Deciphering osteoarthritis genetics across 826,690 individuals from 9 populations.

Osteoarthritis affects over 300 million people worldwide. Here, we conduct a genome-wide association study meta-analysis across 826,690 individuals (177,517 with osteoarthritis) and identify 100 independently associated risk variants across 11 osteoarthritis phenotypes, 52 of which have not been associated with the disease before. We report thumb and spine osteoarthritis risk variants and identify differences in genetic effects between weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing joints. We identify sex-specific and early age-at-onset osteoarthritis risk loci. We integrate functional genomics data from primary patient tissues (including articular cartilage, subchondral bone, and osteophytic cartilage) and identify high-confidence effector genes. We provide evidence for genetic correlation with phenotypes related to pain, the main disease symptom, and identify likely causal genes linked to neuronal processes. Our results provide insights into key molecular players in disease processes and highlight attractive drug targets to accelerate translation.

Combined genome-wide association study of 136 quantitative ear morphology traits in multiple populations reveal 8 novel loci.

Human ear morphology, a complex anatomical structure represented by a multidimensional set of correlated and heritable phenotypes, has a poorly understood genetic architecture. In this study, we quantitatively assessed 136 ear morphology traits using deep learning analysis of digital face images in 14,921 individuals from five different cohorts in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. Through GWAS meta-analysis and C-GWASs, a recently introduced method to effectively combine GWASs of many traits, we identified 16 genetic loci involved in various ear phenotypes, eight of which have not been previously associated with human ear features. Our findings suggest that ear morphology shares genetic determinants with other surface ectoderm-derived traits such as facial variation, mono eyebrow, and male pattern baldness. Our results enhance the genetic understanding of human ear morphology and shed light on the shared genetic contributors of different surface ectoderm-derived phenotypes. Additionally, gene editing experiments in mice have demonstrated that knocking out the newly ear-associated gene (Intu) and a previously ear-associated gene (Tbx15) causes deviating mouse ear morphology.

Electrophysiological Correlates of Dentate Nucleus Deep Brain Stimulation for Poststroke Motor Recovery.

While ipsilesional cortical electroencephalography has been associated with poststroke recovery mechanisms and outcomes, the role of the cerebellum and its interaction with the ipsilesional cortex is still largely unknown. We have previously shown that poststroke motor control relies on increased corticocerebellar coherence (CCC) in the low beta band to maintain motor task accuracy and to compensate for decreased excitability of the ipsilesional cortex. We now extend our work to investigate corticocerebellar network changes associated with chronic stimulation of the dentato-thalamo-cortical pathway aimed at promoting poststroke motor rehabilitation. We investigated the excitability of the ipsilesional cortex, the dentate (DN), and their interaction as a function of treatment outcome measures. Relative to baseline, 10 human participants (two women) at the end of 4-8 months of DN deep brain stimulation (DBS) showed (1) significantly improved motor control indexed by computerized motor tasks; (2) significant increase in ipsilesional premotor cortex event-related desynchronization that correlated with improvements in motor function; and (3) significant decrease in CCC, including causal interactions between the DN and ipsilesional cortex, which also correlated with motor function improvements. Furthermore, we show that the functional state of the DN in the poststroke state and its connectivity with the ipsilesional cortex were predictive of motor outcomes associated with DN-DBS. The findings suggest that as participants recovered, the ipsilesional cortex became more involved in motor control, with less demand on the cerebellum to support task planning and execution. Our data provide unique mechanistic insights into the functional state of corticocerebellar-cortical network after stroke and its modulation by DN-DBS.

Determinants of electrical propagation and propagation block in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy.

