Non-invasive diagnosis for urothelial carcinoma using a dual-target DNA methylation biomarker panel.

Background: Urothelial carcinoma (UC) is a common malignancy worldwide. Aberrant DNA methylation is implicated in UC carcinogenesis. This study sought to delineate the DNA methylation landscape in UC and identify DNA methylation-based biomarkers for early detection of UC.

Performance and efficiency of Machine learning models in analyzing capillary serum protein electrophoresis.

Background And Objective: Serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) plays a critical role in diagnosing diseases associated with M-proteins. However, its clinical application is limited by a heavy reliance on experienced experts.

Methods: A dataset comprising 85,026 SPEP outcomes was utilized to develop artificial intelligence diagnostic models for the classification and localization of M-proteins.

Impact of hydrodynamic cavitation-assisted microbubble with N, CO, and air on pasting, morphological, and thermal properties of starches from different botanical origins.

Microbubble-assisted starch modification (MASM) using different gases (N, CO and air) was employed to assess the effects of hydrodynamic cavitation (HC) on various botanical starches, including potato, wheat, corn and rice. SEM showed that N- and CO- microbubbles created more pronounced holes and cracks on the starch surfaces than air-microbubbles. The hydrodynamic cavitation-assisted microbubble (HCAM) treatment significantly reduced the amorphous and crystalline structures in potato and wheat starches, with less impact observed in corn and rice.

Deep eutectic solvent-mediated extraction of lignin: A novel strategy for producing high-quality biopolymers in controlled-release mulching applications.

Microplastic contamination of low-density polyethylene mulch and nutrient loss from fertilizers present significant challenges in the crop-growing. In this study, the focus was on creating a biodegradable film that combines the advantages of plastic film, thermal insulation and water retention, as well as the controlled release of fertilizer. A key innovation was the efficient introduction of low molecular weight and low dispersibility of poplar lignin into chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol matrices.

Cellulose-enhanced MoS bifunctional hydrogel for efficient methylene blue degradation, human body sensing, and recyclability.

In this study, the dispersion behavior of MoS₂ in ionic liquids (ILs) with varying alkyl chain lengths was the primary focus of investigation, followed by the design of a novel PAM/SMA/CMC/PDA@MoS hydrogel. By optimizing the concentrations of CMC and PDA@MoS, a bifunctional hydrogel with both sensing and catalytic functions was successfully developed. Mechanical tests revealed that the PAM/SMA/CMC/0.

Formulation screening of lyophilized mRNA-lipid nanoparticles.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have demonstrated their therapeutic potential as safe and effective drug delivery systems for nucleic acids during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, one of the main challenges during technical CMC (Chemistry, Manufacturing, and Controls) development is their long-term stability at temperatures of 2-8 °C or higher, which may be improved by the removal of water by lyophilization. In this study, we identified lyo-/cryo-protectants for freeze-dried mRNA-LNP formulations beyond conventional excipients such as sucrose and trehalose as T-modifiers using polyA as a surrogate.

Ultrasound-triggered release of vancomycin from a novel spinal device: Antibiotic release and efficacy in vivo.

Post-surgical spinal infection occurs in up to 20% of patients, despite aggressive peri-operative antibiotic treatments. To improve prophylaxis, we have designed and evaluated an ultrasound-activated prophylactic antibiotic release system to combat post-surgical bacterial survival. Polylactic acid (PLA) clips (1 cm) were 3D-printed with an interior reservoir (0.

Carbon quantum dots amplify beneficial effects of EGCG against neural injuries by NLRP3 inflammasome after intracerebral hemorrhage.

Neuroinflammation plays an indispensable role in neural damages after ICH, responsible for the induced high mortality and poor prognosis. NLRP3 inflammasome, which is known mediated by ROS, has been widely documented to aggravate brain injuries. Therefore, suppressing neural injuries by ROS/NLRP3 pathway may be beneficial in treating ICH.

Abiraterone acetate fixed-dosed combinations with ibuprofen-based therapeutic eutectic and deep eutectic solvents.

