Longitudinal analysis highlights structural changes in grey- and white-matter within military personnel exposed to blast.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine whether gray matter volume and diffusion-based metrics in associated white matter changed in breachers who had neuroimaging performed at two timepoints. A secondary purpose was to compare these changes in a group who had a one-year interval between their imaging timepoints to a group that had a two-year interval between imaging.

Methods: Between timepoints, clusters with significantly different gray matter volume were used as seeds for reconstruction of associated structural networks using diffusion metrics.

Limbic system synaptic dysfunctions associated with prion disease onset.

Misfolding of normal prion protein (PrP) to pathological isoforms (prions) causes prion diseases (PrDs) with clinical manifestations including cognitive decline and mood-related behavioral changes. Cognition and mood are linked to the neurophysiology of the limbic system. Little is known about how the disease affects the synaptic activity in brain parts associated with this system.

[Position paper from the "Climate and Sustainability" working group in the German Society for Rehabilitation Sciences].

The "Climate and Sustainability" working group of the German Society for Rehabilitation Sciences was founded in March 2023. The members represent research, practice, and service providers in rehabilitation. The aim is to make rehabilitation in Germany sustainable and to focus on climate protection and the health consequences of climate change.

Estimating the CTDI with helical acquisitions: Results from a national generalizability study.

Background: While many clinical computed tomography (CT) protocols use helical scanning, the traditional method for measuring the volume CT Dose Index (CTDI) requires modifying the helical protocol to perform a single axial rotation. This modification can present challenges and mismatched settings across various scanner models.

Purpose: This study investigates the generalizability of a helical methodology for estimating CTDI across a diverse range of participants, CT scanner models, and protocol parameters.

From LAL-D to MASLD: Insights into the role of LAL and Kupffer cells in liver inflammation and lipid metabolism.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a prevalent liver pathology worldwide, closely associated with obesity and metabolic disorders. Increasing evidence suggests that macrophages play a crucial role in the development of MASLD. Several human studies have shown an inverse correlation between circulating lysosomal acid lipase (LAL) activity and MASLD.

AMBRA1 controls the translation of immune-specific genes in T lymphocytes.

T cell receptor (TCR) engagement causes a global cellular response that entrains signaling pathways, cell cycle regulation, and cell death. The molecular regulation of mRNA translation in these processes is poorly understood. Using a whole-genome CRISPR screen for regulators of CD95 (FAS/APO-1)-mediated T cell death, we identified AMBRA1, a protein previously studied for its roles in autophagy, E3 ubiquitin ligase activity, and cyclin regulation.

Gut microbiome shifts in adolescents after sleeve gastrectomy with increased oral-associated taxa and pro-inflammatory potential.

Background: Bariatric surgery is highly effective in achieving weight loss in children and adolescents with severe obesity, however the underlying mechanisms are incompletely understood, and gut microbiome changes are unknown.

Objectives: 1) To comprehensively examine gut microbiome and metabolome changes after laparoscopic vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG) in adolescents and 2) to assess whether the microbiome/metabolome changes observed with VSG influence phenotype using germ-free murine models.

Design: 1) A longitudinal observational study in adolescents undergoing VSG with serial stool samples undergoing shotgun metagenomic microbiome sequencing and metabolomics (polar metabolites, bile acids and short chain fatty acids) and 2) a human-to-mouse fecal transplant study.

Phytochemical profiling of oak bark extract: A combined approach using near-infrared spectroscopy and liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

The aim of the presented study was to qualitatively and quantitatively determine the chemical composition of oak bark extracts in order to gain insights into the effectiveness as alternative medication for various diseases. The primary emphasis was on developing a near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) method for precise quantification of two key polyphenolic compounds, specifically gallic acid and catechin, in form of a fast and non-destructive quality control. A comprehensive dataset consisting of 48 samples from various production batches was analyzed throughout this research.

Identification of regulatory networks and crosstalk factors in brown adipose tissue and liver of a cold-exposed cardiometabolic mouse model.

Background: Activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) has gained attention due to its ability to dissipate energy and counteract cardiometabolic diseases (CMDs).

Methods: This study investigated the consequences of cold exposure on the BAT and liver proteomes of an established CMD mouse model based on LDL receptor-deficient (LdlrKO) mice fed a high-fat, high-sucrose, high-cholesterol diet for 16 weeks. We analyzed energy metabolism in vivo and performed untargeted proteomics on BAT and liver of LdlrKO mice maintained at 22 °C or 5 °C for 7 days.

