Mice prone to tinnitus after acoustic trauma show increased pre-exposure sensitivity to background noise

Noise-induced tinnitus is generally associated with hearing impairment caused by traumatic acoustic overexposure. Previous studies in laboratory animals and human subjects, however, have observed differences in tinnitus susceptibility, even among individuals with similar hearing loss. The mechanisms underlying increased sensitivity or, conversely, resistance to tinnitus are still incompletely understood. Here, we used behavioral tests and ABR audiometry to compare the sound-evoked responses of mice that differed in the presence of noise-induced tinnitus. The aim was to find a specific pre-exposure neurophysiological marker that would predict the development of tinnitus after acoustic trauma. Noise-exposed mice were screened for tinnitus-like behavior with the GPIAS paradigm and subsequently divided into tinnitus (+T) and non-tinnitus (-T) groups. Both groups showed hearing loss after exposure, manifested by elevated audiometric thresholds along with reduced amplitudes and prolonged latencies of ABR waves. Prior to exposure, except for a slightly increased slope of growth function for ABR amplitudes in +T mice, the two groups did not show significant audiometric differences. Behavioral measures, such as the magnitude of the acoustic startle response and its inhibition by gap pre-pulse, were also similar before exposure in both groups. However, +T mice showed significantly increased suppression of the acoustic startle response in the presence of background noise of moderate intensity. Thus, increased modulation of startle by background sounds may represent a behavioral correlate of susceptibility to noise-induced tinnitus, and its measurement may form the basis of a simple non-invasive method for predicting tinnitus development in laboratory rodents.

The Ameliorating Effects of n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids on Liver Steatosis Induced by a High-Fat Methionine Choline-Deficient Diet in Mice

The pathogenesis of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is associated with abnormalities of liver lipid metabolism. On the contrary, a diet enriched with n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (n-3-PUFAs) has been reported to ameliorate the progression of NAFLD. The aim of our study was to investigate the impact of dietary n-3-PUFA enrichment on the development of NAFLD and liver lipidome. Mice were fed for 6 weeks either a high-fat methionine choline-deficient diet (MCD) or standard chow with or without n-3-PUFAs. Liver histology, serum biochemistry, detailed plasma and liver lipidomic analyses, and genome-wide transcriptome analysis were performed. Mice fed an MCD developed histopathological changes characteristic of NAFLD, and these changes were ameliorated with n-3-PUFAs. Simultaneously, n-3-PUFAs decreased serum triacylglycerol and cholesterol concentrations as well as ALT and AST activities. N-3-PUFAs decreased serum concentrations of saturated and monounsaturated free fatty acids (FAs), while increasing serum concentrations of long-chain PUFAs. Furthermore, in the liver, the MCD significantly increased the hepatic triacylglycerol content, while the administration of n-3-PUFAs eliminated this effect. Administration of n-3-PUFAs led to significant beneficial differences in gene expression within biosynthetic pathways of cholesterol, FAs, and pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-1 and TNF-α). To conclude, n-3-PUFA supplementation appears to represent a promising nutraceutical approach for the restoration of abnormalities in liver lipid metabolism and the prevention and treatment of NAFLD.

Very Early-Life Risk Factors for Developing Dementia: Evidence From Full Population Registers

OBJECTIVES

Very early-life conditions are recognized as critical for healthy brain development. This study assesses early-life risk factors for developing dementia. In the absence of historical medical birth records, we leverage an alternative full population approach using demographic characteristics obtained from administrative data to derive proxy indicators for birth complications and unfavorable birth outcomes. We use proxy variables to investigate the impact of early-life risk factors on dementia risk.

METHODS

We use administrative individual-level data for full cohorts born 1932-1950 in Sweden with multigenerational linkages. Records on hospitalization and mortality are used to identify dementia cases. We derive 3 birth risk factors based on demographic characteristics: advanced maternal age, narrow sibling spacing, and twin births, and apply survival analysis to evaluate long-term effects on dementia risk. We control for confounding using multiple indicators for socio-economic status (SES), including parental surnames, and by implementing a sibling design. As comparison exposure, we add low education from the 1970 Census.

RESULTS

The presence of at least 1 birth risk factor increases dementia risk (HR = 1.059; 95% CI: 1.034, 1.085). The occurrence of twin births poses a particularly heightened risk (HR = 1.166; 95% CI: 1.084, 1.255).

