Aptamer-conjugated gold nanoparticles enable oligonucleotide delivery into muscle stem cells to promote regeneration of dystrophic muscles.

Inefficient targeting of muscle stem cells (MuSCs), also called satellite cells, represents a major bottleneck of current therapeutic strategies for muscular dystrophies, as it precludes the possibility of promoting compensatory regeneration. Here we describe a muscle-targeting delivery platform, based on gold nanoparticles, that enables the release of therapeutic oligonucleotides into MuSCs. We demonstrate that AuNPs conjugation to an aptamer against α7/β1 integrin dimers directs either local or systemic delivery of microRNA-206 to MuSCs, thereby promoting muscle regeneration and improving muscle functionality, in a mouse model of Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy.

Diagnostic stewardship and dermatology consultation in cellulitis management: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Cellulitis is a common skin infection often requiring antibiotic treatment. However, misdiagnosis and inappropriate antibiotic use contribute to antibiotic resistance and healthcare costs. We aimed to evaluate the impact of dermatology consultation on treatment modification in patients with suspected cellulitis and to determine whether dermatologists' evaluation can be used as a reference to diagnose suspected cellulitis.

Dorsal root ganglion toxicity after AAV intra-CSF delivery of a RNAi expression construct into non-human primates and mice.

Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) toxicity has been consistently reported as a potential safety concern after delivery of adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) containing gene-replacement vectors but has yet to be reported for RNAi-based vectors. Here, we report DRG toxicity after AAV intra-CSF delivery of an RNAi expression construct-artificial microRNA targeting superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1)-in non-human primates (NHPs) and provide evidence that this can be recapitulated within mice. Histopathology evaluation showed that NHPs and mice develop DRG toxicity after AAV delivery, including DRG neuron degeneration and necrosis and nerve-fiber degeneration that were associated with increases in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and serum phosphorylated neurofilament heavy chain (pNF-H).

Effectiveness of heterologous and homologous COVID-19 vaccination among immunocompromised individuals: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: We assessed the effectiveness of heterologous vaccination strategy in immunocompromised individuals regarding COVID-19 outcomes, comparing it to homologous approaches.

Design: Systematic literature review/meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science from January 1, 2020 to September 29, 2023.

Context specific effects of substrate composition on the taxonomic and functional diversity of macroinvertebrate communities in temperate lowland streams.

Substrate composition has been widely recognised as a primary variable shaping lotic macroinvertebrate communities at the habitat unit level. However, fundamental understanding of how communities inhabiting mineralogical habitats (i.e.

Unravelling large-scale patterns and drivers of biodiversity in dry rivers.

More than half of the world's rivers dry up periodically, but our understanding of the biological communities in dry riverbeds remains limited. Specifically, the roles of dispersal, environmental filtering and biotic interactions in driving biodiversity in dry rivers are poorly understood. Here, we conduct a large-scale coordinated survey of patterns and drivers of biodiversity in dry riverbeds.

Letters or not, here we come! A communal perspective on credentials needed for a productive career in veterinary pathology.

Veterinary pathology credentials serve as a concise means attesting to educational attainments and experiences indicating a readiness for professional practice. Given the cost, time, and stress associated with obtaining different qualifications, pathologists must consider what credentials enhance their readiness. In this commentary, the authors describe how their various degrees and certifications have facilitated their individual and organizational success.

Biochemical and Structural Characterization of a Novel Psychrophilic Laccase (Multicopper Oxidase) Discovered from 229 (ENOLAB 4002).

Recently, prokaryotic laccases from lactic acid bacteria (LAB), which can degrade biogenic amines, were discovered. A laccase enzyme has been cloned from , a very important LAB in winemaking, and it has been expressed in . This enzyme has similar characteristics to those previously isolated from LAB as the ability to oxidize canonical substrates such as 2,2-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,6-dimethoxyphenol (2,6-DMP), and potassium ferrocyanide K[Fe(CN)], and non-conventional substrates as biogenic amines.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing in patients with fever of unknown origin: A comprehensive systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Metagenomic Next-Generation Sequencing (mNGS) holds promise in diagnosing fever of unknown origin (FUO) by detecting diverse pathogens. We systematically reviewed the literature to evaluate mNGS's accuracy, clinical efficacy, and limitations in FUO diagnosis. Nine studies revealed mNGS's positivity rate ranging from 66.

Falling short in bariatric surgery: An exploration of key barriers and motivators of attrition.

Background: In the United States, obesity-related diseases pose significant healthcare challenges, with bariatric surgery offering a potential solution. However, bariatric surgery completion rates, particularly among Black and Hispanic populations, remain low.

Objective: This study applied the Theoretical Domains Framework (TDF) to explore behavioral factors influencing bariatric surgery program attrition among a majority Black participant population to inform interventions for improving attrition.

Insights Into Treatment Alternatives for Neurosyphilis: Systematic Literature Review and Meta-Analysis.

We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to assess the efficacy of alternative treatments for neurosyphilis. We searched MEDLINE, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, Embase, Cochrane, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception to September 2023, for studies in neurosyphilis that compared penicillin monotherapy with other treatments. We focused on the impact of these therapies on treatment response, but also assessed data regarding reinfection and adverse drug events.

The effectiveness of the COVID-19 vaccines in the prevention of post-COVID conditions in children and adolescents: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis.

Objective: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination against post-COVID conditions (long COVID) in the pediatric population.

