Transcutaneous spinal stimulation paired with visual feedback facilitates retention of improved weight transfer toward the affected side in people post-stroke.

Background: Many individuals with hemiparesis after stroke are reluctant to transfer their body weight toward the affected side and rely more heavily on the unaffected leg while walking. Although visual feedback (VF) has been utilized to improve their weight transfer during walking, the effects of transcutaneous spinal stimulation (TSS) paired with VF during locomotor training in people post-stroke remain largely unexplored. The purpose of this study, therefore, was to determine whether phasic TSS paired with VF regarding weight shifting to the affected leg during treadmill walking would enhance weight transfer toward the affected side.

Utilization of Biospecimens as a Biobank Output for Biomedical Research-A Report from the ISBER Annual Meeting 2024 Annual Meeting Roundtable Discussions.

Despite widespread recognition of the need to increase sample utilization, the utilization rate of collected biospecimens for research is still low. In recent years, funders have shifted priorities towards supporting biobanks/collections with high utilization. Given the imperative to upscale sample utilization, a roundtable was held to discuss the considerations for maximizing and measuring the utilization of biospecimens and the output models that biobanks can employ to ensure greater impact and directly attributable advancements in medical science.

Clinical performance of a syndromic panel for direct identification of pathogens and antimicrobial resistance markers in pediatric osteoarticular and pleural space infections.

Unlabelled: The recovery of microbial pathogens from sterile body fluids in children poses challenges, including the low sensitivity of conventional culture. Pre-treatment with empiric antimicrobials can render the pathogen non-viable. In such cases, and with fastidious organisms like , molecular methods are useful for identification of the causative agent.

Dietary monounsaturated fatty acids in relation to risk of gastric cancer.

Background: Monounsaturated fatty acids (MUFA) are considered healthy fats with a single double bond in the constituent fatty acids and have antioxidant properties, cholesterol-lowering properties, and ability to reduce chronic inflammation. Evidence regarding the effect of MUFA intake on gastric cancer risk is inconclusive among diverse populations. Given the differences in dietary composition among different racial/ethnicities, we aimed to evaluate the association between MUFA intake and risk of gastric cancer in a hospital-based case-control study comprising 1182 incident cases of gastric cancer and 2965 controls in Vietnam.

Morbidity and mortality of salvage radical prostatectomy for prostate cancer: An analysis of the National surgical quality improvement program targeted prostatectomy database.

Introduction/background: For men with local recurrence of prostate cancer following radiotherapy, salvage radical prostatectomy (SRP) may be considered. However, SRP is associated with increased risk of surgical complications and patient selection is critical. To quantify this contemporary risk and identify predictive factors, we performed a retrospective cohort study utilizing the NSQIP targeted radical prostatectomy (RP) dataset.

Phase 1/2 trial of encorafenib, cetuximab, and nivolumab in microsatellite stable BRAF metastatic colorectal cancer.

The BRAF inhibitor encorafenib and anti-epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) antibody cetuximab modestly improve survival for patients with microsatellite stable (MSS) BRAF metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC), characterized by higher immune activation than MSS BRAF colorectal cancer (CRC). In this phase 1/2 study (NCT04017650) of 26 participants with MSS BRAF mCRC who received encorafenib, cetuximab, and anti-PD-1 antibody nivolumab, we report an overall response rate of 50% (95% confidence interval [CI] 29-71) and median progression-free survival of 7.4 months (95% CI, 5.

Delivery of cytokines via encapsulated human astrocytes for neural immunomodulation.

Modulating neuroinflammation with biomaterial advancements has potential for restoring normative function in a wide variety of neuropathologic conditions. Because astrocytes dynamically react to the microenvironment and contribute to the neuroinflammatory process, they are well situated as initiators and/or targets for biomaterial-based immunomodulation strategies. To achieve this, we devised and validated an alginate hydrogel encapsulation approach using human pluripotent stem cell-derived astrocytes that enabled a novel coculture system with organoids composed of neurons, astrocytes, and microglia.

Radial-specific catheters for neuroendovascular procedures: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Despite a radial-first approach in many neurointerventions, there are no systematic reviews and meta-analysis which comprehensively assess radial-specific catheter for neuroendovascular procedures. A systematic literature search was conducted through four electronic databases based on PRISMA 2020 guideline. Risk of bias was assessed employing Risk of Bias in Non-randomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tool.

