Proline Promotes Drought Tolerance in Maize.

Drought stress significantly affects maize ( L.) growth by disrupting vital physiological and biochemical processes. This study investigates the potential of proline supplementation to alleviate drought-induced stress in maize plants.

Clinical Utility of an Alzheimer's Disease Blood Test Among Cognitively Impaired Patients: Results from the Quality Improvement PrecivityAD2 (QUIP II) Clinician Survey Study.

: The objective of this study was to assess clinical decision-making associated with the use of a multi-analyte blood biomarker (BBM) test among patients presenting with signs or symptoms of mild cognitive impairment or dementia. : The Quality Improvement PrecivityAD2 (QUIP II) Clinician Survey (NCT06025877) study evaluated the clinical utility of the PrecivityAD2™ blood test in a prospective, single cohort of 203 patients presenting with symptoms of Alzheimer's disease (AD) or other causes of cognitive decline across 12 memory specialists. The PrecivityAD2 blood test (C2N Diagnostics, St.

Prevalence and Molecular Characterization of Carbapenemase-Producing Multidrug-Resistant Bacteria in Diabetic Foot Ulcer Infections.

Diabetic foot ulcers (DFUs) represent severe complications in diabetic patients, often leading to chronic infections and potentially resulting in nontraumatic lower-limb amputations. The increasing incidence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria in DFUs complicates treatment strategies and worsens patient prognosis. Among these pathogens, carbapenemase-producing pathogens have emerged as particularly concerning owing to their resistance to β-lactam antibiotics, including carbapenems.

Imaging cells and nanoparticles using modulated optically computed phase microscopy.

Nanoparticles (NPs) have been successfully used as drug delivery systems. To develop and optimize NP-based drug delivery systems, it is essential to understand the dynamics of cell-NP interactions. Quantitative phase imaging techniques enable label-free imaging and have the potential to reveal how cells interact with NPs.

Silver single atoms and nanoparticles on floatable monolithic photocatalysts for synergistic solar water disinfection.

Photocatalytic water disinfection technology is highly promising in off-grid areas due to abundant year-round solar irradiance. However, the practical use of powdered photocatalysts is impeded by limited recovery and inefficient inactivation of stress-resistant bacteria in oligotrophic surface water. Here we prepare a floatable monolithic photocatalyst with ZIF-8-NH loaded Ag single atoms and nanoparticles (Ag/ZIF).

Molecular prevalence of Giardia duodenalis in domestic pig (Sus domesticus) and captive wild boar (Sus scrofa) in China: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Giardia duodenalis is a typical enteric protozoan pathogen that causes diarrhea in humans and various animals, including domestic pigs (Sus domesticus) and wild boars (Sus scrofa). A healthy livestock would help maintain a hygienic environment, which is crucial for human health. This review has summarized the molecular prevalence of G.

Histoplasmosis in a Solid Organ Transplant Patient in a Non-Endemic Region in New York City.

Objective: To present the case of a solid organ transplant recipient with Histoplasmosis in New York City.

Case Report: We present a 39-year-old female liver transplant recipient, who experienced a two-week history of progressive shortness of breath and dyspnea on exertion that interfered with all activities of daily living. Physical examination by the team revealed the patient had a WBC of 11.

Mechanical thrombectomy in elderly stroke patients with low ASPECTS: insights from STAR.

Background: The elderly population (≥80 years) were underrepresented in recent trials of endovascular thrombectomy (EVT) for anterior circulation large vessel occlusion acute ischemic stroke (LVO-AIS) with low Alberta Stroke Program Early CT Score (ASPECTS) (≤5).

Methods: This study analyzed data from a prospectively maintained database of 37 thrombectomy centers. The primary cohort of the study comprised patients with LVO-AIS aged ≥80 who underwent EVT with ASPECTS≤5 from 2013 to 2023.

Short-term oral exposure to nanoplastics does not significantly impact the antiviral immune response of the mouse.

The increasing prevalence of nanoplastics (NPs) in the environment, particularly polystyrene (PS) nanoparticles, raises concerns regarding their potential impact on human and animal health. Given their small size, NPs can cross biological barriers and accumulate in organs, including those critical for immune functions. This study investigates the effects of short-term oral exposure to 100 and 500 nm PS NPs on the adaptive immune responses during viral infections in vivo, using vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) as models.

Single-Cell Transcriptomic Analysis Reveals Biomechanical Loading-Induced Imbalance in Bone and Fat, Leading to Ossification in Lumbar Intervertebral Disc Nucleus Pulposus Degeneration.

