Plasma markers of neurodegeneration, latent cognitive abilities and physical activity in healthy aging.

Blood-based biomarkers of neurodegeneration demonstrate great promise for the diagnosis and prognosis of Alzheimer's disease. Ultra-sensitive plasma assays now allow for quantification of the lower concentrations in cognitively unimpaired older adults, making it possible to investigate whether these markers can provide insight also into the early neurodegenerative processes that affect cognitive function and whether the markers are influenced by modifiable risk factors. Adopting an exploratory approach in 93 healthy older adults (65-75 years), we used structural equation modelling to investigate cross-sectional associations between multiple latent cognitive abilities (working memory, episodic memory, spatial and verbal reasoning) and plasma amyloid beta (Aβ42/Aβ40 ratio), phosphorylated-tau 181 (ptau-181), glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), and neurofilament light (NfL), as well as the influence of device-measured habitual physical activity on these associations.

A single base pair duplication in the SLC33A1 gene is associated with fetal losses and neonatal lethality in Manech Tête Rousse dairy sheep.

We recently discovered that the Manech Tête Rousse (MTR) deficient homozygous haplotype 2 (MTRDHH2) probably carries a recessive lethal mutation in sheep. In this study, we fine-mapped this region through whole-genome sequencing of five MTRDHH2 heterozygous carriers and 95 non-carriers from various ovine breeds. We identified a single base pair duplication within the SLC33A1 gene, leading to a frameshift mutation and a premature stop codon (p.

Assessing the performance of Moghani crossbred lambs derived from different mating systems with Texel and Booroola sheep.

In our ongoing project, which focuses on the introgression of Booroola/FecB gene and the myostatin (MSTN) gene into purebred Moghani sheep, we assessed the performance of second-generation Moghani crossbreds such as second crossbreds (F2) and initial backcross generation (BC1). These crossbreds were generated through different mating systems, including in-breeding, outcrossing, first paternal backcrossing (PBC1), and first maternal backcrossing (MBC1). Notably, F2 strains exhibited lean tail, woolly fleece and a higher percentage of white coat color compared to BC1.

Searching for homozygous haplotype deficiency in Manech Tête Rousse dairy sheep revealed a nonsense variant in the MMUT gene affecting newborn lamb viability.

Background: Recessive deleterious variants are known to segregate in livestock populations, as in humans, and some may be lethal in the homozygous state.

Results: We used phased 50 k single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) genotypes and pedigree data to scan the genome of 6845 Manech Tête Rousse dairy sheep to search for deficiency in homozygous haplotypes (DHH). Five Manech Tête Rousse deficient homozygous haplotypes (MTRDHH1 to 5) were identified, with a homozygous deficiency ranging from 84 to 100%.

Clinical, microbiological and genomic characterization of Gram-negative bacteria with dual carbapenemases as identified by rapid molecular testing.

Objective: Dual carbapenemase-producing organisms (DCPOs) are an emerging threat that expands the spectrum of antimicrobial resistance. There is limited literature on the clinical and genetic epidemiology of DCPOs.

Methods: DCPO isolates were identified by Xpert Carba-R PCR testing of routine diagnostic cultures performed from 2018 to 2021 at a New York City health system.

First report of black leaf streak disease in bananas caused by on Mauritius island.

Pseudocercospora fijiensis, the causal agent of the black leaf streak disease of bananas (plants in the genus Musa) (BLSD), is considered to be the major economic threat to export-banana cultivation (de Bellaire, Fouré, Abadie, & Carlier, 2010). The disease has a worldwide distribution throughout the humid tropical regions and has been previously reported in the Southwestndian Ocean (SWIO) area: in 1993 in Mayotte and Comoros islands (DR Jones & Mourichon, 1993), in 2000 in Madagascar (Jones, 2003; Rivas, Zapater, Abadie, & Carlier, 2004) and in 2018 in Reunion Island (Rieux et al., 2019).

Signaling-specific inhibition of the CB receptor for cannabis use disorder: phase 1 and phase 2a randomized trials.

Cannabis use disorder (CUD) is widespread, and there is no pharmacotherapy to facilitate its treatment. AEF0117, the first of a new pharmacological class, is a signaling-specific inhibitor of the cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB-SSi). AEF0117 selectively inhibits a subset of intracellular effects resulting from Δ-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) binding without modifying behavior per se.

Impact of potentially toxic elements on pines in a former ore processing mine: Exploitation of hyperspectral response from needle and canopy scales.

Anthropic potentially toxic element (PTE) releases can lead to persistent pollution in soil. Monitoring PTEs by their detection and quantification on large scale is of great interest. The vegetation exposed to PTEs can exhibit a reduction of physiological activities, structural damage … Such vegetation trait changes impact the spectral signature in the reflective domain 0.

Improved benefit of continuing luspatercept therapy: sub-analysis of patients with lower-risk MDS in the MEDALIST study.

Red blood cell transfusion independence (RBC-TI) is an important goal in treating lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes with ring sideroblasts. In the phase 3 MEDALIST study, RBC-TI of ≥ 8 weeks was achieved by significantly more luspatercept- versus placebo-treated patients in the first 24 weeks of treatment. In this post hoc analysis, we evaluated RBC transfusion units and visits based on patients' baseline transfusion burden level and the clinical benefit of luspatercept treatment beyond week 25 in initial luspatercept nonresponders (patients who did not achieve RBC-TI ≥ 8 weeks by week 25) but continued luspatercept up to 144 weeks.

