Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosome and liposome hybrids as transfection nanocarriers of Cas9-GFP plasmid to HEK293T cells.

Exosomes are natural membrane-enclosed nanovesicles (30-150 nm) involved in cell-cell communication. Recently, they have garnered considerable interest as nanocarriers for the controlled transfer of therapeutic agents to cells. Here, exosomes were derived from bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells using three different isolation methods.

Cold Plasma Treatment of Quinoa Grains: Changes in Phytic Acid, Saponin, Content, and Antioxidant Capacity.

The impact of atmospheric cold plasma (ACP) treatment (at 50 and 60 kV for 5 and 10 min) on nutritional (total phenolic and flavonoids contents, antioxidant capacity, and TBARs) and antinutritional (saponin and phytic acid) characteristics of quinoa grains has been investigated at this study. Results indicated that ACP treatment is significantly effective to reduce the antinutritional compounds compared with the control sample ( ≤ 0.05), among which S (i.

Modulation of the endocannabinoid system by (S)-ketamine in an animal model of depression.

Ketamine (KET) is recognized as rapid-acting antidepressant, but its mechanisms of action remain elusive. Considering the role of endocannabinoids (eCB) in stress and depression, we investigated if S-KET antidepressant effects involve the regulation of the eCB system using an established rat model of depression based on selective breeding: the Flinders Sensitive Line (FSL) and their controls, the Flinders Resistant Line (FRL). S-KET (15 mg/kg) effects were assessed in rats exposed to the open field and forced swimming test (FST), followed by analysis of the eCB signaling in the rat prefrontal cortex (PFC), a brain region involved in depression neurobiology.

Predictive utility of artificial intelligence on schizophrenia treatment outcomes: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Identifying optimal treatment approaches for schizophrenia is challenging due to varying symptomatology and treatment responses. Artificial intelligence (AI) shows promise in predicting outcomes, prompting this systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate various AI models' predictive utilities in schizophrenia treatment. A systematic search was conducted, and the risk of bias was evaluated.

Exploring the potential link between ΔFosB and -acetylcysteine in craving/relapse dynamics: can -acetylcysteine stand out as a possible treatment candidate?

From a neuroscientific point of view, one of the unique archetypes of substance use disorders is its road to relapse, in which the reward system plays a crucial role. Studies on the neurobiology of substance use disorders have highlighted the central role of a protein belonging to the Fos family of transcription factors, ΔFosB. Relying on the roles ΔFosB plays in the pathophysiology of substance use disorders, we endeavour to present some evidence demonstrating that -acetylcysteine, a low-cost and well-tolerated over-the-counter medicine, may influence the downstream pathway of ΔFosB, thereby serving as a treatment strategy to mitigate the risk of relapse in cases of substance use.

All psychiatric disorders are equal, but some are more equal than others! An unconscious bias that calls for precision terminology.

We address the unconsciously biased perception of psychiatric disorders, highlighting a hierarchical perspective that favours certain diagnoses over others. We aim to uncover reasons for these inequities, emphasising the need for a shift toward pathophysiology-based nomenclature that can promote equal support for each disorder, enhance treatment adherence and encourage open discussions.

Electrospun nanofibrous wound dressings with enhanced efficiency through carbon quantum dots and citrate incorporation.

Nanofibers show promise for wound healing by facilitating active agent delivery, moisture retention, and tissue regeneration. However, selecting suitable dressings for diverse wound types and managing varying exudate levels remains challenging. This study synthesized carbon quantum dots (CQDs) from citrate salt and thiourea using a hydrothermal method.

Hansenula polymorpha methanol metabolism genes enhance recombinant protein production in Komagataella phaffi.

Recombinant protein production in Komagataella phaffi (K. phaffi), a widely utilized host organism, can be optimized by enhancing the metabolic flux in the central carbon metabolism pathways. The methanol utilization pathway (MUT) during methanol-based growth plays a crucial role in providing precursors and energy for cell growth and development.