Gap junction and ion channel remodeling occur early in Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM), but their pathogenic consequences have not been elucidated. Here, we identified the arrhythmogenic substrate, consisting of propagation slowing and conduction block, in ACM models expressing two different desmosomal gene variants. Neonatal rat ventricular myocytes were transduced to express variants in genes encoding desmosomal proteins plakoglobin or plakophilin-2. Studies were performed in engineered cells and anisotropic tissues to quantify changes in conduction velocity, formation of unidirectional propagation, cell-cell electrical coupling, and ion currents. Conduction velocity decreased by 71% and 63% in the two ACM models. SB216763, an inhibitor of glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta, restored conduction velocity to near normal levels. Compared to control, both ACM models showed greater propensity for unidirectional conduction block, which increased further at greater stimulation frequencies. Cell-cell electrical conductance measured in cell pairs was reduced by 86% and 87% in the two ACM models. Computer modeling showed close correspondence between simulated and experimentally determined changes in conduction velocity. The simulation identified that reduced cell-cell electrical coupling was the dominant factor leading to slow conduction, while the combination of reduced cell-cell electrical coupling, reduced sodium current and inward rectifier potassium current explained the development of unidirectional block. Expression of two different ACM variants markedly reduced cell-cell electrical coupling and conduction velocity, and greatly increased the likelihood of developing unidirectional block - both key features of arrhythmogenesis. This study provides the first quantitative analysis of cellular electrophysiological changes leading to the substrate of reentrant arrhythmias in early stage ACM.

Hypoxia-inducible factor-driven glycolytic adaptations in host-microbe interactions.

Mammalian cells utilize glucose as a primary carbon source to produce energy for most cellular functions. However, the bioenergetic homeostasis of cells can be perturbed by environmental alterations, such as changes in oxygen levels which can be associated with bacterial infection. Reduction in oxygen availability leads to a state of hypoxia, inducing numerous cellular responses that aim to combat this stress. Importantly, hypoxia strongly augments cellular glycolysis in most cell types to compensate for the loss of aerobic respiration. Understanding how this host cell metabolic adaptation to hypoxia impacts the course of bacterial infection will identify new anti-microbial targets. This review will highlight developments in our understanding of glycolytic substrate channeling and spatiotemporal enzymatic organization in response to hypoxia, shedding light on the integral role of the hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) during host-pathogen interactions. Furthermore, the ability of intracellular and extracellular bacteria (pathogens and commensals alike) to modulate host cellular glucose metabolism will be discussed.

A novel restrainer device for acquistion of brain images in awake rats.

Functional neuroimaging methods like fMRI and PET are vital in neuroscience research, but require that subjects remain still throughout the scan. In animal research, anesthetic agents are typically applied to facilitate the acquisition of high-quality data with minimal motion artifact. However, anesthesia can have profound effects on brain metabolism, selectively altering dynamic neural networks and confounding the acquired data. To overcome the challenge, we have developed a novel head fixation device designed to support awake rat brain imaging. A validation experiment demonstrated that the device effectively minimizes animal motion throughout the scan, with mean absolute displacement and mean relative displacement of 0.0256 (SD: 0.001) and 0.009 (SD: 0.002), across eight evaluated subjects throughout fMRI image acquisition (total scanning time per subject: 31 min, 12 s). Furthermore, the awake scans did not induce discernable stress to the animals, with stable physiological parameters throughout the scan (Mean HR: 344, Mean RR: 56, Mean SpO2: 94 %) and unaltered serum corticosterone levels (p = 0.159). In conclusion, the device presented in this paper offers an effective and safe method of acquiring functional brain images in rats, allowing researchers to minimize the confounding effects of anesthetic use.

Fat metabolism is associated with telomere length in six population-based studies.

