The AMD-associated genetic polymorphism CFH Y402H confers vulnerability to Hydroquinone-induced stress in iPSC-RPE cells by Angela Armento, Inga Sonntag, Ana-Cristina Almansa-Garcia, Merve Sen, Sylvia Bolz, Blanca Arango-Gonzalez, Ellen Kilger, Ruchi Sharma, Kapil Bharti, Rosario Fernandez-Godino, Berta de la Cerda, Simon J. Clark, Simon J. Clark, Simon J. Clark, Marius Ueffing

“…In our study, we examined the cell characteristics of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, which play a major role in retinal homeostasis and stability and which are synonymously linked to AMD.MethodsHere, we employ RPE cells derived from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) generated from donors, carrying either homozygous 402Y (low risk) or 402H (high risk) variants of the CFH gene. …”
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A rare haplotype of the GJD3 gene segregating in familial Meniere’s disease interferes with connexin assembly by Alba Escalera-Balsera, Paula Robles-Bolivar, Alberto M. Parra-Perez, Silvia Murillo-Cuesta, Han Chow Chua, Lourdes Rodríguez-de la Rosa, Julio Contreras, Ewa Domarecka, Juan Carlos Amor-Dorado, Andrés Soto-Varela, Isabel Varela-Nieto, Agnieszka J. Szczepek, Alvaro Gallego-Martinez, Jose A. Lopez-Escamez

“…Mutations in the connexin gene family, which encodes gap junction proteins, can also cause hearing loss, but their role in FMD is largely unknown. Methods We retrieved exome sequencing data from 94 individuals in 70 Meniere's disease (MD) families. …”
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Humoral and cellular immune durability of different COVID-19 vaccine platforms following homologous/heterologous boosters: one-year post vaccination by Maaweya Awadalla, Halah Z. AlRawi, Rahaf A. Henawi, Fawziya Barnawi, Haitham Alkadi, Ahmed Alyami, Ammar Alsughayir, Alyazeed S. Alsaif, Ayman Mubarak, Wael Alturaiki, Bandar Alosaimi

“…IntroductionThe durability of Hybrid immunity induced by natural infection and/or COVID-19 vaccines and evidence supporting further booster vaccination are crucial factors for pandemic response, yet remain poorly understood.MethodsWe measured the durability of immune response and neutralizing capacity of antibodies following Homologous/Heterologous vaccination by mRNA-based vaccines (Pfizer-BioNTech BNT162b2) or (Moderna mRNA-1273) and viral vector-based vaccines (ChAdox1 nCoV-19-Oxford-AstraZeneca) in infected and non-infected patients. …”
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A Scoping Review of Existing Policy Instruments to Tackle Overweight and Obesity in India: Recommendations for a Social and Behaviour Change Communication Strategy [version 2; peer... by Lopamudra Tripathy, Suparna Ghosh-Jerath, Neena Bhatia, Kathryn Backholer, Kavita Chauhan, Nishibha Thapliyal, Deepika Bahl, Shalini Bassi, Monika Arora, Seema Chandra, Preetu Mishra

“…The scoping review aims to map existing national policy instruments (programmes, schemes, regulations and guidelines) addressing overweight and obesity in India and analysing them for Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) strategies. Methods Systematic identification and selection of policy instruments using ‘Arksey and O’Malley’ framework was conducted from central government ministry websites, between March and June 2023. …”
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Prognostic role of the pathological status following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and surgery in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma by Xiaofeng Duan, Jie Yue, Shangren Wang, Fangdong Zhao, Wencheng Zhang, Shuo Qie, Hongjing Jiang

“…Abstract Background In this study, we retrospectively examined the prognostic significance of the pathological status of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients following neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) and surgery. Methods Data of patients with cT2-4aN0-3 stage ESCC who underwent NCRT and esophagectomy during 2014–2022 were reviewed retrospectively. …”
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Caloric labels do not influence taste pleasantness and neural responses to erythritol and sucrose by Aleksandra Budzinska, Laura Byl, Fabienne Teysseire, Emilie Flad, Patrick Dupont, Bettina Wölnerhanssen, Anne Christin Meyer-Gerspach, Lukas Van Oudenhove, Nathalie Weltens

