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Initial 4-Year Experience With Microaxial Flow Pumps Within a Tertiary Centre in Regional Australia.

BACKGROUND & AIM: The Microaxial Flow Pump (MFP) is a miniaturised rotary pump that aspirates blood from the left ventricle and expels it into the ascending aorta. It unloads the left ventricle and increases mean arterial pressure and cardiac output. MFP is most commonly utilised in cardiogenic shock, for protected percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), and for ventricular offloading in veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (VA-ECMO). METHOD: We conducted a retrospective review of all patients who underwent MFP insertion at John Hunter Hospital, Australia. Categorical data are represented as counts and percentages, with continuous variables described as means with standard deviations. RESULTS: Twenty-three MFP devices were inserted between September 2020 and May 2024. Five (22%) were for protected PCI, three (13%) for venting with VA-ECMO (ECPELLA), and 15 (65%) for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) and cardiogenic shock. The median age for the overall cohort was 62 years, with a 74% male predominance. Eighty percent of the protected PCI cohort were elective outpatient procedures, and there were no deaths in this cohort. The mortality in the ECPELLA group was 67%. Thirteen (87%) of the patients with cardiogenic shock presented with an anterior infarct, and 53% had cardiac arrest on admission. The overall morality in the cardiogenic shock cohort was 40%. Complications in this cohort included limb ischaemia in four patients (17%) and site bleeding in seven patients (30%). Four patients (17%) required vascular surgery intervention. CONCLUSION: Our initial experience showed the use of MFP in a tertiary centre was safe and feasible, allowing progression from protected percutaneous intervention to acute cardiogenic shock.

Humans

Antegrade dissection and re-entry vs retrograde strategy in chronic total occlusion percutaneous coronary intervention: Rationale and design of the ADRENALINE randomized study.

RATIONALE: While antegrade wiring (AW) is the most common initial strategy for chronic total occlusion (CTO) percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), difficult CTO lesions frequently require either antegrade dissection and re-entry (ADR) or a retrograde strategy. Comparative data between ADR and the retrograde approach remain limited. DESIGN: The Antegrade Dissection vs Retrograde re-ENtry And Load of Interventionalist Effort (ADRENALINE) is a prospective, multicenter randomized study with a superiority design. It is planned to enroll 121 patients with difficult coronary CTO (J-CTO score ≥2) referred for CTO-PCI in accordance with the hybrid algorithm. Subjects undergoing successful AW will be included in the observational arm. Patients with failed or unattempted AW will be randomized 1:1 to ADR or retrograde CTO crossing strategy (n = 74). All patients will undergo pre- and postprocedural laboratory testing (including cardiac troponin T and creatine kinase-MB), cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR) for late gadolinium enhancement, and health status assessment by the Seattle Angina Questionnaire and the Rose Dyspnea Scale. The co-primary endpoints are total procedure time and successful guidewire crossing. Additionally, the relationship between different recanalization strategies and stress among interventional cardiologists will be explored. CONCLUSION: ADRENALINE is the first randomized study of ADR vs retrograde strategy for difficult CTO PCI, assessing procedural outcomes, CMR-detected myocardial infarction, and 3-month quality of life. ENROLMENT STATUS: The first patient was enrolled on July 29, 2025. As of June 14, 2026, 45 patients (26 randomized, 19 observational) of the planned 121 patients have been enrolled. TRIALS REGISTRATION: Clinicaltrials.gov: Identifier, NCT06878729.

Humans

Pre-transport dietary chitosan improves the physiological robustness of juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides) by modulating antioxidant and inflammatory responses.

