Helminth extracellular vesicles co-opt host monocytes to drive T cell anergy.

Parasitic helminths secrete extracellular vesicles (EVs) into their host tissues to modulate immune responses, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. We demonstrate that Ascaris EVs are efficiently internalised by monocytes in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells and increase the percentage of classical monocytes. Furthermore, EV treatment of monocytes induced a novel anti-inflammatory phenotype characterised by CD14, CD16, CC chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) and programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) cells.

New Horizons in Menopause, Menopausal Hormone Therapy, and Alzheimer's Disease: Current Insights and Future Directions.

Accumulating evidence suggests that the effects of menopausal hormone therapy (MHT) on risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and all-cause dementia are influenced by timing of initiation relative to age and time-since-menopause and the type of formulation. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) of MHT conducted in older postmenopausal women indicate an increased risk of dementia. While RCTs conducted in midlife are lacking, observational research has provided evidence for associations between midlife estrogen-only therapy (ET) use and a reduced risk of AD dementia, whereas estrogen-progestogen therapy (EPT) is associated with more variable outcomes.

Influence of zinc oxide nanoparticles on the carbon accumulation on silver exposed to carbon dioxide hydrogenation reaction conditions.

The strong influence of surface adsorbates on the morphology of a catalyst is exemplified by studying a silver surface with and without deposited zinc oxide nanoparticles upon exposure to reaction gases used for carbon dioxide hydrogenation. Ambient pressure X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and scanning tunneling microscopy measurements indicate accumulation of carbon deposits on the catalyst surface at 200 °C. While oxygen-free carbon species observed on pure silver show a strong interaction and decorate the atomic steps on the catalyst surface, this decoration is not observed for the oxygen-containing species observed on the silver surface with additional zinc oxide nanoparticles.

New polymorphisms of Vkork1 gene related to anticoagulant resistance of rats and mice in Italy.

Background: Anticoagulant rodenticides (ARs) are a very effective tool to control rodent pest populations. Nevertheless, AR resistance has been documented worldwide. ARs block the cycle of vitamin K, leading to the death of the animal by internal bleeding: mutations in Vkorc1 gene can cause resistance.

A roadmap toward promoting and improving brain health in Europe and closing the awareness and funding gap.

Background And Purpose: The global burden of neurological diseases exceeds 43.1%, imposing a significant burden on patients, caregivers and society. This paper presents a roadmap to reduce this burden and improve brain health (BH) in Europe.

Availability and Key Characteristics of National Early Warning Systems for Emerging Profiles of Antimicrobial Resistance in High-Income Countries: Systematic Review.

Background: The World Health Organization (WHO) recently advocated an urgent need for implementing national surveillance systems for the timely detection and reporting of emerging antimicrobial resistance (AMR). However, public information on the existing national early warning systems (EWSs) is often incomplete, and a comprehensive overview on this topic is currently lacking.

Objective: This review aimed to map the availability of EWSs for emerging AMR in high-income countries and describe their main characteristics.

Clusters of Patient Empowerment and Mental Health Literacy Differentiate Professional Help-Seeking Attitudes in Online Mental Health Communities Users.

Objectives: Grounded in the Health Empowerment Model, which posits that health literacy and patient empowerment are intertwined yet distinct constructs, this study investigates how the interplay of these factors influences attitudes toward seeking professional psychological help in members of online communities for mental health (OCMHs). This while acknowledging the multidimensionality of patient empowerment, encompassing meaningfulness, competence, self-determination, and impact.

Design And Methods: A cluster analysis of data gathered from 269 members of Italian-speaking OCMHs on Facebook has been performed.

Physician knowledge, use, and perceptions of genetic biomarker testing for the management of patients with newly diagnosed advanced ovarian cancer: an international physician survey.

Aims: To explore physician-reported knowledge, use, and perceptions of genetic testing for advanced ovarian cancer management.

