Long-term effects of antipsychotics on serum BDNF levels in patients with schizophrenia.

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is implicated in the etiology of schizophrenia, and peripheral BDNF levels are affected by the short-term antipsychotic treatment. However, the data on their long-term effects on BDNF levels are scarce, and there is no information whether BDNF levels change during sustained remission in relation to values in healthy individuals. The aim of the present study was to compare serum BDNF levels in patients in long-term remission and healthy controls.

Direct multi-element analysis of biological samples in dry matrix spots by PIXE.

The dried matrix spot (DMS) method, initially developed for neonatal blood screening, has gained prevalence in various research fields for its efficiency in handling small sample volumes and its adaptability to diverse analytical techniques. This study presents the results of the first systematic investigation of direct multi-element analysis in DMS of human blood and plasma samples with Particle Induced X-ray Emission (PIXE). Internal standard addition was used to address the issue of DMS heterogeneity and to eliminate the need for determining the sample volume equivalent, allowing a single-spot (single-punch) measurement.

Trace element and radiological characterisation of ash and soil at a legacy site in the former Raša coal-mining area.

Coal mined in the shut-down Raša mine in Istria, Croatia had a high organic sulphur content. What has remained of its local combustion is a coal and ash waste (legacy site) whose trace element and radionuclide composition in soil has enduring consequences for the environment. The aim of this study was to follow up on previous research and investigate the potential impact on surrounding soil and local residents by characterising the site's ash and soil samples collected in two field campaigns.

Model organisms for investigating the functional involvement of NRF2 in non-communicable diseases.

Non-communicable chronic diseases (NCDs) are most commonly characterized by age-related loss of homeostasis and/or by cumulative exposures to environmental factors, which lead to low-grade sustained generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS), chronic inflammation and metabolic imbalance. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-like 2 (NRF2) is a basic leucine-zipper transcription factor that regulates the cellular redox homeostasis. NRF2 controls the expression of more than 250 human genes that share in their regulatory regions a cis-acting enhancer termed the antioxidant response element (ARE).

SatXplor-a comprehensive pipeline for satellite DNA analyses in complex genome assemblies.

Satellite DNAs (satDNAs) are tandemly repeated sequences that make up a significant portion of almost all eukaryotic genomes. Although satDNAs have been shown to play an important role in genome organization and evolution, they are relatively poorly analyzed, even in model organisms. One of the main reasons for the current lack of in-depth studies on satDNAs is their underrepresentation in genome assemblies.

Serum progastrin-releasing peptide in pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and early-stage primary lung cancers.

Introduction: Higher concentrations of the small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) serum marker, pro-gastrin-releasing peptide (proGRP), in lung inflammations has been indicated in literature. The objective of this study was to compare serum proGRP concentration in pneumonia, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and early-stage primary lung cancers.

Materials And Methods: An observational study was performed to assess serum proGRP against other lung cancer markers in pneumonia, COPD and in stage 1/2 carcinomas.

Mithramycin targets head and neck cancer stem cells by inhibiting Sp1 and UFMylation.

Background: The development of resistance to therapy is characteristic of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), the 6th most common cancer, and is often attributed to cancer stem cells (CSCs). By proteomic approach, we determined that UFMylation plays an important role in HNSCC CSCs. Because of the necessity for innovative therapeutic strategies, we explore here the therapy targeting CSCs based on mithramycin and its inhibitory effect on Sp1 transcription factor, UFMylation, and CSCs survival and stemness.

Gestational diabetes mellitus and peripartum depression: a longitudinal study of a bidirectional relationship.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and peripartum depression (PPD) are increasing global health issues with potentially long-lasting adverse outcomes. While limited studies suggest a bidirectional relationship between GDM and PPD, most research has been cross-sectional and focused on one direction of the relationship, primarily if GDM predicts postpartum depression. The interplay between antenatal depression and GDM is less explored, with a critical lack of prospective bidirectional studies.

Conformational change induced by binding of Mn ions activates SloR transcription factor in Streptococcus mutans.

Streptococcus mutans, a bacterium commonly found in the human oral cavity, is considered the primary causative agent of dental caries. A key player in the pathophysiology of S. mutans is SloR, a 25-kDa metalloregulatory protein.

