A Comprehensive Atlas of AAV Tropism in the Mouse.

Gene therapy with Adeno-Associated Virus (AAV) vectors requires knowledge of their tropism within the body. Here we analyze the tropism of ten naturally occurring AAV serotypes (AAV3B, AAV4, AAV5, AAV6, AAV7, AAV8, AAV9, AAVrh8, AAVrh10 and AAVrh74) following systemic delivery into male and female mice. A transgene expressing ZsGreen and Cre recombinase was used to identify transduction in a cell-dependent manner based on fluorescence.

TARGETING LUNG HEME IRON BY AEROSOL HEMOPEXIN ADMINSTRATION IN SICKLE CELL DISEASE PULMONARY HYPERTENSION.

Lung tissue from human patients and murine models of sickle cell disease pulmonary hypertension (SCD-PH) show perivascular regions with excessive iron accumulation. The iron accumulation arises from chronic hemolysis and extravasation of hemoglobin (Hb) into the lung adventitial spaces, where it is linked to nitric oxide depletion, oxidative stress, inflammation, and tissue hypoxia, which collectively drive SCD-PH. Here, we tested the hypothesis that intrapulmonary delivery of hemopexin (Hpx) to the deep lung is effective at scavenging heme-iron and attenuating the progression of SCD-PH.

The Effect of the Concurrent Use of Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors or Receptor Blockers on Toxicity and Outcomes in Patients Treated with Radiotherapy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: ACEIs protect against radiation pneumonitis by reducing angiotensin II production, oxidative stress, and inflammation. This study highlights the significance of concurrent angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) or angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB) use in radiotherapy by evaluating its impact on radiotherapy-related side effects and survival outcomes, addressing the gap in existing research and providing insights to guide clinical practice in oncology. : The literature was retrieved from the MEDLINE, EMBASE, Web of Science, and Scopus databases from January 2000 to October 2024.

Less Is More: Evaluating the Benefits of Minimally Invasive Spinal Surgery.

This review aims to explore the evolution, techniques, and outcomes of minimally invasive spine surgery (MISS) within the field of neurosurgery. We sought to address the increasing burden of spine degeneration in a rapidly aging population and the need for optimizing surgical management. This review explores various techniques in MISS, drawing upon evidence from retrospective studies, case series, systematic reviews, and technological advancements in neurosurgical spine treatment.

Microwave Dielectric Properties and Defect Behavior of xTiO-(1-x)SiO Glass.

xTiO-(1-x)SiO (x = 2.9~8.2 mol%) glass specimens were synthesized using the flame hydrolysis technique.

Soluble Herpes Virus Entry Mediator and Type II/III Interferons Are Upregulated in Primary Biliary Cholangitis.

Bacterial translocation-induced inflammation and immune dysfunction are recognised factors contributing to the pathogenesis of primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). However, the specific involvement of interferons (IFNs) and soluble checkpoints (sol-CRs) in shaping the immune landscape in PBC patients remains unexplored. Furthermore, the influence of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDC) on these immune mediators is unknown.

Extracellular Vesicles and Tunnelling Nanotubes as Mediators of Prostate Cancer Intercellular Communication.

Prostate cancer (PCa) pathogenesis relies on intercellular communication, which can involve tunnelling nanotubes (TNTs) and extracellular vesicles (EVs). TNTs and EVs have been reported to transfer critical cargo involved in cellular functions and signalling, prompting us to investigate the extent of organelle and protein transfer in PCa cells and the potential involvement of the androgen receptor. Using live cell imaging microscopy, we observed extensive formation of TNTs and EVs operating between PCa, non-malignant, and immune cells.

Characterising Carbon Monoxide Household Exposure and Health Impacts in High- and Middle-Income Countries-A Rapid Literature Review, 2010-2024.

Carbon monoxide (CO) is a toxic gas, and faulty gas appliances or solid fuel burning with incomplete combustion are possible CO sources in households. Evaluating household CO exposure models and measurement studies is key to understanding where CO exposures may result in adverse health outcomes. This assists the assessment of the burden of disease in high- and middle-income countries and informs public health interventions in higher-risk environments.

Exploring the Roles of Trust, Attitudes, and Motivations in COVID-19 Decision-Making and Vaccination Likelihood: Insights from the Louisiana Community Engagement Alliance (LA-CEAL) Community-Academic-Public Health-Practice (CAPP) Partnership.