Materials & Methods: Gynecology/oncology specialists ( = 390) in the US, Europe, Canada, Japan, and Australia completed an online survey spanning March 2021 to April 2022.

Results: Physician-reported breast cancer gene mutation (BRCAm) testing rates increased over the 2 years before the survey; most patients underwent testing in the preceding 6 months.

Drug Delivery Applications of Hydrophobic Deep Eutectic Solvent-in-Water Nanoemulsions: A Comparative Analysis of Ultrasound Emulsification and Membrane-Assisted Nanoemulsification.

The emergence of green chemistry and engineering principles to enforce sustainability aspects has ensured the prevalence of green solvents and green processes. Our study addresses this quest by exploring drug delivery applications of hydrophobic deep eutectic solvents (DESs) which are alternative green solvents. Initially, this work showcases the hydrophobic drug solubilization capabilities of a natural hydrophobic DES, menthol, and decanoic acid.

Effect of the maternal sleep disturbances and obstructive sleep apnea on feto-placental Doppler: A systematic review.

Literature evidenced an association of maternal sleep disturbances and maternal obstructive sleep apnea with significant obstetric complications. Moreover, the maternal sleep disturbances effect on feto-placental circulation had not been extensively examined. Our objective is to explore the possible maternal sleep disturbances impact on the feto-placental indices evaluated through the Doppler study.

Recombinant Klotho administration after myocardial infarction reduces ischaemic injury and arrhythmias by blocking intracellular calcium mishandling and CaMKII activation.

Ischaemic heart disease (IHD) remains a major cause of death and morbidity. Klotho is a well-known anti-ageing factor with relevant cardioprotective actions, at least when renal dysfunction is present, but its actions are much less known when renal function is preserved. This study investigated Klotho as a biomarker and potential novel treatment of IHD-associated complications after myocardial infarction (MI) under preserved renal function.

The role of Anti-PAD4, Anti-CarP, and Anti-RA33 antibodies combined with RF and ACPA in predicting abatacept response in rheumatoid arthritis.

Objectives: To explore the role of newly emerging autoantibodies (AAbs) - peptidyl-arginine deiminase 4 (aPAD4), carbamylated proteins (aCarP), and anti-RA33 (aRA33) - alongside the traditionally assessed rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-citrullinated protein antibodies (ACPA), in predicting the response to abatacept (ABT) and its retention rate in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods: Data from 121 consecutive ABT-treated RA patients were recorded. The RF and ACPA status were retrospectively assessed by reviewing the patients' clinical records.

Should you hold onto the treadmill handrails or not? Cortical evidence at different walking speeds.

Background: Treadmill-based gait training is part of rehabilitation programs focused on walking abilities. The use of handrails embedded in treadmill systems is debated, and current literature only explores the issue from a behavioral perspective.

Methods: We examined the cortical correlates of treadmill walking in healthy participants using functional near-infrared spectroscopy.

Shear-Mediated Stabilization of Spin Spiral Order in Multiferroic NiI.

Type-II multiferroicity from non-collinear spin order is recently explored in the van der Waals material NiI. Despite the importance for improper ferroelectricity, the microscopic mechanism of the helimagnetic order remains poorly understood. Here, the magneto-structural phases of NiI are investigated using resonant magnetic X-ray scattering (RXS) and X-ray diffraction.

MRI-based analysis of the microstructure of the thalamus and hypothalamus and functional connectivity between cortical networks in episodic cluster headache.

Background: Neuroimaging studies have shown that hypothalamic/thalamic nuclei and other distant brain regions belonging to complex cerebral networks are involved in cluster headache (CH). However, the exact relationship between these areas, which may be dependent or independent, remains to be understood. We investigated differences in resting-state functional connectivity (FC) between brain networks and its relationship with the microstructure of the hypothalamus and thalamus in patients with episodic CH outside attacks and healthy controls (HCs).

