The objective of this study was to characterize the oxygen dependent regulation of pyruvate oxidase （SpxB） gene expression and protein production in Streptococcus sanguinis （S. sanguinis）. SpxB is responsible for ...The objective of this study was to characterize the oxygen dependent regulation of pyruvate oxidase （SpxB） gene expression and protein production in Streptococcus sanguinis （S. sanguinis）. SpxB is responsible for the generation of growth-inhibiting amounts of hydrogen peroxide （H202） able to antagonize cariogenic Strepto- coccus mutans （S. mutans）. Furthermore, the ecological consequence of H202 production was investigated in its self-inhibiting ability towards the producing strain. Expression of spxB was determined with quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR and a fluorescent expression reporter strain. Protein abundance was investigated with FLAG epitope engineered in frame on the C-terminal end of SpxB. Self inhibition was tested with an antagonism plate assay. The expression and protein abundance decreased in cells grown under anaerobic conditions. S. sanguinis was resistant against its own produced H202, while cariogenic S. mutans was inhibited in its growth. The results suggest that S. sanguinis produces H202 as antimicrobial substance to inhibit susceptible niche competing species like S. mutans during initial biofilm formation, when oxygen availability allows for spxB expression and Spx production.展开更多
Hepatic encephalopathy(HE) is a neuropsychiatric complication of cirrhosis or acute liver failure. Currently, HE is regarded as a continuous cognitive impairment ranging from the mildest stage, minimal HE to overt HE....Hepatic encephalopathy(HE) is a neuropsychiatric complication of cirrhosis or acute liver failure. Currently, HE is regarded as a continuous cognitive impairment ranging from the mildest stage, minimal HE to overt HE. Hyperammonaemia and neuroinflammation are two main underlying factors which contribute to the neurological alterations in HE. Both structural and functional impairments are found in the white mater and grey mater involved in HE. Although the investigations into HE pathophysiological mechanism are enormous, the exact pathophysiological causes underlying HE remain controversial. Multimodality magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) plays an important role in helping to understand the pathological process of HE. This paper reviews the up-to-date multimodality MRI methods and predominant findings in HE patients with a highlight ofthe increasingly important role of blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI.展开更多
Objective To study the activation changes of the brain in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS） while executing sequential finger tapping movement using the method of blood oxygenation level dependent （...Objective To study the activation changes of the brain in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS） while executing sequential finger tapping movement using the method of blood oxygenation level dependent （BOLD） functional magnetic resonance imaging （tMRI）. Methods Fifteen patients with definite or probable ALS and fifteen age and gender matched normal controls were enrolled. MRI was performed on a 3.0 Tesla scanner with standard headcoiL The functional images were acquired using a gradient echo single shot echo planar imaging （EPI） sequence. All patients and normal subjects executed sequential finger tapping movement at the frequency of 1-2 Hz during a block-design motor task. Structural MRI was acquired using a three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo （3D-FSPGR） sequence. The tMRI data were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping （SPM）. Results Bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex （ PSM）, bilateral premotor area （ PA）, bilateral supplementary motor area （SMA）, bilateral parietal region （ PAR）, contralateral inferior lateral premotor area （ ILPA）, and ipsilateral cerebellum showed activation in both ALS patients and normal controls when executing the same motor task. The activation areas in bilateral PSM, bilateral PA, bilateral SMA, and ipsilateral cerebellum were significantly larger in ALS patients than those in normal controls （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Extra activation areas including ipsilateral ILPA, bilateral posterior limb of internal capsule, and contralateral cerebellum were only detected in ALS patients. Conclusions Similar activation areas are activated in ALS patients and normal subjects while executing the same motor task. The increased activation areas in ALS patients may represent neural reorganization, while the extra activation areas in ALS patients may indicate functional compensation.展开更多
Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) is em-ployed in many behavior analysis studies, with blood oxygen level dependent-(BOLD-) contrast imaging being the main method used to generate images. The use of BOLD-con...Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) is em-ployed in many behavior analysis studies, with blood oxygen level dependent-(BOLD-) contrast imaging being the main method used to generate images. The use of BOLD-contrast imaging in f MRI has been refined over the years, for example, the inclusion of a spin echo pulse and increased magnetic strength were shown to produce better recorded images. Taking careful precautions to control variables during measurement, comparisons between different specimen groups can be illustrated by f MRI imaging using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Differences have been observed in comparisons of active and resting, developing and aging, and defective and damaged brains in various studies. However, cognitive studies using f MRI still face a number of challenges in interpretation that can only be overcome by imaging large numbers of samples. Furthermore, f MRI studies of brain cancer, lesions and other brain pathologies of both humans and animals are still to be explored.展开更多