The acute stress caused by long-distance transport can lead to oxidative damage, immune dysfunction, and health deterioration in fish. This study evaluated dietary chitosan as a pre-transport nutritional strategy for juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Five experimental diets contained chitosan at 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, or 10.0 g/kg, designated as p0, p25, p50, p75, and p100, respectively, for 56 d. The effects of dietary chitosan were evaluated using growth performance, feed utilization, digestive function, antioxidant capacity, nonspecific immunity, and resistance to Aeromonas hydrophila infection. Then, fish from the p0 and p50 groups underwent a 12-h transport stress test, with samples collected before, during, and 7 d after transport. Dietary chitosan improved most of these parameters. Among the treatment groups, p50 and p75 showed the best overall performance. The dose-response analysis further indicated that the appropriate dietary inclusion range was 5.0-7.5 g/kg. Under transport stress, fish in the p50 group exhibited more stable antioxidant enzyme responses and lower lipid peroxidation, as indicated by reduced MDA levels. Consistent with these enzyme responses, antioxidant-related genes remained relatively stable. At the same time, expression patterns related to the Nrf2-Keap1 and NF-κB signaling pathways suggested that 5.0 g/kg chitosan alleviated transport-induced oxidative damage and inflammation. Dietary chitosan also attenuated pro-inflammatory gene induction and altered the temporal expression patterns of anti-inflammatory genes. Overall, 5.0-7.5 g/kg dietary chitosan is suitable for juvenile largemouth bass, and 5.0 g/kg may serve as an effective pre-transport dietary inclusion level.

Animals

Harnessing Endogenous Plasticity Rather than Reprogramming of Mature Cells Will Advance Regenerative Medicine, Cancer Treatment and Rejuvenation.

The successful culture of human embryonic stem (hES) cells from inner cell mass cells of blastocyst stage 'spare' embryos in 1998, followed by induced pluripotent stem (iPS) cells in 2006, which allowed somatic cells to be reprogrammed to pluripotency using the Yamanaka factors, transformed regenerative biology and inspired extensive global efforts towards developing pluripotent stem cell-based applications. However, hES and iPS cells, as well as organoids generated from them, largely retain fetal-like characteristics, which limits their relevance for clinical translation. Concurrently, the prevailing assumption published in leading journals that adult tissues lack endogenous stem cells has led to the belief that mature cells dedifferentiate and reprogram during in vivo regeneration upon chronic injury, and that the appearance of embryonic/fetal markers in diabetes, heart failure, cancer, and many other chronic disease states reflects dedifferentiation of mature cells. We suggest that the prevailing concepts of dedifferentiation and reprogramming, both in vitro and in vivo, require careful re-evaluation. Adult somatic cells possibly do not truly dedifferentiate, neither in vitro nor in vivo. Instead, tissue-resident, pluripotent, very small embryonic-like stem cells (VSELs) in multiple organs account for the observed biology. In vitro "reprogramming" responses to Yamanaka factors likely reflect selective activation and expansion of VSELs/early progenitors rather than the dedifferentiation/ reprogramming of mature adult somatic cells. Likewise, the embryonic/fetal-like signatures reported in multiple disease states including cancer reflect expansion of immature tissue-specific progenitors that arise from VSELs but fail to differentiate normally due to a damaged microenvironment in vivo. Therapeutic strategies involving transplantation of MSCs, MUSE cells, or their secreted exosomes improve disease outcomes, possibly by restoring the damaged niche that supports functional tissue repair by VSELs. Although direct evidence to support this is lacking at present, recognising the central role of VSELs/progenitors and their niche in maintaining tissue homeostasis in vivo could resolve existing roadblocks and guide more effective endogenous regenerative therapies for diseased tissues and age-related dysfunctions.

Humans

Comparative assessment of post-transport disease susceptibility in Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer): Associations with oxidative stress, immune responses, gut microbiota, and tissue pathology.

