The link between eye movements and cognitive function in mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease.

This study investigated the relationship between eye movement parameters and cognitive function in patients with mild to moderate Alzheimer's disease (AD). A total of 80 patients with AD (mild and moderate) and 34 normal controls (NC) participated. Neuropsychological assessments were conducted using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE) and the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), while eye movements were recorded using eye-tracking technology.

Giant Seebeck Effect of Dibenzo[g,p]chrysene and its Derivatives: Deuteration and Substituent Effects and Relationship with Interlayer Distance.

Thermoelectric properties of undoped crystals of dibenzo[g,p]chrysene (DBC), deuterated DBC (DBC-d16), and 2,10-dimethyl-DBC (DBC-Me2) have been studied to obtain some insights into the relationship between the structural parameters of materials and the giant Seebeck effect. X-ray crystallography showed one-dimensional columnar packing with the interlayer distances (d) for DBC-d16, DBC, and DBC-Me2 were 3.78 Å, 3.

Fine-Tuning Genetic Circuits via Host Context and RBS Modulation.

The choice of organism to host a genetic circuit, the chassis, is often defaulted to model organisms due to their amenability. The chassis-design space has therefore remained underexplored as an engineering variable. In this work, we explored the design space of a genetic toggle switch through variations in nine ribosome binding site compositions and three host contexts, creating 27 circuit variants.

Anisotropic Plasmon Resonance in TiCT MXene Enables Site-Selective Plasmonic Catalysis.

The ever-growing interest in MXenes has been driven by their distinct electrical, thermal, mechanical, and optical properties. In this context, further revealing their physicochemical attributes remains the key frontier of MXene materials. Herein, we report the anisotropic localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) features in TiCT MXene as well as site-selective photocatalysis enabled by the photophysical anisotropy.

Dual-Enzyme-Instructed Peptide Self-Assembly to Boost Immunogenic Cell Death by Coordinating Intracellular Calcium Overload and Chemotherapy.

The concept of immunogenic cell death (ICD) induced by chemotherapy as a potential synergistic modality for cancer immunotherapy has been widely discussed. Unfortunately, most chemotherapeutic agents failed to dictate effective ICD responses due to their defects in inducing potent ICD signaling. Here, we report a dual-enzyme-instructed peptide self-assembly platform of (CPT-GFFpY-PLGVRK-Caps) that cooperatively utilizes camptothecin (CPT) and capsaicin (Caps) to promote ICD and engage systemic adaptive immunity for tumor rejection.

Advances and Challenges in Speciation Measurement and Microkinetic Modeling for Gas-Solid Heterogeneous Catalysis.

Microkinetic modeling of heterogeneous catalysis serves as an efficient tool bridging atom-scale first-principles calculations and macroscale industrial reactor simulations. Fundamental understanding of the microkinetic mechanism relies on a combination of experimental and theoretical studies. This Perspective presents an overview of the latest progress of experimental and microkinetic modeling approaches applied to gas-solid catalytic kinetics.

Elucidating Binding Selectivity in Cyclin-Dependent Kinases 4, 6, and 9: Development of Highly Potent and Selective CDK4/9 Inhibitors.

CDK4/6 inhibitors are effective in treating HR/HER2 breast cancer but face limitations due to therapeutic resistance and hematological toxicity, particularly from strong CDK6 inhibition. To address these challenges, designing selective inhibitors targeting specific cyclin-dependent kinases (CDK) members could offer clinical advantages and broaden CDK inhibitor indications. However, the highly conserved binding pockets of CDKs complicate selective targeting.

Apical periodontitis microbiome association with salivary and serum inflammatory burden.

Aims: Apical Periodontitis (AP) involves complex interactions between the root canal microbiome and the host immune response, with potential risk of local and systemic inflammatory burden, however there is no evidence available regarding correlation between microbiome and inflammatory marker levels. This study aims to identify the microbiome of saliva, intracanal and blood samples in AP subjects and investigate the correlation between intracanal and blood microbiomes with serum inflammatory biomarker levels, and salivary microbiomes with salivary inflammatory biomarker levels.

Methodology: Saliva, Intracanal and blood samples were collected from AP patients undergoing root canal retreatment.

Auto-RapTAC: A Versatile and Sustainable Platform for the Automated Rapid Synthesis and Evaluation of PROTAC.

