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The gut microbiota is increasingly recognized as an important regulator of host immunity and brain health. The aging process yields dramatic alterations in the microbiota, which is linked to poorer health and frailty in elderly populations. However, there is limited evidence for a mechanistic role of the gut microbiota in brain health and neuroimmunity during aging processes. Therefore, we conducted fecal microbiota transplantation from either young (3-4 months) or old (19-20 months) donor mice into aged recipient mice (19-20 months). Transplant of a microbiota from young donors reversed aging-associated differences in peripheral and brain immunity, as well as the hippocampal metabolome and transcriptome of aging recipient mice. Finally, the young donor-derived microbiota attenuated selective age-associated impairments in cognitive behavior when transplanted into an aged host. Our results reveal that the microbiome may be a suitable therapeutic target to promote healthy aging.

The biological significance of Archaea in the human gut microbiota is largely unclear. We recently reported genomic and biochemical analyses of the Methanomassiliicoccales, a novel order of methanogenic Archaea dwelling in soil and the animal digestive tract. We now show that these Methanomassiliicoccales are present in published microbiome data sets from eight countries. They are represented by five Operational Taxonomic Units present in at least four cohorts and phylogenetically distributed into two clades. Genes for utilizing trimethylamine (TMA), a bacterial precursor to an atherosclerogenic human metabolite, were present in four of the six novel Methanomassiliicoccales genomes assembled from ELDERMET metagenomes. In addition to increased microbiota TMA production capacity in long-term residential care subjects, abundance of TMA-utilizing Methanomassiliicoccales correlated positively with bacterial gene count for TMA production and negatively with fecal TMA concentrations. The two large Methanomassiliicoccales clades have opposite correlations with host health status in the ELDERMET cohort and putative distinct genomic signatures for gut adaptation.

Blueberry (BB) consumption is linked to improved health. The bioconversion of the polyphenolic content of BB by fermentative bacteria in the large intestine may be a necessary step for the health benefits attributed to BB consumption. The identification of specific gut microbiota taxa that respond to BB consumption and that mediate the bioconversion of consumed polyphenolic compounds into bioactive forms is required to improve our understanding of how polyphenols impact human health. We tested the ability of polyphenol-rich fractions purified from whole BB—namely, anthocyanins/flavonol glycosides (ANTH/FLAV), proanthocyanidins (PACs), the sugar/acid fraction (S/A), and total polyphenols (TPP)—to modulate the fecal microbiota composition of healthy adults in an in vitro colon system. In a parallel pilot study, we tested the effect of consuming 38 g of freeze-dried BB powder per day for 6 weeks on the fecal microbiota of 17 women in two age groups (i.e., young and older). The BB ingredients had a distinct effect on the fecal microbiota composition in the artificial colon model. The ANTH/FLAV and PAC fractions were more effective in promoting microbiome alpha diversity compared to S/A and TPP, and these effects were attributed to differentially responsive taxa. Dietary enrichment with BB resulted in a moderate increase in the diversity of the microbiota of the older subjects but not in younger subjects, and certain health-relevant taxa were significantly associated with BB consumption. Alterations in the abundance of some gut bacteria correlated not only with BB consumption but also with increased antioxidant activity in blood. Collectively, these pilot data support the notion that BB consumption is associated with gut microbiota changes and health benefits.

Biologists and social scientists have long tried to understand why some societies have more fluid and open interpersonal relationships and how those differences influence culture. This study measures relational mobility, a socioecological variable quantifying voluntary (high relational mobility) vs. fixed (low relational mobility) interpersonal relationships. We measure relational mobility in 39 societies and test whether it predicts social behavior. People in societies with higher relational mobility report more proactive interpersonal behaviors (e.g., self-disclosure and social support) and psychological tendencies that help them build and retain relationships (e.g., general trust, intimacy, self-esteem). Finally, we explore ecological factors that could explain relational mobility differences across societies. Relational mobility was lower in societies that practiced settled, interdependent subsistence styles, such as rice farming, and in societies that had stronger ecological and historical threats.

