Protein biomarkers of interstitial lung abnormalities in relatives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Rationale: First-degree relatives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis (relatives) are at high risk for interstitial lung abnormalities (ILA), highlighting the need for biomarkers for risk prediction. We aimed to identify blood proteins associated with and predictive of ILA among relatives of patients with pulmonary fibrosis.

Methods: Relatives enrolled in two independent cohorts had protein levels measured using an aptamer-based proteomic platform.

Internalized Sexism and Well-Being in the United States.

Although structural sexism in state-level institutions is harmful to women's and men's health, less is known about how micro-level structural sexism relates to well-being. Using the 2017 and 2021 Gallup Values and Beliefs of the American Public surveys (N = 1,501 in 2017; N = 1,248 in 2021), we investigate diverse approaches to internalized sexism. Although we find no significant associations with self-rated health, gender traditionalism is linked to greater depressive and anxiety symptoms for women and men, providing the first population evidence for its universal harm in the United States.

sgRNA Single-Nucleotide Resolution by Ion-Pairing Reversed-Phase Chromatography.

Single-stranded guide RNAs (sgRNAs) are important therapeutic modalities that facilitate selective genome editing by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. While these therapeutic modalities are synthesized through solid phase oligonucleotide synthesis similar to small interfering RNA (siRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotide (ASOs) therapeutics, their sequence length and complex secondary and tertiary structure hinder analytical characterization. The resulting current sgRNA methodologies have limited chromatographic selectivity near the FLP and limited MS compatibility.

Methamphetamine-Associated Psychosis and Criminal Responsibility.

Stimulants are among the most widely used substances in the world after cannabis, with a rapid rise in methamphetamine use in the last 15 years. Methamphetamine has a high propensity to cause psychosis ranging from transient psychosis during acute intoxication to persisting psychosis with similarities to schizophrenia. Although the former condition may not abrogate criminal responsibility, the latter is recognized as a basis for an exculpatory mental state in a majority of jurisdictions across the United States.

HydE Catalytic Mechanism Is Powered by a Radical Relay with Redox-Active Fe(I)-Containing Intermediates.

[FeFe]-hydrogenases are enzymes that catalyze the redox interconversion of H and H using a six-iron active site, known as the H-cluster, which consists of a structurally unique [2Fe] subcluster linked to a [4Fe-4S] subcluster. A set of enzymes, HydG, HydE, and HydF, are responsible for the biosynthesis of the [2Fe] subcluster. Among them, it is well established that HydG cleaves tyrosine into CO and CN and forms a mononuclear [Fe(II)(Cys)(CO)(CN)] complex.

Electrochemical Removal of Se(IV) from Wastewater Using RuO-Based Catalysts.

The removal of selenite (SeO) from water is challenging due to the risk of secondary pollutants. To address this, we developed RuO-based nanocatalysts on the titanium plate (RuO/TP) for direct electrochemical reduction of Se(IV) to elemental selenium [Se(0)]. Optimizing Sn doping in RuO nanoparticles to induce charge redistribution enabled the RuSnO/TP catalyst to achieve ∼90% Se(IV) removal across concentrations of 0.

Physicochemical Design of Nanoparticles to Interface with and Degrade Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) are networks of decondensed chromatin, histones, and antimicrobial proteins released by neutrophils in response to an infection. NET overproduction can cause an exacerbated hyperinflammatory response in a variety of diseases and can lead to host tissue damage without clearance of infection. Nanoparticle drug delivery is a promising avenue for creating materials that can both target NETs and deliver sustained amounts of NET-degrading drugs to alleviate hyperinflammation.

The Circulating Renin-Angiotensin System and Mortality among Patients Hospitalized for COVID-19: A Mechanistic Substudy of the ACTIV-4 Host Tissue Trials.

SARS-CoV-2 targets angiotensin converting enzyme-2 (ACE2), a key peptidase of the renin-angiotensin system (RAS), which regulates the balance of the vasoconstrictor/inflammatory peptide Ang II and the vasodilator/anti-inflammatory peptide Ang-(1-7). Few studies have quantified the circulating elements of the RAS longitudinally in SARS-CoV-2 infection and their association with COVID-19 outcomes. Thus, we evaluated the association of circulating RAS enzymes and peptides with mortality among patients with COVID-19.

