Orexin activation counteracts decreases in nonexercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT) caused by high-fat diet

Family-Related Factors in Children and Adolescents With Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The aim of this systematic review is to synthesise the findings about the role of family-related factors in chronic pain in children and adolescents.

METHODS

We conducted a search of the following electronic databases: PubMed/MedLine, CINHAL, PsychINFO, PubPsych, Scopus and Web of Science from inception to July 2024. We only included studies involving children and adolescents (up to 19 years old) with chronic pain and studies that involved the parents or families of these children.

RESULTS

A total of 24,049 articles were retrieved, of which 20,921 were screened for evaluation and 119 were included in the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Most of the studies were cross-sectional with a moderate or high risk of bias, reporting on the parenting individual-, dyadic-, and contextual-related factors. In the included studies, significant associations emerged between a number of family-related factors and chronic pain and related disability in 16 of the 119 studies that had been judged to be of good methodological quality.

SIGNIFICANCE

The data from these studies showed significant associations between parental individual variables (e.g., parent's mental health), dyadic variables (e.g., parental responses towards their children's pain), and context-related variables (e.g., family functioning), and some key pain-related outcomes, including pain chronification, pain intensity, pain frequency, pain extent, pain-related interference, the ability to cope with chronic pain, and pain-related disability in children and adolescents. Therefore, these factors may be important targets for the prevention and management of chronic pain in children and adolescents.

Unsupervised discovery and predictive sensorimotor transformation of spider prey capture through active vibration sensing

Animals flexibly adjust posture and movement in response to vibrational sensory input to extract information from dynamic environments. While sensorimotor transformations have been extensively studied in visual and somatosensory systems, their structure remains poorly understood in substrate-borne vibration sensing. Here, we combine high-resolution web vibration recordings with fine-scale behavioral tracking in the orb-weaving spider Uloborus diversus to dissect the sensorimotor basis of prey capture. Using unsupervised modeling, we identified discrete behavioral states that structure spider capture sequences, achieving over 83% classification accuracy. We then developed a predictive framework combining a linear-filtered generalized linear model (GLM) with a hidden Markov model (HMM) that robustly forecasts behavioral transitions across diverse prey vibration contexts. Notably, spiders exhibit context-dependent motor transitions-such as crouching and shaking-following decreases in prey vibrational power, consistent with active sensing behaviors that enhance signal detection. Furthermore, spiders reliably turn toward the web radius exhibiting the highest vibration amplitude during prey localization, demonstrating that amplitude alone predicts turning direction. These findings reveal a structured, predictive sensorimotor transformation linking external vibration cues to internal behavioral states. Our results highlight general principles of active sensing and closed-loop control in non-visual invertebrate systems, with broader implications for sensorimotor integration across species.

Multivalent administration of dengue E dimers on liposomes elicits type-specific neutralizing responses without immune interference

The four serotypes of dengue virus (DENV1-4) are a major health concern putting 50% of the global population at risk of infection. Crucially, DENV vaccines must be tetravalent to provide protection against all four serotypes because immunity to only one serotype can enhance infections caused by heterologous serotypes. Uneven replication of live-attenuated viruses in tetravalent vaccines can lead to disease enhancement instead of protection. Subunit vaccines are a promising alternative as the vaccine components are not dependent on viral replication and antigen doses can be controlled to achieve a balanced response. Here, we show that a tetravalent subunit vaccine of dengue envelope (E) proteins computationally stabilized to form native-like dimers elicits type-specific neutralizing antibodies in mice against all four serotypes. The immune response was enhanced by displaying the E dimers on liposomes embedded with adjuvant, and no interference was detected between the four components.

Evidence of functional connectivity disruptions between auditory and non-auditory regions in adolescents living with HIV

Introduction

Children living with perinatally acquired HIV (CPHIV) demonstrate hearing impairments and language processing delays even in the presence of combination antiretroviral therapy (cART). Investigations on the effect of HIV on the auditory system have predominantly focused on the peripheral auditory system. Additionally, language processing requires the efficient interaction between central auditory system (CAS) brain regions and non-auditory regions. Investigating the functional connectivity (FC) within the CAS and between the CAS and non-auditory regions may reveal the influence of HIV on regions involved in auditory function.

Methods

Within a Bayesian statistical framework, we used resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging to map FC in the CAS as well as between CAS regions and non-auditory regions of 11-year-old CPHIV. Graph theory was used to investigate the regional effects of HIV on brain network properties. We explored the relationships between FC and neurocognitive outcomes. We hypothesized that CPHIV would show disruptions in FC between CAS regions as well as between CAS and non-auditory regions. Secondly, we hypothesized that in CPHIV, regional brain network properties would be altered compared to their uninfected peers (CHUU). Finally we hypothesized that FC and functional network regional outcomes would be related to neurocognitive outcomes.

Results

Our investigation revealed lower FC of the primary auditory cortex (PAC) in CPHIV as well as disruptions in FC between CAS regions and non-auditory regions including hippocampal sub-regions, the lingual gyri and basal ganglia. Functional network analysis revealed lower nodal degree and efficiency in CAS regions including the cochlear nucleus/superior olivary complex and the inferior colliculus. We also report associations between the nodal efficiency of middle temporal and superior frontal regions and delayed recall, a neurocognitive marker of working memory, present in CHUU but not in CPHIV.

Discussion

Our results demonstrate FC alterations in the PAC and between CAS regions and non-auditory regions involved in limbic, visual and motor processing, as well as disruptions to the regional properties of the CAS regions in the functional brain network. These results provide insight into the state of the CAS FC in the presence of HIV and its possible role in the hearing and language impairments seen in this population.

Gut microbiota of Brazilian Melipona stingless bees: dominant members and their localization in different gut regions

The gut microbiome of eusocial corbiculate bees, which include honeybees, bumblebees, and stingless bees, consists of anciently associated, host-specific bacteria that are vital for bee health. Two symbionts, Snodgrassella and Gilliamella , are ubiquitous in honeybees and bumblebees. However, their presence varies in the stingless bee clade (Meliponini), a group with pantropical distribution. They are absent or rare in the diverse genus Melipona , indicating a shift in microbiota composition in this lineage. To identify the main members of the Melipona microbiota, we combined newly collected and published data from field-collected individuals of several species. Additionally, we identified the localization of the dominant microbiota members within the gut regions of Melipona quadrifasciata anthidioides . The dominant microbiota of Melipona species includes members of the genera Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Apilactobacillus, Floricoccus , and Bombella . Among these, Apilactobacillus and Bombella dominate in the crop, whereas Apilactobacillus and other members of the Lactobacillaceae dominate the ventriculus. The ileum lacks Snodgrassella or Gilliamella but contains a putative new symbiont close to Floricoccus , as well as strains of Bifidobacterium , Lactobacillaceae (including Apilactobacillus ), and Bombella . The rectum is dominated by Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus . In summary, the Melipona microbiota is compositionally distinct but shows spatial organization paralleling that of other eusocial corbiculate bees.

Exploring the Differentiation Abilities of Hair Follicle and Dental Pulp Stem Cells Into Islet Like Cells

This study aimed to compare the differentiation potential of dental pulp-derived mesenchymal stem cells (DP-MSCs) and hair follicle-derived mesenchymal stem cells (HF-MSCs), which originated from the ectoderm. Dental pulps were separated from the extracted wisdom teeth during dental surgery, and Hair follicles were extracted from the scalp of patients undergoing hair transplantation. We cultivated the cell in cell culture media, supplemented with additional nutrients. After the fourth passage, the homogeneous population of DP-MSCs and HF-MSCs was analyzed for the surface markers (CD73, CD90, and CD105) by fluorescence-activated cell sorting. In vitro, the multi-lineage differentiation potential for both the MSCs was tested with respective induction media such as osteogenic, chondrogenic, adipogenic, and insulin-producing cells. Following the fourth passage, identical fibroblast-like cells were noted in each culture plate. Mesenchymal stem cell marker was expressed in both DP-MSCs and HF-MSCs. Both the DP-MSCs and HF-MSCs exhibited similar differentiation potential toward osteogenic, chondrogenic, and adipogenic differentiation. However, there was a difference in the differentiation potential into IPCs. HF-MSCs showed higher C-peptide and insulin secretion response to glucose, PDX1, and Insulin gene expression compared to DP-MSCs. These findings suggest that although DP-MSCs and HF-MSCs showed similar stemness properties, they differ in their differentiation potential towards insulin-producing cells (IPCs). This is the first report showing the potential of HF-MSCs to generate IPCs, revealing hair follicles as a novel and promising source for autologous stem cell therapy in diabetes. The generated islet organoids can be used for diabetic drug toxicity testing and screening.

