A Guide to Pathophysiology, Signaling Pathways, and Preclinical Models of Liver Fibrosis.

Liver fibrosis is potentially a reversible form of liver disease that evolved from the early stage of liver scarring as a consequence of chronic liver injuries. Recurrent injuries in the liver without any appropriate medication cause the injuries to get intense and deeper, which gradually leads to the progression of irreversible cirrhosis or carcinoma. Unfortunately, there are no approved treatment strategies for reversing hepatic fibrosis, making it one of the significant risk factors for developing advanced liver disorders and liver disease-associated mortality.

Adaptive responses in Cambrian predator and prey highlight the arms race during the rise of animals.

Predation is an important driver of species-level change in modern and fossil ecosystems, often through selection for defensive phenotypes in prey responding to predation pressures over time. Records of changes in shell morphology and injury patterns in biomineralized taxa are ideal for demonstrating such adaptive responses. The rapid increase in diversity and abundance of biomineralizing organisms during the early Cambrian is often attributed to predation and an evolutionary arms race.

Comparative species delimitation of a biological conservation icon.

The United States Endangered Species Act (ESA) of 1973 set a precedent for biodiversity conservation across the globe. A key requirement of protections afforded by the ESA is the accurate delimitation of imperiled species. We present a comparative reference-based taxonomic approach to species delimitation that integrates genomic and morphological data for objectively assessing the distinctiveness of species targeted for protection by governmental agencies.

Rice extracellular vesicles send defense proteins into fungus Rhizoctonia solani to reduce disease.

The exchange of molecular information across kingdoms is crucial for the survival of both plants and their pathogens. Recent research has identified that plants transfer their small RNAs and microRNAs into fungal pathogens to suppress infection. However, whether and how plants send defense proteins into pathogens remains unknown.

Glutathione accelerates the cell cycle and cellular reprogramming in plant regeneration.

The plasticity of plant cells underlies their wide capacity to regenerate, with increasing evidence in plants and animals implicating cell-cycle dynamics in cellular reprogramming. To investigate the cell cycle during cellular reprogramming, we developed a comprehensive set of cell-cycle-phase markers in the Arabidopsis root. Using single-cell RNA sequencing profiles and live imaging during regeneration, we found that a subset of cells near an ablation injury dramatically increases division rate by truncating G1 phase.

Associations between maternal plasma concentrations of corticotrophin releasing hormone and the placental transcriptome.

Introduction: The placenta produces corticotrophin releasing hormone (CRH), which rises exponentially in maternal plasma across pregnancy. CRH plays a functional role in fetal development, labor initiation, and the regulation of gestational length. We aimed to understand how maternal plasma CRH during pregnancy reflects placental physiology during parturition by characterizing placental transcriptomic signatures of maternal plasma CRH and comparing to transcriptomic signatures of gestational age at birth.

Fe-Co-Fe prussian blue analogues loaded nitrogen doped carbon quantum dots for effective epinephrine detection.

Epinephrine (Ep) is an important neurotransmitter, which plays an important role in the nervous system and glycogen metabolism of living organisms. Hence, a novel NCQDs/FeCoFe-PBA composite with FeCoFe-Prussian blue analogues (PBA) as the core and nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) as the shell was constructed by a one-pot hydrothermal method, and it was used for the efficient detection of Ep. As a good electroactive material, NCQDs in the composite not only improved the weak conductivity of FeCoFe-PBA, but also limited the self-aggregation of FeCoFe-PBA, and formed a uniform shell on FeCoFe-PBA.

Quantification of L-lactic acid in human plasma samples using Ni-based electrodes and machine learning approach.

This work presents a robust strategy for quantifying overlapping electrochemical signatures originating from complex mixtures and real human plasma samples using nickel-based electrochemical sensors and machine learning (ML). This strategy enables the detection of a panel of analytes without being limited by the selectivity of the transducer material and leaving accommodation of interference analysis to ML models. Here, we fabricated a non-enzymatic electrochemical sensor for L-lactic acid detection in complex mixtures and human plasma samples using nickel oxide (NiO) nanoparticle-modified glassy carbon electrodes (GCE).

