Comparison of baseline global gene expression profiles of prostate cancer cell lines LNCaP and DU145.

Introduction: DU145 and LNCaP are classic prostate cancer cell lines. Characterizing their baseline transcriptomics profiles (without any intervention) can offer insights into baseline genetic features and oncogenic pathways that should be considered while interpreting findings after various experimental interventions such as exogenous gene transfection or drug treatment.

Methods: LNCaP and DU145 cell lines were cultured under normal conditions, followed by RNA extraction, cDNA conversion, library preparation, and RNA sequencing using the Illumina NovaSeq platform.

Altered chromatin landscape and 3D interactions associated with primary constitutional MLH1 epimutations.

Background: Lynch syndrome (LS), characterised by an increased risk for cancer, is mainly caused by germline pathogenic variants affecting a mismatch repair gene (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6, PMS2). Occasionally, LS may be caused by constitutional MLH1 epimutation (CME) characterised by soma-wide methylation of one allele of the MLH1 promoter. Most of these are "primary" epimutations, arising de novo without any apparent underlying cis-genetic cause, and are reversible between generations.

Patient-derived response estimates from zero-passage organoids of luminal breast cancer.

Background: Primary luminal breast cancer cells lose their identity rapidly in standard tissue culture, which is problematic for testing hormone interventions and molecular pathways specific to the luminal subtype. Breast cancer organoids are thought to retain tumor characteristics better, but long-term viability of luminal-subtype cases is a persistent challenge. Our goal was to adapt short-term organoids of luminal breast cancer for parallel testing of genetic and pharmacologic perturbations.

Exploring pattern-specific components associated with hand gestures through different sEMG measures.

For surface electromyography (sEMG) based human-machine interaction systems, accurately recognizing the users' gesture intent is crucial. However, due to the existence of subject-specific components in sEMG signals, subject-specific models may deteriorate when applied to new users. In this study, we hypothesize that in addition to subject-specific components, sEMG signals also contain pattern-specific components, which is independent of individuals and solely related to gesture patterns.

Advancing precision medicine in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma using patient-derived organoids.

Background: Patient-derived organoids (PDOs) represent a promising approach for replicating the characteristics of original tumors and facilitating drug testing for personalized treatments across diverse cancer types. However, clinical evidence regarding their application to esophageal cancer remains limited. This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of implementing PDOs in clinical practice to benefit patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC).

Nanopore sequencing as a novel method of characterising anorexia nervosa risk loci.

Background: Anorexia nervosa (AN) is a polygenic, severe metabopsychiatric disorder with poorly understood aetiology. Eight significant loci have been identified by genome-wide association studies (GWAS) and single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-based heritability was estimated to be ~ 11-17, yet causal variants remain elusive. It is therefore important to define the full spectrum of genetic variants in the wider regions surrounding these significantly associated loci.

Using waist circumference as a predictor of hypertension in Manzese, Dar es Salaam: a community-based cross-sectional study, 2023.

Introduction: It is estimated that 1.3 billion people in the world have hypertension and a large proportion of them are unaware. Waist circumference has emerged as Potential predictor of Cardiovascular Diseases (CVD) risk; however, fewer studies in Tanzania have evaluated its role in screening for CVD risk.

MT-100, a human Tie2-agonistic antibody, improves penile neurovasculature in diabetic mice via the novel target Srpx2.

Diabetes is an incurable, chronic disease that can lead to many complications, including angiopathy, peripheral neuropathy, and erectile dysfunction (ED). The angiopoietin-Tie2 signaling pathway plays a critical role in blood vessel development, formation, remodeling, and peripheral nerve regeneration. Therefore, strategies for activating the Tie2 signaling pathway have been developed as potential therapies for neurovascular diseases.

Self-supervised denoising of grating-based phase-contrast computed tomography.

In the last decade, grating-based phase-contrast computed tomography (gbPC-CT) has received growing interest. It provides additional information about the refractive index decrement in the sample. This signal shows an increased soft-tissue contrast.

Evolution of SARS-CoV-2 spike trimers towards optimized heparan sulfate cross-linking and inter-chain mobility.

The heparan sulfate (HS)-rich extracellular matrix (ECM) serves as an initial interaction site for the homotrimeric spike (S) protein of SARS-CoV-2 to facilitate subsequent docking to angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptors and cellular infection. More recent variants, notably Omicron, have evolved by swapping several amino acids to positively charged residues to enhance the interaction of the S-protein trimer with the negatively charged HS. However, these enhanced interactions may reduce Omicron's ability to move through the HS-rich ECM to effectively find ACE2 receptors and infect cells, raising the question of how to mechanistically explain HS-associated viral movement.

DS2 designer pre-fusion F vaccine induces strong and protective antibody response against RSV infection.

DS-Cav1, SC-TM, and DS2 are distinct designer pre-fusion F proteins (pre-F) of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) developed for vaccines. However, their immunogenicity has not been directly compared. In this study, we generated three recombinant vaccines using the chimpanzee adenovirus vector AdC68 to express DS-Cav1, SC-TM, and DS2.

Power-free plasma separation based on negative magnetophoresis for rapid biochemical analysis.

