Search Results (148)

The impact of five different nets—conventional black, grey, white, and photoselective red and yellow—on the performance of “Gala Redlum” apples was evaluated over a five-year period (2020–2024) and compared to an uncovered control. The cumulative production over this period, ranked from highest to lowest, was as follows: white net (182.4 t/ha), grey net (178.5 t/ha), yellow net (175.8 t/ha), black net (175.5 t/ha), red net (169.5 t/ha), and uncovered control (138.8 t/ha). Vegetative growth results were inconsistent among the studied years. The cumulative photosynthetic rate (An) was slightly higher under the white net (57.9 µmol m⁻² s⁻¹). Fv/Fm values remained closest to optimal levels under the black and grey nets. Netting effectively protected fruits from elevated temperatures, particularly under the grey net, and reduced sunburn damage, with the grey, black, and yellow nets performing best in this regard. Overall profitability was increased by netting: the black net provided the highest cumulative income per hectare over a five-year period (EUR 72,315) alongside the second-lowest sunburn loss (0.69%), while the yellow net also showed strong economic performance (€64,742) with a moderate sunburn loss (1.26%) compared to the red net. Fruit dry matter and soluble solids content (SSC) were generally higher in the uncovered control, whereas °Hue values tended to be higher under the red and yellow nets. In summary, the black and yellow nets provided more balanced microclimatic conditions that enhanced tree performance, particularly under heat stress, leading to improved yield and profitability. However, the economic feasibility of each net type should be evaluated in relation to its installation and maintenance costs. Full article

Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) metrics provide insights into neural pathways, which can be pivotal in differentiating congenital and acquired hearing loss to support diagnosis, especially for those diagnosed late. In this study, we analyzed DTI parameters and developed machine learning to classify these two patient groups. The study included 29 patients with congenital hearing loss and 6 with acquired hearing loss. DTI scans were performed to obtain metrics, such as fractional anisotropy (FA), axial diffusivity (AD), radial diffusivity (RD), and mean diffusivity (MD). Statistical analyses based on p-values highlighted the cortical auditory system’s prominence in differentiating between groups, with FA and RD emerging as pivotal metrics. Three machine learning models were trained to classify hearing loss types for each of five dataset scenarios. Random forest (RF) trained on a dataset consisting of significant features demonstrated superior performance, achieving a specificity of 87.12% and F1 score of 96.88%. This finding highlights the critical role of DTI metrics in the classification of hearing loss. The experimental results also emphasized the critical role of FA in distinguishing between the two types of hearing loss, underscoring its potential clinical utility. DTI parameters, combined with machine learning, can effectively distinguish between congenital and acquired hearing loss, offering a robust tool for clinical diagnosis and treatment planning. Further research with larger and balanced cohorts is warranted to validate these findings. Full article

Background: Olfactory dysfunction (OD)—including anosmia and hyposmia—is a common and often persistent outcome of viral infections. This systematic review consolidates findings from structural and functional MRI studies to explore how COVID-19 SARS-CoV-2-induced smell loss alters the brain. Considerable heterogeneity was observed across studies, influenced by differences in methodology, population characteristics, imaging timelines, and OD classification. Methods: Following PRISMA guidelines, we conducted a systematic search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science to identify MRI-based studies examining COVID-19’s SARS-CoV-2 OD. Twenty-four studies were included and categorized based on imaging focus: (1) olfactory bulb (OB), (2) olfactory sulcus (OS), (3) grey and white matter changes, (4) task-based brain activation, and (5) resting-state functional connectivity. Demographic and imaging data were extracted and analyzed accordingly. Results: Structural imaging revealed consistent reductions in olfactory bulb volume (OBV) and olfactory sulcus depth (OSD), especially among individuals with OD persisting beyond three months, suggestive of inflammation and neurodegeneration in olfactory-associated regions like the orbitofrontal cortex and thalamus. Functional MRI studies showed increased connectivity in early-stage OD within regions such as the piriform and orbitofrontal cortices, possibly reflecting compensatory activity. In contrast, prolonged OD was associated with reduced activation and diminished connectivity, indicating a decline in olfactory processing capacity. Disruptions in the default mode network (DMN) and limbic areas further point to secondary cognitive and emotional effects. Diffusion tensor imaging (DTI) findings—such as decreased fractional anisotropy (FA) and increased mean diffusivity (MD)—highlight white matter microstructural compromise in individuals with long-term OD. Conclusions: COVID-19’s SARS-CoV-2 olfactory dysfunction is associated with a range of cerebral alterations that evolve with the duration and severity of smell loss. Persistent dysfunction correlates with greater neural damage, underscoring the need for longitudinal neuroimaging studies to better understand recovery dynamics and guide therapeutic strategies. Full article

