Pegylated NIR Fluorophore-Conjugated OBHSA Prodrug for ERα-Targeted Theranostics with Enhanced Imaging and Long-Term Retention.

In recent years, the near-infrared (NIR) fluorescence theranostic system has garnered increasing attention for its advantages in the simultaneous diagnosis- and imaging-guided delivery of therapeutic drugs. However, challenges such as strong background fluorescence signals and rapid metabolism have hindered the achievement of sufficient contrast between tumors and surrounding tissues, limiting the system's applicability. This study aims to integrate the pegylation strategy with a tumor microenvironment-responsive approach.

Functional Connectivity and MRI Radiomics Biomarkers of Cognitive and Brain Reserve in Post-Stroke Cognitive Impairment Prediction-A Study Protocol.

Acute ischemic stroke (AIS) is frequently associated with long-term post-stroke cognitive impairment (PSCI) and dementia. While the mechanisms behind PSCI are not fully understood, the brain and cognitive reserve concepts are topics of ongoing research exploring the ability of individuals to maintain intact cognitive performance despite ischemic injuries. Brain reserve refers to the brain's structural capacity to compensate for damage, with markers like hippocampal atrophy and white matter lesions indicating reduced reserve.

Harnessing Insect Chemosensory and Mechanosensory Receptors Involved in Feeding for Precision Pest Management.

Chemosensation and mechanosensation are vital to insects' survival and behavior, shaping critical physiological processes such as feeding, metabolism, mating, and reproduction. During feeding, insects rely on diverse chemosensory and mechanosensory receptors to distinguish between nutritious and harmful substances, enabling them to select suitable food sources while avoiding toxins. These receptors are distributed across various body parts, allowing insects to detect environmental cues about food quality and adjust their behaviors accordingly.

Machine Learning-Based Radiomics Analysis for Identifying KRAS Mutations in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer from CT Images: Challenges, Insights and Implications.

Kirsten Rat Sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) is a frequently occurring mutation in non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and influences cancer treatment and disease progression. In this study, a machine learning (ML) pipeline was applied to radiomic features extracted from public and internal CT images to identify KRAS mutations in NSCLC patients. Both datasets were analyzed using parametric ( test) and non-parametric statistical tests (Mann-Whitney U test) and dimensionality reduction techniques.

How to Reliably Measure Stroke Volume Index in Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension: A Comparison of Thermodilution, Direct and Indirect Fick, and Cardiac MRI.

Background: Stroke volume index (SVI) is an important prognostic parameter in pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). The direct Fick (DF) method represents the gold standard for measuring it. Indirect Fick (IF) and thermodilution (TD) are simpler and widely used alternatives.

Differential Cytotoxicity and Inflammatory Responses to Particulate Matter Components in Airway Structural Cells.

Particulate matter (PM) is a major component of ambient air pollution. PM exposure is linked to numerous adverse health effects, including chronic lung diseases. Air quality guidelines designed to regulate levels of ambient PM are currently based on the mass concentration of different particle sizes, independent of their origin and chemical composition.

Highlights of Precision Medicine, Genetics, Epigenetics and Artificial Intelligence in Pompe Disease.

Pompe disease is a neuromuscular disorder caused by a deficiency of the enzyme acid alpha-glucosidase (), which leads to lysosomal glycogen accumulation and progressive development of muscle weakness. Two distinct isoforms have been identified. In the infantile form, the weakness is often severe and leads to motor difficulties from the first few months of life.

Role of Artificial Intelligence in Identifying Vital Biomarkers with Greater Precision in Emergency Departments During Emerging Pandemics.

The COVID-19 pandemic has accelerated advances in molecular biology and virology, enabling the identification of key biomarkers to differentiate between severe and mild cases. Furthermore, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML) to analyze large datasets has been crucial for rapidly identifying relevant biomarkers for disease prognosis, including COVID-19. This approach enhances diagnostics in emergency settings, allowing for more accurate and efficient patient management.

Deciphering the Complexities of Adult Human Steady State and Stress-Induced Hematopoiesis: Progress and Challenges.

