RSPO3 Promotes Proliferation and Self-Renewal of Limbal Epithelial Stem Cells Through a WNT/β-Catenin-Independent Signaling Pathway.

Purpose: R-spondin3 (RSPO3), a mammalian-specific amplifier of WNT signaling pathway, maintains the homeostasis of various adult stem cells. However, its expression at the limbus and the effect on limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) remains unclear. We investigated the impact of RSPO3 on the proliferation and self-renewal of LESCs and explored its molecular mechanisms.

Estimation of the Shear Strength of Sand-Clay mixtures based on the ANN and low-field NMR.

The application of sand-clay mixtures is diverse in contemporary engineering practices, with particular emphasis on their shear strength characteristics. This study focused on the estimation of the shear strength of sand-clay mixtures using the artificial neural network (ANN) and low-field nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy. In this study, NMR tests and triaxial compression tests were carried out on 160 artificial sand-clay mixtures with different mineralogical compositions, water contents, and dry densities in the laboratory to obtain the T spectra and shear strength indices, respectively.

NET formation-mediated in situ protein delivery to the inflamed central nervous system.

Delivering protein drugs to the central nervous system (CNS) is challenging due to the blood-brain and blood-spinal cord barrier. Here we show that neutrophils, which naturally migrate through these barriers to inflamed CNS sites and release neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs), can be leveraged for therapeutic delivery. Tannic acid nanoparticles tethered with anti-Ly6G antibody and interferon-β (aLy6G-IFNβ@TLP) are constructed for targeted neutrophil delivery.

Thymidine phosphorylase participates in platelet activation and promotes inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis.

The elevated risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) associated with inflammatory rheumatic diseases has long been recognized. Patients with established rheumatoid arthritis (RA) have a higher mortality rate compared to the general population due to abnormal platelet activation. Thymidine phosphorylase (TYMP) plays a crucial role in platelet activation and thrombosis, following bridging the link between RA and CVD.

Improved Control of Triple-Negative Breast Cancer Tumor and Metastasis with a pH-Sensitive Hyaluronic Acid Nanocarrier for Doxorubicin Delivery.

Polymer based nanoformulations offer substantial prospects for efficacious chemotherapy delivery. Here, we developed a pH-responsive polymeric nanoparticle based on acidosis-triggered breakdown of boronic ester linkers. A biocompatible hyaluronic acid (HA) matrix served as a substrate for carrying a doxorubicin (DOX) prodrug which also possesses natural affinity for CD44 cells.

Adherence to recommended blood-based screening tests for cancer and chronic diseases: A systematic literature review.

Introduction: Blood-based tests represent a compelling option for early detection and management of cancers and other chronic diseases. While they may increase patient engagement, assumptions about greater adherence in clinical practice need further evaluation. This systematic review aimed to evaluate real-world adherence to established blood-based tests for commonly recommended screening indications to inform expectations for average-risk colorectal cancer (CRC) screening.

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Regarding Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs and Corticosteroids Use Among Patients With Chronic Rheumatology Condition: A Cross-Sectional Study From Vietnam.

Objectives: To identify gaps in knowledge, attitude, and practice regarding the use of corticosteroids and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) among patients with chronic rheumatic diseases.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted using a questionnaire including 12 knowledge questions, 13 attitude assessment statements, 5 barrier assessment statements, and 7 practical scenarios. We counted the total numbers of correct answers in knowledge, positive attitudes, barriers, and appropriate practices and fitted using Poisson regression to examine factors associated with knowledge, attitudes, and practices.

Development of 3D Printable Silver Carp () Surimi Gel with Dynamic High-Pressure Microfluidization-Modified Pea Protein Isolate and Microcrystalline Cellulose.

Sliver carp is a nutritious and abundant species in China, but its low market value stems from its thin meat, small bones and strong odor. Processing it into surimi enhances its economic value, though surimi typically has low gel strength and is prone to deterioration. Recently, three-dimensional (3D) printing has gained attention as an innovative additive manufacturing technique for personalization and process simplification requiring high-performance materials.