Navigating space and the developing mind

In this article, we review the extensive and complex fabric of literature concerning the ontogenesis of spatial representations from earliest childhood to the elderly, including normal and abnormal aging (dementia and Alzheimer's disease). We also revisit fundamental concepts of the neuronal representations of space, egocentric vs. allocentric reference frames, and path integration. We highlight a thread of contradictions in spatial cognition from infant cognition to the first breakthrough at around the age of four. The contradictions reemerge in the literature on age-related decline in spatial cognition. We argue that these contradictions derive from the incorrect assumption that path integration is exclusively associated with allocentric frames of references, hence, signatures of path integration are often taken as evidence for allocentric perspective-taking. We posit that several contradictions in the literature can be resolved by acknowledging that path integration is agnostic to the type of reference frame and can be implemented in both egocentric and allocentric frames of reference. By freeing the frames of reference from path integration, we arrive at a developmental trajectory consistent across cognitive development studies, enabling us to ask questions that may dissolve the obscurity of this topic. The new model also sheds light on the very early stage of spatial cognition.

School-based yoga and mindfulness interventions for young adolescents: A qualitative study in a disadvantaged area

OBJECTIVES

With raising rates of mental health problems, mind-body interventions are increasingly being integrated in schools to support children and adolescents' mental health and well-being. The aim of this study was to explore young adolescents' experiences of yoga and mindfulness and the acceptability of delivery within the school curriculum in an area of high deprivation.

DESIGN

Qualitative group interviews with young adolescents embedded within a larger feasibility study exploring the universal (class-wide) delivery of yoga and mindfulness interventions.

METHODS

After participation in separate 10-week yoga or mindfulness interventions, 45 adolescents (12-13 years old; 66.7% male) took part in semi-structured group interviews exploring perceptions, acceptability, and experiences of each intervention. Data was analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

RESULTS

Two overarching themes were identified, evident across both mindfulness and yoga groups. "Facilitators and barriers to engagement" outlined key factors impacting acceptability, including prior perceptions. Teacher qualities of non-reactivity and respect, an invitational approach to teaching, and interactive sessions were highly valued. Secondly, participants described a range of "psychosocial impacts", including increased emotional regulation, positive mindset and self-confidence, and greater focus and concentration. Physical benefits were also reported in the yoga group.

CONCLUSION

This is the first study to explore the acceptability and impact of universal yoga and mindfulness interventions with an ethnically diverse sample of disadvantaged young adolescents in the United Kingdom. The findings suggest mind-body interventions can help children and adolescents develop skills to better manage challenges in their everyday lives, but they require further integration into the curriculum for optimal benefit.

Maternal high-fat diet promotes enhanced airway hyperresponsiveness and impaired bronchodilation response in adult male offspring

Obesity induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) is a growing global health concern, often linked to numerous metabolic and respiratory disorders. This study investigates the impact of a maternal HFD on the respiratory physiology of adult offspring, emphasizing the potential for fetal programming to exacerbate airway responsiveness. Adult male offspring from dams fed a HFD or a control diet during gestation were submitted to ventilatory mechanical analysis following bronchoconstrictor and bronchodilator challenge. Offspring from the HFD group demonstrated increased body weight, elevated blood glucose levels, heightened airway responsiveness to methacholine-induced bronchoconstriction, and impaired bronchodilator efficacy compared to controls. These findings underscore the potential long-term impact of maternal nutrition on offspring respiratory health. The study also highlights the necessity of identifying critical therapeutic targets for managing respiratory dysfunction in populations exposed to maternal obesity, intending to improve treatment outcomes and prevent related respiratory complications.

Relationships of residential distance to greenhouse floriculture and organophosphate, pyrethroid, and neonicotinoid urinary metabolite concentration in Ecuadorian Adolescents

BACKGROUND

Adolescents living in agricultural areas are at higher risk of secondary pesticide exposure; however, there is limited evidence to confirm exposure by pesticide drift for greenhouse floriculture, like rose production.

METHODS

525 adolescents (12-17, 49% male) living in Pedro Moncayo, Ecuador were assessed in 2016. Urinary concentrations of creatinine and pesticide biomarkers (organophosphates, neonicotinoids, and pyrethroids) were measured using mass-spectrometry. Home distance to the nearest greenhouse and surface area of greenhouses within various buffer sizes around the home were calculated. Linear regression assessed whether home distance and surface area of greenhouses was associated with creatinine-adjusted metabolite concentration, adjusting for demographic, socioeconomic, and anthropometric variables. Geospatially weighted regression (GWR) was conducted, adjusting for similar covariates. Getis-ord Gi* identified hot and cold spots using a 1994 m distance band.

RESULTS

The associations between residential distance to greenhouses and urinary pesticide metabolites differed by metabolite type. The adjusted mean concentrations of OHIM (neonicotinoid) were greater (p-difference = 0.02) among participants living within 200 m (1.08 ug/g of creatinine) vs > 200 m (0.64 ug/g); however, the opposite was observed for 3,5,6-Trichloro-2-pyridinol (TCPy, organophosphate; 0-200 m: 3.63 ug/g vs > 200 m: 4.30 ug/g, p-diff = 0.05). In linear models, greater distances were negatively associated with para-nitrophenol (PNP, organophosphate; percent difference per 50% greater distance [95% CI]: - 2.5% [- 4.9%, - 0.1%]) and somewhat with 2-isopropyl-4-methyl-6-hydroxypyrimidine (IMPy, organophosphate; - 4.0% [- 8.3%, 0.4%]), among participants living within 200 m of greenhouses. Concurring with the adjusted means analyses, opposite (positive) associations were observed for TCPy (2.1% [95%CI 0.3%, 3.9%]). Organophosphate and pyrethroid hotspots were found in parishes with greater greenhouse density, whereas neonicotinoid hot spots were in parishes with the lowest greenhouse density.

CONCLUSION

We observed negative associations between residential distance to greenhouses with OHIM, PNP and to some extent IMPy, suggesting that imidacloprid, parathion and diazinon are drifting from floricultural greenhouses and reaching children living within 200 m. Positive TCPy associations suggest greenhouses weren't the chlorpyrifos source during this study period, which implies that non-floricultural open-air agriculture (e.g. corn, potatoes, strawberries, grains) may be a source. Further research incorporating diverse geospatial constructs of pesticide sources, pesticide use reports (if available), participant location tracking, and repeated metabolite measurements is recommended.

Stress analysis method for ascending aortic aneurysm based on unloaded geometry with non-uniform thickness distribution

Using finite element method (FEM) to compute wall stress is now a common way to assess ascending thoracic aortic aneurysms (ATAA) severity. Medical images can provide aortic geometry for FEM, but thickness information is lacked and the geometry is at loaded state. Therefore, in this study, an unloaded geometry with a non-uniform thickness distribution is reconstructed. Measurements of wall thickness are taken from resected tissue to accurately replicate the thickness distribution. Subsequently, a novel method, derived from the existing fixed-point iterative (FPI) approach, is developed and applied to estimate the unloaded aortic geometry. This new method involves updating the relaxation factor at each iteration to improve robustness by constraining it within a threshold and normalizing it. Compared to the traditional FPI method, this novel approach is better tailored to the aortic geometries examined in this study. The study compares stress results obtained from models with uniform and non-uniform aortic wall thickness, both with and without assuming unloaded conditions. Findings indicate that stress distribution of non-uniform geometry matches better to the measured damage extent. Stress distribution of unloaded geometry is similar to that of loaded geometry, while the use of unloaded geometry enhances the stress gradient. The stress analysis reveals variations across different directions and regions, with the second principal stress (SPS) magnitude that is more sensitive to the circumferential region than the first principal stress (FPS) and von Mises stress (VMS). There is an overlap area between the high SPS region and the most expanded region. The most dilated area usually matched with high SPS region for loaded and unloaded geometry or uniform and non-uniform geometry. Thus, although magnitude of SPS is smaller than that of FPS and of VMS, it is suggested to pay more attention to SPS in severity assessment of ATAA aneurysm.

