Microfluidic-Enabled Self-Directed Hydrogel Microspheres for Multiplexed MicroRNA Assays.

Multiplexed microRNA (miRNA) detection has proven valuable in disease diagnosis; yet, the development of advanced tools for their analysis remains a subject of broad interest. Here, we propose a novel single-particle method for multiplexed miRNA detection using self-directed hydrogel microspheres, which feature supersegmented compartments for loading analyte probes and an air-encapsulated region that grants the microsphere a unique preferred posture in aqueous solutions. By exploiting microfluidic technology, we can widely adjust the size of the microspheres and the number of compartments can be widely adjusted.

Involvement of metformin and aging in salivary expression of ACE2 and TMPRSS2.

SARS-CoV-2-related proteins, ACE2 and TMPRSS2, are determinants of SARS-CoV-2 infection. Although these proteins are expressed in oral-related tissues, their expression patterns and modulatory mechanisms in the salivary glands remain unknown. We herein showed that full-length ACE2, which has both a fully functional enzyme catalytic site and high-affinity SARS-CoV-2 spike S1-binding sites, was more highly expressed in salivary glands than in oral mucosal epithelial cells and the lungs.

Current Landscape of Adoptive Cell Therapy and Challenge to Develop "Off-The-Shelf" Therapy for Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Adoptive cell therapy (ACT) is a type of immunotherapy in which autologous or allogeneic immune cells, such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes or engineered lymphocytes, are infused into patients with cancer to eliminate malignant cells. Recently, autologous T cells modified to express a chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) targeting CD19 showed a positive response in clinical studies for hematologic malignancies and have begun to be used in clinical practice. This article discusses the current status and promise of ACT research in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), focusing on challenges in off-the-shelf ACT using primary cells or induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with or without genetic engineering.

Elucidation of interface interactions between a dehydratase domain and an acyl carrier protein in cremimycin polyketide synthase.

Modular polyketide synthases (PKSs) are multi-domain enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of polyketide natural products. The dehydratase (DH) domain catalyzes the dehydration of the β-hydroxyacyl unit attached to the acyl carrier protein (ACP) domain in modular PKS. Although the DH domain likely recognizes the cognate ACP domain during the dehydration reaction, the molecular basis of DH-ACP interactions remains elusive.

CDKN3 as a key regulator of G2M phase in triple-negative breast cancer: Insights from multi-transcriptomic analysis.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) remains a significant global health challenge, emphasizing the need for precise identification of patients with specific therapeutic targets and those at high risk of metastasis. This study aimed to identify novel therapeutic targets for personalized treatment of TNBC patients by elucidating their roles in cell cycle regulation. Using weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA), we identified 83 hub genes by integrating gene expression profiles with clinical pathological grades.

Endothelial lipase-binding peptides similar to netrin-1 inhibit hepatitis B virus infection.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infects cells by attaching to heparan sulfate proteoglycans (HSPG) and Na/taurocholate cotransporting polypeptide (NTCP). The endothelial lipase LIPG bridges HSPG and HBV, facilitating HBV attachment. From a randomized peptide expression library, we identified a short sequence binding to LIPG.

Combined use of cleft and truncated triangle signs helps improve the preoperative MRI diagnosis of lateral meniscus posterior root tears in patients with ACL injuries.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate whether combining the analysis of different magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) signs enhances the diagnostic accuracy of lateral meniscus posterior root tears (LMPRTs) in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. We hypothesised that analysing the cleft, ghost and truncated triangle signs and lateral meniscus extrusion (LME) measurement together would improve the preoperative MRI-based diagnosis of LMPRTs.

Methods: This retrospective study used prospectively collected registry data from two academic centres, including patients undergoing primary or revision ACL reconstruction (ACLR) and LMPRT repair.

A Rare Case of Sigmoid-Urachal Fistula in an Adult Male Resected Laparoscopically.

Fistulization involving both the sigmoid colon and urachus is exceedingly rare. While previous cases have often necessitated laparotomy due to the involvement of multiple organs, only one instance of successful laparoscopic surgery has been reported. Here, we present the second documented case of laparoscopic resection of a sigmoid-urachal fistula.

Frameworks Construction with Rhodium-Organic Cuboctahedra via Rigid Linker Incorporation.

The architectural characteristics of metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) can be examined through their net topology, which consists of nodes and linkers. A node's connectivity and site symmetry are likely the key elements influencing the net topology of MOFs. Metal-organic polyhedra (MOPs) function effectively as nodes when used as supermolecular building blocks (SBBs).

Basophil-Derived IL-4 Production and Its Potential Pro-Tumoural Role in Th2-Polarisation Within Sentinel Lymph Nodes of Primary Cutaneous Melanoma.

Chronic inflammation in the tumour microenvironment (TME) via Th2-polarisation promotes melanoma progression and metastasis, making it a target for immunotherapy. Interleukin (IL)-4 is considered essential for Th2-polarisation in the TME; however, its source remains unknown. Basophils have been postulated as one of its sources.

Association between sleep problems during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms as well as condition of newborn at delivery.

Background: Pregnancy-related anatomic, physiologic, and hormonal factors can occur at different stages of pregnancy and affect sleep disturbances. The relationship between sleep problems during pregnancy and postpartum depressive symptoms as well as neonatal condition at delivery have not been well described. This study hypothesized that sleep problems are associated with postpartum depressive symptoms and adverse neonatal outcomes at delivery.

Edaravone is a Therapeutic Candidate for Doxorubicin-Induced Cardiomyopathy by Activating the Nrf2 Pathway.