DISCUSSION

Improvements to the very early-life environment hold significant potential to mitigate dementia risk. A comparison to the influence of low education on dementia (the largest known modifiable risk factor) suggests that demographic birth characteristics are of relevant effect sizes. Our findings underscore the relevance of providing assistance for births experiencing complications and adverse health outcomes to reduce dementia cases.

Osseous variations associated with physiological thinning of the glenoid articular cartilage: an osteological study with CT, MRI and arthroscopic correlations

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the relationship between osseous variations of the glenoid fossa and thinning of the overlaying articular cartilage.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In total, 360 dry scapulae, comprising adult, children and fetal specimens, were observed for potential presence of osseous variants inside the glenoid fossa. Subsequently, the appearance of the observed variants was evaluated using CT and MRI (each 300 scans), and in-time arthroscopic findings (20 procedures). New terminology of the observed variants was proposed by an expert panel formed by orthopaedic surgeons, anatomists and radiologists.

RESULTS

Tubercle of Assaky was observed in 140 (46.7%) adult scapulae, and an innominate osseous depression was identified in 27 (9.0%) adult scapulae. Upon radiological imaging, the tubercle of Assaky was found in 128 (42.7%) CTs and 118 (39.3%) MRIs, while the depression was identified in 12 (4.0%) CTs and 14 (4.7%) MRIs. Articular cartilage above the osseous variations appeared relatively thinner and in several young individuals was found completely absent. Moreover, the tubercle of Assaky featured an increasing prevalence with aging, while the osseous depression develops in the second decade. Macroscopic articular cartilage thinning was identified in 11 (55.0%) arthroscopies. Consequently, four new terms were invented to describe the presented findings.

CONCLUSION

Physiological articular cartilage thinning occurs due to the presence of the intraglenoid tubercle or the glenoid fovea. In teenagers, the cartilage above the glenoid fovea may be naturally absent. Screening for these variations increases the diagnostic accuracy of glenoid defects. In addition, implementing the proposed terminological updates would optimize communication accuracy.

Eculizumab use in patients with pneumococcal-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome and kidney outcomes

BACKGROUND

Streptococcus pneumoniae-associated hemolytic uremic syndrome (P-HUS) is a rare and severe disease. Only a few reports have been published about eculizumab use in P-HUS.

METHODS

We analyzed demographic, clinical, and laboratory data of patients with P-HUS from our center.

RESULTS

The cohort consisted of 4 females and 3 males. All patients had pneumonia. Four were given eculizumab (days 1-3). The eculizumab group required a shorter duration of dialysis and mechanical ventilation (medians 20 vs. 28.5 and 30 vs 38.5 days, respectively) compared with the non-eculizumab group, but this was still much longer than normally reported; the thrombocytopenia resolution was similar in both groups (medians 10 vs. 8 days). Chronic kidney disease (CKD) was correlated with the duration of dialysis and mechanical ventilation duration at 1 year (r = 0.797, P = 0.032 and r = 0.765, P = 0.045) and last follow-up (r = 0.807, P = 0.028 and r = 0.814, P = 0.026, respectively); our scoring system showed even stronger correlations (r = 0.872, P = 0.011 and r = 0.901, P = 0.0057, respectively). The eculizumab group showed slightly better 1-year and last follow-up CKD stage (2.75 vs. 3, P = 0.879 and 2.5 vs. 3.67, P = 0.517).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite the fact that the eculizumab group showed better outcomes, eculizumab does not seem to improve the course of P-HUS compared with previous reports. Kidney outcomes are strongly correlated with the duration of dialysis and mechanical ventilation duration. A higher resolution version of the Graphical abstract is available as Supplementary information.

Hydrophobicity-enhanced ferritin nanoparticles for efficient encapsulation and targeted delivery of hydrophobic drugs to tumor cells

Ferritin, a naturally occurring iron storage protein, has gained significant attention as a drug delivery platform due to its inherent biocompatibility and capacity to encapsulate therapeutic agents. In this study, we successfully genetically engineered human H ferritin by incorporating 4 or 6 tryptophan residues per subunit, strategically oriented towards the inner cavity of the nanoparticle. This modification aimed to enhance the encapsulation of hydrophobic drugs into the ferritin cage. Comprehensive characterization of the mutants revealed that only the variant carrying four tryptophan substitutions per subunit retained the ability to disassemble and reassemble properly. As a proof of concept, we evaluated the loading capacity of this mutant with ellipticine, a natural hydrophobic indole alkaloid with multimodal anticancer activity. Our data demonstrated that this specific mutant exhibited significantly higher efficiency in loading ellipticine compared to human H ferritin. Furthermore, to evaluate the versatility of this hydrophobicity-enhanced ferritin nanoparticle as a drug carrier, we conducted a comparative study by also encapsulating doxorubicin, a commonly used anticancer drug. Subsequently, we tested both ellipticine and doxorubicin-loaded nanoparticles on a promyelocytic leukemia cell line, demonstrating efficient uptake by these cells and resulting in the expected cytotoxic effect.

