Notes

Influence of porous tantalum scaffold pore dimension upon osteogenesis and osteointegration: An extensive review based on 3D-printing technologies.
Further study showed that the RdRp inhibitory activity of 5-Iodotubercidin is closely related to its capacity to inhibit adenosine kinase (ADK).
Both obesity and type 2 diabetes (T2D) are reported to be highly enriched in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Due to the close correlation between obesity and T2D, it is important to examine whether obesity and T2D are independently related to COVID-19 hospitalization.

To examine the causal effect of obesity and T2D in hospitalized COVID-19 patients using Mendelian randomization (MR).

This two-sample MR analysis applied genetic markers of obesity identified in the genome wide association study (GWAS) by the GIANT Consortium as instrumental variables (IVs) of obesity; and genetic markers of T2D identified by the DIAGRAM Consortium as IVs of T2D. The MR analysis was performed in hospitalized COVID-19 patient by the COVID-19 Host Genetics Initiative using the MR-Base platform.

All 3 classes of obesity (Class 1/2/3) were shown as the causal risk factors of COVID-19 hospitalization; however, T2D doesn't increase the risk of hospitalization or critically ill COVID-19 as an independent factor.

Obesity, but not T2D, is a primary risk factor of COVID-19 hospitalization.
Obesity, but not T2D, is a primary risk factor of COVID-19 hospitalization.Clip domain serine proteinases participate in invertebrate innate immunity by acting as crucial enzymes in the signaling cascade involved in shrimp immunity. To functionally characterize its role in Fenneropenaeus merguiensis, FmclipSP cDNA was cloned and characterized. The FmclipSP gene comprised 1353 bp with an open reading frame of 1110 bp and encoded 369 amino acids. The protein contained clip and serine protease domains. FmClipSP mRNA is highly expressed in hemocytes, and its expression was significantly upregulated by bacterial or viral pathogen challenge. Furthermore, FmClipSP recombinant protein (rFmClipSP) was produced and possessed protease activity, stimulating prophenoloxidase activity. Additionally, rFmClipSP exhibited antibacterial activity against pathogens and nonpathogens. ELISA results demonstrated the binding ability of rFmClipSP to a recombinant protein of VP28 (rVP28). Interestingly, the binding significantly inhibited prophenoloxidase activity. Altogether, we partially characterized the function of FmclipSP and demonstrated its association with VP28. This study indicates the importance of clipSP as a component of F. merguiensis innate immunity. However, the role of clipSP in crustaceans remains unclear and requires further investigation.
This systematic review and meta-analysis summarizes the existing evidence for the association of alcohol use with intraocular pressure (IOP) and open-angle glaucoma (OAG).

Understanding and quantifying these associations may aid clinical guidelines or treatment strategies and shed light on disease pathogenesis. The role of alcohol, a modifiable factor, in determining IOP and OAG risk also may be of interest from an individual or public health perspective.

The study protocol was preregistered in the Open Science Framework Registries (https//osf.io/z7yeg). Eligible articles (as of May 14, 2021) from 3 databases (PubMed, Embase, Scopus) were independently screened and quality assessed by 2 reviewers. All case-control, cross-sectional, and cohort studies reporting a quantitative effect estimate and 95% confidence interval (CI) for the association between alcohol use and either IOP or OAG were included. The evidence for the associations with both IOP and OAG was qualitatively summarized. Effect estimates fors very low.

Although this meta-analysis suggests a harmful association between alcohol use and OAG, our results should be interpreted cautiously given the weakness and heterogeneity of the underlying evidence base, the small absolute effect size, and the borderline statistical significance. Nonetheless, these findings may be clinically relevant, and future research should focus on improving the quality of evidence.
Although this meta-analysis suggests a harmful association between alcohol use and OAG, our results should be interpreted cautiously given the weakness and heterogeneity of the underlying evidence base, the small absolute effect size, and the borderline statistical significance. Nonetheless, these findings may be clinically relevant, and future research should focus on improving the quality of evidence.
We systematically review the in vivo preclinical evidence on the impact of microplastics (MPs) on the intestinal microbiota and morphofunctional changes involving the intestinal mucosa.

By using a comprehensive and structured search in electronic databases 28 original studies were recovered and analyzed.

Zebrafish and mice were the main animal models, while the dose and shape of MPs used were quite heterogeneous. Studies show that MPs are potential triggers of intestinal dysbiosis, which has been characterized by enrichment of Firmicutes, Proteobacteria and Chlamydia. Conversely, there was a reduction in Bacteroidetes phylum abundance. By trapping and stimulating intestinal inflammatory infiltrate, exposure to MPs increased intestinal permeability and the expression of immune signatures associated with inflammation, such as IL-1α, IL-1β, TNF-α, IFN-γ and IL-6.