Telomeres are repetitive DNA sequences located at the end of chromosomes, which are associated to biological aging, cardiovascular disease, cancer and mortality. Lipid and fatty acid metabolism have been associated with telomere shortening. We have conducted an in-depth study investigating the association of metabolic biomarkers with telomere length (LTL). We performed an association analysis of 226 metabolic biomarkers with LTL using data from 11 775 individuals from six independent population-based cohorts (BBMRI-NL consortium). Metabolic biomarkers include lipoprotein lipids and subclasses, fatty acids, amino acids, glycolysis measures and ketone bodies. LTL was measured by quantitative polymerase chain reaction or FlowFISH. Linear regression analysis was performed adjusting for age, sex, lipid-lowering medication and cohort-specific covariates (model 1) and additionally for body mass index (BMI) and smoking (model 2), followed by inverse variance-weighted meta-analyses (significance threshold Pmeta = 6.5 × 10-4). We identified four metabolic biomarkers positively associated with LTL, including two cholesterol to lipid ratios in small VLDL (S-VLDL-C % and S-VLDL-CE %) and two omega-6 fatty acid ratios (FAw6/FA and LA/FA). After additionally adjusting for BMI and smoking, these metabolic biomarkers remained associated with LTL with similar effect estimates. In addition, cholesterol esters in very small VLDL (XS-VLDL-CE) became significantly associated with LTL (P = 3.6 × 10-4). We replicated the association of FAw6/FA with LTL in an independent dataset of 7845 individuals (P = 1.9 × 10-4). To conclude, we identified multiple metabolic biomarkers involved in lipid and fatty acid metabolism that may be involved in LTL biology. Longitudinal studies are needed to exclude reversed causation.

Whole-exome sequencing of 14 389 individuals from the ESP and CHARGE consortia identifies novel rare variation associated with hemostatic factors.

Plasma levels of fibrinogen, coagulation factors VII and VIII and von Willebrand factor (vWF) are four intermediate phenotypes that are heritable and have been associated with the risk of clinical thrombotic events. To identify rare and low-frequency variants associated with these hemostatic factors, we conducted whole-exome sequencing in 10 860 individuals of European ancestry (EA) and 3529 African Americans (AAs) from the Cohorts for Heart and Aging Research in Genomic Epidemiology Consortium and the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's Exome Sequencing Project. Gene-based tests demonstrated significant associations with rare variation (minor allele frequency < 5%) in fibrinogen gamma chain (FGG) (with fibrinogen, P = 9.1 × 10-13), coagulation factor VII (F7) (with factor VII, P = 1.3 × 10-72; seven novel variants) and VWF (with factor VIII and vWF; P = 3.2 × 10-14; one novel variant). These eight novel rare variant associations were independent of the known common variants at these loci and tended to have much larger effect sizes. In addition, one of the rare novel variants in F7 was significantly associated with an increased risk of venous thromboembolism in AAs (Ile200Ser; rs141219108; P = 4.2 × 10-5). After restricting gene-based analyses to only loss-of-function variants, a novel significant association was detected and replicated between factor VIII levels and a stop-gain mutation exclusive to AAs (rs3211938) in CD36 molecule (CD36). This variant has previously been linked to dyslipidemia but not with the levels of a hemostatic factor. These efforts represent the largest integration of whole-exome sequence data from two national projects to identify genetic variation associated with plasma hemostatic factors.

Associations of carotid intima media thickness with gene expression in whole blood and genetically predicted gene expression across 48 tissues.

Carotid intima media thickness (cIMT) is a biomarker of subclinical atherosclerosis and a predictor of future cardiovascular events. Identifying associations between gene expression levels and cIMT may provide insight to atherosclerosis etiology. Here, we use two approaches to identify associations between mRNA levels and cIMT: differential gene expression analysis in whole blood and S-PrediXcan. We used microarrays to measure genome-wide whole blood mRNA levels of 5647 European individuals from four studies. We examined the association of mRNA levels with cIMT adjusted for various potential confounders. Significant associations were tested for replication in three studies totaling 3943 participants. Next, we applied S-PrediXcan to summary statistics from a cIMT genome-wide association study (GWAS) of 71 128 individuals to estimate the association between genetically determined mRNA levels and cIMT and replicated these analyses using S-PrediXcan on an independent GWAS on cIMT that included 22 179 individuals from the UK Biobank. mRNA levels of TNFAIP3, CEBPD and METRNL were inversely associated with cIMT, but these associations were not significant in the replication analysis. S-PrediXcan identified associations between cIMT and genetically determined mRNA levels for 36 genes, of which six were significant in the replication analysis, including TLN2, which had not been previously reported for cIMT. There was weak correlation between our results using differential gene expression analysis and S-PrediXcan. Differential expression analysis and S-PrediXcan represent complementary approaches for the discovery of associations between phenotypes and gene expression. Using these approaches, we prioritize TNFAIP3, CEBPD, METRNL and TLN2 as new candidate genes whose differential expression might modulate cIMT.

