Nanolabels for biosensors based on lateral flow immunoassays.

The COVID-19 outbreak was an important turning point in the development of a new generation of biosensing technologies. The synergistic combination of an immunochromatographic test (lateral flow immunoassays, LFIA) and signal transducers provides enhanced sensitivity and the ability to quantify in the rapid tests. This is possible due to the variety of nanoparticles that can be used as reporter labels.

Palm and interesterified palm oil-enhanced brown fat whitening contributes to metabolic dysfunction in C57BL/6J mice.

Palm oil is widely used in the food industry owing to its high stability and versatility. The interesterified version has been used as an alternative to oils rich in trans fatty acids. However, the health effects of these vegetable oils are not yet fully understood.

Early-life exposure to PCBs and PFAS exerts negative effects on the developing central nervous system.

Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) are ubiquitous in the environment and display the capacity to bioaccumulate in living organisms, constituting a hazard to both wildlife and humans. Although restrictions have been applied to prohibit the production of several POPs since the 1960s, high levels of these compounds can still be detected in many environmental and biological matrices, due to their chemical properties and significantly long half-lives. Some POPs can be passed from mother to the fetus and can gain entry to the central nervous system (CNS), by crossing the blood-brain barrier (BBB), resulting in significant deleterious effects, including neurocognitive and psychiatric abnormalities, which may lead to long-term socio-economic burdens.

Metabolic consequences of interesterified palm oil and PCB-126 co-exposure in C57BL/6 mice.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is defined as morphofunctional changes in the liver. Studies have shown that Westernized eating patterns and environmental pollutants can directly induce the development of MASLD. This study evaluates the effect of co-exposure to interesterified palm oil (IPO) and 3,3',4,4',5-pentachlorobiphenyl (PCB-126) on the progression of MASLD in an animal model.

Long-term exposure to polychlorinated biphenyl 126 induces liver fibrosis and upregulates miR-155 and miR-34a in C57BL/6 mice.

Environmental pollutants, including polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), act as endocrine disruptors and impair various physiological processes. PCB 126 is associated with steatohepatitis, fibrosis, cirrhosis, and other hepatic injuries. These disorders can be regulated by microRNAs (miRNAs).

Oxyresveratrol in Breast Cancer Cells: Synergistic Effect with Chemotherapeutics Doxorubicin or Melphalan on Proliferation, Cell Cycle Arrest, and Cell Death.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer in the world. Polyphenols can act at all stages of carcinogenesis and oxyresveratrol (OXY) promising anticancer properties, mainly associated with chemotherapy drugs. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of OXY with doxorubicin (DOX) or melphalan (MEL), either isolated or associated, in MCF-7 and MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Structural Elucidation of a Metagenomic Urethanase and Its Engineering Towards Enhanced Hydrolysis Profiles.

While plastics like polyethylene terephthalate can already be degraded efficiently by the activity of hydrolases, other synthetic polymers like polyurethanes (PUs) and polyamides (PAs) largely resist biodegradation. In this study, we solved the first crystal structure of the metagenomic urethanase UMG-SP-1, identified highly flexible loop regions to comprise active site residues, and targeted a total of 20 potential hot spots by site-saturation mutagenesis. Engineering campaigns yielded variants with single mutations, exhibiting almost 3- and 8-fold improved activity against highly stable N-aryl urethane and amide bonds, respectively.

Synthesis and biological evaluation of novel MB327 analogs as resensitizers for desensitized nicotinic acetylcholine receptors after intoxication with nerve agents.

Poisoning with organophosphorus compounds, which can lead to a cholinergic crisis due to the inhibition of acetylcholinesterase and the subsequent accumulation of acetylcholine (ACh) in the synaptic cleft, is a serious problem for which treatment options are currently insufficient. Our approach to broadening the therapeutic spectrum is to use agents that interact directly with desensitized nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in order to induce functional recovery after ACh overstimulation. Although MB327, one of the most prominent compounds investigated in this context, has already shown positive properties in terms of muscle force recovery, this compound is not suitable for use as a therapeutic agent due to its insufficient potency.

A Decrease in Branched-Chain Amino Acids after a Competitive Male Professional Volleyball Game-A Metabolomic-Based Approach.

A competitive volleyball game is a highly metabolic and physically demanding event for professional players. This study aimed to investigate whether a single game at the end of a preseason promotes changes in the biochemical markers of physical exercise responses and the metabolomic profile of professional volleyball players. This cross-sectional study included 13 male Brazilian professional volleyball players.

I/D variant and preeclampsia risk in Turkish women: a case-control study.

Preeclampsia (PE) is a systemic vascular disorder, is caused by an imbalance of pro- and anti-angiogenic factors that directly affect endothelial function. Vascular endothelial growth factor A (called VGF), a pro-angiogenic factor associated with endothelial dysfunction, plays an important role in the pathophysiology of PE. Therefore, we investigated the relationship between -2549 insertion/deletion (I/D) variant in the promoter region and PE in pregnant women in Turkey.

A comprehensive view on the apigenin impact on colorectal cancer: Focusing on cellular and molecular mechanisms.

Colon cancer (CC) is one of the most common and deadly cancers worldwide. Oncologists are facing challenges such as development of drug resistance and lack of suitable drug options for CC treatment. Flavonoids are a group of natural compounds found in fruits, vegetables, and other plant-based foods.

Demographic and clinical variables in the dengue epidemic in Punjab, Pakistan.

