Structurally Transformable and Reconfigurable Hydrogel-Based Mechanical Metamaterials and Their Application in Biomedical Stents.

Mechanical metamaterials exhibit several unusual mechanical properties, such as a negative Poisson's ratio, which impart additional capabilities to materials. Recently, hydrogels have emerged as exceptional candidates for fabricating mechanical metamaterials that offer enhanced functionality and expanded applications due to their unique responsive characteristics. However, the adaptability of these metamaterials remains constrained and underutilized, as they lack integration of the hydrogels' soft and responsive characteristics with the metamaterial design.

Reduced durability of hybrid immunity to SARS-CoV-2 in immunocompromised children.

Background: In endemic COVID-19, immunocompromised children are vulnerable until vaccinated but the optimal primary vaccination regime and need for booster doses remains uncertain.

Methods: We recruited 19 immunocompromised children (post-solid organ transplantation, have autoimmune disease or were on current or recent chemotherapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia), and followed them from the start of primary vaccination with BNT162b2 mRNA SARS-CoV-2 until 1-year post-vaccination. We investigated the quality of vaccine immunogenicity, and longevity of hybrid immunity, in comparison to healthy children.

Deriving Accurate Nocturnal Heart Rate, rMSSD and Frequency HRV from the Oura Ring.

Cardiovascular diseases are a major cause of mortality worldwide. Long-term monitoring of nighttime heart rate (HR) and heart rate variability (HRV) may be useful in identifying latent cardiovascular risk. The Oura Ring has shown excellent correlation only with ECG-derived HR, but not HRV.

Towards Clinical Application: Calcium Waves for In Vitro Qualitative Assessment of Propagated Primary Human Corneal Endothelial Cells.

Corneal endothelium cells (CECs) regulate corneal hydration between the leaky barrier of the corneal endothelium and the ionic pumps on the surface of CECs. As CECs do not regenerate, loss of CECs leads to poor vision and corneal blindness. Corneal transplant is the only treatment option; however, there is a severe shortage of donor corneas globally.

Interplay between epigenetics, senescence and cellular redox metabolism in cancer and its therapeutic implications.

There is accumulating evidence indicating a close crosstalk between key molecular events regulating cell growth and proliferation, which could profoundly impact carcinogenesis and its progression. Here we focus on reviewing observations highlighting the interplay between epigenetic modifications, irreversible cell cycle arrest or senescence, and cellular redox metabolism. Epigenetic alterations, such as DNA methylation and histone modifications, dynamically influence tumour transcriptome, thereby impacting tumour phenotype, survival, growth and spread.

Differently Processed Low Doses of β-Glucan from Oat Bran Similarly Attenuate Postprandial Glycemic Response.

Incorporating β-glucan-rich oat bran (OB) can attenuate postprandial glycemic response (PPGR) in solid foods, but its effect in liquid matrices is unclear. This study investigated the ability of differently processed low-dose-β-glucan-containing beverages to lower PPGR, and the mechanisms of action. Twenty participants consumed five malt beverages made from cocoa powder: intact OB (Intact), OB treated with enzymatic hydrolysis (EnzymA, EnzymB) or extrusion (Extr), or no OB (Ctrl).

Modular Synthetic Platform to Tailor Therapeutic-Specific Delivery in Injectable Hydrogels.

Injectable thermoresponsive hydrogels (thermogels), valued for their conformability and minimal invasiveness, are increasingly used as in situ forming implants for drug delivery and as regenerative scaffolds. These gels exhibit sol-to-gel phase transitions at body temperature. As localized depots and scaffolds, these gels determine the chemical and mechanical environments and could dramatically influence the release kinetics of drugs or the fate of cells.

Total Synthesis of Tipranavir Based on Iridium-Catalyzed Asymmetric Allylic Substitution of Dihydropyranone.

An efficient and highly enantioselective synthesis of tipranavir is realized based on an iridium-catalyzed asymmetric allylic substitution. High yield and diastereoselectivity (>20:1), as well as excellent enantioselectivity (99% ), were obtained for the key intermediate through direct asymmetric alkylation reaction of dihydropyranone with allylic -butyl carbonate. Anti-AIDS drug of tipranavir was finally accomplished in 8 steps and 6 pots starting from commercially available 1-phenyl-3-hexanone in 20.

Asian birth cohort studies on allergic diseases: The A2BC network initiative.