“…We measured the impact of cognitive influences about the caloric content on brain responses and liking ratings to erythritol, a natural NCS with satiating properties, versus sugar (i.e., sucrose). Methods: We performed a within-subject, single-blind, counterbalanced fMRI study in 30 healthy males (mean ± SD: age 23 ± 0.6 years, BMI 22.5 ± 0.3 kg/m²). …”
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Higher 3-year recurrence-free survival rate in patients with complete pathological remission following neoadjuvant chemotherapy plus immunotherapy for esophageal cancer: a two-cent... by Hai Zhang, Hai Zhang, Hai Zhang, Haiquan He, Qingyi Feng, Bomeng Wu, Ying Chen, Zhenyang Zhang, Linrong Zhou, Cui Li, Wanli Lin, Jiangbo Lin, Jiangbo Lin

“…The aim of this study was to compare 3-year follow-up data for patients with esophageal malignancy who achieved PCR through neoadjuvant chemotherapy (nCRT) and to compare the findings with those of neoadjuvant immunotherapy plus chemotherapy (nICT).MethodsThis retrospective study included 85 patients with esophageal cancer who underwent surgical resection following nCRT (n=47) or nICT (n=38) between January 1, 2016 and January 1, 2020 at Fujian Medical University Union Hospital and Gaozhou People’s Hospital. …”
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MAF1 inhibits hepatocarcinogenesis by fostering an immunostimulatory tumor microenvironment by Di Cao, Shi-Juan Mai, Hui-yun Wang, Ge Ren, Yue-Ning Wang, Chao-Yue Sun, Haojiang Li, Yu-Feng Zhou, Mei-Yin Zhang, Shuo-Cheng Wang

“…Understanding the underlying mechanisms by which MAF1 enhances anti-tumor immunity in HCC is crucial for developing novel immunotherapy strategies and enhancing clinical responses to treatment for patients with HCC.Methods Mice were subjected to hydrodynamic tail vein injections of transposon vectors to overexpress AKT/NRas, or c-Myc, with or without wild-type (WT) or mutant-activated (−4A) MAF1, or short-hairpin MAF1 (shMAF1). …”
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Investigating Elevated E-Selectin and P-Selectin Levels in Non-Arteritic Anterior Ischemic Optic Neuropathy (NAION) Patients: The Stepping Stone to a Future Clinical Approach by Syntia Nusanti, Andhika Rachman, Brigitta Marcia Budihardja, Lourisa Ruth Eldinia, Nadia Delima Andini, Arief Kartasasmita, M Sidik, Seskoati Prayitnaningsih, Alida Roswita Harahap, Aria Kekalih, Tjahjono Darminto Gondhowiardjo

“…With a presumption that the early coagulation phase may affect the occurrence of NAION, this study aims to investigate the early coagulation markers, E-selectin and P-selectin, to determine whether these biomolecular changes play a significant role in NAION, thus potentially leading to a better clinical approach. Methods: A cross-sectional study involving two groups of NAION subjects, a hypercoagulation group and a non-hypercoagulation group, was conducted in the Neuro-Ophthalmology Division, Department of Ophthalmology, FKUI-RSCM Kirana from October 2020 to April 2022. …”
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Relationship between bacteria and nitrogen dynamics in wastewater treatment oxidation ponds by S. Saneha, T. Pattamapitoon, S. Bualert, O. Phewnil, W. Wararam, N. Semvimol, K. Chunkao, C. Tudsanaton, M. Srichomphu, U. Nachaiboon, O. Wongsrikaew, P. Wichittrakarn, C. Chanthasoon

“…This study was carried out in the oxidation wastewater treatment at the King’s Royally Initiated Laem Phak Bia Environmental Research and Development or LERD Project, in Phetchaburi, Thailand.METHODS: Wastewater samples were collected from the 1st–5th oxidation ponds at a depth of 30 centimeter from the water surface and analyzed for various quality parameters including temperature, dissolved oxygen, potential of hydrogen, biochemical oxygen demand, nitrates, ammonia, and total kjeldahl nitrogen. …”
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Efficacy of the Bushen Jianpi Huoxue Formula on Beclin-1/Bcl-2-mediated autophagy and apoptosis in osteoblasts by Yanping Lin, Yanping Lin, Rui Zhao, Rui Zhao, Jiachun Huang, Tongying Chen, Tongying Chen, Haolin Yang, Haolin Yang, Haiwei Guo, Lei Wan, Zhihai Zhang, Ying Li, Genfu Zhu, Hongxing Huang, Hongxing Huang

