INTERNATIONAL SYMPOSIUM ON RUMINANT PHYSIOLOGY: Rumen fungi, archaea and their interactions.

Anaerobic gut fungi (AGF) were the last phylum to be identified within the rumen microbiome and account for 7-9% of microbial biomass. They produce potent lignocellulases that degrade recalcitrant plant cell walls, and rhizoids that can penetrate the cuticle of plant cells, exposing internal components to other microbiota. Interspecies H transfer between AGF and rumen methanogenic archaea is an essential metabolic process in the rumen that occurs during the reduction of CO to CH by methanogens.

TGR5 attenuates DOCA-salt hypertension through regulating histone H3K4 methylation of ENaC in the kidney.

Epithelial sodium channel (ENaC), located in the collecting duct principal cells of the kidney, is responsible for the reabsorption of sodium and plays a critical role in the regulation of extracellular fluid volume and consequently blood pressure. The G protein-coupled bile acid receptor (TGR5) is a membrane receptor mediating effects of bile acid and is implicated in kidney diseases. The current study aims to investigate whether TGR5 activation in the kidney regulated ENaC expression and potential mechanism.

DEC1 deficiency promotes osteoclastic activity by augmenting NFATc1 signaling via transactivation and the Ca/calcineurin pathway.

We have previously demonstrated that DEC1 promotes osteoblast differentiation. This study aims to evaluate the impact of DEC1 knockout on osteopenic activities, such as osteoclast differentiation and the expression of bone-degrading genes. To gain mechanistic insights, we employed both in vivo and in vitro experiments, utilizing cellular and molecular approaches, including osteoclast differentiation assays and RNA-seq in combination with ChIP-seq.

PSMC2 promotes resistance against temozolomide in glioblastoma via suppressing JNK-mediated autophagic cell death.

Temozolomide is universally used to treat glioblastoma due to its unique ability to cross the blood-brain barrier and inhibit tumor growth through DNA alkylation. However, over time, the inevitable emergence of resistance to temozolomide impedes successful treatment of this cancer. As a result, there is an urgent need to identify new therapeutic targets to improve treatment outcomes for this malignancy.

MnSOD non-acetylation mimic knock-in mice exhibit dilated cardiomyopathy.

Manganese superoxide dismutase (MnSOD/SOD2) is an essential mitochondrial enzyme that detoxifies superoxide radicals generated during oxidative respiration. MnSOD/SOD2 lysine 68 acetylation (K68-Ac) is an important post-translational modification (PTM) that regulates enzymatic activity, responding to nutrient status or oxidative stress, and elevated levels have been associated with human illness. To determine the in vivo role of MnSOD-K68 in the heart, we used a whole-body non-acetylation mimic mutant (MnSOD) knock-in mouse.

Characterizing Oxidative Stress induced by Aβ Oligomers and the Protective Role of Carnosine in Primary Mixed Glia Cultures.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by cognitive decline and memory loss. A critical aspect of AD pathology is represented by oxidative stress, which significantly contributes to neuronal damage and death. Microglia and astrocytes, the primary glial cells in the brain, are crucial for managing oxidative stress and supporting neuronal function.

Pan-PPAR agonist lanifibranor improves insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis in patients with T2D and MASLD.

Background & Aims: Lanifibranor is a pan-PPAR agonist that improves glucose/lipid metabolism and reverses steatohepatitis and fibrosis in adults with MASH. We tested its effect on insulin resistance at the level of different target tissues in relationship to change in intrahepatic triglyceride (IHTG) content.

Methods: This phase 2, single center, study randomized (1:1) 38 patients with T2D and MASLD to receive lanifibranor 800 mg or placebo for 24 weeks.

Digital Health for Asthma Management: Electronic Medication Monitoring for Adherence as a Case Example.

Digital health is an umbrella term for components of healthcare utilizing computer platforms, software, connectivity and sensors to augment the recording, documentation and communication of clinical information. The functions of digital health may be viewed in three domains: 1) the repository for patient information, 2) monitoring devices and 3) communication tools. Monitoring devices have provided robust information as diagnostic and prognostic tools in office and hospital settings.

Polybutylene succinate/lignin composites with tunable optical, mechanical, and thermal properties based on fractionation treatment.

The inherent heterogeneity, poor compatibility with polymers, and dark color of lignin limit its application in composites. In this study, original lignin (OL) was fractionated sequentially using four green organic solvents to obtain lignin fractions with different chemical structures. These well-defined lignin fractions were then blended with polybutylene succinate (PBS) to fabricate biocomposites.

Optimizing a mobile just-in-time adaptive intervention (JITAI) for weight loss in young adults: Rationale and design of the AGILE factorial randomized trial.

Background: Young adults (YAs) are underrepresented in behavioral health and weight loss interventions and express interest in flexible, highly tailored programs. Mobile interventions are a lower-burden, scalable approach to providing behavioral support. Just-in-time-adaptive interventions (JITAI) promise to deliver the "right" support at the "right" time using real-time data from smartphones and sensors.

A randomized controlled trial to assess whether a telehealth-based contingency management intervention reduces alcohol use for individuals with alcohol use disorder.