The Asia Allergy Birth Cohort (A2BC) network consolidates data from multiple independently established birth cohorts across Asia to enhance research on host-environment interactions in allergic diseases. These cohorts, established at different times with various methodologies, are reliable data sources. Our aim is to introduce the content, variables, and outcomes of these cohorts while highlighting their differences, laying the groundwork for future collaborative research.

Hydrogels Based on Polyelectrolyte Complexes: Underlying Principles and Biomedical Applications.

Ionic complexes of electrostatically charged biomacromolecules are key players in various biological processes like nucleotide transportation, organelle formation, and protein folding. These complexes, abundant in biological systems, contribute to the function, responsiveness, and mechanical properties of organisms. Coherent with these natural phenomena, hydrogels formed through the complexation of oppositely charged polymers exhibit unique attributes, such as rapid self-assembly, hierarchical microstructures, tunable properties, and protective encapsulation.

Hypertension in Adults With Diabetes in Southeast Asia: A Systematic Review.

Diabetes is one of the most pressing health issues in the Southeast Asian region, and hypertension has been commonly reported as a comorbidity in adults with diabetes. This systematic review aimed to synthesize evidence on the prevalence and management of hypertension in adults with diabetes in Southeast Asian countries. A literature search was conducted in Ovid MEDLINE and Embase Classic + Embase from database inception until March 15, 2024.

The prospective associations of fetal growth-related pregnancy complications with subsequent breastfeeding duration and markers of human milk production.

Background: The development of the breast for lactation occurs throughout pregnancy. It is unknown whether pregnancy complications resulting in poor fetal growth can affect breastfeeding (BF) success.

Objectives: We examined whether fetal growth-related pregnancy complications were associated with earlier BF cessation and changes in the concentrations of human milk biomarkers of low milk production.

Rediscovering publicly available single-cell data with the DISCO platform.

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) has emerged as the key technique for studying transcriptomics at the single-cell level. In our previous work, we presented the DISCO database (https://www.immunesinglecell.

Serum lipidomic signatures in patients with varying histological severity of metabolic-dysfunction associated steatotic liver disease.

Background & Aims: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents a spectrum of pathologies ranging from simple steatosis to steatohepatitis, fibrosis and cirrhosis. Patients with metabolic associated steatohepatitis (MASH) with fibrosis are at greatest risk of liver and cardiovascular complications. To identify such at-risk MASLD patients, physicians are still reliant on invasive liver biopsies.

Lanthanide conjugate Pr-MPO elicits anti-cancer activity by targeting lysosomal machinery and inducing zinc-dependent cataplerosis.

Acquired drug resistance is a major challenge in the management of cancer, which underscores the need for discovery and development of novel therapeutic strategies. We report here the mechanism of the anti-cancer activity of a small coordinate complex composed of the rare earth metal praseodymium (Pr) and mercaptopyridine oxide (MPO; pyrithione). Exposure of cancer cells to relatively low concentrations of the conjugate Pr-MPO (5 µM) significantly impairs cell survival in a p53-independent manner and irrespective of the drug resistant phenotype.

TDP43 aggregation at ER-exit sites impairs ER-to-Golgi transport.

Protein aggregation plays key roles in age-related degenerative diseases, but how different proteins coalesce to form inclusions that vary in composition, morphology, molecular dynamics and confer physiological consequences is poorly understood. Here we employ a general reporter based on mutant Hsp104 to identify proteins forming aggregates in human cells under common proteotoxic stress. We identify over 300 proteins that form different inclusions containing subsets of aggregating proteins.

Identifying and as sustainable organisms to bioconvert glucosamine into valuable biomass.

Chitin is a major component of various wastes such as crustacean shells, filamentous fungi, and insects. Recently, food-safe biological and chemical processes converting chitin to glucosamine have been developed. Here, we studied microalgae that can uptake glucosamine as vital carbon and nitrogen sources for valuable alternative protein biomass.

Emerging Role of Natriuretic Peptides in Diabetes Care: A Brief Review of Pertinent Recent Literature.

Diabetes markedly increases susceptibility to adverse cardiovascular events, including heart failure (HF), leading to heightened morbidity and mortality rates. Elevated levels of natriuretic peptides (NPs), notably B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) and N-terminal-proBNP (NT-proBNP), correlate with cardiac structural and functional abnormalities, aiding in risk stratification and treatment strategies in individuals with diabetes. This article reviews the intricate relationship between diabetes and HF, emphasizing the role of NPs in risk assessment and guiding therapeutic strategies, particularly in individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).