Enhancing genetic discovery through narrow phenotyping in schizophrenia.

Background: Schizophrenia varies greatly from person to person, mainly because of its polygenic nature. Consequently, schizophrenia patients form distinct subphenotypes of schizophrenia, with specific symptom patterns and outcomes.

Methods: This study included 4257 adults, with long-term schizophrenia (control - 8955 individuals) who were assessed for schizophrenia with potentially severe outcomes based on following criteria: disability in functional and/or physical domains before the age of 40; severe negative symptoms (present in infancy or shortly after onset); a continuous course of the disease.

Multifunctional PAMAM Dendrimers Carrying SAHA, 5-FU, and a Therapeutic Gene for Targeted Co-Delivery Toward Colorectal Cancer Cells.

A promising approach to treat colorectal cancer (CRC) involves combining chemotherapy, epigenetics, and gene therapy to combat drug resistance. Multifunctional nanocarriers have emerged as a valuable tool for targeted CRC therapy. By delivering multiple treatments directly to cancer cells, these nanocarriers offer the potential for improved outcomes and reduced side effects.

Production cross sections of Rh and Ag in proton bombed Pb target with 400 MeV energy.

The accelerator-driven subcritical system (ADS) is a competitive option for next-generation nuclear energy systems. Production cross sections of long-lived residual radioactive nuclides in a proton-nuclide reaction are basic quantities for the calculation of accumulated radioactivity in the use of ADS systems. This work presents the production cross sections of Rh and Ag in a natural lead (Pb) target activated by 400 MeV protons.

The Role of BDNF in the Antidepressant Effects of Electroconvulsive Therapy.

Electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) is an effective treatment method for depression therapy. It produces a number of biological effects, including neurotrophic factors regulation. In the present paper, we investigated the ECT response in depressed rats subjected to the variable frequency ultrasound (20-45 kHz) and examined the contribution of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) expression changes to the observed effects.

Chronic Ultrasound Prenatal Stress Altered the Brain's Neurochemical Systems in Newborn Rats.

Prenatal stress (PS) affects the development and functioning of the central nervous system, but the exact mechanisms underpinning this effect have not been pinpointed yet. A promising model of PS is one based on chronic exposure of pregnant rodents to variable-frequency ultrasound (US PS), as it mimics the PS with a psychic nature that most adequately captures the human stressors in modern society. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of US PS on the brain neurotransmitter, neuropeptide, and neurotrophic systems of newborn Wistar rats.

Young's double-slit interference with single hard X-ray photons.

Double-slit interference experiments using monochromatic hard X-rays with the energy of 25 keV are presented. The experiments were performed at a synchrotron source with a distance of 110 m between the interferometer and the detector to produce an interference pattern with a sufficiently broad period that could be adequately sampled by a photon-counting detector with 75 micrometre pixels. In the single-particle version of the experiment, over one million image frames with a single registered photon in each one were collected.

Systemic and local immunosuppression in glioblastoma and its prognostic significance.

The effectiveness of tumor therapy, especially immunotherapy and oncolytic virotherapy, critically depends on the activity of the host immune cells. However, various local and systemic mechanisms of immunosuppression operate in cancer patients. Tumor-associated immunosuppression involves deregulation of many components of immunity, including a decrease in the number of T lymphocytes (lymphopenia), an increase in the levels or ratios of circulating and tumor-infiltrating immunosuppressive subsets [e.

[The relationship of cytochrome P450 isoforms with the efficacy and safety of antipsychotic and antidepressant therapy].

Cytochrome P450 (CYP450) is the leading enzyme in the biotransformation of most psychotropic drugs. CYP450 gene polymorphisms determine a patient's endophenotype with respect to the activity of enzymes of the family and affect the metabolism of prescribed antipsychotics and antidepressants. Categorizing patients by endophenotype during genotyping is likely to help simplify the selection of therapy in clinical practice.

Three-dimensional contrast-transfer-function approach in phase-contrast tomography.

A new method is developed for 3D reconstruction of multimaterial objects using propagation-based x-ray phase-contrast tomography (PB-CT) with phase retrieval via contrast-transfer-function (CTF) formalism. The approach differs from conventional PB-CT algorithms, which apply phase retrieval to individual 2D projections. Instead, this method involves performing phase retrieval to the CT-reconstructed volume in 3D.

Alteration of Blood Immune Biomarkers in MCI Patients with Different Genotypes after Cognitive Training: A 1 Year Follow-Up Cohort Study.

Many studies aim to detect the early phase of dementia. One of the major ways to achieve this is to identify corresponding biomarkers, particularly immune blood biomarkers. The objective of this study was to identify such biomarkers in patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in an experiment that included cognitive training.

Optimum Choice of Randomly Oriented Carbon Nanotube Networks for UV-Assisted Gas Sensing Applications.

We investigated the noise and photoresponse characteristics of various optical transparencies of nanotube networks to identify an optimal randomly oriented network of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based devices for UV-assisted gas sensing applications. Our investigation reveals that all of the studied devices demonstrate negative photoconductivity upon exposure to UV light. Our studies confirm the effect of UV irradiation on the electrical properties of CNT networks and the increased photoresponse with decreasing UV light wavelength.

Multispectral sensor fusion in SmartWatch for in situ continuous monitoring of human skin hydration and body sweat loss.