In this study, we explored the impact of different biomechanical loadings on lumbar spine motion segments, particularly concerning intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD). We aimed to uncover the cellular milieu and mechanisms driving ossification in the nucleus pulposus (NP) during IVDD, a process whose underlying mechanisms have remained elusive. The study involved the examination of fresh NP tissue from the L3-S1 segment of five individuals, either with IVDD or healthy.

Scalable Fabrication of Freestanding Jammed Nanoparticle Films via Pickering Emulsion-Mediated Interfacial Assembly.

Freestanding networked nanoparticle (NP) films hold substantial potential due to their high surface areas and customizable porosities. However, NPs with high surface energies and heterogeneous sizes or shapes present considerable challenges as they tend to aggregate, compromising their structural integrities. In this study, we report the scalable fabrication of ultrathin, bicontinuous, and densely packed carbon NP films via Pickering emulsion-mediated interfacial assembly.

Nitrogen fixation may not alleviate stoichiometric imbalances that limit primary production in eutrophic lake ecosystems.

Ecosystem-scale primary production may be proximately limited by nitrogen (N) but ultimately limited by phosphorus (P) because N fixation contributes new N that accumulates relative to P at ecosystem scales. However, the duration needed to transition between proximate N limitation and ultimate P limitation remains unknown for most ecosystems, including lakes. Here we present the results of a fully replicated, multi-annual lake mesocosm experiment that permitted full air-water-sediment interactions that mimicked lake ecosystem ecology.

High-Coordination and Nb-Bridging of Bimetallic Amorphous P-Nb-W-P Clusters in Carbon Nanospheres for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Hybrid Capacitors.

Amorphous clusters are gaining prominence as prospective hosts for sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs), but their efficacy is still affected by atomic coordination. Optimization of ion storage and charge transport can be achieved through high coordination and bimetallic configurations. Herein, high-coordination amorphous P-Nb-W-P (Nb/W-P) clusters are skillfully tailored by bridging Nb into the second shell of W in the W-P configuration, nested in situ in conductive and stable N, P co-doped carbon nanospheres (Nb/W-P@NPC).

Investigation of the Potency of KALA and REV Cell-Penetrating Peptides for In Vitro/In Vivo Delivery of an HPV Multiepitope DNA Construct.

Developing human papillomavirus (HPV) therapeutic DNA vaccines requires an effective delivery system, such as cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). In the current study, the multiepitope DNA constructs harboring the immunogenic and conserved epitopes of the L1, L2, and E7 proteins of HPV16/18 (pcDNA-L1-L2-E7 and pEGFP-L1-L2-E7) were delivered using KALA and REV CPPs with different properties in vitro and in vivo. Herein, after confirmation of the REV/DNA and KALA/DNA complexes, their stability was investigated against DNase I and serum protease.

Application of fertilizers improves cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of Nasturtium officinale R.Br. grown in cadmium-contaminated water.

Increasing toxic metal pollution in the aquatic ecosystem since the industrial revolution produces serious environmental challenges and has raised critical questions of ecological and human health implications. As a typical aquatic plant, Nasturtium officinale (N. officinale) has drawn significant attention due to its remarkable accumulation of heavy metals and other harmful substances from polluted water.

Human 3D Lung Cancer Tissue Photothermal Therapy Using Zn- and Co-Doped Magnetite Nanoparticles.

Iron oxide-based nanoparticles are promising materials for cancer thermal therapy and immunotherapy. However, several proofs of concept reported data with murine tumor models that might have limitations for clinical translation. Magnetite is nowadays the most popular nanomaterial, but doping with distinct ions can enhance thermal therapy, namely, magnetic nanoparticle hyperthermia (MNH) and photothermal therapy (PTT).

Evaluation of Local Tumor Outcomes Following Microwave Ablation of Colorectal Liver Metastases Using CT Imaging: A Comparison of Visual versus Quantitative Methods.

Purpose To compare visual versus quantitative ablation confirmation for identifying local tumor progression and residual tumor following microwave ablation (MWA) of colorectal liver metastases (CRLM). Materials and Methods This retrospective study included patients undergoing MWA of CRLM from October 2014 to February 2018. Two independent readers visually assessed pre- and postprocedure images and semiquantitatively scored for incomplete ablation, using a six-point Likert scale, and extracted quantitative imaging metrics of minimal ablative margin (MAM) and percentage of tumor outside of the ablation zone, using both rigid and deformable registration.

Polystyrene Nanoplastics Elicit Multiple Responses in Immune Cells of the (, 1826).

