The genetic mechanism of heterosis utilization in maize improvement

BACKGROUND

In maize hybrid breeding, complementary pools of parental lines with reshuffled genetic variants are established for superior hybrid performance. To comprehensively decipher the genetics of heterosis, we present a new design of multiple linked F1 populations with 42,840 F1 maize hybrids, generated by crossing a synthetic population of 1428 maternal lines with 30 elite testers from diverse genetic backgrounds and phenotyped for agronomic traits.

RESULTS

We show that, although yield heterosis is correlated with the widespread, minor-effect epistatic QTLs, it may be resulted from a few major-effect additive and dominant QTLs in early developmental stages. Floral transition is probably one critical stage for heterosis formation, in which epistatic QTLs are activated by paternal contributions of alleles that counteract the recessive, deleterious maternal alleles. These deleterious alleles, while rare, epistatically repress other favorable QTLs. We demonstrate this with one example, showing that Brachytic2 represses the Ubiquitin3 locus in the maternal lines; in hybrids, the paternal allele alleviates this repression, which in turn recovers the height of the plant and enhances the weight of the ear. Finally, we propose a molecular design breeding by manipulating key genes underlying the transition from vegetative-to-reproductive growth.

CONCLUSION

The new population design is used to dissect the genetic basis of heterosis which accelerates maize molecular design breeding by diminishing deleterious epistatic interactions.

Abnormal Regional Neural Activity and Reorganized Neural Network in Obesity: Evidence from Resting-State fMRI

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to investigate regional neural activity and regulation of patterns in the reorganized neural network of obesity and explore the correlation between brain activities and eating behavior.

METHODS

A total of 23 individuals with obesity and 23 controls with normal weight were enrolled. Functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) data were acquired using 3.0-T MRI. Amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and functional connectivity (FC) analyses were conducted using Data Processing Assistant for resting-state fMRI and Resting-State fMRI Data Analysis Toolkit (REST).

RESULTS

The group with obesity showed increased amplitude of low-frequency values in left fusiform gyrus/amygdala, inferior temporal gyrus (ITG), hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus, and bilateral caudate but decreased values in right superior temporal gyrus. The group with obesity showed increased FC between left caudate and right superior temporal gyrus, left fusiform gyrus/amygdala and left ITG, right caudate and left fusiform gyrus/amygdala, and right caudate and left hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus. Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire-Emotional scores were positively correlated with FC between left hippocampus/parahippocampal gyrus and right caudate but negatively correlated with FC between left fusiform gyrus/amygdala and left ITG.

CONCLUSIONS

The study indicated the reorganized neural network presented as a bilateral cross-regulation pattern across hemispheres between reward and various appetite-related functional processing, thus affecting emotional and external eating behavior. These results could provide further evidence for neuropsychological underpinnings of food intake and their neuromodulatory therapeutic potential in obesity.

Effects of olfactory training on posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction is a clinical challenge due to refractory characteristics and limited therapeutic options. Olfactory training has been proved to be effective for olfactory dysfunction with varied etiologies. We pooled existing studies to evaluate the effects of olfactory training in patients with posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction.

METHODS

A systematic literature review using PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science was conducted to identify studies assessing olfactory change in patients with posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction after olfactory training.

RESULTS

Of the initial 812 abstracts reviewed, 13 full-text articles were included. Clinically significant results after olfactory training were defined as an improvement of threshold, discrimination, and identification (TDI) score ≥6 or University of Pennsylvania Smell Identification Test (UPSIT) score ≥4. Six studies were included in the meta-analysis, 36.31% (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28 to 0.45) of posttraumatic patients would achieve clinically significant results after olfactory training with a mean increase of TDI score of 4.61.

CONCLUSION

Olfactory training might be a promising modality for the treatment of posttraumatic olfactory dysfunction. More high-quality studies with controls are needed to clarify the effect of olfactory training on total olfactory performance and subcomponents of olfaction.

Simple and Green Synthesis of Carbonized Polymer dots from Nylon 66 Waste Fibers and its Potential Application

Carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) have attracted widespread attention owing to their unique properties and are usually prepared from monomers of polymers or polymers. To reduce the waste of high-value petropolymers and environmental pollution, a simple and green method for the preparation of CPDs using a hydrothermal technique based on the cross-linking enhanced emission effect was proposed, in which nylon 66 waste fibers were used as a precursor and glutaraldehyde as a cross-linking agent. The as-prepared CPDs possessed polymer/carbon hybrid structures with a 3.5 nm average diameter, and hydroxyl (-OH), carboxyl (-COOH), and amino (-NH₂) groups were present on the surface of CPDs. It can be found that the as-prepared CPDs display excitation-dependent photoluminescence emission, which is mainly attributed to the molecular state luminescence center. Because the molecular state fluorescence of CPDs could be affected by the presence of Fe³⁺ and the change of pH values, the as-prepared CPDs can be used as a probe for the detection of the concentration of Fe³⁺ and the pH variations of solution. The fluorescence intensity of CPDs was selectively quenched by Fe³⁺ in the range from 1 to 145 μM. In virtue of the static quenching of CPDs by Fe³⁺, a sensing system was fabricated for the quantitative detection of Fe³⁺, and its limit of detection was 0.1 μM. Based on the electrostatic doping/charging of CPDs, a pH sensor was fabricated. It showed that the fluorescence intensity of CPDs decreased along with the increase of pH from 2.60 to 12.6. What is more, the CPDs were found to be an alternative to traditional fluorescent inks for encryption and information storage.

Stalk architecture, cell wall composition, and QTL underlying high stalk flexibility for improved lodging resistance in maize

BACKGROUND

Stalk fracture caused by strong wind can severely reduce yields in maize. Stalks with higher stiffness and flexibility will exhibit stronger lodging resistance. However, stalk flexibility is rarely studied in maize. Stalk fracture of the internode above the ear before tasseling will result in the lack of tassel and pollen, which is devastating for pollination in seed production. In this study, we focused on stalk lodging before tasseling in two maize inbred lines, JING724 and its improved line JING724A1 and their F_2:3 population.

RESULTS

JING724A1 showed a larger stalk fracture angle than JING724, indicating higher flexibility. In addition, compared to JING724, JING724A1 also had longer and thicker stalks, with a conical, frustum-shaped internode above the ear. Microscopy and X-ray microcomputed tomography of the internal stalk architecture revealed that JING724A1 had more vascular bundles and thicker sclerenchyma tissue. Furthermore, total soluble sugar content of JING724A1, especially the glucose component, was substantially higher than in JING724. Using an F_2:3 population derived from a JING724 and JING724A1 cross, we performed bulk segregant analysis for stalk fracture angle and detected one QTL located on Chr3: 14.00-19.28 Mb. Through transcriptome data analysis and ∆ (SNP-index), we identified two candidate genes significantly associated with high stalk fracture angle, which encode a RING/U-box superfamily protein (Zm00001d039769) and a MADS-box transcription factor 54 (Zm00001d039913), respectively. Two KASP markers designed from these two candidate genes also showed significant correlations with stalk fracture angle.

CONCLUSIONS

The internode shape and glucose content are possibly correlated with stalk flexibility in maize. Two genes in the detected QTL are potentially associated with stalk fracture angle. These novel phenotypes and associated loci will provide a theoretical foundation for understanding the genetic mechanisms of lodging, and facilitate the selection of maize varieties with improved flexibility and robust lodging resistance.

Protocol for Multi-modality MEdical imaging sTudy bAsed on KaiLuan Study (META-KLS): rationale, design and database building

INTRODUCTION

Multi-modality medical imaging study, especially brain MRI, greatly facilitates the research on subclinical brain disease. However, there is still a lack of such studies with a wider age span of participants. The Multi-modality MEdical imaging sTudy bAsed on KaiLuan Study (META-KLS) was designed to address this issue with a large sample size population.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

We aim to enrol at least 1000 subjects in META-KLS. All the participants without contraindications will perform multi-modality medical imaging, including brain MRI, retinal fundus photograph, fundus optical coherence tomography (OCT) and ultrasonography of the internal carotid artery (ICA) every 2-4 years. The acquired medical imaging will be further processed with a standardised and validated workflow. The clinical data at baseline and follow-up will be collected from the KaiLuan Study. The associations between multiple risk factors and subclinical brain disease are able to be fully investigated. Researches based on META-KLS will provide a series of state-of-the-art evidence for the prevention of neurological diseases and common chronic diseases.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

The Kailuan Study and META-KLS have been approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Kailuan General Hospital (IRB number: 2008 No. 1 and 2021002, respectively). Written informed consent will be acquired from each participant. Results are expected to be published in professional peer-reviewed journals beginning in 2023.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

NCT05453877.

Cerebral Sinus Hemodynamics in Adults Revealed by 4D Flow MRI

BACKGROUND

The hemodynamics of the cerebral sinuses play a vital role in understanding blood flow-related diseases, yet the hemodynamics of the cerebral sinuses in normal adults remains an unresolved issue.

PURPOSE

To evaluate hemodynamics in the cerebral sinus of adults using 4-dimensional flow MRI (4D Flow MRI).

