LIFEPLAN: A worldwide biodiversity sampling design.

As the technology for mass identification of species is advancing rapidly, we developed a field sampling method that takes advantage of the emerging possibilities of combining sensor-based data with automated high-throughput data processing. This article describes the five field sampling methods used by the LIFEPLAN project to collect biodiversity data in a systematic manner, all over the world. These methods are designed for use by anyone with basic biology or ecology knowledge from the higher education or university level.

Vitrification and rapid rewarming of precision-cut liver slices for pharmacological and biomedical research.

Background And Aims: High-throughput in vitro pharmacological toxicity testing is essential for drug discovery. Precision-cut liver slices (PCLS) provide a robust system for screening that is more representative of the complex 3D structure of the whole liver than isolated hepatocytes. However, PCLS are not available as off-the-shelf products, significantly limiting their translational potential.

Are ultrasound salivary parenchymal lesions more severe in primary Sjögren patients with a longer disease duration? A cross-sectional study.

Objectives: Salivary gland ultrasound (SGUS) has an interest in primary Sjögren's disease (pSD) for diagnosis, but the evolution of parenchymal lesions over time is unknown. The objective of this study was to assess the severity of ultrasound abnormalities in relation to pSD duration from the time of buccal dryness onset.

Methods: In this cross-sectional international multicentre study, patients with pSD according to the 2002 or 2016 ACR/EULAR classification criteria were included.

The effect of smoking on Sjögren's disease development and severity: a comprehensive literature review.

Unlike other autoimmune diseases, little is known about the environmental risk factors for Sjögren's disease (SjD). Smoking is an important risk factor for rheumatoid arthritis but the relationship between smoking and SjD is more complex to understand. Current smoking seems to be negatively linked to SjD, whereas there is mixed data on past smoking.

Gene Therapy: A New Hope in Sickle Cell Disease Treatment.

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is a lifelong disease requiring expensive treatment for management and limited curative options until the last few years. Gene therapy has emerged as a curative option for SCD, with two approved therapies available to SCD patients aged ≥ 12 years. Consideration must be considered regarding the ethics, efficacy, management requirements, education, and counseling needs of patients and their parents.