Dentin remineralization induced by experimental composites containing calcium orthophosphate particles.

Objectives: This study aimed to verify if composites containing dicalcium phosphate dihydrate particles (DCPD) are able to induce dentin remineralization in vitro. Additionally, the mechanical properties of the materials were tested.

Methods: Four composites with 50 vol% inorganic content and 1 BisGMA: 1 TEGDMA (mols) were prepared, with different DCPD:glass ratios (50:0, 40:10, 30:20 and 0:50).

Emergence of Circulating Tumor DNA as a Precision Biomarker in Lung Cancer Radiation Oncology and Beyond.

Circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is emerging as a transformative biomarker in the management of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This review focuses on its role in detecting minimal residual disease (MRD), predicting treatment response, and guiding therapeutic decision-making in radiation oncology and immunotherapy. Key studies demonstrate ctDNA's prognostic value, particularly in identifying relapse risk and refining patient stratification for curative-intent and consolidative treatments.

Innovative spherical Fe-Mn layered double hydroxides (LDH) for the degradation of sulfisoxazole through activated periodate: Efficacy and mechanistic insights.

Advanced oxidation technology based on peroxides is widely regarded as an efficient method for treating emerging contaminants. However, the precise mechanism by which layered double hydroxides (LDHs) enhance oxidant activation requires further investigation. In this study, a spherical Fe-Mn LDH (S-FML) with improved crystallinity using a simple hydrothermal method.

Dual-domain superoxide dismutase: In silico prediction directed combinatorial mutation for enhanced robustness and catalytic efficiency.

The robustness and catalytic activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD) are still the main factors limiting their application in industrial fields. This study aims to further improve the properties of a natural thermophilic iron/manganese dual-domain SOD (Fe/Mn-SODA fused with N-terminal polypeptide) from Geobacillus thermodenitrificans NG80-2 (GtSOD) by modifying its each domain using in-depth in silico prediction analysis as well as protein engineering. First, computational analysis of the N-terminal domain and GtSODA domain was respectively performed by using homologous sequence alignment and virtual mutagenesis.

Chlorhexidine-loaded microneedles for treatment of oral diseases.

Chlorhexidine (CHX) is a gold standard therapeutic agent against clinical oral pathogens. However, its oral use is limited due to unpleasant taste, alteration in taste buds, staining of teeth and mucous membranes. Therefore, CHX-loaded PLGA microneedles (MNs) were fabricated for local and controlled release in the oral cavity, using a casting mold method.

Disorder within order: identification of the disordered loop of STAS domain as the inhibitory domain in SLC26A9 chloride channel.

The chloride transporter-channel SLC26A9 is mediated by a reciprocal regulatory mechanism through the interaction between its cytoplasmic STAS domain and the R domain of CFTR. In vertebrate Slc26a9s, the STAS domain structures are interrupted by a disordered loop which is conserved in mammals but is variable in non-mammals. Despite the numerous studies involving the STAS domains in SLC26 proteins, the role of the disordered loop region has not been identified.

TiCT MXene nanoribbons@MnO: A novel multifunctional probe for colorimetric and fluorescence dual-response sensing of trichlorfon.

Manganese dioxide nanosheets (MnO NSs) have garnered significant attention in analytical sensing, while the majority of the previous reports suffer from a complex preparation process involving reducing agents, template or high-temperature. In this work, a novel MnO NSs decorated TiCT MXene nanoribbons (TiCTNR@MnO) composite was firstly assemblied via a facile one-step strategy and applied as a bi-signal generator to enable colorimetric and fluorescence (FL) dual-response sensing. During the assembly process, TiCTNR innovatively acted as both reductant and carrier to prevent the aggregation of MnO NSs.

New strategies to advance plant transformation.

Plants are an important source of food, energy, and bioproducts. Advances in genetics, genomics-assisted breeding, and biotechnology have facilitated the combining of desirable traits into elite cultivars. To ensure sustainable crop production in the face of climate challenges and population growth, it is essential to develop and implement techniques that increase crop yield and resilience in environments facing water scarcity, nutrient deficiencies, and other abiotic and biotic stressors.

