Focal volume reduction in transcranial focused ultrasound using spherical wave expansions.

Transcranial focused ultrasound (tFUS) has been gaining increased attention as a non-invasive modality for treating brain diseases. However, accurately focusing on brain structures remains a challenge as the ultrasound is severely distorted by the presence of the skull. In this article, we propose a promising distortion correction method based on spherical wave expansions.

CMCS-PVA@CA hydrogel dressing: A promoter of wound healing with MRSA virulence attenuation function.

Traditional wound dressings, primarily centered on antimicrobial or bactericidal strategies, have inadvertently contributed to the rise of drug-resistant bacterial colonies at wound sites, thus prolonging the healing process. In this study, we developed an innovative hydrogel dressing, CMCS-PVA@CA, incorporating carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS), polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), and cichoric acid (CA), specifically designed to treat skin wounds infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Computational biology analyses reveal that CA exerts substantial anti-virulence activity by targeting serine/threonine phosphatase (Stp1), achieving an IC of 3.

Dobutamine-induced alterations in internal carotid artery blood flow and cerebral blood flow in healthy adults.

Purpose: Dobutamine, a sympathomimetic agent, is widely used clinically, influencing cardiac output, heart rate (HR), and blood pressure (BP), which may impact cerebral blood flow (CBF), critical for brain metabolism. However, the effects of dobutamine on CBF and internal carotid artery (ICA) blood flow remain unclear, with contradictory reported in both clinical and animal studies. It is necessary to investigate the effects of dobutamine on cervical and cerebral hemodynamics.

Harmonized technical standard test methods for quality evaluation of medical fluorescence endoscopic imaging systems.

Fluorescence endoscopy technology utilizes a light source of a specific wavelength to excite the fluorescence signals of biological tissues. This capability is extremely valuable for the early detection and precise diagnosis of pathological changes. Identifying a suitable experimental approach and metric for objectively and quantitatively assessing the imaging quality of fluorescence endoscopy is imperative to enhance the image evaluation criteria of fluorescence imaging technology.

Iron Oxide Nanoparticle-Based T Contrast Agents for Magnetic Resonance Imaging: A Review.

This review highlights recent progress in utilizing iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) as a safer alternative to gadolinium-based contrast agents (GBCAs) for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). It consolidates findings from multiple studies, discussing current T contrast agents (CAs), the synthesis techniques for IONPs, the theoretical principles for designing IONP-based MRI CAs, and the key factors that impact their T contrast efficacy, such as nanoparticle size, morphology, surface modifications, valence states, and oxygen vacancies. Furthermore, we summarize current strategies to achieve IONP-based responsive CAs, including self-assembly/disassembly and distance adjustment.

Trends in conductive MOFs for sensing: A review.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) are porous, ordered arrays formed by coordination bonds between organic ligands and metal ions or clusters. The highly tunable properties of the MOF structure and performance make it possible to meet the needs of many applications. Conductive MOFs are essential in the domain of sensing due to their electrical conductivity, porosity, and catalytic properties, offering an effective platform for detection.

Molecular Phylogenetic Relationships Based on Mitogenomes of Spider: Insights Into Evolution and Adaptation to Extreme Environments.

In this study, we performed a comparative analysis based on a total of 255 spider mitogenomes and four outgroups, of which the mitogenomes of 39 species were assembled de novo, to explore the phylogenetic relationships and the adaptive evolution of mitogenomes. Results showed that had the longest mitochondrial length and the most pronounced codon preference to be UUA, followed by CCU. Codon usage frequencies were similar between families and codon usage in the mitogenome of spiders was mainly influenced by natural selection pressures rather than G/C mutation bias.

Dynamic biomechanical effects of medial meniscus tears on the knee joint: a finite element analysis.

Background: Meniscus tears can change the biomechanical environment of the knee joint and might accelerate the development of osteoarthritis. The aim of this study was to investigate the dynamic biomechanical effects of different medial meniscus tear positions and tear gaps on the knee during walking.

Methods: Seven finite element models of the knee joint were constructed, including the intact medial meniscus (IMM), radial stable tears in the anterior, middle, and posterior one-third regions of the medial meniscus (RSTA, RSTM, RSTP), and the corresponding unstable tears (RUTA, RUTM, RUTP).

Automated quantification of axonal and myelin changes in contusion, dislocation, and distraction spinal cord injuries: Insights into targeted remyelination and axonal regeneration.

Quantifying axons and myelin is essential for understanding spinal cord injury (SCI) mechanisms and developing targeted therapies. This study proposes and validates an automated method to measure axons and myelin, applied to compare contusion, dislocation, and distraction SCIs in a rat model. Spinal cords were processed and stained for neurofilament, tubulin, and myelin basic protein, with histology images segmented into dorsal, lateral, and ventral white matter regions.

Change in p53 nuclear localization in response to extracellular matrix stiffness.

Chondrocytes are commonly applied in regenerative medicine and tissue engineering. Thus, the discovery of optimal culture conditions to obtain cells with good properties and behavior for transplantation is important. In addition to biochemical cues, physical and biomechanical changes can affect the proliferation and protein expression of chondrocytes.

Large language models facilitating modern molecular biology and novel drug development.