Stress is a crucial factor that affects aquaculture systems, particularly during transportation, which often leads to deteriorated fish health and reduced survival rates. This study aimed to investigate the comparative differences in physiological changes, oxidative stress parameters, and immune responses between clinically healthy and diseased Asian seabass (Lates calcarifer) following commercial transportation. The study compared the health status of fish after transportation, categorized into healthy (Healthy) and diseased (Disease) groups. Assessments were conducted on oxidative stress parameters, immune responses, gut microbiota composition, and tissue pathology. The results showed that diseased fish exhibited significantly higher oxidative stress levels (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05), as indicated by an increase in malondialdehyde (MDA) levels and altered antioxidant and redox-related markers, including superoxide dismutase (SOD), nitric oxide (NO), catalase (CAT), glutathione (GSH), glutathione reductase (GR), and glutathione peroxidase (GPx), measured across multiple target tissues (head kidney, gills, liver, intestine, and brain), compared with healthy fish. Furthermore, the expression of immune-related genes was significantly downregulated in diseased fish after transportation, indicating immune suppression. In contrast, healthy fish maintained a more balanced immune response, which may partially mitigate the adverse effects of transport-induced stress. Gut microbiota analysis revealed that diseased fish had a significant reduction in beneficial bacteria such as Cetobacterium somerae and Bacillus spp., accompanied by a significant (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05) increase in opportunistic pathogens including Aeromonas spp., Photobacterium spp., and Vibrio spp. Histopathological examination showed severe damage in the gills, liver, and intestines of diseased fish (P&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.05), while only minor tissue alterations were observed in healthy fish. Overall, the findings indicate that post-transport diseased Asian seabass exhibit marked oxidative stress, impaired antioxidant defense, altered immune responses, gut microbial dysbiosis, and multi-organ tissue damage compared with clinically healthy post-transport fish. These results suggest that deterioration of transport conditions may contribute to post-transport morbidity and disease susceptibility.

Animals

Clopidogrel Versus Dual-Antiplatelet Therapy for Long-Term Maintenance After Coronary Stenting in Ischemic and Bleeding Birisk Patients With Acute Coronary Syndromes and Diabetes: A Prespecified Subgroup Analysis of the OPT-BIRISK Trial.

BACKGROUND: Among patients with acute coronary syndromes at both high bleeding and ischemic risk (birisk), extended clopidogrel monotherapy after 9 to 12&#x2009;months of dual-antiplatelet therapy reduces bleeding without increasing ischemia. Whether this benefit extends to birisk patients with diabetes is unknown. METHODS: This prespecified subgroup analysis of the OPT-BIRISK (Optimal Antiplatelet Therapy for High Bleeding and Ischemic Risk Patients) trial included birisk patients with acute coronary syndrome who had completed 9 to 12&#x2009;months of dual-antiplatelet therapy after percutaneous coronary intervention. Patients were then randomized 1:1 to 9&#x2009;months of clopidogrel&#x2009;plus&#x2009;placebo versus clopidogrel&#x2009;plus&#x2009;aspirin. Outcomes were compared by diabetes status. The primary end point was Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding at 9 months after randomization. The key secondary end point was major adverse cardiac and cerebral events, defined as a composite outcome of all-cause death, myocardial infarction, stroke, or clinically driven revascularization. RESULTS: Of 7758 patients, 4072 (52.5%) had diabetes. Clopidogrel monotherapy decreased Bleeding Academic Research Consortium type 2, 3, or 5 bleeding (2.1% versus 3.2%; hazard ratio [HR], 0.66 [95% CI, 0.45-0.97]) with no increase in major adverse cardiac and cerebral events (2.9% versus 3.6%; HR, 0.79 [95% CI, 0.56-1.12]) compared with clopidogrel plus aspirin in patients with diabetes. Outcomes were consistent in patients without diabetes, with no significant interactions by diabetes status. CONCLUSIONS: In birisk patients with acute coronary syndrome who were stable on dual-antiplatelet therapy with clopidogrel plus aspirin for 9 to 12 months after percutaneous coronary intervention, clopidogrel monotherapy for an additional 9 months reduced clinically relevant bleeding without increasing ischemic events compared with continued dual-antiplatelet therapy, irrespective of diabetes status. REGISTRATION: URL: https://clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03431142.

Aged

Early and late CTCAE and patient-reported outcomes following lung cancer radiotherapy: A sex-stratified descriptive analysis from the REQUITE cohort.