The Aconitate Decarboxylase 1/Itaconate Pathway Modulates Immune Dysregulation and Associates with Cardiovascular Disease Markers and Disease Activity in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus.

The Krebs cycle enzyme aconitate decarboxylase 1 (ACOD1) mediates itaconate synthesis in monocytes and macrophages. Previously, we reported that administration of 4-octyl itaconate to lupus-prone mice abrogated immune dysregulation and clinical features. In this study, we explore the role of the endogenous ACOD1/itaconate pathway in the development of TLR7-induced lupus (imiquimod [IMQ] model).

[Quality Criteria of Qualitative Studies in Rehabilitation Research].

Considering the variety of research questions, perspectives, and disciplines involved, qualitative studies have become an integral part of rehabilitation sciences. To ensure and estimate their quality and thus the significance of their results, criteria are needed for both researchers and recipients. Due to the specific nature and the heterogeneity of qualitative research approaches, there is still disagreement regarding appropriate universally valid quality criteria.

Comparison of face to face and online delivery of a dementia-specific experiential learning activity.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare professions shifted from face to face(F2F) to online educational delivery methods. Research evaluating the effectiveness of online educational delivery is mixed.The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a dementia-specific experiential learning activity(ELA) delivered to Doctor of Physical Therapy(DPT) students face to face(F2F) versus online.

Five-Year Serial Brain MRI Analysis of Military Members Exposed to Chronic Sub-Concussive Overpressures.

Background: The Canadian Special Operations Forces Command conducts explosives operations and training which exposes members to explosive charges at close proximity. This 5-year longitudinal trial was conducted in follow-up to our initial trial which examined military breachers with MRI and EEG pre and post blast exposure.

Purpose: To examine brain MRI findings in military personnel exposed to multiple repeated blast exposures.

Fecal transplant from vaginally seeded infants decreases intraabdominal adiposity in mice.

Exposing C-section infants to the maternal vaginal microbiome, coined "vaginal seeding", partially restores microbial colonization. However, whether vaginal seeding decreases metabolic disease risk is unknown. Therefore, we assessed the effect of vaginal seeding of human infants on adiposity in a murine model.

Probing Particle-Carbon/Binder Degradation Behavior in Fatigued Layered Cathode Materials through Machine Learning Aided Diffraction Tomography.

Understanding how reaction heterogeneity impacts cathode materials during Li-ion battery (LIB) electrochemical cycling is pivotal for unraveling their electrochemical performance. Yet, experimentally verifying these reactions has proven to be a challenge. To address this, we employed scanning μ-XRD computed tomography to scrutinize Ni-rich layered LiNiCoMnO (NCM622) and Li-rich layered Li[LiNiMn]O (LLNMO).

Design and performance of GaSb-based quantum cascade detectors.

InAs/AlSb quantum cascade detectors (QCDs) grown strain-balanced on GaSb substrates are presented. This material system offers intrinsic performance-improving properties, like a low effective electron mass of the well material of 0.026 , enhancing the optical transition strength, and a high conduction band offset of 2.

An interband cascade laser based heterodyne detector with integrated optical amplifier and local oscillator.

Heterodyne detection based on interband cascade lasers (ICL) has been demonstrated in a wide range of different applications. However, it is still often limited to bulky tabletop systems using individual components such as dual laser setups, beam shaping elements, and discrete detectors. In this work, a versatile integrated ICL platform is investigated for tackling this issue.

Impact of Bronchoscopic Lung Volume Reduction with Valves on the Pulmonary Gas Exchange.

Bronchoscopic lung volume reduction (BLVR) with endobronchial valves has been shown to be a safe and effective treatment for patients with severe lung emphysema. Previous studies have reported a benefit in pulmonary function, exercise capacity, and quality of life after BLVR-treatment. The effect of BLVR with valves on the pulmonary gas exchange and its association with clinical outcomes has not been analyzed to date.

Obesity is linked to disease severity in moderate to severe atopic dermatitis-Data from the prospective observational TREATgermany registry.

Background: There are conflicting data on a potential association between obesity and atopic dermatitis (AD). The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between obesity and AD disease severity.

Methods: Patients from the TREATgermany registry cohort were divided into three groups according to their body mass index (BMI).

The small iron-deficiency-induced protein OLIVIA and its relation to the bHLH transcription factor POPEYE.

Iron (Fe) is a crucial micronutrient needed in many metabolic processes. To balance needs and potential toxicity, plants control the amount of Fe they take up and allocate to leaves and seeds during their development. One important regulator of this process is POPEYE (PYE).