Unsymmetric triazine-based triglucoside detergents for membrane protein stability.

Membrane proteins play a crucial role in a variety of biological processes and are key targets for pharmaceutical development. Structural studies of membrane proteins provide molecular insights into the mechanisms of these processes and are essential for effective drug discovery. Historically, these studies have relied on solubilization of the target protein using detergents, but conventional detergents often fail to maintain the stability of challenging membrane proteins.

A Systematic Review Exploring the Relationship Between Family Factors and Symptom Severity, Relapse and Social or Occupational Functioning in First-Episode Psychosis.

Aims: Research on family functioning in psychosis has typically focused on specific family-related factors and their impact on symptomatology, finding strong associations between high expressed emotion and poor outcomes, especially in those with long-term illness. The objective of this review is to examine the impact of a broad range of family-related factors and their relationship with clinical, social, occupational and relational outcomes in first-episode psychosis (FEP).

Method: A systematic search of databases PsycInfo, Pubmed, Embase and CINHAL between 1990 and August 2023 was completed.

Exploring the freshness biomarker and volatiles formation in stored pork by means of lipidomics and volatilomics.

Raw pork is prone to oxidation and rancidity as it contains a high level of unsaturated lipid molecules. Reliable biomarkers to benchmark pork freshness and their formation have not been systematically investigated. The results indicated that the peroxide values, TVB-N and rancid volatiles dramatically increased in pork during the storage period (4 °C, 0-9 d).

Unveiling FOXO3's metabolic contribution to menopause and Alzheimer's disease.

The increasing prevalence of Alzheimer's disease (AD) calls for a comprehensive exploration of its complex etiology, with a focus on sex-specific vulnerability, particularly the heightened susceptibility observed in postmenopausal women. Neurometabolic alterations during the endocrine transition emerge as early indicators of AD pathology, including reduced glucose metabolism and increased amyloid-beta (Aβ) deposition. The fluctuating endocrine environment, marked by declining estradiol levels and reduced estrogen receptor beta (ERβ) activity, further exacerbates this process.

Charting water quality improvements and practice reversion with pesticide interventions at catchment scale.

Freshwater quality, and the impacts of farming practice on drinking water supplies, are of concern in many countries and time-limited catchment management interventions are commonly used to improve water quality. However, ending such schemes may result in practice reversion. This study adopts an interdisciplinary approach combining evidence from water quality monitoring data with a behavioural study of farmers to explore changes in land use practice with reference to the pesticide MCPA (2-methyl-4-chlorophenoxyacetic acid) following a catchment-based management scheme delivered in the cross-border Derg catchment in Northern Ireland/Ireland between 2018 and 2021.

Current evidence around key underrepresented women's health topics in pregnancy and postpartum nutrition: a narrative review.

Adequate nutrition during pregnancy and postpartum is critical to maternal and child health, but there is often a missing focus around health outcomes specifically for women. Women's health includes sex-specific biological attributes and socially constructed gender roles framing behaviours and practices. This narrative review aims to highlight key areas where women's health has been underrepresented in pregnancy and postpartum nutrition research.

Decoding Deception: The binding affinity of cuttlefish ink on shark smell receptors.

Chemical signaling can play a crucial role in predator-prey dynamics. Here, we present evidence that ink from the common cuttlefish (Sepia officinalis) targets olfactory receptor proteins in shark, potentially acting as a predator deterrence. We apply in silico 3D docking analysis to investigate the binding affinity of various odorant molecules to shark olfactory receptors of two shark species: cloudy catshark (Scyliorhinus torazame) and white shark (Carcharodon carcharias).

Focal Scleral Nodules: Retrospective Case Series and Novel Insight.

Purpose: The objective of this study was to add to the limited literature of Focal Scleral Nodule (FSN).

Methods: This study was a single-centre, retrospective, observational case series performed at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital (United Kingdom). Nineteen eyes from nineteen patients over a thirteen year period (January 2011 to January 2024) were included.

An Amorphous Donor-Acceptor Conjugated Polymer with Both High Charge Carrier Mobility and Luminescence Quantum Efficiency.

Organic semiconducting polymers play a pivotal role in the development of field-effect transistors (OFETs) and organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs), owing to their cost-effectiveness, structural versatility, and solution processability. However, achieving polymers with both high charge carrier mobility (μ) and photoluminescence (PL) quantum yield (Φ) remains a challenge. In this work, we present the design and synthesis of a novel donor-acceptor π-conjugated polymer, TTIF-BT, featuring a di-Thioeno[3,2-b] ThioenoIndeno[1,2-b] Fluorene (TTIF) backbone as the donor component.

Subjective and objectives measures of frailty among adults with advanced chronic kidney disease: a cross-sectional analysis of clinician misclassification.

Background: Frailty is a recognisable clinical measure of impaired physiological reserve and vulnerability to adverse outcomes that is validated among patients with kidney disease. Practice patterns reveal inconsistent use of objective frailty measures by nephrologists, with clinicians prioritising subjective clinical impressions, possibly risking misclassification and discrimination.

Aims: The aim of this study was to examine correlations between subjective and objective measures of frailty in a cohort of patients attending routine nephrologist review.

