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Nowadays, CO2 detection has become significant in many applications such as monitoring of air quality and human health. CO2 sensors are majorly based on solid-state materials, but they require high operating temperatures. Recently, two-dimensional materials have been explored to achieve room-temperature CO2 detection. Among them, graphene and MXene gained attraction owing to their outstanding chemical and electronic properties. Sensing materials' properties such as surface and electrical properties are very crucial to achieve highly sensitive gas sensors. In this work, we comprehensively investigate and compare the impact of surface-electrical properties of graphene and MXene on their CO2 sensors' performance. Initially, we synthesize and characterize the surface-electrical properties of functionalized graphene (FG) and Ti3C2Tx MXene. Later, chemiresistive CO2 gas sensors are fabricated with these materials as sensing layers and their performance is examined. From material characterizations, we find that MXene surface is more hydrophilic, showing 1.5-fold higher interfacial energy, and has ~ 1.2-fold higher electrical conductivity than FG, whereas FG demonstrates lower surface roughness and outstanding stability over the period. The sensing behavior of both sensors is found to be repeatable, selective, and reproducible. The CO2 sensor with the MXene layer reveals a lower response/recovery time (12/17 s) than that of FG (32/43 s). Also, MXene-based sensor exhibits a 25% response, revealing a 6% higher gas response than FG-based sensor. However, from the stability point of view, FG sensor outperforms the MXene sensors. We believe this study is extremely beneficial in realizing highly efficient gas sensors for air quality and health monitoring. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) acquired drug resistance (ADR) compromises antiretroviral therapy (ART). Methods We aggregated all HIV-1 protease–reverse transcriptase–integrase sequences over 2004–2021 at the largest HIV center in Rhode Island and evaluated ADR extent, trends, and impact using Stanford Database tools. Trends were measured with Mann-Kendall statistic, and multivariable regressions evaluated resistance predictors. Results Sequences were available for 914 ART-experienced persons. Overall ADR to any drug decreased from 77% to 49% (−0.66 Mann-Kendall statistic); nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors 65% to 32%, nonnucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors 53% to 43%, and protease inhibitors 28% to 7% (2004–2021), and integrase strand transfer inhibitors 16% to 13% (2017–2021). Multiclass resistance decreased from 44% to 12% (2-class) and 12% to 6% (3-class). In 2021, 94% had at least one 3-drug or 2-drug one-pill-once-daily (OPOD) option. Males and those exposed to more ART regimens were more likely to have ≥2-class resistance, and higher regimen exposure was also associated with fewer OPOD options. Conclusions Comprehensive analyses within a densely-sampled HIV epidemic over 2004–2021 demonstrated decreasing ADR. Continued ADR monitoring is important to maintain ART success, particularly with rising INSTI use in all lines of therapy and 2-drug and long-acting formulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current study attempted to replicate the original findings regarding the effects of power posing on testosterone and cortisol levels, risk-taking behavior, and perceived power. We further extended the investigation by testing the effect of power posing on estradiol and progesterone levels. Methods: A sample of 92 young adults (30 males; 32 females taking oral contraceptives; and 30 females not taking oral contraceptives who were in their midluteal phase) were randomly assigned to high-power-pose or low-power-pose conditions and asked about their feelings of power. They completed a risk-taking task, and their neuroendocrine levels were measured both at baseline and following the power manipulation. Results: Power posing was not found to replicate the original results regarding effects on testosterone levels or feelings of power; however, our findings partially supported the original results regarding effects on cortisol levels and risk-taking. Among high-power posers, a decrease in cortisol levels was associated with risk tolerance. Power posing was not found to influence progesterone levels. However, among females taking oral contraceptives, high-power posing increased estradiol levels. Conclusions: These preliminary findings suggest that estradiol is influenced by short-term exposure to social cues under specific hormonal profiles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Federated Multi-Agent Deep Reinforcement Learning (FMADRL) is gathering keen research interests, as it may offer efficient solutions towards meeting the extreme requirements of future wireless communication networks. By contrast to centralized Deep Reinforcement Learning (DRL) and Multi-Agent DRL (MADRL), F-MADRL enables edge devices to cooperate without sharing their private data, while reducing the delays and signaling costs inherent to centralized approaches. In this article, we explore the new opportunities brought by F-MADRL with a special focus on optimized wireless communications for Internet of Things (IoT) applications. Firstly, we categorize state-of-theart F-MADRL approaches, based on some distinctive features such as aggregation frequency, signaling overhead and privacy level. To better illustrate the behavior and advantages of FMADRL, it is numerically compared to its fully centralized and distributed independent DRL counterparts, through a Sub- 6GHz/mmWave band association optimization problem for IoT wireless communications. Finally, we identify and discuss the open research directions and challenges, in order to spur further interest in this promising area. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: This retrospective, real-world claims database analysis described the clinical burden and healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) among patients with sickle cell disease (SCD) with recurrent vaso-occlusive crises (VOCs) in France. Methods: The French National Health Data System database (système national des données de santé) was used to identify eligible patients from 1 January 2012 to 1 March 2019. Inclusion criteria were a SCD diagnosis, ≥2 VOCs/year for ≥2 consecutive years following the diagnosis, and ≥1 year of follow-up data to 1 March 2020. Patients with hereditary persistence of fetal hemoglobin or hematopoietic stem cell transplant in their medical records were excluded. Clinical complications, mortality, treatment use, and HCRU were evaluated during follow-up. Results: Overall, 4602 patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs were eligible; their mean (standard deviation [SD]) age was 19.8 (13.5) years, and 51.8% were female. Patients experienced a mean (SD) of 3.82 (3.57) VOCs per patient per year (PPPY). Prevalent complications were anemia or leukocytosis (44.1%), infections (42.0%), and organ failure (38.2%). In total, 101 (2.2%) patients died during follow-up (mean age of death [SD]: 39.3 [17.5] years; mortality rate: 0.64 deaths per 100 person-years). Most patients received opioids (89.1%) and hydroxycarbamide (72.8%). Patients had a mean of 5.7 inpatient hospitalizations, 6.0 emergency room visits, 6.6 outpatient visits, and 13.4 outpatient prescriptions PPPY. Conclusions: Patients with SCD with recurrent VOCs in France have substantial clinical complications, mortality, and HCRU despite currently available treatment options. Innovative treatments that reduce frequency of or eliminate VOCs are needed to alleviate the burden associated with SCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sampling from the "Indigenous turn" in anthropology, this article asks what might be relevant for our thinking about the politics and ethics of social research practices in the Middle East/North Africa (MENA) region from the decolonizing efforts of those working in New Zealand, Hawaii, Bolivia, and Native America. It begins with Linda Tuhiwai Smith's 1999 classic Decolonizing Methodologies: Research and Indigenous Peoples and her judgment that "from the vantage point of the colonized... the term 'research' is inextricably linked to European imperialism and colonialism." Decolonizing means shifting the focus from the power/knowledge formations and questions of representation that Edward Said's work highlighted for those of us in MENA studies toward the ethics of social research itself and the silences on the political contexts that shape research and make research possible. If we were to transpose the practical ethical questions