Inter-placental variability is not a major factor affecting the healing efficiency of amniotic membrane when used for treating chronic non-healing wounds

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of cryopreserved amniotic membrane (AM) grafts in chronic wound healing, including the mean percentage of wound closure per one AM application, and to determine whether the healing efficiency differs between AM grafts obtained from different placentas. A retrospective study analyzing inter-placental differences in healing capacity and mean wound closure after the application of 96 AM grafts prepared from nine placentas. Only the placentas from which the AM grafts were applied to patients suffering from long-lasting non-healing wounds successfully healed by AM treatment were included. The data from the rapidly progressing wound-closure phase (p-phase) were analyzed. The mean efficiency for each placenta, expressed as an average of wound area reduction (%) seven days after the AM application (baseline, 100%), was calculated from at least 10 applications. No statistical difference between the nine placentas' efficiency was found in the progressive phase of wound healing. The 7-day average wound reduction in particular placentas varied from 5.70 to 20.99% (median from 1.07 to 17.75) of the baseline. The mean percentage of wound surface reduction of all analyzed defects one week after the application of cryopreserved AM graft was 12.17 ± 20.12% (average ± SD). No significant difference in healing capacity was observed between the nine placentas. The data suggest that if there are intra- and inter-placental differences in AM sheets' healing efficacy, they are overridden by the actual health status of the subject or even the status of its individual wounds.

Risk of visual axis opacification in infants with and without primary IOL implantation after congenital cataract surgery performed during the first 4 months of age

PURPOSE

The study evaluates the rate of postoperative formation of a pupillary membrane (PM) and posterior visual axis opacification (PVAO) in infants with and without primary IOL implantation during the first 4 months of infancy.

METHODS

Medical records for 144 eyes (101 infants) operated between 2005 and 2014 were evaluated. A posterior capsulectomy and anterior vitrectomy were performed. Primary IOL implantation was performed in 68 eyes, while 76 eyes were left aphakic. There were 16 bilateral cases in the pseudophakic group and 27 in the aphakic group. The follow-up period was 54.3 ± 21.05 months and 49.1 ± 18.60 months, respectively. Fisher's exact test was used for statistical analysis. The two-sample t-test with equal variance was used to compare surgery age, follow-up period and time intervals of complications.

RESULTS

The mean age of surgery was 2.1 ± 0.85 months in the pseudophakic and 2.2 ± 1.01 months in the aphakic group. PM was diagnosed in 40% pseudophakic and 7% aphakic eyes. A second surgery for PVAO was performed in 72% pseudophakic and 16% aphakic eyes. Both were significantly higher in the pseudophakic group. In the pseudophakic group, the number of PVAO was significantly higher in infants operated before 8 weeks of age compared to surgery age 9-16 weeks. The frequency of PM was not age-dependent.

CONCLUSION

Although it remains feasible to implant an IOL during the primary surgery, even in very young infants, there should always be solid arguments for this decision since it puts the child at higher risk of repeated surgeries under general anaesthesia.

Early-Onset Ovarian Cancer <30 Years: What Do We Know about Its Genetic Predisposition?

Ovarian cancer (OC) is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths in women. Most patients are diagnosed with advanced epithelial OC in their late 60s, and early-onset adult OC diagnosed ≤30 years is rare, accounting for less than 5% of all OC cases. The most significant risk factor for OC development are germline pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants (GPVs) in OC predisposition genes (including BRCA1, BRCA2, BRIP1, RAD51C, RAD51D, Lynch syndrome genes, or BRIP1), which contribute to the development of over 20% of all OC cases. GPVs in BRCA1/BRCA2 are the most prevalent. The presence of a GPV directs tailored cancer risk-reducing strategies for OC patients and their relatives. Identification of OC patients with GPVs can also have therapeutic consequences. Despite the general assumption that early cancer onset indicates higher involvement of hereditary cancer predisposition, the presence of GPVs in early-onset OC is rare (<10% of patients), and their heritability is uncertain. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the genetic predisposition to early-onset OC, with a special focus on epithelial OC, and suggests other alternative genetic factors (digenic, oligogenic, polygenic heritability, genetic mosaicism, imprinting, etc.) that may influence the development of early-onset OC in adult women lacking GPVs in known OC predisposition genes.

