Selectivity of Complex Coacervation in Multiprotein Mixtures.

Liquid-liquid phase separation of biomolecules is increasingly recognized as being relevant to various cellular functions, and complex coacervation of biomacromolecules, particularly proteins, is emerging as a key mechanism for this phenomenon. Complex coacervation is also being explored as a potential protein purification method due to its potential scalability, aqueous operation, and ability to produce a highly concentrated product. However, to date, most studies of complex coacervation have evaluated the phase behavior of a binary mixture of two oppositely charged macromolecules.

Adjuvant potential of Peyssonnelia caulifera extract on the efficacy of an influenza vaccine in a murine model.

Natural adjuvants have recently garnered interest in the field of vaccinology as their immunostimulatory effects. In this study, we aimed to investigate the potential use of Peyssonnelia caulifera (PC), a marine alga, as a natural adjuvant for an inactivated split A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 H1N1 influenza vaccine (sPR8) in a murine model. We administered PC-adjuvanted vaccines to a murine model via intramuscular prime and boost vaccinations, and subsequently analyzed the induced immunological responses, particularly the production of antigen-specific IgG1 and IgG2a antibodies, memory T and B cell responses, and the protective efficacy against a lethal viral infection.

Enhanced Dichroism of Polarizing Composite Films by Embedding Sepiolite.

The present study investigated the use of fibrous nanoparticle-filled polarizing films. Sepiolites were selected as nanoparticles and incorporated into a PVA-iodine complex. The resulting nanocomposite film was elongated and dyed with iodine.

Selectivity of Complex Coacervation in Multi-Protein Mixtures.

Liquid-liquid phase separation of biomolecules is increasingly recognized as relevant to various cellular functions, and complex coacervation of biomacromolecules, particularly proteins, is emerging as a key mechanism for this phenomenon. Complex coacervation is also being explored as a potential protein purification method due to its potential scalability, aqueous operation, and ability to produce a highly concentrated product. However, to date most studies of complex coacervation have evaluated the phase behavior of a binary mixture of two oppositely charged macromolecules.

Monophosphoryl lipid A and poly I:C combination enhances immune responses of equine influenza virus vaccine.

Equine influenza is a contagious respiratory disease caused by H3N8 type A influenza virus. Vaccination against equine influenza is conducted regularly; however, infection still occurs globally because of the short immunity duration and suboptimal efficacy of current vaccines. Hence the objective of this study was to investigate whether an adjuvant combination can improve immune responses to equine influenza virus (EIV) vaccines.

Immunostimulatory effects of marine algae extracts on in vitro antigen-presenting cell activation and in vivo immune cell recruitment.

Marine algae are photosynthetic eukaryotic organisms that are widely used as sources of food, cosmetics, and drugs. However, their biological and immunological effects on immune cells have not been fully elucidated. To unravel their immunological activity and broaden their application, we generated antigen-presenting cells (APCs), including dendritic cells (DCs) and macrophages, from mouse bone marrow cells and treated them with six different marine algae extracts (MAEs).

Cellulose Nanocrystal Embedded Composite Foam and Its Carbonization for Energy Application.

In this study, we fabricated a cellulose nanocrystal (CNC)-embedded aerogel-like chitosan foam and carbonized the 3D foam for electrical energy harvesting. The nanocrystal-supported cellulose foam can demonstrate a high surface area and porosity, homogeneous size ranging from various microscales, and a high quality of absorbing external additives. In order to prepare CNC, microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) was chemically treated with sulfuric acid.

Adjuvant effects of combination monophosphoryl lipid A and poly I:C on antigen-specific immune responses and protective efficacy of influenza vaccines.

Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists improve vaccine immunogenicity and efficacy, but they are currently unlicensed as adjuvants in influenza vaccines. This study aimed to investigate whether a combination of monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL, a TLR4 agonist) and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C, a TLR3 agonist) can enhance the protective efficacy of an inactivated A/Puerto Rico/8/1934 (A/PR8) H1N1 influenza vaccine against homologous influenza infection and minimize illness outcomes. Results showed that combination MPL and poly I:C adjuvanted influenza vaccination increased the production of antigen-specific antibodies, decreased the levels of cytokines and cellular infiltrates at the infection sites, and induced significant memory T and B cell responses in mice.

Chronic allergic asthma induces T-cell exhaustion and impairs virus clearance in mice.

