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Abstract The study of species groups in which the presence of interspecific hybridization or introgression phenomena is known or suspected involves analysing shared bi-parentally inherited molecular markers. Current methods are based on different categories of markers among which the classical microsatellites or the more recent genome wide approaches for the analyses of thousands of SNPs or hundreds of microhaplotypes through high throughput sequencing. Our approach utilizes intron-targeted amplicon sequencing to characterise multi-locus intron polymorphisms (MIPs) and assess genetic diversity. These highly variable intron regions, combined with inter-specific transferable loci, serve as powerful multiple-SNP markers potentially suitable for various applications, from species and hybrid identification to population comparisons, without prior species knowledge. We developed the first panel of MIPs highly transferable across fish genomes, effectively distinguishing between species, even those closely related, and populations with different structures. MIPs offer versatile, hypervariable nuclear markers and promise to be especially useful when multiple nuclear loci must be genotyped across different species, such as for the monitoring of interspecific hybridization. Moreover, the relatively long sequences obtained ease the development of single-locus PCR-based diagnostic markers. This method, here demonstrated in teleost fishes, can be readily applied to other taxa, unlocking a new source of genetic variation.

BackgroundShared biological factors may play a role in both the cognitive deficits and the increased prevalence of metabolic syndrome observed in individuals with Schizophrenia (SCZ). These factors could entail disturbances in tryptophan (Trp) to both melatonin (MLT) and kynurenine (Kyn) metabolic pathways, as well as inflammation and alterations in the gut microbiome composition.MethodsThe present research project aims to investigate this hypothesis by recruiting 170 SCZ patients from two different recruitment sites, assessing their cognitive functions and screening for the presence of metabolic syndrome. Additionally, we plan to assess the impact of a 3-month cognitive remediation therapy on 30 of these patients. We will analyze clinical data alongside serum biomarkers and gene expression related to the Trp- to MLT and Kyn metabolic pathways, markers of inflammatory and composition of the gut microbiome. The association between Trp-MLT-Kyn levels, expression levels of selected genes, inflammatory markers and clinical phenotypes will be analyses in the context of general linear models.DiscussionThis project has the potential to identify some typical SCZ symptomatic clusters that will be more stringently associated with variations in the Trp-MLT-Kyn/inflammatory system and with a better response to cognitive remediation therapy. Moreover, in a future perspective, it may highlight a group of patients who may benefit from a pharmacological treatment aiming at reinstating the physiological Trp to MLT and Kyn system. Therefore, it has the potential to move research toward a personalized approach for SCZ management.

Previous studies indicated atypical Theory of Mind (ToM) abilities in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) at different ages. However, research focused on adolescents with ASD is still rare. This study aims to fill the gaps in the literature, by investigating ToM abilities in adolescents with ASD and in a group of typically developing ones. We applied the Theory of Mind Assessment Scale (Th.o.m.a.s.), a semi-structured interview that allows a multi-dimensional measurement of ToM, including different perspectives (first/s-order, first/third-person, egocentric/allocentric), various mental states (emotions, desires, beliefs) and metacognitive abilities related with mental states (awareness, relation, and strategies). The results indicated that ToM develops atypically in ASD, with strengths and weaknesses. First, participants with ASD were comparable to controls in some specific ToM aspects, i.e., third-person ToM, both from an egocentric and an allocentric perspective. However, they were significantly weaker in attributing an understanding of the mental states of others, both in first- and second-order ToM scenarios. Second, they showed the same level of awareness about mental states as controls, but they were significantly weaker in conceptualizing the relationship between mental states and behavior. Also, they found it very difficult to think about possible strategies that they or others might employ to realize desires and needs. Finally, they performed similarly to controls in understanding emotions, while they poorly understood desires and beliefs. These results point out the distinctive characteristics of ToM development in individuals with ASD, with important implications for individualized interventions.