The use of agro-industrial by-products in animal feed represents a useful alternative to enhance the sustainability of the agri-food chain. Grape pomace represents an environmental problem mainly for wine-producing countries. Because of the high water content and the seasonality of this feedstuff, ensiling might be a technology to preserve its nutritional quality for a long time, and this must be considered and studied on a commercial scale. This study aimed to characterise the ensiling process of white grape pomace, evaluate its suitability for inclusion in the ruminant diet and compare its shelf life to untreated storage conditions. White grape pomace silos were made with baled silage (300 kg approx.). Samples were analysed at days 0, 7, 14, 35, 60 and 180 of conservation to determine microbial populations, fermentation metabolites, nutritional components and bioactive properties. The collected data were analysed using a general linear model, considering the effect of the treatment, sampling days and their interaction (Proc. GLM, SAS v9.4). White grape pomace showed good suitability for ensiling, and stabilisation was achieved on day 35. The microbial populations and fermentative components observed in silage treatments adhered to the expected standards for high-quality ensiling processes. There were no significant losses of dry matter, and no significant differences were observed in the nutritional composition for ruminant feeding. A small reduction in antioxidant potential was observed and considered irrelevant in terms of the bioactive properties of the silages. Additionally, the cost analysis demonstrated that white grape pomace silage could serve as a more economical feedstuff compared to conventional forages, considering its nutritional value. So, the ensiling of white grape pomace in baled silage is a suitable and cost-effective technique that allows its preservation over a long period. Full article

Mesenchymal progenitor cells (MPC) are effective in reducing tissue loss, preserving white matter, and improving forelimb function after a spinal cord injury (SCI). We proposed that by preconditioning the mouse by the intravenous delivery (IV) of MPCs for 24 h following SCI, this would provide a more favorable tissue milieu for an NSC intraspinal bridging transplantation at day three and day seven. In combination, these transplants will provide better anatomical and functional outcomes. The intravenous MSCs would provide cell protection and reduce inflammation. NSCs would provide a tissue bridge for axonal regeneration and myelination and reconnect long tract spinal pathways. Results showed that initial protection of the injury site by IV MPCs transplantation resulted in no increased survival of the NSCs transplanted at day seven. However, integration of transplanted NSCs was increased at the day three timepoint, indicating MPCs influence very early immune signaling. We show, in this study, that MPC transplantation resulted in a co-operative NSC cell survival improvement on day three post-SCI. In addition to increased NSC survival on day three, there was an increase in NSC-derived mature oligodendrocytes at this early timepoint. An in vitro analysis confirmed MPC-driven oligodendrocyte differentiation, which was statistically increased when compared to control NSC-only cultures. These observations provide important information about the combination, delivery, and timing of two cellular therapies in treating SCI. This study provides important new data on understanding the MPC inflammatory signaling within the host tissue and timepoints for cellular transplantation survival and oligodendroglia differentiation. These results demonstrate that MPC transplantation can alter the therapeutic window for intraspinal transplantation by controlling both the circulating inflammatory response and local tissue milieu. Full article

Background/Objectives: Little is known about the impact of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease (MOGAD) on brain atrophy. This multicenter longitudinal study compares brain MRI volumes and T2 lesion volume between MOGAD patients, relapsing-remitting MS (RRMS) patients and a healthy control (HC) group with brain MRI scans available from an online repository. Methods: In total, 16 adult MOGAD patients (9 F) were age- and sex-matched with 44 RRMS patients (17 F) recruited in Verona MS Center and 14 HC subjects. The availability of two brain MRI scans performed 18 ± 6 months apart was mandatory for each patient. Annual percentage brain volume change (PBVC/y), baseline global brain, white matter (WM), gray matter (GM) regional brain volumes and T2 lesion volume were compared between groups. Results: PBVC/y was lower in MOGAD than in RRMS patients (p = 0.014) and lower in HC subjects than in MS patients (p = 0.005). Overall, MOGAD showed higher mean global brain (p = 0.012) and WM volume (p = 0.024) but lower median T2 lesion volume at timepoint 1 (p < 0.001); T2 lesion volume increased over time in the RRMS (p < 0.001) but not in the MOGAD cohort (p = 0.262). Conclusions: The structural brain MRI features of MOGAD show higher global brain and WM volumes and lower brain volume loss over time compared to RRMS, suggesting different underlining pathogenetic mechanisms. Full article