STUDY TYPE

Cross-sectional.

POPULATION

Ninety-nine healthy volunteers (mean age, 42.88 ± 13.16 years old; females/males, 55/44).

FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE

3 T/4D Flow MRI.

ASSESSMENT

The blood flow velocity, average blood flow rate (Q), and vortexes at the superior sagittal sinus (SSS), straight sinus (STS), transverse sinus, sigmoid sinus, and jugular bulb of each volunteer were evaluated by two independent neuroradiologists. The relationship between the total cerebral Q and sex and age was also assessed. Twelve volunteers underwent two scans within a month.

STATISTICAL TESTS

The intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) evaluated the inter-observer agreement. Blood flow parameters among volunteers were compared by the independent-sample t-test or Mann-Whitney U test. The multiple linear regression equation was used to evaluate the relationship between total cerebral Q and age and sex. P < 0.05 indicated statistical significance.

RESULTS

The test-retest and interobserver reliability of average velocity and Q were moderate to high (ICC: 0.54-0.99). Cerebral sinus velocity varied by segment and cardiac cycle. The SSS's velocity and Q increased downstream and Q near torcular herophili was 3.5 times that through the STS. The total cerebral Q decreased by 0.06 mL/s per year (β = -0.06 ± 0.013) and was sex-independent within the group. Vortexes were found in 12.12%, 8.9%, and 59.8% of torcular herophili, transverse-sigmoid junction, and jugular bulb, respectively, and were related to higher upstream flow.

DATA CONCLUSION

Cerebral sinuses could be measured visually and quantitatively in vivo by 4D Flow MRI, providing a basis for future research on pulsating tinnitus, multiple sclerosis, and other related diseases.

EVIDENCE LEVEL

2 TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 1.

Differences in olfactory habituation between orthonasal and retronasal pathways

The odorant arrives at nasal olfactory epithelium ortho- and retronasally. This experiment aimed to study the potential different olfactory habituation in orthonasal and retronasal pathways. 68 subjects were stimulated by constant airflow with an odor (50% phenethyl alcohol, PEA or 5% n-butyl acetate, BA) presented ortho- or retronasally. Participants rated the perceived odor intensity (0-10 points) per minute until the odor sensation disappeared. We also investigated the cross-habituation: when the subjects achieved full habituation, continue to rate odor intensity in a different pathway after instantly switching the odor stimulation pathway. The olfactory habituation curve was drawn. The differences of ratings between the orthonasal and retronasal olfaction at different time points and between male and female subjects were analyzed. The two odor intensity ratings decreased as the time extended, share the same "fast followed by slow" type. The ratings of orthonasal olfaction decreased faster than that of retronasal. The intensity rating of PEA of male retronasal approach was lower than that of female at the 5th min (p = 0.018). When orthonasal full habituation achieved, there was significant difference between the intensity ratings and the initial ratings of the retronasal stimulation pathway (p < 0.0001), and vice versa. We found obvious habituation as well as cross-habituation in both orthonasal and retronasal olfaction. The habituation of orthonasal olfaction was faster than that of retronasal olfaction. These different habituations were related to the gender.

Mechanical, Thermal Stability, and Flame Retarding Properties of Phosphorus-Modified PET Blended with DOPO-POSS

In this study, an antidroplet flame retardant system based on FRPET (phosphorus-containing copolyester) is constructed with DOPO-POSS (polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxane containing DOPO) as an additive flame retardant. It is demonstrated that DOPO-POSS has good dispersibility at a lower amount. When the amount of DOPO-POSS is 9 wt %, the residual char of DOPO-POSS/FRPET at 700 °C increases to 23.56 from 18.16% of FRPET, and the maximum thermal weight loss rate also reduces. What is more is that the limiting oxygen index increases to 33 from 26% of FRPET. The flame burning time is shortened to 4.95 from 20.8 s, the phenomenon of self-extinguishing of the fire occurs, and the vertical combustion level is increased from V-2 to V-0. Compared with FRPET, the peak of the heat release rate decreases by 66.0%, the total heat release decreases by 32.4%, the flame retardancy index (FRI) reaches an excellent value, and the condensed-phase products significantly improve. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscopy-energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (SEM-EDX), thermogravimetric-FTIR (TG-FTIR), and pyrolysis-gas chromatograph/mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) results indicate that DOPO-POSS contributes to the formation of char layers and decomposes to generate free radicals with a quenching effect. In a word, DOPO-POSS is an effective radical trapper and charring agent for PET and exerts a flame retardancy effect in gaseous and condensed phases simultaneously.

