CT-sensitized nanoprobe for effective early diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary fibrosis.

Early diagnosis is critical for providing a timely window for effective therapy in pulmonary fibrosis (PF); however, achieving this remains a significant challenge. The distinct honeycombing patterns observed in computed tomography (CT) for the primary diagnosis of PF are typically only visible in patients with moderate to severe disease, often leading to missed opportunities for early intervention. In this study, we developed a nanoprobe designed to accumulate at fibroblastic foci and loaded with the CT sensitizer iodide to enable effective early diagnosis of PF.

Urban fruit bats give birth earlier in the season compared to rural fruit bats.

Background: Urbanization is rapidly altering our ecosystem. While most wild species refrain from entering urban habitats, some flourish in cities and adapt to the new opportunities these offer. Urban individuals of various species have been shown to differ in physiology, morphology, and behavior compared to their rural counterparts.

Defective Slc7a7 transport reduces erythropoietin compromising erythropoiesis.

Background: Lysinuric protein intolerance is a rare autosomal disorder caused by mutations in the Slc7a7 gene that lead to impaired transport of neutral and basic amino acids. The gold standard treatment for lysinuric protein intolerance involves a low-protein diet and citrulline supplementation. While this approach partially improves cationic amino acid plasma levels and alleviates some symptoms, long-term treatment is suggested to be detrimental and may lead to life-threatening complications characterized by a wide range of hematological and immunological abnormalities.

Comparative evaluation of calretinin immunohistochemical expression in calcifying odontogenic cyst and ameloblastoma.

Background: Calretinin is a 29 kilodalton (KDa) calcium-binding protein that is expressed in normal and tumoral tissues. The expression of calretinin has been shown in the dental epithelium during odontogenesis and in different odontogenic cysts and tumors such as ameloblastoma. Since the epithelium of calcifying odontogenic cyst (COC) is similar to ameloblastoma and in both lesions, an arrangement of loose cells similar to stellate reticulum is seen, we aimed to investigate the comparative expression of calretinin in COC and ameloblastoma.

Ambient air pollution and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias: a global study between 1990 and 2019.

Background: Emerging research found air pollution may be associated with incident Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias. However, few studies have examined these associations at the global scale. This study aimed to assess the dynamic associations between ambient air pollution and the burden of AD and other dementias worldwide.

Work-related grief and bereavement experiences of social and community service workers working with people experiencing social disadvantage: a rapid scoping review.

Background: While an extensive body of research in palliative care exists on the experiences of grief and bereavement among family caregivers, much of this research is based on normative assumptions of who family caregivers are - housed, financially stable, and with extended family and/or friends to draw on for support. Research shows that in contexts of social disadvantage(e.g.

Cannabis consumption and risk of asthma: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Cannabis is the third most widely used psychoactive substance globally, and its consumption has been increasing, particularly with the growing trend of legalization for medicinal and recreational use. Recent studies have raised concerns about the potential impact of cannabis on respiratory health, specifically the risk of asthma, a significant public health concern. This systematic review aimed to consolidate research on the association between cannabis use and the risk of asthma.

The association between 24-h movement behaviours and adiposity among Australian preschoolers: a compositional data analysis.

Introduction: The relationship between 24-h movement behaviours (i.e. sleep, sedentary behaviour and physical activity) and adiposity in preschoolers remains unclear.

Everyday activity strategies perceived by people with advanced cancer: a qualitative explorative study.

Background: Despite growing research on the daily life of people with advanced cancer, more specific knowledge is needed about the specific strategies these people use to manage everyday activities.

Purpose: This study explores how people with advanced cancer manage their everyday activities and describe their specific strategies.

Methods: The qualitative study was designed with an explorative approach.

6-thioguanine inhibits EV71 replication by reducing BIRC3-mediated autophagy.

Background: Enterovirus 71 (EV71) is one of the major causative agents of hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD), and can cause severe cerebral complications and even fatality in children younger than 5 years old. However, there is no specific medication for EV71 infection in clinical practice. Our previous studies had identified the 6-thioguanine (6-TG), an FDA-approved anticancer drug, as a potential antiviral agent, but its anti-EV71 activity is largely unknown, therefore, we aim to explore the antiviral effect of 6-TG on EV71.

scSMD: a deep learning method for accurate clustering of single cells based on auto-encoder.

Background: Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has transformed biological research by offering new insights into cellular heterogeneity, developmental processes, and disease mechanisms. As scRNA-seq technology advances, its role in modern biology has become increasingly vital. This study explores the application of deep learning to single-cell data clustering, with a particular focus on managing sparse, high-dimensional data.

Anatomical characterization of Semi-arid Bignoniaceae using light and scanning electron microscopy.

Background: The present research work was done to evaluate the anatomical differences among selected species of the family Bignoniaceae, as limited anatomical data is available for this family in Pakistan. Bignoniaceae is a remarkable family for its various medicinal properties and anatomical characterization is an important feature for the identification and classification of plants.

Methodology: In this study, several anatomical structures were examined, including stomata type and shape, leaf epidermis shape, epidermal cell size, and the presence or absence of trichomes and crystals (e.

Unveiling microbial diversity in slightly and moderately magnesium deficient acidic soils.

