Recombinant Thrombomodulin Domain 1 Modulates Macrophage Polarization and Enhances Healing in Corneal Alkali Burns.

Purpose: Corneal alkali burns are severe ocular injuries characterized by intense inflammation, tissue damage, and vision impairment, with current treatments often insufficient in restoring corneal function and clarity. This study aimed to evaluate the therapeutic effects of recombinant thrombomodulin domain 1 (rTMD1) in the treatment of corneal alkali burns, focusing on its impact on inflammation, tissue repair, fibrosis, and neovascularization.

Methods: A murine model of corneal alkali burn was utilized to investigate the therapeutic potential of rTMD1.

ABA-mediated regulation of PME12 influences stomatal density, pore aperture, and heat stress response in Arabidopsis thaliana.

PME12-mutated plants displayed altered stomatal characteristics and susceptibility to ABA-induced closure. Despite changes in PME activity, the mutant exhibited enhanced thermotolerance. These findings suggest a complex interplay between pectin methylesterification, ABA response, and stomatal function, contributing to plant adaptation to heat stress.

Exploring The Formation And Permeability Of Plasmodesmata In The Liverwort, Marchantia polymorpha.

Plasmodesmata are cell-wall-embedded channels that evolved in the common ancestor of land plants to increase cell-to-cell communication. Whether all the fundamental properties of plasmodesmata emerged and were inherited in all land plants at the same time is unknown. Here we show that the bryophyte Marchantia polymorpha (a non-vascular plant) forms mostly simple plasmodesmata in early-developing gemmae.

OBI-992, a Novel TROP2-Targeted Antibody-Drug Conjugate, Demonstrates Antitumor Activity in Multiple Cancer Models.

Trophoblast cell surface antigen 2 (TROP2) is highly expressed in multiple cancers relative to normal tissues, supporting its role as a target for cancer therapy. OBI-992 is an antibody-drug conjugate (ADC) derived from a novel TROP2-targeted antibody linked to the topoisomerase 1 (TOP1) inhibitor exatecan via an enzyme-cleavable hydrophilic linker, with a drug-antibody ratio of 4. This study evaluated and compared the antitumor activity of OBI-992 with that of benchmark TROP2-targeted ADCs datopotamab deruxtecan (Dato-DXd) and sacituzumab govitecan (SG) in cell line-derived xenograft (CDX) and patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models.

ST6GAL1-Mediated Sialylation of PECAM-1 Promotes a Transcellular Diapedesis-Like Process that Directs Lung Tropism of Metastatic Breast Cancer.

Metastasis is the leading cause of mortality in breast cancer, with lung metastasis being particularly detrimental. Identification of the processes determining metastatic organotropism could enable the development of approaches to prevent and treat breast cancer metastasis. Here, we found that lung-tropic and non-lung-tropic breast cancer cells differ in their response to sialic acids, affecting the sialylation of surface proteins.

The Impact of Photobiomodulation Therapy on Swelling Reduction and Recovery Enhancement in Total Knee Arthroplasty: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Total knee arthroplasty (TKA) is commonly performed for severe osteoarthritis but often results in significant postoperative swelling and discomfort, impacting early rehabilitation. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), utilizing low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has emerged as a potential adjunctive treatment to alleviate these symptoms. In this single-center, nonblinded prospective randomized clinical trial, conducted from May to July 2024, 30 patients undergoing primary TKA were enrolled and divided into two groups.

Biomarkers.

Background: The early detection of preclinical dementia is crucial, prompting investigations into retinal biomarkers using optical coherence tomography (OCT). Inconsistent and limited longitudinal studies have been done to clarify the association between the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness and cognitive function over time. This study aims to explore the association between retinal biomarkers and cognitive function over time in non-demented older adults.

KCNJ5 Somatic Mutations are Associated with Better Long-Term Outcomes in Patients with Unilateral Primary Aldosteronism.

Context: The association between KCNJ5 somatic mutations and long-term outcomes in patients with operated unilateral primary aldosteronism (uPA) is unclear.

Objective: To evaluate associations among KCNJ5 somatic mutations, clinical characteristics, incident long-term cardiovascular events, and all-cause mortality in uPA patients after adrenalectomy in a large longitudinal population study.

Methods: We enrolled uPA patients from the Taiwan Primary Aldosteronism Investigation database who had undergone adrenalectomy between 2013 and 2017 and followed them until 2020.

Biomarkers.

Background: Hippocampal atrophy and degeneration of cholinergic pathways are prominent neuroimaging findings in early Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, whether these image findings are related to amyloid accumulation is still debated.

Method: From 2021 to 2023, we recruited 116 participants from memory clinic in Cardinal Tien Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan.

Biomarkers.

Background: Individuals with his parents having Alzheimer's dementia (AD) have a 4 to 10 times higher risk of developing AD compared to those without family history. The increasing risks of developing AD may result from several underlying mechanisms to be clarified for further strategies of management. We are going to report the demographic and biological characteristics of adult children (AC) of AD parents cohort with its clinical significances in Taiwan.

Biomarkers.

Background: With the success in developing drugs able to slow cognitive decline in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the disease managements of AD become aggressive and positive. The target patients of drug are the prodromal AD, i.e.

Biomarkers.

