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Abstract Feeding and oviposition by phytophagous insects are both known to trigger defenses in plants. Whether these two defenses functionally interact remains poorly studied, although these interactions are likely important for pests with overlapping generations. Here we investigated the differences and interaction between feeding- and oviposition-induced plant defenses triggered by the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), which gregariously feeds and oviposits on rice. Analyses of host-plant transcriptomes, phytohormones, and direct and indirect defense compounds all show that BPH gravid females (GFs), but not nymphs and non-gravid females (NFs), strongly induce rice defenses. BPH nymphs and GFs prefer to feed on plants previously infested by nymphs over un-attacked plants, but are repelled by plants previously infested by GFs. Moreover, nymph feeding is found to reduce the attractiveness of rice plants to natural enemies and decrease egg parasitism by suppressing GF-induced volatiles that mediate indirect defenses in both growth chambers and paddies. Intergenerational interactions between oviposition- and feeding-induced plant defenses not only promote the development of the population of pest insects but may also contribute to the aggregation behavior of pest insects by suppressing oviposition-induced indirect plant defenses.

Peripheral nerve injury (PNI) is characterized by a loss of cellular and axonal integrity, often leading to limited functional recovery and pain. Many PNIs are not amenable to repair with traditional techniques; however, cell therapies, particularly Schwann cells (SCs), offer the promise of neural tissue replacement and functional improvement. Exosomes, which carry cellular signaling molecules, can be secreted by SCs and have shown promise in PNI. Our laboratory has had success using SCs in preclinical and clinical treatment settings. Transplanted cells have several known limitations, which exosomes mitigate. To that end, the current study investigated if implanted SC-derived exosomes in conduits, conduits with SCs, reverse autograft, or empty conduits comparably improve axonal regeneration and pain outcomes 16-weeks after repair of a long gap PNI in adult rats. Results show that there were no differences between groups in the von Frey filament testing or in the Hargreaves test. Electrophysiological testing showed a significant difference between the injured (ipsilateral) and uninjured (contralateral) limbs while histological assessment showed a significant difference between axonal counts in different areas of the conduit. Based on the results of the current study, more research is needed to understand the therapeutic role of exosomes in PNI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT The term autoinflammatory keratinization diseases (AIKDs) was recently proposed as a unifying concept for diseases characterized by inflammation in the epidermis and upper dermis which leads to hyperkeratosis, caused by genetic perturbations of the innate immune system. We present a case of a patient with hidradenitis suppurativa and porokeratosis, two AIKDs, followed by a review of these conditions as well as other AIKDs. This case was distinguished by hypertrophic porokeratoses involving cystic hair follicles, showing histopathologic features of both conditions within single biopsy specimens. The patient's course was additionally complicated by SCC arising within a porokeratosis. Our case demonstrates a rare overlap of two AIKDs, occurring not only within the same patient but also within the same lesions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Bladder outlet obstruction (BOO) in women includes functional and anatomic etiologies. Primary bladder neck obstruction (PBNO), Fowler's syndrome (FS), and dysfunctional voiding (DV) are some examples of functional obstructions, whereas pelvic organ prolapse (POP), periurethral masses, and intragenic causes are some of the anatomic causes. Methods: This literature review describes the etiologies of female BOO, unique aspects of the workup and diagnosis, and the data for the standard surgical treatments and newer surgical techniques to treat women. Urethral stenosis and sling‐related obstruction are treated in the other articles of this series. Where possible the focus is the efficacy and outcomes. Results: Treatment of PBNO using a transurethral incision of the bladder neck and injection of botulinum toxin in the bladder neck decreases the BOO. After the failure of conservative approaches, sacral neuromodulation (SNM) is effective for FS, while DV may benefit from SNM or botulinum toxin injections. Concerning POP, most surgeries have been reported to significantly improve a pre‐existent BOO but the level of evidence is low. Benign urethral and periurethral masses may provoke BOO, and surgical excision usually resolves this condition. Conclusion: Although most surgical treatments of BOO for functional and benign anatomical etiologies in women seem to be effective, data are scarce even for more common conditions like POP. Further studies are required to give better advice on the choice of surgical technique for these patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article published in the Annals of the American Thoracic Society explores the disparities in discharge support provided to patients leaving the hospital "before medically advised" after a Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) exacerbation. The study found that patients who discharged before medical advice were less likely to receive key discharge support, such as outpatient prescriptions, referrals, and follow-up, compared to those with routine discharges. The findings highlight the need to improve care delivery for patients discharging "before medically advised" to reduce readmission rates and adverse outcomes, especially for high-risk populations facing health inequities. [Extracted from the article]

Feeding and oviposition by phytophagous insects are both known to trigger defenses in plants. Whether these two defenses functionally interact remains poorly studied, although these interactions are likely important for pests with overlapping generations. Here we investigated the differences and interaction between feeding- and oviposition-induced plant defenses triggered by the brown planthopper (BPH, Nilaparvata lugens), which gregariously feeds and oviposits on rice. Analyses of host-plant transcriptomes, phytohormones, and direct and indirect defense compounds all show that BPH gravid females (GFs), but not nymphs and non-gravid females (NFs), strongly induce rice defenses. BPH nymphs and GFs prefer to feed on plants previously infested by nymphs over un-attacked plants, but are repelled by plants previously infested by GFs. Moreover, nymph feeding is found to reduce the attractiveness of rice plants to natural enemies and decrease egg parasitism by suppressing GF-induced volatiles that mediate indirect defenses in both growth chambers and paddies. Intergenerational interactions between oviposition- and feeding-induced plant defenses not only promote the development of the population of pest insects but may also contribute to the aggregation behavior of pest insects by suppressing oviposition-induced indirect plant defenses., Competing Interests: Competing interests: The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2025. The Author(s).)