In recent years, deep eutectic solvents (DESs) with their outstanding solubilization properties have emerged as strong candidates for oral enabling formulations of poorly soluble drugs. This study explores the use of drug-based therapeutic DESs (THEDESs) to solubilize a poorly soluble compound with the aim of providing a fixed-dose combination of two complementary therapeutic agents. Specifically, potential anticancer effects of ibuprofen (IBU) are harnessed in a novel type of THEDES to dissolve higher amounts of abiraterone acetate (AbAc), an antitumor agent.

Sodium bisulfite boosted exopolysaccharide production by Auxenochlorella protothecoides: Potential mechanisms harnessing HO signaling and carbon reallocation.

Microalgal exopolysaccharides (EPS) possess significant functional benefits across various industrial sectors, but their commercial feasibility is constrained by inefficient synthesis and poorly understood synthesis mechanisms. This study found that 1.25 mmol/L sodium bisulfite promoted EPS accumulation to 224.

Enhanced methanol-xylose co-utilization strategy in Komagataella phaffii.

Bio-manufacturing based on non-food carbon sources is conducive to alleviating the global food crisis and greenhouse effect. However, the mechanism of the utilization of methanol and xylose in Komagataella phaffii based on endogenous metabolic pathways has not been fully explored. In this study, transcriptomics revealed a positive correlation between methanol metabolic efficiency and the transcription level of genes related to xylose metabolism and phosphate metabolism.

Application of a semi-active robotic system for implant placement in atrophic posterior maxilla: a retrospective case series.

Objective: The study aimed to evaluate the accuracy and safety of the semi-active robotic system for implant placement in atrophic posterior maxilla.

Methods: Patients underwent robot-assisted implant placement in atrophic posterior maxilla were identified and included. Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) was performed before surgery.

The GLP-1 Agonist Semaglutide Ameliorates Cognitive Regression in P301S Tauopathy Mice Model via Autophagy/ACE2/SIRT1/FOXO1-Mediated Microglia Polarization.

Tau hyper-phosphorylation has been recognized as an essential contributor to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD) and related tauopathies. In the last decade, tau hyper-phosphorylation has gained considerable concern in AD therapeutic development. Tauopathies are manifested with a broad spectrum of symptoms, from dementia to cognitive decline and motor impairments.

Promising LOX proteins for cartilage- targeting osteoarthritis therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most affected joint disease worldwide, touching millions of people every year. It is caused by a progressive degeneration of articular cartilage, causing pain and limited mobility. Among the pathways involved in cartilage homeostasis, "LOX" proteins (referring to three distinct protein families, very often confused in the literature) play a prominent role.

A comprehensive report of the clinical and mutational profiles of 30 Iranian malignant infantile osteopetrosis patients.

Osteopetrosis is a group of genetically and clinically diverse inherited disorders characterized by an increase in bone density. The main known cause is an abnormality in the development or function of osteoclasts. Hence, the process of bone resorption is impaired, resulting in: 1- a reduction in bone marrow volume and, subsequently, a decrement in the hematopoietic capacity of bone marrow, which leads to anemia and compromised immunological function; 2- improper bone development, which leads to pressure on peripheral nerves, causing auditory, visual, and movement impairments; and 3- disturbance in the formation of bone microstructure that leads to susceptibility to bone fracture.

Transcardiac gradients of pro-cholecystokinin, cholecystokinin, and gastrin in patients with and without heart failure with reduced ejection fraction.

Background: Cholecystokinin (CCK) is secreted from the intestines in response to food intake. We previously reported that the CCK gene is also expressed in the mammalian heart, and it has been hypothesized that proCCK could be a novel cardiac biomarker. However, it is not known whether cardiac gene expression leads to secretion in humans.

Sexual identity, sexual behavior, and drug use behaviors among people who use drugs in the rural U.S.

Introduction: People who use drugs (PWUD) are at risk of HIV infection, but the frequency and distribution of transmission-associated behaviors within rural communities is not well understood. Further, while interventions designed to more explicitly affirm individuals' sexual orientation and behaviors may be more effective, descriptions of behavior variability by orientation are lacking. We sought to describe how disease transmission behaviors and overdose risk vary by sexual orientation and activity among rural PWUD.