Mycolicibacterium hassiacum (homotypic synonym: Mycobacterium hassiacum) represents an ungrouped thermotolerant rapidly growing mycobacteria (RGM) species occasionally associated with infections and disease in humans. In this report, we describe a case of pyogranulomatous dermatitis and panniculitis due to M. hassiacum in an immunocompetent adult cat. To the best of our knowledge, this represents the first report of M. hassiacum infection in animals. We also report the results of the in-depth genome characterization of the isolate using a combined short- and long-read whole-genome sequencing (WGS) approach. We observed the lack of acquired-resistance genes and no evidence of mutations in housekeeping genes associated with resistance to rifampicin and isoniazid. We detected some virulence factors in our isolate, such as some associated with the interaction of mycobacteria with host cells, and the presence of multiple copies of heavy metal resistance genes (arsB, arsR, and arsL/cadL). In conclusion, M. hassiacum should be included among the RGM species associated with feline subcutaneous atypical mycobacteriosis (SAM). A reliable and fast RGM laboratory identification and characterization is important not only for an accurate etiological diagnosis but also for a correct approach to SAM treatment options.

BackgroundAcute graft pyelonephritis (AGPN) is a relatively common complication in kidney transplants (KTs); however, the effects on allograft function, diagnostic criteria, and risk factors are not well established.MethodsRetrospective analysis of all consecutive adult KTs was performed between 01 January 2011 and 31 December 2018 (follow-up ended on 31 December 2019) to examine the association between the diagnosis of AGPN (confirmed with magnetic resonance imaging [MRI]) during the first post-transplantation year and graft outcomes.ResultsAmong the 939 consecutive KTs (≈50% with donors ≥60 years), we identified 130 MRI-confirmed AGPN episodes, with a documented association with recurrent and multidrug-resistant bacterial urinary tract infections (UTIs) (p

Early development is characterized by dynamic transitions in brain maturation, which may be impacted by environmental factors. Here, we sought to determine the effects of social isolation from postweaning and during adolescence on reward behavior and dopaminergic signaling in male rats. Subjects were socially isolated or group housed at postnatal day 21. Three weeks later, extracellular dopamine concentrations were examined in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) and nucleus accumbens shell (NAc) during a feeding bout. Surprisingly, opposing effects were found in which increased mPFC dopamine concentrations were observed in group housed, but not isolated, rats. In stark contrast, increased dopamine levels were found in the NAc of isolated, but not group housed, rats. Moreover, the absence of an effect in the mPFC of the isolated rats could not be reversed by subsequent group housing, demonstrating the remarkable long-term effects on dopamine signaling dynamics. When provided a highly palatable food, the isolated subjects exhibited a dramatic increase in mPFC dopamine levels when the chocolate was novel, but no effects following chronic chocolate consumption. In contrast, the group housed subjects showed significantly increased dopamine levels only with chronic chocolate consumption. The dopamine changes were correlated with differences in behavioral measures. Importantly, the deficit in reward-related behavior during isolation could be reversed by microinjection of either dopamine or cocaine into the mPFC. Together, these data provide evidence that social isolation from postweaning and during adolescence alters reward-induced dopamine levels in a brain region-specific manner, which has important functional implications for reward-related behavior.