Role of insula and its subregions in progression from recent onset to chronic idiopathic tinnitus

We determined the structural and functional alterations in the insula and its subregions in patients with idiopathic tinnitus in order to identify the neural changes involved in the progression from recent onset to chronic tinnitus. We recruited 24 recent-onset tinnitus patients, 32 chronic tinnitus patients and 36 healthy controls. We measured the grey matter volume and fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation of the insula and its subregions and the functional connectivity within the insula and between the insula and the rest of the brain. Relationships between MRI and clinical characteristics were estimated using partial correlation analysis. Both recent-onset and chronic tinnitus patients showed decreased fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation in the insula and its subregions, but only chronic tinnitus patients showed bilateral grey matter atrophy in the ventral anterior insula. Abnormal functional connectivity was detected in recent-onset and chronic tinnitus patients relative to the healthy controls, but functional connectivity differences between recent-onset and chronic tinnitus patients were found in only the auditory-related cortex, frontal cortex and limbic system. Functional alterations (fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation and functional connectivity of the left ventral anterior insula), but not structural changes, were correlated with clinical severity. Bilateral grey matter atrophy in the ventral anterior insula decreased regional activities in the left ventral anterior insula and left posterior insula, and abnormal functional connectivity of the insula subregions with auditory and non-auditory areas were implicated in the progression from recent onset to chronic tinnitus. This suggests that tinnitus generation and development occur in a dynamic manner and involve aberrant multi-structural and functional (regional brain activity and abnormal functional connectivity) reorganization of the insula.

Interleukin 32 as a Potential Marker for Diagnosis of Tuberculous Pleural Effusion

Accurate differential diagnosis is the key to choosing the correct treatment for pleural effusion. The present study aimed to assess whether interleukin 32 (IL-32) could be a new biomarker of tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) and to explore the biological role of IL-32 in TPE. IL-32 levels were evaluated in the pleural effusions of 131 patients with undetermined pleural effusion from Wuhan and Beijing cohorts using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay method. Macrophages from TPE patients were transfected with IL-32-specific small interfering RNA (siRNA), and adenosine deaminase (ADA) expression was determined by real-time PCR and colorimetric methods. With a cutoff value of 247.9 ng/mL, the area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve for IL-32 was 0.933 for TPE, and the sensitivity and specificity were 88.4% and 93.4%, respectively. A multivariate logistic regression model with relatively good diagnostic performance was established. IL-32-specific siRNA downregulated ADA expression in macrophages, and IL-32γ treatment significantly induced ADA expression. Our results indicate that IL-32 in pleural effusion may be a novel biomarker for identifying patients with TPE. In addition, our multivariate model is acceptable to rule in or rule out TPE across diverse prevalence settings. Furthermore, IL-32 may modulate ADA expression in the tuberculosis microenvironment. (This study has been registered at ChiCTR under registration number ChiCTR2100051112 [https://www.chictr.org.cn/index.aspx].) IMPORTANCE Tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) is a common form of extrapulmonary tuberculosis, with manifestations ranging from benign effusion with spontaneous absorption to effusion with pleural thickening, empyema, and even fibrosis, which can lead to a lasting impairment of lung function. Therefore, it is of great significance to find a rapid method to establish early diagnosis and apply antituberculosis therapy in the early stage. This study indicates that interleukin 32 (IL-32) in pleural effusion is a new high-potency marker to distinguish TPE from pleural effusions with other etiologies. A multivariate model combining age, adenosine deaminase (ADA), lactic dehydrogenase, and IL-32 may reliably rule in TPE in intermediate- or high-prevalence areas. Additionally, we observed that IL-32 might regulate ADA expression in macrophages in the tuberculosis microenvironment. Therefore, this study provides new insights into the role of IL-32 in the tuberculosis microenvironment.

Retinal Vascular Morphology Reflects and Predicts Cerebral Small Vessel Disease: Evidences from Eye-Brain Imaging Analysis

Cerebral small vessel disease (SVD) involves ischemic white matter damage and choroid plexus (CP) dysfunction for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production. Given the vascular and CSF links between the eye and brain, this study explored whether retinal vascular morphology can indicate cerebrovascular injury and CP dysfunction in SVD. We assessed SVD burden using imaging phenotypes like white matter hyperintensities (WMH), perivascular spaces, lacunes, and microbleeds. Cerebrovascular injury was quantified by WMH volume and peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD), while CP volume measured its dysfunction. Retinal vascular markers were derived from fundus images, with associations analyzed using generalized linear models and Pearson correlations. Path analysis quantified contributions of cerebrovascular injury and CP volume to retinal changes. Support vector machine models were developed to predict SVD severity using retinal and demographic data. Among 815 participants, 578 underwent ocular imaging. Increased SVD burden markedly correlated with both cerebral and retinal biomarkers, with retinal alterations equally influenced by cerebrovascular damage and CP enlargement. Machine learning models showed robust predictive power for severe SVD burden (AUC was 0.82), PSMD (0.81), WMH volume (0.77), and CP volume (0.80). These findings suggest that retinal imaging could serve as a cost-effective, noninvasive tool for SVD screening based on vascular and CSF connections.

