CXCR4 antagonist-loaded nanoparticles reprogram the tumor microenvironment and enhance immunotherapy in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer death that has limited treatment options for advanced stages. Although PD-1 inhibitors such as nivolumab and pembrolizumab have been approved for advanced HCC treatment, their effectiveness is often hampered by the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment (TME), which is due to hypoxia-driven CXCL12/CXCR4 axis activation. In this study, we developed 807-NPs, lipid-coated tannic acid (TA) nanoparticles that encapsulate BPRCX807, a potent CXCR4 antagonist to target HCC.

Establishing a General Atomistic Model for the Stratum Corneum Lipid Matrix Based on Experimental Data for Skin Permeation Studies.

Understanding the permeation of drugs through the intercellular lipid matrix of the stratum corneum layer of skin is crucial for effective transdermal delivery. Molecular dynamics simulations can provide molecular insights into the permeation process. In this study, we developed a new atomistic model representing the multilamellar arrangement of lipids in the stratum corneum intercellular space for permeation studies.

A Comparative Analysis of Laser-Ablated Surface Characteristics Between the Si Face and C Face of Silicon Carbide Substrates.

Silicon carbide (SiC) has significant potential as a third-generation semiconductor material due to its exceptional thermal and electronic properties, yet its high hardness and brittleness make processing costly and complex. This study introduces ultraviolet laser ablation as a method for direct SiC material removal, investigating the effects of varying scanning speeds on surface composition, hardness, and ablation depth. The results indicate optimal processing speeds for the Si and C faces at 200 mm/s and 100 mm/s, respectively.

The Mechanical Power in Patients with Acute Respiratory Distress Syndrome Undergoing Prone Positioning Can Predict Mortality.

Mechanical power (MP) refers to ventilator-delivered energy to the lungs, which may induce lung injury. We examined the relationship between MP and mortality in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) who underwent prone positioning. This multicenter retrospective study included data on all patients admitted to the intensive care units of eight referral hospitals in Taiwan from October 2015 to March 2016, and in Chang Gung Memorial Hospital Linkou branch from January 2017 to October 2023.

Hospital selection for suspected stroke: risk-averse approach considering the minimal risk of exceeding the therapeutic time window.

Background: Timely treatment within the therapeutic window is critical for patients with stroke. This study adopts a risk-averse optimization approach to maximize the likelihood of receiving treatment within this window.

Methods: We developed an optimization model using data from a citywide stroke registry (July 1, 2019 to December 31, 2020).

Copper-nitrite complexes release nitric oxide and selectively induce oral precancer and cancer cell apoptosis.

Nitric oxide (NO) is a small, short-lived gas molecule that influences various critical functions in living organisms. It involves multiple physiological processes, including cardiovascular function, metabolism, neurotransmission, immunity, and aberrant NO signaling leads to various disorders such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and cancers. In this study, we explored the potential application of copper-nitrite complexes in treating oral precancer and cancer.

Nanophotonic inspection of deep-subwavelength integrated optoelectronic chips.

Artificial nanostructures with ultrafine and deep-subwavelength features have emerged as a paradigm-shifting platform to advanced light-field management, becoming key building blocks for high-performance integrated optoelectronics and flat optics. However, direct optical inspection of integrated chips remains a missing metrology gap that hinders quick feedback between design and fabrications. Here, we demonstrate that photothermal nonlinear scattering microscopy can be used for direct imaging and resolving of integrated optoelectronic chips beyond the diffraction limit.

Rapid Improvement in Cardiac Damage Predicts Better Prognosis After Transcatheter Aortic Valve Replacement.

Background: A staging system based on cardiac damage for severe aortic stenosis (AS) has been validated for prognosis prediction following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR). Our study aims to investigate whether TAVR can lead to changes in cardiac damage shortly after the procedure and how these changes impact prognosis.

Method: Patients in this retrospective cohort study were classified into five stages (0-4) before TAVR based on the echocardiographic findings of cardiac damage.

Developing a Label-Free Infrared Spectroscopic Analysis with Chemometrics and Computational Enhancement for Assessing Lupus Nephritis Activity.

Patterns of disease and therapeutic responses vary widely among patients with autoimmune glomerulonephritis. This study introduces groundbreaking personalized infrared (IR)-based diagnostics for real-time monitoring of disease status and treatment responses in lupus nephritis (LN). We have established a relative absorption difference (RAD) equation to assess characteristic spectral indices based on the temporal peak heights (PHs) of two characteristic serum absorption bands: ν as the target signal and ν as the PH reference for the ν absorption band, measured at each dehydration time (t) during dehydration.

