Prolactin-induced sensitization of trigeminal nociceptors promotes migraine co-morbidity in endometriosis.

Background: Women with endometriosis are more likely to have migraine. The mechanisms underlying this co-morbidity are unknown. Prolactin, a neurohormone secreted and released into circulation from the anterior pituitary, can sensitize sensory neurons from female, but not male, rodents, monkeys and human donors.

Discovery of genes that positively affect biomass and stress associated traits in poplar.

Woody biomass serves as a renewable resource for various industries, including pulp and paper production, construction, biofuels, and electricity generation. However, the molecular mechanisms behind biomass traits are poorly understood, which significantly curtails the speed and efficiency of their improvement. We used activation tagging to discover genes that can positively affect tree biomass-associated traits.

Identification and Characterization of Human Breast Milk and Infant Fecal Cultivable Lactobacilli Isolated in Bulgaria: A Pilot Study.

During the last few decades, the main focus of numerous studies has been on the human breast milk microbiota and its influence on the infant intestinal microbiota and overall health. The presence of lactic acid bacteria in breast milk affects both the quantitative and qualitative composition of the infant gut microbiota. The aim of this study was to assess the most frequently detected cultivable rod-shaped lactobacilli, specific for breast milk of healthy Bulgarian women and fecal samples of their infants over the first month of life, in 14 mother-infant tandem pairs.

Single-cell profiling indicates a high similarity between immune cells in the cerebrospinal fluid and in meningeal ectopic lymphoid tissue in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

Background And Objectives: B cell depleting anti-CD20 monoclonal antibodies (aCD20 mAbs) are highly effective in treatment of multiple sclerosis (MS) but fail to halt the formation of meningeal ectopic lymphoid tissue (mELT) in the murine model experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). While mELT can be examined in EAE, it is not accessible in MS patients. Our key objectives were to compare the immune cells in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), which is accessible in patients, with those in mELT, and to study the effects of aCD20 mAbs on CSF and mELT in EAE.

Cutting Edge: Characterization of Low Copy Number Human Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2-Transgenic Mice as an Improved Model of SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

A popular mouse model of COVID-19, the K18-hACE2 mouse, expresses the SARS-coronavirus entry receptor, human angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (hACE2) driven by the keratin-18 promoter. SARS-CoV-2-infected K18-hACE2 mice exhibit neuropathology not representative of human infection. They contain eight transgene (Tg) copies, leading to excess hACE2 expression and rampant viral replication.

Single-Cell Profiling Indicates a Proinflammatory Role of Meningeal Ectopic Lymphoid Tissue in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis.

Background And Objectives: The factors that drive progression in multiple sclerosis (MS) remain obscure. Identification of key properties of meningeal inflammation will contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms of progression and how to prevent it.

Methods: Applying single-cell RNA sequencing, we compared gene expression profiles in immune cells from meningeal ectopic lymphoid tissue (mELT) with those from secondary lymphoid organs (SLOs) in spontaneous chronic experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of MS.

β-spectrin as a stalk cell-intrinsic regulator of VEGF signaling.

Defective angiogenesis underlies over 50 malignant, ischemic and inflammatory disorders yet long-term therapeutic applications inevitably fail, thus highlighting the need for greater understanding of the vast crosstalk and compensatory mechanisms. Based on proteomic profiling of angiogenic endothelial components, here we report β-spectrin, a non-erythrocytic cytoskeletal protein, as a critical regulator of sprouting angiogenesis. Early loss of endothelial-specific β-spectrin promotes embryonic lethality in mice due to hypervascularization and hemorrhagic defects whereas neonatal depletion yields higher vascular density and tip cell populations in developing retina.

Mouse Model of a Human STAT4 Point Mutation That Predisposes to Disseminated Coccidiomycosis.

STAT4 plays a critical role in the generation of both innate and adaptive immune responses. In the absence of STAT4, Th1 responses, critical for resistance to fungal disease, do not occur. Infection with the dimorphic fungus, , is a major cause of community-acquired pneumonia in the endemic regions of Arizona and California.

Abnormal lymphatic phenotype in a CRISPR mouse model of the human lymphedema-causing Connexin47 R260C point mutation.

Connexin proteins form gap junctions controlling exchange of ions and small molecules between cells and play an important role in movement of lymph within lymphatic vessels. Connexin47 (CX47) is highly expressed in lymphatic endothelial cells and CX47 missense mutations, i.e.

"Just One More Rep!" - Ability to Predict Proximity to Task Failure in Resistance Trained Persons.

In resistance training, the use of predicting proximity to momentary task failure (MF, i.e., maximum effort), and repetitions in reserve scales specifically, is a growing approach to monitoring and controlling effort.

Effect of fish oil supplementation and restricted feeding on body fat distribution and blood lipid profile in a rabbit model of castration-induced obesity.

This study investigates the effect of fish oil supplementation and restricted feeding on body fat distribution and blood lipid profile in experimentally induced obesity in rabbits. The trial was carried out with 30 male rabbits, divided into 5 groups of 6 animals each (NC - non-castrated, non-treated, full-diet fed; C100 - castrated, non-treated, full-diet fed; FO100 - castrated, treated with fish oil, full-diet fed; C50 - castrated, non-treated, 50% restricted fed; FO50 - castrated, treated with fish oil, 50% restricted fed). At the end of the experiment, plasma lipids measurement and quantification of fat distribution was performed.

Gene network analysis of poplar root transcriptome in response to drought stress identifies a PtaJAZ3PtaRAP2.6-centered hierarchical network.

