How spinal GABAergic circuits modulate cerebral processing of postsurgical pain.

Post-surgical pain affects millions each year, hindering recovery and quality of life. Surgical procedures cause tissue damage and inflammation, leading to peripheral and central sensitization, resulting in pain at rest or hyperalgesia to mechanical stimuli, among others. In a rat model for post-surgical pain, spinal GABAergic transmission via GABA receptors reduces mechanical hypersensitivity but has no effect on pain at rest.

Sotatercept in pulmonary hypertension and beyond.

Sotatercept binds free activins by mimicking the extracellular domain of the activin receptor type IIA (ACTRIIA). Additional ligands are BMP/TGF-beta, GDF8, GDF11 and BMP10. The binding with activins leads to the inhibition of the signalling pathway and the deactivation of the bone morphogenic protein (BMP) receptor type 2.

The effect of combined fig-Walnut syrup on functional constipation in pregnant women: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Constipation is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints during pregnancy. Consuming fruits and vegetables is often the first line of treatment due to their fiber content. Therefore, the purpose of the present study was to determine the effect of combined fig-walnut syrup on functional constipation (FC) and quality of life (QoL) in pregnant women.

Characteristics of functional constipation and analysis of intestinal microbiota in children aged 0-4 in Zunyi region.

Background: Functional constipation (FC) significantly impacts children's health. This study investigates the prevalence and microbiota characteristics of FC in children aged 0-4 years in Zunyi area.

Methods: From October to December 2023, 2039 children aged 0-4 years in Zunyi were selected using stratified sampling and cross-sectional survey methods.

Common and distinct neural underpinnings of the association between childhood maltreatment and depression and aggressive behavior.

Background: Although childhood maltreatment (CM) is widely recognized as a transdiagnostic risk factor for various internalizing and externalizing psychological disorders, the neural basis underlying this association remain unclear. The potential reasons for the inconsistent findings may be attributed to the involvement of both common and specific neural pathways that mediate the influence of childhood maltreatment on the emergence of psychopathological conditions.

Methods: This study aimed to delineate both the common and distinct neural pathways linking childhood maltreatment to depression and aggression.

Influence of drought stress on phosphorus dynamics and maize growth in tropical ecosystems.

Drought has a significant impact on ecosystem functions, especially on the biogeochemical cycling of phosphorus (P), which is a crucial nutrient for plant growth and productivity. Despite its importance, the effects of different drought scenarios on soil P cycling and availability remain poorly understood in previous studies. This study simulated drought conditions in tropical soils using maize as a test crop under varying field capacity (FC) levels (100%, 80%, 60%, 40%, and 20%) over a 60-day pot experiment.

Tucatinib and trastuzumab in HER2-mutated metastatic breast cancer: a phase 2 basket trial.

Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2, also known as ERBB2) signaling promotes cell growth and differentiation, and is overexpressed in several tumor types, including breast, gastric and colorectal cancer. HER2-targeted therapies have shown clinical activity against these tumor types, resulting in regulatory approvals. However, the efficacy of HER2 therapies in tumors with HER2 mutations has not been widely investigated.

End-to-End CT Radiomics-Based Pipeline for Predicting Renal Interstitial Fibrosis Grade in CKD Patients.

Rationale And Objectives: Non-invasive assessment of renal fibrosis in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) remains a clinical challenge. This study aims to integrate radiomics and clinical factors to develop an end-to-end pipeline for predicting interstitial fibrosis (IF) in CKD patients.

Materials And Methods: This retrospective study included 80 patients with CKD, with 53 patients in training set and 27 patients in test set.

Expression and functional analysis of mouse chitinases without the ZZ domain of Staphylococcus aureus Protein A.

Chitinase plays a role in mammalian immune responses, particularly in the degradation of fungal cell walls. The aim of the present study was to express and characterize recombinant mouse chitotriosidase (Chit1) and acidic mammalian chitinase (AMCase) without the ZZ domain, a domain that may interfere with immunological analyses. We successfully expressed recombinant chitinases without the ZZ domain (Chit1-V5-His and AMCase-V5-His) as a soluble protein from an expression vector pET21a in the Escherichia coli Rosetta-gami B (DE3) strain.

