Biomarkers.

Background: In murine models, peripheral blood factors have been identified as having either a brain rejuvenating or ageing effect. However, it is unclear whether these blood factors have similar effects in humans. We aimed at testing the association between these blood factors and cognitive performance in cognitively unimpaired (CU) individuals at risk of Alzheimer's disease (AD).

Mitochondrial Dysfunction as a Biomarker of Illness State in Bipolar Disorder: A Critical Review.

Mitochondria are organelles involved in different cellular functions, especially energy production. A relationship between mitochondrial dysfunction and mood disorders, especially bipolar disorder (BD), has been reported in the scientific literature, which suggests altered energy production and higher levels of oxidative stress compared to healthy controls. Specifically, in BD, the hypothesis of a biphasic pattern of energy availability has been postulated according to mood states.

Multi-omics profiling reveals key factors involved in Ewing sarcoma metastasis.

Ewing sarcoma (EWS) is the second most common bone tumor affecting children and young adults, with dismal outcomes for patients with metastasis at diagnosis. Mechanisms leading to metastasis remain poorly understood. To deepen our knowledge on EWS progression, we have profiled tumors and metastases from a spontaneous metastasis mouse model using a multi-omics approach.

Human and entomological determinants of malaria transmission in the Lihir Islands of Papua New Guinea: A cross-sectional study.

Background: The Lihir Islands of Papua New Guinea, located in an area with high burden of malaria and hosting a large mining operation, offer a unique opportunity to study transmission. There, we investigated human and vector factors influencing malaria transmission.

Methods: In 2019, a cross-sectional study was conducted on 2,914 individuals assessing malaria prevalence through rapid diagnostic tests (RDT), microscopy, and quantitative PCR (qPCR).

Initial antigen encounter determines robust T-cell immunity against SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant three years later.

Objectives: We aimed to evaluate the adaptive immune responses' cross-recognition of the hypermutated SARS-CoV-2 BA.2.86 variant and identify the determinants influencing this recognition.

Use of non-specific immunoglobulins in Catalonia in three third-level hospitals: a descriptive analysis of a hospital-prescribed medication registry.

Background: The increasing use of non-specific immunoglobulins (NSIGs) and their current shortage show a need for NSIGs' use prioritization. Data from a clinical perspective are necessary, mainly for pediatric patients.

Objectives: The aim of the study was to assess the level of clinical evidence (LoE) of the indications that NSIGs are used for, the reasons for discontinuation, and the costs invested.

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.

Survival Outcomes in Sinonasal Mucosal Melanoma: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

: Sinonasal mucosal melanomas (SNMMs) are rare and aggressive malignancies with poor survival outcomes. Our systematic review and meta-analysis aim to evaluate overall survival (OS) rates in patients with SNMM; : We conducted a systematic search, following PRISMA guidelines across PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), and citation searching for studies reporting survival and prognosis outcomes for SNMMs. Inclusion criteria included studies with 5-year OS rates.

Molecular surveillance of Plasmodium falciparum histidine-rich protein 2/3 gene deletions in Mozambique, 2023.

Background: Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) based on the detection of Plasmodium falciparum histidine rich protein 2 (PfHRP2) are widely used for the diagnostic of P. falciparum in Africa. However, deletions of the pfhrp2 and pfhrp3 genes can lead to false negative test results and compromise appropriate case management.

Football (soccer) match-derived hamstring muscles residual fatigue can be monitored using early rate of torque development.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to determine whether a soccer match affects the rapid force-generating capacity of the hamstring muscles, given their key role in both horizontal ground reaction force production during sprint biomechanics, and in the deceleration of the shank during the late swing phase, where rapid force production is essential owing to time constraints. Therefore, the research objective was to determine soccer match-induced hamstrings residual fatigue and recovery through rate of torque development (RTD) and associated biochemical parameters.

Methods: The recovery kinetics of hamstrings RTD metrics by the 90°:20° test, together with serum biomarkers (creatine kinase, mitochondrial creatine kinase, transaminases, malondialdehyde, irisin), were assessed in 19 male, regional first-division soccer players (age = 20.

First-principles simulations of the fluorescence modulation of a COX-2-specific fluorogenic probe upon protein dimerization for cancer discrimination.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) plays a crucial role in inflammation and has been implicated in cancer development. Understanding the behavior of COX-2 in different cellular contexts is essential for developing targeted therapeutic strategies. In this study, we investigate the fluorescence spectrum of a fluorogenic probe, NANQ-IMC6, when bound to the active site of human COX-2 in both its monomeric and homodimeric forms.

Contrasting genetic burden for bipolar disorder: Early onset versus late onset in an older adult bipolar disorder sample.

Older Adults with Bipolar Disorder (OABD) represent a heterogeneous group, including those with early and late onset of the disorder. Recent evidence shows both groups have distinct clinical, cognitive, and medical features, tied to different neurobiological profiles. This study explored the link between polygenic risk scores (PRS) for bipolar disorder (PRS-BD), schizophrenia (PRS-SCZ), and major depressive disorder (PRS-MDD) with age of onset in OABD.

Undergraduate setup for measuring the Bell inequalities and performing quantum state tomography.

The growth of quantum technologies is attracting the interest of many students eager to learn concepts such as quantum entanglement or quantum superposition. However, the non-intuitive nature of these concepts poses a challenge to understanding them. Here, we present an entangled photon system which can perform a Bell test, i.

