PAV-05 Naphthoquinone Potently Inhibit Zika Virus Replication in Infected Cells.

Background: Zika (ZIKV) is a virus transmitted by mosquitoes that can cause Guillain- Barré syndrome and congenital malformations like microcephaly. Given its explosive resurgence and the resulting epidemics in 2016, the search for effective antiviral drugs has become absolutely necessary.

Methods: In this study, we examined the potential of naphthoquinone derivatives that have a sulfonamide or sulfonate group to inhibit ZIKV replication in primary cultured neurons and in Vero cells.

Tissue Engineering Construct for Articular Cartilage Restoration with Stromal Cells from Synovium vs. Dental Pulp-A Pre-Clinical Study.

Background/objectives: Cartilage injuries and osteoarthritis are prevalent public health problems, due to their disabling nature and economic impact. Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) isolated from different tissues have the immunomodulatory capacity to regulate local joint environment. This translational study aims to compare cartilage restoration from MSCs from the synovial membrane (SM) and dental pulp (DP) by a tissue-engineered construct with Good Manufacturing Practices.

Effect of Graphene-Based Coating 3D Printing Process on the Remanence and Corrosion of Sintered NdFeB Magnets.

This study describes a 3D fused deposition modeling (FDM) printing process using a graphene-impregnated polylactic acid (G-PLA) filament to create a new type of rigid, plastic, nonconductive, and anticorrosion layer. Therefore, the possibility of 3D printing a plastic layer using FDM methods is demonstrated herein. A commercial magnet such as N35 NdFeB can be used to produce an efficient shielding film by additive manufacturing.

Retinal microvascular changes in systemic lupus erythematosus assessed by optical coherence tomography angiography.

Purpose: To assess the retinal microvasculature of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (OCTA).

Methods: Twenty adult SLE patients without disease activity and no ocular manifestations were recruited and cross-sectionally assessed. A demographically similar cohort of healthy subjects was used for comparison.

Effects of the morphology and structural cycles of Sabellaria wilsoni Lana & Gruet, 1989 (Annelida: Sabellariidae) reefs on the associated macrofauna.

Despite their ecological importance, there has been insufficient investigation of reefs constructed by polychaetes of the family Sabellariidae in tropical regions. The present study compared macrofauna associated with Amazonian Sabellaria wilsoni reefs with focus on different morphologies (platform vs. hummock reefs) during distinct annual phases of structural development (preserved, eroded, and recuperation).

Electrochemical magneto-immunoassay based on Mycobacterium leprae mimotope for serological diagnosis of leprosy.

Leprosy is an infectious disease classified as Neglected Tropical Disease (NTD) by the World Health Organization (WHO). Its diagnosis is challenging, relying on clinical symptoms and invasive procedures. Delays can cause severe physical disability, including hand, foot, and eye impairments.

Attomolar sensitivity of a redox capacitive and DNA-receptive interface attained by quantum-rate signal amplification concept.

This study demonstrates the application of quantum capacitance (C) methods to develop highly sensitive genosensors. This is achieved by employing the quantum mechanical rate (ν∝e/hC) concept to enhance the signal response of a redox-active, DNA-receptive interface. In these DNA-receptive interfaces, electrons are transported through the redox-tagged component, enabling signal amplification by adding a redox probe to the sample containing the target DNA.

The mosaic of systemic lupus erythematosus: From autoimmunity to autoinflammation and immunodeficiency and back.

The concept of an "immunological continuum model," introduced by McGonagle and McDermott in 2006, redefines the traditional dichotomy between autoimmunity and autoinflammation, proposing a spectrum where innate and adaptive immune dysregulation can co-occur, reflecting a more nuanced understanding of immune disorders. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) exemplifies the complexity of this continuum, often displaying manifestations of autoimmunity, autoinflammation, and immunodeficiency. The interplay between genetic, epigenetic, hormonal, psychological, and environmental factors contributes to its distinctive immunopathological signatures.

Coupling of twelve putative chromosomal inversions maintains a strong barrier to gene flow between snail ecotypes.