Thus, current evidence supports potential inflammatory and dysbiotic properties of MPs. In addition, the data indicate that MPs can display structural changes secondary to exposure to MPs. Analysis of methodological quality indicated that current preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. selleck chemicals llc We hope that controlling that bias sources described in this systematic review will be useful to improve the quality of reports.
Thus, current evidence supports potential inflammatory and dysbiotic properties of MPs. In addition, the data indicate that MPs can display structural changes secondary to exposure to MPs. Analysis of methodological quality indicated that current preclinical evidence is at high risk of bias. We hope that controlling that bias sources described in this systematic review will be useful to improve the quality of reports.
Copper (Cu) is an essential trace element whose serum levels have been reported to act as an effective indicator of the efficacy of radiotherapy. However, little is known about the role of Cu in radiotherapy. In this study we aimed to determine this role and investigate the precise mechanism by which Cu or Cu-related proteins regulate the radiosensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

The expression and function of Cu and copper metabolism MURR1 domain 10 (COMMD10) were assessed via a Cu detection assay, immunostaining, real-time PCR, western blot, a radiation clonogenic assay and a 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assay. Ferroptosis was determined by detecting glutathione, lipid peroxidation, malondialdehyde and ferrous ion (Fe) levels. The invivo effects of Cu and COMMD10 were examined with Cu/Cu chelator treatment or lentivirus modification of COMMD10 expression in radiated mouse models.

We identified a novel role of Cu in promoting the radioresistance of HCC cells. Ionizing radiation (IR) induced a reresistance of HCCs. This work has revealed new targets and potential treatment strategies that could be used to sensitize HCC to radiotherapy.
Radiotherapy benefits patients with unresectable or advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), but its effectiveness is hampered by radioresistance. Herein, we uncovered a novel role for copper in promoting the radioresistance of HCCs. This work has revealed new targets and potential treatment strategies that could be used to sensitize HCC to radiotherapy.The aim of this study was to test equine semen cryopreservation techniques for the conservation of donkey germplasm. Ejaculates of three male donkeys were used (n = 18; six ejaculates per donkey; six repetitions), collected by the artificial vagina method. To remove the seminal plasma, the ejaculates were split and submitted to filtration or centrifugation methods. To assess the freezing method, each fraction was submitted to the automated system or the conventional system, and groups were formed automated centrifuge, automated filtrate, conventional centrifuge and conventional filtrate. After thawing (37°C/30 seconds), were analyzed the sperm kinetic parameters, integrity and functionality of the plasma membrane and mitochondrial membrane potential. Highest sperm concentration (P .05) among the groups for the membrane integrity and functionality, and mitochondrial membrane potential. Thus, centrifugation is the most indicated technique to remove donkey seminal plasma and the automated and conventional freezing methods can be used in donkey semen conservation.
Coupling transcranial magnetic stimulation with electroencephalography (TMS-EEG) allows recording the EEG response to a direct, non-invasive cortical perturbation. However, obtaining a genuine TMS-evoked EEG potential requires controlling for several confounds, among which a main source is represented by the auditory evoked potentials (AEPs) associated to the TMS discharge noise (TMS click). This contaminating factor can be in principle prevented by playing a masking noise through earphones.

Here we release TMS Adaptable Auditory Control (TAAC), a highly flexible, open-source, Matlab®-based interface that generates in real-time customized masking noises. TAAC creates noises starting from the stimulator-specific TMS click and tailors them to fit the individual, subject-specific click perception by mixing and manipulating the standard noises in both time and frequency domains.

We showed that TAAC allows us to provide standard as well as customized noises able to effectively and safely mask the TMS click.
d safe masking noises specifically tailored on each TMS device and subject. The combination of TAAC with tools for the real-time visualization of TEPs can help control the influence of auditory confounds also in non-compliant patients. Finally, TAAC is a highly flexible and open-source tool, so it can be further extended to meet different experimental requirements.Suicide is a public health crisis with limited treatment options. Ketamine has demonstrated rapid and robust improvements in suicidal ideation (SI). The parent study for the secondary pilot analyses presented here was a double-blind, cross-over trial that found pretreatment with the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) prolonged the antidepressant effects of ketamine. Here we examined the effect of mTORC1 inhibition on ketamine's antisuicidal effects. Twenty patients in a major depressive episode were randomized to pretreatment with oral rapamycin (6 mg) or placebo prior to IV ketamine (0.5 mg/kg). We found ketamine administration resulted in significant improvements across all measures with the largest effect at 24 h with only the Beck Scale for Suicide remaining significant at the two-week follow-up. There were no significant main effects of pretreatment. While these analyses are pilot in nature and overall severity of SI was relatively low, the antisuicidal findings (no effect of rapamycin) being in contrast to the antidepressant effects (prolonged effect with rapamycin), suggest the rapid-acting antisuicidal and antidepressant effects of ketamine may be mechanistically distinct and the trajectories of response, recovery, and relapse may be independent. These findings provide additional evidence of ketamine's antisuicidal effects and highlight the importance of future studies that continue to examine potential differences in mechanisms and trajectory of outcomes.
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