Neurotrophic extracellular matrix proteins promote neuronal and iPSC astrocyte progenitor cell- and nano-scale process extension for neural repair applications

The extracellular matrix plays a critical role in modulating cell behaviour in the developing and adult central nervous system influencing neural cell morphology, function and growth. Neurons and astrocytes, play vital roles in neural signalling and support respectively and respond to cues from the surrounding matrix environment. However, a better understanding of the impact of specific individual extracellular matrix proteins on both neurons and astrocytes is critical for advancing the development of matrix-based scaffolds for neural repair applications. This study aimed to provide an in-depth analysis of how different commonly used extracellular matrix proteins- laminin-1, Fn, collagen IV, and collagen I-affect the morphology and growth of trophic induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived astrocyte progenitors and mouse motor neuron-like cells. Following a 7-day culture period, morphological assessments revealed that laminin-1, fibronectin, and collagen-IV, but not collagen I, promoted increased process extension and a stellate morphology in astrocytes, with collagen-IV yielding the greatest increases. Subsequent analysis of neurons grown on the different extracellular matrix proteins revealed a similar pattern with laminin-1, fibronectin, and collagen-IV supporting robust neurite outgrowth. fibronectin promoted the greatest increase in neurite extension, while collagen-I did not enhance neurite growth compared to poly-L-lysine controls. Super-resolution microscopy highlighted extracellular matrix-specific nanoscale changes in cytoskeletal organization, with distinct patterns of actin filament distribution where the three basement membrane-associated proteins (laminin-1, fibronectin, and collagen-IV) promoted the extension of fine cellular processes. Overall, this study demonstrates the potent effect of laminin-1, fibronectin and collagen-IV to promote both iPSC-derived astrocyte progenitor and neuronal growth, yielding detailed insights into the effect of extracellular matrix proteins on neural cell morphology at both the whole cell and nanoscale levels. The ability of laminin-1, collagen-IV and fibronectin to elicit strong growth-promoting effects highlight their suitability as optimal extracellular matrix proteins to incorporate into neurotrophic biomaterial scaffolds for the delivery of cell cargoes for neural repair.

Microfluidic organ-on-a-chip models for the gut-liver axis: from structural mimicry to functional insights

The gut-liver axis plays a crucial role in maintaining metabolic balance and overall human health. It orchestrates various processes, such as blood flow, nutrient transfer, metabolite processing, and immune cell communication between the two organs. Traditional methods, such as animal models and two-dimensional (2D) cell cultures, are insufficient in fully replicating the intricate functions of the gut-liver axis. The emergence of microfluidic technology has revolutionized this field, facilitating the development of organ-on-a-chip (OOC) systems. These systems are capable of mimicking the complex structures and dynamic environments of the gut and liver in vitro and incorporating sensors for real-time monitoring. In this article, we review the latest progress in gut-on-a-chip (GOC) and liver-on-a-chip (LOC) systems, as well as the integrated gut-liver-on-a-chip (GLOC) models. Our focus lies in the simulation of physiological parameters, three-dimensional (3D) structural mimicry, microbiome integration, and multicellular co-culture. All these aspects are essential for constructing accurate in vitro models of the gut and liver. Furthermore, we explore the current applications of OOC technology in the study of the gut and liver, including its use in disease modeling, toxicity testing, and drug screening. Finally, we discuss the challenges that remain and outline potential future directions for advancing GOC and LOC development in vitro.

Occupational Heat Stress Among Migrant and Ethnic Minority Outdoor Workers: A Scoping Review

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Migrant and ethnic minority (MEM) outdoor workers might be at increased risk for heat-related illnesses (HRI), due to environmental exposures, heavy physical work, limited control over workplace conditions and language and cultural barriers. This review aims to synthesize the literature on health impacts of occupational heat exposure among MEM outdoor workers, including risk factors, heat-related perception and behaviour and healthcare utilization.

RECENT FINDINGS

Seventy-six publications were included. Most were conducted in the US, where the weighted prevalence for at least one HRI symptom was 48.8%. These numbers were higher in most non-US countries. On average, in the US, 60.9% reported being concerned about heat and 60.4% having had HRI training. Many workers reported drinking more water when hot (91.7%) and feeling comfortable taking water breaks (92%) while fewer reported acclimatizing at the start of the season (43.7%) or changing working hours (34%) or activities (32.2%) due to heat. Qualitative studies reported reasons for working faster with less breaks, including fear of losing work and earning more when getting paid by the piece. Data on access to healthcare was limited. While research advances on MEM workers´ heat-related vulnerability, risk factors and healthcare utilization, there is a need to strengthen prevention efforts to reduce the burden of heat in this population.

Translating the Post-Mortem Brain Multi-Omics Molecular Taxonomy of Alzheimer's Dementia to Living Humans

Alzheimer's disease (AD) dementia is characterized by significant molecular and phenotypic heterogeneity, which confounds its mechanistic understanding, diagnosis, and effective treatment. In this study, we harness the most comprehensive dataset of paired ante-mortem blood omics, clinical, psychological, and post-mortem brain multi-omics data and neuroimaging to extensively characterize and translate the molecular taxonomy of AD dementia to living individuals. First, utilizing a comprehensive integration of eight complementary molecular layers from brain multi-omics data (N = 1,189), we identified three distinct molecular AD dementia subtypes exhibiting strong associations with cognitive decline, sex, psychological traits, brain morphology, and characterized by specific cellular and molecular drivers involving immune, vascular, and oligodendrocyte precursor cells. Next, in a significant translational effort, we developed predictive models to convert these advanced brain-derived molecular profiles (AD dementia pseudotimes and subtypes) into blood-, MRI- and psychological traits-based markers. The translation results underscore both the promise of these models and the opportunities for further enhancement. Our findings enhance the understanding of AD heterogeneity, underscore the value of multi-scale molecular approaches for elucidating causal mechanisms, and lay the groundwork for the development of novel therapies in living persons that target multi-level brain molecular subtypes of AD dementia.

Combating chronic kidney disease-associated cachexia: A literature review of recent therapeutic approaches

In 2008, the Society on Sarcopenia, Cachexia, and Wasting Disorders introduced a generic definition for all types of cachexia: "a complex metabolic syndrome associated with the underlying illness characterized by a loss of muscle, with or without fat loss". It is well-known that the presence of inflammatory burden in end-stage renal disease (ESRD) patients may lead to the evolution of cachexia. Since the etiology of cachexia in chronic kidney disease (CKD) is multifactorial, thus the successful treatment must involve several concomitant measures (nutritional interventions, appetite stimulants, and anti-inflammatory pharmacologic agents) to provide integrated effective therapeutic modalities to combat causative factors and alleviate the outcomes of patients. Given the high mortality rate associated with cachexia, developing new therapeutic modalities are prerequisite for ameliorating patients with CKD worldwide. The present review aims to discuss some therapeutic strategies and provide an update on advances in nutritional approaches to counteract cachexia.

A bayesian approach for parameterizing and predicting plasmid conjugation dynamics

Population dynamic models that explain and predict the spread of conjugative plasmids are pivotal for understanding microbial evolution and engineering microbiomes. However, prediction uncertainty of these models has rarely been assessed. We adopt a Bayesian approach, employing Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC), to parameterize and model plasmid conjugation dynamics. This approach treats model parameters as random variables whose probability distributions are informed by data on plasmid population dynamics. These distributions allow us to estimate credible intervals of the model's parameters and predictions. We validated this approach using synthetic population dynamic data with known parameter values and experimental population dynamic data of mini-RK2, a miniaturized counterpart of the well-characterized and widely used RK2 conjugation plasmid. Our methodology accurately estimated the parameters of synthetic data, and model predictions were robust across time scales and initial conditions. Incorporating long-term population dynamic data enhances the precision of parameter estimates related to plasmid loss and the accuracy of long-term population dynamic predictions. For experimental data, the model correctly explained and predicted most population dynamic trends, albeit with broader credible intervals. Incorporating long-term data also improves credible ranges of most parameters. However, in some cases, such as with the growth parameter of cells with the conjugative plasmid, the inclusion of long-term data can lead to stronger correlations and potential identifiability issues between key parameters. Overall, our method allows for deeper investigation of plasmid population dynamics and could potentially be generalized to study population dynamics of other mobile genetic elements.

Endocannabinoid signaling in stress, nausea, and vomiting

BACKGROUND

Classical antiemetics that target the serotonin system may not be effective in treating certain nausea and vomiting conditions like cyclic vomiting syndrome (CVS) and cannabinoid hyperemesis syndrome (CHS). As a result, there is a need for better therapies to manage the symptoms of these disorders, including nausea, vomiting, and anxiety. Cannabis is often used for its purported antiemetic and anxiolytic effects, given regulation of these processes by the endocannabinoid system (ECS). However, there is considerable evidence that cannabinoids can also produce nausea and vomiting and increase anxiety in certain instances, especially at higher doses. This paradoxical effect of cannabinoids on nausea, vomiting, and anxiety may be due to the dysregulation of the ECS, altering how it maintains these processes and contributing to the pathophysiology of CVS or CHS.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this review is to highlight the involvement of the ECS in the regulation of stress, nausea, and vomiting. We discuss how prolonged cannabis use, such as in the case of CHS or heightened stress, can dysregulate the ECS and affect its modulation of these functions. The review also examines the evidence for the roles of ECS and stress systems' dysfunction in CVS and CHS to better understand the underlying mechanisms of these conditions.

