Enhanced Osteogenic Differentiation via Collagen and BMP-2 Mimetic Peptide Conjugation to β-TCP Scaffolds Using a Cold Atmospheric Plasma-Assisted Strategy.

Bone defects arising from trauma, disease, or surgical intervention represent significant challenges. Developing effective bone tissue engineering strategies to address these issues and promote repair is crucial. β-Tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP) has emerged as a promising synthetic graft due to its porous, degradable structure and excellent biocompatibility.

Lobaric acid suppresses the stemness potential of colorectal cancer cells through mTOR/AKT.

Stereocaulon alpinum has been found to have potential pharmaceutical properties due to the presence of secondary metabolites such as usnic acid, atranorin, and lobaric acid (LA) which have anticancer activity. On the other hand, the effect of LA on the stemness potential of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells remains unexplored, and has not yet been thoroughly investigated. In this study, we examined the inhibitory activity of LA from Stereocaulon alpinum against the stemness potential of CRC cells and investigated the possible underlying mechanisms.

Finding a Needle in a Haystack: A Systematic Approach for Searching Through Public Databases for Youth Mental Well-Being Programs.

Background: This practice paper exemplifies a systematic approach used to learn about existing mental well-being programs for youth 11-14 years to inform curriculum development for after-school settings.

Methods: We reviewed 3389 mental well-being programs from publicly accessed databases and conducted a content analysis using inductive and deductive coding to explore the domains each program addressed.

Results: Through our content analysis of the final eight programs, we found strong alignment with the Collaborative for Academic, Social and Emotional Learning (CASEL) core social-emotional competencies: self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and decision-making.

Inferior-to-Superior Dissection for Recurrent Laryngeal Nerve Identification in Redo Thyroid Surgery: Enhanced Safety and Reduced Injuries.

Hoarseness due to recurrent laryngeal nerve (RLN) injury is the most feared complication of thyroid surgery. Scars and anatomical changes caused by previous surgeries make finding the RLN during redo thyroid surgeries difficult. We aimed to analyze the results of the inferior-to-superior dissection technique that we applied to find the RLN in redo surgeries.

TDO2 inhibition counters Benzo[a]pyrene-induced immune evasion and suppresses tumorigenesis in lung adenocarcinoma.

Introduction: Benzo[a]pyrene (BaP) is a toxic polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon known as an exogenous AhR ligand. This study investigates the role of BaP in inducing immune checkpoint expression in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) and the underlying mechanisms involving the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) and tryptophan (Trp) metabolism.

Methods: We assessed the expression of immune checkpoint molecules, including PD-L1 and ICOSL, in lung epithelial cell lines (BEAS-2B and H1975) exposed to BaP.

Comparison of the effects of crizotinib as monotherapy and as combination therapy with butyric acid on different breast cancer cells.

In recent years, there have been significant developments using combined therapies in cancer treatment. The present study aimed to determine the effects of using crizotinib alone and in combination with butyric acid on different types of breast cancer cells. A total of three different breast cancer models were used: MDA-MB-231, a triple negative model; MCF-7, a Luminal A model; and SKBR-3 cell line, a human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 positive model.

Plectalibertellenone A suppresses colorectal cancer cell motility and glucose metabolism by targeting TGF-β/Smad and Wnt pathways.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second most common cause of cancer-related death and represents a serious worldwide health problem. CRC metastasis decreases the survival rate of cancer patients, underscoring the need to identify novel anticancer agents and therapeutic targets. Here, we introduce Plectalibertellenone A (B) as a promising agent for the inhibition of CRC cell motility and glucose metabolism and explore its mechanism of action in CRC cells.

Collagen binding and mimetic peptide-functionalized self-assembled peptide hydrogel enhance chondrogenic differentiation of human mesenchymal stem cells.

The avascular structure and low cell migration to the damaged area due to the low number of cells do not allow spontaneous repair of the articular cartilage tissue. Therefore, functional scaffolds obtained from biomaterials are used for the regeneration of cartilage tissue. Here, we functionalized one of the self-assembling peptide (SAP) scaffolds KLD (KLDLKLDLKLDL) with short bioactive motifs, which are the α1 chain of type II collagen binding peptide WYRGRL (C1) and the triple helical collagen mimetic peptide GFOGER (C2) by direct coupling.

The Effect of Immobilization Methods of P9-4 Antimicrobial Peptide Onto Gelatin Methacrylate on Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria: A Comparative Study.

Wound dressings play a crucial role in wound management by providing a protective barrier and creating an optimal environment for healing. Photocrosslinkable hydrogels, such as gelatin methacrylate (GelMA), have gained attention for their unique properties but often lack antimicrobial activity. To enhance their effectiveness, researchers are exploring methods to incorporate antimicrobial agents into photocrosslinkable hydrogel dressings.

Chrysophanol inhibits of colorectal cancer cell motility and energy metabolism by targeting the KITENIN/ErbB4 oncogenic complex.

Background: Expression of the KITENIN/ErbB4 oncogenic complex is associated with metastasis of colorectal cancer to distant organs and lymph nodes and is linked with poor prognosis and poor survival.

Methods: Here, we used in vitro and in silico methods to test the ability of chrysophanol, a molecule of natural origin, to suppress the progression of colorectal cancer by targeting the KITENIN/ErbB4 complex.

Results: Chrysophanol binds to ErbB4, disrupting the ErbB4/KITENIN complex and causing autophagic degradation of KITENIN.

Exploring the disaster experiences and psychosocial support needs of children affected by the Kahramanmaras earthquake in Turkey through drawing narratives.

Background: On February 6, 2023, a catastrophic earthquake struck the Kahramanmaras region in Turkey. Among the most vulnerable demographic groups in the wake of such disasters are children. To provide effective psychosocial support to these young individuals, it is crucial to gain a comprehensive understanding of their specific needs resulting from the earthquake experience.

