Sustainable synthesis of carbon dots via bio-waste recycling for biomedical imaging.

Bio-waste is a side product of biomedical research containing carbon, which can be utilized for developing carbon dots (CDs). CDs are known to be useful for a variety of applications because of their unique photoluminescence, low toxicity, and straightforward synthesis. In this paper, we employed a one-step hydrothermal method to prepare CDs from bio-waste as the only reactant.

Application of a bespoke monoclonal antibody panel to characterize immune cell populations in cave nectar bats.

Among their many unique biological features, bats are increasingly recognized as a key reservoir of many emerging viruses that cause massive morbidity and mortality in humans. Bats are capable of harboring many of these deadly viruses without any apparent signs of pathology, in a mechanism known as viral disease tolerance. However, the immunological mechanisms behind viral tolerance remain poorly understood.

Anthropogenic Transmission of SARS-CoV-2 from Humans to Lions, Singapore, 2021.

In Singapore, 10 captive lions tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by real-time PCR. Genomic analyses of nanopore sequencing confirmed human-to-animal transmission of the SARS-CoV-2 Delta variant. Viral genomes from the lions and zookeeper shared a unique spike protein substitution, S:A1016V.

Detection of African Swine Fever Virus from Wild Boar, Singapore, 2023.

We detected African swine fever virus (ASFV) from a wild boar in Singapore. In <72 hours, we confirmed and reported ASFV p72 genotype II, CD2v serogroup 8, and IGR-II variant by using a combination of real-time PCR and whole-genome sequencing. Continued biosurveillance will be needed to monitor ASFV in Singapore.

A vertebral skeletal stem cell lineage driving metastasis.

Vertebral bone is subject to a distinct set of disease processes from long bones, including a much higher rate of solid tumour metastases. The basis for this distinct biology of vertebral bone has so far remained unknown. Here we identify a vertebral skeletal stem cell (vSSC) that co-expresses ZIC1 and PAX1 together with additional cell surface markers.

Vaccinia E5 is a major inhibitor of the DNA sensor cGAS.

The DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) is critical in host antiviral immunity. Vaccinia virus (VACV) is a large cytoplasmic DNA virus that belongs to the poxvirus family. How vaccinia virus antagonizes the cGAS-mediated cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway is not well understood.

MASP2 inhibition by narsoplimab suppresses endotheliopathies characteristic of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy: in vitro and ex vivo evidence.

Transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TA-TMA) is an endotheliopathy complicating up to 30% of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplants (alloHSCT). Positive feedback loops among complement, pro-inflammatory, pro-apoptotic, and coagulation cascade likely assume dominant roles at different disease stages. We hypothesized that mannose-binding lectin-associated serine protease 2 (MASP2), principal activator of the lectin complement system, is involved in the microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) injury characteristic of TA-TMA through pathways that are susceptible to suppression by anti-MASP2 monoclonal antibody narsoplimab.

OX40L-expressing recombinant modified vaccinia virus Ankara induces potent antitumor immunity via reprogramming Tregs.

Effective depletion of immune suppressive regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the tumor microenvironment without triggering systemic autoimmunity is an important strategy for cancer immunotherapy. Modified vaccinia virus Ankara (MVA) is a highly attenuated, non-replicative vaccinia virus with a long history of human use. Here, we report rational engineering of an immune-activating recombinant MVA (rMVA, MVA∆E5R-Flt3L-OX40L) with deletion of the vaccinia E5R gene (encoding an inhibitor of the DNA sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase, cGAS) and expression of two membrane-anchored transgenes, Flt3L and OX40L.

Defibrotide mitigates endothelial cell injury induced by plasmas from patients with COVID-19 and related vasculopathies.

Background And Objectives: COVID-19 progression is characterized by systemic small vessel arterial and venous thrombosis. Microvascular endothelial cell (MVEC) activation and injury, platelet activation, and histopathologic features characteristic of acute COVID-19 also describe certain thrombotic microangiopathies, including atypical hemolytic-uremic syndrome (aHUS), thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP), and hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT)-associated veno-occlusive disease (VOD). We explored the effect of clinically relevant doses of defibrotide, approved for HSCT-associated VOD, on MVEC activation/injury.

A multi-organoid platform identifies CIART as a key factor for SARS-CoV-2 infection.

COVID-19 is a systemic disease involving multiple organs. We previously established a platform to derive organoids and cells from human pluripotent stem cells to model SARS-CoV-2 infection and perform drug screens. This provided insight into cellular tropism and the host response, yet the molecular mechanisms regulating SARS-CoV-2 infection remain poorly defined.

Vascular oxidative stress causes neutrophil arrest in brain capillaries, leading to decreased cerebral blood flow and contributing to memory impairment in a mouse model of Alzheimer’s disease.

Introduction: In this study, we explore the role of oxidative stress produced by NOX2-containing NADPH oxidase as a molecular mechanism causing capillary stalling and cerebral blood flow deficits in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD.

Methods: We inhibited NOX2 in APP/PS1 mice by administering a 10 mg/kg dose of the peptide inhibitor gp91-ds-tat i.p.

Discovery of a Vertebral Skeletal Stem Cell Driving Spinal Metastases.

Vertebral bone is subject to a distinct set of disease processes from those of long bones, notably including a much higher rate of solid tumor metastases that cannot be explained by passive blood flow distribution alone. The basis for this distinct biology of vertebral bone has remained elusive. Here we identify a vertebral skeletal stem cell (vSSC), co-expressing the transcription factors ZIC1 and PAX1 together with additional cell surface markers, whose expression profile and function are markedly distinct from those of long bone skeletal stem cells (lbSSCs).

