Effects of the Transcutaneous Electrical Stimulation System on Heartburn, Regurgitation and Esophageal Acid Exposure in GERD Patients-An Uncontrolled Feasibility Study.

Background: Proton pump inhibitors (PPI) for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are associated with a high failure rate. Our uncontrolled feasibility study aimed determining the effect of a transcutaneous electrical stimulation system (TESS) on GERD symptoms and acid exposure time (AET).

Methods: Recruited patients with heartburn and regurgitation.

Correlations Between Oculometric Measures and Traditional Clinical Assessments in Multiple Sclerosis.

Background: Oculomotor abnormalities are common in multiple sclerosis (MS) but are not quantitatively evaluated in clinical practice. Oculometric measures (OMs) are characteristics of eye movements captured while performing a visual task, e.g.

Pooled PPIseq: Screening the SARS-CoV-2 and human interface with a scalable multiplexed protein-protein interaction assay platform.

Protein-Protein Interactions (PPIs) are a key interface between virus and host, and these interactions are important to both viral reprogramming of the host and to host restriction of viral infection. In particular, viral-host PPI networks can be used to further our understanding of the molecular mechanisms of tissue specificity, host range, and virulence. At higher scales, viral-host PPI screening could also be used to screen for small-molecule antivirals that interfere with essential viral-host interactions, or to explore how the PPI networks between interacting viral and host genomes co-evolve.

Gut Bacteria Encode Reductases that Biotransform Steroid Hormones.

The metabolism of steroids by the gut microbiome affects hormone homeostasis, impacting host development, mental health, and reproductive functions. In this study, we identify the Δ-3-ketosteroid 5β-reductase, 3β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase/Δ isomerase, and Δ-3-ketosteroid reductase enzyme families encoded by common human gut bacteria. Through phylogenetic reconstruction and mutagenesis, We show that 5β-reductase and Δ-3-ketosteroid reductase have evolved to specialize in converting diverse 3-keto steroid hormones into their 5β- and Δ-reduced derivatives.

Informing etiological heterogeneity of mild cognitive impairment and risk for progression to dementia with plasma p-tau217.

Background: Mild cognitive impairment (MCI) is a clinical diagnosis representing early symptom changes with preserved functional independence. There are multiple potential etiologies of MCI. While often presumed to be related to Alzheimer's disease (AD), other neurodegenerative and non-neurodegenerative causes are common.

Differential Effects of GLP-1 Receptor Agonists on Cancer Risk in Obesity: A Nationwide Analysis of 1.1 Million Patients.

: Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1RAs) have demonstrated significant efficacy in obesity treatment beyond their original development for type-2 diabetes management. This comprehensive study investigated the relationship between GLP-1RA use and cancer incidence in individuals with obesity across a 5-year follow-up period. : We conducted a large-scale cohort study using the TriNetX US Collaborative Network database (2013-2023) examining adult patients with obesity.

Collective Interactions of Quantum-Confined Excitons in Halide Perovskite Nanocrystal Superlattices.

Collective optical properties can emerge from an ordered ensemble of emitters due to interactions between the individual units. Superlattices of halide perovskite nanocrystals exhibit collective light emission, influenced by dipole-dipole interactions between simultaneously excited nanocrystals. This coupling changes both the emission energy and rate compared to the emission of uncoupled nanocrystals.

Collecting resilience points for a smooth transition to adult healthcare services: Co-creating a playful resource for Spina Bifida.

Background: The transition of young people with a disability or a chronic health condition, from paediatric to adult-focused health and social care services, in Scotland, is known to be difficult. There is a significant body of evidence to suggest that a transition should start early, be holistic and inclusive, as well as structured to build essential capabilities and promote resilience. The nurse-led project, reported here, created a playful mechanism for meaningful interaction between young people, families and healthcare professionals.

Uterine Transplant Optimization From a Preclinical Donor Model With Controlled Cardiocirculatory Arrest.

