NAD Metabolism Regulates Proliferation of Macrophages in Atherosclerosis.

Background: In genetic studies with the Hybrid Mouse Diversity Panel, we previously identified a chromosome 9 locus for atherosclerosis. We now identify NNMT (nicotinamide -methyltransferase), an enzyme that degrades nicotinamide, as the causal gene in the locus and show that the underlying mechanism involves salvage of nicotinamide to nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD).

Methods: Gain/loss of function studies in macrophages were performed to examine the role of NAD levels in macrophage proliferation and apoptosis in atherosclerosis.

Long-range PM pollution and health impacts from the 2023 Canadian wildfires.

Smoke from extreme wildfires in Canada adversely affected air quality in many regions in 2023. Here we use satellite observations, machine learning and a chemical transport model to quantify global and regional PM (particulate matter less than 2.5 μm in diameter) exposure and human health impacts related to the 2023 Canadian wildfires.

Comparative efficacy and safety of PSCA CAR-engineered Vδ1 γδ T cells for immunotherapy of pancreatic cancer.

Background: γδ T cells possess unique immunological features including tissue tropism, major histocompatibility complex-independent antigen recognition, and hybrid T/natural killer cell properties that make them promising candidates for cancer immunotherapy. However, the therapeutic potential of Vδ1 γδ T cells, particularly when engineered with chimeric antigen receptors (CARs), remains underexplored in solid tumors such as pancreatic cancer (PC), largely due to their low abundance in peripheral blood and challenges in ex vivo expansion. This study aims to directly compare the preclinical safety and efficacy among CAR-engineered Vδ1 γδ T cells, Vδ2 γδ T cells, and conventional αβ T cells.

Perturbing neural stem cell fate in glioblastoma heterogeneity and beyond.

Intratumoral heterogeneity in glioblastoma is thought to underlie its remarkable ability to recur and resist therapies. Its origins, however, remain unknown. In this issue, Liu et al.

Positive Neutrino Masses with DESI DR2 via Matter Conversion to Dark Energy.

The Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument (DESI) is a massively parallel spectroscopic survey on the Mayall telescope at Kitt Peak, which has released measurements of baryon acoustic oscillations determined from over 14 million extragalactic targets. We combine DESI Data Release 2 with CMB datasets to search for evidence of matter conversion to dark energy (DE), focusing on a scenario mediated by stellar collapse to cosmologically coupled black holes (CCBHs). In this physical model, which has the same number of free parameters as ΛCDM, DE production is determined by the cosmic star formation rate density (SFRD), allowing for distinct early- and late-time cosmologies.

Observing a robot peer's failures facilitates students' classroom learning.

According to productive failure (PF) theory, experiencing failure during problem-solving can enhance students' knowledge acquisition in subsequent instruction. However, challenging students with problems beyond their current capabilities may strain their skills, prior knowledge, and emotional well-being. To address this, we designed a social robot-assisted teaching activity in which students observed a robot's unsuccessful problem-solving attempts, offering a PF-like preparatory effect without requiring direct failure.

The weak land carbon sink hypothesis.

Over the past three decades, assessments of the contemporary global carbon budget consistently report a strong net land carbon sink. Here, we review evidence supporting this paradigm and quantify the differences in global and Northern Hemisphere estimates of the net land sink derived from atmospheric inversion and satellite-derived vegetation biomass time series. Our analysis, combined with additional synthesis, supports a hypothesis that the net land sink is substantially weaker than commonly reported.

The functional form of the association between K-12 student performance and household income in U.S. school districts.

It is well-known that income can correlate with the academic performance of K-12 students in the United States (U.S.).

Genome sequencing reveals the impact of pseudoexons in rare genetic disease.

Purpose: Advancements in sequencing technologies have significantly improved clinical genetic testing, yet the diagnostic yield remains around 30-40%. Emerging technologies are now being deployed to address the remaining diagnostic gap.

Methods: We tested whether short-read genome sequencing could increase the diagnostic yield in individuals enrolled into the UCI-GREGoR research study, who had suspected Mendelian conditions and prior inconclusive testing.

Work-related stress among sworn and non-sworn law enforcement personnel.

Sworn law enforcement personnel in the United States face high rates of work-related stress. Yet, the well-being of more than 300,000 non-sworn personnel, particularly regarding work-related trauma and stress, remains underexplored. This study aims to test the hypothesis that non-sworn personnel experience lower levels of stress, comparing stress and probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) between sworn and non-sworn personnel.

Neural dynamics of proactive and reactive cognitive control in medial and lateral prefrontal cortex.

Goal-directed behavior requires adjusting cognitive control, both in preparation for and in reaction to conflict. Theta oscillations and population activity in dorsomedial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC) and dorsolateral PFC (dlPFC) are known to support reactive control. Here, we investigated their role in proactive control using human intracranial electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings during a Stroop task that manipulated conflict expectations.

