A mucus layer derived from porcine intestinal organoid air-liquid interface monolayer attenuates swine enteric coronavirus infection by antiviral activity of Muc2.

Background: The mucus layer provides the first defense that keeps the epithelium free from microorganisms. However, the effect of the small intestinal mucus layer on pathogen invasion is still poorly understood, especially for swine enteric coronavirus. To better understand virus‒mucus layer‒intestinal epithelium interactions, here, we developed a porcine intestinal organoid mucus‒monolayer model under air‒liquid interface (ALI) conditions.

Retrospective Epidemiology of Dermatomycosis in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, From 2000 to 2023.

Background: Although cutaneous mycoses are a global public health problem, very few data are available in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the retrospective clinical epidemiology of dermatomycosis and their associated risk factors in dermatological consultations in Kinshasa, DRC.

Methods: A retrospective study based on the medical records of patients seen in the departments of dermatology of 2 major hospitals in Kinshasa from March 2000 to August 2023 was carried out.

Transcription factors form a ternary complex with NIPBL/MAU2 to localize cohesin at enhancers.

While the cohesin complex is a key player in genome architecture, how it localizes to specific chromatin sites is not understood. Recently, we and others have proposed that direct interactions with transcription factors lead to the localization of the cohesin-loader complex (NIPBL/MAU2) within enhancers. Here, we identify two clusters of LxxLL motifs within the NIPBL sequence that regulate NIPBL dynamics, interactome, and NIPBL-dependent transcriptional programs.

Myocardial mRNA expression of interleukin-6 and hypoxia inducible factor-1α in neonates with congenital cardiac defects.

Background: In neonates with congenital heart disease (CHD), myocardial remodelling involves activation of inflammatory pathways. The role of hypoxemia related pathways is however unknown. This study was therefore designed to investigate myocardial mRNA expression of interleukin (IL)-6 and hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α in neonates with CHD and analyse its influence on post-operative outcome.

Clinical importance of patient-reported outcome measures in severe asthma: results from U-BIOPRED.

Rationale: Knowledge about the clinical importance of patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) in severe asthma is limited.

Objectives: To assess whether and to what extent asthma exacerbations affect changes in PROMS over time and asthma-specific PROMs can predict exacerbations in adult patients with severe asthma in usual care.

Methods: Data of 421 patients with severe asthma (62% female; mean age 51.

Dynamic Preservation of Donation After Circulatory Death Liver Grafts From Donors Aged 60 y and Older.

Background: Donor livers from older donation after circulatory death (DCD) donors are frequently discarded for transplantation because of the high risk of graft failure. It is unknown whether DCD livers from older donors benefit from dynamic preservation.

Methods: In a multicenter study, we retrospectively compared graft and patient outcomes after transplantation of livers from DCD donors older than 60 y, preserved with either static cold storage (SCS), ex situ sequential dual hypothermic perfusion, controlled oxygenated rewarming, and normothermic perfusion (DHOPE-COR-NMP), or in situ abdominal normothermic regional perfusion (aNRP).

Early vs Late Anticoagulation After Ischemic Stroke in Patients With Atrial Fibrillation and Covert Brain Infarcts.

Background And Objectives: Covert brain infarcts (CBIs) in patients with first-ever ischemic stroke (IS) and atrial fibrillation (AF) are associated with an increased risk of stroke recurrence. We aimed to assess whether CBIs modify the treatment effect of early vs late initiation of direct oral anticoagulants (DOACs) in patients with IS and AF.

Methods: We conducted a post hoc analysis of the international, multicenter, randomized-controlled ELAN trial, which compared early (<48 hours after ischemic stroke for minor and moderate stroke, 6-7 days for major stroke) vs late (>48 hours for minor, 3-4 days for moderate, 12-14 days for major stroke) initiation of DOACs in patients with IS and AF.

Impact of the COVID-19 vaccination on confusion around vaccination in general: A longitudinal study on a university population over 18 months.

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, vaccine hesitancy was one of the main global public health threats. Unfortunately, the COVID-19 crisis and its associated risks only reinforced this hesitancy. This study aimed to identify to what extent the COVID-19 vaccination affected confusion around vaccination in general, its change and any associated factors.

The Effects of Coronavirus Disease-19 Pandemic on Tuberculosis Treatment Uptake and Outcomes in the Fako Division of Cameroon.

Background: Tuberculosis (TB) caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis is an infectious disease affecting mainly the lungs and persists as the leading cause of death worldwide. With the emergence of coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19) pandemic, the management and outcome of TB has been greatly affected because of the global shift in attention. This study aims to determine the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the TB treatment uptake and outcomes in the Fako Division of Cameroon.

The Clinical Relevance of Prior Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery in Alcohol-Related Liver Disease in a Nationwide Belgian Liver Transplant Population.

Background And Aims: Patients with a history of metabolic and bariatric surgery (MBS) are susceptible to developing alcohol use disorder. Outcome after transplantation for alcohol-related liver disease (ALD) has not been studied in-depth.

Methods: We included adult patients who underwent a liver transplantation (LT) in Belgium between 1 January 2013 and 31 December 2022 for ALD.

Computed Tomographic Assessment of the Main Abdominal Vessels in Dogs.

Computed tomographic (CT) characterisation of abdominal vessels is poorly studied. The objectives of this retrospective study were to assess during growth, by CT angiography, the evolution of the aorta (Ao), caudal vena cava (CVC), portal vein (PV), length of the second lumbar vertebra (L2) and different ratios between these structures; and to determine the influence of weight and age on the vessels' sizes and ratios. The first group included six beagles scanned every month from 4 to 12 months old, then every 3 months up to 24 months old.