Introduction Psychotic disorders present a significant lifetime risk for suicide. Past estimates suggest that up to 25-50% of individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ) may attempt suicide during their lifetime. A growing body of literature indicates that the level of cognitive performances may be associated with a differing level of lifetime suicide attempts, albeit inconsistently depending on the diagnostic category and study setting. However, the vast majority of the literature in the field is composed of cross-sectional studies, limiting the overall interpretation of the available evidence. Objectives In the present study, we probed the possible association of BDNF plasma levels, cognitive functions assessed through the Brief Assessment of Cognition in Schizophrenia (BACS) and lifetime suicide ideation and/or attempts (LSI+LSA). More specifically, we tested whether such association would persist during the 2 years follow-up divided in 5 different timepoints at 6-month intervals, if present. Methods The present study represents a secondary analysis of a previously described cohort (Manchia et al. Brain Sci. 2022 Dec 4;12(12):1666). The sample comprised 105 subjects with SZC or schizoaffective disorder. We employed the 1) Wilcoxon test for non-parametric data 2) linear modelling to test the possible association of BACS-defined cognitive task performances with LSI+LSA. We also investigated if either BDNF plasma levels or four tested BDNF SNP genes would mediate this association. Results From a total of 105 subjects, data relevant to the analysis were available for 89 subjects. We observed a significant association between BACS-Letter fluency task (BACS-LF) with LSI+LSA, persisting even when adjusting for gender, duration of untreated psychosis, total Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale score, age, chlorpromazine equivalents of antipsychotic therapy and for the effect of time. The association remained significant even when adjusting with the Bonferroni-Holms method for multiple comparisons (p=0.002). No association was found either for BDNF plasma levels or the tested BDNF genes for the tested outcomes. Conclusions In our sample, higher BACS-LF performances appeared to be associated with a higher lifetime risk of LSI+LSA. This report adds to the previous literature suggesting that different cognitive performance levels may represent one of the many chronic risk factors associated with LSI+LSA, and that may ultimately complexly interact with more proximal ones. Disclosure of Interest None Declared

Abstract Anomalous thermal transport of Cs2NaYbCl6 double‐halide perovskite above room temperature is reported and rationalized. Calculations of phonon dispersion relations and scattering rates up to the fourth order in lattice anharmonicity have been conducted to determine their effective dependence on temperature. These findings show that specific phonon group velocities and lifetimes increase if the temperature is raised above 500 K. This, in combination with anharmonicity, provides the microscopic mechanism responsible for the increase in lattice thermal conductivity at high temperatures, contrary to the predictions of phonon transport theories based on solely cubic anharmonicity. The model accurately and quantitatively reproduces the experimental thermal conductivity data as a function of temperature.

Microbial composition of the gastrointestinal tracts is an important factor affecting the variation in feed efficiency in ruminants. Several studies have investigated the composition of the ruminal and fecal microbiotas, as well as their impacts on feed efficiency and digestion. In addition, next-generation DNA sequencing techniques have allowed us to gain a better understanding of such microbiomes. In this study, the beef cattle microbiome data were analyzed using both a multivariate and a univariate approach and the results were compared. Moreover, a statistical procedure to classify calves in two groups with extreme Residual Feed Intake (RFI) values, using their microbiota profile, was developed. Both fecal and ruminal samples were collected from 63 Angus steers at two different time points for evaluation of their microbiomes: at the beginning and at the end of the feedlot. An additional fecal sample was collected at weaning. A total of 149 and 119 bacterial families (BFs) were retrieved from the ruminal and fecal samples, respectively. A Canonical Discriminant Analysis (CDA) was used to investigate whether BFs were able to distinguish between rumen and fecal samples. A sub-sample of 28 steers was divided in two groups based on their feed efficiency status: positive or negative for RFI. Fecal samples collected at weaning were used to assign the positive and negative RFI animals to their corresponding groups using both Stepwise Discriminant Analysis and CDA. Results revealed that CDA was able to distinguish between rumen and fecal samples. Peptostreptococcaceae was the family most associated with the fecal samples, whereas Prevotellaceae the most associated with the ruminal samples. The CDA using 19 BFs selected from the stepwise was able to correctly assign all animals to the proper RFI groups (negative or positive). Rhizobiaceae was the family most associated with negative RFI, whereas Comamonadacea was the family most linked with positive RFI. The results from this study showed that the multivariate approach can be used to improve microbiome data analysis, as well as to predict feed efficiency in beef cattle using information derived from the fecal microbiome.