Contributions of associative and non-associative learning to the dynamics of defensive ethograms.

Defensive behavior changes based on threat intensity, proximity, and context of exposure, and learning about danger-predicting stimuli is critical for survival. However, most Pavlovian fear conditioning paradigms focus only on freezing behavior, obscuring the contributions of associative and non-associative mechanisms to dynamic defensive responses. To thoroughly investigate defensive ethograms, we subjected male and female adult C57BL/6 J mice to a Pavlovian conditioning paradigm that paired footshock with a serial compound stimulus (SCS) consisting of distinct tone and white noise (WN) stimulus periods.

Association between Locoregional Failure and NFE2L2/KEAP1/CUL3 Mutations in NRG/RTOG 9512: A Randomized Trial of Radiation Fractionation in T2N0 Glottic Cancer.

Purpose: NFE2L2/KEAP1/CUL3 mutations have been validated for radiation resistance in cell-based assays and animal models. However, clinical validation of these biomarkers has been challenging due to multimodality treatment regimens. This study aims to investigate the association between NFE2L2/KEAP1/CUL3 mutations and patient outcomes, including local failure (LF), locoregional failures (LRF), disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS), using samples from a phase III trial in which patients were treated with radiation monotherapy at 2 controlled doses.

Underwater Versus Conventional Endoscopic Mucosal Resection for Colorectal Laterally Spreading Tumors: A Post Hoc Analysis of Efficacy.

Background And Aims: Underwater endoscopic mucosal resection (UEMR) has emerged as a promising alternative to conventional endoscopic mucosal resection (CEMR) for the treatment of colorectal laterally spreading tumors (LSTs). This study aimed to compare the efficacy and safety of UEMR and CEMR in managing LSTs measuring 10-30 mm.

Methods: A post hoc analysis was performed on 88 patients with 88 colorectal LSTs, who were randomly assigned to two treatment groups: 42 with CEMR and 46 with UEMR.

Survival after trimodal therapy in octogenarians with organ-confined urothelial bladder cancer.

Objectives: It is not known whether cancer-specific mortality (CSM) differences distinguish radical cystectomy (RC) from trimodal therapy (TMT) in octogenarians harbouring organ-confined (T2N0M0) urothelial cancer of the urinary bladder (UCUB).

Methods: Within the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database (2004-2021), CSM and other-cause mortality (OCM) rates were computed in octogenarian patients with organ-confined UCUB undergoing either TMT or RC. Smoothed cumulative incidence plots depicted 5-year CSM and OCM rates according to RC vs TMT.

Urinary Diversion Versus Adverse In-Hospital Outcomes After Radical Cystectomy.

Objective: This study aimed to compare adverse in-hospital outcomes in ileal conduit versus neobladder urinary diversion type after radical cystectomy (RC) in contemporary versus historical patients.

Methods: Patients were identified within the National Inpatient Sample (NIS 2000-2019). Propensity score matching (PSM; 1:2 ratio) and multivariable logistic regression models (LRMs) were used.

Member Adherence to a Health Insurer-Sponsored Gap Closure Program Using Multi-Target Stool DNA Test for Colorectal Cancer Screening.

Objectives: To describe member adherence to a mail-based, health insurer-sponsored gap closure program for colorectal cancer (CRC) screening using multi-target stool DNA (mt-sDNA; Cologuard) tests.

Methods: Combined patient data from Exact Sciences Laboratories LLC and data from mass-mailed mt-sDNA orders placed by a large Medicare Advantage Insurance Plan were analyzed (03/01/2023-06/30/2023). Adherence and time to test return were the primary and secondary outcomes, respectively.

Microplastic analysis in soils: A comparative assessment.

Microplastic (MiP) contamination poses environmental risks, but harmonizing data from different quantification methods and sample matrices remains challenging. We compared analytical protocols for MiP quantification in soil, consisting of Digital, Fluorescence, Fourier-transform infrared (FTIR), and Raman Microscopy as well as quantitative Pyrolysis-Gas Chromatography-Mass Spectroscopy (Py-GC-MS) and 1-proton nuclear magnetic resonance (H NMR) spectroscopy as detection techniques. Each technique was coupled with a specific extraction procedure and evaluated for three soils with different textures and organic carbon contents, amended with eight types of large MiPs (0.