Genetic and clinical determinants of abdominal aortic diameter: genome-wide association studies, exome array data and Mendelian randomization study.

Progressive dilation of the infrarenal aortic diameter is a consequence of the ageing process and is considered the main determinant of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA). We aimed to investigate the genetic and clinical determinants of abdominal aortic diameter (AAD). We conducted a meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies in 10 cohorts (n = 13 542) imputed to the 1000 Genome Project reference panel including 12 815 subjects in the discovery phase and 727 subjects [Partners Biobank cohort 1 (PBIO)] as replication. Maximum anterior-posterior diameter of the infrarenal aorta was used as AAD. We also included exome array data (n = 14 480) from seven epidemiologic studies. Single-variant and gene-based associations were done using SeqMeta package. A Mendelian randomization analysis was applied to investigate the causal effect of a number of clinical risk factors on AAD. In genome-wide association study (GWAS) on AAD, rs74448815 in the intronic region of LDLRAD4 reached genome-wide significance (beta = -0.02, SE = 0.004, P-value = 2.10 × 10-8). The association replicated in the PBIO1 cohort (P-value = 8.19 × 10-4). In exome-array single-variant analysis (P-value threshold = 9 × 10-7), the lowest P-value was found for rs239259 located in SLC22A20 (beta = 0.007, P-value = 1.2 × 10-5). In the gene-based analysis (P-value threshold = 1.85 × 10-6), PCSK5 showed an association with AAD (P-value = 8.03 × 10-7). Furthermore, in Mendelian randomization analyses, we found evidence for genetic association of pulse pressure (beta = -0.003, P-value = 0.02), triglycerides (beta = -0.16, P-value = 0.008) and height (beta = 0.03, P-value < 0.0001), known risk factors for AAA, consistent with a causal association with AAD. Our findings point to new biology as well as highlighting gene regions in mechanisms that have previously been implicated in the genetics of other vascular diseases.

Synthesis of a dehydrodieugenol B derivative as a lead compound for visceral leishmaniasis-mechanism of action and in vivo pharmacokinetic studies.

Leishmaniasis is a parasitic neglected tropical disease, affecting 12 million people. Available treatments present several limitations, with an increasing number of resistance cases. In the search for new chemotherapies, the natural product dehydrodieugenol B was used as a scaffold for the synthesis of a series of derivatives, resulting in the discovery of the promising analog [4-(4-(5-allyl-3-methoxy-2-((4-methoxybenzyl)oxy)phenoxy)-3-methoxybenzyl)morpholine, 1]. In this work, we investigated the effect of compound 1 on cell signaling in Leishmania (L.) infantum, culminating in cell death, as well as its immunomodulatory effect in the host cell. Additionally, we performed a pharmacokinetic profile study in an animal model. After treatment, compound 1 induced the alkalinization of acidocalcisomes and concomitant Ca2+ release in the parasite. These events may induce depolarization of the mitochondrial potential, with successive collapse of the bioenergetic system, leading to a reduction of ATP and reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels. The analysis of total proteins and protein profile by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization-time of flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF/MS) demonstrated that compound 1 also altered the parasite proteins after treatment. Transmission electron microscopy studies revealed ultrastructural damage to mitochondria; together, these data suggest that compound 1 may promote autophagic cell death. Additionally, compound 1 also induced an immunomodulatory effect in host cells, with a reduction of Th1 and Th2 cytokine response, characterizing an anti-inflammatory compound. The obtained pharmacokinetic profile in rats enhances the potential of the compound, with a mean plasma half-life (T1/2) of 21 h. These data reinforce the potential of compound 1 as a new lead for future efficacy studies.