Background: Allergic asthma, one of the most common types of asthma, is thought to be highly susceptible to respiratory viral infections; however, its pathological mechanism needs to be elucidated. Recent studies have found impaired T-cell function in asthmatic mice. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the way by which asthma induction affects T-cell exhaustion in the lungs and assess the relationship between T-cell exhaustion and influenza viral infection.

Significance of cytomegalovirus tests after three weeks of life in children with hearing loss.

Background: To determine the diagnostic role of viral markers for cytomegalovirus (CMV) when tested after the diagnostically critical period (postnatal 3 weeks) in children with sensorineural hearing loss (SNHL).

Methods: A retrospective review of 104 subjects who underwent CMV diagnostic tests after the critical period of 3 postnatal three weeks but before 24 months of age. Infants included had not passed universal newborn hearing screening tests in at least one ear and thus underwent obligatory follow up audiology testing as well as either exome sequencing or magnetic resonance imaging in cases of SNHL.

Automatic measurement of mouse visual acuity based on optomotor response: SKY optomotry.

In the field of visual science study using rodents, several assessment methods have been developed for measuring visual function. However, methods such as electroretinograms tests, visual evoked potentials tests and maze tests have limitations in that they measure function of only a specific type of cells, are difficult to quantify or require sufficient training time. The method which uses an optokinetic reflex and optomotor response, a compensatory eye and head movement in response to changes in the visual scene, became the most widely used method.

Clinical Usability of Embryo Development Using a Combined Qualitative and Quantitative Approach in a Single Vitrified-Warmed Blastocyst Transfer: Assessment of Pre-Vitrified Blastocyst Diameter and Post-Warmed Blastocyst Re-Expansion Speed.

Improving the safety and efficacy of assisted reproductive technology programs has been a continuous challenge. Traditionally, morphological grading has been used for embryo selection. However, only a few studies have assessed the morphokinetic variables and morphological dynamics of blastocysts.

Protective and vaccine dose-sparing efficacy of Poly I:C-functionalized calcium phosphate nanoparticle adjuvants in inactivated influenza vaccination.

Adjuvants are required to increase the immunogenicity and efficacy of vaccination and enable vaccine dose sparing. Polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (Poly I:C), a toll-like receptor 3 agonist, is a promising adjuvant candidate that can induce cell-mediated immune responses; however, it remains unlicensed owing to its low stability and toxicity. Calcium phosphate (CaP), a biocompatible and biodegradable nanoparticle, is widely used in biomedicine for stable and targeted drug delivery.

Evaluation of the synergistic impact of needle and forceps biopsy with electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy: the CONFIDENT-ENB trial design.

Background: Electromagnetic navigation bronchoscopy (ENB) is an emerging advanced imaging-guided bronchoscopy technique for diagnosing peripheral lung lesions. However, the selection strategy for the optimal biopsy device and whether adopting a multi-tool strategy increases the diagnostic yield remains undetermined. The CONFIDENT-ENB trial (NCT05110131) is a prospective randomized study on ENB, performed in a least-invasive setting.

Self-assembly of globular proteins with intrinsically disordered protein polyelectrolytes and block copolymers.

Intrinsically disordered polypeptides are a versatile class of materials, combining the biocompatibility of peptides with the disordered structure and diverse phase behaviors of synthetic polymers. Synthetic polyelectrolytes are capable of complex phase behavior when mixed with oppositely charged polyelectrolytes, facilitating nanoparticle formation and bulk phase separation. However, there has been limited exploration of intrinsically disordered protein polyelectrolytes as potential bio-based replacements for synthetic polyelectrolytes.

Does Post-Warming Extended Culture Duration Affect the Clinical and Obstetric Outcomes of Patients of Advanced Maternal Age? A Single-Center Study.

Background: The single vitrified-warmed blastocyst transfer (SVBT) cycle has been increasingly utilized for assisted reproductive technology. Women of advanced maternal age (AMA) comprise a significant portion of patients who have undergone 'freeze-all' cycles. This study investigated the association between the post-warming extended culture duration and pregnancy outcomes in patients of AMA.

Protein-Encoding Free-Standing RNA Hydrogel for Sub-Compartmentalized Translation.

RNA can self-fold into complex structures that can serve as major biological regulators in protein synthesis and in catalysis. Due to the abundance of structural primitives and functional diversity, RNA has been utilized for designing nature-defined goals despite its intrinsic chemical instability and lack of technologies. Here, a robust, free-standing RNA hydrogel is developed through a sequential process involving both ligation and rolling circle transcription to form RNA G-quadruplexes, capable of both catalytic activity and enhancing expression of several proteins in sub-compartmentalized, phase-separated translation environments.

