PET/fMRI demonstrates that bariatric surgery may reverse striatal dopaminergic dysfunction in women with obesity.

Background: Central mechanisms may play a role in the success of bariatric surgery (BS), the treatment of choice for refractory obesity. We hypothesize that central dopaminergic receptor function in striatal brain regions is a pivotal mechanism in the success of BS.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study to investigate central dopamine type 2 and 3 receptors (D2/3 R) within striatal brain regions in successful weight loss (WL) through BS.

Applying next-generation sequencing to detect microsatellite instability in pan-cancer patients: a retrospective study of 35,563 Chinese cases.

Microsatellite instability (MSI) serves as an important therapeutic and prognostic marker. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) have long been regarded as the "gold standard" for MSI detection. In recent years, next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based methods, offering expanded target coverage of microsatellite (MS) loci and improved analytical performance, have gained widespread acceptance.

Companion dogs' hair and nails as biomarkers of metal(loid) exposure in a former gold and arsenic mining area, France.

A century of mining activities in the gold/arsenic mine of the Salsigne district (Southern France) has resulted in the contamination of water, soil, and wildlife with arsenic (As) as well as other metal(loid)s. The aim of this study was to detect As and 16 other metal(loid)s in non-invasive keratinized samples from companion dogs in the former mining area. In total, 49 hair samples (N = 22 from the control area in central France and N = 27 from the former Salsigne mining area) and 14 nails (N = 6 from the control area and N = 8 from the mining area) were collected from dogs.

Integrated analysis of m6A regulator mediated RNA methylation and key immune related genes in ischemic stroke.

Unlabelled: The role of RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modifications in modulating the immune microenvironment during ischemic stroke (IS) pathogenesis remains poorly characterized. This investigation systematically explores m6A-mediated immune regulation in IS and identifies critical immune-related biomarkers. Transcriptomic profiles from 108 IS samples were analyzed to discern m6A regulatory patterns.

N-doped TiO/prosopis juliflora biochar nanocomposites for removal of ciprofloxacin from pharmaceutical industrial wastewater.

The contamination of aquatic ecosystems by pharmaceutical residues, particularly ciprofloxacin (CIX), can pose severe environmental and public health risks. This study aimed to optimize the photodegradation of CIX from pharmaceutical industrial wastewater using N-doped TiO/Biochar Nanocomposites. A novel N-doped TiO/BC nanocomposite was synthesized via sol-gel techniques and evaluated under UV and sunlight irradiation.

Postoperative Decline in Antioxidant Concentrations in Aqueous Humor: Comparison Between Femtosecond Laser-assisted Cataract Surgery and Conventional Cataract Surgery.

Background/aim: To evaluate alterations in total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and ascorbic acid (AA) levels in femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) compared with conventional cataract surgery.

Patients And Methods: A prospective non-randomized study was conducted wherein 18 and 36 patients undergoing FLACS and conventional cataract surgery, respectively, with the same phacoemulsification and femtosecond laser devices were enrolled. Samples of aqueous humor were obtained via paracentesis before and 1 day after the cataract surgery, and TAC and AA concentrations were determined.

Silymarin Ameliorates Tacrolimus-induced Inflammation in Human Umbilical Vein Endothelial Cells.

Background/aim: Tacrolimus (TAC), a cornerstone immunosuppressant in solid organ transplantation, is associated with significant cardiovascular toxicities, including endothelial dysfunction and inflammation. Silymarin (SM), a natural flavonoid complex from milk thistle, possesses known antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. This study investigated the pro-inflammatory effects of TAC on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and evaluated the potential protective capacity of SM.

Is CXCR4-targeted Ga-pentixafor PET/CT a reliable AVS-free modality for surgical decision-making and prognostic prediction in primary aldosteronism with bilateral adrenal lesions?

Background: For patients diagnosed with primary aldosteronism (PA) accompanied by bilateral adrenal lesions, identifying optimal candidates for surgical intervention remains a significant clinical challenge. Although adrenal venous sampling (AVS) is currently the gold standard for lateralizing aldosterone hypersecretion, its technical complexity, invasiveness, and interpretive difficulties restrict its widespread adoption. In this study, we aimed to investigate the clinical application of Ga-pentixafor positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET/CT) as a non-invasive imaging modality in AVS-free surgical decision-making for PA patients with bilateral adrenal lesions.

Automated DWI-FLAIR mismatch assessment in stroke using DWI only.