Given the increasing integration of trusted leaders in public health science, including vaccination programs, context-specific understandings of community perceptions and levels of trust are critical to intervention. This study aimed to understand the perspectives and attitudes of the southeastern Louisiana community and inform the development of a community-engaged action plan. A cross-sectional survey of 555 southeastern Louisianans-including faith-based organization (FBO) members, community pharmacy (CommRx) customers, community-based organization (CBO) contacts, and Louisiana community-dwelling residents-was conducted from November 2020 to March 2021.

Food Security and Cardio-Metabolic Risk in Individuals with Metabolic Syndrome.

This study assessed the association of food security with potential cardio-metabolic risk factors among persons with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Data were derived from the baseline data of a randomized controlled lifestyle intervention trial for individuals with MetS. Household food security, fruit and vegetable intake, perceived food environment, and perceived stress were collected using validated questionnaires.

Dealing with Childhood Externalizing Behavior: Protocol for a Feasibility RCT of the Being a Parent Program.

Concerning numbers of childhood behavior problems have been reported worldwide. Parenting interventions are considered one of the most effective early strategies to intervene with externalizing conduct. This protocol outlines a feasibility RCT that aims to implement a parenting intervention in Portugal and (a) test key feasibility parameters, (b) assess the fidelity and acceptability of the program, and (c) explore its effectiveness in childhood behavior problems, parenting skills, parental concern, and parental sense of competence.

Evaluating the Laboratory Performance of Pellet-Fueled Semigasifier Cookstoves.

This study examines three representative semigasifier cookstove models each burning four types of pelletized-biomass fuel (hardwood, peanut hull, rice husk, and wheat straw) using the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) 19867-1:2018 protocol. ISO tier ratings for fine particulate matter (PM) and carbon monoxide (CO) emissions ranged 1-4 and 2-5 (where 5 = cleanest), respectively, suggesting that pellet-fueled cookstoves may provide substantial emissions reductions, dependent upon stove/fuel matching and operation, over other biomass-fueled cooking alternatives. PM emission factors based on useful energy delivered (EF) varied by up to 25-fold, and organic and elemental carbon (OC and EC) EF values respectively varied by >200- and ∼100-fold, reflecting complex variability in PM composition.

Establishing a Pan-European, multi-disciplinary taphonomic research Infrastructure: The 'UK-Netherlands decomposition experimental research (UNDER) Group'.

This study unveils the establishment of the United Kingdom-Netherlands Decomposition Experimental Research (UNDER) working group, marking a pioneering initiative in practical Forensic Taphonomy within the UK. Our primary objective was to craft a cohesive multidisciplinary framework, designed to ethically orchestrate, execute, and assess human decomposition. Concurrently, we aimed to amass data through human burials, fostering collaboration among diverse forensic experts across Europe.

Characteristics of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant and rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis and their association with treatment outcomes: a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Background: There are few data on the treatment of children and adolescents with multidrug-resistant (MDR) or rifampicin-resistant (RR) tuberculosis, especially with more recently available drugs and regimens. We aimed to describe the clinical and treatment characteristics and their associations with treatment outcomes in this susceptible population.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and individual participant data meta-analysis.

Tumour-infiltrating Lymphocytes and Radiation Therapy in Rectal Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: Tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent a promising cancer biomarker. Different TILs, including CD8+, CD4+, CD3+, and FOXP3+, have been associated with clinical outcomes. However, data are lacking regarding the value of TILs for patients receiving radiation therapy (RT).

Frailty determinants in heart failure: Inflammatory markers, cognitive impairment and psychosocial interaction.

Aims: This study aimed to identify factors associated with frailty in heart failure (HF) patients, focusing on demographic, biochemical and health-related variables. It also explored the correlation between frailty and comorbidities such as malnutrition, cognitive impairment and depression, assessing how these factors interact to influence frailty risk.

Methods: A total of 250 HF patients (mean age 73.

Nursing Student and Faculty Attitudes, Perceptions, and Behavioral Intentions of Artificial Intelligence Use in Nursing Education: An Integrative Review.

Aim: This integrative review critiques and synthesizes current research on nursing faculty and students' attitudes, perceptions, and behavioral intentions toward artificial intelligence (AI)-based tools in nursing education.

Background: AI's rapid integration into health care offers transformative potential in nursing across clinical care, education, policy, and research.

Method: Following Whittemore and Knafl's methodology, Pubmed, CINAHL, and ERIC were searched for studies written in English assessing attitudes, perceptions, and behavioral intentions of nursing students and faculty regarding AI use in nursing education.