BACKGROUND: Long-term prospective data on lung cancer patients treated with radiotherapy are limited, restricting understanding of outcomes and sex-specific characteristics. The multicentre REQUITE study provides standardized follow-up data from an international cohort. METHODS: We analysed longitudinal data from 530 lung cancer patients treated with radical radiotherapy (sequential or concurrent chemoradiotherapy, or stereotactic body radiation therapy [SBRT]) between 2014 and 2017 at 16 centres in Europe and the USA. Healthcare professionals prospectively recorded 21 pulmonary, oesophageal, neurological, cardiac, and skin adverse events using CTCAE v4.0. Patient-reported outcomes assessed symptoms, quality-of-life, fatigue, and physical activity. Adverse event incidence was stratified by sex, radiotherapy technique, chemotherapy administration, smoking status, and other clinical factors. RESULTS: At 12&#xa0;months, 309 patients were evaluable, with 151 having follow-up beyond one year. Pulmonary adverse events were most frequent (40% grade&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;2), mainly dyspnoea and cough. Women had higher rates of oesophagitis, and more frequently reported dysphagia, and chest wall pain, while men experienced a higher frequency of cardiac adverse events. Exploratory subgroup analyses identified significant sex-related differences in grade&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;3 pulmonary adverse events following SBRT and in overall grade&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;2 oesophageal adverse events among patients with clinical stage I-II and those aged >70&#xa0;years. Patient-reported outcomes showed persistent fatigue and reduced physical activity, particularly in females. Symptom prevalence and severity varied by sex, age, treatment modality, smoking status, and clinical stage. CONCLUSION: The REQUITE-Lung cohort provides prospectively collected real-world data on radiotherapy-related adverse events in lung cancer patients. This study describes patterns of adverse events and patient-reported outcomes according to sex, age, and treatment characteristics. These findings are hypothesis-generating and may support future validation in independent and pooled datasets.

Patient-reported outcomes

Colchicine to prevent cardiovascular events in thoracic surgery patients with or without coronary artery disease: a secondary analysis.

OBJECTIVES: This exploratory post hoc secondary analysis of the Colchicine for the Prevention of Perioperative Atrial Fibrillation (COP-AF) randomised controlled trial evaluated the association between coronary artery disease (CAD) and postoperative ischaemic outcomes after non-cardiac thoracic surgery and assessed whether colchicine had differential effects by CAD status. METHODS: Patients were randomised to colchicine 0.5&#x2009;mg or placebo two times per day for 10 days. Follow-up was 14 days. The primary outcome was myocardial injury after non-cardiac surgery (MINS). A key secondary outcome was the composite of death, MINS and stroke. Cox proportional hazards models assessed the association between CAD and outcomes, with interaction terms to explore whether colchicine had differential effects by CAD status. RESULTS: Of 3209 patients enrolled, 331 (10.3%) had CAD. MINS occurred in 29.3% (n=97) and 18.2% (n=523) of patients with and without CAD, adjusted HR (aHR) 1.53 (95% CI 1.22 to 1.92; p<0.001). For colchicine versus placebo, the HR for MINS was 0.82 (95% CI 0.55 to 1.22) in CAD versus 0.91 (95% CI 0.77 to 1.08) in non-CAD patients (p for interaction=0.61). Death, stroke or MINS occurred in 30.2% (n=100) vs 18.6% (n=535), respectively (aHR 1.53, 95% CI 1.22 to 1.91; p<0.001). Colchicine HRs were 0.77 (95% CI 0.52 to 1.14)&#x2009;vs 0.91 (95% CI 0.76 to 1.07; p for interaction=0.45). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with CAD undergoing thoracic surgery had a higher risk of MINS and other ischaemic outcomes than non-CAD patients. There was no evidence that the effect of colchicine differed between patients with and without CAD; however, these analyses were limited by sample size and do not exclude modest differences between subgroups.

