Gut Microbiota Metabolites Sensed by Host GPR41/43 Protect Against Hypertension.

Background: Fermentation of dietary fiber by the gut microbiota leads to the production of metabolites called short-chain fatty acids, which lower blood pressure and exert cardioprotective effects. Short-chain fatty acids activate host signaling responses via the functionally redundant receptors GPR41 and GPR43, which are highly expressed by immune cells. Whether and how these receptors protect against hypertension or mediate the cardioprotective effects of dietary fiber remains unknown.

Mineral Stress Drives Loss of Heterochromatin: An Early Harbinger of Vascular Inflammaging and Calcification.

Background: Vascular calcification is a detrimental aging pathology markedly accelerated in patients with chronic kidney disease. Prelamin A is a biomarker of vascular smooth muscle cell aging that accelerates calcification however the mechanisms remain undefined.

Methods: Vascular smooth muscle cells were transduced with prelamin A using an adenoviral vector and epigenetic modifications were monitored using immunofluorescence and targeted polymerase chain reaction array.

Performance of the 1 h oral glucose tolerance test in predicting type 2 diabetes and association with impaired β-cell function in Asians: a national prospective cohort study.

Background: Postprandial glucose concentration 1-h (1 h-PG) after an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT) has similar or superior performance to 2 h-PG in predicting type-2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) in several populations, and is simpler to obtain in clinical practice. However, studies in Asians are scarce. We investigated the utility of elevated baseline 1 h-PG in predicting T2DM incidence within three years, and its relationship with β-cell function in 1250 non-diabetic Asian participants.

Microfluidic organ-on-chip systems for periodontal research: advances and future directions.

Advances in tissue engineering and microfluidic technologies have enabled the development of sophisticated models known as organ-on-a-chip (OoC) or microphysiological systems. These systems enable to potential to simulate the dynamic interactions between host tissues and their microenvironment including microbes, biomaterials, mechanical forces, pharmaceutical, and consumer-care products. These fluidic technologies are increasingly being utilized to investigate host-microbe and host-material interactions in oral health and disease.

Review of cancer cell volatile organic compounds: their metabolism and evolution.

Cancer is ranked as the top cause of premature mortality. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are produced from catalytic peroxidation by reactive oxygen species (ROS) and have become a highly attractive non-invasive cancer screening approach. For future clinical applications, however, the correlation between cancer hallmarks and cancer-specific VOCs requires further study.

Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation as rescue therapy for refractory autoimmune retinopathy: a case report.

Autoimmune retinopathy (AIR) is a rare, potentially blinding retinal disease that remains a challenging condition to manage when resistant to conventional immune-modulatory approaches. We report clinical and electrophysiological improvement in a 49-year-old patient who underwent an autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplant (aHSCT) for thymoma-associated AIR after experiencing progressive disease despite receiving periocular and systemic steroids, mycophenolate mofetil, baricitinib, tacrolimus, bortezomib, rituximab, plasmapheresis, and intravenous immunoglobulin. The aHSCT had two stages: (i) peripheral blood stem cell harvest following mobilization with cyclophosphamide and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and (ii) conditioning regimen with plasmapheresis, rituximab, cyclophosphamide, and anti-thymocyte globulin high-dose therapy, followed by autologous hematopoietic cell infusion of 5.

Ethics of Procuring and Using Organs or Tissue from Infants and Newborns for Transplantation, Research, or Commercial Purposes: Protocol for a Bioethics Scoping Review.

Unlabelled: Since the inception of transplantation, it has been crucial to ensure that organ or tissue donations are made with valid informed consent to avoid concerns about coercion or exploitation. This issue is particularly challenging when it comes to infants and younger children, insofar as they are unable to provide consent. Despite their vulnerability, infants' organs and tissues are considered valuable for biomedical purposes due to their size and unique properties.

Ancillary tests for brain death.

Background: Ancillary tests are often used in the determination of death by neurologic criteria (DNC), especially when the clinical examination is inconclusive. DNC is widely accepted, as defined by the comprehensive report of the World Brain Death Project. However, there are several medical, legal, religious, ethical, and social controversies.

Optimizing photocatalysis electron spin control.

Solar-driven photocatalytic technology holds significant potential for addressing energy crisis and mitigating global warming, yet is limited by light absorption, charge separation, and surface reaction kinetics. The past several years has witnessed remarkable progress in optimizing photocatalysis electron spin control. This approach enhances light absorption through energy band tuning, promotes charge separation by spin polarization, and improves surface reaction kinetics strengthening surface interaction and increasing product selectivity.

Associations Between Self-Reported Dietary Intake and Atopic Dermatitis Risk in Young Adults From Singapore and Malaysia.

This cross-sequential study found that frequent intake of high-fat and high-protein foods was associated with higher odds of atopic dermatitis (AD). However, occasional intake across all three macronutrients significantly lowered AD odds, suggesting that moderation-not strict avoidance-may benefit AD management in allergic populations.

Women's preferences for testing to predict breast cancer risk - a discrete choice experiment.

Background: Risk-based breast cancer screening offers a more targeted and potentially cost-effective approach in cancer detection compared to age-based screening. This study aims to understand women's preferences and willingness for undergoing risk assessment tests.

Methods: A discrete choice experiment (DCE) was conducted.

Evaluation of Liver Volume Estimation Methods in Living Donor Liver Transplant: CT Volumetry vs MeVis, With Comparison of Open and Laparoscopic Surgery.

