Search Our Scientific Publications & Authors

J Bone Joint Surg Am 2021 Apr 8. Epub 2021 Apr 8.

University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota.

➤: Our ability to accurately identify high fracture risk in individuals has improved as the volume of clinical data has expanded and fracture risk assessment tools have been developed.

➤: Given its accessibility, affordability, and low radiation exposure, dual x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) remains the standard for osteoporosis screening and monitoring response to treatment.

➤: The trabecular bone score (TBS) is a DXA software add-on that uses lumbar spine DXA imaging to produce an output that correlates with bone microarchitecture. Read More

BMC Nephrol 2021 04 7;22(1):123. Epub 2021 Apr 7.

Division of Immunology, Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, King Fahad Specialist Hospital, Dammam, Saudi Arabia, Dammam, Saudi Arabia.

Background: The seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 infection has been studied in immunocompetent children. However, data in the pediatric kidney transplant population (PKT) are lacking.

Methods: Using two commercial immunoassays that measured IgG antibodies against SARS-CoV-2 spike protein and IgG against the nucleocapsid (N) protein, we screened 72 PKT recipients who attended the outpatient clinic for routine blood work. Read More

Cells 2021 Mar 12;10(3). Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Shmunis School of Biomedicine and Cancer Research, Faculty of Life Sciences, Tel Aviv University, 69978 Ramat Aviv, Israel.

Human encodes lysosomal acid β-glucocerebrosidase (GCase), which hydrolyzes cleavage of the beta-glucosidic linkage of glucosylceramide (GlcCer). Mutations in this gene lead to reduced GCase activity, accumulation of glucosylceramide and glucosylsphingosine, and development of Gaucher disease (GD). has two orthologs. Read More

Biomedicines 2021 Mar 4;9(3). Epub 2021 Mar 4.

Department of Plastic, Reconstructive and Aesthetic Surgery, Geneva University Hospitals, Faculty of Medicine, 1205 Geneva, Switzerland.

Platelet-derived preparations are being used in clinic for their role in tissue repair and regenerative processes. The release of platelet-derived products such as autologous growth factors, cytokines and chemokines can trigger therapeutic angiogenesis. In this in vitro study, we evaluated and compared the ability of three platelet-derived preparations: platelet-rich-plasma (PRP), PRP-hyaluronic acid (PRP-HA) and platelet lysates (PL) at various concentrations (5-40%) to modulate human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) biological effects on metabolism, viability, senescence, angiogenic factors secretion and angiogenic capacities in 2D (endothelial tube formation assay or EFTA) and in 3D (fibrin bead assay or FBA). Read More

J Clin Med 2021 Mar 25;10(7). Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Clinic for Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Infectious Diseases, University Hospital Düsseldorf, Medical Faculty of Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, 40225 Düsseldorf, Germany.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) represent a new therapeutic standard for an increasing number of tumor entities. Nevertheless, individual response and outcome to ICI is very heterogeneous, and the identification of the ideal ICI candidate has remained one of the major issues. Sarcopenia and the progressive loss of muscle mass and strength, as well as muscular fat deposition, have been established as negative prognostic factors for a variety of diseases, but their role in the context of ICI therapy is not fully understood. Read More

J Endocr Soc 2021 Apr 20;5(4):bvab023. Epub 2021 Feb 20.

Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, McGill University, Montréal, Québec H3A 0C7, Canada.

Loss-of-function mutations in the X-linked immunoglobulin superfamily, member 1 () gene result in central hypothyroidism, often associated with macroorchidism. Testicular enlargement in these patients might be caused by increases in follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, as IGSF1 has been proposed to function as an inhibin B receptor or as an inhibitor of activin type I receptor (ALK4) activity in pituitary gonadotrope cells. If true, loss of IGSF1 should lead to reduced inhibin B action or disinhibition of activin signaling, thereby increasing FSH synthesis. Read More

Endocr Rev 2021 Mar 31. Epub 2021 Mar 31.

Emeritus of Pediatrics and Medicine, The University of Chicago Pritzker School of Medicine, Section of Adult and Pediatric Endocrinology, Metabolism, and Diabetes, Chicago, IL.