Humans

Alternative End Joining Dependency Imposed by miR-21-5p Defines Radiation Resistance and a Targetable Vulnerability in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Clinical control of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is constrained by heterogeneous radiosensitivity driven by divergent DNA damage response programs. The architecture and functional contribution of alternative end joining (Alt-EJ), an error-prone DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair pathway frequently upregulated in cancer, to radiation resistance remains poorly defined. METHODS AND MATERIALS: We profiled microRNAs in radioresistant OSCC clones and performed multiomic integration across an institutional OSCC cohort, an external OSCC cohort from the Gene Expression Omnibus, The Cancer Genome Atlas pan-cancer tumors, and cell lines characterized by Sanger Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer to infer DNA damage response characteristics, genomic scar features, drug sensitivity, and radiation therapy outcomes. DSB repair capacity and pathway usage were validated using functional assays, including Alt-EJ reporters and droplet digital PCR quantification of microhomology-mediated repair events. Core Alt-EJ effectors such as PARP1 and POLQ were perturbed genetically and pharmacologically. Therapeutic efficacy of PARP or POLQ inhibition with or without irradiation was tested in a syngeneic OSCC model, followed by bulk tumor transcriptomics to assess pathway engagement. RESULTS: Upregulation of miR-21-5p was not only selectively detected in radioresistant OSCC, but also modulated radiosensitivity in vitro and in vivo, and was associated with inferior postradiation therapy survival. A calibrated miR-21-5p target-gene signature tracked Alt-EJ activity across patient and mouse tumors and cancer cell lines, correlated with microhomology-mediated indels and broader genomic scarring, and predicted sensitivity to clinically available PARP inhibitors. Functionally, enforced miR-21-5p expression increased Alt-EJ usage and accelerated DSB repair, whereas inhibition or depletion of key Alt-EJ effectors reduced repair efficiency and restored radiosensitivity. In vivo, Alt-EJ targeting with PARP or POLQ inhibitor abrogated miR-21-5p-driven radiation resistance; transcriptomic profiling supported suppression of Alt-EJ programs as the operative mechanism. CONCLUSIONS: These findings establish a mechanistic link between miR-21-5p activity and Alt-EJ dependence, provide a clinically deployable signature to identify Alt-EJ-dependent OSCC, and support rational combinations of Alt-EJ targeting agents with radiation therapy to overcome treatment failure and advance precision radiation oncology.

MicroRNAs

The effect of penile tourniquet and continuous artificial erection on penile erectile tissues: An experimental study.

INTRODUCTION: Penile tourniquet (PT) is known to cause ischemic injury, which worsens with prolonged application. Artificial erection (AE), formed by intracorporal saline injection mostly under PT, has been practiced for decades to evaluate penile curvature, yet its effect on erectile tissues has never been investigated. In this study, we examined a modified approach, continuous artificial erection (CAE), and investigated its effects on erectile tissues. OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate the histopathological and immunohistochemical effects of CAE on penile erectile tissues. STUDY DESIGN: Thirty-five rats were randomized into five groups. Four experiment groups received 20 or 40 min of isolated PT (20T and 40T) or PT with CAE (20T&E and 40T&E). CAE was achieved through continuous intracavernosal saline injection. Penectomy was performed three weeks post-procedure in the experiment groups and directly in the control group. Erectile tissue samples were evaluated using light microscopy for histopathological parameters including inflammation, neovascularization and fibrosis, and by immunohistochemistry. Endothelial function was assessed by eNOS and e-selectin staining, while ICAM-1 staining was used to assess chronic inflammation. RESULTS: 40T showed the highest levels of inflammation, fibrosis, and endothelial dysfunction. 20T had significantly less inflammation than 40T, with a non-significant increase in fibrosis and alteration of endothelial markers. 40T&E displayed the second-highest fibrosis rate (adjusted p > 0.05), while 20T&E showed complete absence of fibrosis. Both 40T&E and 20T&E preserved strong eNOS and e-selectin expression, identical to controls. ICAM-1 expression in 20T&E was also consistent with the control group. The most significant difference in erectile tissue damage was noted between 40T and 20T&E. CONCLUSION: This is the first study to evaluate the effects of AE on erectile tissues. Findings of this experimental model support that, CAE does not increase the tissue damage that is already caused by PT, but rather reduces it, likely through the washout of blood elements contributing to reperfusion injury. CAE possibly provides a protective effect on erectile tissues by preserving endothelial function, reducing inflammation and fibrosis, especially under 20 minutes of duration. These findings may support that AE maneuvers such as "artificial erection test" and CAE are potentially safe, while further studies are needed to assess the detailed effects of CAE.

