P3 site-directed mutagenesis: An efficient method based on primer pairs with 3'-overhangs.

Site-directed mutagenesis is a fundamental tool indispensable for protein and plasmid engineering. An important technological question is how to achieve the efficiency at the ideal level of 100%. Based on complementary primer pairs, the QuickChange method has been widely used, but it requires significant improvements due to its low efficiency and frequent unwanted mutations.

Six-month safety and efficacy outcomes from the randomized-controlled arm of the WRAPSODY Arteriovenous Access Efficacy (WAVE) trial.

Stenosis within the arteriovenous fistula (AVF) of hemodialysis patients leads to vascular access dysfunction and inadequate hemodialysis. Percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) is the standard therapy for stenosis. However, rates of restenosis and loss of access patency remain high.

siRNA-mediated inhibition of hTERT enhances the effects of curcumin in promoting cell death in precursor-B acute lymphoblastic leukemia cells: an in silico and in vitro study.

This study investigates the interrelationship between human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT) and ferroptosis in precursor-B (pre-B) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), specifically examining how hTERT modulation affects ferroptotic cell death pathways. Given that hTERT overexpression characterizes various cancer phenotypes and elevated telomerase activity is observed in early-stage and relapsed ALL, we investigated the molecular mechanisms linking hTERT regulation and ferroptosis in leukemia cells. The experimental design employed Nalm-6 and REH cell lines under three distinct conditions: curcumin treatment, hTERT siRNA knockdown, and their combination.

ATM Expression and Activation in Ataxia Telangiectasia Patients with and without Class Switch Recombination Defects.

Background: Ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) kinase plays a critical role in DNA double-strand break (DSB) repair. Ataxia telangiectasia (A-T) patients exhibit abnormalities in immunoglobulin isotype expression and class switch recombination (CSR). This study investigates the role of residual ATM kinase expression and activity in the severity of A-T disease.

Trans-sodium crocetinate ameliorates Parkinson-like disease caused by bisphenol A through inhibition of apoptosis and reduction of α-synuclein in rats.

Objectives: Trans-sodium crocetinate (TSC) is one of the crocetin derivations that is more soluble and stable than crocetin and its cis form. It easily crosses the blood-brain barrier. TSC has neuroprotective effects.

Exogenous dopamine application ameliorates chilling injury and preserves quality of kiwifruit during cold storage.

This study investigated the mechanisms employed by exogenous dopamine application in alleviating chilling injury in kiwifruits during storage at 1 °C for 120 days. Our results indicated that dopamine treatment at 150 µM alleviated chilling injury in kiwifruits during storage at 1 °C for 120 days. By 150 µM dopamine application, higher SUMO E3 ligase (SIZ1) and target of rapamycin (TOR) genes expression accompanied by lower poly(ADP-Ribose) polymerase 1 (PARP1) and sucrose non-fermenting 1-related kinase 1 (SnRK1) genes expression was associated with higher salicylic acid, ATP, NADPH and proline accumulation in kiwifruits during storage at 1 °C for 120 days.

Preparation of bovine serum albumin nanospheres desolvation: a study of synthesis, characterization, and aging.

Serum albumin has myriad uses in biotechnology, but its value as a nanocarrier or nanoplatform for therapeutics is becoming increasingly important, notably with albumin-bound chemotherapeutics. Another emerging field is the fabrication of biopolymeric nanoparticles using albumin as a building block to achieve highly-tunable nonimmunogenic capsules or scaffolds that may be cheaply and reliably produced. The aim of this study was to characterize and optimize the desolvation process used for fabrication of albumin nanoparticles under ambient conditions, studying both glutaraldehyde (GT) and glucose (GLU) as crosslinking agents and the effect of various synthesis conditions including pH, electrolyte concentration, and rate of desolvation on particle size and stability.

Modeling the Health and Economic Impact of Pharmacologic Therapies for MASLD in the United States.

Background And Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common condition leading to chronic liver disease which generates substantial health care costs. Our aim was to model the impact on disease and economic burden of a hypothetical pharmacologic therapy which halts MASLD fibrosis progression.

Methods: The U.

Tuning the Chemistry of Fe-Nodes in MIL-100(Fe) through In Situ Generation of High Ratio of Mixed-Valence Sites: The Roles of Site-Specific and Textural Properties in Photo-Fenton Reaction.