Background: Inherited white matter (WM) disorders of the central nervous systems (CNS), or leukodystrophies, are devastating diseases that primarily affect children, many of whom die early in life or suffer from long-term disability. Methods: q-Space diffusion MR imaging (QSI) and diffusion tensor MR imaging (DTI) with the same resolution and timing parameters were used to study the spinal cords (SCs) of two myelin mutants that are experimental models of WM diseases of different severity, namely the 28-day-old taiep and Long–Evans Shaker (les) rats. The aim was to verify if and which of the diffusion methodologies used is more suitable for early detection of the milder taiep pathology and to characterize its early phase. We also aimed to compare the diffusion MRI results with quantitative electron microscopy (EM) findings. Results: We found that at this early age (28 days), both QSI and DTI were able to detect the severe les WM pathology, while the milder WM pathology in the SC of the taiep rats was detected only by QSI. An increase in the mean radial displacement (RaDis), representing the MRI axon diameter (AD), and a decrease in the probability for zero displacement (PZD) were observed in the dorsal column (ROI 1) of the taiep SCs. In other WM areas, the same trends were observed but the differences were not of statistical significance. In DTI, we found some lower fractional anisotropy (FA) values in the taiep SCs compared to the controls; however, these differences were not statistically significant. For the more severe les pathology, we observed a dramatic increase in the RaDis values and a large decrease in PZD values in all ROIs examined. There, even the FA values were lower than that of the control SCs in all ROIs, albeit with much smaller statistical significance. These MRI results, which show a higher detectability of WM pathology with heavier diffusion weighting, followed histological findings that showed significant myelin deficiency in the dorsal column in the taiep SCs and a practically complete myelin loss in all WM areas in the les SCs. This study also revealed that, under the experimental conditions used here, the apparent increase in RaDis agrees better with myelin thickness and not with average AD extracted form EM, probably reflecting the effect of water exchange. Conclusions: These results, corroborated by diffusion time-dependent QSI, also imply that while diffusion MRI in general and QSI in particular provide acceptable apparent axon diameter estimations in heathy and mature WM, this appears not to be the case in severely damaged WM where exchange appears to play a more important role. Full article

Accreting white dwarf binaries (AWDs) comprise cataclysmic variables (CVs), symbiotics, AM CVns, and other related systems that host a primary white dwarf (WD) accreting from a main sequence or evolved companion star. AWDs are a product of close binary evolution; thus, they are important for understanding the evolution and population of X-ray binaries in the Milky Way and other galaxies. AWDs are essential for studying astrophysical plasmas under different conditions along with accretion physics and processes, transient events, matter ejection and outflows, compact binary evolution, mergers, angular momentum loss mechanisms, and nuclear processes leading to explosions. AWDs are also closely related to other objects in the late stages of stellar evolution, with other accreting objects in compact binaries, and even share common phenomena with young stellar objects, active galactic nuclei, quasars, and supernova remnants. As X-ray astronomy came to a climax with the start of the Chandra and XMM-Newton missions owing to their unprecedented instrumentation, new excellent imaging capabilities, good time resolution, and X-ray grating technologies allowed immense advancement in many aspects of astronomy and astrophysics. In this review, we lay out a panorama of developments on the study of AWDs that have been accomplished and have been made possible by these two observatories; we summarize the key observational achievements and the challenges ahead. Full article

Aging and age-related neurodegenerative disorders are characterized by the dysfunction or loss of brain nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), and these changes may be related to other senescence markers, such as oxidative stress and DNA repair dysfunction. However, the mechanism of nAChR loss in the aging brain and the modification of this process by drugs (e.g., memantine, Mem) are not yet fully understood. To study whether the differences in nAChR expression in the rat brain occur due to aging or oxidative stress and are modulated by Mem, we analyzed nAChR subunits (at RNA and protein levels) and other biomarkers by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RQ-PCR) and Western blot validation. Twenty-one female Wistar rats were divided into four groups, depending on age, and the oldest group received injections of Mem or water with the use of intragastric catheters. We studied the cerebral grey matter (CGM), subcortical white matter (SCWM), and cerebellum (Ce). Results showed an age-related decrease of α7 nAChR mRNA level in SCWM. The α7 nAChR mRNA loss was accompanied by reduced expression of 8-oxoguanine DNA glycosylase 1 (OGG1) and an increased tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) level. In the water group, we observed a higher level of α7 nAChR protein in the SCWM and Ce. Biomarker levels changed, but to a different extent depending on the brain area. Importantly, the dysfunction in antioxidative status was stopped and even regressed under Mem treatment. After two weeks of treatment, an increase in TP53 protein level and a decrease in 8-oxo-2′deoxyguanosine (8-oxo-2′dG) level were observed. We conclude that Mem administration may be protective against the senescence process by antioxidative mechanisms. Full article