The improper disposal of plastic products/wastes can lead to the release of nanoplastics (NPs) into environmental media, especially soil. Nevertheless, their toxicity mechanisms in soil invertebrates remain unclear. This study investigated the impact of polystyrene NPs on (, 1826) immune cells, focusing on oxidative stress, immune responses, apoptosis, and necrosis.

Enhancing DNA Vaccine Delivery Through Stearyl-Modified Cell-Penetrating Peptides: Improved Antigen Expression and Immune Response In Vitro and In Vivo.

Background: Inefficient cellular uptake is a significant limitation to the efficacy of DNA vaccines. In this study, we introduce S-Cr9T, a stearyl-modified cell-penetrating peptide (CPP) designed to enhance DNA vaccine delivery by forming stable complexes with plasmid DNA, thereby protecting it from degradation and promoting efficient intracellular uptake.

Methods And Results: In vitro studies showed that S-Cr9T significantly improved plasmid stability and transfection efficiency, with optimal performance at an N/P ratio of 0.

The Role of Dendritic Cells in Adaptive Immune Response Induced by OVA/PDDA Nanoparticles.

: Cationic polymers were shown to assemble with negatively charged proteins yielding nanoparticles (NPs). Poly-diallyl-dimethyl-ammonium chloride (PDDA) combined with ovalbumin (OVA) yielded a stable colloidal dispersion (OVA/PDDA-NPs) eliciting significant anti-OVA immune response. Dendritic cells (DCs), as sentinels of foreign antigens, exert a crucial role in the antigen-specific immune response.

A Nanoparticle Comprising the Receptor-Binding Domains of Norovirus and as a Combination Vaccine Candidate.

Background: Noroviruses, which cause epidemic acute gastroenteritis, and parasites, which lead to malaria, are two infectious pathogens that pose threats to public health. The protruding (P) domain of norovirus VP1 and the αTSR domain of the circumsporozoite protein (CSP) of sporozoite are the glycan receptor-binding domains of the two pathogens for host cell attachment, making them excellent targets for vaccine development. Modified norovirus P domains self-assemble into a 24-meric octahedral P nanoparticle (P NP).

Monte Carlo Simulations in Nanomedicine: Advancing Cancer Imaging and Therapy.

Monte Carlo (MC) simulations have become important in advancing nanoparticle (NP)-based applications for cancer imaging and therapy. This review explores the critical role of MC simulations in modeling complex biological interactions, optimizing NP designs, and enhancing the precision of therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. Key findings highlight the ability of MC simulations to predict NP bio-distribution, radiation dosimetry, and treatment efficacy, providing a robust framework for addressing the stochastic nature of biological systems.

Calcium Phosphate Nanoparticles Functionalized with a Cardio-Specific Peptide.

Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) remain the leading cause of mortality worldwide, highliting the urgent need for new therapeutic strategies. Peptide-based therapies have demonstrated significant potential for treating CVDs; however, their clinical application is hindered by their limited stability in physiological fluids. To overcome this challenge, an effective drug delivery system is essential to protect and efficiently transport peptides to their intended targets.

A Mediation Appraisal of Neuropathic-like Symptoms, Pain Catastrophizing, and Central Sensitization-Related Signs in Adults with Knee Osteoarthritis-A Cross-Sectional Study.

To investigate the relationships among neuropathic pain (NP), pain catastrophizing (PC), and central sensitization (CS) in relation to functional status and radiological damage in patients with knee osteoarthritis (OA). This cross-sectional study included knee OA patients derived from an observational cohort. The Spearman correlation test was used to analyze the relationship between the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and the PainDetect Questionnaire (PDQ), Central Sensitization Inventory (CSI), and Pain Catastrophizing Scale (PCS).

Aptamer-Conjugated Multi-Quantum Dot-Embedded Silica Nanoparticles for Lateral Flow Immunoassay.

Lateral flow immunoassays (LFIAs) are widely used for their low cost, simplicity, and rapid results; however, enhancing their reliability requires the meticulous selection of ligands and nanoparticles (NPs). SiO@QD@SiO (QD) nanoparticles, which consist of quantum dots (QDs) embedded in a silica (SiO) core and surrounded by an outer SiO shell, exhibit significantly higher fluorescence intensity (FI) compared to single QDs. In this study, we prepared QD@PEG@Aptamer, an aptamer conjugated with QD using succinimidyl-[(N-maleimidopropionamido)-hexaethyleneglycol]ester, which is 130 times brighter than single QDs, for detecting carbohydrate antigen (CA) 19-9 through LFIA.