Reconstruction of macroglia and adult neurogenesis evolution through cross-species single-cell transcriptomic analyses.

Macroglia fulfill essential functions in the adult vertebrate brain, producing and maintaining neurons and regulating neuronal communication. However, we still know little about their emergence and diversification. We used the zebrafish D. rerio as a distant vertebrate model with moderate glial diversity as anchor to reanalyze datasets covering over 600 million years of evolution. We identify core features of adult neurogenesis and innovations in the mammalian lineage with a potential link to the rarity of radial glia-like cells in adult humans. Our results also suggest that functions associated with astrocytes originated in a multifunctional cell type fulfilling both neural stem cell and astrocytic functions before these diverged. Finally, we identify conserved elements of macroglial cell identity and function and their time of emergence during evolution.

Prosaposin maintains adult neural stem cells in a state associated with deep quiescence.

In most vertebrates, adult neural stem cells (NSCs) continuously give rise to neurons in discrete brain regions. A critical process for maintaining NSC pools over long periods of time in the adult brain is NSC quiescence, a reversible and tightly regulated state of cell-cycle arrest. Recently, lysosomes were identified to regulate the NSC quiescence-proliferation balance. However, it remains controversial whether lysosomal activity promotes NSC proliferation or quiescence, and a finer influence of lysosomal activity on NSC quiescence duration or depth remains unexplored. Using RNA sequencing and pharmacological manipulations, we show that lysosomes are necessary for NSC quiescence maintenance. In addition, we reveal that expression of psap, encoding the lysosomal regulator Prosaposin, is enriched in quiescent NSCs (qNSCs) that reside upstream in the NSC lineage and display a deep/long quiescence phase in the adult zebrafish telencephalon. We show that shRNA-mediated psap knockdown increases the proportion of activated NSCs (aNSCs) as well as NSCs that reside in shallower quiescence states (signed by ascl1a and deltaA expression). Collectively, our results identify the lysosomal protein Psap as a (direct or indirect) quiescence regulator and unfold the interplay between lysosomal function and NSC quiescence heterogeneities.

The skin-brain connection and pleasant touch as supportive care for psychocutaneous disorders.

Psychodermatology is a subdiscipline of dermatology at the intersection of dermatology, psychiatry, and psychology. In dermatology clinical practice, patients may present with skin disease that affects their mental health, or skin disorders induced or worsened by psychological/psychiatric problems so there is a need for specialised education of dermatologists, as well as multidisciplinary teams, to achieve better management of these patients. Understanding the interaction between the central nervous system and the skin underlying psychocutaneous disorders could help identify alternative therapies that may improve patient well-being. The concept of pleasurable touch has received increasing attention following the discovery of C-tactile (CT) fibres. While afferent C-fibre stimulation is usually associated with pain, temperature, or itch, CT-fibres are stimulated optimally by a stimulus not in the nociceptor range but by a gentle, low-force stroking. As this affective touch may counteract unpleasurable sensations, such as pain and itch, and elicit positive feelings, the potential benefits of gentle touch and massage are interesting for dermatological, especially psychocutaneous, disorders. Here we provide an overview of the skin-brain connection to help understand the benefits of touch and massage, as illustrated with studies on atopic dermatitis and burns, as an adjunct to dermatological treatment for improving patient well-being and optimising treatment outcomes.

Water consumption by rinse-off cosmetic products: The case of the shower.

OBJECTIVE: This article measures and discusses the effects of different shower gels on the consumption of water used during a shower. METHODS: A sensory panel was created for quantifying water consumption associated with the use of shower gels. Fifteen French panellists were recruited (age: 59 ± 7, height: 163 cm ± 9 and weight: 68 kg ± 20) and trained to assess rinsed skin in a standardized way. Effective panellists were then asked to assess 25 shower gels covering the variety of existing products on the market. RESULTS: Results showed that the average volume was 4.77 L for heating the water and wetting the body and 4.15 L for rinsing the shower gel off the full body. We observed a significant shower gel effect (p < 0.0001) with the water volume needed to rinse the 25 shower gels ranging 3.21 L to 5.65 L. CONCLUSION: This paper demonstrates the impact of shower gel formulation on water consumption during a shower. It thus demonstrates the importance of formulating shower gels to reduce the total amount of water needed to shower. It also introduces the distinction between 'useful water' which refers strictly to the volume of water objectively needed to rinse off a product and the 'used water' which refers to the total shower volume of water. This distinction helps to better strategize actions in order to reduce water consumption from rinse-off cosmetic products used during showers.

