Medication use is associated with distinct microbial features in anxiety and depression.

This study investigated the relationship between gut microbiota and neuropsychiatric disorders (NPDs), specifically anxiety disorder (ANXD) and/or major depressive disorder (MDD), as defined by Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-IV or V criteria. The study also examined the influence of medication use, particularly antidepressants and/or anxiolytics, classified through the Anatomical Therapeutic Chemical (ATC) Classification System, on the gut microbiota. Both 16S rRNA gene amplicon sequencing (16S) and shallow shotgun sequencing (WGS) were performed on DNA extracted from 666 fecal samples from the Tulsa-1000 and Neurocomputational Mechanisms of Affiliation and Personality Study Center for Biomedical Research Excellence (NeuroMAP CoBRE) cohorts.

Capture primed pluripotency in guinea pig.

Guinea pigs are valuable models for human disease research, yet the lack of established pluripotent stem cell lines has limited their utility. In this study, we isolate and characterize guinea pig epiblast stem cells (gpEpiSCs) from post-implantation embryos. These cells differentiate into the three germ layers, maintain normal karyotypes, and rely on FGF2 and ACTIVIN A signaling for self-renewal and pluripotency.

Optimal functioning of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis after cessation of prednisolone therapy: a cross-sectional study in children with nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis recovery after cessation of steroid therapy in children with nephrotic syndrome (NS) has hardly been studied in the literature.

Methods: This 22-month cross-sectional study recruited children (2-14 years) with NS, having received a minimum 3 months of prednisolone, now in remission, and off steroids for 1, 3, or 6 months. Serum cortisol-basal and stimulated (with long-acting intramuscular adrenocorticotropic hormone), and factors affecting them, were assessed.

Transition metal phosphide-based oxygen electrocatalysts for aqueous zinc-air batteries.

Electrically rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs) are emerging as promising energy storage devices in the post-lithium era, leveraging the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) at the air cathodes. Efficient bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts, capable of catalyzing both the ORR and OER, are essential for the operation of rechargeable ZABs. Traditional Pt- and RuO/IrO-based catalysts are not ideal, as they lack sufficient bifunctional ORR and OER activity, exhibit limited long-term durability, require high overpotentials and are expensive.

Navigating herpes simplex encephalitis: Family medicine perspectives from Jharkhand, India.

Background: Herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE), caused by herpes simplex virus (HSV) is the most common cause of sporadic encephalitis that often presents as an emergency case of acute or sub-acute nature associated with poor prognosis. Early suspicion and prompt diagnostic testing with adequate antiviral therapy can only reduce morbidity and mortality associated with the disease. This study aims to evaluate the role of serological and molecular diagnosis of encephalitis caused by HSV 1 and 2 for timely detection of the disease.