Long-Term Results from an Open-Label Extension Study of Atacicept for the Treatment of IgA Nephropathy.

Background: B-cell activating factor (BAFF) and A proliferation-inducing ligand (APRIL) play key roles in the pathogenesis of IgA nephropathy. Atacicept is a novel fully humanized fusion protein, self-administered at home by subcutaneous injection, that binds and inhibits BAFF and APRIL. By inhibiting BAFF and APRIL, atacicept targets the underlying B-cell–mediated pathogenesis driving disease progression.

Consensus Statement from India on the Renal Benefits of ARNi, SGLT-2i, and Bisoprolol in Chronic Kidney Disease.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a major contributor to morbidity and mortality in India. CKD often coexists with heart failure (HF), diabetes, and hypertension. All these comorbidities are risk factors for renal impairment.

A phase 2b, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, clinical trial of atacicept for treatment of IgA nephropathy.

Atacicept is a first-in-class, dual anti-B-cell Activation Factor-A Proliferation-Inducing Ligand fusion protein in clinical evaluation for treatment of IgA nephropathy. To compare efficacy and safety of atacicept versus placebo in patients with IgAN, this randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2b clinical trial ORIGIN enrolled 116 individuals with biopsy-proven IgA nephropathy. Participants were randomized to atacicept 150, 75, or 25 mg versus placebo once weekly for up to 36 weeks.

Formulation, Characterization and In Vitro Evaluation of Mesalamine and Bifidobacterium bifidum Loaded Hydrogel Beads in Capsule System for Colon Targeted Delivery.

Mesalamine is a first-line drug for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases. However, its premature release associated with marketed formulations leads to adverse effects like gastric trouble, vomiting, and diarrhoea. To minimize these side effects, colon-targeted drug delivery is essential.

Effect of Root Canal Taper on the Ability of Endodontically Treated Teeth using the TruNatomy and Protaper Next File Systems to Resist Fracture.

Objectives: This research was done to evaluate how the root canal taper affects the Endodontically Treated Teeth (ETT) prepared with the TruNatomy and Protaper Next file systems in terms of fracture resistance.

Materials And Method: Forty recently extracted mandibular premolar teeth were used in this research, which was classified into four groups at random. Groups 1a and 1b used TruNatomy 4% and 6%, respectively, while groups 2a and 2b used the Protaper Next 4% and 6% file systems, respectively.

Assessment of the Apical Transportation and Quantity of Root Canal Dentin Removed Using Different New Rotary File Systems: An Original Study.

Introduction: The rotary systems have found a common application in the clinical practice for the endodontic therapies. Hence, we compared three recent endodontic systems for the comparison of the dentine removal and the apical transportation particularly in the curved canals.

Methods: Oneshape, Pro Taper Next, and Edgefile X3 were the three systems that were compared.

Are we moving from symptomatic to asymptomatic syphilis: A retrospective analysis.

Background: Syphilis remains a global health problem with recent reports of resurgence from various parts of the world. We undertook this study to analyze the current epidemiological and clinical trends of syphilis in our part of the country.

Aim And Objectives: To analyze the changing trends in clinical presentation of syphilis and the current status of HIV/AIDS-syphilis co-infection in our area.

A Ribbon Model for Nematic Polymer Networks.

We present a theory of deformation of ribbons made of nematic polymer networks (NPNs). These materials exhibit properties of rubber and nematic liquid crystals, and can be activated by external stimuli of heat and light. A two-dimensional energy for a sheet of such a material has already been derived from the celebrated neo-classical energy of nematic elastomers in three space dimensions.

A technical guide to TRITEX, a computational pipeline for chromosome-scale sequence assembly of plant genomes.

Background: As complete and accurate genome sequences are becoming easier to obtain, more researchers wish to get one or more of them to support their research endeavors. Reliable and well-documented sequence assembly workflows find use in reference or pangenome projects.

Results: We describe modifications to the TRITEX genome assembly workflow motivated by the rise of fast and easy long-read contig assembly of inbred plant genomes and the routine deployment of the toolchains in pangenome projects.

Planar Equilibria of an Elastic Rod Wrapped Around a Circular Capstan.

Unlabelled: We present a study on planar equilibria of a terminally loaded elastic rod wrapped around a rigid circular capstan. Both frictionless and frictional contact between the rod and the capstan are considered. We identify three cases of frictionless contact - namely where the rod touches the capstan at one point, along a continuous arc, and at two points.

Assessment of Effect of Fixed Orthodontic Treatment on Gingival Health: An Observational Study.

Background: Prime components of fixed orthodontic treatments decrease the self-cleansing ability of the tongue and the cheeks leading to an increase in production of bacterial plaque. Hence, the present study was undertaken for assessing the effect of fixed orthodontic treatment on gingival health.

Materials And Methods: A total of 120 patients who were scheduled orthodontic treatment were enrolled.

Cellulosic Nanowhiskers: Preparation and Drug Delivery Application.

Nanomaterials have applications in almost every field and among them, green nanomaterials have various biological applications. Green nanomaterials are specifically useful for drug and DNA delivery applications. Considering that cellulose is the most abundant and easily available biomolecule, it has been used for preparing greener cellulose nanomaterials.

Mechanics of two filaments in tight orthogonal contact.