OBJECTIF: Cet article mesure et évalue les effets de différents gels douche sur la consommation d'eau utilisée pendant une douche. MÉTHODES: Un panel sensoriel a été créé pour quantifier la consommation d'eau associée à l'utilisation de gels douche. Quinze panélistes français ont été recrutés (âge: 59 ± 7, taille: 163 ± 9 cm et poids: 68 ± 20 kg) et formés pour évaluer la peau rincée de manière standardisée. Il a ensuite été demandé aux panélistes efficaces d'évaluer 25 gels douche couvrant la variété des produits existants sur le marché. RÉSULTATS: Les résultats ont montré que le volume moyen était de 4,77 L pour chauffer l'eau et mouiller le corps, et de 4,15 L pour rincer le gel douche sur tout le corps. Nous avons observé un effet significatif du gel douche (p < 0,0001), le volume d'eau nécessaire pour rincer les 25 gels douche allant de 3,21 L à 5,65 L. CONCLUSION: Cet article démontre l'impact de la formulation du gel douche sur la consommation d'eau pendant la douche. Il démontre de ce fait l'importance de formuler des gels douche visant à réduire la quantité totale d'eau nécessaire pour se doucher. Il établit également la distinction entre l'« eau utile ¼, qui fait strictement référence au volume d'eau objectivement nécessaire pour rincer un produit et l'« eau utilisée ¼, qui fait référence au volume total d'eau utilisée pendant la douche. Cette distinction permet de mieux définir des stratégies pour réduire la consommation d'eau des produits cosmétiques à rincer utilisés pendant la douche.

Conserved and Divergent Features of Adult Neurogenesis in Zebrafish.

Adult neurogenesis, i.e., the generation of neurons from neural stem cells (NSCs) in the adult brain, contributes to brain plasticity in all vertebrates. It varies, however, greatly in extent, location and physiological characteristics between species. During the last decade, the teleost zebrafish (D. rerio) was increasingly used to study the molecular and cellular properties of adult NSCs, in particular as a prominent NSC population was discovered at the ventricular surface of the dorsal telencephalon (pallium), in territories homologous to the adult neurogenic niches of rodents. This model, for its specific features (large NSC population, amenability to intravital imaging, high regenerative capacity) allowed rapid progress in the characterization of basic adult NSC features. We review here these findings, with specific comparisons with the situation in rodents. We specifically discuss the cellular nature of NSCs (astroglial or neuroepithelial cells), their heterogeneities and their neurogenic lineages, and the mechanisms controlling NSC quiescence and fate choices, which all impact the neurogenic output. We further discuss the regulation of NSC activity in response to physiological triggers and non-physiological conditions such as regenerative contexts.

Measuring Food Waste and Consumption by Children Using Photography.

A photography method was used to measure waste on food trays in school lunch in France, using the 5-point quarter-waste scale. While food waste has been studied extensively in US school lunches, the structure of the French lunch meal is quite different, with multiple courses, and vegetables (raw and cooked) in more than one course. Vegetables were the most wasted food category as usually seen in school lunch research, especially cooked vegetables, which were wasted at rates of 66%-83%. Raw vegetables were still wasted more than main dishes, starchy products, dairy, fruit, and desserts. Vegetables were also the most disliked food category, with the classes of vegetables falling in the same order as for waste. Waste and liking were highly correlated. Sensory characteristics of the food were cited as a main reason for liking/disliking. There is a strong connection between food liking and food consumption, and this connection should be the basis for future attempts to modify school lunch to improve consumption. The photographic method of measuring food waste at an individual level performed well.

A Common Embryonic Origin of Stem Cells Drives Developmental and Adult Neurogenesis.

New neurons arise from quiescent adult neural progenitors throughout life in specific regions of the mammalian brain. Little is known about the embryonic origin and establishment of adult neural progenitors. Here, we show that Hopx+ precursors in the mouse dentate neuroepithelium at embryonic day 11.5 give rise to proliferative Hopx+ neural progenitors in the primitive dentate region, and they, in turn, generate granule neurons, but not other neurons, throughout development and then transition into Hopx+ quiescent radial glial-like neural progenitors during an early postnatal period. RNA-seq and ATAC-seq analyses of Hopx+ embryonic, early postnatal, and adult dentate neural progenitors further reveal common molecular and epigenetic signatures and developmental dynamics. Together, our findings support a "continuous" model wherein a common neural progenitor population exclusively contributes to dentate neurogenesis throughout development and adulthood. Adult dentate neurogenesis may therefore represent a lifelong extension of development that maintains heightened plasticity in the mammalian hippocampus.