Adrenarche is the maturational increase in adrenal androgen production that normally begins in early childhood. It results from changes in the secretory response to ACTH that are best indexed by dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) rise. These changes are related to the development of the zona reticularis (ZR) and its unique gene/enzyme expression pattern of low 3ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 2 with high cytochrome b5A, sulfotransferase 2A1, and 17ß-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 5. Read More

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021 Apr;118(14)

Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213;

Survival in the human host requires bacteria to respond to unfavorable conditions. In the important Gram-positive pathogen , cell wall biosynthesis proteins MurM and MurN are tRNA-dependent amino acyl transferases which lead to the production of branched muropeptides. We demonstrate that wild-type cells experience optimal growth under mildly acidic stressed conditions, but Δ strain displays growth arrest and extensive lysis. Read More

Front Pharmacol 2021 12;12:646953. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Italian Liver Foundation (FIF), Trieste, Italy.

Unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) is more than the final product of heme catabolism. Mildly elevated systemic bilirubin concentrations, such as in Gilbert syndrome (GS), protect against various oxidative stress-mediated and metabolic diseases, including cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, cancer, and age-related disease. The Gunn rat is an animal model of hereditary hyperbilirubinemia widely used in assessing the effect of high serum bilirubin concentration in various organs. Read More

Pediatr Nephrol 2021 Mar 25. Epub 2021 Mar 25.

Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Centre, Huispost 463, Geert Grooteplein 8, 6525, GA, Nijmegen, the Netherlands.

Background: Genetic loss of function of AGT (angiotensinogen), REN (renin), ACE (angiotensin-converting enzyme), or AGTR1 (type-1 angiotensin II receptor) leads to renal tubular dysgenesis (RTD). This syndrome is almost invariably lethal. Most surviving patients reach stage 5 chronic kidney disease at a young age. Read More

Medicine (Baltimore) 2021 Mar;100(12):e25093

Department of Orthopedics, The Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University.

Abstract: Based on the Thompson classification of intervertebral discs (IVDs), we systematically analyzed gene expression differences between severely degenerated and mildly degenerated IVDs and explored the underlying molecular mechanisms using bioinformatics methods and multichip integration. We used multiomics analysis, includes mRNA microarray and methylation chips, to explore the genetic network and mechanisms of lumbar disc herniation (LDH). Subsequently, the Combat function of the R language SVA package was applied to eliminate heterogeneity between the gene expression data. Read More

PLoS One 2021 16;16(3):e0248729. Epub 2021 Mar 16.

Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, United States of America.

Background: As COVID-19 vaccines become available, screening individuals for prior COVID-19 infection and vaccine response in point-of-care (POC) settings has renewed interest. We prospectively screened at-risk individuals for SARS-CoV-2 spike and nucleocapsid protein antibodies in a POC setting to determine if it was a feasible method to identify antibody from prior infection.

Methods: Three EUA-approved lateral flow antibody assays were performed on POC finger-stick blood and compared with serum and a CLIA nucleocapsid antibody immunoassay. Read More

Front Behav Neurosci 2021 25;15:639790. Epub 2021 Feb 25.

Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Iowa State University, Ames, IA, United States.

Monoamine neurotransmitter activity in brain reward, limbic, and motor areas play key roles in the motivation to misuse alcohol and can become modified by exercise in a manner that may affect alcohol craving. This study investigated the influence of daily moderate physical activity on monoamine-related neurochemical concentrations across the mouse brain in response to high volume ethanol ingestion. Adult female C57BL/6J mice were housed with or without 2. Read More

Proc Biol Sci 2021 Mar 10;288(1946):20210128. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, Israel.

Underwater divers are susceptible to neurological risks due to their exposure to increased pressure. Absorption of elevated partial pressure of inert gases such as helium and nitrogen may lead to nitrogen narcosis. Although the symptoms of nitrogen narcosis are known, the molecular mechanisms underlying these symptoms have not been elucidated. Read More

Water Environ Res 2021 Mar 13. Epub 2021 Mar 13.

State Key Laboratory of Urban Water Resource and Environment, Harbin Institute of Technology, Harbin, China.

The efficiency of sludge dewatering is affected by the structure and composition of hydrated extracellular polymeric substances (EPS). Degrading EPS can improve the sludge dewatering performance. As an oxidizing agent, sodium periodate (NaIO ) has ability to oxidize organics, which is expected to decompose the protein and polysaccharide in EPS and improve the efficiency of sludge dewaterability. Read More

Thromb J 2021 Mar 12;19(1):17. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

Department of Emergency and Critical Care Medicine, Ehime University, Graduate School of Medicine, Shitsukawa 454, Toon City, Ehime, 791-0295, Japan.

