Recent Advances in the Development of Mincle-Targeting Vaccine Adjuvants.

The Macrophage-inducible C-type lectin (Mincle) is a pattern-recognition receptor (PRR), which has shown much promise as a molecular target for the development of T1/T17-skewing vaccine adjuvants. In 2009, the first non-proteinaceous Mincle ligands, trehalose dimycolate (TDM) and trehalose dibehenate (TDB), were identified. This prompted a search for other Mincle agonists and the exploration of Mincle agonists as vaccine adjuvants for both preventative and therapeutic (anti-cancer) vaccines.

Remote Sensing Techniques for Water Quality Monitoring: A Review.

Freshwater resources are facing increasing challenges to water quality, due to factors such as population growth, human activities, climate change, and various human-made pressures. While on-site methods, as specified in the USGS water quality sampling handbook, are usually precise, they require more time, are costly, and provide data at specific points, which lacks the essential comprehensive geographic and temporal detail for water body assessment and management. Hence, conventional on-site monitoring methods are unable to provide a complete representation of freshwater systems.

Machine Learning Techniques for Sensor-Based Human Activity Recognition with Data Heterogeneity-A Review.

Sensor-based Human Activity Recognition (HAR) is crucial in ubiquitous computing, analyzing behaviors through multi-dimensional observations. Despite research progress, HAR confronts challenges, particularly in data distribution assumptions. Most studies assume uniform data distributions across datasets, contrasting with the varied nature of practical sensor data in human activities.

Comparing the Effects of Collagen Hydrolysate and Dairy Protein on Recovery from Eccentric Exercise: A Double Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Background: Consuming collagen hydrolysate (CH) may improve symptoms of exercise-induced muscle damage (EIMD); however, its acute effects have not been compared to dairy protein (DP), the most commonly consumed form of protein supplement. Therefore, this study compared the effects of CH and DP on recovery from EIMD.

Methods: Thirty-three males consumed either CH ( = 11) or DP ( = 11), containing 25 g of protein, or an isoenergetic placebo ( = 11) immediately post-exercise and once daily for three days.

The Greater the Number of Altered Eating Behaviors in Obesity, the More Severe the Psychopathology.

: Altered eating behaviors (AEBs) are not only associated with eating disorders but also play a role in obesity. This study assessed AEBs in individuals with obesity and their association with general and eating psychopathology, using the "Eating Behaviors Assessment for Obesity" (EBA-O). The hypothesis posited that a higher frequency of pathological eating behaviors would correlate with more severe psychopathology.

The Role of Breast Milk Cell-Free DNA in the Regulation of the Neonatal Immune Response.

The neonatal period is a critical phase for the development of the intestinal immune system, marked by rapid adaptation to the external environment and unique nutritional demands. Breast milk plays a pivotal role in this transition, yet the mechanisms by which it influences neonatal mucosal immunity remain unclear. This review examines the potential mechanisms by which cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in breast milk may impact neonatal immune development, particularly through Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) signalling and gut microbiota interactions.

Feasibility and Preliminary Efficacy of Co-Designed and Co-Created Healthy Lifestyle Social Media Intervention Programme the Daily Health Coach for Young Women: A Pilot Randomised Controlled Trial.

Background: Young women spend 50 min daily on social media (SM); thus, SM platforms are promising for health interventions. This study tested the feasibility and preliminary efficacy of the co-designed SM intervention the Daily Health Coach (DHC). The DHC is a 3-month healthy lifestyles intervention programme, targeting eating, physical activity, and social wellbeing behaviours in women aged 18-24, via the dissemination of health and nutrition content on social media platform Instagram.

Individual Responses to Repeated Dosing with Anthocyanin-Rich New Zealand Blackcurrant Extract During High-Intensity Intermittent Treadmill Running in Active Males.

Unlabelled: Intake of New Zealand blackcurrant (NZBC) extract for 7 days has been shown to improve high-intensity intermittent running (HIIR) performance.

Objectives: We examined the repeat response of NZBC extract on HIIR performance.

Methods: Sixteen active males (age: 23 ± 3 yrs, height: 179 ± 5 cm, mass: 79 ± 11 kg, V˙O: 55.

