Comparison of Liquid with Particle Embolics in a Translational Rat Model of Hepatocellular Carcinoma: Histologic and Radiographic Responses.

Purpose: To compare the effectiveness of transarterial embolization (TAE) using a liquid embolic (LE) with that of TAE using a particle embolic (PE) based on radiographic and histologic responses in a translational rat model of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

Materials And Methods: HCC was induced in Wistar rats using diethylnitrosamine. Tumor response was determined through Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors applied to T2-weighted magnetic resonance (MR) imaging scans.

MIBiG 4.0: advancing biosynthetic gene cluster curation through global collaboration.

Specialized or secondary metabolites are small molecules of biological origin, often showing potent biological activities with applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine. Usually, the biosynthesis of these natural products is governed by sets of co-regulated and physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). To share information about BGCs in a standardized and machine-readable way, the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard and repository was initiated in 2015.

Gender differences in the use of an upper-extremity exoskeleton during physically and cognitively demanding tasks- a study protocol for a randomized experimental trial.

Background: Upper limb exoskeletons are recommended to alleviate muscle fatigue, particularly in working conditions inducing musculoskeletal discomfort like overhead work. However, wearing an exoskeleton might introduce cognitive-motor interference, affecting performance. Understanding its neural impact and potential gender differences in design effects is crucial.

BGC Atlas: a web resource for exploring the global chemical diversity encoded in bacterial genomes.

Secondary metabolites are compounds not essential for an organism's development, but provide significant ecological and physiological benefits. These compounds have applications in medicine, biotechnology and agriculture. Their production is encoded in biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs), groups of genes collectively directing their biosynthesis.

Decoding the diagnostic and therapeutic potential of microbiota using pan-body pan-disease microbiomics.

The human microbiome emerges as a promising reservoir for diagnostic markers and therapeutics. Since host-associated microbiomes at various body sites differ and diseases do not occur in isolation, a comprehensive analysis strategy highlighting the full potential of microbiomes should include diverse specimen types and various diseases. To ensure robust data quality and comparability across specimen types and diseases, we employ standardized protocols to generate sequencing data from 1931 prospectively collected specimens, including from saliva, plaque, skin, throat, eye, and stool, with an average sequencing depth of 5.

Exploring microbial diversity and biosynthetic potential in zoo and wildlife animal microbiomes.

Understanding human, animal, and environmental microbiota is essential for advancing global health and combating antimicrobial resistance (AMR). We investigate the oral and gut microbiota of 48 animal species in captivity, comparing them to those of wildlife animals. Specifically, we characterize the microbiota composition, metabolic pathways, AMR genes, and biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs) encoding the production of specialized metabolites.

Integrated Imaging Probe and Bispecific Antibody Development Enables In Vivo Targeting of Glypican-3-Expressing Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Glypican-3 (GPC3) is a proteoglycan with high sensitivity and specificity for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). We describe the integrated development and validation of a GPC3-targeting optical imaging probe and T cell-redirecting antibody (TRAB) as a theranostic strategy for the detection and treatment of HCC. A novel TRAB targeting GPC3 on HCC tumor cells and the CD3 T-cell receptor as well as a distinct GPC3-specific optical imaging probe were developed from a short peptide.

[Reconstruction of total portosystemic shunt into selective portosystemic shunt in a child].

To date, side-to-side splenorenal shunt (SRS) and its analogues (splenosuprarenal shunts (SSRS)) are mainly used for portal hypertension. These are total portosystemic shunts characterized by total blood shunt from portal vein into inferior vena cava. The latter is fraught with a significant risk of complications such as pulmonary hypertension, decreased portal liver perfusion, liver failure and hepatic encephalopathy.

ABC-HuMi: the Atlas of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters in the Human Microbiome.

The human microbiome has emerged as a rich source of diverse and bioactive natural products, harboring immense potential for therapeutic applications. To facilitate systematic exploration and analysis of its biosynthetic landscape, we present ABC-HuMi: the Atlas of Biosynthetic Gene Clusters (BGCs) in the Human Microbiome. ABC-HuMi integrates data from major human microbiome sequence databases and provides an expansive repository of BGCs compared to the limited coverage offered by existing resources.

HypoRiPPAtlas as an Atlas of hypothetical natural products for mass spectrometry database search.

Recent analyses of public microbial genomes have found over a million biosynthetic gene clusters, the natural products of the majority of which remain unknown. Additionally, GNPS harbors billions of mass spectra of natural products without known structures and biosynthetic genes. We bridge the gap between large-scale genome mining and mass spectral datasets for natural product discovery by developing HypoRiPPAtlas, an Atlas of hypothetical natural product structures, which is ready-to-use for in silico database search of tandem mass spectra.

