Two-photon NAD(P)H-FLIM reveals unperturbed energy metabolism of Ascaris suum larvae, in contrast to host macrophages upon artemisinin derivatives exposure.

Soil-transmitted helminths (STH) are widespread, with Ascaris lumbricoides infecting millions globally. Malaria and STH co-infections are common in co-endemic regions. Artemisinin derivatives (ARTs)-artesunate, artemether, and dihydroartemisinin-are standard malaria treatments and are also known to influence the energy metabolism of parasites, tumors, and immune cells.

The role of fluid friction in streamer formation and biofilm growth.

Biofilms constitute one of the most common forms of living matter, playing an increasingly important role in technology, health, and ecology. While it is well established that biofilm growth and morphology are highly dependent on the external flow environment, the precise role of fluid friction has remained elusive. We grew Bacillus subtilis biofilms on flat surfaces of a channel in a laminar flow at wall shear stresses spanning one order of magnitude (τ = 0.

Single-cell analysis identifies the CNP/GC-B/cGMP axis as marker and regulator of modulated VSMCs in atherosclerosis.

A balanced activity of cGMP signaling contributes to the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can generate cGMP via three ligand-activated guanylyl cyclases, the NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase, the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-activated GC-A, and the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)-stimulated GC-B. Here, we study natriuretic peptide signaling in murine VSMCs and atherosclerotic lesions.

Airborne observations reveal the fate of the methane from the Nord Stream pipelines.

The Nord Stream pipeline leaks on 26 September 2022 released 465 ± 20 kt of methane into the atmosphere, which is the largest recorded transient anthropogenic methane emission event. While most of the gas escaped directly to the atmosphere, a fraction dissolved in the water. So far, studies on the fate of this dissolved methane rely on pipeline volumetric estimates or spatially sparse concentration measurements and ocean models.

Nord Stream methane leaks spread across 14% of Baltic waters.

A suspected 443-486 kt of methane escaped from the Nord Stream pipelines in September 2022 at four explosion sites across three pipelines. Much of this methane rapidly escaped to the atmosphere, while an unknown amount was dissolved. We use sustained high-resolution observations of methane concentrations from autonomous gliders and an instrumented ship of opportunity to reveal the timing and spread of dissolved methane across different Baltic regions and marine protected areas.

Guaranteed efficient energy estimation of quantum many-body Hamiltonians using ShadowGrouping.

Estimation of the energy of quantum many-body systems is a paradigmatic task in various research fields. In particular, efficient energy estimation may be crucial in achieving a quantum advantage for a practically relevant problem. For instance, the measurement effort poses a critical bottleneck for variational quantum algorithms.

Pervasive glacier retreats across Svalbard from 1985 to 2023.

A major uncertainty in predicting the behaviour of marine-terminating glaciers is ice dynamics driven by non-linear calving front retreat, which is poorly understood and modelled. Using 124919 calving front positions for 149 marine-terminating glaciers in Svalbard from 1985 to 2023, generated with deep learning, we identify pervasive calving front retreats for non-surging glaciers over the past 38 years. We observe widespread seasonal cycles in calving front position for over half of the glaciers.

Herpesviruses mimic zygotic genome activation to promote viral replication.

Zygotic genome activation (ZGA) is crucial for maternal to zygotic transition at the 2-8-cell stage in order to overcome silencing of genes and enable transcription from the zygotic genome. In humans, ZGA is induced by DUX4, a pioneer factor that drives expression of downstream germline-specific genes and retroelements. Here we show that herpesviruses from all subfamilies, papillomaviruses and Merkel cell polyomavirus actively induce DUX4 expression to promote viral transcription and replication.

Melanoma bone metastasis-induced osteocyte ferroptosis via the HIF1α-HMOX1 axis.

Osteocytes are the main cells in mineralized bone tissue. Elevated osteocyte apoptosis has been observed in lytic bone lesions of patients with multiple myeloma. However, their precise contribution to bone metastasis remains unclear.

Longer term follow-up of abdominal symptoms (CFAbd-Score) after initiation of Elexacaftor / Tezacaftor / Ivacaftor in adults with cystic fibrosis.

Background: Whether improvements in gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms observed with Elexacaftor/Tezacaftor/Ivacaftor (ETI) treatment are sustained in the longer-term requires exploration. This study investigated how GI-symptoms change with longer-term ETI use in pancreatic insufficient adults with cystic fibrosis (awCF).

Methods: Participants completed up to three abdominal symptom questionnaires, employing the validated CFAbd-Score.

Artificial intelligence-based biomarkers for treatment decisions in oncology.

The development of new therapeutic strategies such as immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) and targeted therapies has increased the complexity of the treatment landscape for solid tumors. At the current rate of annual FDA approvals, the potential treatment options could increase by tenfold over the next 5 years. The cost of personalized medicine technologies limits its accessibility, thus increasing socioeconomic disparities in the treated population.

Photo-Driven Direct Construction of Imidazolidines from Anilines and Paraformaldehyde and Its Application in Polyoxymethylene Plastics Usage.

Imidazolines play pivotal roles in numerous fields. However, the direct construction of imidazolines from primary amines involves precise C-C and C-N bond formations, rendering this area still underdeveloped to this day. Herein, a photo-driven metal-free catalytic system has been successfully applied to a novel coupling-cyclization reaction between arylamines and formaldehyde, enabling the direct synthesis of various 1,3-diarylimidazolines from primary amines.

