Development and characterization of fluorescent cholesteryl probes with enhanced solvatochromic and pH-sensitive properties for live-cell imaging.

We present novel fluorescent cholesteryl probes (CNDs) with a modular design based on the solvatochromic 1,8-phthalimide scaffold. We have explored how different modules-linkers and head groups-affect the ability of these probes to integrate into lipid membranes and how they distribute intracellularly in mouse astrocytes and fibroblasts targeting lysosomes and lipid droplets. Each compound was assessed for its solvatochromic behavior in organic solvents and model membranes.

Heart rate variability parameters indicate altered autonomic tone in subjects with COVID-19.

COVID-19 is associated with long-term cardiovascular complications. Heart Rate Variability (HRV), a measure of sympathetic (SNS) and parasympathetic (PNS) control, has been shown to predict COVID-19 outcomes and correlate with disease progression but a comprehensive analysis that includes demographic influences has been lacking. The objective of this study was to determine the balance between SNS, PNS and heart rhythm regulation in hospitalized COVID-19 patients and compare it with similar measurements in healthy volunteers and individuals with cardiovascular diseases (CVD), while also investigating the effects of age, Body Mass Index (BMI), gender and race.

Longitudinal analysis of SARS-CoV-2 IgG antibody durability in Puerto Rico.

Understanding the dynamics of antibody responses following vaccination and SARS-CoV-2 infection is important for informing effective vaccination strategies and other public health interventions. This study investigates SARS-CoV-2 antibody dynamics in a Puerto Rican cohort, analyzing how IgG levels vary by vaccination status and previous infection. We assess waning immunity and the distribution of hybrid immunity with the aim to inform public health strategies and vaccination programs in Puerto Rico and similar settings.

Male and female behavioral variability and morphine response in C57BL/6J, DBA/2J, and their BXD progeny following chronic stress exposure.

Drug addiction is a multifactorial syndrome in which genetic predispositions and exposure to environmental stressors constitute major risk factors for the early onset, escalation, and relapse of addictive behaviors. While it is well known that stress plays a key role in drug addiction, the genetic factors that make certain individuals particularly sensitive to stress and, thereby, more vulnerable to becoming addicted are unknown. In an effort to test a complex set of gene x environment interactions-specifically gene x chronic stress-here we leveraged a systems genetics resource: BXD recombinant inbred mice (BXD5, BXD8, BXD14, BXD22, BXD29, and BXD32) and their parental mouse lines, C57BL/6J and DBA/2J.

Genomic analysis of DS-1-like human rotavirus A strains uncovers genetic relatedness of NSP4 gene with animal strains in Manhiça District, Southern Mozambique.

Post rotavirus vaccine introduction in Mozambique (September 2015), we documented a decline in rotavirus-associated diarrhoea and genotypes changes in our diarrhoeal surveillance spanning 2008-2021. This study aimed to perform whole-genome sequencing of rotavirus strains from 2009 to 2012 (pre-vaccine) and 2017-2018 (post-vaccine). Rotavirus strains previously detected by conventional PCR as G2P[4], G2P[6], G3P[4], G8P[4], G8P[6], and G9P[6] from children with moderate-to-severe and less-severe diarrhoea and without diarrhoea (healthy community controls) were sequenced using Illumina MiSeq platform and analysed using bioinformatics tools.

Association between volatile organic compounds exposure and infertility risk among American women aged 18-45 years from NHANES 2013-2020.

The risk of infertility is progressively escalating over the years, and it has been established that exposure to environmental pollutants is closely linked to infertility. As a prevalent environmental pollutant in daily life, there is still a lack of substantial evidence on the association between volatile organic compounds (VOCs) exposure and infertility risk. This study aimed to examine the association between VOCs exposure and the risk of female infertility in the United States.

Cross-species regulatory network analysis identifies FOXO1 as a driver of ovarian follicular recruitment.

