Lack of canonical activities of connexins in highly aggressive human prostate cancer cells.

Connexins (Cxs) have the ability to form channels that allow the exchange of ions/metabolites between adjacent cells (gap junction channels, GJC) or between the intra- and extra-cellular compartments (hemichannels, HC). Cxs were initially classified as tumor suppressors. However, more recently, it has been shown that Cxs exert anti- and pro-tumorigenic effects depending on the cell and tissue context.

Role of Point Defects and Ion Intercalation in Two-Dimensional Multilayer Transition Metal Dichalcogenide Memristors.

Two-dimensional materials, in particular transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), have attracted a nascent interest in the implementation of memristive architectures. In addition to being functionally similar to synapses, their nanoscale footprint promises to achieve the high density of a biological neural network in the context of neuromorphic computing. However, in order to advance from the current exploratory phase and reach reliable and sound memristive performances, an understanding of the underlying physical mechanisms in TMD memristors seems imperative.

The insular cortex, autonomic asymmetry and cardiovascular control: looking at the right side of stroke.

Purpose: Evidence from animal and human studies demonstrates that cortical regions play a key role in autonomic modulation with a differential role for some brain regions located in the left and right brain hemispheres. Known as autonomic asymmetry, this phenomenon has been demonstrated by clinical observations, by experimental models, and currently by combined neuroimaging and direct recordings of sympathetic nerve activity. Previous studies report peculiar autonomic-mediated cardiovascular alterations following unilateral damage to the left or right insula, a multifunctional key cortical region involved in emotional processing linked to autonomic cardiovascular control and featuring asymmetric characteristics.

Psychological aspects in young people with venous thromboembolic disease, preliminary report.

Background: The decline in the mental well-being of young adults following an episode of venous thromboembolism may be related to the uncertainty of long-term health and fear of recurrence. In recent years, post-pulmonary embolism syndrome has gained acceptance, however, less attention has been given to the psychological impact on young patients after venous thromboembolism. This study explores the prevalence, type, and severity of psychological disorders of patients following venous thromboembolism.

Impact of Minimally Invasive Surgery on Early and Late Outcomes of Patients With Gastric Cancer Treated Using Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy.

Background: Gastric cancer is the fifth most common neoplasm and the third leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is recommended for Stages II-III resectable tumors, but the comparative effectiveness of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) versus open gastrectomy (OG) post-neoadjuvant therapy has not been adequately investigated.

Methods: A retrospective cohort analysis was performed on patients with clinical Stage II and III gastric adenocarcinoma who underwent neoadjuvant chemotherapy followed by either MIS or OG between 2007 and 2020.

Abdominal Noncontrast Computed Tomography Scanning to Screen for Kidney Cancer and Other Abdominal Pathology Within Community-based Computed Tomography Screening for Lung Cancer: Results of the Yorkshire Kidney Screening Trial.

Background And Objective: The Yorkshire Kidney Screening Trial (YKST) assessed the feasibility of adding abdominal noncontrast computed tomography (NCCT) to lung cancer screening to screen for kidney cancer and other abdominal pathology.

Methods: A prospective diagnostic study offered abdominal NCCT to 55-80-yr-old ever-smokers attending a UK randomised lung cancer screening trial (May 2021 to October 2022). The exclusion criteria were dementia, frailty, previous kidney/lung cancer, and computed tomography (CT) of the abdomen and thorax within previous 6 and 12 mo, respectively.

A Flexible Laser-Induced Graphene Memristor with Volatile Switching for Neuromorphic Applications.

Two-dimensional graphene and graphene-based materials are attracting increasing interest in neuromorphic computing applications by the implementation of memristive architectures that enable the closest solid-state equivalent to biological synapses and neurons. However, the state-of-the-art fabrication methodology involves routine use of high-temperature processes and multistepped chemical synthesis, often on a rigid substrate constraining the experimental exploration in the field to high-tech facilities. Here, we demonstrate the use of a one-step process using a commercial laser to fabricate laser-induced graphene (LIG) memristors directly on a flexible polyimide substrate.

Interfacial Phenomena Governing Performance of Graphene Electrodes in Aqueous Electrolyte.

There is evidence of the presence of intercalated water between graphene and the substrate in electronic devices. However, a proper understanding of the impact of this phenomenon, which causes important limitations for the optimization of graphene-based devices operating in aqueous electrolytes, is missing. We used graphene-based electrodes on insulating and conducting substrates to evaluate the impact of intercalated water by combining experimental techniques with numerical simulations.

Discovery of potent SARS-CoV-2 nsp3 macrodomain inhibitors uncovers lack of translation to cellular antiviral response.

A strategy for pandemic preparedness is the development of antivirals against a wide set of viral targets with complementary mechanisms of action. SARS-CoV-2 nsp3-mac1 is a viral macrodomain with ADP-ribosylhydrolase activity, which counteracts host immune response. Targeting the virus' immunomodulatory functionality offers a differentiated strategy to inhibit SARS-CoV-2 compared to approved therapeutics, which target viral replication directly.

Modified laparoscopic transthoracic hepatectomy for upper liver segments: Technique, indications, and early outcomes.

Transthoracic access emerges as an innovative approach to reach lesions in the upper hepatic segments, especially in patients with prior surgeries. This study evaluates transthoracic access for these resections through a retrospective single-center analysis of demographic data, surgical techniques, and postoperative outcomes of 353 liver surgeries, revealing promising results with minimal complications. Transthoracic access and pneumoperitoneum establishment via the transthoracic route, combined with intercostal trocar insertion, offer a viable alternative for minimally invasive liver surgeries.