Retinal progenitor cells (jCell) for retinitis pigmentosa.

Objective: To assess the safety and tolerability of intravitreal injection of human retinal progenitor cells (RPCs) at multiple dose levels in adults with non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP).

Design: A prospective, multicenter, open-label, single-arm, Phase I/IIa safety study of RPCs in adults with RP ( = 28). Two patient cohorts were studied: Cohort 1: BCVA no better than 20/200 and no worse than Hand Motions, and Cohort 2: BCVA no better than 20/40 and no worse than 20/200).

A Novel Case of Variant and Nonimmune Hydrops Fetalis: A Case Report.

Nonimmune hydrops fetalis (NIHF) refers to the pathologic accumulation of fluid within the fetus due to causes other than red cell alloimmunization and now accounts for up to 90% of fetal hydrops cases. Fetal hydrops is associated with significant morbidity and mortality, and the exact prognosis is largely dependent on the underlying etiology. The most common etiologies include cardiovascular causes and chromosomal or genetic abnormalities.

Evidence-based framework for the management of disruptive physician behavior.

The consistent promotion of a culture of respect and accountability in the workplace is vital to the success of healthcare organizations. However, the existing literature on practical strategies for addressing misconduct, particularly with respect to physician behavior, is relatively sparse. The aim of this review was to thus devise an evidence-based, empirical framework for the management and remediation of disruptive physician actions.

Dopaminergic frontostriatal pathways in major depressive disorder and childhood sexual abuse: a multimodal neuroimaging investigation.

Dysregulated dopaminergic signaling has been implicated in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD) and childhood sexual abuse (CSA), but inconsistencies abound. In a multimodal PET-functional MRI study, harnessing the highly selective tracer [C]altropane, we investigated dopamine transporter availability (DAT) and resting-state functional connectivity (rsFC) within reward-related regions among 112 unmedicated individuals (MDD: n = 37, MDD/CSA: n = 18; CSA no MDD: n = 14; controls: n = 43). Striatal DAT and seed-based rsFC were assessed in the dorsal and ventral striatum and the ventral tegmental area.

Low-Level Light Therapy Effect on Metabolites measured by Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy in Patients with Moderate Traumatic Brain Injury: A Double-blind, Randomized, Placebo-controlled Clinical Trial.

Background And Purpose: Low-level light therapy (LLLT) has been shown to modulate recovery in patients with traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, the longitudinal impact of LLLT on brain metabolites has not been studied. The purpose of this study was to use magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging (MRSI) to assess the metabolic response of LLLT in patients with moderate TBI at acute (within 1 week), subacute (2-3 weeks), and late-subacute (3 months) recovery phases.

Progressive lifespan modifications in the corpus callosum following a single concussion in juvenile male mice monitored by diffusion MRI.

Introduction: The vulnerability of white matter (WM) in acute and chronic moderate-severe traumatic brain injury (TBI) has been established. In concussion syndromes, including preclinical rodent models, lacking are comprehensive longitudinal studies spanning the mouse lifespan. We previously reported early WM modifications using clinically relevant neuroimaging and histological measures in a model of juvenile concussion at one month post injury (mpi) who then exhibited cognitive deficits at 12mpi.

Defining breast epithelial cell types in the single-cell era.

Single-cell studies on breast tissue have contributed to a change in our understanding of breast epithelial diversity that has, in turn, precipitated a lack of consensus on breast cell types. The confusion surrounding this issue highlights a possible challenge for advancing breast atlas efforts. In this perspective, we present our consensus on the identities, properties, and naming conventions for breast epithelial cell types and propose goals for future atlas endeavors.

Quantifying Barriers to Diabetic Eye Screening: A Two-Center Study at the University of California.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the diabetic eye disease screening continuum at two academic centers and identify its barriers.

Research Design And Methods: We analyzed health records from the University of California, San Francisco and University of California, Irvine to identify primary care patients needing diabetic eye screening. We tracked referrals, screenings, diagnoses, and treatments to evaluate predictors and the impact of an automated referral system.

Minoritized students and their faculty research mentors view benevolence differently in the relationship.

There are many benefits for students who participate in undergraduate research experiences, including increased retention and persistence in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). By doing research, minoritized students increase their likelihood of pursuing graduate school and STEM careers. The benefits of research experiences are partially mediated by students' interactions with their faculty research mentor.

The Role of Perceived Sleep Quality in Mental and Cognitive Health: A Study of Older Korean Americans Living in Subsidized Senior Housing.

This study examined the association between perceived sleep quality and mental and cognitive health among older Korean Americans residing in subsidized senior housing. Survey data from 318 participants (Mean age = 79.5, SD = 6.