Definition of sinonasal and otological exacerbation in patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia: an expert consensus.

Background: Recurrent infections of the nose, sinuses and ears are common problems for people with primary ciliary dyskinesia. While pulmonary exacerbations in primary ciliary dyskinesia are defined, there is no definition for ear-nose-throat exacerbations, a potential outcome for research and clinical trials.

Methods: We set up an expert panel of 24 ear-nose-throat specialists, respiratory physicians, other healthcare professionals and patients to develop consensus definitions of sinonasal and otological exacerbations in children and adults with primary ciliary dyskinesia for research settings.

[Assessment of empathy in health science students : a comparative study at the University of Liège].

Introduction: Empathy refers to the ability to understand the emotions of others and to show this understanding. It plays a crucial role in the healthcare professions and should be developed during training. The aim of this study was to compare the empathy levels of students from different sections of health sciences enrolled in their final year at the University of Liège.

[Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis patients in internal medicine : a 10-year retrospective study].

Introduction: Transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis is a pathology increasingly encountered in all hospital departments, including internal medicine. The aim of our study is to describe the characteristics and care pathway of patients with transthyretin cardiac amyloidosis in internal medicine and to show that the number of patients diagnosed is increasing.

Methods: Descriptive, retrospective, non-interventional, single-center study at Strasbourg University Hospitals (HUS).

Development of a Microphysiological Cartilage-on-Chip Platform for Dynamic Biomechanical Stimulation of Three-Dimensional Encapsulated Chondrocytes in Agarose Hydrogels.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is one of the most prevalent joint diseases globally, characterized by the progressive breakdown of articular cartilage, resulting in chronic pain, stiffness, and loss of joint function. Despite its significant socioeconomic impact, therapeutic options remain limited, largely due to an incomplete understanding of the molecular mechanisms driving cartilage degradation and OA pathogenesis. Recent advances in in vitro modeling have revolutionized joint tissue research, transitioning from simplistic two-dimensional cell cultures to sophisticated three-dimensional (3D) constructs that more accurately mimic the physiological microenvironment of native cartilage.

The morphology and molecular mechanisms of enhanced olfaction in the grain aphid Sitobion miscanthi.

Winged aphids develop more sensitive olfaction than the wingless phenotype to identify potential habitat from afar. Two types of olfactory sensilla, primary rhinarium (PRh) and secondary rhinarium (SRh) are responsible for aphid olfactory perception, of which, SRh is involved in the perception of both E-β-farnesene (EBF) and plant volatiles. Odorant binding proteins (OBPs) play a vital role in the response of insect olfactory nerves located in the rhinarium to external odor stimuli.

Residual analysis for the identification of potential mid-infrared-derived biomarkers of heat stress in dairy cattle.

Numerous prediction equations have been developed based on mid-infrared (MIR) spectra, and some could be potentially used as biomarkers of heat stress. However, practical experience shows that confusion can easily occur between the effect of heat stress and other effects, such as lactation stage or feeding variation over the year. On this basis, the objective of this study was to identify potential milk components predicted by MIR as biomarkers of heat stress based on a 2-step approach allowing correction for those effects.

Behavioural impact of antibiotic stewardship in children in primary care: interviews with GPs and parents.

Background: The ARON study, a randomized controlled trial, assesses a behavioural intervention incorporating clinically guided C-reactive protein (CRP) point-of-care testing and a parental information booklet to reduce inappropriate antibiotic prescriptions for acutely ill children in Belgian primary care.

Objectives: To explore GP and parent views and experiences regarding the ARON trial intervention.

Methods: We conducted a qualitative embedded process evaluation in Belgian general practice.

Legal pluralism and the production of (un)certainty in lived migration orders.

This article builds on three of Keebet von Benda-Beckmann's core concepts, namely, legal pluralism, social security and relational social theory, to reflect on the place of law in lived migration orders, both in the global north and in the global south. To do this, we build on three empirical case studies from our respective fieldsites in Germany, Belgium and the DRC. These cases illustrate how 'thinking with Keebet's work' not only offers useful 'sensitizing concepts' for the empirical study of migration law and migration studies more broadly, but also provides a much-needed conceptual vocabulary to speak to and intervene in current debates in more doctrinal legal scholarship on global migration law.

Dipolar gels formed by aggregation of magnetized beads.

The out-of-equilibrium aggregation of dipolar particles, such as magnetized beads, leads to the formation of large structures composed of chains, loops, and eventually ribbons. In the present study, we focus on the evolution of these different substructures in a two-dimensional system confined within progressively shrinking environments. Using numerical simulations, we identify structural events as a function of the packing fraction.

Onsager variational principle for granular fluids.

Granular fluids, as defined by a collection of moving solid particles, is a paradigm of a dissipative system out of equilibrium. Inelastic collisions between particles is the source of dissipation, and is the origin of a transition from a gas to a liquidlike state. This transition can be triggered by an increase of the solid fraction.

Complete genome sequence of a novel iflavirus from wheat sawfly (Dolerus tritici).

Little is known about the insect viruses in wheat sawfly, Dolerus tritici, which is an important agricultural insect feeding on wheat leaves. Here, we used RNA sequencing to identify a novel single positive-strand RNA virus from the larvae of wheat sawfly collected in northern China and then determined its complete genome sequence by rapid amplification of cDNA ends. The complete genome is 9,594 nt in length, including a polyA tail at its 3' terminus, and it is predicted to encode a 326.