Loneliness and mental health among the elderly in Poland during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The unexpected changes caused by the COVID-19 pandemic related to the fear of developing the disease, and the need for social distancing and isolation have had an effect on people's mental health. These drastic changes can result in the development of anxiety, depressive symptoms and sense of loneliness. Elderly and chronically ill individuals are at a particularly high risk of developing COVID-19, suffering severe illness and dying as a result of it. The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of anxiety, depressive symptoms, irritability and loneliness in the elderly aged 60 years and older as a group exposed to the negative impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to analyze the relationships between loneliness and mental health of the respondents and sociodemographic variables and chronic diseases. The study was conducted in Poland among 221 individuals aged 60+. The study material was collected using a sociodemographic questionnaire, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS-M) and a revised University of California Los Angeles loneliness scale (R-UCLA). Women accounted for 47.51% and men for 52.49% of study participants; the mean age was 65.18 (SD = 4.06). In total, according to HADS-M, depressive symptoms were present in 19.15% of the participants and borderline states in 14.18% of them. Based on R-UCLA, moderate and moderately high sense of loneliness was present in 58.83% of the participants. Sense of loneliness was significantly correlated with the prevalence of depressive symptoms (p < 0.001). In this study, one in five participants experienced anxiety and depressive symptoms. Two out of three participants experienced a moderate sense of loneliness. Individuals who displayed a higher level of loneliness also had a higher severity of anxiety level depressive symptoms and irritability. Elderly individuals should be under special care due to their high risk of experiencing physical and mental effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.


Relationships of nutritional plane and feed efficiency with sexual development and fertility related measures in young beef bulls.
Sexual development in beef bulls appears to be influenced by nutritional plane and feed efficiency. Yearling bulls fed high (GRAIN = 49) and moderate (ROUGHAGE = 109) nutritional planes, were submitted to a performance test where scrotal circumference (SC), scrotum and testis ultrasonograms and hormones were monitored throughout. Scrotal thermographs, blood cell counts and semen were evaluated at the end of the test. Residual feed intake (RFI) was the measure of feed efficiency, and bulls within each population were characterized as efficient and inefficient. During the test period, the GRAIN group had greater triiodothyronine (T3), leptin and scrotal skin thickness (SST) while having greater T3, leptin, % motile sperm, % normal sperm, scrotal temperature and values for red blood cell variables at the end of the test when compared to the ROUGHAGE group. During the test, the efficient GRAIN group had lesser testis pixel intensity while at the end of the performance test the bulls of this group had greater % normal sperm and lower testis pixel intensity compared to bulls in inefficient GRAIN group. In comparison, the efficient ROUGHAGE group had less T3, SC and SST while at the end of the test these bulls had less T3, leptin, SC, SST and scrotal temperature compared to bulls in the inefficient ROUGHAGE group. Complete blood cell variables, semen quality, scrotal biometry and thermography explained most of the variation in RFI. Results of the present study support the hypothesis that there is an antagonistic relationship between feed efficiency and sexual development in young bulls, which seems partially offset when there is a greater plane of nutrition. Thus, feed efficiency should be factored in the reproductive evaluation of sires.


Comparative homology modeling of human cytochrome P4501A1 (CYP1A1) and confirmation of residues involved in 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation by site-directed mutagenesis and enzyme kinetic analysis.
CYP1A1 homology models based on the CYP2C5 and a composite of CYP2C5, CYP2C8, and CYP2C9 X-ray crystal structures were compared to a model generated using the recently published coordinates of CYP1A2. The model using the CYP1A2 coordinates, CYP1A1-(1A2), gave near ideal stereochemical quality and was favored energetically. Docking studies identified the active-site residues potentially involved in binding of the prototypic CYP1A1 substrate 7-ethoxyresorufin. CYP1A1 mutants S122A, F123A, F224A, A317Y, T321G, and I386G were generated to explore the roles of these residues in 7-ethoxyresorufin binding and turnover, and generally confirmed the importance of aromatic interactions over hydrogen bonding in orientating 7-ethoxyresrufin in a catalytically favorable orientation. Although 7-ethoxyresorufin O-deethylation by CYP1A1 and several mutants exhibited substrate inhibition, it is unlikely that inhibition arises from the simultaneous binding of two substrates within the active-site given the geometry of the active site-cavity.