Doxorubicin (DOXO) has long been used clinically and remains a key drug in cancer therapy. DOXO-induced cardiomyopathy (DICM) is a chronic and fatal complication that severely limits the use of DOXO. However, there are very few therapeutic agents for DICM, and there is an urgent need to identify those that can be used for a larger number of patients.

Organic-Free Synthesis of High-Silica Zeolite Y with Aluminophosphate as the Aluminum Carrier.

The wide application of zeolite Y in petrochemical industry is well known as one of the milestones in zeolite chemistry and heterogeneous catalysis. However, the traditional organic-free synthesis typically produces (hydro)thermally unstable zeolite Y with Si/Al atomic ratio (SAR) less than 2.5.

Descriptive Epidemiology and Prognostic Significance of Diaphragm Thickness in the General Population: The Nagahama Study.

Background: Diaphragm thickness is a potential marker of sarcopenia in addition to muscle mass and strength at extremities. We aimed to clarify the descriptive epidemiology and prognostic significance of diaphragm thickness in the general population.

Methods: The study participants were 3324 community residents (mean age: 61.

Pre-folding purification procedures for inclusion body-derived non-tagged cationic recombinant proteins with multiple disulfide bonds for efficient refolding.

The production of disulfide-containing recombinant proteins often requires refolding of inclusion bodies before purification. A pre-refolding purification step is crucial for effective refolding because impurities in the inclusion bodies interfere with refolding and subsequent purification. This study presents a new pre-refolding procedure using a reversible S-cationization technique for protein solubilization and purification by reversed-phase high performance liquid chromatography.

A simple algorithm to derive virtual non-contrast electron density from dual-energy computed tomography data for radiotherapy treatment planning.

Background: The use of iodinated contrast-enhancing agents in computed tomography (CT) improves the visualization of relevant structures for radiotherapy treatment planning (RTP). However, it can lead to dose calculation errors by incorrectly converting a CT number to electron density.

Purpose: This study aimed to propose an algorithm for deriving virtual non-contrast (VNC) electron density from dual-energy CT (DECT) data.

Qcforever2: Advanced Automation of Quantum Chemistry Computations.

QCforever is a wrapper designed to automatically and simultaneously calculate various physical quantities using quantum chemical (QC) calculation software for blackbox optimization in chemical space. We have updated it to QCforever2 to search the conformation and optimize density functional parameters for a more accurate and reliable evaluation of an input molecule. In blackbox optimization, QCforever2 can work as compactly arranged surrogate models for costly chemical experiments.

Increased matrix metalloproteinase-1 expression by coexposure to UVA and cigarette sidestream smoke and contribution of histone acetylation.

Background: Skin is exposed to various environmental factors throughout life, and some of these factors are known to contribute to skin aging. Long-term solar UV exposure is a well-known cause of skin aging, as is cigarette smoke, which contains a number of chemicals. In this study, combined effect of UVA and cigarette sidestream smoke (CSS) on matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1) induction was investigated.

Serum Periostin is Able to Stratify Type 2-Dominant Ulcerative Colitis.

Background: Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a heterogeneous disease composed of different endotypes. It is important to develop useful biomarkers for endotyping UC; however, available biomarkers are insufficient. We have already established that periostin is a surrogate biomarker of type 2 inflammation.

Exploring the Clinical Diversity of Castleman Disease and TAFRO Syndrome: A Japanese Multicenter Study on Lymph Node Distribution Patterns.

Individuals diagnosed with Castleman disease (CD) and TAFRO syndrome (characterized by thrombocytopenia, anasarca, fever, bone marrow fibrosis, and organomegaly) displays a wide range of clinical symptoms, including varying patterns of lymph node enlargement, systemic inflammation, and impaired organ function. Some patients may present with both CD and TAFRO syndrome concurrently. A retrospective study conducted across multiple centers in Japan examined 321 cases to determine if the quantity and position of swollen lymph nodes could forecast the clinical progression and intensity of these conditions.

Prophylactic and therapeutic effects of EsV3 on atherosclerotic lesions in ApoE mice.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a major contributor to vascular disorders and represents a significant risk to human health. Currently, first-line pharmacotherapies are associated with substantial side effects, and the development of atherosclerosis is closely linked to dietary factors. This study evaluated the effects of a dietary supplement, EsV3, on AS in apolipoprotein E (ApoE) model mice.

Simultaneous transcatheter aortic valve implantation and femoral osteosynthesis: a case report.

Background: Simultaneous cardiac and non-cardiac surgeries can be beneficial for patients, but there are still few reports on this approach.

Case Presentation: A 90-year-old woman was diagnosed with a femoral trochanteric fracture and severe aortic stenosis. A heart team conference decided to perform transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI) and femoral osteosynthesis under general anesthesia on the same day.

Intratumor heterogeneity of HPV integration in HPV-associated head and neck cancer.

Integration of human papillomavirus (HPV) into the host genome drives HPV-positive head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HPV HNSCC). Whole-genome sequencing of 51 tumors revealed intratumor heterogeneity of HPV integration, with 44% of breakpoints subclonal, and a biased distribution of integration breakpoints across the HPV genome. Four HPV physical states were identified, with at least 49% of tumors progressing without integration.

Impacts of irrigation expansion on moist-heat stress based on IRRMIP results.

Irrigation rapidly expanded during the 20 century, affecting climate via water, energy, and biogeochemical changes. Previous assessments of these effects predominantly relied on a single Earth System Model, and therefore suffered from structural model uncertainties. Here we quantify the impacts of historical irrigation expansion on climate by analysing simulation results from six Earth system models participating in the Irrigation Model Intercomparison Project (IRRMIP).