Targeting the conserved active site of splicing machines with specific and selective small molecule modulators.

The self-splicing group II introns are bacterial and organellar ancestors of the nuclear spliceosome and retro-transposable elements of pharmacological and biotechnological importance. Integrating enzymatic, crystallographic, and simulation studies, we demonstrate how these introns recognize small molecules through their conserved active site. These RNA-binding small molecules selectively inhibit the two steps of splicing by adopting distinctive poses at different stages of catalysis, and by preventing crucial active site conformational changes that are essential for splicing progression.

Integrated endoscopic treatment of primitive unresectable tracheal tumor: the INTACT retrospective cohort study.

Background: Primitive tracheal tumors represent a rare entity whose management, when unresectable, remains challenging. Primary aim of this study was to explore the survival and the factors influencing prognosis of patients with unresectable primitive tracheal tumor undergoing multimodal treatment integrating interventional bronchoscopy and radiotherapy.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study was conducted at the University Hospital of Modena (Italy) over a 12-year period (January 2010 to January 2022) analyzing patients with unresectable primary tracheal tumor receiving interventional bronchoscopy treatment followed by radiotherapy.

Lipoaspirate Injection in Relapsing Idiopathic Subglottic Stenosis: Preliminary Results.

Objectives: The management of idiopathic subglottic stenosis (iSGS) poses a clinical challenge due to high recurrence rates following both endoscopic and open approaches, often leading to tracheostomy. The activation of abnormal T-cells and cytokine pathways has been linked to iSGS pathogenesis. Autologous adipose tissue centrifugation yields lipoaspirate, offering optimal anti-inflammatory effects and biocompatibility widely utilized in various medical settings.

An ultra-sensitive SARS-CoV-2 antigen optical biosensor based on angiotensin converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functionalized magnetic-fluorescent silica nanoparticles.

This work reports on the design and synthesis of an angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE-2) functionalized magnetic fluorescent silica nanoparticles (Fe-FSNP) as a biosensing platform to detect severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) antigen. Iron oxide (FeO) nanoparticles were synthesized via ultrasonic-assisted coprecipitation and then coated with fluorescent silica nanoparticles (FSNP) through themethod forming the Fe-FSNP samples. Silica obtained from local geothermal powerplant was used in this work and Rhodamine B was chosen as the incorporated fluorescent dye, hence this reports for the first time ACE-2 was immobilized on the natural silica surface.