Stereoselectivity and affinity in molecular pharmacology. III. Structural aspects in the mode of action of natural and synthetic auxins.
Analysis of available potency estimates for 35 pairs of enantiomeric arylcarboxylic acids with auxin activity (flax-root-growth inhibition test) revealed extensive correlations between the activity of the more potent and less potent isomers, as well as between the log of the ratio of potencies and the log potency of the more active isomer when structurally similar analogs are compared. 5 structural subgroups were discernible (n, eudismic-affinity quotient (EAQ), r2); (1) arylpropionic acids (6, -0.36, 0.66); (2) 2-naphthoxy-carboxylic acids (6, +1.07, 0.99); (3) 1-naphthoxycarboxylic acids (3, +1.56, 0.96); (4) ortho-substituted phenoxycarboxylic acids (10, +0.97, 0.96) and (5) ortho-unsubstituted phenoxycarboxylic acids (10, +0.56, 0.70). For achiral lower homologs such as auxin itself 3-indolyl-acetic acid (IAA), phenoxyacetic acid and 1-naphthoxyacetic acid, extrapolated potencies were found to agree well with experimental values. On the basis of these observations an auxin receptor is postulated and binding arrangements are described which explain most of the experimental data available. A 3-point attachment when allowed is the only binding mode compatible with the reported data.


RNA-seq identifies long non-coding RNAs as potential therapeutic targets for human corneal endothelial dysfunction under oxidative stress.
Human corneal endothelial cells (CECs) have limited ability to regenerate in vivo. Oxidative stress has been proposed as one potential reason. Understanding the mechanism of oxidative stress-induced CEC dysfunction might provide novel targets for improving CEC regenerative capacity, and help develop non-surgical therapeutic strategies for CEC dysfunction. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are non-coding transcripts with multiple biological functions. The roles of lncRNAs in ocular cells under oxidative stress have been widely studied, such as lens epithelial cells, trabecular meshwork cells, and retinal ganglion cells. In the current study, we established oxidative stress-induced CEC dysfunction model in vitro. By RNA sequencing technology, we identified 824 differentially expressed lncRNAs in CEC dysfunction group, including 667 upregulated lncRNAs and 157 downregulated lncRNAs. We finally demonstrated that CEC functions under oxidative stress, including cellular proliferation, apoptosis, and anti-oxidative stress ability, could be regulated by different lncRNAs, including lncRNA-Z93241.1, lncRNA-XLOC_000818, and lncRNA-AC007952.4. Targeting these lncRNAs might be useful to further elucidate the pathology of CEC dysfunction and develop novel therapeutic strategy.


Arsenic removal from the popular edible seaweed Sargassum fusiforme by sequential processing involving hot water, citric acid, and fermentation.
Higher quantities of arsenic (As) in Sargassum fusiforme limit its use as a food ingredient. The present study aimed to reduce As in S. fusiforme using sequential processing involving hot water, citric acid, and fermentation. The As content in S. fusiforme of 76.18 mg/kg was reduced to 30.47 mg/kg and 24.45 mg/kg using hot water and citric acid processing, respectively. However, the As content in S. fusiforme was reduced to 9.09 mg/kg by sequential processing with hot water and citric acid. Using response surface methodology, optimal processing conditions for S. fusiforme were determined to be treatment with hot water at 60 °C for 120 min followed by treatment with 0.4% citric acid. To further reduce the As content, the processed S. fusiforme was fermented by Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and the As content was further reduced to 1.64 mg/kg. In addition, the levels of organic acids and amino acids in S. fusiforme pre- and post-fermentation were significantly altered. These results indicated that the As content in S. fusiforme could be effectively reduced using the sequential processing with hot water, citric acid, and L. rhamnosus fermentation, and the organic acid and amino acid levels were significantly altered by L. rhamnosus fermentation.


PRINS, a primate-specific long non-coding RNA, plays a role in the keratinocyte stress response and psoriasis pathogenesis.
In the last few years with the recent emergence of high-throughput technologies, thousands of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified in the human genome. However, assigning functional annotation and determining cellular contexts for these RNAs are still in its infancy. As information gained about lncRNA structure, interacting partners, and roles in human diseases may be helpful in the characterization of novel lncRNAs, we review our knowledge on a selected group of lncRNAs that were identified serendipitously years ago by large-scale gene expression methods used to study human diseases. In particular, we focus on the Psoriasis-susceptibility-Related RNA Gene Induced by Stress (PRINS) lncRNA, first identified by our research group as a transcript highest expressed in psoriatic non-lesional epidermis. Results gathered for PRINS in the last 10 years indicate that it is conserved in primates and plays a role in keratinocyte stress response. Elevated levels of PRINS expression in psoriatic non-lesional keratinocytes alter the stress response of non-lesional epidermis and contribute to disease pathogenesis. Finally, we propose a categorization for the PRINS lncRNA based on a recently elaborated system for lncRNA classification.


