Cardiac growth patterns and metabolism before and after birth in swine: Role of miR in proliferation, hypertrophy and metabolism.

The adult mammalian heart is unable to undergo cardiac repair, limiting potential treatment options after cardiac damage. However, the fetal heart is capable of cardiac repair. In preparation for birth, cardiomyocytes (CMs) undergo major maturational changes that include exit from the cell cycle, hypertrophic growth, and mitochondrial maturation.

Identification of key factors for malnutrition diagnosis in chronic gastrointestinal diseases using machine learning underscores the importance of GLIM criteria as well as additional parameters.

Introduction: Disease-related malnutrition is common but often underdiagnosed in patients with chronic gastrointestinal diseases, such as liver cirrhosis, short bowel and intestinal insufficiency, and chronic pancreatitis. To improve malnutrition diagnosis in these patients, an evaluation of the current Global Leadership Initiative on Malnutrition (GLIM) diagnostic criteria, and possibly the implementation of additional criteria, is needed.

Aim: This study aimed to identify previously unknown and potentially specific features of malnutrition in patients with different chronic gastrointestinal diseases and to validate the relevance of the GLIM criteria for clinical practice using machine learning (ML).

Propionate Production by Infant Fecal Microbiota Is Inversely Correlated with the Protein Glycation Level of Supplemented Infant Formula Ex Vivo.

Background/objectives: After birth, mothers provide the best nutrition for the healthy growth and development of their infants and the developing gut microbiota through breastfeeding. When breastfeeding is not or insufficiently available, infant formula is the only safe alternative. The production of infant formula includes heat-processing, which may induce protein glycation.

The presence of Clostridioides difficile in faeces before and after faecal microbiota transplantation and its relation with recurrent C. difficile infection and the gut microbiota in a Dutch cohort.

Objectives: The objectives of this study are to investigate the presence of Clostridioides difficile in faeces of patients with recurrent C. difficile infection (rCDI) before and after faecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) and to identify risk factors for faecal C. difficile and C.

Correction: Associations of age, sex, and socioeconomic status with adherence to guideline recommendations on protein intake and micronutrient supplementation in patients with sleeve gastrectomy or Roux-en-Y gastric bypass.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

Treatment-related survival patterns in diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma using a historical cohort: A report from the European Society for Pediatric Oncology DIPG/DMG Registry.

Background: Our aim is to investigate the association of treatment with survival in patients with diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma (DIPG) by examining 6 historical treatment paths.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed data from 409 patients with radiologically centrally reviewed DIPG, sourced from the German Society of Pediatric Oncology and Hematology HIT-HGG trial database and the SIOPE-DIPG/DMG Registry. Survival outcomes were estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazard models were estimated to study treatment effects.

Betamethasone improved near-term neonatal lamb lung maturation in experimental maternal asthma.

Maternal asthma is associated with increased rates of neonatal lung disease, and fetuses from asthmatic ewes have fewer surfactant-producing cells and lower surfactant-protein B gene (SFTPB) expression than controls. Antenatal betamethasone increases lung surfactant production in preterm babies, and we therefore tested this therapy in experimental maternal asthma. Ewes were sensitised to house dust mite allergen, and an asthmatic phenotype induced by fortnightly allergen lung challenges; controls received saline.

Methotrexate, blood pressure and arterial function in rheumatoid arthritis: study protocol.

This article discusses the rationale and design of the study "Methotrexate, blood pressure, and arterial function in rheumatoid arthritis". The recognition that immune activation and excess inflammation favor atherosclerosis has stimulated a significant body of research not only to identify new drugs targeting these pathways but also to repurpose (reposition) existing immunomodulatory medications as atheroprotective agents. Observational studies in patients with rheumatoid arthritis have reported that treatment with methotrexate, a traditional disease-modifying antirheumatic drug, is associated with a significantly lower risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality when compared with other disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

Maternal obesogenic diet during pregnancy and its impact on fetal hepatic function in baboons.

Objective: Maternal obesity (MO) increases the risk of later-life liver disease in offspring, especially in males. This may be due to impaired cytochrome P450 (CYP) enzyme activity driven by an altered maternal-fetal hormonal milieu. MO increases fetal cortisol concentrations that may increase CYP activity; however, glucocorticoid receptor (GR)-mediated signaling can be modulated by alternative GR isoform expression.

Modeling the effects of prebiotic interventions on luminal and mucosa-associated gut microbiota without and with challenge .

