Preserved brain youthfulness: longitudinal evidence of slower brain aging in superagers.

Background: Superagers, older adults with exceptional cognitive abilities, show preserved brain structure compared to typical older adults. We investigated whether superagers have biologically younger brains based on their structural integrity.

Methods: A cohort of 153 older adults (aged 61-93) was recruited, with 63 classified as superagers based on superior episodic memory and 90 as typical older adults, of whom 64 were followed up after two years.

Number of patient samples affected before error detection: Strategic implications for internal quality control and patient-based quality control practices.

Introduction: There is a general impression that patient-based quality control (PBQC) requires a high volume of laboratory results to detect errors effectively. However, internal quality control (IQC) performed infrequently may be associated with increased risk of missed error (i.e.

Rasch Analysis of the Dermatology Life Quality Index

Background And Aims: Previous results of the Dermatology-Life-Quality-Index (DLQI) validation in Colombia based on the classical test theory (CTT) perspective have showed the need to delve into its measurement properties. Therefore, we aimed to assess the structural validity, internal consistency and item response analysis of the DLQI through the item response theory (IRT) or the Rasch model.

Material And Methods: We assessed the dimensionality of the DLQI, determined its difficulty, discrimination and differential functioning and went on to evaluate its internal consistency and discriminative validity among patients with inflammatory and non-inflammatory skin disease.

Patterns of self-harm presentations at a Tertiary Urban Hospital in Kenya: A retrospective 5-year study (2018-2022).

Introduction: Self-harm represents a complex and multifaceted public health issue of global significance, exerting profound effects on individuals and communities alike. It involves intentional self-poisoning or self-injury with or without the motivation to die. Although self-harm is highly prevalent, limited research has focused on the patterns and trends of self-harm among hospital populations in low- and middle-income countries, particularly within Africa.

Carbonyl Reductase 1: a novel regulator of blood pressure in Down Syndrome.

Approximately one in every 800 children is born with the severe aneuploid condition of Down Syndrome, a trisomy of chromosome 21. Low blood pressure (hypotension) is a common condition associated with DS and can have a significant impact on exercise tolerance and quality of life. Little is known about the factors driving this hypotensive phenotype and therefore therapeutic interventions are limited.

In utero exposure to experimental maternal asthma alters fetal airway development in sheep.

The mechanisms linking maternal asthma (MA) exposure in utero and subsequent risk of asthma in childhood are not fully understood. Pathological airway remodelling, including reticular basement membrane thickening, has been reported in infants and children who go on to develop asthma later in childhood. This suggests altered airway development before birth as a mechanism underlying increased risk of asthma in children exposed in utero to MA.

Real-world implementation of pain science education and barriers to use in private practice physiotherapy settings: an Australia-wide cross-sectional survey.

Physiotherapists are critically positioned to integrate education into patient care, including pain science education (PSE) to enhance management and outcomes. Anecdotally, many physiotherapists report difficulty providing PSE in private practice settings. Here, we aimed to explore current PSE use, knowledge, and barriers to implementation.

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.

The Intermittent Pneumatic Compression Influences Edema Fluid Movement and Promotes the Compensatory Drainage Pathways in Patients with Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema.

Upper limb lymphedema is the most common complication after breast cancer therapy. Suddenly disturbed lymphatic transport in the affected arm causes tissue fluid accumulation in tissue spaces, limb enlargement, and secondary changes in tissue. Early compression therapy is necessary.

Polysaccharide Mitigates LPS-Induced Inflammatory Response in Macrophages by Activating Autophagy Pathway.

a member of the family, is known for its diverse biological activities, including anti-inflammatory properties. The mechanisms through which polysaccharide (LTP) induces autophagy, however, remain largely unexplored. This study aims to elucidate the role of LTP in autophagy induction and its efficacy in mitigating inflammation within macrophages.

Exoscopic-Endoscopic Resection of Intramedullary Spinal Cord Metastasis From Renal Cell Carcinoma With Ventral Exophytic Extension.

Intramedullary spinal cord metastasis (ISCM) is a rare manifestation of renal cell carcinoma (RCC). A 73-year-old man presented with left shoulder pain and left upper extremity weakness for two months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed intramedullary and intradural extramedullary lesions at the C5 level, compressing the spinal cord from the center of the cord and the left ventral side.

