Thermally Triggered Double Emulsion-Integrated Hydrogel Microparticles for Multiplexed Molecular Diagnostics.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) has been recognized as the most reliable diagnostic tool. However, there is a need to develop multiplexed assays capable of analyzing multiple genes simultaneously to expand its application. To address this, a multiplexed RT-qPCR using a double emulsion (DE)-based carrier and a polymer microparticle reactor, termed primer-incorporated network tailored with Taqman probe (TaqPIN) is developed.

Current status and strategies to strengthen paediatric kidney replacement therapy in Nepal.

Paediatric dialysis services have been available in Nepal for three decades but are limited to a few tertiary referral centres in major cities. The availability of a small number of paediatric nephrologists, an increasing number of adult nephrologists, and a modest increase in dialysis facilities have contributed to the gradual expansion of paediatric nephrology and kidney replacement therapy services in Nepal over the last decade. These services have grown steadily and will continue to grow because of the positive impact of government support for kidney replacement therapy and various public health initiatives to promote kidney health.

Recent Advances of Macrostructural Porous Silicon for Biomedical Applications.

Porous silicon (pSi) has gained substantial attention as a versatile material for various biomedical applications due to its unique structural and functional properties. Initially used as a semiconductor material, pSi has transitioned into a bioactive platform, enabling its use in drug delivery systems, biosensing, tissue engineering scaffolds, and implantable devices. This review explores recent advancements in macrostructural pSi, emphasizing its biocompatibility, biodegradability, high surface area, and tunable properties.

SIRT2 and ALDH1A1 as critical enzymes for astrocytic GABA production in Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with drastically altered astrocytic metabolism. Astrocytic GABA and HO are associated with memory impairment in AD and synthesized through the Monoamine Oxidase B (MAOB)-mediated multi-step degradation of putrescine. However, the enzymes downstream to MAOB in this pathway remain unidentified.

Leukopenia and thrombocytopenia in dengue patients presenting in the emergency department of a tertiary center in Nepal: a cross-sectional study.

Introduction: Dengue viruses cause either symptomatic infections or asymptomatic seroconversion. Symptomatic dengue has a wide clinical spectrum ranging from self-limiting infection to severe manifestations, mostly characterized by plasma leakage with or without hemorrhage. World Health Organization classification in 2009 classified dengue into dengue without warning signs, dengue with warning signs, and severe dengue.

Mice deficient in TWIK-1 are more susceptible to kainic acid-induced seizures.

TWIK-1 belongs to the two-pore domain K (K2P) channel family, which plays an essential role in the background K conductance of cells. Despite the development of exon 2-deleted knockout (KO) mice, the physiological role of TWIK-1 has remained largely unknown. Here, we observed that the exon 2-deleted KO mice expressed an internally deleted TWIK-1 (TWIK-1 ΔEx2) protein, which unexpectedly acts as a functional K channel.

Utilization of refuse-derived fuel in industrial applications: Insights from Uttar Pradesh, India.

Urbanization and population growth in India have quickened, leading to an annual generation of around 62 million tonnes of municipal solid waste (MSW). Improper management of organic waste presents a major environmental problem due to air and water pollution, soil contamination and greenhouse gas production. This research aims to develop refuse-derived fuel (RDF) as a viable option, converting waste into a high-calorific energy carrier for industrial use.

Activation of Immune Responses Through the RIG-I Pathway Using TRITC-Dextran Encapsulated Nanoparticles.

Pathogen-associated molecular patterns (PAMPs) are highly conserved motifs originating from microorganisms that act as ligands for pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), which are crucial for defense against pathogens. Thus, PAMP-mimicking vaccines may induce potent immune activation and provide broad-spectrum protection against microbes. Dextran encapsulation can regulate the surface characteristics of nanoparticles (NPs) and induces their surface modification.

Microplastic pollution in the marine environment: Distribution factors and mitigation strategies in different oceans.