Usnic Acid Targets 14-3-3 Proteins and Suppresses Cancer Progression by Blocking Substrate Interaction.

The anticancer therapeutic effects of usnic acid (UA), a lichen secondary metabolite, have been demonstrated and . However, the mechanism underlying the anticancer effect of UA remains to be clarified. In this study, the target protein of UA was identified using a UA-linker-Affi-Gel molecule, which showed that UA binds to the 14-3-3 protein.

Effects of combined use of ribociclib with PARP1 inhibitor on cell kinetics in breast cancer.

In the present study, antiproliferative and anticancer effects of Valamor (VLM), which contains the active component ribociclib, and DPQ, a poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase 1 inhibitor, alone and in combination were evaluated in the MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell lines . VLM was applied at concentrations of 40, 80 and 160 µg/ml, and DPQ was used at concentrations of 3, 6 and 9 µg/ml. The proliferation rate, cell index obtained from the real-time cell analysis system, mitosis activity, bromodeoxyuridine cell proliferation and caspase activity parameters were determined.

Anithiactin D, a Phenylthiazole Natural Product from Mudflat-Derived sp., Suppresses Motility of Cancer Cells.

Anithiactin D (), a 2-phenylthiazole class of natural products, was isolated from marine mudflat-derived actinomycetes sp. 10A085. The chemical structure of was elucidated based on the interpretation of NMR and MS data.

Actinoquinazolinone, a New Quinazolinone Derivative from a Marine Bacterium sp. CNQ-617, Suppresses the Motility of Gastric Cancer Cells.

A HPLC-UV guided fractionation of the culture broth of sp. CNQ-617 has led to the isolation of a new quinazolinone derivative, actinoquinazolinone (), as well as two known compounds, 7-hydroxy-6-methoxy-3,4-dihydroquinazolin-4-one () and 7-methoxy-8-hydroxy cycloanthranilylproline (). The interpretation of 1D, 2D NMR, and MS spectroscopic data revealed the planar structure of .

A fatty acid-rich fraction of an endolichenic fungus sp. suppresses immune checkpoint markers via AhR/ARNT and ESR1.

Lung cancer has the highest mortality rates worldwide. The disease is caused by environmental pollutants, smoking, and many other factors. Recent treatments include immunotherapeutics, which have shown some success; however, the search for new therapeutics is ongoing.

Phthalides Isolated from the Endolichenic sp. EL000127 Exhibits Antiangiogenic Activity.

Endolichenic fungi (ELF) produce specialized metabolites that have various medicinal properties. Inhibition of tumor angiogenesis efficaciously suppresses many types of cancer. This study aimed to discover novel antiangiogenic agents from specialized metabolite extracts of ELF strains isolated from Korean lichens.

Marinobazzanan, a Bazzanane-Type Sesquiterpenoid, Suppresses the Cell Motility and Tumorigenesis in Cancer Cells.

Marinobazzanan (), a new bazzanane-type sesquiterpenoid, was isolated from a marine-derived fungus belonging to the genus . The chemical structure of was elucidated using NMR and mass spectroscopic data, while the relative configurations were established through the analysis of NOESY data. The absolute configurations of were determined by the modified Mosher's method as well as vibrational circular dichroism (VCD) spectra calculation and it was determined as 6, 7, 9, and 10.

1'-O-methyl-averantin isolated from the endolichenic fungus Jackrogersella sp. EL001672 suppresses colorectal cancer stemness via sonic Hedgehog and Notch signaling.

Endolichenic fungi are host organisms that live on lichens and produce a wide variety of secondary metabolites. Colorectal cancer stem cells are capable of self-renewal and differentiation into cancer cells, which makes cancers difficult to eradicate. New alternative therapeutics are needed to inhibit the growth of tumor stem cells.

Effect of gastric helicobacter pylori colonization in the development of erosive esophagitis in patients with hiatal hernia.

Background/aims: There may be various factors that determine gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as a result of hiatal hernia (HH) (such as the size of the hernia, age, other host and environmental factors) and the presence of protective factors to explain the absence of reflux disease should not be ignored. Helicobacter pylori (Hp) infection can prevent the development of GERD or cause it. This study aimed to determine whether Hp colonized in the stomach and hernia affects the development of erosive esophagitis (EE) in patients with HH.

Libertellenone T, a Novel Compound Isolated from Endolichenic Fungus, Induces G2/M Phase Arrest, Apoptosis, and Autophagy by Activating the ROS/JNK Pathway in Colorectal Cancer Cells.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most deadly type of cancer in the world and continuous investigations are required to discover novel therapeutics for CRC. Induction of apoptosis is one of the promising strategies to inhibit cancers. Here, we have identified a novel compound, Libertellenone T (), isolated from crude extracts of the endolichenic fungus from sp.

Effect of antimicrobial peptide conjugated surgical sutures on multiple drug-resistant microorganisms.

Surgical site infections are commonly encountered as a risk factor in clinics that increase the morbidity of a patient after a surgical operation. Surgical sutures are one of the leading factor for the formation of surgical site infections that induce bacterial colonization by their broad surface area. Current strategies to overcome with surgical site infections consist utilization of antibiotic agent coatings such as triclosan.

An acetonic extract and secondary metabolites from the endolichenic fungus sp. EL006872 exhibit immune checkpoint inhibitory activity in lung cancer cell.

Endolichenic fungi (ELF), which live the inside the lichen thallus, contain many secondary metabolites that show various biological activities. Recent studies show that lichen and ELF secondary metabolites have antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, cytotoxic, and anticancer activities. Here, the effects of an ELF extract and its bioactive compounds were investigated on the H1975 cell line focusing on immune checkpoint marker inhibition.