Introduction: In Acute Ischemic Stroke (AIS), mismatch between Diffusion-Weighted Imaging (DWI) and Fluid-Attenuated Inversion-Recovery (FLAIR) helps identify patients who can benefit from thrombolysis when stroke onset time is unknown (15% of AIS). However, visual assessment has suboptimal observer agreement. Our study aims to develop and validate a Deep-Learning model for predicting DWI-FLAIR mismatch using solely DWI data.

Characterization of Muscle Tissue Cell Diversity and Clinical Implications in Idiopathic Inflammatory Myopathy.

Background: Idiopathic inflammatory myopathies (IIMs) exhibit diverse cellular microenvironments in muscle tissues, yet the full spectrum of cell populations and changes remains unclear. This study aimed to characterize cellular heterogeneity, explore cell-cell interactions and assess the prognostic value of cell subtype abundances across IIM subtypes in Han Chinese.

Methods: Muscle samples from six IIMs and three normal controls (NC) underwent single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq), whereas bulk RNA sequencing was performed on 203 IIMs and 19 NC.

Acute Febrile Illness Associated with an Emerging Dengue 4 GIIb Variant Causing Epidemic in León, Nicaragua 2022.

Historically, DENV-4 has been rarely associated with epidemics and has been less well-studied than DENV-1 to -3. Epidemic dengue struck several South and Central American countries in 2022, with Nicaragua reporting the highest incidence. In an acute febrile illness (AFI) cohort enrolled from June to September 2022, 58 (34%) of 172 patients had PCR-confirmed dengue, of which 46 (79%) were serotyped as DENV-4.

Evolutionary Insights of Hepatitis B Virus Genotypes and Profiles of Mutations in Surface and Basal Core Promoter/Pre-Core Genes Among HBsAg-Positive Patients in North-Central and Southwestern Nigeria.

In Nigeria, hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains a significant public health issue. The emergence of immune escape mutants (IEMs), basal core promoters, and precore (BCP/PC) mutants among asymptomatic individuals has enabled the continuous evolution of the virus in the country. In this study, we used Sanger sequencing of the S gene and the BCP/PC region to investigate the genetic diversity, phylogenetic relationships, and mutational profiles of HBV strains detected in two regions in Nigeria.

The Effect of Scratch-Induced Microscale Surface Roughness on Signal Transmission in Radio Frequency Coaxial Connectors.

Electrical connectors play a vital role in ensuring reliable signal transmission in high-frequency microsystems. This study explores the impact of microscale scratch-induced surface roughness on the alternating current (AC) contact impedance of RF coaxial connectors. Unlike traditional approaches that assume idealized surface conditions, controlled micro-defects were introduced at the central contact interface to establish a quantitative relationship between surface morphology and signal degradation.

Type 2 Diabetes and the Multifaceted Gut-X Axes.

Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a complex metabolic disease characterized by chronic hyperglycemia due to insulin resistance and inadequate insulin secretion. Beyond the classically implicated organs, emerging evidence highlights the gut as a central player in T2D pathophysiology through its interactions with metabolic organs. The gut hosts trillions of microbes and enteroendocrine cells that influence inflammation, energy homeostasis, and hormone regulation.

Avenanthramide-C Mitigates High-Fat Diet-Accelerated Alzheimer's Pathologies via NOD1-Driven Neuroinflammation in 5×FAD Mice.

: Obesity is clinically known to be associated with an increased risk and aggravated pathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). A high-fat diet (HFD), the major contributor to obesity, induces neuroinflammation and central insulin resistance, both of which are linked to synaptic dysfunction. Our previous studies demonstrated that avenanthramide-C (Avn-C), a natural oat-derived phenolic compound, exerts anti-inflammatory effects and alleviates synaptic dysfunction in conventional AD models.

Recent Progress in Health Benefits of Hederagenin and Its Glycosides.

Hederagenin, a pentacyclic triterpenoid saponin from various medicinal plants, shows immense therapeutic potential; however, its inherent low bioavailability severely hinders its clinical translation. This comprehensive review synthesizes recent studies on the health benefits of hederagenin and its glycosides, critically the chemical modification strategies and pharmacological mechanisms aimed at optimizing its bioactivity. Key findings reveal that its broad anticancer and anti-inflammatory activities largely stem from its capacity to modulate crucial cellular signaling pathways, including the NF-κB, PI3K/Akt, and MAPK.

Aubl. Essential Oil: Chemical Composition and Emerging Biological Activities.

