Label-free quantitative imaging of conjunctival goblet cells.

Purpose: To introduce and validate quantitative oblique back-illumination microscopy (qOBM) as a label-free, high-contrast imaging technique for visualizing conjunctival goblet cells (GCs) and assessing their functional changes.

Methods: qOBM was developed in conjunction with moxifloxacin-based fluorescence microscopy (MBFM), which was used for validating GC imaging. Initial validation was conducted with polystyrene beads, followed by testing on normal mouse conjunctiva under both ex-vivo and in-vivo conditions.

Population pharmacokinetics of erlotinib in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A model-based meta-analysis.

Background: Erlotinib is a potent first-generation epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor. Due to its proximity to the upper limit of tolerability, dose adjustments are often necessary to manage potential adverse reactions resulting from its pharmacokinetic (PK) variability.

Methods: Population PK studies of erlotinib were identified using PubMed databases.

Use of ProMED as a Surveillance System for Emerging and Re-Emerging Infectious Diseases in Brazil from 2015 to 2020.

Emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have been frequently reported in Brazil. The Program for Monitoring Emerging Diseases (ProMED) is a virtual system with expert curation for monitoring health events, including those occurring in Brazil. This study aimed to describe the ProMED as a complementary surveillance system for emerging infectious diseases in Brazil.

Serosurvey of Bovine Viral Diarrhea Virus in Cattle in Southern Japan and Estimation of Its Transmissibility by Transient Infection in Nonvaccinated Cattle.

Bovine viral diarrhea (BVD) is caused by the BVD virus (BVDV) and has been reported worldwide in cattle. To estimate BVDV circulation among cattle where few BVD cases were reported in southern Japan, 1910 serum samples collected from 35 cattle farms without a BVD outbreak were investigated to detect antibodies against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 using an indicator virus with a cytopathogenic effect and the luciferase gene, respectively. Neutralizing antibodies against BVDV-1 and BVDV-2 were detected more frequently in 18 vaccinated farms than in 17 nonvaccinated farms.

A Multi-Center, Prospective, Observational Study to Evaluate the Therapeutic Effectiveness and Safety of an Olmesartan/Amlodipine Plus Rosuvastatin Combination Treatment in Patients with Concomitant Hypertension and Dyslipidemia.

This study assessed the therapeutic effectiveness of a single-pill combination (SPC) of olmesartan/amlodipine plus rosuvastatin for blood pressure (BP) and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) in patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia. Adult patients with hypertension and dyslipidemia who were decided to be treated with the study drug were eligible. The primary endpoint was the proportion of patients who achieved BP, LDL-C and both BP and LDL-C treatment goals at weeks 24-48.

Assessing the Efficacy of Mitochondria-Accumulating Self-Assembly Peptides in Pancreatic Cancer: An Animal Study.

Although pancreatic cancer presents with one of the most unfavorable prognoses, its treatment options are very limited. Mitochondria-targeting moieties, considered a new and prominent treatment modality, are expected to demonstrate synergistic anticancer effects due to their distinct mechanism compared to conventional chemotherapeutic approaches. This study evaluated the therapeutic potential of mitochondria-accumulating self-assembly peptides, referred to as Mito-FFs, utilizing both in vitro and in vivo pancreatic cancer models.

Editorial Perspective: Advancements in Microfluidics and Biochip Technologies.

Microfluidics and biochip technologies continue to play a key role in driving innovation across biomedical, environmental and engineering disciplines [...

Impact of Middle-Aged Adults' Recognition of Early Myocardial Infarction Symptoms and Training Experience on Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation Performance: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Despite the increasing incidence of myocardial infarction among middle-aged adults, studies analyzing their recognition of early myocardial infarction symptoms and cardiopulmonary resuscitation training experiences are lacking. This study aimed to utilize data from the 2022 Korea Community Health Survey to assess the level of recognition of early myocardial infarction symptoms among middle-aged adults and identify factors affecting cardiopulmonary resuscitation performance based on training experiences. Secondary data analysis was conducted to assess 99,945 adults aged 40-64 years on their recognition of early myocardial infarction symptoms and the influence of cardiopulmonary resuscitation training experience on their performance ability.

Mealworm-Derived Protein Hydrolysates Enhance Adipogenic Differentiation via Mitotic Clonal Expansion in 3T3-L1 Cells.

