Unraveling toxicity of nanoparticles from different subway materials in lung epithelial cells and macrophages.

Nanoparticles (ultrafine particles) are prevalent in various environments and raise concerns due to their potential health effects. In this study, we aimed to enhance the understanding of the toxicity associated with nanoparticles generated within subway systems. Specifically, we investigated nanoparticles produced using spark discharge from electrodes made of the same material as the third rail (which provides electric power), rail, and wheel components in the Stockholm subway system.

[Use of artificial intelligence in screening for diabetic retinopathy at a tertiary diabetes center].

Background: In 2018, IDx-DR was approved as a method to determine the degree of diabetic retinopathy (DR) using artificial intelligence (AI) by the FDA.

Methods: We integrated IDx-DR into the consultation at a diabetology focus clinic and report the agreement between IDx-DR and fundoscopy as well as IDx-DR and ophthalmological image assessment and the influence of different camera systems.

Results: Adequate image quality in miosis was achieved more frequently with the Topcon camera (n = 456; NW400, Topcon Medical Systems, Oakland, NJ, USA) compared with the Zeiss camera (n = 47; Zeiss VISUCAM 500, Carl Zeiss Meditec AG, Jena, Germany).

Isolation and characterization of lytic phage TUN1 specific for Klebsiella pneumoniae K64 clinical isolates from Tunisia.

Background: Multidrug-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae spp. (kp) are emerging agents of severe infections of the respiratory, urinary tract and wounds that can progress to fatal septicemia. The use of bacteriophages is currently being considered as an effective alternative or adjuvant to antibiotic therapy.

BDNF: mRNA expression in urine cells of patients with chronic kidney disease and its role in kidney function.

Podocyte loss and changes to the complex morphology are major causes of chronic kidney disease (CKD). As the incidence is continuously increasing over the last decades without sufficient treatment, it is important to find predicting biomarkers. Therefore, we measured urinary mRNA levels of podocyte genes NPHS1, NPHS2, PODXL and BDNF, KIM-1, CTSL by qRT-PCR of 120 CKD patients.

Identification of miR-16 as an endogenous reference gene for the normalization of urinary exosomal miRNA expression data from CKD patients.

Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a severe disorder with an increasing incidence worldwide. An early detection may help to prevent its progression and to minimize the risk of cardiovascular diseases as one of the major comorbidities. Recently, extracellular miRNAs like urinary exosomal miRNAs became of great interest as non-invasive biomarkers which can be determined by RT-qPCR.

Hemodynamics of Phenylephrine Infusion Versus Lower Extremity Compression During Spinal Anesthesia for Cesarean Delivery: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Phenylephrine infusion is the current first-line choice for prevention of spinal hypotension during cesarean delivery. The optimal dosage regimen is still undetermined. A mechanical alternative, lower limb wrapping, has been examined in a few small studies showing moderate success.

Cohort profile: Greifswald approach to individualized medicine (GANI_MED).

Background: Individualized Medicine aims at providing optimal treatment for an individual patient at a given time based on his specific genetic and molecular characteristics. This requires excellent clinical stratification of patients as well as the availability of genomic data and biomarkers as prerequisites for the development of novel diagnostic tools and therapeutic strategies. The University Medicine Greifswald, Germany, has launched the "Greifswald Approach to Individualized Medicine" (GANI_MED) project to address major challenges of Individualized Medicine.

Analysis of pseudorabies and herpes simplex virus recombinants simultaneously lacking the pUL17 and pUL25 components of the C-capsid specific component.

Homologs of the UL17 and UL25 gene products of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) are conserved throughout the Herpesviridae and essential for virus replication. However, their exact function is still unknown. Although both proteins form a complex on DNA-containing C-capsids defects observed in the absence of either protein differ.

Intracellular localization of the pseudorabies virus large tegument protein pUL36.

Homologs of the essential large tegument protein pUL36 of herpes simplex virus 1 are conserved throughout the Herpesviridae, complex with pUL37, and form part of the capsid-associated "inner" tegument. pUL36 is crucial for transport of the incoming capsid to and docking at the nuclear pore early after infection as well as for virion maturation in the cytoplasm. Its extreme C terminus is essential for pUL36 function interacting with pUL25 on nucleocapsids to start tegumentation (K.

Partial functional complementation of a pseudorabies virus UL25 deletion mutant by herpes simplex virus type 1 pUL25 indicates overlapping functions of alphaherpesvirus pUL25 proteins.

Homologs of the UL25 gene product of herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) are highly conserved among the Herpesviridae. However, their exact function during viral replication is unknown. Current evidence suggests that in the alphaherpesvirus pseudorabies virus (PrV) the capsid-associated pUL25 plays a role in primary envelopment of DNA-containing mature capsids at the inner nuclear membrane.

Critical assessment of chitotriosidase analysis in the rational laboratory diagnosis of children with Gaucher disease and Niemann-Pick disease type A/B and C.

Laboratory diagnosis of lysosomal storage disorders, especially sphingomyelinase deficiency (Niemann-Pick disease type A/B) and Niemann-Pick disease type C (NPC) can be challenging. We therefore aimed to analyse the feasibility of first-step screening with specific chitotriosidase cut-off values in children View Article and Find Full Text PDF