Disseminated Mucocutaneous Histoplasmosis Diagnosed in the United Kingdom, Presumably as a Result of Recrudescence Decades After Primary Infection Following Immunosuppressive Treatment of Its Mimic, Sarcoidosis: A Multidisciplinary Cautionary Tale.

Histoplasmosis is a dimorphic fungal infection, which is rare outside endemic pockets in North, Central, and South America, Asia, and Africa. Herein, we describe a woman in her 80s living in the Scottish Borders region of the United Kingdom with a recent diagnosis of granulomatous rosacea, who on receiving escalating immunosuppression for suspected sarcoidosis, and long-standing rheumatoid arthritis developed a striking eruption involving her eyelids along with painful ulceration of the oral and nasal mucosa. Histopathologic examination of the skin and mucosal lesions demonstrated granulomatous inflammation with numerous yeast forms of fungal organisms with morphological characteristics of Histoplasma species.

Low-dose carbon monoxide suppresses metastatic progression of disseminated cancer cells.

Low-dose carbon monoxide (CO) is under investigation in clinical trials to treat non-cancerous diseases and has an excellent safety profile. Due to early detection and cancer awareness, an increasing number of cancer patients are diagnosed at early stages, when potentially curative surgical resection can be done. However, many patients ultimately experience recurrence.

Differential effects of macrophage subtypes on SARS-CoV-2 infection in a human pluripotent stem cell-derived model.

Dysfunctional immune responses contribute critically to the progression of Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19), with macrophages as one of the main cell types involved. It is urgent to understand the interactions among permissive cells, macrophages, and the SARS-CoV-2 virus, thereby offering important insights into effective therapeutic strategies. Here, we establish a lung and macrophage co-culture system derived from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs), modeling the host-pathogen interaction in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Pandemic effects to autonomous vehicles test operations in California.

Companies developing automated driving system (ADS) technologies have spent heavily in recent years to conduct live testing of autonomous vehicles operating in real world environments to ensure their reliable and safe operations. However, the unexpected onset and ongoing resurgent effects of the Covid-19 pandemic starting in March 2020 has serve to halt, change, or delay the achievement of these new product development test objectives. This study draws on data obtained from the California automated vehicle test program to determine the extent that testing trends, test resumptions, and test environments have been affected by the pandemic.

Outdoor performance of the black globe temperature sensor on a hot and humid tropical region.

A crucial variable to evaluate thermal comfort is the mean radiant temperature (T). In this paper we evaluate the performance of the 150 mm black globe thermometer to provide reliable T values for outdoor settings in Singapore. Accurate T values are calculated by the method of integral radiation measurements.

Chimeric antigen receptor-T cells with cytokine neutralizing capacity.

Infusion of T lymphocytes expressing chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) can produce extraordinary antitumor activity in patients with leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. The signaling mechanisms activating T cells and provoking tumor cell killing also trigger cytokine secretion and macrophage activation, leading to cytokine release syndrome (CRS). CRS is a serious side effect of CAR-T cells, and proinflammatory interleukin-6 (IL-6) is central to its pathogenesis.

Quantity, Quality, and Performance of Corporate Social Responsibility Information Disclosure by Listed Enterprises in China: A Regional Perspective.

The purpose of this article is to promote an increase in the number of enterprises that will disclose corporate social responsibility (CSR) information, and to improve on their quality of CSR information disclosure. Using the theory of organizational ecology, we propose that the density of companies that disclose CSR information in a region has an impact on both the quality and the performance of CSR disclosures. The study results suggest that an increase in the density of CSR information disclosing enterprises in a region will increase the number of enterprises with disclosure intentions.

The pattern of use and survival outcomes of a dedicated adult Home Ventilation and Respiratory Support Service in Singapore: a 7-year retrospective observational cohort study.

Background: In Singapore, a dedicated adult multidisciplinary Home Ventilation and Respiratory Support Service (HVRSS) was set-up to assist individuals with chronic ventilatory failure. We aimed to study the use, survival outcomes and identify factors influencing survival in our cohort of ventilator-assisted individuals (VAIs).

Methods: We retrospectively reviewed all referrals to HVRSS from 2009 to 2015.

Somatic Mutations in Renal Cyst Epithelium in Autosomal Dominant Polycystic Kidney Disease.

Background: Autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is a ciliopathy caused by mutations in and that is characterized by renal tubular epithelial cell proliferation and progressive CKD. Although the molecular mechanisms involved in cystogenesis are not established, concurrent inactivating constitutional and somatic mutations in ADPKD genes in cyst epithelium have been proposed as a cellular recessive mechanism.

Methods: We characterized, by whole-exome sequencing (WES) and long-range PCR techniques, the somatic mutations in and genes in renal epithelial cells from 83 kidney cysts obtained from nine patients with ADPKD, for whom a constitutional mutation in or was identified.

Bisphosphonates for Paget's disease of bone in adults.

Background: Bisphosphonates are considered to be the treatment of choice for people with Paget's disease of bone. However, the effects of bisphosphonates on patient-centred outcomes have not been extensively studied. There are insufficient data to determine whether reducing and maintaining biochemical markers of bone turnover to within the normal range improves quality of life and reduces the risk of complications.