Left-Right Brain-Wide Asymmetry of Neuroanatomy in the Mouse Brain.

Left-right asymmetry of the human brain is widespread through its anatomy and function. However, limited microscopic understanding of it exists, particularly for anatomical asymmetry where there are few well-established animal models. In humans, most brain regions show subtle, population-average regional asymmetries in thickness or surface area, alongside a macro-scale twisting called the cerebral petalia in which the right hemisphere protrudes anteriorly past the left.

Post hoc analysis: 6 Months immunogenicity after third dose of BNT162b2 vs JNJ-78436735 After Two Doses of BNT162b2 vaccine in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients.

Introduction: In Solid Organ Transplant (SOT) recipients, due to immunosuppression, the immunogenicity after COVID-19 vaccination is suboptimal and its durability is unknown.

Methods: We conducted a post-hoc analysis of a patient-blinded, single center, randomized controlled trial comparing BNT162b2 vs JNJ-78436735 as the third dose after two doses of BNT162b2 in adult SOT recipients with active graft to compare long-term immunogenicity.

Results: Forty-one recipients were analyzed.

Default mode network functional connectivity as a transdiagnostic biomarker of cognitive function.

The default mode network (DMN) is intricately linked with processes such as self-referential thinking, episodic memory recall, goal-directed cognition, self-projection, and theory of mind. Over recent years, there has been a surge in examining its functional connectivity, particularly its relationship with frontoparietal networks (FPN) involved in top-down attention, executive function, and cognitive control. The fluidity in switching between these internal and external modes of processing-highlighted by anti-correlated functional connectivity-has been proposed as an indicator of cognitive health.

Population size, income and poor sanitation interact to explain widespread streamwater contamination by antidepressants in the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo.

The expansion of urban settlements over native environments may expose biodiversity to a host of emerging contaminants, with unintended ecological effects. This study evaluated patterns of contamination of streamwater by antidepressants in the Upper Tietê River Basin, a watershed of high social, economic and environmental relevance for comprising both the largest urban settlement in South America (the Metropolitan Region of São Paulo) and remnants of a globally important biodiversity hotspot (the Atlantic Rainforest). We sampled 53 third-order streams draining catchments regularly distributed across a gradient in urban cover.

Evolving Roles: Adolescent perspectives on shared decision making with their parents and healthcare providers.

Introduction: Shared decision making (SDM) involving adolescents presents unique challenges. To adequately support and evaluate SDM that includes adolescents, parents, and healthcare providers, it is imperative to understand adolescent perspectives. This study aims to describe the perspectives of adolescents with chronic health conditions regarding sharing medical decisions with their parents and healthcare providers.

Diagnostic Accuracy of Imperforate Hymen at a Single Referral Center.

Study Objective: Imperforate hymen (IH) is a rare congenital anomaly that results in vaginal outlet obstruction. IH can cause significant morbidity if not managed appropriately, which depends on accurate identification of the condition. However, data on the accuracy of IH diagnosis is limited.

Formation and crystalline structure of spherulites from pea and high amylose maize starches.

Starch spherulite is a unique form of resistant starch characterized by a spherical structure with crystalline lamellae that are radially oriented and may find applications in delivery of nutrients and bioactives to the lower gastrointestinal tract. Formation of starch spherulites generally requires heating to a high temperature followed by quenching and long crystallization time. The objectives of this study were to gain a deeper understanding of the factors influencing spherulite formation from pea starch (PS) and high-amylose maize starch (HAMS) and investigate if spherulites could be formed by a slow cooling rate and determine the crystalline structure and morphology of the spherulites formed.

Association between dietary intake estimated levels of PCDD/Fs and human sperm quality.

This study aimed to investigate the association between estimated dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and human sperm quality. This study cross-sectionally assessed the associations between estimated dietary intake of PCDD/Fs and sperm quality parameters in 200 participants aged 18-40 years from the Led-Fertyl study. Linear regression models, accounting for potential confounding variables, were employed to evaluate the relationships.

Associations between exposure to sodium/iodide symporter inhibitors and markers of thyroid function: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are well-known sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) inhibitors that disturb iodide uptake at the thyroid, affecting thyroid function. However, the associations between NIS inhibitor exposure and thyroid function are not well summarized in humans.

Objective: We aimed to summarize associations between NIS inhibitor exposure and thyroid function markers and to identify key information gaps for future studies.

Critical Review: Considerations in Applying Avian Egg Injection Studies to Characterize Effects of Hydrophobic Organic Compounds on Wild Birds.

Egg injection has been used for decades to determine embryonic mortality and developmental effects of chemical exposures in birds. Specific egg injection methods affect how well these studies replicate the process of chemical delivery to the embryo via maternal deposition, yet few data are available to compare exposure-response relationships between egg injection and maternal transfer studies. This information gap creates uncertainty when considering egg injection studies for assessment of potential adverse effects in wild birds.

The role of 15 mA and 77.5 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation in blood pressure regulation: A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at 77.5 Hz and 15 mA, targeting the forehead and mastoid areas, has proven efficacious in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) by simultaneously stimulating multiple brain nuclei and regions, many of which are critical for blood pressure regulation. This post hoc analysis aimed to assess the potential blood pressure-lowering effects of 77.

An exploration of the relationship between ineffective modes of mentalization and difficulties related to borderline personality disorder: A network approach.