Background: Uterus transplantation from deceased donors offers a promising solution to the organ shortage, but optimal preservation methods are crucial for successful outcomes. Our primary objective is to conduct an initial assessment of the contribution of oxygenated hypothermic perfusion in uterine transplantation.

Methods: We performed a preclinical study on a porcine model of controlled donation after circulatory death (60 min warm ischemia).

Bilirubin reductase shows host-specific associations in animal large intestines.

Animal gastrointestinal tracts contain diverse metabolites, including various host-derived compounds that gut-associated microbes interact with. Here, we explore the diversity and evolution of bilirubin reductase, a bacterial enzyme that metabolizes the host-derived tetrapyrrole bilirubin, performing a key role in the animal heme degradation pathway. Through an analysis of the bilirubin reductase phylogeny and predicted structures, we found that the enzyme family can be divided into three distinct clades with different structural features.

Cortex kidney tissue partial oxygen pressure depends on percentage of active oxygenation during oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion.

Background: Preclinical and clinical studies have demonstrated the advantages of oxygenated hypothermic machine perfusion (HMPO) during kidney preservation. However, the optimal oxygenation levels during HMPO remain undetermined. The aim of this study was to compare different levels of oxygenation (0%, 21%, 50%, and 100%) during 22 h of active oxygenated HMP (HMPO) using oxygen preloading by bubbling oxygenation in the preservation solution and continuous surface oxygenation during MP in a porcine DCD model.

Extraction of the electron excess temperature in terahertz quantum cascade lasers from laser characteristics.

We propose a method to extract the upper laser level's (ULL's) excess electronic temperature from the analysis of the maximum light output power ( ) and current dynamic range Δ = ( - ) of terahertz quantum cascade lasers (THz QCLs). We validated this method, both through simulation and experiment, by applying it on THz QCLs supporting a clean three-level system. Detailed knowledge of electronic excess temperatures is of utmost importance in order to achieve high temperature performance of THz QCLs.

Autologous mitochondrial transplant for acute cerebral ischemia: Phase 1 trial results and review.

The results of a Phase 1 trial of autologous mitochondrial transplantation for the treatment of acute ischemic stroke during mechanical thrombectomy are presented. Standardized methods were used to isolate viable autologous mitochondria in the acute clinical setting, allowing for timely transplantation within the ischemic window. No significant adverse events were observed with the endovascular approach during reperfusion therapy.

Thoracic electrical impedance tomography for assessing progression of pulmonary dysfunction in ALS.

: We compared thoracic electrical impedance tomography (EIT) with slow vital capacity (SVC) to determine if EIT could monitor pulmonary function in ALS patients longitudinally. : Of 32 ALS patients and 32 age- and sex-matched healthy controls (HCs) initially enrolled in the Pulmonary Function via Impedance Tomography (PuFIT) study, 22 ALS and 20 HCs returned for a follow-up visit ∼3.9 months later.

G2019S Mutation of Leucine-Rich Repeat Kinase 2 Is a Cause of Lewy Body Dementia in Patients With North African Ancestors.

Background: Mutations in the LRRK2 gene are the most common genetic cause of Parkinson disease but are believed to play no significant role in Lewy body disease (LBD).

Objectives: As the frequency of G2019S LRRK2 mutation is extremely high in North African patients with Parkinson disease, we postulate that the high prevalence of LBD in North Africa might be due to the same mutation because LBD and Parkinson disease share many clinical, pathological, and genetic features.

Methods: We screened patients with LBD or prodromal LBD for the G2019S mutation of LRRK2.

Cell2Sentence: Teaching Large Language Models the Language of Biology.

We introduce Cell2Sentence (C2S), a novel method to directly adapt large language models to a biological context, specifically single-cell transcriptomics. By transforming gene expression data into "cell sentences," C2S bridges the gap between natural language processing and biology. We demonstrate cell sentences enable the finetuning of language models for diverse tasks in biology, including cell generation, complex celltype annotation, and direct data-driven text generation.