Combined dual-channel fluorescence depth sensing of indocyanine green and protoporphyrin IX kinetics in subcutaneous murine tumors.

Significance: Fluorescence sensing within tissue is an effective tool for tissue characterization; however, the modality and geometry of the image acquisition can alter the observed signal.

Aim: We introduce a novel optical fiber-based system capable of measuring two fluorescent contrast agents through 2 cm of tissue with simple passive electronic switching between the excitation light, simultaneously acquiring fluorescence and excitation data. The goal was to quantify indocyanine green (ICG) and protoporphyrin IX (PpIX) within tissue, and the sampling method was compared with wide-field surface imaging to contrast the value of deep sensing versus surface imaging.

A Dual-Adjuvanted Parenteral-Intranasal Subunit Nanovaccine generates Robust Systemic and Mucosal Immunity Against SARS-CoV-2 in Mice.

Existing parenteral SARS-CoV-2 vaccines produce only limited mucosal responses, essential for reducing transmission and achieving sterilizing immunity. Appropriately designed mucosal boosters can overcome the shortcomings of parenteral vaccines and enhance pre-existing systemic immunity. Here, a new protein subunit nanovaccine is developed by utilizing dual-adjuvanted (RIG-I: PUUC RNA and TLR-9: CpG DNA) polysaccharide-amino acid-lipid nanoparticles (PAL-NPs) along with SARS-CoV-2 S1 trimer protein, that can be delivered both intramuscularly (IM) and intranasally (IN) to generate balanced mucosal-systemic SARS-CoV-2 immunity.

Can titanium surface technology reduce cost for biologics in anterior lumbar interbody fusion?

Objective: Advances in surface architecture and technology have made interbody fusion devices more bioactive, with the hope of facilitating the fusion process more successfully. The advent of these increasingly bioactive implants may reduce reliance on more expensive biologics that have previously been used to achieve high fusion rates.

Methods: A retrospective review of prospectively collected data (August 2018-December 2019) was conducted of consecutively performed anterior lumbar interbody fusions in which an acid-etched, nanosurface-modulated, titanium interbody device packed only with corticocancellous allograft chips and local blood was used.

Pinpointing the causal influences of stomatal anatomy and behavior on minimum, operational, and maximum leaf surface conductance.

Leaf surface conductance to water vapor and CO2 across the epidermis (gleaf) strongly determines the rates of gas exchange. Thus, clarifying the drivers of gleaf has important implications for resolving the mechanisms of photosynthetic productivity and leaf and plant responses and tolerance to drought. It is well recognized that gleaf is a function of the conductances of the stomata (gs) and of the epidermis + cuticle (gec).

Diorganotin (IV) amino acid complexes as potential anticancer agents. Synthesis, structural characterization, and in vitro assays.

Nine new organotin (IV) derivatives from L-amino acids (l-lysine, L-ornithine, L-glutamic acid, and L-aspartic acid) were synthesized by one-pot ultrasound-assisted methodology. All compounds were characterized by ATR-FTIR (Attenuated Total Reflectance-Fourier Transform Infrared), LRMS (Low-Resolution Mass Spectrometry), and solution NMR (H, C, Sn Nuclear Magnetic Resonance) spectroscopies. Complexes BuSn(Lys) (1), PhSn(Lys) (2), BuSn(Orn) (3), and PhSn (Glu-OMe) (6a) were crystallized, and the structures were established by single-crystal X-ray diffraction analysis.

Shared decision-making in psoriasis care: Evaluation of how patients' perception of clinicians' delivery of care changes by age and sex.

Background: Shared decision-making (SDM) refers to a collaborative process in which clinicians assist patients in making medically informed, evidence-based decisions that align with their values and preferences. There is a paucity of literature on SDM in dermatology.

Objective: We aim to assess whether male and female psoriasis patients evaluate their clinicians' engagement in SDM differently across different age groups.

Low-Dose Ionizing γ-Radiation Elicits the Extrusion of Neutrophil Extracellular Traps.

Purpose: Patients with cancer frequently undergo radiotherapy in their clinical management with unintended irradiation of blood vessels and copiously irrigated organs in which polymorphonuclear leukocytes circulate. Following the observation that such low doses of ionizing radiation are able to induce neutrophils to extrude neutrophil extracellular traps (NET), we have investigated the mechanisms, consequences, and occurrence of such phenomena in patients undergoing radiotherapy.

Experimental Design: NETosis was analyzed in cultures of neutrophils isolated from healthy donors, patients with cancer, and cancer-bearing mice under confocal microscopy.

Molecular Dynamics of Steroidal Rotors Probed by Theoretical, Spectroscopic and Dielectric Methods.

Our study focuses on molecular rotors with fast-moving rotators and their potential applications in the development of new amphidynamic crystals. Steroidal molecular rotors with a dipolar fluorine-substituted phenyl group as the rotator were synthesized and characterized. Three different rotors were investigated with varying numbers of fluorine atoms.

