Craniomandibular variation in the endemic Hispaniolan primate, Antillothrix bernensis.

Here we describe new fossil material of Antillothrix bernensis, a Pleistocene-Holocene primate taxon from Hispaniola. It is now represented by seven crania, five mandibles, and dozens of postcranial elements from several paleontologically rich cave systems. The five adult crania included here share a similar overall profile as well as specific features such as a deep depression at the glabella.

Dysregulated nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide metabolome in patients hospitalized with COVID-19.

Nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) depletion has been postulated as a contributor to the severity of COVID-19; however, no study has prospectively characterized NAD and its metabolites in relation to disease severity in patients with COVID-19. We measured NAD and its metabolites in 56 hospitalized patients with COVID-19 and in two control groups without COVID-19: (1) 31 age- and sex-matched adults with comorbidities, and (2) 30 adults without comorbidities. Blood NAD concentrations in COVID-19 group were only slightly lower than in the control groups (p < 0.

Game of microbes: the battle within - gut microbiota and multiple sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to the pathobiology of the disease. While human leukocyte antigen (HLA) genes have emerged as the strongest genetic factor, consensus on environmental risk factors are lacking. Recently, trillions of microbes residing in our gut (microbiome) have emerged as a potential environmental factor linked with the pathobiology of MS as PwMS show gut microbial dysbiosis (altered gut microbiome).

Observations on the Tritiated Water and TEWL Skin Integrity Tests: Relevance to In Vitro Permeation Testing (IVPT).

Background: The in vitro permeation test (IVPT) using ex vivo human skin is a sensitive and robust model system that has been vital in elucidating the fundamental parameters surrounding the absorption of both therapeutic agents and industrial chemicals through skin. FDA and OECD IVPT Guidances recommend that each skin section selected for study should be screened prior to use to ensure that the stratum corneum integrity is retained. Three methods are currently considered acceptable: 1) transepidermal water loss (TEWL), 2) electrical resistance, and 3) tritiated water (HO) absorption.

Diet-microbiome-immune interplay in multiple sclerosis: Understanding the impact of phytoestrogen metabolizing gut bacteria.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic and progressive autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS), with both genetic and environmental factors contributing to the pathobiology of the disease. Although HLA genes have emerged as the strongest genetic factor linked to MS, consensus on the environmental risk factors is lacking. Recently, the gut microbiota has garnered increasing attention as a potential environmental factor in MS, as mounting evidence suggests that individuals with MS exhibit microbial dysbiosis (changes in the gut microbiome).