Electrochemical Diselenation of BODIPY Fluorophores for Bioimaging Applications and Sensitization of 1 O2.

We report a rapid, efficient, and scope-extensive approach for the late-stage electrochemical diselenation of BODIPYs. Photophysical analyses reveal red-shifted absorption - corroborated by TD-DFT and DLPNO-STEOM-CCSD computations - and color-tunable emission with large Stokes shifts in the selenium-containing derivatives compared to their precursors. In addition, due to the presence of the heavy Se atoms, competitive ISC generates triplet states which sensitize 1 O2 and display phosphorescence in PMMA films at RT and in a frozen glass matrix at 77 K. Importantly, the selenium-containing BODIPYs demonstrate the ability to selectively stain lipid droplets, exhibiting distinct fluorescence in both green and red channels. This work highlights the potential of electrochemistry as an efficient method for synthesizing unique emission-tunable fluorophores with broad-ranging applications in bioimaging and related fields.

Electrochemical Diselenation of BODIPY Fluorophores for Bioimaging Applications and Sensitization of 1 O2.

Invited for the cover of this issue are the groups of Holger Braunschweig at the Julius-Maximilians-Universität Würzburg, Germany and Eufrânio N. da Silva Júnior at the Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, UFMG, Brazil. The image depicts the electrochemical synthesis of selenium-containing BODIPY molecules with lightning symbolizing the electrifying synthetic process, while the surrounding elemental chaos hints at the red-shifted absorption and emission and the transformative photophysical properties of these new compounds. Read the full text of the article at 10.1002/chem.202303883.

Gamma-delta T cells suppress microbial metabolites that activate striatal neurons and induce repetitive/compulsive behavior in mice.

Intestinal γδ T cells play an important role in shaping the gut microbiota, which is critical not only for maintaining intestinal homeostasis but also for controlling brain function and behavior. Here, we found that mice deficient for γδ T cells (γδ-/-) developed an abnormal pattern of repetitive/compulsive (R/C) behavior, which was dependent on the gut microbiota. Colonization of WT mice with γδ-/- microbiota induced R/C behavior whereas colonization of γδ-/- mice with WT microbiota abolished the R/C behavior. Moreover, γδ-/- mice had elevated levels of the microbial metabolite 3-phenylpropanoic acid in their cecum, which is a precursor to hippurate (HIP), a metabolite we found to be elevated in the CSF. HIP reaches the striatum and activates dopamine type 1 (D1R)-expressing neurons, leading to R/C behavior. Altogether, these data suggest that intestinal γδ T cells shape the gut microbiota and their metabolites and prevent dysfunctions of the striatum associated with behavior modulation.

Gelatin-Based Hybrid Hydrogels as Matrices for Organoid Culture.

