Ruthenium(II) Complex with 8-Hydroxyquinoline Exhibits Antitumor Activity in Breast Cancer Cell Lines.

Background/objectives: Breast cancer (BC) remains one of the most prevalent and deadly cancers worldwide, with limited access to advanced treatments in developing regions. There is a critical need for novel therapies with unique mechanisms of action, especially to overcome resistance to conventional platinum-based drugs. This study investigates the anticancer potential of the ruthenium complex Bis(quinolin-8-olato)bis(triphenylphosphine)ruthenium(II) (Ru(quin)) in ER-positive (T47D) and triple-negative (MDA-MB-231) BC cell lines.

New Promising Steroidal Aromatase Inhibitors with Multi-Target Action on Estrogen and Androgen Receptors for Breast Cancer Treatment.

Endocrine therapies that comprise anti-estrogens and aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are the standard treatment for estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) (Luminal A) breast cancer-the most prevalent subtype. However, the emergence of resistance restricts their success by causing tumor relapse and re-growth, which demands a switch towards other therapeutic approaches in order to minimize or overcome resistance. Indeed, this clinical limitation highlights the search for new molecules to improve cancer treatment.

The Role of Serum Vitamin D Levels and Vitamin D Receptor () Gene Variants on Dental Caries.

Background/objectives: Vitamin D helps the mineralization of bone, teeth, and other calcified tissues by regulating calcium-phosphate metabolism. The nuclear activation of the vitamin D receptor () gene is essential for the effectiveness of vitamin D. The main objective of this study is to determine the role of vitamin D levels and gene variants in dental caries.

Prognostic Value of CXCL13, CCL11, and CCL20 Chemokines in Multiple Sclerosis.

The course of relapsing-remitting multiple sclerosis (RRMS) is highly variable and there is a lack of effective prognostic biomarkers. This study aimed to assess the potential prognostic value of the chemokines B lymphocyte chemoattractant molecule (CXCL13), eotaxin-1 (CCL11), and macrophage inflammatory protein 3-alpha (CCL20) in RRMS. Forty-two patients with MS were enrolled, along with 22 controls, 12 of the controls were idiopathic intracranial hypertension (IIH) patients, and 10 of the controls were other neurologic diseases (OND).

Narrative Review of Free Radicals and Reactive Oxygen Species in Otitis Media.

Many studies have evaluated the roles of free radicals and reactive oxygen species (ROS) in various diseases. To date, however, no systematic review has specifically investigated the involvement of free radicals and ROS in acute otitis media (OM), OM with effusion, and chronic OM. The present study therefore assessed the roles of free radicals and ROS in OM.

Antibacterial Potential of Honeybee Venom and Extracellular Metabolites Against Multidrug-Resistant Pathogenic Bacteria.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a critical global health threat, driving the search for alternative treatments to conventional antibiotics. In this study, the antibacterial properties of honeybee venom (BV) and fungal red dye (RD) were evaluated against three multidrug-resistant bacterial pathogens. Extracts of BV and RD exhibited dose-dependent antibacterial activity against the three tested bacteria, with their strongest effectiveness against (minimum inhibitory concentrations [MIC] = 3.

The Possible Crystallization Process in the Origin of Bacteria, Archaea, Viruses, and Mobile Elements.

We propose a hypothesis for the simultaneous emergence of bacteria, archaea, viruses, and mobile elements by sequential and concrete biochemical pathways. The emergence process can be considered analogous to crystallization, where genetic and biochemical systems stabilize as organisms evolve from their common ancestor, the LUCA, which was a non-free-living pool of single operon type genomes including double-stranded (ds) DNA at an ancient submarine alkaline vent. Each dsDNA operon was transcribed by different systems in σ, TFIIB, or TBP genomes.

Potentials of Presepsin as a Novel Sepsis Biomarker in Critically Ill Adults: Correlation Analysis with the Current Diagnostic Markers.

Sepsis is a major cause of patient death in intensive care units (ICUs). Rapid diagnosis of sepsis assists in optimizing treatments and improves outcomes. Several biomarkers are employed to aid in the diagnosis, prognostication, severity grading, and sub-type discrimination of severe septic infections (SSIs), including current diagnostic parameters, hemostatic measures, and specific organ dysfunction markers.

Evaluation of an Alternative Screening Method for Gestational Diabetes Diagnosis During the COVID-19 Pandemic (DIABECOVID STUDY): An Observational Cohort Study.

