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Chemical Proteomics Identifies Ketogenesis-Mediated Cysteine Modifications Regulating Redox Function
No full textAll the studies of ketogenesis-dependent post-translational modifications (PTMs), notably those mediated by ketone bodies, β-hydroxybutyrate (Bhb) and acetoacetate (Acac), have focused on lysine acylations. However, given the chemically diverse and reactive nature of metabolites generated, it remains unclear whether non-lysine modifications can also happen. Here, we develop an acetoacetate-alkyne (Acac-alkyne) chemical probe that enables efficient metabolic labeling, robust fluorescent visualization, and site-specific identification of Acac-modified proteins. By combining chemical proteomics with open-search strategy, we showed that Acac induces previously uncharacterized cysteine modifications in mammalian cells. Notably, cysteine crotonation (Ccr) is validated by employing both probe-based and standard peptide-based co-elution assays. Metabolic pathway tracing further identifies BDH1 and ECHS1 as key enzymes that generate Ccr formation. We further demonstrate that Ccr at PRDX3 C229 site impairs dimerization and redox activity, linking this newly discovered modification to the regulation of cellular reactive oxygen species. Together, these findings establish ketone metabolism as a novel source of cysteine modifications and provide an alternative mechanistic pathway to explain the profound biological effects of ketone bodies
Global Research Trends of Black Soldier Fly Larvae (Hermetia illucens) Meal in Aquaculture From a Scientometric Perspective (2007–2025)
No full textBlack soldier fly larvae (Hermetia illucens) meal (BSFLM) has gained increasing attention over the past two decades as a sustainable and functional ingredient in aquafeeds. This study presents the first scientometric analysis of BSFLM research in aquaculture from 2007 to 2025, using data from Scopus and Web of Science (WOS). Following PRISMA‐guided screening, 355 peer‐reviewed articles were retained and analyzed with the Bibliometrix R package. Results indicate a consistent annual growth rate of 11.42% in publications, with Italy, the United States, Norway, and China emerging as key contributors. Research themes have evolved from initial feasibility studies to more recent emphases on health parameters, immunological effects, and gut microbiota modulation. Species such as Oncorhynchus mykiss, Sparus aurata, Oreochromis niloticus, Salmo salar, Dicentrarchus labrax, and Litopenaeus vannamei are frequently studied, reflecting their commercial and academic relevance. However, a pronounced underrepresentation of carps and catfish, despite being the most farmed finfish globally, highlights a persistent misalignment between research priorities and global aquaculture production, likely due to the large variety of regional species being produced and investigated. Further regional disparities exist, with Europe accounting for 50% of the literature but only 3.2% of global output, while Asia accounts for 30% of the literature but 89% of global production output. These findings offer a road map to realign global research priorities with aquaculture production realities
"That's not who I am": an examination of multi-level stigma as a barrier to pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) use among individuals involved in the criminal legal system in the southern US
No full textPre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a highly effective biomedical intervention for preventing HIV, yet uptake remains disproportionately low among individuals involved in the criminal legal system (CLS), particularly those under community supervision in the Southern United States. Multi-level stigma - including self, interpersonal, and structural stigma - has been identified as a significant barrier to PrEP awareness and acceptance. This study draws on in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 72 participants across three Southern states - Florida, Kentucky, and North Carolina - who were under community supervision and met clinical indications for PrEP. These findings illustrate the compounding impact of stigma across levels, and how the overlapping stigmas associated with HIV, sexuality, drug use, and incarceration can hinder engagement with preventive care. This study fills a critical gap in the literature by centering the voices of CLS-involved individuals under community supervision in the South - a population that exists in a unique space between incarceration and community reentry. Our findings underscore the need for stigma-informed interventions that address not only knowledge and access gaps but also the social and institutional conditions that shape health behavior. Future PrEP implementation efforts must be context-specific, trauma-informed, and embedded in systems that CLS-involved individuals routinely engage with
Design and Test of a Lower-Cost Water-Quality Sensor for Nitrate
No full textNitrate is a water pollutant with significant environmental and health effects. Current field-deployable nitrate sensors are expensive, limiting monitoring and management efforts. We designed a lower-cost optical nitrate sensor suitable for field use. We built a prototype unit for less than $800 and tested the unit in a laboratory setting in both distilled and river water with different levels of added nitrate. Our calibration shows that the device effectively senses nitrate in the 0 to 100 mg/L range we chose for relevance to real-world applications. We developed a method for temperature correction of the optoelectronics and applied a third-order polynomial fit for nitrate response to reach similar performance in clean water to commercial sensors, with an RMSE of 0.67 mg/L and R-2 > 0.99 on the fully averaged data set, and a limit of detection of 1.73 mg/L on 20 min averaged data. We identified a need for an improved reading protocol and further calibration work to address challenges with matrix effects in dirty water. We pointed out the key issues for future production of the sensor, including unit-to-unit variability and interference from other compounds. This novel sensor design provides promise as a low-cost but effective nitrate water quality sensor
