The Dynamics, Degradation, and Afterlives of Pectins: Influences on Cell Wall Assembly and Structure, Plant Development and Physiology, Agronomy, and Biotechnology.

Pectins underpin the assembly, molecular architecture, and physical properties of plant cell walls and through their effects on cell growth and adhesion influence many aspects of plant development. They are some of the most dynamic components of plant cell walls, and pectin remodeling and degradation by pectin-modifying enzymes can drive developmental programming via physical effects on the cell wall and the generation of oligosaccharides that can act as signaling ligands. Here, we introduce pectin structure and synthesis and discuss pectin functions in plants.

Cytokine Hemoadsorption versus Standard Care in Cardiac Surgery Using the Oxiris® Membrane: the OXICARD single center randomized trial.

Background: Cardiac surgery can lead to dysregulation with a pro-inflammatory state, resulting in adverse outcomes. Hemadsorption using the AN69 membrane (Oxiris membrane) has the properties to chelate inflammatory cytokines. We hypothesized that in patients at high risk of inflammation, the use of the Oxiris membrane could decrease inflammation, preserve endothelial function, and improve postoperative outcomes.

Swelling and Evaporation Determine Surface Morphology of Grafted Hydrogel Thin Films.

We experimentally study the formation of surface patterns in grafted hydrogel films of nanometer-to-micrometer thickness during imbibition-driven swelling followed by evaporation-driven shrinking. Creases are known to form at the hydrogel surface during swelling; the wavelength of the creasing pattern is proportional to the initial thickness of the hydrogel film with a logarithmic correction that depends on microscopic properties of the hydrogel. We find that, although the characteristic wavelength of the pattern is determined during swelling, the surface morphology can be significantly influenced by evaporation-induced shrinking.

Visual activity enhances neuronal excitability in thalamic relay neurons.

Amblyopia, a highly prevalent loss of visual acuity, is classically thought to result from cortical plasticity. The dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) has long been held to act as a passive relay for visual information, but recent findings suggest a largely underestimated functional plasticity in the dLGN. However, the cellular mechanisms supporting this plasticity have not yet been explored.

Association of poultry vaccination with interspecies transmission and molecular evolution of H5 subtype avian influenza virus.

The effectiveness of poultry vaccination in preventing the transmission of highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses (AIVs) has been debated, and its impact on wild birds remains uncertain. Here, we reconstruct the movements of H5 subtype AIV lineages among vaccinated poultry, unvaccinated poultry, and wild birds, worldwide, from 1996 to 2023. We find that there is a time lag in viral transmission among different host populations and that movements from wild birds to unvaccinated poultry were more frequent than those from wild birds to vaccinated poultry.

Elucidating assembly and function of VirB8 cell wall subunits refines the DNA translocation model in Gram-positive T4SSs.

Bacterial type IV secretion systems (T4SSs) are widespread nanomachines specialized in the transport across the cell envelope of various types of molecules including mobile genetic elements during conjugation. Despite their prevalence in Gram-positive bacteria, including relevant pathogens, their assembly and functioning remain unknown. This study addresses these gaps by investigating VirB8 proteins, known to be central components of conjugative T4SSs in Gram-positive bacteria.

Comparison between hybrid cardiac rehabilitation and center-based cardiac rehabilitation: a noninferiority randomized controlled trial.

Cardiac rehabilitation (CR) is a cornerstone of heart disease (HD) management, enhancing functional capacity and quality of life. Hybrid cardiac rehabilitation (hCR), combining supervised center-based sessions with synchronous, real-time telerehabilitation at home, offers an alternative to conventional CR to overcome logistical barriers such as facility limitations, distance, and pandemic-related disruptions. This randomized controlled trial evaluated the noninferiority of hCR compared to standard CR in improving functional capacity in patients with chronic heart disease, including those with stable coronary artery disease.

Perinatal dysfunction of innate immunity in cystic fibrosis.

In patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), repeated cycles of infection and inflammation eventually lead to fatal lung damage. Although diminished mucus clearance can be restored by highly effective CFTR modulator therapy, inflammation and infection often persist. To elucidate the role of the innate immune system in CF etiology, we investigated a CF pig model and compared these results with those for preschool children with CF.

SURGICAL TECHNIQUES TO INCREASE RESECTABILITY IN LIVER METASTASIS.

The development of surgical techniques, chemotherapy, biological agents, and multidisciplinary approaches have made patients with unresectable colorectal liver metastases eligible for surgery. Many strategies have been developed to allow patients for surgical resection (percutaneous portal vein embolization, liver venous deprivation, parenchyma-sparing liver surgery, reverse strategy, associating liver partition and portal vein ligation for staged hepatectomy, and liver transplantation), the only form of disease control and curative treatment.

MANAGEMENT OF SYNCHRONIC LARGE LIVER METASTASIS IN A NON-OCCLUSIVE COLON TUMOR.

In patients with synchronic liver colorectal metastasis, resection of the primary tumor and liver metastases is the only potentially curative strategy. In such cases, there is no consensus on whether resection of the primary tumor and metastases should be performed simultaneously or whether a staged approach should be performed (resection of the primary tumor and after, hepatectomy, or hepatectomy first). Patients with no bowel occlusion and with extensive liver disease are advised neoadjuvant oncological therapy.

COMPLICATIONS AFTER HEPATECTOMY.

Complete removal of metastatic disease and maintenance of an adequate liver remnant remains the only treatment option with curative intent concerning colorectal liver metastases. Surgery impacts on the long-term prognosis and complications adversely affect oncological results. The actual morbidity involving this scenario is debatable and estimated to be ranging from 15% to 50%.

Diphtheria antitoxin treatment: from pioneer to neglected.

Diphtheria, a severe respiratory infection, was a major killer of children until the early years of the 20th century. Although diphtheria is now largely controlled globally thanks to vaccination, it is still endemic in some world regions and large epidemics can occur where vaccination coverage is insufficient. The pathological effects caused by its main virulence factor, diphtheria toxin, can be diminished by passive transfer of antibodies.

Comparative safety and effectiveness of oral anticoagulants in key subgroups of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation and at high risk of gastrointestinal bleeding: A cohort study based on the French National Health Data System (SNDS).

Background: Risk factors and comorbidities can complicate management of non-valvular atrial fibrillation. We describe and compare real-world safety and effectiveness of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs; apixaban, rivaroxaban, dabigatran) and vitamin K antagonists (VKAs) in subgroups of patients with non-valvular atrial fibrillation at high risk for gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding, utilizing data from a national quasi-exhaustive French database.

Methods: Anticoagulant-naïve adults with non-valvular atrial fibrillation with ≥1 gastrointestinal bleeding risk factor, initiating anticoagulant treatment January 2016-December 2019, and covered by the French national health data system were eligible.

Did selective kinase inhibitors change the management of patients with radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer?

Objective: To analyse at our Institution the criteria for selecting a first-line therapy for patients with an advanced radioiodine-refractory thyroid cancer, their clinical responses, safety and survival outcomes.

Patients And Methods: We extracted data from 69 consecutive patients referred from September 2016 to September 2024 at Federico II University Hospital, among whom 44 patients were treated with TKIs as first line treatment and outside any clinical trial, and form the basis of this report.

Results: Thirty-one (71%) patients were treated with the antiangiogenesis inhibitor lenvatinib and 13 (29%) with selective tyrosine kinase inhibitors (s-TKIs).

In vivo mapping of sodium homeostasis disturbances in individual ALS patients: A brain 23Na MRI study.

Objective: Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by significant heterogeneity among patients. 23Na MRI maps abnormal sodium homeostasis that reflects metabolic alterations and energetic failure contributing to the neurodegenerative process. In this study, we investigated disease severity at the individual level in ALS patients using brain 23Na MRI.

Phylogenetic relationships and genetic diversity of Tunisian maize landraces.