Networks of flexible filaments often involve regions of tight contact. Predictively understanding the equilibrium configurations of these systems is challenging due to intricate couplings between topology, geometry, large nonlinear deformations, and friction. Here, we perform an in-depth study of a simple, yet canonical, problem that captures the essence of contact between filaments.

Adhesion of a tape loop.

In this work, we revisit experimentally and theoretically the mechanics of a tape loop. Using primarily elastic materials (polydimethylsiloxane, PDMS, or polycarbonate, PC) and confocal microscopy, we monitor the shape as well as the applied forces during an entire cycle of compression and retraction of a half-loop compressed between parallel glass plates. We observe distinct differences in film shape during the cycle; points of equal applied force or equal plate separation differ in shape upon compression or retraction.

Hydroxychloroquine Mitigates the Production of 8-Isoprostane and Improves Vascular Dysfunction: Implications for Treating Preeclampsia.

In preeclampsia, widespread maternal endothelial dysfunction is often secondary to excessive generation of placental-derived anti-angiogenic factors, including soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt-1) and soluble endoglin (sEng), along with proinflammatory cytokines such as tumour necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and activin A, understanding of which offers potential opportunities for the development of novel therapies. The antimalarial hydroxychloroquine is an anti-inflammatory drug improving endothelial homeostasis in lupus. It has not been explored as to whether it can improve placental and endothelial function in preeclampsia.

Fluorescence Quenching of Dipyrenylalkanes by an Electron/Charge Acceptor.

Compounds possessing two fluorophoric moieties may exhibit dual fluorescence, one characterizing the monomeric fluorophore unit and the other characterizing the intramolecular aggregate. Fluorescence quenching of two dipyrenylalkanes, 1,3-bis(1-pyrenyl)propane [1Py(3)1Py] and 1,10-bis(1-pyrenyl)decane [1Py(10)1Py] having different alkyl chains separating the two termini pyrenyl groups that are capable of forming an intramolecular excimer, by an electron/charge-accepting quencher, nitromethane, is investigated in four different solvents-nonpolar (cyclohexane (CH)), polar-aprotic (acetonitrile (ACN)), polar-protic (ethanol (EtOH)), and chlorinated (dichloromethane (DCM))-under ambient conditions. For a given probe in a solvent, fluorescence from the monomer and the intramolecular excimer are quenched with similar efficiencies; the efficiency of quenching is higher for the probe with the longer alkyl chain separating the two fluorophores.

Effects of incorporation of groundnut oil and hydrogenated fat on pasting and dough rheological properties of flours from wheat varieties.

The effects of incorporation of groundnut oil (GO) and hydrogenated fat (HF) at different levels (1%, 3% and 5%) on pasting, dough rheology and mixing properties of strong wheat flour (SWF) and weak wheat flour (WWF) were evaluated. SWF showed higher paste viscosities as compared to WWF. However, higher setback viscosity for SWF than WWF was observed.

Humans adjust their grip force when passing an object according to the observed speed of the partner's reaching out movement.

The way an object is released by the passer to a partner is fundamental for the success of the handover and for the experienced fluency and quality of the interaction. Nonetheless, although its apparent simplicity, object handover involves a complex combination of predictive and reactive control mechanisms that were not fully investigated so far. Here, we show that passers use visual-feedback based anticipatory control to trigger the beginning of the release, to launch the appropriate motor program, and adapt such predictions to different speeds of the receiver's reaching out movements.

Formyl peptide receptor-2 is decreased in foetal growth restriction and contributes to placental dysfunction.

Study Question: What is the association between placental formyl peptide receptor 2 (FPR2) and trophoblast and endothelial functions in pregnancies affected by foetal growth restriction (FGR)?

Summary Answer: Reduced FPR2 placental expression in idiopathic FGR results in significantly altered trophoblast differentiation and endothelial function in vitro.

What Is Known Already: FGR is associated with placental insufficiency, where defective trophoblast and endothelial functions contribute to reduced feto-placental growth.

Study Design, Size, Duration: The expression of FPR2 in placental tissues from human pregnancies complicated with FGR was compared to that in gestation-matched uncomplicated control pregnancies (n = 25 from each group).

Resveratrol mitigates trophoblast and endothelial dysfunction partly via activation of nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2.

Introduction: Maternal endothelial dysfunction underlying preeclampsia arises from excessive placental release of anti-angiogenic factors, such as soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase-1 (sFlt1), soluble endoglin (sEng) and activin A. Resveratrol, an activator of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor-2 (Nrf2) transcription factor, mediates the gene expression of antioxidant and vasoprotective factors that may counter the endothelial damage imposed by these anti-angiogenic factors. The objective of this study was to assess whether resveratrol could reduce placental oxidative stress and production of anti-angiogenic factors in vitro and/or improve in vitro markers of endothelial dysfunction via Nrf2 activation.

Multidimensional impact on families of children with steroid-sensitive nephrotic syndrome.

Aim: Children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) have prolonged disease course with relapses requiring frequent visits and prolonged steroid therapy with their long-term concerns. All these factors affect the child and their families in many domains of functioning. The objective of this study was to assess multidimensional impact on families of children with nephrotic syndrome using (PedsQL) Family Impact Module (FIM).