Alteration of cGAS-STING signaling pathway components in the mouse cortex and hippocampus during healthy brain aging.

The cGAS-STING pathway is a pivotal element of the innate immune system, recognizing cytosolic DNA to initiate the production of type I interferons and pro-inflammatory cytokines. This study investigates the alterations of the cGAS-STING signaling components in the cortex and hippocampus of mice aged 24 and 108 weeks. In the cortex of old mice, an increase in the dsDNA sensor protein cGAS and its product 2'3'-cGAMP was observed, without corresponding activation of downstream signaling, suggesting an uncoupling of cGAS activity from STING activation.

Fostering Patient Choice Awareness and Presenting Treatment Options Neutrally: A Randomized Trial to Assess the Effect on Perceived Room for Involvement in Decision Making.

Purpose: Shared decision making calls for clinician communication strategies that aim to foster choice awareness and to present treatment options neutrally, such as by not showing a preference. Evidence for the effectiveness of these communication strategies to enhance patient involvement in treatment decision making is lacking. We tested the effects of 2 strategies in an online randomized video-vignettes experiment.

First-in-man Implantation of a Cardiac Microcurrent Device for Chronic Systolic Heart Failure.

Current therapies significantly improve survival and clinical endpoints in patients suffering from chronic heart failure with reduced ejection fraction (HFrEF), but most are not sufficient to reverse adverse remodeling and improve myocardial contractility. Herein, we report the first-in-man experience with a novel fully implantable device for cardiac electrical microcurrent (C-MIC) application. A 79-year-old man suffering from HFrEF (dilated cardiomyopathy, NYHA class III, left ventricular ejection fraction 30%) successfully underwent implantation of the C-MIC device through left anterolateral thoracotomy.

Cardio-microcurrent device for chronic heart failure: first-in-human clinical study.

Aims: Most devices for treating ambulatory Class II and III heart failure are linked to electrical pulses. However, a steady electric potential gradient is also necessary for appropriate myocardial performance and may be disturbed by structural heart diseases. We investigated whether chronic application of electrical microcurrent to the heart is feasible and safe and improves cardiac performance.

Molecular and genomic characterization of a novel equine molluscum contagiosum-like virus.

Cases of pox-like lesions in horses and donkeys have been associated with poxviruses belonging to different genera of the family . These include the orthopoxviruses vaccinia virus (VACV), horsepoxvirus (HPXV) and cowpoxvirus (CPXV), as well as a potentially novel parapoxvirus and molluscum contagiosum virus (MOCV). However, with the exception of VACV, HPXV and CPXV, the genomic characterization of the causative agents remains largely elusive with only single short genome fragments available.

Cancer patients' needs for support in expressing instrumental concerns and emotions.

Introduction: The aim of our study was to provide an overview of intervention guidelines on how to address patients' practical needs for support in expressing instrumental concerns and emotions regarding medical, psychosocial and practical topics.

Methods: Six focus groups of cancer patients and survivors (N = 39) were organised. An interview guide was created that consisted of three topics: (a) concerns, (b) needs for support, and (c) a Concern Prompt List.

[CMTM2 is involved in spermiogenesis in mice].

Objective: To investigate whether CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing protein 2 (CMTM2) is involved in spermatogenesis in mice. CMTM2 is highly expressed in testis, and could possibly be a potential spermagogenesis specific gene.

Methods: CMTM2-deficient mouse model was generated.

The effects of persuasive messages on cancer patients' attitudes, norms and intention to express concerns.

Objective: To examine whether the use of persuasive messages in which cancer patients' attitudes and perceived social norms were either simultaneously or exclusively targeted can positively change patients' attitudes, perceived social norms and the intention to express concerns in consultations.

Methods: Two online experiments were conducted. The first experiment had a pre-test and post-test measurements design with 4 conditions (attitudes message, social norms message, combined message, control message).

Bioelectrical signals improve cardiac function and modify gene expression of extracellular matrix components.

Aims: Beyond the influence of stimulating devices on cardiac excitation, their use in treating patients with heart failure has positive effects on the myocardium at the molecular level. Electrical signals can induce a wide spectrum of effects in living tissue. Therefore, we sought to determine whether applying electrical microcurrent directly to failing hearts leads to functional improvement.

Understanding the interplay of cancer patients' instrumental concerns and emotions.

Objective: 1) to assess patients' descriptions of concerns, and 2) to inform a conceptual framework in which the impact of the nature of concerns on doctor-patient communication is specified.

Methods: Six focus groups were conducted with 39 cancer patients and survivors. In these focus groups participants were asked to describe their concerns during and after their illness.

Promoting End-of-Life Discussions in Advanced Cancer: Effects of Patient Coaching and Question Prompt Lists.

Purpose To build on results of a cluster randomized controlled trial (RCT) of a combined patient-oncologist intervention to improve communication in advanced cancer, we conducted a post hoc analysis of the patient intervention component, a previsit patient coaching session that used a question prompt list (QPL). We hypothesized that intervention-group participants would bring up more QPL-related topics, particularly prognosis-related topics, during the subsequent oncologist visit. Patients and Methods This cluster RCT with 170 patients who had advanced nonhematologic cancer (and their caregivers) recruited from practices of 24 participating oncologists in western New York.