Based on history, maize was first introduced into Tunisia and northern Africa, at large, from the south of Spain. Several subsequent introductions were made from diverse origins, generating new landraces by recombination and selection for adaptation to arid environments. This study aimed to investigate the phylogenetic relationships among Tunisian maize landraces with possible sources of introduction from neighboring countries.

Self-paced combined training alleviated oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and hyperlipidaemia in people living with multiple sclerosis: a randomised controlled trial.

To examine the effects of self-paced combined high-intensity interval training and resistance training (HIIT-RT) on oxidative stress, inflammation lipid profile and body composition in people with multiple sclerosis (PwMS). Twenty-three PwMS were randomly assigned to either a control group (CG, n = 12) or a training group (TG, n = 11). The TG performed a 12-week self-paced HIIT-RT (3 times/week).

Life satisfaction around the world: Measurement invariance of the Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups.

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is a widely used self-report measure of subjective well-being, but studies of its measurement invariance across a large number of nations remain limited. Here, we utilised the Body Image in Nature (BINS) dataset-with data collected between 2020 and 2022 -to assess measurement invariance of the SWLS across 65 nations, 40 languages, gender identities, and age groups (N = 56,968). All participants completed the SWLS under largely uniform conditions.

Ion Mobility Mass Spectrometry to Probe Sequences in Supramolecular Copolymers.

The analysis of the microstructure of supramolecular copolymers is difficult because of their dynamic character. Here, benzene-1,3,5-tricarboxamide (BTA) co-assemblies are analysed by ion mobility - mass spectrometry (IM-MS) to reveal the presence of various sequences. For example, the IM-MS mobilogram for hexamers composed of 4 units from a first monomer and 2 units from a second monomer is a broad distribution due to the presence of 9 possible isomeric sequences, which can be sorted out based on calculated collision cross-sections.

Early precursor-derived pituitary gland tissue-resident macrophages play a pivotal role in modulating hormonal balance.

The pituitary gland is the central endocrine regulatory organ producing and releasing hormones that coordinate major body functions. The physical location of the pituitary gland at the base of the brain, though outside the protective blood-brain barrier, leads to an unexplored special immune environment. Using single-cell transcriptomics, fate mapping, and imaging, we characterize pituitary-resident macrophages (pitMØs), revealing their heterogeneity and spatial specialization.

For better or for worse: differential effects of the emotional valence of words on children's recall.

Recent research has revealed the widespread effects of emotion on cognitive functions and memory. However, the influence of emotional valence on verbal short-term memory remains largely unexplored, especially in children. This study measured the effect of emotional valence on word immediate serial recall in 4-6-year-old French children ( = 124).

Cerebral Microbleeds and Amyloid Pathology Estimates From the Amyloid Biomarker Study.

Importance: Baseline cerebral microbleeds (CMBs) and APOE ε4 allele copy number are important risk factors for amyloid-related imaging abnormalities in patients with Alzheimer disease (AD) receiving therapies to lower amyloid-β plaque levels.

Objective: To provide prevalence estimates of any, no more than 4, or fewer than 2 CMBs in association with amyloid status, APOE ε4 copy number, and age.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This cross-sectional study used data included in the Amyloid Biomarker Study data pooling initiative (January 1, 2012, to the present [data collection is ongoing]).

Isatuximab, Carfilzomib, Lenalidomide, and Dexamethasone Induction in Newly Diagnosed Myeloma: Analysis of the MIDAS Trial.

In patients with transplant-eligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma, induction therapy with a quadruplet regimen prior to autologous transplant is the standard of care. The phase III IFM2020-02-MIDAS study (NCT04934475) assessed a minimal residual disease (MRD)-driven consolidation and maintenance strategy following induction with isatuximab, carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (IsaKRD). Here, we report safety and efficacy outcomes of six 28-day cycles of IsaKRD.

Combination of Baricitinib and Phototherapy in Adults With Active Vitiligo: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder leading to skin depigmentation and reduced quality of life (QOL). Patients with extensive and very active disease are the most difficult to treat.

Objective: To assess the efficacy and adverse events of baricitinib combined with narrowband UV-B in adults with severe, active, nonsegmental vitiligo.