RNA sensing at the crossroads of autoimmunity and autoinflammation.

Immune-mediated diseases are common in humans. The immune system is a complex host defense system that evolved to protect us from pathogens, but also plays an important role in homeostatic processes, removing dead or senescent cells, and participating in tumor surveillance. The human immune system has two arms: the older innate immune system, and the newer adaptive immune system.

Diversity and Characteristics of the Oral Microbiome Associated with Self-Reported Ancestral/Ethnic Groups.

Periodontitis disproportionately affects genetic ancestral/ethnic groups. To characterize the oral microbiome from different genetic ancestral/ethnic groups, we collected 161 dental plaque samples from self-identified African Americans (AAs), Caucasian Americans (CAs), and Hispanic Americans (HAs) with clinical gingival health or biofilm-induced gingivitis on an intact periodontium. DNA was extracted from these samples, and then DNA libraries were prepared and sequenced using an Illumina NovaSeq high-throughput sequencer.

Late-Life Alcohol Exposure Does Not Exacerbate Age-Dependent Reductions in Mouse Spatial Memory and Brain TFEB Activity.

Alcohol consumption is believed to affect Alzheimer's disease (AD) risk, but the contributing mechanisms are not well understood. A potential mediator of the proposed alcohol-AD connection is autophagy, a degradation pathway that maintains organelle and protein homeostasis. Autophagy is regulated through the activity of Transcription factor EB (TFEB), which promotes lysosome and autophagy-related gene expression.

Outcomes in Implant-Based Breast Reconstruction Utilizing Biosynthetic Mesh: A Meta-Analysis.

Biosynthetic mesh has become more popular for immediate breast cancer implant-based reconstruction as an alternative to acellular dermal matrix (ADM) for soft tissue support. This meta-analysis investigates the various biosynthetic options available as well as complications and outcomes. PubMed, MEDLINE, and Embase were systematically reviewed for studies investigating the following types of mesh, TIGR, Vicryl, PDO, TiLOOP, Durasorb, and Galaflex, and their associated outcomes.