Modulation of Protein-Protein Interactions with Molecular Glues in a Synthetic Condensate Platform.

Misregulation of protein-protein interactions (PPIs) underlies many diseases; hence, molecules that stabilize PPIs, known as molecular glues, are promising drug candidates. Identification of novel molecular glues is highly challenging among others because classical biochemical assays in dilute aqueous conditions have limitations for evaluating weak PPIs and their stabilization by molecular glues. This hampers the systematic discovery and evaluation of molecular glues.

Design, Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Thiazolidine-2,4-dione-biphenyl Derivatives as Anticancer Agents.

Objective: A new library of Thiazolidine-2,4-dione-biphenyl Derivatives derivatives (10a-j) was designed and synthesized. All compounds were characterized by spectral data. Further, these were evaluated for their in vitro anticancer activity.

What Next for the Science of Patient Preference? Interoperability, Standardization, and Transferability.

Using patient preference information (PPI) to incorporate patient voices into the drug development lifecycle can help align therapies with the needs and values of patients. However, several barriers have limited the use of PPI, including a lack of clarity on its use by decision-makers, a need for greater decision-maker trust in PPI, and a lack of time, budgets, and access to specialist expertise. The value proposition for PPI could be enhanced by making it FAIR: Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable.

In vitro evaluation of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy with photosensitizers and calcium hydroxide on bond strength, chemical composition, and sealing of glass-fiber posts to root dentin.

Investigate the impact of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) using different photosensitizers (PSs) such as indocyanine green (IG), curcumin (CC), and methylene blue (MB), with or without intracanal application of calcium hydroxide (CH), on the push-out bond strength of glass-fiber posts (GFPs) to intraradicular dentin, the chemical composition of the root substrate, and the sealing of the adhesive interface across different thirds of intraradicular dentin. A total of 112 bovine teeth underwent biomechanical preparation and were divided into eight experimental groups (n = 14 each): Negative control with deionized water; positive control with deionized water + CH; IG group with indocyanine green and infrared laser; IG + CH group; CC group with curcumin and blue LED; CC + CH group; MB group with methylene blue and red laser; and MB + CH group. The push-out bond strength was measured using a universal testing machine (n = 8), and scanning electron microscopy characterized the fracture patterns.

[F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT-based radiomics may help enhance the interpretation of bone focal uptakes in hormone-sensitive prostate cancer patients.

Purpose: We hypothesised that applying radiomics to [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT images could help distinguish Unspecific Bone Uptakes (UBUs) from bone metastases in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. We compared the performance of radiomic features to human visual interpretation.

Materials And Methods: We retrospectively analysed 102 hormone-sensitive PCa patients who underwent [F]PSMA-1007 PET/CT and exhibited at least one focal bone uptake with known clinical follow-up (reference standard).

Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Sodium Trimetaphosphate Crosslinked Porous Corn Starch.

The crosslinked porous corn starch was prepared by two steps: the native corn starch was hydrolyzed by α-amylase and glucoamylase, then the porous corn was crosslinked by sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The morphology and size of granules, spherulites, crystal type, molecular structure, swelling properties, thermal stability and adsorption properties of the crosslinked porous starch were investigated. The results indicated that a lot of holes formed in the porous starch, and the particle size of starch granules decreased.

Rhabdomyosarcoma With EWSR1::NF2 Gene Fusion: A Case Report Potentially Expanding Its Genetic Spectrum.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children, presenting with heterogeneous clinical and molecular subtypes. While gene fusions are predominantly associated with alveolar RMS, spindle cell RMS, especially congenital and intraosseous variants, are also linked to specific gene fusions. Furthermore, recently, FGFR1 kinase-driven RMSs were published.

Rudin-Shapiro Sums Via Automata Theory and Logic.

We show how to obtain, via a unified framework provided by logic and automata theory, many classical results of Brillhart and Morton on Rudin-Shapiro sums. The techniques also facilitate easy proofs for new results.

Metabolomics insights into doxorubicin and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy in triple-negative breast cancer: a xenograft mouse model study.

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies and a leading cause of death among women worldwide. Among its subtypes, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) poses significant clinical challenges due to its aggressive behavior and limited treatment options. This study aimed to investigate the effects of doxorubicin (DOX) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as monotherapies and in combination using an established MDA-MB-231 xenograft model in female BALB/C nude mice employing advanced metabolomics analysis to identify molecular alterations induced by these treatments.

Facile preparation of multifunctional biomaterials BTO/Ag and their applications in photoelectrochemical sensing, photodegradation and antibacterial activities.

With the progress of modern technology and the diversification of societal demands, traditional materials with single properties can no longer meet the requirements of complex and constantly evolving application scenarios. To tackle intricate biomedical applications like disease diagnosis and treatment, scientists are focusing on exploring the design of novel multifunctional biomaterials that possess diverse activities. Bismuth titanate (BiTiO, BTO), which has multifunctionality and great application potential, unfortunately suffers from inadequate photocatalytic performance.

Dual-driven biodegradable nanomotors for enhanced cellular uptake.

Hybrid nano-sized motors with navigation and self-actuation capabilities have emerged as promising nanocarriers for a wide range of delivery, sensing, and diagnostic applications due to their unique ability to achieve controllable locomotion within a complex biological environment such as tissue. However, most current nanomotors typically operate using a single driving mode, whereas propulsion induced by both external and local stimuli could be more beneficial to achieve efficient motility in a biomedical setting. In this work, we present a hybrid nanomotor by functionalizing biodegradable stomatocytes with platinum nanoparticles (Pt NPs).

