Irx1 mechanisms for oral epithelial basal stem cell plasticity during reepithelialization after injury.

The oral mucosa undergoes daily insults, and stem cells in the epithelial basal cell layer regenerate gingiva tissue to maintain oral health. The Iroquois Homeobox 1 (IRX1) protein is expressed in the stem cell niches in human/mouse oral epithelium and mesenchyme under homeostasis. We found that Irx1+/- heterozygous (Het) mice have delayed wound closure, delayed morphological changes of regenerated epithelium, and defective keratinocyte proliferation and differentiation during wound healing.

Artificial Intelligence and ChatGPT in Medical Education: A Cross-Sectional Questionnaire on students' Competence.

Artificial intelligence is rapidly transforming the field of health science and medical education, but less is known about the students´ competencies related to knowledge, skills and attitudes towards the application of AI tools like ChatGPT. Therefore, a unicentric questionnaire-based cross-sectional study was applied to students in the medical field ( = 207). The data revealed that while most students were familiar with ChatGPT (66.

Activation of glutamine synthetase (GS) as a new strategy for the treatment of major depressive disorder and other GS-related diseases.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) plays a crucial role in the homeostasis of the glutamate-glutamine cycle in the brain. Hypoactive GS causes depressive behaviors. Under chronic stress, GS has no change in expression, but its activity is decreased due to nitration of tyrosine (Tyr).

Anatomical variations and surgical implications of axillary artery branches: an anatomical study of the coracoid process region.

The complex of neurovascular structures surrounding the coracoid process, particularly the axillary artery, the thoracoacromial artery and theirs branches, plays a critical role in shoulder function. Detailed dissection was performed in 36 shoulders from 18 embalmed cadavers. The focus was on axillary artery branches in relation to the coracoid process and the documentation of anatomical variations in this area.

Gingival keratinocyte adhesion on atomic layer-deposited hydroxyapatite coated titanium.

his study aimed to evaluate the effects of the atomic layer deposited hydroxyapatite (ALD-HA) coating of the titanium (Ti) surface on human gingival keratinocyte (HGK) cell adhesion, spreading, viability, and hemidesmosome (HD) formation. Grade 2 square-shaped Ti substrates were used ( = 62). Half of the substrates were ALD-HA coated, while the other half were used as non-coated controls (NC).

Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Aptamin C in Pulmonary Fibrosis Induced by Bleomycin.

: Vitamin C is a well-known antioxidant with antiviral, anticancer, and anti-inflammatory properties. However, its therapeutic applications are limited by rapid oxidation due to heat and light sensitivity. Aptamin C, which employs aptamers to bind vitamin C, has demonstrated enhanced stability and efficacy.

PAC1 Agonist Maxadilan Reduces Atherosclerotic Lesions in Hypercholesterolemic ApoE-Deficient Mice.

A possible involvement of immune- and vasoregulatory PACAP signaling at the PAC1 receptor in atherogenesis and plaque-associated vascular inflammation has been suggested. Therefore, we tested the PAC1 receptor agonist Maxadilan and the PAC1 selective antagonist M65 on plaque development and lumen stenosis in the ApoE atherosclerosis model for possible effects on atherogenesis. Adult male ApoE mice were fed a cholesterol-enriched diet (CED) or standard chow (SC) treated with Maxadilan, M65 or Sham.

Chronic nicotine exposure induces molecular and transcriptomic endophenotypes associated with mood and anxiety disorders in a cerebral organoid neurodevelopmental model.

Introduction: Prenatal nicotine exposure (PNE) from maternal smoking disrupts regulatory processes vital to fetal development. These changes result in long-term behavioral impairments, including mood and anxiety disorders, that manifest later in life. However, the relationship underlying PNE, and the underpinnings of mood and anxiety molecular and transcriptomic phenotypes remains elusive.

Impact of an Antenatal Family-based Behavioral Treatment with a Nutrition and Exercise Lifestyle Intervention Program on Infant Weight-for-length at Birth.