Defect Migration and Phase Transformations in Two-Dimensional Iron Chloride inside Bilayer Graphene.

The intercalation of metal chlorides, and particularly iron chlorides, into graphitic carbon structures has recently received lots of attention, as it can not only protect this two-dimensional (2D) magnetic system from the effects of the environment but also substantially alter the magnetic, electronic, and optical properties of both the intercalant and host material. At the same time, intercalation can result in the formation of structural defects or defects can appear under external stimuli, which can affect materials performance. These aspects have received so far little attention in dedicated experiments.

Heterogeneous head phantom for validating treatment planning system in boron neutron capture therapy.

In clinical boron neutron capture therapy (BNCT), the distribution of dose to a heterogeneous medium that is predicted by a treatment planning system (TPS) should be experimentally validated. A head phantom specifically developed for this purpose is described and demonstrated herein. The cylindrical phantom exhibits distinct regions made from four materials (polymethyl methacrylate, calcium phosphate, air, and boric acid) to approximate a head structure with explicitly defined skin, skull, and brain tissue with a cavity and tumor within.

Predicting User Engagement in Health Misinformation Correction on Social Media Platforms in Taiwan: Content Analysis and Text Mining Study.

Background: Health misinformation undermines responses to health crises, with social media amplifying the issue. Although organizations work to correct misinformation, challenges persist due to reasons such as the difficulty of effectively sharing corrections and information being overwhelming. At the same time, social media offers valuable interactive data, enabling researchers to analyze user engagement with health misinformation corrections and refine content design strategies.

Evaluation of Optimized Lumbar Oblique X-Ray Angles with Positioning Assistance for Enhanced Imaging Quality: A Pilot Study in an Asian Cohort.

Pars fractures are a common cause of lower back pain, especially among young individuals. Although computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scanning are commonly used in developed regions, traditional radiography remains the main diagnostic method in many developing countries. This study assessed whether the standard radiographic angles suggested in textbooks are optimal for an Asian population since Asian groups have lower lumbar lordosis.

Optimizing Performance in Badminton Tournaments: The Relationship Between Timing, Quantity, and Quality Among Professional Players.

Top badminton players must carefully schedule tournaments to perform well and improve their rankings. This study examines how players plan their tournament participation and whether their scheduling strategies affect their rankings and performance, especially during Olympic and non-Olympic years. Data were extracted from the Badminton World Federation (BWF) ranking system for the top 50 men's and women's singles players from May 2014 to May 2019.

Next-Generation Ultrafast Photoluminescence Spectroscopy: Integration of Transient Grating Optical Gate and Advanced Femtosecond Laser Technology.

We demonstrate a high-performance ultrafast broadband time-resolved photoluminescence (TRPL) system based on the transient grating photoluminescence spectroscopy (TGPLS) technique. The core of the system is a Kerr effect-induced transient grating (TG) optical gate driven by high repetition rate ultrashort laser pulses at 1030 nm with micro-Joule pulse energy. Satisfying the demands of spectroscopy applications, the setup achieves high sensitivity, rapid data acquisition, ultrafast time resolution, and a wide spectral window from ultraviolet to near-infrared.

Synthesis of shape-tunable PbZrTiO nanocrystals with lattice variations for piezoelectric energy harvesting and human motion detection.

PbZrTiO cubes with tunable sizes and cuboids have been hydrothermally synthesized. PbZrTiO cubes with three different Zr : Ti atomic percentages were also prepared. Analysis of synchrotron X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns reveals the presence of two lattice components for these samples.

Integrated multi-omics analyses of oral squamous cell carcinoma reveal precision patient stratification and personalized treatment strategies.

Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), a leading subtype of head and neck cancer, exhibits high global incidence and mortality rates. Despite advancements in surgery and radiochemotherapy, approximately one-third of patients experience relapse. To improve current targeted and immunotherapy strategies for recurrent OSCC, we conducted multi-omics analyses on pretreatment OSCC samples (cohorts 1 and 2, n=137) and identified A3A and EGFR, both at the RNA and protein levels, as inversely expressed markers for patient stratification and response prediction.

Interplay of Weight Status and Sleep Autonomic Function in Mediating and Moderating the Link Between Disease Severity and Blood Pressure in Paediatric Obstructive Sleep Apnoea.