Xolography for Biomedical Applications: Dual-Color Light-Sheet Printing of Hydrogels With Local Control Over Shape and Stiffness.

Current challenges in tissue engineering include creation of extracellular environments that support and interact with cells using biochemical, mechanical, and structural cues. Spatial control over these cues is currently limited due to a lack of suitable fabrication techniques. This study introduces Xolography, an emerging dual-color light-sheet volumetric printing technology, to achieve control over structural and mechanical features for hydrogel-based photoresins at micro- to macroscale while printing within minutes.

Interactions of Oligodendrocyte Precursor Cells and Dopaminergic Neurons in the Mouse Substantia Nigra.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a prevalent neurodegenerative disease caused by the death of dopaminergic neurons within the substantia nigra pars compacta (SNpc) region of the midbrain. Recent genomic and single cell sequencing data identified oligodendrocytes and oligodendrocyte precursor cells (OPCs) to confer genetic risk in PD, but their biological role is unknown. Although SNpc dopaminergic neurons are scarcely or thinly myelinated, there is a gap in the knowledge concerning the physiological interactions between dopaminergic neurons and oligodendroglia.

RNA binding protein ILF3 increases CEP55 mRNA stability to enhance malignant potential of breast cancer cells and suppress ferroptosis.

Background: Ferroptosis has emerged as a promising therapeutic target in cancer treatment. CEP55, a key regulator of cell mitosis, plays a significant role in the tumorigenesis of many malignancies. In this study, we elucidated the function of CEP55 in the ferroptosis of breast cancer (BC).

Severe central nervous system injury in 9 children with COVID-19.

Purpose: To investigate the clinical features and prognosis of severe central nervous system (CNS) injury in children caused by coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Method: We retrospectively studied confirmed pediatric cases of COVID-19 complicated with CNS injury.

Results: Nine patients diagnosed with COVID-19 complicated with severe CNS injury were admitted to the pediatric intensive care unit of the Affiliated Hospital of Jining University from December 1, 2022 to January 12, 2023.

Preclinical use of a clinically-relevant scAAV9/SUMF1 vector for the treatment of multiple sulfatase deficiency.

Background: Multiple Sulfatase Deficiency (MSD) is a rare inherited lysosomal storage disorder characterized by loss of function mutations in the SUMF1 gene that manifests as a severe pediatric neurological disease. There are no available targeted therapies for MSD.

Methods: We engineered a viral vector (AAV9/SUMF1) to deliver working copies of the SUMF1 gene and tested the vector in Sumf1 knock out mice that generally display a median lifespan of 10 days.

Unraveling the interactive effect of opaque2 and waxy1 genes on kernel nutritional qualities and physical properties in maize (Zea mays L.).

The mutant waxy allele (wx1) is responsible for increased amylopectin in maize starch, with a wide range of food and industrial applications. The amino acid profile of waxy maize resembles normal maize, making it particularly deficient in lysine and tryptophan. Therefore, the present study explored the combined effects of genes governing carbohydrate and protein composition on nutritional profile and kernel physical properties by crossing Quality Protein Maize (QPM) (o2o2/wx1wx1) and waxy (o2o2/wx1wx1) parents.

Genome assembly of the grassland caterpillar Gynaephora qinghaiensis.

The grassland caterpillars are the most damaging insect pests to the alpine meadow of the Qinghai-Tibetan Plateau in China. In this study, we present a genome assembly of one grassland caterpillar Gynaephora qinghaiensis by using Oxford Nanopore long-read and BGI short-read sequencing. The genome assembly of 861.

Impact of Second Internal Thoracic Artery on Long-term Survival After Coronary Bypass Surgery.

Background: The survival advantages of bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) grafts in coronary artery bypass surgery (CABG) remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to systematically evaluate the time-dependent influence of BITA on long-term survival in elective CABG patients presenting with stable multi-vessel coronary artery disease.

Methods: Data from 3,693 patients undergoing isolated CABG with single internal thoracic artery (SITA) or BITA, with or without additional vein grafts, between 2002 and 2012 were retrospectively analyzed.

Anemia and Prognosis in Patients with Acute Venous Thromboembolism.

Background:  Studies found an association between anemia and overall mortality and major bleeding (MB) in patients with acute venous thromboembolism (VTE), but whether anemia is causally related to death, bleeding, or recurrent VTE is uncertain.

Objectives:  To explore the association between anemia at baseline and short-/long-term clinical outcomes in a prospective cohort of 928 patients with acute VTE.

Methods:  We defined anemia as a hemoglobin <13 g/dL for men/< 12 g/dL for women.

Advanced cortisol detection: A cMWCNTs-enhanced MB@Zr-MOF ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor.

A ratiometric electrochemical aptasensor was developed for ultra-sensitive detection of cortisol using aptamer (Apt) as recognition element, methylene blue (MB) as signal probe, and zirconium metal-organic framework (Zr-MOF) as carrier loaded with abundant MB for signal amplification. The carboxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (cMWCNTs)-modified Au electrode showed excellent electrochemical performance to immobilize complementary DNA (cDNA) for hybridizing with MB@Zr-MOF-Apt via amide bonds. In the presence of cortisol, it would compete with cDNA for binding the Apt, resulting in the detachment of MB@Zr-MOF-Apt complex from the electrode surface, and the electrochemical signal of MB was decreased, while that of [Fe(CN)] was basically unchanged.

Effects of Noise and Public Setting on Blood Pressure Readings : A Randomized Crossover Trial.

Background: Guidelines emphasize quiet settings for blood pressure (BP) measurement.

Objective: To determine the effect of noise and public environment on BP readings.

Design: Randomized crossover trial of adults in Baltimore, Maryland.