Background: We conducted a prospective observational study for investigating the changes in the 13th member of a disintegrin-like and metalloprotease with thrombospondin type 1 motif (ADAMTS13) and its association with the coagulofibrinolytic response in adult trauma patients.

Methods: In 39 trauma patients hospitalized for longer than 7 days, time-course changes in biomarkers of coagulofibrinolysis and systemic inflammation along with ADAMTS13 activity were examined. The patients were stratified into three groups based on ADAMTS13 activities on admission (day 0): normal group (≥70%), mildly decreased group (≥50 and < 70%) and moderately decreased group (< 50%). Read More

Ecology 2021 Mar 12:e03333. Epub 2021 Mar 12.

University of Potsdam, Department of Plant Ecology and Nature Conservation, Institute of Biochemistry and Biology, Potsdam, Germany.

Nutrient enrichment is widespread throughout grassland systems and expected to increase during the Anthropocene. Trophic interactions, like aboveground herbivory, have been shown to mitigate its effect on plant diversity. Belowground herbivory may also impact these habitats' response to nutrient enrichment, but its influence is much less understood, and likely to depend on factors such as the herbivores' preference for dominant species and the symmetry of belowground competition. Read More

Eur J Neurol 2021 Mar 10. Epub 2021 Mar 10.

Neuroscience Research Centre, Institute of Molecular and Cell Sciences, St George's University of London, London, UK.

Background And Purpose: On the basis of occasional strong placebo responses, increased susceptibility to placebo has been proposed as a characteristic of functional neurological disorder (FND). The aim of this study was to clarify whether people with FND have a stronger placebo analgesic response than healthy controls.

Methods: A study using a classic placebo paradigm, with additional conditioning and open-label components, was performed in 30 patients with FND, and in 30 healthy controls. Read More

Nutrients 2021 Feb 20;13(2). Epub 2021 Feb 20.

Department of Surgical, Medical, Molecular and Critical Area Pathology, University of Pisa,I-56126 Pisa, Italy.

Nutritional science is gaining increasing attention due to the implicit potential to prevent cardio-metabolic diseases. It is also becoming clear that food-making process might influence the metabolic response to the meal. We have conducted a proof-of-concept study to investigate whether slowly processed pasta might positively impact glucose homeostasis. Read More

Brain Sci 2021 Feb 18;11(2). Epub 2021 Feb 18.

Sagol School of Neuroscience, Tel-Aviv University, Tel Aviv 69978, Israel.

Individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) are at a high risk of experiencing pain. Pain management requires assessment, a challenging mission considering the impaired communication skills in IDD. We analyzed subjective and objective responses following calibrated experimental stimuli to determine whether they can differentiate between painful and non-painful states, and adequately quantify pain among individuals with IDD. Read More

Polymers (Basel) 2021 Feb 13;13(4). Epub 2021 Feb 13.

Department of Engineering, University of Palermo, Viale delle Scienze, Edificio 6, 90128 Palermo, Italy.

The goal of this paper is to evaluate the effectiveness of a cost-effective and eco-friendly treatment based on the use of sodium citrate (NaCHO) on the mechanical properties of flax fiber reinforced composites. To this scope, flax fibers were soaked in mildly alkaline solutions of the sodium salt at different weight concentration (i.e. Read More

Am J Physiol Heart Circ Physiol 2021 04 5;320(4):H1609-H1624. Epub 2021 Mar 5.

Institute and Department of Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Medicine Osijek, Josip Juraj Strossmayer University of Osijek, Osijek, Croatia.

This study aimed to determine the mechanosensing role of angiotensin II type 1 receptor (ATR) in flow-induced dilation (FID) and oxidative stress production in middle cerebral arteries (MCA) of Sprague-Dawley rats. Eleven-week old, healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats on a standard diet were given the ATR blocker losartan (1 mg/mL) in drinking water (losartan group) or tap water (control group) ad libitum for 7 days. Blockade of ATR attenuated FID and acetylcholine-induced dilation was compared with control group. Read More

Case Rep Dermatol 2021 Jan-Apr;13(1):1-6. Epub 2021 Jan 7.

Dermatology, Hackensack Meridian Health Palisades Medical Center, North Bergen, New Jersey, USA.

Intralymphatic histiocytosis (ILH) is a rare cutaneous condition initially described in 1994 by O'Grady et al. It often appears as a red to violaceous, livedoid patch or plaque usually on the extremities. We present a 71-year-old female with a history of psoriasis, 50 pack years smoking and recent Legionnaires disease who came to us complaining of a red to violaceous, blanching, edematous, mildly tender lesion covering the left lower lip and extending to the chin and anterior neck. Read More

Neuroradiology 2021 Feb 15. Epub 2021 Feb 15.