Non-cell Autonomous OTX2 Homeoprotein Regulates Visual Cortex Plasticity Through Gadd45b/g.

The non-cell autonomous transfer of OTX2 homeoprotein transcription factor into juvenile mouse cerebral cortex regulates parvalbumin interneuron maturation and critical period timing. By analyzing gene expression in primary visual cortex of wild-type and Otx2+/GFP mice at plastic and nonplastic ages, we identified several putative genes implicated in Otx2-dependent visual cortex plasticity for ocular dominance. Cortical OTX2 infusion in juvenile mice induced Gadd45b/g expression through direct regulation of transcription. Intriguingly, a reverse effect was found in the adult, where reducing cortical OTX2 resulted in Gadd45b/g upregulation. Viral expression of Gadd45b in adult visual cortex directly induced ocular dominance plasticity with concomitant changes in MeCP2 foci within parvalbumin interneurons and in methylation states of several plasticity gene promoters, suggesting epigenetic regulation. This interaction provides a molecular mechanism for OTX2 to trigger critical period plasticity yet suppress adult plasticity.

Consumption of a High Quantity and a Wide Variety of Vegetables Are Predicted by Different Food Choice Motives in Older Adults from France, Italy and the UK.

BACKGROUND: Consumption of a high quantity and wide variety of vegetables is currently recommended for health. Dietary variety can be low, however, particularly for older adults. This study investigated the affective factors associated with the quantity and variety of vegetables consumed by older adults in France, Italy and the UK. METHODS: Adults aged 65 years plus completed questionnaires on self-reported vegetable intake (quantity and variety), liking for vegetables, attitudes towards intake, and demographic variables. RESULTS: In 497 older adults (France, n = 187, Italy, n = 152, UK, n = 158), higher quantities of vegetables consumed were associated with a higher age, affluence score and liking for vegetables, and a lower importance in consumption of familiarity (smallest ß = 0.11, p = 0.03). Greater variety was associated with a higher liking and importance of health benefits, and a lower importance of familiarity (smallest ß = -0.11, p < 0.01). Higher quantity and variety combined (quantity × variety) was associated with a higher age, liking and importance of health benefits, and a lower importance of familiarity (smallest ß = 0.14, p = 0.02). Country-specific effects were also found (smallest ß = 0.20, p < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate a role for liking and a lower concern for eating familiar foods in vegetable consumption, and a particular role for concern for health benefits in the consumption of a greater variety of vegetables.

Sensory determinants of stated liking for vegetable names and actual liking for canned vegetables: A cross-country study among European adolescents.

Sensory properties are reported as one of the main factors hindering an appropriate vegetable intake by the young. In the present work the sensory determinants of likings for vegetables were explored in adolescents of four European countries (Denmark, n = 88; France, n = 206; Italy, n = 110 and United Kingdom, n = 93). A questionnaire was designed to study cross country differences in stated liking for and familiarity with a list of vegetables popular among European markets (between-vegetable approach). A within-vegetable comparison approach with actual tasting was used to analyze differences and similarities in liking for canned pea and sweet corn samples across the countries. A close positive relationship between stated liking and familiarity was found. Irrespective of the country, one group of highly liked vegetables (carrots, tomatoes, green salad) was identified, characterized by innately liked tastes (sweet, umami), delicate flavour and bright appealing colour. A second group of highly disliked vegetables consists of cauliflowers and broccoli, characterized by disliked sensations such as bitter taste and objectionable flavour. Internal Preference Maps from actual liking scores indicate that the generally disliked tastes (bitter, sour), are clearly correlated with a negative hedonic response for both peas and sweet corn. The hedonic valence of a generally well accepted taste such as salty and texture descriptors depends on the type of vegetable. Internal preference maps from actual liking data indicate that flavour and appearance descriptors of the distinct sensory properties of each type of vegetable positively affect liking, while the intensity of unusual flavours is related to sample disliking.

Increasing vegetable intakes: rationale and systematic review of published interventions.