Risk Factors for the Anal and Oral Human Papillomavirus (HPV) Infections among Women with Severe Cervical Lesions: A Prospective Case-Control Study

The carcinogenicity of HPV infection in the anogenital and oropharyngeal regions is broadly accepted. The aim of the study was to define risk factors for anal and oral HPV infections in high-risk patients with biopsy-proven severe cervical lesions (CIN2+). Altogether immunocompetent 473 females with CIN2+ were categorized into the study group and another 245 women into the control group. The strongest risk factor for anal HPV infection was the presence of cervical HPV infection (p < 0.001). Furthermore, ten or more lifetime sexual partners (p = 0.013), a sexual non-coital contact with the anal area (p < 0.001), and actively practicing anal-penetrative intercourse (p < 0.001) were significantly associated with anal HPV. A history of genital warts in the woman (p = 0.010) and the presence of genital warts in the male partner (p = 0.029) were found statistically significant for the risk of oral HPV infection. Our data suggest that the presence of HPV infection, especially high-risk genotypes, in one anatomical site poses the greatest risk for HPV infection in another anatomical site. The cervix is the main reservoir of infection, but the risk factors for anal and oral HPV infections are dissimilar according to different anatomical distances and more complex routes of transmission.

Three-dimensional echocardiographic left ventricular strain analysis in Fabry disease: correlation with heart failure severity, myocardial scar, and impact on long-term prognosis

AIMS

Fabry disease (FD) is a multisystemic lysosomal storage disorder caused by a defect in the alpha-galactosidase A gene that manifests as a phenocopy of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. We assessed the echocardiographic 3D left ventricular (LV) strain of patients with FD in relation to heart failure severity using natriuretic peptides, the presence of a cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) late gadolinium enhancement scar, and long-term prognosis.

METHODS AND RESULTS

3D echocardiography was feasible in 75/99 patients with FD [aged 47 ± 14 years, 44% males, LV ejection fraction (EF) 65 ± 6% and 51% with hypertrophy or concentric remodelling of the LV]. Long-term prognosis (death, heart failure decompensation, or cardiovascular hospitalization) was assessed over a median follow-up of 3.1 years. A stronger correlation was observed for N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide levels with 3D LV global longitudinal strain (GLS, r = -0.49, P < 0.0001) than with 3D LV global circumferential strain (GCS, r = -0.38, P < 0.001) or 3D LVEF (r = -0.25, P = 0.036). Individuals with posterolateral scar on CMR had lower posterolateral 3D circumferential strain (CS; P = 0.009). 3D LV-GLS was associated with long-term prognosis [adjusted hazard ratio 0.85 (confidence interval 0.75-0.95), P = 0.004], while 3D LV-GCS and 3D LVEF were not (P = 0.284 and P = 0.324).

CONCLUSION

3D LV-GLS is associated with both heart failure severity measured by natriuretic peptide levels and long-term prognosis. Decreased posterolateral 3D CS reflects typical posterolateral scarring in FD. Where feasible, 3D-strain echocardiography can be used for a comprehensive mechanical assessment of the LV in patients with FD.

Dendrometers challenge the 'moon wood concept' by elucidating the absence of lunar cycles in tree stem radius oscillation

Wood is a sustainable natural resource and an important global commodity. According to the 'moon wood theory', the properties of wood, including its growth and water content, are believed to oscillate with the lunar cycle. Despite contradicting our current understanding of plant functioning, this theory is commonly exploited for marketing wooden products. To examine the moon wood theory, we applied a wavelet power transformation to series of 2,000,000 hourly stem radius records from dendrometers. We separated the influence of 74 consecutive lunar cycles and meteorological conditions on the stem variation of 62 trees and six species. We show that the dynamics of stem radius consist of overlapping oscillations with periods of 1 day, 6 months, and 1 year. These oscillations in stem dimensions were tightly coupled to oscillations in the series of air temperature and vapour pressure deficit. By contrast, we revealed no imprint of the lunar cycle on the stem radius variation of any species. We call for scepticism towards the moon wood theory, at least as far as the stem water content and radial growth are concerned. We foresee that similar studies employing robust scientific approaches will be increasingly needed in the future to cope with misleading concepts.