Echinocandins Pharmacokinetics: A Comprehensive Review of Micafungin, Caspofungin, Anidulafungin, and Rezafungin Population Pharmacokinetic Models and Dose Optimization in Special Populations.

In recent years, many population pharmacokinetic (popPK) models have been developed for echinocandins to better understand the pharmacokinetics (PK) of these antifungals. This comprehensive review aimed to summarize popPK models of echinocandins (micafungin, caspofungin, anidulafungin, and rezafungin), by focusing on dosage optimization to maximize the probability of attaining the PK/PD target proposed in special populations. A search in PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus, supplemented by the bibliography of relevant articles, was conducted from inception to March 2024, including both observational and prospective trials.

Mental health during the 2022 Russo-Ukrainian War: A scoping review and unmet needs.

Introduction: The Russo-Ukrainian War (RUW) poses a significant mental health burden, warranting a scoping review of the evidence to shed light on the unmet needs.

Methods: MEDLINE/PubMed and EMBASE databases were inquired from inception until September 1st, 2023, to address the following a-priori-formulated questions: i) "Which psychiatric population has been assessed? How did the conflict affect the functioning of people with established mental health conditions (e.g.

Digital phenotyping from wearables using AI characterizes psychiatric disorders and identifies genetic associations.

Psychiatric disorders are influenced by genetic and environmental factors. However, their study is hindered by limitations on precisely characterizing human behavior. New technologies such as wearable sensors show promise in surmounting these limitations in that they measure heterogeneous behavior in a quantitative and unbiased fashion.

Hollow fiber bioreactor allows sustained production of immortalized mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles.

Mesenchymal stromal cell-derived extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) have been reported to hold great potential as cell-free therapies due to their low immunogenicity and minimal toxicity. However, the large doses of MSC-EVs that are required for their clinical application highlight the urgency of finding a large-scale system for MSC-EV manufacture. In this study, we aimed to set up a hollow fiber bioreactor system for the continuous homogenous production of functional and high-quality MSC-EVs.

cfDNA fragmentation patterns correlate with tumor burden measured via PSMA PET/CT volumetric parameters in patients with biochemical recurrence of prostate cancer.

Background: Prostate cancer recurrence following primary treatment poses a significant clinical challenge, particularly when detected through biochemical recurrence at low PSA levels. Conventional imaging modalities often fail to localize the disease at this early stage. PSMA PET has demonstrated superior sensitivity in detecting recurrent lesions, even in patients with low PSA.

Hydrogel-antimicrobial peptide association: A novel and promising strategy to combat resistant infections.

Infections from multi-drug resistant bacteria (MDRB) have raised a worldwide concern, with projections indicating that fatalities from these infections could surpass those from cancer by 2050. This troubling trend is influenced by several factors, including the scarcity of new antibiotics to tackle challenging infections, the prohibitive costs of last-resort antibiotics, the inappropriate use of antimicrobial agents in agriculture and aquaculture, and the over-prescription of antibiotics in community settings. One promising alternative treatment is the application of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) against MDRB.

Urinary tartaric acid as a biomarker of wine consumption and cardiovascular risk: the PREDIMED trial.

Background And Aims: Moderate wine consumption has been associated with lower cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk in older populations. However, wine consumption information through self-reports is prone to measurement errors inherent to subjective assessments. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between urinary tartaric acid, an objective biomarker of wine consumption, and the rate of a composite clinical CVD event.

Vaccination coverage and access among children and adult migrants and refugees in the Middle East and North African region: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: The Middle East and North African (MENA) region is a major global hotspot for migration with more than 40 million migrants, who may be an under-vaccinated group because of barriers to vaccination within countries of origin, transit, and destination. We systematically synthesised the evidence on coverage, acceptance, drivers of uptake, and policies pertaining to vaccination for children and adult migrants in the region, in order to explore tailored interventions for these groups.

Methods: We searched six databases (including Medline, Embase) for peer-reviewed literature, and other websites (including WHO, IOM, ministries of health) for grey literature on coverage, acceptance, drivers of uptake and policies for any vaccination in migrants in the MENA region from between 2000 and 27 August 2024 in any language.

Less, but more: new insights from appendicularians on chordate Fgf evolution and the divergence of tunicate lifestyles.

The impact of gene loss on the diversification of taxa and the emergence of evolutionary innovations remains poorly understood. Here, our investigation on the evolution of the Fibroblast Growth Factors (FGFs) in appendicularian tunicates as a case study reveals a scenario of "less, but more" characterized by massive losses of all Fgf gene subfamilies, except for the Fgf9/16/20 and Fgf11/12/13/14, which in turn underwent two bursts of duplications. Through phylogenetic analysis, synteny conservation, and gene and protein structure, we reconstruct the history of appendicularian Fgf genes, highlighting their paracrine and intracellular functions.

Pushing the Boundaries of Ampullectomy for Benign Ampullary Tumors: 25-Year Outcomes of Surgical Ampullary Resection Associated with Duodenectomy or Biliary Resection.

Surgical resection for ampullary lesions lacks clear guidelines. Pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) is the standard treatment for malignant ampullary tumors but is often excessive for ampullary adenomas (AAs) due to its high morbidity and mortality. Transduodenal ampullectomy (TDA) is generally reserved for small benign lesions where endoscopic treatment fails, but its role in early ampullary cancers is debatable.