The Top 25 Health Sciences Articles of 2023

Top Articles

• Dietary circadian rhythms and cardiovascular disease risk in the prospective NutriNet-Santé cohort

  The relation between daily meal and fasting timing with cardiovascular disease incidence remains unclear. Here, authors show that a later daily meal timing is associated with increased cardiovascular disease risk, especially in women. This study suggests that adopting earlier daily eating patterns may be beneficial for cardiovascular prevention.

  • Anna Palomar-Cros
  • Valentina A. Andreeva
  • Bernard Srour

  ArticleOpen Access14 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  On-demand male contraception via acute inhibition of soluble adenylyl cyclase

  Half of all pregnancies are unintended; thus, existing family planning options are inadequate. This proof-of-concept study validates an on-demand contraception strategy for men, showing high effectiveness in quickly and temporarily reducing male fertility in mice.

  • Melanie Balbach
  • Thomas Rossetti
  • Lonny R. Levin

  ArticleOpen Access14 Feb 2023 Nature Communications
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  Identification of 5-HT_2A receptor signaling pathways associated with psychedelic potential

  Serotonin 5-HT_2A receptor signaling mechanisms associated with predicting psychedelic potential remain elusive. Using 5-HT_2A-selective β-arrestin-biased ligands, here the authors show that a threshold level of 5-HT_2A-Gq efficacy and not β-arrestin recruitment is associated with psychedelic potential.

  • Jason Wallach
  • Andrew B. Cao
  • John D. McCorvy

  ArticleOpen Access15 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Mid-old cells are a potential target for anti-aging interventions in the elderly

  In this study, the authors introduce the concept of a unique cellular subtype within the organic stroma, which does not conform to a typical young or senescent but is significantly associated with age-related organic dysfunction among the elderly.

  • Young Hwa Kim
  • Young-Kyoung Lee
  • Tae Jun Park

  ArticleOpen Access22 Nov 2023 Nature Communications
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  Injectable and biodegradable piezoelectric hydrogel for osteoarthritis treatment

  The use of biomaterial scaffolds-based cartilage grafts could potentially innovate the Osteoarthritis (OA) treatment, but has been limited by toxicity concerns and invasive surgical procedures. Here, the authors report an injectable and biodegradable piezoelectric hydrogel with ultrasound activation to offer a minimally invasive approach for OA treatment.

  • Tra Vinikoor
  • Godwin K. Dzidotor
  • Thanh D. Nguyen

  ArticleOpen Access6 Oct 2023 Nature Communications
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  Host-diet-gut microbiome interactions influence human energy balance: a randomized clinical trial

  The gut microbiome is causally linked to body weight in preclinical models. Here, in a controlled feeding study, the authors show that greater delivery of gut-microbiome fermentable dietary substrates to the colon leads to a net negative energy balance that is accompanied by robust microbial and host responses.

  • Karen D. Corbin
  • Elvis A. Carnero
  • Steven R. Smith

  ArticleOpen Access31 May 2023 Nature Communications
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  Respiration modulates sleep oscillations and memory reactivation in humans

  The memory function of sleep relies on the coordination of slow oscillations and spindles. Here the authors show that respiration is associated with the emergence and interplay of these sleep rhythms, and that this coupling is linked to memory reactivation.

  • Thomas Schreiner
  • Marit Petzka
  • Bernhard P. Staresina

  ArticleOpen Access18 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Delayed gut microbiota maturation in the first year of life is a hallmark of pediatric allergic disease

  Here, using participants in the CHILD birth cohort, the authors reveal that impaired 1-year microbiota maturation may be universal to 5-year pediatric allergies, mediated by functional and metabolic imbalances of compromised mucous integrity, elevated oxidative activity, decreased fermentation, and elevated trace amines.

  • Courtney Hoskinson
  • Darlene L. Y. Dai
  • Stuart E. Turvey

  ArticleOpen Access29 Aug 2023 Nature Communications
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  Platelet-derived exerkine CXCL4/platelet factor 4 rejuvenates hippocampal neurogenesis and restores cognitive function in aged mice

  Exercise has positive effects on the brain during aging. Here the authors show that in mice, platelet-released exerkine PF4 mediates the effects of exercise on the brain.