The Nature of Nanodisc Lipids Influences Fragment-Based Drug Discovery Results

Membrane proteins (MPs) are important yet challenging targets for drug discovery. MPs can be reconstituted in protein-lipid Nanodiscs (NDs), which resemble the native membrane environment. Drug-membrane interactions can affect the apparent binding stoichiometry and affinity, as well as the kinetics of ligands for a particular target, which is important for the extrapolation to pharmacokinetic studies. To investigate the role of the membrane, we have applied fragment-based drug discovery (FBDD) methods to cytochrome P450 3A4 (CYP3A4), reconstituted in NDs composed of different phosphocholine lipids: 1-palmitoyl-2-oleoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (POPC), 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DMPC), dipalmitoylphosphatidylcholine (DPPC), or 1,2-diphytanoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine (DPhPC). Surface plasmon resonance screening of fragments and marketed drugs revealed extensive binding to the empty ND, correlating with analyte hydrophobicity, and the binding was critically dependent on ND lipid composition. POPC NDs showed much higher binding of fragments than DMPC and DPhPC NDs, resulting in a lower hit rate for CYP3A4 in POPC NDs, which demonstrated that the choice of the ND lipid is crucial to the outcome of a screen. The number of binders that were rejected based on atypical binding kinetics was lower for monomeric CYP3A4 in NDs than for non-native oligomeric CYP3A4 without the ND. Several fragments were exclusively identified as hits for CYP3A4 in the presence of the ND membrane. It is concluded that the nature of the ND is a critical factor for fragment screening of membrane proteins.

Hypothalamic opsin 3 suppresses MC4R signaling and potentiates Kir7.1 to promote food consumption

Mammalian opsin 3 (OPN3) is a member of the opsin family of G-protein-coupled receptors with ambiguous light sensitivity. OPN3 was first identified in the brain (and named encephalopsin) and subsequently found to be expressed in other tissues. In adipocytes, OPN3 is necessary for light responses that modulate lipolysis and glucose uptake, while OPN3 in human skin melanocytes regulates pigmentation in a light-independent manner. Despite its initial discovery in the brain, OPN3 functional mechanisms in the brain remain elusive. Here, we investigated the molecular mechanism of OPN3 function in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) of the hypothalamus. We show that Opn3 is coexpressed with the melanocortin 4 receptor (Mc4r) in a population of PVN neurons, where it negatively regulates MC4R-mediated cAMP signaling in a specific and Gαi/o-dependent manner. Under baseline conditions, OPN3 via Gαi/o potentiates the activity of the inward rectifying Kir7.1 channel, previously shown to be closed in response to agonist-mediated activation of MC4R in a Gαs-independent manner. In mice, we found that Opn3 in Mc4r-expressing neurons regulates food consumption. Our results reveal the first mechanistic insight into OPN3 function in the hypothalamus, uncovering a unique mechanism by which OPN3 functions to potentiate Kir7.1 activity and negatively regulate MC4R-mediated cAMP signaling, thereby promoting food intake.

Sex-Specific Outcomes in a Rat Model of Early-Life Stress Due to Adverse Caregiving

Early parental care is critical for the development of cortico-limbic circuits regulating stress responses and emotional well-being. Conversely, infant maltreatment can increase susceptibility to mood disorders-such as anxiety and depression-and impair stress-coping abilities. Here, we employed the Scarcity-Adversity Model (SAM) in rats, limiting nesting resources from postnatal days 8-12, to examine its effects on maternal and adult offspring behavior. SAM-exposed mothers exhibited fragmented care and increased violence towards pups. By postpartum day (PPD) 13, maternal fecal corticosterone metabolites (FCM) were elevated, indicating heightened stress. At weaning, SAM dams also showed increased anxiety-like behavior in the Elevated Plus Maze (EPM), suggesting significant emotional alterations. In adulthood, SAM-exposed offspring underwent anxiogenic tests. Both male and female SAM offspring showed increased latency to enter open arms and reduced risk-assessment in the EPM, though females displayed anxiolytic-like behavior in the Light-Dark Box. Male SAM rats had reduced locomotion in the Open Field, earlier onset and increased immobility in the Forced Swim, and increased latency to groom in the Sucrose Splash. When exposed to acute stress, male SAM rats had lower FCM levels, consistent with their passive stress reactivity. These findings confirm SAM induces long-lasting, sex-specific changes in risk-taking, novelty responsiveness, and stress reactions, underscoring the importance of early nurturing in promoting well-being and reducing psychopathological risk.

The role of the interleukin family in liver fibrosis

Liver fibrosis represents a wound-healing response to chronic liver injury caused by viral infections, alcohol, and chemicals agents. It is a critical step in the progression from chronic liver disease to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. No chemical or biological drugs have been approved for the treatment of liver fibrosis. Relevant studies have demonstrated that effective inhibition of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication by nucleoside (acid) analogs or polyethylene glycol alpha-interferon can lead to recovery in some patients with hepatitis B liver fibrosis, However, some patients with liver fibrosis do not show improvement, even after achieving a complete serologic and virologic response. A similar situation occurs in patients with hepatitis C-related liver fibrosis. The liver, with its unique anatomical and immunological structure, is the largest immune organ and produces a large number of cytokines in response to external stimuli, which are crucial for the progression of liver fibrosis. cytokines can act either by directly affecting hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) or by indirectly regulating immune target cells. Among these, the interleukin family activates a complex cascade of responses, including cytokines, chemokines, adhesion molecules, and lipid mediators, playing a key role in the initiation and regulation of inflammation, as well as innate and adaptive immunity. In this paper, we systematically summarize recent literature to elucidate the pathogenesis of interleukin-mediated liver fibrosis and explore potential therapeutic targets for liver fibrosis treatment.

Repetitive head impacts induce neuronal loss and neuroinflammation in young athletes

Repetitive head impacts (RHI) sustained from contact sports are the largest risk factor for chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE). Currently, CTE can only be diagnosed after death and the multicellular cascade of events that trigger initial hyperphosphorylated tau (p-tau) deposition remain unclear. Further, the symptoms endorsed by young individuals with early disease are not fully explained by the extent of p-tau deposition, severely hampering development of therapeutic interventions. Here, we show that RHI exposure associates with a multicellular response in young individuals (<51 years old) prior to the onset of CTE p-tau pathology that correlates with number of years of RHI exposure. Leveraging single nucleus RNA sequencing of tissue from 8 control, 9 RHI-exposed, and 11 low stage CTE individuals, we identify SPP1+ inflammatory microglia, angiogenic and inflamed endothelial cell profiles, reactive astrocytes, and altered synaptic gene expression in excitatory and inhibitory neurons in all individuals with exposure to RHI. Surprisingly, we also observe a significant loss of cortical sulcus layer 2/3 neurons in contact sport athletes compared to controls independent of p-tau pathology. Finally, we identify TGFB1 as a potential signal mediating microglia-endothelial cell cross talk through ligand-receptor analysis. These results provide robust evidence that multiple years of RHI exposure is sufficient to induce lasting cellular alterations that may underlie p-tau deposition and help explain the early pathogenesis in young former contact sport athletes. Furthermore, these data identify specific cellular responses to repetitive head impacts that may direct future identification of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for CTE.

Epicardial fat tissue, a hidden enemy against the early recovery of left ventricular systolic function after transcatheter aortic valve implantation

Background

Epicardial fat tissue (EFT) is an active organ that can affect cardiac function and structure through endocrine, paracrine, and proinflammatory mechanisms. We hypothesized that greater thickness of EFT may harm the recovery of left ventricular (LV) systolic function in patients with severe aortic stenosis (AS) and reduced LV ejection fraction (EF ≤ 50 %) undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods

A sixty six patients with severe AS and 20 % ≥ LVEF ≤ 50 % who underwent TAVI were included. Patients were categorized into two groups based on LV systolic function recovery 30 days after TAVI defined by ≥ 20 % relative increase in LV Global longitudinal strain (GLS) from baseline. EFT was determined by ECG-gated contrast-enhanced multidetector computed tomography (MDCT).