Paul Brennan and colleagues perform genome-wide association analysis for oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer in trans-ancestry populations. They find seven new loci across different cancer subtypes, including a protective association in the HLA region that has a stronger effect in patients with human papillomavirus–positive cancers. We conducted a genome-wide association study of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancer in 6,034 cases and 6,585 controls from Europe, North America and South America. We detected eight significantly associated loci ( P < 5 × 10 −8 ), seven of which are new for these cancer sites. Oral and pharyngeal cancers combined were associated with loci at 6p21.32 (rs3828805, HLA-DQB1 ), 10q26.13 (rs201982221, LHPP ) and 11p15.4 (rs1453414, OR52N2 – TRIM5 ). Oral cancer was associated with two new regions, 2p23.3 (rs6547741, GPN1 ) and 9q34.12 (rs928674, LAMC3 ), and with known cancer-related loci—9p21.3 (rs8181047, CDKN2B-AS1 ) and 5p15.33 (rs10462706, CLPTM1L ). Oropharyngeal cancer associations were limited to the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) region, and classical HLA allele imputation showed a protective association with the class II haplotype HLA-DRB1*1301–HLA-DQA1*0103–HLA-DQB1*0603 (odds ratio (OR) = 0.59, P = 2.7 × 10 −9 ). Stratified analyses on a subgroup of oropharyngeal cases with information available on human papillomavirus (HPV) status indicated that this association was considerably stronger in HPV-positive (OR = 0.23, P = 1.6 × 10 −6 ) than in HPV-negative (OR = 0.75, P = 0.16) cancers.

Crotamine is a polypeptide toxin isolated from rattlesnake venom. Although several studies have been developed identifying many biological effects of isolated crotamine, none of them evaluated its acute toxicity, antinociceptive, and anti-inflammatory activities through oral administration. All in vivo experiments from this study were performed in mice. The up-and-down procedure and hippocratic screening were carried out to evaluate possible pharmacological and toxic effects. Antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory activities of this toxin were evaluated using acetic acid-induced abdominal writhing, formalin-induced pain assays, croton oil-induced ear edema, and carrageenan-induced pleurisy. Crotamine did not cause lethality or signs of intoxication up to the maximum dose tested (10.88 mg/kg). The number of contortions was reduced significantly by 34, 57, and 74% at the oral doses of 0.08, 0.16, and 0.32 mg/kg, respectively. At the dose of 0.16 mg/kg, crotamine decreases pain time-reactivity at neurogenic phase by 45% and at inflammatory phase by 60%. Also, crotamine elicited antiedematogenic activity through the attenuation of the croton oil-induced ear edema by 77%. In the carrageenan-induced pleurisy, the leukocyte, neutrophil, and mononuclear cell migration to the lesion site were reduced by 52%, 46%, and 59%, respectively. Altogether, crotamine demonstrated in vivo antinociceptive and anti-inflammatory effect through acute oral administration, generating an anti-migratory mechanism of action at non-toxic doses.

Many previous studies have shown that soybean WRKY transcription factors are involved in the plant response to biotic and abiotic stresses. Phakopsora pachyrhizi is the causal agent of Asian Soybean Rust, one of the most important soybean diseases. There are evidences that WRKYs are involved in the resistance of some soybean genotypes against that fungus. The number of WRKY genes already annotated in soybean genome was underrepresented. In the present study, a genome-wide annotation of the soybean WRKY family was carried out and members involved in the response to P. pachyrhizi were identified. As a result of a soybean genomic databases search, 182 WRKY-encoding genes were annotated and 33 putative pseudogenes identified. Genes involved in the response to P. pachyrhizi infection were identified using superSAGE, RNA-Seq of microdissected lesions and microarray experiments. Seventy-five genes were differentially expressed during fungal infection. The expression of eight WRKY genes was validated by RT-qPCR. The expression of these genes in a resistant genotype was earlier and/or stronger compared with a susceptible genotype in response to P. pachyrhizi infection. Soybean somatic embryos were transformed in order to overexpress or silence WRKY genes. Embryos overexpressing a WRKY gene were obtained, but they were unable to convert into plants. When infected with P. pachyrhizi, the leaves of the silenced transgenic line showed a higher number of lesions than the wild-type plants. The present study reports a genome-wide annotation of soybean WRKY family. The participation of some members in response to P. pachyrhizi infection was demonstrated. The results contribute to the elucidation of gene function and suggest the manipulation of WRKYs as a strategy to increase fungal resistance in soybean plants.