To evaluate the impact of applying alternative diagnostic criteria for gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) during the COVID-19 pandemic on GDM prevalence, obstetrical and perinatal outcomes, and costs, as compared to the standard diagnostic method. A cohort of pregnant individuals undergoing GMD screening with the alternative GDM method, which uses plasma glucose (fasting or non-fasting) and HbA1c, was compared with a cohort of pregnant individuals undergoing the standard GDM screening method. Both cohorts were obtained from six hospitals across Catalonia, Spain, from April 2020 to April 2022.

Lactic Acid Bacteria from Northern Thai (Lanna) Fermented Foods: A Promising Source of Probiotics with Applications in Synbiotic Formulation.

Northern Thai culture offers a rich variety of traditional fermented foods beneficial for gastrointestinal health. In this study, we characterized lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from various indigenous fermented foods as potential probiotic candidates and determined their properties for application in commercial synbiotic formulation. Five isolates demonstrating high tolerance to low pH (2.

Clinicopathological study and molecular subtyping of muscle-invasive bladder cancer (MIBC) using dual immunohistochemical (IHC) markers.

Background: Muscle-invasive bladder carcinomas (MIBCs) exhibit significant heterogeneity, with diverse histopathological features associated with varied prognosis and therapeutic response. Although genomic profiling studies have identified several molecular subtypes of MIBC, two basic molecular subtypes are identified - luminal and basal, differing in biological behaviour and response to treatment. As molecular subtyping is complex, surrogate immunohistochemical (IHC) markers have been used to determine the molecular subtypes with good correlation to genomic profiling.

Prevalence and drivers of malaria infection among asymptomatic and symptomatic community members in five regions with varying transmission intensity in mainland Tanzania.

Background: Despite implementation of effective interventions in the past two decades, malaria is still a major public health problem in Tanzania. This study assessed the prevalence and drivers of malaria infections among symptomatic and asymptomatic members of selected communities from five regions with varying endemicity in mainland Tanzania.

Methods: A cross-sectional community survey was conducted in five districts, including one district/region in Kagera, Kigoma, Njombe, Ruvuma and Tanga from July to August 2023.

Combined biochemical profiling and DNA sequencing in the expanded newborn screening for inherited metabolic diseases: the experience in an Italian reference center.

Background: Newborn screening (NBS) programs have significantly improved the health and outcomes of patients with inherited metabolic disorders (IMDs). Methods based on liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis are viewed worldwide as the gold standard procedure for the expanded NBS programs for these disorders. Advanced molecular technologies point to genomic sequencing as an alternative and feasible strategy for the screening of genetic diseases, including IMDs.

Polyploidization-driven transcriptomic dynamics in Medicago sativa neotetraploids: mRNA, smRNA and allele-specific gene expression.

Whole genome duplication (WGD) is a powerful evolutionary mechanism in plants. Autopolyploids have been comparatively less studied than allopolyploids, with sexual autopolyploidization receiving even less attention. In this work, we studied the transcriptomes of neotetraploids (2n = 4x = 32) obtained by crossing two diploid (2n = 2x = 16) plants of Medicago sativa that produce a significant percentage of either 2n eggs or pollen.

The role of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) and inflammatory markers in the progress of Alport syndrome in Egyptian children.

Background: Chronic inflammation and its control are crucial to the responses of glomerular and renal tubular cells. This contributes to the pathogenic mechanisms and advancement of the disease in Alport syndrome. The study aimed to elucidate the role of cyclooxygenase-2, Interleukin 4, Plasminogen activating inhibitor 1, and Prostaglandin E2 in the development and course of Alport syndrome.

Prevalence of dengue and leptospirosis coinfection and associated mortality rates: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Dengue and leptospirosis are prominent vector-borne diseases in tropical and subtropical regions, sharing overlapping geographic distribution and clinical presentations, which complicates diagnosis and management. Co-infection of these pathogens places additional strain on healthcare resources in endemic areas. This study aims to systematically estimate the prevalence and mortality rates of dengue and leptospirosis co-infections and assess their clinical implications.

Interlayer reconstruction phase transition in van der Waals materials.

Van der Waals materials display rich structural polymorphs with distinct physical properties. An atomistic understanding of the phase-transition dynamics, propagation pathway and associated evolution of physical properties is essential for capturing their potential in practical technologies. However, direct visualization of the rapid phase-transition process is fundamentally challenging due to the inherent trade-offs among atomic resolution, field of view and imaging frame rate.

Proliferative and viability effects of two cyanophages on freshwater bloom-forming species Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii vary between strains.

Viruses that infect cyanobacteria are an integral part of aquatic food webs, influencing nutrient cycling and ecosystem health. However, the significance of virus host range, replication efficiency, and host compatibility on cyanobacterial dynamics, growth, and toxicity remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of cyanophage additions on the dynamics and activity of optimal, sub-optimal, and non-permissive cyanobacterial hosts in cultures of Microcystis aeruginosa and Raphidiopsis raciborskii.

