Nanoplastics induces arrhythmia in human stem-cells derived cardiomyocytes.

Nanoplastics (NPs), plastic particles ranging from 1-1000 nm, form through weathering and are considered more hazardous than larger plastics due to their ability to penetrate cell barriers and be internalised by biological systems. Most research on NPs has focused on animal models, examining effects on the brain, lungs, and gastrointestinal tract. To enhance physiological relevance, this study investigated the impact of NPs on human cardiomyocytes (CMs) derived from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs).

iPSC-derived human sensory neurons reveal a subset of TRPV1 antagonists as anti-pruritic compounds.

Signaling interplay between the histamine 1 receptor (H1R) and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) in mediating histaminergic itch has been well-established in mammalian models, but whether this is conserved in humans remains to be confirmed due to the difficulties in obtaining human sensory neurons (SNs) for experimentation. Additionally, previously reported species-specific differences in TRPV1 function indicate that use of human SNs is vital for drug candidate screening to have a higher chance of identifying clinically effective TRPV1 antagonists. In this study, we built a histamine-dependent itch model using peripheral SNs derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC-SNs), which provides an accessible source of human SNs for pre-clinical drug screening.

Using magnetic resonance relaxometry to evaluate the safety and quality of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived spinal cord progenitor cells.

Background: The emergence of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) offers a promising approach for replacing damaged neurons and glial cells, particularly in spinal cord injuries (SCI). Despite its merits, iPSC differentiation into spinal cord progenitor cells (SCPCs) is variable, necessitating reliable assessment of differentiation and validation of cell quality and safety. Phenotyping is often performed via label-based methods including immunofluorescent staining or flow cytometry analysis.

Future of reproductive biotechnologies in water buffalo in Southeast Asian countries.

The future of reproductive biotechnologies in water buffalo in Southeast Asian countries holds significant promise for enhancing genetic quality and productivity. Fixed-time artificial insemination remains the commonly used technology, with advances in assisted reproductive technologies (ART) such as in vitro embryo production (IVEP), embryo transfer (ET), and the use of sex-sorted sperm increasingly adopted to improve breeding efficiency. These technologies overcome traditional breeding limitations, such as low reproductive rates, genetic diversity constraints, and the production of sex-predetermined offspring.

Interplay between epigenetics, senescence and cellular redox metabolism in cancer and its therapeutic implications.

There is accumulating evidence indicating a close crosstalk between key molecular events regulating cell growth and proliferation, which could profoundly impact carcinogenesis and its progression. Here we focus on reviewing observations highlighting the interplay between epigenetic modifications, irreversible cell cycle arrest or senescence, and cellular redox metabolism. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, dynamically influence tumour transcriptome, thereby impacting tumour phenotype, survival, growth and spread.

DUSP6 regulates Notch1 signalling in colorectal cancer.

Notch1 plays various roles in cancer development, and Notch1-induced transactivation is controlled by phosphorylation of its cleaved intracellular domain. However, it is unclear whether there are phosphatases capable of dephosphorylating the cleaved Notch1 transmembrane/intracellular region (NTM) to regulate its function. Here, we show that DUSP6 can function as a phosphatase for Notch1, thereby regulating NTM stability and transcriptional activity, thus influencing colorectal cancer (CRC) development.

Non-destructive viability assessment of cancer cell spheroids using dynamic optical coherence tomography with trypan blue validation.

3D cell cultures are widely used in biomedical research for the recapitulation of microenvironments. Viability assessment and monitoring of these intricate conformations remain an open problem as standard cell viability protocols based on colorimetry or microscopy are not directly applicable to intact 3D samples. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) has been explored extensively for subsurface structural and quasi-functional analysis of 3D cell cultures and tissue.

Investigating Microperimetric Features in Bietti Crystalline Dystrophy Patients: A Cross-Sectional Longitudinal Study in a Large Cohort.

Purpose: To assess the clinical and genetic characteristics of patients with Bietti crystalline dystrophy (BCD) with a focus on potential of microperimetry in monitoring macular function.

Methods: A total of 208 genetically-confirmed BCD patients were enrolled in this retrospective study. The patients were categorized into subgroups based on their fundus characteristics (fovea sparing and fovea involved), optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings (presence/absence of retinal pigment epithelium [RPE] or ellipsoid zone [EZ] line at the fovea/parafovea), and genetic profiles (Mis/Mis, Tru/Mis, Tru/Tru).

