Diet plays a crucial role in human health, particularly in modulating inflammation, a key factor in various chronic diseases. While several studies have explored the relationship between diet and disease, the complexity of this topic demands more extensive investigation. This study aims to examine the impact of seafood-rich diet, focusing on the fatty acid content, in modulating inflammation. The dietary intervention was similar to a Mediterranean diet, emphasizing unsaturated fats while minimizing saturated fats. Seafood and fish was prioritized as a source of polyunsaturated fatty acids. Blood biomarkers, including homocysteine, vitamin B12, folate, C-reactive protein, cholesterol, and triglycerides were analyzed before and after diet. Folate and vitamin B12 levels had increased significantly after diet, with folate increasing by 11.5 nmol/L (54% increase) and vitamin B12 by 37.25 pmol/L (9.99% increase). However, triglyceride levels experienced significant reduction by 0.32 mmol/L (29.5% decrease). Amino acid analysis indicated no significant changes. Gene expression analysis of interleukin-18, using quantitative polymerase chain reaction, was hindered by data contamination, precluding further interpretation. Tumor necrosis factor gene expression revealed no significant differences. However, the significant increase in vitamin B12 and folate levels stays an important discovery. Both molecules play essential roles in a pathway aimed at reducing homocysteine levels, which is associated with inflammation. This finding underscores the potential of seafood-rich diet in preventing inflammation. Additionally, the study lays groundwork for potential improvements in dietary guidelines as a preventative strategy against inflammatory diseases.

Stem cell niches serve as vital reservoirs, maintaining stem cells in a dormant state through specific niche components. Various biomarkers associated with stem cell niches have been identified in different tissues, including cardiac tissue, particularly at the atrioventricular junction. This study collected mouse, donor, and explanted cardiac tissue from the right side of the heart, focusing on the atrioventricular junction. Additionally, left ventricle samples from donor hearts were harvested. All samples were examined via immunohistochemistry to detect niche-related biomarkers. The study aimed to validate the atrioventricular junction as a potential niche area and to explore Cathepsin K asa possible cardiac stem cell marker, noting its slight nuclear expression. Clear expression of the stemcell marker SSEA4, the hypoxia marker Hif-1α, and the extracellular matrix marker ACAN, along with weak expression of the extracellular matrix marker CILP2, was observed, alongside Cathepsin K. Notably, explanted cardiac samples exhibited lower marker expression, except for Hif-1α, suggesting reduced oxygen levels in failing hearts. Mouse samples displayed the highest expression for each marker, mirroring the distribution seen in human hearts. Although the study does not conclusively validate the existence of a cardiac stem cell niche or the role of Cathepsin K, its findings significantly advance niche research. Further investigation is warranted to elucidate the role of the atrioventricular junction and associated biomarkers in cardiac stem cell biology.

Liver Cancer, especially hepatocellular carcinoma is a major global health challenge with increasing occurrence and mortality rates. This study aimed to explore and understand the molecular signature of the disease using bioinformatic analysis with The Cancer Genome Atlas Liver Hepatocellular Carcinoma dataset to identify differentially expressed genes and somatic mutations associated with patient survival. Transcriptome analysis revealed a significant difference in gene expression between tumor and normal tissues. Survival analysis linked specific genes to patient outcomes which suggests potential prognostic markers further proved by clinical enrichment analysis using Metascape, an online platform. Single nucleotide variant analysis uncovered frequently mutated genes, including TP53, CTNNB1, and TTN, and characterized the mutation landscape, revealing prevalent C>T transitions. The integration of transcriptome and mutation data complements potential therapeutic targets and driver mutations which are important for the liver cancer development and progression. Overall this study provides valuable insights and is a framework into the molecular mechanisms of HCC and identifies potential DEGs, biomarkers (FCN2, FCN3, and COLEC10), and clinically actionable targets for improved diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.

Avian influenza, known as bird flu, is a highly contagious acute respiratory infection that infects many avian species, humans and other animals. Birds infected with Influenza A virus can shed large amounts of virus in feces, which can be detected in the lakes. Similarly, people infected with enteric viruses also shed high amounts of virus in their feces, which can end up in lake water. In this study, the presence of influenza A and seven enteric viruses (norovirus GII, astrovirus, enterovirus, adenovirus, sapovirus, hepatitis E virus, and pepper mild mottle virus) were investigated in recreational lakes to explore whether their identification could be used as an early warning of outbreaks. Lake water samples were collected from Axlemossen, Delsjön, Slottsskogen, and Torpadammen. The samples were taken monthly from November 2023 until April 2024 and analyzed for detection of viruses by concentration through ultrafiltration and quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Influenza A virus was selectively detected in the urban lakes of Slottsskogen and Torpadammen, where favorable pH, temperature, and high bird populations likely supported the virus's stability in the lakes. In contrast, enteric viruses showed a broader distribution across all lakes, likely driven by human fecal contamination from recreational activities or possibly from untreated wastewater discharges from unknown sources. The method used in this study aids in studying the presence and behavior of circulating strains in birds. Additionally, it can help understand the potential public health risks of waterborne viruses, especially those transmitted through avian or human fecal matter in the local environment.