Idarubicin-loaded chitosan nanobubbles to improve survival and decrease drug side effects in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Drug delivery strategies using chitosan nanobubbles (CS-NBs) could be used to reduce drug side effects and improve outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) treatment. To enhance their action, a targeting agent, such as the humanized anti-GPC3 antibody GC33 (condrituzumab), could be attached to their surface. Here, we investigated the use of idarubicin-loaded CS-NBs for HCC treatment and a GC33-derived minibody (that we named 4A1) to enhance CS-NB delivery.

Prognostic impact of expression of CD2, CD25, and/or CD30 in/on mast cells in systemic mastocytosis: a registry study of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis.

Expression of CD2, CD25 and/or CD30 in extracutaneous mast cells (MC) is a minor diagnostic criterion for systemic mastocytosis (SM) in the classification of the World Health Organization and International Consensus Classification. So far, it remains unknown whether expression of these antigens on MC is of prognostic significance in SM. We performed a retrospective multi-center study of patients with SM using the data set of the registry of the European Competence Network on Mastocytosis, including 5034 patients with various MC disorders.

Incidence and management of internal hernia after laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass without preventive closure of mesenteric defects: a single-center retrospective study.

The rising prevalence of obesity has led to an increase in bariatric procedures, with laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) being one of the most commonly performed surgeries due to its efficacy and safety. However, internal hernia (IH) remains a significant complication post-LRYGB. The debate over preventive closure of mesenteric defects (MD) during LRYGB continues, with no consensus on the optimal technique.

Efficacy of Renuvion Helium Plasma to Improve the Appearance of Loose Skin in Patients Undergoing Abdominoplasty After Massive Weight Loss: A Prospective Controlled Randomized Study.

Introduction: Renuvion was the first FDA approved helium plasma device utilized for subdermal tissue heating to reduce skin laxity. The purpose of this study was to demonstrate that the use of Renuvion improves the outcomes, skin quality and reduces the edema faster after lipoabdominoplasty.

Materials And Methods: Patients with abdominal skin laxity after a weight loss of at least 20 kg, nonsmokers, without major comorbidities, with a minimum 2-year follow-up and standardized pre- and postoperative photographs were included in this study.

Donor-derived GD2-specific CAR T cells in relapsed or refractory neuroblastoma.

Allogeneic chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells targeting disialoganglioside-GD2 (ALLO_GD2-CART01) could be a therapeutic option for patients with relapsed or refractory, high-risk neuroblastoma (r/r HR-NB) whose tumors did not respond to autologous GD2-CART01 or who have profound lymphopenia. We present a case series of five children with HR-NB refractory to more than three different lines of therapy who received ALLO_GD2-CART01 in a hospital exemption setting. Four of them had previously received allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Proteolysis-targeting influenza vaccine strains induce broad-spectrum immunity and in vivo protection.

Generating effective live vaccines from intact viruses remains challenging owing to considerations of safety and immunogenicity. Approaches that can be applied in a systematic manner are needed. Here we created a library of live attenuated influenza vaccines by using diverse cellular E3 ubiquitin ligases to generate proteolysis-targeting (PROTAR) influenza A viruses.

PROTAR Vaccine 2.0 generates influenza vaccines by degrading multiple viral proteins.

Manipulating viral protein stability using the cellular ubiquitin-proteasome system (UPS) represents a promising approach for developing live-attenuated vaccines. The first-generation proteolysis-targeting (PROTAR) vaccine had limitations, as it incorporates proteasome-targeting degrons (PTDs) at only the terminal ends of viral proteins, potentially restricting its broad application. Here we developed the next-generation PROTAR vaccine approach, referred to as PROTAR 2.

Prevalence and molecular characterisation of Balantioides coli in pigs raised in Italy.

Balantioides coli is the only ciliated protist of both human and veterinary interest and colonises the large intestine of several hosts, including humans and pigs. Given the scarcity of data on B. coli circulation in pigs in Italy, a study was planned to record its prevalence and genetic types and compare the analytical sensitivity of two copromicroscopic techniques.