Background: Accurately assessing graft volume is crucial for donor and recipient safety in living donor liver transplantation. This can be performed using manual computed tomography volumetry (CTvol) or semiautomated methods (MeVis). We aimed to compare CTvol and MeVis in estimating the actual graft weight during LDLT, and analyse any differences in weight between laparoscopic and open donor hepatectomy.

An atlas of transcription initiation reveals regulatory principles of gene and transposable element expression in early mammalian development.

Transcriptional activation of the embryonic genome (EGA) is a major developmental landmark enabling the embryo to become independent from maternal control. The magnitude and control of transcriptional reprogramming during this event across mammals remains poorly understood. Here, we developed Smart-seq+5' for high sensitivity, full-length transcript coverage and simultaneous capture of 5' transcript information from single cells and single embryos.

Impact of a Virtual Reality Intervention on Stigma, Empathy, and Attitudes Toward Patients With Psychotic Disorders Among Mental Health Care Professionals: Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: Previous studies have found that psychotic disorders are among the most stigmatized mental disorders. Of note, virtual reality (VR) interventions have been associated with improvements in attitudes and empathy and reduced stigma toward individuals with psychotic disorders, especially among undergraduates, but this has not been examined among mental health care professionals.

Objective: We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a newly developed VR intervention for mental health care professionals to improve attitudes and empathy and reduce stigma toward people with psychotic disorders.

Simultaneous or separate detection of heavy metal ions Hg and Ag based on lateral flow assays.

A lateral flow assay (LFA) was developed for the simultaneous or separate detection of mercury ion and silver ion based on isothermal nucleic acid amplification. T-Hg-T and C-Ag-C were utilized in the isothermal nucleic acid amplification strategy to form specific complementary base pairs. Under the action of KF polymerase and endonuclease Nt.

A strategic mindset enhances children's generation of effective strategies and delay of gratification across tasks.

Overcoming challenges to achieve success involves being able to spontaneously come up with effective strategies to address different task demands. Research has linked individual differences in such strategy generation and use to optimal development over time and greater success across many areas of life. Yet, there is surprisingly little experimental evidence that tests how we might help young children to spontaneously generate and apply effective strategies across different challenging tasks.

Exploring the interplay between stress-is-enhancing mindsets, emotional growth mindsets, and mental health: Dynamic structural equation modeling.

Stress must not be avoided unilaterally because adaptive mindsets toward stress and stress-induced emotions are associated with better mental health outcomes. However, few studies have explored the reciprocal relationships between adaptive mindsets and mental health. This study assessed the role of trait-level stress-is-enhancing mindsets in the dynamic interplay between emotional growth mindsets and mental health in real-life contexts.

Energy Aggregation for Illuminating Upconversion Multicolor Emission Based on Ho Ions.

Lanthanide-doped upconversion luminescent nanoparticles (UCNPs) have garnered extensive attention due to their notable anti-Stokes shifts and superior photostability. Notably, Ho-based UCNPs present a complex energy level configuration, which poses challenges in augmenting their luminescence efficiency. Herein, a rational design strategy was used to enhance the upconversion luminescence intensity of Ho ions by improving the photon absorption ability and energy utilization efficiency.

Physical activity-the past, present and potential future: a state-of-the-art review.

This is a state-of-the-art review of historical developments, current approaches and recommended future directions in physical activity (PA) research, practice and policy. Since the early epidemiological studies in the 1950s, PA research has developed from within a biomedical paradigm. There is now a strong evidence base linking PA with positive health outcomes.

Perceptions of Mental Health Challenges and Needs of Indonesian Adolescents: A Descriptive Qualitative Study.

Indonesian adolescents face an increased risk of developing mental health conditions such as depression and anxiety, largely due to insufficient mental health literacy and awareness. This lack of knowledge often leads to delayed recognition and treatment. To address this, the present descriptive qualitative study explores Indonesian adolescents' perceptions of mental health challenges and needs.

Multi-Physical Lattice Metamaterials Enabled by Additive Manufacturing: Design Principles, Interaction Mechanisms, and Multifunctional Applications.

Lattice metamaterials emerge as advanced architected materials with superior physical properties and significant potential for lightweight applications. Recent developments in additive manufacturing (AM) techniques facilitate the manufacturing of lattice metamaterials with intricate microarchitectures and promote their applications in multi-physical scenarios. Previous reviews on lattice metamaterials have largely focused on a specific/single physical field, with limited discussion on their multi-physical properties, interaction mechanisms, and multifunctional applications.

Communicating certainty via verbal probability phrases: comparing health contexts with no context.

Introduction: Medical professionals often use verbal phrases to communicate uncertainties and certainties with their patients and the general public.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate factors that can influence people's interpretation of probability phrases of certainty and uncertainty communicated by doctors in health and medical settings.

Methods: An experimental study with a randomized factorial design was conducted to examine both context-related factors and individual difference factors on participants' interpretation across directions of phrases and frames of the context.

Machine learning classification and biochemical characteristics in the real-time diagnosis of gastric adenocarcinoma using Raman spectroscopy.

This study aimed to identify biomolecular differences between benign gastric tissues (gastritis/intestinal metaplasia) and gastric adenocarcinoma and to evaluate the diagnostic power of Raman spectroscopy-based machine learning in gastric adenocarcinoma. Raman spectroscopy-based machine learning was applied in real-time during endoscopy in 19 patients (aged 51-85 years) with high-risk for gastric adenocarcinoma. Raman spectra were captured from suspicious lesions and adjacent normal mucosa, which were biopsied for matched histopathologic diagnosis.