Development and Preclinical Evaluation of Next-generation ΔsigH-based Live Candidate Vaccines.

To radically diminish TB incidence and mortality by 2035, as set out by the WHO End TB Strategy, there is a desperate need for improved TB therapies and a more effective vaccine against the deadly pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). Aerosol vaccination with the MtbΔsigH mutant protects two different species of NHPs against lethal TB challenge by invoking vastly superior T and B cell responses in the lungs through superior antigen-presentation and interferon-conditioning. Since the Geneva consensus on essential steps towards the development of live mycobacterial vaccines recommends that live TB vaccines must incorporate at least two independent gene knock outs, we have now generated several rationally designed, double (DKO)- and triple (TKO) knock-out mutants in Mtb, each containing the ΔsigH deletion.

Green synthesis of demethoxycurcumin-loaded chitosan nanoparticles for the management of potato late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans.

Late blight caused by Phytophthora infestans remains a major threat to global potato production and often results in significant yield losses without effective control measures. The emergence of fungicide-resistant strains and environmental concerns associated with synthetic chemicals have intensified the search for sustainable alternatives. Here, we report the development of chitosan nanoparticles loaded with demethoxycurcumin (DM-CSNPs) as a novel solution for late blight management.

Human nerve growth factor delivery to the retina: Quantitative methodology and mathematical modeling in preclinical settings.

Nerve growth factor (NGF) plays a critical neuroprotective role in retinal health, supporting neuronal survival and regeneration. Recombinant human NGF (rhNGF) holds promise for treating retinal degenerative diseases such as glaucoma, retinitis pigmentosa, and optic neuropathies. However, efficient retinal delivery of rhNGF remains a major challenge due to anatomical barriers and rapid clearance from conventional routes.

Repurposing flavopiridol as an inhaled therapeutic for pulmonary fibrosis.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a chronic and progressive lung disease with limited therapeutic options. Cyclin-dependent kinase 9 (CDK9), a key transcriptional regulator, has been implicated in fibrotic diseases, but no therapies targeting CDK9 have been developed for IPF. This investigation found that CDK9 expression was significantly elevated in IPF lung fibroblasts, correlating with an enhanced fibrogenic transcriptional profile and phenotype.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP)-based microbial detection: a review of FDA-authorized tests and future perspectives.

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) has emerged as a rapid and accessible alternative to traditional polymerase chain reactions (PCR) for nucleic acid amplification in research, significantly enhancing pathogen detection in infectious disease diagnostics. This review aims to bridge the gap in the literature regarding the real-world applications of LAMP assays and their potential to improve infectious disease diagnostics across various healthcare settings. We evaluated the current landscape of United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-authorized LAMP-based microbial tests, categorizing 30 such tests and detailing their regulatory pathways, such as 510(k) clearance and Emergency Use Authorization (EUA), particularly in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Nestin in multiple myeloma: emerging insights into a potential therapeutic target.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological malignancy and remains incurable, with high rates of relapses and refractory. One of the root causes is the presence of multiple myeloma stem cells (MMSCs). The deficiency of MMSC treatment lies in the lack of specific targets.

dd-cfDNA Significantly Improves Rejection Yield in Kidney Transplant Biopsies.

Donor-derived cell-free DNA (dd-cfDNA) is a biomarker that enables the early detection of immune-mediated graft injury. This study evaluated the clinical utility of dd-cfDNA in predicting the presence of biopsy-proven rejection (BPAR). We analyzed 1,070 biopsies from 1,743 kidney transplant recipients enrolled in the prospective, multicenter Kidney Allograft Outcomes AlloSure Registry (KOAR).

Differential modulation of trunk muscle activation using thoracic epidural spinal stimulation.

. Epidural spinal stimulation (ESS) has demonstrated promising functional improvements in trunk control following spinal cord injury (SCI). However, previous ESS studies targeting trunk muscle activation have been limited to stimulation over the eleventh thoracic to first lumbar vertebral levels, which may not be optimal based on anatomical evidence regarding trunk muscle innervation.

Huntingtin preserves mitochondrial genome integrity in neurons, which is impaired in Huntington's disease.