The tedious synthesis and limited throughput biological evaluation remain a great challenge for discovering new proteolysis targeting chimera (PROTAC). To rapidly identify potential PROTAC lead compounds, we report a platform named Auto-RapTAC. Based on the modular characteristic of the PROTAC molecule, a streamlined workflow that integrates lab automation with "click chemistry" joint building-block libraries was constructed.

Hexafluoropropylene Oxide Trimer Acid Is an Unsafe Substitute to Perfluorooctanoic Acid Due to Its Remarkable Liver Accumulation in Mice Disclosed by Comprehensive Toxicokinetic Models.

Hexafluoropropylene oxide trimer acid (HFPO-TA, CF(CFOCF(CF))COOH) is widely used as an alternative to perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA), but whether it is a safe alternative requires further evaluation. In this study, male mice were exposed to three dosages (0.56, 2.

Imidazole-Functionalized Zn-MOFs for One-Step CH Purification from CH/CH/CH Ternary Mixture.

The discovery of new structures is very important for metal-organic framework (MOF) adsorbents and their application in gas separation, where the design of ligands and the selection of metal ions play a decisive role. Herein, we synthesized two isoreticular Zn-MOFs, UPC-250 and UPC-251, composed of imidazole-based tricarboxylic acid ligands and binuclear zinc clusters. The pore environment was regulated via modifying fluorine atoms at different positions of ligands, and one-step purification of ethylene from acetylene/ethylene/ethane ternary mixture was realized in UPC-251.

Dental care and services of children and young people with cerebral palsy in Australia: A comprehensive survey of oral health-related quality of life.

Aims: To investigate caregiver-reported dental care experiences and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) of children and young people with cerebral palsy (CP).

Methods: Between May and August 2023, caregivers of children and young people from three Australian states were invited to complete questionnaires, including the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP-SF 19).

Results: Sixty-eight caregivers participated in the survey.

Tracking the Geometric and Positional Isomerization of Lipid C═C Bonds in the Bacterial Stress Responses by Mass Spectrometry.

The position and configuration of the C═C bond have a significant impact on the spatial conformation of unsaturated lipids, which subsequently affects their biological functions. Double bond isomerization of lipids is an important mechanism of bacterial stress response, but its in-depth mechanistic study still lacks effective analytical tools. Here, we developed a visible-light-activated dual-pathway reaction system that enables simultaneous [2 + 2] cycloaddition and catalytic - isomerization of the C═C bond of unsaturated lipids via directly excited anthraquinone radicals.

A Stable Solid-Electrolyte Interphase Constructed by a Nucleophilic Molecule Additive for the Zn Anode with High Utilization and Efficiency.

The solid-electrolyte interphase (SEI) strongly determines the stability and reversibility of aqueous Zn-ion batteries (AZIBs). In traditional electrolytes, the nonuniform SEI layer induced by severe parasitic reactions, such as the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), will exacerbate the side reactions on Zn anodes, thus leading to low zinc utilization ratios (ZURs). Herein, we propose to use methoxy ethylamine (MOEA) as a nucleophilic additive, which has a stronger nucleophilic characteristic than water, with the advantage of an abundance of nucleophilic atoms.

Folic and folinic acid load tests for dynamic assessments of compliance and metabolism in folate deficiency and hyperhomocysteinaemia patients unresponsive to high-dose folate replacement.

We describe the utility of 'folic and folinic acid load tests' in the investigation of a 26-year-old woman with persistently low serum folate and moderate hyperhomocysteinaemia unresponsive to folic acid supplements. Serum folate, plasma 5-methyltetrahydrofolate (5-MTHF), red cell 5-MTHF and plasma total homocysteine at baseline, 2-h, 4-h and 2- or 4-days (if applicable) post administration of a large dose of oral folic acid, or oral or parenteral folinic acid were measured. The tests confirmed non-compliance but also suggested an unsuspected possible defect in the folate pathway based on differential response to folic versus folinic acid supplements.

Incongruent virtual reality cycling exercise demonstrates a role of perceived effort in cardiovascular control.

In this study we have used a highly immersive virtual reality (VR) cycling environment where incongruence between virtual hill gradient (created by visual gradient and bike tilt angle) and actual workload (pedalling resistance) can experimentally manipulate perception of exercise effort. This therefore may provide a method to examine the role of effort perception in cardiorespiratory control during exercise. Twelve healthy untrained participants (7 men, age 26 ± 5 years) were studied during five visits.