Radiotherapy with cetuximab or durvalumab for locoregionally advanced head and neck cancer in patients with a contraindication to cisplatin (NRG-HN004): an open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, phase 2/3 trial.

Background: Management of patients with locoregionally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) when cisplatin is contraindicated is controversial. We aimed to assess whether radiotherapy with concurrent and adjuvant durvalumab would improve outcomes compared with radiotherapy with cetuximab.

Methods: NRG-HN004 was designed as an open-label, multicentre, parallel-group, randomised, phase 2/3 trial with safety lead-in conducted at 89 academic and community medical centres in North America.

Validation of the Level 2 Modification for the Neogen® Molecular Detection Assay 2 - Salmonella Enteritidis/Salmonella Typhimurium Method for Detection of the Monophasic Variant Salmonella enterica 1,4,[5],12:-:1,2.

Background: The Neogen® Molecular Detection Assay 2-Salmonella Enteritidis/Salmonella Typhimurium (MDA2-SE/ST) method, Performance Tested Method  SM (PTM) 122302, is a nucleic acid amplification test for specific detection of Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (SE) and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (ST), including the ST monophasic variant Salmonella enterica  1,4,[5],12:i:-, in select poultry samples.

Adaptive Fault-Tolerant Tracking Control for Multi-Joint Robot Manipulators via Neural Network-Based Synchronization.

In this paper, adaptive fault-tolerant control for multi-joint robot manipulators is proposed through the combination of synchronous techniques and neural networks. By using a synchronization technique, the position error at each joint simultaneously approaches zero during convergence due to the constraints imposed by the synchronization controller. This aspect is particularly important in fault-tolerant control, as it enables the robot to rapidly and effectively reduce the impact of faults, ensuring the performance of the robot when faults occur.

Level 2 Modification (Matrix Extension) Study of the Neogen® Molecular Detection Assay 2 - Salmonella Enteritidis/Salmonella Typhimurium Method: Detection of Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium in Cooked Breaded Chicken and Raw Ground Chicken (25 g).

Background: The Neogen® Molecular Detection Assay 2-Salmonella Enteritidis/Salmonella Typhimurium (MDA2-SE/ST) method is a nucleic acid amplification test for specific detection of Salmonella enterica ser. Enteritidis (SE) and Salmonella enterica ser. Typhimurium (ST), including the ST monophasic variant Salmonella enterica  1,4,[5],12:i:-, in select poultry samples.

The interhemispheric amygdala-accumbens circuit encodes negative valence in mice.

The structurally symmetric mammalian brain hemispheres are interconnected by commissural axons across the midline. However, the functions of interhemispheric connectivity remain largely unknown. We found that in mice, transection of the anterior commissure (AC), which connects the rostroventral forebrain, impaired avoidant behaviors.

Data on tuning phase crystal of boron-doped manganese oxide and activation in removal of formaldehyde.

The data in this work provides the effect of aging temperature on manganese oxide allotropes prepared by hydrothermal method in the presence of boron dopant. The synthesized samples were labeled as B/MnO -100, B/MnO -150, and B/MnO -180 corresponding to the hydrothermal temperature at 100, 150, and 180 °C, respectively. X-ray diffraction (XRD) and inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS) methods were conducted to clarify the crystalline structure, as well as the amount of potassium, manganese, and boron elements in the three synthesized samples.

Microplastics in the environment: A critical overview on its fate, toxicity, implications, management, and bioremediation strategies.

Microplastics are small plastic pieces ranging in size from 1μ to <5 mm in diameter, are water-soluble, and can be either primary as they are initially created in small sizes or secondary as they develop due to plastic degradation. Approximately 360 million tons of plastic are produced globally every year, with only 7% recycled, leaving the majority of waste to accumulate in the environment and pose a serious threat in the form of microplastics. All ecosystems, particularly freshwater ecosystems, experience microplastic accumulation and are also prone to degrading processes.