In recent decades, neuroscience has advanced with increasingly sophisticated strategies for recording and analysing brain activity, enabling detailed investigations into the roles of functional units, such as individual neurons, brain regions and their interactions. Recently, new strategies for the investigation of cognitive functions regard the study of higher order interactions-that is, the interactions involving more than two brain regions or neurons. Although methods focusing on individual units and their interactions at various levels offer valuable and often complementary insights, each approach comes with its own set of limitations. In this context, a conceptual map to categorize and locate diverse strategies could be crucial to orient researchers and guide future research directions. To this end, we define the spectrum of orders of interaction, namely, a framework that categorizes the interactions among neurons or brain regions based on the number of elements involved in these interactions. We use a simulation of a toy model and a few case studies to demonstrate the utility and the challenges of the exploration of the spectrum. We conclude by proposing future research directions aimed at enhancing our understanding of brain function and cognition through a more nuanced methodological framework.
- Klíčová slova
- brain mapping, cognition, functional connectivity, network function, system neuroscience,
- MeSH
- kognice fyziologie MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- modely neurologické MeSH
- mozek * fyziologie MeSH
- neurony fyziologie MeSH
- neurovědy * metody MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- přehledy MeSH
Environmental change is increasing worldwide and many animal species face anthropogenic threats, especially diet specialists. Yet the degree to which specialist species are currently impacted by environmental change remains poorly understood. We examine how anthropogenic pressures impact dietary specialist species. We calculated indices of diet specialization for mammal species, based on the Gini inequality coefficient, and combined these indices with human pressure data. We then used spatially explicit Mantel tests to examine global patterns in mammal diet specialization. We used a generalized linear mixed model to investigate correlations between the percentage of diet specialist species in mammal communities in an area and its total species richness, human pressure and protection status (mediated through an interaction with the continent). Findings revealed that areas with many diet specialists in mammal communities are also impacted by high human pressure. Additionally, we found that the global protected area system adequately covers habitat for many mammal diet specialists, but has lower effectiveness in South America, Oceania, North America and Europe compared with Africa and Asia. Finally, we identified potential reservoirs for specialist species-places containing many highly diet specialist species and that are subject to less human pressure-which may be important for conservation efforts.
- Klíčová slova
- biodiversity, community, diet specialization, human footprint, mammal species, protected areas network,
- MeSH
- antropogenní vlivy MeSH
- biodiverzita MeSH
- dieta * veterinární MeSH
- ekosystém MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- savci * fyziologie MeSH
- zachování přírodních zdrojů * MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- zvířata MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to examine the occurrence of adverse childhood experiences (ACE) in the adult Slovak population and to examine the relationships between mental and physical health, ACE, attachment anxiety and avoidance, and loneliness. SAMPLE AND SETTINGS: A cross-sectional study with a representative Slovak sample (n = 1018, mean age 46.24 years, 48.7 % men) collected in April 2019 data on ACE (Adverse Childhood Experiences International Questionnaire; ACE-IQ), attachment (Experiences in Close Relationships Revised; ECR-R-14), mental and physical health (SF-8 Health Survey; questions on long-term health difficulties) and loneliness single-item question. Nested linear regression models were employed to analyzed the associations. RESULTS: Over 75 % of respondents reported at least one ACE, and nearly a third reported four or more. Community violence (43.6 %), violent treating of a household member (38.1 %), emotional abuse (34.4 %) and emotional neglect (30.9 %) were the most common ACE. The average number of ACE was 2.7 (± 2.6). Multiple ACE were associated with attachment insecurity and loneliness. ACE were found to be significantly associated with both physical and mental health. Attachment anxiety and avoidance were linked to mental health, but only attachment anxiety remained significant when loneliness was included. Loneliness was associated with mental and physical health difficulties. CONCLUSION: ACE and loneliness are associated with physical health difficulties. ACE, attachment anxiety and loneliness are linked to mental health difficulties. Preventing child maltreatment and addressing loneliness are key to mitigating the long-term health effects of ACE.
- Klíčová slova
- ACE-IQ, Attachment, Loneliness, Mental health difficulties, Physical health difficulties, Representative sample, Slovakia,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
A pan-transcriptome describes the transcriptional and post-transcriptional consequences of genome diversity from multiple individuals within a species. We developed a barley pan-transcriptome using 20 inbred genotypes representing domesticated barley diversity by generating and analyzing short- and long-read RNA-sequencing datasets from multiple tissues. To overcome single reference bias in transcript quantification, we constructed genotype-specific reference transcript datasets (RTDs) and integrated these into a linear pan-genome framework to create a pan-RTD, allowing transcript categorization as core, shell or cloud. Focusing on the core (expressed in all genotypes), we observed significant transcript abundance variation among tissues and between genotypes driven partly by RNA processing, gene copy number, structural rearrangements and conservation of promotor motifs. Network analyses revealed conserved co-expression module::tissue correlations and frequent functional diversification. To complement the pan-transcriptome, we constructed a comprehensive cultivar (cv.) Morex gene-expression atlas and illustrate how these combined datasets can be used to guide biological inquiry.