Characterization of adenovirus p21 gene transfer, biodistribution, and immune response after local ocular delivery in New Zealand white rabbits.
Previous studies suggest that local gene therapy with rAd-p21(WAF1/Cip-1) [. Arch. Ophthalmol. 120, (2002) 941-949] may provide an effective adjunctive anti-proliferative treatment to prevent glaucoma surgery failure. To further investigate rAd-p21 in this indication, we have characterized several parameters of local gene delivery to conjunctiva including, vector delivery and transgene expression in target tissue, inflammatory response, biodistribution to non-target tissues, and immune response. Quantitative PCR and RT-PCR assays were employed to evaluate rAd-p21 dissemination and gene transfer following a single subconjunctival injection. In target tissue, significant levels of rAd-p21 DNA were found in 6/6 animals 1 and 4 days after injection. rAd-p21 DNA and RNA could be detected in the un-injected contralateral eye but at levels that were 10000-100000 lower than in the injected eye. Expression of human p21 transgene in conjunctival fibroblasts was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. Biodistribution of rAd-p21 following subconjunctival injection was substantially limited to ocular tissue. In 1/6 rabbits, rAd-p21 DNA was found in whole blood, liver, and spleen at levels that were barely detectable. All non-target organs were negative on day 4. In contrast, in a rabbit injected intravenously as a positive control, all blood samples and tissues samples were positive. rAd-p21 delivery to conjunctiva followed by filtration surgery caused an early acute inflammatory response, which by day 14 was indistinguishable from placebo-treated eyes. Neutralizing anti-adenovirus antibodies were detected following administration of rAd-p21 to conjunctiva, however, vector delivery and transgene expression were unaffected in a subsequent administration to the contralateral eye in the same animal. These results show that local delivery to conjunctiva may be a suitable delivery mode for ocular gene therapy.


Histamine metabolism in lungs of rats infected with Nippostrongylus brasiliensis.
Several parameters connected to histamine metabolism and mast cell number were examined in the lungs of rats infected with the nematode Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Histamine levels as well as mast cell numbers were found to be increased on day 14 after infection and were elevated during the whole time of the experiment. Histidine decarboxylase activity also reached a peak on day 14. There was no measurable activity of diamine oxidase in the lungs of parasitized and normal rats. It is postulated that the increase in histidine decarboxylase activity and histamine concentration observed in the present study is related to the process of mastocytosis.


Multi-sensor and multi-platform retrieval of water chlorophyll a concentration in karst wetlands using transfer learning frameworks with ASD, UAV, and Planet CubeSate reflectance data.
China has one of the widest distributions of carbonate rocks in the world. Karst wetland is a special and important ecosystem of carbonate rock regions. Chlorophyll-a (Chla) concentration is a key indicator of eutrophication, and could quantitatively evaluate water quality status of karst wetland. However, the spectral reflectance characteristics of the water bodies of karst wetland are not yet clear, resulting in remote sensing retrieval of Chla with great challenges. This study is a pioneer in utilizing field-based full-spectrum hyperspectral data to reveal the spectral response characteristics of karst wetland water body and determine the sensitive spectral bands of Chla. We further evaluated the Chla retrieval performance of multi-platform spectral data between Analytical Spectral Device (ASD), Unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), and PlanetScope (Planet). We proposed two multi-sensor weighted integration strategies and two transfer learning frameworks for estimating water Chla from the largest karst wetland in China by combing a partial least square with adaptive ensemble algorithms. The results showed that: (1) In the range of 500-850 nm, the spectral reflectance of water bodies in the karst wetland was overall 0.001-0.105 higher than the inland water bodies, and the sensitive spectral ranges of water Chla focus on 603-778 nm; (2) UAV images outperformed ASD and Planet data, and produced the highest inversion accuracy (R2 = 0.670) for water Chla in karst wetland; (3) Multi-sensor weighted integration retrieval methods improved the Chla estimation accuracy (R2 = 0.716). Integration retrieval methods with the different weights produced the better Chla estimation accuracy than that of methods with the equal weights; (4) The transfer learning methods from ASD to UAV platform provided the better retrieval performance (the average R2 = 0.669) than that of methods from UAV to Planet platform. The transfer learning methods obtained the highest estimation accuracy of Chla (R2 = 0.814) when the ratio of the training and test data in the target domain was 7:3. The transfer learning methods produced the higher estimation accuracies with the distribution of the absolute residuals between predicted and measured values <20.957 mg/m3 compared to the multi-sensor weighted integration retrieval methods, which demonstrated that transfer learning is more suitable for estimating Chla in karst wetland water bodies using multi-platform and multi-sensor data. The results provide a scientific basis for the protection and sustainable development of karst wetlands.