Engineered hydrogel biomaterials facilitate lung progenitor cell differentiation from induced pluripotent stem cells.

Lung progenitor (LP) cells identified by the expression of transcription factor NK2 homeobox 1 (NKX2.1) are essential for development of all lung epithelial cell types and hold tremendous potential for pulmonary research and translational regenerative medicine applications. Here we present engineered hydrogels as a promising alternative to the naturally derived materials that are often used to differentiate human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) into LP cells.

A protocol for a wait list control trial of an intervention to improve pain and depressive symptoms among middle-age and older women living with disability.

Background: Women aging with disabilities experience higher rates of chronic pain and co-occurring depressive symptoms than women without disabilities and men with and without disabilities. Pain and depression can exacerbate the inability to fulfill social roles and complete activities of daily living among women with disabilities. Although there are existing interventions for both pain and depressive symptoms, few interventions have been developed with women aging with disabilities that address both chronic pain and depressive symptoms.

Sex-Specific Effects of In Utero Exposure to Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances on Placental Development.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are persistent organic pollutants that may impact placental function, and potentially gestational age acceleration (GAA), a deviation from reported and predicted gestational age. GAA potentially represents differences in cell maturation in response to a challenging environment.

Objective: This study aimed to characterize the effects of individual and mixtures of PFAS on GAA, cell composition, birth length, and birthweight.

Emerging evidence for the impact of Electric Vehicle sales on childhood asthma: Can ZEV mandates help?

Growing epidemiological studies indicate a significant fraction of asthma cases can be attributed to traffic-related air pollution (TRAP). Zero emission vehicle (ZEV) mandates-one of the most forward-looking climate policies in the United States-aim to reduce TRAP by mandating automakers to sell a certain fraction of Electric Vehicles (EVs) annually; however, their public health benefits are largely unknown. We conduct the screening step of the health impact assessment (HIA) of real-world EV sales to estimate the impact of ZEV mandates in reducing childhood asthma.

Assessing the potential role of deer in the dissemination of Mycobacterium bovis infection to cattle in Northern Ireland.

Mycobacterium bovis, the causative agent of animal tuberculosis, exhibits a broad host range - infecting, inducing pathology and transmitting from both bovine and wildlife hosts. Considerable effort has been extended to understanding the role wildlife may play in persistence and spread of infection. Infected cervids can spread infection to conspecifics and sympatric livestock as observed in the white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginanus) population of Michigan, USA.

Telehealth occupational therapy improves psychosocial well-being but not glycemia among young adults with type 1 diabetes: The Resilient, Empowered, Active Living-Telehealth (REAL-T) randomized controlled trial.

Background: Young adults with type 1 diabetes mellitus often face challenges managing their condition, leading to elevated glucose and heightened psychosocial distress. Diabetes care traditionally focuses on biomedical outcomes, with less emphasis on well-being. Occupational therapy offers a holistic approach to managing diabetes by integrating changes to daily habits and routines and psychosocial support.

Diagnostic accuracy of self-collected tongue swabs for Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex detection in individuals being assessed for TB in South Africa using the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra assay.

Objectives: Tongue swabs (TS) have shown potential for detecting Mycobacterium tuberculosis complex (MTBC) through downstream molecular testing. Analytical performance varies, depending on the processing protocol and the molecular test used. This study aimed to first investigate ease-of-use of TS collection in addition to acceptability by individuals being assessed for TB and second to determine the performance of self-collected TS on the Xpert MTB/RIF Ultra (Ultra) assay (Cepheid, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) for MTBC and Rifampicin (RIF) resistance detection.

Functional assays for the diagnosis of chronic granulomatous disease.

Chronic granulomatous disease (CGD) is a rare immunodeficiency characterized by recurrent bacterial and fungal infections that are attributed to reduced production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) by a multi-component enzyme complex known as the phagocyte NADPH oxidase or NOX2. Presented in this review are descriptions of several assays that assess the production of ROS as well as assays that characterize the expression of specific proteins of NOX2.