Human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) have traditionally been viewed as self-renewing, multipotent cells with enormous potential in sustaining essential steady state blood and immune cell production throughout life. Indeed, around 86% (10-10) of new cells generated daily in a healthy young human adult are of hematopoietic origin. Therapeutically, human HSCs have contributed to over 1.

Advancing Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment by Targeting the Innate Immune System and Precision Drug Delivery.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), encompassing Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, involves chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Current immune-modulating therapies are insufficient for 30-50% of patients or cause significant side effects, emphasizing the need for new treatments. Targeting the innate immune system and enhancing drug delivery to inflamed gut regions are promising strategies.

Differences in Characteristics of Peripartum Patients Who Did and Did Not Require an Upgrade to the Intensive Care Unit: A Propensity Score Matching Study.

This study sought to identify predictors for peripartum patients admitted to non-intensive care wards who later upgraded to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This was a retrospective observational study of patients admitted to the Maternal Fetal Ward between 01/2017 and 12/2022, who later upgraded to the ICU. Upgraded patients were 1:1 propensity score matched with those who remained on the Maternal Fetal Ward (control).

The Role of Butirprost as an Adjuvant in Enhancing the Effect of Antibiotics in Patients Affected by Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis: A Randomized Prospective Trial.

Bacterial prostatitis (BP) is a common prostatic infection characterized by pain and urinary symptoms, often with negative bacterial cultures from prostatic secretions. It affects young and older men bimodally and impacts quality of life (QoL) significantly. : Treatment typically involves antibiotics, but a multimodal approach with additional nutraceuticals may enhance outcomes.

Oxidative Stress and Risk of Dementia in Older Patients with Depression: A Longitudinal Cohort Study Using Plasma Biomarkers.

: While depression is associated with an increased risk of Alzheimer's dementia (AD), traditional AD-related biomarkers, such as amyloid-beta, have shown limited predictive value for late-life depression. Oxidative stress has emerged as a potential indicator given its shared role in both depression and dementia. This study investigated the longitudinal relationship between oxidative stress biomarkers and risk of dementia in patients with depression.

I/D Genotype and Risk of Non-Contact Injury in Moroccan Elite Athletes: A Pilot Study.

The insertion/deletion (I/D) polymorphism in , the gene encoding the angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), has been suggested as a genetic variation that can influence exercise performance and risk of injury in elite athletes. The I allele has been associated with enhanced endurance performance and with reduced inflammation, while the D allele has been associated with improved performance in strength and power activities. However, the role of this genetic variant in the incidence of non-contact injury is underexplored.

Introducing the Index of Response to Stimulation (IRES): A Novel Metric for Assessing Vagus Nerve Stimulation Outcomes in Drug-Resistant Epilepsy.

: The Index of Response to Stimulation (IRES) is a new index that we introduce in this study to grade the effectiveness of vagus nerve stimulation in the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy. We assessed 76 patients at 6, 12, and 18 months after VNS evaluating improvement with the IRES in four key dimensions: seizure duration decrease, seizure intensity decrease, improvement in quality of life, and seizure frequency decrease. This scale goes from 0, meaning no improvement, to 8, meaning maximal improvement, making the scale a really good measure of clinical utility.

Mortality in Antinuclear Antibody-Positive Patients with and Without Rheumatologic Immune-Related Disorders: A Large-Scale Population-Based Study.

: To explore the potential association between positive ANA serology and all-cause mortality in a large cohort of patients, including those with and without rheumatological conditions and other immune-related diseases. : A retrospective cohort study analyzed all-cause mortality among 205,862 patients from Clalit Health Services (CHS), Israel's largest health maintenance organization (HMO). We compared patients aged 18 and older with positive ANA serology (n = 102,931) to an equal number of ANA-negative controls (n = 102,931).

The Potential of SHAP and Machine Learning for Personalized Explanations of Influencing Factors in Myopic Treatment for Children.

The rising prevalence of myopia is a significant global health concern. Atropine eye drops are commonly used to slow myopia progression in children, but their long-term use raises concern about intraocular pressure (IOP). This study uses SHapley Additive exPlanations (SHAP) to improve the interpretability of machine learning (ML) model predicting end IOP, offering clinicians explainable insights for personalized patient management.