Composition, microstructure, rheology, and meltdown behavior of commercial nondairy frozen desserts.

The demand for nondairy and plant-based products has increased, but there is still a need for more information about and improvement in these products, especially when it comes to frozen desserts. Similar to ice cream, which simultaneously is an emulsion, dispersion, and foam, nondairy frozen desserts also have a complex structure. As a starting point, 15 commercial nondairy frozen desserts, marketed as offering an ice cream-like experience, were purchased and evaluated for compositional, physical, structural, rheological, and meltdown properties.

Predictive modeling of diazinon residual concentration in soils contaminated with potentially toxic elements: a comparative study of machine learning approaches.

The widespread use of pesticides, including diazinon, poses an increased risk of environmental pollution and detrimental effects on biodiversity, food security, and water resources. In this study, we investigated the impact of Potentially Toxic Elements (PTE) including Zn, Cd, V, and Mn on the degradation of diazinon in three different soils. We investigated the capability and performance of four machine learning models to predict residual pesticide concentration, including adaptive neuro-fuzzy inference system (ANFIS), support vector regression (SVR), radial basis function (RBF), and multi-layer perceptron (MLP).

Novel Perspectives Focused on the Relationship Between Herpesvirus Encephalitis and Anti-GFAP-Antibody-Positive Astrocytopathy.

Virus encephalitis (VE), recognized as one of the common kinds of central nervous system (CNS) diseases after virus infection, has a surprising correlation with autoimmune encephalitis (AE) when autoimmune antibodies emerge in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) or serum. Herpes simplex virus and Epstein-Barr virus are the most critical agents worldwide. By molecular mimicry, herpes viruses can invade the brain directly or indirectly.

Adsorption and Sensing Performance of Transition Metal Decorated Graphene Quantum Dots for AsH, NH, PH, and HS.

We have conducted a systematic study employing density functional theory (DFT) and quantum theory of atoms in molecules (QTAIM) to explore the gas sensing capabilities of nitrogen-doped single vacancy graphene quantum dots (SV/3N) decorated with transition metals (TM = Mn, Co, Cu). We have studied the interactions between TM@SV/3N and four different target gases (AsH, NH, PH, and HS) through the computation of adsorption energies, charge transfer, noncovalent interaction, density of states, band gap, and work function for 12 distinct adsorption systems. Our comprehensive analysis included an in-depth assessment of sensors' stability, sensitivity, selectivity, and reusability for practical applications.

High-Throughput Exploration of Ti-V-Nb-Mo Carbide MXenes Using Neural Network Potentials and Their Evaluation as Catalysts for Hydrogen Evolution Reaction.

Realization of a sustainable hydrogen economy in the future requires the development of efficient and cost-effective catalysts for its production at scale. MXenes (MX) are a class of 2D materials with 'n' layers of carbon or nitrogen (X) interleaved by 'n+1' layers of transition metal (M) and have emerged as promising materials for various applications including catalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Their properties are intimately related to both their composition and their atomic structure.

Novel Insights into Enhanced Stability of Li-Rich Layered and High-Voltage Olivine Phosphate Cathodes for Advanced Batteries through Surface Modification and Electron Structure Design.

The design of cathode/electrolyte interfaces in high-energy density Li-ion batteries is critical to protect the surface against undesirable oxygen release from the cathodes when batteries are charged to high voltage. However, the involvement of the engineered interface in the cationic and anionic redox reactions associated with (de-)lithiation is often ignored, mostly due to the difficulty to separate these processes from chemical/catalytic reactions at the cathode/electrolyte interface. Here, a new electron energy band diagrams concept is developed that includes the examination of the electrochemical- and ionization- potentials evolution upon batteries cycling.

Associations of Serum Manganese, Zinc, Copper, and Selenium Concentrations With Autism Spectrum Disorders in Chinese Children: A Case-Control Study.

Imbalances in several trace elements related to antioxidant function may lead to autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-related physiological dysfunction. Nonetheless, contradictory results have been found on the connection between these elements and ASD, and studies of their joint effects and interactions have been insufficient. We therefore designed a case-control study of 152 ASD children and 152 age- and sex-matched typically developing (TD) children to explore the individual and combined associations of manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), and selenium (Se) with ASD.

