Fitness costs of Mycobacterium tuberculosis resistant to rifampicin is compensated by rapid Th2 polarization mediated by early and high IL-4 production during mice infection.

It was a general belief that drug resistance in Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) was associated with lesser virulence, particularly rifampicin resistance, which is usually produced by mutations in the RNA polymerase Beta subunit (RpoB). Interestingly, this kind of bacterial mutations affect gene transcription with significant effects on bacterial physiology and metabolism, affecting also the bacterial antigenic constitution that in consequence can produce diverse immune responses and disease outcome. In the present study, we show the results of the Mtb clinical isolate A96, which is resistant to rifampicin and when used to infect BALB/c mice showed hypervirulence, apparently by rapidly polarization of the Th2 immune response through early and high production of IL-4.

A β-cyclodextrin-based supramolecular modular system creating micellar carriers for codelivery of doxorubicin and siRNA for potential combined chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

The combination of chemotherapy and gene therapy holds promise in treating cancer. A key strategy is to use small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) to silence programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer cells, disrupting tumor immune evasion and enhancing anticancer treatments, particularly when used in conjunction with chemotherapy drugs such as doxorubicin (Dox). However, effective codelivery of drugs and genes requires carefully designed carriers and complex synthesis procedures.

Action of GABAB receptor on local network oscillation in somatosensory cortex of oral part: focusing on NMDA receptor.

The balance of activity between glutamatergic and GABAergic networks is particularly important for oscillatory neural activities in the brain. Here, we investigated the roles of GABA receptors in network oscillation in the oral somatosensory cortex (OSC), focusing on NMDA receptors. Neural oscillation at the frequency of 8-10 Hz was elicited in rat brain slices after caffeine application.

Lactational exposure to perfluorooctane sulfonate remains a potential risk in brain function of middle-aged male mice.

Perfluorooctane sulfonate (PFOS) exerts adverse effects on neuronal development in young population. Limited evidences have shown that early-life PFOS exposure holds a potential risk for developing age-related neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease later in life. The present study investigated the effects of lactational PFOS exposure on cognitive function using one-year-old mice.

An interactive simulator to deepen the understanding of Guyton's venous return curve.

Mean circulatory filling pressure, venous return curve, and Guyton's graphical analysis are basic concepts in cardiovascular physiology. However, some medical students may not know how to view and interpret or understand them adequately. To deepen students' understanding of the graphical analysis, in place of having to perform live animal experiments, we developed an interactive cardiovascular simulator, as a self-learning tool, as a web application.

Evaluation of newly developed wearable ear canal thermometer, mimicking the application to activities on sports and labor fields.

We evaluated the reliability of a newly developed wearable ear canal thermometer based on three different experiments, in which ear canal and rectal temperature (T and T, respectively) were simultaneously monitored. In Experiment 1, participants sat at 28°C and 50% relative humidity (RH), during which fanning or 41°C lower legs water immersion was conducted. In Experiment 2, participants conducted a 70-min treadmill exercise (4 km/h, 0.

Relationships between feeding behaviors and emotions: an electroencephalogram (EEG) frequency analysis study.

Feeding behaviors may be easily affected by emotions, both being based on brain activity; however, the relationships between them have not been explicitly defined. In this study, we investigated how emotional environments modulate subjective feelings, brain activity, and feeding behaviors. Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings were obtained from healthy participants in conditions of virtual comfortable space (CS) and uncomfortable space (UCS) while eating chocolate, and the times required for eating it were measured.

Green solid lipid nanoparticles by coacervation of fatty acids: An innovative cosmetic ingredient for the delivery of anti-age compounds through the skin.

The constant exposure of the skin to internal and external stimuli drives towards skin aging and lost in skin hydration and elasticity. Chronic low-grade inflammation, called inflammaging, and oxidative stress are the leading causes of this phenomenon. Fatty acid coacervation is a preparation method for Solid Lipid Nanoparticles (SLNs), which does not employ solvents, and is associated to low energy consumption.

