Male dingo urinary scents code for age class and wild dingoes respond to this information.

Chemical information in canid urine has been implicated in territoriality and influences the spacing of individuals. We identified the key volatile organic compound (VOC) components in dingo (Canis lupus dingo) urine and investigated the potential role of scents in territorial spacing. VOC analysis, using headspace gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS), demonstrated that the information in fresh urine from adult male dingoes was sufficient to allow statistical classification into age categories.

The influence of backbone fluorination on the helicity of α/γ-hybrid peptides.

Peptides that are composed of an alternating pattern of α- and γ-amino acids are potentially valuable as metabolism-resistant bioactive agents. For optimal function, some kind of conformational restriction is usually required to either stabilize the dominant 12-helix, or else to divert the peptide away from this conformation in a controlled way. Herein, we explore stereoselective fluorination as a method for controlling the conformations of α/γ-hybrid peptides.

Biocompatibility and proteomic profiling of DMSA-coated iron nanocubes in a human glioblastoma cell line.

Superparamagnetic iron core iron oxide shell nanocubes have previously shown superior performance in magnetic resonance imaging T2 contrast enhancement compared with spherical nanoparticles. Iron core iron oxide shell nanocubes were synthesized, stabilized with dimercaptosuccinic acid (DMSA-NC) and physicochemically characterized. MRI contrast enhancement and biocompatibility were assessed .

The HIV capsid mimics karyopherin engagement of FG-nucleoporins.

HIV can infect non-dividing cells because the viral capsid can overcome the selective barrier of the nuclear pore complex and deliver the genome directly into the nucleus. Remarkably, the intact HIV capsid is more than 1,000 times larger than the size limit prescribed by the diffusion barrier of the nuclear pore. This barrier in the central channel of the nuclear pore is composed of intrinsically disordered nucleoporin domains enriched in phenylalanine-glycine (FG) dipeptides.

Liquid Metal Doping Induced Asymmetry in Two-Dimensional Metal Oxides.

The emergence of ferroelectricity in two-dimensional (2D) metal oxides is a topic of significant technological interest; however, many 2D metal oxides lack intrinsic ferroelectric properties. Therefore, introducing asymmetry provides access to a broader range of 2D materials within the ferroelectric family. Here, the generation of asymmetry in 2D SnO by doping the material with HfZrO (HZO) is demonstrated.

Covalent-organic framework nanobionics for robust cytoprotection.

We present a novel study introducing a durable and robust covalent-organic framework (COF) nanocoating, developed on living cells. This COF nanocoating demonstrates remarkable resistance against a diverse range of lethal stressors, including high temperature, extreme pH, ultraviolet radiation, toxic metal ions, organic pollutants, and strong oxidative stress. Notably, the nanocoating exhibits exceptional cell survival enhancement under high temperature and strongly acidic conditions, an aspect yet unexplored in the case of metal-organic framework nanocoatings and other nanomaterials.

What works in radiology education for medical students: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Background: Medical imaging related knowledge and skills are widely used in clinical practice. However, radiology teaching methods and resultant knowledge among medical students and junior doctors is variable. A systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to compare the impact of different components of radiology teaching methods (active versus passive teaching, eLearning versus traditional face-to-face teaching) on radiology knowledge / skills of medical students.

Nanohybrids of BCN-FeS for Sodium and Lithium Hybrid Ion Capacitors.

Hybrid ion capacitors (HIC) are receiving a lot of attention due to their potential to achieve high energy and power densities, but they remain insufficient. It is imperative to explore outstanding and environmentally benign electrode materials to achieve high-performing HIC systems. Here, a unique boron carbon nitride (BCN)-based HIC system that comprises a microporous BCN structure and FeS nanoparticle incorporated BCN nanosheets (BNF) as cathode and anode, respectively is reported.

Self-reported intimate partner violence among men who have sex with men at an urban Australian sexual health clinic.

Background: In Australia, 17% of women and 6% of men have experienced intimate partner violence (IPV). Although most IPV research has focused on heterosexual partnerships, studies suggest that men who have sex with men (MSM) may experience IPV at similar or higher rates than those documented among women. IPV may also take different forms among MSM and have different health and social impacts.

Mimicking Charged Host-Defense Peptides to Tune the Antifungal Activity and Biocompatibility of Amphiphilic Polymers.

Invasive fungal infections impose a substantial global health burden. They cause more than 1.5 million deaths annually and are insufficiently met by the currently approved antifungal drugs.

Recombinantly expressed virus-like particles (VLPs) of canine circovirus for development of an indirect ELISA.

Canine circovirus (CanineCV) is an emerging pathogen in domestic dogs, detected in multiple countries in association with varying clinical and pathological presentations including diarrhoea, vasculitis, granulomatous inflammation, and respiratory signs. Understanding the pathology of CanineCV is confounded by the fact that it has been detected in asymptomatic dogs as well as in diseased dogs concurrently infected with known pathogens. Recombinantly expressed self-assembling Virus-like particles (VLPs) lack viral genomic material but imitate the capsid surface conformations of wild type virion, allowing arrays of biological applications including subunit vaccine development and immunodiagnostics.

Not all parents are the same: Diverse strategies of symbiont transmission in seaweeds.