Background: Acid sphingomyelinase deficiency (ASMD) and Gaucher disease type 1 (GD1) are rare inherited sphingolipid disorders with multisystemic manifestations, including liver disease and dyslipidemia. Despite effective treatments, insufficient disease awareness frequently results in diagnostic delays during which irreversible complications occur. We delineated the shared and distinctive features of hepatic, splenic, and lipoprotein phenotypes in ASMD and GD1., Methods: We analyzed baseline hepatic, splenic, and lipoprotein phenotypes of untreated adults in pivotal trials of ASMD (ASCEND, N=36) and GD1 (ENGAGE, N=40)., Results: The mean cohort ages were 34.8 years in ASMD and 31.8 years in GD1. Most patients had normal or low body mass index. Moderate hepatosplenomegaly (mean volume in multiples of normal) was common in both cohorts (hepatomegaly 1.53±0.42 and 1.40±0.32, respectively; splenomegaly 11.45±4.36 and 13.20±5.91, respectively). Liver function tests were mildly elevated in ASMD but normal in GD1. In both disorders, mean HDL cholesterol (mg/dL) was profoundly low (22.23±9.14 ASMD; 26.25±8.08 GD1) and correlated inversely with liver volume (r=-0.45 ASMD, p=0.005; r=-0.50 GD1, p=0.001) and spleen volume (r=-0.60 ASMD, p=0.0001; r=-0.63 GD1, p<0.0001). Mean LDL cholesterol (mg/dL) was elevated in ASMD (145.86±49.80) but low in GD1 (68.85±22.53). HDL cholesterol correlated inversely with serum concentrations of lyso-sphingomyelin in ASMD (r=-0.48, p=0.003) and glucosylsphingosine in GD1 (r=-0.63, p<0.0001)., Conclusions: ASMD and GD1 should be considered in differential diagnosis of patients with unexplained liver and lipid abnormalities, especially young, lean adults with very low HDL and hepatosplenomegaly. HDL emerged as a potential biomarker of disease activity in these sphingolipid disorders., (Copyright © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. on behalf of the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases.)

Background/objective: Inflammatory arthritis frequently affects patients with systemic sclerosis (SSc) but musculoskeletal corticosteroid (MSKC) injections are often avoided due to concerns of scleroderma renal crisis (SRC). This study investigated the incidence of SRC following MSKC injections., Methods: In a 136-SSc cohort, 46 subjects underwent a total of 330 MSKC injections each receiving a significant dosage of triamcinolone acetonide (mean, 95.2 ± 44.2 mg per injection session). Data on blood pressure (BP), serum creatinine and glucose, urine protein, and complications were obtained before and after injection from the patients' medical records., Results: MSKC and control subjects were similar in age (MSKC: 58.9 ± 12.1 vs. 55.5 ± 14.9 years), female (MSKC: 97.8% [45/46] vs. 89.9% [81/90]), antinuclear antibody (MSKC: 71.7% [33/46] vs. 81.1% [73/90]), anti-centromere antibody (MSKC: 47.8% [22/46] vs. 37.8% [34/90]), anti-topoisomerase antibody (MSKC: 26.1% [12/46] vs. 26.7% [24/90]), and anti-RNA polymerase III antibody (MSKC: 17.4.1% [8/46] vs. 24.4% [22/90]) (all p > 0.05). Pre- and post-MSKC demonstrated nonsignificant changes in systolic BP (pre: 127 ± 22 vs. post: 127 ± 21 mm Hg, p = 1.0), diastolic BP (pre: 71 ± 13 vs. post: 71 ± 11 mm Hg, p = 1.0), creatinine (pre: 0.78 ± 0.56 vs. post: 0.76 ± 0.20 mg/dL, p = 0.64), glucose (pre: 100 ± 21 vs. post: 99 ± 24 mg/dL, p = 0.67), and urine protein-creatinine ratio (pre: 0.14 ± 0.12 vs. post: 0.12 ± 0.11 mg/mg, p = 0.41). One case of SRC with mortality occurred in the controls and none in the MSKC group. No infections, hematologic abnormalities, or tendon rupture were noted., Conclusion: MSKC injections in established SSc are generally safe with low incidences of SRC and complications. However, it is still prudent to monitor high-risk individuals and recent-onset SSc post-MSKC injection., Competing Interests: The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)