Active phytoextraction of toluene shifts the microbiome and enhances degradation capacity in hybrid poplar.

Hybrid poplars are widely recognized for their effectiveness in remediating subsurface aromatic hydrocarbon contaminants, including benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene, and xylene isomers (BTEX). While BTEX compounds are frequently found in the transpiration streams of poplars at contaminated sites, the microbial dynamics within these trees, particularly in response to hydrocarbon exposure, remain underexplored. This study utilized high-throughput amplicon sequencing to investigate the trunk microbiome in hybrid poplars at a field-scale toluene phytoremediation site.

Decoding KRAS mutation in non-small cell lung cancer patients receiving immunotherapy: A retrospective institutional comparison and literature review.

Introduction: KRAS mutation the most common molecular alteration in advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and is associated with an unfavourable prognosis, largely due to the lack of targeted therapeutic options for the majority of the KRAS mutated isoforms. The landscape of NSCLC treatment has expanded with the introduction of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs). Nonetheless, data regarding the efficacy of ICI in NSCLC patients harbouring KRAS mutations are conflicting.

Exploring the causal relationship between inflammatory cytokines and myasthenia gravis: A two-way Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Based on previous research, it is well-established that myasthenia gravis (MG) is linked to chronic inflammation. However, the exact nature of the relationship between inflammatory factors and the development of MG remains unclear. Consequently, the objective of this study is to explore whether alterations in the levels of inflammatory factors, as influenced by genetic factors, are associated with the occurrence of MG.

The influence of resistance training on inflammatory markers, body composition and functional capacity in healthy older adults: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Older adults experience chronic inflammation, which is associated with health conditions such as sarcopenia, and resulting in reduced functional capacity. Resistance training (RT) is a beneficial intervention for improving health in the elderly.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of RT on inflammatory biomarkers, body composition, and functional capacity in healthy adults aged 60 years and over.

Marine natural product-inspired discovery of novel BRD4 inhibitors with anti-inflammatory activity.

Bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) has been identified as a promising target in drug discovery, and the development of novel specific BRD4 bromodomain inhibitors will benefit anti-inflammatory drug discovery as well as bromodomain function role disclose. Herein, inspired by marine quinazolinone alkaloid penipanoid C, we designed and synthesized a series of quinazolin-4(3H)-ones with diverse linkers between two aromatic ring systems. Among them, compound 25 possessed good in vitro BRD4 inhibitory activities (IC = 3.

"Exploring the role of immune biomarkers in idiopathic granulomatous mastitis: A clinical and pathological perspective".

Background: Idiopathic granulomatous mastitis (IGM) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by the formation of non-caseating granulomas in breast tissue, primarily affecting young women of childbearing age. The aetiology of IGM remains unclear, with potential factors including trauma, hormonal influences, and autoimmune responses. Recent studies suggest that immune dysregulation may play a critical role in IGM, highlighting the need for exploration of biomarkers involved in inflammation and immune modulation, particularly LL-37, galectin-3, IL-36, and TLR3.

Associations of prenatal urinary melamine, melamine analogues, and aromatic amines with gestational duration and fetal growth in the ECHO Cohort.

Melamine, its analogues, and aromatic amines (AAs) were commonly detected in a previous study of pregnant women in the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) Cohort. While these chemicals have identified toxicities, little is known about their influences on fetal development. We measured these chemicals in gestational urine samples in 3 ECHO cohort sites to assess associations with birth outcomes (n = 1,231).

Type 2 biomarkers in olfactory cleft mucus correlate with SNOT-22 in chronic rhinosinusitis independent of nasal polyp status.

Background: Quantitative mucus cytokine analysis to examine the sinonasal microenvironment may bridge the gap between patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) and empirical measures of inflammation in patients with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS).

Objective: Investigate the correlation between mucus cytokine levels and Sino-Nasal Outcome Test (SNOT-22) scores, including individual subdomains.

Methods: Patients with CRS were prospectively recruited between 2016 and 2021 into a multi-institutional observational study.

