Myocardial Fibroblast Activation After Acute Myocardial Infarction: A Positron Emission Tomography and Magnetic Resonance Study.

Background: Myocardial fibrosis is a key healing response after myocardial infarction driven by activated fibroblasts. Gallium-68-labeled fibroblast activation protein inhibitor ([Ga]-FAPI) is a novel positron-emitting radiotracer that binds activated fibroblasts.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the intensity, distribution, and time-course of fibroblast activation after acute myocardial infarction.

Demographic-Based Personalized Left Ventricular Hypertrophy Thresholds for Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy Diagnosis.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is a leading cause of sudden cardiac death. Current diagnosis emphasizes the detection of left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) using a fixed threshold of ≥15-mm maximum wall thickness (MWT). This study proposes a method that considers individual demographics to adjust LVH thresholds as an alternative to a 1-size-fits-all approach.

Hepatitis C Virus-Core Antigen: Implications in Diagnostic, Treatment Monitoring and Clinical Outcomes.

The hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection, a global health concern, can lead to chronic liver disease. The HCV core antigen (HCVcAg), a viral protein essential for replication, offers a cost-effective alternative to HCV RNA testing, particularly in resource-limited settings. This review explores the significance of HCVcAg, a key protein in the hepatitis C virus, examining its structure, function, and role in the viral life cycle.

Evaluating the Impact of N-Glycan Sequon Removal in the p27 Peptide on RSV F Protein Immunogenicity and Functionality.

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the leading cause of acute lower respiratory tract infections in young children, elderly and immunocompromised patients worldwide. The RSV fusion (F) protein, which has 5-6 N-glycosylation sites depending on the strain, is a major target for vaccine development. Two to three of these sites are located in the p27 peptide, which is considered absent in virions.

Efficiency of Bacteriophage-Based Detection Methods for Non-Typhoidal in Foods: A Systematic Review.

Food contamination with non-typhoidal (NTS) presents a significant public health risk, underscoring the critical need for rigorous food safety measures throughout the production, distribution, preparation, and consumption stages. Conventional diagnostic strategies are time-consuming and labor-intensive and are thus sub-optimal for throughput NTS detection. Bacteriophages (phages) are highly specialized bacterial viruses and exhibit extreme specificity for their hosts.

Assessment of Favipiravir and Remdesivir in Combination for SARS-CoV-2 Infection in Syrian Golden Hamsters.

Favipiravir (FVP) and remdesivir (RDV) have demonstrable antiviral activity against SARS-CoV-2. Here, the efficacy of FVP, RDV, and FVP with RDV (FVP + RDV) in combination was assessed in Syrian golden hamsters challenged with SARS-CoV- 2 (B.1.

Post-Pandemic Perspectives: Willingness, Risk Perception and Factors Influencing COVID-19 Booster Vaccine Uptake Among Thai Healthcare Workers and Vulnerable Populations.

Background: The emergence of new COVID-19 variants continues to affect healthcare workers (HCWs) and vulnerable populations in the post-pandemic era. This study aims to assess the willingness, perceptions, and factors associated with booster COVID-19 vaccine uptake in this context.

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted between October 2023 and May 2024 among Thai adults (>20 years old) in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand.

Bridging the Vaccination Equity Gap: A Community-Driven Approach to Reduce Vaccine Inequities in Polio High-Risk Areas of Pakistan.

Immunization saves millions of lives, and globally, vaccines have significantly contributed to reducing mortality and morbidity due to more than 20 life-threatening illnesses. However, there are considerable disparities in vaccination coverage among countries and within populations. This study evaluates the reduction in disparities in vaccination coverage across various socio-economic groups by adopting an integrated community-engagement approach combined with maternal and child health services through mobile health camps.

Potential of Cricket Chitosan for Nanoparticle Development Through Ionotropic Gelation: Novel Source for Cosmeceutical Delivery Systems.