about the methods and purposes of social research, imagining our research subjects as analogous to "Indigenous" people in settler-colonial states insofar as they are living in the region or coming from the region under study—despite their diversity of location, class, ethnicity, religion, social capital, political power, living conditions, and possibilities, not to mention experiences of displacement, coercion, and violence—how would the decolonial impulse translate? [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rethinking research practices and querying knowledge production have emerged as part of a popular movement in the academy to "decolonize" the social and human sciences. This introduction to a forum suggests that if decolonizing has become something of a buzzword applied to curricula and embraced even by mainstream foundations eager to develop funding streams to support (in name) the intellectual/political project, this does not mean we should be cynical. Neither, however, should we take decolonization to be a metaphor. This forum is about one of the most consequential implications of the "decolonizing" move: how it broadens our thinking about ethics. Animated by the particular experiences and concerns of this interdisciplinary group of what Amahl Bishara characterizes as "region-related" scholars of the Middle East and North Africa, the focus turned from the contemporary politics of knowledge production to questions of ethical responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction Increased salience of drug-related cues over nondrug reinforcers can drive drug use and contribute to tobacco use disorder (TUD). An important scientific and clinical goal is to effectively measure this elevated drug-seeking behavior in TUD. However, most TUD assessments rely on self-reported cravings and cigarette consumption, not providing an objective measure of the impact of drug cues on biasing behavior toward drugs. The probabilistic image choice (PIC) task investigates the choice of viewing drug-related pictures as compared to other salient pictures (eg, pleasant and unpleasant). This study aimed to develop and validate the PIC task for TUD and evaluate the associations between behavioral choice and tobacco craving, daily cigarette consumption, quit attempts and motivation to quit, and nicotine dependence (the Fagerström score). Methods We recruited 468 smokers and 121 nonsmokers using the Prolific online platform. Participants performed the PIC task twice (at a 1-month interval) and completed other measures relevant to TUD. Results Compared to nonsmokers, tobacco smokers selected to view significantly more tobacco images and less pleasant (nondrug reinforcer) images, a profile that remained stable at retest. Individual differences in choice of tobacco as compared to pleasant images on the PIC task were associated with craving but not with the other tobacco dependence measures, suggesting that the task may serve as a behavioral proxy measure of drug "wanting" rather than of cumulative nicotine exposure or physical dependence. Conclusions These results suggest that the PIC task can be a valuable tool for objectively assessing craving-associated tobacco seeking in TUD. Implications Most of the current measures of TUD rely on self-reports of consumption, dependence, and craving, and do not take into consideration the role of drug-related cues in driving tobacco seeking. This study shows that the PIC task provides an objective, reliable proxy measure of tobacco image-seeking behavior in people who smoke cigarettes that is linked to craving (desire) for smoking but not to other measures of TUD. Therefore, the PIC task may be a useful complementary tool for the classification, diagnosis, and prognosis of TUD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare oncologic and perioperative outcomes of robot-assisted laparoscopy (RA) and conventional laparoscopy (LSC) in apparent clinically uterine-confined, high-grade adenocarcinoma. Methods: A retrospective review was conducted to identify patients with newly diagnosed high-grade uterine adenocarcinoma treated at our institution between 1 January 2009 and 30 June 2021. Exclusion criteria included bulky extrauterine disease, no lymph node assessment, or synchronous tumors. Clinicopathologic details were obtained from medical records. Postoperative complications were classified using the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center Surgical Secondary Events system, and statistical analysis was performed using appropriate tests. Results: Of 901 patients identified, 748 (83%) underwent RA and 153 (17%) underwent LSC. Median age was 65 years (range 25–92) and median body mass index was 30 kg/m2 (range 15–60). Overall, 650 patients (72%) had 2009 International Federation of Obstetrics and Gynecology (FIGO) stage I disease. Forty-one patients (4.6%) converted to laparotomy—26 (3.5%) from RA versus 15 (9.8%) from LSC (p = 0.02). Postoperative complications occurred in 81 patients (9.0%), with no significant differences in type or rate between groups. Median operative time was 192 mins (range 88–936) for RA versus 168 mins (range 90–372) for LSC (p = 0.002). Median follow-up was 52 months (range 1–163) for RA and 66 months (range 7–165) for LSC. Four-year progression-free survival (PFS) and disease-specific survival (DSS) were similar between groups. Multivariate analysis showed stage, histology, peritoneal cytology, and lymphovascular invasion predicated a decrease in PFS and DSS. Conclusions: RA demonstrated comparable oncologic outcomes to LSC in patients with high-grade endometrial carcinoma, with no significant difference in postoperative complications or long-term survival. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Primary human papillomavirus (HPV) testing by clinician-collection is endorsed by U.S. guideline organizations for cervical cancer screening, but uptake remains low and insights into patients' understanding are limited. This study aims to primarily address patient awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection and acceptance of primary HPV screening by clinician- and self-collection, and secondarily assess factors associated with awareness and acceptance. Setting: Primary care practices affiliated with an academic medical center. Methods: A cross-sectional survey study of screening-eligible women aged 30–65 years was conducted to assess awareness and acceptability of primary HPV screening. We analyzed bivariate associations of respondent characteristics with awareness of primary HPV screening by clinician-collection, willingness to have clinician- or self-collected primary HPV testing, and reasons for self-collection preference. Results: Respondents (n = 351; response rate = 23.4%) reported cervical cancer screening adherence of 82.8% but awareness of clinician-collected primary HPV as an option was low (18.9%) and only associated with HPV testing with recent screening (p = 0.003). After reviewing a description of primary HPV screening, willingness for clinician-collected (81.8%) or home self-collected (76.1%) HPV testing was high, if recommended by a provider. Acceptability of clinician-collected HPV testing was associated with higher income (p = 0.009) and for self-collection was associated with higher income (p = 0.002) and higher education (p = 0.02). Higher education was associated with reporting self-collection as easier than clinic-collection (p = 0.02). Women expected self-collection to be more convenient (94%), less embarrassing (85%), easier (85%), and less painful (81%) than clinician-collection. Conclusions: Educational interventions are needed to address low awareness about the current clinician-collected primary HPV screening option and to prepare for anticipated federal licensure of self-collection kits. Informing women about self-collection allows them to recognize benefits which could address screening barriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to describe the prevalence of lymphatic filariasis (LF), soil‐transmitted helminthiasis (STH) and schistosomiasis (SC) in Indonesia before and after PC implementation through a systematic review and meta‐analysis. Methods: Embase, MEDLINE, PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science and Google Scholar were searched for articles published between 1 January 1992 and 31 December 2022, reporting LF, STH and SC in Indonesia. Using the Ministry of Health lists of districts receiving PC programs, we identified whether data collection was conducted before or after PC implementation in that particular district. A meta‐analysis was performed with a random‐effects model applied to pool pre‐ and post‐PC prevalence of LF, STH and SC. Results: Overall, 195 studies