Role of Ciliary Neurotrophic Factor in Angiotensin II-Induced Hypertension.

Background: Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF), mainly known for its neuroprotective properties, belongs to the IL-6 (interleukin-6) cytokine family. In contrast to IL-6, the effects of CNTF on the vasculature have not been explored. Here, we examined the role of CNTF in AngII (angiotensin II)-induced hypertension.

Somatic mutations and DNA methylation identify a subgroup of poor prognosis within lower-risk myelodysplastic syndromes.

Lower risk (LR) myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are heterogeneous hematopoietic stem and progenitor disorders caused by the accumulation of somatic mutations in various genes including epigenetic regulators that may produce convergent DNA methylation patterns driving specific gene expression profiles. The integration of genomic, epigenomic, and transcriptomic profiling has the potential to spotlight distinct LR-MDS categories on the basis of pathophysiological mechanisms. We performed a comprehensive study of somatic mutations and DNA methylation in a large and clinically well-annotated cohort of treatment-naive patients with LR-MDS at diagnosis from the EUMDS registry (ClinicalTrials.

Balancing act: optimizing blue light for melanogenesis while minimizing cellular damage in primary human skin cells.

Introduction: Recent findings show that visible light, particularly blue light, stimulates melanogenesis in human skin, though the underlying mechanisms remain debated. This study aimed to determine the cell damage threshold of non-ionizing blue light on keratinocytes while preserving their ability to stimulate melanogenesis.

Methods: Human keratinocytes (N = 3) and melanocytes (N = 3) were isolated from skin samples of varying Fitzpatrick skin phototypes and irradiated with blue light (λpeak = 457 nm) and UVA light (λpeak = 385 nm).

The value of F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography-based radiomics in non-small cell lung cancer.

Currently, the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in the world is lung cancer, and 85% of cases are non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With growing knowledge of oncogene drivers and cancer immunology, several novel therapeutics have emerged to improve the prognostic outcomes of NSCLC. However, treatment outcomes remain diverse, and an accurate tool to achieve precision medicine is an unmet need.

A simple, economical, and high-yield method for polyethylene glycol-based extraction of follicular and serum-derived extracellular vesicles.

Objectives: The optimization of polyethylene glycol (PEG)-based extracellular vesicles (EVs) extraction from human follicular fluid (FF) and serum was investigated, and their functional analysis was confirmed. The PEG-based EV results were compared to the ExoQuick (ExoQ)-based EV.

Materials And Methods: FF-EVs and serum-EVs were extracted by using different concentrations of PEG (8000).

Definition of a European pre-vasectomy scoring system to identify patients at risk of vasectomy regret.

Introduction: Vasectomy is a widely used, safe, effective method of permanent contraception and contributes to healthy sexuality.

Aims: We have conducted a 3-step observational clinical study to develop a vasectomy regret risk score and guide patients and clinicians when discussing a vasectomy.

Methods: A 3-step approach has been followed.

Sulforaphane alleviates membranous nephropathy by inhibiting oxidative stress-associated podocyte pyroptosis.

Objectives: To investigate the natural product sulforaphane (SFN) in protection of membranous nephropathy (MN) by inhibiting oxidative stress-associated podocyte pyroptosis.

Materials And Methods: A passive Heymann nephritis (PHN) model was established and treated with SFN. Clinical manifestations were examined by testing 24-hr urine protein, albumin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density and low-density lipoprotein levels.

Mechanically Triggered Protein Desulfurization.

The technology of native chemical ligation and postligation desulfurization has greatly expanded the scope of modern chemical protein synthesis. Here, we report that ultrasonic energy can trigger robust and clean protein desulfurization, and we developed an ultrasound-induced desulfurization (USID) strategy that is simple to use and generally applicable to peptides and proteins. The USID strategy involves a simple ultrasonic cleaning bath and an easy-to-use and easy-to-remove sonosensitizer, titanium dioxide.