Comparison of the growth performance between pure Moghani sheep and crosses with Texel or Booroola sheep carrying major genes contributing to muscularity and prolificacy.

This study aimed to compare growth performance between Moghani sheep and crossbred lambs resulting from crossbreeding between Moghani pure breed ewes and the lines of rams e.g., Texel Tamlet, Texel Dalzell, Booroola Merino, and Booroola Romney.

Clinical and metagenomic profiling of hormonal acne-prone skin in different populations.

Introduction: Acne is one of the most common skin concerns of unknown etiology, often connected to the menstrual cycle in women, and possibly to the microbial profile and function.

Objective: We aimed to investigate how hormonal fluctuation affects hormonal acne-prone skin in different populations in relation to skin clinical parameters and microbial profiles.

Methods: We evaluated skin features by using biophysical and topographical tools.

The Rice Locus Is a Bidirectional Target of the African pv. Major Transcription Activator-like Effector TalC but Does Not Contribute to Disease Susceptibility.

pv. () strains that cause bacterial leaf blight (BLB) limit rice () production and require breeding more resistant varieties. Transcription activator-like effectors (TALEs) activate transcription to promote leaf colonization by binding to specific plant host DNA sequences termed effector binding elements (EBEs).

At the crossroads of fertility and metabolism: the importance of AMPK-dependent signaling in female infertility associated with hyperandrogenism.

Study Question: What biological processes are linked to the signaling of the energy sensor 5'-AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) in mouse and human granulosa cells (GCs)?

Summary Answer: The lack of α1AMPK in GCs impacted cell cycle, adhesion, lipid metabolism and induced a hyperandrogenic response.

What Is Known Already: AMPK is expressed in the ovarian follicle, and its activation by pharmacological medications, such as metformin, inhibits the production of steroids. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is responsible for infertility in approximately 5-20% of women of childbearing age and possible treatments include reducing body weight, improving lifestyle and the administration of a combination of drugs to improve insulin resistance, such as metformin.

Variability in Global DNA Methylation Rate Across Tissues and Over Time in Sheep.

Recent studies highlighted the influence of epigenetic marks in the variability of many complex traits, both in plants and animals. These studied focused only on specific sites of the genome having differentially methylated profiles among individuals and/or tissues. In contrast, we recently used the methylation rate of the entire genome as a unique measure considered as a novel quantitative phenotype in sheep.

Endothelial cell-derived fibroblast growth factor-18 regulates ovarian function in sheep.

Increasing the efficiency of farm animal reproduction is necessary to reduce the environmental impact of food production systems. One approach is to increase the number of healthy eggs (oocytes) produced per female for fertilization, thus it is important to understand factors that decrease oocyte health. One paracrine factor that decreases ovarian follicle growth is fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) secreted by cells in the theca layer of the ovarian follicle, however the factors that regulate FGF18 secretion are unknown.

A Nonsense Variant in Gene Causes Respiratory Failure Associated with Increased Lamb Mortality in French Lacaune Dairy Sheep.

We recently demonstrated that the Lacaune deficient homozygous haplotype 6 (LDHH6) potentially hosts a recessive perinatal lethal mutation in Lacaune dairy sheep mapped on OAR3. In the present study, we have analyzed the whole-genome sequences of two Lacaune ram heterozygous carriers of LDHH6. After variant calling and filtering against the variants of 86 non-carrier rams, we have identified a single nucleotide variant (SNV) in the two LDHH6 carriers whose variant allele induced a premature stop codon (p.

Robust clinical detection of SARS-CoV-2 variants by RT-PCR/MALDI-TOF multitarget approach.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has sparked the rapid development of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) diagnostics. However, emerging variants pose the risk for target dropout and false-negative results secondary to primer/probe binding site (PBS) mismatches. The Agena MassARRAY® SARS-CoV-2 Panel combines reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry to probe for five targets across N and ORF1ab genes, which provides a robust platform to accommodate PBS mismatches in divergent viruses.

Targeting microRNA for improved skin health.

Background: In human skin, miRNAs have important regulatory roles and are involved in the development, morphogenesis, and maintenance by influencing cell proliferation, differentiation, immune regulation, and wound healing. MiRNAs have been investigated for many years in various skin disorders such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, as well as malignant tumors. Only during recent times, cosmeceutical use of molecules/natural active ingredients to regulate miRNA expression for significant advances in skin health/care product development was recognized.

Inadequate response to treatment reveals persistent osteoclast bone resorption in osteoporotic patients.

Several drugs are able to reduce fracture risk in osteoporotic patients. Incident fractures occur despite good adherence to treatment. Inadequate response has been found related to high serum bone biomarkers of bone turnover.

Catheter-related bloodstream infection due to biofilm-producing .

is a facultatively-anaerobic bacterium that is part of the human oropharyngeal microflora. Although bacteremia is uncommon, systemic infections have been reported in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised patients. We report a case of catheter-related bloodstream infection by and highlight its enhanced biofilm-forming capacity .

Tissue Resources for the Functional Annotation of Animal Genomes.

In order to generate an atlas of the functional elements driving genome expression in domestic animals, the Functional Annotation of Animal Genome (FAANG) strategy was to sample many tissues from a few animals of different species, sexes, ages, and production stages. This article presents the collection of tissue samples for four species produced by two pilot projects, at INRAE (National Research Institute for Agriculture, Food and Environment) and the University of California, Davis. There were three mammals (cattle, goat, and pig) and one bird (chicken).