Impacts of host phylogeny, diet, and geography on the gut microbiome of rodents.

Mammalian gut microbial communities are thought to play a variety of important roles in health and fitness, including digestion, metabolism, nutrition, immune response, behavior, and pathogen protection. Gut microbiota diversity among hosts is strongly shaped by diet as well as phylogenetic relationships among hosts. Although various host factors may influence microbial community structure, the relative contribution may vary depending on several variables, such as taxonomic scales of the species studied, dietary patterns, geographic location, and gut physiology.

Gene therapy ameliorates bowel dysmotility and enteric neuron degeneration and extends survival in lysosomal storage disorder mouse models.

Children with neurodegenerative disease often have debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms. We hypothesized that this may be due at least in part to underappreciated degeneration of neurons in the enteric nervous system (ENS), the master regulator of bowel function. To test this hypothesis, we evaluated mouse models of neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis type 1 and 2 (CLN1 and CLN2 disease, respectively), neurodegenerative lysosomal storage disorders caused by deficiencies in palmitoyl protein thioesterase-1 and tripeptidyl peptidase-1, respectively.

Altered Protein Structures and Neoepitopes in Lupus Neutrophils From Dysregulated Splicing of Messenger RNA.

Objective: To test whether messenger RNA (mRNA) splicing is altered in neutrophils from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and can produce neoantigens.

Methods: RNA sequencing of neutrophils from patients with SLE (n = 15) and healthy donors (n = 12) were analyzed for mRNA splicing using the RiboSplitter pipeline, an event-focused tool based on SplAdder with subsequent translation and protein domain annotation. RNA sequencing from SARS-CoV2-infected individuals was used as an additional comparator.

Ketamine-Assisted Psychotherapy for Antisocial Personality Disorder: A Case Report.

There are currently no evidence-based treatment guidelines for antisocial personality disorder (ASPD). Instead, treatment typically focuses on comorbid conditions. There is currently no literature documenting cases or research, theoretical or otherwise of using ketamine-assisted therapy or any other psychedelic therapy in cases of ASPD.

Improving meaningful activity and meaningful engagement for residents in long-term care settings.

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, restrictions were placed on social contacts and group activities in long-term care settings. Evidence has suggested that social isolation can lead to the onset of health issues including depression and cognitive decline in older people. This article details a quality improvement project undertaken by the managers of nine long-term care settings in Northern Ireland that aimed to enhance meaningful activity and meaningful engagement for residents following the easing of COVID-19 restrictions.