Introduction: Obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) in children is associated with numerous adverse outcomes, including elevated blood pressure. While the associations between OSA, obesity, and autonomic dysfunction are recognised, the precise mechanisms linking these factors and their relationship with elevated blood pressure in children remain unclear.

Methods: This retrospective case series included 76 children with OSA.

Variation in compressive mechanical properties between subacute and chronic venous thrombosis in a novel unilateral iliac thrombosis model.

Interventional therapies to relieve chronic deep vein thrombosis (DVT) fail through inability to penetrate, cross, and remove the occlusion. Development of suitable tools requires fundamental understanding of chronic DVT mechanical properties and a reliable model for testing. Female farm swine underwent a novel, endovenous generation of long-segment unilateral iliac vein thrombosis.

ARTN and CCL23 predicted chemosensitivity in acute myeloid leukemia: an Olink proteomics approach.

Background: The standard "7 + 3" induction results in 30% of de novo acute myeloid leukemia (AML) patients not achieving complete remission (CR). We aimed to utilize the Olink platform to compare the bone marrow plasma proteomic profiles of newly diagnosed de novo AML patients who did and did not achieve CR following "7 + 3" induction treatment.

Methods: This prospective study included 43 untreated AML patients, stratified into CR (n = 29) and non-CR (n = 14) groups based on their response to "7 + 3" induction therapy.

Prediction of the Topologically Nontrivial Phase in Three-Dimensional ABX Zintl Compounds.

Zintl compounds have garnered research interest due to their diverse technological applications. Utilizing first-principles calculations, we performed a systematic study of ABX (A = Li, Na, K, Rb, or Cs; B = Si, Ge, Sn, or Pb; and X = P, As, Sb, or Bi) Zintl materials with the 6 KSnSb-type structure. Notably, six ABX Zintl compounds (RbSiBi, CsSiBi, LiGeBi, KGeBi, RbGeBi, and CsGeBi) were found to have topologically nontrivial phases, as demonstrated by the invariant computed using the hybrid functional HSE06.

Green Synthesis of Tetrahydropyrazino[2,1-a:5,4-a']diisoquinolines as SARS-CoV-2 Entry Inhibitors.

A class of tetrahydropyrazino[2,1-a:5,4-a']diisoquinoline derivatives were synthesized under environmentally friendly conditions using water as the solvent. The 3-D structures of some synthesized compounds were determined by X-ray diffraction. Since naturally occurring isoquinoline alkaloids have significant antiviral activities against a wide range of viruses, including coronaviruses, the synthesized compounds were assayed for their inhibitory activities against SARS-CoV-2.

Impact of Functional Fluorinated Porphyrins on the Efficiency and Stability of Perovskite Solar Cells.

Additives play a pivotal role in enhancing the efficiency of perovskite solar cells (PSCs), and carefully designed additives contribute to major breakthroughs in device performance. In this study, a series of novel A-π-A-type porphyrin derivatives-PPH-1, PPH-2, and PPF-1-are synthesized, each incorporating pyridyl groups, specifically engineered to function as passivation agents for PSCs. The electron-withdrawing properties of fluorine in PPF-1 increase the molecular polarity, thereby strengthening its interaction with the perovskite and enhancing the passivation efficacy.

Chitinase-3-like-1: a multifaceted player in neuroinflammation and degenerative pathologies with therapeutic implications.

Chitinase-3-like-1 (CHI3L1) is an evolutionarily conserved protein involved in key biological processes, including tissue remodeling, angiogenesis, and neuroinflammation. It has emerged as a significant player in various neurodegenerative diseases and brain disorders. Elevated CHI3L1 levels have been observed in neurological conditions such as traumatic brain injury (TBI), Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), Creutzfeldt-Jakob disease (CJD), multiple sclerosis (MS), Neuromyelitis optica (NMO), HIV-associated dementia (HAD), Cerebral ischemic stroke (CIS), and brain tumors.

Analysis of the Endocrine Responses to Anti-Diabetes Drugs: An Issue of Elevated Plasma Renin Concentration in Sodium-Glucose Co-Transporter 2 Inhibitor.

Purpose: Glucose metabolism is associated with several endocrine disorders. Anti-diabetes drugs are crucial in controlling diabetes and its complications; nevertheless, few studies have been carried out involving endocrine function. This study aimed to investigate the association between anti-diabetes drugs and endocrine parameters.