Characterization of cholinergic muscarinic receptors in cow tracheal muscle membranes. Effect of maturation.
The parasympathetic nervous system is important in the control of basal airway muscle tone and caliber. We characterized muscarinic cholinergic receptors in isolated tracheal membranes from cows of three age groups (immature, less than 2 weeks; transition, 3-5 months; and mature, greater than 5 years) using l-[3H]quinuclidinyl benzilate (l-[3H]QNB) as the radioligand. There were significant decreases in the densities of l-[3H]QNB binding sites with maturation (Bmax: 2344 +/- 169 vs 1381 +/- 85 vs 1116 +/- 80 fmol/mg protein for tissues from immature, transition and mature cows respectively). No change in the dissociation constant was observed with maturation (Kd: 0.38 +/- 0.09 vs 0.55 +/- 0.06 vs 0.50 +/- 0.07 nM for tissues from immature, transition and mature animals respectively). The association and dissociation rate constants did not vary between tissues from immature and mature animals. The specific activity of the enzyme, acetylcholinesterase, was correlated with the density of l-[3H]QNB binding sites present in the tracheal homogenates; that is, with maturation, there were significant decreases in acetylcholinesterase activity [0.28 +/- 0.01 vs 0.16 +/- 0.02 vs 0.08 +/- 0.01 mol X l-1 X min-1 X (mg protein)-1 for tissues from immature, transition and mature animals respectively]. All competition binding studies using muscarinic antagonists exhibited single site binding and did not show any differences in drug affinities between the age groups. In contrast, multiple binding sites were observed with carbachol, methacholine and muscarine, and there were significant decreases in receptor affinities for the muscarinic agonists. No changes in the proportion of high and low affinity sites were found. These results indicate that with maturation there are alterations in the properties of muscarinic receptors in tracheal smooth muscle.


Enhanced rice plant (BRRI-28) growth at lower doses of urea caused by diazinon mineralizing endophytic bacterial consortia and explorations of relevant regulatory genes in a Klebsiella sp. strain HSTU-F2D4R.
Endophytic biostimulant with pesticide bioremediation activities may reduce agrochemicals application in rice cultivation. The present study evaluates diazinon-degrading endophytic bacteria, isolated from rice plants grown in the fields with pesticide amalgamation, leading to increased productivity in high-yielding rice plants. These endophytes showed capabilities of decomposing diazinon, confirmed by FT-IR spectra analysis. Growth promoting activities of these endophytes can be attributed to their abilities to produce an increased level of IAA content and to demonstrate high level ACC-deaminase activities. Furthermore, these endophytes demonstrated enhanced level of extracellular cellulase, xylanase, amylase, protease and lignin degrading activities. Five genera including Enterobacter, Pantoea, Shigella, Acinetobacter, and Serratia, are represented only by the leaves, while four genera such as Enterobacter, Escherichia, Kosakonia, and Pseudomonas are represented only by the shoots. Five genera including, Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Pseudomonas, Burkholderia, and Bacillus are represented only by the roots of rice plants. All these strains demonstrated cell wall hydrolytic enzyme activities, except pectinase. All treatments, either individual strains or consortia of strains, enhanced rice plant growth at germination, seedling, vegetative and reproductive stages. Among four (I-IV) consortia, consortium-III generated the maximum rice yield under 70% lower doses of urea compared to that of control (treated with only fertilizer). The decoded genome of Klebsiella sp. HSTU-F2D4R revealed nif-cluster, chemotaxis, phosphates, biofilm formation, and organophosphorus insecticide-degrading genes. Sufficient insecticide-degrading proteins belonging to strain HSTU-F2D4R had interacted with diazinon, confirmed in molecular docking and formed potential catalytic triads, suggesting the strains have bioremediation potential with biofertilizer applications in rice cultivation.