Reproductomics: Exploring the Applications and Advancements of Computational Tools.

Over recent decades, advancements in omics technologies, such as proteomics, genomics, epigenomics, metabolomics, transcriptomics, and microbiomics, have significantly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying various physiological and pathological processes. Nonetheless, the analysis and interpretation of vast omics data concerning reproductive diseases are complicated by the cyclic regulation of hormones and multiple other factors, which, in conjunction with a genetic makeup of an individual, lead to diverse biological responses. Reproductomics investigates the interplay between a hormonal regulation of an individual, environmental factors, genetic predisposition (DNA composition and epigenome), health effects, and resulting biological outcomes.

Delayed Mucosal Antiviral Responses Despite Robust Peripheral Inflammation in Fatal COVID-19.

Background: While inflammatory and immune responses to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in peripheral blood are extensively described, responses at the upper respiratory mucosal site of initial infection are relatively poorly defined. We sought to identify mucosal cytokine/chemokine signatures that distinguished coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) severity categories, and relate these to disease progression and peripheral inflammation.

Methods: We measured 35 cytokines and chemokines in nasal samples from 274 patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

An Alternative Microbiological Validation for an Online Water Bioburden Analyzer.

Background: The Mettler-Toledo 7000RMS analyzer is a bio-fluorescent particle counter (BFPC) used to monitor real-time bioburden results from purified water (PW).

Objective: Validation of the analyzer using 13 microorganisms and a low-intensity, fluorescent, polystyrene bead.

Methods: During the execution of the validation, a laboratory water system that met PW quality standards was connected to the 7000RMS, and a syringe pump was used to introduce various concentrations of microorganisms and fluorescent polystyrene beads to the analyzer.

A practical guide to cross-cultural and multi-sited data collection in the biological and behavioural sciences.

Researchers in the biological and behavioural sciences are increasingly conducting collaborative, multi-sited projects to address how phenomena vary across ecologies. These types of projects, however, pose additional workflow challenges beyond those typically encountered in single-sited projects. Through specific attention to cross-cultural research projects, we highlight four key aspects of multi-sited projects that must be considered during the design phase to ensure success: (1) project and team management; (2) protocol and instrument development; (3) data management and documentation; and (4) equitable and collaborative practices.

Environmental and Genetic Traffic in the Journey from Sperm to Offspring.

Recent advancements in the understanding of how sperm develop into offspring have shown complex interactions between environmental influences and genetic factors. The past decade, marked by a research surge, has not only highlighted the profound impact of paternal contributions on fertility and reproductive outcomes but also revolutionized our comprehension by unveiling how parental factors sculpt traits in successive generations through mechanisms that extend beyond traditional inheritance patterns. Studies have shown that offspring are more susceptible to environmental factors, especially during critical phases of growth.

Cholesterol-linoleic acid liposomes induced extracellular vesicles secretion from immortalized adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells for cell migration.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small vesicles that are naturally released by cells and play a crucial role in cell-to-cell communication, tissue repair and regeneration. As naturally secreted EVs are limited, liposomes with different physicochemical properties, such as 1,2-dioleoyl-3-trimethylammonium propane (DOTAP) and linoleic acid (LA) with modifications have been formulated to improve EVs secretion for wound healing. Various analyses, including dynamic light scattering (DLS) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) were performed to monitor the successful preparation of different types of liposomes.

Application of Platelet-Rich Plasma as a Stem Cell Treatment - an Attempt to Clarify a Common Public Misconception.

In recent years, there has been a significant increase in the practice of regenerative medicine by health practitioners and direct-to-consumer businesses globally. Among different tools of regenerative medicine, platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and stem cell-based therapies have received considerable attention. The use of PRP, in particular, has gained popularity due to its easy access, simple processing techniques, and regenerative potential.

Long COVID: clues about causes.

Many patients report persistent symptoms after resolution of acute COVID-19, regardless of SARS-CoV-2 variant and even if the initial illness is mild [1, 2]. A multitude of symptoms have been described under the umbrella term ‘Long COVID’, otherwise known as ‘post-COVID syndrome’ or ‘post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC)’; for simplicity we will use the term Long COVID. Symptoms are diverse but include breathlessness, fatigue and brain fog, reported to affect up to 69% of cases [3].

SARS-CoV-2-specific nasal IgA wanes 9 months after hospitalisation with COVID-19 and is not induced by subsequent vaccination.

Background: Most studies of immunity to SARS-CoV-2 focus on circulating antibody, giving limited insights into mucosal defences that prevent viral replication and onward transmission. We studied nasal and plasma antibody responses one year after hospitalisation for COVID-19, including a period when SARS-CoV-2 vaccination was introduced.

Methods: In this follow up study, plasma and nasosorption samples were prospectively collected from 446 adults hospitalised for COVID-19 between February 2020 and March 2021 via the ISARIC4C and PHOSP-COVID consortia.

Structural Characterization of Cytochrome from an Ammonia-Oxidizing Bacterium.

The ammonia-oxidizing bacterium expresses two cytochromes in the P460 superfamily that are predicted to be structurally similar. In one, cytochrome (cyt) P460, the substrate hydroxylamine (NHOH) is converted to nitric oxide (NO) and nitrous oxide (NO) requiring a unique heme-lysyl cross-link in the catalytic cofactor. In the second, cyt , the cross-link is absent, and the cytochrome instead binds HO forming a ferryl species similar to compound II of peroxidases.