Identifying phenotypes at high risk of suicidal behaviour is a relevant objective of clinical and translational research and can facilitate the identification of possible candidate biomarkers. We probed the potential association and eventual stability of neuropsychological profiles and serum BDNF concentrations with lifetime suicide ideation and attempts (LSI and LSA, respectively) in individuals with schizophrenia (SCZ) and schizoaffective disorder (SCA) in a 2-year follow-up study. A secondary analysis was conducted on a convenience sample of previously recruited subjects from a single outpatient clinic. Retrospectively assessed LSI and LSA were recorded by analysing the available longitudinal clinical health records. LSI + LSA subjects consistently exhibited lower PANSS-defined negative symptoms and better performance in the BACS-letter fluency subtask. There was no significant association between BDNF levels and either LSI or LSA. We found a relatively stable pattern of lower negative symptoms over two years among patients with LSI and LSA. No significant difference in serum BDNF concentrations was detected. The translational viability of using neuropsychological profiles as a possible avenue for the identification of populations at risk for suicide behaviours rather than the categorical diagnosis represents a promising option but requires further confirmation.

Schizophrenia (SCZ) and schizoaffective disorder (SAD) are severe and complex psychiatric disorders whose liability threshold is modulated by the interplay of biological, mainly genetic, and environmental factors. Consistent evidence has pointed to the role of serum brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as a plausible illness biomarker in SCZ spectrum disorders. There is no consensus, however, on the temporal trajectory of this decline. Here, we present a secondary analysis of the Longitudinal Assessment of BDNF in Sardinian Psychotic patients (LABSP) study, focusing on the impact of antipsychotic therapy, particularly long-acting injectable (LAI), on the longitudinal trajectory of serum BDNF levels and analyzing the effect of BDNF genetic variants. LABSP patients were assessed every 6 months for a series of measures, including the assessment of BDNF serum levels over 24 months. Blood samples for each patient were taken at the same time of the day (between 8:00 and 10:00 a.m.). BDNF serum levels were determined using the BDNF ELISA Kit. Four tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) within the BDNF gene (rs1519480, rs11030104, rs6265 [Val66Met], and rs7934165) were selected using standard parameters and analyzed with polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Mixed-effects linear regression models (MLRMs) were used to analyze longitudinal data. Twenty-four patients out of 105 LABSP (22.9%) patients received therapy with LAI. Analysis with MLRM showed a significant effect of LAI treatment associated with increasing serum BDNF levels (Z=2.2, p=0.02). However, oral antipsychotics did not significantly impact the longitudinal trajectory of serum BDNF levels (Z=0.15, p=0.9). There was no moderating effect of variants within the BDNF gene on the identified association. We identified a significant longitudinal increase in serum BDNF in SCZ and SAD patients treated with LAI antipsychotic therapy. The significant impact of this preparation of antipsychotic treatment on serum BDNF, despite the limited sample size, points to a moderate to large magnitude of effect that should be investigated in future prospective studies.

A mineralization method HCl-free for heavy metals analysis in sediments and soils by DRC-ICP-MS was developed. The procedure, which uses concentrated nitric, hydrofluoric acid and hydrogen peroxide, was applied for the analysis of arsenic, cadmium, chromium, nickel and vanadium. The same samples were then analyzed, as pressed pellets, by wavelength dispersive X ray fluorescence (WD-XRF) using the dedicated PANalytical Pro Trace solution for the determination of trace elements. Comparison of ICP and XRF data showed good agreement for the elements under investigation, unless for chromium in soils, which recovery was not complete.