were included. The pooled prevalence of LF was 9.72% (95% CI, 5.56%–13.87%). The pre‐PC pooled prevalence of LF was 11.48% (95% CI, 5.52%–17.45%). The prevalence decreased after PC implementation, and the pooled prevalence was 7.12% (95% CI, 1.79%–12.44%). The overall prevalence of STH was 35.16% (95% CI, 30.36%–39.96%). The pre‐PC prevalence of STH was 36.29% (95% CI, 30.37%–42.20%). The post‐PC prevalence of STH decreased at 31.93% (95% CI, 24.25%–39.62%), although the difference between before and after PC was not significant (p = 0.379). Only nine studies investigated the prevalence of SC; based on the random‐effects model, the pooled prevalence was 21.90% (95% CI, 4.88%–38.92%). Owing to the scarcity of studies, we could not perform the funnel tests for publication bias and moderating variables of the pooled prevalence for SC. Conclusions: The prevalence of LF and STH decreased after PC implementation, although it was not significant. The difference for SC could not be assessed because of limited post‐PC data. The uneven distribution of research and the lack of standardised sampling methods may not fully capture the situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Improvements in outcomes for adolescent and young adult (AYA) oncology patients have lagged behind those of other age-specific cancer populations. Research has indicated that low availability of clinical trials, biological differences of this age-group, and several psychosocial factors including higher emotional distress impact outcomes. To improve care and survival rates for these patients, hospitals have implemented AYA oncology programs. The current study evaluated documentation of care in an AYA program housed in an academic medical center based on three areas emphasized in the National Comprehensive Cancer Network's Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for AYAs: clinical trial enrollment, fertility, and psychosocial care. Methods: Retrospective chart reviews were conducted for 45 patients treated before the start of the AYA oncology program and 45 patients treated after program initiation. Patients aged 15–39 years with a diagnosis of a malignant tumor were included. Variables evaluated included documentation of clinical trial enrollment, fertility preservation and sexual health considerations, and behavioral health referrals. Results: Documentation of most clinical trial and fertility variables did not significantly improve from pre- to post-program, although a higher number of patients had these variables documented post-program. Behavioral health referrals increased significantly from 52.8% pre-program to 95.4% post-program. Conclusion: Access to behavioral health care improved the most following implementation of our AYA program, which is likely because of the integration of a dedicated psychologist for AYAs when the program began. The practice of guideline-based care for this population can be better assessed and improved with designated behavioral health providers and more systematic documentation processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dating violence (DV) is a social problem that affects adolescents worldwide. Prevalence figures show that this type of violence is starting at an increasingly younger age, which is why it is important to study attitudes toward DV, as they are an important risk factor. Victim-blaming attitudes justify this type of violence by excusing perpetrators and blaming victims. The present study aimed to validate an instrument developed to assess victim-blaming attitudes in DV cases among the adolescent population: The Adolescent Dating Violence Victim-Blaming Attitudes Scale (ADV-VBA). Two samples of high school students were recruited using a two-stage stratified sampling by conglomerates, one consisting of 758 adolescents (48% females) and the other of 160 (50% females), whose ages ranged from 12 to 18 years. We found that this instrument presented good reliability and validity evidence, showing good internal consistency, a clear one-factor latent structure, and a close relation to other related constructs, such as ambivalent sexism and perpetration and victimization of DV. We also found that items did not present differential item functioning across gender and the instrument was especially informative for assessing moderate to high levels of victim-blaming attitudes. A short five-item version is also presented for use when time and space constraints exist. Our results indicate that the ADV-VBA scale is a psychometrically sound measure to assess victim-blaming attitudes in cases of adolescent DV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, a low profile UHF-RFID reader antenna with high front-to-back ratio is presented. The antenna consists of a probe-fed U-slot rectangular patch antenna loaded with a slotted AMC reflector, formed of 2 × 2 unit cells. By incorporating the AMC reflector, a compact profile height of 0.049λ (λ is the wavelength at 910 MHz) is achieved with high gain and front-to-back ratio. The proposed reader antenna is fabricated and measured. The experimental results are similar to those predicted by electromagnetic simulation and validate the proper operation of the antenna across the entire UHF-RFID band (860–960 MHz). Moreover, the realized prototype exhibits a measured realized gain and a front-to-back ratio (F/B) greater than 5 dBi and 24 dB, respectively. The proposed design offers the advantages of low profile, high gain and F/B ratio, rendering it suitable for compact RFID readers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Use of serum procalcitonin (PCT), an inflammatory biomarker for bacterial infections, has shown promising results for early stopping antibiotic treatment among patients with respiratory infections and sepsis. There is need for additional data regarding effectiveness and safety of this concept among patients with cancer. Methods: Individual data of patients with a documented diagnosis of cancer and proven or suspected respiratory infection and/or sepsis were extracted from previous trials where adult patients were randomized to receive antibiotic treatment based on a PCT protocol or usual care (control group). The primary efficacy and safety endpoints were antibiotic exposure and 28-day all-cause mortality. Results: This individual-patient data meta-analysis included 777 patients with a diagnosis of cancer from 15 randomized-controlled trials. Regarding efficacy, there was a 18% reduction in antibiotic exposure in patients randomized to PCT-guided care compared to usual care ([days] 8.2 ± 6.6 vs. 9.8 ± 7.3; adjusted difference, − 1.77 [95% CI, − 2.74 to − 0.80]; p < 0.001). Regarding safety, there were 72 deaths in 379 patients in the PCT-guided group (19.0%) compared to 91 deaths in 398 participants in the usual care group (22.9%) resulting in an adjusted OR of 0.78 (95% CI, 0.60 to 1.02). A subgroup analysis showed a significant reduction in mortality in patients younger than 70 years (adjusted OR, 0.58 [95% CI, 0.40 to 0.86]). Conclusion: Result of this individual patient meta-analysis from 15 previous trials suggests that among patients with cancer and suspected or proven respiratory infection or sepsis, use of PCT to guide antibiotic treatment decisions results in reduced antibiotic exposure with a possible reduction in mortality, particularly among younger patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A complete understanding of RNA biology requires methods for tracking transcripts in vivo. Common strategies rely on fluorogenic probes that are limited in sensitivity, dynamic range, and depth of interrogation, owing to their need for excitation light and tissue autofluorescence. To overcome these challenges, we report a bioluminescent platform for serial imaging of RNAs. The RNA tags are engineered to recruit light-emitting luciferase fragments (termed RNA lanterns) upon transcription. Robust photon production is observed for RNA targets both in cells and in live animals. Importantly, only a single copy of the tag is necessary for sensitive detection, in sharp contrast to fluorescent platforms requiring multiple repeats. Overall, this work provides a foundational platform for visualizing RNA dynamics from the micro to the macro scale. Studying RNA dynamics in vivo often relies on fluorogenic approaches, but these can be hampered by factors such as limited sensitivity and sample autofluorescence. Here, the authors describe an ultrasensitive platform for RNA imaging, which features RNA tags that recruit light-emitting luciferase fragments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Terrestrial animals, including humans and domestic dogs, naturally create cognitive maps in the horizontal plane in order to navigate; their