How megadrought causes extensive mortality in a deep-rooted shrub species normally resistant to drought-induced dieback: The role of a biotic mortality agent.

Southern California experienced unprecedented megadrought between 2012 and 2018. During this time, Malosma laurina, a chaparral species normally resilient to single-year intense drought, developed extensive mortality exceeding 60% throughout low-elevation coastal populations of the Santa Monica Mountains. We assessed the physiological mechanisms by which the advent of megadrought predisposed M.

Burn and Trauma Burden and Screening for Interpersonal Violence During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

Introduction: Nationwide shelter-in-place (SIP) orders during the pandemic have had long-lasting effects, including increased rates of domestic violence and interpersonal violence. Screening for violence varies by institution, which tool is used, and when. Given increases in burn and trauma admissions over the course of the pandemic, we sought to examine trends at our institution during this time period to better guide care and anticipate system-level effects.

Intratumoral co-injection of NK cells and NKG2A-neutralizing monoclonal antibodies.

NK-cell reactivity against cancer is conceivably suppressed in the tumor microenvironment by the interaction of the inhibitory receptor NKG2A with the non-classical MHC-I molecules HLA-E in humans or Qa-1 in mice. We found that intratumoral delivery of NK cells attains significant therapeutic effects only if co-injected with anti-NKG2A and anti-Qa-1 blocking monoclonal antibodies against solid mouse tumor models. Such therapeutic activity was contingent on endogenous CD8 T cells and type-1 conventional dendritic cells (cDC1).

Assessment of open-field fluorescence guided surgery systems: implementing a standardized method for characterization and comparison.

Significance: Fluorescence guided surgery (FGS) has demonstrated improvements in decision making and patient outcomes for a wide range of surgical procedures. Not only can FGS systems provide a higher level of structural perfusion accuracy in tissue reconstruction cases but they can also serve for real-time functional characterization. Multiple FGS devices have been Food and Drug administration (FDA) cleared for use in open and laparoscopic surgery.

Impacts of child sexual abuse: The mediating role of future orientation on academic outcomes.

Background: Child Sexual Abuse (CSA) has significant impacts on an individual's physical and mental well-being including substance use, depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, relationship issues, as well as sexual revictimization in adulthood. Positive future orientation is associated with higher educational outcomes and successful goal attainment, but CSA survivors have lower educational attainment and less employment opportunities leading to less financial security in adulthood.

Objective: Our study seeks to examine whether future orientation mediates the relationship between CSA and academic outcomes using data from the Kaplan Longitudinal and Multigenerational Study (KLAMS).

Intratumoral immunotherapy with mRNAs encoding chimeric protein constructs encompassing IL-12, CD137 agonists, and TGF-β antagonists.

Intratumoral immunotherapy strategies for cancer based on interleukin-12 (IL-12)-encoding cDNA and mRNA are under clinical development in combination with anti-PD-(L)1 monoclonal antibodies. To make the most of these approaches, we have constructed chimeric mRNAs encoding single-chain IL-12 fused to single-chain fragment variable (scFv) antibodies that bind to transforming growth factor β (TGF-β) and CD137 (4-1BB). Several neutralizing TGF-β agents and CD137 agonists are also undergoing early-phase clinical trials.

Pooling of six respiratory samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2: A validation and cost study in a cohort in Lima, Peru.

Background: The continuous evolution of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic has led to a high demand for diagnostic testing and major shortages in testing materials, especially in low- and middle-income countries. As an alternative to testing individual samples, pooling of respiratory samples has been suggested. Previous studies have assessed performance of pooling, mainly using nasopharyngeal samples for the detection of SARS-CoV-2, but few studies have examined the performance of pooling the more practical nasal swabs or saliva samples.

CD137 (4-1BB) requires physically associated cIAPs for signal transduction and antitumor effects.

CD137 (4-1BB) is a member of the TNFR family that mediates potent T cell costimulatory signals upon ligation by CD137L or agonist monoclonal antibodies (mAbs). CD137 agonists attain immunotherapeutic antitumor effects in cancer mouse models, and multiple agents of this kind are undergoing clinical trials. We show that cIAP1 and cIAP2 are physically associated with the CD137 signaling complex.

Canakinumab in addition to phosphate-binding and phosphaturia-inducing therapy were effective in achieving remission in a child with a large familial calcinotic tumour.

We describe the clinical evolution of a patient with tumoral calcinosis due to a pathogenic variant in the gene presented with a large mass overlying her left hip associated complicated by inflammatory flares. Therapy (sevelamer, acetazolamide, and probenecid) was unsuccessful in preventing tumour surgeries, therefore, interleukin-1β monoclonal antibody therapy was added; this was successful in the prevention of tumour re-growth. This case highlights the importance of assessing and treating the inflammatory aspect of calcinotic tumour.