Male

Effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on markers of endothelial function in persons with type 2 diabetes: A post hoc analysis of a randomized clinical trial.

AIMS: The endothelium maintains vascular health by regulating blood flow and protecting against inflammatory damage. In type 2 diabetes (T2DM), however, hyperglycemia, hypertension, and hyperlipidemia place a significant burden on the endothelium, potentially leading to atherosclerosis and cardiovascular disease (CVD). While semaglutide and empagliflozin have been shown to reduce CVD risk in T2DM, it remains unclear whether these benefits are mediated by improved endothelial function. This post-hoc analysis explores the effects of these agents on markers of endothelial function, i.e. the reactive hyperaemic index (RHI) and the endothelial-derived cell adhesion molecules (CAMs) E-Selectin, ICAM-1, P-Selectin, and VCAM-1. METHODS: This was a post-hoc analysis of a 32-week randomized trial evaluating the separate and combined effects of semaglutide and empagliflozin on cardio-renal organ damage. One hundred and twenty participants with type 2 diabetes, age&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;50 were randomized to four groups (semaglutide, empagliflozin, the combination or placebo). An increase in RHI and/or a decrease in CAMs were considered beneficial. RESULTS: RHI increased compared to baseline (0.11, 95%CI [0.008;0.21], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.03) but not compared to placebo in the semaglutide group (0.11, 95%CI [-0.04;0.24], p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.16). There was no effect on RHI in the empagliflozin group. Compared to placebo, E-Selectin decreased significantly in the semaglutide and combination groups (-9, 95%CI [-14.1;-5.1] p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01 and&#xa0;-&#xa0;9, 95%CI [-14.3; -5.2] p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01, respectively). VCAM-1 increased in the same groups, compared to placebo (12.3, 95%CI[2.8;20.8] p&#xa0;=&#xa0;0.01 and 16.2, 95%CI [7.2;24.3], p&#xa0;<&#xa0;0.01, respectively).P-Selectin and ICAM-1 was not significantly affected in any of the groups, compared to placebo (p&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.11 and p&#xa0;&#x2265;&#xa0;0.09, respectively). CONCLUSION: Semaglutide improved endothelial function compared to baseline, but not significantly versus placebo, which likely is due to limited power. CAM responses were heterogeneous, suggesting distinct roles in endothelial dysfunction and atherosclerosis. ClinicalTrialsRegister.eu: EudraCT 2019-000781-38.

Aged

Molecular mechanisms of natural de novo shoot organogenesis and their applications.

Natural de novo shoot organogenesis (DNSO) is the spontaneous regeneration of shoots from wound sites outside the shoot apical region through endogenous developmental programs. This regenerative capacity enables plants to recover from severe tissue damage by re-establishing the shoot-root axis. Here, we review current knowledge about the molecular mechanisms of natural DNSO, focusing on transcriptomic and physiological studies in model plants. Accumulating evidence suggests that natural DNSO proceeds through three sequential phases: (i) early wound responses, characterized by the activation of the WIND1-ESR1 module and the establishment of apical-basal auxin asymmetry; (ii) cellular proliferation driven by metabolic and cell-cycle reprogramming; and (iii) cytokinin-mediated establishment of shoot apical meristem identity. We also discuss how these mechanistic insights have been harnessed for practical applications, including tissue culture-free transformation systems such as the cut-dip-budding (CDB) method, and developmental reprogramming strategies that employ ectopic expression of developmental regulator (DR) genes to induce DNSO in otherwise recalcitrant species. Together, these advances illustrate how understanding natural regeneration can guide the development of simplified, broadly applicable plant transformation technologies.

Plant Shoots

Proteomic analysis of cisplatin-induced spermatogenesis defects in mice.