Son of a beach: Coastal development and the loss of natural beaches over time (1919 to 2018) on Okinawa Island, southern Japan.

The coastline of Okinawa Island, Japan, has been affected by human-made alterations for decades, often from land reclamation and coastal defense construction. Here, we use an Imperial Japanese Army map made between 1919 and 1921 to describe the composition of the Okinawan coastline approximately 100 years ago, and by overlapping this old map with a modern-day map of Okinawa (2018), we identified 131 sites where coastlines showed clear human-made alterations. For these sites, we examined what kinds of ecosystems were lost and what has replaced them.

Believing in organisms: Kant's non-mechanistic philosophy of nature.

In this paper, I defend a non-mechanistic interpretation of Kant's philosophy of nature. My interpretation contradicts the robust tradition of reading Kant as a mechanist about nature - or as someone who endorses the view that we can know the internally purposive causality characteristic of organisms has no place in nature. By attending closely to Kant's remarks about the possibility of internal purposiveness in nature and to key premises from Kant's arguments in the Antinomy of Teleological Judgment, we shall see that it is not only plausible, but preferable, to believe that internally purposive things (i.

Prognostic significance of diastolic wall strain as a predictor of remodeling and poor outcomes in heart failure and pulmonary embolism: A systematic review.

Background: Diastolic wall strain (DWS), also referred to as right ventricular (RV) dysfunction, is a significant predictor of pulmonary embolism (PE) and heart failure (HF). Rooted in linear elastic theory, DWS reflects decreased wall thinning during diastole, indicating reduced left ventricular (LV) compliance and increased diastolic stiffness. Elevated diastolic stiffness is associated with worse outcomes, particularly in PE and HF with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF).

Two types of arteriopathies, arteriomegaly and aneurysms, frequently develop at diverse locations in vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia patients: A retrospective analysis and a meta-analysis.

Background: Past studies have reported that vertebrobasilar dolichoectasia (VBD) patients may develop similar arteriopathies other than the vertebrobasilar system. However, the details of these VBD-related arteriopathies are still unclear.

Methods: We retrospectively enrolled patients diagnosed with VBD at two stroke centers in Japan between January 2012 and December 2023.

A systematic review and meta-analysis of endovascular treatment of carotid blowout syndrome.

Unlabelled: Carotid Blowout Syndrome (CBS) is a rare and life-threatening condition that necessitates prompt intervention to prevent fatal hemorrhage. This study compares the outcomes of two primary endovascular approaches: reconstructive interventions, which aim to preserve carotid artery function using stents or balloon angioplasty, and deconstructive interventions, which involve vessel occlusion to halt bleeding. A systematic review and meta-analysis were performed by searching multiple databases for relevant studies published from January 2000 to August 2023.

Evaluating the impact of performance status in elderly patients with glioblastoma.

Background: Glioblastoma (GBM) is a common brain tumor with a poor prognosis. There is a paucity of knowledge regarding optimal treatment approaches for elderly patients with GBM who have a relatively good Karnofsky (KPS) or Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status. This study compared treatment outcomes in older patients (≥65) with GBM based on their performance status, either high (KPS ≥ 70 and ECOG < 2) or low (KPS < 70 and ECOG ≥ 2), who underwent hypofractionated radiotherapy (HFRT) (40 Gy in 15 fractions) versus conventional fractionation (60 Gy in 30 fractions).

Ca²⁺ signaling in myenteric interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC-MY) and their role as conditional pacemakers in the colon.

Interstitial cells of Cajal in the plane of the myenteric plexus (ICC-MY) serve as electrical pacemakers in the stomach and small intestine. A similar population of cells is found in the colon, but these cells do not appear to generate regular slow wave potentials, as characteristic in more proximal gut regions. Ca handling mechanisms in ICC-MY of the mouse proximal colon were studied using confocal imaging of muscles from animals expressing GCaMP6f exclusively in ICC.