Data management and sharing.

Guided by the FAIR principles (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, Reusable), responsible data sharing requires well-organized, high-quality datasets. However, researchers often struggle with implementing Data Management and Sharing Plans (DMSPs) due to lack of knowledge on how to do this, time constraints, legal, technical and financial challenges, particularly concerning data ownership and privacy. While patients support data sharing, researchers and funders may hesitate, fearing the loss of intellectual property or competitive advantage.

Widespread environmental contamination from relic munitions in the southwestern Baltic Sea.

Relic munitions from warfare and intentional dumping contaminate coastal waters worldwide, with an estimated 300,000 tons in the German Baltic Sea alone. These contain toxic conventional explosive chemicals, including 2,4,6-trinitrotoluene (TNT), 1,3,5-trinitro-1,3,5-triazinane (RDX), and 1,3-dinitrobenzene (DNB). Corrosion of metal munition housings in seawater releases these munition chemicals (MCs) to the marine environment.

Unfolding of von Willebrand Factor Type D Like Domains Promotes Mucin Adhesion.

Mucins are the macromolecular key components of mucus. On wet epithelia of mammals, mucin solutions and gels act as powerful biolubricants and reduce friction and wear by generating a sacrificial layer and establishing hydration lubrication. Yet the structure-function relationship of mucin adhesion and lubrication remains elusive.

Bottlebrush Pastes as a Platform for Solvent-Free, Injectable, and Shape-Persistent Materials with Tissue-Mimetic Viscoelasticity.

Architecturally hindered crystallization of bottlebrush graft copolymers offers a reaction- and solvent-free pathway for creating injectable elastomers with tissue-mimetic softness. Currently, injectable materials involve solvents and chemical reactions, leading to uncontrolled swelling, leaching of unreacted moieties, and side reactions with tissue. To address this issue, bottlebrush copolymers with a poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) amorphous block and crystallizable poly(lactic acid) (PLA) grafted chains (A--B) were synthesized, with grafted chains of controlled length arranged along the backbone at controlled spacing.

Population structure of Clinostomum complanatum (Trematoda: Digenea) with new data on haplotype diversity of flukes from Slovakia and Italy.

The fluke Clinostomum complanatum, a parasite of piscivorous birds, but also reptiles and rarely mammals, has established several foci in the western Palaearctic regions. Previous studies pointed out the complicated taxonomy of the genus, but broader population genetic analysis of C. complanatum has not yet been carried out.

[Quantification of Facial Asymmetry : A Comprehensive Review of Methods and Applications].

Introduction: Facial asymmetry, present in all human faces at varying degrees, plays a critical role in clinical fields such as orthodontics, orthognathic and plastic surgeries, and craniofacial reconstruction. Accurate quantification of facial asymmetry is essential for diagnosis, treatment planning, and post-surgical evaluation.

Material And Methods: This article examines contemporary methods for quantifying facial asymmetry, including two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) landmark-based approaches, surface curvature analysis, and advanced image-based techniques.

Efficacy of a hydrogen-oxygen generator in treating cigarette smoke-induced chronic obstructive pulmonary disease in rats.

Current treatments for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), a common respiratory condition, include oxygen therapy and steroids for temporary relief. In this study, we established a rat model of cigarette smoke (CS)-induced COPD and investigated the benefits of a hydrogen-oxygen generator in this model. CS-exposed rats were treated using either a hydrogen-oxygen generator or a steroid.

Exploring the ability of plasma pTau217, pTau181 and beta-amyloid in mirroring cerebrospinal fluid biomarker profile of Mild Cognitive Impairment by the fully automated Lumipulse platform.

Background: The approval of new disease-modifying therapies by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and the European Medicine Agency makes it necessary to optimize non-invasive and cost-effective tools for the identification of subjects at-risk of developing Alzheimer's Disease (AD).