The transcriptional regulation of gene expression in the latter stages of follicular development in laying hen ovarian follicles is not well understood. Although differentially expressed genes (DEGs) have been identified in pre-recruitment and pre-ovulatory stages, the master regulators driving these DEGs remain unknown. This study addresses this knowledge gap by utilizing Master Regulator Analysis (MRA) combined with the Algorithm for the Reconstruction of Accurate Cellular Networks (ARACNe) for the first time in laying hen research to identify master regulators that are controlling DEGs in pre-recruitment and pre-ovulatory phases.

Association between dietary inflammatory index and visual impairment among adults in the NHANES 2005-2008.

The association between the dietary inflammatory index (DII) and visual impairment remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between the DII and non-refractive visual impairment among US populations. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2008, including dietary information and visual impairment assessment.

Breast Implant Surgery: The Importance of Informed Health Care Decisions and Outcome Monitoring.

Breast implant surgery is a popular, globally performed, and frequently requested cosmetic and reconstructive surgical procedure. Breast implant surgery can cause implant-associated systemic symptoms and types of implant-associated cancers, so it is vital to monitor patient outcomes. Most patients who undergo breast implant surgery do not experience health problems.

Nonlinear coupling of closely spaced modes in atomically thin MoS nanoelectromechanical resonators.

Nanoelectromechanical systems (NEMS) incorporating atomic or molecular layer van der Waals materials can support multimode resonances and exotic nonlinear dynamics. Here we investigate nonlinear coupling of closely spaced modes in a bilayer (2L) molybdenum disulfide (MoS) nanoelectromechanical resonator. We model the response from a drumhead resonator using equations of two resonant modes with a dispersive coupling term to describe the vibration induced frequency shifts that result from the induced change in tension.

Molecular Evolution of the H5 and H7 Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza Virus Haemagglutinin Cleavage Site Motif.

Avian influenza viruses are ubiquitous in the Anatinae subfamily of aquatic birds and occasionally spill over to poultry. Infection with low pathogenicity avian influenza viruses generally leads to subclinical or mild clinical disease. In contrast, highly pathogenic avian influenza viruses emerge from low pathogenic forms and can cause severe disease associated with extraordinarily high mortality rates.

Emergency department utilization patterns for pediatric urinary stone patients in the United States.

Background: The prevalence of pediatric urolithiasis has increased rapidly, leading to more emergency department (ED) visits across the United States.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine emergency care practices for children and adolescents with urinary stones and characteristics associated with management.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional study of the 2021 Nationwide Emergency Department Sample to identify pediatric patients (≤21 years) presenting to an ED in the United States with a primary diagnosis of urinary stone disease.

Mentors without Borders: Bridging global gaps in medical and radiological education.

Pursuing medical careers like radiology is challenging even for those with high levels of commitment, discipline, and resilience. Many rely on the guidance and support from mentors whose experiences serve as the roadmap for new generations. Unfortunately, finding a mentor can be difficult in certain parts of the world or when physicians decide to live and practice medicine outside their country of origin.

Zoonotic Gastroenteric Diseases of Exotic Animals.

Exotic pet ownership has steadily increased over the last decade, and with increased numbers of these species in close contact with humans, the risk of gastrointestinal zoonoses has also increased. Non-typhoidal serovars of Salmonella enterica are one of the most prevalent and important zoonoses of exotic pets, and reptile and backyard poultry are common asymptomatic carriers of these bacteria. Outbreaks of reptile-associated salmonellosis have occurred yearly in the United States since 2019 but contact with backyard poultry has actually been associated with more Salmonella outbreaks in the United States than any other animal species to date.

Fish Gastroenterology.

Fish represent the most common companion exotic animal in the United States and Canada in number of individuals and hold the third place after dogs and cats in terms of the number of households. Beyond companion animals, fish gastrointestinal diseases are particularly relevant for the aquaculture industry as feeding represents about 50% to 70% of the costs associated with fish production. Thus, nutrient malabsorption may have dramatic consequences both for the fish health and body condition score, but also for farmers.

Histone Deacetylase 9 Deletion Inhibits Hepatic Steatosis and Adipose Tissue Inflammation in Male Diet-Induced Obese Mice.

