A novel combined oxidative stress and extracellular matrix related predictive gene signature for keratoconus.

Keratoconus (KC) is an ectatic cornea disease with high prevalence and asymptomatic at early stage, leading to decreased visual acuity and even cornea transplantation. However, the etiology mechanism of keratoconus is still poorly understood. Oxidative stress (OS) and extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling play critical roles in keratoconus development.

Combining simulation models and machine learning in healthcare management: strategies and applications.

Simulation models and artificial intelligence (AI) are largely used to address healthcare and biomedical engineering problems. Both approaches showed promising results in the analysis and optimization of healthcare processes. Therefore, the combination of simulation models and AI could provide a strategy to further boost the quality of health services.

The development of paliperidone nanocrystals for the treatment of schizophrenia.

Schizophrenia is a complex and chronic psychiatric disorder that significantly impacts patients' quality of life. Ranking 12th among 310 diseases and injuries that result in disability, the number of patients suffering from schizophrenia continues to rise, emphasizing the urgent need for developing effective treatments. Despite the availability of effective antipsychotic drugs, over 80% of patients taking oral antipsychotics experience relapses, primarily caused by non-adherence as the high dosing frequency is required.

High External Quantum Efficiency and Ultra-Narrowband Organic Photodiodes Using Single-Component Photoabsorber With Multiple-Resonance Effect.

Organic photodiodes (OPDs) that utilize wavelength-selective absorbing molecules offer a direct approach to capturing specific wavelengths of light in multispectral sensors/imaging systems without filters. However, they exhibit broad response bandwidths, low external quantum efficiency (EQE), and often require compromises in two-component photoactive materials. Herein, the first utility of boron-nitrogen (BN) single-component photoabsorbers, leveraging a multi-resonance effect are introduced to attain OPDs with both record-high EQE of 33.

Biofabrication and biomanufacturing in Ireland and the UK.

As we navigate the transition from the Fourth to the Fifth Industrial Revolution, the emerging fields of biomanufacturing and biofabrication are transforming life sciences and healthcare. These sectors are benefiting from a synergy of synthetic and engineering biology, sustainable manufacturing, and integrated design principles. Advanced techniques such as 3D bioprinting, tissue engineering, directed assembly, and self-assembly are instrumental in creating biomimetic scaffolds, tissues, organoids, medical devices, and biohybrid systems.

Preventing radiation and chemo toxicity: Insights from bone marrow-on-a-chip.

Species-specific differences motivate the development of human hematopoiesis models. Georgescu et al. present a microfluidic model of the human bone marrow perivascular niche to capture innate immune cell mobilization.

Fluorescence enhancement of cyanine/hemicyanine dyes with adamantane as an auxochrome through host-guest inclusion with methylated cyclodextrin in water.

Fluorescence of cyanine dyes is often quenched in aqueous solution, limiting their application in water or biological system. In this work, a novel strategy of host-guest interaction based on cyanine derivatives containing auxochromes was proposed to enhance fluorescence in aqueous solution and cell imaging. By using the host (methylated β-cyclodextrin, M-β-CD) to inclusion and suppress the TICT effect of the dye, the fluorescence was significantly enhanced at lower host concentration.

Investigating the role of elastin and extracellular matrix damage in cardiovascular calcification.

Although calcification in the cardiovascular system is highly studied, the mechanisms behind it are not well understood. Current proposed mechanisms focus on cellular processes leading to, or controlling the unwanted mineralization in soft tissues. However, extracellular components such as collagen and elastin fundamentally regulate the mechanical properties of heart tissues.

Self-supervised learning via VICReg enables training of EMG pattern recognition using continuous data with unclear labels.

In this study, we investigate the application of self-supervised learning via pre-trained Long Short-Term Memory (LSTM) networks for training surface electromyography pattern recognition models (sEMG-PR) using dynamic data with transitions. While labeling such data poses challenges due to the absence of ground-truth labels during transitions between classes, self-supervised pre-training offers a way to circumvent this issue. We compare the performance of LSTMs trained with either fully-supervised or self-supervised loss to a conventional non-temporal model (LDA) on two data types: segmented ramp data (lacking transition information) and continuous dynamic data inclusive of class transitions.

Measuring the rate of NADPH consumption by glutathione reductase in the cytosol and mitochondria.

Background: NADPH is an essential co-factor supporting the function of enzymes that participate in both inflammatory and anti-inflammatory pathways in myeloid cells, particularly macrophages. Although individual NADPH-dependent pathways are well characterized, how these opposing pathways are co-regulated to orchestrate an optimized inflammatory response is not well understood. To investigate this, techniques to track the consumption of NADPH need to be applied.

Low-Intensity Pulsed Ultrasound Dynamically Modulates the Migration of BV2 Microglia.

Objective: Low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) is a promising modality for neuromodulation. Microglia are the resident immune cells in the brain and their mobility is critical for maintaining brain homeostasis and alleviating neuroimmune pathologies. However, it is unclear whether and how LIPUS modulates microglial migration in physiological conditions.

MAN2B1 in immune system-related diseases, neurodegenerative disorders and cancers: functions beyond α-mannosidosis.

Glycosylation modifications of proteins and glycan hydrolysis are critical for protein function in biological processes. Aberrations in glycosylation enzymes are linked to lysosomal storage disorders (LSDs), immune interactions, congenital disorders and tumour progression. Mannosidase alpha class 2B member 1 (MAN2B1) is a lysosomal hydrolase from the α-mannosidase family.

Exploring aortic stiffness in aging mice: a comprehensive methodological overview.

Stiffening of the vascular network is associated with the early stages of vascular aging, leading to cardiovascular disorders (hypertension), renal failures, or neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer's). Unfortunately, many people remain undiagnosed because diagnostic methods are either unsuitable for a large population or unfamiliar to clinicians which favor the hypertension evaluation. In preclinical research, stiffness studies are often partially conducted.

Synthetic conduits efficacy in neural repair: a comparative study of dip-coated polycaprolactone and electrospun polycaprolactone/polyurethane conduits.

Peripheral nerve injuries (PNI) represent the most common type of nervous system injuries, resulting in 5 million injuries per year. Current gold standard, autografts, still carry several limitations, including the inappropriate type, size, and function matches in grafted nerves, lack of autologous donor sites, neuroma formation, and secondary surgery incisions. Polymeric nerve conduits, also known as nerve guides, can help overcome the aforementioned issues that limit nerve recovery and regeneration by reducing tissue fibrosis, misdirection of regenerating axons, and the inability to maintain long- distance axonal growth.

Neuronavigated Focalized Transcranial Direct Current Stimulation Administered During Functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) is a noninvasive brain stimulation technique that allows the modulation of the excitability and plasticity of the human brain. Focalized tDCS setups use specific electrode arrangements to constrain the current flow to circumscribed brain regions. However, the effectiveness of focalized tDCS can be compromised by electrode positioning errors on the scalp, resulting in significant reductions of the current dose reaching the target brain regions for tDCS.

Silk fibroin as a potential candidate for bone tissue engineering applications.

Silk fibroin (SF), a pivotal biomaterial, holds immense promise for diverse applications within the realm of bone tissue engineering. SF is an ideal scaffold material with exceptional biocompatibility, mechanical robustness, biodegradability, and bioactivity. A plethora of investigations have corroborated SF's efficacy in supporting bone tissue repair and regeneration.

Reactive oxygen species-scavenging biomaterials for neural regenerative medicine.

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are natural by-products of oxygen metabolism. As signaling molecules, ROS can regulate various physiological processes in the body. However excessive ROS may be a major cause of inflammatory diseases.