A Family Cluster of Imported Human Infection with Probable Breast Milk Transmission: A Case Series.

Human brucellosis is a zoonotic, bacterial infection caused by the intracellular, Gram-negative spp., which is common globally but rare in the United Kingdom, with approximately 20 imported cases per annum following travel to countries with high endemicity. Transmission typically occurs via the ingestion of infected animal products, including unpasteurised dairy products.

LH prevents AMH action via receptor downregulation in human primary granulosa lutein cells.

Purpose: Gonadotropins and anti-Müllerian hormone (AMH) regulate reproductive development and ovarian function. While AMH plays a well-established role in early folliculogenesis by counteracting gonadotropins, luteinizing hormone (LH) becomes more active later, during the antral phase, when granulosa and theca cells express their respective receptors. There are hints suggesting the existence of an interplay between these hormones regulating granulosa cell functions at late stages of the folliculogenesis.

Preparation of Ru-Based Systems Through Metal Carbonyl Cluster Decomposition for the Base-Free 5-Hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) Oxidation.

Metal carbonyl clusters, which can be seen as monodispersed and atomically defined nanoparticles stabilized by CO ligands, were used to prepare Ru-based catalysts with tuned basic properties to conduct the 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) aerobic oxidation to produce 2,5-furandicarboxylic acid (FDCA) in base-free conditions. The controlled decomposition of the carbonyl cluster [HRu(CO)], a methodology not yet applied to Ru catalysts for this reaction, on different supports focusing on controlling and tuning the basic properties of support allowed the formation of small Ru nanoparticles with a mean diameter of around 1 nm. The catalytic systems obtained resulted in more activity in the HMF oxidation than those prepared through a more common salt-impregnation technique, and the deposition of Ru nanoparticles on materials with basic functionalities has allowed avoiding the use of basic solutions in the reaction.

The role of LH in follicle development: from physiology to new clinical implications.

The process of follicle development is closely regulated by two pituitary gonadotropins: follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) and luteinizing hormone (LH). Traditionally, folliculogenesis is considered to be divided into a gonadotropin-independent phase and a gonadotropin-dependent phase. Despite this, recent evidence has demonstrated that functional LH receptors are expressed even in smaller follicles during the phase considered to be gonadotropin independent.

Aquivion-Based Spray Freeze-Dried Composite Materials for the Cascade Production of γ-Valerolactone.

The development of multifunctional catalysts is a necessary step to effectively carry out one-pot cascade reactions, such as that from furfural to γ-valerolactone. This research effort faces the challenge posed by the intrinsic limit of how many kinds of catalytic sites a single material can bear. In this work, the application of Spray-Freeze Drying (SFD) as a synthetic technique for the preparation of a wide range of innovative composite multi-functional catalysts is reported.

Anti-Müllerian Hormone promotes human osteoblast differentiation and calcification by modulating osteogenic gene expression.

Objective: To investigate whether the Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), an ovarian hormone belonging to the Transforming Growth Factor β superfamily, may represent a possible candidate for use as a bone anabolic factor.

Methods: We performed studies on Human Osteoblasts (HOb) to evaluate the expression and the functionality of AMHRII, the AMH receptor type-2, and investigate the effects of exogenous AMH exposure on osteogenic gene expression and osteoblast functions.

Results: We reported the first evidence for the expression and functionality of AMHRII in HOb cells, thus suggesting that osteoblasts may represent a specific target for exogenous AMH treatment.

Evidence for the expression of vasorin in the human female reproductive tissues.

To investigate the expression and localization of Vasorin (Vasn) in human female reproductive system. The presence of Vasorin was evaluated by RT-PCR and immunoblotting analyses in patient-derived endometrial, myometrial and granulosa cells (GCs) primary cultures. Immunostaining analyses were performed to detect Vasn localization in primary cultures and in ovarian and uterine tissues.

A 'train the trainers' approach to infection prevention and control training in pandemic conditions.