Adipocytes secrete adipokines, bioactive molecules crucial for various physiological processes, such as enhancing insulin sensitivity, promoting wound healing, supporting hair growth, and exhibiting anti-aging effects on the skin. With the growing global demand for sustainable and alternative protein sources, insect-derived proteins, particularly from (mealworms), have gained attention due to their high nutritional value and functional bioactivities. This study aims to explore the potential of mealworm-derived protein hydrolysates as novel bioactive materials for promoting adipogenesis and improving adipokine expression, with applications in metabolic health and skin regeneration.

Machine learning based quantitative pain assessment for the perioperative period.

This study developed and evaluated a model for assessing pain during the surgical period using photoplethysmogram data from 242 patients. Pain levels were measured at 2 min intervals using a numerical rating scale or clinical criteria: preoperative, before and after intubation, before and after skin incision, and postoperative. Key features from the photoplethysmography waveform were extracted to build XGBoost-based models for intraoperative and postoperative pain assessment.

Cryo-EM structure and regulation of human NAD kinase.

Reduced nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) is a crucial reducing cofactor for reductive biosynthesis and protection from oxidative stress. To fulfill their heightened anabolic and reductive power demands, cancer cells must boost their NADPH production. Progrowth and mitogenic protein kinases promote the activity of cytosolic NAD kinase (NADK), which produces NADP, a limiting NADPH precursor.

Ishophloroglucin A Isolated from Protects Glomerular Cells from Methylglyoxal-Induced Diacarbonyl Stress and Inhibits the Pathogenesis of Diabetic Nephropathy.

(), an edible brown alga, is rich in isophloroglucin A (IPA) phlorotannin compounds and is effective in preventing diseases, including diabetes. We evaluated its anti-glycation ability, intracellular reactive oxygen species scavenging activity, inhibitory effect on the accumulation of intracellular MGO/MGO-derived advanced glycation end products (AGE), and regulation of downstream signaling pathways related to the AGE-receptor for AGEs (RAGE) interaction. IPA (0.

Polydiacetylene (PDA) Embedded Polymer-Based Network Structure for Biosensor Applications.

Biosensors, which combine physical transducers with biorecognition elements, have seen significant advancement due to the heightened interest in rapid diagnostic technologies across a number of fields, including medical diagnostics, environmental monitoring, and food safety. In particular, polydiacetylene (PDA) is gaining attention as an ideal material for label-free colorimetric biosensor development due to its unique color-changing properties in response to external stimuli. PDA forms through the self-assembly of diacetylene monomers, with color change occurring as its conjugated backbone twists in response to stimuli such as temperature, pH, and chemical interactions.

Ethnic and racial differences in children and young people with respiratory and neurological post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2: an electronic health record-based cohort study from the RECOVER Initiative.

Background: Children from racial and ethnic minority groups are at greater risk for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, but it is unclear whether they have increased risk for post-acute sequelae of SARS-CoV-2 (PASC). Our objectives were to assess whether the risk of respiratory and neurologic PASC differs by race/ethnicity and social drivers of health.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of individuals <21 years seeking care at 24 health systems across the U.

Isolation, culture, and characterization of primary endothelial cells and pericytes from mouse sciatic nerve.

Background: The recovery of injured peripheral nerves relies on angiogenesis, where newly formed blood vessels act as pathways guiding Schwann cells across the wound to support axon regeneration. While some research has examined this process, the specific mechanisms of angiogenesis in peripheral nerve healing remain unclear. In vitro models are vital tools to investigate these mechanisms; however, no current in vitro culture methods exist for isolating vascular cells, such as endothelial cells (ECs) and pericytes, specifically from sciatic nerves.

Lipid core-chitosan shell hybrid nanoparticles for enhanced oral bioavailability of sorafenib.

Limited aqueous solubility is a major hurdle resulting in poor and variable oral bioavailability, high doses, side effects, and the suboptimal therapeutic efficacy of sorafenib (SRF). In this study, we developed SRF-loaded solid lipid nanoparticles (SRF-SLNs) and lipid core-chitosan shell hybrid nanoparticles (CS-SRF-SLNs) to improve the oral absorption of SRF. SRF-SLNs were prepared using a stearyl alcohol core stabilized with a surfactant mixture, followed by surface decoration with chitosan to form CS-SRF-SLNs.

Argonaute 2 regulates nuclear DNA damage, repair, and phenotypes in Arabidopsis under genotoxic stress.