Anti-inflammatory drugs decrease infection of brain endothelial cells with EHV-1 in vitro.

Background: Equine herpesvirus-associated myeloencephalopathy is the result of endothelial cell infection of the spinal cord vasculature with equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) during cell-associated viraemia. Endothelial cell infection requires contact between infected peripheral blood mononuclear and endothelial cells. Inflammation generated during viraemia likely upregulates adhesion molecule expression on both cell types increasing contact and facilitating endothelial cell infection.

Unraveling the Determinants of Cancer Patients' Intention to Express Concerns.

Little is known about the behavioral determinants that underlie cancer patients' intention to express concerns during a consultation. This information can be relevant to developing effective interventions for cancer patients. In this study, the integrative model of behavioral prediction (IMBP) is used as a framework to unravel the determinants of patients' intention to express concerns.

Theory of planned behavior and adherence in chronic illness: a meta-analysis.

Social-cognitive models such as the theory of planned behavior have demonstrated efficacy in predicting behavior, but few studies have examined the theory as a predictor of treatment adherence in chronic illness. We tested the efficacy of the theory for predicting adherence to treatment in chronic illness across multiple studies. A database search identified 27 studies, meeting inclusion criteria.

Patients' reports of barriers to expressing concerns during cancer consultations.

Objective: To identify cancer patients' most influential barriers to expressing concerns during cancer consultations in a new manner by examining patients' reports of perceived barriers and perceived occurrence of barriers in consultations.

Methods: Two online focus groups (N=16) and an online survey (N=236) were conducted among cancer patients and cancer survivors. The online focus groups and survey were used to examine two elements of patients' barriers, i.

The characteristics and effectiveness of Question Prompt List interventions in oncology: a systematic review of the literature.

Objective: Question Prompt Lists (QPLs) have been used extensively in the oncology setting to improve communication, psychological and/or cognitive outcomes. In this systematic review, the objectives were to (a) examine the methodological quality of QPL interventions, (b) review the effectiveness of QPL interventions on communication, psychological and/or cognitive outcomes of cancer patients, (c) gain more insight into the characteristics of QPL interventions (e.g.

Can the common-sense model predict adherence in chronically ill patients? A meta-analysis.

The aim of this meta-analysis was to explore whether mental representations, derived from the common-sense model of illness representations (CSM), were able to predict adherence in chronically ill patients. Electronic databases were searched for studies that used the CSM and measured adherence behaviour in chronically ill patients. Correlations from the included articles were meta-analysed using a random-size effect model.

Advanced cancer patients' and caregivers' use of a Question Prompt List.

Objective: The objective of this study was to provide insight into how advanced cancer patients and their caregivers use a Question Prompt List (QPL) during a consultation and for preparation for future consultations.

Methods: Audiotaped consultations and follow-up phone calls of 28 advanced cancer patients were coded and content analyzed. Questions asked and concerns expressed in consultations were coded for initiator, content, inclusion in the QPL and exact wording.

Canine inverted papillomas associated with DNA of four different papillomaviruses.

Inverted papillomas are uncommon papillomavirus (PV)-induced canine skin lesions. They consist of cup- to dome-shaped dermal nodules with a central pore filled with keratin. Histologically they are characterized by endophytic projections of the epidermis extending into dermis.

Detection of canine oral papillomavirus DNA in conjunctival epithelial hyperplastic lesions of three dogs.

Papillomavirus infections are responsible for plaques and papillomas in various locations on the skin and in mucous membranes. The aim of this report was to describe morphologic features of a viral pigmented conjunctival plaque and 2 conjunctival squamous papillomas in 3 dogs, and to investigate these lesions for the presence of papillomavirus DNA by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), DNA sequence analysis, and in situ hydridization (ISH). Histopathology revealed in all neoplasms various degrees of epithelial hyperplasia, acanthosis, and hyperkeratosis with koilocytosis.

Recurrent uveitis in horses: vitreal examinations with ultrastructural detection of leptospires.

This study documents the examination of 17 horses (both sexes, 3-18 years old) suffering from spontaneous equine recurrent uveitis (ERU). Vitreal samples obtained by pars plana vitrectomy were examined macroscopically and ultrastructurally, and in most cases also by cultural examination, by microscopic agglutination test (MAT) and by polymerase chain reaction. In 24% (4/17) of the animals, ultrastructural examination by electron microscopy revealed intact leptospiral bacteria in the vitreous.

Two independent cases of spontaneously occurring branchioblastomas in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio).

This report documents 2 cases of branchioblastomas in koi carp (Cyprinus carpio). Macroscopically, both cases were characterized by well-demarcated, pale red nodular masses located at the left first branchial arch and the right pseudobranch, respectively. Histologically, the neoplasias were composed of blast-like cells that differentiated into cartilage and branchial lamellae embedded in abundant fibrous connective tissue.

Comparative morphologic and immunohistochemical investigation of spontaneously occurring thymomas in a colony of European hamsters.

This study documents the characteristics of a large series of spontaneously occurring thymomas in a laboratory colony of European hamsters (Cricetus cricetus). Thymomas are rare organotypic neoplasms originating from the thymic epithelial compartment. Because the hamster thymomas largely resembled their human counterparts, the recent World Health Organization (WHO) classification of human thymic epithelial tumors was used.