As the COVID-19 pandemic began in 2020, plastic usage spiked, and microplastic (MP) generation has increased dramatically. It is documented that MP can transfer from the source to the ocean environment where they accumulate as the destination. Therefore, it is essential to understand their transferring pathways and effective environmental factors to determine the distribution of MPs in the marine environment.

Baseline assessment of knowledge, attitude, practice, and adherence toward antimicrobials among women living in two urban municipalities in Lalitpur district, Nepal.

Introduction: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a significant problem in developing, low- and middle-income countries like Nepal. Community engagement can be an important means to address the problem. Knowledge, attitude, practice, and adherence of women regarding antibiotics and AMR was studied.

EBP1 potentiates amyloid β pathology by regulating γ-secretase.

The abnormal deposition of amyloid β (Aβ), produced by proteolytic cleavage events of amyloid precursor protein involving the protease γ-secretase and subsequent polymerization into amyloid plaques, plays a key role in the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Here we show that ErbB3 binding protein 1 (EBP1)/proliferation-associated 2G4 (PA2G4) interacts with presenilin, a catalytic subunit of γ-secretase, inhibiting Aβ production. Mice lacking forebrain Ebp1/Pa2g4 recapitulate the representative phenotypes of late-onset sporadic AD, displaying an age-dependent increase in Aβ deposition, amyloid plaques and cognitive dysfunction.

Modulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype via Wnt-Independent FRZB pathways.

Background And Aims: Vascular smooth muscle cells are pivotal in atherosclerosis, transitioning from a contractile to a synthetic phenotype, which is associated with increased proliferation and inflammation. FRZB, a Wnt signaling modulator, has been implicated in vascular pathology, but its specific role in vascular smooth muscle cell phenotype modulation is not well understood. This study investigates the role of FRZB in regulating vascular smooth muscle cell phenotypes.

Drug repositioning of mesalamine via supramolecular nanoassembly for the treatment of drug-induced acute liver failure.

Acute liver failure (ALF) is characterized by rapid hepatic dysfunction, primarily caused by drug-induced hepatotoxicity. Due to the lack of satisfactory treatment options, ALF remains a fatal clinical disease, representing a grand challenge in global health. For the drug repositioning to ALF of mesalamine, which is clinically approved for the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), we propose a supramolecular prodrug nanoassembly (SPNs).

Age-associated interplay between zinc deficiency and Golgi stress hinders microtubule-dependent cellular signaling and epigenetic control.

Golgi abnormalities have been linked to aging and age-related diseases, yet the underlying causes and functional consequences remain poorly understood. This study identifies the interaction between age-associated zinc deficiency and Golgi stress as a critical factor in cellular aging. Senescent Golgi bodies from human fibroblasts show a fragmented Golgi structure, associated with a decreased interaction of the zinc-dependent Golgi-stacking protein complex Golgin45-GRASP55.

A supercritical oil extract of seeds ameliorates Huntington's disease-like symptoms and neuropathology: the potential role of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory effects.

Background: Huntington disease (HD), a neurodegenerative autosomal dominant disorder, is characterized by involuntary choreatic movements with cognitive and behavioral disturbances. Up to now, no therapeutic strategies are available to completely ameliorate the progression of HD. has various pharmacologic effects such as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory activities.

Discovery of the therapeutic potential of naltriben against glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.

Glutamate-induced neuronal death is associated with neurodegeneration including cerebral ischemia. Several μ-opioid receptor antagonists exhibit a neuroprotective activity and have been considered as a potential therapeutic option for neurodegenerative disorders. For the first time, our current study unveiled the neuroprotective activity of selective δ-opioid receptor antagonists.

Sepsis Diagnosis Based on a Parylene Matrix Chip Using LPC16:0 as a Biomarker in Comparison with Colorimetry of Total Phospholipid.

For the medical diagnosis of sepsis, it is crucial to differentiate infectious inflammation from noninfectious symptoms to prevent acute aggravation. Herein, a diagnosis for early stage sepsis was performed using LPC 16:0 and total phospholipids as small molecular biomarkers. The measurement of LPC 16:0 was conducted using a parylene matrix chip, which was developed to effectively detect small molecules in laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry (LDI-MS).