Competing Photocleavage on Boron and at the -Position in BODIPY Photocages.

BODIPY photocages (photocleavable protective groups) have stirred interest because they can release biologically active cargo upon visible light excitation. We conducted combined theoretical and experimental investigations on selected BODIPY photocages to elucidate the mechanism of the competing photocleavage at the boron and -position. Based on the computations, the former reaction involves elongation of the B-C bond, yielding a tight borenium cation and methyl anion.

Advancements in Adenine Nucleotides Extraction and Quantification from a Single Drop of Human Blood.

Adenine nucleotides (ANs)-adenosine 5'-triphosphate (ATP), adenosine 5'-diphosphate (ADP), and adenosine 5'-monophosphate (AMP)-are essential for energy transfer and the supply of countless processes within cellular metabolism. Their concentrations can be expressed as adenylate energy charge (AEC), a measure of cellular metabolic energy that directly correlates with the homeostasis of the organism. AEC index has broad diagnostic potential, as reduced ATP levels are associated to various conditions, such as inflammatory diseases, metabolic disorders, and cancer.

Solvatomorphic Diversity in Coordination Compounds of Copper(II) with l-Homoserine and 1,10-Phenanthroline: Syntheses, Crystal Structures and ESR Study.

In this study, we report the syntheses, crystal structures and magnetic properties of ternary copper(II) coordination compounds with l-homoserine (l-Hhser) and 1,10-phenanthroline (phen). Six new coordination compounds were obtained: [Cu(l-hser)(HO)(phen)]SO·5HO (), [Cu(μ-l-hser)(HO)(phen)][Cu(l-hser)(HO)(phen)](SO)∙12HO (), {[Cu(μ-l-hser)(HO)(phen)][Cu(μ-l-hser)(phen)]SO·6HO} (), {[Cu(μ-l-hser)(HO)(phen)]SO·3HO} (), [Cu(l-hser)(HO)(phen)][Cu(l-hser)(CHOH)(phen)]SO·4HO () and {[Cu(l-hser)(CHOH)(phen)][Cu(μ-l-hser)(phen)]SO·5CHOH} () It was shown that slight differences in water content in the synthetic mixtures highly influence the final product, so in some cases, two or three different products were obtained. The compounds were characterized by single-crystal X-ray diffraction and ESR spectroscopy.

The Reversible Electron Transfer Within Stimuli-Responsive Hydrochromic Supramolecular Material Containing Pyridinium Oxime and Hexacyanoferrate (II) Ions.

The structural and electronic features of the stimuli-responsive supramolecular inter-ionic charge-transfer material containing electron accepting -benzylyridinium-4-oxime cation (BPA4) and electron donating hexacyanoferrate (II) are reported. The study of reversible stimuli-induced transformation between hydrated reddish-brown (BPA4)[Fe(CN)]·10HO and anhydrous blue (BPA4)[Fe(CN)] revealed the origin of observed hydrochromic behavior. The comparison of the crystal structures of decahydrate and anhydrous phase showed that subsequent exclusion/inclusion of lattice water molecules induces structural relocation of one BPA4 that alter the donor-to-acceptor charge-transfer states, resulting in chromotropism seen as reversible reddish-brown to blue color changes.

Green and Scalable Preparation of Highly Conductive Alkali Metal-dhta Coordination Polymers.

2,5-Dihydroxyterephthalic acid (H) is well-known for its use in the construction of functional metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Among them, simple coordination polymers (CPs), such as lithium and sodium coordination polymers with H, have been used successfully to synthesize electrically conductive MOFs and have also demonstrated great potential as positive or negative electrode materials on their own. However, there has been little exploration of the structure and physicochemical properties of these and other alkali complexes of H.

New Upper Limit on the Axion-Photon Coupling with an Extended CAST Run with a Xe-Based Micromegas Detector.

Hypothetical axions provide a compelling explanation for dark matter and could be emitted from the hot solar interior. The CERN Axion Solar Telescope has been searching for solar axions via their back conversion to x-ray photons in a 9-T 10-m long magnet directed toward the Sun. We report on an extended run with the International Axion Observatory pathfinder detector, doubling the previous exposure time.

