SwarmMAP: Swarm Learning for Decentralized Cell Type Annotation in Single Cell Sequencing Data.

Rapid technological advancements have made it possible to generate single-cell data at a large scale. Several laboratories around the world can now generate single-cell transcriptomic data from different tissues. Unsupervised clustering, followed by annotation of the cell type of the identified clusters, is a crucial step in single-cell analyses.

Clinical impact of inappropriate DOAC dosing in atrial fibrillation: Insights from a real-world registry.

Background: A significant number of patients with atrial fibrillation (AF) on direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) receives off-label or inappropriate doses. This study examines the prevalence, dosages, and clinical outcomes in AF-patients on DOAC therapy admitted to an emergency department (ED).

Methods: This retrospective single-center observational study utilized data from the Heidelberg Registry of Atrial Fibrillation (HERA-FIB), consecutively including patients with AF presenting to the ED of the University Hospital of Heidelberg from June 2009 to March 2020.

Targeted barcoding of variable antibody domains and individual transcriptomes of the human B-cell repertoire using Link-Seq.

Here, we present Link-Seq, a highly efficient droplet microfluidic method for combined sequencing of antibody-encoding genes and the transcriptome of individual B cells at large scale. The method is based on 3' barcoding of the transcriptome and subsequent single-molecule PCR in droplets, which freely shift the barcode along specific gene regions, such as the antibody heavy- and light-chain genes. Using the immune repertoire of COVID-19 patients and healthy donors as a model system, we obtain up to 91.

Two-pore channel regulators - Who is in control?

Two-pore channels (TPCs) are adenine nucleotide and phosphoinositide regulated cation channels. NAADP activates and ATP blocks TPCs, while the endolysosomal phosphoinositide PI(3,5)P activates TPCs. TPCs are ubiquitously expressed including expression in the innate as well as the adaptive immune system.

Strand-Swapped SH3 Domain Dimer with Superoxide Dismutase Activity.

The design of metalloproteins allows us to better understand metal complexation in proteins and the resulting function. In this study, we incorporated a Cu-binding site into a natural protein domain, the 58 amino acid c-Crk-SH3, to create a miniaturized superoxide dismutase model, termed SO1. The resulting low complexity metalloprotein was characterized for structure and function by circular dichroism and UV spectroscopy as well as EPR spectroscopy and X-ray crystallography.

Molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation studies of inhibitor candidates against 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase and implications on vector control.

Isoxazole and oxadiazole derivatives inhibiting 3-hydroxykynurenine transaminase (3HKT) are potential larvicidal candidates. This study aims to identify more suited potential inhibitors of 3HKT (3HKT) through molecular docking and molecular dynamics simulation. A total of 958 compounds were docked against 3HKT (PDB ID: 2CH2) using Autodock vina and Autodock4.

Achieving cup target as per spinopelvic assessment is associated with improved THA outcome: a prospective, multicentre study.

Background: Different methods can help to optimise sagittal cup orientation in total hip arthroplasty (THA) based on individual spinopelvic characteristics. This study aimed to: (1) assess how often combined sagittal index (CSI) and hip-spine-classification targets were achieved post THA; (2) compare anteversion/inclination between cups in-/outside optimal CSI zone; and (3) determine association with outcome.

Methods: This is a multicentre, prospective, case-cohort study of 435 primary THA for osteoarthritis (53% females; age: 65 ± 12 years; follow-up: 2.

Beta-blockers and epithelial ovarian cancer survival: A Norwegian population-based cohort study.

Cancer diagnosis and therapy cause stress to the body. Preclinical studies have shown that stress hormones can stimulate tumor progression and metastasis by interacting with β-adrenergic receptors, and that β-blockers can inhibit those processes. We assessed if β-blocker use was associated with survival in a nationwide cohort of women with epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

RADAR-AD: assessment of multiple remote monitoring technologies for early detection of Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder affecting millions worldwide, leading to cognitive and functional decline. Early detection and intervention are crucial for enhancing the quality of life of patients and their families. Remote Monitoring Technologies (RMTs) offer a promising solution for early detection by tracking changes in behavioral and cognitive functions, such as memory, language, and problem-solving skills.

Rationale and design of the multicenter, national, randomized, open labeled phase III trial: allogeneic stem cell transplantation as a potential curative treatment for patients with relapsed or progressed multiple myeloma (AlloRelapseMM Study).

Background: Even though major improvements have been made in the treatment of myeloma, the majority of patients eventually relapse or progress. Patients with multiple myeloma who relapse after initial high-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cells have a median progression free survival up to 2-3 years, depending on risk factors such as previous remission duration. In recent years, growing evidence has suggested that allogeneic stem cell transplantation could be a promising treatment option for patients with relapsed or progressed multiple myeloma.

Factors associated with statural growth in pediatric kidney transplant recipients with focus on metabolic acidosis.

Background: We investigated factors associated with post-transplant growth in pediatric kidney transplant (KTx) recipients with a focus on plasma bicarbonate (HCO3) and estimated the effect of alkali treatment on growth.

