Stigmurin encapsulated PLA-PEG ameliorates its therapeutic potential, antimicrobial and antiproliferative activities.

In light of growing global challenge posed by antimicrobial resistance, it is very important to explore alternatives that can target pathogenic microorganisms. One such strategy involves the use of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and Stigmurin is one such AMP present in Brazilian scorpion Tityus stigmurus which possesses antimicrobial, antiproliferative and antiparasitic activity. The study commenced with successful synthesis and characterization of Stigmurin and its analogues, designated S1 and S2.

Longitudinal trajectories of cognitive, functional, and neuropsychiatric decline in Alzheimer's disease during COVID-19 lockdown in South Korea.

The progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and its interaction with COVID-19-induced social isolation remains poorly understood. This study investigated the longitudinal trajectories of AD severity on cognitive function, functional ability, and neuropsychiatric symptoms, and examined the impact of COVID-19 lockdown on AD patients in South Korea. In this retrospective longitudinal study, data from 253 adults (aged ≥ 55) diagnosed with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or AD were analyzed, collected between 2018 and 2022.

Novel function of TREK-1 in regulating adipocyte differentiation and lipid accumulation.

K2P (two-pore domain potassium) channels, a diversified class of K-selective ion channels, have been found to affect a wide range of physiological processes in the body. Despite their established significance in regulating proliferation and differentiation in multiple cell types, K2P channels' specific role in adipogenic differentiation (adipogenesis) remains poorly understood. In this study, we investigated the engagement of K2P channels, specifically KCNK2 (also known as TREK-1), in adipogenesis using primary cultured adipocytes and TREK-1 knockout (KO) mice.

Risk-adapted scoring model to identify candidates benefiting from adjuvant chemotherapy after radical nephroureterectomy for localized upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma: A multicenter study.

Purpose: Adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) is recommended for muscle-invasive or lymph node-positive upper urinary tract urothelial carcinoma (UTUC) after radical nephroureterectomy (RNU). However, disease recurrences are frequently observed in pT1 disease, and AC may increase the risk of overtreatment in pT2 UTUC patients. This study aimed to validate a risk-adapted scoring model for selecting UTUC patients with ≤pT2 disease who would benefit from AC.

Enhanced thrombopoiesis supplies PD-L1 to circulating immune cells via the generation of PD-L1-expressing platelets in patients with lung cancer.

Background: The increased expression of programmed cell death ligand 1 (PD-L1) on a subset of immune cells in the peripheral blood has been frequently observed in patients with cancer, suggesting a relationship with PD-L1 expression in tumor tissues. In this study, we investigated the mechanisms underlying PD-L1 expression on various types of immune cells in the peripheral blood of patients with cancer.

Methods: PD-L1 expression on various immune cell populations was analyzed in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of 112 patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) using flow cytometry.