“…Additionally, it initially explores the functional mechanism of Beclin-1/Bcl-2-related apoptosis.MethodsOsteoblasts were isolated from the calvaria of three-day-old Sprague-Dawley female rats. …”
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Exploring Disparities in Gill Physiological Responses to NaHCO₃-Induced Habitat Stress in Triploid and Diploid Crucian Carp (<i>Carassius auratus</i>): A Comprehensive I... by Shicheng Han, Lin Han, Fangying Yuan, Wenzhi Liu, Jing Wang, Xiaofeng Jin, Yanchun Sun

“…<b>Background</b>: Owing to the progressive rise in saline waters globally, resulting in detrimental impacts on freshwater aquaculture, the underlying molecular distinctions governing the response to alkaline stress between diploid and triploid crucian carp remain unknown. <b>Methods</b>: This investigation explores the effects of 20 and 60 mmol NaHCO₃ stress over 30 days on the gills of diploid and triploid crucian carp, employing histological, biochemical, and multi-omic analyses. …”
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Comprehensive prognosis assessment of cardiovascular magnetic resonance parametric mapping in light chain amyloidosis by Xiao Li, Yubo Guo, Kaini Shen, Sisi Huang, Yajuan Gao, Lu Lin, Jian Wang, Jian Cao, Xinxin Cao, Zhengyu Jin, Zhuoli Zhang, Akos Varga-Szemes, U. Joseph Schoepf, Jian Li, Yining Wang

“…We aimed to comprehensively assess the prognostic significance of CMR parametric mapping in AL amyloidosis. Methods: This prospective study consecutively included AL amyloidosis patients who underwent CMR imaging before therapy. …”
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Ultrasensitive interferons quantification reveals different cytokine profile secretion in inflammatory myopathies and can serve as biomarkers of activity in dermatomyositis by Loïs Bolko, Loïs Bolko, Loïs Bolko, Céline Anquetil, Céline Anquetil, Alba Llibre, Solène Maillard, Damien Amelin, Karim Dorgham, Vincent Bondet, Océane Landon-Cardinal, Océane Landon-Cardinal, Océane Landon-Cardinal, Ségolène Toquet, Ségolène Toquet, Kuberaka Mariampillai, Samuel Malatre, Alexandrine Mahoudeau, Baptiste Hervier, Mathieu Rodero, Guy Gorochov, Darragh Duffy, Olivier Benveniste, Olivier Benveniste, Yves Allenbach, Yves Allenbach

“…ObjectiveThe objective of this study was to evaluate the presence of different types of interferon in idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIM) and their subgroups using ultrasensitive cytokine detection techniques (SIMOA) and to assess their potential as activity biomarkers.MethodsDisease activity was measured at the time of serum collection and assessed by manual muscle testing eight (MMT8 score 0-150), muscle enzymes to calculate the Physician Global Assessment (PGA) (0-10). …”
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Muscarinic acetylcholine type 1 receptor antagonism activates TRPM3 to augment mitochondrial function and drive axonal repair in adult sensory neurons by Sanjana Chauhan, Darrell R. Smith, Shiva Shariati-Ievari, Abhay Srivastava, Sanjiv Dhingra, Michel Aliani, Paul Fernyhough

“…We investigated the role of the heat-sensing transient receptor potential melastatin-3 (TRPM3) cation channel in M1R antagonism-mediated nerve regeneration and explored the potential of TRPM3 activation to facilitate axonal plasticity. Methods: Dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons from adult control or diabetic rats were cultured and treated with TRPM3 agonists (CIM0216, pregnenolone sulfate) and M1R antagonists pirenzepine (PZ) or muscarinic toxin 7 (MT7). …”
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High-resolution spatiotemporal analysis of chikungunya epidemics between 2019 and 2020 in Salvador, Brazil: a municipality-level transmission dynamics studyResearch in context by Hernan D. Argibay, Cristiane W. Cardoso, William M. de Souza, Raquel L. Souza, Maysa Pellizzaro, Geraldo M. Cunha, Julie Clennon, Scott C. Weaver, Mitermayer G. Reis, Uriel Kitron, Guilherme S. Ribeiro

