12-Hydroxy-Lauric Acid Tethered Self-Assembled Heterochiral Diphenylalanine-Based Mechanoresponsive and Proteolytically Stable Hydrogel: A Dual Player for Handling Cancer and Bacterial Challenges.

Deciphering the most promising strategy for the evolution of cancer patient management remains a multifaceted, challenging affair to date. Additionally, such approaches often lead to microbial infections as side effects, probably due to the compromised immunity of the patients undergoing such treatment. Distinctly, this work delineates a rational combinatorial strategy harnessing stereogenic harmony in the diphenylalanine fragment, tethering it to an amphiphile 12-hydroxy-lauric acid at the N-terminus (compounds -) such that a potential therapeutic could be extracted out from the series.

The alleviation by wheat and oat dietary fiber alone or combined of T2DM symptoms in / mice.

The effects of wheat and oat dietary fiber (DF) alone or combined on T2DM remain unclear. In this research, / diabetic mice were fed with diets containing 10% insoluble wheat dietary fiber (WDF), 10% insoluble oat dietary fiber (ODF), and 10% WODF (mixture of WDF and ODF, WDF : ODF = 1 : 1) for 8 weeks. The results showed that WDF, ODF, and WODF all reduced the body weight and fasting blood glucose (FBG) and improved oral glucose tolerance in / mice.

Bone-Induced Her2 Promotes Secondary Metastasis in HR+/Her2- Breast Cancer.

Bone metastases can disseminate to secondary sites and promote breast cancer progression creating additional clinical challenges. The mechanisms contributing to secondary metastasis are barely understood. Here, we evaluate the prediction power of Her2-expressing (Her2E) circulating tumor cells (CTCs) after analyzing over 13,000 CTCs from a cohort of 137 metastatic breast cancer (MBC) patients with initial HR+/Her2- status and employ preclinical models of bone metastasis (BM) to validate the role of Her2E CTCs in multi-organ metastases.

Revealing the Water Structure at Neutral and Charged Graphene/Water Interfaces through Quantum Simulations of Sum Frequency Generation Spectra.

The structure and dynamics of water at charged graphene interfaces fundamentally influence molecular responses to electric fields with implications for applications in energy storage, catalysis, and surface chemistry. Leveraging the realism of the MB-pol data-driven many-body potential and advanced path-integral quantum dynamics, we analyze the vibrational sum frequency generation (vSFG) spectrum of graphene/water interfaces under varying surface charges. Our quantum simulations reveal a distinctive dangling OH peak in the vSFG spectrum at neutral graphene, consistent with recent experimental findings yet markedly different from those of earlier studies.

On the Mechanism of Light-Driven O Evolution by the Mn(III) Complex [Mn(salpd)(OH)] and Quinone.

In this study, we apply TD-DFT and DFT calculations to explore the mechanistic details of O evolution in an artificial system that closely resembles Photosystem II (PSII). The reaction involves mononuclear Mn(III) complex [Mn(salpd)(OH)] and -benzoquinone under light-driven conditions. Our calculations reveal that the Schiff-base ligand salpd plays a crucial role in several key steps of the reaction, including the light-mediated oxidation of [Mn(salpd)(OH)] to [Mn(salpd)(OH)] by -benzoquinone, the subsequent oxidation of [Mn(salpd)(OH)] to the key Mn(V) intermediate [Mn(salpd)(O)], and the critical O-O bond formation step.

Improving estimation efficiency for survival data analysis by integrating a coarsened time-to-event outcome from an external study.

In the era of big data, increasing availability of data makes combining different data sources to obtain more accurate estimations a popular topic. However, the development of data integration is often hindered by the heterogeneity in data forms across studies. In this paper, we focus on a case in survival analysis where we have primary study data with a continuous time-to-event outcome and complete covariate measurements, while the data from an external study contain an outcome observed at regular intervals, and only a subset of covariates is measured.

Converting Fe-N-C single-atom catalyst to a new FeNxSey cluster catalyst for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells.