Objectives: To identify the latest trends in the clinical picture and severity of the disease, which will help better understand and manage dengue.

Methodology: It was a cross-sectional, hospital-based study performed in the tertiary care hospitals of Punjab from August 21 to December 2022, in which serologically and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) confirmed patients with dengue infection, were enrolled. Demographic and clinical variables were recorded on a pre-tested Performa, processed and presented in frequency and percentages, and graphs were generated.

Extraction, Isolation, Characterization, and Biological Activity of Sulfated Polysaccharides Present in Ascidian Viscera .

Ascidians are marine invertebrates that synthesize sulfated glycosaminoglycans (GAGs) within their viscera. Ascidian GAGs are considered analogues of mammalian GAGs and possess great potential as bioactive compounds, presenting antitumoral and anticoagulant activity. Due to its worldwide occurrence and, therefore, being a suitable organism for large-scale mariculture in many marine environments, our main objectives are to study GAGs regarding composition, structure, and biological activity.

Curcumin and melphalan cotreatment induces cell cycle arrest and apoptosis in MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cells.

Breast cancer is the second most common type of cancer worldwide and the leading cause of cancer death in women. Dietary bioactive compounds may act at different stages of carcinogenesis, including tumor initiation, promotion, and progression. Spices have been used for thousands of years and have many bioactive compounds with chemopreventive and chemotherapeutic properties.

New ruthenium(II) complexes with cyclic thio- and semicarbazone: evaluation of cytotoxicity and effects on cell migration and apoptosis of lung cancer cells.

We describe the synthesis, physicochemical characterization, and antitumor assays of four novel analogous ruthenium(II) complexes with general formula -[Ru(N-L)(P-P)]PF, where P-P = bis(diphenylphosphine)methane (dppm, in complexes 1 and 2) or bis(diphenylphosphine)ethane (dppe, in complexes 3 and 4) and N-L = 5,6-diphenyl-4,5-dihydro-2-[1,2,4]triazine-3-thione (Btsc, in complexes 1 and 3) or 5,6-diphenyltriazine-3-one (Bsc, in complexes 2 and 4). The data were consistent with arrangement of the biphosphine ligands. For the Btsc and Bsc ligands, the data pointed to monoanionic bidentate coordination to ruthenium(II) through , and ,, respectively.

Elemental profiles in distant tissues during tumor progression.

Background: Essential elements have functions in tumor progression by promoting protumoral cellular processes, such as proliferation, and migration, among others. Obtaining an understanding of how these elements relate to tumor progression processes is of great importance for research. Elemental profile studies in distant tissues, which can be modulated by tumor cells to promote metastasis, have not been sufficiently investigated.

Race-related population attributable fraction of preventable risk factors of dementia: A Latino population-based study.

Background: Risk factors for dementia have distinct frequency and impact in relation to race. Our aim was to identify differences in modifiable risk factors of dementia related to races and estimate their population attributable fraction (PAF).

Methods: An epidemiological cohort was used to estimate the prevalence of 10 modifiable risk factors for dementia among five races-White, Black, Brown, Asian, and Indigenous.

Synthesis of acrylamide-g-melanin/itaconic acid-g-psyllium based nanocarrier for capecitabine delivery: In vivo and in vitro anticancer activity.

The present research aims to synthesize the capecitabine-loaded core-shell nanoparticles of acrylamide-grafted melanin and itaconic acid-grafted psyllium (Cap@AAM-g-ML/IA-g-Psy-NPs) to deliver the drug to the targeted colonic area, enhancing their anti-cancer activity. The drug release behavior of Cap@AAM-g-ML/IA-g-Psy-NPs was studied at several biological pH in which maximum drug release (95 %) was observed at pH 7.2.

Effects of Oral Lipid-Based nutritional supplements on appetite, energy intake, and lipid profile of moderately underweight children.

Oral lipid-based nutritional supplements (LNS) are designed to ensure dietary adequacy and to improve malnourishment in children. Therefore, this study investigated the effects of 4 weeks of LNS on appetite, energy intake, and lipid profile of moderately underweight children (5-10 years old) with BMI-Z score between -2 and - 3 SDS, recruited in a single-blind randomized control trial. In addition to the regular dietary intake, fasting blood samples, anthropometric measurements, energy intake, and appetite responses were obtained before and after 4 weeks of LNS (535 kcal) or PLACEBO (92 kcal).

A novel binding site in the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor for MB327 can explain its allosteric modulation relevant for organophosphorus-poisoning treatment.

Organophosphorus compounds (OPCs) are highly toxic compounds that can block acetylcholine esterase (AChE) and thereby indirectly lead to an overstimulation of muscarinic and nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). The current treatment with atropine and AChE reactivators (oximes) is insufficient to prevent toxic effects, such as respiratory paralysis, after poisonings with various OPCs. Thus, alternative treatment options are required to increase treatment efficacy.

Salivary metabolomic profile in adolescents with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus.

The aim of this study was to characterize the salivary metabolomic profile in adolescents with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (jSLE). A total of 24 adolescents with jSLE (15.92 ± 2.

Bovine Lactoferrin Induces Cell Death in Human Prostate Cancer Cells.

Bovine lactoferrin (bLf) is a multifunctional protein widely associated with anticancer activity. Prostate cancer is the second most frequent type of cancer worldwide. This study was aimed at evaluating the influence of bLf on cell viability, cell cycle progression, reactive oxygen species (ROS) production, and rate of apoptosis in the human prostate cancer cell line (DU-145).