Results

Forty-five patients (68.0 %) showed LV systolic function recovery. EFT showed no significant correlation with the baseline LV-GLS but was associated with less likelihood of LV systolic function recovery (OR 0.7, 95 % CI 0.50 - 0.98, P = 0.04). In the multivariate analysis, higher LVMI (OR 1.05, 95 % CI 1.00-1.10, P = 0.02), lower LV-GLS (OR 0.55, 95 % CI 0.40-0.82, P = 0.002), and thinner EFT (OR 0.38, 95 % CI 0.20-0.73, P = 0.003) were independently associated with LV systolic function recovery after TAVI.

Conclusion

EFT extent is associated with LV systolic function recovery in AS patients with impaired LVEF undergoing TAVI and therefore may help in risk stratification and management of these patients.

Innate Immune Response and Epigenetic Regulation: A Closely Intertwined Tale in Inflammation

Maintenance of delicate homeostasis is very important in various diseases because it ensures appropriate immune surveillance against pathogens and prevents excessive inflammation. In a disturbed homeostatic condition, hyperactivation of immune cells takes place and interplay between these cells triggers a plethora of signaling pathways, releasing various pro-inflammatory cytokines such as Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα), Interferon-gamma (IFNƴ), Interleukin-6 (IL-6), and Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), which marks cytokine storm formation. To be precise, dysregulated balance can impede or increase susceptibility to various pathogens. Pathogens have the ability to hijack the host immune system by interfering with the host's chromatin architecture for their survival and replication in the host cell. Cytokines, particularly IL-6, Interleukin-17 (IL-17), and Interleukin-23 (IL-23), play a key role in orchestrating innate immune responses and shaping adaptive immunity. Understanding the interplay between immune response and the role of epigenetic modification to maintain immune homeostasis and the structural aspects of IL-6, IL-17, and IL-23 can be illuminating for a novel therapeutic regimen to treat various infectious diseases. In this review, the light is shed on how the orchestration of epigenetic regulation facilitates immune homeostasis.

A comprehensive insights of cancer immunotherapy resistance

Cancer is a major global health issue that is usually treated with multiple therapies, such as chemotherapy and targeted therapies like immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is a new and alternative approach to treating various types of cancer that are difficult to treat with other methods. Although immune checkpoint inhibitors have shown promise for long-term efficacy, they have limited effectiveness in common cancer types such as breast, prostate, and lung. Some patients do not respond to immunotherapy, while others develop resistance to the treatment over time, which is classified as primary or acquired resistance. Cancer immunotherapy, specifically immune checkpoint inhibitor-based resistance involves multiple factors such as genes, metabolism, inflammation, and angiogenesis. However, cutting-edge research has identified the mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance and possible solutions. Current research may improve biomarker identification and modify treatment strategies, which will lead to better clinical outcomes. This review provides a comprehensive discussion of the current mechanisms of immunotherapy resistance, related biomarker modulation, and strategies to overcome resistance.

A DIY Bioreactor for in Situ Metabolic Tracking in 3D Cell Models via Hyperpolarized 13C NMR Spectroscopy

Nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy is a valuable diagnostic tool limited by low sensitivity due to low nuclear spin polarization. Hyperpolarization techniques, such as dissolution dynamic nuclear polarization, significantly enhance sensitivity, enabling real-time tracking of cellular metabolism. However, traditional high-field NMR systems and bioreactor platforms pose challenges, including the need for specialized equipment and fixed sample volumes. This study introduces a scalable, 3D-printed bioreactor platform compatible with low-field NMR spectrometers, designed to accommodate bioengineered 3D cell models. The bioreactor is fabricated using biocompatible materials and features a microfluidic system for media recirculation, ensuring optimal culture conditions during NMR acquisition and cell maintenance. We characterized the NMR compatibility of the bioreactor components and confirmed minimal signal distortion. The bioreactor's efficacy was validated using HeLa and HepG2 cells, demonstrating prolonged cell viability and enhanced metabolic activity in 3D cultures compared to 2D cultures. Hyperpolarized [1-13C] pyruvate experiments revealed distinct metabolic profiles for the two cell types, highlighting the bioreactor's ability to discern metabolic profiles among samples. Our results indicate that the bioreactor platform supports the maintenance and analysis of 3D cell models in NMR studies, offering a versatile and accessible tool for metabolic and biochemical research in tissue engineering. This platform bridges the gap between advanced cellular models and NMR spectroscopy, providing a robust framework for future applications in nonspecialized laboratories. The design files for the 3D printed components are shared within the text for easy download and customization, promoting their use and adaptation for further applications.

Combinatorial prediction of therapeutic perturbations using causally-inspired neural networks

Phenotype-driven approaches identify disease-counteracting compounds by analyzing the phenotypic signatures that distinguish diseased from healthy states. These approaches can guide the discovery of targeted perturbations, including small-molecule drugs and genetic interventions, that modulate disease phenotypes toward healthier states. Here, we introduce PDGrapher, a causally inspired graph neural network (GNN) designed to predict combinatorial perturbagens (sets of therapeutic targets) capable of reversing disease phenotypes. Unlike methods that learn how perturbations alter phenotypes, PDGrapher solves the inverse problem of directly predicting the perturbagens needed to achieve a desired response. PDGrapher is a GNN that embeds disease cell states into gene regulatory or protein-protein interaction networks, learns a latent representation of these states, and identifies the optimal combinatorial perturbations that most effectively shift the diseased state toward the desired treated state within that latent space. In experiments in nine cell lines with chemical perturbations, PDGrapher identified effective per-turbagens in up to 13.33% more test samples than competing methods and achieved a normalized discounted cumulative gain of up to 0.12 higher to classify therapeutic targets. It also demonstrated competitive performance on ten genetic perturbation datasets. A key advantage of PDGrapher is its direct prediction paradigm, in contrast to the indirect and computationally intensive models traditionally employed in phenotype-driven research. This approach accelerates training by up to 25 times compared to existing methods. PDGrapher provides a fast approach for identifying therapeutic perturbations and advancing phenotype-driven drug discovery.

Effect of plasma free fatty acids on lung function in male COPD patients

Inflammation and oxidative stress play a pivotal role in COPD pathogenesis. Free fatty acids (FFA) as signaling molecules through a series of G-proteins coupled receptors, play an important role in regulation of the immune system and oxidative stress. For this reason, we decided to investigate the profile of FFA in the plasma in the COPD patients. This is a case-control study comparing 40 male patients with COPD and 40 healthy controls. Biochemical plasma parameters were measured by Autoanalyzer, Malondialdehyde by TBA, total antioxidant capacity via FRAP method and the concentration of free fatty acids were measured by gas chromatography. Then the relationship between the data and the spirometric findings of the patients was determined. In male COPD patients, fasting glucose, myristic acid, palmitic acid, stearic acid, oleic acid, elaidic acid, linoleic acid, linolenic acid and total FFA showed a significant difference with the control group. Also, a positive correlation between the medium chain FFA and lung function was observed. The results of the present study showed that the concentration of different free fatty acids is different in healthy people and male COPD patients, and these differences, especially in the case of medium and long chain fatty acids, can be related to the lung function.

A Comprehensive Review on Exploring the Potential of Phytochemicals and Biogenic Nanoparticles for the Treatment of Antimicrobial-Resistant Pathogenic Bacteria

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is an escalating global health concern that results in approximately 700,000 deaths annually owing to drug-resistant infections. It compromises the effectiveness of conventional antibiotics, as well as fundamental medical procedures, such as surgery and cancer treatment. Phytochemicals, natural plant constituents, and biogenic nanoparticles synthesized through biological processes are pharmacological alternatives for supplementing or replacing traditional antibiotics. These natural compounds exhibit a diverse range of bioactive properties, including antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, and have the potential to overcome bacterial resistance mechanisms. However, their limited solubility, bioavailability, and stability have limited their therapeutic potential. Nanotechnology, particularly the utilization of biogenic nanoparticles, offers the potential to overcome these limitations by enhancing the biosafety, stability, and controlled release of phytochemical compounds, thereby enabling a more effective combination of resistant pathogens. This review examines current research on the combinatorial application of phytochemicals and biogenic nanoparticles, with emphasis on their capacity to address AMR. This study presents a novel perspective on the concurrent utilization of phytochemicals and biogenic nanoparticles, which may enhance antibacterial efficacy while mitigating toxicity. This review provides specific and innovative insights into the novelty, sustainability, and eco-friendly aspects of these approaches to address multidrug-resistant infections, highlighting their role in emerging as a transformative strategy for AMR management through the integration of natural and biogenic resources.

