Virtual Gram staining of label-free bacteria using dark-field microscopy and deep learning.

Gram staining has been a frequently used staining protocol in microbiology. It is vulnerable to staining artifacts due to, e.g.

Hydrogel-Gated MXene-Graphene Field-Effect Transistor for Selective Detection and Screening of SARS-CoV-2 and Bacteria.

Field-effect transistor (FET) biosensors have significantly attracted interest across various disciplines because of their high sensitivity, time-saving, and label-free characteristics. However, it remains a grand challenge to interface the FET biosensor with complex liquid media. Unlike standard liquid electrolytes containing purified protein content, directly exposing FET biosensors to complex biological fluids introduces significant sensing noise, which is caused by the abundance of nonspecific proteins, viruses, and bacteria that adsorb to the biosensor surfaces.

2-Cyanopyrimidine-Containing Molecules for N-Terminal Selective Cyclization of Phage-Displayed Peptides.

Current methods for the macrocyclization of phage-displayed peptides often rely on small molecule linkers that nonspecifically react with targeted amino acid residues. To expand tool kits for more regioselective macrocyclization of phage-displayed peptides, this study explores the unique condensation reaction between an N-terminal cysteine and nitrile along with the reactivity of an internal cysteine. Five 2-cyanopyrimidine derivatives were synthesized for this purpose and evaluated for their selective macrocyclization of a protein-fused model peptide.

Persistent Rhesus Enteric Calicivirus Infection in Recombinant CHO Cells Expressing the Coxsackie and Adenovirus Receptor.

Recently, using a panel of recombinant CHO cell lines, we identified the coxsackie and adenovirus receptor (CAR) and histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs) or sialic acid as the minimum requirement for susceptibility to rhesus enteric calicivirus (ReCV) infections. While ReCVs cause lytic infection in LLC-MK2 cells, recombinant CHO (rCHO) cell lines did not exhibit any morphological changes upon infection. To monitor infectious virus production, rCHO cell cultures had to be freeze-thawed and titrated on LLC-MK2 monolayers.

Heterogeneity in Health Outcomes in the Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities-2.0 Multilevel Intervention in a Community-Randomized Trial: An Exploratory Study of Moderators.

Background/objectives: Multilevel interventions have demonstrated efficacy in improving obesity and other related health outcomes. However, heterogeneity in individual responses indicates the need to identify the factors associated with responses and non-responses to multilevel interventions. The objective of this report is to identify the potential sources of heterogeneity through the exploration of the moderation effects of participant characteristics (sociodemographic and baseline physical/mental health) in the Strong Hearts, Healthy Communities-2.

New Benzofuran-Pyrazole-Based Compounds as Promising Antimicrobial Agents: Design, Synthesis, DNA Gyrase B Inhibition, and In Silico Studies.

Background/objectives: The alarming rise in antibiotic resistance necessitates the discovery of novel antimicrobial agents. This study aims to design, synthesize, and evaluate new benzofuran-pyrazole-based compounds for their antimicrobial, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.

Methods: New benzofuran-pyrazole hybrid molecules were synthesized using the Vilsmeier-Haach reaction and other chemical processes.

Entomopathogenic Fungi as Alternatives to Chemical Acaricides: Challenges, Opportunities and Prospects for Sustainable Tick Control.

Entomopathogenic fungi (EPFs) can infect and kill a diverse range of arthropods, including ticks (Acari: Ixodidae) that can transmit various diseases to animals and humans. Consequently, the use of EPFs as a biocontrol method for managing tick populations has been explored as an alternative to chemical acaricides, which may have harmful effects on the environment and non-target species. This review summarizes studies conducted on EPFs for tick control between 1998 and 2024, identifying 9 different EPF species that have been used against 15 different species of ticks.

Effects of Extreme Temperature on Human Bronchial Epithelial Cells in 3D Printed Samples.

This paper reports an experimental study on the effects of extreme temperature on human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells encapsulated in 3D printed samples. Well plates of the 3D printed samples were exposed to three levels of temperature (37 °C, 45 °C, and 55 °C, respectively) for a duration of 10 min. Cells' responses, specifically cell viability and oxidative stress, were quantified using Hoechst 33342, Sytox, and Mitosox stains, with intensity measurements obtained via a plate reader.

Peptide Lv and Angiogenesis: A Newly Discovered Angiogenic Peptide.

Peptide Lv is a small endogenous secretory peptide with ~40 amino acids and is highly conserved among certain several species. While it was first discovered that it augments L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) in neurons, thus it was named peptide "Lv", it can bind to vascular endothelial growth factor receptor 2 (VEGFR2) and has VEGF-like activities, including eliciting vasodilation and promoting angiogenesis. Not only does peptide Lv augment LTCCs in neurons and cardiomyocytes, but it also promotes the expression of intermediate-conductance K channels (K3.

Machine Learning for Enhanced COPD Diagnosis: A Comparative Analysis of Classification Algorithms.

: In the United States, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a significant cause of mortality. As far as we know, it is a chronic, inflammatory lung condition that cuts off airflow to the lungs. Many symptoms have been reported for such a disease: breathing problems, coughing, wheezing, and mucus production.

Genetic Diversity and Subspecific Races of Upland Cotton ( L.).