A Quantitative Chemometric Study of Pharmaceutical Tablet Formulations Using Multi-Spectroscopic Fibre Optic Probes.

Two fibre optic probes were custom designed to perform Raman and near-infrared spectroscopic measurements. Our long-term objective is to develop a non-destructive tool able to collect data in hard-to-access locations for real-time analysis or diagnostic purposes. This study evaluated the quantitative performances of Probe A and Probe B using model pharmaceutical tablets.

Ocular and Plasma Pharmacokinetics of Sitagliptin Eye Drops: Preclinical Data.

Early stages of diabetic retinopathy are currently considered an unmet medical need due to the lack of effective treatments beyond proper monitoring and control of glycemia and blood pressure. Sitagliptin eye drops have emerged as a new therapeutic approach against early stages of the disease, as they can prevent its main hallmarks, including both neurodegeneration and microvascular impairment. Interestingly, all of these effects occur without any glycemic systemic improvement.

Papillomaviruses and Papillomaviral Disease in Dogs and Cats: A Comprehensive Review.

Papillomaviruses (PVs) frequently infect humans as well as non-human species. While most PV infections are asymptomatic, PVs can also cause hyperplastic papillomas (warts) as well as pre-neoplastic and neoplastic lesions. In this review, the life cycle of PVs is discussed, along with the mechanisms by which PVs cause hyperplastic and neoplastic diseases.

Inactivation of Lipopolysaccharide-Biosynthesizing Genes Altered Lipids Composition and Intensity in .

Gram-negative bacteria possess an asymmetric outer membrane, where the outer leaflet consists of LPSs and the inner leaflet comprises phospholipids. , an opportunistic milk-borne pathogen that causes severe neonatal meningitis and bacteremia, displays diverse lipopolysaccharide (LPS) structures. As a barrier of the bacterial cell, LPSs likely influenced resistance to environment stresses; however, there are no research reports on this aspect, hindering the development of novel bactericidal strategies overcoming the pathogen's resilience.

Characterisation of the Plasma and Faecal Metabolomes in Participants with Functional Gastrointestinal Disorders.

There is evidence of perturbed microbial and host processes in the gastrointestinal tract of individuals with functional gastrointestinal disorders (FGID) compared to healthy controls. The faecal metabolome provides insight into the metabolic processes localised to the intestinal tract, while the plasma metabolome highlights the overall perturbances of host and/or microbial responses. This study profiled the faecal ( = 221) and plasma ( = 206) metabolomes of individuals with functional constipation (FC), constipation-predominant irritable bowel syndrome (IBS-C), functional diarrhoea (FD), diarrhoea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) and healthy controls (identified using the Rome Criteria IV) using multimodal LC-MS technologies.

Gut Microbiota and Liver Dysfunction in Sepsis: The Role of Inflammatory Mediators and Therapeutic Approaches.

Sepsis is a life-threatening complication caused by an uncontrolled immune response to infection that can lead to multi-organ dysfunction, including liver injury. Recent research has shown the critical role of gut microbiota in sepsis pathogenesis, with the gut-liver axis playing a crucial role in disease progression. Mechanisms such as the disruption of the gut barrier and liver injury pathways mediated by cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, hydrogen sulfide (HS).

Expanding Horizons of CRISPR/Cas Technology: Clinical Advancements, Therapeutic Applications, and Challenges in Gene Therapy.

CRISPR-Cas technology has transformed the field of gene editing, opening new possibilities for treatment of various genetic disorders. Recent years have seen a surge in clinical trials using CRISPR-Cas-based therapies. This review examines the current landscape of CRISPR-Cas implementation in clinical trials, with data from key registries, including the Australian New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry, the Chinese Clinical Trial Register, and ClinicalTrials.

Mental Health Outcomes of a National Cohort of Adults Born with Very Low Birthweight.

Children born with a very low birthweight (VLBW; <1500 g) and/or very preterm (VPT; <32 weeks) are at increased risk of mental health problems, but adult data are inconsistent. We examined the prevalence of a range of mental health disorders in a national cohort of adults born with a VLBW, as well as associations between gestational age and mental health outcomes. All infants born with a VLBW in New Zealand in 1986 were followed prospectively from birth.

