Regulation and Function of CCL2 and N-Myc in Retinoic Acid-treated Neuroblastoma Cells.

Background/aim: Treatment with retinoic acid (RA) often promotes neuroblastoma differentiation and growth inhibition, including the suppression of the expression of the MYCN oncogene. However, RA also targets protumoral chemokines, such as CCL2, which may contribute to the development of resistance. The present study aimed to investigate the regulation and function of CCL2 and N-Myc in RA-treated neuroblastoma cells.

Socioeconomic position interacts with the genetic effect of a CRP gene common variant to influence C-reactive protein values.

Objectives: C-Reactive Protein (CRP) values are partly determined by variation at the CRP gene locus, but also influenced by socioeconomic position (SEP) and related lifestyle factors. As gene-by-SEP interactions have been suggested for traits associated with CRP and SEP (e.g.

Tailoring the Mechanical Properties of Fungal Mycelium Mats with Material Extrusion Additive Manufacturing of PHBH and PLA Biopolymers.

To advance the concept of a circular economy, fungal mycelium-based materials are drawing increased attention as substitutes for nonsustainable materials, such as petroleum-based and animal-derived products, due to their biodegradability, low carbon footprint, and cruelty-free nature. Addressing the challenge of mechanical properties in fungal mycelium products, this study presents a straightforward approach for reinforcing fungal mycelium mats. This is achieved by using two bio-based and biodegradable polymers, poly(3-hydroxybutyrate--3-hydroxyhexanoate) (PHBH) and polylactic acid (PLA), via material extrusion additive manufacturing (MEX AM), commonly known as 3D printing, to produce fungal mycelium-biopolymer composites.

Low income, being without employment, and living alone: how they are associated with cognitive functioning-Results from the German national cohort (NAKO).

Aim was to investigate to what extent cognitive functioning differs by three socioeconomic conditions: low income, being without employment, and living alone. A total of N = 158,144 participants of the population-based German National Cohort (NAKO) provided data on socioeconomic conditions and completed cognitive tests. Multivariable confounder-adjusted regression analyses indicated that cognitive functioning was lower in those with low income (b = -0.

Empagliflozin in patients with autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (EMPA-PKD): study protocol for a randomised controlled trial.

Introduction: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a hereditary condition that causes the formation of cysts primarily in the kidneys. The continuous growth of multiple cysts leads to the destruction of functional parenchyma, which may progress to end-stage kidney disease. Tolvaptan is the only drug specifically approved for slowing down the progression of ADPKD.

2024 European Heart Rhythm Association/Heart Rhythm Society/Asia Pacific Heart Rhythm Society/Latin American Heart Rhythm Society expert consensus statement on catheter and surgical ablation of atrial fibrillation.

In the last three decades, ablation of atrial fibrillation (AF) has become an evidence-based safe and efficacious treatment for managing the most common cardiac arrhythmia. In 2007, the first joint expert consensus document was issued, guiding healthcare professionals involved in catheter or surgical AF ablation. Mounting research evidence and technological advances have resulted in a rapidly changing landscape in the field of catheter and surgical AF ablation, thus stressing the need for regularly updated versions of this partnership which were issued in 2012 and 2017.

Radiomics-driven spectral profiling of six kidney stone types with monoenergetic CT reconstructions in photon-counting CT.

Objectives: Urolithiasis, a common and painful urological condition, is influenced by factors such as lifestyle, genetics, and medication. Differentiating between different types of kidney stones is crucial for personalized therapy. The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of photon-counting computed tomography (PCCT) in combination with radiomics and machine learning to develop a method for automated and detailed characterization of kidney stones.

Programmed Cell Death Protein 1 Contributes to Oral Cancer Pain via Regulating Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha in the Spinal Trigeminal Nucleus Caudalis.

Background: Oral cancer causes intense pain at the primary site, and such pain can impair oral functions. However, the underlying mechanisms for oral cancer pain are still not fully understood. In the present study, it is investigated whether programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) is involved in the development of oral cancer pain.

Synthesis of Benzopyran-Phenylpropanoid Hybrids via Matsuda-Heck-Arylation and Allylic Oxidation.

The synthesis of coumarin- and flavonoid-chalcone hybrids via Pd-catalyzed Heck-type coupling of arene diazonium salts and 8-allylcoumarins and -flavonoids is reported. The β-hydride elimination step proceeds with high regioselectivity if an OMOM-substituent is present at the position C7, adjacent to the allyl group. A selective allylic oxidation of the coupling products was accomplished using DDQ in the presence of silica to furnish the chalcones.

Using portable visible and near-infrared spectroscopy to authenticate beef from grass, barley, and corn-fed cattle.