Post-pandemic health operations have become a near-term reality, discussions around wearables are on the rise. How do wearable health solutions effectively deploy and use this opportunity to fill the gap between wellness and healthcare? In this paper, we will talk about wearable healthcare diagnosis, with a particular focus on monitoring skin hydration using optical multi-wavelength sensor fusion. Continuous monitoring of human skin hydration is a task of paramount importance for maintaining water loss dynamics for fitness lovers as well as for skin beauty, integrity and the health of the entire body.

Cystathionine β-synthase affects organization of cytoskeleton and modulates carcinogenesis in colorectal carcinoma cells.

Background: Cystathionine β-synthase (CBS), one of three enzymes that endogenously produce hydrogen sulfide, is extensively studied for its relevance in the cells of various tumors. In our previous work, we observed that the immunofluorescence pattern of CBS is very similar to that of tubulin and actin. Therefore, we focused on the potential interaction of CBS with cytoskeletal proteins β-actin and β-tubulin and the functional relevance of the potential interaction of these proteins in colorectal carcinoma cell lines.

Multimodal intrinsic speckle-tracking (MIST) to extract images of rapidly-varying diffuse X-ray dark-field.

Speckle-based phase-contrast X-ray imaging (SB-PCXI) can reconstruct high-resolution images of weakly-attenuating materials that would otherwise be indistinguishable in conventional attenuation-based X-ray imaging. The experimental setup of SB-PCXI requires only a sufficiently coherent X-ray source and spatially random mask, positioned between the source and detector. The technique can extract sample information at length scales smaller than the imaging system's spatial resolution; this enables multimodal signal reconstruction.

Inflammatory biomarkers and lipid metabolism parameters in women with mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

The detection of specific markers of dementia and mild cognitive decline (MCI) could be the key to disease prevention and forehanded treatment. Female gender is one of the major risk factor for dementia. The aim of our study was to compare serum concentration of some factors related to lipid metabolism and the immune system in patients with MCI and dementia.

Photoinduced Reduction of Novel Dual-Action Riboplatin Pt(IV) Prodrug.

Controlled photoreduction of Pt(IV) prodrugs is a challenging task due to the possibility of targeted light-controlled activation of anticancer agents without affecting healthy tissues. Also, a conjugation of photosensitizers and clinically used platinum drugs into one Pt(IV) prodrug allows combining photodynamic therapy and chemotherapy approaches into one molecule. Herein, we designed the cisplatin-based Pt(IV) prodrug Riboplatin with tetraacetylriboflavin in the axial position.

Diversity of Structural, Dynamic, and Environmental Effects Explain a Distinctive Functional Role of Transmembrane Domains in the Insulin Receptor Subfamily.

Human InsR, IGF1R, and IRR receptor tyrosine kinases (RTK) of the insulin receptor subfamily play an important role in signaling pathways for a wide range of physiological processes and are directly associated with many pathologies, including neurodegenerative diseases. The disulfide-linked dimeric structure of these receptors is unique among RTKs. Sharing high sequence and structure homology, the receptors differ dramatically in their localization, expression, and functions.

New Titanocene (IV) Dicarboxylates with Potential Cytotoxicity: Synthesis, Structure, Stability and Electrochemistry.

The search for new anticancer drugs based on biogenic metals, which have weaker side effects compared to platinum-based drugs, remains an urgent task in medicinal chemistry. Titanocene dichloride, a coordination compound of fully biocompatible titanium, has failed in pre-clinical trials but continues to attract the attention of researchers as a structural framework for the development of new cytotoxic compounds. In this study, a series of titanocene (IV) carboxylate complexes, both new and those known from the literature, was synthesized, and their structures were confirmed by a complex of physicochemical methods and X-ray diffraction analysis (including one previously unknown structure based on perfluorinated benzoic acid).

Chitosan - dextran phosphate carbamate hydrogels for locally controlled co-delivery of doxorubicin and indomethacin: From computation study to in vivo pharmacokinetics.

The development of synergistic drug combinations is a promising strategy for effective cancer suppression. Here, we report all-polysaccharide biodegradable polyelectrolyte complex hydrogels (DPCS) based on dextran phosphate carbamate (DP) and chitosan (CS) for controlled co-delivery of the anticancer drug doxorubicin (DOX) and the non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug indomethacin (IND). IND can induce more apoptosis in tumor cells by reducing the level of multidrug resistance-associated protein 1.

Recent Advances in Light-Controlled Activation of Pt(IV) Prodrugs.

Pt(IV) prodrugs remain one of the most promising alternatives to conventional Pt(II) therapy due to their versatility in axial ligand choice and delayed mode of action. Selective activation from an external source is especially attractive due to the opportunity to control the activity of an antitumor drug in space and time and avoid damage to normal tissues. In this review, we discuss recent advances in photoabsorber-mediated photocontrollable activation of Pt(IV) prodrugs.

Protein Misfolding and Aggregation in the Brain: Common Pathogenetic Pathways in Neurodegenerative and Mental Disorders.

Mental disorders represent common brain diseases characterized by substantial impairments of social and cognitive functions. The neurobiological causes and mechanisms of psychopathologies still have not been definitively determined. Various forms of brain proteinopathies, which include a disruption of protein conformations and the formation of protein aggregates in brain tissues, may be a possible cause behind the development of psychiatric disorders.

Positive Effect of Cognitive Training in Older Adults with Different Genotypes and COVID-19 History: A 1-Year Follow-Up Cohort Study.

(1) Background: Older people suffer from cognitive decline; several risk factors contribute to greater cognitive decline. We used acquired (COVID-19 infection) and non-modifiable (presence of rs429358 and rs7412 polymorphisms) factors to study the progression of subjective cognitive impairment while observing patients for one year. Cognitive training was used as a protective factor.