Background/objectives: Crickets are recognized as an alternative source of chitosan. This study aimed to assess the potential of cricket-derived chitosan as a natural source to develop chitosan nanoparticles (CNPs).

Methods: Chitosan were isolated from different cricket species, including , , and .

Development of a Population Pharmacokinetic Gabapentin Model Leveraging Therapeutic Drug Monitoring Concentrations.

Gabapentin has variable pharmacokinetics (PK), which contributes to difficulty in dosing and increased risk of adverse events. The objective of this study was to leverage gabapentin concentrations from therapeutic drug monitoring (TDM) to develop a population PK (popPK) model and characterize significant covariates that impact gabapentin PK. Data were retrospectively collected from 82 hospitalized adult patients with TDM gabapentin concentrations.

The Integration of Microwave-Synthesized Silver Colloidal Nanoparticles into Poly (Lactic Acid)-Based Textiles as Antimicrobial Agents via Pre- and Post-Electrospinning Processes.

This study introduces a novel method to enhance the antibacterial functionality of electrospun nanofibrous textiles by integrating silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) into poly (lactic acid) (PLA) fabrics through pre- and post-electrospinning techniques. AgNPs were incorporated into hydrophobic and modified hydrophilic PLA textiles via pre-solution blending and post-solution casting. A PEG-PPG-PEG tri-block copolymer was utilized to enhance hydrophilicity and water stability, while AgNPs served as antibacterial agents.

Microstructural Characterization of Cellulose Nanocrystals and Microcellulose from Bamboo () for Reinforcing Ordinary Portland Cement Matrix.

This study investigates the microstructural characterization of cellulose nanocrystals (CNC) and microcellulose (MC) extracted from bamboo fibers () and their potential as reinforcement agents in ordinary Portland cement (OPC) composites. CNC with a mean particle size of 29.3 nm and MC with a mean size of 14.

Flexible Phase Change Materials with High Energy Storage Density Based on Porous Carbon Fibers.

Phase change fibers (PCFs) can effectively store and release heat, improve energy efficiency, and provide a basis for a wide range of energy applications. Improving energy storage density and preserving flexibility are the primary issues in the efficient manufacture and application development of PCFs. Herein, we have successfully fabricated a suite of flexible PCFs with high energy storage density, which use hollow carbon fibers (HCFs) encapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) to provide efficient heat storage and release, thereby enhancing energy efficiency and underpinning a broad range of energy applications.

Environmentally Sustainable and Green Polymeric Method for Chitosan (CH) Film Synthesis Using Natural Acids and Impact of Zinc Ferrite Nanoparticles (NPs) on Water Solubility (WS) and Physical Properties.

Currently, there is a rush to develop green polymeric films such as biodegradable chitosan (CH) films to control and prevent plastic pollution from degrading the environment. This study reports a novel and sustainable green approach to the development of CH films using lemon juice (LJ) and lemon peel extract (LPE), the latter to dilute the LJ. The LPE was also utilized for the synthesis of ZnFeO nanoparticles (NPs), adding to this work's novelty.

Fast-Swelling Tamarind Xyloglucan/PVA Hydrogels with Interconnected Macroporous Structures for Biomedical Applications.

This work demonstrates the preparation of fast-swelling hydrogels based on poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and tamarind xyloglucan (XG), utilizing freeze-drying to achieve an interconnected macroporous structure. Although XG is non-toxic and abundant, it has poor mechanical properties. Therefore, XG was mixed with PVA and crosslinked with citric acid (CA).

Patterns of Genetic and Morphological Variability of (Lamiaceae) on the Balkan Peninsula.

The Balkan Peninsula represents an important center of plant diversity, exhibiting remarkable ecological heterogeneity that renders it an optimal region for studying the diversification patterns of complex taxa such as . In the Balkan Peninsula, is a highly plastic and morphologically variable species with unresolved taxonomic status. To ascertain the patterns of genetic and morphological diversification, a comparative genetic and morphological analysis was conducted.