Machine learning-based Diagnostic model for determining the etiology of pleural effusion using Age, ADA and LDH

BACKGROUND

Classification of the etiologies of pleural effusion is a critical challenge in clinical practice. Traditional diagnostic methods rely on a simple cut-off method based on the laboratory tests. However, machine learning (ML) offers a novel approach based on artificial intelligence to improving diagnostic accuracy and capture the non-linear relationships.

METHOD

A retrospective study was conducted using data from patients diagnosed with pleural effusion. The dataset was divided into training and test set with a ratio of 7:3 with 6 machine learning algorithms implemented to diagnosis pleural effusion. Model performances were assessed by accuracy, precision, recall, F1 scores and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC). Feature importance and average prediction of age, Adenosine (ADA) and Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) was analyzed. Decision tree was visualized.

RESULTS

A total of 742 patients were included (training cohort: 522, test cohort: 220), 397 (53.3%) diagnosed with malignant pleural effusion (MPE) and 253 (34.1%) with tuberculous pleural effusion (TPE) in the cohort. All of the 6 models performed well in the diagnosis of MPE, TPE and transudates. Extreme Gradient Boosting and Random Forest performed better in the diagnosis of the MPE, with F1 scores above 0.890, while K-Nearest Neighbors and Tabular Transformer performed better in the diagnosis of the TPE, with F1 scores above 0.870. ADA was identified as the most important feature. The ROC of machine learning model outperformed those of conventional diagnostic thresholds.

CONCLUSIONS

This study demonstrates that ML models using age, ADA, and LDH can effectively classify the etiologies of pleural effusion, suggesting that ML-based approaches may enhance diagnostic decision-making.

Associations of serum uric acid variability with neuroimaging metrics and cognitive decline: a population-based cohort study

BACKGROUND

The relationship between variation in serum uric acid (SUA) levels and brain health is largely unknown. This study aimed to examine the associations of long-term variability in SUA levels with neuroimaging metrics and cognitive function.

METHODS

This study recruited 1111 participants aged 25-83 years from a multicenter, community-based cohort study. The SUA concentrations were measured every two years from 2006 to 2018. We measured the intraindividual SUA variability, including the direction and magnitude of change by calculating the slope value. The associations of SUA variability with neuroimaging markers (brain macrostructural volume, microstructural integrity, white matter hyperintensity, and the presence of cerebral small vessel disease) and cognitive function were examined using generalized linear models. Mediation analyses were performed to assess whether neuroimaging markers mediate the relationship between SUA variation and cognitive function.

RESULTS

Compared with the stable group, subjects with increased or decreased SUA levels were all featured by smaller brain white matter volume (beta =  - 0.25, 95% confidence interval [CI] - 0.39 to - 0.11 and beta =  - 0.15, 95% CI - 0.29 to - 0.02). Participants with progressively increased SUA exhibited widespread disrupted microstructural integrity, featured by lower global fractional anisotropy (beta =  - 0.24, 95% CI - 0.38 to - 0.10), higher mean diffusivity (beta = 0.16, 95% CI 0.04 to 0.28) and radial diffusivity (beta = 0.19, 95% CI 0.06 to 0.31). Elevated SUA was also associated with cognitive decline (beta =  - 0.18, 95% CI - 0.32 to - 0.04). White matter atrophy and impaired brain microstructural integrity mediated the impact of SUA increase on cognitive decline.

CONCLUSIONS

It is the magnitude of SUA variation rather than the direction that plays a critical negative role in brain health, especially for participants with hyperuricemia. Smaller brain white matter volume and impaired microstructural integrity mediate the relationship between increased SUA level and cognitive function decline. Long-term stability of SUA level is recommended for maintaining brain health and preventing cognitive decline.

