Role of Increasing Body Mass Index in Gut Barrier Dysfunction, Systemic Inflammation, and Metabolic Dysregulation in Obesity.

Aims: This study explores the link between body mass index (BMI), intestinal permeability, and associated changes in anthropometric and impedance parameters, lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, fecal metabolites, and gut microbiota taxa composition in participants having excessive body mass.

Methods: A cohort of 58 obese individuals with comparable diet, age, and height was divided into three groups based on a priori clustering analyses that fit with BMI class ranges: Group I (25-29.9), Group II (30-39.

Gene-Based Molecular Tools to Improve Quantitative Detection of the Mycotoxigenic Fungus .

Ochratoxin A (OTA) is a mycotoxin, a common contaminant of grapes and their derivatives, such as wine, and classified as possible human carcinogen (group 2B) by the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). is the main producer of OTA in grapes. The stability of the molecule and the poor availability of detoxification systems makes the control of in vineyards the main strategy used to reduce OTA contamination risk.

In Vitro Toxicity of a DEHP and Cadmium Mixture on Sheep Cumulus-Oocyte Complexes.

Di-(2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP) and Cadmium (Cd) affect female reproduction. To date, toxicological research has focused on the effects of individual contaminants, whereas living beings are exposed to mixtures. This study analyzed the effects of a DEHP/Cd mixture on nuclear and cytoplasmic maturation of sheep cumulus-oocyte complexes (COCs) compared with single compounds.

High Incidence of Isolated Tumor Cells in Sentinel Node Biopsies of Thin Melanomas: A Potential Factor in the Paradoxical Prognosis of Stage IIIA Cutaneous Melanoma?

: This study aims to evaluate whether the presence of isolated tumor cells (ITCs) correlates with specific stages of cutaneous melanoma, potentially shedding light on their prognostic significance and the paradoxical survival outcomes in stage IIIA. : This study analyzed cases of sentinel lymph node biopsies for cutaneous melanoma between 2021 and 2023. It included patients with CM diagnoses, available histological slides, and clinical information about the neoplasia stage.

Choriocapillaris flow in two different patterns of exudative type 1 macular neovascularization.

Background: To compare the characteristics of type 1 macular neovascularization (MNV) and the surrounding choriocapillaris (CC) perfusion in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) versus those with pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV) using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA).

Methods: This retrospective study included 64 treatment-naïve eyes (37 nAMD, 27 PNV) with type 1 MNV. SS-OCTA images were analysed to measure MNV area and perimeter, and CC flow deficits (FD) in five concentric rings surrounding the lesion.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: A narrative synthesis of its hallmarks for palliative care clinicians.

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a life-limiting condition and the third leading cause of death worldwide. People with COPD experience physical and psychological symptoms and functional limitations that impair their quality of life. Their caregivers face adverse clinical outcomes due to personal, social, and financial demands.

A claudin5-binding peptide enhances the permeability of the blood-brain barrier in vitro.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) maintains brain homeostasis but also prevents most drugs from entering the brain. No paracellular diffusion of solutes is allowed because of tight junctions that are made impermeable by the expression of claudin5 (CLDN5) by brain endothelial cells. The possibility of regulating the BBB permeability in a transient and reversible fashion is in strong demand for the pharmacological treatment of brain diseases.

Characterization of mint virus C, a new member of the genus Carlavirus.

Here, we report the complete genome sequence of a new carlavirus causing mosaic on mint plants in Italy, which we have tentatively named "mint virus C" (MVC). Flexuous particles of around 600 nm were observed using transmission electron microscopy, and next-generation sequencing was performed to determine the nucleotide sequence of the MVC genome, which was found to be 8558 nt long, excluding the poly(A) tail, and shows the typical organization of a carlavirus. The putative proteins encoded by MVC are 44-56% identical to the closest matches in the NCBI database, suggesting that MVC should be considered a member of a new species in the genus Carlavirus.

Supplying LSD1 with FAD in pancreatic cancer: a matter of protein-protein interaction?

