The mineralocorticoid receptor in diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetes mellitus is one of the leading causes of chronic kidney disease and its progression to end-stage kidney disease (ESKD). Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is characterized by glomerular hypertrophy, hyperfiltration, inflammation, and the onset of albuminuria, together with a progressive reduction in glomerular filtration rate. This progression is further accompanied by tubulointerstitial inflammation and fibrosis.

Selection based on the Breeding Soundness Evaluation is associated with the improvement of the reproductive quality of young Nellore bulls.

Breeding soundness evaluation (BSE) is the best methodology to estimate the fertility potential of future bulls and performing indirect selection for their fertility. However, the outcome of the BSE is influenced by several factors, including genetics, environment, and BSE guidelines. Herein, in this retrospective study, our first aim was to characterize the reasons for failure in 46,566 BSE from 2-year-old beef Bos indicus bulls (Nellore) born from 1997 to 2018.

Improving laboratory animal genetic reporting: LAG-R guidelines.

The biomedical research community addresses reproducibility challenges in animal studies through standardized nomenclature, improved experimental design, transparent reporting, data sharing, and centralized repositories. The ARRIVE guidelines outline documentation standards for laboratory animals in experiments, but genetic information is often incomplete. To remedy this, we propose the Laboratory Animal Genetic Reporting (LAG-R) framework.

Altered expression of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and soluble receptors in patients with colorectal cancer, and correlation with treatment outcome.

Insofar as they play an important role in the pathogenesis of colorectal cancer (CRC), this study analyzes the serum profile of cytokines, chemokines, growth factors, and soluble receptors in patients with CRC and cancer-free controls as possible CRC signatures. Serum levels of 65 analytes were measured in patients with CRC and age- and sex-matched cancer-free controls using the ProcartaPlex Human Immune Monitoring 65-Plex Panel. Of the 65 tested analytes, 8 cytokines (CSF-3, IFN-γ, IL-12p70, IL-18, IL-20, MIF, TNF-α and TSLP), 8 chemokines (fractalkine, MIP-1β, BLC, Eotaxin-1, Eotaxin-2, IP-10, MIP-1a, MIP-3a), 2 growth factors (FGF-2, MMP-1), and 4 soluble receptors (APRIL, CD30, TNFRII, and TWEAK), were differentially expressed in CRC.

Associations between COVID-19 therapies and outcomes in rural and urban America: A multisite, temporal analysis from the Alpha to Omicron SARS-CoV-2 variants.

Purpose: To investigate the enduring disparities in adverse COVID-19 events between urban and rural communities in the United States, focusing on the effects of SARS-CoV-2 vaccination and therapeutic advances on patient outcomes.

Methods: Using National COVID Cohort Collaborative (N3C) data from 2021 to 2023, this retrospective cohort study examined COVID-19 hospitalization, inpatient death, and other adverse events. Populations were categorized into urban, urban-adjacent rural (UAR), and nonurban-adjacent rural (NAR).

Individualized high-resolution analysis to categorize diverse learning and memory deficits in tau rTg4510 mice exposed to low-intensity blast.

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) resulting from low-intensity blast (LIB) exposure in military and civilian individuals is linked to enduring behavioral and cognitive abnormalities. These injuries can serve as confounding risk factors for the development of neurodegenerative disorders, including Alzheimer's disease-related dementias (ADRD). Recent animal studies have demonstrated LIB-induced brain damage at the molecular and nanoscale levels.

Vitamin D deficiency: A forgotten aspect in sleep disorders? A critical update.

Over the past few years, there has been a surge in interest regarding the connection between sleep duration and quality, sleep disorders, mainly Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) and Vitamin D. There is growing evidence to support a new role of Vitamin D in the maintenance and regulation of optimal sleep. Furthermore, a notable link has been identified between OSA and a decrease in serum Vitamin D levels, which appears to intensify as the severity of sleep apnea worsens.

Artificial Intelligence Methods for the Argenta Classification of Deformational Plagiocephaly to Predict Severity and Treatment Recommendation.

Introduction: Deformational plagiocephaly (DP) can be classified into 5 severity types using the Argenta scale (AS). Patients with type III or higher require referral to craniofacial surgery for management. Primary care pediatricians (PCPs) are often the first to encounter patients with DP, but current screening methods are subjective, increasing the risk of bias, especially for clinicians with little exposure to this population.