PURPOSE: While the health benefits of a high fruit and vegetable consumption are well known and considerable work has attempted to improve intakes, increasing evidence also recognises a distinction between fruit and vegetables, both in their impacts on health and in consumption patterns. Increasing work suggests health benefits from a high consumption specifically of vegetables, yet intakes remain low, and barriers to increasing intakes are prevalent making intervention difficult. A systematic review was undertaken to identify from the published literature all studies reporting an intervention to increase intakes of vegetables as a distinct food group. METHODS: Databases-PubMed, PsychInfo and Medline-were searched over all years of records until April 2015 using pre-specified terms. RESULTS: Our searches identified 77 studies, detailing 140 interventions, of which 133 (81 %) interventions were conducted in children. Interventions aimed to use or change hedonic factors, such as taste, liking and familiarity (n = 72), use or change environmental factors (n = 39), use or change cognitive factors (n = 19), or a combination of strategies (n = 10). Increased vegetable acceptance, selection and/or consumption were reported to some degree in 116 (83 %) interventions, but the majority of effects seem small and inconsistent. CONCLUSIONS: Greater percent success is currently found from environmental, educational and multi-component interventions, but publication bias is likely, and long-term effects and cost-effectiveness are rarely considered. A focus on long-term benefits and sustained behaviour change is required. Certain population groups are also noticeably absent from the current list of tried interventions.

Sensory evaluation of a novel vegetable in school age children.

A behavioural sensory task was undertaken to further understanding into whether children's sensory evaluation of a new vegetable is associated with tasting and food neophobia scores. A sample of ninety-five children, aged 7-11 years, was recruited from a primary school in inner city Birmingham, UK. They were asked to rate the sight, smell and feel of a familiar vegetable (carrot) and an unfamiliar vegetable (celeriac) in a randomised order to control for order effects. They were then asked to try the each vegetable, and rate its taste. It was found that children rated the sensory characteristics of the familiar vegetable more positively than the novel vegetable across all sensory domains (p < 0.05). Refusing to try the novel vegetable was associated with food neophobia scores and olfactory ratings. The ratings of the taste of the novel vegetable were associated with olfactory and tactile ratings. In addition there was a clear developmental shift in the sample with younger children being more likely to rate the novel vegetable as 'looking strange' and older children rating the novel vegetable as 'smelling strange'. This research strengthens the idea that sensory information is important in children deciding to try, and their hedonic evaluation of the taste of a new vegetable.

Effect of labeling on new vegetable dish acceptance in preadolescent children.

The aim of this study was to explore the effectiveness of a food-labeling strategy to introduce new versions of foods to children's diets, in natural lunch settings (school canteens). The proposed food involved two different types of vegetables: carrots (very familiar) and broccoli (less familiar), both being prepared and presented for choice in a 'familiar' (known) versus a 'new' (unknown) version. We assessed whether adding a label (either basic or model-related) to new versions of vegetable dishes would increase the likelihood that 8- to 11-year-old children would select the new dishes rather than the familiar versions. In the first condition (no label/control condition), both the familiar and the new versions of the vegetable dishes were presented with absence of any information. In the second condition (basic label condition), the new dish was presented accompanied by a basic label: "new carrot/broccoli recipe". In the third condition (model-related label condition), the new version of the dish was presented with a model-related label: "new carrot/broccoli recipe, Special Mix for Super Heroes". Results showed that children chose significantly more often the familiar version of the dish when no information was given (control condition). The addition of a descriptive label (whether basic or model-related) led to an increased frequency of choice for the new vegetable dish for carrots only, and not for broccoli. This study suggests that adding a label with the vegetable's name can be used to increase children's willingness to select a new version of a vegetable dish instead of a familiar one, at least when the vegetable is familiar to the children (i.e. carrots).

Perceptual and lexical knowledge of vegetables in preadolescent children.

The present study investigated the visual and lexical knowledge of vegetables in children. The purpose of this was to identify both liked and disliked familiar vegetables which will be used in a further study. We explored children's lexical knowledge with a free listing test and their visual knowledge with a picture's sorting test. 145 children between the ages of 8 and 11 years from various living environments of the Rhône-Alpes Region, France, completed both tests. Overall, 54 vegetables were cited, 16 of which were cited by more than 9% of the sample. Carrots, tomatoes and lettuce were the most named vegetables and the best visually recognized by children. Lexical knowledge increased gradually with age. Children from rural areas named significantly more vegetables than those from urban areas. However, visual recognition of vegetables did not change as a function of age or living environment. This suggests that visual categorization allows easier accessing to semantic knowledge than verbal questioning. Finally, the data showed a relation between visual familiarity and liking: the majority of raw vegetables recognized visually were also classified as "liked vegetables". In addition, children declared that they did not want to try most of the unknown vegetables.