Network Toxicology and Molecular Docking Analysis of Tetracycline-Induced Acute Pancreatitis: Unveiling Core Mechanisms and Targets.

Acute pancreatitis (AP), induced by tetracycline, a widely used antibiotic, poses significant clinical and toxicological challenges, yet its molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to promote drug toxicology strategies for the effective investigation of the putative toxicity and potential molecular mechanisms of antibiotic drugs through the study of tetracycline in AP. Using the SwissTargetPrediction, SEA Search, Super-PRED, GeneCards, Drugbank, Online Mendelian Inheritance in Man (OMIM), and Therapeutic Target Database (TTD), we identified 259 potential targets associated with tetracycline exposure and AP.

Occurrence, Bioaccumulation, and Human Exposure Risk of the Antiandrogenic Fluorescent Dye 7-(Dimethylamino)-4-methylcoumarin and 7-(Diethylamino)-4-methylcoumarin in the Dongjiang River Basin, South China.

Recently, 7-diethylamino-4-methylcoumarin (DEAMC) has been identified as a potent antiandrogenic compound in the surface water; however, little is known about the antiandrogenic potentials of other synthetic coumarins and their occurrence in the aquatic ecosystem. In this study, for the first time, we observed that 7-dimethylamino-4-methylcoumarin (DAMC) elicited androgen receptor (AR) antagonistic activity with a 50% inhibitory concentration (IC) of 1.46 µM, which is 14.

Assessment of Cytotoxicity and Genotoxicity of Plasma-Treated Perfluorooctanesulfonate Containing Water Using In Vitro Bioassays.

The contamination of ground and surface waters with per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) is of major concern due to their potential adverse effects on human health. The carbon-fluorine bond makes these compounds extremely stable and hardly degradable by natural processes. Therefore, methods for PFAS removal from water are desperately needed.

Neurobehavioral Performance in Preschool Children Exposed Postnatally to Organophosphates in Agricultural Regions, Northern Thailand.

Evidence of the effects of postnatal exposure to organophosphates (OPs) on children's neurodevelopment remains limited but crucial. This cross-sectional study evaluated exposure to OPs and neurobehavioral performance in 172 preschool children. Urinary dialkyl phosphate (DAP) metabolites, biomarkers for exposure to OPs, were measured.

Investigation into the Potential Mechanism of Radix Paeoniae Rubra Against Ischemic Stroke Based on Network Pharmacology.

Background: Radix Paeoniae Rubra (RPR), an edible and medicinal Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM), is extensively employed in therapeutic interventions of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases. However, the curative effect of RPR on ischemic stroke remains ambiguous. This work integrated network pharmacology, molecular docking, and experimental validation to explore the mechanisms of RPR in treating ischemic stroke.

Micronutrient Status in Patients with Severe Obesity Before and After Laparoscopic Sleeve Gastrectomy.

Micronutrient deficiencies (MNDs) are commonly reported after bariatric and metabolic surgery, including laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG). Nevertheless, the micronutrient status changes over time and the influence of sex or initial body mass index (BMI) on these changes are less explored. This study aims to investigate the changes in micronutrient levels at 6 and 12 months after LSG and the potential influence of sex or baseline BMI (≥40 kg/m) on these changes in patients submitted to LSG.

Consumer Knowledge and Willingness Pertaining to the Adoption of a Sustainable Diet: A Scoping Review.

The current food system is harming both planetary and human health. The shift to a sustainable diet can help alleviate both adverse effects. The aim of this review was to conduct a scoping review of the literature pertaining to consumer knowledge and willingness concerning the adoption of a sustainable diet.

Mercury and Arctic Char Gill Microbiota Correlation in Canadian Arctic Communities.

Arctic char is a top predator in Arctic waters and is threatened by mercury pollution in the context of changing climate. Gill microbiota is directly exposed to environmental xenobiotics and play a central role in immunity and fitness. Surprisingly, there is a lack of literature studying the effect of mercury on gill microbiota.