A novel TERT variant associated with a telomere biology disorder and challenges in variant classification.

Telomere biology disorders (TBDs) are inherited conditions associated with multisystem manifestations. We describe clinical and functional characterisation of a novel TERT variant. Whole-genome sequencing was performed along with single length analysis ().

Post-Selection Design of Aptamers: Comparative Study of Affinity of the DNA Aptamers to Recombinant Extracellular Domain of Human Epidermal Growth Factor Receptors.

The current work presents comparative assessment of affinity of the designed DNA aptamers for extracellular domain of the human epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR*). The affinity data of the 20 previously published aptamers are summarized. Diversity of the aptamer selection methods and techniques requires unification of the comparison algorithms, which is also necessary for designing aptamers used in the post-selection fitting to the target EGFR* protein.

Suspected Fatal Arrhythmic Events in Japanese Patients With Coronary Artery Disease - From the CREDO-Kyoto PCI/CABG Registries Cohorts-2 and -3.

Background: Fatal arrhythmic events (FAEs), such as sudden cardiac death (SCD) and fatal ventricular arrhythmias, are a devastating complication in patients with coronary artery disease (CAD). Therefore, in this study we aimed to assess the incidence of FAEs in more recent Japanese patients with CAD and to examine whether risk stratification of FAEs can still be feasible using the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF).

Methods And Results: In the CREDO Kyoto PCI/CABG registry cohorts-2 and -3, there were 25,843 patients with LVEF data who received a first coronary revascularization (LVEF ≤35% group: N=1,671, 35%45%: N=21,503).

Hemolysis After Pulsed-Field Ablation of Atrial Fibrillation.

Pulsed-field ablation (PFA) offers notable advantages in atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation by selectively targeting cardiomyocytes via an irreversible electroporation mechanism, thereby minimizing damage to surrounding tissues. Although clinical studies demonstrate that PFA is both safe and effective, PFA-mediated hemolysis and potential acute kidney injury (AKI) development have been recently reported. This study comprehensively reviews the literature on PFA-associated hemolysis, analyzing the underlying mechanisms, risk factors, and preventive management strategies.

ATG8 in single membranes: Fresh players of endocytosis and acidic organelle quality control in cancer, neurodegeneration, and inflammation.

Ubiquitin-like autophagy-related gene ATG8 proteins are typically associated with degradative quality control via canonical double-membrane macro-autophagosomes in the cell. ATG8 proteins have now stepped forward in non-canonical pathways in single membrane organelles. The growing interest in non-canonical ATG8 roles has been stimulated by recent links to human conditions, especially in the regulation of inflammation, neurodegeneration and cancers.

HIV co-infection is associated with increased HLA-DR expression by Mycobacterium tuberculosis-specific CD4 T cells in people with latent tuberculosis infection.

Infection with HIV is associated with dysregulated CD4 T cell responses to Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and increased risk of developing tuberculosis. Mtb-specific CD4 T cells in people with HIV have diminished Th1 cytokine production capacity, thus we utilized a flow cytometry-based assay to measure CD40L expression by Mtb-specific CD4 T cells in a cytokine-independent manner. We evaluated the frequency and phenotype of Mtb-specific CD4 responses in Kenyan adults with latent Mtb infection and found that the majority of Mtb-specific CD4 T cells expressed CD40L in the absence of IFN-γ, regardless of HIV infection status.

Whole cranberry fruit powder supplement reduces the incidence of culture-confirmed urinary tract infections in females with a history of recurrent urinary tract infection: A 6-month multicenter, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

Background: High prevalence of urinary tract infections (UTI), including cystitis, and concern for antimicrobial resistance justify safe and effective non-antibiotic therapies for prevention of recurrent UTI (rUTI). This study investigated the effect of a whole cranberry fruit powder supplement on incidence of culture-confirmed UTI (primary outcome) in females with rUTI history.

Methods: This multicenter, 6-month, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind study enrolled 150 healthy females (18-65 years, body mass index (BMI) >17.

Dual targeting PPARα and NPC1L1 metabolic vulnerabilities blocks tumorigenesis.