In vivo and in silico study of europinidin against streptozotocin-isoproterenol-induced myocardial damage via alteration of hs-CRP/CPK-MB/Caspase-3/Bcl-2 pathways.

Europinidin is a novel anthocyanidin found in the petals of Plumbago europea that exhibits several physiological effects. Research was conducted to assess europinidin's cardioprotective efficacy in a diabetic and myocardial infarction (MI) experimental model. Rat was injected through the intraperitoneal administration of 45 mg/kg of streptozotocin (STZ), while MI was induced by subcutaneously administering 85 mg/kg of isoproterenol (ISP) at 24 and 48 h prior to the sacrifice procedure.

KLRB1 expression in nasopharyngeal mucosa as a prognostic biomarker in COVID-19 patients.

The resurgence of COVID-19 and the rise in severe outcomes emphasize the need for reliable prognostic markers to guide patient care and optimize ICU and hospital resources. This study investigates the potential of nasopharyngeal swabs to identify biomarkers that predict ICU admission or death in hospitalized COVID-19 patients. We analyzed nasopharyngeal exudates from 95 hospitalized patients in 2020 using high-plex RNA quantification on the NanoString nCounter platform.

Diet-derived urolithin A is produced by a dehydroxylase encoded by human gut Enterocloster species.

Urolithin A (uroA) is a polyphenol derived from the multi-step metabolism of dietary ellagitannins by the human gut microbiota. Once absorbed, uroA can trigger mitophagy and aryl hydrocarbon receptor signaling pathways, altering host immune function, mitochondrial health, and intestinal barrier integrity. Most individuals harbor a microbiota capable of uroA production; however, the mechanisms underlying the dehydroxylation of its catechol-containing precursor (uroC) are unknown.

Microenvironment engineering by targeted delivery of Ag nanoparticles for boosting electrocatalytic CO reduction reaction.

Creating and maintaining a favorable microenvironment for electrocatalytic CO reduction reaction (eCORR) is challenging due to the vigorous interactions with both gas and electrolyte solution during the electrocatalysis. Herein, to boost the performance of eCORR, a unique synthetic method that deploys the in situ reduction of precoated precursors is developed to produce activated Ag nanoparticles (NPs) within the gas diffusion layer (GDL), where the thus-obtained Ag NPs-Skeleton can block direct contact between the active Ag sites and electrolyte. Specifically, compared to the conventional surface loading mode in the acidic media, our freestanding and binder free electrode can achieve obvious higher CO selectivity of 94%, CO production rate of 23.

Ionothermal Synthesis of AmBOCl: A Chiral Cubic Americium Borate Cluster.

Ionic liquids were used as low temperature solvents for the synthesis of new lanthanide and transuranic-element (TRU) borate cluster structures. Ionothermal synthesis with the ionic liquid [BMIm]Cl (1-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride) yielded the La, Nd, and Am containing phases LaBOCl, NdBOCl, and AmBOCl. The structures of the La, Nd, and Am borate clusters were determined by single crystal X-ray diffraction (SCXRD) and found to be cubic, in the chiral space group 23.

Discovery of Undescribed Flavonoid and Rotenoid Derivatives from the Leaves of Derris trifoliata with Their Cytotoxic Activity.

Phytochemical study on the leaves of Derris trifoliata led to the isolation of five rotenoids (3-7) and ten flavonoid derivatives (1, 2, 8-15). Three of them, (2S)-5,7-dihydroxy-6-(2-hydroxyethyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-8-(3-methylbut-2-en-1-yl)chroman-4-one (1), keampferol 3-O-[6-O-(E)-feruloyl-β-D-glucopyranosyl]-(1→2)-O-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1→6)-β-D-glucopyranoside (2), and (+)-13-homo-13-oxa-6a,12a-dehydrorotenone (3) were verified by Scifinder as previously undescribed compounds. Their chemical structures were elucidated by using IR, ECD, HR-ESI-MS, 1D and 2D NMR methods.

Molecular epidemiological survey of Babesia species infecting cattle in Paraguay.

Paraguay, an agricultural country in South America, has a high prevalence of tick infestations in its cattle population due to warm temperatures, high humidity, and extensive grazing management practices. Consequently, Babesia infections, which are transmitted by ticks, might have a wide distribution in Paraguay, but the current status of these infections remains uncertain. Therefore, we aimed to assess the infection status of three clinically significant Babesia species, including Babesia bovis, Babesia bigemina, and Babesia naoakii, among cattle populations in Paraguay.