Staphylococcus aureus aggregation in the plasma fraction of silkworm hemolymph

Staphylococcus aureus formed bacterial aggregates in the plasma fraction of the hemolymph of silkworm, the larva of Bombyx mori, in a growth-dependent manner. The addition of arabinose or galactose inhibited the formation of S. aureus aggregates in the silkworm plasma. Formation of the bacterial aggregates depended on S. aureus genes required for the synthesis of bacterial surface polysaccharides-ypfP and ltaA, which are involved in lipoteichoic acid synthesis, and the tagO gene, which is involved in wall teichoic acid synthesis. These findings suggest that S. aureus forms bacterial aggregates in the silkworm plasma via bacterial surface teichoic acids

Osmotic gradients induce stable dome morphogenesis on extracellular matrix

One of the fundamental processes in morphogenesis is dome formation, but many of the mechanisms involved are unexplored. Previous in vitro studies showed that an osmotic gradient is the driving factor of dome formation. However, these investigations were performed without extracellular matrix (ECM), which provides structural support to morphogenesis. With the use of ECM, we observed that basal hypertonic stress induced stable domes in vitro that have not been seen in previous studies. These domes developed as a result of ECM swelling via aquaporin water transport activity. Based on computer simulation, uneven swelling, with a positive feedback between cell stretching and enhanced water transport, was a cause of dome formation. These results indicate that osmotic gradients induce dome morphogenesis via both enhanced water transport activity and subsequent ECM swelling

Occlusal force is correlated with cognitive function directly as well as indirectly via food intake in community-dwelling older Japanese: From the SONIC study

<div><p>Background</p><p>Growing evidence suggests that oral health may be an important factor associated with cognitive function in aged populations. However, many previous studies on this topic used insensitive oral indicators or did not include certain essential covariates. Thus, we examined the association between occlusal force and cognitive function in a large sample of older adults, controlling for dietary intake, vascular risk factors, inflammatory biomarkers, depression, and genetic factors.</p><p>Methods</p><p>In this cross-sectional study of older community-dwelling Japanese adults, we examined data collected from 994 persons aged 70 years and 968 persons aged 80 years. Cognitive function was measured using the Japanese version of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA-J). Oral status and function were evaluated according to the number of remaining teeth, periodontal pocket depth, and maximal occlusal force. Associations between MoCA-J scores and occlusal force were investigated via bivariate and multivariate analyses.</p><p>Results</p><p>Education level, financial status, depression score, and intake of green and yellow vegetables, as well as number of teeth and occlusal force, were significantly correlated with MoCA-J scores in both age groups. Among individuals aged 80 years, CRP and periodontal status were weakly but significantly associated with MoCA-J score. After controlling for all significant variables via bivariate analyses, the correlation between maximal occlusal force and cognitive function persisted. A path analysis confirmed the hypothesis that cognitive function is associated with occlusal force directly as well as indirectly via food intake.</p><p>Conclusions</p><p>After controlling for possible factors, maximal occlusal force was positively associated with cognitive function directly as well as indirectly through dietary intake.</p></div

Linear regression models for occlusal force and MoCA-J score, adjusted for significant independent variables.

<p>Linear regression models for occlusal force and MoCA-J score, adjusted for significant independent variables.</p

Path analysis from occlusal force to cognitive function.

<p>Arrows show significant paths and numbers are significant standardized coefficients (p<0.05). The hypothesized model showed an acceptable good fit (GFI = 0.976, RMSEA = 0.057, CFI = 0.879, χ² = 252.3).</p