Supramolecular dextran/polyamine phosphate nanocapsules with smart responsiveness for encapsulation of therapeutics.

The polyallylamine hydrochloride (PAH) polymer is here functionalized with branched and biocompatible polysaccharide dextran (DEX) molecules. Covalent conjugation of DEX to PAH has been achieved through a straightforward reductive amination approach, allowing for a controlled number of DEX chains per PAH polymer (PAH:DEX, n = 0.1, 0.

Interplay Between Helminth Infections, Malnutrition, and Gut Microbiota in Children and Mothers from Pemba, Tanzania: Potential of Microbiota-Directed Interventions.

Background/objectives: Despite efforts within the framework of the Sustainable Development Goal to end malnutrition by 2030, malnutrition and soil-transmitted helminth infections persist in sub-Saharan Africa. A significant barrier to success is the inadequate understanding of effective intervention methods. Most research on the gut microbiota's role in health has been conducted in developed countries, leaving a critical gap in knowledge regarding low-income populations.

Molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) for SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant inhibition: An alternative approach to address the challenge of emerging zoonoses.

Emerging zoonoses pose significant public health risks and necessitate rapid and effective treatment responses. This study enhances the technology for preparing Molecularly Imprinted Polymers (MIPs), which function as synthetic nanoparticles targeting SARS-CoV-2 receptor-binding domain (RBD), specifically the Omicron variant, thereby inhibiting its function. This study builds on previous findings by introducing precise adjustments in the formulation and process conditions to enhance particle stability and ensure better control over size and distribution, thereby overcoming the issues identified in earlier research.

Overview on Current Selectable Marker Systems and Novel Marker Free Approaches in Fruit Tree Genetic Engineering.

Selectable marker genes are useful for recognizing which cells have integrated specific sequences in their genome after genetic transformation processes. They are especially important for fruit trees genetic transformation to individuate putatively genetically modified events, because most of the protocols used to genetic engineer these species are often unsuccessful or with low efficiency. Traditional selectable marker genes, mainly of bacterial origin, confer antibiotics/herbicides-resistance or metabolic advantages to transformed cells.

Molecular Evolution and Adaptation Strategies in Marine Ciliates: An Inspiration for Cold-Adapted Enzyme Engineering and Drug Binding Analysis.

In the present review, we summarize genome mining of genomic data obtained from the psychrophilic Antarctic marine ciliate and its evolutionary-close mesophilic cosmopolitan counterpart . This analysis highlights adaptation strategies that are unique to the Antarctic ciliate, including antioxidant gene duplication and distinctive substitutions that may play roles in increased drug binding affinity and enzyme reaction rate in cold environments. Enzymes from psychrophiles are usually characterized by high activities and reaction rates at low temperatures compared with their counterparts from mesophiles and thermophiles.

Advancements in Cardiac CT Imaging: The Era of Artificial Intelligence.

In the last decade, artificial intelligence (AI) has influenced the field of cardiac computed tomography (CT), with its scope further enhanced by advanced methodologies such as machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL). The AI-driven techniques leverage large datasets to develop and train algorithms capable of making precise evaluations and predictions. The realm of cardiac CT is expanding day by day and multiple tools are offered to answer different questions.

Auditory evoked potential electroencephalography-biometric dataset.

This work aims to assess the use of electroencephalographic (EEG) signals as a means of biometric authentication. More than 240 recordings, each lasting 2 min, were gathered from 20 subjects involved in the data collection. Data include the results of experiments performed both in a resting state and in the presence of auditory stimuli.

Effects of chitosan on plant growth under stress conditions: similarities with plant growth promoting bacteria.

The agricultural use of synthetic pesticides, fertilizers, and growth regulators may represent a serious public health and environmental problem worldwide. All this has prompted the exploration of alternative chemical compounds, leading to exploring the potential of chitosan and PGPB in agricultural systems as a potential biotechnological solution to establish novel agricultural production practices that not only result in fewer adverse impacts on health and the environment but also improve the resilience and growth of the plants. In this work, an analysis of the impact of plant growth-promoting bacteria (PGPB) and chitosan on plant growth and protection has been conducted, emphasizing the crucial bioactivities of the resistance of the plants to both biotic and abiotic stressors.

Harnessing tumor metabolism during cancer treatment: A narrative review of emerging dietary approaches.

Cancer is currently one of the biggest public health challenges worldwide, ranking as the second leading cause of death globally. To date, strong epidemiological associations have been demonstrated between unhealthy lifestyles and eating habits, i.e.

Premorbid frailty, stress hyperglycemia ratio, and functional outcome in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Background: Frailty, defined as multidimensional prognostic index (MPI), has been recently identified as strong predictor of disability and mortality in the elderly with acute ischemic stroke (AIS). The stress hyperglycemia ratio (SHR) is a recently introduced biomarker significantly associated with poor outcome in AIS.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate in what extent frailty, measured by MPI, and SHR affects the 3-months outcome of patients > 65 years-old with AIS.

Does hybridization with an invasive species threaten Europe's most endangered reptile? Genomic assessment of Aeolian lizards on Vulcano island.

Interspecific hybridization can be consequential for insular species. The Critically Endangered Aeolian wall lizard, , severely declined due to interactions with the invasive Italian wall lizard, . The largest population of survives on a narrow peninsula (Capo Grosso) that is mildly connected to the island of Vulcano, which has been entirely invaded by .

The Ubiquitous and Multifaceted Coenzyme Q.

Coenzyme Q (CoQ) is composed of a benzoquinone ring and an isoprenoid side chain attached to carbon 3 of the ring [...

Scientific Communication and oncology - "The bridge between knowledge and patients".

The communication of scientific knowledge to patients and society as a whole has never been more central than in modern times. Thanks to the recent pandemic, it has become evident how Scientific Communication (SC) has evolved over time, increasingly diverging from common language. However, it is also clear that it must be properly used by healthcare professionals to avoid comprehension issues that could be severe for the audience.