Dysregulated lipid metabolism is linked to tumor progression. In this study, we identified Niemann-Pick C1-like 1 (NPC1L1) as a downstream effector of PKM2. In breast cancer cells, PKM2 knockout (KO) enhanced NPC1L1 expression while downregulating peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) signaling pathway.

"When People Reach Out that is When They're Desperate": Understanding Informal and Formal Help-Seeking Practices for Gambling among Aboriginal Peoples in the Northern Territory, Australia.

This study provides an in-depth qualitative exploration of Aboriginal peoples' experiences with seeking help for gambling-related issues in the Northern Territory (NT), Australia. Through semi-structured interviews with 29 participants, including regular and occasional gamblers as well as those affected by others' gambling, the research highlights key barriers to seeking formal help. These barriers included the normalisation of gambling within Aboriginal communities, denial of gambling problems, feelings of shame, privacy concerns, and a lack of trust in mainstream services.

'It is scary to pause treatment': perspectives on HIV cure-related research and analytical treatment interruptions from women diagnosed during acute HIV in Durban, South Africa.

Background: HIV remains a major challenge in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, particularly for young women who face disproportionate risks and barriers to prevention and treatment. Most HIV cure trials, however, occur in high-income countries.

Objective: To examine the perspectives of young women diagnosed with acute HIV in a longitudinal study, focusing on their perceptions on ATI-inclusive HIV cure trials and the barriers and facilitators to participation.

2024 White Paper on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis: Evolution of Immunogenicity Assessment beyond ADA/NAb; Regulated Genomic/NGS Assays; Hypersensitivity Reactions; Minimum Noise Reduction; False Positive Range; Modernized Vaccine Approaches; NAb/TAb Correlation - Recommendations on Advanced Strategies for Molecular Assays and Immunogenicity of Gene Therapy, Cell Therapy, Vaccine; Biotherapeutics Immunogenicity Assessment & Clinical Relevance - Regulatory Agencies' Input on Immunogenicity/Technologies of Biotherapeutics, Gene, Cell & Vaccine Therapies).

The 18 Workshop on Recent Issues in Bioanalysis (18 WRIB) took place in San Antonio, TX, USA on May 6-10, 2024. Over 1100 professionals representing pharma/biotech companies, CROs, and multiple regulatory agencies convened to actively discuss the most current topics of interest in bioanalysis. The 18 WRIB included 3 Main Workshops and 7 Specialized Workshops that together spanned 1 week to allow an exhaustive and thorough coverage of all major issues in bioanalysis of biomarkers, immunogenicity, gene therapy, cell therapy and vaccines.

Exploring Dietary Assessment Methods Used to Measure Individual Dietary Intakes in Low- and Middle-Income Countries and Under-Served Populations in High-Income Countries.

Background/objectives: For low- and middle- income country (LMIC) settings, a global nutrition transition is rapidly emerging as diets shift, resulting in a dual burden of malnutrition. High quality dietary intake data for these populations is essential to understand dietary patterns contributing to these nutrition issues. New technology is emerging to address dietary assessment challenges; however, it is unknown how researchers conducting studies with LMIC populations or under-served groups in high-income countries adopt technology-assisted methods.

Cellular Signaling of Amino Acid Metabolism in Prostate Cancer.

Prostate cancer is one of the most common malignancies affecting men worldwide and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality, necessitating a deeper understanding of its underlying biochemical pathways. Similar to other cancer types, prostate cancer is also characterised by aberrantly activated metabolic pathways that support tumour development, such as amino acid metabolism, which is involved in modulating key physiological and pathological cellular processes during the progression of this disease. The metabolism of several amino acids, such as glutamine and methionine, crucial for tumorigenesis, is dysregulated and commonly discussed in prostate cancer.

Involvement of ADAM17-Klotho Crosstalk in High Glucose-Induced Alterations of Podocyte Function.

Microalbuminuria is the earliest clinical abnormality in diabetic kidney disease. High glucose (HG) concentrations are associated with the induction of oxidative stress in podocytes, leading to disruption of the glomerular filtration barrier. Our recent study revealed a significant decrease in the membrane-bound fraction of Klotho in podocytes that were cultured under HG conditions.