Cotinine concentrations in maternal serum and amniotic fluid during pregnancy and risk of testicular germ cell cancer in the offspring: A prospective nested case-control study.

Maternal smoking in pregnancy may increase the risk of testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC) in offspring, but current evidence remains inconclusive. We performed a nested case-control study using cotinine measurements in maternal serum and amniotic fluid as a biomarker for tobacco exposure during pregnancy. A total of 654 males with maternal serum (n = 359, n  = 71/288) and/or amniotic fluid (n = 295, n  = 66/229) samples were included.

Pharmacological characterisation of erenumab, Aimovig, at two calcitonin gene-related peptide responsive receptors.

Background And Purpose: Calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) is involved in migraine pathophysiology. CGRP can signal through two receptors. The canonical CGRP receptor comprises the calcitonin receptor-like receptor and receptor activity-modifying protein 1 (RAMP1); the AMY receptor comprises the calcitonin receptor with RAMP1.

Small Volume Microrheology to Evaluate Viscoelastic Properties of Nucleic Acid-Based Supra-Assemblies.

Particle tracking (PT) microrheology is a passive microrheological approach that characterizes material properties of soft matter. Multicomponent materials with the ability to create extensive crosslinking, such as supra-assemblies, may exhibit a complex interplay of viscous and elastic properties with a substantial contribution of liquid phase still diffusing through the system. Microrheology analyzes the motion of microscopic beads immersed in a sample, making it possible to evaluate the rheological properties of biological supra-assemblies.

Universal DNA methylation age across mammalian tissues.

Aging, often considered a result of random cellular damage, can be accurately estimated using DNA methylation profiles, the foundation of pan-tissue epigenetic clocks. Here, we demonstrate the development of universal pan-mammalian clocks, using 11,754 methylation arrays from our Mammalian Methylation Consortium, which encompass 59 tissue types across 185 mammalian species. These predictive models estimate mammalian tissue age with high accuracy (r > 0.

DNA methylation networks underlying mammalian traits.

Using DNA methylation profiles ( = 15,456) from 348 mammalian species, we constructed phyloepigenetic trees that bear marked similarities to traditional phylogenetic ones. Using unsupervised clustering across all samples, we identified 55 distinct cytosine modules, of which 30 are related to traits such as maximum life span, adult weight, age, sex, and human mortality risk. Maximum life span is associated with methylation levels in subclass homeobox genes and developmental processes and is potentially regulated by pluripotency transcription factors.

Linking the Mechanics of Chewing to Biology of the Junctional Epithelium.

The capacity of a tissue to continuously alter its phenotype lies at the heart of how an animal is able to quickly adapt to changes in environmental stimuli. Within tissues, differentiated cells are rigid and play a limited role in adapting to new environments; however, differentiated cells are replenished by stem cells that are defined by their phenotypic plasticity. Here we demonstrate that a Wnt-responsive stem cell niche in the junctional epithelium is responsible for the capability of this tissue to quickly adapt to changes in the physical consistency of a diet.

Spatiotemporal monitoring of hard tissue development reveals unknown features of tooth and bone development.

Mineralized tissues, such as bones or teeth, are essential structures of all vertebrates. They enable rapid movement, protection, and food processing, in addition to providing physiological functions. Although the development, regeneration, and pathogenesis of teeth and bones have been intensely studied, there is currently no tool to accurately follow the dynamics of growth and healing of these vital tissues in space and time.

A checklist of the bees (Hymenoptera: Apoidea) of Minnesota.

Research studies and conservation actions aimed at improving conditions for bees require a basic understanding of which species are present in a given region. The US state of Minnesota occupies a unique geographic position at the confluence of eastern deciduous forests, northern boreal forests, and western tallgrass prairie, which has led to a diverse and unique bee fauna. In recent years there have been multiple ongoing bee-focused inventory and research projects in Minnesota.

Chiroptical Properties of Planar Benzobisthiazole-Bridged Squaraine Dimers.