Catechin-Based Polyphenol Nanoparticles Ameliorated Ferroptosis to Alleviate Brain Injury after Intracerebral Hemorrhage.

Spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhagic stroke (ICH) is a highly aggressive disease, with a high incidence and mortality rate. Iron deposition following ICH leads to oxidative damage and motor dysfunction, significantly impacting the overall quality of life for those affected. Here, a polyphenolic nanomedicine, catechin-based polyphenol nanoparticles surface-modified by thiol-terminated poly(ethylene glycol) (CNPs@PEG), was developed through the oxidative polymerization and self-assembly of catechin, a natural compound in tea.

Effects of Intrinsic Defects on the Carrier Lifetime in CdZnTe: Insights from Ab Initio Calculations.

CdZnTe (CZT) has garnered substantial attention due to its outstanding performance in room-temperature semiconductor radiation detectors, where carrier transport properties are critical for assessing the detector performance. However, due to the complexities of crystal growth, CZT is prone to defects that affect carrier lifetime and mobility. To investigate how defects affect nonequilibrium carrier transport, nonadiabatic molecular dynamics (NAMD) is employed to examine six types of intrinsic defects and their impact on electron-hole (e-h) recombination.

Can robotic arm-assisted total knee arthroplasty be applied to valgus deformity.

Introduction: Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) in valgus knees is challenging. Optimal ligament balance, implant neutral or moderate valgus alignment are crucial but conventional instrumentations usually lead to outliers. Robotic arm assisted TKA (RATKA) advantages could answer this challenge.

VCP downstream metabolite glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) inhibits CD8T cells function in the HCC microenvironment.

CD8T cells within the tumor microenvironment (TME) are often functionally impaired, which limits their ability to mount effective anti-tumor responses. However, the molecular mechanisms behind this dysfunction remain incompletely understood. Here, we identified valosin-containing protein (VCP) as a key regulator of CD8T cells suppression in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Bone sarcomas and cancer predisposition syndromes.

Bone sarcomas, constituting less than 1% of malignant neoplasms across all age groups, are rare tumours possibly associated with genetic susceptibility syndromes. This review aims to provide recommendations for the detection of cancer predisposition syndromes associated with bone sarcomas and managing affected patients. Recommendations were formulated by a multidisciplinary working and reviewing group from GROUPOS and SFCE oncogenetic's group, including geneticists, oncologists, and radiologists.

Green Nuclear Medicine and Radiotheranostics.

There is a significantly growing interest in diagnostic and therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals, and it is foreseeable that an unprecedented number of patients will need to be treated with new nuclear medicine therapies. This predicted increase will have potentially significant environmental impacts. In this discussion, we show different areas of impact, as well as possible measures to reduce such impact.

POEMS Syndrome.

POEMS syndrome (Polyneuropathy, Organomegaly, Endocrinopathy, Monoclonal Protein, Skin changes) is a syndrome that involves a monoclonal B-cell proliferation, most often plasmacytic, and a variable number of manifestations listed or not in the acronym. These manifestations include sclerotic bone lesions, plasmacytic Castleman disease, papillary edema, peripheral edema, ascites, thrombocytosis and/or polycythemia, venous and/or arterial thrombosis, and renal, pulmonary, and cardiac impairments . Diagnosis is often delayed due to the rarity of this entity and its clinical polymorphism, which can mimic other neurological disorders.

Phenotypic Heterogeneity of ADTKD-MUC1 Diagnosed Using VNtyper, a Novel Genetic Technique.

Rationale & Objective: Molecular diagnosis of autosomal dominant tubulointerstitial kidney disease (ADTKD) due to variants in the MUC1 gene has long been challenging since variants lie in a large Variable Number of Tandem Repeat (VNTR) region, making identification impossible using standard short read techniques. Previously, we addressed this diagnostic limitation by developing a computational pipeline, named VNtyper, for easier reliable detection of MUC1 VNTR pathogenic variants from short read sequences. This led to unexpected diagnoses of ADTKD-MUC1 among patients with kidney disease referred for genetic testing, which we report here.