A linking hypothesis for eyetracking and mousetracking in the visual world paradigm.

For a linking hypothesis in the visual world paradigm to clearly accommodate existing findings and make unambiguous predictions, it needs to be computationally implemented in a fashion that transparently draws the causal connection between the activations of internal representations and the measured output of saccades and reaching movements. Quantitatively implemented linking hypotheses provide an opportunity to not only demonstrate an existence proof of that causal connection but also to test the fidelity of the measuring methods themselves. When a system of interest is measured one way (e.

Combined Romosozumab and Raloxifene treatment targets impaired bone quality in a male murine model of diabetic kidney disease.

Comorbid diabetes and chronic kidney disease create a complex disease state with multi-faceted impacts on bone health, primarily reduced bone mass and tissue quality. To reduce fracture risk in this growing population, interventions are needed that target both bone mass and quality. Romosozumab (Romo) is an FDA-approved sclerostin inhibitor that has been shown to increase bone mass and strength in a murine model of combined diabetes and CKD (DKD), while Raloxifene (RAL) is a mild anti-resorptive used to treat osteoporosis that has also been shown to increase bone mechanical properties by increasing bone bound water content.

Is Bone Cement Implantation Syndrome Actually Caused by Cement? A Systematic Review of the Literature Using the Bradford-Hill Criteria.

Introduction: Debate surrounding the use of cemented femoral components in hip arthroplasty persists. A proposed risk of cement fixation is bone cement implantation syndrome (BCIS), a phenomenon characterized by intraoperative hypotension, hypoxia, and/or cardiovascular collapse. The purpose of this study was to analyze the literature to determine if enough evidence exists to support a causal relationship between cement and BCIS.

Quantification of Escherichia coli transfer from plastic mulch to field-grown tomatoes and bell peppers.

In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) prohibits distribution of fruit that is dropped from the plant and contacts the ground during harvest. This includes fruit which contacts the ground while attached to the plant, called "drooping" fruit. In the Southeastern US, tomato and pepper are trellised and grown on plastic mulch.

A large hypothesis-free proteomics study investigating serum inflammatory markers as biomarkers of dry eye disease.

Purpose: To test the association between serum inflammatory markers and dry eye disease (DED) using a hypothesis-free proteomic approach in a population-based cohort.

Methods: A total of 2602 unselected community-based participants (mean age 61.5 (range 21-92 years), 94.

Focal adhesion kinase mediates microvascular leakage and endothelial barrier dysfunction in ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Intestinal ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury occurs under various surgical or disease conditions, where tissue hypoxia followed by reoxygenation results in the production of oxygen radicals and inflammatory mediators. These substances can target the endothelial barrier, leading to microvascular leakage. In this study, we induced intestinal I/R injury in mice by occluding the superior mesenteric artery, followed by removing the clamp to resume blood circulation.

D-allulose enhances lipid oxidation in HepG2 cells via peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα).

Lipid accumulation in hepatocytes in non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is attributed partly to loss of insulin-responsiveness and/or an increased pro-inflammatory state. Since the rare sugar D-allulose has insulin mimetic and anti-inflammatory properties, its effects on lipid accumulation in liver-derived cells was tested. In HepG2 cells exposed to 200 μM oleic acid for 72 h, D-allulose treatment decreased intracellular lipid accumulation with an IC = 0.

The dynamic duo: Decoding the roles of hypoxia-inducible factors in neonatal hypoxic-ischemic brain injury.

Neonatal hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) results in considerable mortality and neurodevelopmental disability, with a particularly high disease burden in low- and middle-income countries. Improved understanding of the pathophysiology underlying this injury could allow for improved diagnostic and therapeutic options. Specifically, hypoxia-inducible factors (HIF-1α and HIF-2α) likely play a key role, but that role is complex and remains understudied.

Outcome measures in rodent models for spinal cord injury and their human correlates.

Pre-clinical research is intended to inform clinical research, however, communication between these researchers is lacking. A better understanding of what can be learned from animal and human models and what cannot, is essential. This includes a better understanding of where underlying constructs in outcome measures in rodents and humans align and where they diverge to improve dialogue between human and animal researchers.