Using time-series transcriptomic data from poplar roots undergoing polyethylene glycol (PEG)-induced drought stress, we built a genetic network model of the involved putative molecular responses. We found that the network resembled a hierarchical structure. The highest hierarchical level in this structure is occupied by 9 genes, which we called superhubs because they were primarily connected to 18 hub genes, which are then connected to 2,934 terminal genes.

Gene Editing With CRISPR/Cas9 RNA-Directed Nuclease.

Genetic engineering of model organisms and cultured cells has for decades provided important insights into the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular development and disease. In the past few years the development of several nuclease systems has broadened the range of model/cell systems that can be engineered. Of these, the CRISPR (clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats)/Cas9 (CRISPR-associated protein 9) system has become the favorite for its ease of application.

Poplar PtabZIP1-like enhances lateral root formation and biomass growth under drought stress.

Developing drought-resistance varieties is a major goal for bioenergy crops, such as poplar (Populus), which will be grown on marginal lands with little or no water input. Root architecture can affect drought resistance, but few genes that affect root architecture in relation to water availability have been identified. Here, using activation tagging in the prime bioenergy crop poplar, we have identified a mutant that overcomes the block of lateral root (LR) formation under osmotic stress.

A network of genes associated with poplar root development in response to low nitrogen.

Deployment of the root system is highly sensitive to the levels and spatial distribution of nutrients like nitrogen. However, the genetic determinants of these sensing and deployment mechanisms are still poorly understood. Previously, using system approaches based on temporal changes in root transcriptome in relation to low nitrogen (LN), we have been able to identify a module that activates root production in poplar in response to LN conditions.

Possibility for using of two Paulownia lines as a tool for remediation of heavy metal contaminated soil.

One-year-old two Paulownia lines (Ptomentosa x fortunei--TF 01 and R elongata x fortunei--EF 02) were grown, as pot experiment, in soil collected from the field of waste depository of Kremikovtzi ferrous metallurgical industry near Sofia. The soil was heavily polluted with Cd. Metals content (Ca, Mg, K, Na, Cd, Cu, Pb, Zn and Fe) in soil and its distribution in roots, stems and leaves of both lines was studied.

A systems biology approach identifies new regulators of poplar root development under low nitrogen.

In Populus, low nitrogen (LN) elicits rapid and vigorous lateral root (LR) proliferation, which is closely mirrored by corresponding transcriptomic changes. Using transcriptomic data, we built a genetic network encompassing a large proportion of the differentially regulated transcriptome. The network is organized in a hierarchical fashion, centered on 11 genes.

Method for attaining rosemary essential oil with differential composition from dried or fresh material.

Rosemary (Rosemarinus officinalis L.) is a well-known medicinal and essential oil plant, utilized by humankind since ancient times. The objective was to determine the effect of steam distillation time (DT) and material (dry or fresh biomass) on essential oil yield, composition, and bioactivity; and to develop regression models that can predict oil yield and composition at specific DT.

Effect of fish and krill oil supplementation on glucose tolerance in rabbits with experimentally induced obesity.

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the effect of fish oil (FO) and krill oil (KO) supplementation on glucose tolerance in obese New Zealand white rabbits.

Methods: The experiments were carried out with 24 male rabbits randomly divided into four groups: KO-castrated, treated with KO; FO-castrated, treated with FO; C-castrated, non-treated; NC-non-castrated, non-treated. At the end of treatment period (2 months), an intravenous glucose tolerance test (IVGTT) was performed in all rabbits.

Genetic networks involved in poplar root response to low nitrogen.

Perception of environmental cues and adaptation to changing environmental conditions are crucial for survival of sessile organisms like plants. This is even more important for woody perennial species like trees that can occupy a site for thousands of years. We have previously shown that under low nitrogen (LN), poplar trees display a vigorous and long-lasting root growth associated with global transcriptomic reprogramming and an activation of hierarchical genetic networks.

Nitrogen deprivation promotes Populus root growth through global transcriptome reprogramming and activation of hierarchical genetic networks.

We show a distinct and previously poorly characterized response of poplar (Populus tremula × Populus alba) roots to low nitrogen (LN), which involves activation of root growth and significant transcriptome reprogramming. Analysis of the temporal patterns of enriched ontologies among the differentially expressed genes revealed an ordered assembly of functionally cohesive biological events that aligned well with growth and morphological responses. A core set of 28 biological processes was significantly enriched across the whole studied period and 21 of these were also enriched in the roots of Arabidopsis thaliana during the LN response.

Urinary benzene biomarkers and DNA methylation in Bulgarian petrochemical workers: study findings and comparison of linear and beta regression models.

Chronic occupational exposure to benzene is associated with an increased risk of hematological malignancies such as acute myeloid leukemia (AML), but the underlying mechanisms are still unclear. The main objective of this study was to investigate the association between benzene exposure and DNA methylation, both in repeated elements and candidate genes, in a population of 158 Bulgarian petrochemical workers and 50 unexposed office workers. Exposure assessment included personal monitoring of airborne benzene at work and urinary biomarkers of benzene metabolism (S-phenylmercapturic acid [SPMA] and trans,trans-muconic acid [t,t-MA]) at the end of the work-shift.

Generation of mice with a conditional allele for the transforming growth factor beta3 gene.

The transforming growth factor beta (TGFβ) pathway is involved in embryonic development and several inherited and acquired human diseases. The gene for TGFβ3 (Tgfb3) encodes one of the three ligands for TGFβ receptors. It is widely expressed in the embryo and its mutation or misexpression is found in human diseases.