Associations Between Prenatal Dioxin-like Polychlorinated Biphenyls Exposure and Glucocorticoid and Androgenic Hormones in Umbilical Cord Blood.

This study investigates the association between prenatal exposure to dioxin-like polychlorinated biphenyls (DL-PCBs) and glucocorticoid and androgenic hormone levels in cord blood. We analyzed cord blood samples from 500 mother-infant pairs from China (2022-2023), focusing on hormones including cortisol, cortisone, dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA), and androstenedione. The main analysis revealed significant reductions in cortisol levels with increased exposure to PCB-77 (β = -3.

Cardiogenic shock in patients with active onco-hematological malignancies: A multicenter retrospective study.

Purpose: Onco-hematological (OH) patients face significant cardiovascular risks due to malignancy and drug toxicity. Data are limited on the characteristics and outcomes of OH patients with cardiogenic shock (CS) in intensive care units (ICUs).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective study included 214 OH patients with CS across 22 ICUs (2010-2021).

Augmented reality in intensive care nursing education: A scoping review.

Objectives: This scoping review aimed to identify existing literature on the application of augmented reality (AR) in the intensive care unit (ICU) and analyse its current state of play regarding hands-on skills.

Background: Active learner engagement can greatly enrich educational outcomes. With the rise of immersive and interactive technologies, AR is progressively integrated into nursing education to enhance this aspect.

Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction inhibits prostate cancer metastasis by disrupting TCA cycle energy metabolism via NF-kB/p65-mediated OGDH regulation.

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) is a significant malignancy in men, particularly challenging in the metastatic stage due to poor prognosis and limited treatment efficacy. Traditional Chinese Medicine, particularly Modified Shenqi Dihuang Decoction (MSDD), has demonstrated promise in inhibiting PCa metastasis, although its mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: The efficacy of MSDD was evaluated using migration assays and a nude mouse model.

The expression of chromosome 19 miRNA cluster members during insulin sensitivity changes in pregnancy.

Hypothesis: Declines in insulin sensitivity during pregnancy important for fetal growth are associated with impairments in skeletal muscle post-receptor insulin signaling. The primary initiator of these changes is unknown but believed to originate in the placenta. We hypothesize that placental miRNAs are associated with maternal sensitivity changes and impact insulin-sensitive mechanisms in target tissues in vitro.

Simulated breathing in virtual reality does not affect perceived effort during the physical rehabilitation of people with long COVID.

Objective: To assess the effectiveness of simulated breathing in virtual reality (VR) for manipulating the level of perceived effort of people with long COVID during sessions of physical rehabilitation.

Methods: We conducted a within-participants randomized prospective study during a cycling exercise in immersive VR with three counterbalanced conditions of simulated breathing: slower breathing, neutral breathing, and faster breathing compared to theirs. 37 participants with long COVID and deconditioning were included in the study, 36 of which could finish the experiment.

Effect of siponimod on retinal thickness, a marker of neurodegeneration, in participants with SPMS: Findings from the EXPAND OCT substudy.

Background: People with MS show abnormal thinning of the retinal layers, which is associated with clinical disability and brain atrophy, and is a potential surrogate marker of neurodegeneration and treatment effects.

Objective: To evaluate the utility of retinal thickness as a surrogate marker of neurodegeneration and treatment effect in participants with secondary progressive MS (SPMS) from the optical coherence tomography (OCT) substudy of the EXPAND Phase 3 clinical trial (siponimod versus placebo).

Methods: In the OCT substudy population (n = 159), treatment effects on change in the average thickness of the retinal layer, peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (pRNFL), and combined macular ganglion cell and inner plexiform layers (GCIPL) were analyzed by high-definition spectral domain OCT at months 3, 12, and 24.