The X-chromosome-linked cell adhesion molecule L1 (L1CAM), a glycoprotein mainly expressed by neurons in the central and peripheral nervous systems, has been implicated in many neural processes, including neuronal migration and survival, neuritogenesis, synapse formation, synaptic plasticity and regeneration. L1 consists of extracellular, transmembrane and cytoplasmic domains. Proteolytic cleavage of L1’s extracellular and transmembrane domains by different proteases generates several L1 fragments with different functions. We found that myelin basic protein (MBP) cleaves L1’s extracellular domain, leading to enhanced neuritogenesis and neuronal survival in vitro. To investigate in vivo the importance of the MBP-generated 70 kDa fragment (L1-70), we generated mice with an arginine to alanine substitution at position 687 (L1/687), thereby disrupting L1’s MBP cleavage site and obliterating L1-70. Young adult L1/687 males showed normal anxiety and circadian rhythm activities but enhanced locomotion, while females showed altered social interactions. Older L1/687 males were impaired in motor coordination. Furthermore, L1/687 male and female mice had a larger hippocampus, with more neurons in the dentate gyrus and more proliferating cells in the subgranular layer, while the thickness of the corpus callosum and the size of lateral ventricles were normal. In summary, subtle mutant morphological changes result in subtle behavioral changes.

IntroductionThe dopaminergic system plays a key role in the appropriate functioning of the central nervous system, where it is essential for emotional balance, arousal, reward, and motor control. The cell adhesion molecule close homolog of L1 (CHL1) contributes to dopaminergic system development, and CHL1 and the dopamine receptor D2 (D2R) are associated with mental disorders like schizophrenia, addiction, autism spectrum disorder and depression.MethodsHere, we investigated how the interplay between CHL1 and D2R affects the behavior of young adult male and female wild-type (CHL+/+) and CHL1-deficient (CHL1−/−) mice, when D2R agonist quinpirole and antagonist sulpiride are applied.ResultsLow doses of quinpirole (0.02 mg/kg body weight) induced hypolocomotion of CHL1+/+ and CHL1−/− males and females, but led to a delayed response in CHL1−/− mice. Sulpiride (1 mg/kg body weight) affected locomotion of CHL1−/− females and social interaction of CHL1+/+ females as well as social interactions of CHL1−/− and CHL1+/+ males. Quinpirole increased novelty-seeking behavior of CHL1−/− males compared to CHL1+/+ males. Vehicle-treated CHL1−/− males and females showed enhanced working memory and reduced stress-related behavior.DiscussionWe propose that CHL1 regulates D2R-dependent functions in vivo. Deficiency of CHL1 leads to abnormal locomotor activity and emotionality, and to sex-dependent behavioral differences.

Currently, the management of public real estate stocks is one of the most challenging activities. In this case, facility management emerges as a strategic but complex discipline that requires a great amount of integrated and structured data and information of heterogeneous origin and nature. Starting from this premise, this paper focuses on how FM discipline can be supported by Building Information Modeling (BIM) and Geographic Information System (GIS) integrated methodologies and tools achieving high levels of effectiveness and efficiency in public building stock management. This led to the definition and development of a framework that mainly takes advantage of open-source tools (e.g., Quantum Geographic Information System—QGIS, and Dynamo) and non-proprietary data exchange formats like the COBie (Construction Operations Building Information Exchange) international standard. This methodological framework is capable of integrating different but strongly complementary tools, data, information, and expert knowledge for a multiscale approach. The methodology presented in this paper does not provide for an integral transfer of BIM data to the GIS platform but leads instead to an effective bidirectional integration between the two informative systems, by properly relating them and allowing for an easy switch from one system database to the other. The findings of experimental applications of the methodological approach to the former Macciotta pediatric hospital, a healthcare building owned by the University of Cagliari, are presented and discussed. Finally, the analysis about potentials and criticalities of the developed methodological framework aims to trigger the widest future development and dissemination of this research.