Several studies were focused on the application of MIL-100(Fe) (FeO(OH)(HO)(BTC), HBTC is 1,3,5-benzene tricarboxylic acid) in the photo-Fenton reaction, but it still suffers from low efficiency. In this work, MIL-100(Fe) was synthesized at ambient conditions and low pHs using Fe(II) precursors in homogeneous aqueous media to develop a sample with high activity in the photo-Fenton reaction, even better than Fe-porphyrin metal-organic frameworks. The as-synthesized sample is highly crystalline with 30.

Recent advances on brain drug delivery via nanoparticles: alternative future materials for neuroscience applications; a review.

Essentially, the blood-brain barrier (BBB) serves as a line of demarcation between neural tissues and the bloodstream. A unique and protective characteristic of the blood-brain barrier is its ability to maintain cerebral homeostasis by regulating the flux of molecules and ions. The inability to uphold proper functioning in any of these constituents leads to the disruption of this specialized multicellular arrangement, consequently fostering neuroinflammation and neurodegeneration.

Synesis as a framework to enable safety interventions in complex healthcare environments.

Background: Despite wide adoption in the healthcare of safety event report (SER) systems, there is a paucity of unified structures for prompt analysis and action while retaining reporter confidentiality. We used a synesis framework to change siloed reviews of safety reports to a comprehensive appraisal of quality, safety, productivity and reliability to facilitate interventions.

Methods: After a needs assessment survey, we launched serial plan-do-study-act cycles to (1) enhance teams' ability to access SERs, (2) facilitate regular multidisciplinary review of SERs to identify actionable opportunities, (3) allocate action priority using failure mode and effects analysis, and (4) launch actions and summarise data.

Cognitive and behavioral effects of perampanel 4 mg daily dose.

Objective: The neuropsychological adverse effects of antiseizure medications (ASMs) influence the tolerability, and in turn effectiveness of these medications, which can occur in a dose-dependent fashion. In this study, we examine the neuropsychological effects of perampanel (PER) at 4 mg daily as this dose has not been previously assessed with objective cognitive tests.

Methods: The study was originally designed to assess (1) effects of perampanel at 4 mg using different titration rates, and (2) habituation over time.

The microbial mechanism of maize residue decomposition under different temperature and moisture regimes in a Solonchak.

Soil salinization becomes serious under climate change and human activities. Although the residue decomposition contributes lots to soil carbon storage and fertility, the decomposition process and microbial mechanisms on saline-alkali soils are still vague facing climate change. We measured the mass loss of residue (0, 4, 8, 15, 30, 60 and 90 days), CO emission (every two days), and the microbial community structure (0, 4, 15 and 90 days) by using the litter bag method, gas chromatography and high-throughput sequencing technology during the residue decomposition (90 days) in a saline-alkali soil from the Tarim River Basin, China under various temperatures (15 °C, 25 °C, 35 °C) and soil moisture levels (20%, 40%, 60% water holding capacity).

A Scoping Review of Electronic Health Records-Based Screening Algorithms for Familial Hypercholesterolemia.

Background: Familial hypercholesterolemia (FH) is a common genetic disorder that is strongly associated with premature cardiovascular disease. Effective diagnosis and appropriate treatment of FH can reduce cardiovascular disease risk; however, FH is underdiagnosed. Electronic health record (EHR)-based FH screening tools have been previously described to enhance the detection of FH.

The Disease and Economic Burden of HBV and HCV in Ethiopia.

As the second most populated country in Africa, Ethiopia needs public health measures to control diseases that impact its population. The goal of this study is to analyse disease burdens of HBV and HCV, while also highlighting their estimated associated costs for the country. A literature review and a Delphi process reflecting input of Ethiopian experts and the National Viral Hepatitis Technical Working Group were used to complement mathematical modelling to estimate HBV and HCV disease and economic burdens.

High efficiency high gain low side lobe level and slant polarization monopulse antenna using cavity backed slot coupled patch antenna.

In this paper, a multilayer monopulse antenna at Ku-Band with high efficiency, high power handling capability, high gain, 45° linear polarization and low sidelobe is presented. A new slot antenna is proposed as a radiating element based on a cavity-backed slot-coupled patch antenna. Using an enclosed cavity structure reduces coupling between antenna elements, thus increasing the antenna efficiency.