Deep Learning Predicts Subtype Heterogeneity and Outcomes in Luminal A Breast Cancer Using Routinely Stained Whole Slide Images.

Intratumor heterogeneity (ITH) presents challenges for precision oncology, but methods for its spatial quantification, scalable at population levels, do not exist. Based on previous work showing that admixture of PAM50 subtype can be measured from bulk tissue using transcriptomic data, we trained a deep neural network (DNN) to quantify subtype ITH in Luminal A (LumA) breast cancer from routinely-stained whole slide images. We tested the hypothesis that subtype admixture detected in images was associated with tumor aggressiveness and adverse outcome.

A data-driven approach to establishing cell motility patterns as predictors of macrophage subtypes and their relation to cell morphology.

The motility of macrophages in response to microenvironment stimuli is a hallmark of innate immunity, where macrophages play pro-inflammatory or pro-reparatory roles depending on their activation status during wound healing. Cell size and shape have been informative in defining macrophage subtypes. Studies show pro and anti-inflammatory macrophages exhibit distinct migratory behaviors, in vitro, in 3D and in vivo but this link has not been rigorously studied.

SGLT2 expression in human vasculature and heart correlates with low-grade inflammation and causes eNOS-NO/ROS imbalance.

Aims: Sodium-glucose co-transporter 2 inhibitors (SGLT2i) show a cardioprotective effect in heart failure and myocardial infarction, pathologies often associated with low-grade inflammation. This cross-sectional study aims to investigate whether low-grade inflammation regulates SGLT2 expression and function in human vasculature, heart, and endothelial cells (ECs).

Methods And Results: Human internal thoracic artery (ITA), left ventricle (LV) specimens, and cultured porcine coronary artery ECs were used.

Modulatory action of Bryonia alba on the immune system in cyclophosphamide induced immunosuppression in BALB/c mice.

Oxidative stress and inflammation are the most common pathologies in immune-compromised diseases and cancer treatments. The study examined the immune stimulation properties of Bryonia alba (BA) in different potencies (6C, 30C, and 200C) on a BALB/c mice model with a compromised immune system induced by cyclophosphamide (CPM) at a dose of 80 mg/kg. Seventy mice (35 males and 35 females) were randomly distributed into seven groups of 5 animals/sex.

Structures of methane and ammonia monooxygenases in native membranes.

Methane- and ammonia-oxidizing bacteria play key roles in the global carbon and nitrogen cycles, respectively. These bacteria use homologous copper membrane monooxygenases to accomplish the defining chemical transformations of their metabolisms: the oxidations of methane to methanol by particulate methane monooxygenase (pMMO) and ammonia to hydroxylamine by ammonia monooxygenase (AMO), enzymes of prime interest for applications in mitigating climate change. However, investigations of these enzymes have been hindered by the need for disruptive detergent solubilization prior to structure determination, confounding studies of pMMO and precluding studies of AMO.

Trojan horse peptide conjugates remodel the activity spectrum of clinical antibiotics.

Infections caused by gram-negative pathogens continue to be a major risk to human health because of the innate antibiotic resistance endowed by their unique cell membrane architecture. Nature has developed an elegant solution to target gram-negative strains, namely by conjugating toxic antibiotic warheads to a suitable carrier to facilitate the active import of the drug to a specific target organism. Microcin C7 (McC) is a Trojan horse peptide-conjugated antibiotic that specifically targets enterobacteria by exploiting active import through oligopeptide transport systems.

A study of specific immunoglobulin G4 expression in allergic rhinitis and its value in assessing efficacy and in predicting prognosis of sublingual immunotherapy.

Allergic rhinitis (AR) is a widespread health issue with a rising global prevalence, and sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT) has shown efficacy in AR treatment. We examined specific immunoglobulin G4 (sIgG4) expression in AR and its role in evaluating SLIT efficacy and predicting patient prognosis. We compared total nasal symptom score (TNSS), total medication score (TMS), visual analogue scale (VAS) score, inflammatory cytokines, and immune function markers in AR patients before and after SLIT.