Magnesium (Mg) an essential plant nutrient is widespread deficient in the acidic soils of Nilgiris of Tamil nadu, India. The vegetable yield and quality is especially affected due to deficiency of nutrients like Mg. This study investigates soil characteristics and bacterial diversity in the Nilgiris district of Tamil Nadu, India, with respect to Mg deficiency.

Sanger validation of WGS variants.

With the development of next-generation sequencing (NGS) technologies it became possible to simultaneously analyze millions of variants. Despite the quality improvement, it is generally still required to confirm the variants before reporting. However, in recent years the dominant idea is that one could define the quality thresholds for "high quality" variants which do not require orthogonal validation.

scATAC-seq generates more accurate and complete regulatory maps than bulk ATAC-seq.

Bulk ATAC-seq assays have been used to map and profile the chromatin accessibility of regulatory elements such as enhancers, promoters, and insulators. This has provided great insight into the regulation of gene expression in many cell types in a variety of organisms. To date, ATAC-seq has most often been used to provide an average evaluation of chromatin accessibility in populations of cells.

Uncovering mercury accumulation and the potential for bacterial bioremediation in response to contamination in the Singalila National Park.

Several recent investigations into montane regions have reported on excess mercury accumulation in high-altitude forest ecosystems. This study explored the Singalila National Park, located on the Singalila ridge of the Eastern Himalayas, revealing substantial mercury contamination. Particular focus was on Sandakphu (3636 m), the highest peak in West Bengal, India.

Comprehensive computational analysis of differentially expressed miRNAs and their influence on transcriptomic signatures in prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer presents a major health issue, with its progression influenced by intricate molecular factors. Notably, the interplay between miRNAs and changes in transcriptomic patterns is not fully understood. Our study seeks to bridge this knowledge gap, employing computational techniques to explore how miRNAs and transcriptomic alterations jointly regulate the development of prostate cancer.

Perspectives of Hospital Medicine Providers on the Management of Oropharyngeal Dysphagia in Patients with Dementia.

Background: Oropharyngeal dysphagia (dysphagia) is a common (up to 86%) and devastating syndrome in hospitalized older adults with dementia.

Objective: To describe the perspectives of dysphagia management in hospitalized patients with dementia among hospital medicine providers (i.e.

Bibliometric analysis of published works in ocular trauma: a growing focus on open globe injury.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to analyze the trends and characteristics of ocular trauma research published from 2000 to 2022 to delineate the trajectory of the field's research, provide information about the network of key contributors, and help determine future research strategies and direction.

Methods: Web of Science was queried for published works using a series of keywords relating to ocular trauma: "globe rupture", "ruptured globe", "globe injury", "ocular trauma", "intraocular foreign body", "eye trauma", "eye injury", and "traumatic endophthalmitis". All article information was compiled using the VOSviewer software.

Bridging Gaps: Enhancing Sleep and Health Disparities in Latino Families with Young Adults with Autism Using a Culturally Adapted Intervention.

The present study examined the effects of a culturally adapted intervention, ¡Iniciando! la Adultez, on sleep and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in Latino young adults with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and their Spanish-speaking parents. The intervention targeted the transition to adulthood, a period associated with increased challenges in sleep and HRQoL, particularly for underserved Latino populations. Participants included 26 young adults and 38 parents who completed assessments at baseline and post-treatment.

Cadmium Pollution Deteriorates the Muscle Quality of Labeo rohita by Altering Its Nutrients and Intestinal Microbiota Diversity.

The detrimental effects of cadmium (Cd), a hazardous heavy metal, on fish have triggered global concerns. While the ecotoxicity of Cd on fish has been investigated, the impact of Cd on muscle quality and its correlation with the gut microbiota in fish remains scarce. To comprehensively uncover Cd effects based on preliminary muscle Cd deposition, relevant studies, and ecological Cd pollution data, we exposed Labeo rohita to Cd under concentrations of 0.

Developing Soluplus®-Based Microparticle Amorphous Solid Dispersions with High Drug Loading for Enhanced Celecoxib Dissolution via Electrospraying.

Amorphous solid dispersion (ASD) is one of the most studied strategies for improving the dissolution performance of poorly water-soluble drugs, but ASDs often have low drug loadings, thereby necessitating larger dosage sizes. This study intended to create Soluplus® (SOL)-based microparticle ASDs with high drug loading (up to 60 w/w%) and long-term stability (at least 16 months) using electrospraying to enhance the dissolution of poorly water-soluble celecoxib (CEL). X-ray diffraction (XRD) and differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) analyses showed that the electrosprayed SOL-CEL microparticles were amorphous, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) data indicated the presence of hydrogen bonding between SOL and CEL in the microparticles, which helped stabilize the ASDs.

Alien toxic toads suppress individual growth and phenotypic development of native predatory salamanders.

Alien species can influence populations of native species through individual-level effects such as predation, competition, and poisoning. For alien species that possess strong defensive chemicals, poisoning is one of the most powerful mechanisms of individual-level effects on native biota. Although toxic alien species could potentially negatively affect survival (lethal effects) or life history traits (sub-lethal effects) of native predators via poisoning, previous studies have mainly focused on acute lethal effects.