Altered Cytokine‐Induced STAT3 and STAT5 Activation of Peripheral T Follicular Helper Cells Contributes to Vaccine‐Non‐Responsiveness in Aging and HIV
No full textPrevious studies from our lab identified functional defects in antigen-specific peripheral T follicular helper cells (pTfh), characterized by low IL-21 and high IL-2 production, contributing to non-responsiveness to the influenza vaccine in both aging and HIV. This study investigated how IL-21-induced STAT3 and IL-2-induced STAT5 activation in pTfh cells affects vaccine responses in aging people with HIV (PWH) and those without HIV (PWoH). Ninety participants, including young (Y, ≤ 40 years) and old (O, ≥ 65 years) PWoH (YPWoH, n = 23; OPWoH, n = 25) and virally suppressed PWH (YPWH, n = 19; OPWH, n = 23), received the seasonal quadrivalent influenza vaccine. Samples were collected at pre-vaccination (day 0) and at days 14 and 28 post-vaccination. Participants were classified as vaccine responders (VR) or non-responders (VNR) based on serum antibody titers against vaccine antigens using the hemagglutination inhibition assay. Phosphoflow cytometry was performed on pre-vaccination PBMCs stimulated with IL-21 or IL-2, and high-dimensional analysis was performed using OMIQ software. Peripheral Tfh cells of young individuals showed greater IL-21-induced STAT3, reduced IL-2-induced STAT5 activity, and a reduced frequency of IL-2R+ pTfh cells compared to older individuals. IL-21-induced STAT3 in naïve CD4+ T cells in young participants correlated with the frequency of pTfh cells. Among VNR, IL-2-induced STAT5 in pTfh cells inversely correlated with day 28 vaccine titers. Our findings emphasize the essential role of IL-21 and IL-2-induced STAT signaling in orchestrating the immune response to vaccination. As individuals age, IL-2-induced STAT5 signaling in pTfh increases, potentially hindering Tfh cell differentiation and function, which may result in weaker vaccine responses
Cost-Effectiveness of Free Tissue Transfer for Unilateral Facial Paralysis
No full textObjective:To determine the cost-effectiveness of single-stage free tissue transfer techniques as compared to no intervention for the treatment of chronic facial paralysis.Methods:The health utility values specific to unilateral facial paralysis and post-facial reanimation, as well as the cost and success rate of free tissue transfer, were derived from the published literature. Decision tree modeling with Monte Carlo simulation was used to calculate cost-effectiveness. A sensitivity analysis tested the validity of the conclusions by modeling variations in cost and utility values.Results:The surgical pathway is 56,737.80/QALY. At a willingness to pay (WTP) threshold of 150,000, the surgery is cost-effective across all parameters tested (maximum cost end-point being $180,000).Conclusion:Despite the imperfect success rate and risks involved, free tissue transfer surgery is a cost-effective treatment for facial paralysis as compared to no intervention
Inflammation-Associated Mechanisms of Blood–Brain Barrier Disruption and Depression Pathogenesis in People with and Without HIV
No full textDepression is the most common neuropsychiatric comorbidity in people with HIV (PWH), with a prevalence of 30–50%, nearly twice that of the general population. Depression is a major cause of disease burden worldwide associated with increased morbidity and mortality in both people with and without HIV. Converging lines of evidence indicate that chronic peripheral inflammation and neuroinflammation, blood–brain barrier (BBB) disruption, and neurocircuit-level changes interact to mediate depression pathogenesis, and that these processes may be especially relevant in PWH. HIV-associated chronic inflammation, which persists despite viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy, may contribute to depression pathogenesis in this population. BBB permeability has been hypothesized to serve as a key mediator for the interaction of peripheral inflammation with the central nervous system in depression pathogenesis. In this review, we will describe the structure and function of the BBB and how peripheral inflammation interacts with cells of the BBB and the mechanisms that lead to increased BBB permeability. We will discuss current research addressing how peripheral inflammation and BBB disruption contribute to depression pathogenesis in people with and without HIV. We will review current techniques for studying BBB permeability in in vitro, animal, and clinical models and outline future directions for ongoing research
Associations between neighborhood socioeconomic status and cardiometabolic health among Asian American residents of New York City
No full textAsian Americans represent the fastest-growing group in the United States. Yet the relationship between neighborhood socio-economic status (NSES) and cardiometabolic health has not been thoroughly examined. The study goal is to determine the association between NSES with obesity, hypertension, and diabetes among Asian American subgroups.
Data from 4,557 self-identified Chinese, Asians from the Indian sub-continent, or Other Asian participants of the 2017-2020 New York City Community Health Survey were analyzed. Each participant was geo-coded into one of 55 community districts and a NSES factor score was calculated and categorized into low, medium, or high NSES. Overweight/obesity, hypertension, and diabetes were self-reported. Hierarchical multivariable adjusted regression models were used to evaluate the association between NSES and cardiometabolic health.
Compared with high NSES, residing in a neighborhood of medium NSES was associated with higher odds of obesity (OR: 2.70, 95% CI: 1.43, 5.13) among Other Asians and higher odds of overweight/obesity among “All Asians” (OR: 1.41, 95% CI: 1.06, 1.89), Chinese (OR: 1.25, 95% CI: 1.01, 1.62), and “other Asians” (OR: 3.04, 95% CI: 1.39, 6.69).
Lower compared with higher NSES was associated with overweight/obesity among Asian Americans in NYC
