Journal of Biomed Research

The past decade in science has seen an influx of new research articles showing the relationship between the human gut microbiome and its direct or indirect effect on the Central Nervous System (CNS). Much of the current research points to microbial therapy as a potential treatment option for many mental health disorders and conditions.

Many drugs are effective systemically, but slow onset of non-intravenous routes of administration may limit their clinical utility. While anesthesiologists usually have intravenous (IV) access for drug delivery, other healthcare professionals in less controlled situations such as acute crises in the emergency room, critical care settings, or urgent needs in the community, may need non-invasive drug delivery [1].

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are widely used in regenerative medicine. They can be isolated from different adult tissues. However, the regenerative potential of MSCs obtained from various sources and from different age donors may significantly differ.

The action potential (AP) in cardiac tissue is important for initiating and coordinating contractions in the heart. In addition, the long refractory period minimizes the potential for developing extrasystoles and arrhythmias. The AP is generated by coordinate changes in different ionic currents. In human (or canine) adult ventricular cells, the depolarization phase of the AP is mainly through the influx of Na+ and Ca2+ through specific voltage gated channels.

In many metazoan tissues, highly specialized cells are constantly lost and need to be replaced by tissue homeostasis from adult stem cells. When adult stem cells divide by mitosis their daughter cells either become new stem cells, or enter a proliferation and differentiation path. Recent studies in Drosophila males showed that germline stem cells (GSCs) can increase their mitotic activity in response to repeated mating.

Worldwide, hypertension is a substantial cause of cardiovascular disease and premature death. In the past few decades, global mean blood pressure has been somewhat stable and decreased due to the advancement and utilization of antihypertensive medications [1]. According to the Sept. 2023 WHO report, Hypertension affects 1 in 3 adults worldwide, among which 4 out of every 5 people are not effectively treated. 

Sleeve gastrectomy is the most common bariatric surgery worldwide. However, such a surgery caries risk of complications associated with morbidity and mortality. Gastric leak can occur and represents one of the most severe complications following sleeve gastrectomy. Since the two last decades, regenerative medicine has emerged, offering new strategies to face to sleeve gastrectomy complications.

NASA is on the verge of its second and most challenging phase of space exploration, returning to the Moon and then onto Mars. The proposed missions will be markedly different in nature from previous Apollo and ISS missions, which may result in many additional health concerns for astronauts. Astronauts will endure prolonged exposure to multiple fight stressors that may seriously impact their health.

Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) is a well-established and accepted tool for simulation and prediction of complex physical phenomena e.g., in combustion, aerodynamics or blood circulation. Recently CFD has entered the medical field due to the readily available high computational power of current graphics processing units, GPUs. Efficient numerical codes, commercial or open source, are available now.

Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) continues to be an important cause of long-term neurologic disability among newborn infants. The estimated incidence ranges from 2-3/1000 live births in developed countries, to as high as 10-20/1000 in developing countries [1]. Affected infants who survive are at a 25% risk for cerebral palsy, epilepsy, and cognitive deficits and may require lifelong medical care.

Bronchopulmonary dysplasia (BPD) remains the most common disease in premature newborns, associated with immature lung injury under the influence of supplemental oxygen and mechanical ventilation. “Classical BPD” is observed in premature newborns who have not received surfactant treatments. It is characterized by pulmonary fibrosis due to oxygen toxicity and volumetric/barometric trauma caused by mechanical ventilation. A new or "mild" form of BPD is observed in children born at 29 weeks of gestation, and is characterized by disordered pulmonary development due to prematurity.

During lifespan the homeostasis and repair of organs and tissues are guaranteed by the adult stem cell population. Among them, mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs), which contain a subpopulation of multipotent stem cells, are emerging as promising candidates for cell therapy of numerous diseases. MSCs are non-hematopoietic cells capable of self-renewal and differentiation into osteocytes, adipocytes, and chondrocytes.

Our previous article, Technology-Based Mental Health Treatment and the Impact on the Therapeutic Alliance, explored factors that influence the therapeutic alliance when treatment was delivered via telemental health, such as video conferencing or telephone. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the use of telemental health became a necessity rather than simply a preference. In this commentary, we explore the use of telemental health in direct response to COVID-19 social distancing orders and offer updated suggestions around best practices for building and maintaining alliance in technology-based mental health treatments.

A recent article published by Abbas et al. in the Journal of Biomedicine and Pharmacotherapy systematically revealed about the vaccines developed against the recent pandemic agents SARS-CoV-2 and its variants [1]. The authors insightfully provided an overview on the distinct features of the SARS-CoV-2 new variants, the associated mortality rate, hospitalization, re-infection and finally the efficacy of different vaccines.

The advent of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) targeting CTLA-4 and PD-1/PD-L1 pathways has revolutionized cancer treatment with significantly improved outcomes across a spectrum of cancers [1,2]. Although ICI therapy offers significant clinical benefits, these treatments can also lead to various immune-related adverse events (irAEs) that may negatively impact patient outcomes. Although the precise mechanism of irAE is not fully understood, they demonstrate many clinical features similar to autoimmune diseases. IRAEs are thought to result from bystander effects of activated T-cells, cross-reactivity between tumor and host tissues, and the role of the gut microbiome in immune activation [3].

Activating innate immune signaling in tumor cells to enhance anti-tumor immunity and increase T cell-mediated killing is the core objective of tumor immunotherapy. PRMT1, one of the most crucial PRMTs, plays a critical role in tumor progression and innate immunity. Recent research revealed that PRMT1 can inhibit the enzymatic activity of cGAS in part through PRMT1-mediated Arg methylation, thereby suppressing the anti-tumor immune response of cells. As such, inhibiting or knocking down PRMT1 can synergistically enhance the efficacy of anti-PD-1 immunotherapy by activating the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Here, we provide a comprehensive description of the two key signaling components, PRMT1 and cGAS, in the PRMT1-cGAS-STING signaling pathway for therapeutic intervention to augment anti-tumor immunity. By understanding the specific physiological functions and regulatory mechanisms of PRMT1.

The severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the causative agent of COVID-19, is highly virulent and can be transmitted via respiratory droplets and close contact. Recent studies suggest that although viral load could be a poor predictor of disease, the concentration of the virus in the respiratory tract may be linked to contagiousness when coupled with significant co-variables factors such as nasal discharge and cough, hence impacting transmission.

As a boosted, vaccinated infectious diseases physician I remained careful outside of work. I always wore a mask outside of my home. I even wore a mask while I am driving alone in my car because I needed it for my next encounter and it kept me warm. 
So how did I get SARS-CoV-2 infection? The same way most people do, from household exposure [1].

Selective antibody deficiency syndrome (SAD), is a primary immunodeficiency in which immunoglobulin levels remain normal, but there is a reduced response to polysaccharide antigens after vaccination. SAD is recognized by the International Union of Immunology Societies as a primary immunodeficiency of unknown genetic cause. Patients with SAD are highly susceptible to severe respiratory tract infections with encapsulated bacteria.

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) also known as tumor stem cells (TSCs), are pivotal in cancer development and progression. They can be identified through specific markers and surface proteins (e.g., CD44, CD133) that differ from those on non-CSC tumor cells. As well high CSC levels often correlate with poor prognosis, aggressive disease, and resistance to conventional therapies. CSCs are more resistant to standard treatments like chemotherapy and radiation, leading to relapse and metastasis.