Supraspinal facilitation of painful stimuli by glutamatergic innervation from the retrosplenial to the anterior cingulate cortex.

The anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) is recognized as a pivotal cortical region involved in the perception of pain. The retrosplenial cortex (RSC), located posterior to the ACC, is known to play a significant role in navigation and memory processes. Although the projections from the RSC to the ACC have been found, the specifics of the synaptic connections and the functional implications of the RSC-ACC projections remain less understood.

Suppressing Tymovirus replication in plants using a variant of ubiquitin.

RNA viruses have evolved numerous strategies to overcome host resistance and immunity, including the use of multifunctional proteases that not only cleave viral polyproteins during virus replication but also deubiquitinate cellular proteins to suppress ubiquitin (Ub)-mediated antiviral mechanisms. Here, we report an approach to attenuate the infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus (TYMV) by suppressing the polyprotein cleavage and deubiquitination activities of the TYMV protease (PRO). Performing selections using a library of phage-displayed Ub variants (UbVs) for binding to recombinant PRO yielded several UbVs that bound the viral protease with nanomolar affinities and blocked its function.

Trithorax regulates long-term memory in Drosophila through epigenetic maintenance of mushroom body metabolic state and translation capacity.

The role of epigenetics and chromatin in the maintenance of postmitotic neuronal cell identities is not well understood. Here, we show that the histone methyltransferase Trithorax (Trx) is required in postmitotic memory neurons of the Drosophila mushroom body (MB) to enable their capacity for long-term memory (LTM), but not short-term memory (STM). Using MB-specific RNA-, ChIP-, and ATAC-sequencing, we find that Trx maintains homeostatic expression of several non-canonical MB-enriched transcripts, including the orphan nuclear receptor Hr51, and the metabolic enzyme lactate dehydrogenase (Ldh).

From impact metrics and open science to communicating research: Journalists' awareness of academic controversies.

This study sheds light on how journalists respond to evolving debates within academia around topics including research integrity, improper use of metrics to measure research quality and impact, and the risks and benefits of the open science movement. It does so through a codebook thematic analysis of semi-structured interviews with 19 health and science journalists from the Global North. We find that journalists' perceptions of these academic controversies vary widely, with some displaying a highly critical and nuanced understanding and others presenting a more limited awareness.

Impact of Chlorella vulgaris and probiotic supplementation on performance, immunity and intestinal microbiota of broiler chickens.

Chlorella vulgaris has antioxidant, antimicrobial, and anti-inflammatory properties, as well as the probiotic that is important for keeping the intestinal microbiota balanced. The objective was to test the impact of supplementation with microalgae and/or probiotics on broiler chickens' performance, immunity, and intestinal microbiota. The experimental design was in randomized blocks in a 4x2 factorial scheme, with four levels of inclusion of C.

Intramolecular Fluoroacylation Enabled by TrBF-Catalyzed Fluoride Recycling.

Alkyne- and alkene-tethered acyl fluorides undergo intramolecular carbofluorination via fluoride recycling using catalytic TrBF. Excellent stereoselectivity is observed for the alkyne addition, enabling access to novel fluorinated indan-2-ones (all ≥95:5 /) and cyclopentan-2-ones (85:15 /). Fluorinated chroman-2-ones and tertiary alkyl fluorides can also be synthesized using this method, comparing favorably to previously reported protocols that employ expensive metal catalysts under harsher conditions.

Transient shear wave elastometry using a portable magnetic resonance sensor.

Purpose: Magnetic resonance elastography (MRE) provides detailed maps of tissue stiffness, helping to diagnose various health conditions, but requires the use of expensive clinical MRI scanners. Our approach utilizes compact, cost-effective portable MR sensors that offer bulk characterization of material properties in a region of interest close to the surface (within 1-2 cm). This accessible instrument could enable routine monitoring and prevention of diseases not readily evaluated with conventional tools.

White matter connections within the central sulcus subserving the somato-cognitive action network.

The somato-cognitive action network (SCAN) consists of three nodes interspersed within Penfield's motor effector regions. The configuration of the somato-cognitive action network nodes resembles the one of the 'plis de passage' of the central sulcus: small gyri bridging the precentral and postcentral gyri. Thus, we hypothesize that these may provide a structural substrate of the somato-cognitive action network.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors in pediatric patients with melanoma: a systematic literature review.

This study summarized the existing evidence on the outcomes and safety of anti-PD-1s, anti-PD-L1s and anti-CTLA-4s in pediatric patients with melanoma. MEDLINE and Embase were searched from database inception to 01-12-2023. Of 1537 records identified, 27 studies (k) of 64 patients were included.

New Oral Selective Estrogen Receptor Degraders Redefine Management of Estrogen Receptor-Positive Breast Cancer.

Oral selective estrogen receptor degraders (SERDs) are pure estrogen receptor antagonists that have the potential to overcome common resistance mechanisms to endocrine therapy in estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer. There are currently five oral SERDs in published and ongoing clinical trials-elacestrant, camizestrant, giredestrant, imlunestrant, and amcenestrant-with more in development. They offer a reasonably well-tolerated oral therapy option with low discontinuation rates in studies.

Long-Term Risks of Living Kidney Donation: State of the Evidence and Strategies to Resolve Knowledge Gaps.

Living-donor kidney transplantation is the preferred treatment for kidney failure. In the United States, rates of living kidney donation have been stagnant, which is partly related to concerns over medical and financial risks. Recent research has better characterized the risks of living kidney donation, although the field is limited by a lack of robust registries.

Factor V Serves as an Early Biomarker for Graft Loss After Liver Transplant: A Prospective Evaluation.