Background: The mentalization-based perspective of Borderline Personality Disorder (BPD) underscores fluctuating interpersonal functionality, believed to arise from suboptimal mentalization modes, including hyper- and hypomentalizing. The connection between ineffective mentalizing and specific BPD challenges remains ambiguous. Network theory offers a unique means to investigate the hypothesis that distinct yet interconnected mental challenges ('symptoms') construct 'disorders' through their continuous mutual interactions.

AZD2693, a PNPLA3 antisense oligonucleotide, for the treatment of MASH in 148M homozygous participants: two randomized phase I trials.

Background & Aims: A common genetic variant (rs738409) encoding isoleucine to methionine at position 148 in the PNPLA3 protein is a determinant of hepatic steatosis, inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and liver-related mortality. AZD2693 is a liver-targeted antisense oligonucleotide against PNPLA3 mRNA. We evaluated the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics in single ascending dose (SAD) and multiple ascending dose (MAD) studies.

An engineered adeno-associated virus mediates efficient blood-brain barrier penetration with enhanced neurotropism and reduced hepatotropism.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a formidable barrier that restricts the entry of substances into the brain, complicating the study of brain function and the treatment of neurological conditions. Traditional methods of delivering genes from the periphery to the central nervous system (CNS) using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) often require high doses, which can trigger immune responses and hepatotoxicity. Here, we developed a new AAV variant named AAVhu.

Automatic medical imaging segmentation via self-supervising large-scale convolutional neural networks.

Purpose: This study aims to develop a robust, large-scale deep learning model for medical image segmentation, leveraging self-supervised learning to overcome the limitations of supervised learning and data variability in clinical settings.

Methods And Materials: We curated a substantial multi-center CT dataset for self-supervised pre-training using masked image modeling with sparse submanifold convolution. We designed a series of Sparse Submanifold U-Nets (SS-UNets) of varying sizes and performed self-supervised pre-training.

Higher concentration of trehalose dihydrate stabilizes recombinant IgG1 under forced stress conditions.

Stability of complex biotherapeutics like monoclonal antibodies is paramount for their safe and efficacious use. Excipients are inactive ingredients that are added to the purified product so as to offer it a stable environment. Trehalose dihydrate is a non-reducing sugar that is commonly used as a stabilizing agent in biotherapeutic formulations under liquid and frozen states.

Impact of comorbidities on the mortality benefits of lung cancer screening: a post-hoc analysis of PLCO and NLST trials.

Hypothesis: To evaluate how comorbidities affect mortality benefits of lung cancer screening (LCS) with low-dose computed-tomography (LDCT).

Methods: We developed a comorbidity index (PLCO-ci) using LCS-eligible participants' data from the Prostate Lung Colorectal and Ovarian (PLCO) trial (training set) and the National Lung Screening Trial (NLST) (validation set). PLCO-ci predicts 5-year non-lung cancer (LC) mortality using a regularized Cox model; with performance evaluated by the area under the ROC curve (ROC).

Comparing Aggregate Fibroid Weight in Abdominal Versus Minimally Invasive Myomectomies in a Community Health System.

Study Objective: To compare the aggregate fibroid specimen weights between abdominal and minimally invasive (MI) myomectomies to determine whether fibroid burden significantly impacts surgical approach to myomectomy.

Design: Retrospective cohort study; INTERVENTIONS: Comparison of aggregate fibroid specimen weights between abdominal and MI myomectomies SETTING: Community health care system.

Patients: 281 patients undergoing abdominal and MI myomectomies between March 2018 and December 2023.

Machine learning in public health informatics: evidence that complex sampling structures may not be needed for prediction models with imbalanced outcomes.

Purpose: The objective of this study is to investigate the predictive ability of machine learning models for imbalanced outcomes from national survey data without the use of sampling weights.

Methods: We evaluated the predictive performance of machine learning models on imbalanced outcomes from the US National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (USNHANES) without using sampling weights. Four machine learning models (support vector machine, random forest, least absolute shrinkage and selection operator regression, and deep neural network) were compared with a logistic model that incorporates the survey's complex sampling design.

Lignan Intake and Mortality Among Adults with Incident Type 2 Diabetes-Prospective Cohort Studies.

Background: Lignans are polyphenolic compounds abundant in plant-based foods such as seeds, whole grains, and certain fruits and vegetables and may lead to favorable metabolic health. It remains to be elucidated regarding the role of lignan consumption in the etiology of premature deaths among individuals with diabetes.

Objectives: To prospectively examine the association between post-diagnosis lignan intake and mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Associations of maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance plasma concentrations during pregnancy with offspring polycystic ovary syndrome and related characteristics in Project Viva.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may impact ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, but whether prenatal exposure may impact offspring reproductive health is unknown. This study examines the extent to which maternal PFAS plasma concentrations during pregnancy are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and related characteristics in female offspring.

Methods: We studied 322 mother-daughter pairs in Project Viva, a Boston-area longitudinal pre-birth cohort enrolled 1999-2002.

Interpenetrating networks of fibrillar and amorphous collagen promote cell spreading and hydrogel stability.

Hydrogels composed of collagen, the most abundant protein in the human body, are widely used as scaffolds for tissue engineering due to their ability to support cellular activity. However, collagen hydrogels with encapsulated cells often experience bulk contraction due to cell-generated forces, and conventional strategies to mitigate this undesired deformation often compromise either the fibrillar microstructure or cytocompatibility of the collagen. To support the spreading of encapsulated cells while preserving the structural integrity of the gels, we present an interpenetrating network (IPN) of two distinct collagen networks with different crosslinking mechanisms and microstructures.