This article provides a review of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging(BOLD fMRI)applications for presurgical mapping in patients with brain tumors who are being considered for lesion res...This article provides a review of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging(BOLD fMRI)applications for presurgical mapping in patients with brain tumors who are being considered for lesion resection.Initially,the physical principle of the BOLD effect is discussed,followed by a general overview of the aims of presurgical planning.Subsequently,a review of sensorimotor,language and visual paradigms that are typically utilized in clinical fMRI is provided,followed by a brief description of studies demonstrating the clinical impact of preoperative BOLD fMRI.After this thorough introduction to presurgical fMRI,a detailed explanation of the phenomenon of neurovascular uncoupling(NVU),a major limitation of fMRI,is provided,followed by a discussion of the different approaches taken for BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity(CVR)mapping,which is an effective method of detecting NVU.We then include one clinical case which demonstrates the value of CVR mapping in clinical preoperative fMRI interpretation.The paper then concludes with a brief review of applications of CVR mapping other than for presurgical mapping.展开更多
White matter(WM)comprises approximately half of the human brain volume and is primarily composed of bundles of axons and glia.The axons conduct nerve impulses between gray matter(GM)to support information transmission...White matter(WM)comprises approximately half of the human brain volume and is primarily composed of bundles of axons and glia.The axons conduct nerve impulses between gray matter(GM)to support information transmission and coordination within brain networks or circuits.Despite the overwhelming emphasis of human brain imaging on GM,few would deny the importance of the functional contributions of WM to human cognition and behavior.For in vivo brain studies,diffusion magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has been widely used to delineate WM fibers and measure their microstructural properties,but diffusion MRI reveals little about functional activity.For a long time,we have lacked an in vivo way to quantify functional metrics of wM.In contrast to the widespread application of functional MRI(fMRI)based on blood oxygenation-level-dependent(BOLD)signals to assess GM functions[1],BOLD effects in WM have been regarded as noise or nuisance variables in most neuroimaging studies.展开更多
基金supported by NIH grants 4R00DE 018400 to Jens Kreth
文摘The objective of this study was to characterize the oxygen dependent regulation of pyruvate oxidase （SpxB） gene expression and protein production in Streptococcus sanguinis （S. sanguinis）. SpxB is responsible for the generation of growth-inhibiting amounts of hydrogen peroxide （H202） able to antagonize cariogenic Strepto- coccus mutans （S. mutans）. Furthermore, the ecological consequence of H202 production was investigated in its self-inhibiting ability towards the producing strain. Expression of spxB was determined with quantitative Real-Time RT-PCR and a fluorescent expression reporter strain. Protein abundance was investigated with FLAG epitope engineered in frame on the C-terminal end of SpxB. Self inhibition was tested with an antagonism plate assay. The expression and protein abundance decreased in cells grown under anaerobic conditions. S. sanguinis was resistant against its own produced H202, while cariogenic S. mutans was inhibited in its growth. The results suggest that S. sanguinis produces H202 as antimicrobial substance to inhibit susceptible niche competing species like S. mutans during initial biofilm formation, when oxygen availability allows for spxB expression and Spx production.
基金Supported by Grants from National Natural Science Foundation of China,Nos.30700194,81171313,81322020 and 81230032(to Zhang LJ)Program for New Century Excellent Talents in University,No.NCET-12-0260(to Zhang LJ)
文摘Hepatic encephalopathy(HE) is a neuropsychiatric complication of cirrhosis or acute liver failure. Currently, HE is regarded as a continuous cognitive impairment ranging from the mildest stage, minimal HE to overt HE. Hyperammonaemia and neuroinflammation are two main underlying factors which contribute to the neurological alterations in HE. Both structural and functional impairments are found in the white mater and grey mater involved in HE. Although the investigations into HE pathophysiological mechanism are enormous, the exact pathophysiological causes underlying HE remain controversial. Multimodality magnetic resonance imaging(MRI) plays an important role in helping to understand the pathological process of HE. This paper reviews the up-to-date multimodality MRI methods and predominant findings in HE patients with a highlight ofthe increasingly important role of blood oxygen level dependent functional MRI.
