UNASSIGNED: Brain atrophy is a well-established MRI outcome for predicting clinical progression and monitoring treatment response in persons with multiple sclerosis (pwMS) at the group level. Despite the important progress made, the translation of brain atrophy assessment into clinical practice faces several challenges.
UNASSIGNED: In this review, the authors discuss technical- and subject-related barriers for implementing brain atrophy assessment as part of the clinical routine at the individual level. Substantial progress has been made to understand and mitigate technical barriers behind MRI acquisition. Numerous research and commercial segmentation techniques for volume estimation are available and technically validated, but their clinical value has not been fully established. A systematic assessment of subject-related barriers, which include genetic, environmental, biological, lifestyle, comorbidity, and aging confounders, is critical for the interpretation of brain atrophy measures at the individual subject level. Educating both medical providers and pwMS will help better clarify the benefits and limitations of assessing brain atrophy for disease monitoring and prognosis.
UNASSIGNED: Integrating brain atrophy assessment into clinical practice for pwMS requires overcoming technical and subject-related challenges. Advances in MRI standardization, artificial intelligence, and clinician education will facilitate this process, improving disease management and potentially reducing long-term healthcare costs.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of the study is to evaluate the effects of biologic therapy on cardiovascular risk factors in rheumatoid arthritis patients to determine its clinical efficacy.
METHODS: Relevant literature was systematically searched in PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases. Meta-analysis was conducted using standardized mean differences (SMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) to evaluate cardiovascular risk factors and atherosclerosis. Heterogeneity, sensitivity analysis, and publication bias were assessed. Statistical significance was set at P<0.05.
RESULTS: The meta-analysis revealed that biologic treatment in RA patients was associated with decreased high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels compared to controls (MD: -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.14, -0.05], P<0.0001). Subgroup analysis based on treatment duration showed heterogeneity and a potential decrease in total cholesterol levels after 12 months of treatment (MD = -0.03, 95% CI [-0.21, -0.15], P = 0.76). Biologic therapy significantly reduced triglyceride levels compared to controls (MD = -0.23, 95% CI [-0.37, -0.09], P = 0.001), as observed in subgroup analysis. Moreover, biologics effectively decreased low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (MD: -0.10, 95% CI: [-0.14, -0.05], P<0.0001). However, biologic treatment was associated with increased inner carotid artery thickness (MD: 0.05, 95% CI: [0.03, 0.07], P<0.0001), indicating potential adverse effects on cardiovascular health. No significant effect on pulse wave velocity (PWV) was observed (MD: -0.23, 95% CI: [-0.80, 0.34], P = 0.43, I2 = 0%, P = 0.55).
CONCLUSIONS: Biologic agents may improve lipid profiles in RA patients but could also have adverse effects on cardiovascular health. Further research is needed to comprehensively understand the impact of biologic therapy on lipid metabolism and cardiovascular outcomes in RA patients.
BACKGROUND: https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/, CRD42024504911.

UNASSIGNED: Post-acute COVID-19 syndrome (long COVID) refers to the persistence of COVID-19 symptoms or exceptional symptoms following recovery. Even without conferring fatality, it represents a significant global public health burden. Despite many reports on long COVID, the prevalence and data on associated biological factors remain unclear and limited. This research aimed to determine the prevalence of long COVID during the two distinct epidemic periods in Thailand, due to the Delta and Omicron variants of SARS-CoV-2, and to investigate the biological factors associated with long COVID. In addition, the spike protein amino acid sequences of the Delta and Omicron variants were compared to determine the frequency of mutations and their potential biological implications.
UNASSIGNED: A retrospective cross-sectional study was established to recruit confirmed COVID-19 participants at Maharat Nakhon Ratchasima Hospital who had recovered for at least three months and were infected between June 2021 and August 2022. The demographic data and long COVID experience were collected via telephone interview. The biological factors were analyzed through binary logistic regression. The datasets of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein amino acid sequence of the Delta and Omicron variants in Thailand were retrieved from GIDSAID to determine mutation frequencies and to identify possible roles of the mutations based on published data.
UNASSIGNED: Data was collected from a total of 247 participants comprising 106 and 141 participants of the Delta and Omicron epidemic periods, respectively. Apart from the COVID-19 severity and health status, the baseline participant data of the two time periods were remarkably similar. The prevalence of long COVID observed in the Omicron period was higher than in the Delta period (74.5% vs. 66.0%). The biological factors associated with long COVID were epidemic variant, age, treatment with symptomatic medicines, and vaccination status. When the spike protein sequence data of the two variants were compared, it was observed that the Omicron variant exhibited a greater quantity of amino acid changes in its receptor-binding domain (RBD) and receptor-binding motif (RBM). The critical changes of the Omicron variant within these regions had a significant function in enhancing virus transmissibility and host immune response resistance.
UNASSIGNED: This study revealed informative data associated with long COVID in Thailand. More attention should be given to long COVID caused by unique virus variants and other biological factors to prepare a healthcare management strategy for COVID-19 patients after recovery.