Five chiral squaraine dimers were synthesized by fusing chiral indolenine semisquaraines with three different benzobisthiazole bridges. The thereby created squaraine dimers show a strong splitting of the lowest energy absorption bands caused by exciton coupling. The intensities of the two exciton transitions and the energetic splitting depend on the angle of the two squaraine moieties within the chromophore dimer.

Impact of first-time detected atrial fibrillation after transcatheter aortic valve replacement: A nationwide study.

Background: The prognostic implications of new-onset atrial fibrillation (AF) in conjunction with transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) is sparsely examined. Therefore, we aimed to examine the impact of first-time detected AF after TAVR on all-cause mortality and heart failure (HF).

Methods: With Danish nationwide data from 2008 to 2021, we identified all patients who underwent TAVR and were alive 30 days after discharge (index date).

Soft Tick Relapsing Fever - United States, 2012-2021.

Soft tick relapsing fever (STRF) (also known as tickborne relapsing fever) is a rare infection caused by certain Borrelia spirochetes and transmitted to humans by soft-bodied Ornithodoros ticks. In the United States, acquisition of STRF is commonly associated with exposure to rustic cabins, camping, and caves. Antibiotic treatment is highly effective for STRF, but without timely treatment, STRF can result in severe complications, including death.

Continuing professional development (CPD) for anesthetists: A systematic review.

Background: In accordance with the focus on patient safety and quality in healthcare, continuing professional development (CPD) has received increasing levels of attention as a means to ensure physicians maintain their clinical competencies and are fit to practice. There is some evidence of a beneficial effect of CPD, though few studies have evaluated its effect within anesthesia. The primary aim of this systematic review was to establish which CPD activities anesthetists are engaged in and their effectiveness.

Stemmed hemiarthroplasty with a suture collar and a common platform system for acute proximal humeral fractures.

Background: Hemiarthroplasty for acute proximal humeral fractures gives disappointing results, often due to rotator cuff insufficiency. Better tuberosity fixation might improve results. Therefore, the aim of this study was to: 1) report the outcome of a stemmed hemiarthroplasty with a common platform system and a modular suture collar; 2) compare the outcome with that of a standard stemmed hemiarthroplasty; 3) report the feasibility of revision arthroplasty with retention of the stem; and 4) to evaluate the association between tuberosity healing and functional outcome.

Cardiac T1 mapping enables risk prediction of LV dysfunction after surgery for aortic regurgitation.

Background: To assess whether cardiac T1 mapping for detecting myocardial fibrosis enables preoperative identification of patients at risk for early left ventricular dysfunction after surgery of aortic regurgitation.

Methods: 1.5 Tesla cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed in 40 consecutive aortic regurgitation patients before aortic valve surgery.

The impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 on testicular function including insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) in men with mild COVID-19: A longitudinal study.

Background: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) may affect the male reproductive system as it uses angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)2, which is expressed in testicular tissue, as an entry point into the cell. Few studies have evaluated the long-term effects of mild coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on testicular function, and insulin-like factor 3 (INSL3) levels have not previously been assessed during acute SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the impact of acute SARS-CoV-2 infection on testicular function including INSL3 and the presence of SARS-CoV-2 RNA in semen in non-hospitalised men with mild COVID-19.

Polymorphic KIR3DL3 expression modulates tissue-resident and innate-like T cells.

Most human killer cell immunoglobulin-like receptors (KIR) are expressed by natural killer (NK) cells and recognize HLA class I molecules as ligands. KIR3DL3 is a conserved but polymorphic inhibitory KIR recognizing a B7 family ligand, HHLA2, and is implicated for immune checkpoint targeting. The expression profile and biological function of KIR3DL3 have been somewhat elusive, so we searched extensively for KIR3DL3 transcripts, revealing highly enriched expression in γδ and CD8 T cells rather than NK cells.

First-in-human study of a pharmacological duodenal exclusion therapy shows reduced postprandial glucose and insulin and increased bile acid and gut hormone concentrations.