Background: World Health Organization (WHO) growth standards, including weight-for-length, are used to monitor infant size. Excessive infant weight-for-length at or above the 85th percentile is a risk for childhood overweight. Although antenatal interventions like the nutrition and exercise lifestyle intervention program (NELIP) have successfully prevented excessive gestational weight gain, strategies to improve the intervention remain of interest.

Reduced gastric mucosal nerve density in functional dyspepsia: clinical significance and functional correlation.

Background: This study aimed to quantitatively examine gastric mucosal nerve density (GMND) in patients with functional dyspepsia (FD) and analyzed its clinical correlation.

Methods: We prospectively enrolled 35 patients with FD and 16 age-and gender-matched healthy controls for comparison of GMND on endoscopic biopsy, scores of Gastroparesis Cardinal Symptom Index (GCSI), and gastric emptying scintigraphy (GES).

Results: Patients with FD had lower GMND than the control subjects in gastric antrum, body, and fundus.

Identification of a new spliceogenic variant causing severe primary coenzyme Q deficiency.

Background And Aims: Primary Coenzyme Q (CoQ) deficiency caused by defects is a clinically heterogeneous mitochondrial condition characterized by reduced levels of CoQ in tissues. Next-generation sequencing has lately boosted the genetic diagnosis of an increasing number of patients. Still, functional validation of new variants of uncertain significance is essential for an adequate diagnosis, proper clinical management, treatment, and genetic counseling.

A stress paradox: the dual role of the unfolded protein response in the placenta.

The placenta is a temporary organ that forms during pregnancy and is essential for fetal development and maternal health. As an endocrine organ, proper placental function requires continual production, folding, and transport of proteins and lipids. Central to these processes is the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a dynamic organelle responsible for maintaining cellular protein and lipid synthesis and processing.

FGF and TGF-β Growth Factor Isoform Modulation of Human Gingival and Periodontal Ligament Fibroblast Wound Healing Phenotype.

Release of growth factors in the tissue microenvironment is a critical process in the repair and regeneration of periodontal tissues, regulating fibroblast behavior and phenotype. As a result of the complex architecture of the periodontium, distinct fibroblast populations in the periodontal ligament and gingival connective tissue exist in close proximity. Growth factor therapies for periodontal regeneration have gained traction, but quantification of their effects on multiple different fibroblast populations that are required for repair has been poorly investigated.

Cannabidiol (CBD) potentiates physiological and behavioral markers of hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis responsivity in female and male mice.

Rationale: Clinical literature indicates there may be a therapeutic use of cannabidiol (CBD) for stress-related disorders. Preclinical literature remains conflicted regarding the underlying neurobehavioral mechanisms, reporting mixed effects of CBD (increased, decreased, or no effect) on anxiety- and fear-related behaviors. Preclinical data demonstrated that CBD modulates hypothalamus-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis gene expression; it is unknown whether CBD changes HPA axis responsivity and how this relates to altered behavior.

Behind the scenes of EQA-characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

The main stakeholders in external quality assessment (EQA) programs are the participants, in whose interests these challenges are ultimately organised. EQA schemes in the medical field contribute to improving the quality of patient care by evaluating the analytical and diagnostic quality of laboratory and point-of-care tests (POCT) by independent third parties and, if necessary, pointing out erroneous measurement results and analytical or diagnostic improvement potential. Other benefits include the option of using EQA samples for other important laboratory procedures, such as the verification or validation of diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MDs), a contribution to the estimation of measurement uncertainty, a means of training and educating laboratory staff through educational EQA programmes or samples, or even for independent and documented monitoring of staff competence, such as on samples with unusual or even exceptional characteristics.

Measuring health sciences students' attitudes toward persons with disabilities: Is one scale better than another?

Negative attitudes toward persons with disabilities (PWDs) can lead to stigmatization and exclusion, underscoring the need for effective tools to measure and address such attitudes in educational settings. This study compares the psychometric properties of two scales used to assess attitudes toward PWDs among health science learners: the Multidimensional Attitudes Scale Toward Persons with Disabilities (MAS) and the Attitudes and Perspectives Toward Persons with Disabilities Scale (APPD). This research examines the internal consistency, factor stability, factor replicability, and convergent validity of these scales across different measurement occasions using data from second-year Medical (n = 102) and Doctor of Physical Therapy (n = 39) students.

hsa-mir-483-3p modulates delayed breast cancer recurrence.