Microbial community in wetland soils is crucial for maintaining the stability of the wetland ecosystem. Nevertheless, the soil microbial community is sensitive to the environmental stress in wetlands. This leads to the possibility that the microbial community structure may be influenced by environmental factors. To gain an in-depth understanding in the response of microbial community structure in wetland soils under different environmental factors, this review comprehensively explores the factors of natural conditions (e.g., different types of wetland, soil physical and chemical properties, climate conditions), biological factors (e.g., plants, soil animals), and human activities (e.g., land use, soil pollution, grazing). Those factors can affect microbial community structure and activities in wetland soils through different ways such as (i) affecting the wetland soil environment in which soil microorganisms survived in, (ii) influencing the available nutrients (e.g., carbon, nitrogen) required for microbial activity, and (iii) the direct effects on soil microorganisms (toxicity or promotion of resistant species). This review can provide references for the conservation of microbial diversity in wetland soils, the maintenance of wetland ecosystem balance, and the wetland ecological restoration.

Cutaneous immune-related adverse events encompass a spectrum of dermatological manifestations, including lichenoid reactions, psoriasiform eruptions, eczematous dermatitis, immunobullous disorders, granulomatous reactions, pruritus, vitiligo, and severe cutaneous adverse reactions such as Stevens-Johnson syndrome. The conventional approach to treating high-grade or refractory cutaneous immune-related adverse events has involved high-dose systemic corticosteroids. However, their use is limited owing to the potential disruption of antitumor responses and associated complications. To address this, corticosteroid-sparing targeted immunomodulators have been explored as therapeutic alternatives. Biologic agents, commonly employed for non-cutaneous immune-related adverse events such as colitis, are increasingly recognized for their efficacy in treating various patterns of cutaneous immune-related adverse events, including psoriasiform, immunobullous, and Stevens-Johnson syndrome-like reactions. This review consolidates findings from the English-language literature, highlighting the use of biologic agents in managing diverse cutaneous immune-related adverse event patterns, also encompassing maculopapular, eczematous, and lichenoid eruptions, pruritus, and transient acantholytic dermatosis (Grover disease). Despite the established efficacy of these agents, further research is necessary to explore their long-term effects on antitumor responses.

BACKGROUND: Autogenous tooth transplantation refers to a surgical procedure involving the relocation of a tooth within the same individual. Incorporating platelet-rich fibrin (PRF) in this procedure holds the potential to improve healing, accelerate recovery, and optimize treatment outcomes.
METHODS: In this article, the authors illustrate a PRF-based approach for autogenous tooth transplantation through two case scenarios. These cases outline the surgical steps of tooth transplantation and demonstrate the potential role of PRF in enhancing soft tissue healing. Furthermore, the article provides insights from a long-term follow-up spanning over 7 years.
RESULTS: Tooth transplantation in young adults is promising but depends on factors such as root development stage and donor tooth size matching. Including PRF may improve healing, at least in the short term, due to its rich concentration of growth factors and cytokines, promoting effective tissue regeneration.
CONCLUSIONS: Autogenous tooth transplantation has shown to be a viable treatment option for replacing the missing dentition. Adding PRF to the autogenous tooth transplantation procedure may speed up and enhance the treatment outcome. While the favorable results of these cases might be partially attributed to the use of PRF, the contribution of PRF to the healing process of tooth transplant remains conjectural and requires validation through additional research.
UNASSIGNED: Tooth autotransplantation can be performed in younger patients without requiring root canal treatment, while also potentially benefiting from the incorporation of platelet-rich fibrin (PRF).