Promoters in Pichia pastoris: A Toolbox for Fine-Tuned Gene Expression.

This chapter reviews the different promoters used to control gene expression in the yeast Pichia pastoris, mainly for recombinant protein production. It covers natural inducible, derepressed, and constitutive promoters, as well as engineered synthetic/hybrid promoters, orthologous promoters from related yeasts, and emerging bidirectional promoters. Key examples, characteristics, and regulatory mechanisms are discussed for each promoter class.

Effectiveness of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells expressing alpha-1 antitrypsin gene in liver fibrosis: a study in mice.

Aim: The present study examined the protective potential of human adipose tissue-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hASCs) modified to overexpress alpha-1 antitrypsin (AAT), in a mouse model of the liver fibrosis.

Background: For the treatment of end-stage liver diseases, cell therapy has emerged as a promising noninvasive alternative to liver transplantation. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are being evaluated due to their dual capabilities of promoting liver regeneration and modulating the pathogenic inflammation of the immune system.

Regulation of mitochondrial dysfunction by estrogens and estrogen receptors in Alzheimer's disease: A focused review.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder that primarily manifests itself by progressive memory loss and cognitive decline, thus significantly affecting memory functions and quality of life. In this review, we proceed from the understanding that the canonical amyloid-β hypothesis, while significant, has faced setbacks, highlighting the need to adopt a broader perspective considering the intricate interplay of diverse pathological pathways for effective AD treatments. Sex differences in AD offer valuable insights into a better understanding of its pathophysiology.

Simulation and experimental study of a cold atmospheric pressure plasma and comparison of efficiency in boosting recombinant Endoglucanase II production in Pichia pastoris.

Recombinant proteins are essential in various industries, and scientists employ genetic engineering and synthetic biology to enhance the host cell's protein production capacity. Stress response pathways have been found effective in augmenting protein secretion. Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) can induce oxidative stress and enhance protein production.

Green synthesis of yeast cell wall-derived carbon quantum dots with multiple biological activities.

Hypothesis: Yeast cell walls are a sustainable biomass source containing carbon and other elements like phosphorus. Converting cell walls into valuable nanomaterials like carbon quantum dots (CQDs) is of interest.

Experiments: Cell walls from were hydrothermally treated in 0.

In silico designing of novel epitope-based peptide vaccines against HIV-1.

The HIV-1 virus has been regarded as a catastrophe for human well-being. The global incidence of HIV-1-infected individuals is increasing. Hence, development of effective immunostimulatory molecules has recently attracted an increasing attention in the field of vaccine design against HIV-1 infection.

Modulation of Leucine Sensors to Mitigate Antipsychotics-Induced Metabolic Syndrome: A New Vista.

Second-generation antipsychotics (SGAs) are currently the mainstay in the pharmacotherapy of some psychiatric disorders, which have improved the quality of life of millions of patients globally. A broad spectrum of activity and diminished liabilities of extrapyramidal side effects have made SGAs better alternatives compared to first-generation antipsychotics. Nevertheless, they display a complex profile of activity by affecting an array of biological targets and, as a result, are associated with a constellation of metabolic abnormalities such as hyperglycemia, dyslipidemia, weight gain, and cardiovascular problems.

Quinoa dough fermentation by and lactic acid bacteria: Changes in saponin, phytic acid content, and antioxidant capacity.

The effects of two fermentation processes (common fermentation with and fermentation by subsp. PTCC 1608 and subsp. PTCC 1745) on pH, titratable acidity, total phenolic and flavonoid contents, antioxidant capacity, saponin content, as well as phytic acid content of quinoa dough were investigated during the 24-h fermentation (4-h interval).

Peering into the Brain's Estrogen Receptors: PET Tracers for Visualization of Nuclear and Extranuclear Estrogen Receptors in Brain Disorders.