Optimizing PCL/PLGA Scaffold Biocompatibility Using Gelatin from Bovine, Porcine, and Fish Origin

This research introduces a novel approach by incorporating various types of gelatins, including bovine, porcine, and fish skin, into polycaprolactone and poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) using a solvent casting method. The films are evaluated for morphology, mechanical properties, thermal stability, biodegradability, hemocompatibility, cell adhesion, proliferation, and cytotoxicity. The results show that the incorporation of gelatins into the films alters their mechanical properties, with a decrease in tensile strength but an increase in elongation at break. This indicates that the films become more flexible with the addition of gelatin. Gelatin incorporation has a limited effect on the thermal stability of the films. The composites with the gelatin show higher biodegradability with the highest weight loss in the case of fish gelatin. The films exhibit high hemocompatibility with minimal hemolysis observed. The gelatin has a dynamic effect on cell behavior and promotes long-term cell proliferation. In addition, all composite films reveal exceptionally low levels of cytotoxicity. The combination of the evaluated parameters shows the appropriate level of biocompatibility for gelatin-based samples. These findings provide valuable insights for future studies involving gelatin incorporation in tissue engineering applications.

Lysine Demethylase KDM2A Promotes Proteasomal Degradation of TCF/LEF Transcription Factors in a Neddylation-Dependent Manner

Canonical Wnt signaling is essential for a plethora of biological processes ranging from early embryogenesis to aging. Malfunctions of this crucial signaling pathway are associated with various developmental defects and diseases, including cancer. Although TCF/LEF transcription factors (TCF/LEFs) are known to be essential for this pathway, the regulation of their intracellular levels is not completely understood. Here, we show that the lysine demethylase KDM2A promotes the proteasomal destabilization of TCF/LEFs independently of its demethylase domain. We found that the KDM2A-mediated destabilization of TCF/LEFs is dependent on the KDM2A zinc finger CXXC domain. Furthermore, we identified the C-terminal region of TCF7L2 and the CXXC domain of KDM2A as the domains responsible for the interaction between the two proteins. Our study is also the first to show that endogenous TCF/LEF proteins undergo KDM2A-mediated proteasomal degradation in a neddylation-dependent manner. Here, we reveal a completely new mechanism that affects canonical Wnt signaling by regulating the levels of TCF/LEF transcription factors through their KDM2A-promoted proteasomal degradation.

Metabolomics of Cerebrospinal Fluid Amino and Fatty Acids in Early Stages of Multiple Sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a demyelinating and neurodegenerative autoimmune disease of the central nervous system (CNS) damaging myelin and axons. Diagnosis is based on the combination of clinical findings, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and analysis of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Metabolomics is a systematic study that allows us to track amounts of different metabolites in a chosen medium. The aim of this study was to establish metabolomic differences between the cerebrospinal fluid of patients in the early stages of multiple sclerosis and healthy controls, which could potentially serve as markers for predicting disease activity. We collected CSF from 40 patients after the first attack of clinical symptoms who fulfilled revised McDonald criteria of MS, and the CSF of 33 controls. Analyses of CSF samples were performed by using the high-performance liquid chromatography system coupled with a mass spectrometer with a high-resolution detector. Significant changes in concentrations of arginine, histidine, spermidine, glutamate, choline, tyrosine, serine, oleic acid, stearic acid and linoleic acid were observed. More prominently, Expanded Disability Status Scale values significantly correlated with lower concentrations of histidine. We conclude that these metabolites could potentially play a role as a biomarker of disease activity and predict presumable inflammatory changes.

Effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei supplementation on the single-cell fecal parasitome in children with celiac disease autoimmunity: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2 positively affect the fecal bacteriome in children with celiac disease autoimmunity after 6 months of supplementation. The aim of the present investigation was to study the effects of Lactiplantibacillus plantarum HEAL9 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei 8700:2 on the single-cell parasitome, with a primary focus on Blastocystis.

METHODS

Stool samples were collected from 78 Swedish children with celiac disease autoimmunity participating in a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial to either receive a mixture of supplementation with L. plantarum HEAL9 and L. paracasei 8700:2 (n = 38) or placebo (n = 40). A total of 227 stool samples collected at baseline and after 3 and 6 months of intervention, respectively, were retrospectively analyzed for Blastocystis by quantitative real-time PCR and subtyped by massively parallel amplicon sequencing. Other single-cell parasites were detected by untargeted 18S rDNA amplicon sequencing and verified by real-time PCR. The relation between the parasites and the bacteriome community was characterized by using 16S rDNA profiling of the V3-V4 region.

