Hydrogels with Independently Controlled Adhesion Ligand Mobility and Viscoelasticity Increase Cell Adhesion and Spreading.

A primary objective in designing hydrogels for cell culture is recreating the cell-matrix interactions found within human tissues. Identifying the most important biomaterial features for these interactions is challenging because it is difficult to independently adjust variables such as matrix stiffness, stress relaxation, the mobility of adhesion ligands and the ability of these ligands to support cellular forces. In this work we designed a hydrogel platform consisting of interpenetrating polymer networks of covalently crosslinked poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) and self-assembled peptide amphiphiles (PA).

Evaluation of the Safe Water Optimization Tool to Provide Evidence-Based Chlorination Targets in Surface Waters: Lessons from a Refugee Setting in Uganda.

The Safe Water Optimization Tool (SWOT) generates evidence-based point-of-distribution free residual chlorine (FRC) targets to adjust chlorine dosing by operators and ensure water quality at point-of-consumption. To investigate SWOT effectiveness in surface waters, we conducted two before-and-after mixed-method evaluations in a Uganda refugee settlement served by piped and trucked surface water systems. We surveyed 888 users on water knowledge, attitudes, and practices; collected 2768 water samples to evaluate FRC,, and disinfection by-products (DBPs) concentrations; and conducted nine key-informant interviews with system operators about SWOT implementation.

CRISPR-GEM: A Novel Machine Learning Model for CRISPR Genetic Target Discovery and Evaluation.

CRISPR gene editing strategies are shaping cell therapies through precise and tunable control over gene expression. However, limitations in safely delivering high quantities of CRISPR machinery demand careful target gene selection to achieve reliable therapeutic effects. Informed target gene selection requires a thorough understanding of the involvement of target genes in gene regulatory networks (GRNs) and thus their impact on cell phenotype.

Tandem Methanolysis and Catalytic Transfer Hydrogenolysis of Polyethylene Terephthalate to p-Xylene Over Cu/ZnZrO Catalysts.

We demonstrate a novel approach of utilizing methanol (CHOH) in a dual role for (1) the methanolysis of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) to form dimethyl terephthalate (DMT) at near-quantitative yields (~97 %) and (2) serving as an in situ H source for the catalytic transfer hydrogenolysis (CTH) of DMT to p-xylene (PX, ~63 % at 240 °C and 16 h) on a reducible ZnZrO supported Cu catalyst (i.e., Cu/ZnZrO).

The devastating dance between opioid and housing crises: Evidence from OxyContin reformulation.

Housing instability and drug misuse are two of the United States' most pressing challenges, each bearing profound health and societal consequences. A crucial yet largely underexplored question is the extent to which the opioid crisis has intensified housing instability. Our study ventures into this relatively uncharted nexus, investigating how the OxyContin reformulation, a pivotal moment in the U.

Device for detection of activity-dependent changes in neural spheroids at MHz and GHz frequencies.

Intracellular processes triggered by neural activity include changes in ionic concentrations, protein release, and synaptic vesicle cycling. These processes play significant roles in neurological disorders. The beneficial effects of brain stimulation may also be mediated through intracellular changes.

Cytologic testing for mismatch repair deficiency/microsatellite instability and NTRK gene fusion is not routinely indicated in primary pancreaticobiliary carcinoma cell block material.

Introduction: Pancreaticobiliary carcinomas rarely harbor targetable genetic alterations, including microsatellite instability (MSI) or neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions. As these malignancies are typically present at an advanced stage and have suboptimal response to chemotherapy, the discovery of an actionable genomic alteration provides an additional avenue of treatment for chemotherapy-refractory cases.

Materials And Methods: In this study, we evaluate 319 cases of pancreaticobiliary carcinoma diagnosed on fine-needle aspiration biopsy or biliary brushing for DNA mismatch repair (MMR) protein deficiency and pan-TRK overexpression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and compare these results to MSI and NTRK gene fusion molecular testing.

The effect of physiotherapy intervention on functional outcomes among COVID-19 patients: Clinical experimental study.

Background: COVID-19 is a highly contagious virus that causes pneumonia, which quickly progresses to acute respiratory distress. In the case of COVID-19, physiotherapy is critical in non-invasive support management, postural changes, chest physiotherapy (CPT), and bed mobility. This study aims to look into the effects of physiotherapy intervention on functional outcome levels in COVID-19 patients in the acute stage.

Insights into the relationship between professional values and caring behavior among nurses in neonatal intensive care units.

Objective: Professional values are crucial for delivering high-quality care in neonatal intensive care units while caring behavior impacts nurses' performance and well-being. The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between professional values and caring behavior among nurses in neonatal intensive care units.

Methods: A cross-sectional study involving 172 nurses was conducted using the Nursing Professional Value Scale and Caring Behaviors Assessment Tool.

Cdc42 mobility and membrane flows regulate fission yeast cell shape and survival.

Polarized exocytosis induced by local Cdc42 GTPase activity results in membrane flows that deplete low-mobility membrane-associated proteins. A reaction-diffusion particle model comprising Cdc42 positive feedback activation, hydrolysis by GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs), and flow-induced displacement by exo/endocytosis shows that flow-induced depletion of low mobility GAPs promotes polarization. We modified Cdc42 mobility in Schizosaccharomyces pombe by replacing its prenylation site with 1, 2 or 3 repeats of the Rit C-terminal membrane-binding domain (ritC), yielding alleles with progressively lower mobility and increased flow-coupling.

G protein coupled receptor transcripts in human immune cells and platelets.

G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) are encoded by nonabundant mRNAs, and it is difficult to detect them reliably with the highly parallel methods that are in general use. Because of this, we developed and validated a sensitive, specific, semi-quantitative method for detecting these transcripts. We have used the method to profile GPCR transcripts in white blood cells (WBCs)-B, CD4, CD8, NK, and dendritic cells; monocytes, and macrophage-like monocytes treated with granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor-as well as platelets.

Longitudinal associations between parental psychological control and adolescents' intergroup attitudes to prosocial behaviors towards ethnic outgroups.

Introduction: While a substantial body of existing literature has examined the negative effects of parental psychological control on adolescents' prosocial behaviors, there is a noticeable gap in whether parental psychological control affects prosocial behaviors towards ethnic outgroup members. This three-wave longitudinal study investigated whether similar relations can be observed between parental psychological control and prosocial behaviors targeted at ethnic outgroup persons, and whether these relations are mediated by adolescents' intergroup attitudes.

Methods: Participants were 412 European American adolescents (42% girls; Mage = 15.

Acute gastrointestinal symptoms associated with oil spill exposures among U.S. coast guard responders to the Deepwater Horizon oil spill.

Purpose: Research investigating gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms from oil spill-related exposures is sparse. We evaluated prevalent GI symptoms among U.S.