(Proteaceae) is a shrub native to subtropical and tropical regions of Central and South America. The EO extracted from was analyzed for its chemical composition and biological activities. GC analysis revealed that the essential oil has a chemically diverse composition, predominantly composed of oxygenated diterpenes (29.

The Role of Coffee Microbiomes in Pathogen Resistance Across Varieties and Ecological Niches.

The plant microbiome plays a role in pathogen defense, but its role in different resistant varieties and ecological niches remains unclear. This study used 16S rRNA and ITS sequencing to investigate microbial communities and interactions in disease-resistant (PT) and susceptible (Bourbon) coffee varieties of five ecological niches: leaves, fruits, roots, rhizosphere soil, and non-rhizosphere soil. We found that the microbial communities differed significantly between the two varieties.

Response of sp. to Nitrogen Input and Its Potential Role in Rhizosphere Enrichment of .

L. (goji berry), a traditional Chinese medicinal plant, depends heavily on nitrogen input to maintain productivity. Nitrogen application also profoundly influences rhizosphere microbial dynamics, which are critical for soil health and plant performance.

Sex-Specific Differences in Antidepressant and Antipsychotic Treatment Outcomes and Serum Levels in Children and Adolescents.

Sex-specific differences in psychopharmacological treatment have gained increasing attention in adults, with studies showing that women often have higher serum concentrations of psychotropic drugs due to biological differences. However, despite recognition of these differences in adults, reference ranges for therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) in general, but even more sex-specific therapeutic windows for psychotropic drugs, are lacking in children and adolescents, who may metabolize and respond to medications differently. The study aimed to investigate sex-specific differences in antidepressant (AD) and antipsychotic (AP) -treatment outcomes, and pharmacokinetics in childhood/adolescence.

Foveal Avascular Zone Enlargement as a Risk Factor for Early Retinal Ganglion Cell Dysfunction in Glaucoma Suspects.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationship between foveal avascular zone (FAZ) enlargement, retinal ganglion cell (RGC) dysfunction, and structural retinal measurements in glaucoma suspects (GS), using pattern electroretinogram (PERG) and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters. Thirty-one eyes (20 subjects) of GS status underwent comprehensive ophthalmologic evaluation including steady-state PERG, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and OCTA. FAZ area was measured using ImageJ software (version 1.

Novel Insight into Metabolism Mechanism of Biogenic Amines During Fermentation of Chinese Traditional Fermented Mandarin Fish () Based on Metabolism Pathway and Correlation Network.

A complex microbial community gives the possibility to produce biogenic amines in traditional fermented foods. In this study, the metabolism mechanisms of biogenic amines during fermentation of fermented mandarin fish were revealed based on the metabolic pathways and correlation analysis. Functional genes based on KEGG orthology related to biogenic amine metabolism were selected from the metagenome and were used to construct the biogenic amine metabolic pathways in .

Edge Effects on the Spatial Distribution and Diversity of Drosophilidae (Diptera) Assemblages in Deciduous Forests of Central European Russia.

In the forest ecosystems of Central European Russia, the influence of forest edges on the spatial distribution of Drosophilidae was studied for the first time. The research was conducted during the period of 2021-2022 in the Republic of Mordovia. Beer traps baited with fermented beer and sugar were used to collect Drosophilidae.

Temporal miRNA Biomarkers for Pupal Age Estimation in (Diptera: Sarcophagidae).

The pupal stage in necrophagous flies represents the longest and least morphologically distinct phase of development, posing a persistent challenge for accurately estimating postmortem intervals (PMI) in forensic investigations. Here, we present a novel molecular approach to pupal age estimation in , a forensically important species, by profiling microRNA (miRNA) expression dynamics. High-throughput sequencing across early, mid, and late pupal stages identified 191 known miRNAs, of which nine exhibited distinct monotonic temporal trends.

Unfertilized and Washed Eri Silkworm Eggs as Superior Hosts for Mass Production of Parasitoids.

wasps are highly effective biological control agents, offering an environmentally sustainable solution for pest management through their parasitism of insect eggs. This study evaluates the parasitism performance of six species-, , , , , and -on five treatments of Eri silkworm (ES) eggs, a potential alternative to the large eggs of for mass rearing. The ES egg treatments included the following: manually extracted, unfertilized, and washed eggs (MUW); naturally laid, unfertilized, and washed eggs (NUW); naturally laid, unfertilized, and unwashed eggs (NUUW); naturally laid, fertilized, and washed eggs (NFW); and naturally laid, fertilized, and unwashed eggs (NFUW).