Optimization of Preparation Technology for PET-Based Carbon Dots by Response Surface Method and Its Application

The preparation of polyethylene terephthalate(PET)-based Carbon Dots (PET-CDs) using one-step hydrothermal method with PET waste, pyromellitic acid (PMA) and ammonia (NH3·H2O) as precursors is a high-value utilization strategy for PET waste, offering significant application potential. To achieve efficient recycling of PET waste, response surface methodology was adopted for to optimize the precursor ratio during the synthesis of PET-CDs with fluorescence quantum yield (QY) as the key performance indicator. The optimal preparation conditions were determined to be: 1.180 g of PET, 3.287 g of PMA, 8.969 mL of NH3·H2O, a reaction temperature of 260 °C, and a reaction time of 12 h. The as-prepared PET-CDs exhibit excitation-independent emission properties in the range from 360 nm to 440 nm, with the optimal excitation wavelength of 410 nm and the optimal emission wavelength was 485 nm, resulting in a QY of 83.34%. Structurally, PET-CDs exhibit a spherical morphology, featuring amino and carboxyl groups on their surface, with the particle size ranging from 1.61 to 4.92 nm and an average particle size of 2.88 nm. The prepared PET-CDs can be utilized in light-blocking films (LBFs) and fluorescence anti-counterfeiting technologies. The intensity of light passing through the LBFs significantly is decreased in the ultraviolet and blue light wavelength ranges, with performance comparable to commercial anti-blue light glasses. Additionally, the PET-CDs solution can be adopted for printing patterns that are visible under ultraviolet excitation and are not visible in visible light, demonstrating that PET-CDs can be employed in fluorescence anti-counterfeiting measures.

Amygdala structural and functional reorganization as an indicator of affective dysfunction in patients with tinnitus

The aim of this study was to systematically investigate structural and functional alterations in amygdala subregions using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in patients with tinnitus with or without affective dysfunction. Sixty patients with persistent tinnitus and 40 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Based on a questionnaire assessment, 26 and 34 patients were categorized into the tinnitus patients with affective dysfunction (TPAD) and tinnitus patients without affective dysfunction (TPWAD) groups, respectively. MRI-based measurements of gray matter volume, fractional anisotropy (FA), fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF), regional homogeneity (ReHo), degree centrality (DC), and functional connectivity (FC) were conducted within 14 amygdala subregions for intergroup comparisons. Associations between the MRI properties and clinical characteristics were estimated via partial correlation analyses. Compared with that of the HCs, the TPAD and TPWAD groups exhibited significant structural and functional changes, including white matter integrity (WMI), fALFF, ReHo, DC, and FC alterations, with more pronounced WMI changes in the TPAD group, predominantly within the left auxiliary basal or basomedial nucleus (AB/BM), right central nucleus, right lateral nuclei (dorsal portion), and left lateral nuclei (ventral portion containing basolateral portions). Moreover, the TPAD group exhibited decreased FC between the left AB/BM and left middle occipital gyrus and right superior frontal gyrus (SFG), left basal nucleus and right SFG, and right lateral nuclei (intermediate portion) and right SFG. In combination, these amygdalar alterations exhibited a sensitivity of 65.4% and specificity of 96.9% in predicting affective dysfunction in patients with tinnitus. Although similar structural and functional amygdala remodeling were observed in the TPAD and TPWAD groups, the changes were more pronounced in the TPAD group. These changes mainly involved alterations in functionality and white matter microstructure in various amygdala subregions; in combination, these changes could serve as an imaging-based predictor of emotional disorders in patients with tinnitus.

The Role of STEAP1 in Prostate Cancer: Implications for Diagnosis and Therapeutic Strategies

Prostate cancer (PCa) is one of the most common malignancies and the second leading cause of cancer-related death in men worldwide. The six-transmembrane epithelial antigen of the prostate 1 (STEAP1) is exceptionally overexpressed in PCa, maintaining high expression even in the castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) stage, making it a promising target for diagnosis and treatment. STEAP1-positive extracellular vesicles and STEAP1-PET imaging are optimistic approaches for the non-invasive detection of different stages of PCa. STEAP1-targeted therapy includes an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC), chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T), T-cell engager (TCE), and vaccines, which demonstrate valuable therapeutic prospects. This review presents the structure and pathophysiological function of STEAP1, synthesizes cutting-edge advances in STEAP1-targeted molecular imaging and clinical applications, and critically analyzes their translational potential to overcome the limitations of current PCa diagnosis and treatment.