Detecting a wide range of epitranscriptomic modifications using a nanopore-sequencing-based computational approach with 1D score-clustering.

To date, over 40 epigenetic and 300 epitranscriptomic modifications have been identified. However, current short-read sequencing-based experimental methods can detect <10% of these modifications. Integrating long-read sequencing technologies with advanced computational approaches, including statistical analysis and machine learning, offers a promising new frontier to address this challenge.

Chitosan/polyvinyl alcohol-based magnetic hydrogel microspheres with controlled retention and regulated drug release for intravesical instillation.

As a clinically effective treatment for bladder cancer (BC), intravesical instillation still suffers from the debilitating efficacy triggered by frequent urination. Herein, the magnetic hydrogel microspheres (DOX-mMSs) with the incorporation of magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) and doxorubicin (DOX) into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/chitosan (CS) are developed for intravesical instillation. The magnetic force initiated by the applied magnetic field (AMF) enables the long-term retention of DOX-mMSs in the bladder, and the convenient injection and excretion from the bladder can be accomplished in virtue of the micron size of the DOX-mMSs.

Evaluation of hydrazone and -acylhydrazone derivatives of vitamin B6 and pyridine-4-carbaldehyde as potential drugs against Alzheimer's disease.

The growing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease calls for a drug that can simultaneously act towards several targets involved in the pathophysiology of the disease. In our study, we evaluated the potential of hydrazone and -acylhydrazone derivatives of vitamin B6 and pyridine-4-carbaldehyde to be used as multi-target directed ligands targeting cholinergic system by inhibiting acetyl- and butyrylcholinesterase, lowering the accumulation of β-amyloid plaques by inhibiting both the β-secretase activity and amyloid self-aggregation, and maintaining the biometal balance by chelating certain biometals. Our results showed that all of the tested hydrazones were potent inhibitors of human cholinesterases with inhibition constants (i) in micromolar range able to lower the activity of β-secretase, inhibit amyloid aggregation, chelate biometals and act as antioxidants.

Oscillatory dynamics of Rac1 activity in Dictyostelium discoideum amoebae.

Small GTPases of the Rho family play a central role in the regulation of cell motility by controlling the remodeling of the actin cytoskeleton. In the amoeboid cells of Dictyostelium discoideum, the active form of the Rho GTPase Rac1 regulates actin polymerases at the leading edge and actin filament bundling proteins at the posterior cortex of polarized cells. We monitored the spatiotemporal dynamics of Rac1 and its effector DGAP1 in vegetative amoebae using specific fluorescent probes.

Storozhenkotettix, a new genus of Trusmaditetrigini (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae) from Mindanao, with notes on Bolivaritettix.

The Philippine archipelago houses an incredibly diverse biota, among which are 122 species of pygmy grasshoppers (Orthoptera: Tetrigidae). Many of them belong to genera without proper taxonomic assignment and some genera, e.g.

Quest for Cooper Pair Transfer in Heavy-Ion Reactions: The ^{206}Pb+^{118}Sn Case.

In this Letter we report on effects of nucleon-nucleon correlations probed in nucleon transfer reactions with heavy ions. We measured with high efficiency and resolution a complete set of observables for neutron transfer channels in the ^{206}Pb+^{118}Sn system employing a large solid angle magnetic spectrometer, which allowed us to study a wide range of internuclear distances via a detailed excitation function. The coupled channel theory, based on an independent particle transfer mechanism, follows the experimental transfer probabilities for one- and two-neutron pick-up and stripping channels.

Biocatalytically Generated Library of Chiral Building Blocks Containing a Quaternary Stereocenter.

A biocatalytic strategy for the preparation of a small library of compounds containing a quaternary chiral center is described. By applying halohydrin dehalogenases, four racemic 2,2-disubstituted epoxides were converted in the presence of four nucleophiles to 14 chiral products in yields of 21-47% with 74 to >99% . The obtained set of building blocks, which hold diverse functional groups, can be modified to form many high-value organic molecules for use in medicinal chemistry and other areas.