The latest breakthroughs in information technology and biotechnology have catalyzed a revolutionary shift within the modern healthcare landscape, with notable impacts from artificial intelligence (AI) and deep learning (DL). Particularly noteworthy is the adept application of large language models (LLMs), which enable seamless and efficient communication between scientific researchers and AI systems. These models capitalize on neural network (NN) architectures that demonstrate proficiency in natural language processing, thereby enhancing interactions.

Age-Related Changes in Lens Elasticity Contribute More to Accommodative Decline Than Shape Change.

Purpose: To determine whether lens biomechanical or geometric changes contribute to the decline in the accommodative capacity of the human eye, and to examine any differences in zonular function between different age groups.

Methods: Eighteen finite element whole eye models were developed to simulate the accommodative process. Six models were constructed in each of the two age cohorts, from the fourth and the sixth decades of life using data from ex vivo human lenses.

Developing 3D bioprinting for organs-on-chips.

Organs-on-chips (OoCs) have significantly advanced biomedical research by precisely reconstructing human microphysiological systems with biomimetic functions. However, achieving greater structural complexity of cell cultures on-chip for enhanced biological mimicry remains a challenge. To overcome these challenges, 3D bioprinting techniques can be used in directly building complex 3D cultures on chips, facilitating the engineering of organ-level models.

Integrating microfluidic and bioprinting technologies: advanced strategies for tissue vascularization.

Tissue engineering offers immense potential for addressing the unmet needs in repairing tissue damage and organ failure. Vascularization, the development of intricate blood vessel networks, is crucial for the survival and functions of engineered tissues. Nevertheless, the persistent challenge of ensuring an ample nutrient supply within implanted tissues remains, primarily due to the inadequate formation of blood vessels.

Preparation and Hypoglycemic Effect of Magnolia Officinalis Polysaccharide Oral Liquid.

In this paper, an oral liquid containing Magnolia officinalis polysaccharide was formulated and its hypoglycemic effects were investigated. An orthogonal test was conducted based on single-factor experiments to optimize the formulation guided by sensory evaluations. Its stability and safety were also assessed.

Overview of Phage Defense Systems in Bacteria and Their Applications.

As natural parasites of bacteria, phages have greatly contributed to bacterial evolution owing to their persistent threat. Diverse phage resistance systems have been developed in bacteria during the coevolutionary process with phages. Conversely, phage contamination has a devastating effect on microbial fermentation, resulting in fermentation failure and substantial economic loss.

Associations of Depression Score with Dialkyl Phosphate Metabolites in Urine: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Growing evidence suggests a link between organophosphate insecticides and depression disorder. These chemicals are metabolized and subsequently expelled through the urinary tract. The present study aims to investigate whether dialkyl phosphate metabolites associate with depression score and severity among the general population.

Proteomic and Metabolomic Profiling Reveals Alterations in Boar X and Y Sperm.

Sex-controlled sperm combined with artificial insemination allows animals to reproduce offspring according to the desired sex, accelerates the process of animal genetics and breeding and promotes the development of animal husbandry. However, the molecular markers for sexual sperm sorting are unusual. To identify the molecular markers of boar sperm sorting, proteomics and metabolomics techniques were applied to analyze the differences in proteins and metabolism between X and Y sperm.

Photoexcited Electro-Driven Reactive Oxygen Species Channeling for Precise Extraction of Biomarker Information from Tumor Interstitial Fluid.

Direct electrochemical detection of miRNA biomarkers in tumor tissue interstitial fluid (TIF) holds great promise for adjuvant therapy for tumors in the perioperative period, yet is limited by background interference and weak signal. Herein, a wash-free and separation-free miRNA biosensor based on photoexcited electro-driven reactive oxygen channeling analysis (LEOCA) is developed to solve the high-fidelity detection in physiological samples. In the presence of miRNA, nanoacceptors (ultrasmall-size polydopamine, uPDA) are responsively assembled on the surface of nanodonors (zirconium metal-organic framework, ZrMOF) to form core-satellite aggregates.

A comparative study of gallic acid and its derivatives on the binding to Keap1 and their ability against 6-hydroxydopamine-induced cytotoxicity.

This study compared gallic acid (GLA) and its derivatives, i.e. ginnalin A (GA), 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-β-D-glucose (PGG), and (-)-epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on their ability against 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-induced cytotoxicity.

Sang-Bai-Pi extract and its constituent regiafuran C ameliorate renal fibrosis through TGF-β/Smad and Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathways.

Background: Renal fibrosis is a major pathological feature of many chronic kidney diseases, and traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have shown promising therapeutic potential for treating renal fibrosis. Although the extracts or fractions of Morus alba leaves and twigs have been reported to ameliorate renal fibrosis, the beneficial effects of M. alba root bark (commonly known as Sang-Bai-Pi), a well-known TCM, on this disorder have not been investigated.

Inflow-modulated inputs of dissolved organic matter fuel carbon dioxide emissions from a large hyper-eutrophic lake.

Terrestrial dissolved organic matter (DOM) is potentially reactive and, upon entering lake ecosystems, can be readily degraded to low-molecular-weight organic matter and dissolved CO. However, to date, there has been limited research on the links between long-term variation in the composition of DOM and CO emissions from lakes. Lake Taihu is a large, shallow, and hyper-eutrophic lake where DOM composition is strongly influenced by inputs from the rivers draining cultivated and urbanized landscapes.