  • Odette Leiter
  • David Brici
  • Tara L. Walker

  ArticleOpen Access16 Aug 2023 Nature Communications
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  mRNA trans-splicing dual AAV vectors for (epi)genome editing and gene therapy

  Large genes require dual adeno-associated viral (AAV) vectors for in vivo delivery/expression, but current methods have limitations. Here the authors develop and functionally evaluate REVeRT, an efficient and flexible dual AAV vector technology based on reconstitution via mRNA trans-splicing.

  • Lisa Maria Riedmayr
  • Klara Sonnie Hinrichsmeyer
  • Elvir Becirovic

  ArticleOpen Access18 Oct 2023 Nature Communications
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  Biofilm microenvironment triggered self-enhancing photodynamic immunomodulatory microneedle for diabetic wound therapy

  The treatment of diabetic wounds tends to be hindered by complex wound environments, and the critical role of the microenvironment in the chronic diabetic wounds has not been explored for therapeutic development. Here, the authors develop a wound microenvironment-responsive microneedle bandage to achieve self-enhanced, catabolic and dynamic therapy of chronic wounds.

  • Li Yang
  • Dan Zhang
  • Xiaowei Zeng

  ArticleOpen Access23 Nov 2023 Nature Communications
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  Ultra-durable cell-free bioactive hydrogel with fast shape memory and on-demand drug release for cartilage regeneration

  Achieving successful in vivo cartilage regeneration remains challenging. Here they present a cell-free, multiple hydrogen-bond crosslinked hydrogel loaded with tannic acid and Kartogenin with ultra-durable mechanical properties and stage-dependent drug release behavior to promote cartilage regeneration.

  • Yuxuan Yang
  • Xiaodan Zhao
  • Xuesi Chen

  ArticleOpen Access27 Nov 2023 Nature Communications
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  Cancer-associated fibroblasts actively compress cancer cells and modulate mechanotransduction

  Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can produce ECM and form a physical barrier around the tumour. Here, the authors show in transgenic mouse models and in vitro systems that CAFs are able to actively compress cancer cells using actomyosin contractility and this leads to a modulation of cancer cell mechanosensing and tumour reorganisation.

  • Jorge Barbazan
  • Carlos Pérez-González
  • Danijela Matic Vignjevic

  ArticleOpen Access1 Nov 2023 Nature Communications
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  Essential transcription factors for induced neuron differentiation

  Using integrative multi-omics and CRISPR knock-out of all ~1,900 transcription factors, the authors identify essential transcription factors required for Neurogenin-driven differentiation of human cortical neurons.

  • Congyi Lu
  • Görkem Garipler
  • Neville E. Sanjana

  ArticleOpen Access15 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Differential responses of the gut microbiome and resistome to antibiotic exposures in infants and adults

  Knowledge on how the gut microbiome and resistome responds to antibiotics across age remains limited. Here, using metagenomics data from Danish infants and young adults, the authors show that antibiotics have a more lasting impact on adults compared to infants.

  • Xuanji Li
  • Asker Brejnrod
  • Søren Johannes Sørensen

  ArticleOpen Access22 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Cell type-specific delivery by modular envelope design

  Targetable delivery vectors for genetic cargo are needed. Here the authors report a modular platform with separate fusion and targeting components—Delivery to Intended REcipient Cells Through Envelope Design (DIRECTED)—and show cell type-specific delivery.

  • Daniel Strebinger
  • Chris J. Frangieh
  • Feng Zhang

  ArticleOpen Access23 Aug 2023 Nature Communications
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  Characterizations of a neutralizing antibody broadly reactive to multiple gluten peptide:HLA-DQ2.5 complexes in the context of celiac disease

  Targeting gluten antigens presents a plausible therapy option for celiac disease. Here the authors generate and characterize a broadly neutralizing antibody recognizing more than 25 gluten peptide:HLA-DQ2.5 complexes, with structural analyses implicating its mode of interaction, and with mouse in vivo studies supporting its therapeutic feasibility.