Fe-N-C catalyst is the most promising alternative to platinum catalyst for proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), however its high performance cannot be maintained for a long enough time in device. The construction of a new Fe coordination environment that is different from the square-planar Fe-N 4 configuration in Fe-N-C catalyst is expected to break current stability limits, which however remains unexplored. Here, we report the conversion of Fe-N-C to a new FeNxSey catalyst, where the Fe sites are three-dimensionally (3D) co-coordinated by N and Se atoms.

Methane Bubbled Through Seawater Can be Converted to Methanol With High Efficiency.

Partial oxidation of methane (POM) is achieved by forming air-methane microbubbles in saltwater to which an alternating electric field is applied using a copper oxide foam electrode. The solubility of methane is increased by putting it in contact with water containing dissolved KCl or NaCl (3%). Being fully dispersed as microbubbles (20-40 µm in diameter), methane reacts more fully with hydroxyl radicals (OH·) at the gas-water interface.

Non-Canonical TERT Activity Initiates Osteogenesis in Calcific Aortic Valve Disease.

Background: Calcific aortic valve disease is the pathological remodeling of valve leaflets. The initial steps in valve leaflet osteogenic reprogramming are not fully understood. As TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) overexpression primes mesenchymal stem cells to differentiate into osteoblasts, we investigated whether TERT contributes to the osteogenic reprogramming of valve interstitial cells.

Assessing fecal contamination from human and environmental sources using as an indicator in rural eastern Ethiopian households-a cross-sectional study from the EXCAM project.

Introduction: Enteric pathogens are a leading causes of diarrheal deaths in low-and middle-income countries. The Exposure Assessment of Infections in Rural Ethiopia (EXCAM) project, aims to identify potential sources of bacteria in the genus and, more generally, fecal contamination of infants during the first 1.5 years of life using as indicator.

The role of vitamin D in slipped capital femoral epiphysis in children and adolescents: a retrospective case-control study.

Objective: To explore the correlation between vitamin D levels, related endocrine/metabolic factors, and the risk of slipped capital femoral epiphysis (SCFE) in children and adolescents, and to assess whether vitamin D levels are associated with SCFE severity.

Methods: A retrospective case-control study was conducted from March 2014 to October 2023 in Shengjing hospital. Patients diagnosed with SCFE were categorized as the SCFE group.

Positive association of triglyceride glucose index and gestational diabetes mellitus: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is a common metabolic disorder with important health implications for both mother and offspring. This study aims to assess the relationship between the Triglyceride Glucose (TyG) index and GDM and explore its clinical significance.

Methods: A retrospective cohort study included 631 singleton pregnant women.

Cross Sectional Study of Vitamin D Levels in Western Rajasthan and Meta-Analysis for Estimation of Vitamin D Levels.

Many studies showed Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in healthy individuals. We planned to study the normal levels of Vitamin D in healthy individuals and make recommendation for defining deficiency of 25(OH)D in Indian population. ormal healthy subjects 18 to 60 years of age were included.

An ensemble model of machine learning regression techniques and color spaces integrated with a color sensor: application to color-changing biochemical assays.

Non-destructive color sensors are widely applied for rapid analysis of various biological and healthcare point-of-care applications. However, existing red, green, blue (RGB)-based color sensor systems, relying on the conversion to human-perceptible color spaces like hue, saturation, lightness (HSL), hue, saturation, value (HSV), as well as cyan, magenta, yellow, key (CMYK) and the CIE L*a*b* (CIELAB) exhibit limitations compared to spectroscopic methods. The integration of machine learning (ML) techniques presents an opportunity to enhance data analysis and interpretation, enabling insights discovery, prediction, process automation, and decision-making.

Effective cancer immunotherapy combining mRNA-encoded bispecific antibodies that induce polyclonal T cell engagement and PD-L1-dependent 4-1BB costimulation.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitors have revolutionized cancer therapy, but many patients fail to respond or develop resistance, often due to reduced T cell activity. Costimulation via 4-1BB has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the effector function of antigen-primed T cells. Bispecific T cell-engaging (TCE) antibodies are an effective way to provide tumor-specific T cell receptor-mediated signaling to tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Perceptions of swine euthanasia among Brazilian caretakers from non-integrated swine farms.