Association between Body Mass Index and Brain Health in Adults: A 16-Year Population-Based Cohort and Mendelian Randomization Study

Background: The cumulative effect of body mass index (BMI) on brain health remains ill-defined. The effects of overweight on brain health across different age groups need clarification. We analyzed the effect of cumulative BMI on neuroimaging features of brain health in adults of different ages. Methods: This study was based on a multicenter, community-based cohort study. We modeled the trajectories of BMI over 16 years to evaluate cumulative exposure. Multimodality neuroimaging data were collected once for volumetric measurements of the brain macrostructure, white matter hyperintensity (WMH), and brain microstructure. We used a generalized linear model to evaluate the association between cumulative BMI and neuroimaging features. Two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis was performed using summary level of BMI genetic data from 681,275 individuals and neuroimaging genetic data from 33,224 individuals to analyze the causal relationships. Results: Clinical and neuroimaging data were obtained from 1,074 adults (25 to 83 years). For adults aged under 45 years, brain volume differences in participants with a cumulative BMI of >26.2 kg/m2 corresponded to 12.0 years [95% confidence interval (CI), 3.0 to 20.0] of brain aging. Differences in WMH were statistically substantial for participants aged over 60 years, with a 6.0-ml (95% CI, 1.5 to 10.5) larger volume. Genetic analysis indicated causal relationships between high BMI and smaller gray matter and higher fractional anisotropy in projection fibers. Conclusion: High cumulative BMI is associated with smaller brain volume, larger volume of white matter lesions, and abnormal microstructural integrity. Adults younger than 45 years are suggested to maintain their BMI below 26.2 kg/m2 for better brain health. Trial Registration: This study was registered on clinicaltrials.gov (Clinical Indicators and Brain Image Data: A Cohort Study Based on Kailuan Cohort; No. NCT05453877; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT05453877).

Multimodal quantitative magnetic resonance imaging of the thalamus in tinnitus patients with different outcomes after sound therapy

AIMS

This study systematically investigated structural and functional alterations in the thalamus and its subregions using multimodal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and examined its clinical relevance in tinnitus patients with different outcomes after sound therapy (narrowband noise).

METHODS

In total, 60 patients with persistent tinnitus and 57 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited. Based on treatment efficacy, 28 patients were categorized into the effective group and 32 into the ineffective group. Five MRI measurements of the thalamus and its seven subregions, including gray matter volume, fractional anisotropy, fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuation, and functional connectivity (FC), were obtained for each participant and compared between the groups.

RESULTS

Patients in both the groups exhibited widespread functional and diffusion abnormalities in the whole thalamus and several subregions, with more obvious changes observed in the effective group. All tinnitus patients had abnormal FC compared with the HCs; FC differences between the two patient groups were only observed in the striatal network, auditory-related cortex, and the core area of the limbic system. We combined the multimodal quantitative thalamic alterations and used it as an imaging indicator to evaluate prognosis before sound therapy and achieved a sensitivity of 71.9% and a specificity of 85.7%.

CONCLUSION

Similar patterns of thalamic alterations were identified in tinnitus patients with different outcomes, with more obvious changes observed in the effective group. Our findings support the tinnitus generation hypothesis of frontostriatal gating system dysfunction. A combination of multimodal quantitative thalamic properties may be used as indicators to predict tinnitus prognosis before sound therapy.

Higher Long-Term Visit-to-Visit Blood Pressure Variability Is Associated With Severe Cerebral Small Vessel Disease in the General Population

Long-term visit-to-visit blood pressure (BP) variability is linked to various diseases, but its impact on cerebral small vessel disease (cSVD) burden, and its features remains uncertain. We analyzed 1284 participants from the Kailuan cohort (2006-2022). Visit-to-visit systolic BP (SBP), diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure (PP) variability were categorized into tertiles (low, middle, high). Magnetic resonance imaging identified white matter hyperintensities (WMH), lacunae of presumed vascular origin (LA), cerebral microbleeds (CMBs), and visible perivascular spaces (PVS). Total cSVD burden was classified as none (0), mild (1), moderate (2), or severe (3-4) based on the presence of these features. Logistic regression estimated odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). High SBP variability was associated with moderate cSVD burden (OR = 1.89, 95% CI: 1.09-3.29) and PVS (OR = 1.62, 95% CI: 1.10-2.39). High DBP variability was associated with LA (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 1.06-2.84). High PP variability showed a significant risk for severe cSVD burden (OR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.34-4.63). These associations were modified by age and hypertension status. Among young adults (age < 60 years), high PP variability was associated with severe cSVD burden (OR = 3.33, 95% CI: 1.31-8.44), LA (OR = 3.02, 95% CI: 1.31-6.93), and PVS (OR = 1.86, 95% CI: 1.20-2.88). The risk effects of SBP and PP variability on cSVD burden were significant only in participants with hypertension. High long-term visit-to-visit BP variability (BPV), particularly in combination with hypertension, is a significant risk factor for total cSVD. Special attention should be given to PP variability in younger adults.