Design: Systematic literature review/meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science from December 1, 2019, to August 14, 2023, for studies evaluating the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness against post-COVID conditions among vaccinated individuals < 21 years old who received at least 1 dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Syphilis Treatment: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis Investigating Nonpenicillin Therapeutic Strategies.

Background: Penicillin's long-standing role as the reference standard in syphilis treatment has led to global reliance. However, this dependence presents challenges, prompting the need for alternative strategies. We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of these alternative treatments against nonneurological syphilis.

Plastics and the Sustainable Development Goals: From waste to wealth with microbial recycling and upcycling.

Plastics pollution has become one of the greatest concerns of the 21st century. To date, around 10 billion tons of plastics have been produced almost exclusively from non-renewable sources, and of these, <10% have been recycled. The majority of discarded plastic waste (>70%) is accumulating in landfills or the environment, causing severe impacts to natural ecosystems and human health.

A molecular approach to triple-negative breast cancer: targeting the Notch signaling pathway.

Introduction: Triple-negative breast cancer is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer characterized by the absence of estrogen receptor, progesterone receptor, and human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 expression. This phenotype renders triple-negative breast cancer cells refractory to conventional therapies, resulting in poor clinical outcomes and an urgent need for novel therapeutic approaches. Recent studies have implicated dysregulation of the Notch receptor signaling pathway in the development and progression of triple-negative breast cancer.

Scientific and Regulatory Policy Committee Technical Review: Biology and Pathology of Ganglia in Animal Species Used for Nonclinical Safety Testing.

Dorsal root ganglia (DRG), trigeminal ganglia (TG), other sensory ganglia, and autonomic ganglia may be injured by some test article classes, including anti-neoplastic chemotherapeutics, adeno-associated virus-based gene therapies, antisense oligonucleotides, nerve growth factor inhibitors, and aminoglycoside antibiotics. This article reviews ganglion anatomy, cytology, and pathology (emphasizing sensory ganglia) among common nonclinical species used in assessing product safety for such test articles (TAs). Principal histopathologic findings associated with sensory ganglion injury include neuron degeneration, necrosis, and/or loss; increased satellite glial cell and/or Schwann cell numbers; and leukocyte infiltration and/or inflammation.

The effectiveness of COVID-19 vaccine in the prevention of post-COVID conditions: a systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the latest research.

Objective: We performed a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination against post-COVID conditions (long COVID) among fully vaccinated individuals.

Design: Systematic literature review/meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, EMBASE, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Scopus, and Web of Science from December 1, 2019, to June 2, 2023, for studies evaluating the COVID-19 vaccine effectiveness (VE) against post-COVID conditions among fully vaccinated individuals who received two doses of COVID-19 vaccine.

Production of poly(3-hydroxybutyrate)/poly(lactic acid) from industrial wastewater by wild-type Cupriavidus necator H16.

The massive production of urban and industrial wastes has created a clear need for alternative waste management processes. One of the more promising strategies is to use waste as raw material for the production of biopolymers such as polyhydroxyalkanoates (PHAs). In this work, a lactate-enriched stream obtained by anaerobic digestion (AD) of wastewater (WW) from a candy production plant was used as a feedstock for PHA production in wild-type Cupriavidus necator H16.

Assessment of determinants of high nature value (HNV) farmland at plot scale in Western Pyrenees.

The concept of High Nature Value (HNV) farming hinges on the causality between agroecosystems with low intensity of management and the corresponding environmental outcomes, including high levels of biodiversity and the presence of semi-natural habitats. Although European strategies for rural development and biodiversity conservation have long recognized the importance of HNV farmlands, many of those areas are currently threatened by intensification and land abandonment. A variety of approaches have been developed for identifying HNV areas and measuring changes in their distribution and extent at landscape scales.

AI based image analysis of red blood cells in oscillating microchannels.

The flow dynamics of red blood cells in blood capillaries and in microfluidic channels is complex. Cells can obtain different shapes such as discoid, parachute, slipper-like shapes and various intermediate states depending on flow conditions and their viscoelastic properties. We use artificial intelligence based analysis of red blood cells (RBCs) in an oscillating microchannel to distinguish healthy red blood cells from red blood cells treated with formaldehyde to chemically modify their viscoelastic behavior.

Seasonal variability of lotic macroinvertebrate communities at the habitat scale demonstrates the value of discriminating fine sediment fractions in ecological assessments.

Despite lotic systems demonstrating high levels of seasonal and spatial variability, most research and biomonitoring practices do not consider seasonality when interpreting results and are typically focused at the meso-scale (combined pool/riffle samples) rather than considering habitat patch dynamics. We therefore sought to determine if the sampling season (spring, summer and autumn) influenced observed macroinvertebrate biodiversity, structure and function at the habitat unit scale (determined by substrate composition), and if this in turn influenced the assessment of fine sediment (sand and silt) pressures. We found that biodiversity supported at the habitat level was not seasonally consistent with the contribution of nestedness and turnover in structuring communities varying seasonally.

Wide-field Mueller matrix polarimetry for spectral characterization of basic biological tissues: Muscle, fat, connective tissue, and skin.

This study investigates the polarimetric properties of skin, skeletal muscle, connective tissue, and fat using Mueller matrix imaging. It aims to compare the polarimetric characteristics of these tissues and explore how they evolve with wavelength. Additionally, the temporal evolution of certain tissues during meat aging is studied, providing insights into the dynamic behavior of polarimetric properties over time.