- MeSH
- genetická transkripce MeSH
- genom rostlinný MeSH
- genotyp * MeSH
- genové regulační sítě MeSH
- ječmen (rod) * genetika MeSH
- regulace genové exprese u rostlin * MeSH
- sekvenční analýza RNA metody MeSH
- stanovení celkové genové exprese metody MeSH
- transkriptom * genetika MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
In this paper, an approach for effectively reducing nonlinear distortion in single-backplate condenser microphones is introduced, i.e., most microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) microphones, studio recording condenser microphones, and laboratory measurement microphones. This simple post-processing technique can be easily integrated on external hardware such as an analog circuit, microcontroller, audio codec, digital signal processing unit, or within the Application Specific Integrated Circuit chip in a case of MEMS microphones. It effectively reduces microphone distortion across its frequency and dynamic range, and relies on a single parameter, which can be derived from either the microphone's physical parameters or a straightforward measurement presented in this paper. An optimal estimate of this parameter achieves the best distortion reduction, whereas overestimating it never increases distortion beyond the original level. The technique was tested on a MEMS microphone. The findings indicate that for harmonic excitation, the proposed technique reduces the second harmonic by approximately 40 dB, leading to an effective reduction in the total harmonic distortion. The efficiency of the distortion reduction technique for more complex signals is demonstrated through two-tone and multitone experiments, where second-order intermodulation products are reduced by at least 20 dB.
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
BACKGROUND: Results from the Distal vs Conventional Radial Access (DISCO RADIAL) trial confirmed distal radial access (DRA) as a valid alternative to conventional transradial access, with equally low rates of radial artery occlusion (RAO), yet higher crossovers but shorter hemostasis. OBJECTIVES: The purpose of the study was to investigate whether patient anthropometric measures influence the effect of randomized access on key secondary outcomes. METHODS: DISCO RADIAL was an international, multicenter, randomized controlled trial in which patients with indications for percutaneous coronary procedure using a 6-F Slender sheath were randomized to DRA (n = 650) or transradial access (n = 657) implementing best practices to reduce RAO. The primary endpoint of the trial was incidence of forearm RAO, which was extremely uncommon. Secondary endpoints, including sheath insertion time, radial artery spasm, crossover (failure to obtain access through assigned access site), hemostasis time, and access site complications, were the focus of the current analysis. Regression models (linear for continuous and logistic for binary outcomes) were used to determine whether anthropometric measures (weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area) influenced the effect of randomized access on outcomes. RESULTS: Across tertiles of weight, height, body mass index, and body surface area, both before and after adjustment for sex and age, the main effect of vascular access on radial artery spasm, crossover, hemostasis time, and access site complications remained, with no significant interaction effect. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this exploratory analysis are consistent with the main findings of the trial and support the use of DRA in all patients, regardless of anthropometric measures.
- Klíčová slova
- body mass index, body surface area, distal radial access, height, transradial access, weight,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Traditionally managed grasslands are among the most species-rich communities, which are threatened by land use changes-management intensification or abandonment. The resistance of their species composition to mismanagement and ability to recover after re-establishment of traditional management is of prime conservational interest. In a manipulative experiment in a wet meadow, we simulated mismanagement by a factorial combination of abandonment of mowing and fertilization. The dominant species Molinia caerulea was removed in half of the plots to assess its role in community dynamics. The 21 years' mismanagement period was followed by the re-establishment of the traditional management. The plots were sampled yearly from 1994 (the baseline data, before the introduction of the experimental treatments), until 2023. Estimates of cover of all vascular plant species provided the species richness and effective number of species. For each year, the chord distances to baseline species composition and to corresponding control plot were calculated. The compositional data were analyzed by constrained ordination methods, and the univariate characteristics by Repeated Measures ANOVA. All the plots, including those with traditional management throughout the whole experiment, underwent directional changes, probably caused by a decrease in groundwater level due to global warming. Both fertilization and abandonment led to a loss of competitively weak, usually low-statured species, due to increased asymmetric competition for light. The effect of fertilization was faster and stronger than that of abandonment demonstrating weaker resistance to fertilization. The removal of dominant species partially mitigated negative effects only in unmown, non-fertilized plots. The recovery following mismanagement cessation was faster (signifying higher resilience) in unmown than in fertilized plots, where it was slowed by a legacy of fertilization. In a changing world, two reference plot types are recommended for assessment of resistance and resilience, one original state and one reflecting compositional changes independent of treatments.
