Communicating scientific evidence: drugs for Alzheimer's disease as a case study.

This paper reviews the scientific evidence on new anti-amyloid monoclonal antibodies for treating Alzheimer's disease as a case study for improving scientific evidence communication. We introduce five guidelines condensed from the biomedical evidence literature but adapted to the short format of science communication in e.g.

An additional ✝Archearadinae flat-bug species from Cretaceous Burmese Amber (Hemiptera, Aradidae).

Currently 19 species of Aradidae (flat bugs) are known from the Cretaceous deposits of Burma (Burmese/Kachin amber). In reviewing unidentified aradid species from this deposit, an unnamed species was located. This aradid includes a unique combination of features from several Cretaceous aradid genera coupled with apomorphic antennae morphology allows easy differentiation from other aradids.

Profibrotic monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages are expanded in patients with persistent respiratory symptoms and radiographic abnormalities after COVID-19.

Monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages drive lung injury and fibrosis in murine models and are associated with pulmonary fibrosis in humans. Monocyte-derived alveolar macrophages have been suggested to develop a phenotype that promotes lung repair as injury resolves. We compared single-cell and cytokine profiling of the alveolar space in a cohort of 35 patients with post-acute sequelae of COVID-19 who had persistent respiratory symptoms and abnormalities on a computed tomography scan of the chest that subsequently improved or progressed.

Altered neuronal lactate dehydrogenase A expression affects cognition in a sex- and age-dependent manner.

The astrocyte-neuron lactate shuttle (ANLS) model posits that astrocyte-generated lactate is transported to neurons to fuel memory processes. However, neurons express high levels of lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA), the rate-limiting enzyme of lactate production, suggesting a cognitive role for neuronally generated lactate. It was hypothesized that lactate metabolism in neurons is critical for learning and memory.

Altered ontogeny and transcriptomic signatures of tissue-resident pulmonary interstitial macrophages ameliorate allergic airway hyperresponsiveness.

Introduction: Environmental exposures and experimental manipulations can alter the ontogenetic composition of tissue-resident macrophages. However, the impact of these alterations on subsequent immune responses, particularly in allergic airway diseases, remains poorly understood. This study aims to elucidate the significance of modified macrophage ontogeny resulting from environmental exposures on allergic airway responses to house dust mite (HDM) allergen.

Strength together: examining risk and protective factors associated with dementia and cognitive impairment in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples through harmonisation of landmark studies.

Background: Rates of dementia for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples are three to five times greater compared to non-Indigenous Australians, with earlier age of onset. However, the risk and protective factors that drive these higher rates vary across existing cohort studies, with minimal findings on the role of vascular risk factors beyond stroke. Harmonisation of data across studies may offer greater insights through enhanced diversity and strengthened statistical capabilities.

Cross-Sectional Associations between Nutrient Intake and Tooth Decay in Older Australian Men: The Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project.

Poor nutrition is a risk factor for dental decay in younger people. However, except for sugar, it is unclear if this is true in older age groups. The aim of this study was to analyze the possible associations between overall dietary intake of nutrients and diet quality and the presence of dental decay in community-dwelling older men.

Tissue-Resident Alveolar Macrophages Reduce Ozone-induced Inflammation via MerTK-mediated Efferocytosis.

Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O), one of the six criteria air pollutants, is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung, and their number increases after O exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined.

Elongation factor 1A1 regulates metabolic substrate preference in mammalian cells.

Eukaryotic elongation factor 1A1 (EEF1A1) is canonically involved in protein synthesis but also has noncanonical functions in diverse cellular processes. Previously, we identified EEF1A1 as a mediator of lipotoxicity and demonstrated that chemical inhibition of EEF1A1 activity reduced mouse liver lipid accumulation. These findings suggested a link between EEF1A1 and metabolism.

Intra-generational social mobility and mortality among older men in the Concord Health and Ageing in Men Project: A cohort study.

Objectives: We examined associations between intra-generational social mobility (reflected in life-course socioeconomic trajectories) and mortality, among older men.

Methods: Data came from a prospective Australian community-based cohort of older men. Social mobility was defined by socioeconomic indicators from three points in the life-course: educational attainment (late adolescence-early adulthood), occupation (mid-life), and current sources of income (older age).

Tissue-resident alveolar macrophages reduce O-induced inflammation via MerTK mediated efferocytosis.

Lung inflammation, caused by acute exposure to ozone (O) - one of the six criteria air pollutants - is a significant source of morbidity in susceptible individuals. Alveolar macrophages (AMØs) are the most abundant immune cells in the normal lung and their number increases following O exposure. However, the role of AMØs in promoting or limiting O-induced lung inflammation has not been clearly defined.

On seven undescribed leaf insect species revealed within the recent "Tree of Leaves" (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae).

With the recent advance in molecular phylogenetics focused on the leaf insects (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae), gaps in knowledge are beginning to be filled. Yet, shortcomings are also being highlighted, for instance, the unveiling of numerous undescribed phylliid species. Here, some of these taxa are described, including from Mindoro Island, Philippines; from Samar Island, Philippines; from Mindanao Island, Philippines; from Vietnam; from South Kalimantan, Indonesia; and from Java, Indonesia.