Platinum (Pt) is the metal of choice for electrodes in implantable neural prostheses like the cochlear implants, deep brain stimulating devices, and brain-computer interfacing technologies. However, it is well known since the 1970s that Pt dissolution occurs with electrical stimulation. More recent clinical and in vivo studies have shown signs of corrosion in explanted electrode arrays and the presence of Pt-containing particulates in tissue samples. The process of degradation and release of metallic ions and particles can significantly impact on device performance. Moreover, the effects of Pt dissolution products on tissue health and function are still largely unknown. This is due to the highly complex chemistry underlying the dissolution process and the difficulty in decoupling electrical and chemical effects on biological responses. Understanding the mechanisms and effects of Pt dissolution proves challenging as the dissolution process can be influenced by electrical, chemical, physical, and biological factors, all of them highly variable between experimental settings. By evaluating comprehensive findings on Pt dissolution mechanisms reported in the fuel cell field, this review presents a critical analysis of the possible mechanisms that drive Pt dissolution in neural stimulation in vitro and in vivo. Stimulation parameters, such as aggregate charge, charge density, and electrochemical potential can all impact the levels of dissolved Pt. However, chemical factors such as electrolyte types, dissolved gases, and pH can all influence dissolution, confounding the findings of in vitro studies with multiple variables. Biological factors, such as proteins, have been documented to exhibit a mitigating effect on the dissolution process. Other biological factors like cells and fibro-proliferative responses, such as fibrosis and gliosis, impact on electrode properties and are suspected to impact on Pt dissolution. However, the relationship between electrical properties of stimulating electrodes and Pt dissolution remains contentious. Host responses to Pt degradation products are also controversial due to the unknown chemistry of Pt compounds formed and the lack of understanding of Pt distribution in clinical scenarios. The cytotoxicity of Pt produced via electrical stimulation appears similar to Pt-based compounds, including hexachloroplatinates and chemotherapeutic agents like cisplatin. While the levels of Pt produced under clinical and acute stimulation regimes were typically an order of magnitude lower than toxic concentrations observed in vitro, further research is needed to accurately assess the mass balance and type of Pt produced during long-term stimulation and its impact on tissue response. Finally, approaches to mitigating the dissolution process are reviewed. A wide variety of approaches, including stimulation strategies, coating electrode materials, and surface modification techniques to avoid excess charge during stimulation and minimise tissue response, may ultimately support long-term and safe operation of neural stimulating devices.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has extremely harmful effects on individual lifestyles, and at present, people must make financial or survival decisions under the profound changes frequently. Although it has been reported that COVID-19 changed decision-making patterns, the underlying mechanisms remained unclear. This mini-review focuses on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on intertemporal choice, and potential psychological, biological, and social factors that mediate this relationship. A search of the Web of Science electronic database yielded 23 studies. The results showed that under the COVID-19 pandemic, people tended to choose immediate and smaller rewards, and became less patient. In particular, people with negative emotions, in a worse condition of physical health, or who did not comply with their government restriction rules tended to become more \"short-sighted\" in behavioral terms. Future studies should examine more longitudinal and cross-cultural research to give a broad view about the decision-making change under the COVID-19 pandemic.

暂无摘要。

Amyloid fibril formation is a general property of proteins and peptides. It is a physicochemical phenomenon similar to crystallization, in which amyloid precursor proteins exceeding solubility precipitate through the breakdown of supersaturation. Using the ultrasonication-forced amyloid fibril inducer HANABI, we have discovered that serum albumin acts as an inhibitor in dialysis-related amyloidosis. Exploring the factors that induce or inhibit amyloid fibril formation using HANABI can lead to the development of early diagnosis and prevention methods for amyloidosis.