RESULTS

Three different single-cell protists were identified, of which the highest prevalence was found for Dientamoeba fragilis (23.1%, 18/78 children), followed by Blastocystis (15.4%, 12/78) and Entamoeba spp. (2.6%, 2/78). The quantity of the protists was stable over time and not affected by probiotic intervention (P = 0.14 for Blastocystis, P = 0.10 for D. fragilis). The positivity of the protists was associated with increased bacteriome diversity (measured by multiple indices, P < 0.03). Bacterial composition was influenced by the presence of the protists: positivity of Blastocystis was inversely associated with Akkermansia (at the levels of the genus as well as its family, order, class and phylum); P < 0.002), Faecalibacterium (P = 0.003) and Romboutsia (P = 0.029); positivity of D. fragilis was inversely associated with families Enterobacteriaceae (P = 0.016) and Coriobacteriaceae (P = 0.022) and genera Flavonifractor (P < 0.001), Faecalibacterium (P = 0.009), Lachnoclostridium (P = 0.029), Ruminococcus (P < 0.001) and Granulicatella (P = 0.018).

CONCLUSIONS

The prevalence of single-cell protists is low in children with celiac disease autoimmunity. The colonization was stable regardless of the probiotic intervention and associated with increased diversity of the fecal bacteriome but inversely associated with some beneficial bacteria.

Evaluation of human papillomavirus DNA in colorectal cancer and adjacent mucosal tissue samples

BACKGROUND

Although the role of viral agents, such as human papillomavirus (e.g. HPV16, HPV18) in colorectal cancer (CRC) has been previously investigated, results remain inconclusive.

METHODS

To further evaluate the involvement of oncogenic HPV types in CRC, 40 frozen neoplastic and 40 adjacent colonic tissues collected from Italian patients were analyzed by Luminex-based assays that detect a broad spectrum of HPV types, i.e. Alpha (n = 21), Beta (n = 46) and Gamma HPVs (n = 52). In addition, 125 frozen CRC samples and 70 surrounding mucosal tissues were collected from Czech patients and analyzed by broad spectrum PCR protocols: (i) FAP59/64, (ii) FAPM1 and (iii) CUT combined with Next Generation Sequencing (NGS).

RESULTS

Using Luminex-basedassays, DNA from HPV16 was detected in 5% (2/40) CRC tissues from Italian patients. One HPV16 DNA-positive CRC case was subsequently confirmed positive for E6*I mRNA. Cutaneous beta HPV types were detected in 10% (4/40) adjacent tissues only, namely HPV111 (n = 3) and HPV120 (n = 1), while gamma HPV168 (n = 1) and HPV199 (n = 1) types were detected in adjacent and in tumor tissues, respectively. The NGS analysis of the CRC Czech samples identified HPV sequences from mucosal alpha-3 (HPV89), alpha-7 (HPV18, 39, 68 and 70) and alpha-10 species (HPV11), as well as cutaneous beta-1 (HPV20, 24, 93, 98, 105,124) beta-2 (HPV23), beta-3 (HPV49) and gamma-1 species (HPV205).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicate that HPV types belonging to the mucosal alpha, and the 'cutaneous' beta and gamma genera can be detected in the colonic mucosal samples with a low prevalence rate and a low number of HPV reads by Luminex and NGS, respectively. However, additional studies are required to corroborate these findings.

Comparison of narrow-band imaging with autofluorescence imaging for endoscopic detection of squamous cell carcinoma of the tonsil

PURPOSE

Early detection of mucosal neoplastic lesions is crucial for a patient's prognosis. This has led to the development of effective optical endoscopic diagnostic methods such as narrow band imaging (NBI) and autofluorescence (AFI). Independent of each other, both of these methods were proven useful in the detection of mucosal neoplasias. There are limited reported data comparing both methods for oropharyngeal cancer diagnostics. The aim of the study was to compare NBI and AFI endoscopic visualization of signs in identifying tonsillar squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and assessing its extent and to determine whether the score was related to the evaluator's experience.

METHODS

Patients with tonsillar SCC underwent endoscopic pharyngeal examination using NBI and AFI. Fiftyseven video sequences of examinations of lesions proven to be SCC were evaluated by three reviewers. The accuracy of determination of lesion extent and visualization of its endoscopic signs of malignancy were evaluated.

RESULTS

Endoscopic visualization of tumour spread was significantly better using AFI than NBI (p = 0.0003). No significant difference was found between NBI and AFI in the visualization of endoscopic malignancy determining signs (p = 0.1405). No significant difference was found among the three reviewers in the visualization of tumour spread and for identifying malignancy-determining signs in NBI endoscopy or AFI endoscopy.