Background: Contingency management (CM) is an intervention for alcohol use disorder (AUD) that reinforces abstinence, as confirmed by alcohol biomarkers. CM is usually brief (12-16 weeks) despite evidence that longer interventions have better long-term outcomes. Most CM models are in-person which can also be a barrier for treatment.

Infection-induced host extinction: Deterministic and stochastic models for environmentally transmitted pathogens.

Worldwide amphibian decline and extinction have been observed, highlighting the importance of identifying the underlying factors. This issue has long been recognized as highly significant and continues to receive substantial attention in conservation ecology. Pathogen infection, in particular the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, is postulated as a key factor contributing to the decline of certain species within specific regions.

Role of the International Society of Liquid Biopsy (ISLB) in establishing quality control frameworks for clinical integration.

Liquid biopsy (LB) has revolutionized molecular pathology, offering non-invasive insights into tumor biology. However, widespread adoption is hindered by a lack of standardized protocols, requiring robust quality control and harmonized workflows. Large-scale studies are needed to establish effective standard operating procedures (SOPs), particularly for circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) assays tailored to different disease stages.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Knowledge Deficits Among Male Urology Patients.

Objective: To measure patient knowledge about Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and identify factors associated with knowledge deficiencies among those newly presenting to our urology clinic.

Methods: Adult men presenting as new patients to our institution's urology clinic regardless of chief complaint were invited to complete a 26-item multiple choice questionnaire to assess basic knowledge about BPH, related symptomatology, and treatment options prior to their initial consultation. Responses were correlated to demographic variables using ANOVA and multivariable linear modeling.

Microsurgical Education in Reproductive Urology: A Review of Current Techniques and Opportunities for Improved Access to Learning Experiences.

Infertility is a common problem. Despite this, a dearth of urologists are trained in infertility care. Improved training opportunities may improve proficiency and interest in subspecialized training.

Investigating Subpopulation Dynamics in Clonal CHO-K1 Cells with Single-Cell RNA Sequencing.

Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells produce monoclonal antibodies and other biotherapeutics at industrial scale. Despite their ubiquitous nature in the biopharmaceutical industry, little is known about the behaviors of individual transfected clonal CHO cells. Most CHO cells are assessed on their stability, their ability to produce the protein of interest over time.

Microplastic Migration and Transformation Pathways and Exposure Health Risks.

Plastics play a crucial role in modern life, but improper use and disposal have resulted in microplastics becoming widespread in the environment, raising significant concerns about both the environment and human health. Extensive research has explored the transformation mechanisms, bioaccumulation, ecological impacts, and health risks associated with microplastics. The present review first analyzes the migration, transformation, and degradation pathways of microplastics on a global scale, and then synthesizes current knowledge on the types, sources, and migration pathways of microplastics in soil, atmosphere, and aquatic environments, emphasizing transformation mechanisms like photo-aging and microbial degradation, and detailing their ecological and human health impacts.

Development of Quantitative Structure Property Relationship Models and Tool for Predicting the Soil Adsorption Coefficient (logK).

The soils/sediments organic carbon sorption coefficient (K) of organic substances is one of the indispensable environmental behavioral parameters in chemicals management. Because the test procedure used to measure K is normally expensive and time-consuming, predictive methods are considered vitally important technology to fill the data gap of K. In this study, quantitative structure-property relationship (QSPR) models are developed using a data set with 1477 experimental logK values and seven typical machine learning algorithms.

Survival outcomes comparing minimally invasive versus open cytoreductive surgery in recurrent adult-type granulosa cell tumors.

Background: Adult-type granulosa cell tumors are a rare form of ovarian cancer, 30% of which will recur. Cytoreductive surgery is often performed at the time of a first recurrence, but little is known about the impact of open versus minimally invasive surgical approaches on survival outcomes.

Objective: To examine associations between surgical approach, clinical variables, and survival outcomes among patients with adult-type granulosa cell tumors who underwent cytoreductive surgery at the time of first recurrence.

Time-Driven Activity Based Costing Analysis of Panretinal Photocoagulation.

Time-driven activity-based costing analysis of panretinal photocoagulation shows 47.8% of cases have a negative margin relative to maximum Medicare reimbursement, with large financial disincentives for bilateral cases, which may disincentivize high-value care for vulnerable patients.

The histamine pathway is a target to treat hepatic experimental erythropoietic protoporphyria.

Background & Aims: Erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP) is caused by mutations in ferrochelatase which inserts iron into protoporphyrin-IX (PP-IX) to generate heme. EPP is characterized by PP-IX accumulation, skin photosensitivity, cholestasis, and end-stage liver disease. Despite available drugs that address photosensitivity, treatment of EPP-related liver disease remains an unmet need.

Synaptic protein expression in bipolar disorder patient-derived neurons implicates PSD-95 as a marker of lithium response.

Bipolar disorder (BD) is a severe mental illness characterized by recurrent episodes of depression and mania. Lithium is the gold standard pharmacotherapy for BD, but outcomes are variable, and the relevant therapeutic mechanisms underlying successful treatment response remain uncertain. To identify synaptic markers of BD and lithium response, we measured the effects of lithium on induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from BD patients and controls.