A constitutive interferon-high immunophenotype defines response to immunotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Fewer than 50% of metastatic deficient mismatch repair (dMMR) colorectal cancer (CRC) patients respond to immune checkpoint inhibition (ICI). Identifying and expanding this patient population remains a pressing clinical need. Here, we report that an interferon-high immunophenotype locally enriched in cytotoxic lymphocytes and antigen-presenting macrophages is required for response.

A systematic review of the effectiveness of leaded glasses for ensuring safety among healthcare professionals in fluoroscopy.

Background: Currently, there is an increase in procedures across various clinical specialties involving the use of ionising radiation.

Objective: The primary objective of this systematic review is to analyse and compare the existing literature regarding the effectiveness of leaded glasses for healthcare professionals.

Methods: Comprehensive literature searches were conducted for relevant studies published between 2018 and 2023 using the Scopus, PubMed, and Web of Science databases according to preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses (PRISMA) methodology.

Multi-institutional Knowledge-Based (KB) plan prediction benchmark models for whole breast irradiation.

Purpose: To train and validate KB prediction models by merging a large multi-institutional cohort of whole breast irradiation (WBI) plans using tangential fields.

Methods: Ten institutions (INST1-INST10, 1481 patients) developed their KB-institutional models for left/right WBI (ten models for right and eight models for left). The transferability of models among centers was assessed based on the overlap of the geometric Principal Component (PC1) of each model when applied to other institutions and/or on the presence of significantly different optimization policies.

Fc-binding M13 phage-enhanced electrochemical biosensors for influenza virus detection.

The importance of in vitro diagnostics (IVDs) has significantly increased, driving the demand for rapid and sensitive diagnostic platforms. Molecular probes play a pivotal role in improving the sensitivity and accuracy of IVDs because of their target-specific signal transduction capabilities. Antibodies, which are commonly used as detection probes, face several challenges, including limited stability, high production costs, and low signal output.

Mucosal immunity elicited by a human-Fcγ receptor-I targeted intranasal vaccine platform enhances resistance against nasopharyngeal colonization of Streptococcus pneumoniae and induces broadly protective immunity against respiratory pathogens.

The development of safe and effective mucosal vaccines are hampered by safety concerns associated with adjuvants or live attenuated microbes. We previously demonstrated that targeting antigens to the human-Fc-gamma-receptor-I (hFcγRI) eliminates the need for adjuvants, thereby mitigating safety concerns associated with the mucosal delivery of adjuvant formulated vaccines. Here we evaluated the role of the route of immunization in the mucosal immunity elicited by the hFcγRI-targeted vaccine approach.

Influence of forage-to-concentrate ratio on the effects of a radiata pine bark extract on methane production and fermentation using the rumen simulation technique.

Climate change and food safety standards have intensified research into plant-based compounds as alternatives to dietary supplements in animal feed. These compounds can reduce enteric methane (CH) emissions and the formation of ruminal ammonia. This study investigated the effects of radiata pine bark extract (PBE) supplementation on CH production, ruminal fermentation parameters, and nutrient disappearance using the rumen simulation technique in diets with different forage-to-concentrate (F:C) ratios.

Decoding ruminative reflection in healthy individuals: The role of triple network connectivity.

Ruminative reflection has been linked to enhanced executive control in processing internally represented emotional information, suggesting it may serve as an adaptive strategy for emotion regulation. Investigating the neural substrates of reflection can deepen our understanding of its adaptive properties. This study used network-based statistic (NBS)-Predict methodology to identify resting state functional connectivity (FC)-based predictors of ruminative reflection in a healthy sample.

Analysis of the efficacy of lactulose combined with polyethylene glycol in the treatment of functional constipation.

Objectives: This study focuses on analyzing the efficacy of lactulose oral solution combined with Macrogol 4000 Powder in the treatment of functional constipation (FC).

Methods: A total of 125 FC patients were selected, with 60 cases in a control group, who were treated with lactulose oral solution alone, and 65 cases in a research group, who were treated with lactulose oral solution combined with Macrogol 4000 Powder. The two groups were analyzed and compared in terms of efficacy, symptom recovery, Bristol Stool Form Scale (BSFS) and Wexner Constipation Scale (WCS) scores, adverse effects, serum indices, and Patient Assessment of Constipation Quality of Life (PAC-QOL).

Physical properties of chlorophyll-quinone conjugates prepared via Friedel-Crafts reaction.