Patients with estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer undergoing continuous adjuvant hormone therapy often experience delayed recurrence with tamoxifen use, potentially causing adverse effects. However, the lack of biomarkers hampers patient selection for extended endocrine therapy. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying delayed recurrence and identify biomarkers.

Optimized smFISH Pipeline for Studying Nascent Transcription in Mouse Embryonic Tissue Samples.

Understanding the spatial and temporal dynamics of gene expression is crucial for unraveling molecular mechanisms underlying various biological processes. While traditional methods have offered insights into gene expression patterns, they primarily focus on mature mRNA transcripts, lacking real-time visualization of newly synthesized or nascent transcription events. Recent advancements in monitoring nascent transcription in live cells provide valuable insights into transcriptional dynamics.

Abnormal ramification pattern of the renal and testicular vessels.

We demonstrate an aberrant ramification pattern of the renal and testicular vessels. On both sides, the anterior and posterior renal veins emerged from the renal. On the right side, the anterior renal vein collected the right testicular vein and drained into the inferior vena cava, while the posterior one directly drained into the inferior vena cava.

Peroxynitrite is involved in the mitochondrial dysfunction induced by Sorafenib in liver cancer cells.

Background: Sorafenib is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) that belongs to the landscape of treatments for advanced stages of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The induction of cell death and cell cycle arrest by Sorafenib has been associated with mitochondrial dysfunction in liver cancer cells. Our research aim was to decipher underlying oxidative and nitrosative stress induced by Sorafenib leading to mitochondrial dysfunction in liver cancer cells.

Mapping axillary sensory cutaneous nerves for enhanced analgesic approaches in axillary surgery: a cadaveric study.

Background: Innervation of the breast includes branches of thoracic intercostal nerves, the superficial cervical plexus, the brachial plexus, and the intercostobrachial nerve (ICBN). Commonly used blocks for breast surgery provide incomplete analgesia of the axillary region. This cadaveric study aims to identify and map the axillary sensory cutaneous nerves.

Distribution of TRPC1, TRPC3, and TRPC6 in the human thyroid.

Background: Little is known about the protein expression of the transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels 1, 3, and 6 in the thyroid. Research in human tissue is insufficient. Our aim was to investigate the distribution of TRPC1, 3, and 6 in the healthy human thyroid.

Stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (Sti1/Stip1/Hop) sequesters misfolded proteins during stress.

Co-chaperones are key elements of cellular protein quality control. They cooperate with the major heat shock proteins Hsp70 and Hsp90 in folding proteins and preventing the toxic accumulation of misfolded proteins upon exposure to stress. Hsp90 interacts with the co-chaperone stress-inducible phosphoprotein 1 (Sti1/Stip1/Hop) and activator of Hsp90 ATPase protein 1 (Aha1) among many others.

Exploring perceptions of alternative assessment and grading in graduate anatomy education.

Alternative assessment approaches, such as pass/fail and feedback-based designs, aim to reduce academic stress and foster deeper learning. Few studies have examined feedback-based evaluation in formative settings in medical education, but none among graduate anatomy students. This exploratory study investigated the impact of feedback-based versus quiz-based assessments on graduate students' academic stress, motivation, and perceived learning quality in an anatomy course.

Competing effects of activation history on force and cytosolic Ca in intact single mice myofibers.

The purpose was to investigate the changes in cytosolic Ca and force output during post-tetanic potentiation (PTP) during pre-fatigue and during prolonged low-frequency force depression (PLFFD) following fatigue. Intact single myofibers from the flexor digitorum brevis of mice were electrically stimulated to record force (n = 8) and free cytosolic Ca concentration ([Ca]) with FURA-2 (n = 6) at 32 °C. Initially, force and [Ca] were measured during brief (350 ms) trains of stimuli at 30, 50, 70, and 200 Hz at ~ 2 s intervals (Force-frequency protocol, FFP).