Consolation is a type of empathy-like behavior that has recently been observed in some socially living rodents. Despite the growing body of literature suggesting that stress affects empathy, the ...relationship between stress and consolation remains understudied at the preclinical level. Here, we examined the effects of chronic emotional stress or physical stress exposure on consolation and emotional behaviors by using the socially monogamous mandarin vole (Microtus mandarinus) in both males and females.
Physical stress voles were exposed to 14-day social defeat stress, whereas emotional stress voles vicariously experienced the defeat of their partners. We found that physical stress, but not emotional stress, voles showed reduced grooming toward their defeated partners and increased anxiety- and despair-like behaviors. Meanwhile, physical stress voles exhibited decreased neural activity in the anterior cingulate cortex, which is centrally involved in empathy. The densities of oxytocin receptors, dopamine D2 receptors, and serotonin 1A-receptors within the anterior cingulate cortex were significantly decreased in the physical stress group compared with controls. All the behavioral and physiological changes were similar between the sexes. Finally, we found that the reduced consolation behavior and some anxiety-like syndromes in physical stress voles could be alleviated by pretreatment with an oxytocin receptor, D2 receptors, or serotonin 1A-receptor agonist within the anterior cingulate cortex, whereas injections of corresponding receptor antagonists to the control voles decreased the consolation behavior and increased some anxiety-like behaviors.
Our results indicated that chronic physical stress exposure impaired consolation and induced anxiety-like behaviors in mandarin voles and oxytocin receptors, 5-HT1A receptors, and D2 receptors within the anterior cingulate cortex may play important roles in these processes.
Al/TiO₂ composite film was successfully deposited on polyester fabrics by using magnetron sputtering techniques. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) were used to ...examine the deposited films on the fabrics, and the structural colors and anti-ultraviolet property of fabrics were also analyzed. The results indicated that polyester fabrics coated with Al/TiO₂ composite films achieved structural colors. The reactive sputtering times of TiO₂ films in Al/TiO₂ composite films were 10 min, 12 min, 18 min, 20 min, 26 min, 27 min, 30 min and 45 min, respectively, the colors of corresponding fabrics were bluish violet, blue, cyan, green, yellow, yellowish red, orange and blue-green, which was consistent with the principle of the thin film interference. The structure of the TiO₂ film in Al/TiO₂ composite films was non-crystalline, though the fabrics were heated and maintained at the temperature of 200 °C. The anti-ultraviolet property of the fabrics deposited with Al/TiO₂ composite films were excellent because of the effect of Al/TiO₂ composite films.
Parkinson disease is a common neurodegenerative disease. The racial, sex, age, and geographic distributions of Parkinson disease in the US are unknown.
We performed a serial cross-sectional study of ...US Medicare beneficiaries aged 65 and older from the years 1995, and 2000-2005. Using over 450,000 Parkinson disease cases per year, we calculated Parkinson disease prevalence and annual incidence by race, age, sex, and county. Spatial analysis investigated the geographic distribution of Parkinson disease.
Age-standardized Parkinson disease prevalence (per 100,000) was 2,168.18 (+/-95.64) in White men, but 1,036.41 (+/-86.01) in Blacks, and 1,138.56 (+/-46.47) in Asians. The incidence ratio in Blacks as compared to Whites (0.74; 95% CI = 0.732-0.748) was higher than the prevalence ratio (0.58; 95% CI = 0.575-0.581), whereas the incidence ratio for Asians (0.69; 95% CI = 0.657-0.723) was similar to the prevalence ratio (0.62; 95% CI = 0.617-0.631). Bayesian mapping of Parkinson disease revealed a concentration in the Midwest and Northeast regions. Mean county incidence by quartile ranged from 279 to 3,111, and prevalence from 1,175 to 13,800 (per 100,000). Prevalence and incidence in urban counties were greater than in rural ones (p < 0.01). Cluster analysis supported a nonrandom distribution of both incident and prevalent Parkinson disease cases (p < 0.001).
Parkinson disease is substantially more common in Whites, and is nonrandomly distributed in the Midwest and Northeastern US.
Nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) infections are caused by environmental exposure. We describe spatial distribution of NTM infections and associations with sociodemographic factors and flooding in ...Missouri, USA. Our retrospective analysis of mycobacterial cultures reported to the Missouri Department of Health and Social Services surveillance system during January 1, 2008-December 31, 2019, detected geographic clusters of infection. Multilevel Poisson regression quantified small-area geographic variations and identified characteristics associated with risk for infection. Median county-level NTM infection rate was 66.33 (interquartile range 51-91)/100,000 persons. Risk of clustering was significantly higher in rural areas (rate ratio 2.82, 95% CI 1.90-4.19) and in counties with >5 floodings per year versus no flooding (rate ratio 1.38, 95% CI 1.26-1.52). Higher risk for NTM infection was associated with older age, rurality, and more flooding. Clinicians and public health professionals should be aware of increased risk for NTM infections, especially in similar environments.
To investigate possible correlations between apelin-12 levels and obesity in children in China and associations between apelin-12 and obesity-related markers, including lipids, insulin sensitivity ...and insulin resistance index (HOMA-IR).
Forty-eight obese and forty non-obese age- and gender-matched Chinese children were enrolled between June 2008 and June 2009. Mean age was 10.42 ± 2.03 and 10.86±2.23 years in obesity and control groups, respectively. Main outcome measures were apelin-12, BMI, lipids, glucose and insulin. HOMA-IR was calculated for all subjects.
All obesity group subjects had significantly higher total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), insulin levels and HOMA-IR (all P<0.05). In separate analyses, obese girls had significantly higher LDL-C, insulin and HOMA-IR than controls, and obese boys had significantly higher TC, TG, insulin and HOMA-IR than controls (all P<0.05). Apelin-12 levels were significantly higher in obese girls compared to controls (P = 0.024), and correlated positively with TG in all obese subjects. Among obese girls, apelin-12 levels correlated positively with TG, insulin and HOMA-IR after adjusting for age and BMI. In all boys (obese and controls) apelin-12 was positively associated with fasting plasma glucose (FPG). No significant correlations were found in either group between apelin-12 levels and other characteristics after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI.
Apelin-12 levels are significantly higher in obese vs. non-obese girls in China and correlate significantly with obesity-related markers insulin, HOMA-IR, and TG. Increased apelin-12 levels may be involved in the pathological mechanism of childhood obesity.
This paper researches on the design and test of the output performance of double-end clamped MEMS coupled piezoelectric–electromagnetic energy harvester. It establishes the theoretical output model ...of the double-end clamped rectangular beam and trapezoidal beam piezoelectric–electromagnetic energy harvester, and optimizes the structure parameters of piezoelectric and electromagnetic unit with simulation analysis. It also respectively realizes the processing of piezoelectric and electromagnetic unit by MEMS and flexible PCB technology, and completes the performance test of structure prototype through the experimental system. The result showed that the capacity of MEMS coupled piezoelectric–electromagnetic energy harvester, which taked four coil piezoelectric with integrated electromagnetic in series, was 12.23 times higher than that of piezoelectric energy harvester. Also the output voltage and power of coupled trapezoidal beam energy harvester were respectively increased 18.89% and 2.26%, compared with coupled rectangular beam energy harvester.
Assessing neighborhood environment in access to mammography remains a challenge when investigating its contextual effect on breast cancer-related outcomes. Studies using different Geographic ...Information Systems (GIS)-based measures reported inconsistent findings.
We compared GIS-based measures (travel time, service density, and a two-Step Floating Catchment Area method 2SFCA) of access to FDA-accredited mammography facilities in terms of their Spearman correlation, agreement (Kappa) and spatial patterns. As an indicator of predictive validity, we examined their association with the odds of late-stage breast cancer using cancer registry data.
The accessibility measures indicated considerable variation in correlation, Kappa and spatial pattern. Measures using shortest travel time (or average) and service density showed low correlations, no agreement, and different spatial patterns. Both types of measures showed low correlations and little agreement with the 2SFCA measures. Of all measures, only the two measures using 6-timezone-weighted 2SFCA method were associated with increased odds of late-stage breast cancer (quick-distance-decay: odds ratio OR = 1.15, 95% confidence interval CI = 1.01-1.32; slow-distance-decay: OR = 1.19, 95% CI = 1.03-1.37) after controlling for demographics and neighborhood socioeconomic deprivation.