ObjectiveOur study evaluated the performance of different two-chambered microbial fuel cell (MFC) prototypes, operated with variable distance between electrodes and Nafion membrane and specific inoculum concentration, applied for vinasse treatment.ResultsThe performance of the developed MFC resulted in a maximum current density of 1200 mA m−2 and power density of 800 mW m−2 in a period of 61 days. MFC performed a chemical oxygen demand removal at a rate ranging from 51 to 60%.ConclusionsTaking our preliminary results into consideration, we concluded that the MFC technology presents itself as highly promising for the treatment of vinasse.

ABSTRACT Objective: to describe and compare the frequency of neurobehavioral signs in preterm infants in traditional and humanized body weight check. Methods: a quantitative, quasi-experimental, cross-over study, carried out in a Neonatal Unit at a university hospital with a sample of 30 preterm newborns, randomly assigned and allocated in control group (traditional) and intervention group (humanized), with collection of general data, vital signs before and after procedures and footage. Results: there was a higher frequency of approach signs in humanized weight check compared to traditional check. Moreover, withdrawal signs were more frequent in traditional weight check compared to humanized check. Conclusion: in this regard, humanized body weight check provided greater benefits to preterm infants, making it necessary to foster discussions about humanization of care, so that this practice can be performed routinely in health units. RESUMEN Objetivo: describir y comparar la frecuencia de signos neuroconductuales en prematuros en la verificación del peso corporal de forma tradicional y humanizada. Métodos: estudio cuantitativo, cuasiexperimental, cross-over, realizado en una Unidad Neonatal de un hospital universitario con una muestra de 30 recién nacidos prematuros, asignados aleatoriamente y asignados en el grupo control (tradicional) y en el grupo intervención (humanizado), con la recolección de datos generales, signos vitales antes y después de los procedimientos y filmaciones. Resultados: hubo mayor frecuencia de señales de acercamiento en la verificación de peso de forma humanizada en comparación con la forma tradicional. Además, los signos de retracción fueron más frecuentes en la verificación de peso de forma tradicional en comparación con la forma humanizada. Conclusión: de esa forma, la verificación del peso corporal de forma humanizada proporcionó mayores beneficios a los prematuros, siendo necesario estimular discusiones sobre la humanización de la atención, para que esa práctica pueda ser realizada de forma rutinaria en las unidades de salud. RESUMO Objetivos: descrever e comparar a frequência dos sinais neurocomportamentais em prematuros na verificação do peso corporal de forma tradicional e humanizada. Método: estudo quantitativo, quase-experimental, tipo cross-over, realizado em uma Unidade Neonatal de um hospital universitário com amostra de 30 recém-nascidos prematuros, randomicamente assinalados e alocados no grupo controle (tradicional) e no grupo intervenção (humanizada), com a coleta de dados gerais, sinais vitais antes e depois dos procedimentos e filmagem. Resultados: observou-se uma frequência maior dos sinais de aproximação na verificação do peso de forma humanizada em relação à tradicional. Além disso, os sinais de retraimento se mostraram mais frequentes na verificação do peso de forma tradicional em comparação à humanizada. Conclusão: desse modo, a verificação do peso corporal de forma humanizada proporcionou maiores benefícios aos prematuros, tornando-se necessário estimular discussões sobre a humanização da assistência, para que esta prática possa ser realizada de forma rotineira nas unidades de saúde.

Cleaner fishes are key contributors to the health of fish communities. However, much of the information in the literature refers to tropical systems, while fewer studies have examined the activity of cleaner fish inhabiting temperate ecosystems. Facultative cleaner fish are assumed to clean only during their juvenile phase, and have a broader diet than obligatory cleaner fish. Here, we focused on 2 facultative cleaner fish species, Coris julis and Thalassoma pavo, that live along the temperate coasts of the Azorean island of São Miguel. We found that these species focused their cleaning activities on relatively few species of clients, which supports the general idea that facultative cleaner fishes in temperate waters are less dependent on cleaning interactions than obligatory cleaner fishes in tropical waters. Both cleaner species were found to give more bites per host when inspecting larger clients, likely because the latter typically host more parasites. We found that C. julis consumed a greater diversity of food items, which included gnathiid larvae and fewer caligid copepods, compared to T. pavo where no ectoparasites were found. All cleaner fish that we collected after observations of cleaning had eaten gnathiid isopod larvae but not caligid copepods, even though caligid copepods were the most abundant ectoparasite found on the body of 7 selected fish species (including both client and non-client species), suggesting that both species selectively feed on gnathiid isopods. This study is the first to demonstrate that temperate facultative cleaner fish species actively and selectively inspect and remove ectoparasites from their client-fish species.