Background: Plasma phosphorated tau 181 (p-tau181) was found to change in concordance with amyloid PET and well before tau PET, suggesting that the secretion of p-tau181 may represent a physiologic reaction to β-amyloid plaques. Our study aimed to evaluate the relationship between amyloid PET plasma p-tau181 and whether p-tau181 predicts amnestic MCI to AD conversion.

Method: We included 98 participants (43 demented and 55 nondemented) who underwent florbetaben amyloid PET scan.

Biomarkers.

Background: Slow gait speed and poor cognitions share numerous risk factors, including age, physical activities, chronic inflammation, education, metabolic abnormality, and the presence of multimorbidity. However, the causal relationship between gait and cognitions remains controversial. This study aimed to explore the reciprocal relationship of gait speed with global and domain-specific cognition in non-demented older adults.

Biomarkers.

Background: Literature on biomarker studies suggests that pathological changes begin approximately 10 to 20 years before the first cognitive symptom appears in dementia populations. It is an emerging era for developing methods to detect the early signs of progressive cognitive decline. Recently, the instrumental activity of living (IADL) capacity has been regarded as a functional biomarker to predict the progression from MCI to dementia.

Biomarkers.

Background: Florzolotau (APN-1607) tau-PET has shown distinct patterns of binding in patients with AD and 4-repeat tauopathies. We aimed to establish disease-specific tau covariance patterns in AD and PSP/CBS and validate them as user-independent quantitative biomarkers for reference-region-free evaluation of tau-PET in an independent clinical cohort.

Method: We analyzed Florzolotau PET data from four different cohorts.

Effective Management Strategies for Primary Lymphedema of the Lower Extremities: Integrating Conservative and Surgical Therapies in Early and Late Stages.

Introduction: Lymphedema, a debilitating characterized by localized fluid retention and tissue swelling, results from abnormalities in the lymphatic system. In the case of primary lymphedema, this condition is attributed to malformations in lymphatic vessels or nodes, and it is marked by a relentless progression leading to irreversible tissue fibrosis after repetitive inflammation. Many questions regarding its treatment, such as the choice of the type of intervention and the timing, still remain unanswered.

Public Health.

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MS) has been linked to cognitive functions, yet limited research has explored the longitudinal effects of changes in MS on cognitive performance. This study aims to investigate the predictive impact of longitudinal MS status on cognitive performance and dissect its sex-specific influence over a 10-year follow-up.

Method: In this community-based prospective cohort study, 766 healthy subjects underwent baseline MS status assessment between 2006 and 2011.

Public Health.

Background: Previous research established a potential relationship between human herpesvirus (HHV) infections and increased risk of dementia. However, whether use of antiherpetic medications may lower dementia risk was not clear. Thus, this systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies aimed to investigate the associations between anti-herpetic medications and dementia risk.

Public Health.

Background: Previous systemic reviews, predominantly including observational studies, have shown that participation in social activities is a protective factor against cognitive decline. However, this association is subject to potential reverse causality, creating a knowledge gap in our understanding of the effect of social interaction interventions on cognitive function. Therefore, this study aims to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized-controlled trials to examine the effects of social interaction interventions on cognitive decline among non-demented older adults.

Public Health.

Background: The benefit of the reserve, including brain and cognitive reserve, on cognitive functions has been examined in several studies. However, there has been limited evidence about the underlying mechanism, particularly in relation to white matter (WM) integrity. This study aims to investigate the influence of brain and cognitive reserve on cognition and white matter tract integrity among community-dwelling non-demented older adults.

Public Health.

Background: The Maintain Your Brain (MYB) randomised controlled trial (RCT) examined the effect of a multi-domain internet-based dementia prevention program against a control group (information only) over three years among Australians aged 55-77 years. A cost-effective analysis (CEA) quantified the differences in costs (direct healthcare and program costs) and effectiveness outcomes between the intervention and control groups from a health care sector perspective.

Method: An economic evaluation was conducted alongside the MYB trial.

Public Health.

Background: The role of diet in modulating inflammation and its potential impact on cognition has raised attention. Additionally, recent research has addressed the disruption of the gut-brain axis in dementia development. This study aims to explore how the interactions between inflammatory diets and Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection affect cognitive domains in older adults.

Biomarkers.

Background: Cerebral Autosomal Dominant Arteriopathy with Subcortical Infarcts and Leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL) is a monogenic subcortical ischemic vascular dementia (SIVD) caused NOTCH3 gene mutations. Many different neuroimaging methods have been used to investigate the association between neuroimaging changes and clinical symptoms. We investigated the correlation between peak width of skeletonized mean diffusivity (PSMD) values and cognitive functions in preclinical CADASIL patients without a history of stroke or dementia, comparing them to white matter hyperintensities (WMH) volumes.

Biomarkers.

Background: Studies suggest that approximately 60 to 70 percent of the variability observed in cognitive abilities during aging can be attributed to genetic factors. Therefore, investigating the longitudinal multiomics changes associated with alterations in cognitive measures, such as the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) score, is of utmost importance.

Method: Longitudinal changes in gene and protein expression related to MMSE scores were examined in the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC), an extensively phenotyped, randomly-recruited, cohort of Mexican Americans residing at the US-Mexico border.