Controlling the droplet cell environment in scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) migration and electroosmotic flow.

Scanning electrochemical cell microscopy (SECCM) is a powerful nanoscale electrochemical technique that advances our understanding of heterogeneity at the electrode-electrolyte interface. In SECCM, dual-channel nanopipettes can serve as the probe, and a voltage bias between the channels can control the local electrolyte environment inside the droplet cell migration and electroosmotic flow (EOF) between the channels, enabling applications including controlled electrodeposition of bimetallic nanoparticles with variable compositions. Herein, we show quantitatively how the voltage bias between the channels modulates the local electrolyte environment experiment and finite element modeling.

Data and Molecular Fingerprint-Driven Machine Learning Approaches to Halogen Bonding.

The ability to predict the strength of halogen bonds and properties of halogen bond (XB) donors has significant utility for medicinal chemistry and materials science. XBs are typically calculated through expensive ab initio methods. Thus, the development of tools and techniques for fast, accurate, and efficient property predictions has become increasingly more important.

Targeting neutrophil serine proteases in bronchiectasis.

Persistent neutrophilic inflammation is a central feature in both the pathogenesis and progression of bronchiectasis. Neutrophils release neutrophil serine proteases (NSPs), such as neutrophil elastase (NE), cathepsin G and proteinase 3. When chronically high levels of free NSP activity exceed those of protective antiproteases, structural lung destruction, mucosal-related defects, further susceptibility to infection and worsening of clinical outcomes can occur.

Field performance of two stormwater bioretention systems for treating heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons from urban runoff.

The increasing urbanization and land development poses significant water quality challenges in urban areas. Stormwater control measures, such as bioretention basins, are implemented to mitigate these issues by managing storm volumes and improving water quality. Despite their widespread use, the effectiveness of bioretention basins in removing pollutants, particularly heavy metals and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), remains unclear.

Sub-1K Cold-Electron Quantum Well Switching at Room Temperature.

Quantum states can provide means to systematically manipulate the transport of electrons. Here we present electron transport across quasi-bound states of two heterogeneous quantum wells (QWs), where the transport of thermally excited electrons is blocked or enabled depending on the relative positions of the two quasi-bound states, with an abrupt current onset occurring when the two QW states align. The QW switch comprises a source (Cr), QW1 (CrO), QW2 (SnO, < 2), a tunneling barrier (SiO), and a drain (Si), where the effective electron mass of QW1 (*) is selected to be larger than QW2 (*).

Mitigating neuroinflammation in cognitive areas: exploring the impact of HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor.

Existing literature suggests that infection-specific mechanisms may play a significant role in the onset and progression of dementia, as opposed to the broader phenomenon of systemic inflammation. In addition, 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl (HMG)-coenzyme A (CoA) reductase inhibitors have been proposed as a potential therapeutic approach for sepsis, given their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. We investigated the neuroprotective effect of an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor (simvastatin) by analyzing neurodegenerative markers, mitochondrial respiration, and neuronal tracing in the prefrontal cortex (PFC) and thalamic nucleus reuniens (RE) of sepsis survivor animals.

Magnetically induced localized heating enabling rapid and efficient synthesis of metal-organic frameworks.

We demonstrate magnetic induction heating (MIH) with superparamagnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) as a new rapid and energy-efficient methodology for synthesizing metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Acting as localized heat sources, these IONPs overcome the energy losses associated with traditional solvothermal synthesis, which enables a fast, uniform, and highly energy-efficient heat transfer process. The versatility of this method is illustrated for the successful synthesis of three different benchmark MOFs in good yields with high crystallinity.

Network interactions simultaneously enhance stiffness and lubricity of triple-network hydrogels.

Synthetic hydrogels displaying cartilage-mimetic bulk and surface properties may serve as cartilage substitutes. Multi-network, electrostatic hydrogels that leverage intra- and inter-network repulsive and attractive forces represent a promising approach. Herein, triple network (TN) hydrogels were prepared to obtain a combination of desired characteristics (, hydration, stiffness, shear stress, and friction properties).

