Facile development of carbon nanotube (CNT)-based flexible thermoelectric materials for energy-harvesting applications.

In this study, we investigate the thermoelectric properties of functionalized multi-walled carbon nanotubes (F-MWCNTs) dispersed over a flexible substrate through a facile vacuum filtration route. To improve their interfacial adhesion and dispersion, F-MWCNTs underwent hot-pressing. The heat-treatment has improved the nanotubes' connections and subsequently reduced porosity as well, which results in an increasing electrical conductivity upon increasing temperature of hot-pressing.

Promoting Physical Activity in People With Parkinson's Disease Through a Smartphone App: A Pilot Study.

Background And Purpose: Physical activity has beneficial symptomatic effects for people with Parkinson's disease (PD), but increasing-and sustaining-a physically active lifestyle remains challenging. We investigated the feasibility (ability to increase step counts) and usability of a behavioral intervention using a motivational smartphone application to remotely increase physical activity in PD.

Methods: We performed a 4-week, double-blind pilot trial.

Machine learning derivation of two cardiac arrest subphenotypes with distinct responses to treatment.

Introduction: Cardiac arrest (CA), characterized by its heterogeneity, poses challenges in patient management. This study aimed to identify clinical subphenotypes in CA patients to aid in patient classification, prognosis assessment, and treatment decision-making.

Methods: For this study, comprehensive data were extracted from the Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care IV (MIMIC-IV) 2.

Alkaloids and lignans isolated from Alisma orientale exhibit anti-pulmonary fibrosis activities by modulating an apoptotic signaling pathway.

From the tuber of Alisma orientale (Sam.) Juzep. (Alismataceae), twenty-four compounds were isolated, including six (1, 2, 3, 10, 14, and 17) that were not yet characterized.

Lecanemab-Associated Amyloid-β Protofibril in Cerebrospinal Fluid Correlates with Biomarkers of Neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's Disease.

Objective: The Clarity AD phase III trial showed that lecanemab reduced amyloid markers in early Alzheimer's disease (AD) and resulted in less decline on measures of cognition and function than placebo. Herein, we aimed to characterize amyloid-β (Aβ) protofibril (PF) captured by lecanemab in human cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from living participants with different stages in AD, which enable an enhanced understanding of the dynamic changes of lecanemab-associated Aβ-PF (Lec-PF) in vivo.

Methods: We newly developed a unique and highly sensitive immunoassay method using lecanemab that selectively captures Lec-PF.

Efficacy of repeated immunoadsorption in patients with post-COVID myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome and elevated β2-adrenergic receptor autoantibodies: a prospective cohort study.

Background: Since the pandemic, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has become the leading trigger for myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS). Evidence indicates that autoimmunity plays an important pathophysiological role. We aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of IA treatment in post-COVID ME/CFS patients.

A Holistic Approach to the Measurement of Physical Function in Clinical Research.

Background: This commentary highlights the evolution of our understanding of physical function (PF) and key models/frameworks that have contributed to the current holistic understanding of PF, which encompasses not only a person's performance but also the environment and any adaptations an individual utilizes. This commentary also addresses how digital health tools can facilitate and complement the assessment of holistic PF and enable both objective and subjective input from the participant in their real-world environment. Lastly, we discuss how successful implementation of digital tools within clinical research requires patient input.

AMETIS Preplanned Ancillary Study: Impact of Agitation During Mechanical Thrombectomy Under Sedation.

Background: Mechanical thrombectomy is the treatment of choice for ischemic strokes of the anterior circulation with proximal occlusion. Mechanical thrombectomy can be performed under sedation, which can lead to episodes of periprocedural agitation. The aim of this study is to describe the prevalence of agitation and determine the consequences during and after mechanical thrombectomy.

Structural insights into the interplay between microtubule polymerases, γ-tubulin complexes and their receptors.

The γ-tubulin ring complex (γ-TuRC) is a structural template for controlled nucleation of microtubules from α/β-tubulin heterodimers. At the cytoplasmic side of the yeast spindle pole body, the CM1-containing receptor protein Spc72 promotes γ-TuRC assembly from seven γ-tubulin small complexes (γ-TuSCs) and recruits the microtubule polymerase Stu2, yet their molecular interplay remains unclear. Here, we determine the cryo-EM structure of the Candida albicans cytoplasmic nucleation unit at 3.

hAMSCs regulate EMT in the progression of experimental pulmonary fibrosis through delivering miR-181a-5p targeting TGFBR1.