BACKGROUND: Cisplatin is a crucial chemotherapeutic agent used for treating various cancers; however, its excessive use can cause irreversible damage to the reproductive system, and the protein expression profile of cisplatin-induced testicular injury remains unclear. METHODS: Male C57BL/6 mice were treated with cisplatin at various doses, and testes were collected for histological, immunofluorescence, and proteomic analyses. Germ cell loss and apoptosis were assessed using H&E staining, TUNEL assays, and immunofluorescence for LIN28A, SYCP3, MVH, and CDK1. Label-free quantitative proteomics identified differentially expressed proteins, which were analyzed for functional enrichment and protein-protein interactions. RESULTS: We observed that cisplatin treatment led to smaller testes, reduced sperm count, and a significant decrease in the number of spermatocytes and spermatids in mice. Label-free quantitative proteomic analysis revealed that cisplatin significantly reduced the expression of cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1), a key spermatogenesis regulator, in the testes. Reduction in CDK1 expression is correlated with spermatogenic arrest, particularly in spermatocytes. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the critical role of CDK1 in cisplatin-induced spermatogenic dysfunction and provide new insights into fertility preservation strategies for patients with cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

Animals

Nephropathies Associated with Sickle Cell Trait and How to Study Them.

Sickle cell trait (SCT), which carries a single point mutation in the hemoglobin-&#x3b2; (HBB) gene, has long been considered a benign condition. However, epidemiological evidence challenges this assumption, revealing that individuals with SCT face an elevated risk of renal dysfunction. However, this field of study remains ill-defined as it has focused on sickle cell disease (SCD), where renal complications are severe. As SCT is more prevalent than SCD, consequences of nephropathies in this group translate into a substantial and largely unaddressed public health burden. Clinical data, primarily observational, implicate age and sex in the development of SCT-associated nephropathies. These manifestations span glomerular hyperfiltration, tubular damage, hematuria, renal papillary necrosis, renal medullary carcinoma, and progression to chronic kidney disease, all complications that cluster disproportionately in older male individuals. Despite this, the mechanistic basis of SCT nephropathy, the thresholds at which renal injury becomes clinically significant, and the optimal strategies for early identification and prevention remain inadequately defined. In vitro studies have primarily focused on SCD blood cell biology, with SCT receiving comparatively little attention. Humanized murine models (i.e., Berkeley and Townes) have recapitulated some SCT-associated renal phenotypes but need to be more fully characterized. This review aims to provide an overview of the biology of sickle cell trait nephropathies, the gaps in our knowledge, and the model systems we can use to fill those gaps.

Journal Article

L-glutamine supplementation improves porcine sperm quality and early embryo development during in vitro fertilization.

L-glutamine (Gln), as a key additive in porcine sperm capacitation medium and in vitro fertilization (IVF) systems, has been shown to significantly improve sperm motility and survival rates. However, its precise roles during porcine IVF and subsequent early embryonic development remain elusive. This study utilized an IVF model in pigs to investigate the effects of glutamine on sperm quality and embryonic development. We found that Gln supplementation during sperm treatment significantly improved sperm quality, as evidenced by reduced reactive oxygen species (ROS) production and early apoptosis, while enhancing calcium ion levels and endoplasmic reticulum activity. Supplementing glutamine during embryo culture reduced polyspermy rates, promoted zygotic genome activation (ZGA) and accumulation of 5-ethynyluridine (EU) and histone modifications (H3K4me3 and H3K27ac) at the two-cell and four-cell stages, increased blastocyst formation rates and total cell numbers, while simultaneously reducing DNA damage and early apoptosis during the blastocyst stage. In summary, these findings demonstrate that Gln enhances porcine IVF outcomes by improving sperm quality, reducing polyspermy, and facilitating early embryonic development, thereby providing a basis for optimizing culture systems.

Animals

Longitudinal Neurocognitive Changes for Patients With Hematologic Malignancies Undergoing Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation: A Systematic Review With Structured Narrative Synthesis.