Aim: The goal of this study was to determine the role of histone deacetylase 9 (HDAC9) in the development of diet-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) and white adipose tissue (WAT) dysfunctions.

Methods: We fed male and female mice with global Hdac9 knockout (KO) and their wild-type (WT) littermates an obesogenic high-fat/high-sucrose/high-cholesterol (35%/34%/2%, w/w) diet for 20 weeks.

Results: Hdac9 deletion markedly inhibited body weight gain and liver steatosis with lower liver weight and triglyceride content than WT in male mice but not females.

A Prodrug Nanodevice Co-delivering Docetaxel and ROR1 siRNA for Enhanced Triple Negative Breast Cancer Therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been a clinical challenge due to its high recurrence and metastasis rates. Chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for TNBC after surgery ablation, but it lacks targeted specificity and causes side effects in normal tissues. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is significantly expressed in TNBC cells, and small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting ROR1 can effectively suppress ROR1 gene expression, thereby inhibiting proliferation and metastasis.

Secondary Transport Mechanisms in Amino Acid Fed Enhanced Biological Phosphorus Removal.

Enhanced biological phosphorus removal (EBPR) water resource recovery facilities (WRRFs) often fail to meet phosphorus discharge permit limits, indicating a need to improve EBPR to reduce environmental phosphorus discharges. EBPR designs are largely based on the Accumulibacter polyphosphate accumulating organism (PAO) metabolism, while understudied Tetrasphaera PAOs are equally important to EBPR in many facilities worldwide. Anaerobic organic carbon competition is believed to be a key driver of EBPR reliability.

Improving colonoscopy quality in the national VA healthcare system.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) prevention is a Veterans Affairs (VA) priority. Colonoscopy quality, especially adenoma detection rate (ADR), is critical for effective screening. Our research indicates considerable variation in ADR among VA providers.

Text message-delivered cannabis use disorder treatment with young adults: A large randomized clinical trial.

Background: Two scientific and clinical challenges for treating cannabis use disorder (CUD) are developing efficacious treatments with high likelihood of uptake and scalability, and testing the clinical mechanisms by which treatments work. Because young adults experience more CUD than other age groups, a need exists to test the efficacy and hypothesized causal pathways of novel treatments for CUD. Text-delivered treatments have the potential to reach young adults by increasing access and perceived privacy.

Treatment and Survival Disparities in Asian Americans With Hepatocellular Carcinoma: The Need to Disaggregate a Diverse Cohort.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is one of the leading causes of cancer death in the United States and globally. The Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) population has often been studied as one homogenous cohort despite its heterogeneity. We aim to understand differences in treatment modality and mortality among AANHPI patients with early-stage HCC.

Triticum mosaic virus: An overview of biology, functional genomics, gene expression vector, and management strategies.

Triticum mosaic virus (TriMV; Poacevirus tritici) is the founding member of the genus Poacevirus within the family Potyviridae. TriMV is one of the components of the wheat streak mosaic disease (WSMD) complex, an economically significant wheat disease in the Great Plains region of the USA. TriMV contains a single-stranded positive-sense RNA genome of 10,266 nts with an unusually long 5'-nontranslated region of 739 nts.

Targeting CCR5: A central approach to HIV treatment and cure strategies.

CCR5, a co-receptor critical for R5-tropic HIV entry into host cells, remains a key target for therapeutic interventions. HIV utilizes CCR5, expressed on T cells and macrophages, to facilitate viral entry. Genetic variants, such as the CCR5Δ32 homozygous mutation that confers protection to HIV infection, have made CCR5 a main target for gene-editing technologies, small-molecule inhibitors, and monoclonal antibody-based therapies.

Estimating effective reproduction numbers using wastewater data from multiple sewersheds for SARS-CoV-2 in California counties.

The effective reproduction number serves as a metric of population-wide, time-varying disease spread. During the early years of the COVID-19 pandemic, this metric was primarily derived from case data, which has varied in quality and representativeness due to changes in testing volume, test-seeking behavior, and resource constraints. Deriving nowcasting estimates from alternative data sources such as wastewater provides complementary information that could inform future public health responses.