“…We investigated its transmission dynamics in Salvador, Brazil, to understand the factors driving its reemergence and spread. Methods: In this epidemiological study, we analyzed by census tracts the chikungunya cases reported in Salvador during the 2019–2020 epidemics. …”
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Differences in the response to TNF inhibitors at distinct joint locations in patients with psoriatic arthritis: results from nine European registries by Adrian Ciurea, Seraphina Kissling, Andrea Götschi, Lykke Midtbøll Ørnbjerg, Simon Horskjær Rasmussen, Bálint Tamási, Burkhard Möller, Michael J. Nissen, Bente Glintborg, Anne Gitte Loft, Almut Scherer, René Bräm, Karel Pavelka, Jakub Závada, Joao Madruga Dias, Paula Valente, Bjorn Gudbjornsson, Olafur Palsson, Vappu Rantalaiho, Ritva Peltomaa, Catalin Codreanu, Corina Mogosan, Florenzo Iannone, Marco Sebastiani, Gareth T. Jones, Gary J. Macfarlane, Isabel Castrejon, Ziga Rotar, Brigitte Michelsen, Johan K. Wallman, Irene van der Horst-Bruinsma, Oliver Distler, Mikkel Østergaard, Merete Lund Hetland, Raphael Micheroli, Caroline Ospelt

“…The aim of the study was to investigate potential variations in the responsiveness to a first tumour necrosis factor inhibitor (TNFi) among joints at distinct locations in patients with psoriatic arthritis (PsA) treated in routine clinical care. Methods Bionaive PsA patients from nine European countries were included in this observational cohort study if ≥ 1 joint was swollen at the initiation of a first TNFi as monotherapy or added to methotrexate. …”
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Effect of prenatal multiple micronutrient supplementation on birth weight in Ethiopia: protocol for a pragmatic cluster-randomised trial by Joanna Schellenberg, Charles Opondo, Tanya Marchant, Lars Åke Persson, Masresha Tessema, Atkure Defar, Alemneh Kabeta Daba, Girum Taye, Senait Alemayehu, Elias Asfaw, Anene Tesfa, Bedasa Tessema, Kalkidan Zenebe

“…Responding to that evidence, the government of Ethiopia decided to implement a 21 district pilot of the use of multiple micronutrient supplementation in routine antenatal care and requested an evaluation of implementation outcomes, including on birth weight.Methods and analysis A pragmatic, facility-based, randomised trial is being conducted in 42 districts over five regions of Ethiopia between January 2023 and December 2024. …”
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AAV2 serotype demonstrates the highest transduction efficiency in porcine lung-derived cells by Won Seok Ju, Seokho Kim, Areum Choi, Jae-Yeong Lee, Haesun Lee, Jingu No, Seunghoon Lee, Keonbong Oh, Jae Gyu Yoo

“…Porcine models are widely used in research benefitting both human and livestock due to anatomical and physiological similarities to humans. Methods: Transduction efficiencies of 18 AAV serotypes (AAV1–9, 6.2, rh10, DJ, DJ/8, PHP.eB, PHP.S, 2-retro, 2-QuadYF, and 2.7m8) were evaluated in immortalized porcine lung epithelial cells (pLCsImt) and pulmonary alveolar macrophages 3D4/31 (PAMs 3D4/31). …”
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The effect of HLA genotype on disease onset and severity in CTLA-4 insufficiency by Sara Posadas-Cantera, Sara Posadas-Cantera, Noriko Mitsuiki, Florian Emmerich, Virginia Patiño, Hanns-Martin Lorenz, Olaf Neth, Ingunn Dybedal, Kjetil Taskén, Alejandro A. Schäffer, Bodo Grimbacher, Bodo Grimbacher, Bodo Grimbacher, Bodo Grimbacher, Laura Gámez-Díaz, Laura Gámez-Díaz

“…Multiple HLA haplotypes have been positively or negatively associated with various autoimmune diseases and inborn errors of immunity (IEI) due to the relevance of MHC in the strength of the T cell responses.MethodsIn this exploratory study, we investigated the association of disease onset, severity and clinical manifestations of CTLA-4 insufficiency with specific HLA class I (A, B and C) and class II (DRB1 and DQB1) alleles in forty-three individuals harboring heterozygous mutations in CTLA4. …”
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