Lysine-specific demethylase 1 (LSD1) is a key regulator in cancer epigenetic, and its activity is reliant on flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD) as a cofactor. In this study, we investigated the correlation between LSD1 and FAD synthase isoform 2 (FADS2) protein levels in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) cell lines. We first assessed LSD1 protein and mRNA levels in mutant p53-expressing PANC-1 and MiaPaCa2 cells and p53-null AsPc-1 cells, compared to human pancreatic ductal epithelial (HPDE) controls.

Evaluating ADHD medication trial representativeness: a Swedish population-based study comparing hypothetically trial-eligible and trial-ineligible individuals.

Background: Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) evaluating ADHD medications often use strict eligibility criteria, potentially limiting generalisability to patients in real-world clinical settings. We aimed to identify the proportion of individuals with ADHD who would be ineligible for medication RCTs and evaluate differences in treatment patterns and clinical and functional outcomes between RCT-eligible and RCT-ineligible individuals.

Methods: We used multiple Swedish national registries to identify individuals with ADHD, aged at least 4 years at the age of diagnosis, initiating pharmacological treatment between Jan 1, 2007, and Dec 31, 2019, with follow-up up to Dec 31, 2020.

Prognostic Value of Myocardial CT-ECV in Severe Aortic Stenosis Requiring Aortic Valve Replacement: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: Computed tomography (CT)-derived extracellular volume fraction (ECV) is a non-invasive method to quantify myocardial fibrosis. Evaluating CT-ECV during aortic valve replacement (AVR) planning CT in severe aortic stenosis (AS) may aid prognostic stratification. This meta-analysis evaluated the prognostic significance of CT-ECV in severe AS necessitating AVR.

Evolution of autoimmune diagnostics over the past 10 years: lessons learned from the UK NEQAS external quality assessment EQA programs.

Objectives: External quality assessment (EQA) programs play a pivotal role in harmonizing laboratory practices, offering users a benchmark system to evaluate their own performance and identify areas requiring improvement. The objective of this study was to go through and analyze the UK NEQAS "Immunology, Immunochemistry and Allergy" EQA reports between 2012 and 2021 to assess the overall level of harmonization in autoimmune diagnostics and identify areas requiring improvement for future actions.

Methods: The EQA programs reviewed included anti-nuclear (ANA), anti-dsDNA, anti-centromere, anti-extractable nuclear antigen (ENA), anti-phospholipids, anti-neutrophil cytoplasm (ANCA), anti-proteinase 3 (PR3), anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO), anti-glomerular basement membrane (GBM), rheumatoid factor (RF), anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), mitochondrial (AMA), liver-kidney-microsomal (LKM), smooth muscle (ASMA), APCA, and celiac disease antibodies.

Outcomes and prognostic indicators in daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma: a multicenter real-world study of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone in 247 patients.

Background: Daratumumab-refractory multiple myeloma (Dara-R MM) presents a significant treatment challenge. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and survival outcomes of elotuzumab, pomalidomide, and dexamethasone (EloPd) in a large, real-world cohort of patients with Dara-R MM, with particular focus on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

Materials And Methods: This retrospective analysis included 247 Dara-R MM patients treated with EloPd.

Mental Health Care Utilization and Prescription Rates Among Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults in France.

Importance: Amid escalating mental health challenges among young individuals, intensified by the COVID-19 pandemic, analyzing postpandemic trends is critical.

Objective: To examine mental health care utilization and prescription rates for children, adolescents, and young adults before and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This population-based time trend study used an interrupted time series analysis to examine mental health care and prescription patterns among the French population 25 years and younger.

EEG Microstates in the Study of Attention-Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder: A Review of Preliminary Evidence.

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a neurobiological condition that affects both children and adults. Microstate (MS) analyses, a data-driven approach that identifies stable patterns in EEG signals, offer valuable insights into the neurophysiological characteristics of ADHD. This review summarizes findings from 13 studies that applied MS analyses to resting-state and task-based brain activity in individuals with ADHD.

Immune Response Against SARS-CoV-2.

The immune response to SARS-CoV-2 infection is highly complex, involving a dynamic interplay between the innate and adaptive immune systems [...

The Gut Microbiota's Role in Neurological, Psychiatric, and Neurodevelopmental Disorders.