OBJECTIVES: Neurocognitive changes in hematological malignancies (HM) and as a sequela of hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) remain under-recognized. These changes may substantially affect patients' quality of life. Therefore, this review systematically evaluated longitudinal neurocognitive changes in patients with HM undergoing HSCT. METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, PubMed, Scopus, and CINAHL were searched on October 30, 2025. Longitudinal studies assessing neurocognitive changes in patients with HM undergoing HSCT, with or without healthy controls, were included. Risk of bias was assessed using an adapted National Institutes of Health quality assessment tool for before-after studies. Effect sizes with 95% confidence intervals were calculated to quantify changes in neurocognitive performance. RESULTS: Nine of 2012 studies met the inclusion criteria, with overall moderate study quality. Improvements may occur post-HSCT; however, allogeneic HSCT and myeloablative conditioning were main risk factors identified for persistent cognitive decline. In line with white matter damage, executive function and attention/processing speed impairments likely represent core deficits, which may affect other cognitive impairments. Post-HSCT changes depend on task characteristics, cognitive load, and conditioning intensity. CONCLUSIONS: Future research should emphasize regular neurocognitive assessment to guide cognitive rehabilitation, implement pre-transplant cognitive rehabilitation strategies to mitigate post-HSCT cognitive decline, and enhance treatment outcomes.

Humans

Molecular mechanisms of neuroendocrine regulation of molting in the Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis): A transcriptomic analysis based on eyestalk ablation model.

Molting disability severely restricts the sustainable aquaculture of the Chinese mitten crab, yet the neuroendocrine mechanisms coordinating physiological responses remain poorly understood. Using unilateral eyestalk ablation to remove the primary source of molt-inhibiting hormone (MIH), we performed time-resolved transcriptomic profiling of the thoracic ganglion at 24&#xa0;h (early premolt) and 48&#xa0;h (ecdysis) post-ablation. We identified 2825 differentially expressed genes and uncovered a biphasic molecular response. At 24&#xa0;h, the thoracic ganglion activates pathways associated with neuromuscular adaptation, oxidative stress, and cardiac muscle contraction. Notably, the arachidonic acid metabolism pathway is selectively rewired: cytochrome P450 &#x3c9;-hydroxylases (CYP2J2, CYP4V2) are upregulated, while competing branches (epoxide hydrolase, cyclooxygenase) are suppressed, promoting local synthesis of the potent vasoconstrictor 20-HETE within the thoracic ganglion. This enzymatic switch provides a mechanistic link between MIH withdrawal and the local generation of elevated hemolymph pressure required for molting. By 48&#xa0;h, the transcriptional program shifts toward chitin-based extracellular matrix remodeling, glycosphingolipid biosynthesis, and synaptic reorganization. Collectively, our findings redefine the thoracic ganglion as an active neuroendocrine integrator that translates reduced MIH signaling into phased physiological outputs, revealing a "neuro-endocrine-hemolymph pressure" regulatory axis. This study provides novel molecular targets (e.g., CYP2J2, CHS1, UGCG) for mitigating molting disability in E. sinensis aquaculture.

Animals

Targeting Gasdermins for Therapeutic Interventions in Central Nervous System Injury.

Central nervous system (CNS) injuries are the leading cause of permanent disability and premature death in adults worldwide, with their incidence continuing to rise amid social development. These injuries not only severely impair the quality of life but also impose a heavy burden on the global public health system. Current clinical interventions, such as decompression and thrombolysis, can alleviate primary injury but fail to effectively reverse the secondary neuroinflammatory damage. Traditional anti-inflammatory therapies, which cannot block the upstream source of the inflammatory cascade, have led to repeated failures in global clinical translation research over the past decades. Gasdermins were first characterized in studies of systemic inflammatory diseases. These proteins form transmembrane pores to drive the release of proinflammatory factors and inflammatory cell death, serving as key mediators of host innate immunity. Recent studies have revealed that gasdermins play critical roles in regulating the initiation and amplification of neuroinflammation following CNS injury. To clarify the therapeutic potential of gasdermins as targets for injury repair, this review systematically summarizes the structure and function of gasdermins, as well as their cell-specific activation and regulatory mechanisms. We further elaborate on their pathological roles in these injuries and the corresponding therapeutic strategies, aiming to provide a theoretical reference for basic research and clinical translation in this field.

Humans