Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common musculoskeletal disorder among the elderly. It is characterized by progressive cartilage degradation, synovial inflammation, subchondral bone remodeling and pain. Lipocalin prostaglandin D synthase (L-PGDS) is responsible for the biosynthesis of PGD, which has been implicated in the regulation of inflammation and cartilage biology. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of L-PGDS deficiency on the development of naturally occurring age-related OA in mice. OA-like structural changes were assessed by histology, immunohistochemistry, and micro-computed tomography. Pain related behaviours were assessed using the von Frey and the open-field assays. L-PGDS deletion promoted cartilage degradation during aging, which was associated with enhanced expression of extracellular matrix degrading enzymes, matrix metalloprotease 13 (MMP-13) and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5), and their breakdown products, C1,2C, VDIPEN and NITEG. Moreover, L-PGDS deletion enhanced subchondral bone changes, but had no effect on its angiogenesis. Additionally, L-PGDS deletion increased mechanical sensitivity and reduced spontaneous locomotor activity. Finally, we showed that the expression of L-PGDS was elevated in aged mice. Together, these findings indicate an important role for L-PGDS in naturally occurring age-related OA. They also suggest that L-PGDS may constitute a new efficient therapeutic target in OA.
Background: Cognitive impairment is a common and feared characteristic of aging processes, and one key mechanism of cognition is hippocampal synaptic structure. Previous studies have reported that gut microbiota dysbiosis occurred in neurodegenerative diseases and other brain disorders with cognitive impairment. However, it is not clear how gender differences affect cognitive impairment in aging processes and whether they affect synaptic structure and gut microbiota.
Fleas are primarily parasites of small mammals and serve as essential vectors of the transmission of plague. The subfamily Amphipsyllinae (Siphonaptera: Leptopsyllidae) consists of 182 species across 13 genera, widely distributed worldwide. Only two species of Amphipsyllinae have been sequenced for complete mitogenomes to date.
The spotted ragged-tooth shark, , is widely distributed in subtropical continental coastal seas. In South Africa, it is commonly found along the entire south and east coasts, including the iSimangaliso Wetland Park (IWP) in the far north, which is the largest Marine Protected Area on the South African coast. Pregnant females occur there for much of the year, with the largest aggregations in summer.
The rollout of electric vehicles and photovoltaic panels is essential to mitigate climate change. However, they depend on technology-critical elements (TCEs), which can be harmful to human health and whose use is rapidly expanding, while recycling is lacking. While mining has received substantial attention, in-use dissipation in urban areas has so far not been assessed, for example, corrosion and abrasion of vehicle components and weather-related effects affecting thin-film photovoltaic panels.
Key Lab of Organic-based Fertilizers of China and Jiangsu Provincial Key Lab for Solid Organic Waste Utilization, Nanjing Agricultural University, Nanjing, 210095, China.
Sinomonas species typically reside in soils or the rhizosphere and can promote plant growth. Sinomonas enrichment in rhizospheric soils is positively correlated with increases in plant biomass. However, the growth promotion mechanisms regulated by Sinomonas remain unclear.