  • Yuu Okura
  • Yuri Ikawa-Teranishi
  • Tomoyuki Igawa

  ArticleOpen Access22 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Identification of indocyanine green as a STT3B inhibitor against mushroom α-amanitin cytotoxicity

  There is currently no specific antidote for death cap mushroom poisoning treatment. Here, the authors identify STT3B as a druggable target and show that indocyanine green is a STT3B inhibitor that can block α-amanitin toxicity in cell lines, liver organoids and mice.

  • Bei Wang
  • Arabella H. Wan
  • Qiao-Ping Wang

  ArticleOpen Access16 May 2023 Nature Communications
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  Associations of timing of physical activity with all-cause and cause-specific mortality in a prospective cohort study

  There is a growing interest in the role of timing of physical activity (PA) in improving health. Here, using a large-scale cohort study, the authors show that moderate-to-vigorous PA at the optimal time of day robustly predicts lower mortality risk and may maximize the beneficial effect of PA.

  • Hongliang Feng
  • Lulu Yang
  • Jihui Zhang

  ArticleOpen Access18 Feb 2023 Nature Communications
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  Mitochondrial malfunction and atrophy of astrocytes in the aged human cerebral cortex

  How aging affects the brain active milieu remains unknown. Here, the authors reveal atrophy and mitochondrial malfunction of astrocytes but not neurons in older human neocortex.

  • Alexander Popov
  • Nadezda Brazhe
  • Alexey Semyanov

  ArticleOpen Access16 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  A class of secreted mammalian peptides with potential to expand cell-cell communication

  The cells of our bodies use chemical signals to talk with each other. Here the authors describe a class of signaling molecules called “capped peptides” that may mediate cell-cell communication. Unlike other peptides, capped peptides have unique chemical modifications which make them potentially more active and stable.

  • Amanda L. Wiggenhorn
  • Hind Z. Abuzaid
  • Jonathan Z. Long

  ArticleOpen Access8 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Human and mouse neutrophils share core transcriptional programs in both homeostatic and inflamed contexts

  Difficulties can be encountered when translating research between cells from animals and humans because of gene expression differences. Here the authors perform an integrative transcriptomic analysis from human and mouse neutrophils and identify a core inflammation program shared across inflamed contexts.

  • Nicolaj S. Hackert
  • Felix A. Radtke
  • Ricardo Grieshaber-Bouyer

  ArticleOpen Access8 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Open access repository-scale propagated nearest neighbor suspect spectral library for untargeted metabolomics

  Interpreting untargeted mass spectrometry (MS) data is challenging due to incomplete reference libraries. Here, the authors created the nearest neighbor suspect spectral library from largescale public MS data, significantly enhancing the ability to hypothesize structures for unknown mass spectra.

  • Wout Bittremieux
  • Nicole E. Avalon
  • Pieter C. Dorrestein

  ArticleOpen Access20 Dec 2023 Nature Communications
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  Temporal morphogen gradient-driven neural induction shapes single expanded neuroepithelium brain organoids with enhanced cortical identity

  PSC-brain organoids are typically formed by static medium switches. Here, authors show that a temporal morphogen gradient during neural induction allows the formation of well-specified cortical organoids with a self-organized single neuroepithelium.

  • Anna Pagliaro
  • Roxy Finger
  • Benedetta Artegiani

  ArticleOpen Access28 Nov 2023 Nature Communications
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  High-resolution neural recordings improve the accuracy of speech decoding

  Previous work has shown speech decoding in the human brain for the development of neural speech prostheses. Here the authors show that high density µECoG electrodes can record at micro-scale spatial resolution to improve neural speech decoding.

  • Suseendrakumar Duraivel
  • Shervin Rahimpour
  • Gregory B. Cogan

  ArticleOpen Access6 Nov 2023 Nature Communications