Role of Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and T2 Relaxometry as Imaging Biomarker of Early Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Study Design: Observational comparative study.

Objective: To study the role of magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) and T2 relaxometry (T2r) as imaging biomarkers for identifying early lumbar disc degeneration.

Methods: We evaluated 236 discs in normal volunteers and 215 discs in low back pain (LBP) patients by MRS and T2r to document the molecular spectra of various metabolites as well as disc hydration and collagen content, respectively.

Evaluating the antibacterial activity of engineered phage ФEcSw endolysin against multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli strain Sw1.

Objective: The emergence of bacteriophage-encoded endolysins hold significant promise as novel antibacterial agents, particularly against the growing threat of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Therefore, we investigated the phage ФEcSw endolysin to enhance the lytic activity against multi-drug-resistant Escherichia coli Sw1 through site-directed mutagenesis (SDM) guided by in silico identification of critical residues.

Methods: A computational analysis was conducted to elucidate the protein folding pattern, identify the active domains, and recognize critical residues of ФEcSw endolysin.

Enhanced Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses Elicited by Adenoviral Delivery of SARS-CoV-2 Receptor-Binding Motif Fused to Human Fc.

: The receptor binding motif (RBM) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein is critical for viral entry into host cells. Development of a vaccine targeting this region is a promising strategy for COVID-19 prevention. To enhance the immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 vaccines, we developed an adenoviral vector expressing the RBM from the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein that fused to the human Fc (hFc) domain.

Aryl-hydrocarbon receptor in smooth muscle cells protect against dioxin induced adverse remodeling of atherosclerosis.

Introduction: Environmental exposure to dioxin has been linked to increased myocardial infarction. Smooth muscle cells (SMC) in the coronary vasculature play a critical role in atherosclerotic plaque remodeling due to their phenotypic plasticity, however, the detailed mechanism linking dioxin exposure to adverse SMC modulation is not well understood.

Methods: Single-cell RNA and ATAC sequencing and histological analyses were performed on the aorta from mouse models of atherosclerosis exposed to 2,3,7,8-Tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) or control.

Endophytic Streptomyces: an underexplored source with potential for novel natural drug discovery and development.

Streptomyces has long been considered as key sources for natural compounds discovery in medicine and agriculture. These compounds have been demonstrated to possess different biological activities, including antibiotic, antifungal, anticancer, and antiviral effects. As a result, new pharmaceuticals and antibiotics have been developed.