Screening of Breast among Women: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nepal.

Background: Breast cancer ranks as the second most prevalent malignancy among women in Nepal. This cancer has a high likelihood of cure, if detected early. Therefore, it is imperative to emphasize awareness and screening for breast cancer in Nepal.

Evaluating the feasibility of estimating particulate mass emissions of older-model diesel vehicle using smoke opacity measurements.

Real-world emissions of particulate matter (PM) and smoke opacity were studied for an older-model diesel pickup truck during four types of driving tests, namely fixed-point test, snap-acceleration test, road test, and hill road test (uphill/downhill). A portable emissions measurement system (PEMS) and an opacimeter were used to measure real-time concentrations of PM and smoke opacity, respectively, and simultaneously. Correlation analysis showed a significant positive association between PM and opacity, suggesting the feasibility of using an opacimeter to estimate PM mass emissions from diesel vehicles.

Ligand Inter-Relation Analysis Via Graph Theory Predicts Macrophage Response.

Graph theory has been widely used to quantitatively analyze complex networks of molecules, materials, and cells. Analyzing the dynamic complex structure of extracellular matrix can predict cell-material interactions but has not yet been demonstrated. In this study, graph theory-based mathematical modeling of RGD ligand graph inter-relation is demonstrated by differentially cutting off RGD-to-RGD interlinkages with flexibly conjugated magnetic nanobars (MNBs) with tunable aspect ratio.

Modularity-based mathematical modeling of ligand inter-nanocluster connectivity for unraveling reversible stem cell regulation.

The native extracellular matrix is continuously remodeled to form complex interconnected network structures that reversibly regulate stem cell behaviors. Both regulation and understanding of its intricate dynamicity can help to modulate numerous cell behaviors. However, neither of these has yet been achieved due to the lack of designing and modeling such complex structures with dynamic controllability.

Association between number of functional teeth and physical function among community-dwelling older adults: Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study.

Background: Functional teeth are important for maintaining appropriate masticatory function and nutritional intake, affecting physical function in older adults. This study aimed to evaluate the association between number of functional teeth and physical function in community-dwelling older Korean adults.

Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted among a total of 2,527 participants (mean age, 76.

Screened Fv-Antibodies against the Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) Receptor Neutralizing the Infection of SARS-CoV-2.

For the prevention of SARS-CoV-2 infection, four Fv-antibodies with binding affinity for the ACE2 receptor were screened from an Fv-antibody library. The screened Fv-antibodies were expressed as soluble proteins and estimated to have a high binding affinity, comparable to that between SARS-CoV-2 and the ACE2 receptor. The interaction between the Fv-antibodies and the ACE2 receptor was analyzed using docking simulation, and the significant binding affinity of the screened Fv-antibodies was attributed to the homology in amino acid sequence with the ACE2 receptor.

Sticky Polyelectrolyte Shield for Enhancing Biological Half-Life of Growth Factors.

Delivery of secretomes, which includes growth factors, cytokines, and mRNA, is critical in regenerative medicine for cell-to-cell communication. However, the harsh in vivo environment presents significant challenges for secretome delivery. Proteolytic enzymes shorten secretomes' half-lives, and secretomes tend to rapidly diffuse at defect sites.

SARS-CoV-2 vaccine based on ferritin complexes with screened immunogenic sequences from the Fv-antibody library.

In this study, the vaccine against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) was developed using ferritin complexes with the immunogenic sequences screened against the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP) from the Fv-antibody library. The Fv-antibody library was prepared on the outer membrane of by the expression of the V region of immunoglobulin G (IgG) with a randomized complementarity-determining region 3 (CDR3). Four Fv-antibodies to the receptor-binding domain (RBD) were screened from the Fv-antibody library, which had a comparable binding constant () between SARS-CoV-2 SP and the angiotensin-converting enzyme 2 (ACE2) receptor.