Chromosomal rearrangements can lead to the coupling of reproductive barriers, but whether and how they contribute to the completion of speciation remains unclear. Marine snails of the genus repeatedly form hybrid zones between populations segregating for multiple inversion arrangements, providing opportunities to study their barrier effects. Here, we analyzed 2 adjacent transects across hybrid zones between 2 ecotypes of ("large" and "dwarf") adapted to different wave exposure conditions on a Swedish island.

Challenges and opportunities for identifying people with Familial hypercholesterolaemia in the UK: Evidence from the National FH PASS database.

Background: Familial Hypercholesterolaemia (FH) is a monogenic disorder that causes high levels of low-density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol. Cascade testing, where relatives of known individuals with FH ('index') are genetically tested, is effective and cost-effective, but implementation in the UK varies.

Objective: This study aims to provide evidence on current UK FH cascade yields and to identify common obstacles cascade services face and individual- and service-level predictors of success.

Acrylamide in alternative snacks to potato: A review.

The snack food market has been changing to keep up with the growing demand for healthier products and, as a result, alternative products to traditional potato chips have been emerging to provide health-related benefits. Extrusion, frying, and baking are the main techniques used worldwide in the processing of snacks and are among the main reasons for the formation of toxic compounds induced by heat, such as acrylamide. This contaminant is formed during thermal processing in foods heated at high temperatures and rich in carbohydrates.

A rare presentation of an accessory mitral valve chordae.

The mitral subvalvular apparatus can exhibit complex and unique anatomical variations. Accessory mitral valve chordae (AMVC) typically present as additional thin strands in the left ventricle. Their appearance in the atrium is rare.

Upgrading Mitochondria-Targeting Peptide-Based Nanocomplexes for Zebrafish In Vivo Compatibility Assays.

The lack of effective delivery systems has slowed the development of mitochondrial gene therapy. Delivery systems based on cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs) like the WRAP (tryptophan and arginine-rich peptide) family conjugated with a mitochondrial targeting sequence (MTS) have emerged as adequate carriers to mediate gene expression into the mitochondria. In this work, we performed the PEGylation of WRAP/pDNA nanocomplexes and compared them with previously analyzed nanocomplexes such as (KH)/pDNA and CpMTP/pDNA.

Unmasking the Antifungal Activity of Leaf Extract against .

Invasive fungal disease causes high morbidity and mortality among immunocompromised patients. Resistance to conventional antifungal drugs and the toxicity associated with high doses highlight the need for effective antifungal therapies. In this study, the antifungal potential of the ethanolic extract of (Cashew Leaf) leaves were evaluated against and .

Psychological impact of life events in systemic lupus erythematosus patients - Differences between flares and remission.

Background: Stress has been linked to worsening symptoms and increased disease activity in patients with Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Life-events are individual stress points, and there is conflicting evidence regarding their role in SLE activity and disease perception.

Methods: Adult SLE patients were recruited for the study.

The Search for Drugs Derived from Natural Products for Infection Treatment in the Last 20 Years - A Systematic Review.

Introduction: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide distributed zoonosis caused by ), an obligate intracellular protozoan. The infection in immunocompetent hosts usually progresses with mild or no symptoms. However, in immunocompromised individuals, this disease can cause severe or fatal symptoms.

Evidence That a Peptide-Drug/p53 Gene Complex Promotes Cognate Gene Expression and Inhibits the Viability of Glioblastoma Cells.

Glioblastoma multiform (GBM) is considered the deadliest brain cancer. Conventional therapies are followed by poor patient survival outcomes, so novel and more efficacious therapeutic strategies are imperative to tackle this scourge. Gene therapy has emerged as an exciting and innovative tool in cancer therapy.

Particle swarm optimization solution for roll-off control in radiofrequency ablation of liver tumors: Optimal search for PID controller tuning.

The study investigates the efficacy of a bioinspired Particle Swarm Optimization (PSO) approach for PID controller tuning in Radiofrequency Ablation (RFA) for liver tumors. Ex-vivo experiments were conducted, yielding a 9th order continuous-time transfer function. PSO was applied to optimize PID parameters, achieving outstanding simulation results: 0.

Selection against domestication alleles in introduced rabbit populations.

Humans have moved domestic animals around the globe for thousands of years. These have occasionally established feral populations in nature, often with devastating ecological consequences. To understand how natural selection shapes re-adaptation into the wild, we investigated one of the most successful colonizers in history, the European rabbit.