Various GIS-based measures of access to mammography facilities exist and are not identical in principle and their association with late-stage breast cancer risk. Only the two measures using the 2SFCA method with 6-timezone weighting were associated with increased odds of late-stage breast cancer. These measures incorporate both travel barriers and service competition. Studies may observe different results depending on the measure of accessibility used.
Recovery of lithium ions from salt lake brine is becoming more important because of the rapid increase in projected demand for lithium resources. N,N-bis(2-ethylhexyl)acetamide (N523) is a newly ...developed extractant that presents good lithium extraction ability and selectivity. In this study, the kinetics and mechanism of lithium ion extraction with N523 in kerosene at 298.15K were investigated using the rising single drop method. Results showed that the extraction process is controlled by diffusion and that the chemical reaction occurs at the interfacial area.
•The extraction kinetics of lithium by N523 from salt lake brine was investigated by rising single drop method.•The extraction process is controlled by the diffusion.•The chemical reaction takes place at the interfacial area.•The mechanism of the lithium extraction with N523 is revealed.
Abstract Objective The aim of this study is to examine a relationship between neighborhood-level socioeconomic deprivation and weight change in a multi-ethnic cohort from Dallas County, Texas and ...whether behavioral/psychosocial factors attenuate the relationship. Methods Non-movers (those in the same neighborhood throughout the study period) aged 18–65 ( N = 939) in Dallas Heart Study (DHS) underwent weight measurements between 2000 and 2009 (median 7-year follow-up). Geocoded home addresses defined block groups; a neighborhood deprivation index (NDI) was created (higher NDI = greater deprivation). Multi-level modeling determined weight change relative to NDI. Model fit improvement was examined with adding physical activity and neighborhood environment perceptions (higher score = more unfavorable perceptions) as covariates. A significant interaction between residence length and NDI was found ( p -interaction = 0.04); results were stratified by median residence length (11 years). Results Adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, smoking, and education/income, those who lived in neighborhood > 11 years gained 1.0 kg per one-unit increment of NDI ( p = 0.03), or 6 kg for those in highest NDI tertile compared with those in the lowest tertile. Physical activity improved model fit; NDI remained associated with weight gain after adjustment for physical activity and neighborhood environment perceptions. There was no significant relationship between NDI and weight change for those in their neighborhood ≤ 11 years. Conclusions Living in more socioeconomically deprived neighborhoods over a longer time period was associated with weight gain in DHS.
Mucosal-associated invariant T (MAIT) cells, a novel population of innate-like lymphocytes, have been involved in various inflammatory and autoimmune diseases. However, their role in the development ...of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) remains unclear. In this study, we investigated the alterations of phenotype and immunological function of MAIT cells in NAFLD. Analysis of PBMCs in 60 patients with NAFLD and 48 healthy controls (HC) revealed that circulating MAIT cell frequency decreased in NAFLD, especially in the patients with higher serum levels of γ-glutamyl transferase or total triglyceride. Functional alterations of circulating MAIT cells were also detected in NAFLD patients, such as the increased production of IL-4 whereas the decreased production of IFN-γ and TNF-α. Furthermore, elevated expression of CXCR6 was observed in circulating MAIT cells of patients. Meanwhile, we found an increased number of MAIT cells in the livers of NAFLD, and the number was even greater in patients with higher NAFLD activity score. Moreover, activated MAIT cells induced monocytes/macrophages differentiation into M2 phenotype
. Additionally, MAIT cells were enriched and displayed Th2 type cytokines profile in livers of wild type mice fed with methionine and choline deficient diet (MCD). Notably, mice deficient of MAIT cells exhibited more severe hepatic steatosis and inflammation upon MCD, accompanied with more CD11c
proinflammatory macrophages (M1) and less CD206
anti-inflammatory macrophages (M2) in livers. Our results indicate that MAIT cells protect against inflammation in NAFLD through producing regulatory cytokines and inducing anti-inflammatory macrophage polarization, which may provide novel therapeutic strategies for NAFLD.
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