Building a growing genomic repository for maternal and fetal health through the PING Consortium.

Background: Prenatally transmitted viruses can cause severe damage to the developing brain. There is unexplained variability in prenatal brain injury and postnatal neurodevelopmental outcomes, suggesting disease modifiers. Of note, prenatal Zika infection can cause a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders, including congenital Zika syndrome.

High density laminar recordings reveal cell type and layer specific responses to infrared neural stimulation in the rat neocortex.

Infrared neural stimulation has consistently shown that temperature is a critical neuronal state variable. However, a comprehensive understanding of the biophysical background is essential. In this study, using high-density laminar electrode recordings, we investigated the impact of pulsed and continuous-wave infrared illumination on cortical neurons in anesthetized rats ([Formula: see text]).

Particularities of deposition of two ICS-LABA fixed dose combination dry powder aerosol drugs in the airways of COPD patients.

The aim of this study was to analyse the effect of breathing parameters, age, gender and disease status on the lung doses of the two ICS + LABA fixed combination dry powder drugs. Breathing parameters of 113 COPD patients were measured while inhaling through emptied NEXThaler® and Ellipta® inhalers and the corresponding lung doses were calculated. Lung dose of Foster® NEXThaler® was superior to the lung dose of Relvar® Ellipta® in around 85 % of the patients.

Magnetic structures in the explicitly time-dependent nontwist map.

We investigate how the magnetic structures of the plasma change in a large aspect ratio tokamak perturbed by an ergodic magnetic limiter, when a system parameter is non-adiabatically varied in time. We model such a scenario by considering the Ullmann-Caldas nontwist map, where we introduce an explicit time-dependence to the ratio of the limiter and plasma currents. We apply the tools developed recently in the field of chaotic Hamiltonian systems subjected to parameter drift.

Gut Microbiome Changes After Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy and Surgery in Patients with Gastric Cancer.

Background/objectives: Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) followed by radical gastrectomy is the current standard approach for locally advanced gastric cancer (GC) in the West. Both NAC and gastrectomy can significantly influence the gut microbiome, potentially leading to clinically significant changes. However, no longitudinal studies to date support this hypothesis.

The microplastic-crisis: Role of bacteria in fighting microplastic-effects in the digestive system.

Plastic particles smaller than 5 mm, referred to as Microplastics, pose health risks, like metabolic, immunological, neurological, reproductive, and carcinogenic effects, after being ingested. Smaller plastic particles are more likely to be absorbed by human cells, with nanoplastics showing higher potential for cellular damage, including DNA fragmentation and altered protein functions. Micro- and nanoplastics (MNPs) affect the gastrointestinal tract by altering the microbial composition, they could influence digestive enzymes, and possibly disrupt mucus layers.

Probiotic Therapy of Gastrointestinal Symptoms During COVID-19 Infection: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Remote Study.

Background: The novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) led to gastrointestinal manifestations in up to 50% of cases, with diarrhea being common, and probiotics have been suggested as a potential treatment.

Aim: This study aimed to assess changes in the microbiome and the effects of a multispecies probiotic in patients with COVID-19 in home quarantine through a fully remote telemedical approach.

Methods: Thirty patients were randomized to receive either the Ecologic AAD probiotic (Winclove Probiotics, Amsterdam, The Netherlands), on the market as OMNi-BiOTiC 10 (Allergosan, Austria), or a placebo for 30 days in a 2:1 ratio.

Alteration of the Gut-Lung Axis After Severe COVID-19 Infection and Modulation Through Probiotics: A Randomized, Controlled Pilot Study.

Background: The gut-lung axis could be a potential therapeutic target for improving post-acute COVID-19 symptoms, and probiotics have been proposed as possible modulators.

Aim: We conducted a pilot study to understand alterations in the gut-lung axis and to explore the effects of a probiotic in post-acute COVID-19 disease.

Methods: We included patients after severe COVID-19 disease (sCOV, n = 21) in a randomized, placebo-controlled trial to test the effect of a probiotic (Pro-Vi 5, Institute Allergosan, Graz, Austria) in a six-month intervention and used patients after mild disease (mCOV, n = 10) as controls, to compare the intestinal microbiome, metabolome, and patient-reported outcomes and biomarkers along the gut-lung axis at baseline and throughout probiotic intervention.

Modulation of Multispecific Transporters by Extract and Its Major Phytoconstituents.

One of the major risks associated with the concomitant use of herbal products and therapeutic drugs is herb-drug interactions (HDIs). The most common mechanism leading to HDIs is the inhibition and/or induction of transport proteins and drug-metabolizing enzymes by herbal ingredients, causing changes in the pharmacokinetic disposition of the victim drug. The present study aimed to determine the potential interactions of (UT) (cat's claw), a popular herb due to its supposed health benefits.

Proprioceptive Training Improves Postural Stability and Reduces Pain in Cervicogenic Headache Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Headache is one of the leading causes of disability in the world. Neck proprioception, pain, and postural control are interconnected in both healthy individuals and those with chronic neck pain. This study examines the effects of proprioceptive training using a gaze direction recognition task on postural stability and pain in cervicogenic headache patients.

The Discourse Surrounding Polycystic Ovary Syndrome on TikTok: A Social Media Analysis.