Multiple system atrophy (MSA) is a progressive neurodegenerative synucleinopathy. Differentiating MSA from other synucleinopathies, especially in the early stages, is challenging because of its overlapping symptoms with other forms of Parkinsonism. Thus, there is a pressing need to clarify the underlying biological mechanisms and identify specific biomarkers for MSA. The metabolic profile of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) is known to be altered in MSA. To further investigate the biological mechanisms behind the metabolic changes, we created a network of altered CSF metabolites in patients with MSA and analysed these changes using bioinformatic software. Acknowledging the limitations of metabolomics, we incorporated proteomic data to improve the overall comprehensiveness of the study. Our in silico predictions showed elevated ROS, cytoplasmic inclusions, white matter demyelination, ataxia, and neurodegeneration, with ATP concentration, neurotransmitter release, and oligodendrocyte count predicted to be suppressed in MSA CSF samples. Machine learning and dimension reduction are important multi-omics approaches as they handle large amounts of data, identify patterns, and make predictions while reducing variance without information loss and generating easily visualised plots that help identify clusters, patterns, or outliers. Thus, integrated multiomics and machine learning approaches are essential for elucidating neurodegenerative mechanisms and identifying potential diagnostic biomarkers of MSA. Full article

Upcycling low-cost agricultural by-products into valuable and sustainable alternative feeding materials could secure human food-supply chains with a low carbon footprint. This study explored increasing the feeding value of camelina meal (CAM) mixed with wheat bran (WB), soybean hulls (SH), and rice hulls (RH) for monogastric animals via solid-state fermentation (SSF) using white rot fungus Trametes versicolor. Experiments evaluated fungal growth, amino acid profiles, structural carbohydrates, glucosinolates, phytate and in vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD). Weight loss analysis indicated that fungal growth was more active in WB/CAM and SH/CAM substrates than RH/CAM. Significant phytic acid degradation and near-complete glucosinolate elimination improved CAM feed quality across all substrates. Fermentation increased total and essential amino acids in the SH/CAM mixture, while reductions occurred in WB/CAM and RH/CAM mixtures. SH/CAM fermentation caused substantial cellulose and hemicellulose degradation, resulting in a 44% IVDMD increase. Conversely, RH/CAM fermentation decreased IVDMD despite a reduction in cellulose, possibly due to protein degradation. This study demonstrates the potential of T. versicolor-mediated SSF to enhance CAM and other agricultural residues’ feeding value for monogastric animal applications. Full article

In this educational review, the basic physics underlying the use of ultra-high contrast (UHC) bipolar filter (BLAIR) sequences, including divided subtracted inversion recovery (dSIR), is explained. These sequences can increase the contrast produced by small changes in T₁ by a factor of ten or more compared with conventional IR sequences. In illustrative cases, the sequences were used in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients during relapse and remission and were compared with positionally matched conventional (T₂-weighted spin echo, T₂-FLAIR) images. Well-defined focal lesions were seen with dSIR sequences in areas where little or no change was seen with conventional sequences. In addition, widespread abnormalities affecting almost all of the white matter of the brain were seen during relapses when there were no corresponding abnormalities seen on conventional sequences (the whiteout sign). Grayout signs, in which there is a loss of contrast in gray matter or between gray matter and CSF, were also seen, as well as high signal boundaries around lesions. Disruption of the usual high signal boundary between white and gray matter was seen in leucocortical lesions. Lesions in the spinal cord were better seen or only seen with dSIR sequences. Generalized change was observed in the optic nerve with the dSIR sequence in a case of optic neuritis. UHC BLAIR sequences may be of considerable value for recognition of abnormalities in clinical practice and in research studies on MS. Full article