Background: Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is a common and multidimensional devastating interstitial lung disease. The development of novel and more effective interventions for PF is an urgent clinical need. A previous study has found that miR-181a-5p plays an important role in the development of PF, and human amniotic mesenchymal stem cells (hAMSCs) exert potent therapeutic potential on PF.

Effect of Cholic Acid Salt and Its Mixed Micelles on the Morphology of Giant Unilamellar Vesicles (GUV).

Bile salts, present in the gastrointestinal tract as biosurfactants, play a crucial role in emulsifying and solubilizing fat-soluble nutrients and drugs, thereby facilitating their absorption. However, the cellular permeation of bile acid-mixed micelles solubilized with lipophilic substances remains inadequately explored. To comprehend the cell permeation behavior of bile salts and their mixed micelles, giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs) were employed as a cell-mimetic system, prepared with dioleylphosphatidylcholine (DOPC).

Wogonin Attenuates Bleomycin-Induced Pulmonary Fibrosis and Oxidative Stress Injury via the MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (PF) is an irreversible and chronic inflammatory condition with limited therapeutic options and a high mortality rate. We aimed to determine the possible role and mechanisms of wogonin (WGN) on PF. A rat model of PF was established with intratracheally administrated with bleomycin (BLM), followed by intravenously injecting with WGN and weekly body weight measurements for four weeks.

Ginsenoside Rb1 Relieves Cellular Senescence and Pulmonary Fibrosis by Promoting NRF2/QKI/SMAD7 Axis.

Cellular senescence is an adverse factor in the development of pulmonary fibrosis (PF). Ginsenoside Rb1 has been found to inhibit both cellular senescence and PF. This study aimed to elucidate the molecular mechanisms by which ginsenoside Rb1 regulates cellular senescence and PF.

Inhibition of peptidyl arginine deiminase-4 ameliorated pulmonary fibrosis via modulating M1/M2 polarisation of macrophages.

Pulmonary fibrosis (PF) arises from dysregulated wound healing, leading to excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and impaired lung function. Macrophages exhibit high plasticity, polarizing to pro-inflammatory M1 during early inflammation and anti-inflammatory, fibrosis-inducing M2 during later stages of PF. Additionally, neutrophils and neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) release mediated by peptidyl arginine deiminase (PAD-4), also play a key role in PF progression.

Metagenomic analysis reveals the effects of potassium ferrate and steel slag on fate of ARGs in anaerobic sludge digestion system.

Waste activated sludge (WAS) pose a potential risk for the spread of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs). This study estimated the effect of sludge on antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) in anaerobic sludge digestion process. Metagenomic analysis revealed anaerobic sludge with potassium ferrate (PF) and the modified PF loaded steel slag (MPF-SS) brought an increase of ARGs during digestion process.

Single immunization with genetically attenuated Pf∆mei2 (GA2) parasites by mosquito bite in controlled human malaria infection: a placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Malaria vaccines consisting of metabolically active Plasmodium falciparum (Pf) sporozoites can offer improved protection compared with currently deployed subunit vaccines. In a previous study, we demonstrated the superior protective efficacy of a three-dose regimen of late-arresting genetically attenuated parasites administered by mosquito bite (GA2-MB) compared with early-arresting counterparts (GA1-MB) against a homologous controlled human malaria infection. Encouraged by these results, we explored the potency of a single GA2-MB immunization in a placebo-controlled randomized trial.

Backbone extraction through statistical edge filtering: A comparative study.

The backbone extraction process is pivotal in expediting analysis and enhancing visualization in network applications. This study systematically compares seven influential statistical hypothesis-testing backbone edge filtering methods (Disparity Filter (DF), Polya Urn Filter (PF), Marginal Likelihood Filter (MLF), Noise Corrected (NC), Enhanced Configuration Model Filter (ECM), Global Statistical Significance Filter (GloSS), and Locally Adaptive Network Sparsification Filter (LANS)) across diverse networks. A similarity analysis reveals that backbones extracted with the ECM and DF filters exhibit minimal overlap with backbones derived from their alternatives.

Block Copolymer Electrolytes with Double Primitive Cubic Structures: Enhancing Solid-State Lithium Conduction via Lithium Salt Localization.