Carbon-negative production of acetone and isopropanol by gas fermentation at industrial pilot scale.

Many industrial chemicals that are produced from fossil resources could be manufactured more sustainably through fermentation. Here we describe the development of a carbon-negative fermentation route to producing the industrially important chemicals acetone and isopropanol from abundant, low-cost waste gas feedstocks, such as industrial emissions and syngas. Using a combinatorial pathway library approach, we first mined a historical industrial strain collection for superior enzymes that we used to engineer the autotrophic acetogen Clostridium autoethanogenum.

Chemical Advances in Therapeutic Application of Exosomes and Liposomes.

Exosomes and liposomes are vesicular nanoparticles that can encapsulate functional cargo. The chemical similarities between naturally occurring exosomes and synthetic liposomes have accelerated the development of exosome mimetics as a therapeutic drug delivery platform under physiological and pathological environments. To maximise the applications of exosomes and liposomes in the clinical setting, it is essential to look into their basic chemical properties and utilise these characteristics to optimise the preparation, loading, modification and hybridisation.

Modelling upper respiratory viral load dynamics of SARS-CoV-2.

Relationships between viral load, severity of illness, and transmissibility of virus are fundamental to understanding pathogenesis and devising better therapeutic and prevention strategies for COVID-19. Here we present within-host modelling of viral load dynamics observed in the upper respiratory tract (URT), drawing upon 2172 serial measurements from 605 subjects, collected from 17 different studies. We developed a mechanistic model to describe viral load dynamics and host response and contrast this with simpler mixed-effects regression analysis of peak viral load and its subsequent decline.

Symptomatic, biochemical and radiographic recovery in patients with COVID-19.

Background: The symptoms, radiography, biochemistry and healthcare utilisation of patients with COVID-19 following discharge from hospital have not been well described.

Methods: Retrospective analysis of 401 adult patients attending a clinic following an index hospital admission or emergency department attendance with COVID-19. Regression models were used to assess the association between characteristics and persistent abnormal chest radiographs or breathlessness.

Wound Healing Properties of Exosomes - A Review and Modelling of Combinatorial Analysis Strategies.

Wound healing is an elaborated process, well-regulated via cell migration and proliferation. Although the physiological basics of wound healing have been thoroughly investigated and reported, much remains to be studied. Particularly, various studies have demonstrated the immunomodulatory roles of exosomes derived from plant cells, mammalian cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) in the healing and repairing system.

Inflammatory profiles across the spectrum of disease reveal a distinct role for GM-CSF in severe COVID-19.

While it is now widely accepted that host inflammatory responses contribute to lung injury, the pathways that drive severity and distinguish coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) from other viral lung diseases remain poorly characterized. We analyzed plasma samples from 471 hospitalized patients recruited through the prospective multicenter ISARIC4C study and 39 outpatients with mild disease, enabling extensive characterization of responses across a full spectrum of COVID-19 severity. Progressive elevation of levels of numerous inflammatory cytokines and chemokines (including IL-6, CXCL10, and GM-CSF) were associated with severity and accompanied by elevated markers of endothelial injury and thrombosis.

Cigarette smoke induces in Th17 cells that enhance osteoclastogenesis in inflammatory arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by joint destruction and severe morbidity. Cigarette smoking (CS) can exacerbate the incidence and severity of RA. Although Th17 cells and the Aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) have been implicated, the mechanism by which CS induces RA development remains unclear.

Modular cell-free expression plasmids to accelerate biological design in cells.

Industrial biotechnology aims to produce high-value products from renewable resources. This can be challenging because model microorganisms-organisms that are easy to use like -often lack the machinery required to utilize desired feedstocks like lignocellulosic biomass or syngas. Non-model organisms, such as , are industrially proven and have desirable metabolic features but have several hurdles to mainstream use.

High-efficiency methane capture by living fungi and dried fungal hyphae (necromass).

Fungi can hasten microbial degradation of hydrophobic compounds by enhancing capture and dissolution into biofilms. For methane (CH ) released from natural soils and agricultural systems, prokaryotes are ultimately responsible for oxidation and degradation; however, in many cases Henry's law of gas dissolution, not oxidation, is rate-limiting. Given that fungi can improve capture and bioremediation of other hydrophobic compounds (e.

A transport environmental Kuznets curve analysis for Malaysia: exploring the role of corruption.

Validity of the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) hypothesis is consistently and widely debated among economists and environmentalists alike throughout time. In Malaysia, transport is one of the "dirtiest" sectors; it intensively consumes energy in powering engines by using fossil fuels and poses significant threats to environmental quality. Therefore, this study attempted an examination into the impact of corruption on transport carbon dioxide (CO) emissions.

Attenuation of Dupuytren's fibrosis via targeting of the STAT1 modulated IL-13Rα1 response.

Fibrotic disorders represent common complex disease pathologies that are therapeutically challenging. Inflammation is associated with numerous fibrotic pathogeneses; however, its role in the multifaceted mechanisms of fibrosis remains unclear. IL-13 is implicated in aberrant responses involved in fibrotic disease, and we aimed to understand its role in the inflammatory processes of a common fibrotic disorder, Dupuytren's disease.