Deletion of Dysregulates ERK and STAT3 Activity in Mouse Embryonic Stem Cells, Enhancing Their Naive-Like Self-Renewal in the Presence of Leukemia Inhibitory Factor.

The ShcA adapter protein is necessary for early embryonic development. The role of ShcA in development is primarily attributed to its 52 and 46 kDa isoforms that transduce receptor tyrosine kinase signaling through the extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK). During embryogenesis, ERK acts as the primary signaling effector, driving fate acquisition and germ layer specification.

Leaves that walk and eggs that stick: comparative functional morphology and evolution of the adhesive system of leaf insect eggs (Phasmatodea: Phylliidae).

Phylliidae are herbivorous insects exhibiting impressive cryptic masquerade and are colloquially called "walking leaves". They imitate angiosperm leaves and their eggs often resemble plant seeds structurally and in some cases functionally. Despite overall morphological similarity of adult Phylliidae, their eggs reveal a significant diversity in overall shape and exochorionic surface features.

Lung-gut axis of microbiome alterations following co-exposure to ultrafine carbon black and ozone.

Background: Microbial dysbiosis is a potential mediator of air pollution-induced adverse outcomes. However, a systemic comparison of the lung and gut microbiome alterations and lung-gut axis following air pollution exposure is scant. In this study, we exposed male C57BL/6J mice to inhaled air, CB (10 mg/m), O (2 ppm) or CB + O mixture for 3 h/day for either one day or four consecutive days and were euthanized 24 h post last exposure.

Allergic Asthma Responses Are Dependent on Macrophage Ontogeny.

The ontogenetic composition of tissue-resident macrophages following injury, environmental exposure, or experimental depletion can be altered upon re-establishment of homeostasis. However, the impact of altered resident macrophage ontogenetic milieu on subsequent immune responses is poorly understood. Hence, we assessed the effect of macrophage ontogeny alteration following return to homeostasis on subsequent allergic airway responses to house dust mites (HDM).

Three new genera and one new species of leaf insect from (Phasmatodea, Phylliidae).

With the first large-scale Phylliidae molecular phylogeny recently published adding a great deal of clarity to phylliid diversity, several of the rarer species which could not be included were methodically and morphologically reviewed. This review resulted in identification of numerous substantial morphological features that suggest there are Melanesian clades that create polyphyletic groups within the phylliids which should instead be taxonomically recognized as unique. These rarer species have historically been considered to be southern representatives of the Griffini, 1898 sensu lato.

Relationship Between Visceral Adipose Tissue and Bone Mineral Density in Older People: Results from AHAP Study.

Introduction: Due to discrepancy of the relationship between visceral adipose tissue (VAT) and bone mineral density (BMD), this study was performed to determine the relationship between BMD and VAT in the elderly.

Methodology: This cross-sectional study is part of the second wave of Amirkola Health and Ageing Project (AHAP), including 1,200 people aged 60 years and older. BMD and VAT were measured by dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) in Hologic equipment.

The future burden of oesophageal and stomach cancers attributable to modifiable behaviours in Australia: a pooled cohort study.

Background: We quantified the individual and joint contribution of contemporaneous causal behavioural exposures on the future burden of oesophageal and stomach cancers and their subtypes and assessed whether these burdens differ between population groups in Australia, as such estimates are currently lacking.

Methods: We combined hazard ratios from seven pooled Australian cohorts (N = 367,058) linked to national cancer and death registries with exposure prevalence from the 2017-2018 National Health Survey to estimate Population Attributable Fractions (PAFs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), accounting for competing risk of death.

Results: Current and past smoking explain 35.

Daily Low-Dose Aspirin and Risk of Serious Falls and Fractures in Healthy Older People: A Substudy of the ASPREE Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Falls and fractures are frequent and deleterious to the health of older people. Aspirin has been reported to reduce bone fragility and slow bone loss.

Objective: To determine if daily low-dose aspirin (100 mg) reduces the risk of fractures or serious falls (fall-related hospital presentations) in healthy older men and women.

Using the urea cycle to shift astrocytes from harmful to helpful in Alzheimer's disease.

Astrocytes are brain cells that react to Alzheimer's disease pathology in ways that can have either beneficial or detrimental effects. In this issue of Cell Metabolism, Ju et al. outline a novel strategy for coercing astrocytes to a neuroprotective state by maintaining liver-like detoxification in the brain without producing damaging byproducts.

Analysis of plant-derived carotenoids in camouflaging stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea).

A common way to avoid predators is by use of camouflage, a strategy which the stick and leaf insects (Phasmatodea) have refined by appearing as leaves, sticks, lichen, and moss. Stick and leaf insects have perfected their camouflage by sequestering diet-based carotenoids within their exoskeleton. Visual and chemical details of such camouflage have likely been influenced through the millennia of co-evolution between these insects and the plants they mimic.

Mixed Evidence of an Association between Self-Rated Hearing Difficulties and Falls: Prospective Analysis of Two Longitudinal Studies.

Introduction: This study aimed to assess the extent to which a single item of self-reported hearing difficulties is associated with future risk of falling among community-dwelling older adults.

Methods: We used data from two Australian population-based cohorts: three waves from the PATH Through Life study (PATH; n = 2,048, 51% men, age 66.5 ± 1.