Injectable ionic hydrogel conductors: Advancing material design to transform cardiac pacing.

Direct pacing of the mid myocardium where re-entry originates can be used to prevent ventricular arrhythmias and circumvent the need for painful defibrillation or cardiac ablation. However, there are no pacing electrodes small enough to navigate the coronary veins that cross these culprit scar regions. To address this need, we have developed an injectable ionically conductive hydrogel electrode that can fill the epicardial coronary veins and transform them into flexible electrodes.

Prevalence of visually significant cataract and cataract surgical coverage in Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Aims: Compare the prevalence of age-related cataract and the cataract surgical coverage rate between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians and explore differences in these estimates across location and time.

Methods: The Joanna Briggs Institute guidance for systematic reviews of prevalence studies was followed. A systematic search of Medline, Embase, Web of Science and grey literature from database inception to June 2022 was performed.

Whole examination AI estimation of fetal biometrics from 20-week ultrasound scans.

The current approach to fetal anomaly screening is based on biometric measurements derived from individually selected ultrasound images. In this paper, we introduce a paradigm shift that attains human-level performance in biometric measurement by aggregating automatically extracted biometrics from every frame across an entire scan, with no need for operator intervention. We use a neural network to classify each frame of an ultrasound video recording.

Allocation of Semaglutide According to Coronary Artery Calcium and BMI: Applying the SELECT Trial to MESA.

Background: Implementation of semaglutide weight loss therapy has been challenging due to drug supply and cost, underscoring a need to identify those who derive the greatest absolute benefit.

Objectives: Allocation of semaglutide was modeled according to coronary artery calcium (CAC) among individuals without diabetes or established atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (CVD).

Methods: In this analysis, 3,129 participants in the MESA (Multi-Ethnic Study of Atherosclerosis) without diabetes or clinical CVD met body mass index criteria for semaglutide and underwent CAC scoring on noncontrast cardiac computed tomography.

The Effect of Biofeedback on Constipation, Sleep, Depression, Anxiety and Quality of Life in Patients with Dyssynergic Defecation: a QUASI Experimental Study (Before and After Study).

Dyssynergic defecation(DD) is the inability to coordinate abdominal and anorectal muscle contraction during defecation. Patients with constipation often report poor quality of life, sleep issues, and increased risk of mood disorders. Biofeedback is a recommended treatment for DD.

Effect of curcumin loaded in nanoemulsion basil seed gum coating on the reduction of acrylamide and oil absorption in fried potato strips.

Frying is one of the oldest cooking methods, widely used to prepare crispy and flavorful foods. However, a significant concern with fried foods is the high amount of oil absorption. The application of edible coatings is a common approach to reducing oil absorption in fried potatoes.

Acute maternal hyperoxygenation to predict hypoxia and need for emergency intervention in fetuses with transposition of the great arteries: a pilot study.

Background: Newborns with transposition of the great arteries (TGA) are at risk of severe hypoxia from inadequate atrial mixing, closure of the arterial duct and/or pulmonary hypertension (PPHN). Acute maternal hyperoxygenation (AMH) might assist in identifying at-risk fetuses. We report pulmonary vasoreactivity to AMH in TGA fetuses and its relationship to early postnatal hypoxia and requirement for emergency balloon atrial septostomy (e-BAS).

Automated craniofacial biometry with 3D T2w fetal MRI.

Objectives: Evaluating craniofacial phenotype-genotype correlations prenatally is increasingly important; however, it is subjective and challenging with 3D ultrasound. We developed an automated label propagation pipeline using 3D motion- corrected, slice-to-volume reconstructed (SVR) fetal MRI for craniofacial measurements.

Methods: A literature review and expert consensus identified 31 craniofacial biometrics for fetal MRI.

Animal and bird-related ocular trauma: a decade of experience from a tertiary referral eye hospital of Iran.

Background: This study aimed to explore ocular and periocular injuries resulting from animal and bird attacks among patients referred to a tertiary referral eye hospital of Iran over ten years (2014-2024).

Methods: In this retrospective analysis, we collected data on patient demographics, the species of the attacking animal and bird, the nature of the ocular and periocular injuries, details of ophthalmological examinations, therapeutic interventions, and surgical treatments.

Results: One hundred and twenty-nine patients, with an average age of 36 ± 23 years (range: 1-77 years), were included in this study, of whom 81 were male.