We present a versatile platform for label-free magnetic separation of plasma, tailored to accommodate diverse environments. This innovative device utilizes an advanced long-short alternating double Halbach magnetic array, specifically engineered for optimal magnetic separation. The array's adaptability allows for seamless integration with separation channels of varying sizes, enabling static separation of whole blood.

Optical sectioning methods in three-dimensional bioimaging.

In recent advancements in life sciences, optical microscopy has played a crucial role in acquiring high-quality three-dimensional structural and functional information. However, the quality of 3D images is often compromised due to the intense scattering effect in biological tissues, compounded by several issues such as limited spatiotemporal resolution, low signal-to-noise ratio, inadequate depth of penetration, and high phototoxicity. Although various optical sectioning techniques have been developed to address these challenges, each method adheres to distinct imaging principles for specific applications.

Monocular meta-imaging camera sees depth.

A novel monocular depth-sensing camera based on meta-imaging sensor technology has been developed, offering more precise depth sensing with millimeter-level accuracy and enhanced robustness compared to conventional 2D and light-field cameras.

Prevalence and impact of multidrug resistance in a cohort of patients admitted to emergency department for urinary tract-infections: The UTILY study, a prospective multicentre study.

Background And Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the prevalence and to identify the independent predictors of multi-drug resistance among a cohort of patients admitted to emergency department for urinary tract infections (UTI), and to assess the impact of antimicrobial resistance on the clinical outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a prospective multicentre study enrolling all adult patients admitted to one of the eight emergency departments participating in the study with a microbiologically confirmed diagnosis of UTI from February 2023 to July 2024. The primary outcome evaluated was 30-day mortality; secondary outcomes included 7-day mortality and clinical response.

Socioeconomic inequalities in adherence to clinical practice guidelines and breast cancer survival: a multicentre population-based study in Spain.

Introduction And Aims: Women residing in lower socioeconomic status (SES) areas have lower breast cancer survival but it is not clear how differences in the quality of care received contribute to these disparities. We compared adherence to clinical practice guidelines (CPG) for the diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer and subsequent breast cancer survival between women residing in lower versus higher SES areas.

Methods: We conducted a multicentre population-based study of all new cases of invasive breast cancer in women diagnosed 2010-2014 in six Spanish provinces with population-based cancer registries (n=3206).

Patient- and Family-Centered Outcomes After Intensive Care Unit Admission.

Background: Family satisfaction with intensive care is a measure of patient experience and patient-centered care. Among the factors that might influence family satisfaction are the timing of patient admittance to the intensive care unit (ICU), the ICU environment, and individual health care providers.

Objective: To evaluate family satisfaction with the ICU and to explore associations between satisfaction and specific characteristics of the ICU stay.

Impacts of Methylenetetrahydrofolate Reductase Genotypes on Hallux Valgus.

Background/aim: Hallux valgus (HV) is the most common deformity of the forefoot. Although HV has been strongly associated with a family history, its genetic underpinnings remain unclear. Few studies have examined the relationship between folic acid metabolism, which is critical in normal bone development, and HV.

Impact of DNA Ligase 1 Genotypes on Childhood Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Background/aim: Genetic polymorphisms in DNA repair mechanisms can modulate overall DNA repair capacity, potentially influencing individual susceptibility to cancer. This study investigated the relationship between polymorphic variations in DNA ligase 1 and the risk of childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (cALL).

Materials And Methods: The genotypes of DNA ligase 1 rs20579 were determined using polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) analysis.

Correlation of Preclinical Imaging Modalities and Immunohistochemistry for Tumor Hypoxia and Vasculature.

Background/aim: Tumors exhibit impaired blood flow and hypoxic areas, which can reduce the effectiveness of treatments. Characterizing these tumor features can inform treatment decisions, including the use of vasculature modulation therapies. Imaging provides insight into these characteristics, with techniques varying between clinical and preclinical settings.

Prognostic Relevance of Immunosuppressive CD155/TIGIT Signaling in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer Patients With Neoadjuvant Chemoradiotherapy.

Background/aim: The CD155/TIGIT axis has recently emerged as a promising immunotherapeutic target in several malignancies. However, its prognostic relevance within the tumor microenvironment (TME) in patients with locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) who have received neo-adjuvant chemoradiotherapy (neoCRT) remains unclarified.

Materials And Methods: The levels of tumor CD155 and TIGIT T cells in pair-matched pre-neoCRT biopsies and post-neoCRT surgical tissues were evaluated in 110 LARC tissues using immunohistochemistry.

The mechanisms of electrical neuromodulation.

The central and peripheral nervous systems are specialized to conduct electrical currents that underlie behaviour. When this multidimensional electrical system is disrupted by degeneration, damage, or disuse, externally applied electrical currents may act to modulate neural structures and provide therapeutic benefit. The administration of electrical stimulation can exert precise and multi-faceted effects at cellular, circuit and systems levels to restore or enhance the functionality of the central nervous system by providing an access route to target specific cells, fibres of passage, neurotransmitter systems, and/or afferent/efferent communication to enable positive changes in behaviour.