Department of Applied Physiology and Kinesiology, College of Health and Human Performance, University of Florida, Gainesville, FL, USA.

Purpose: Following prolonged stays on the International Space Station (ISS), some astronauts exhibit visual acuity changes, ophthalmological findings, and mildly elevated intracranial pressures as part of a novel process called spaceflight-associated neuro-ocular syndrome (SANS). To determine the pathophysiology of SANS, NASA conducted a multi-investigator study in which 11 healthy participants underwent head-down tilt bed rest, mimicking microgravity-induced cephalad fluid shifts, combined with elevated ambient CO levels similar to those on the ISS (HDT+CO). As part of that study, we examined the effects of HDT+CO on cerebral perfusion. Read More

Front Neurol 2020 18;11:628014. Epub 2021 Jan 18.

Departamento de Oftalmologia e Ciências Visuais, Escola Paulista de Medicina, Universidade Federal de São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil.

The photopic negative response (PhNR) is an electrophysiological method that provides retinal ganglion cell function assessment using full-field stimulation that does not require clear optics or refractive correction. The purpose of this study was to assess ganglion cell function by PhNR in affected and asymptomatic carriers from Brazilian families with LHON. Individuals either under suspicion or previously diagnosed with LHON and their family members were invited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Read More

J Alzheimers Dis 2021 ;80(2):683-693

Department of Neurology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.

Background: Transactive response DNA-binding protein of 43 kDa (TDP-43) is associated with memory impairment and overall cognitive decline. It is unclear how TDP-43 contributes to the rate of clinical decline.

Objective: To determine whether cross-sectional and longitudinal cognitive and functional decline are associated with anatomical distribution of TDP-43 in the brain. Read More

J Mech Behav Biomed Mater 2021 05 13;117:104326. Epub 2021 Jan 13.

The Dodd-Walls Centre for Photonic and Quantum Technologies, Department of Physics, The University of Auckland, Auckland, 1010, New Zealand.

Non-invasive determination of structural changes in articular cartilage immediately after impact and rehydration provides insight into the response and recovery of the soft tissue, as well as provides a potential methodology for clinicians to quantify early degenerative changes. In this study, we use polarisation-sensitive optical coherence tomography (PS-OCT) to examine subtle alterations of the optical properties in healthy and early-stage degenerate articular cartilage immediately after impact loading to identify structurally relevant metrics required for understanding the mechanical factors of osteoarthritic initiation and progression. A custom-designed impact testing rig was used to deliver 0. Read More

JCO Glob Oncol 2021 02;7:242-252

King Saud Bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.

Purpose: As frontline workers facing the COVID-19 pandemic, healthcare providers should be well-prepared to fight the disease and prevent harm to their patients and themselves. Our study aimed to evaluate the knowledge, attitude, and practice of oncologists in response to the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on them.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a validated questionnaire disseminated to oncologists by SurveyMonkey. Read More

Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2021 Mar 2;545:54-61. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Department of Spine Surgery, Shanghai East Hospital, Tongji University School of Medicine, 150 Jimo Rd, Shanghai, 200120, China. Electronic address:

ACTG1 is a member of the actin family but is not a muscle actin gene. The ACTG1 mutation leads to hearing loss in humans, and the knockdown of ACTG1 suppresses the proliferation and migration of tumor cells; however, its role in intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is yet unclear. Bioinformatics methods revealed that ACTG1 might be a hub gene in IDD. Read More

J Biotechnol 2021 Mar 2;329:80-91. Epub 2021 Feb 2.

Instituto de Biotecnología y Biología Molecular -CONICET CCT La Plata Departamento de Ciencias Biológicas, Facultad de Ciencias Exactas, Universidad Nacional de La Plata, La Plata, Argentina. Electronic address:

The nitrogen-fixing α-proteobacterium Sinorhizobium meliloti genome codifies at least 50 response regulator (RR) proteins mediating different and, in many cases, unknown processes. RR-mutant library screening allowed us to identify genes potentially implicated in survival to acid conditions. actJ mutation resulted in a strain with reduced growth rate under mildly acidic conditions as well as a lower capacity to tolerate a sudden shift to lethal acidic conditions compared with the parental strain. Read More