Estrogen receptors (ERs) play a multitude of roles in brain function and are implicated in various brain disorders. The use of positron emission tomography (PET) tracers for the visualization of ERs' intricate landscape has shown promise in oncology but remains limited in the context of brain disorders. Despite recent progress in the identification and development of more selective ligands for various ERs subtypes, further optimization is necessary to enable the reliable and efficient imaging of these receptors.

Immunogenicity evaluation of a novel virus-like particle vaccine candidate against SARS-CoV-2 in BALB/c.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has imposed deployment of an effective vaccine as a worldwide health priority. The new variants of SARS-CoV-2 have also brought serious concerns due to virus eradiation hesitancy. In this study, we evaluated the protective immune system activity of a recombinant viral vector-based vaccine candidate encoding a fusion spike, membrane and nucleocapsid proteins, Spike (528-1273aa)-M-N, in BALB/c via two different routes of delivery, intranasal and subcutaneous.

Cold atmospheric plasma treatment enhances recombinant model protein production in yeast Pichia pastoris.

Cold atmospheric pressure plasma (CAP) has been described as a novel technology with expanding applications in biomedicine and biotechnology. In the present study, we provide a mildly stressful condition using non-lethal doses of CAP (120, 180, and 240 s) and evaluate its potential benefits on the recombinant production of a model protein (enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)) in yeast Pichia pastoris. The measured eGFP fluorescence augmented proportional to CAP exposure time.

Sex and Estrous Cycle Are Not Mediators of S-Ketamine's Rapid-Antidepressant Behavioral Effects in a Genetic Rat Model of Depression.

Background: Recent preclinical and clinical studies have shed light on the possible impact of sex and estrous/menstrual cycle on ketamine's antidepressant action but with incongruous results. The preclinical studies that have shown the effects of ovarian sex hormones have not done so in animal models of depression. Thus, the aim of the present study is to scrutinize the acute behavioral responses to a subanesthetic dose of S-ketamine in males vs females and in different estrous phases in free-cycling females in a well-powered translational approach.

An overview of the vaccine platforms to combat COVID-19 with a focus on the subunit vaccines.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) is an emerging virus that has caused the recent coronavirus disease (COVID-19) global pandemic. The current approved COVID-19 vaccines have shown considerable efficiency against hospitalization and death. However, the continuation of the pandemic for more than two years and the likelihood of new strain emergence despite the global rollout of vaccination highlight the immediate need for the development and improvement of vaccines.

Rethinking treatment-resistant depression to quasi-tenacious depression.

With almost one-third of patients with major depression not adequately responsive to treatments, the management of treatment-resistant depression (TRD) has continued to be challenging. Recently, an essential step was taken to replace TRD with difficult-to-treat depression (DTD), pointing to some drawbacks associated with this terminology and identifying addressable barriers. In line with the DTD concept, we discuss why terming this population of patients as TRD could be semantically and clinically misleading.

Stable Operation of a Free-Electron Laser Driven by a Plasma Accelerator.

The breakthrough provided by plasma-based accelerators enabled unprecedented accelerating fields by boosting electron beams to gigaelectronvolt energies within a few centimeters [1-4]. This, in turn, allows the realization of ultracompact light sources based on free-electron lasers (FELs) [5], as demonstrated by two pioneering experiments that reported the observation of self-amplified spontaneous emission (SASE) driven by plasma-accelerated beams [6,7]. However, the lack of stability and reproducibility due to the intrinsic nature of the SASE process (whose amplification starts from the shot noise of the electron beam) may hinder their effective implementation for user purposes.

Effectiveness of osteopathic manipulative treatment in cardiovascular function: a systematic review protocol.

Objective: The objective of this review is to investigate the short- and long-term effects of osteopathic manipulative treatment on cardiovascular function and its regulators in the nervous and endocrine systems.

Introduction: A variety of pharmacological and lifestyle-based treatments are used to prevent or treat vascular diseases, yet vascular disease underpins the top 2 causes of death worldwide. There is a need for more preventative and therapeutic interventions in the management and prevention of vascular disease that are compatible with existing interventions.