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Oxygen vacancies strongly influence the electronic properties of rare-earth nickelates, enabling the control of their metal–insulator transition (MIT). Here we adopt density functional theory (DFT), DFT + U, and dynamical mean field theory (DMFT) combined with DFT to study the vacancy-induced MIT and diffusion in LaNiO3. A symmetry-adapted configurational ensemble approach allows the systematic treatment of distinct vacancy geometries. We find that triple vacancy structures in LaNiO2.5 can yield either metallic or insulating states depending on the local Ni–O coordination, i.e., octahedral environments favor metallic behavior, while the lower-symmetry geometries can stabilize insulating states. We also compute the migration barrier for a single oxygen vacancy, showing that DMFT predicts significantly lower barriers than DFT + U due to dynamical quantum fluctuations absent in static approaches. These results demonstrate that vacancy configuration and quantum fluctuations jointly govern the MIT and defect dynamics in LaNiO3, offering new insight for defect engineering and ultrafast electronic switching in correlated oxides.

Schistosomiasis, a parasitic disease caused by trematodes of the genus Schistosoma, was eliminated on the island of Saint Kitts in the 1950s after an intense program that targeted the snail intermediate host and improved sanitation. However, recently, 3 cases of schistosomiasis were identified in green monkeys (Chlorocebus sabaeus) imported from Saint Kitts over a period of 5 months from December 2023 to April 2024. The 3 cases each had hepatic manifestations of the disease. In addition, one animal had disseminated disease affecting the cerebrum, cerebellum, brainstem, and lung and is the first described case of neuroschistosomiasis in a non-human primate (NHP) due to infection with Schistosoma mansoni.

PurposeBreast cancer survivors are at increased risk of poor health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Clinical trials suggest physical activity interventions may improve HRQOL, however, evidence on whether these benefits extend to physical activity in real-world settings is limited. We aimed to evaluate the association between post-diagnosis recreational physical activity and HRQOL among breast cancer survivors in the observational literature and compare findings with clinical trial data.MethodsA systematic review was conducted, searching seven databases for studies published between January 2003 and October 2024. Study characteristics and adjusted analyses of the association between recreational physical activity and HRQOL were extracted. A qualitative synthesis categorized HRQOL outcomes into global, physical, emotional, social, and breast cancer-specific domains. Risk of bias was assessed, and findings from observational studies were compared with those from clinical trials.ResultsThe search identified 5831 sources, with 11 studies meeting inclusion criteria. For most domains, studies reported positive associations between aerobic activity and HRQOL. Meeting aerobic activity guidelines was found to have clinically meaningful positive associations with global HRQOL (Five studies), physical HRQOL (Two studies), and breast cancer-specific HRQOL (One study). Fewer studies reported on emotional/social domains of HRQOL or the association between muscle-strengthening activity and HRQOL. Overall, observational findings were consistent with clinical trial findings.ConclusionsObservational evidence suggests that aerobic activity guideline adherence may be associated with increased global and physical HRQOL. These findings indicate that benefits observed in trials may extend to real-world recreational aerobic activity. Further research is needed on muscle-strengthening activity and activity dosage.

The transcription factors TFEB and TFE3 modulate expression of lysosomal, autophagic, and metabolic genes to restore energy and cellular homeostasis in response to a variety of stress conditions. Since their role during vertebrate development is less characterized, we used CRISPR/Cas9 to deplete tfeb, tfe3a, and tfe3b in zebrafish. The simultaneous lack of these genes compromised embryo survival during early development, with an almost complete lethality of the larvae by 8-10 dpf. The knockout animals showed apoptosis in brain and retina and alterations in pancreas, liver, and gut. Exocrine pancreas presented the most severe defects, with accumulation of abnormal zymogen granules leading to acinar atrophy in embryos and pancreatitis-like phenotypes in adults; likely due to a block of the autophagy machinery implicated in removal of damaged granules. Knockout animals displayed increased susceptibility to oxidative and heat-shock stress. Our work reveals an essential role of Tfeb and Tfe3 in maintaining cellular and tissue homeostasis during development.