navigation in the vertical plane is poorer, given their land-based locomotion. For humans, the development of multi-story buildings highlights this difficulty in mapping vertical space: for instance, on an elevator, humans typically rely on visual information about the height of the landing—floor numbers, e.g.,—to know where they are. However, human companions, domestic dogs, cannot rely on number cues, and do not appear to reliably know when the elevator has stopped on their home floor. In this study, we examined if dogs can learn what floor they are on based on a visual or odor cue on their floor, similar to humans' use of a number cue. The subject dogs were able to do so, with some caveats. Our results suggest that cues may help dogs navigate an anthropocentric environment. Spatial navigation allows animals to understand their environment position and is crucial to survival. An animal's primary mode of spatial navigation (horizontal or vertical) is dependent on how they naturally move in space. Observations of the domestic dog (Canis familiaris) have shown that they, like other terrestrial animals, navigate poorly in vertical space. This deficit is visible in their use of multi-story buildings. To date, no research has been conducted to determine if dogs can learn how to navigate in an anthropogenic vertical environment with the help of a landmark. As such, we herein investigate the effect of the addition of a visual or olfactory landmark on dogs' ability to identify when they are on their home floor. Subject behaviors toward their home door and a contrasting floor door were compared before and after exposure to a landmark outside of their home door. While subjects initially showed no difference in latency to approach an apartment door on their home or a wrong floor, we found a significant difference in latency to approach the doors in the test trials for subjects who approached the doors in every trial. Other findings are equivocal, but this result is consistent with the hypothesis that dogs can learn to navigate in vertical space. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, many atherogenesis researchers have focused on the role of inflammatory cytokines in the development of cardiovascular disease (CVD). Interleukin-6 (IL-6) cytokine is independently associated with higher CVD risk in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The effect of IL-6 inhibitors on the cardiovascular system in RA patients remains poorly understood, especially with its long-term use. This study investigates the effect of therapy with IL-6 receptor blocker tocilizumab (TCZ) on the dynamics of cardiovascular risk (CVR), modifiable risk factors (RFs), carotid artery (CA) structural changes, and the incidence of cardiovascular complications (CVCs) in RA patients during a 265-week follow-up period. Forty-five patients with active RA (DAS28-ESR 6.2 (5.5;6.8) with ineffectiveness and/or intolerance to disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs) were included in this study. During long-term therapy with TCZ in RA patients, no increase in CVR and no significant structural changes in CA were observed. No significant changes in the blood lipid spectrum were observed in patients without statin therapy. In the group of patients receiving statins, there was a 43% increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), a 15% reduction in total cholesterol levels, and a 56% decrease in the atherogenicity index (p < 0.01 in all cases). Associations were found between ∆ total cholesterol and ∆ C-reactive protein (CRP) (R = 0.36, p = 0.04), ∆ low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and ∆-CRP (R = 0.42, p = 0.03) in RA patients receiving statins. Initially, the thickness of the intima–media complex of carotid arteries (cIMT) positively moderately correlated with age (R = 0.7; p < 0.01), BMI (R = 0.37; p < 0.01), and systolic blood pressure (R = 0.64; p < 0.01); however, it weakly correlated with the lipid spectrum parameters: total cholesterol (R = 0.29; p < 0.01) and LDL-C (R = 0.33; p < 0.01). No new associations of cIMT by the end of the follow-up period, as well as the relationship of cIMT value with RA activity and therapy, were revealed. Patients with carotid ASPs showed an oppositely directed relationship between total cholesterol and sVCAM-1 at baseline (R = −0.25, p = 0.01) and at the end of this study (R = 0.29, p < 0.01). The incidence of cardiovascular events was 0.53 per 100 patient-years during the 265-week period of TCZ therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a multifactorial psychological disorder that affects different neurotransmitter systems, including the central CRH system. CRH acts via the CRHR1 and CRHR2 receptors, which exert opposite effects, i.e., anxiogenic or anxiolytic. The aim of this work was to investigate how intranasal administration of the CRHR2-specific agonist urocortin 2 (Ucn2) or urocortin 3 (Ucn3) affects manifestations of PTSD in a single prolonged stress (SPS) animal model of PTSD. Elevated plus maze (EPM) and open field (OF) tests were used to assess anxiety-like behavior. Changes in the gene expressions of CRH, CRHR1, CRHR2, glucocorticoid receptor (GR), and FKBP5 were measured in brain regions (BNST, amygdala, and PVN) responsible for modulating the stress response. The SPS animals spent less time in the OF central zone and were less mobile than the controls; however, the Ucn3 treatment reversed this effect. SPS decreased the GR and FKPB5 mRNA levels in the PVN. Ucn3 suppressed the effect of SPS on FKBP5 mRNA expression in the PVN and increased FKBP5 mRNA in the BNST and PVN compared to the stressed animals. We demonstrate that Ucn3 has the potential to ameliorate anxiety-like behavior in SPS animals and also to affect the neuroendocrine system in the BNST and PVN. In addition, we confirm the important role of CRHR2 signaling in mediating the stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is one of the most lethal cancers worldwide. Presently, only a fraction of patients undergo successful surgical resection, the most effective treatment. Enhancing treatment strategies necessitates a deep comprehension of the factors underlying extended survival after surgical resection in patients. This study aims to identify the important factors of PDAC patients' long-term survival with metatranscriptomics and multiplex immunofluorescence (IF) staining analyses. Specifically, differences in tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) were investigated between treatment-naïve PDAC short-term survivors (STS, overall survival <6 months) and long-term survivors (LTS, overall survival >5 years). As a result, we detected 589 over-expressed genes, including HOXB9 , CDA , and HOXB8 , and 507 under-expressed genes, including AMY2B , SCARA5 , and SLC2A2 in LTS. Most of the Reactome overbiological pathways enriched in our data were over-expressed in LTS, such as RHO GTPase Effectors and Cell Cycle Checkpoints. Eleven microbiomes significantly differed between LTS and STS, including Sphingopyxis and Capnocytophaga. Importantly, we demonstrate that the TIME profile with an increased abundance of memory B cells and the reduction of M0 and pro-tumoral M2 macrophages are associated with a good prognosis in PDAC. In this study, we delved into the TIME with metatranscriptomics and IF staining analyses to understand the prerequisite of prolonged survival in PDAC patients. In LTS, several biological pathways were overexpressed, and specific microbiomes were identified. Furthermore, apparent differences in driven immune factors were found that provide valuable insights into developing new treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aberrant phenotypic transformation of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) is a key factor in the formation of aortic aneurysm (AA). This study aimed to explore the effects of 6′-sialyllactose (6′-SL), a human milk oligosaccharide, on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced VSMC dysfunction and AA formation both in vitro and in vivo. An AA model was established in male C57BL/6 mice challenged with Ang II via osmotic pumps and a lysyl oxidase inhibitor, β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN), in drinking water. The mice were administered with 6′-SL, FMK (a p90RSK inhibitor), or losartan (as a positive control). In vitro, VSMCs were pretreated with 6′-SL before Ang II stimulation. We found that p90RSK inhibition abolished Ang II/BAPN-induced thoracic AA and abdominal AA formation. Treatment with 100 mg/kg 6′-SL significantly attenuated Ang II/BAPN-induced aortic dilatation. 