Heterogeneous Cluster Energetics and Nonlinear Thermodynamic Response in Supercritical Fluids.

Microstructural heterogeneities arising from molecular clusters directly affect the nonlinear thermodynamic properties of supercritical fluids. We present a physical model to elucidate the relation between energy exchange and heterogeneous cluster dynamics during the transition from liquidlike to gaslike conditions. By analyzing molecular-dynamics data and employing physical principles, the model considers contributions from three key processes, namely, changing cluster density, cluster separation, and transfer of molecules between clusters.

FAK activity exacerbates disturbed flow-mediated atherosclerosis via VEGFR2-Cbl-NF-κB signaling.

Atherosclerosis develops at predictable sites in the vasculature where branch points and curvatures create non-laminar disturbed flow. This disturbed flow causes vascular inflammation by increased endothelial cell (EC) barrier permeability and the expression of inflammatory genes such as vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1). Vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) is important for flow-induced EC inflammation; however, there are still some gaps in the signaling pathway.

Recent Plasmonic Gold- and Silver-Assisted Raman Spectra for Advanced SARS-CoV-2 Detection.

COVID-19 has become one of the deadliest epidemics in the past years. In efforts to combat the deadly disease besides vaccines, drug therapies, and facemasks, significant focus has been on designing specific methods for the sensitive and accurate detection of SARS-CoV-2. Of these, surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) is an attractive analytical tool for the identification of SARS-CoV-2.

Biomimetic Cell Membrane Layers for the Detection of Insulin and Glucagon.

The growing need for reliable and rapid insulin testing to enhance glycemic management has spurred intensive exploration of new insulin-binding bioreceptors and innovative biosensing platforms for detecting this hormone, along with glucagon, in biological samples. Here, by leveraging the native protein receptors on the HepG2 cell membrane, we construct a simple and chemical-free biomimetic molecular recognition layer for the detection of insulin and glucagon. Unlike traditional affinity sensors, which require lengthy surface modifications on the electrochemical transducers and use of two different capture antibodies to recognize each analyte, this new biomimetic sensing strategy employs a simple drop-casting of a natural cell membrane recognition layer onto the electrochemical transducer.

Tracking flaviviral protease conformational dynamics by tuning single-molecule nanopore tweezers.

The flaviviral NS2B/NS3 protease is a conserved enzyme required for flavivirus replication. Its highly dynamic conformation poses major challenges but also offers opportunities for antiviral inhibition. Here, we established a nanopore tweezers-based platform to monitor NS2B/NS3 conformational dynamics in real time.

Cardioprotective Efficacy of Sevoflurane in Patients With Rheumatic Heart Disease Undergoing Heart Valve Surgery Under Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Objectives: In this study, we investigated whether cardioprotective properties of sevoflurane were expressed in patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing heart valve surgery under cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB).

Methods: Fifty patients with rheumatic heart disease undergoing heart valve surgery under CPB were randomly assigned to receive total anesthesia with sevoflurane or propofol during surgery. Except for this, anesthetic and surgical management was the same in all patients.

Optimization of Vitamin B1, B2, and B6 Absorption in Nang Tay Dum Floating Rice Grains.

As reported by the FAO, in 2022, approximately 735 million people experienced undernourishment, underscoring the critical need for effective strategies to address micronutrient deficiencies. Among these strategies, the mass fortification of staple foods, particularly rice-a dietary staple for half of the global population-has emerged as one of the most effective approaches. Conventional milling processes diminish the nutritional content of rice, necessitating the development of fortification methods to enhance its nutrient profile.

From natural to synthetic: Promoter engineering in yeast expression systems.

Synthetic promoters are particularly relevant for application not only in yeast expression systems designed for high-level heterologous protein production but also in other applications such as metabolic engineering, cell biological research, and stage-specific gene expression control. By designing synthetic promoters, researcher can create customized expression systems tailored to specific needs, whether it is maximizing protein production or precisely controlling gene expression at different stages of a process. While recognizing the limitations of endogenous promoters, they also provide important information needed to design synthetic promoters.

Efficiency and safety of microvascular anastomotic coupler for wrist revascularization in traumatic injuries.

Introduction: Effective vascular anastomosis is crucial for successful hand surgery, particularly in traumatic injuries where rapid restoration of blood flow is essential. The Synovis microvascular anastomotic coupler system presents a novel approach by potentially offering faster and more reliable outcomes than traditional suturing methods. This study was conducted to assess the effectiveness and safety of the Synovis coupler for microvascular anastomoses in the wrist, evaluating anastomosis time, patency rates, and complication rates.

Correction of a severe post-surgical iatrogenic class II anterior open bite with lingual appliances and mini-screws: a case report.

An iatrogenic open bite after orthognathic surgery is an uncommon malocclusion, with only one documented case reported in the literature. However, the open bite in this case report was not a true open bite, as it resulted from the interferences between the maxillary second molars and mandibular retromolar bones. This case report aims to present the management of a true iatrogenic open bite with posterior teeth in centric occlusion, occurring after mandibular setback surgery.

Advanced protein nanobiosensors to in-situ detect hazardous material in the environment.

Determining hazardous substances in the environment is vital to maintaining the safety and health of all components of society, including the ecosystem and humans. Recently, protein-based nanobiosensors have emerged as effective tools for monitoring potentially hazardous substances in situ. Nanobiosensor detection mode is a combination of particular plasmonic nanomaterials (e.