Background: The first wave of the SARS-CoV-2 global pandemic in early 2020 required a rapid roll-out of infection prevention and control (IPC) training for healthcare workers (HCW), including use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE). Education about respiratory droplet and aerosol transmission was of paramount importance to ensure safe working practices and improve confidence.

Methods: A joint working group of Infectious Diseases and IPC staff developed a 'train the trainers' programme, to be rapidly deployed over a three-week period.

Effects of Standardized Green Tea Extract and Its Main Component, EGCG, on Mitochondrial Function and Contractile Performance of Healthy Rat Cardiomyocytes.

We recently showed that the long-term in vivo administration of green tea catechin extract (GTE) resulted in hyperdynamic cardiomyocyte contractility. The present study investigates the mechanisms underlying GTE action in comparison to its major component, epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG), given at the equivalent amount that would be in the entirety of GTE. Twenty-six male Wistar rats were given 40 mL/day of a tap water solution with either standardized GTE or pure EGCG for 4 weeks.

Resveratrol preserves mitochondrial function in a human post-mitotic cell model.

Dysfunctions caused by genetic defects in the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) of humans are called mitochondrial diseases; however, mtDNA mutations are also associated with aging and age-related diseases. Here, we present an original cellular model that allows gathering information on molecules that might contrast or prevent mitochondrial dysfunctions and their related diseases. This model allowed us to show that resveratrol (RSV), a phytochemical present in food, exerts protective effects at low concentrations on resting human fibroblasts carrying dysfunctional respiratory chain Complex I.

Hypoxia and IF₁ Expression Promote ROS Decrease in Cancer Cells.

The role of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the metabolic reprogramming of cells adapted to hypoxia and the interplay between ROS and hypoxia in malignancy is under debate. Here, we examined how ROS levels are modulated by hypoxia in human cancer compared to untransformed cells. Short time exposure (20 min) of either fibroblasts or 143B osteosarcoma cells to low oxygen tension down to 0.

Paediatric post-burn scar management in the UK: a national survey.

Thermal injuries affect 250,000 people annually in the United Kingdom. As burn survival improves, good scar management is paramount to help individuals living with the resultant scars lead a life without restrictions. Post-burn hypertrophic scars can limit growth in children, interfere with function and cause psychological problems.

Peer-assisted learning from three perspectives: student, tutor and co-ordinator.

Background: Peer-assisted learning (PAL) involves medical students teaching other medical students. Although the concept is not new, formal PAL is a relatively new development in medical education.

Context: PAL Manchester is a peer-assisted learning scheme that has run for over 6 years at Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.

MicroRNAs 17-5p-20a-106a control monocytopoiesis through AML1 targeting and M-CSF receptor upregulation.

We investigated the role of microRNAs (miRNA) 17-5p, 20a and 106a in monocytic differentiation and maturation. In unilineage monocytic culture generated by haematopoietic progenitor cells these miRNAs are downregulated, whereas the transcription factor acute myeloid leukaemia-1 (AML1; also known as Runt-related transcription factor 1, Runx1) is upregulated at protein but not mRNA level. As miRNAs 17-5p, 20a and 106a bind the AML1 mRNA 3'UTR, their decline may unblock AML1 translation.

MicroRNAs 221 and 222 inhibit normal erythropoiesis and erythroleukemic cell growth via kit receptor down-modulation.

MicroRNAs (miRs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression primarily through translational repression. In erythropoietic (E) culture of cord blood CD34+ progenitor cells, the level of miR 221 and 222 is gradually and sharply down-modulated. Hypothetically, this decline could promote erythropoiesis by unblocking expression of key functional proteins.

Rescue of cells from apoptosis by antioxidants occurs downstream from GSH extrusion.

Antioxidants-that is, scavengers of free radicals and anaerobic conditions (5%CO(2), 95% N(2))-protect monocytic U937 cells from damage-induced apoptosis. Antioxidants rescue the cells acting on the apoptotic pathway at a step downstream from gluthatione extrusion. Reducing agents, such as DTT, also reduce stress-induced apoptosis.