Predictive Factors Associated with Inappropriate Intravenous Proton Pump Inhibitors Use in Hospitalized Patients: A Case-Control Study.

: Proton Pump Inhibitors (PPIs) are the most effective agents for treating acid-related gastrointestinal disorders. The prescription of an intravenous (IV) formulation of PPIs has increased dramatically. The aims of this study were to assess the appropriateness of IV PPI use and to define the risk factors and outcomes associated with its inappropriate use.

Data Mining Models in Prediction of Vancomycin-Intermediate in Methicillin-Resistant (MRSA) Bacteremia Patients in a Clinical Care Setting.

Vancomycin-intermediate (VISA) is a multi-drug-resistant pathogen of significant clinical concern. Various strains can cause infections, from skin and soft tissue infections to life-threatening conditions such as bacteremia and pneumonia. VISA infections, particularly bacteremia, are associated with high mortality rates, with 34% of patients succumbing within 30 days.

Gastric Microbiota Associated with Gastric Precancerous Lesions in -Negative Patients.

Studies on the gastric microbiota associated with gastric precancerous lesions remain limited. This study aimed to profile the gastric mucosal microbiota in patients with -negative precancerous lesions. Gastric mucosal samples were obtained from 67 -negative patients, including those with chronic gastritis (CG), intestinal metaplasia (IM), and dysplasia.

A Comparative Review: Biological Safety and Sustainability of Metal Nanomaterials Without and with Machine Learning Assistance.

In recent years, metal nanomaterials and nanoproducts have been developed intensively, and they are now widely applied across various sectors, including energy, aerospace, agriculture, industry, and biomedicine. However, nanomaterials have been identified as potentially toxic, with the toxicity of metal nanoparticles posing significant risks to both human health and the environment. Therefore, the toxicological risk assessment of metal nanomaterials is essential to identify and mitigate potential adverse effects.

Polygenic Score Approach to Predicting Risk of Metabolic Syndrome.

Background/objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex condition linking obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, representing a major challenge in clinical care. Its rising global prevalence, driven by urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary changes, underscores the need for effective management. This study aims to explore the genetic mechanisms behind MetS, including adiposity, inflammation, neurotransmitters, and β-cell function, to develop a prognostic tool for MetS risk.

Structure-Based Approaches for Protein-Protein Interaction Prediction Using Machine Learning and Deep Learning.

Protein-Protein Interaction (PPI) prediction plays a pivotal role in understanding cellular processes and uncovering molecular mechanisms underlying health and disease. Structure-based PPI prediction has emerged as a robust alternative to sequence-based methods, offering greater biological accuracy by integrating three-dimensional spatial and biochemical features. This work summarizes the recent advances in computational approaches leveraging protein structure information for PPI prediction, focusing on machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) techniques.

A New Antibody-Cytokine Construct Targeting Natural Killer Cells: An Immunotherapeutic Approach to Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

In chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), natural killer (NK) cells show a dysfunctional phenotype that correlates with disease progression. Our aim was to restore NK cell functionality in CLL through a specifically targeted IL15-stimulating activity; IL15 targeting could, in fact, potentiate the activity of NK cells and reduce off-target effects. We designed and developed a cis-acting immunocytokine composed of an anti-CD56 single-chain Fragment variable (scFv) and IL15, labeled scFvB1IL15.

Early-Stage Luminal B-like Breast Cancer Exhibits a More Immunosuppressive Tumor Microenvironment than Luminal A-like Breast Cancer.

Background: Breast cancer is a heterogeneous malignant disease with a varying prognosis and is classified into four molecular subtypes. It remains one of the most prevalent cancers globally, with the tumor microenvironment playing a critical role in disease progression and patient outcomes.

Methods: This study evaluated tumor samples from 40 female patients with luminal A and B breast cancer, utilizing flow cytometry to phenotypically characterize the immune cells and tumor cells present within the tumor tissue.