Prebiotics can modulate the gut microbial community composition and function for improved (gut) health and increase resilience against infections. models of the gut facilitate the study of intervention effects on the gut microbial community relevant to health. The mucosa-associated gut microbiota, which thrives in close contact with the host plays a pivotal role in colonization resistance and health.

Maternal high fat-high energy diet alters metabolic factors in the non-human primate fetal heart.

The consumption of high fat-high energy diets (HF-HEDs) continues to rise worldwide and parallels the rise in maternal obesity (MO) that predisposes offspring to cardiometabolic disorders. Although the underlying mechanisms are unclear, thyroid hormones (TH) modulate cardiac maturation in utero. Therefore, we aimed to determine the impact of a high fat-high energy diet (HF-HED) on the hormonal, metabolic and contractility profile of the non-human primate (NHP) fetal heart.

A host-microbial metabolite interaction gut-on-a-chip model of the adult human intestine demonstrates beneficial effects upon inulin treatment of gut microbiome.

The gut and its microbiome have a major impact on many aspects of health and are therefore also an attractive target for drug- or food-based therapies. Here, we report on the added value of combining a microbiome screening model, the i-screen, with fresh intestinal tissue explants in a microfluidic gut-on-a-chip model, the Intestinal Explant Barrier Chip (IEBC). Adult human gut microbiome (fecal pool of 6 healthy donors) was cultured anaerobically in the i-screen platform for 24 h, without and with exposure to 4 mg/mL inulin.

Structure-based epitope prediction and assessment of cross-reactivity of Myrmecia pilosula venom-specific IgE and recombinant Sol g proteins (Solenopsis geminata).

The global distribution of tropical fire ants (Solenopsis geminata) raises concerns about anaphylaxis and serious medical issues in numerous countries. This investigation focused on the cross-reactivity of allergen-specific IgE antibodies between S. geminata and Myrmecia pilosula (Jack Jumper ant) venom proteins due to the potential emergence of cross-reactive allergies in the future.

Gliomatosis cerebri in children: A poor prognostic phenotype of diffuse gliomas with a distinct molecular profile.

Background: The term gliomatosis cerebri (GC), a radiology-defined highly infiltrating diffuse glioma, has been abandoned since molecular GC-associated features could not be established.

Methods: We conducted a multinational retrospective study of 104 children and adolescents with GC providing comprehensive clinical and (epi-)genetic characterization.

Results: Median overall survival (OS) was 15.

Postpartum Psychosis: A Preventable Psychiatric Emergency.

Postpartum psychosis is the most severe psychiatric disorder associated with childbirth. Although rare, it is considered a psychiatric emergency that warrants immediate medical attention and inpatient care to ensure safety, complete diagnostic evaluation, and treatment initiation. This article describes the phenomenology of postpartum psychosis, clinical evaluation, treatment guidelines, and prevention strategies.

Acceptance and Usability of a Soft Robotic, Haptic Feedback Seat for Autonomy Level Transitions in Highly Automated Vehicles.

Fully autonomous vehicles, capable of completing entire end-to-end journeys without the interference of a human driver, will be one of the biggest transforming technologies of the next decades. As the journey towards fully autonomous vehicles progresses, there will be an increase in the number of highly automated vehicles on the roads, requiring the human driver to take back control in situations, which cannot be handled by the vehicle autonomously. These human-robot take-over requests can lead to safety risks, in particular in scenarios when the driver fails to understand the take-over request and, hence, lacks situational awareness.

Associations between 47 anthropometric markers derived from a body scanner and relative fat-free mass in a population-based study.

Background: Low relative fat free mass (FFM) is associated with a greater risk of chronic diseases and mortality. Unfortunately, FFM is currently not being measured regularly to allow for individuals therapy.

Objective: One reason why FFM is not being used may be related to additional equipment and resources, thus we aimed to identify easily accessible anthropometric markers related with FFM.

Perioperative intravenous lidocaine in thoracoscopic surgery for improved postoperative pain control: a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, superiority trial.

Background: Pain, including associated pain management, remains a burden on patients after thoracic surgery. Our objective was to investigate whether perioperative intravenous administration of lidocaine reduces postoperative morphine consumption and pain intensity after video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS).

Methods: In this double-blind, placebo-controlled superiority trial, patients undergoing VATS with a planned duration of ≤90 minutes were randomized within an intention-to-treat setting.