Article
Rehabilitation
Katherine Golden, Kimberly S. Erler, John Wong, Joseph T. Giacino, Yelena G. Bodien
Summary: This study investigates the significance of consistent command-following (CCF) in the diagnostic criteria for emergence from the minimally conscious state (eMCS). The findings show that CCF reemerges around the same time as functional object use (FOU) or functional communication (FC) in patients recovering from disorders of consciousness (DoC). This supports the inclusion of CCF in the existing diagnostic criteria for eMCS.
ARCHIVES OF PHYSICAL MEDICINE AND REHABILITATION
(2022)
Review
Biology
Amal Alachkar
Summary: This article explores the role of the aromatic amino acid tryptophan (Trp) in photon-sensing and consciousness formation, suggesting that Trp's aromaticity may be a key factor in the emergence of life and complexity in higher organisms.
PHYSICS OF LIFE REVIEWS
(2022)
Article
Biochemistry & Molecular Biology
Chandran Nagaraj, Yingji Li, Bi Tang, Natalie Bordag, Divya Guntur, Peter Enyedi, Horst Olschewski, Andrea Olschewski
Summary: This paper investigates the changes in resting membrane potential and potassium channel activities in smooth muscle cells during the transition from fetal to neonatal circulation in the pulmonary arteries and the Ductus Arteriosus Botalli. The study reveals that these cells utilize a similar set of potassium channels, but their activity level is dependent on the cell type and oxygen level.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR SCIENCES
(2022)
Article
Multidisciplinary Sciences
S. Marozin, B. Simon-Nobbe, S. Irausek, L. W. K. Chung, G. Lepperdinger
Summary: The hFOB 1.19 cell line is proposed as an accessible experimental model for studying osteoblast biology in relation to drug development and biomaterial engineering. hFOB cells show characteristics reminiscent of bmMSC, such as colony formation, migration capacity, and the propensity to grow as multicellular aggregates. However, after prolonged culture, hFOB cells acquired delayed growth rate and displayed morphological abnormalities similar to bmMSC, with decreased proliferation rates and increased expression of cell cycle inhibitors.
SCIENTIFIC REPORTS
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Bing Liu, Tao Cheng, Bo O. Zhou, Hui Cheng, Zhaofeng Zheng, Han He, Xinyu Thomas Tang, Han Zhang, Fanglin Gou, Hua Yang, Jiaxuan Cao, Shujuan Shi, Zining Yang, Guohuan Sun, Xiaowei Xie, Yang Zeng, Aiqing Wen, Yu Lan, Jiaxi Zhou
Summary: This study used single-cell RNA sequencing to map the transcriptomic landscape of human fetal bone marrow and spleen hematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs). It was found that functional HSCs do not emerge in the bone marrow until 12 post-conception weeks, while they are not detected in the spleen by 14 post-conception weeks.
Review
Neurosciences
Harvey B. Sarnat
Summary: Synaptogenesis is the final phase of axonal pathfinding, characterized by precise timing and consistency in the immature nervous system. Synaptophysin, a reliable marker for synaptogenesis, can be used to study the sequences of synapse development in human fetal brain tissue even after postmortem autolysis. It has been found that synaptophysin molecules are present in both immature and mature axons, and alterations in synapse distribution and timing are commonly observed in brain malformations, leading to postnatal clinical manifestations such as epilepsy and cognitive development.
FRONTIERS IN CELLULAR NEUROSCIENCE
(2023)
Article
Cell Biology
Daniel G. Bunis, Yelena Bronevetsky, Elisabeth Krow-Lucal, Nirav R. Bhakta, Charles C. Kim, Srilaxmi Nerella, Norman Jones, Ventura F. Mendoza, Yvonne J. Bryson, James E. Gern, Rachel L. Rutishauser, Chun Jimmie Ye, Marina Sirota, Joseph M. McCune, Trevor D. Burt
Summary: The human fetal immune system is designed to generate immune tolerance and suppress inflammation in utero, while the adult immune system orchestrates anti-pathogen immune responses after birth. Cells of the adult immune system are posited to arise from a discrete layer of hematopoietic stem-progenitor cells and their progeny.
Article
Immunology
Elza Evren, Emma Ringqvist, Jean-Marc Doisne, Anna Thaller, Natalie Sleiers, Richard A. Flavell, James P. Di Santo, Tim Willinger
Summary: Evren et al. identify CD116(+) fetal liver cells as precursors of human alveolar macrophages in early life and reveal the impact of cell origin on lung macrophage identity and function.