Methods: In this study of the CERTAIN Registry, data were collected up to 5 years post-transplant. Generalized Additive Mixed Models were applied to assess the association between post-transplant growth and covariates.

Maternal weight during pregnancy and risk of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia in offspring.

In addition to biological factors, maternal exposures during pregnancy can contribute to leukemogenesis in offspring. We conducted a population-based cohort study in Sweden to investigate the association between risk of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in offspring and maternal anthropometrics during pregnancy. A total of 2,961,435 live-born singletons during 1983-2018 were followed from birth to ALL diagnosis, end of age 18, or end of 2018.

A novel uORF regulates folliculin to promote cell growth and lysosomal biogenesis during cardiac stress.

Pathological cardiac remodeling is a maladaptive response that leads to changes in the size, structure, and function of the heart. These changes occur due to an acute or chronic stress on the heart and involve a complex interplay of hemodynamic, neurohormonal and molecular factors. As a critical regulator of cell growth, protein synthesis and autophagy mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) is an important mediator of pathological cardiac remodeling.

Jacob Fidelis Ackermann (1765-1815): pioneer in the anatomical description of basilar invagination.

Jacob Fidelis Ackermann was a German Medical Doctor born in 1765 in the city of Rüdesheim. Between 1789 and 1815 years he was professor of medicine at the universities of Mainz and Heidelberg, teaching the disciplines of anatomy, physiology, botany, and natural history. In his famous work on basilar invagination, Ackermann described and illustrated the cranial base flattening in two skulls from Italy.

Nuclear calcium signaling in D1 receptor-expressing neurons of the nucleus accumbens regulates molecular, cellular and behavioral adaptations to cocaine.

Background: The persistence of cocaine-evoked adaptations relies on gene regulations within the reward circuit, especially in the ventral striatum (i.e., nucleus accumbens (NAc)).

Neurodevelopmental Follow-Up in Children with Intrauterine and Perinatal Exposure to Chikungunya Virus.

Objective: To investigate the effects of intrauterine and perinatal exposure to chikungunya virus (CHIKV) on neurodevelopment in infants and toddlers.

Study Design: We conducted a cohort study comparing children with intrauterine or perinatal exposure to maternal CHIKV infection with unexposed controls in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Neurodevelopment was assessed with General Movement Assessments (GMA) in the first six months of life, and the Bayley-III Scales of Infant and Toddler Development and Modified Checklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) for older children.

Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia across the spectrum of alcohol use disorder: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Insomnia is prevalent among patients with alcohol use disorder (AUD), potentially undermining treatment and increasing the risk of relapse. Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) is the recommended first-line treatment for insomnia, but its efficacy is not well-characterized in patients across the spectrum of AUD. The aim of this meta-analysis was to quantify the effectiveness of CBT-I in improving insomnia severity and alcohol-related outcomes in adults with heavy alcohol use and/or varying levels of AUD severity and comorbid insomnia.

Pharmacological blocking of microfibrillar-associated protein 4 reduces retinal neoangiogenesis and vascular leakage.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema are leading causes of vision-loss evoked by retinal neovascularization and vascular leakage. The glycoprotein microfibrillar-associated protein 4 (MFAP4) is an integrin αβ ligand present in the extracellular matrix. Single-cell transcriptomics reveal MFAP4 expression in cell-types in close proximity to vascular endothelial cells including choroidal vascular mural cells and retinal astrocytes and Müller cells.

Extracellular vesicles from pancreatic cancer and its tumour microenvironment promote increased Schwann cell migration.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) exhibits a high frequency of neural invasion (NI). Schwann cells (SCs) have been shown to be reprogrammed to facilitate cancer cell migration and invasion into nerves. Since extracellular vesicles (EVs) affect the tumour microenvironment and promote metastasis, the present study analysed the involvement of EVs from pancreatic cancer cells and their microenvironment in altering SC phenotype as part of the early events in the process of NI.

Comparison of the diagnostic performance of non-contrast MR angiography and planar V/Q scintigraphy for pulmonary embolism: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To conduct a meta-analysis of the diagnostic performance of non-contrast magnetic resonance pulmonary angiography (NC-MRPA) and ventilation-perfusion (V/Q) scintigraphy for the detection of acute pulmonary embolism (PE).

Materials And Methods: Systematic searches of electronic databases were conducted from 2000 to 2024. Primary outcomes were per-patient sensitivity and specificity of NC-MRPA and V/Q scintigraphy.

Characterizing the omics landscape based on 10,000+ datasets.

The characteristics of data produced by omics technologies are pivotal, as they critically influence the feasibility and effectiveness of computational methods applied in downstream analyses, such as data harmonization and differential abundance analyses. Furthermore, variability in these data characteristics across datasets plays a crucial role, leading to diverging outcomes in benchmarking studies, which are essential for guiding the selection of appropriate analysis methods in all omics fields. Additionally, downstream analysis tools are often developed and applied within specific omics communities due to the presumed differences in data characteristics attributed to each omics technology.