Species Differences in the Biotransformation of Aflatoxin B1: Primary Determinants of Relative Carcinogenic Potency in Different Animal Species.

It has been known since the early days of the discovery of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) that there were large species differences in susceptibility to AFB1. It was also evident early on that AFB1 itself was not toxic but required bioactivation to a reactive form. Over the past 60 years there have been thousands of studies to delineate the role of ~10 specific biotransformation pathways of AFB1, both phase I (oxidation, reduction) and phase II (hydrolysis, conjugation, secondary oxidations, and reductions of phase I metabolites).

Pathophysiology of Penetrating Captive Bolt Stunning in Horned and Polled Sheep and Factors Determining Incomplete Concussion.

Penetrating captive bolt (PCB) is widely used for stunning and on-farm dispatch of livestock, yet its efficacy can vary, with the potential for animal welfare compromise. This study investigated the pathophysiology of PCB-induced trauma in horned and polled sheep (), focusing on factors contributing to incomplete concussion. Thirty-seven ( = 18 horned Scottish blackface and = 19 polled North Country mule) mature ewes (aged 4-10 years) were shot with PCB with varying cartridge power and PCB modifications, followed by clinical assessment and post-mortem analysis using magnetic resonance imagining (MRI) and gross pathology.

Tracking Immunity: An Increased Number of COVID-19 Boosters Increases the Longevity of Anti-RBD and Anti-RBD-Neutralizing Antibodies.

Background/objectives: Since the World Health Organization declared COVID-19 a pandemic in March 2020, the virus has caused multiple waves of infection globally. Arizona State University (ASU), the largest four-year university in the United States, offers a uniquely diverse setting for assessing immunity within a large community. This study aimed to test our hypothesis that an increased number of exposures to SARS-CoV-2 RBD through vaccination/boosters/infection will increase SARS-CoV-2 antibody seroprevalence by increasing the longevity of anti-RBD and anti-RBD-neutralizing antibodies.

Does Sex Matter in Obesity-Induced Periodontal Inflammation in the SS Mutant Rats?

The incidence of obesity has dramatically increased worldwide. Obesity has been shown to exacerbate the progression of periodontal disease. Studies suggest a sex difference in periodontitis, whereby males are more sensitive to periodontal inflammation compared to females.

Modulation of Stemness and Differentiation Regulators by Valproic Acid in Medulloblastoma Neurospheres.

Changes in epigenetic processes such as histone acetylation are proposed as key events influencing cancer cell function and the initiation and progression of pediatric brain tumors. Valproic acid (VPA) is an antiepileptic drug that acts partially by inhibiting histone deacetylases (HDACs) and could be repurposed as an epigenetic anticancer therapy. Here, we show that VPA reduced medulloblastoma (MB) cell viability and led to cell cycle arrest.

Efficient Degradation of Industrial Biowaste via In-Vessel Composting-Technical and Microbial Assessments.

In this study, a pilot-scale in-vessel composter was used to treat a mixture of industrial biowaste, with soybean curd residue and saw dust as the major substrates. The composter is capable of treating up to 350 tons/month of waste, producing up to 150 tons/month of high-quality compost within a retention time of 7-10 days. The final compost has an average nitrogen-phosphorus-potassium content of 6%, moisture content of 28%, pH of 6.

Instabilities, thermal fluctuations, defects and dislocations in the crystal-R-R rotator phase transitions of -alkanes.

The theoretical study of instabilities, thermal fluctuations, and topological defects in the crystal-rotator-I-rotator-II (X-R-R) phase transitions of -alkanes has been conducted. First, we examine the nature of the R-R phase transition in nanoconfined alkanes. We propose that under confined conditions, the presence of quenched random orientational disorder makes the R phase unstable.

William Budd: Revolutionizing Epidemiology and Public Health in the 19th Century.

William Budd (1811-1880) was a pioneering British physician whose work on infectious diseases, particularly typhoid fever, significantly advanced the understanding of epidemiology and public health in the 19th century. This review examines Budd's life, medical career, and groundbreaking contributions to the study of infectious diseases, focusing on his influential research into the transmission of typhoid fever, advocacy for public health reforms, and lasting legacy in epidemiology. Through meticulous research and innovative thinking, Budd laid the groundwork for modern approaches to disease control and prevention, cementing his place as a key figure in medical history.