WebQUAST: online evaluation of genome assemblies.

Selecting proper genome assembly is key for downstream analysis in genomics studies. However, the availability of many genome assembly tools and the huge variety of their running parameters challenge this task. The existing online evaluation tools are limited to specific taxa or provide just a one-sided view on the assembly quality.

Imaging and Interventions for Lymphatic and Lymphatic-related Disorders.

The lymphatic system is critical in fluid balance homeostasis. Yet, until recently, lymphatic imaging has been outside of mainstream medicine due to a lack of robust imaging and interventional options. However, during the last 20 years, both clinical lymphatic imaging and interventions have shown dramatic advancement.

NPOmix: A machine learning classifier to connect mass spectrometry fragmentation data to biosynthetic gene clusters.

Microbial specialized metabolites are an important source of and inspiration for many pharmaceuticals, biotechnological products and play key roles in ecological processes. Untargeted metabolomics using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry is an efficient technique to access metabolites from fractions and even environmental crude extracts. Nevertheless, metabolomics is limited in predicting structures or bioactivities for cryptic metabolites.

NPvis: An Interactive Visualizer of Peptidic Natural Product-MS/MS Matches.

Peptidic natural products (PNPs) represent a medically important class of secondary metabolites that includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and antitumor agents. Advances in tandem mass spectra (MS/MS) acquisition and in silico database search methods have enabled high-throughput PNP discovery. However, the resulting spectra annotations are often error-prone and their validation remains a bottleneck.

Direct current magnetic Hall probe technique for measurement of field penetration in thin film superconductors for superconducting radio frequency resonators.

Superconducting Radio Frequency (SRF) cavities used in particle accelerators are typically formed from or coated with superconducting materials. Currently, high purity niobium is the material of choice for SRF cavities that have been optimized to operate near their theoretical field limits. This brings about the need for significant R & D efforts to develop next generation superconducting materials that could outperform Nb and keep up with the demands of new accelerator facilities.

Spatial Manipulation of Particles and Cells at Micro- and Nanoscale via Magnetic Forces.

The importance of magnetic micro- and nanoparticles for applications in biomedical technology is widely recognised. Many of these applications, including tissue engineering, cell sorting, biosensors, drug delivery, and lab-on-chip devices, require remote manipulation of magnetic objects. High-gradient magnetic fields generated by micromagnets in the range of 10-10 T/m are sufficient for magnetic forces to overcome other forces caused by viscosity, gravity, and thermal fluctuations.

Transarterial Embolization Modulates the Immune Response within Target and Nontarget Hepatocellular Carcinomas in a Rat Model.

Background Transarterial embolization (TAE) is the most common treatment for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC); however, there remain limited data describing the influence of TAE on the tumor immune microenvironment. Purpose To characterize TAE-induced modulation of the tumor immune microenvironment in a rat model of HCC and identify factors that modulate this response. Materials and Methods TAE was performed on autochthonous HCCs induced in rats with use of diethylnitrosamine.

Nontraumatic Chylothorax and Chylopericardium: Diagnosis and Treatment Using an Algorithmic Approach Based on Novel Lymphatic Imaging.

Outcomes of interventional lymphangiographic treatment of nontraumatic chylous pleural effusions using traditional approaches have been highly variable. Recent advances in lymphatic imaging have revealed variations in underlying pathophysiology, enabling improved targeting of therapeutic interventions. To assess outcomes of an algorithm for management of nontraumatic chylous pleural effusions based on advanced magnetic resonance (MR) identification of various abnormalities in the thoracoabdominal lymphatic network that give rise to chylothorax.

Nerpa: A Tool for Discovering Biosynthetic Gene Clusters of Bacterial Nonribosomal Peptides.

Microbial natural products are a major source of bioactive compounds for drug discovery. Among these molecules, nonribosomal peptides (NRPs) represent a diverse class of natural products that include antibiotics, immunosuppressants, and anticancer agents. Recent breakthroughs in natural product discovery have revealed the chemical structure of several thousand NRPs.

Prompt Agalsidase Alfa Therapy Initiation is Associated with Improved Renal and Cardiovascular Outcomes in a Fabry Outcome Survey Analysis.

Background: The timing of enzyme replacement therapy initiation in patients with Fabry disease is hypothesized to be critical. In this study, we used Fabry Outcome Survey data to assess the impact of prompt versus delayed initiation of treatment with agalsidase alfa on cardiovascular and renal events in patients with Fabry disease.

Methods: Available genetic data at baseline were used to define patients with mutations associated with classical versus late-onset Fabry disease.