6′-SL attenuated Ang II-induced collagen deposition, calcification, and immune cell accumulation. Consistently, 6′-SL downregulated p-p90RSK, p90RSK, and p-SMAD2, and mitigated VSMC contractility loss, as indicated by α-SMA expression in vivo. Interestingly, Ang II-induced transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) signaling pathway was suppressed by p90RSK inhibition in VSMCs. 6′-SL treatment significantly reduced TGF-β/SMAD2 targets, including dedifferentiation markers such as osteopontin and vimentin, and elastin degradation factors MMP2 and MMP9. Overexpression of p90RSK in VSMCs enhanced TGF-β and abrogated the effects of 6′-SL. Furthermore, 6′-SL co-treatment abolished high phosphate-induced calcification in vitro via p90RSK/TGF-β signaling pathway. Altogether, our findings suggest that 6′-SL could be a potential therapeutic candidate for protecting against Ang II-induced AA formation by inhibiting the p90RSK/TGF-β/SMAD2 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We present new deep, wide-field imaging data from the Large Binocular Telescope (LBT) in g and r bands from the Smallest Scale of Hierarchy Survey (SSH) that reveal previously undetected tidal features and stellar streams in the outskirts of six dwarf irregular galaxies (NGC 5238, UGC 6456, UGC 6541, UGC 7605, UGC 8638, and UGC 8760) with stellar masses in the range 1.2 × 107 M⊙ to 1.4 × 108 M⊙. The six dwarfs are located 1-2 Mpc away from large galaxies, which implies that the observed distortions are unlikely to be due to tidal effects from a nearby, massive companion. At the distances of ~3-4 Mpc at which the dwarfs lie, the identified tidal features are all resolved into individual stars in the LBT images and appear to consist of a population older than 1–2 Gyr. This excludes the possibility that they result from irregular and asymmetric star formation episodes that are common in gas-rich dwarf galaxies. The most plausible explanation is that we witness the hierarchical merging assembly of these dwarfs with their satellite populations. This scenario is also supported by the peculiar morphology and disturbed velocity field of their HI component. From the SSH sample, we estimate that a fraction of ~13% of the late-type dwarfs show signs of merging with satellites. This is in agreement with other recent independent studies and theoretical predictions within the ΛCDM cosmological framework. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Aims: Despite significant advancements in COVID‐19 vaccine research and development, hesitancy in its acceptance, particularly among pregnant women, is recognized as a health threat. Based on the Health Belief Model, this study aimed to identify the factors influencing vaccine nonacceptance among pregnant women in the cities of Zahedan and Tabriz, Iran. Methods: The present research was a multicenter cross‐sectional study conducted among pregnant women in two Iranian provinces, Zahedan and Tabriz, covering both high and low fertility regions. The study was conducted from February 2022 to August 2022. The sample size comprised 650 pregnant women attending selected healthcare centers. Data collection tools included questionnaires on sociodemographic characteristics, awareness, vaccine acceptance, and health beliefs related to vaccination. Data were analyzed using descriptive and analytical methods, including Analysis of variance (ANOVA), Independent t‐test, and multivariable logistic regression. Results: Among the 650 pregnant women, the vaccine acceptance rate was 47.4% and 52.6% of pregnant women reported vaccine nonacceptance during pregnancy. The logistic regression model indicated that the odds of vaccine acceptance increase with maternal employment (OR = 11.53, 95% CI: 4.81–27.63), higher maternal education levels (OR = 6.97, 95% CI: 3.11–15.63), higher income (OR = 1.60, 95% CI: 1.07–2.55), and increased awareness levels (OR = 1.37, 95% CI: 1.03–1.52). Additionally, the odds of vaccine acceptance increase with increased perceived susceptibility (OR = 2.55, 95% CI: 0.47–3.76), increased perceived benefits (OR = 2.22, 95% CI: 1.06–4.61), increased perceived barriers (OR = 0.42, 95% CI: 0.18–1.12), and increased cues to action (OR = 2.01, 95% CI: 1.03–3.92). Conclusion: Our study underscores the multifaceted nature of COVID‐19 vaccine acceptance among pregnant women, with socioeconomic, awareness‐related, and psychological factors all playing pivotal roles. These findings can inform targeted interventions and strategies aimed at increasing vaccine acceptance in this vulnerable population, ultimately contributing to enhanced maternal and fetal health during the ongoing pandemic. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although the role of the medial temporal lobe (MTL) and the hippocampus in episodic memory is well established, there is emerging evidence that these regions play a broader role in cognition, specifically in temporal processing. However, despite strong evidence that the hippocampus plays a critical role in sequential processing, the involvement of the MTL in timing per se is poorly understood. In the present study, we investigated whether patients with MTL damage exhibit differential performance on a temporal distance memory task. Critically, we manipulated context shifts, or boundaries, which have been shown to interfere with associative binding, leading to increases in subjective temporal distance. We predicted that patients with MTL damage would show impaired binding across boundaries and thus fail to show temporal expansion. Consistent with this hypothesis, unilateral patients failed to show a temporal expansion effect, and bilateral patients actually exhibited the reverse effect, suggesting a critical role for the MTL in binding temporal information across boundaries. Furthermore, patients were impaired overall on both the temporal distance memory task and recognition memory, but not on an independent, short-timescale temporal perception task. Interestingly, temporal distance performance could be independently predicted by performance on recognition memory and the short temporal perception task. Together, these data suggest that distinct mnemonic and temporal processes may influence long interval temporal memory and that damage to the MTL may impair the ability to integrate episodic and temporal information in memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Every day, we encounter far more information than we could possibly remember. Thus, our memory systems must organize and prioritize the details from an experience that can adaptively guide the storage and retrieval of specific episodic events. Prior work has shown that shifts in internal goal states can function as event boundaries, chunking experiences into distinct and memorable episodes. In addition, at short delays, memory for contextual information at boundaries has been shown to be enhanced compared with items within each event. However, it remains unclear if these memory enhancements are limited to features that signal a meaningful transition between events. To determine how changes in dynamic goal states influence the organization and content of long-term memory, we designed a 2-day experiment in which participants viewed a series of black-and-white objects surrounded by a color border on a two-by-two grid. The location of the object on the grid determined which of two tasks participants performed on a given trial. To examine if distinct types of goal shifts modulate the effects of event segmentation, we changed the border color, the task, or both after every four items in a sequence. We found that goal shifts influenced temporal memory in a manner consistent with the formation of distinct events. However, for subjective memory representations in particular, these effects differed by the type of event boundary. Furthermore, to examine if goal shifts lead to the prioritization of goal-relevant features in longer lasting memories, we tested source memory for each object's color and grid location both immediately and after a 24-hr delay. On the immediate test, boundaries enhanced the memory for all concurrent source features compared with nonboundary items, but only if those boundaries involved a goal shift. In contrast, after a delay, the source memory was selectively enhanced for the feature relevant to the goal shift. These findings suggest that goals can adaptively structure memories by prioritizing contextual features that define a unique episode in memory. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Macrophages play a central role in cardiovascular diseases, like atherosclerosis, by accumulating in vessel walls and inducing sustained local inflammation marked by the release of chemokines, cytokines, and matrix-degrading enzymes. Recent studies indicate that 6'-sialyllactose (6'-SL) may mitigate inflammation by modulating the immune system. Here, we examined the impact of 6'-SL on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced acute inflammation using RAW 264.7 cells and a mouse model. In vivo, ICR mice received pretreatment with 100 mg/kg 6'-SL for 2 h, followed by intraperitoneal LPS injection (10 mg/kg) for 6 h. In vitro, RAW 264.7 cells were preincubated with 6'-SL before LPS stimulation. Mechanistic insights were gained though Western blotting, qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence analysis, while reactive oxygen species (ROS) production was assessed via DHE assay. 6'-SL effectively attenuated LPS-induced p38 MAPK and Akt phosphorylation, as well as p65 nuclear translocation. Additionally, 6'-SL inhibited LPS-induced expression of tissue damage marker MMP9, IL-1β, and MCP-1 by modulating NF-kB activation. It also reduced ROS levels, mediated by p38 MAPK and Akt pathways. Moreover, 6'-SL restored LPS-suppressed Nrf2 and HO-1 akin to specific inhibitors SB203580 and LY294002. Consistent with in vitro results, 6'-SL decreased oxidative stress, MMP9, and MCP-1 expression in mouse endothelium following LPS-induced macrophage activation. In summary, our findings suggest that 6'-SL holds promise in mitigating atherosclerosis by dampening LPS-induced acute macrophage inflammation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Indonesian Student Micro-Credentials Program implemented by Universitas Muhammadiyah Sumatera Utara (UMSU) carries 5 courses, all of which are carried out online, in a relatively short time within 2 months. The learning objectives, which are intended to create practical skills, require students to master the courses they follow, thus causing many problems, which have an impact on the satisfaction of the participants of this program. This study aims to measure the customer satisfaction index (CSI) of participants in this program. Of the 514 participants who were used as respondents, 279 respondents filled out the google formula, and the response rate was 54%. The results showed that the CSI value of the program was 0.85, which means that the participants were very satisfied with the implementation of this program at UMSU. Based on the assessment of it is quality, the dimension assessment is carried out in order of the highest average value, namely this program (4.48), interaction and flexibility (4.33), managers (4.24), lecturers (4.23), students (4.20), assessment (4.16), process (4.14), content design (4.15), partners (4.11), and technology (4.05). Based on the assessment of the level of importance or expectation of this program, the dimension assessment is carried out in order of the highest average value, namely this program (4.47), interaction and flexibility (4.38), managers (4.23), lecturers (4.22), process (4.17), content design (4.17), students (4.13), peer (4.13), assessment (4.11) and technology (4.04). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

(1) Background: Intimate partner violence (IPV) remains a pervasive issue, particularly among adolescents. Its prevalence is still high despite intervention efforts, especially for younger generations. Empathy and sexism are factors linked with IPV that have shown gender differences. This study focuses on how gender moderates the association of empathy and sexist attitudes among adolescents in Spain; (2) Methods: A two-stage stratified cluster sampling method for collecting data from 516 adolescents (219 boys, 297 girls) aged 12–18 years was used. Participants completed the Ambivalent Sexism Inventory and the Interpersonal Reactivity Index. Hierarchical multiple regression analyzed the moderating role of gender in the relation between empathy and ambivalent sexism; (3) Results: Boys exhibited higher sexism levels than girls. Perspective taking negatively predicted hostile sexism. Empathic concern positively predicted hostile and benevolent sexism. Significant gender-specific patterns emerged: more empathic concern was linked with increased hostile sexism in boys; higher perspective taking was linked with increased benevolent sexism in boys, but was lower in girls; (4) Conclusions: There is a complex interplay among empathy, gender, and sexism, suggesting that IPV prevention programs should be tailored differently for boys and girls by considering broader socio-political contexts, addressing traditional gender norms, and promoting gender equality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Anxiety is a prominent non‐motor symptom of Parkinson's disease (PD). Changes in the B‐spectrum recordings in PD patients of the prefrontal cortex correlate with increased anxiety. Using a rodent model of PD, we reported alterations in glutamate synapses in the striatum and substantia nigra following dopamine (DA) loss. We hypothesize that DA loss will result in increased anxiety‐related behaviours and that this will be associated with alterations in glutamate synapses and transporters within the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Following 4 weeks of progressive 1‐methyl‐4‐phenyl‐1,2,3,6‐tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) administration, there was an increase in anxiety‐related behaviours and a 78% decrease in plasma corticosterone levels versus the vehicle (VEH)‐treated mice. This was associated with a 30% decrease in the density of dendritic spines in Layers Il/Ill, and a 53% decrease in the density of glutamate immuno‐gold labelling within vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (Vglut1)‐labelled nerve terminals and spines, with no change within vesicular glutamate transporter 2 (Vglut2) positive terminals/spines in the MPTP versus VEH groups. Our prior work determined that a decrease in striatal glutamate terminal density was associated with an increase in extracellular glutamate levels. There was an increase in protein expression of Vglut1 (40%), Vglut2 (37%) and glutamate aspartate transporter (GLAST) (225%), and a decrease in glutamate transporter 1 (GLT‐1) (50%) and excitatory amino acid carrier 1 (EAAC1) (51%), in the MPTP versus VEH groups within the mPFC. These data suggest that the decrease in dendritic spines within the mPFC following nigrostriatal DA loss may be due to increased extracellular glutamate levels (decrease in glutamate transporters), leading to an increase in anxiety‐related behaviours. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their continuous evolution, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) display disparate pathogenicity in mouse models. Omicron and its sublineages have been dominant worldwide. Compared to pre-Omicron VOCs, early Omicron subvariants reportedly cause attenuated disease in human ACE-2-expressing mice (K18-hACE-2). In late 2022, the frequency of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 rapidly increased and it progressively replaced other circulating strains. The emergence of new strains requires current SARS-CoV-2 clinical animal model re-evaluation. In this study, we aim to characterize XBB.1.5 pathogenesis in K18-hACE-2. Herein, we demonstrated that XBB.1.5 infection is associated with significant weight loss, severe lung pathology, and substantial mortality. Intranasal XBB.1.5 infection resulted in 100% mortality in K18-hACE2 mice. High virus titers were detected in the lungs on days 3 and 5 after infection. Moreover, XBB.1.5 productively infected the cells within the nasal turbinate, olfactory bulb, intestines, and kidneys. In addition, in a subset of infected mice, we detected high virus titers in the brain. Consistently, we detected high viral antigen expression in the lungs. Furthermore, we observed severe lung injury hallmarks (e.g., immune cell infiltration, perivascular cuffing, and alveolar consolidation). Using immunofluorescence labeling and cytometric analysis, we revealed that XBB.1.5 infection leads to CD45+ cell influx into the lung parenchyma. We further demonstrated that most immune infiltrates are CD11b+ CD11c+ dendritic cells. Additionally, we detected significant induction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in infected lungs. Taken together, our data show that Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is highly pathogenic in K18-hACE2 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The correction notice in the Scientific Reports journal addresses errors in the original article regarding the assembly of figures and images. Specifically, Figure 4B and supplementary Figures S4A, S4C, S4B, and S4D contain overlapping images due to errors during preparation and assembly. The corrected figures show the effect of temperature on exosome uptake by cancer cells and the impact of different uptake inhibitors on labeled exosomes. The authors of the article are Sherif E. Emam, Hidenori Ando, Amr S. Abu Lila, Taro Shimizu, Keiichiro Okuhira, Yu Ishima, Mahmoud A. Mahdy, Fakhr-eldin S. Ghazy, Ikuko Sagawa, and Tatsuhiro Ishida. [Extracted from the article]