基金Supported by National Natural Sciences Foundation of China(30470512)
文摘Objective To study the activation changes of the brain in patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis （ALS） while executing sequential finger tapping movement using the method of blood oxygenation level dependent （BOLD） functional magnetic resonance imaging （tMRI）. Methods Fifteen patients with definite or probable ALS and fifteen age and gender matched normal controls were enrolled. MRI was performed on a 3.0 Tesla scanner with standard headcoiL The functional images were acquired using a gradient echo single shot echo planar imaging （EPI） sequence. All patients and normal subjects executed sequential finger tapping movement at the frequency of 1-2 Hz during a block-design motor task. Structural MRI was acquired using a three-dimensional fast spoiled gradient echo （3D-FSPGR） sequence. The tMRI data were analyzed by statistical parametric mapping （SPM）. Results Bilateral primary sensorimotor cortex （ PSM）, bilateral premotor area （ PA）, bilateral supplementary motor area （SMA）, bilateral parietal region （ PAR）, contralateral inferior lateral premotor area （ ILPA）, and ipsilateral cerebellum showed activation in both ALS patients and normal controls when executing the same motor task. The activation areas in bilateral PSM, bilateral PA, bilateral SMA, and ipsilateral cerebellum were significantly larger in ALS patients than those in normal controls （ P 〈 0.05 ）. Extra activation areas including ipsilateral ILPA, bilateral posterior limb of internal capsule, and contralateral cerebellum were only detected in ALS patients. Conclusions Similar activation areas are activated in ALS patients and normal subjects while executing the same motor task. The increased activation areas in ALS patients may represent neural reorganization, while the extra activation areas in ALS patients may indicate functional compensation.
文摘Functional magnetic resonance imaging(fMRI) is em-ployed in many behavior analysis studies, with blood oxygen level dependent-(BOLD-) contrast imaging being the main method used to generate images. The use of BOLD-contrast imaging in f MRI has been refined over the years, for example, the inclusion of a spin echo pulse and increased magnetic strength were shown to produce better recorded images. Taking careful precautions to control variables during measurement, comparisons between different specimen groups can be illustrated by f MRI imaging using both quantitative and qualitative methods. Differences have been observed in comparisons of active and resting, developing and aging, and defective and damaged brains in various studies. However, cognitive studies using f MRI still face a number of challenges in interpretation that can only be overcome by imaging large numbers of samples. Furthermore, f MRI studies of brain cancer, lesions and other brain pathologies of both humans and animals are still to be explored.
文摘This article provides a review of Blood Oxygen Level Dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging(BOLD fMRI)applications for presurgical mapping in patients with brain tumors who are being considered for lesion resection.Initially,the physical principle of the BOLD effect is discussed,followed by a general overview of the aims of presurgical planning.Subsequently,a review of sensorimotor,language and visual paradigms that are typically utilized in clinical fMRI is provided,followed by a brief description of studies demonstrating the clinical impact of preoperative BOLD fMRI.After this thorough introduction to presurgical fMRI,a detailed explanation of the phenomenon of neurovascular uncoupling(NVU),a major limitation of fMRI,is provided,followed by a discussion of the different approaches taken for BOLD cerebrovascular reactivity(CVR)mapping,which is an effective method of detecting NVU.We then include one clinical case which demonstrates the value of CVR mapping in clinical preoperative fMRI interpretation.The paper then concludes with a brief review of applications of CVR mapping other than for presurgical mapping.
基金supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China(82371507 and 82090034)Outstanding Youth Fund for Universities in Anhui Province(2024AH020004)+5 种基金the collaborative innovation project between universities and Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center(GXXT-2022-028)the Hefei Comprehensive National Science Center Hefei Brain Project,the 2021 Anhui Province Key R&D Project:Population Health Special Project(202104j07020033)major project of Research Fund of Anhui Institute of Translational Medicine in 2020(2020zhyx A04)the Anhui Province Clinical Medical Research Transformation Special Project(202204295107020006 and 202204295107020028)National Institutes of Health grant(R01 NS113832 and R01 NS129855)National Research and Engineering Council Canada,Discovery Grant。
文摘White matter(WM)comprises approximately half of the human brain volume and is primarily composed of bundles of axons and glia.The axons conduct nerve impulses between gray matter(GM)to support information transmission and coordination within brain networks or circuits.Despite the overwhelming emphasis of human brain imaging on GM,few would deny the importance of the functional contributions of WM to human cognition and behavior.For in vivo brain studies,diffusion magnetic resonance imaging(MRI)has been widely used to delineate WM fibers and measure their microstructural properties,but diffusion MRI reveals little about functional activity.For a long time,we have lacked an in vivo way to quantify functional metrics of wM.In contrast to the widespread application of functional MRI(fMRI)based on blood oxygenation-level-dependent(BOLD)signals to assess GM functions[1],BOLD effects in WM have been regarded as noise or nuisance variables in most neuroimaging studies.