JOURNAL OF EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE
(2022)
Article
Psychology, Multidisciplinary
Vincent M. Reid, Kirsty Dunn
Summary: The human fetus is crucial for understanding the initial origins and predispositions of human psychological development. Advances in obstetrics, medical physics, and psychology have reduced methodological constraints, paving the way for new approaches and directions in research on the cognitive and perceptual capacities of the human fetus.
CURRENT DIRECTIONS IN PSYCHOLOGICAL SCIENCE
(2021)
Article
Cell & Tissue Engineering
Yoon Jung Choi, Adam M. Heck, Brian J. Hayes, Daniel Lih, Samuel G. Rayner, Brandon Hadland, Ying Zheng
Summary: The human fetal liver endothelium plays a unique role in supporting the maturation and expansion of multilineage hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells, with EC-derived WNT5A identified as a key factor in this process. The study highlights the significance of organ-specific endothelial niche in hematopoietic development and provides insights into potential signals for HSPC expansion in clinical applications.
STEM CELL RESEARCH & THERAPY
(2021)
Review
Biotechnology & Applied Microbiology
Taja Zeleznik Ramuta, Tina Sket, Marjanca Starcic Erjavec, Mateja Erdani Kreft
Summary: The fetal membranes provide a supportive environment for the embryo and fetus and have gained attention for their antimicrobial properties in recent years. Antimicrobial peptides secreted by perinatal derivatives contribute to a healthy pregnancy and the prevention of complications. Research on the antimicrobial properties of fetal membranes and their derivatives has provided valuable insights for potential clinical applications, emphasizing the importance of standardization in preparation, testing methods, in vivo studies, and donor selection criteria.
FRONTIERS IN BIOENGINEERING AND BIOTECHNOLOGY
(2021)
Review
Pediatrics
Mark S. Scher
Summary: Gene-environment interactions influence brain development from conception, affecting maternal/placental/fetal triads, neonates, and children with short- and long-term effects. Lifelong developmental neuroplasticity is more likely to occur during critical/sensitive periods within the first 1,000 days. Fetal/neonatal programs focusing on trimester-specific mechanisms can better identify brain malformations and destructive lesions in the maternal/placental/fetal triad.
FRONTIERS IN PEDIATRICS
(2021)
Review
Pediatrics
Giulia Lucignani, Alessia Guarnera, Maria Camilla Rossi-Espagnet, Giulia Moltoni, Amanda Antonelli, Lorenzo Figa Talamanca, Chiara Carducci, Francesca Ippolita Calo Carducci, Antonio Napolitano, Carlo Gandolfo, Francesca Campi, Cinzia Auriti, Cecilia Parazzini, Daniela Longo
Summary: Congenital infections can lead to brain damage in fetuses and newborns, resulting in a wide range of clinical manifestations. The early detection and accurate diagnosis through neuroimaging are crucial for prognosis and timely treatment.
Article
Infectious Diseases
Maria Pinana, Alejandra Gonzalez-Sanchez, Cristina Andres, Michel Abanto, Jorgina Vila, Juliana Esperalba, Noelia Moral, Elena Espartosa, Narcis Saubi, Anna Creus, Maria Gema Codina, Dolores Folgueira, Jaime Martinez-Urtaza, Tomas Pumarola, Andres Anton
Summary: This study aimed to describe the prevalence, genetic diversity, and evolutionary dynamics of HMPV. The findings showed that HMPV had a prevalence of 2.5% and peaked in February-April, circulating alternately between HMPV-A and -B until the emergence of SARS-CoV-2. HMPV re-emerged in summer and autumn 2021 with a higher prevalence and the almost exclusive circulation of A2c111dup. The F protein exhibited a highly conserved nature, supporting the need for steric shielding. The mutation rate of the HMPV genome was 6.95 x 10-4 substitutions/site/year. The study highlights the importance of effective viral surveillance and maintenance of viral epidemiological characteristics.
JOURNAL OF INFECTION
(2023)
Article
Pediatrics
Nicholas W. Miller, Brittany G. Seman, Stephen M. Akers, Jessica M. Povroznik, Kathleen Brundage, Wei Fang, Cory M. Robinson
Summary: This study is the first to evaluate the impact of opioid exposure on neonatal immune profile and functionality, and found differences in immune cell populations, cytokine levels, and functional activity in neonates exposed to opioids, which may increase susceptibility to infections.
PEDIATRIC RESEARCH
(2022)