Background: Low post-operative day (POD) 1 Factor V has been retrospectively associated with graft loss after liver transplantation when stratified by a cutoff of 0.36 U/mL. We aimed to validate this prospectively.

Identifying the Views and Needs of Family Physicians on Providing Care to Living Kidney Donors: A Cross-Sectional Survey.

Optimizing the long-term care and follow-up of living kidney donors (LKDs) has been challenging, and prior LKDs have reported suboptimal healthcare experiences. Long-term care of LKDs is largely undertaken by primary care practitioners such as family physicians (FPs). We conducted a cross-sectional survey of Canadian FPs (n = 151).

Apixaban to Prevent Covert Infarcts After Cryptogenic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Cardiopathy: A Secondary Analysis of the ARCADIA Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: In the Atrial Cardiopathy and Antithrombotic Drugs in Prevention After Cryptogenic Stroke (ARCADIA) randomized clinical trial, anticoagulation did not prevent recurrent stroke among patients with a recent cryptogenic stroke and atrial cardiopathy. It is unknown whether anticoagulation prevents covert infarcts in this population.

Objective: To test the use of apixaban vs aspirin for prevention of nonlacunar covert infarcts after cryptogenic stroke in patients with atrial cardiopathy.

Essential Thrombocythemia: A Review.

Importance: Essential thrombocythemia, a clonal myeloproliferative neoplasm with excessive platelet production, is associated with an increased risk of thrombosis and bleeding. The annual incidence rate of essential thrombocythemia in the US is 1.5/100 000 persons.

Predicting Individual Pain Sensitivity Using a Novel Cortical Biomarker Signature.

Importance: Biomarkers would greatly assist decision-making in the diagnosis, prevention, and treatment of chronic pain.

Objective: To undertake analytical validation of a sensorimotor cortical biomarker signature for pain consisting of 2 measures: sensorimotor peak alpha frequency (PAF) and corticomotor excitability (CME).

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cohort study at a single center (Neuroscience Research Australia) recruited participants from November 2020 to October 2022 through notices placed online and at universities across Australia.

Comparative Efficacy of Nonsteroid Immunosuppressive Medications in Childhood Nephrotic Syndrome.

Importance: Cyclophosphamide and calcineurin inhibitors are the most used nonsteroid immunosuppressive medications globally for children with various chronic inflammatory conditions. Their comparative effectiveness remains uncertain, leading to worldwide practice variation. Nephrotic syndrome is the most common kidney disease managed by pediatricians globally and suboptimal treatment is associated with high morbidity.

Comparative Analysis of Machine Learning Algorithms Used for Translating Aptamer-Antigen Binding Kinetic Profiles to Diagnostic Decisions.

Current approaches for classifying biosensor data in diagnostics rely on fixed decision thresholds based on receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, which can be limited in accuracy for complex and variable signals. To address these limitations, we developed a framework that facilitates the application of machine learning (ML) to diagnostic data for the binary classification of clinical samples, when using real-time electrochemical measurements. The framework was applied to a real-time multimeric aptamer assay (RT-MAp) that captures single-frequency (12.

Exploring Surface State and Exciplex Dominated Aggregation Induced Electrochemiluminescence of Graphene Quantum Dots Prepared Via Electrochemical Exfoliation.

Graphene quantum dots (GQDs) have emerged as promising materials for electrochemiluminescence (ECL) applications due to their unique optical and electronic properties. In this study, GQDs were synthesized via electrochemical exfoliation of graphite in a constant current density mode, enabling scalable production with controlled size and surface functionalization. GQDs-4 and GQDs-20, synthesized at applied current densities of 4 mA/cm2 and 20 mA/cm2 to the graphite electrode, respectively, were investigated on roles of surface states and exciplex dominated aggregation-induced emission (AIE) in their ECL performance.

Patient involvement in the development of patient-reported outcome measures used following hip or knee arthroplasty: a scoping review.

Purpose: Involving patients in developing patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) is essential for accurately capturing their perspectives. However, understanding how patients were involved in developing PROMs used after hip or knee arthroplasty is limited. This scoping review aimed to evaluate whether patients were involved in the development of these PROMs and how they were involved.

Cohort profile: the provincial opioid agonist treatment cohort in Ontario, Canada.

Background: Opioid Agonist Treatment (OAT) is the most effective intervention for opioid use disorder (OUD), but retention has decreased due to increasingly potent drugs like fentanyl. This cohort can be used retrospectively to observe trends in service utilization, healthcare integration, healthcare costs and patient outcomes. It also facilitates the design of observational studies to mimic a prospective design.

Sex differences in the metabolism of glucose and fatty acids by adipose tissue and skeletal muscle in humans.

Adult males and females have markedly different body composition, energy expenditure, and have different degrees of risk for metabolic diseases. A major aspect of metabolic regulation involves the appropriate storage and disposal of glucose and fatty acids. The use of sophisticated calorimetry, tracer, and imaging techniques have provided insight into the complex metabolism of these substrates showing that the regulation of these processes varies tremendously throughout the day, from the overnight fasting condition to meal ingestion, to the effects of physical activity.

Retrospective Cohort Study of Elderly Users of Single- or Multiple-Inhaler Triple Therapy for the Treatment of Asthma in the USA.

Introduction: Escalation to single- or multiple-inhaler triple therapy (SITT; MITT) is a recommended option for patients with asthma who remain uncontrolled by medium-dose inhaled corticosteroid/long-acting β-agonist; however, characterization of elderly users of triple therapy is limited. This real-world cohort study describes demographics and clinical characteristics of elderly patients with asthma with and without comorbid chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) who are new users of triple therapy, and asthma treatment patterns preceding triple therapy initiation.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data from the Optum Clinformatics Data Mart database.