We present the Sloan Digital Sky Survey V Local Volume Mapper (LVM). The LVM is an integral-field spectroscopic survey of the Milky Way, Magellanic Clouds, and a sample of local volume galaxies, connecting resolved parsec-scale individual sources of feedback to kiloparsec-scale ionized interstellar medium (ISM) properties. The 4 yr survey covers the southern Milky Way disk at spatial resolutions of 0.05–1 pc, the Magellanic Clouds at 10 pc resolution, and nearby large galaxies at larger scales totaling >4300 deg ^2 of sky and more than 55M spectra. It utilizes a new facility of alt–alt mounted siderostats feeding 16 cm refractive telescopes, lenslet-coupled fiber optics, and spectrographs covering 3600–9800 Å at R ∼ 4000. The ultra-wide-field integral-field unit has a diameter of 0.°5 with 1801 hexagonally packed fibers of 35.″3 apertures. The siderostats allow for a completely stationary fiber system, avoiding instability of the line-spread function seen in traditional fiber feeds. Scientifically, LVM resolves the regions where energy, momentum, and chemical elements are injected into the ISM at the scale of gas clouds, while simultaneously charting where energy is being dissipated (via cooling, shocks, turbulence, bulk flows, etc.) to global scales. This combined local and global view enables us to constrain physical processes regulating how stellar feedback operates and couples to galactic kinematics and disk-scale structures, such as the bar and spiral arms, as well as gas in- and outflows.

Theoretical models predict that z ≳ 6 quasars are hosted in the most massive halos of the underlying dark matter distribution and thus would be immersed in protoclusters of galaxies. However, observations report inconclusive results. We investigate the 1.1 proper-Mpc ^2 environment of the z = 7.54 luminous quasar ULAS J1342+0928. We search for Lyman-break galaxy (LBG) candidates using deep imaging from the Hubble Space Telescope (HST) in the Advanced Camera for Surveys (ACS)/F814W, Wide Field Camera 3 (WFC3)/F105W/F125W bands, and Spitzer/Infrared Array Camera at 3.6 and 4.5 μ m. We report a ${z}_{\mathrm{phot}}={7.69}_{-0.23}^{+0.33}$ LBG with mag _F125W = 26.41 at 223 projected proper kpc (pkpc) from the quasar. We find no HST counterpart to one [C ii ] emitter previously found with the Atacama Large millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) at 27 projected pkpc and z _[C II] =7.5341 ± 0.0009 (Venemans et al. 2020 ). We estimate the completeness of our LBG candidates using results from Cosmic Assembly Near-Infrared Deep Extragalactic Legacy Survey/GOODS deep blank field searches sharing a similar filter setup. We find that >50% of the z ∼ 7.5 Lyman-break galaxies (LBGs) with mag _F125W > 25.5 are missed due to the absence of a filter redward of the Lyman break in F105W, hindering the UV color accuracy of the candidates. We conduct a QSO-LBG clustering analysis revealing a low LBG excess of ${0.46}_{-0.08}^{+1.52}$ in this quasar field, consistent with an average or low-density field. Consequently, this result does not present strong evidence of an LBG overdensity around ULAS J1342+0928. Furthermore, we identify two LBG candidates with a z _phot matching a confirmed z = 6.84 absorber along the line of sight to the quasar. All these galaxy candidates are excellent targets for follow-up observations with JWST and/or ALMA to confirm their redshift and physical properties.

Excessive predominance of pathological species in the gut microbiota could increase the production of inflammatory mediators at the gut level and, via modification of the gut–blood barrier, at the systemic level. This pro-inflammatory state could, in turn, increase biological aging that is generally proxied by telomere shortening. In this study, we present findings from a secondary interaction analysis of gut microbiota, aging, and inflammatory marker data from a cohort of patients with different diagnoses of severe mental disorders. We analyzed 15 controls, 35 patients with schizophrenia (SCZ), and 31 patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) recruited among those attending a community mental health center (50 males and 31 females, mean and median age 46.8 and 46.3 years, respectively). We performed 16S rRNA sequencing as well as measurement of telomere length via quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein. We applied statistical modeling with logistic regression to test for interaction between gut microbiota and these markers. Our results showed statistically significant interactions between telomere length and gut microbiota pointing to the genus Lachnostridium, which remained significantly associated with a reduced likelihood of MDD even after adjustment for a series of covariates. Although exploratory, these findings show that specific gut microbiota signatures overexpressing Lachnoclostridium and interacting with biological aging could modulate the liability for MDD.