Protein Based Hybrid Materials of Metal Phosphate Nanoflowers and Gels for Water Remediation: Perspectives and Prospects.

Water pollution is a critical environmental issue affecting ecosystems and human health worldwide. Contaminants such as heavy metals, dyes, antibiotics, and microplastics enter water bodies from the disposals of industrial, agricultural, and domestic waste. The development of new and advanced technologies for addressing water remediation has turned out to be a dire need.

Unveiling Chirality in MoS2 Nanosheets: A Breakthrough in Phase Engineering for Enhanced Chiroptical Properties.

The development of new synthetic strategies to introduce and control chirality in inorganic nanostructures has been highly stimulated by the broad spectrum of potential applications of these exiting nanomaterials. Molybdenum disulfide is among the most investigated transition metal dichalcogenides due to its promising properties for applications that spread from optoelectronic to spintronic. Herein, we report a new two-step approach for the production of chiroptically active semiconductor 2H MoS2 nanosheets with chiral morphology based on the manipulation of their crystallographic structure.

The European Drug-Drug Interaction (EuroDDI) Study Protocol: A Cross-Country Comparison of Drug-Drug Interaction Prevalence in the Older Community-Dwelling Population.

Background: Drug-drug interactions (DDIs), highly prevalent amongst the elderly, can lead to avoidable medication-related harm. Cardiovascular and central nervous system (CNS) drugs are commonly implicated. To date, there is no consensus on how to measure DDIs, making comparisons across countries challenging.

Learnings from ten years away from "home" as a South American immunologist in Ireland.

Pursuing an international scientific career is a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional growth, but it also poses unique challenges, which can be particularly daunting for researchers coming from resource-limited countries. Drawing from personal experience, this article provides insights into navigating the transition to working abroad in academia and developing a sustainable career while integrating into a new culture. From predeparture preparations to achieving career independence, I discuss practical aspects of crafting tailored applications to contact potential advisers, contemplating visa-related challenges, establishing collaborations and emphasizing the value of finding appropriate mentorship to help you adapt to new cultural and professional environments.

Sepsis-induced NET formation requires MYD88 but is independent of GSDMD and PAD4.

Neutrophils are peripheral blood-circulating leukocytes that play a pivotal role in host defense against bacterial pathogens which upon activation, they release web-like chromatin structures called neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs). Here, we analyzed and compared the importance of myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MYD88), peptidyl arginine deiminase 4 (PAD4), and gasdermin D (GSDMD) for NET formation in vivo following sepsis and neutrophilia challenge. Injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)/E.

Associations between maternal fish intake and polyunsaturated fatty acid status with childhood asthma in a high fish-eating population.

Background: Studies investigating associations between prenatal polyunsaturated fatty acid status (PUFAs), in particular the anti-inflammatory n-3 PUFAs, and the development of childhood asthma have yielded conflicting results.

Objective: To determine the associations between maternal fish intake (a rich source of the n-3 PUFAs), maternal or cord PUFAs with the prevalence of childhood asthma in a high fish-eating population.

Methods: We examined these associations between fish intake and PUFA concentrations with childhood asthma prevalence in the Seychelles Child Development Study Nutrition Cohort 2, a large observational study in a high fish-eating population.

The effect of the type of anaesthesia on long-term outcomes after cancer resection surgery: a narrative review.

Background: The peri-operative period may create a biological environment conducive to cancer cell survival and dissemination. Microscopic residual tumours (micrometastases) can be dislodged even with excellent surgical technique. At the same time, the stress response from surgery can temporarily impair immune function and activate inflammatory processes, increasing the risk of tumour proliferation.

Design and in vitro anticancer assessment of a click chemistry-derived dinuclear copper artificial metallo-nuclease.

Copper compounds with artificial metallo-nuclease (AMN) activity are mechanistically unique compared to established metallodrugs. Here, we describe the development of a new dinuclear copper AMN, Cu2-BPL-C6 (BPL-C6 = bis-1,10-phenanthroline-carbon-6), prepared using click chemistry that demonstrates site-specific DNA recognition with low micromolar cleavage activity. The BPL-C6 ligand was designed to force two redox-active copper centres-central for enhancing AMN activity-to bind DNA, via two phenanthroline ligands separated by an aliphatic linker.

Appetite-related Gut Hormone Responses to Feeding Across the Life Course.

Appetite-related hormones are secreted from the gut, signaling the presence of nutrients. Such signaling allows for cross-talk between the gut and the appetite-control regions of the brain, influencing appetite and food intake. As nutritional requirements change throughout the life course, it is perhaps unsurprising that appetite and eating behavior are not constant.

Health recommender systems to facilitate collaborative decision-making in chronic disease management: A scoping review.

Objective: Health recommender systems (HRSs) are increasingly used to complement existing clinical decision-making processes, but their use for chronic diseases remains underexplored. Recognizing the importance of collaborative decision making (CDM) and patient engagement in chronic disease treatment, this review explored how HRSs support patients in managing their illness.

Methods: A scoping review was conducted using the framework proposed by Arksey and O'Malley, advanced by Levac et al.