Huntingtin (HTT) function is enigmatic, as the native protein plays critical roles in neuronal health, while mutant HTT (mHTT), carrying an expanded polyglutamine stretch, triggers neurotoxicity and contributes to the pathogenesis of Huntington's disease (HD). We recently found that HTT is part of a nuclear transcription-coupled DNA repair (TCR) complex with DNA repair enzymes including polynucleotide-kinase-3'-phosphatase (PNKP). This complex resolves DNA lesions during transcription to maintain genome integrity, while in HD, mHTT impairs the activity of this complex, resulting in accumulation of DNA lesions.

The case for anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for the international space station and future planetary spaceflight: Clinical relevance and technical implementation.

Spaceflight presents unique challenges to ocular health which must be addressed when considering future long-term missions to Mars and beyond, specifically with increased risk to the anterior segment of the eye. While the posterior segment has been heavily researched via examinations with Heidelberg's Spectralis Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT)2 Module aboard the International Space Station (ISS), evaluation of the anterior segment is not as extensively performed. Despite the capabilities of the Spectralis, which allows for anterior segment imaging via the Anterior Segment Module (ASM), transforming the OCT into an Anterior Segment OCT (AS-OCT), there is limited information available regarding anterior segment effects due to microgravity and spaceflight.

The ocular surface during spaceflight: Post-mission symptom report, extraterrestrial risks, and in-flight therapeutics.

Ocular health is critical for overall astronaut health requirements given its essential role for mission performance and safety. The ocular surface is a vital structure to the visual system and is essential for ocular protection and the refraction of light for focused vision. Data from the 2024 NASA Lifetime Surveillance of Astronaut Health identified that Space Shuttle and International Space Station (ISS) astronauts (N = 257) queried during post-flight eye exams reported symptoms of eye irritation (34 %), dry eyes (14 %), and foreign body sensation (21 %).

Parabolic flight as a research platform to investigate ophthalmic changes in microgravity.

Parabolic flight serves as an important terrestrial analog to study acute physiological changes in microgravity without the need for space travel. During a parabolic flight, alternating hypergravity and microgravity phases, lasting up to 40 seconds, enable research into ophthalmic changes. In this review, we discuss the application of parabolic flight as a platform to study microgravity-related changes that might impact ophthalmology including intraocular pressure, intracranial pressure, choroidal blood flow, and modified eye movement patterns.

Peripheral monocyte transcriptional signatures of inflammation and oxidative stress in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder characterized by dopaminergic neuron loss in the substantia nigra, which is accompanied by immune dysfunction and chronic inflammation. Peripheral monocytes, key players in systemic inflammation, cross the blood-brain barrier and alter PD etiology and progression. To define the role of peripheral monocytes, cross-sectional studies of RNA transcripts isolated from PD monocytes were compared with age- and sex-matched control monocytes.

Gellan gum formulations containing natural polyphenolic compounds to treat oral candidiasis.

Oral candidiasis (OC) is caused by , targeting immunocompromised individuals and developing drug resistance, highlighting the need for advanced therapeutics. Polyphenols such as caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and ellagic acid (EA) display antifungal and immune-modulating properties. Incorporating CAPE and EA in gellan gum (GG) formulation enhances their applicability and effectiveness against OC.

Thor: a platform for cell-level investigation of spatial transcriptomics and histology.

Spatial transcriptomics links gene expression with tissue morphology, however, current tools often prioritize genomic analysis, lacking integrated image interpretation. To address this, we present Thor, a comprehensive platform for cell-level analysis of spatial transcriptomics and histological images. Thor employs an anti-shrinking Markov diffusion method to infer single-cell spatial transcriptome from spot-level data, effectively combining gene expression and cell morphology.

Accelerated free-breathing abdominal T2 mapping with deep learning reconstruction of radial turbo spin-echo data.

Purpose: To accelerate respiratory triggered free-breathing T2 mapping of the abdomen while maintaining high-quality anatomical images, accurate T2 maps, and fast reconstruction times.

Methods: We developed a flexible deep learning framework that can be trained in a fully supervised manner to improve T2-weighted images or in a self-supervised manner to reconstruct T2 maps.

Results: For retrospectively undersampled data, anatomical images and T2 maps reconstructed by the proposed deep learning method demonstrated reduced voxel-wise error compared to existing traditional and compressed sensing techniques.