The application of liver organoids is very promising in the field of liver tissue engineering; however, it is still facing some limitations. One of the current major limitations is the matrix in which they are cultured. The mainly undefined and murine-originated tumor matrices derived from Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm (EHS) sarcoma, such as Matrigel, are still the standard culturing matrices for expansion and differentiation of organoids toward hepatocyte-like cells, which will obstruct its future clinical application potential. In this study, we exploited the use of newly developed highly defined hydrogels as potential matrices for the culture of liver organoids and compared them to Matrigel and two hydrogels that were already researched in the field of organoid research [i.e., polyisocyanopeptides, enriched with laminin-entactin complex (PIC-LEC) and gelatin methacryloyl (GelMA)]. The newly developed hydrogels are materials that have a physicochemical resemblance with native liver tissue. Norbornene-modified dextran cross-linked with thiolated gelatin (DexNB-GelSH) has a swelling ratio and macro- and microscale properties that highly mimic liver tissue. Norbornene-modified chondroitin sulfate cross-linked with thiolated gelatin (CSNB-GelSH) contains chondroitin sulfate, which is a glycosaminoglycan (GAG) that is present in the liver ECM. Furthermore, CSNB-GelSH hydrogels with different mechanical properties were evaluated. Bipotent intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids (ICOs) were applied in this work and encapsulated in these materials. This research revealed that the newly developed materials outperformed Matrigel, PIC-LEC, and GelMA in the differentiation of ICOs toward hepatocyte-like cells. Furthermore, some trends indicate that an interplay of both the chemical composition and the mechanical properties has an influence on the relative expression of certain hepatocyte markers. Both DexNB-GelSH and CSNB-GelSH showed promising results for the expansion and differentiation of intrahepatic cholangiocyte organoids. The stiffest CSNB-GelSH hydrogel even significantly outperformed Matrigel based on ALB, BSEP, and CYP3A4 gene expression, being three important hepatocyte markers.

Exploring the antileishmanial activity of dicentrine from Ocotea puberula (Lauraceae) using biomembrane models.

This study aimed to assess the antiprotozoal efficacy of dicentrine, an aporphine alkaloid isolated from Ocotea puberula, against amastigote forms of Leishmania (L.) infantum. Our findings reveal that dicentrine demonstrated a notable EC50 value of 10.3 µM, comparable to the positive control miltefosine (EC50 of 10.4 µM), while maintaining moderate toxicity to macrophages (CC50 of 51.9 µM). Utilizing an in silico methodology, dicentrine exhibited commendable adherence to various parameters, encompassing lipophilicity, water solubility, molecule size, polarity, and flexibility. Subsequently, we conducted additional investigations to unravel the mechanism of action, employing Langmuir monolayers as models for protozoan cell membranes. Tensiometry analyses unveiled that dicentrine disrupts the thermodynamic and mechanical properties of the monolayer by expanding it to higher areas and increasing the fluidity of the film. The molecular disorder was further corroborated through dilatational rheology and infrared spectroscopy. These results contribute insights into the role of dicentrine as a potential antiprotozoal drug in its interactions with cellular membranes. Beyond elucidating the mechanism of action at the plasma membrane's external surface, our study sheds light on drug-lipid interface interactions, offering implications for drug delivery and other pharmaceutical applications.

First description of immature stages and notes on the biology of the blow fly, Calliphora lopesi Mello, 1962.

Several species of the worldwide distributed genus Calliphora Robineau-Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae) are medically important vectors and agents of myiasis. Furthermore, these flies are relevant in forensics because they are found in corpses. Information regarding the taxonomy, bionomics and distribution of Calliphora species endemic to South America, including Calliphora lopesi Mello, is scarce. To expand knowledge on C. lopesi, this study presents descriptions of eggs, larvae, puparia and developmental data at 14, 17, 20, 23 and 26 ± 1°C for the first time. Adult flies were collected from the field and kept in the laboratory to obtain samples for morphological and biological studies. Immatures were examined using light and scanning electron microscopy. To assess the growth rate, 10 specimens from each temperature group were randomly removed from the diet and weighed every 24 h from larval hatching until pupation. The minimum developmental threshold, thermal constant and linear development-rate equations were calculated for each stage. Considering weight gain records and survival rates, the optimum temperature for the development of C. lopesi ranges from 23 to 26°C. A key to third-instar larvae of known Neotropical species of Calliphora was also provided to assist in identification. The information provided in this study should be useful in expanding knowledge about Neotropical Calliphoridae species of forensic importance.