GABAergic signaling and GABA_B receptors play crucial roles in regulating the physiology of oligodendrocyte-lineage cells, including their proliferation, differentiation, and myelination. Therefore, they are promising targets for studying how spinal oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) respond to injuries and neurodegenerative diseases like multiple sclerosis. Taking advantage of the temporally controlled and cell-specific genetic downregulation of GABA_B receptors from OPCs, our investigation addresses their specific influence on OPC behavior in the gray and white matter of the mouse spinal cord. Our results show that, while GABA_B receptors do not significantly alter spinal cord myelination under physiological conditions, they distinctly regulate the OPC differentiation and Ca²⁺ signaling. In addition, we investigate the impact of OPC-GABA_B receptors in two models of toxic demyelination, namely, the cuprizone and the lysolecithin models. The genetic downregulation of OPC-GABA_B receptors protects against demyelination and oligodendrocyte loss. Additionally, we observe the enhanced resilience to cuprizone-induced pathological alterations in OPC Ca²⁺ signaling. Our results provide valuable insights into the potential therapeutic implications of manipulating GABA_B receptors in spinal cord OPCs and deepen our understanding of the interplay between GABAergic signaling and spinal cord OPCs, providing a basis for future research. Full article

Background: In the United States, traumatic brain injury (TBI) contributes significantly to mortality and morbidity. Elovanoids (ELVs), a novel class of homeostatic lipid mediators we recently discovered and characterized, have demonstrated neuroprotection in experimental stroke models but have never been tested after TBI. Methods: A moderate fluid-percussion injury (FPI) model was used on male rats that were treated with ELVs by intravenous (IV) or intranasal (IN) delivery. In addition, using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS), we examined whether ELVs could be detected in brain tissue after IN delivery. Results: ELVs administered intravenously 1 h after FPI improved behavior on days 2, 3, 7, and 14 by 20, 23, 31, and 34%, respectively, and preserved hippocampal CA3 and dentate gyrus (DG) volume loss compared to the vehicle. Whole-brain tractography revealed that ELV-IV treatment increased corpus callosum white matter fibers at the injury site. In comparison to treatment with saline on days 2, 3, 7, and 14, ELVs administered intranasally at 1 h and 24 h after FPI showed improved neurological scores by 37, 45, 41, and 41%. T2-weighted imaging (T2WI) abnormalities, such as enlarged ventricles and cortical thinning, were reduced in rats treated by ELV-IN delivery compared to the vehicle. On day 3, ELVs were detected in the striatum and ipsilateral cortex of ELV-IN-treated rats. Conclusion: We have demonstrated that both ELV-IN and ELV-IV administration offer high-grade neuroprotection that can be selectively supplied to the brain. This discovery may lead to innovative therapeutic targets for secondary injury cascade prevention following TBI. Full article

Background. Whole-body computed tomography (WBCT) is commonly employed for primary screening in pediatric patients experiencing out-of-hospital cardiac arrest (OHCA) without prehospital return of spontaneous circulation (ROSC). This study aimed to evaluate the cause of OHCA on WBCT and compare WBCT findings between ROSC and non-ROSC groups in non-traumatic pediatric OHCA cases in an emergency department setting. Methods. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 27 pediatric patients (mean age: 32.4 months; median age: 10 months) who experienced non-traumatic OHCA without prehospital ROSC and were transported to our tertiary care hospital between January 2013 and December 2023. WBCT scans were performed to investigate the cause of OHCA, with recorded findings in the head, chest, abdomen, and subcutaneous tissues. Results. In all cases, the direct causes of OHCA were undetermined, and WBCT identified no fatal findings. Statistical comparisons of CT findings between the ROSC and non-ROSC groups revealed significant differences. The non-ROSC group had a higher incidence of brain swelling, loss of cerebral gray-white matter differentiation, symmetrical lung consolidation/ground-glass opacity, cardiomegaly, hyperdense aortic walls, narrowed aorta, gas in the mediastinum, and hepatomegaly compared to the ROSC group. Conclusions. Although WBCT did not reveal the direct cause of OHCA, several CT findings were significantly more frequent in the non-ROSC group, including brain swelling, loss of cerebral gray-white matter differentiation, symmetrical lung consolidation/ground-glass opacity, cardiomegaly, hyperdense aortic wall, narrowed aorta, gas in the mediastinum, and hepatomegaly. These findings, resembling postmortem changes, may aid in clinical decision making regarding the continuation or cessation of resuscitation efforts in pediatric OHCA cases. Full article