Diet-induced mating preference in Drosophila

Diet-induced mating preference was initially observed by Dodd (1). Subsequently, we reported that diet-induced mating preference occurred in Drosophila melanogaster. Treatment of the flies with antibiotics abolished the mating preference, suggesting that fly-associated commensal bacteria were responsible for the phenomenon (2). The hypothesis was confirmed when it was shown that colonizing antibiotic-treated flies with Lactobacillus plantarum reestablished mating preference in multiple-choice mating assays with CMY (0.65% agar, 7.6% cornmeal, 7.6% molasses, 5% inactivated brewer’s yeast, 0.1% methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, 0.76% ethanol, and 0.4% propionic acid) flies. Furthermore, analytical studies indicated that the flies grown on different media had distinct levels of cuticular hydrocarbon sex pheromones. The difference in their levels was reduced when the flies were treated with antibiotics

Estrategias de comunicación: el diálogo entre las marcas y sus stakeholders

El mundo de la comunicación y la publicidad está en constante evolución. Desde los años 90, tras el establecimiento de las nuevas tecnologías de la información y, especialmente en la última década con la aparición de las redes sociales, se ha producido un giro en la perspectiva empresarial, centrada en la interacción entre las grandes marcas y los grupos de interés. En la siguiente investigación se analiza el enfoque empresarial integral que actualmente se viene usando, su funcionamiento y el empoderamiento de los stakeholders con respecto a la imagen y a la reputación de las marcas.Grado en Publicidad y Relaciones Pública

The Central Nervous System and the Gut Microbiome

Neurodevelopment is a complex process governed by both intrinsic and extrinsic signals. While historically studied by researching the brain, inputs from the periphery impact many neurological conditions. Indeed, emerging data suggest communication between the gut and the brain in anxiety, depression, cognition, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of a healthy, functional brain depends on key pre- and post-natal events that integrate environmental cues, such as molecular signals from the gut. These cues largely originate from the microbiome, the consortium of symbiotic bacteria that reside within all animals. Research over the past few years reveals that the gut microbiome plays a role in basic neurogenerative processes such as the formation of the blood-brain barrier, myelination, neurogenesis, and microglia maturation and also modulates many aspects of animal behavior. Herein, we discuss the biological intersection of neurodevelopment and the microbiome and explore the hypothesis that gut bacteria are integral contributors to development and function of the nervous system and to the balance between mental health and disease

The Central Nervous System and the Gut Microbiome

Neurodevelopment is a complex process governed by both intrinsic and extrinsic signals. While historically studied by researching the brain, inputs from the periphery impact many neurological conditions. Indeed, emerging data suggest communication between the gut and the brain in anxiety, depression, cognition, and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The development of a healthy, functional brain depends on key pre- and post-natal events that integrate environmental cues, such as molecular signals from the gut. These cues largely originate from the microbiome, the consortium of symbiotic bacteria that reside within all animals. Research over the past few years reveals that the gut microbiome plays a role in basic neurogenerative processes such as the formation of the blood-brain barrier, myelination, neurogenesis, and microglia maturation and also modulates many aspects of animal behavior. Herein, we discuss the biological intersection of neurodevelopment and the microbiome and explore the hypothesis that gut bacteria are integral contributors to development and function of the nervous system and to the balance between mental health and disease

Are 3D printed models acceptable in assessment?

BACKGROUND: Three-dimensional (3D) printed models are increasingly used in undergraduate anatomy teaching. However, their role and value in anatomy assessment remains under consideration. The aim of this study was to evaluate student and educator perspectives on acceptability of using novel 3D printed heart models for assessment. METHODS: We used printed 3D models of the heart for first-year medical students, in small group teaching, formative assessment and revision at home. We adopted a mixed methods approach involving questionnaires, then focus groups to collect student and educator views. We used QSR Nvivo to manage thematic analysis of responses, carried out by student and educators, respectively. FINDINGS: Overall, students 89% (n = 75/84) and educators 91% (n = 10/11) found the assessment acceptable. Thematic analysis of focus groups (n = 4 students, n = 5 educators) identified five key perceptions shared across student and educator groups: 3D models are the future, realism is valued, models appear feasible, consistent and provide a potential for a range of applications in assessment. DISCUSSION: There was agreement between educators and students that the use of 3D heart models was acceptable. Key recognised benefits include accessibility and consistency across settings, made more relevant in the current COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend integration of 3D models into teaching and assessment for educational alignment and careful selection of anatomy to model. Further research is required to explore the use of models in summative assessments