Fermented pomegranate juice enriched with pomegranate seed oil ameliorates metabolic disorders associated with a high-fat diet in C57BL/6 mice

This study investigated the health-functional properties of a lactic fermented pomegranate juice (FPJ) enriched with pomegranate seed oil (FPJO) by using the fruit-origin strain Lactiplantibacillus paraplantarum CRL 2051 (FPJO-CRL2051). For this aim, the in vitro human antiplatelet aggregation effect and antioxidant activities were determined in the fermented juices while in vivo studies using high-fat-diet (HFD) C57BL/6 mice fed with a high-fat diet or pomegranate fermented juices for 8 weeks were performed. A high anti-platelet aggregation activity for FPJO-CRL2051 was determined. The formulated juice was administered to C57BL/6 HFD mice over 8 weeks, which showed a significant decrease in triglycerides, LDL-C, and pro-inflammatory cytokines levels. The FPJO-CRL2051 administration was effective in ameliorating liver damage caused by HFD, reducing fat accumulation and oxidative biomarkers, and improving the liver fatty acid profile by incorporation of conjugated fatty acids. This study shows the significance of lactic fermentation in developing novel fermented plant-based beverages with enhanced functional activities with a circular economy approach for the prevention of metabolic disorders.

Atypical functional connectome is associated with low reflective functioning in incarcerated adolescents

Introduction

While functional neuroimaging studies have reported on the neural correlates of severe antisocial behaviors, such as delinquency, little is known about whole brain resting state functional connectivity (FC) of incarcerated adolescents (IA). The aim of the present study is to identify potential differences in resting state connectivity between a group of male IA, compared to community adolescents (CA). The second objective is to investigate the relations among FC and psychological factors associated with delinquent behaviors, namely psychopathic traits (callous unemotional traits, interpersonal problems, and impulsivity), socio-cognitive (empathy and reflective functioning RF) impairments and psychological problems (externalizing, internalizing, attention and thought problems).

Methods

31 male IA and 30 male CA participated in 8 minutes resting state functional MRI. Network Based Statistics (NBS) was used to compare FC among 142 brain regions between the two groups. Correlation and regressions analysis were performed to explore the associations between FC and the self-reported psychopathic traits, empathy, RF, and psychological problems.

Results

Compared to the CA, the IA group presented significantly increased resting state FC in a distributed subnetwork including medial prefrontal, posterior and dorsal cingulate, temporal, and occipital regions. Both within the IA group and across the whole sample, increased mean connectivity of the subnetwork correlated with lower RF (RF uncertainty). Across the whole sample, the mean connectivity was associated with higher scores of externalizing problems and impulsivity dimension of psychopathy.

Discussion

While extending the characterization of whole brain resting state FC in IA, our results also provide insights into the neurofunctional mechanisms linking low reflective functioning abilities to externalizing behavior during adolescence.

Adolescent social stress alters the role of orexin innervation in the hindbrain in male hamsters

Juvenile male hamsters exposed to chronic social stress eat more, gain weight, and have larger fat pads. The purpose of the present study was to address possible changes in food hoarding and orexin/hypocretin innervation in response to social stress. Male hamsters in early adolescence were exposed to a resident-intruder social stress paradigm or control condition daily for 2 weeks. Metabolism-related physiological measures and behaviors were tracked, and brains were immunocytochemically labeled for orexin-A. Our data confirm our previous observations on appetite, weight gain, and obesity, and showed a strong trend toward enhanced food hoarding as in prior studies. In addition, there were no statistically significant differences in orexin innervation in any brain area analyzed. However, unique correlation patterns were observed between orexin innervation and appetite or metabolic outcome. In particular, opposite correlations were observed between groups within the dorsal raphe nucleus, lateral parabrachial nucleus, and nucleus of the solitary tract. These opposite patterns of correlations suggest chronic social stress causes site-specific alterations in synaptic activity in relation with these behaviors.

Patterns of proximity and maternal-infant engagement in a neonatal intensive care unit

Mother-infant relationship development is influenced by maternal presence, proximity, and the frequency and duration of engagement. Proximity and dyadic engagement can be challenging when an infant is hospitalized in a neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). This study examined patterns of maternal proximity and engagement in a NICU in the Southwestern United States and identified thematic categories of alternate activities to engagement. Trained observers conducted 52 h of NICU observations, documenting maternal presence, patterns of proximity, engagement, nonengagement, and alternate activities to nonengagement and focused engagement. Results include data from 88 mother-infant dyads. Of the time mothers were in proximity to their infants, 83% of these instances occurred without active engagement. In contrast, focused dyadic engagement was noted in 97% of these observations, while unfocused engagement was recorded in 65% of instances. Mothers in proximity but not actively engaged were most often observed using a smartphone, a trend that was also observed when mothers were in unfocused engagement during nurturing social contexts. While it is expected that occasional interruptions to mother-infant interaction in the NICU will occur, more studies are needed to determine the implications of both brief and prolonged disruptions during dyadic interactions on interaction quality in the NICU.

Anti-Mullerian Hormone Induces Foxo1 and Sirt1 Genes Expression in Mouse Ovary

BACKGROUND

Anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH) plays a pivotal role in follicular growth and atresia. Recent studies highlighted the role of AMH in attenuating granulosa cell apoptosis and subsequent follicular atresia. Despite the raising understanding of the role of AMH in folliculogenesis, and its contribution to the pathophysiology of certain diseases such as polycystic ovary syndrome, the effect of AMH on the expression of genes regulating folliculogenesis is stills limited.

OBJECTIVE

This study aims to gain insights into the effect of AMH on atresia regulating genes.

METHOD

In vivo study was performed on C57BL/6J mice injected with AMH for one month. Thereafter, relative gene expression quantification of Foxo1, Sirt1, p53, Bim, and Bax genes were performed using RT-PCR.

RESULTS

In this study, AMH significantly enhanced the expression of Foxo1 and Sirt1 gene compared to the control group. On the contrary, AMH did not modulate the expression of p53, Bim, or Bax genes. AMH was also found to increase serum FSH and LH levels in a dosedependent manner.

CONCLUSION

This study demonstrated the capability of AMH to induce Foxo1 and Sirt1 genes. Moreover, our study revealed the role of AMH in elevating LH serum level which is a main contributor to the pathophysiology of polycystic ovary syndrome, opening new avenues for the study of AMH as a main contributor to the stalled follicular atresia and growth associated with the disease.

Engagement in moderate-intensity physical activity supports overnight memory retention in older adults

Preserving the ability to vividly recall emotionally rich experiences contributes to quality of life in older adulthood. While prior works suggest that moderate-intensity physical activity (MPA) may bolster memory, it is unclear whether this extends to emotionally salient memories consolidated during sleep. In the current study, older adults (mean age = 72.3 ± 5.8) completed an overnight polysomnography assessment with emotional memory tested before and after sleep and a self-report questionnaire assessing habitual PA. Results show that better negative emotional memory consolidation was associated with the frequency and duration of MPA. Statistically replacing 30 min of lower-intensity activity with MPA was associated with better negative emotional memory consolidation. MPA may enhance sleep-dependent consolidation of negative memories in older adults, with modest increases in MPA yielding significant consolidation benefits. Findings may guide interventions and inform public health recommendations by demonstrating that substituting even short durations of low-intensity activity for MPA could produce significant cognitive gains in older adulthood.

VRx@Home protocol: A virtual reality at-home intervention for persons living with dementia and their care partners

INTRODUCTION

Virtual reality (VR) technology is increasingly used by researchers and healthcare professionals as a therapeutic intervention to improve the quality of life of persons living with dementia (PLwD). However, most VR interventions to date have mainly been explored in long-term or community care settings, with fewer being explored at home. Setting is important, given that the majority of PLwD live at home and are cared for by their family care partners. One of the challenges affecting PLwD and care partner relationships is barriers in communication, which can lead to social isolation and poor quality of life for both parties. Thus, the goal of the proposed project is to explore whether an immersive, multisensory VR intervention can facilitate communication between PLwD and their care partners and, in turn, enhance personal relationships and improve well-being.

METHODS AND ANALYSIS

Thirty dyads comprised of PLwD and their family/friend care partners will participate in this at-home intervention. Their interactions will be recorded as they experience a series of 360° videos together (eg, concert, travel) either using a VR headset (PLwD) with a paired tablet (care partner) or using only a tablet together. The two conditions will allow us to compare immersive VR technology to more common non-immersive tablet-based technology. The study will begin with at-home training and baseline data collection. The intervention will then take place over a 4-week period, with the two conditions (VR vs tablet-only) experienced 2 weeks each. A comprehensive set of measures will be employed to assess the quality and quantity of dyadic interactions, such as verbal/non-verbal language (eg, informativity, gestures) and self-reported measures of well-being and quality of life.

ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION

Ethical approval for the study was granted by the University Health Network (#21-5701). Findings will be shared with all stakeholders through peer-reviewed publications and presentations.