Molecular basis of interchain disulfide-bond formation in BMP-9 and BMP-10.

BMP-9 and BMP-10 are TGF-β family signaling ligands naturally secreted into blood. They act on endothelial cells and are required for proper development and maintenance of the vasculature. In hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia, regulation is disrupted due to mutations in the BMP-9/10 pathway, namely in the type I receptor ALK1 or the co-receptor endoglin.

The effect of methionine supplementation on receiving beef steers following a lipopolysaccharide challenge.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of methionine supplementation prior to and during a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge on the performance and inflammatory biomarkers of receiving beef steers. Steers ( = 65; 295.8 ± 46.

Targeted Dynamic Phospho-Proteogenomic Analysis of Gastric Cancer Cells Suggests Host Immunity Provides Survival Benefit.

Despite of massive emergence of molecular targeting drugs, the mainstay of advanced gastric cancer (GC) therapy is DNA-damaging drugs. Using a reverse-phase protein array-based proteogenomic analysis of a panel of 8 GC cell lines, we identified genetic alterations and signaling pathways, potentially associated with resistance to DNA-damaging drugs, including 5-fluorouracil (5FU), cisplatin, and etoposide. Resistance to cisplatin and etoposide, but not 5FU, was negatively associated with global copy number loss, vimentin expression, and caspase activity, which are considered hallmarks of previously established EMT subtype.

Safety and tolerability of mirvetuximab soravtansine monotherapy for folate receptor alpha-expressing recurrent ovarian cancer: An integrated safety summary.

Objective: Mirvetuximab soravtansine-gynx (MIRV) is a novel antibody-drug conjugate targeting folate receptor alpha (FRα), which is overexpressed in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC), with limited expression on normal tissues. This integrated safety summary sought to characterize the safety profile of MIRV monotherapy in participants with FRα-expressing recurrent EOC.

Methods: Safety data were retrospectively analyzed from 4 clinical studies (phase 1 trial [NCT01609556], phase 3 FORWARD I [NCT02631876], phase 2 SORAYA [NCT04296890], phase 3 MIRASOL [NCT04209855]) that evaluated participants with FRα-expressing recurrent EOC who received ≥1 dose of MIRV 6 mg/kg adjusted ideal body weight every 3 weeks.

Secondary cutaneous malignancy after treatment of basal cell carcinoma with hedgehog pathway inhibitor: a systematic review.

Several studies have been published describing development of cutaneous malignancy after vismodegib therapy; no systematic review has been conducted to interpret these data. Our objective was to systemically review reported cases of same-site or different-site cutaneous malignancy after smoothened inhibitor (SMOi) therapy for primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC). PubMed, CINAHL, and Scopus were systematically searched January 1, 2012 - March 28, 2024.

Heralded Generation of Correlated Photon Pairs from CdS/CdSe/CdS Quantum Shells.

Quantum information processing demands efficient quantum light sources (QLS) capable of producing high-fidelity single photons or entangled photon pairs. Single epitaxial quantum dots (QDs) have long been proven to be efficient sources of deterministic single photons; however, their production via molecular-beam epitaxy presents scalability challenges. Conversely, colloidal semiconductor QDs offer scalable solution processing and tunable photoluminescence, but suffer from broader linewidths and unstable emissions.

A TLR7 Agonist Conjugated to a Nanofibrous Peptide Hydrogel as a Potent Vaccine Adjuvant.

Toll-like receptors (TLRs) recognize pathogen- and damage-associated molecular patterns and, in turn, trigger the release of cytokines and other immunostimulatory molecules. As a result, TLR agonists are increasingly being investigated as vaccine adjuvants. Many of these agonists are small molecules that quickly diffuse away from the vaccination site, limiting their co-localization with antigens and, thus, their effect.

Beneficial Effects of Ginger Root Extract on Pain Behaviors, Inflammation, and Mitochondrial Function in the Colon and Different Brain Regions of Male and Female Neuropathic Rats: A Gut-Brain Axis Study.

