Wastewater Monitoring During the COVID-19 Pandemic in the Veneto Region, Italy: Longitudinal Observational Study.

Background: As the COVID-19 pandemic has affected populations around the world, there has been substantial interest in wastewater-based epidemiology (WBE) as a tool to monitor the spread of SARS-CoV-2. This study investigates the use of WBE to anticipate COVID-19 trends by analyzing the correlation between viral RNA concentrations in wastewater and reported COVID-19 cases in the Veneto region of Italy.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of the cumulative sum (CUSUM) control chart method in detecting changes in SARS-CoV-2 concentrations in wastewater and its potential as an early warning system for COVID-19 outbreaks.

Deep learning-based design and experimental validation of a medicine-like human antibody library.

Antibody generation requires the use of one or more time-consuming methods, namely animal immunization, and in vitro display technologies. However, the recent availability of large amounts of antibody sequence and structural data in the public domain along with the advent of generative deep learning algorithms raises the possibility of computationally generating novel antibody sequences with desirable developability attributes. Here, we describe a deep learning model for computationally generating libraries of highly human antibody variable regions whose intrinsic physicochemical properties resemble those of the variable regions of the marketed antibody-based biotherapeutics (medicine-likeness).

Impact of co-infections and immune responses on clinical severity of human adenovirus 3 and 7 infections in hospitalized children with lower respiratory tract infections: a comparative study.

Background: The pathogenic distribution of co-infections and immunological status of patients infected with human adenovirus serotypes 3 or 7 (HAdV-3 or HAdV-7) were poorly understood.

Methods: This study involved a retrospective analysis of respiratory specimens collected from enrolled children with lower respiratory tract infections (LRTIs), positive for HAdV-3 or HAdV-7 from January 2017 to December 2019. Demographic data, clinical features, laboratory and radiographic findings were compared to delineate the impact of co-infections, and immune responses on clinical severity of HAdV-3 or HAdV-7 infections.

Exploring the microbiome-gut-testis axis in testicular germ cell tumors.

The microbiome-gut-testis axis has emerged as a significant area of interest in understanding testicular cancer, particularly testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs), which represent the most common malignancy in young men. The interplay between the gut and testicular microbiomes is hypothesized to influence tumorigenesis and reproductive health, underscoring the complex role of microbial ecosystems in disease pathology. The microbiome-gut-testis axis encompasses complex interactions between the gut microbiome, systemic immune modulation, and the local microenvironment of the testis.

Antibiotic-mediated dysbiosis leads to activation of inflammatory pathways.

Introduction: The gut microbiota plays a pivotal role in influencing host health, through the production of metabolites and other key signalling molecules. While the impact of specific metabolites or taxa on host cells is well-documented, the broader impact of a disrupted microbiota on immune homeostasis is less understood, which is particularly important in the context of the increasing overuse of antibiotics.

Methods: Female C57BL/6 mice were gavaged twice daily for four weeks with Vancomycin, Polymyxin B, or PBS (control).

Regulation of interferon alpha production by the MAGUK-family protein CASK under H5N1 infection.

CASK, a MAGUK family scaffold protein, regulates gene expression as a transcription co-activator in neurons. However, the mechanism of CASK nucleus translocation and the regulatory function of CASK in myeloid cells remains unclear. Here, we investigated its role in H5N1-infected macrophages.

Synergistic defecation effects of subsp. BL-99 and fructooligosaccharide by modulating gut microbiota.

Introduction: Synbiotics have revealed the possibility of improving constipation through gut microbiota. The synergistic efficacy of subsp. lactis BL-99 (BL-99) and fructooligosaccharide (FOS) on constipation have not been investigated.

promotes synchronous multiple primary lung cancer progression through apoptosis regulation.

Background: Dysbiosis of the lung microbiome can contribute to the initiation and progression of lung cancer. Synchronous multiple primary lung cancer (sMPLC) is an increasingly recognized subtype of lung cancer characterized by high morbidity, difficulties in early detection, poor prognosis, and substantial clinical challenges. However, the relationship between sMPLC pathogenesis and changes in the lung microbiome remains unclear.