CLINICAL REGISTRATION

This study has been registered on clinicaltrials.gov (NCT06568211).

Neuroprotective potential of Epigenetic modulators, its regulation and therapeutic approaches for the management of Parkinson's disease

The progressive degeneration of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra region of the brain leads to a deficiency of dopamine and, ultimately, the onset of Parkinson's disease (PD). Since there is currently no cure for PD, patients all around the world are dealing with symptomatic management. PD progression is influenced by multiple elements, such as environmental, biological, chemical, genetic, and epigenetic factors. Epigenetics is gaining increased attention due to its role in controlling the expression of genes that contribute to PD. Recent advancements in our understanding of the brain network and its related conditions have shown that alterations in gene expression may occur independently of genetic abnormalities. Therefore, a thorough investigation has been carried out to explore the significance of epigenetics in all degenerative disorders. Epigenetic modifications are essential for regulating cellular homeostasis. Therefore, a deeper understanding of these modifications might provide valuable insights into many diseases and potentially serve as targets for therapeutic interventions. This review article focuses on diverse epigenetic alterations linked to the progression of PD. These abnormalities are supported by numerous research on the control of gene expression and encompass all the epigenetic processes. The beginning of PD is intricately associated with aberrant DNA methylation mechanisms. DNA methyltransferases are the enzymes that create and preserve various DNA methylation patterns. Integrating epigenetic data with existing clinical methods for diagnosing PD may aid in discovering potential curative medicines and novel drug development approaches. This article solely addresses the importance of epigenetic modulators in PD, primarily the mechanisms of DNMTs, their roles in the development of PD, and their therapeutic approaches; it bypasses other PD therapies.

Role of gut microbial-derived metabolites and other select agents on adipocyte browning

AIMS

Metabolic disease is a multifaceted condition characterized by the disruption of numerous metabolic parameters within the host. Its prevalence has surged significantly in recent years and it has become a prominent non-communicable disease worldwide. The effect of gut microbiota on various beige fat induction is well studied, while the mechanisms behind the link remain unclear. Given that gut microbiota-derived metabolites (meta-metabolites) secreted in the gut serve as a key mode of communication with their host through direct circulation or indirect host physiology modification, understanding the effect of meta-metabolites on adipose tissue is essential.

METHODOLOGY

In our previous in-vivo studies, we observed a correlation between gut microbiota and the formation of beige fat. In this study, we further aimed to validate this correlation by treating the adipocyte cell line (3T3-L1) with meta-metabolites collected from the cecum of mice exhibiting beige adipose tissue formation. Additionally, we treated the adipocyte cell line with known beige fat inducers (L-Rhamnose and Ginsenoside) to assess meta-metabolites' efficacy on beige fat formation.

KEY FINDINGS

Upon treatment with the meta-metabolites from the antibiotic-treated mice, we observed a significant increase in lipid metabolism and beige-specific gene expression. Analyzing the metabolites in these cells revealed that a set of metabolites potentially govern adipocytes, contributing to a metabolically active state. These effects were at par or even better than those of cells treated with L-Rhamnose or Ginsenoside.

SIGNIFICANCE

This research sheds light on the intricate interplay between microbial metabolites and adipose tissue, offering valuable clues for understanding and potentially manipulating these processes for therapeutic purposes.

Poly(allylamine)/tripolyphosphate nanocomplex coacervate as a NLRP3-dependent systemic adjuvant for vaccine development

Nanotechnology plays a crucial role in vaccine development. It allows the design of functional nanoparticles (NPs) that can act both as antigen carriers and as adjuvants to enhance the immune response. The present study aims to evaluate complex coacervate-like NPs composed of poly(allylamine hydrochloride) (PAH) and tripolyphosphate (TPP) as a safe vehicle and adjuvant for systemic vaccines. We investigated the activation of different antigen-presenting cells (APCs) with NPs and their adjuvanticity in Balbc/c and different KO mice that were intraperitoneally immunized with NP-OVA. We found that NPs increased the expression of CD86 and MHCII and promoted the production and secretion of interleukin-1β (IL-1β) and IL-18 through the inflammasome NLRP3 when macrophages and dendritic cells were co-incubated with LPS and NPs. We evidenced an unconventional IL-1β release through the autophagosome pathway. The inhibition of autophagy with 3-methyladenine reduced the LPS/NPs-induced IL-1β secretion. Additionally, our findings showed that the systemic administration of mice with NP-OVA triggered a significant induction of serum OVA-specific IgG and IgG2a, an increased secretion of IFN-γ by spleen cells, and high frequencies of LT CD4 + IFN-γ + and LT CD8 + IFN-γ + . Our findings show that NPs promoted the inflammasome activation of innate cells with Th1-dependent adjuvant properties, making them valuable for formulating novel preventive or therapeutic vaccines for infectious and non-infectious diseases.

Pain, Substance Use Disorders, Mental Health, and Buprenorphine Treatment among Patients With and Without HIV

Treatment of opioid use disorder (OUD) with buprenorphine improves outcomes and mortality among people with HIV (PWH). However, engagement is low and is influenced by comorbidities. We examined the impact of patterns of co-occurring pain, substance use disorders (SUDs), and mental health diagnoses on buprenorphine initiation and retention in PWH. The Veterans Aging Cohort Study contained 7,875 patients (2,702 PWH and 5,173 without HIV) with new OUD clinical encounters (2008-2017). Buprenorphine initiation and retention were derived from prescription data. We identified patterns of co-occurring diagnoses (via ICD codes) and assessed the effects of class membership on both outcomes using latent class analysis and regression analyses. The mean age of patients was 55, 98% were male, 58% Black, 8% Hispanic, and only 8% initiated buprenorphine within 12 months of OUD diagnosis. Four classes of co-occurring diagnoses were identified: "Few Co-occurring Diagnoses" (42.3%); "Multiple Pain Conditions" (21.3%); "Pain + SUD" (18.4%) and "Pain + SUD + Mental Health" (18.0%). Patients in the "Pain + SUD" class and "Pain + SUD + Mental Health" class were significantly less likely to initiate buprenorphine and had 59% and 45% lower odds, respectively, of initiating buprenorphine compared with patients in the "Few Co-occurring Diagnoses" class; this effect did not vary by HIV status. Buprenorphine retention was not significantly associated with HIV status or class membership. However, Black Veterans were less likely to initiate or be retained in buprenorphine treatment. Higher comorbidity burden was negatively associated with buprenorphine initiation but not with retention. More research is warranted to determine other factors that may influence treatment retention.

Auricular laser acupuncture as an adjunct for parental anxiety management during children's surgery: A randomized-controlled study

BACKGROUND

Pediatric surgery is associated with high levels of anxiety for both children and parents/caregivers. To mitigate anxiety, auricular acupuncture has shown its potential in the perioperative setting. Accordingly, our team developed a wearable prototype auricular laser acupuncture system, AcuHealth V1.0, as a portable acupuncture device and conducted a proof-of-concept evaluation with parents of children undergoing surgery.

AIMS

The primary aim of this study was to conduct feasibility testing of the AcuHealth V1.0 system in delivering auricular laser acupuncture.

METHODS

Parents of children who were scheduled to undergo outpatient surgery were randomly assigned to one of three groups: authentic acupuncture (laser beams at known anxiolytic acupoints, n = 13), sham acupuncture (non-anxiolytic acupoints, n = 14), or a placebo control group (inactive laser, n = 14). Parent self-reported anxiety (0-10 numerical rating scale) was assessed at baseline, pre-intervention (once child was taken to the OR), post-intervention, and at 30 min after the intervention. Usability and acceptability data regarding the device were assessed after the intervention.

RESULTS

Baseline data revealed no significant difference in anxiety between the three groups. Parent-reported anxiety level at 30-min post-intervention as compared to baseline in the authentic group was significantly decreased (delta mean ± std = -3.58 ± 2.07) compared to both the sham acupuncture (-1.35 ± 2.65) and placebo control group (0.54 ± 1.13). Evaluation of changes in parent-reported anxiety between groups over time using two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) revealed a significant difference between the three groups (p = 0.001). Post hoc analysis with Scheffe test pairwise comparisons showed that at 30-min post-intervention compared to baseline, the authentic intervention group was significantly less anxious compared with both the sham group (p = 0.033) and the placebo control group (p = 0.001). Additionally, feedback regarding the usage of the device supported the acceptability and usability of the device with no adverse events.

CONCLUSIONS

This pilot study administering laser auricular acupuncture via the AcuHealth V1.0 system decreased parental anxiety after 30 min in parents who received treatment immediately after their children were taken to the operating room with no adverse effect.