Comparative analysis of vestibular endolymphatic hydrops grading methods and hearing loss in Ménière's disease: a retrospective MRI study using 3D-real inversion recovery sequence

PURPOSE

To compare the correlation between different grading methods of vestibular endolymphatic hydrops (EH) and the severity of hearing loss in Ménière's disease (MD), and evaluate the diagnostic value of these methods in diagnosing MD.

METHODS

This retrospective study included 30 patients diagnosed with MD from June 2021 to August 2023. All patients underwent inner ear MR gadolinium-enhanced imaging using three-dimensional (3D)-real inversion recovery sequences and pure-tone audiometry. The EH levels were independently evaluated according to the classification methods outlined by Nakashima et al. (Acta Otolaryngol Suppl 5-8, 2009. https://doi.org/10.1080/00016480902729827 ) (M1), Fang et al. (J Laryngol Otol 126:454-459, 2012. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0022215112000060 ) (M2), Barath et al. (Am J Neuroradiol 35:1387-1392, 2014. https://doi.org/10.3174/ajnr.A3856 ), (M3), Liu et al. (Front Surg 9:874971, 2022. https://doi.org/10.3389/fsurg.2022.874971 ), (M4), and Bernaerts et al. (Neuroradiology 61:421-429, 2019. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00234-019-02155-7 ) (M5), with a subsequent comparison of interobserver agreement. After achieving a consensus, an analysis was performed to explore the correlations between vestibular EH grading using different methods, the average hearing thresholds at low-mid, high-, and full frequencies and clinical stages. The diagnostic capabilities of these methods for MD were then compared.

RESULTS

The interobserver consistency of M2-M5 was superior to that of M1. The EH grading based on M4 showed a significant correlation with the average hearing thresholds at low-mid, high-, and full frequencies and clinical stages. M1, M2, M3, and M5 correlated with some parameters. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicated that M5 significantly outperformed M1, M2, M3, and M4 in terms of diagnostic efficiency for MD.

CONCLUSION

M4 showed the strongest correlation with the degree of hearing loss in patients with MD, whereas M5 showed the highest diagnostic performance.

Causal relationship between multiparameter brain MRI phenotypes and age: evidence from Mendelian randomization

To explore the causal relationship between age and brain health (cortical atrophy, white matter integrity, white matter hyperintensities and cerebral microbleeds in various brain regions) related multiparameter imaging features using two-sample Mendelian randomization. Age was determined as chronological age of the subject. Cortical volume, white matter micro-integrity, white matter hyperintensity volume and cerebral microbleeds of each brain region were included as phenotypes for brain health. Age and imaging of brain health related genetic data were analysed to determine the causal relationship using inverse-variance weighted model, validated by heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy variables. Age is causally related to increased volumes of white matter hyperintensities (β = 0.151). For white matter micro-integrity, fibres of the inferior cerebellar peduncle (axial diffusivity β = -0.128, orientation dispersion index β = 0.173), cerebral peduncle (axial diffusivity β = -0.136), superior fronto-occipital fasciculus (isotropic volume fraction β = 0.163) and fibres within the limbic system were causally deteriorated. We also detected decreased cortical thickness of multiple frontal and temporal regions (P < 0.05). Microbleeds were not related with aging (P > 0.05). Aging is a threat of brain health, leading to cortical atrophy mainly in the frontal lobes, as well as the white matter degeneration especially abnormal hyperintensity and deteriorated white matter integrity around the hippocampus.

Polygalacic acid attenuates cognitive impairment by regulating inflammation through PPARγ/NF-κB signaling pathway

AIMS

We aimed to explore the role and molecular mechanism of polygalacic acid (PA) extracted from traditional Chinese medicine Polygala tenuifolia in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

METHODS

The network pharmacology analysis was used to predict the potential targets and pathways of PA. Molecular docking was applied to analyze the combination between PA and core targets. Aβ42 oligomer-induced AD mice model and microglia were used to detect the effect of PA on the release of pro-inflammatory mediators and its further mechanism. In addition, a co-culture system of microglia and neuronal cells was constructed to assess the effect of PA on activating microglia-mediated neuronal apoptosis.

RESULTS

We predict that PA might regulate inflammation by targeting PPARγ-mediated pathways by using network pharmacology. In vivo study, PA could attenuate cognitive deficits and inhibit the expression levels of inflammation-related factors. In vitro study, PA can also decrease the production of activated microglia-mediated inflammatory cytokines and reduce the apoptosis of N2a neuronal cells. PPARγ inhibitor GW9662 inversed the neuroprotective effect of PA. Both in vivo and in vitro studies showed PA might attenuate the inflammation through the PPARγ/NF-κB pathway.

CONCLUSIONS

PA is expected to provide a valuable candidate for new drug development for AD in the future.