: The classification and phylogenetic relationships of L. landraces, despite their proximity to southern Mexico, remain unresolved. This study aimed to clarify these relationships using SSR markers and hybridization methods, focusing on subspecies and race differentiation within L.

Combined Antibiotic and Photodynamic Therapies in : From Synergy to Antagonism.

Antibiotics remain the most effective option for combating infections. However, the situation has shifted from ideal to concerning, as bacterial resistance to antibiotics is increasing in both prevalence and strength. : This study explores the synergistic/antagonistic potential of combining antibiotic and photodynamic therapy (PDT) against .

Metabolites in the Dance: Deciphering Gut-Microbiota-Mediated Metabolic Reprogramming of the Breast Tumor Microenvironment.

Breast cancer (BC), a major cause of death among women worldwide, has traditionally been linked to genetic and environmental factors. However, emerging research highlights the gut microbiome's significant role in shaping BC development, progression, and treatment outcomes. This review explores the intricate relationship between the gut microbiota and the breast tumor microenvironment, emphasizing how these microbes influence immune responses, inflammation, and metabolic pathways.

Structures of ATP-binding cassette transporter ABCC1 reveal the molecular basis of cyclic dinucleotide cGAMP export.

Cyclic nucleotide GMP-AMP (cGAMP) plays a critical role in mediating the innate immune response through the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS)-stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway. Recent studies showed that ATP-binding cassette subfamily C member 1 (ABCC1) is a cGAMP exporter. The exported cGAMP can be imported into uninfected cells to stimulate a STING-mediated innate immune response.

Constructing age-structured matrix population models for all fishes.

Matrix population models are essential tools in conservation biology, offering key metrics to guide species management and conservation planning. However, the development of these models is often limited by insufficient life history data, particularly for non-charismatic species. This study addresses this gap by using life history data from FishBase and the FishLife R package, complemented by size-dependent natural mortality estimates, to parameterize age-structured matrix population models applicable to most fish species.

The prevalence and consequences of support for off-label Ozempic prescriptions.

Ozempic and related semaglutide drugs represent a popular new strategy to address obesity in the United States, yet uptake of these medications has sparked opposition highlighting concerns about off-label drug use policies, drug safety, supply shortages and cost. Public attitudes towards off-label prescribing by physicians broadly, and towards Ozempic in particular, in light of this opposition are unclear. To better understand public sentiment on this topic, we analysed data from a representative survey of 3,420 US adults conducted from 13 to 22 June 2023.

Impact of dietary supplementation of L-citrulline to meat goats during gestation on reproductive performance.

Background: Meat goat production is a worldwide industry with products such as meat, milk, soap, and fiber being produced. There are approximately 2.6 million meat goats in the United States.

Foxm1 promotes differentiation of neural progenitors in the zebrafish inner ear.

During development of the vertebrate inner ear, sensory epithelia and neurons of the statoacoustic ganglion (SAG) arise from lineage-restricted progenitors that proliferate extensively before differentiating into mature post-mitotic cell types. Development of progenitors is regulated by Fgf, Wnt and Notch signaling, but how these pathways are coordinated to achieve an optimal balance of proliferation and differentiation is not well understood. Here we investigate the role in zebrafish of Foxm1, a transcription factor commonly associated with proliferation in developing tissues and tumors.

Maternal Social Phobia, but not Generalized Anxiety, Symptoms Interact with Early Childhood Error-Related Negativity to Prospectively Predict Child Anxiety Symptoms.

The error-related negativity (ERN) has been called a putative neural marker of anxiety risk in children, with smaller ERN amplitudes denoting greater risk in early childhood. Children of anxious mothers are at elevated risk for anxiety problems compared to children of non-anxious mothers. Still unknown is whether discrete maternal symptoms interact with child ERN to predict different forms of child anxiety risk, knowledge of which could increase our understanding of the specificity of known conditions and pathways for transgenerational effects.

From the Ground Up: Building and Implementing a Successful CHW/Promotor(a) Program for Cancer Screening, Training, Education, and Prevention.

In this practice note, we examine the implementation and impact of the Texas Cancer Screening, Training, Education, and Prevention (C-STEP) program, which aims to reduce cancer disparities in medically underserved and rural areas. The program utilizes community health workers (CHWs) or promotor(a)s to provide outreach, education, and early detection services for breast, cervical, colorectal, and lung cancers. C-STEP employs a multidisciplinary approach, partnering with the Center for Community Health Development National Community Health Worker Training Center to certify CHWs in cancer prevention and detection.

The Exposome and Cardiovascular Health: Webcast December 12 2024.

This 61-minute webcast features a conversation about "The Exposome and Cardiovascular Health"-the focus of Issue 20.5. Led by the issue's editors, the discussion engages the authors on emerging themes and lessons learned while researching and writing the articles.

Medical mistrust and COVID-19 vaccine attitudes and behavior: Findings from a population-based cohort study in Michigan.

Background: Uptake of COVID-19 vaccines has stalled in the U.S. Some studies suggest that medical mistrust may be a barrier, but evidence is limited due to cross-sectional designs or convenience sampling.

Widespread geographic distribution of filarioid nematodes in caribou ( sspp.) in Canada.

The caribou ( sspp.) is a keystone wildlife species in northern ecosystems that plays a central role in the culture, spirituality and food security of Indigenous People. The Arctic is currently experiencing an unprecedented rate of climate change, including warming temperatures and altered patterns of precipitation.