FDA reviewed artificial intelligence-enabled products applicable to emergency medicine.

Objective: To identify and assess artificial intelligence (AI)-enabled products reviewed by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) that are potentially applicable to emergency medicine (EM).

Impact of initial jugular vein insertion site selection for central venous catheter placement on hemodialysis catheter complications.

Purpose: This study evaluated the impact of choosing the right versus left internal jugular vein (IJV) for initial central venous catheter (CVC) placement on hemodialysis catheter-related outcomes in critically ill patients.

Materials And Methods: Medical records from the University of Maryland Medical Center were reviewed for adult critical care patients who received an IJV CVC between January 1, 2019, and December 31, 2022, and later required an additional temporary hemodialysis catheter.

Results: The study included 214 patients, with 100 (46.

Comparing autonomic nervous system function in patients with functional somatic syndromes, stress-related syndromes and healthy controls.

Background: The goal of this study was to examine autonomic nervous system function by measuring heart rate (HR), heart rate variability (HRV), skin conductance levels (SCL), and peripheral skin temperature (ST) in response to and during recovery from psychosocial stressors in patients with functional somatic syndromes (FSS; fibromyalgia and/or chronic fatigue syndrome), stress-related syndromes (SRS; overstrain or burn-out), and healthy controls (HC).

Methods: Patients with FSS (n = 26), patients with SRS (n = 59), and HC (n = 30) went through a standardized psychosocial stress test consisting of a resting phase (120 s), the STROOP color word task (120 s), a mental arithmetic task (120 s) and a stress talk (120 s), each followed by a 120 s recovery period. HR, HRV, SCL, and ST were monitored continuously.

PD-L1 testing patterns in recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (R/M HNSCC) in the U.S.

Background: Pembrolizumab with/without platinum + 5-FU is approved for the first-line (1L) treatment of R/M HNSCC, and its monotherapy use requires PD-L1 Combined Positive Score (CPS) ≥ 1. We aimed to understand PD-L1 testing patterns and associations with patient characteristics and treatment choice in R/M HNSCC.

Methods: Adults with R/M HNSCC initiating 1L systemic therapy were included from a U.

Development and validation of the BRief Eating Disorder Screener (BREDS) for US veterans in healthcare and community settings.

Objective: To develop a Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM-5) eating disorder screener.

Method: Veterans enrolled in VA healthcare (N = 344) completed a survey of screening items and established measures. A validation subset (n = 166) participated in diagnostic interviews to confirm an eating disorder diagnosis.

Preventing disease progression in schizophrenia: What are we waiting for.

Despite research advances and progress in health care, schizophrenia remains a debilitating and costly disease. Onset occurs typically during youth and can lead to a relapsing and ultimately chronic course with persistent symptoms and functional impairment if not promptly and properly treated. Consequently, over time, schizophrenia causes substantial distress and disability for patients, their families and accrues to a collective burden to society.

The impact of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status on early adolescent sleep disturbances for youth exposed to adverse childhood experiences.

Background: Adverse childhood experiences (ACEs) may increase the risk for adolescent sleep disturbances, though the impact of race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status (SES) remains unclear.

Objective: We sought to determine the direct and moderating impact of race, ethnicity, family SES, and community SES on sleep disturbances across early adolescence for ACE-exposed youth.

Participants And Setting: This secondary analysis used longitudinal Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development Study® data (2016-2022) from youth who experienced ≥1 ACE by age 9-10 years.

Drug-drug interactions between palbociclib and proton pump inhibitors in early breast cancer: an exploratory analysis of PALLAS (ABCSG-42/AFT-05/BIG-14-13/PrE0109).

Background: Concomitant intake of proton pump inhibitors (PPIs) may create drug-drug interactions, potentially impacting efficacy of anticancer agents. In the phase III PALLAS trial, the addition of palbociclib capsules to standard adjuvant endocrine therapy in patients with hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-negative early breast cancer did not improve invasive disease-free survival (iDFS). We explored whether concomitant use of PPIs affected survival outcomes in patients treated with palbociclib in PALLAS.