The necessity of validity diagnostics when drawing causal inferences from observational data: lessons from a multi-database evaluation of the risk of non-infectious uveitis among patients exposed to Remicade.

Background: Autoimmune disorders have primary manifestations such as joint pain and bowel inflammation but can also have secondary manifestations such as non-infectious uveitis (NIU). A regulatory health authority raised concerns after receiving spontaneous reports for NIU following exposure to Remicade, a biologic therapy with multiple indications for which alternative therapies are available. In assessment of this clinical question, we applied validity diagnostics to support observational data causal inferences.

Dapagliflozin in acute heart failure management: a systematic review and meta-analysis of safety and effectiveness.

Background: Acute Heart Failure (AHF) presents as a serious pathophysiological disease with significant morbidity and mortality rates, requiring immediate medical intervention. Traditional treatment involves diuretics and vasodilators, but a subset of patients develop resistance due to acute cardiorenal syndrome. Dapagliflozin, categorized as a sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitor (SGLT2i), has emerged as a promising therapy for AHF, demonstrating substantial benefits in reducing both mortality and morbidity among patients.

Wastewater treatment using Moringa oleifera (Lam.) and Eichhornia crassipes (Mart.) as neutral-carbon options within the framework of COP 27 recommendations.

Contamination of water by heavy toxic metal ions such as (e.g., Cr, Mn, Ni, Cu, Zn, As Pb, Cd, and Ag) can lead to serious environmental and human health problems because of their acute and chronic toxicity to the biological system.

Challenges and opportunities of acquiring cortical recordings for chronic adaptive deep brain stimulation.

Deep brain stimulation (DBS), a proven treatment for movement disorders, also holds promise for the treatment of psychiatric and cognitive conditions. However, for DBS to be clinically effective, it may require DBS technology that can alter or trigger stimulation in response to changes in biomarkers sensed from the patient's brain. A growing body of evidence suggests that such adaptive DBS is feasible, it might achieve clinical effects that are not possible with standard continuous DBS and that some of the best biomarkers are signals from the cerebral cortex.

Smoking-associated electrocardiographic abnormalities predict cardiovascular mortality.

Background -Smoking is associated with arrhythmia and sudden cardiac death, but the biological mechanisms remain unclear. In electrocardiogram (ECG) recordings abnormal durations of ventricular repolarization (QT interval), atrial depolarization (P wave), and atrioventricular depolarization (PR interval and segment), predict cardiac arrhythmia and mortality. Previous analyses of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database for associations between smoking and ECG abnormalities were incomplete.

SPRTN metalloprotease participates in repair of ROS-mediated DNA-protein crosslinks.

Exposure to reactive oxygen species (ROS) can induce DNA-protein crosslinks (DPCs), unusually bulky DNA lesions that block replication and transcription and play a role in aging, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative disorders. Repair of DPCs depends on the coordinated efforts of proteases and DNA repair enzymes to cleave the protein component of the lesion to smaller DNA-peptide crosslinks which can be processed by tyrosyl-DNA phosphodiesterases 1 and 2, nucleotide excision and homologous recombination repair pathways. DNA-dependent metalloprotease SPRTN plays a role in DPC repair, and SPRTN-deficient mice exhibit an accelerated aging phenotype and develop liver cancer early in life.

Comparative analysis of heavy metals toxicity in drinking water of selected industrial zones in Gujranwala, Pakistan.

Heavy metal contamination of drinking water, primarily driven by industrial activities, represents a critical challenge, with implications for human health and environmental safety. Gujranwala is an industrial and thickly populated city. The current study aimed to assess and compare heavy metal contamination levels in drinking water from five industrial areas and evaluate their potential impacts on human health.

An ultra low frequency spike timing dependent plasticity based approach for reducing alcohol drinking.

Alcohol use disorder (AUD) is a chronic relapsing brain disorder characterized by an impaired ability to stop or control alcohol consumption despite adverse social, occupational, or health consequences. AUD affects nearly one-third of adults at some point during their lives, with an associated cost of approximately $249 billion annually in the U.S.