Aims: To address the need for noninvasive alternatives to metabolic surgery or duodenal exclusion devices for the management of type 2 diabetes (T2D) and obesity by developing an orally administered therapeutic polymer, GLY-200, designed to bind to and enhance the barrier function of mucus in the gastrointestinal tract to establish duodenal exclusion noninvasively.

Materials And Methods: A Phase 1, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, single- (SAD) and multiple-ascending-dose (MAD) healthy volunteer study was conducted. In the SAD arm, four cohorts received a single dose of 0.

Free fatty acid receptor 1 stimulates cAMP production and gut hormone secretion through Gq-mediated activation of adenylate cyclase 2.

Objective: Free fatty acid receptor 1 (FFAR1) is highly expressed in enteroendocrine cells of the small intestine and pancreatic beta cells, where FFAR1 agonists function as GLP-1 and insulin secretagogues, respectively. Most efficacious are so-called second-generation synthetic agonists such as AM5262, which, in contrast to endogenous long-chain fatty acids are able to signal through both IP/Ca and cAMP pathways. Whereas IP signaling is to be expected for the mainly Gq-coupled FFAR1, the mechanism behind FFAR1-induced cAMP accumulation remains unclear, although originally proposed to be Gs mediated.

Drug interventions for prevention of COVID-19 progression to severe disease in outpatients: a systematic review with meta-analyses and trial sequential analyses (The LIVING Project).

Objectives: To assess the effects of interventions authorised by the European Medicines Agency (EMA) or the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for prevention of COVID-19 progression to severe disease in outpatients.

Setting: Outpatient treatment.

Participants: Participants with a diagnosis of COVID-19 and the associated SARS-CoV-2 virus irrespective of age, sex and comorbidities.

Predicting Short-Term Mortality in Older Patients Discharged from Acute Hospitalizations Lasting Less Than 24 Hours.

Purpose: Over coming decades, a rise in the number of short, acute hospitalizations of older people is to be expected. To help physicians identify high-risk patients prior to discharge, we aimed to develop a model capable of predicting the risk of 30-day mortality for older patients discharged from short, acute hospitalizations and to examine how model performance changed with an increasing amount of information.

Methods: This registry-based study included acute hospitalizations in Denmark for 2016-2018 lasting ≤24 hours where patients were permanent residents, ≥65 years old, and discharged alive.

Autoimmune rheumatic diseases in women with coronary microvascular dysfunction: a report from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) project.

Background: While autoimmune rheumatic diseases (ARDs) have been linked with coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD), the relationship between ARD and CMD in women with signs and symptoms of ischemia and no obstructive arteries (INOCA) are not well described. We hypothesized that among women with CMD, those with ARD history have greater angina, functional limitations, and myocardial perfusion compromise compared to those without ARD history.

Methods: Women with INOCA and confirmed CMD by invasive coronary function testing were included from the Women's Ischemia Syndrome Evaluation-Coronary Vascular Dysfunction (WISE-CVD) project (NCT00832702).

Organometallic Intermediates in the Synthesis of Photoluminescent Zirconium and Hafnium Complexes with Pyridine Dipyrrolide Ligands.

The two commercially available zirconium complexes tetrakis(dimethylamido)zirconium, Zr(NMe), and tetrabenzylzirconium, ZrBn, were investigated for their utility as starting materials in the synthesis of bis(pyridine dipyrrolide)zirconium photosensitizers, Zr(PDP). Reaction with one equivalent of the ligand precursor 2,6-bis(5-methyl-3-phenyl-1-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine, HPDP, resulted in the isolation and structural characterization of the complexes (PDP)Zr(NMe)thf and (PDP)ZrBn, which could be converted to the desired photosensitizer Zr(PDP) upon addition of a second equivalent of HPDP. Using the more sterically encumbered ligand precursor 2,6-bis(5-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-3-phenyl-1-pyrrol-2-yl)pyridine, HPDP, only ZrBn yielded the desired bis-ligand complex Zr(PDP).