Exercise may offer various clinical benefits to breast cancer survivors. However, exercise participation among survivors is low. Discussions about exercise can increase participation, but details regarding implementation of exercise communication for breast cancer survivors are unclear. To examine the development and implementation of explicitly reported exercise communication for breast cancer survivors. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for Scoping Reviews was used. Six databases (PubMed/MEDLINE, Cochrane Library, Embase, Web of Science, Communication and Mass Media Complete, and PsycINFO) were searched for articles describing exercise communication for female breast cancer survivors in any geographical location or setting published up to April 2024. Information about study and participant characteristics, exercise communication, and intervention components and effects were extracted. Thirty-nine studies were included. Information consistent with exercise guidelines was communicated in 32 studies for aerobic exercise (82.1%) and 7 studies for muscle-strengthening exercise (17.9%). More studies communicated information about exercise benefits (20 [51.3%]) compared with exercise safety (3 [7.7%]). Studies included breast cancer survivors who were predominantly White (median [range], 85.5% [47.4%-98.7%]). Most included breast cancer survivors were educated (median percentage, 50.7% were college graduates) and had completed primary treatment (eg, median percentage, 66.7% had completed chemotherapy). Seventeen individualized (ie, tailored) information based on demographic or clinical characteristics (43.6%), and 5 considered contextual factors, such as the environment (12.8%). Most interventions reported an increase in exercise (19 of 21 [90.4%]). Heterogeneity in intervention design (eg, dietary advice or exercise trackers in addition to exercise information) and evaluation (eg, intervention length and outcomes) prevented quantitative synthesis of intervention effects. In this systematic scoping review of exercise communication for breast cancer survivors, interventions including exercise communication appeared to show a favorable effect. However, data were limited about the development and implementation of these interventions among underrepresented breast cancer survivors. Interest in research involving exercise communication for breast cancer survivors in clinical settings remains strong.

Chemical ablative therapies offer effective alternatives for tumor treatment, particularly when surgical resection or heat‐based ablation therapies are unsuitable due to the tumor's stage, location, or extent. Photodynamic therapy (PDT), which involves delivering light‐activated, tumor‐killing photosensitizers, and percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), which involves the direct injection of pure ethanol into tumor nodules, are two non‐heat‐based chemical ablative methods that have been proven safe with low adverse effects for unresectable tumors. We have investigated combining these two treatments using a new formulation known as BPD‐EC‐EtOH. This formulation includes three components: (1) benzoporphyrin derivative, a commonly used photosensitizer for PDT; (2) ethyl cellulose (EC), an FDA‐approved polymer that forms a gel in the water phase and enhances drug retention; and (3) pure ethanol for PEI application. Here, we demonstrated the localization of BPD and confirmed that it retains its photochemical properties within the EC‐EtOH gel in tissue‐mimicking phantoms and in swine liver tissues. We also characterized EC's ability to act as a light‐scattering agent, which effectively extends light propagation distance in both in vitro models and ex vivo porcine liver tissues, potentially overcoming the limitations of light penetration in pigmented organs. We then investigated the therapeutic effects of BPD‐EC‐EtOH using two well‐established subcutaneous animal models of hepatocellular carcinoma and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma, both in single‐ and multi‐cycle combination treatments, showing tumor‐killing effects. These findings highlight the potential of BPD‐EC‐EtOH as a novel therapeutic approach, effective with either single or multi‐cycle treatment sessions.

Disruption of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) biosynthesis and function during infection may impair host defenses and aggravate inflammatory and oxidative organ injury. Increasingly, studies are investigating whether niacin or NAD metabolite treatment is beneficial in infection and sepsis animal models. We examined whether this preclinical experience supports clinical trials. A systematic review of three data bases was conducted through 2/29/2024 and a meta-analysis was performed comparing niacin or NAD metabolite treatment to control in adult animal models employing microbial challenges. Fifty-six studies met inclusion criteria, with 24 published after 2019. Most studies employed mouse (n = 40 studies) or rat (n = 12) models and administered either a bacterial toxin (n = 28) or bacterial (n = 19) challenge. Four and three studies employed viral or fungal challenges respectively. Studies investigated an NAD metabolite alone (n = 44), niacin alone (n = 9), or both (n = 3), usually administered before or within 24h after challenge (n = 50). Only three and four studies included standard antimicrobial support or started treatment > 24h after challenge respectively. In similar patterns with differing animal types (p ≥ 0.06), compared to control across those studies investigating the parameter, niacin or NAD treatment decreased the odds ratio of mortality [95% confidence interval (CI)] [0.28 (0.17, 0.49)] and in blood or tissue increased antioxidant levels [standardized mean differences (95%CI)] (SMD) [3.61 (2.20,5.02)] and decreased levels of microbes [− 2.44 (− 3.34, − 1.55)], histologic and permeability organ injury scoring [− 1.62 (− 2.27, − 0.98) and − 1.31(− 1.77, − 0.86) respectively], levels of TNFα, IL-6 and IL-1β [− 2.47 (− 3.30, − 1.64), − 3.17 (− 4.74, − 1.60) and − 8.44 (− 12.4, − 4.5) respectively] and myeloperoxidase (MPO) [− 1.60 (− 2.06, − 1.14)], although with significant, primarily quantitative heterogeneity for each (I2 ≥ 53%, p < 0.01) except MPO. Treatment increased blood or tissue NAD+ levels and decreased chemical organ injury measures and oxidation markers but differently comparing species (p ≤ 0.05). Only 2 and 9 survival studies described power analyses or animal randomization respectively and no study described treatment or non-histologic outcome measure blinding. Among survival studies, Egger’s analysis (p = 0.002) suggested publication bias. While suggestive, published animal studies do not yet support clinical trials testing niacin and NAD metabolite treatment for infection and sepsis. Animal studies simulating clinical conditions and with randomized, blinded designs are needed to investigate this potentially promising therapeutic approach.