Pheophytin-a derivatives possessing plastoquinone and phylloquinone analogs in the peripheral 3-substituent were prepared by Friedel-Crafts reactions of a 3-hydroxymethyl-chlorin as one of the chlorophyll-a derivatives with benzo- and naphthohydroquinones, respectively, and successive oxidation of the 1,4-dihydroxy-aryl groups in the resulting dehydration products. The 3-quinonylmethyl-chlorins exhibited ultraviolet-visible absorption and circular dichroism spectra in acetonitrile, which were composed of those of the starting 3-hydroxymethyl-chlorin and the corresponding methylated benzo- and naphthoquinones. No intramolecular interaction between the chlorin and quinone π-systems was observed in the solution owing to the methylene spacer.

Characterization for the Similarity Assessment Between the Proposed Biosimilar SB17 and Ustekinumab Reference Product Using State-of-the-Art Analytical Methods.

Background: SB17 is being developed as a biosimilar to ustekinumab reference product (RP), a human monoclonal antibody (IgG1 kappa immunoglobulin) that binds to the common p40 subunit of cytokines interleukin (IL)-23 and IL-12. Binding to this subunit prevents interaction with their receptor, resulting in modulation in the immune system responses that play a key role in inflammatory disease.

Objective: The objective of this study was to demonstrate structural, physicochemical, and biological similarity between ustekinumab RP and SB17 using various state-of-the-art analytical methods.

Oncogenic potential of truncated-Gli3 via the Gsk3β/Gli3/AR-V7 axis in castration-resistant prostate cancer.

The functional activation of the androgen receptor (AR) and its interplay with the aberrant Hh/Gli cascade are pivotal in the progression of castration-resistant prostate cancer (CRPC) and resistance to AR-targeted therapies. Our study unveiled a novel role of the truncated form of Gli (t-Gli3) in advancing CRPC. Investigation into Gli3 regulation revealed a Smo-independent mechanism for its activation.

Efgartigimod treatment for therapy-refractory autoimmune encephalitis with coexistent NMDAR and LGI1 antibodies: a case report and literature review.

The Fc receptor (FcRn) inhibitors can ameliorate autoimmune conditions such as myasthenia gravis through a rapid and specific clearance of serum IgG levels, and they also have potential for future use in a wider variety of antibody-mediated autoimmune diseases. Some patients with therapy-refractory autoimmune encephalitis (AE) continue to be unresponsive to initial and secondary treatment regimens. A 32-year-old male presented with predominant psychiatric symptoms and seizures, along with imaging evidence indicating multifocal cerebral cortical involvement.

Biomechanics of flail chest injuries: tidal volume and respiratory work changes in multiple segmental rib fractures.

Background: Flail chest (FC) injuries are segmental osseous injuries of the thorax that typically result from high-energy blunt trauma and regularly occur in multiple trauma (MT) patients. FC injuries are associated with paradoxical chest wall movements and, thus, have a high risk of respiratory insufficiency or even death. An increasing number of studies recommend an early surgical stabilization of FC injuries, but a definite trigger that would indicate surgery has, thus far, not been identified.

Effects of local mutations in quadratic iterations.

We introduce mutations in the process of discrete iterations of complex quadratic maps in the family fc(z)=z2+c. More specifically, we consider a "correct" function fc1 acting on the complex plane. A "mutation" fc0 is a different ("erroneous") map acting on a locus of given radius r around a mutation focal point ξ∗.

Generative adversarial networks with fully connected layers to denoise PPG signals.

Objective: The detection of arterial pulsating signals at the skin periphery with Photoplethysmography (PPG) are easily distorted by motion artifacts. This work explores the alternatives to the aid of PPG reconstruction with movement sensors (accelerometer and/or gyroscope) which to date have demonstrated the best pulsating signal reconstruction.

Approach: A generative adversarial network with fully connected layers (FC-GAN) is proposed for the reconstruction of distorted PPG signals.

Urinary prostaglandin metabolites evaluation for activity monitoring in inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel diseases cause chronic intestinal inflammation, including Crohn's disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC). Prostaglandin E-major urinary metabolite (PGE-MUM) is a urine biomarker for disease activity in IBD. This study evaluated PGE-MUM performance for predicting an active disease in patients with CD and UC.