ZBP1 senses DNA triggering type I interferon signaling pathway and unfolded protein response activation.

The innate immune system promptly detects and responds to invading pathogens, with a key role played by the recognition of bacterial-derived DNA through pattern recognition receptors. The Z-DNA binding protein 1 (ZBP1) functions as a DNA sensor inducing type I interferon (IFN) production, innate immune responses and also inflammatory cell death. ZBP1 interacts with cytosolic DNA via its DNA-binding domains, crucial for its activation.

ESAT-6 protein suppresses allograft rejection by inducing CD4Foxp3 regulatory T cells through IκBα/cRel pathway.

Background: Maintenance immunosuppression is required for suppression of alloimmunity or allograft rejection. However, continuous use of immunosuppressants may lead to various side effects, necessitating the use of alternative immunosuppressive drugs. The early secreted antigenic target of 6 kDa (ESAT-6) is a virulence factor and immunoregulatory protein of mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which alters host immunity through dually regulating development or activation of various immune cells.

Recognition of by the pattern recognition molecules langerin, mannan-binding lectin, and surfactant protein D: the influence of capsular polysaccharides and wall teichoic acid.

The innate immune system plays a critical role in the rapid recognition and elimination of pathogens through pattern recognition receptors (PRRs). Among these PRRs are the C-type lectins (CTLs) langerin, mannan-binding lectin (MBL), and surfactant protein D (SP-D), which recognize carbohydrate patterns on pathogens. Each represents proteins from different compartments of the body and employs separate effector mechanisms.

Impact of dysregulated microbiota-derived C18 polyunsaturated fatty acid metabolites on arthritis severity in mice with collagen-induced arthritis.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate microbiome and microbiota-derived C18 dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), such as conjugated linoleic acid (CLA), and to investigate their differences that correlate with arthritis severity in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice.

Methods: On day 84 after induction, during the chronic phase of arthritis, cecal samples were analyzed using 16S rRNA sequencing, and plasma and cecal digesta were evaluated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry. Differences in microbial composition between 10 control (Ctrl) and 29 CIA mice or between the mild and severe subgroups based on arthritis scores were identified.

Immune response profiling of HERV-W envelope proteins in multiple sclerosis: potential biomarkers for disease progression.

Introduction: The envelope proteins syncytin-1 and pHERV-W from the Human Endogenous Retroviral family 'W' (HERV-W) have been identified as potential risk factors in multiple sclerosis (MS). This study aims to evaluate both humoral and cell-mediated immune response to antigenic peptides derived from these proteins across different clinical forms and inflammatory phases of MS.

Methods: Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was employed to measure immunoglobulin G (IgG) responses to syncytin-1 and pHERV-W peptides in MS patients.

Prevalence of nasopharyngeal bacteria during naturally occurring bovine respiratory disease in commercial stocker cattle.

Bovine respiratory disease (BRD) is one of the most common economic and health challenges to the beef cattle industry. Prophylactic use of antimicrobial drugs can alter the microbial communities in the respiratory tract. Considering that the bovine upper respiratory tract microbiome has been associated with generalized health, understanding the microenvironment that influences this microbiome may provide insights into the pathogenesis of BRD.

Antibiotic exposure enriches streptococci carrying resistance genes in periodontitis plaque biofilms.

Background: Periodontitis is not always satisfactorily treated with conventional scaling and root planing, and adjunctive use of antibiotics is required in clinical practice. Therefore, it is important for clinicians to understand the diversity and the antibiotic resistance of subgingival microbiota when exposed to different antibiotics.

Materials And Methods: In this study, subgingival plaques were collected from 10 periodontitis patients and 11 periodontally healthy volunteers, and their microbiota response to selective pressure of four antibiotics (amoxicillin, metronidazole, clindamycin, and tetracycline) were evaluated through 16S rRNA gene amplicon and metagenomic sequencing analysis.

Genetic determinants of COVID-19 severity and mortality: Alu 287 bp polymorphism and , , expression in hospitalized patients.