Extracellular vesicles and endothelial dysfunction in infectious diseases.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality and morbidity globally. Studies have shown that infections especially bacteraemia and sepsis are associated with increased risks for endothelial dysfunction and related CVDs including atherosclerosis. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are small, sealed membrane-derived structures that are released into body fluids and blood from cells and/or microbes and are critically involved in a variety of important cell functions and disease development, including intercellular communications, immune responses and inflammation.

Craniosynostosis Associated With Novel TUBG1 Mutation (NM_001070.4:c.821C>T) (p.Thr274Ile).

TUBG1, a tubulin gene, plays an important role in neurodevelopment. Here we describe a case of a novel TUGB1 mutation (NM_001070.4:c.

Reimagining the university's role in the health and well-being of the people it serves.

Academic medical centers and university extension programs remain underdeveloped collaborators, despite the complementary objectives between translational science and extension. This case study details the creation of a nationally unique interprofessional organizational structure between the University of Missouri (MU) Office of Extension and Engagement (MU Extension) and the MU School of Medicine to accelerate statewide reach of research and education discoveries using high-touch community health approaches. This article describes specific strategies used to systematically plan for: 1) creation and operation of the new structure, 2) routinization and institutionalizing the work, and 3) sustainability.

Association of Food Deserts and COVID-19 Severity in Pregnancy as Reflected by Need for Hospitalization.

Background: Socioeconomic disparities play an important role in disease epidemiology and outcomes in pregnancy.

Objective: The objective was to evaluate whether pregnant women with COVID-19 living in a food desert, are at increased risk of more severe disease reflected by symptoms at presentation and need for hospitalization.

Methods: In this retrospective observational study, the electronic medical records of all pregnant patients with documented SARS-CoV-2 infection were reviewed.

From bench to bedside: the past, present and future of IL-21 immunotherapy.

As immunotherapy gains momentum as a promising approach for treating several types of cancer, IL-21 has emerged as the latest discovery within the γ chain cytokine family, known for its decisive effects on innate and adaptive immunity and immunopathology. Through the modulation of immune cells, IL-21 has demonstrated significant anti-tumor effects in preclinical studies. The potential of IL-21 in cancer treatment has been explored in phase I and II clinical trials, where it has been utilized both as monotherapy and in combination with other drug agents.

Rapid plant-to-plant systemic signaling via a Cuscuta bridge.

Two plants connected via a bridge exchange rapid systemic calcium, electric, and reactive oxygen species signals, suggesting that may have beneficial effects to host plants.

Novel quinoline substituted autophagy inhibitors attenuate Zika virus replication in ocular cells.

Zika virus (ZIKV) is a re-emerging RNA virus that is known to cause ocular and neurological abnormalities in infants. ZIKV exploits autophagic processes in infected cells to enhance its replication and spread. Thus, autophagy inhibitors have emerged as a potent therapeutic target to combat RNA viruses, with Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) being one of the most promising candidates.

Primary oocytes with cellular senescence features are involved in ovarian aging in mice.

In mammalian females, quiescent primordial follicles serve as the ovarian reserve and sustain normal ovarian function and egg production via folliculogenesis. The loss of primordial follicles causes ovarian aging. Cellular senescence, characterized by cell cycle arrest and production of the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP), is associated with tissue aging.

Unraveling the multiple chronic conditions patterns among people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia: A machine learning approach to incorporate synergistic interactions.

Introduction: Most people with Alzheimer's disease and related dementia (ADRD) also suffer from two or more chronic conditions, known as multiple chronic conditions (MCC). While many studies have investigated the MCC patterns, few studies have considered the synergistic interactions with other factors (called the syndemic factors) specifically for people with ADRD.

Methods: We included 40,290 visits and identified 18 MCC from the National Alzheimer's Coordinating Center.

Propensity score matched analysis of laparoscopic revisional and conversional sleeve gastrectomy with concurrent hiatal hernia repair.

Introduction: The primary aim of this study was to evaluate outcomes associated with concurrent hiatal hernia repair (CHHR) when performing a conversional or revisional vertical sleeve gastrectomy (VSG). CHHR is often necessary during VSG due to potential gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) development or obstructive symptoms.

Methods: The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement (MBSAQIP) participant use file was assessed for the years 2015-2020 for revisional/conversional VSG procedures.