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex autoimmune disease known for its diverse clinical presentations, and one severe complication is lupus nephritis (LN), which significantly contributes to morbidity and mortality. While LN often presents within the first 5 years of SLE diagnosis, renal vein thrombosis (RVT) is a rare vascular complication with a high risk of mortality and morbidity. This case report discusses the rare occurrence of RVT as the initial presentation of SLE in a 32-year-old Sudanese male patient, currently working in Palestine, presenting with flank pain, hematuria, fever, and lower limb edema. The case details the patient's symptoms, examination findings, and extensive laboratory and imaging workup leading to the diagnosis. This report highlights the rare association between RVT and SLE, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for SLE in patients with multisystem involvement, especially in males, where the diagnosis may be overlooked due to its lower prevalence. Early recognition can improve patient outcomes and reduce the risk of complications. Further research is needed to better understand the connection between RVT and SLE and to develop more effective treatment strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their continuous evolution, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) display disparate pathogenicity in mouse models. Omicron and its sublineages have been dominant worldwide. Compared to pre-Omicron VOCs, early Omicron subvariants reportedly cause attenuated disease in human ACE-2-expressing mice (K18-hACE-2). In late 2022, the frequency of Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 rapidly increased and it progressively replaced other circulating strains. The emergence of new strains requires current SARS-CoV-2 clinical animal model re-evaluation. In this study, we aim to characterize XBB.1.5 pathogenesis in K18-hACE-2. Herein, we demonstrated that XBB.1.5 infection is associated with significant weight loss, severe lung pathology, and substantial mortality. Intranasal XBB.1.5 infection resulted in 100% mortality in K18-hACE2 mice. High virus titers were detected in the lungs on days 3 and 5 after infection. Moreover, XBB.1.5 productively infected the cells within the nasal turbinate, olfactory bulb, intestines, and kidneys. In addition, in a subset of infected mice, we detected high virus titers in the brain. Consistently, we detected high viral antigen expression in the lungs. Furthermore, we observed severe lung injury hallmarks (e.g., immune cell infiltration, perivascular cuffing, and alveolar consolidation). Using immunofluorescence labeling and cytometric analysis, we revealed that XBB.1.5 infection leads to CD45+ cell influx into the lung parenchyma. We further demonstrated that most immune infiltrates are CD11b+ CD11c+ dendritic cells. Additionally, we detected significant induction of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in infected lungs. Taken together, our data show that Omicron subvariant XBB.1.5 is highly pathogenic in K18-hACE2 mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a set of conditions associated with an increased cardiovascular risk. Several serum fatty acids (FAs) seem to play an essential role in the development of cardiometabolic diseases and mortality. Thus, it is imperative to explore the impact of FAs on MetS parameters, using an early MetS screening tool such as MetScore, which is readily available in clinical practice. Aim: The aim of this study was to assess the potential correlation between serum FAs and cardiovascular risk using a MetScore. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 41 women with severe obesity. The MetScore was calculated, and participants were categorized into high- and low-cardiovascular-risk groups based on the median MetScore value. Gas chromatography was used to quantify serum FAs. Generalized Linear Models were used to compare group means. The association was assessed through simple logistic regression, and an adjusted logistic regression was conducted to validate the association between Metscore and serum FAs. Results: The high-cardiovascular-risk group exhibited elevated values of HOMA-IR, palmitic, oleic, cis-vaccenic, and monounsaturated fatty acids, as well as the SCD-18C, indicating a heightened cardiovascular risk. Conversely, HDL-c, QUICK, gamma-linolenic, and eicosatetraenoic fatty acids showed lower values compared to the low-risk group. Conclusions: Women with severe obesity and high cardiovascular risk have lower values of some omega-3 and omega-6 FAs, considered cardioprotective and anti-inflammatory, and have higher lipogenic activity and FAs, correlated with high cardiovascular risk. These findings emphasize the need to address lipid metabolism in this population as a therapeutic target to reduce cardiovascular risk. Future research should explore clinical interventions that modulate fatty acid metabolism to mitigate cardiometabolic complications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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Herbs and spices, with their wealth of bioactive compounds, are widely used in food, medicine, and cosmetics. Among them, coriander (Coriandrum sativum L.) is particularly valued for its medicinal and culinary properties. Growing consumer and industrial interest in natural products has led to the development of modern, environmentally friendly extraction techniques designed to improve the yield and quality of extracts while reducing time, energy, and solvent consumption. These processes make it possible to obtain optimal quantities of active compounds, thereby meeting the growing demand for plant-based products. After showing evidence of coriander's health benefits, this review summarizes research findings on the impact of some treatments and pretreatments on its phytochemical composition. After that, it summarizes different aspects of the use of conventional and non-conventional extraction techniques for coriander's bioactive constituents, mainly polyphenols and crude and essential oils (EO). Among these methods, microwave-assisted extraction (MAE/MAHD) emerges as one of the most efficient methods, offering higher yields, better-quality extracts, and a significant reduction in energy costs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: In a patient with elevated thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH, >50 µIU/ml) with sellar mass, it is crucial to differentiate isolated pituitary hyperplasia (IPH) from primary hypothyroidism coexisting with nonfunctioning pituitary adenoma (PHCNFPA) pre-operatively to avoid unwarranted surgery in the former condition. Here, we describe patients having pituitary mass/enlargement with markedly elevated TSH (>50 µIU/ml) and attempt to find the differentiating features between IPH and PHCNFPA. Methods: This is a retrospective study conducted at a tertiary care center. Case records of patients presenting between January 2020 and December 2022 with elevated TSH (>50 µIU/ml) for whom magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the sella was available were reviewed. Demographic details, symptomatology, clinical examination findings, thyroid function tests, data on pituitary hormonal excess and deficiencies, MRI findings, and details regarding levothyroxine supplementation were noted. Based on the final diagnosis, the patients were categorized into two groups: PHCNFPA and IPH. Results: Five and 11 patients were diagnosed with PHCNFPA and IPH, respectively. The median (IQR) age at presentation of patients with PHCNFPA was significantly higher than that of IPH patients [37 (28–60.5) vs. 21 (10–21.5) years, p: 0.002]. A longer duration of hypothyroid symptoms was noted in the IPH group whereas visual field defects and corticotropin deficiency were more frequent and the pituitary lesion size was greater in PHCNFPA. Thyroid function tests were not different between the two groups. The pituitary enlargement in IPH was initially an increase in pituitary height that progressed to symmetrical nipple-, dome- or tent-shaped enlargement. Besides this characteristic enlargement pattern, isointense appearance on T1-weighted and T2-weighted images, homogeneous contrast enhancement, and prompt regression of pituitary lesion with levothyroxine replacement were characteristic of IPH whereas heterogeneous enhancement, cystic/hemorrhagic change, and ≥Knosp III invasion were characteristic of PHCNFPA. Peripheral rim enhancement and Knosp I-II parasellar extension were not uncommon in patients with IPH and did not distinguish it from PHCNFPA. Conclusions: The present study reports the radiological evolution of IPH and a unique series of PHCNFPA along with the distinguishing characteristics between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main objectives of our study were to highlight the annual incidence of Canine Leishmaniasis (CanL) in Algeria. A retrospective study was conducted on CanL in Algeria between 2010–2019, by means of a questionnaire survey of 30 canine veterinarians practising in the North central region, Algiers. The retrospective study showed 78 cases of Canine Leishmaniasis (2010 and 2019), with an average of 13.73 per year. The highest mean was observed in 2013:3.400, [1.517–5.283] 95%, with a significant difference (p = 0.028). The cross-sectional survey showed that 44.4% of canine leishmaniasis cases are prevalent in spring and summer. Weight loss was the most frequent clinical sign of 88.9% and skin sampling was the most used diagnostic test to confirm this disease 66.9%. Our study provides a general view of the situation of this disease, particularly the number of cases, and their geographical distribution in Algeria. Canine leishmaniasis (CanL) is a serious zoonosis. Strict measures must be put in place. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Evaluate the efficacy and safety ® (olokizumab) in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) in real‐world clinical practice, with a targeted assessment of patient report outcomes (PRO) and central sensitization. Methods: An open‐label observational non‐interventional study was conducted, enrolling 183 patients with moderate and severe RA activity. All patients received OKZ 64 mg SC as injections every 4 weeks (Q4W) with methotrexate. The patients' follow‐up period was 24 weeks or less. RA activity (DAS28‐CRP), pain severity (NRS), patient global assessment (PGA, NRS), functional impairment (NRS), fatigue (FACIT‐F), central sensitization (central sensitization inventory, CSI), and symptoms of neuropathic pain (PainDETECT) were evaluated. Results: The study cohort was comprised of 144 patients. And 39 patients were lost to follow‐up, refused OKZ treatment, or were not dosed with OKZ for administrative reasons. In 6 months, DAS28‐CRP decreased to 3.3 ± 0.9 (p <.001) and statistically significant reductions in pain intensity, PGA, functional impairment, and fatigue were achieved. Pain intensity decreased as early as 2 days after the first OKZ administration (p <.05). The number of patients with CSI >40 in 24 weeks decreased from 71.0% to 21.0% (p <.001), with PainDETECT >18 – from 21.5% to 13.2%. NSAIDs use decreased from 70.8% to 33.8% (р <.001), steroids – from 54.2% to 32.6%. AEs were reported in 14.2% patients, serious events were observed in three patients. Conclusion: OKZ is effective in reducing RA activity and controlling chronic pain related to dysfunction of the nociceptive system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing evidence points to the microbial exposome as a critical factor in maturing and shaping the host immune system, thereby influencing responses to immune challenges such as infections or vaccines. To investigate the effect of early-life viral exposures on immune development and vaccine responses, we inoculated mice with six distinct viral pathogens in sequence beginning in the neonatal period, and then evaluated their immune signatures before and after intramuscular or intranasal vaccination against SARS-CoV-2. Sequential viral infection drove profound changes in all aspects of the immune system, including increasing circulating leukocytes, altering innate and adaptive immune cell lineages in tissues, and markedly influencing serum cytokine and total antibody levels. Beyond changes in the immune responses, these exposures also modulated the composition of the endogenous intestinal microbiota. Although sequentially-infected mice exhibited increased systemic immune activation and T cell responses after intramuscular and intranasal SARS-CoV-2 immunization, we observed decreased vaccine-induced antibody responses in these animals. These results suggest that early-life viral exposures are sufficient to diminish antibody responses to vaccination in mice, and highlight the potential importance of considering prior microbial exposures when investigating vaccine responses. Author summary: Early-life viral infections can shape the host immune system and affect how it responds to vaccines. In this study, we introduced a series of viruses to young mice and then analyzed their immune systems before and after administering a vaccine for SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for COVID-19. We found that these early viral exposures caused significant changes in the immune system, influencing both the types and behaviors of immune cells and the levels of important signaling molecules. Interestingly, while these exposures increased some immune responses, they led to weaker antibody responses to vaccination. This suggests that early viral infections might reduce the effectiveness of vaccines later in life. Additionally, these viral exposures altered the composition of intestinal bacteria, which is known to influence immune health. Our findings highlight the importance of considering early-life infections when studying vaccine responses and immune development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: : Pituitary apoplexy (PA) is a rare clinical syndrome due to acute/subacute pituitary hemorrhage and/or infarction; data on PA in functioning pituitary adenoma (FPA) is scarce. Methods: A retrospective record-review of details of PA in non-functioning (NFPA) and FPA managed at tertiary endocrine center. Results: 93 patients [56 males; 33.3% FPA: 5 acromegaly, 14 prolactinoma, and 12 Cushing's Disease (CD)] diagnosed with PA were included. Median age was 40 years, with younger age of presentation in FPA. Type A (acute) [49.5%] and headache (78.5%) were the commonest presentations, with PA being the initial manifestation in 98.4% of NFPA. Median (range) Pituitary Apoplexy Score (PAS) was 2 (0–8). Median tumor diameter was 2.5 cm, with larger tumors in FPA (3.2 cm vs. 2.3 cm). 29 (46.7%) NFPA-PA and 14 (45.2%) FPA-PA patients [71% prolactinoma, 33% in CD, and none in acromegaly] were conservatively managed. In the NFPA cohort, those managed surgically had significantly higher PAS (4 vs. 1) and larger tumor size (2.6 vs. 1.8 cm); however, both arms had comparable recovery of neuro-visual, radiological, and hormonal outcomes. In FPA cohort, CD and acromegaly required definitive treatment, whereas prolactinomas were effectively managed (clinical and biochemical recovery) with oral cabergoline and glucocorticoids. Matching PAS cohorts (to overcome allocation bias for management approach) in macroadenomas (excluding prolactinoma) showed comparable neuro-deficit and hormonal recovery between surgical and conservative approaches. Conclusion: PA in FPA has distinct features and management issues. Carefully selected patients (PAS guided) in NFPA with PA for conservative management have comparable outcomes to surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

No sooner is an experience over than its neural representation begins to be transformed through memory reactivation during offline periods. The lion's share of prior research has focused on understanding offline reactivation within the hippocampus. However, it is hypothesized that consolidation processes involve offline reactivation in cortical regions as well as coordinated reactivation in the hippocampus and cortex. Using fMRI, we presented novel and repeated paired associates to participants during encoding and measured offline memory reactivation for those events during an immediate post-encoding rest period. post-encoding reactivation frequency of repeated and once-presented events did not differ in the hippocampus. However, offline reactivation in widespread cortical regions and hippocampal-cortical coordinated reactivation were significantly enhanced for repeated events. These results provide evidence that repetition might facilitate the distribution of memory representations across cortical networks, a hallmark of systems-level consolidation. Interestingly, we found that offline reactivation frequency in both hippocampus and cortex explained variance in behavioral success on an immediate associative recognition test for the once-presented information, potentially indicating a role of offline reactivation in maintaining these novel, weaker, memories. Together, our findings highlight that endogenous offline reactivation can be robustly and significantly modulated by study repetition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]