Endothelial cells under disturbed flow release extracellular vesicles to promote inflammatory polarization of macrophages and accelerate atherosclerosis.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from endothelial cells (ECs) are increasingly recognized for their role in the initiation and progression of atherosclerosis. ECs experience varying degrees and types of blood flow depending on their specific arterial locations. In regions of disturbed flow, which are predominant sites for atherosclerotic plaque formation, the impact of disturbed flow on the secretion and function of ECs-derived EVs remains unclear.

Plasticity in metastatic colorectal cancer.

Genetic mutations cause colorectal cancer (CRC) initiation, but their contribution to metastasis and therapy resistance is less clear. In a recent issue of Nature, Moorman et al. use single-cell transcriptome sequencing to map the changes in cancer cell state (cell phenotypes) that occur through CRC progression.

A Systematic Approach to Prioritise Diagnostically Useful Findings for Inclusion in Electronic Health Records as Discrete Data to Improve Clinical Artificial Intelligence Tools and Genomic Research.

Aims: The recent widespread use of electronic health records (EHRs) has opened the possibility for innumerable artificial intelligence (AI) tools to aid in genomics, phenomics, and other research, as well as disease prevention, diagnosis, and therapy. Unfortunately, much of the data contained in EHRs are not optimally structured for even the most sophisticated AI approaches. There are very few published efforts investigating methods for recording discrete data in EHRs that would not slow current clinical workflows or ways to prioritise patient characteristics worth recording.

PFAS concentrations in the blood of Danish surfers.

Background: Per- and poly-fluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) have been used for decades in countless households and industrial products. Many PFAS do not degrade and are thus ubiquitous in the environment and within organisms. Humans are primarily exposed to PFAS through ingestion and inhalation, and such exposure has been associated with several health effects.

The InP(100) Surface Phase Diagram: From the Gas Phase to the Electrochemical Environment.

The versatile optoelectronic properties of the material class of III-V semiconductors enable the highest performance in photovoltaic and photoelectrochemical solar cells. While a high level of control and understanding with respect to different surface reconstructions of these compounds in gas-phase ambient has been reached, the situation in an electrochemical environment still poses challenges. Here, we therefore have undertaken a computational study of the InP(100) surface in the presence of hydrogen and chlorine, mimicking the contact with a hydrochloric acid-containing electrolyte, aiming at an understanding of ion adsorption and dominant surface reconstructions with respect to applied potential and electrolyte concentration.

Methyltransferase-like 14 promotes ferroptosis in sepsis-induced acute kidney injury via increasing the m6A methylation modification of LPCAT3.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is one of the most serious and common complications in the course of sepsis, known for its poor prognosis and high mortality rate. Recently, ferroptosis, as a newly discovered regulatory cell death, might be closely associated with the progression of AKI. METTL14 is a writer of RNA m6A, an abundant epigenetic modification in transcriptome with broad function.

Developing a co-designed, culturally responsive physical activity program for Pasifika communities in Western Sydney, Australia.

Pasifika communities in Western Sydney experience significant health disparities, particularly related to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular conditions and diabetes. Physical activity is known to improve both physical and mental health, yet access to culturally responsive physical activity programs for Pasifika communities is limited. This study leveraged expertise from an Advisory Committee to adopt community-based participatory research (CBPR) through Talanoa to co-design a physical activity program specifically tailored for Pasifika people in Western Sydney.

Lived experiences of migrant and refugee parents: Challenges encountered during their journey and settlement in Europe.

Parenting in the context of migration presents a unique set of challenges for refugee parents, who must navigate the cultural norms and expectations of both their home and resettlement countries while balancing their daily parenting responsibilities and practices. This study aims to provide a critical analysis of the experiences, needs, and challenges faced by migrant and refugee parents during their journey and settlement in Europe, as recounted through their personal narratives. Utilizing a qualitative approach, the researchers collected twenty-seven life narratives of migrant and/or refugee parents through purposive sampling.