Identification of Cell Fate Determining Transcription Factors for Generating Brain Endothelial Cells.

Reliable models of the blood-brain barrier (BBB), wherein brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) play a key role in maintenance of barrier function, are essential tools for developing therapeutics and disease modeling. Recent studies explored generating BMEC-like cells from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) by mimicking brain-microenvironment signals or genetic reprogramming. However, due to the lack of comprehensive transcriptional studies, the exact cellular identity of most of these cells remains poorly defined.

Optimisation of activated carbon from fruit stones and shells derived via molten salt activation for dye removal.

Recent advancements in activated carbon production involve molten salt activation using a eutectic mixture of ZnCl-NaCl-KCl. This study explores the production of activated carbon from fruit waste, specifically walnut shells, using a 60:20:20 mol % eutectic mixture. Optimal conditions were identified through response surface methodology, with 400 °C and a salt-to-biomass ratio of 10 g/g, yielding a surface area of 276 m/g.

Serum and mucosal antibody-mediated protection and identification of asymptomatic respiratory syncytial virus infection in community-dwelling older adults in Europe.

Introduction: Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) causes acute respiratory tract infection (ARTI) and reinfects adults throughout life, posing a risk for hospitalization in older adults (>60 years) with frailty and comorbidities.

Methods: To investigate serum and mucosal antibodies for protection against RSV infections, baseline serum samples were compared for RSV-pre- and -post-fusion (F) binding, and RSV-A2 neutralizing IgG antibodies between symptomatic RSV-ARTI ( = 30), non-RSV (RSV negative) ARTI ( = 386), and no ARTI ( = 338). Mucosal RSV-pre-F IgA and IgG levels, as well as serum RSV-G IgG antibodies, were analyzed to determine their association with protection from symptomatic RSV-ARTI in a subset study.