- Klíčová slova
- abandonment, competition asymmetry, dominant removal, fertilization, global warming, mowing, resilience, resistance,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
Freshwater ecosystems represent an unparalleled diversity of habitats and species, but the actual distribution of many species remains obscured or incomplete. The aim of the survey was to contribute to the knowledge on the fauna of lesser-known areas and fill the gaps in the distribution maps of the species. The dataset is based on a one-year-long study surveying 60 locations from different drying river networks that represent different ecoregions in Central Europe: Balcanic (Croatia, 15 sites), Continental (Czechia, 20 sites) and Pannonian (Hungary, 25 sites). Multihabitat sampling approach was applied for collecting stream-dwelling macroinvertebrates. Individuals were identified to the lowest possible taxonomic level, typically to species level. The dataset includes 1827 geo-referenced occurrence records based on presence-absence data of 164 taxa across Gastropoda, Hirudinea and various groups of Insecta (Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Megaloptera, Odonata, Trichoptera) along with geographical information on the sampling sites, and details of the taxonomy of the species. The data can support future studies in ecology, biogeography and nature conservation.
- Klíčová slova
- Distribution, Freshwater fauna, Gastropoda, Hirudinea, Insecta, Stream,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
The intestine hosts the largest immune system and peripheral nervous system in the human body. The gut‒brain axis orchestrates communication between the central and enteric nervous systems, playing a pivotal role in regulating overall body function and intestinal homeostasis. Here, using a human three-dimensional in vitro culture model, we investigated the effects of serotonin, a neuromodulator produced in the gut, on immune cell and intestinal tissue interactions. Serotonin attenuated the tumor necrosis factor-induced proinflammatory response, mostly by affecting the expression of chemokines. Serotonin affected the phenotype and distribution of tissue-migrating monocytes, without direct contact with the cells, by remodeling the intestinal tissue. Collectively, our results show that serotonin plays a crucial role in communication among gut-brain axis components and regulates monocyte migration and plasticity, thereby contributing to gut homeostasis and the progression of inflammation. In vivo studies focused on the role of neuromodulators in gut inflammation have shown controversial results, highlighting the importance of human experimental models. Moreover, our results emphasize the importance of human health research in human cell-based models and suggest that the serotonin signaling pathway is a new therapeutic target for inflammatory bowel disease.
- MeSH
- lidé MeSH
- monocyty metabolismus imunologie MeSH
- pohyb buněk MeSH
- serotonin * metabolismus MeSH
- signální transdukce MeSH
- střevní sliznice * metabolismus patologie MeSH
- TNF-alfa metabolismus MeSH
- zánět metabolismus patologie MeSH
- Check Tag
- lidé MeSH
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
- Názvy látek
- serotonin * MeSH
- TNF-alfa MeSH
BACKGROUND: Catheter ablation using radiofrequency (RF) energy is an established treatment for ventricular tachycardia (VT). Tissue temperature is a key determinant of successful lesion creation, and yet, it is difficult to measure during conventional RF ablation because of the cooling effect of high-flow rate saline irrigation. The TRAC-VT study evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel irrigated RF ablation system modulating power based on real-time tissue temperature. METHODS: Patients with sustained monomorphic VT and structural heart disease (SHD) were enrolled. Catheter ablation was performed in temperature-control mode (irrigation 8 ml/min, temperature set-points 55 or 60 °C, and power output ≤ 50 W), with RF applications for ≤ 45 s. The primary safety endpoint was a composite of cardiovascular-specific serious procedure-related adverse events within 30 days post-ablation. The primary effectiveness endpoint was acute success (i.e., non-inducibility of all clinically relevant VTs). RESULTS: Thirty-eight patients were enrolled with monomorphic VT (age 68 ± 12 years and 84% male), with an average of 1.7 ± 1.2 VTs targeted per patient. In total, 41 ± 23 RF applications per patient were delivered. Acute procedural success was 100% (95% CI, 91-100%). No primary safety endpoints were observed. Six-month follow-up was completed in 92% of patients with 81% (95% CI, 65-91%) freedom from sustained or treated VT. A repeat ablation was performed in three patients. CONCLUSIONS: Ablation of VT in SHD, using a temperature-controlled irrigated RF catheter, was safe and effective with a low rate of VT recurrence at 6 months.
- Klíčová slova
- Cardiac arrhythmia, DiamondTemp, Radiofrequency catheter ablation, Temperature controlled, Ventricular tachycardia,
- Publikační typ
- časopisecké články MeSH
