraszek, Aleksandra Zielinska, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Ryszard Slomski, Jaroslaw Walkowiak, Karolina Wielgus
Summary: Paleogenetics has undergone significant changes since its inception. Initially, limited molecular techniques hindered ancient DNA analysis. However, advancements in scientific tools, as well as the popularity of this field, have led to remarkable achievements. Breakthroughs in next-generation sequencing technologies and DNA isolation protocols have enabled the sequencing of whole genomes even from highly fragmented aDNA samples.
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Laura Niiranen, Ville Stenback, Mikko Tulppo, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Kari A. Makela
Summary: Exercise has been proven to improve cognitive function, and studies on both humans and animals have shown this. Laboratory mice are often used as a model to study the effects of exercise, and running wheels provide a voluntary and stress-free form of exercise for mice. This study aimed to analyze the relationship between the cognitive state of a mouse and its wheel-running behavior. The results showed that high-runner mice exhibited enhanced learning capabilities and ate more compared to the other groups. Interestingly, individual mice had different reactions when introduced to running wheels, suggesting the importance of considering individual differences in voluntary endurance exercise studies.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2023)
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Johanna Lumme, Laure Morin-Papunen, Paula Pesonen, Sylvain Sebert, Elina Hypponen, Marjo-Riitta Jarvelin, Karl-Heinz Herzig, Marja Ojaniemi, Maarit Niinimaki
Summary: A population-based study showed that previous infertility and decreased fecundability were associated with lower 25(OH)D concentrations.
Review
Physiology
Minyu Zhang, Biyang Xiao, Xiaoqi Chen, Bingming Ou, Songtao Wang
Summary: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to bile acid and gut microbiota disorders. Exercise plays an important role in maintaining the homeostasis of the enterohepatic circulation and the health of the host gut microbiota by regulating the composition and function of the bile acid pool in the enterohepatic axis. Exercise has been recommended as a first-line intervention for NAFLD, and regulating bile acids through exercise may be a promising treatment strategy.