Associations between potential risk factors and blood-brain barrier water permeability in middle-aged and older adults.

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is suggested to be a potential mediator between vascular risk factors and cognitive impairment, leading to vascular cognitive impairment. To investigate the relationships between age, sex, and vascular risk factors and BBB water permeability as well as their relationship with cognition. To measure BBB permeability, a novel arterial spin labelling MRI technique (ME-ASL) was applied to derive the time of exchange (Tex), arterial time transit (ATT), and cerebral blood flow (CBF).

Subjective motoric cognitive risk syndrome: Preliminary prevalence from an online survey of a German cohort aged 50.

The motoric cognitive risk syndrome (MCR) is a novel and clinically relevant pre-dementia syndrome indicating a higher dementia risk (e.g., for Alzheimer's disease).

Modulating effects of fitness and physical activity on Alzheimer's disease: Implications from a six-month randomized controlled sports intervention.

Background: Physical activity and fitness are major targets in Alzheimer's disease (AD) preventive research. However, current research is heterogeneous and often disregards the relationship between these parameters and disease outcomes.

Objective: To assess the effects of physical activity and fitness on AD within the context of a multicomponent sports intervention.

A Network Control Theory of Dynamic Systems Approach to Personalize Therapy.

Contemporary latent disease models of psychopathology have shown limited clinical utility and the efficacy of conventional treatments have been disappointing. An alternative approach offers the network approach and a dynamic systems perspective to psychopathology and treatment change. To understand and modify dynamic systems, engineering and mathematics have been relying on principles of network control theory.

Planar solid phase extraction for chlorinated paraffin analysis - irradiation chamber for standardized derivatization on planar thin-layers.

As an established analytical method, high-performance thin-layer chromatography (HPTLC) offers powerful capabilities. This study focused on its application to analyze chlorinated paraffins (CP) by planar solid phase extraction (pSPE). Based on previous work, an irradiation chamber was developed to investigate the derivatization process on planar thin-layers and ensure a robust and reproducible analysis.

Initial Multicenter Experience With a Novel Self-Expanding TAVR System in Patients With Aortic Valve Stenosis.

Background: As transcatheter aortic valve replacement is performed increasingly in younger, low-risk patients, the need for commissural alignment and coronary access has increased. Design elements of the JenaValve Trilogy (JVT) transcatheter heart valve (THV) ensure both.

Objectives: This study sought to evaluate the outcome of patients with aortic stenosis (AS) treated with this novel transfemoral, self-expanding THV.

Clinical Characteristics and Outcomes of Patients Undergoing 3 Aortic Valve Interventions: The THIRD Multicenter Registry.

Background: Lifetime treatment of aortic valve disease is a matter of increasing debate. Although the risks of a second aortic valve intervention are recognized, little attention has been given to the challenges of a third.

Objectives: This study delves into the clinical characteristics, indications, and outcomes of patients undergoing 3 aortic valve interventions.

Initial Decline in Glomerular Filtration Rate With Finerenone in HFmrEF/HFpEF: A Prespecified Analysis of FINEARTS-HF.

Background: An initial decline in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) often leads to reluctance to continue life-saving therapies in patients with heart failure (HF).

Objectives: The goal of this study was to describe the association between initial decline in eGFR and subsequent clinical outcomes in patients randomized to placebo or finerenone.

Methods: In this prespecified analysis of FINEARTS-HF (Finerenone Trial to Investigate Efficacy and Safety Superior to Placebo in Patients with Heart Failure), we examined the association between initial decline in eGFR (≥15%) from randomization to 1 month and subsequent outcomes in patients assigned to finerenone or placebo.

Meeting report ASOBIOTICS 2024: an interdisciplinary symposium on antisense-based programmable RNA antibiotics.

The international symposium ASOBIOTICS 2024 brought together scientists across disciplines to discuss the challenges of advancing antibacterial antisense oligomers (ASOs) from basic research to clinical application. Hosted by the Helmholtz Institute for RNA-based Infection Research (HIRI) in Wurzburg, Germany, on September 12-13th, 2024, the event featured presentations covering major milestones and current challenges of this antimicrobial technology and its applications against pathogens, commensals, and bacterial viruses. General design principles and modification of ASOs based on peptide nucleic acid (PNA) or phosphorodiamidate-morpholino-oligomer (PMO) chemistry, promising cellular RNA targets, new delivery technologies, as well as putative resistance mechanisms were discussed.

Towards a comprehensive definition of the human fascial system.

The absence of a clear consensus on the definition and significance of fascia and the indiscriminate use of the term throughout the clinical and scientific literature has led to skepticism regarding its importance in the human body. To address this challenge, we propose that: (1) fasciae, and the fascial interstitia within them, constitute an anatomical system, defined as a layered body-wide multiscale network of connective tissue that allows tensional loading and shearing mobility along its interfaces; (2) the fascial system comprises four anatomical organs: the superficial fascia, musculoskeletal (deep) fascia, visceral fascia, and neural fascia; (3) these organs are further composed of anatomical structures, some of which are eponymous; (4) all these fascial organs and their structural components contain variable combinations and arrangements of the four classically defined tissues: epithelial, connective, muscle, and neural; (5) the overarching functions of the fascial system arise from the contrasting biomechanical properties of the two basic types of layers distributed throughout the system: one predominantly collagenous and relatively stiff, the other rich in hyaluronic acid and viscous, allowing for the free flow of fluid; (6) the topographical organization of these layers in different locations is related to local variations in function (e.g.