KIT V560D-Mutated Systemic Mastocytosis Associated With High-Risk Myelodysplastic Syndrome: A Unique Case of Systemic Mastocytosis-Associated Hematologic Neoplasm

Systemic mastocytosis (SM) is a rare hematologic disorder characterized by clonal proliferation of mast cells in the bone marrow and/or other organs. SM-associated hematologic neoplasm (SM-AHN) is one of the advanced SM variants that usually confer a poor prognosis. We present a case of a 75-year-old female patient with SM-AHN, specifically myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS), that harbored a unique KIT mutation KIT V560D, not previously described in the literature in this setting. We describe the clinical course and the outcome with the use of avapritinib, midostaurin, and decitabine-cedazuridine. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT00782067.

Plant-Based Diets and Phytochemicals in the Management of Diabetes Mellitus and Prevention of Its Complications: A Review

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is currently regarded as a global public health crisis for which lifelong treatment with conventional drugs presents limitations in terms of side effects, accessibility, and cost. Type 2 diabetes (T2DM), usually associated with obesity, is characterized by elevated blood glucose levels, hyperlipidemia, chronic inflammation, impaired β-cell function, and insulin resistance. If left untreated or when poorly controlled, DM increases the risk of vascular complications such as hypertension, nephropathy, neuropathy, and retinopathy, which can be severely debilitating or life-threatening. Plant-based foods represent a promising natural approach for the management of T2DM due to the vast array of phytochemicals they contain. Numerous epidemiological studies have highlighted the importance of a diet rich in plant-based foods (vegetables, fruits, spices, and condiments) in the prevention and management of DM. Unlike conventional medications, such natural products are widely accessible, affordable, and generally free from adverse effects. Integrating plant-derived foods into the daily diet not only helps control the hyperglycemia observed in DM but also supports weight management in obese individuals and has broad health benefits. In this review, we provide an overview of the pathogenesis and current therapeutic management of DM, with a particular focus on the promising potential of plant-based foods.

Family planning knowledge, use, and associated factors among women with mental illness and epilepsy in Rwanda: a cross-sectional study

Introduction

Family planning knowledge and access to quality family planning services occupy a central position in the lives of all women of reproductive age. However, women with mental illness and epilepsy who are at a high risk of sexual violence, unwanted pregnancies, poor obstetric outcomes, and drug interaction consequences, need it the most. Understanding their family planning knowledge and utilization remains crucial for meeting their needs. The present study aims to assess knowledge, use of family planning, and associated factors among women living with mental illness and epilepsy who attend the Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital and affiliated branches.

Methodology

A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2022 and February 2023. The study involved a purposive sample of 289 women who attended the Ndera Neuropsychiatric Hospital and its two affiliated branches during the data collection period. Psychiatric nurses administered a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the factors associated with the use of family planning methods.

Results

Out of 289 who participated in the study, the majority (96.9%) were aware of family planning methods, most (67.8%) had used one method once in their life course, a half (51.9%) were using a family planning method at the time of data collection, and a slight number (26%) expressed intentions of using a family planning method in the future. The most known and used methods were respectively the injectable (17.5%) and oral contraceptive pill (17.5%). Regarding the natural family planning methods, breastfeeding and withdrawal were less used. Being single (AOR = 66.4, 95% CI: 9.8, 44) or married (AOR = 51.4, 95% CI: 11.9-22), having a primary level of education (AOR = 5.6, 95% CI: 2.0, 15.9), knowing a contraceptive method (AOR = 5.8, 95% CI: 0.6, 49) and suffering from brief psychotic disorders (AOR = 2.7, 95% CI: 1.1, 6.6) predicted a higher utilization of family planning.

Conclusion

Most of the women with mental illness in this study were aware of family planning methods and had used one of the family planning methods in life. The national average is below when it comes to family planning awareness. It is important to improve family planning education and counseling for women who attend psychiatric outpatient clinics.

A Longitudinal Study of Head Circumference Trajectories in Autism and Autistic Traits

Increased head circumference is an established finding in autism spectrum disorder (ASD); however, it is unclear when this increase occurs, if it persists and whether it manifests across the whole ASD spectrum. Head circumference is a strong predictor of brain size and can therefore provide key insights into brain development in ASD. We used data from the Avon Longitudinal Study of Parents and Children to compare head circumference trajectories from birth to 15 years in children with an ASD diagnosis (N = 78, controls = 6,404) or elevated autistic traits as measured using the Social Communication Disorder Checklist (N = 639, controls = 6,230). Exploratory analyses were conducted in those with ASD and co-morbid cognitive learning needs (CLN). Children with an ASD diagnosis had larger head circumference from birth across childhood and adolescence compared to controls in univariable (B = 0.69, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.28-1.09, p = 0.001) and multivariable models (B = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.003-0.75, p = 0.048). Differences were more marked in those with co-morbid CLN. Children with elevated autistic traits had significantly smaller head circumference compared to controls. There was weak evidence of group differences when height was included as a covariate. Head circumference trajectories in ASD deviate from control children and persist until adolescence. Autistic traits were associated with smaller head circumference, suggesting distinct growth trajectories between clinical cases from those with non-clinical traits.

Scalable, compressed phenotypic screening using pooled perturbations

High-throughput phenotypic screens using biochemical perturbations and high-content readouts are constrained by limitations of scale. To address this, we establish a method of pooling exogenous perturbations followed by computational deconvolution to reduce required sample size, labor and cost. We demonstrate the increased efficiency of compressed experimental designs compared to conventional approaches through benchmarking with a bioactive small-molecule library and a high-content imaging readout. We then apply compressed screening in two biological discovery campaigns. In the first, we use early-passage pancreatic cancer organoids to map transcriptional responses to a library of recombinant tumor microenvironment protein ligands, uncovering reproducible phenotypic shifts induced by specific ligands distinct from canonical reference signatures and correlated with clinical outcome. In the second, we identify the pleotropic modulatory effects of a chemical compound library with known mechanisms of action on primary human peripheral blood mononuclear cell immune responses. In sum, our approach empowers phenotypic screens with information-rich readouts to advance drug discovery efforts and basic biological inquiry.

Closing the Gender Gap? A Cohort Comparison of Adolescent Responses to and Attitudes Toward Pornography, 2004 vs. 2021

Pornography has become increasingly prevalent and normalized within society, raising questions about how today's adolescents might differ in their responses to and attitudes toward pornography compared to earlier generations. This study begins to fill this gap by comparing cross-sectional data from two cohorts of high school students in Sweden in 2004 (n  = 4,266, mean age = 18.15, SD  = 0.74, 53.9% girls) and 2020-21 (n  = 3,256, mean age = 18.20, SD  = 0.61, 55.4% girls). Gender-stratified bivariate analyses and logistic regression models were performed to examine the impact of survey year on outcomes. Results reveal an increase in frequent pornography use among both genders and a narrowing of the gender gap in responses and attitudes by 2020-21. Boys reported decreased arousal responses, fewer positive emotional responses, and were less inclined to imitate the behaviors seen in pornography. Girls were less averse to and upset by the pornography they encountered. Both genders became more tolerant of pornography, yet more critical of its purported benefits. Notable gender differences remain, especially with girls being more likely to recognize pornography as degrading and exploitative. These findings underscore the need for educational strategies that foster critical understandings of pornography and its societal impact.

Long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) and epigenetic factors: their role in regulating the adipocytes in bovine

Investigating the involvement of long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and epigenetic processes in bovine adipocytes can provide valuable new insights into controlling adipogenesis in livestock. Long non-coding RNAs have been associated with forming chromatin loops that facilitate enhancer-promoter interactions during adipogenesis, as well as regulating important adipogenic transcription factors like C/EBPα and PPARγ. They significantly influence gene expression regulation at the post-transcriptional level and are extensively researched for their diverse roles in cellular functions. Epigenetic modifications such as chromatin reorganization, histone alterations, and DNA methylation subsequently affect the activation of genes related to adipogenesis and the progression of adipocyte differentiation. By investigating how fat deposition is epigenetically regulated in beef cattle, scientists aim to unravel molecular mechanisms, identify key regulatory genes and pathways, and develop targeted strategies for modifying fat deposition to enhance desirable traits such as marbling and meat tenderness. This review paper delves into lncRNAs and epigenetic factors and their role in regulating bovine adipocytes while focusing on their potential as targets for genetic improvement to increase production efficiency. Recent genomics advancements, including molecular markers and genetic variations, can boost animal productivity, meeting global demands for high-quality meat products. This review establishes a foundation for future research on understanding regulatory networks linked to lncRNAs and epigenetic changes, contributing to both scholarly knowledge advancement and practical applications within animal agriculture.