The zone of Ranvier has been identified as a stem cell niche located directly next to the epiphyseal growth plate in the knee structure, which has drawn attention as a potential area of study in stem cell therapy treatments for degenerative cartilage diseases, such as osteoarthritis. Cathepsin K, a cysteine protease, is a stem cell marker used to identify stem cells and the niches they reside in. This research aims to analyse Cathepsin K expression in the zone of Ranvier in 10 day postnatal mice, as well as zebrafish of three ages (3 and 5 days post fertilisation, and adult). Staining through immunohistochemistry, and imaging with fluorescent microscopy were the methods chosen to visualise the expression of each marker as they allow a preservation of the structural integrity of the sample. The images showed a nuclear expression of Cathepsin K in the zone of Ranvier. Meanwhile in zebrafish, it was concentrated in both nuclei and the extracellular matrix of jaw bones. There were no compelling differences in the expression between the developmental stages. The counterstaining performed with known stem cell niche markers helped identify both the location of the stem cell niches where Cathepsin K would be expected and the differences of expression between murine and fish tissues. The findings of this research showed Cathepsin K as one of the markers expressed in the zone of Ranvier, which gives further insight into this stem cell niche and its possible use in the treatment of osteoarthritis and other cartilage degenerative diseases.

The gut microbiota, comprised of a plethora of bacterial species, is a crucial part of the digestive system. The intestinal flora regulates many physiological processes and contributes to a large proportion of an individual's daily energy production. Certain bacteria phyla that reside in the mucus layer of the large intestine play an important role in our physiology. Gut bacteria are capable of processing complex fibres that are present in our diet, influencing organ function, and modulating the immune system. Even slight changes in the microbiota’s composition result in several pathologies. Bacteroides species are known for their ability to metabolize carbohydrates and have acquired interesting mechanisms of processing O- and N-glycosylated proteins, with the latter being the focus of this study. This experiment aims to elucidate the degrading mechanisms of N-glycosylated proteins by Bacteroides species, differentiate between the main degrader species, and analyse the extent of this degradation. Out of all the bacteria strains tested, Bacteroides fragilis and Bacteroides massiliensis displayed proteolytic activity on fetuin, which was further verified through Sodium Dodecyl Sulphate-Polyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analyses. Additionally, six B.fragilis proteins from the GH18 family were cloned and tested for enzymatic activity on various substrates, however, no activity was observed. This work established the phenotypes of bacterial N-glycan degradation.

No description available.

Cancer relapse in myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) patients receiving bone marrow transplantation can be predicted with measurable residual disease (MRD), by droplet digital polymerase chain reaction (ddPCR). ddPCR quantifies genomic DNA molecules in an absolute manner using end-point amplification. This work aims to demonstrate that ddPCR assay evaluation can be conducted with fewer healthy donor controls compared to methods for relative quantification. The hypothesis is further studied by applying the total error computed in the ddPCR system as a threshold for background noise in personalized assays. Ten assays for detecting MRD markers were evaluated in an optimized PCR-plate setup for accuracy and reproducibility of background in negative controls. Additionally, data analysis of negative controls collected from patient tests complied to the empirical limit of blank based on false - positive counts, in each assay. The findings indicate that the optimized setup accurately determines background noise, and empirical cutoffs for individualized assays are reliable for performance evaluations. This study supports ddPCR integration into clinical settings for personalized mutation analyses in MDS, providing an optimized setup and alternative metrics of evaluating assay performance in respect to the absolute quantification methodology.

Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder in children, characterized by symptoms such as hyperactivity, inattention and impulsivity, which often impairs the quality of life and successful performance. The disorder is associated with neurological, genetic and environmental factors affecting brain structure and cognitive function. Treatments include first-line pharmacological treatment, psychological therapy and neurofeedback training. Neurofeedback training with electroencephalography aims to regulate brain activity by targeting the dysregulated theta and beta rhythms, and the theta/beta ratio through personalized or standardized neurofeedback protocols to reduce ADHD symptoms and to improve cognitive function. This study aims to compare differences in the change of theta, beta and the individual alpha peak frequency (iAPF) based on personalized and standardized neurofeedback protocols targeting theta, beta and the theta/beta ratio. Nine children (age 7 to 13) were randomly assigned 16 sessions of personalized or standardized neurofeedback training over a span of two weeks; the neurofeedback protocol was personalized with the help of the iAPF. The theta and beta rhythms and the iAPF were measured by a quantitative electroencephalography and compared before and after the intervention by non-parametric Mann-Whitney-U, Wilcoxon Signed-Rank and Kruskal Wallis tests. These tests showed no significant difference between theta, beta and iAPF before and after the neurofeedback training within and across the personalized and standardized test groups. Previous studies showed an improvement of brain activity and cognitive function through neurofeedback training, but the small sample size and participant artifacts limited this study; concluding that valuable insights into neurofeedback training were gained.

No description available.