Combination of triciribine and p38 MAPK inhibitor PD169316 enhances the differentiation effect on myeloid leukemia cells.

Differentiation therapy with all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) is well established for acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL). However, the narrow application and tolerance development of ATRA remain to be improved. A number of kinase inhibitors have been reported to induce cell differentiation.

Cross-species comparative single-cell transcriptomics highlights the molecular evolution and genetic basis of male infertility.

In male animals, spermatogonia in testes differentiate into sperm, one of the most diverse cell types across species. Despite the evolutionary retention of key genes essential for spermatogenesis, the extent of their conservation remains unclear. To explore the genetic basis of spermatogenesis under strong selective pressure, we compare single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) datasets from the testes of humans, mice, and fruit flies.

Protective Effects of Spondias mombin L. Juice Alone or in Combination With Lactobacillus acidophilus in 5-Fluorouracil-Induced Experimental Intestinal Mucositis.

Background: Evaluate the impact of Spondias mombin L. juice (SM), alone and in combination with Lactobacillus acidophilus, in an experimental model of intestinal mucositis.

Methods: Swiss mice were orally administered with saline, SM, or SM combined with L.

Sudachitin Reduces Inflammatory Mediator Expression in Toll-Like Receptor 2 Ligand-Stimulated Human Dental Pulp Cells.

Sudachitin, which is a polymethoxy flavonoid derived from the peer of Citrus sudachi, has several biological properties. However, the effect of sudachitin on human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) remains unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether sudachitin could decrease the expression of inflammatory mediators such as cytokines and prostaglandin in HDPCs stimulated with Pam3CSK4, a ligand for toll-like receptor (TLR) 2.

Social Engagement and Neurocognition in Latino and Non-Latino White Older Persons with HIV.

The present study investigated differences in the quantity and quality of social engagement, and their associations with neurocognition among older Latino and non-Latino White persons with HIV (PWH). Participants were age 50 + community-dwelling PWH living in southern California (n = 116; 50% Latino [53% Spanish-speaking], 50% non-Latino White; Age: M = 58.03; Education: M = 13.

Different Classes of HIV-Preventive Behavioral Intention Among Youths Vulnerable to HIV Acquisition.

The HIV incidence rate continues to increase among youth, especially among young men who have sex with men (YMSM) and young transgender women (YTW). To date, behavioral intention has often been viewed as the likelihood of engaging in prevention behaviors and emphasized as a key antecedent for condom use, disclosure of serostatus, and PrEP use among people living with HIV. In addition, individuals with different sociodemographic factors may have varying degrees of HIV prevention intention, which is a critical knowledge needed to identify facilitators and barriers to HIV prevention intention.

Safety of Fezolinetant for Treatment of Moderate to Severe Vasomotor Symptoms Due to Menopause: Pooled Analysis of Three Randomized Phase 3 Studies.

Introduction: This study evaluated the safety and tolerability of fezolinetant in women with vasomotor symptoms (VMS) due to menopause in a pooled analysis of data from three 52-week phase 3 studies (SKYLIGHT 1, 2, and 4).

Methods: SKYLIGHT 1 and 2 were double-blind, placebo-controlled studies where women (≥ 40 to ≤ 65 years), with moderate to severe VMS (minimum average ≥ 7 hot flashes/day) were randomized to once-daily placebo, fezolinetant 30 mg or 45 mg. After 12 weeks, those on placebo were re-randomized to fezolinetant 30 mg or 45 mg, while those on fezolinetant continued on their assigned dose for 40 weeks.

Bacillus licheniformis B410 Alleviates Inflammation Induced by Lipopolysaccharide and Salmonella by Inhibiting NF-κB and IRF Signaling Pathways in Macrophages.

Foodborne bacterial enteritis is a common clinical disease, and its incidence has risen globally. To screen for functional Bacillus strains with anti-inflammatory properties, tolerance to acid and bile salts, and antagonism against Salmonella, 22 strains of Bacillus were employed as candidate strains in this study. An inflammatory cell model was established using J774-Dual NF-κB/IRF reporter macrophages to identify anti-inflammatory Bacillus.