Aim: This article aims to explore the role of the human gut microbiota (GM) in the pathogenesis of neurological, psychiatric, and neurodevelopmental disorders, highlighting its influence on health and disease, and investigating potential therapeutic strategies targeting GM modulation.

Materials And Methods: A comprehensive analysis of the gut microbiota's composition and its interaction with the human body, particularly, its role in neurological and psychiatric conditions, is provided. The review discusses factors influencing GM composition, including birth mode, breastfeeding, diet, medications, and geography.

The Role of Macronutrients and Gut Microbiota in Neuroinflammation Post-Traumatic Brain Injury: A Narrative Review.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) represents a multifaceted pathological condition resulting from external forces that disrupt neuronal integrity and function. This narrative review explores the intricate relationship between dietary macronutrients, gut microbiota (GM), and neuroinflammation in the TBI. We delineate the dual aspects of TBI: the immediate mechanical damage (primary injury) and the subsequent biological processes (secondary injury) that exacerbate neuronal damage.

Antibacterial and Anti-Influenza Activities of -Heterocyclic Carbene-Gold Complexes.

Background/objectives: Infectious diseases represent a serious threat due to rising antimicrobial resistance, particularly among multidrug-resistant bacteria and influenza viruses. Metal-based complexes, such as -heterocyclic carbene-gold (NHC-gold) complexes, show promising therapeutic potential due to their ability to inhibit various pathogens.

Methods: Eight NHC-gold complexes were synthesized and tested for antibacterial activity against , , and for anti-influenza activity in lung and bronchial epithelial cells infected with influenza virus A/H1N1.

sp. nov., a New Mite Species Infesting .

, or "mamey sapote", is a tropical fruit tree native to Central America and Southern Mexico, producing sweet, nutrient and vitamin-rich fruit. Several insect pests are known to infest but none have been associated with plant growth alterations. Eriophyoid mites are well known to cause plant malformations, but mites that cause this type of damage to mamey sapote have not been reported.

Functional Roles of the Charged Residues of the C- and M-Gates in the Yeast Mitochondrial NAD Transporter Ndt1p.

Mitochondrial carriers transport organic acids, amino acids, nucleotides and cofactors across the mitochondrial inner membrane. These transporters consist of a three-fold symmetric bundle of six transmembrane α-helices that encircle a pore with a central substrate binding site, whose alternating access is controlled by a cytoplasmic and a matrix gate (C- and M-gates). The C- and M-gates close by forming two different salt-bridge networks involving the conserved motifs [YF][DE]XX[KR] on the even-numbered and PX[DE]XX[KR] on the odd-numbered transmembrane α-helices, respectively.

P2 Receptor Antagonists Rescue Defective Heme Content in an In Vitro SLC25A38-Associated Congenital Sideroblastic Anemia Cell Model.

Mutations in the SLC25A38 gene are responsible for the second most common form of congenital sideroblastic anemia (CSA), a severe condition for which no effective treatment exists. We developed and characterized a K562 erythroleukemia cell line with markedly reduced expression of the SLC25A38 protein (A38-low cells). This model successfully recapitulated the main features of CSA, including reduced heme content and mitochondrial respiration, increase in mitochondrial iron, ROS levels and sensitivity to oxidative stress.

Cardiovascular Diseases in Public Health: Chromosomal Abnormalities in Congenital Heart Disease Causing Sudden Cardiac Death in Children.

Chromosomal abnormalities (CAs) are changes in the number or structure of chromosomes, manifested as alterations in the total number of chromosomes or as structural abnormalities involving the loss, duplication, or rearrangement of chromosomal segments. CAs can be inherited or can occur spontaneously, leading to congenital malformations and genetic diseases. CAs associated with cardiovascular diseases cause structural or functional alterations of the heart, affecting the cardiac chambers, valves, coronary arteries, aorta, and cardiac conduction, thus increasing the likelihood of arrhythmias, cardiac arrest, and sudden cardiac death (SCD).

The Importance of Multidimensional Frailty in Clinical Practice.

Frailty in older adults is a complex, multidimensional syndrome characterized by decreased physiological reserves and increased vulnerability to stressors [...