Measurement of Atmospheric Mercury: Current Limitations and Suggestions for Paths Forward.

Mercury (Hg) researchers have made progress in understanding atmospheric Hg, especially with respect to oxidized Hg (Hg) that can represent 2 to 20% of Hg in the atmosphere. Knowledge developed over the past ∼10 years has pointed to existing challenges with current methods for measuring atmospheric Hg concentrations and the chemical composition of Hg compounds. Because of these challenges, atmospheric Hg experts met to discuss limitations of current methods and paths to overcome them considering ongoing research.

Discovery and Quantitative Dissection of Cytokinesis Mechanisms Using Dictyostelium discoideum.

The social amoeba Dictyostelium discoideum is a versatile model for understanding many different cellular processes involving cell motility including chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokinesis. Cytokinesis, in particular, is a model cell-shaped change process in which a cell separates into two daughter cells. D.

Environmental, economic, and social sustainability in aquaculture: the aquaculture performance indicators.

Aquaculture is a rapidly growing food production technology, but there are significant concerns related to its environmental impact and adverse social effects. We examine aquaculture outcomes in a three pillars of sustainability framework by analyzing data collected using the Aquaculture Performance Indicators. Using this approach, comparable data has been collected for 57 aquaculture systems worldwide on 88 metrics that measure social, economic, or environmental outcomes.

Tuning single-molecule ClyA nanopore tweezers for real-time tracking of the conformational dynamics of West Nile viral NS2B/NS3 protease.

The flaviviral NS2B/NS3 protease is a conserved enzyme required for flavivirus replication. Its highly dynamic conformation poses major challenges but also offers opportunities for antiviral inhibition. Here, we established a nanopore tweezers-based platform to monitor NS2B/NS3 conformational dynamics in real-time.

Sustainable Utilization of Food Biowaste (Papaya Peel) Extract for Gold Nanoparticle Biosynthesis and Investigation of Its Multi-Functional Potentials.

Papaya contains high amounts of vitamins A, C, riboflavin, thiamine, niacin, ascorbic acid, potassium, and carotenoids. It is confirmed by several studies that all food waste parts such as the fruit peels, seeds, and leaves of papaya are potential sources of phenolic compounds, particularly in the peel. Considering the presence of numerous bioactive compounds in papaya fruit peels, the current study reports a rapid, cheap, and environmentally friendly method for the production of gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) employing food biowaste (vegetable papaya peel extract (VPPE)) and investigated its antioxidant, antidiabetic, tyrosinase inhibition, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and photocatalytic degradation potentials.

Surface plasmon resonance microscopy identifies glycan heterogeneity in pancreatic cancer cells that influences mucin-4 binding interactions.

Membrane proteins are the main targets of therapeutic drugs and most of them are glycosylated. Glycans play pivotal roles in several biological processes, and glycosylation changes are a well-established hallmark of several types of cancer, including pancreatic cancer, that contribute to tumor growth. Mucin-4 (MUC-4) is a membrane glycoprotein which is associated with pancreatic cancer and metastasis, and it has been targeted as a promising vaccine candidate.

Synthesis, crystal structure and anti-cancer activity of the complex chlorido-(η-ethyl-ene)(quinolin-8-olato-κ,)platinum(II) by experimental and theoretical methods.

The complex [Pt(CHNO)Cl(CH)], (I), was synthesized and structurally characterized by ESI mass spectrometry, IR, NMR spectroscopy, DFT calculations and X-ray diffraction. The results showed that the deprotonated 8-hy-droxy-quinoline (CHNO) coordinates with the Pt atom the N and O atoms while the ethyl-ene coordinates in the η manner and in the position compared to the coordinating N atom. The crystal packing is characterized by C-H⋯O, C-H⋯π, Cl⋯π and Pt⋯π inter-actions.

The potential application of carbazole-degrading bacteria for dioxin bioremediation.

Extensive research has been conducted over the years on the bacterial degradation of dioxins and their related compounds including carbazole, because these chemicals are highly toxic and has been widely distributed in the environment. There is a pressing need to explore and develop more bacterial strains with unique catabolic features to effectively remediate dioxin-polluted sites. Carbazole has a chemical structure similar to dioxins, and the degradation pathways of these two chemicals are highly homologous.

Research on optimization of spray drying conditions, characteristics of anthocyanins extracted from L. flower, and application to marshmallows.

Anthocyanin, a main-colored bioactive compound found in L., is well-known for a varied range of applications as food additives in foodstuff, and natural colorants in food, pharmaceutical, and printing industries. The study aimed to find out the suitable conditions for the spray-drying process to obtain anthocyanin powder from the extract as well as characterized the powder.

Essential oil of Pterocarpus santalinus L. alleviates behavioral impairments in social defeat stress-exposed mice by regulating neurotransmission and neuroinflammation.

Background: Pterocarpus santalinus L. essential oil (PSEO) is traditionally employed for treating fever and mental aberrations. We aim to explore the antidepressant potential of intranasal PSEO in social defeat stress (SDS)-expose mice and identify its mechanisms and components.

Intranasal administration of the essential oil from Perillae Folium ameliorates social defeat stress-induced behavioral impairments in mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Perillae Folium, the leaves and twigs of Perilla frutescens (L.) Britton, has been included in many traditional Chinese medicine herbal formulas to treat depression. However, the precise antidepressant mechanism of the essential oil from Perillae Folium (PFEO) has not been fully investigated.