Várias espécies do gênero Calliphora Robineau­Desvoidy (Insecta, Diptera, Calliphoridae), distribuídas mundialmente, são vetores e agentes causadoras de miíases clinicamente importantes. Além disso, tais moscas são relevantes no âmbito forense porque são encontradas em cadáveres. Informações sobre a taxonomia, bionomia e distribuição de espécies de Calliphora endêmicas da América do Sul, incluindo Calliphora lopesi Mello, ainda são escassas. Para ampliar o conhecimento sobre a espécie C. lopesi, este estudo apresenta pela primeira vez as descrições de ovos, larvas e pupários, assim como dados sobre o desenvolvimento de imaturos a 14, 17, 20, 23 e 26 ± 1°C. Moscas adultas foram coletadas no campo e mantidas em laboratório para obtenção de amostras para estudos morfológicos e biológicos. Os imaturos foram examinados utilizando microscopia óptica e eletrônica de varredura. Para avaliar a taxa de crescimento, 10 espécimes de cada grupo de temperatura foram retirados aleatoriamente do substrato em que se alimentavam e pesados a cada 24 horas, desde a eclosão das larvas até a pupariação. O limiar mínimo de desenvolvimento, a constante térmica e as equações lineares da taxa de desenvolvimento foram calculados para cada estágio. Levando em consideração os registros de ganho de peso e taxas de sobrevivência, a temperatura ótima para o desenvolvimento de C. lopesi varia de 23 a 26°C. Uma chave para larvas de terceiro estádio de espécies neotropicais conhecidas de Calliphora também está sendo disponibilizada para auxiliar na identificação. Espera­se que as informações fornecidas neste estudo possam ser úteis para ampliar o conhecimento sobre espécies Neotropicais de Calliphoridae de importância forense.

Network vaccinology.

The structure and function of the immune system is governed by complex networks of interactions between cells and molecular components. Vaccination perturbs these networks, triggering specific pathways to induce cellular and humoral immunity. Systems vaccinology studies have generated vast data sets describing the genes related to vaccination, motivating the use of new approaches to identify patterns within the data. Here, we describe a framework called Network Vaccinology to explore the structure and function of biological networks responsible for vaccine-induced immunity. We demonstrate how the principles of graph theory can be used to identify modules of genes, proteins, and metabolites that are associated with innate and adaptive immune responses. Network vaccinology can be used to assess specific and shared molecular mechanisms of different types of vaccines, adjuvants, and routes of administration to direct rational design of the next generation of vaccines.

Uncovering the rate and risk factors of intrathecal baclofen pump-associated complications in the adult population.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was 1) to describe the rate of intrathecal baclofen (ITB)-associated complications at a large tertiary center, and 2) to evaluate the impact of patient-related factors on the likelihood of developing such complications. METHODS: A retrospective single-center study was carried out. A total of 301 eligible patients were included in the analysis. Univariate regression models were used to evaluate the impact of age, sex, diagnosis, ambulation status, modified Ashworth scale score, body mass index, diabetes status, and pain level on the likelihood of developing a device-related infection, pump malfunction, catheter malfunction, and other clinically significant complications. RESULTS: Overall, 27% of patients experienced an ITB-related complication. The most common complications included infection (6%, 18/301), pump malfunction (7.3%, 22/301), and catheter malfunction (14%, 42/301). The univariate analyses revealed that the patient's ambulatory status had a significant impact on the likelihood of developing a catheter-related malfunction. Furthermore, a trend toward significance was identified between patients' preoperative body mass index and device-related infection. Finally, the risk of suffering any ITB-related complications was statistically correlated with the number of years that had passed since the initial pump implantation. CONCLUSIONS: The authors' analysis reveals a previously underrecognized association between ambulatory status at the time of ITB pump implantation and the incidence of catheter-related complications, and confirms the impact of time since surgery on the risk of developing any ITB-related complication. The patient's age, sex, diagnosis, diabetes status, or pain level at baseline were not associated with the risk of complications. Collectively, these insights contribute novel information to the existing literature, providing practical value for physicians in guiding patient selection for ITB therapy.