Understanding DOHaD Concepts Among New Zealand Adolescents: A Qualitative Exploration of Knowledge, Intervention Windows, and Information Accessibility.

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease (DOHaD) framework has highlighted the role of maternal and paternal health on disease risk in offspring and across generations. Although adolescence is increasingly recognised as a key DOHaD window where interventions may have the greatest impact in breaking the cycle of non-communicable diseases, data around the recognition of this concept in adolescents remain limited. Previous work by our group found that the understanding of DOHaD-related concepts among adolescents in New Zealand was low, including some adolescents showing disagreement with key DOHaD concepts.

Health and Liver Diagnostic Markers Influencing Glycemia in Subjects with Prediabetes: Preview Study.

Introduction: Glucose homeostasis may be dependent on liver conditions and influence health-related markers and quality of life (QoL) objective measurements. This study aimed to analyze the interactions of glycemia with liver and health status in a prediabetic population.

Subjects And Methods: This study included 2220 overweight/obese prediabetics from the multinational PREVIEW project.

Assessment of a Novel Stress and Immune Gene Panel on the Development of Australasian Snapper () Larvae.

Background: Larvae development is a critical step in aquaculture, yet the development of immune and stress responses during this early phase of life is not well understood. Snapper is a species that has been selected as a candidate for aquaculture in New Zealand.

Methods: In this study we explore a set of 18 genes identified as potentially being involved in the stress and immune responses of snapper larvae during the first 30 days of development.

Refining the Allostatic Self-Efficacy Theory of Fatigue and Depression Using Causal Inference.

Allostatic self-efficacy (ASE) represents a computational theory of fatigue and depression. In brief, it postulates that (i) fatigue is a feeling state triggered by a metacognitive diagnosis of loss of control over bodily states (persistently elevated interoceptive surprise); and that (ii) generalization of low self-efficacy beliefs beyond bodily control induces depression. Here, we converted ASE theory into a structural causal model (SCM).

Differing Effects of Alcohol Use on Epigenetic and Brain Age in Adult Children of Parents with Alcohol Use Disorder.

Background: It is known that being the adult child of a parent with an alcohol use disorder (ACoA) can confer a wide variety of increased health and psychological risks, including higher rates of anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Additionally, ACoAs are at greater risk of developing alcohol/substance use disorders (AUDs/SUDs) than individuals from families without a history of AUDs.

Methods: ACoA individuals with risky hazardous alcohol use ( = 14) and those not engaged in hazardous use ( = 14) were compared to a group of healthy controls.

The Influence of Berry-Derived Polyphenol Supplementation on Exercise-Induced Oxidative Stress and Cardiovascular Health in Physically Active Individuals.

Numerous studies have documented that high-intensity or prolonged exercise is associated with increased oxidative stress and modification of antioxidant status. Polyphenol-rich dietary supplements seem to be the compounds that can upregulate the endogenous antioxidant defense system and consequently prevent muscle damage, support recovery. As berry fruits are at the top of the list of the richest polyphenol food sources, supplements containing berries have become the subject of interest in the context of counteracting exercise-induced oxidative stress and the development of cardiovascular diseases.

Genome-Wide In Silico Analysis of Microsatellite Loci in Rabbits.

This study aimed to characterize microsatellites in the rabbit genome using an in silico approach and to develop and validate microsatellite markers. Blood samples were collected from 15 Baladi rabbits and 18 New Zealand White (NZW rabbits). The GMATA software was used to define SSRs in the extracted sequences.

Surgeons' views on hypospadias care journey: A qualitative study.

Background: Three major parties are involved in the hypospadias treatment journey - the patient, their parents/carers, and the surgeon. There is a strong trend towards involving all three, where possible, in deriving evidence around the care pathways. Currently, there are little data available on surgeons' perspectives of distal hypospadias care.

Effect of human amniotic membrane on the consolidation during bone lengthening by distraction: Experimental study in rabbits.

Objective: This study aimed to assess the effect of implantation of fresh human amniotic membranes (HAM) on bone consolidation during distraction bone lengthening.

Methods: Ten New Zealand white rabbits were used in this study. For each rabbit, we performed a diaphyseal tibial osteotomy after installing a single-plane distraction external fixator.