Specialized Metabolites from the Microbiome in Health and Disease

The microbiota, and the genes that comprise its microbiome, play key roles in human health. Host-microbe interactions affect immunity, metabolism, development, and behavior, and dysbiosis of gut bacteria contributes to disease. Despite advances in correlating changes in the microbiota with various conditions, specific mechanisms of host-microbiota signaling remain largely elusive. We discuss the synthesis of microbial metabolites, their absorption, and potential physiological effects on the host. We propose that the effects of specialized metabolites may explain present knowledge gaps in linking the gut microbiota to biological host mechanisms during initial colonization, and in health and disease

Quantitative sensory testing in a large cohort of neuropathy patients: QST in Neuropathy

Background: Quantitative sensory testing (QST) is a subjective but reliable and quantifiable method to detect patient thresholds to different sensory stimuli. QST is used to measure small- and large-fiber nerve function and can be used in conjunction with other diagnostic modalities in the evaluation of peripheral neuropathy (PN). The utility of QST to distinguish among different types of PN, however, has not been explored. The objective of the study was to evaluate if different patterns of QST abnormalities could distinguish between PN types. Methods: This single-center retrospective cohort study evaluated the frequency of QST abnormalities to vibratory, cold and heat detection thresholds in a large population of PN cases evaluated at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center peripheral neuropathy clinic between 1995-2000. PN was categorized by etiology. Results: A total of 559 QST studies were performed in this study. The average age of patients (n=557) was 60 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1. The most common diagnosis was cryptogenic sensory polyneuropathy (CSPN, n=294), followed by Charcot–Marie–Tooth disease (n=84)). Meta-regression of vibration and cold indicate that the expected proportion of abnormal responses is less for the vibration test (p = 0.0002), relative to the cold test. However, no differences were observed between diagnoses. Conclusions: Though abnormal QST thresholds were seen in most patients with PN, patterns of QST abnormalities do not distinguish between different types of PN. The routine clinical utility of QST is likely limited

True, justified, belief? Partisanship weakens the positive effect of news media literacy on fake news detection

To investigate how people assess whether politically consistent news is real or fake, two studies (N = 1,008; N = 1,397) with adult American participants conducted in 2020 and 2022 utilized a within-subjects experimental design to investigate perceptions of news accuracy. When a mock Facebook post with either fake (Study 1) or real (Study 2) news content was attributed to an alternative (vs. a mainstream) news outlet, it was, on average, perceived to be less accurate. Those with beliefs reflecting News Media Literacy demonstrated greater sensitivity to the outlet’s status. This relationship was itself contingent on the strength of the participant’s partisan identity. Strong partisans high in News Media Literacy defended the accuracy of politically consistent content, even while recognizing that an outlet was unfamiliar. These results highlight the fundamental importance of looking at the interaction between user-traits and features of social media news posts when examining learning from political news on social media

Diet-induced mating preference in Drosophila

Diet-induced mating preference was initially observed by Dodd (1). Subsequently, we reported that diet-induced mating preference occurred in Drosophila melanogaster. Treatment of the flies with antibiotics abolished the mating preference, suggesting that fly-associated commensal bacteria were responsible for the phenomenon (2). The hypothesis was confirmed when it was shown that colonizing antibiotic-treated flies with Lactobacillus plantarum reestablished mating preference in multiple-choice mating assays with CMY (0.65% agar, 7.6% cornmeal, 7.6% molasses, 5% inactivated brewer’s yeast, 0.1% methyl-4-hydroxybenzoate, 0.76% ethanol, and 0.4% propionic acid) flies. Furthermore, analytical studies indicated that the flies grown on different media had distinct levels of cuticular hydrocarbon sex pheromones. The difference in their levels was reduced when the flies were treated with antibiotics