Identification of astroglia-like cardiac nexus glia that are critical regulators of cardiac development and function

Glial cells are essential for functionality of the nervous system. Growing evidence underscores the importance of astrocytes; however, analogous astroglia in peripheral organs are poorly understood. Using confocal time-lapse imaging, fate mapping, and mutant genesis in a zebrafish model, we identify a neural crest–derived glial cell, termed nexus glia, which utilizes Meteorin signaling via Jak/Stat3… Continue reading Identification of astroglia-like cardiac nexus glia that are critical regulators of cardiac development and function

Nemolizumab plus topical agents in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and moderate-to-severe pruritus provide improvement in pruritus and signs of AD for up to 68 weeks: results from two phase III, long-term studies

Interleukin (IL)-31 affects the inflammatory response, is involved in epidermal barrier disruption in atopic dermatitis (AD) and plays a key role in pruritus. Nemolizumab, a humanized monoclonal antibody against IL-31 receptor A, reduced pruritus in patients with AD after a 16-week administration period. ObjectivesTo examine the long-term effectiveness and safety of nemolizumab in patients aged… Continue reading Nemolizumab plus topical agents in patients with atopic dermatitis (AD) and moderate-to-severe pruritus provide improvement in pruritus and signs of AD for up to 68 weeks: results from two phase III, long-term studies

Hypoglycemia associated with direct-acting anti-hepatitis C virus drugs: An epidemiologic surveillance study of the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS)

Hypoglycemia induced by direct-acting antiviral agents (DAAs) for chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is a rare but potentially life-threatening adverse reaction, which led to warnings by competent authorities. We therefore aimed to examine the hypoglycemic safety signal for DAAs. MethodsReports to the US Food and Drug Administration Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) from 1… Continue reading Hypoglycemia associated with direct-acting anti-hepatitis C virus drugs: An epidemiologic surveillance study of the FDA adverse event reporting system (FAERS)

Mucosal immune response in BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine recipients

Although the BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine is known to induce IgG neutralizing antibodies in serum protecting against COVID-19, it has not been studied in detail whether it could generate specific immunity at mucosal sites, which represent the primary route of entry of SARS-CoV-2. MethodsSamples of serum and saliva of 60 BNT162b2-vaccinated healthcare workers were collected at… Continue reading Mucosal immune response in BNT162b2 COVID-19 vaccine recipients

Intermittent fasting: is there a role in the treatment of diabetes? A review of the literature and guide for primary care physicians

Type 2 Diabetes is a metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycemia that causes numerous complications with significant long-term morbidity and mortality. The disorder is primarily due to insulin resistance particularly in liver, skeletal muscle, and adipose tissue. In this review, we detail the hormonal mechanisms leading to the development of diabetes and discuss whether intermittent fasting… Continue reading Intermittent fasting: is there a role in the treatment of diabetes? A review of the literature and guide for primary care physicians

Loving-kindness meditation slows biological aging in novices: Evidence from a 12-week randomized controlled trial

Highlights•Over 12 weeks, loving-kindness meditation buffered telomere attrition. •Telomere length decreased in the mindfulness group and the control group. •The loving-kindness group showed less telomere attrition than the control group. AbstractCombinations of multiple meditation practices have been shown to reduce the attrition of telomeres, the protective caps of chromosomes (Carlson et al., 2015). Here, we… Continue reading Loving-kindness meditation slows biological aging in novices: Evidence from a 12-week randomized controlled trial

Identification of TCR repertoires in functionally competent cytotoxic T cells cross-reactive to SARS-CoV-2

SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8+ T cells are scarce but detectable in unexposed healthy donors (UHDs). It remains unclear whether pre-existing human coronavirus (HCoV)-specific CD8+ T cells are converted to functionally competent T cells cross-reactive to SARS-CoV-2. Here, we identified the HLA-A24-high binding, immunodominant epitopes in SARS-CoV-2 spike region that can be recognized by seasonal coronavirus-specific CD8+ T… Continue reading Identification of TCR repertoires in functionally competent cytotoxic T cells cross-reactive to SARS-CoV-2

Role of nutritional supplements in selected dermatological disorders: A review

While a plethora of literature continues to be published on the role of nutritional agents both in lay press and indexed journals, the data is not on a firm footing and leaves the dermatologist in a quandry and the patient confused. The various agents include vitamins, minerals, amino acids, antioxidants, diets & gluten. A proper… Continue reading Role of nutritional supplements in selected dermatological disorders: A review

COVID-19 Vaccination and Breakthrough Infections in Patients with Cancer

Highlights•Patients with cancer who develop breakthrough COVID-19 following full vaccination remain susceptible to severe outcomes.•Hematologic malignancies are over-represented among vaccinated patients with cancer who develop breakthrough COVID-19.•Vaccination of close contacts, masking, boosters, and social distancing are needed to protect patients with cancer. AbstractBackgroundVaccination is an important preventive health measure to protect against symptomatic and severe… Continue reading COVID-19 Vaccination and Breakthrough Infections in Patients with Cancer