Aqueous Solubility of Sodium and Chloride Salts of Glycine─"Uncommon" Common-Ion Effects of Self-Titrating Solids.

Although glycine is the simplest of the amino acids, its solution and solid-state properties are far from straightforward. The aqueous solubility of glycine plays an important role in various applications, including nutrition, food products, biodegradable plastics, and drug development. There is evidence that glycine in subsaturated pH 3-8 solutions forms a dimer, as suggested by several techniques.

Natural Products From Plants Targeting Leptin Resistance for the Future Development of Anti-Obesity Agents.

Obesity is a serious health threat, which has affected 16% of adults globally in 2022 and shows a trend toward youthfulness. Leptin, as a regulator of body weight, can suppress appetite and promote energy expenditure, making it potential in obesity treatment. Nevertheless, with the progress of relevant research, it is worth noting that monotherapy with leptin is not an effective strategy since most obese individuals are hyperleptinemic and resistant to leptin, where high levels of leptin fail to exert its weight-loss effects.

Associations between structural brain changes and blood neurofilament light chain protein in treatment-resistant schizophrenia.

Objective: Around 30% of people with schizophrenia are refractory to antipsychotic treatment (treatment-resistant schizophrenia). Abnormal structural neuroimaging findings, in particular volume and thickness reductions, are often described in schizophrenia. Novel biomarkers of active brain pathology such as neurofilament light chain protein are now expected to improve current understanding of psychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia.

Behind the scenes of EQA-characteristics, capabilities, benefits and assets of external quality assessment (EQA).

The main stakeholders in external quality assessment (EQA) programs are the participants, in whose interests these challenges are ultimately organised. EQA schemes in the medical field contribute to improving the quality of patient care by evaluating the analytical and diagnostic quality of laboratory and point-of-care tests (POCT) by independent third parties and, if necessary, pointing out erroneous measurement results and analytical or diagnostic improvement potential. Other benefits include the option of using EQA samples for other important laboratory procedures, such as the verification or validation of diagnostic medical devices (IVD-MDs), a contribution to the estimation of measurement uncertainty, a means of training and educating laboratory staff through educational EQA programmes or samples, or even for independent and documented monitoring of staff competence, such as on samples with unusual or even exceptional characteristics.

Atherosclerotic Cardiovascular Disease Risk Scores are Associated with Carotid Intima-Media Thickness.

Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) risk calculators estimate the 10-year incident risk of myocardial infarction (MI), coronary artery disease (CAD) death, or stroke; however, they lack comprehensiveness and accuracy. Carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT) is a surrogate marker that may improve risk estimation acumen. The objective of this study was to derive ASCVD risk scores from historical data and determine whether these risk scores are associated with the history of subclinical CAD and CIMT.

Drug-Silica-Cellulose Ternary Matrix for the Oral Delivery of Cyclosporine A: and evaluation.

Purpose: Supersaturated formulations have been widely explored for improving the oral bioavailability of drugs by using mesoporous silica (MS) to generate supersaturation via molecular adsorption; however, this is followed by precipitation. Several precipitation inhibitors (PI) have been explored to prevent precipitation and maintain the drug in solution for a longer period. However, the combined approach of MS and PIs, the impact of MS and Silica, and the loading of high-molecular-weight neutral molecules such as Cyclosporine A (CsA) have not yet been explored.

Ethical Use of Cadaveric Images in Anatomical Textbooks, Atlases, and Journals: A Consensus Response From Authors and Editors.

Nowadays, consent to use donor bodies for medical education and research is obtained from the body donors and their families before the donation. Recently, the International Federation of Associations of Anatomists (IFAA) published guidelines that could restrict the appearance of cadaveric images in commercial anatomical resources such as textbooks and other educational products. These guidelines state that the donor must expressly consent to using such images for this purpose.

Effect of transcutaneous vagus nerve stimulation in hemodialysis patients: A randomized controlled trial.

Introduction: Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (tVNS) has shown potential in neurological, autoimmune, and cardiovascular disorders, but its effects on HD patients remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tVNS in HD patients.

Methods: We conducted a randomized controlled clinical trial on patients receiving HD ≥6 months.