Serum lipidomic signatures in patients with varying histological severity of metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a spectrum of pathologies ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Patients with metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with fibrosis are at greatest risk of liver and cardiovascular complications. To identify such at-risk MASLD patients, physicians are still reliant on invasive liver biopsies.

Novel CYCLIN-O pathogenic variants in a patient presenting with bronchiectasis secondary to reduced generation of multiple motile cilia.

Reduced generation of multiple motile cilia (RGMC) represents a rare variant of Primary Ciliary Dyskinesia (PCD), associated with mutations. We report a novel compound mutation in the gene in an adult Chinese Singaporean exhibiting chronic productive cough since childhood and recurrent sino-pulmonary infections. Low nasal nitric oxide and bronchiectasis suggests PCD.

Inflammasome-Driven Fatal Acute-on-Chronic Liver Failure Triggered by Mild COVID-19.

Inflammasome is linked to many inflammatory diseases, including COVID-19 and autoimmune liver diseases. While severe COVID-19 was reported to exacerbate liver failure, we report a fatal acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF) in a stable primary biliary cholangitis-autoimmune hepatitis overlap syndrome patient triggered by a mild COVID-19 infection. Postmortem liver biopsy showed sparse SARS-CoV-2-infected macrophages with extensive ASC (apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD) speck-positive hepatocytes, correlating with elevated circulating ASC specks and inflammatory cytokines, and depleted blood monocyte subsets, indicating widespread liver inflammasome activation.

Effectiveness of immune checkpoint inhibitors and other treatment modalities in patients with advanced mucosal melanomas: a systematic review and individual patient data meta-analysis.

Background: Mucosal melanomas (MM) are an aggressive subtype of melanoma. Given the rarity of this disease, the conduct of clinical trials is challenging and has been limited. Current treatment options have been extrapolated from the more common cutaneous melanoma even though MM is distinct in pathogenesis, etiology and prognosis.

Differentiation of CD166-positive hPSC-derived lung progenitors into airway epithelial cells.

The generation of lung epithelial cells through the directed differentiation of human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) in vitro provides a platform to model both embryonic lung development and adult airway disease. Here, we describe a robust differentiation protocol that closely recapitulates human embryonic lung development. Differentiating cells progress through obligate intermediate stages, beginning with definitive endoderm formation and then patterning into anterior foregut endoderm that yields lung progenitors (LPs) with extended culture.

Anti-OAcGD2 antibody in combination with ceramide kinase inhibitor mediates potent antitumor cytotoxicity against breast cancer and diffuse intrinsic pontine glioma cells.

O-acetylated GD2 (OAcGD2) is a cancer-related antigen that is currently being explored for therapeutic use. Exploring the intricate mechanisms behind OAcGD2 synthesis in cancer cells has long been a challenge. Leveraging state-of-the-art high-throughput RNAi screening and confocal imaging technologies, our study delves into the genetic network orchestrating OAcGD2 synthesis in breast cancer cells.

Aberrant cytoplasmic expression of UHRF1 restrains the MHC-I-mediated anti-tumor immune response.

Immunotherapy successfully complements traditional cancer treatment. However, primary and acquired resistance might limit efficacy. Reduced antigen presentation by MHC-I has been identified as potential resistance factor.

Assessing Antibody-dependent, Cell-mediated Cytotoxicity in Cancer Cells using Antibody-Dependent Cell-Mediated Cytotoxicity Reporter Bioassay.

The method for antibody-dependent, cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) represents an important tool to assess the efficacy of therapeutic antibodies in cancer immunotherapy. Evaluating ADCC activity in cancer cells is essential for the development and optimization of antibody-based treatments. Here, we propose a methodological approach of utilizing an ADCC bioassay kit for quantitative assessment of ADCC reaction using thyroid cancer cells as effector cells.

Single-cell RNA sequencing reveals anti-tumor potency of CD56 NK cells and CD8 T cells in humanized mice via PD-1 and TIGIT co-targeting.

In solid tumors, the exhaustion of natural killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T cells in the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment poses challenges for effective tumor control. Conventional humanized mouse models of hepatocellular carcinoma patient-derived xenografts (HCC-PDX) encounter limitations in NK cell infiltration, hindering studies on NK cell immunobiology. Here, we introduce an improved humanized mouse model with restored NK cell reconstitution and infiltration in HCC-PDX, coupled with single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) to identify potential anti-HCC treatments.