Meat product labels including information on livestock production systems are increasingly demanded, as consumers request total traceability of the products. The aim of this study was to explore the potential of visible and near-infrared spectroscopy (Vis-NIRS) to authenticate meat and fat from steers raised under different feeding systems (barley, corn, grass-fed). In total, spectra from 45 steers were collected (380-2,500 nm) on the subcutaneous fat and intact longissimus thoracis (LT) at 72 h postmortem and, after fabrication, on the frozen-thawed ground longissimus lumborum (LL).

Association of a Count of Inpatient Morbidities with Two-Year Outcomes among Infants Born Extremely Preterm.

Objective: To determine if number of neonatal morbidities is associated with death or severe neurodevelopmental impairment (sNDI) among infants born extremely preterm who survived to 36 weeks' postmenstrual age (PMA).

Study Design: This is a retrospective cohort analysis of prospectively collected data from 15 NICHD Neonatal Research Network (NRN) centers. Neonatal morbidities and 2-year outcomes were examined for 3794 infants born at 22 to 26 weeks' gestation from 2014 through 2019 who survived to 36 weeks' PMA.

Pulsed Field Ablation as First-Line Therapy for Atrial Fibrillation: A Substudy of the EU-PORIA Registry.

Background: Recent studies have demonstrated the benefit of early ablation in preventing the progression of atrial fibrillation (AF). Clinical practice has reflected this shift in AF management and no longer requires patients to fail antiarrhythmic drugs (AADs) before receiving ablation. However, there is limited evidence on outcomes with pulsed field ablation (PFA) as a first-line therapy.

NEUROPILIN-1 INHIBITION SUPPRESSES NERVE-GROWTH FACTOR SIGNALING AND NOCICEPTION IN PAIN MODELS.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) monoclonal antibodies inhibit chronic pain yet failed to gain approval due to worsened joint damage in osteoarthritis patients. We report that neuropilin-1 (NRP1) is a co-receptor for NGF and tropomyosin-related kinase A (TrkA) pain signaling. NRP1 was coexpressed with TrkA in human and mouse nociceptors.

5-Year Results From the AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The Amulet IDE trial (AMPLATZER Amulet Left Atrial Appendage Occluder [LAAO] Investigational Device Exemption [IDE] Trial) evaluated the safety and effectiveness of the Amulet occluder (Abbott) in patients with nonvalvular atrial fibrillation. The Amulet IDE trial is the largest randomized LAAO trial, comparing the Amulet occluder with the Watchman 2.5 device (Boston Scientific).

Effects of sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors on individual clinical endpoints and quality of life.

Aims: Sodium-glucose co-transporter inhibitors (SGLTis) have cardiovascular protective effects. We aimed to assess the effects of SGLTis on individual hard clinical endpoints and quality of life (QoL) in patients with cardiovascular risk factors.

Methods And Results: Data was searched in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library and clinicaltrials.

Left Atrial Appendage Closure after Ablation for Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Oral anticoagulation is recommended after ablation for atrial fibrillation among patients at high risk for stroke. Left atrial appendage closure is a mechanical alternative to anticoagulation, but data regarding its use after atrial fibrillation ablation are lacking.

Methods: We conducted an international randomized trial involving 1600 patients with atrial fibrillation who had an elevated score (≥2 in men and ≥3 in women) on the CHADS-VASc scale (range, 0 to 9, with higher scores indicating a greater risk of stroke) and who underwent catheter ablation.

Solvent-Directed Social Chiral Self-Sorting in PdL Coordination Cages.

A family of Pd cages prepared from ligands based on an axially chiral diamino-[1,1'-biazulene] motif (serving as a unique azulene-based surrogate of the ubiquitous BINOL moiety) is reported. We show that preparing a cage starting from the racemate of a shorter bis-monodentate ligand derivative, equipped with pyridine donor groups, leads to integrative ("social") chiral self-sorting, exclusively yielding the product, but only in a selection of solvents. This phenomenon is driven by individual solvent molecules acting as hydrogen bonding tethers between the amino groups of neighboring ligands, thereby locking the final coordination cage in a single isomeric form.

Automated Kidney Stone Composition Analysis with Photon-Counting Detector CT, a Performance Study-A Phantom Study.

Background: For treatment of urolithiasis, the stone composition is of particular interest, as uric acid (UA) stones can be treated by chemolitholysis. In this ex vivo study, we employed an advanced composition analysis approach for urolithiasis utilizing spectral data obtained from a photon-counting detector CT (PCDCT) to differentiate UA and non-UA stones. Our primary objective was to assess the accuracy of this analysis method.

Cases and Controversies in Spine Trauma.

Spinal fractures, spinal cord injuries, and nerve root injuries are commonly encountered entities for spine surgeon. While many cases have well-researched presentations, outcomes, and standards of care there are many patients for which the appropriate clinical management is less clear. Other patients present with injuries with clear treatment preferences that are impossible to implement based on comorbidities or preference.