CONCLUSIONS

The results show that AFI obtained better results for assessing the extent of tonsillar cancers than NBI. Both methods were proven to be equal in the visualization of endoscopic malignancy-determining signs. Both are useful even for less experienced evaluators.

Levetiracetam pharmacokinetics and its covariates: proposal for optimal dosing in the paediatric population

OBJECTIVES

Levetiracetam is an anticonvulsive drug increasingly used in paediatric populations. Ontogenesis may alter its pharmacokinetics, demanding dose individualisation of levetiracetam in paediatric populations. We therefore aimed to explore levetiracetam pharmacokinetics and to propose its optimal dosing in the paediatric population.

METHODS

Individual levetiracetam pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on therapeutic drug monitoring data, using a one-compartmental model, and regression models were used to explore possible covariates.

RESULTS

56 patients aged from 47 days to 18 years were included in the analysis. The median (IQR) volume of distribution and clearance of levetiracetam were 0.7 (0.58-0.85) L/kg and 0.123 (0.085-0.167) L/hour/kg, respectively. Levetiracetam pharmacokinetics were influenced by postnatal age, body size descriptors and renal functional status.

CONCLUSIONS

Based on observed relationships, an individualised loading dose of 26.2 mg/kg body weight and maintenance dose of 20.7 mg/mL/min of estimated glomerular filtration rate were calculated as optimal. Since we observed increased levetiracetam clearance in association with valproate co-medication, caution should be used when combining these two drugs.

Post-mortem genetic testing in sudden cardiac death and genetic screening of relatives at risk: lessons learned from a Czech pilot multidisciplinary study

Sudden cardiac death (SCD) might have an inherited cardiac condition background. Genetic testing supports post-mortem diagnosis and screening of relatives at risk. Our aim is to determine the feasibility of a Czech national collaboration group and to establish the clinical importance of molecular autopsy and family screening. From 2016 to 2021, we have evaluated 100 unrelated SCD cases (71.0% males, age: 33.3 (12.8) years). Genetic testing was performed by next-generation sequencing utilizing a panel of 100 genes related to inherited cardiac/aortic conditions and/or whole exome sequencing. According to autopsy, cases were divided into cardiomyopathies, sudden arrhythmic death syndrome, sudden unexplained death syndrome, and sudden aortic death. We identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants following ACMG/AMP recommendations in 22/100 (22.0%) of cases. Since poor DNA quality, we have performed indirect DNA testing in affected relatives or in healthy parents reaching a diagnostic genetic yield of 11/24 (45.8%) and 1/10 (10.0%), respectively. Cardiological and genetic screening disclose 83/301 (27.6%) relatives at risk of SCD. Genetic testing in affected relatives as starting material leads to a high diagnostic yield offering a valuable alternative when suitable material is not available. This is the first multidisciplinary/multicenter molecular autopsy study in the Czech Republic which supports the establishment of this type of diagnostic tests. A central coordinator and proper communication among centers are crucial for the success of a collaboration at a national level.

The role of head and body cues in visual individual recognition in grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus)

Individual recognition underlies social behaviors in many species and is essential for complex social interactions commonly occurring between conspecifics. Focusing on visual perception, we explored this process in African grey parrots (Psittacus erithacus) using the matching-to-sample (MTS) method commonly used in primate research. We used cards made from photographs of familiar conspecific in four consecutive experiments, first testing the ability of our subjects (two male and one female adult) to match the photographs of familiar individuals and then creating modified stimuli cards to determine which visual aspects and features were crucial for successful recognition of a familiar conspecific. All three subjects were able to successfully match different photographs of familiar conspecifics in Experiment 1. Experiments 2-4 showed that modification of the facial area in the photograph had only a weak effect on subjects' success rates in MTS tasks. On the other hand, changes in the plumage color or obscuring of abdominal cues impaired their ability to successfully match conspecifics' photographs in some tasks. This study implies that African grey parrots process visual information holistically. Moreover, the process of individual recognition in this species differs from what we find in primates, including humans, where faces play a crucial role. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2023 APA, all rights reserved).