We present a strategy for enhancing Li conduction in block copolymer electrolytes by introducing trace amounts of Li salts into polystyrene--poly(ethylene oxide) (PS--PEO), wherein Li ions preferentially coordinate with the -OH end groups of the PEO chains, resulting in the formation of double primitive cubic (3̅) structures. Compared with TFSI anions in Li salts, smaller anions (PF and BF) could facilitate ion localization more effectively, expanding the salt concentration range for developing stable 3̅ structures. The 3̅ structures formed in PS--PEOs doped with LiBF at = 0.

Nanostructural Analysis of Age-Related Changes Affecting Human Dentin.

Human dentin performs its function throughout life, even though it is not remodeled like bone. Therefore, dentin must have extreme durability against daily repetitive loading. Elucidating its durability requires a comprehensive understanding of its shape, structure, and anisotropy at various levels of its structure.

Anaplastic large cell T-cell lymphoma: insights from cytological and immunological profiles across ten diverse cases.

While the latest WHO classification of hematological neoplasms helps refine the diagnostic criteria for anaplastic large cell lymphomas (ALCL), their diagnosis can still be challenging. This retrospective series of 10 ALCL cases illustrates the cytological appearance and immunological profile obtained through flow cytometry (FCM) from various sample types, including lymph node biopsies (LN), peripheral blood (PB), cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and pleural fluid (PF). ALCL exhibits a polymorphic cytological appearance, ranging from "doughnut" cells to Hodgkin-like cells, very large cells, and small cells, with this polymorphism being particularly pronounced in ALK (-) forms.

Enhancement of recycled aggregate concrete properties through the incorporation of nanosilica and natural fibers.

This study introduces an innovative approach to enhancing recycled aggregate concrete (RAC) by incorporating nanosilica (NS) and natural fibers (NF), specifically sisal fiber (SF) and palm fiber (PF). This novel combination aims to overcome the inherent limitations of RAC, such as reduced strength and durability, while promoting sustainability in construction. The research focuses on evaluating the mechanical properties of RAC, including compressive and flexural strengths, through the integration of NS and NF.

Immunoassay detection of multiphosphorylated tau proteoforms as cerebrospinal fluid and plasma Alzheimer's disease biomarkers.

Different forms of phosphorylated tau (p-tau) have shown strong potential as Alzheimer's disease (AD) biomarkers in both cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) and plasma. We hypothesized that p-tau proteoforms simultaneously phosphorylated at two different sites may have an increased diagnostic value compared with tau phosphorylated at a single site. Here, we developed two immunoassays detecting CSF and plasma tau simultaneously phosphorylated at both T181 and T231 (p-tau181&231) and at T217 and T231 (p-tau217&231).

Molecular and spatial analysis of tertiary lymphoid structures in Sjogren's syndrome.

Tertiary lymphoid structures play important roles in autoimmune and non-autoimmune conditions. While many of the molecular mechanisms involved in tertiary lymphoid structure formation have been identified, the cellular sources and temporal and spatial relationship remain unknown. Here we use combine single-cell RNA-sequencing, spatial transcriptomics and proteomics of minor salivary glands of patients with Sjogren's disease and Sicca Syndrome, with ex-vivo functional studies to construct a cellular and spatial map of key components involved in the formation and function of tertiary lymphoid structures.

Standardized workflow for multiplexed charge detection mass spectrometry on orbitrap analyzers.

Individual ion mass spectrometry (IMS) is the Orbitrap-based extension of the niche mass spectrometry technique known as charge detection mass spectrometry (CDMS). While traditional CDMS analysis is performed on in-house-built instruments such as the electrostatic linear ion trap, IMS extends CDMS analysis to Orbitrap analyzers, allowing charge detection analysis to be available to the scientific community at large. IMS simultaneously measures the mass-to-charge ratios (m/z) and charges (z) of hundreds to thousands of individual ions within one acquisition event, creating a spectral output directly into the mass domain without the need for further spectral deconvolution.

Targeting the EP2 receptor ameliorates inflammatory bowel disease in mice by enhancing the immunosuppressive activity of T cells.

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs) are characterized by unrestrained innate and adaptive immune responses and compromised intestinal epithelial barrier integrity. Regulatory T (T) cells are crucial for maintaining self-tolerance and immune homeostasis in intestinal tissues. Prostaglandin E (PGE), a bioactive lipid compound derived from arachidonic acid, can modulate T cell functions in a receptor subtype-specific manner.