Biology subjects

Liao, Y.-S. J.

Publications and source records attributed to Liao, Y.-S. J..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2024

Investigating the impact of edge weight selection on the pig trade network topology

Traceability of animal movements and robust surveillance are crucial for identifying and controlling animal diseases. Risk-based surveillance, i.e. network-based approaches, can identify higher-risk holdings or trades. However, node ranking, useful to identify "influential" nodes (holdings) in the network, varies with the considered metrics. We use a dataset of pig movements in Upper Austria from 2021 to study the robustness of node ranking through three centrality metrics and compare them with epidemic model ranking. Incorporating edge weights may influence the network analysis, therefore, we simulate two representations using edge weights based on: i) the frequency of exchanges between holdings ("frequency-based") and ii) the number of pigs exchanged ("volume-based"). We compare the impact of the edge weight on the network topology, community structure, and node ranking in a network with 5,766 nodes and 92,914 edges. Results revealed distinct edge weight distributions: frequency-based network exhibited a bimodal pattern, while volume-based was more uniform. Strength centrality exhibited the highest correlation with simulation-based rankings, particularly for the top 5% highest-ranked nodes ({tau}b = 0.51 for frequency-based and{tau} b = 0.5 for volume-based). These findings highlight that using strength centrality to identify critical nodes can significantly enhance surveillance strategies, making them more efficient and field-deployable, enhancing traditional methods without requiring extensive simulations. Author summaryEarly detection of infectious diseases through surveillance activities is important to prevent severe impacts on the livestock sector and avoid major economic losses that often result from delayed detection. Prioritizing surveillance efforts through a data-driven approach presents a strategic advantage compared to random sampling. Here, we propose two network representations of the Upper Austrian pig trade network 2021, which show livestock holdings as nodes and animal movements as links between these nodes, which can represent the volume of pigs exchanged or the frequency of these exchanges. Using network analysis methods, we identify "influential" holdings in the network, i.e., those playing a key role in the network, either due to their numerous connections with other holdings, their position on many trade paths, or their crucial role in disease transmission dynamics. We show that using strength centrality can effectively identify key holdings for targeted surveillance. Adopting network-based surveillance can facilitate resource allocation for veterinary surveillance programs, offering a cost-effective strategy for disease management, enabling tailored, more effective, and timely interventions.

bioinformatics↗

bioRxiv2020

Durable Changes to Airway Mucus and Fluid Secretion Following Cholinergic Challenge

PurposeMucus abnormalities are central to the pathophysiology of several chronic airway diseases. Mucus secretion and clearance are regulated, in part, by cholinergic innervation. Prolonged cholinergic stimulation may contribute to mucus abnormalities in disease. Thus, we tested the hypothesis that prolonged cholinergic stimulation gives rise to lasting mucus abnormalities in airways. MethodsWe delivered aerosolized bethanechol, a cholinergic agonist, to pig airways. Forty-eight hours later, we measured mucus secretion and mucociliary transport in tracheal segments ex vivo. Tracheal and bronchoalveolar lavage concentrations of the major secreted mucus glycoproteins, mucin5B (MUC5B) or mucin5AC (MUC5AC), were measured with ELISA and antibody labeling. Pig airway epithelia were cultured at the air-liquid interface and treated with bethanechol for forty-eight hours. Stimulated fluid secretion was measured with reflected microscopy and Ussing chambers were used to measure ion transport. ResultsAirways from bethanechol-challenged pigs exhibited sheet-like mucus films, which were not associated with a greater abundance of MUC5AC or MUC5B. Epithelia treated with bethanechol had diminished fluid secretion and decreased Cl- transport. However, mucus and fluid alterations were not associated with impaired mucociliary transport. ConclusionsThese data suggest that cholinergic transmission induces sustained alterations in airway mucus properties. Such defects might compound and/or contribute to persistent mucus phenotypes found after the resolution of airway inflammation.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Acid exposure impairs mucus secretion and disrupts mucus transport in neonatal piglet airways

Tenacious mucus produced by tracheal and bronchial submucosal glands is a defining feature of cystic fibrosis (CF). Although airway acidification occurs early in CF, whether transient acidification is sufficient to initiate mucus abnormalities is unknown. We studied mucus secretion and mucus transport in piglets forty-eight hours following an intra-airway acid challenge. Acid-challenged piglet airways were distinguished by increased mucin 5B (MUC5B) in the submucosal gland but decreased lung lavage fluid MUC5B, following in vivo cholinergic stimulation, suggesting a failure in submucosal gland secretion. Concomitantly, intrapulmonary airways were obstructed with glycoprotein rich material under both basal and methacholine-stimulated conditions. To mimic a CF-like environment, we also studied mucus secretion and transport under diminished bicarbonate and chloride transport conditions ex vivo. Cholinergic stimulation in acid-challenged piglet airways induced extensive mucus films, greater mucus strand formation, increased dilation of submucosal gland duct openings and decreased mucociliary transport. Finally, to elucidate potential mediators of acid-induced mucus defects, we investigated diminazene aceturate, a small molecule that inhibits the acid-sensing ion channel (ASIC). Diminazene aceturate restored surface MUC5B in acid-challenged piglet airways under basal conditions, mitigated acid-induced airway obstruction, and magnified the number of dilated submucosal gland duct openings. These findings suggest that even transient airway acidification early in life might have profound impacts on mucus secretion and transport properties. Further they highlight diminazene aceturate as an agent that might be beneficial in alleviating certain mucus defects in CF airway disease.\n\nOne sentence summaryEarly life airway acidification has profound impacts on mucus secretion and transport.

physiology↗

bioRxiv2019

Attenuated amiloride-sensitive current and augmented calcium-activated chloride current in marsh rice rat (Oryzomys palustris) airways

Prolonged heat and sea salt aerosols pose a challenge for the mammalian airway, placing the protective airway surface liquid (ASL) at risk for desiccation. Thus, mammals inhabiting salt marshes might have acquired adaptations for ASL regulation. We studied the airways of the rice rat, a rodent that inhabits salt marshes. We discovered negligible Na+ transport through the epithelial sodium channel (ENaC). In contrast, carbachol induced a large Cl- secretory current that was blocked by the calcium-activated chloride channel (CaCC) inhibitor CaCCinh-A01. Decreased mRNA expression of , {beta}, and {gamma} ENaC, and increased mRNA expression of the CaCC transmembrane member 16A distinguished the rice rat airway. Rice rat airway cultures also secreted fluid in response to carbachol and displayed an exaggerated expansion of the ASL volume when challenged with 3.5% NaCl. These data suggest that the rice rat airway might possess unique ion transport adaptations to facilitate survival in the salt marsh environment.

physiology↗