Force-Velocity Relationship in Cycling and Arm Cranking: A Comparison of Men and Women

This study was aimed at comparing the force-velocity relationship during cycling and arm cranking in males and females. Thirty-two male and twenty-two female healthy volunteers performed a force-velocity test on a cycle ergometer and a cranking ergometer in a randomly selected order. The theoretical values of the maximum force at zero speed (F0) and the maximum velocity at zero braking force (v0) for the lower and upper limbs were determined, and the maximum anaerobic power (Pmax) was calculated from the individual force-velocity relationship. The Pmax and F0 of the upper limbs related to the lower limbs correspond to 78.2 ± 14.3% and 80.1 ± 17.3% in men and 65.5 ± 12.5% and 74.5 ± 6.5% in women, respectively. The theoretical maximum velocity v0 of the upper limbs to the lower limbs attained 129.1 ± 29.0% in men and 127.4 ± 26.4% in women. The results of the study can serve as reference data for the force-velocity characteristics of the upper and lower limbs of male and female athletes. The results can be used both in training and rehabilitation programs, where the starting point is the objectification of possible strength deficits in various areas of the force-velocity characteristic spectrum of the muscles of the upper and lower limbs.

Animal Models in Diabetic Research-History, Presence, and Future Perspectives

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a very serious disease, the incidence of which has been increasing worldwide. The beginning of diabetic research can be traced back to the 17th century. Since then, animals have been experimented on for diabetic research. However, the greatest development of diabetes research occurred in the second half of the last century, along with the development of laboratory techniques. Information obtained by monitoring patients and animal models led to the finding that there are several types of DM that differ significantly from each other in the causes of the onset and course of the disease. Through different types of animal models, researchers have studied the pathophysiology of all types of diabetic conditions and discovered suitable methods for therapy. Interestingly, despite the unquestionable success in understanding DM through animal models, we did not fully succeed in transferring the data obtained from animal models to human clinical research. On the contrary, we have observed that the chances of drug failure in human clinical trials are very high. In this review, we will summarize the history and presence of animal models in the research of DM over the last hundred years. Furthermore, we have summarized the new methodological approaches, such as "organ-on-chip," that have the potential to screen the newly discovered drugs for human clinical trials and advance the level of knowledge about diabetes, as well as its therapy, towards a personalized approach.

Multivalency of nucleosome recognition by LEDGF

Eukaryotic transcription is dependent on specific histone modifications. Their recognition by chromatin readers triggers complex processes relying on the coordinated association of transcription regulatory factors. Although various modification states of a particular histone residue often lead to differential outcomes, it is not entirely clear how they are discriminated. Moreover, the contribution of intrinsically disordered regions outside of the specialized reader domains to nucleosome binding remains unexplored. Here, we report the structures of a PWWP domain from transcriptional coactivator LEDGF in complex with the H3K36 di- and trimethylated nucleosome, indicating that both methylation marks are recognized by PWWP in a highly conserved manner. We identify a unique secondary interaction site for the PWWP domain at the interface between the acidic patch and nucleosomal DNA that might contribute to an H3K36-methylation independent role of LEDGF. We reveal DNA interacting motifs in the intrinsically disordered region of LEDGF that discriminate between the intra- or extranucleosomal DNA but remain dynamic in the context of dinucleosomes. The interplay between the LEDGF H3K36-methylation reader and protein binding module mediated by multivalent interactions of the intrinsically disordered linker with chromatin might help direct the elongation machinery to the vicinity of RNA polymerase II, thereby facilitating productive elongation.

Branchioma with a nested/organoid morphology: molecular profiling of a distinctive potentially misleading variant and reappraisal of potential relationship to CD34-positive/Rb1-deficient tumors of the neck

Branchioma (previously called ectopic hamartomatous thymoma, branchial anlage mixed tumor, or thymic anlage tumor) is a rare lower neck lesion with an adult male predominance and an uncertain histogenesis. Except for 4 cases, all branchiomas described in the literature were benign. Recently, HRAS mutation was detected in one case, but still little is known about the molecular genetic background of this rare entity. We herein report the histological, immunohistochemical, and molecular genetic analysis of a branchioma with a nested/organoid (neuroendocrine-like) morphology in a 78-year-old man. Histology revealed classical branchioma areas merging with nested/organoid cellular component lacking conventional features of malignancy. Immunohistochemistry was positive for high-molecular-weight cytokeratins. CD34 was expressed in the spindle cell component. Moreover, the tumor cells showed near-complete loss of retinoblastoma (RB1) expression (<1% of cells positive). All neuroendocrine markers (synaptophysin, chromogranin, and INSM1) were negative. Next-generation sequencing (TSO500 Panel) revealed 5 pathogenic/likely pathogenic mutations including 1 mutation in KRAS and 2 different mutations in each of MSH6 and PTEN. FISH and DNA sequencing were negative for RB1 gene alterations. To our knowledge, this is the first report of a branchioma showing misleading nested/organoid morphology and the first report on Rb1 immunodeficiency in this entity, in addition to multiple gene mutations revealed by NGS.