Influence of biliary and vascular resection types on morbidity in hepatectomies with vascular involvement.

Introduction: Hepatectomies associated with vascular resections pose a technical challenge for surgeons, involving multiple reconstruction techniques. Moreover, adding clinical and surgical risks in the postoperative setting of these complex procedures are mainly due to prolonged surgical periods and potential complications inherent to vascular manipulation. Leveraging the expertise of a Cancer Center, we propose an institutional assessment utilizing the case series from A.

Cryo-EM structure of 1-deoxy-D-xylulose 5-phosphate synthase DXPS from Plasmodium falciparum reveals a distinct N-terminal domain.

Plasmodium falciparum is the main causative agent of malaria, a deadly disease that mainly affects children under five years old. Artemisinin-based combination therapies have been pivotal in controlling the disease, but resistance has arisen in various regions, increasing the risk of treatment failure. The non-mevalonate pathway is essential for the isoprenoid synthesis in Plasmodium and provides several under-explored targets to be used in the discovery of new antimalarials.

A case report of newborn with Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome from mother currently infected by COVID-19.

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) novel severe acute respiratory syndrome affected the world population with an infectious condition for which therapeutic forms are limited and vascular sequelae are major challenges. Pregnant women are physiologically immunocompromised and can be more affected by the pandemic than the general population. Extra precaution measures against COVID-19 during and after the outbreak are essential to ensure the safety of the newborn.

Cognitive Impairment and Insomnia in Celiac Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Emerging evidence suggests a broader spectrum of celiac disease (CeD) system involvement, including neurological manifestations. We aimed to conduct a systematic review and meta-analysis of the available evidence from studies assessing the association of cognitive impairment and insomnia with CeD. A total of 259 participants with CeD were included in the studies investigating insomnia and 179 were included in studies investigating cognitive impairment.

Structures of BlEst2 from Bacillus licheniformis in its propeptide and mature forms reveal autoinhibitory effects of the C-terminal domain.

Carboxylesterases comprise a major class of α/β-fold hydrolases responsible for the cleavage and formation of ester bonds. Found ubiquitously in nature, these enzymes are crucial for the metabolism of both endogenous and exogenous carboxyl esters in animals, plants and microorganisms. Beyond their essential physiological roles, carboxylesterases stand out as one of the important classes of biocatalysts for biotechnology.

The GA-Hecate Peptide inhibits the ZIKV Replicative Cycle in Different Steps and can Inhibit the Flavivirus NS2B-NS3 Protease after Cell Infection.

Background: Peptide drugs are advantageous because they are subject to rational design and exhibit highly diverse structures and broad biological activities. The NS2B-NS3 protein is a particularly promising flavivirus therapeutic target, with extensive research on the development of inhibitors as therapeutic candidates, and was used as a model in this work to determine the mechanism by which GA-Hecate inhibits ZIKV replication.

Objective: The present study aimed to evaluate the potential of GA-Hecate, a new antiviral developed by our group, against the Brazilian Zika virus and to evaluate the mechanism of action of this compound on the flavivirus NS2B-NS3 protein.

Modified Senning Procedure for Treatment of Transposition of the Great Arteries with Crisscross Heart.

Clinical Data: A nine-month-old female infant diagnosed with transposition of the great arteries with symptoms of heart failure associated with cyanosis and difficulty in gaining weight was referred to our center with late diagnosis (at nine months of age).

Chest Radiography: Cardiomegaly; attenuated peripheral vascular markings.Electrocardiography: Sinus rhythm with biventricular overload and aberrantly conducted supraventricular extra systoles.

Respiratory and muscular effort during pre-slaughter stress affect Nile tilapia fillet quality.

Nile Tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus) management procedures are directly linked to the final quality of the product. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of pre-slaughter density and different stunning methods on biochemical, respiratory and muscle injury parameters associated with quality and sensory characteristics of Nile tilapia fillets. Fish with an average weight of 762±105 g were used, first collected called the control group.

Acceptability of adding a non-contrast abdominal CT scan to screen for kidney cancer and other abdominal pathology within a community-based CT screening programme for lung cancer: A qualitative study.

Objectives: The Yorkshire Kidney Screening Trial (YKST) is a feasibility study of adding non-contrast abdominal CT scanning to screen for kidney cancer and other abdominal malignancies to community-based CT screening for lung cancer within the Yorkshire Lung Screening Trial (YLST). This study explored the acceptability of the combined screening approach to participants and healthcare professionals (HCPs) involved in the trial.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews with eight HCPs and 25 participants returning for the second round of scanning within YLST, 20 who had taken up the offer of the additional abdominal CT scan and five who had declined.

Dense tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) in liver metastasis from colorectal cancer are related to improved overall survival.

Background And Objectives: Tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) represent a host-tumor interaction, frequently signifying an augmented immunological response. Nonetheless, implications with survival outcomes in patients with colorectal carcinoma liver metastasis (CRLM) warrant rigorous validation. The objective was to demonstrate the association between TILs and survival in patients with CRLM.

Galectin-8 counteracts folic acid-induced acute kidney injury and prevents its transition to fibrosis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI), characterized by a sudden decline in kidney function involving tubular damage and epithelial cell death, can lead to progressive tissue fibrosis and chronic kidney disease due to interstitial fibroblast activation and tissue repair failures that lack direct treatments. After an AKI episode, surviving renal tubular cells undergo cycles of dedifferentiation, proliferation and redifferentiation while fibroblast activity increases and then declines to avoid an exaggerated extracellular matrix deposition. Appropriate tissue recovery versus pathogenic fibrotic progression depends on fine-tuning all these processes.