Background: The angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) and the transmembrane serine protease 2 (TMPRSS2) are central human molecules in the SARS-CoV-2 virus-host interaction. Evidence indicates that may influence expression. This study aims to determine whether ACE1, ACE2, and TMPRSS2 mRNA expression levels, along with the ACE1 Alu 287 bp polymorphism (rs4646994), contribute to the severity and mortality of COVID-19.

Machine learning and molecular dynamics simulations predict potential TGR5 agonists for type 2 diabetes treatment.

Introduction: Treatment of type 2 diabetes (T2D) remains a significant challenge because of its multifactorial nature and complex metabolic pathways. There is growing interest in finding new therapeutic targets that could lead to safer and more effective treatment options. Takeda G protein-coupled receptor 5 (TGR5) is a promising antidiabetic target that plays a key role in metabolic regulation, especially in glucose homeostasis and energy expenditure.

Antifungal Susceptibility of Dermatophyte Isolates from Patients with Chronic and Recurrent Dermatophytosis.

Background: The widespread occurrence of chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis has significantly affected the quality of life for patients in India and beyond. Identifying the causative dermatophytes and understanding their antifungal susceptibility can aid clinicians in tailoring effective antifungal therapies.

Materials And Methods: Patients with chronic and recurrent dermatophytosis were enrolled, and conventional fungal cultures were conducted on skin scrapings.

Coordinated regulation of two LacI family regulators, GvmR and GvmR2, on guvermectin production in .

Guvermectin, a purine nucleoside natural product produced by the genus S, has recently been registered as a new biopesticide to boost rice yield. Despite its economic and agricultural significance, the regulatory mechanisms of guvermectin biosynthesis remain essentially unknown, hindering industrial production and widespread agricultural application. Here, we examined the roles of two LacI family regulators, and , located within and adjacent to the guvermectin biosynthesis cluster, respectively, in guvermectin production in NEAU6.

Exploring the ROS-mediated anti-cancer potential in human triple-negative breast cancer by garlic bulb extract: A source of therapeutically active compounds.

Background And Aim: L. has been used medicinally and traditionally since antiquity. This study sought to examine the ethanolic extract (ASEE) in inducing apoptosis in human triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) MDA-MB-231 cells and the molecular interactions of the identified components with cell death markers using method.

evaluation of and extract activity against SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant in Golden Syrian hamsters: Potential herbal alternative for COVID-19 treatment.

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has triggered extensive research, mainly focused on identifying effective therapeutic agents, specifically those targeting highly pathogenic SARS-CoV-2 variants. This study aimed to investigate the antiviral efficacy and anti-inflammatory activity of herbal extracts derived from and , using a Golden Syrian hamster model infected with Delta, a representative variant associated with severe COVID-19. Hamsters were intranasally inoculated with the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant and orally administered either vehicle control, , or extract at a dosage of 1000 mg/kg/day.

Identification and characterization of multiple novel viruses in fecal samples of cormorants.

Introduction: Cormorants, as protected wild animals by the State Forestry Administration of China, have a broad distribution across China. Previous studies have shown that they can be infected with multiple viruses in the , , , and families. There is limited knowledge about the other viruses that cormorants may carry and infect.

Reverse Fragility Index in Plastic Surgery Randomized Controlled Trials.

Background: The reverse fragility index (RFI) is a measure used to evaluate the neutrality of statistically nonsignificant findings in randomized controlled trials (RCTs). The RFI represents the minimum number of events needed to reverse a statistically nonsignificant result into a significant one. This study applied the RFI to examine the robustness of statistically nonsignificant RCTs in plastic surgery.

Machine learning for antimicrobial peptide identification and design.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) models are being deployed in many domains of society and have recently reached the field of drug discovery. Given the increasing prevalence of antimicrobial resistance, as well as the challenges intrinsic to antibiotic development, there is an urgent need to accelerate the design of new antimicrobial therapies. Antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are therapeutic agents for treating bacterial infections, but their translation into the clinic has been slow owing to toxicity, poor stability, limited cellular penetration and high cost, among other issues.