What are the levels and interactions of neuroligin-1, neuroligin-3, and inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, IL-8) in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder?

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is characterized by deficits in social interaction, restricted interests, and repetitive behaviors. Several genes, including synaptic proteins and environmental risk factors, play a role in the etiology of autism. We aimed to evaluate the relationship between neuroligin-1 (NLGN-1) and neuroligin-3 (NLGN-3) levels, which are neuronal cell adhesion molecules (CAMs), and inflammatory cytokine (IL-6, IL-8) levels with disease severity and symptom clusters and with each other in children with ASD.

Flower-like Biomimetic Enzyme for Rapid and Sensitive Detection of Zearalenone in Vegetable Oil Deodorizer Distillate.

In order to achieve high quality production of vitamin E and plant sterols, it is necessary to conduct rapid and accurate detection of fungal toxins in their production raw material (vegetable oil deodorizer distillate, VODD). In this study, the flower-like biomimetic enzyme of silver-doped ZnO was synthesized through wet chemical method and in-situ reduction method. Based on above work, a flower-like biomimetic enzyme modified glass carbon electrode was fabricated, and its excellent detection capability against fungal toxins zearalenone was confirmed through electrochemical analysis.

Quantitative Swept-Source Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography (SS-OCTA) Analysis of Macular Microvascular Alterations in Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy.

Purpose: Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) is a rare retinal dystrophy characterized by progressive visual impairment. This study aimed to evaluate changes in retinal and choroidal vessels and blood flow in BCD patients using swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA) and to investigate potential parameters associated with visual function.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 166 eyes from 86 clinically diagnosed BCD patients, classified into three disease stages based on Yuzawa's classification.

Exploring the genetic causal inference between plasma lipidome and hemorrhagic stroke.

Objectives: Recent research indicates that the plasma lipidome composition may undergo alterations following hemorrhagic stroke. Nevertheless, the causal inference between plasma lipidome and hemorrhagic stroke remains elusive.

Materials And Methods: Exposure data were achieved from a recent Genome-wide Association Study (GWAS) study of 179 lipid species involving 7,174 individuals, while the outcome data were obtained from the FinnGen consortium (R10), including intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH), subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH), and non-traumatic intracranial hemorrhage (nITH).

Histone modification-based functional characterization and genetic association of polymorphisms in LRRC6 and MTMR10 within CRC susceptibility regions 8q24 and 15q13.3.

Background: Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified susceptibility loci for colorectal cancer (CRC), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study investigates functional genetic variants in promoter regions of Leucine Rich Repeat Containing 6 (LRRC6) at 8q24 and Myotubularin Related Protein 10 (MTMR10) at 15q13.3 and their association with CRC susceptibility.

Investigations on the effects of in vitro exposure of mouse ovaries to withaferin A, a new candidate for chemotherapy.

This study aimed to investigate, in vitro, the toxicity of WTA on ovarian follicles. Initially, a cytotoxicity assay was conducted using tumor and non-tumor cell lines to determine the ICof the WTA and validate its antitumor activity. Mouse ovaries were cultured in vitro (IVC) for 6 days in the presence of 1% dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), doxorubicin at 0.

Inequity of access to contrast-enhanced cardiovascular magnetic resonance in patients with chronic kidney disease: A survey from the British Society of Cardiovascular Magnetic Resonance.

Objectives: To examine the provision of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) using gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCA) in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD).

Methods: An electronic survey was sent to the service leads of all CMR units in the UK in October 2022 requesting information on current departmental protocols and practice.

Results: A response rate of 55% was achieved from the 82 UK CMR units surveyed.

Blastocystis in humans and domestic animals: Risk factors assessment and potential zoonotic transmission in a periurban and rural region of Northeastern Argentina.

Blastocystis is a protist that infects both human and animal hosts worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the presence of Blastocystis in humans and domestic animals living in a periurban (PZ) and rural zone (RZ) in Northeastern Argentina and to assess their relation to socio-environmental conditions and hygiene practices as risk factors for human infection. In addition, we identified Blastocystis subtypes to evaluate the risk of zoonotic transmission.