Timely and humane euthanasia is crucial for animal welfare on swine farms, yet challenges persist in its implementation, particularly in Brazil, where the responsibility often falls to caretakers lacking training. This study aimed to assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of swine caretakers regarding euthanasia across non-integrated farms (ranging from 1,000 to 3,500 housed sows) and different experience levels (from less than a month to 40 years working with pigs). A total of 117 people directly working with pigs participated in a survey designed to evaluate their decision-making skills, euthanasia competencies, and understanding of Brazilian guidelines for euthanasia methods.

Elucidating early proton irradiation effects in metal halide perovskites via photoluminescence spectroscopy.

Metal halide perovskite (MHP) solar cells are promising aerospace power sources given their potential as inexpensive, lightweight, and resilient solar electricity generators. Herein, the intrinsic radiation tolerance of unencapsulated methylammonium lead iodide/chloride (CHNHPbICl) films was isolated. Spatially resolved photoluminescence (PL) spectroscopy and confocal microscopy revealed the fundamental defect physics through optical changes as films were irradiated with 4.

Communicating the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health on X (formerly Twitter): Insights from the one health approach.

The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored societies' need for education and preparedness in addressing global environmental and health crises. Raising public awareness of the interdependence of human, animal, and environmental health is essential to engaging the public in environmental conservation and disease prevention. The One Health approach offers a holistic and multidisciplinary view for tackling challenges related to environmental and health issues by emphasizing the interplay of these three interconnected health dimensions.

Comparing quantitative imaging biomarker alliance volumetric CT classifications with RECIST response categories.

Purpose: To assess agreement between CT volumetry change classifications derived from Quantitative Imaging Biomarker Alliance Profile cut-points (ie, QIBA CTvol classifications) and the Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) categories.

Materials And Methods: Target lesions in lung, liver, and lymph nodes were randomly chosen from patients in 10 historical clinical trials for various cancers, ensuring a balanced representation of lesion types, diameter ranges described in the QIBA Profile, and variations in change magnitudes. Three radiologists independently segmented these lesions at baseline and follow-up scans using 2 software tools.

Vitamin D Deficiency and Associated Factors in Children: A Multicenter Study of 21,811 Samples in Southern China.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in children/adolescents in extreme southern China.

Methods: This multicenter, cross-sectional study included 21,811 children aged 0-18 years from 18 districts in Hainan Province, using a multistage stratified random sampling method from January 2021 to March 2022.

Results: Serum 25(OH)D levels decreased with age (p trend <0.

Interplay between pioneer transcription factors and epigenetic modifiers in cell reprogramming.

The generation of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from differentiated somatic cells by Yamanaka factors, including pioneer transcription factors (TFs), has greatly reshaped our traditional understanding of cell plasticity and demonstrated the remarkable potential of pioneer TFs. In addition to iPSC reprogramming, pioneer TFs are pivotal in direct reprogramming or transdifferentiation where somatic cells are converted into different cell types without passing through a pluripotent state. Pioneer TFs initiate a reprogramming process through chromatin opening, thereby establishing competence for new gene regulatory programs.

A socioecological taxonomy of determinants to colorectal cancer screening in black men: Insights from a mixed-methods systematic review.

Background: In the United States, African/Black American (henceforth Black) men face significantly higher mortality rates from colorectal cancer (CRC) compared to other gender, racial, and ethnic groups. Although CRC is preventable and treatable with early detection, screening rates among Black men remain low. This study aimed to synthesize existing literature on the barriers and facilitators (determinants) of CRC screening to offer guidance to primary care teams in their efforts to improve screening uptake.

Parental Perceptions of School Experiences for Children With Epilepsy.

Given the centrality of school to the lives of the more than 450 000 US children living with epilepsy, their interface with schools related to medical and educational needs is critical. This qualitative study explores parental experiences with school systems for the care and education of their children with epilepsy. Two 90-minute focus groups were empaneled with a total of 11 caregivers of children with epilepsy.