Background: Neuroinflammation and mitochondrial dysfunction have been implicated in the progression of neuropathic pain (NP) but can be mitigated by supplementation with gingerol-enriched ginger (GEG). However, the exact benefits of GEG for each sex in treating neuroinflammation and mitochondrial homeostasis in different brain regions and the colon remain to be determined.

Objective: Evaluate the effects of GEG on emotional/affective pain and spontaneous pain behaviors, neuroinflammation, as well as mitochondria homeostasis in the amygdala, frontal cortex, hippocampus, and colon of male and female rats in the spinal nerve ligation (SNL) NP model.

The Effects of Dietary Orange Peel Fragments Enriched with Zinc and Vitamins C and E on the Antioxidant and Immune Responses of Nile Tilapia under Stress Conditions.

This study aimed to evaluate the effect of dietary orange peel fragments (OPFs) enriched with vitamins C (C) and E (E), as well as zinc (Zn) on the growth performance, hematological profile, immunological parameters, antioxidant capacity, and fillet lipid peroxidation of Nile tilapia subjected to heat/dissolved oxygen-induced stress (HDOIS), transport-induced stress (TIS), and infection (BC). A group of 500 male Nile tilapia (2.7 ± 0.

Potent Biological Activity of Fluorinated Derivatives of 2-Deoxy-d-Glucose in a Glioblastoma Model.

Background: One defining feature of various aggressive cancers, including glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), is glycolysis upregulation, making its inhibition a promising therapeutic approach. One promising compound is 2-deoxy-d-glucose (2-DG), a d-glucose analog with high clinical potential due to its ability to inhibit glycolysis. Upon uptake, 2-DG is phosphorylated by hexokinase to 2-DG-6-phosphate, which inhibits hexokinase and downstream glycolytic enzymes.

Antibacterial, Antifungal, and Cytotoxic Effects of Endophytic Species Isolated from the Himalayan Regions of Nepal and Their Metabolite Study.

Recently, antimicrobial-resistant pathogens and cancers have emerged as serious global health problems, highlighting the immediate need for novel therapeutics. Consequently, we aimed to isolate and characterize endophytic strains from the rhizospheres of the Himalayan region of Nepal and identify specialized metabolites with antibacterial, antifungal, and cytotoxic potential. To isolate sp.

Molecular Characterization of Sterol C4-Methyl Oxidase in .

Sterol biosynthesis requires the oxidative removal of two methyl groups from the C-4 position by sterol C-4-demethylase and one methyl group from the C-14 position by sterol C-14-demethylase. In , a CYP5122A1 (Cytochrome P450 family 5122A1) protein was recently identified as the bona fide sterol C-4 methyl oxidase catalyzing the initial steps of C-4-demethylation. Besides CYP5122A1, parasites possess orthologs to ERG25 (ergosterol pathway gene 25), the canonical sterol C-4 methyl oxidase in .

Cooperative Substructure and Energetics of Allosteric Regulation of the Catalytic Core of the E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Parkin by Phosphorylated Ubiquitin.

Mutations in the parkin gene product Parkin give rise to autosomal recessive juvenile parkinsonism. Parkin is an E3 ubiquitin ligase that is a critical participant in the process of mitophagy. Parkin has a complex structure that integrates several allosteric signals to maintain precise control of its catalytic activity.

Silver carp experience metabolic and behavioral changes when exposed to water from the Chicago Area Waterway.

One of the hallmarks of invasive species is their propensity to spread. Removing an invasive species after establishment is virtually impossible, and so considerable effort is invested in preventing the range expansion of invaders. Silver carp (Hypophthalmichthys molitrix) were discovered in the Mississippi River in 1981 and have spread throughout the basin.

Lateral Flow-Based Skin Patch for Rapid Detection of Protein Biomarkers in Human Dermal Interstitial Fluid.

Rapid diagnostic tests (RDTs) offer valuable diagnostic information in a quick, easy-to-use and low-cost format. While RDTs are one of the most commonly used tools for in vitro diagnostic testing, they require the collection of a blood sample, which is painful, poses risks of infection and can lead to complications. We introduce a blood-free point-of-care diagnostic test for the rapid detection of protein biomarkers in dermal interstitial fluid (ISF).