Argonaute (AGO) proteins are involved in gene expression and genome integrity during biotic and abiotic stress responses. AGO2 mediates double-strand break (DSB) repair in DNA damage response (DDR) induced by genotoxic stress. However, beyond DSB repair, the involvement of AGO proteins in DDR remains unknown.

rGO/HfO nanocomposite-enabled electrochemical sensor for high-performance pesticide detection.

This study applies a periodic table-guided approach to select and investigate hafnium oxide (HfO), in conjunction with reduced graphene oxide (rGO), for the electrochemical determination of methyl parathion (MP), an organophosphate insecticide. MP poses significant ecological and health risks due to its high toxicity, and despite bans, illegal use has been reported, especially in the global south. To address these challenges, an electrode modified with a nanocomposite of rGO/HfO was first constructed for MP detection.

Effect of intraoperative magnesium sulphate on acute kidney injury following robot-assisted radical prostatectomy: a retrospective propensity score-matched analysis.

Although intraoperative magnesium sulphate administration has various advantages, its influence on the occurrence of postoperative acute kidney injury (AKI) remains unclear, particularly in patients undergoing robot-assisted radical prostatectomy (RARP). The steep Trendelenburg position and a high intra-abdominal pressure can render patients susceptible to AKI after surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of intraoperative magnesium sulphate administration on postoperative AKI in patients who underwent RARP.

Etchant-Free Dry-Developable Extreme Ultraviolet Photoresist Materials Utilizing N-Heterocyclic Carbene-Metal Complexes.

Extreme ultraviolet (EUV) lithography has enabled significant reductions in device dimensions but is often limited by capillary force-driven pattern collapse in conventional wet processes. Recent dry-development approaches, while promising, frequently require toxic etchants or specialized equipment, limiting their broader applicability and highlighting the need for more sustainable, cost-effective alternatives. In this study, highly reactive, etchant-free dry-developable EUV photoresists using N-heterocyclic carbene (NHC)-based metal-ligand complexes, achieving half-saturation at EUV doses of 8.

Ultrahigh Specific Strength by Bayesian Optimization of Carbon Nanolattices.

Nanoarchitected materials are at the frontier of metamaterial design and have set the benchmark for mechanical performance in several contemporary applications. However, traditional nanoarchitected designs with conventional topologies exhibit poor stress distributions and induce premature nodal failure. Here, using multi-objective Bayesian optimization and two-photon polymerization, optimized carbon nanolattices with an exceptional specific strength of 2.

Zebrafish PEX1 Is Required for the Generation of GABAergic Neuron in p3 Domain.

Maintenance of neural progenitors requires Notch signaling in vertebrate development. Previous study has shown that Jagged2-mediated Notch signaling maintains proliferating neural progenitors in the ventral spinal cord. However, components for Jagged-mediated signaling remain poorly defined during late neurogenesis.

Effect of remimazolam on intraoperative hemodynamic stability in patients undergoing cerebrovascular bypass surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Background: Maintenance of stable blood pressure (BP) during cerebrovascular bypass surgery is crucial to prevent cerebral ischemia. We compared the effect of remimazolam anesthesia with that of propofol-induced and desflurane-maintained anesthesia on intraoperative hemodynamic stability and the need for vasoactive agents in patients undergoing cerebrovascular bypass surgery.

Methods: Sixty-five patients were randomized into remimazolam (n = 31, remimazolam-based intravenous anesthesia) and control groups (n = 34, propofol-induced and desflurane-maintained anesthesia).

Exome sequencing of 18,994 ethnically diverse patients with suspected rare Mendelian disorders.

We investigated the effectiveness of exome sequencing (ES) in diagnosing ethnically diverse patients with rare genetic disorders. A total of 18,994 patients referred to a single reference laboratory for ES between 2020 and 2022 were studied for the diagnostic rate and factors influencing the diagnostic rate. The overall diagnostic rate was 31.

Computational Design of a Thermal Applicator for Brain Hyperthermia Controlled by Capacitor Positioning in Loop Coils.

Purpose: Hyperthermia is a treatment that applies heat to damage or kill cancer cells and can be also used for drug deliveries. It is important to apply the heat into the specific area in order to target the cancer tissue and avoid damaging healthy tissue. For this reason, the development of heat applicators that have the capability to deliver the heat to the target area is vital.