Functional NK Cell Activation by Ovalbumin Immunization with a Monophosphoryl Lipid A and Poly I:C Combination Adjuvant Promoted Dendritic Cell Maturation.

Natural killer (NK) cells are one of the types of innate immune cells to remove pathogen-infected cells and modulate inflammatory immune responses. Recent studies have revealed that NK cells could enhance vaccine efficacy by coordinating the innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study, we have evaluated the efficacy of intranasal ovalbumin (OVA) immunization with a monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL) and polyriboinosinic polyribocytidylic acid (poly I:C) combination adjuvant in promoting NK cell recruitment, differentiation, and activation.

Monophosphoryl Lipid A and Poly I:C Combination Adjuvant Promoted Ovalbumin-Specific Cell Mediated Immunity in Mice Model.

Induction of antigen-specific cell-mediated immunity (CMI), as well as humoral immunity, is critical for successful vaccination against various type of pathogens. Toll-like receptor (TLR) agonists have been developed as adjuvants to promote vaccine efficacy and induce appropriate immune responses. Monophosphoryl lipid A (MPL); a TLR4 agonist, and Poly I:C; a TLR3 agonist, are known as a strong immuno-stimulator which induce Th1 response.

Bead-Immobilized Multimodal Molecular Beacon-Equipped DNA Machinery for Specific RNA Target Detection: A Prototypical Molecular Nanobiosensor.

A variety of nanostructured diagnostic tools have been developed for the precise detection of known genetic variants. Molecular beacon systems are very promising tools due to their specific selectivity coupled with relatively lower cost and time requirements than existing molecular detection tools such as next generation sequencing or real-time PCR (polymerase chain reaction). However, they are prone to errors induced by secondary structure responses to environmental fluctuations, such as temperature and pH.

A Modular Mobile Health App for Personalized Rehabilitation Throughout the Breast Cancer Care Continuum: Development Study.

Background: Although many mobile health (mHealth) apps have evolved as support tools for self-management of breast cancer, limited studies have developed a comprehensive app and described the algorithms for personalized rehabilitation throughout the breast cancer care continuum.

Objective: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive mobile app and to describe an algorithm that adjusts personalized content to facilitate self-management throughout the breast cancer care continuum.

Methods: The development process of the modular mHealth app included the following 4 steps: (1) organizing expert teams, (2) defining evidence-based fundamental content and modules, (3) classifying user information for algorithms to personalize the content, and (4) creating the app platform and connectivity to digital health care devices.

DNA Transformations for Diagnosis and Therapy.

Due to its unique physical and chemical characteristics, DNA, which is known only as genetic information, has been identified and utilized as a new material at an astonishing rate. The role of DNA has increased dramatically with the advent of various DNA derivatives such as DNA-RNA, DNA-metal hybrids, and PNA, which can be organized into 2D or 3D structures by exploiting their complementary recognition. Due to its intrinsic biocompatibility, self-assembly, tunable immunogenicity, structural programmability, long stability, and electron-rich nature, DNA has generated major interest in electronic and catalytic applications.

Carrier transport of all carbonized β-glucosic eco-materials.

Attempts have been made to bring eco-friendly biomaterials into high-end electronic devices that require both high performance and durability. Polysaccharides, glycosidically linked monosaccharide units, are of particular interest because they serve as a promising material, owing to their environmentally friendly and adaptable features. We used a carbonized polysaccharide eco-material encompassing nanoparticles and chitosan to study the carrier-transport behavior of β-glucosic materials.

Gold nanoparticle clusters for the investigation of therapeutic efficiency against prostate cancer under near-infrared irradiation.

Gold particles have been widely used in the treatment of prostate cancer due to their unique optical properties, such as their light-heat conversion in response to near-infrared radiation. Due to well-defined synthesis mechanisms and simple manufacturing methods, gold particles have been fabricated in various sizes and shapes. However, the low photothermal transduction efficiency in their present form is a major obstacle to practical and therapeutic uses of these particles.

Improved Sensitivity of Intramolecular Strand Displacement Based on Localization of Probes.

Effective intermolecular interaction is required between probe and target molecules for successful detection of biomarkers. Here, we demonstrate that localization of probes on DNA nanostructures improves detection sensitivity and reaction rate. The structural flexibility of DNA nanostructures enabled frequent intramolecular interactions among the localized probes.