Background/objectives: Individuals are turning increasingly towards online resources, such as TikTok, to educate themselves on their medical conditions. Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prominent example, as women report dissatisfaction with the diagnosis process and treatment options. This study aims to provide a content analysis of the quality of PCOS health information on TikTok.

Autoinhibition in (Bio)Chemistry: Identification and Mechanistic Classification.

Autoinhibition is a frequently invoked self-regulatory mechanism involved in various cellular processes to interpret clearly how these cells may control their complex functioning. This type of temporal behavior generally results in self-retardation or even in complete shuts down of the undesired reactions to occur meaning that the rate of a certain biochemical reaction is partially or completely retarded. Precise characterization and classification of a complex system where deceleration of the reaction rate is found, however, requires special circumspection to avoid false interpretation.

Fibroblast-Mediated Macrophage Recruitment Supports Acute Wound Healing.

Epithelial and immune cells have long been appreciated for their contribution to the early immune response after injury; however, much less is known about the role of mesenchymal cells. Using single-nuclei RNA sequencing, we defined changes in gene expression associated with inflammation 1 day after wounding in mouse skin. Compared with those in keratinocytes and myeloid cells, we detected enriched expression of proinflammatory genes in fibroblasts associated with deeper layers of the skin.

Digital PCR-based quantification of miR-181a in the cerebrospinal fluid aids patient stratification in pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia.

Despite remarkable improvements in the survival of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), sensitive detection and clinical management of central nervous system leukemia (CNSL) are still immensely challenging. Blast cells residing in the CNS but not circulating in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) remain undetected by current diagnostic methods, preventing a truly risk-adapted anti-leukemic treatment in this compartment. We examined the clinical applicability of the molecular marker microRNA (miR)-181a quantified in the cell-free CSF to evaluate the level of CNS involvement and to optimize patient stratification based on CNS status.

The HDAC6 inhibitor AVS100 (SS208) induces a pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment and potentiates immunotherapy.

Histone deacetylase 6 (HDAC6) inhibition is associated with an increased pro-inflammatory tumor microenvironment and antitumoral immune responses. Here, we show that the HDAC6 inhibitor AVS100 (SS208) had an antitumoral effect in SM1 melanoma and CT26 colon cancer models and increased the efficacy of anti-programmed cell death protein 1 treatment, leading to complete remission in melanoma and increased response in colon cancer. AVS100 treatment increased pro-inflammatory tumor-infiltrating macrophages and CD8 effector T cells with an inflammatory and T cell effector gene signature.

Increasing Cation Ion Symmetry Reduces Ionic Liquid Ordering in Thin Films.

Ionic liquids have been shown to form extended ordered structures near surfaces and in bulk. Identifying fundamental driving force(s) for this organization has been elusive. In this paper, we test a hypothesis that the ionic liquid asymmetry, inherent in many of the IL formulations to frustrate crystallization, is a significant contributor to the observed ordering.

Association of modifiable risk factors with progression to dementia in relation to amyloid and tau pathology.

Background: Dementia preventive interventions targeting multiple modifiable risk factors are a promising approach. However, the impact of modifiable risk factors in the presence of beta-amyloid or phosphorylated-tau (p-tau) pathology is unclear.

Methods: The objective of the study was to examine the role of modifiable risk factors (vascular factors, depression, and smoking) in the progression to mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia among 434 cognitively unimpaired (CU) and 611 individuals with MCI from the Alzheimer's Disease Neuroimaging Initiative (ADNI) database.

Bones or Stones: How Can We Apply Geophysical Techniques in Bone Research?

Some studies have used physical techniques for the assessment of bone structure and composition. However, very few studies applied multiple techniques, such as those described below, at the same time. The aim of our study was to determine the chemical and mineralogical/organic composition of bovine tibial bone samples using geophysical/geochemical reference techniques.

Effects of Acute Citrulline Malate Supplementation on CrossFit Exercise Performance: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, Cross-Over Study.

Given the increasing popularity of CrossFit as a high-intensity functional training program and the potential benefits of citrulline malate (CM) in enhancing exercise performance through its role as a precursor to L-arginine and nitric oxide production, this study aimed to investigate the acute effects of CM supplementation on CrossFit performance and cardiovascular function. Using a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, cross-over design, 21 recreationally active participants (mean age 22.2 ± 2.

Transcriptomic Meta-analysis Identifies Long Non-Coding RNAs Mediating Zika's Oncolytic Impact in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is an aggressive and lethal form of brain cancer with few effective treatments. In this context, Zika virus has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent due to its ability to selectively infect and kill GBM cells. To elucidate these mechanisms and expand the landscape of oncolytic virotherapy, we pursued a transcriptomic meta-analysis comparing the molecular signatures of Zika infection in GBM and neuroblastoma (NBM).

The molecular genetic regulation of vegetative-generative transition in wheat from environmental perspective.

The key to wide geographical distribution of wheat is its high adaptability. One of the most commonly used methods for studying adaptation is the investigation of transition between the vegetative-generative phase and the subsequent intensive stem elongation process. These processes are largely determined by changes in ambient temperature, the diurnal and annual periodicity of day length, and the composition of light spectrum.