Different marine seaweed species have been shown to harbour specific bacterial communities, however, the extent to which vertical symbiont transmission from parents to offspring contributes to host-specificity is unclear. Here we use fluorescence and electron microscopy as well as 16S rRNA gene-based community analysis to investigate symbiont transmission in members of the three major seaweed groups (green Chlorophyta, red Rhodophyta and brown Phaeophyceae). We found seaweeds employ diverse strategies to transfer symbionts to their progeny.

Development of hyaluronic acid based polysaccharide-protein composite edible coatings for preservation of strawberry fruit.

With the growing demand for extending the shelf-life of perishable goods such as fruits and vegetables, there is continued interest towards the development of edible coatings derived from natural sources. To avoid rapid dissolution, water insoluble polysaccharide such as chitosan has been widely explored. In this work, we developed robust hyaluronic acid-based edible polysaccharide-protein coatings by combining it (hyaluronic acid) with chitosan and gelatin to introduce additional antioxidant properties.

UiO-66-NH Metal-Organic Framework for the Detection of Alzheimer's Biomarker Aβ (1-42).

Neurodegenerative disorders pose a significant challenge to global healthcare, with Alzheimer's disease (AD) being one of the most prevalent forms. Early and accurate detection of amyloid-β (Aβ) (1-42) monomers, a key biomarker of AD pathology, is crucial for effective diagnosis and intervention of the disease. Current gold standard detection techniques for Aβ include enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and surface plasmon resonance.

ApoA-I Protects Pancreatic β-Cells From Cholesterol-Induced Mitochondrial Damage and Restores Their Ability to Secrete Insulin.

Background: High cholesterol levels in pancreatic β-cells cause oxidative stress and decrease insulin secretion. β-cells can internalize apo (apolipoprotein) A-I, which increases insulin secretion. This study asks whether internalization of apoA-I improves β-cell insulin secretion by reducing oxidative stress.

ROS-mediated anticancer effects of EGFR-targeted nanoceria.

The therapeutic effectiveness of anticancer drugs, including nanomedicines, can be enhanced with active receptor-targeting strategies. Epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is an important cancer biomarker, constitutively expressed in sarcoma patients of different histological types. The present work reports materials and in vitro biomedical analyses of silanized (passive delivery) and/or EGF-functionalized (active delivery) ceria nanorods exhibiting highly defective catalytically active surfaces.

Thermal Disorder-Induced Strain and Carrier Localization Activate Reverse Halide Segregation.

The reversal of halide ions is studied under various conditions. However, the underlying mechanism of heat-induced reversal remains unclear. This work finds that dynamic disorder-induced localization of self-trapped polarons and thermal disorder-induced strain (TDIS) can be co-acting drivers of reverse segregation.

Passivation-Free, Liquid-Metal-Based Electrosynthesis of Aluminum Metal-Organic Frameworks Mediated by Light Metal Activation.

The production of aluminum (Al) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) by electrosynthesis using solid-state Al electrodes always faces significant challenges due to the formation of a passivating aluminum oxide layer in the process. Here, we developed a liquid-metal-based method to electrosynthesize an aluminum Al-MOF (MIL-53). This method uses a liquid-state gallium (Ga) anode as a reservoir and activator for a light metal, Al, in the form of Al-Ga alloys that releases Al for the electrosynthesis of Al-MOFs.

A review of electrochemical impedance as a tool for examining cell biology and subcellular mechanisms: merits, limits, and future prospects.

Herein the development of cellular impedance biosensors, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, and the general principles and terms associated with the cell-electrode interface is reviewed. This family of techniques provides quantitative and sensitive information into cell responses to stimuli in real-time with high temporal resolution. The applications of cell-based impedance biosensors as a readout in cell biology is illustrated with a diverse range of examples.

Effect of glass-ceramic coating versus alumina air-abrasion on the bond strength and residual stress of zirconia.

Objectives: To assess the effect of glass-ceramic coated zirconia versus alumina air-abraded zirconia on the shear bond strength (SBS) of resin cement and investigate the residual stresses present on both mechanically pre-treated surfaces.

Materials And Methods: A total of 180 zirconia disks, with diameters of 10 mm and 5 mm, were divided into two groups: DCMhotbond glass-ceramic coated, followed by hydrofluoric acid etching (DCM), and alumina air-abraded (AB). All mechanically pre-treated disks were conditioned with G-Multi Primer and bonded using G-Cem Linkforce Cement.

Sex Differences in the Serum Proteomic Profile During Acute Low Back Pain-A Preliminary Study of the Relationship to Future Low Back Pain.

The molecular processes driving the transition from acute to chronic low back pain (LBP) remain poorly understood and are likely to be sexually dimorphic. This study aimed to explore sex differences in the serum proteomic profile of people experiencing an acute LBP episode and determine if serum protein concentrations were associated with three-month outcome. Serum samples were collected through venepuncture from 30 female and 29 male participants experiencing an acute LBP episode.

Outcomes of Focused Ultrasound Thalamotomy in Tremor Syndromes.

Background: The current literature comparing outcomes after a unilateral magnetic resonance image-guided focused ultrasound (MRgFUS) thalamotomy between tremor syndromes is limited and remains a possible preoperative factor that could help predict the long-term outcomes.

Objective: The aim was to report on the outcomes between different tremor syndromes after a unilateral MRgFUS thalamotomy.

Methods: A total of 66 patients underwent a unilateral MRgFUS thalamotomy for tremor between November 2018 and May 2020 at St Vincent's Hospital Sydney.