Assessing the impact of TiO nanomaterials on intestinal cells: new evidence for epithelial translocation and potential pro-inflammatory effects.

Understanding the potential impact of nanomaterials (NMs) on human health requires further investigation into the organ-specific nano-bio interplay at the cellular and molecular levels. We showed increased chromosomal damage in intestinal cells exposed to some of in vitro digested Titanium dioxide (TiO) NMs. The present study aimed to explore possible mechanisms linked to the uptake, epithelial barrier integrity, cellular trafficking, as well as activation of pro-inflammatory pathways, after exposure to three TiO-NMs (NM-102, NM-103, and NM-105).

Oxidative stress and obesity are associated with endothelial dysfunction and subclinical atherosclerosis in adolescents.

Objectives: This study explores the relationship between obesity, endothelial dysfunction, and the critical role of oxidative stress biomarkers in subclinical atherosclerosis.

Design & Methods: The study included 114 adolescents aged 12-17 years from Juiz de Fora, Brazil, divided into 40 individuals with obesity and 74 controls. Physical and biochemical assessments were conducted, including measurements of Brachial Flow-Mediated Dilation (BFMD), Carotid Intima-Media Thickness (IMT), and oxidative biomarkers such as nitrite, nitrate, and 8-isoprostane.

Exploring the role of transcription factor TWIST1 in bladder cancer progression.

The transcription factor TWIST1 is a major regulator of Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition, enhancing cancer cell mobility and invasive potential. Overexpression of TWIST1 is associated with tumor progression and poor prognosis. In our study, we explored the role of TWIST1 as both a prognostic biomarker and a therapeutic target in bladder cancer (BC), as well as the relationship between its promoter methylation and mRNA expression in bladder cancer patients.

Rational design of AIEgens through π-bridge engineering for dual-modal photodynamic and photothermal therapy.

A series of aggregation-induced emission luminogens (AIEgens) with donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) architecture were rationally designed and synthesized through π-bridge engineering for dual-modal photodynamic and photothermal therapy. The AIEgens (TPT, TFT, and TTT) were constructed using methoxy-substituted tetraphenylene as the electron donor and tricyanofuran as the electron acceptor, connected via different π-bridges (phenyl, furan, or thiophene). These compounds exhibited red-shifted absorption (460-545 nm) and emission (712-720 nm) with remarkable aggregation-induced emission characteristics.

Highly crystalline carbon nitride induced by ultralow dosage of sodium fluoride with pinning-docking mechanism.

In the typical ionothermal synthesis of crystalline carbon nitride (CCN), alkali metal halides are usually used in large amounts. Here, we report a new method for synthesizing poly (heptazine imide) (PHI) using only a trace amount of NaF, which is 20 times less than the amount of NaCl typically required to achieve the PHI structure. Different from the prevailing view that salts function primarily as templates and chelating agents during polymerization, our research revealed the unique role that NaF plays in the polymerization of PHI.

Bimetallic synergy in non-precious metal Mn/Ba-SSZ-13 zeolite for improving NO storage capacity at low temperatures.

Pd-zeolite is considered one of the most promising passive NO adsorber (PNA) materials for NO purification in diesel vehicles during cold start. Nevertheless, the scarcity and high cost of the precious metal Pd restrict the industrialisation of Pd-zeolites as PNA. This work developed a bimetallic Mn and Ba co-modified SSZ-13 as non-precious metal PNA material.

Biomechanical and Functional Features of the Carrier Erythrocytes Prolonging Circulation Time of Biotherapeutic Targeted to Glycophorin A.

Red blood cells (RBCs) serve as natural transporters and can be modified to enhance the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of a protein cargo. Affinity targeting of Factor IX (FIX) to the RBC membrane is a promising approach to improve the (pro)enzyme's pharmacokinetics. For RBC targeting, purified human FIX was conjugated to the anti-mouse glycophorin A monoclonal antibody Ter119.

Gold(I)-Catalyzed 2-Deoxy-β-glycosylation via 1,2-Alkyl/Arylthio Migration: Synthesis of Velutinoside A Pentasaccharide.

2-Deoxy-β-glycosides are essential components of natural products and pharmaceuticals; however, the corresponding 2-deoxy-β-glycosidic bonds are challenging to chemically construct. Herein, we describe an efficient catalytic protocol for synthesizing 2-deoxy-β-glycosides via either IPrAuNTf-catalyzed activation of a unique 1,2--positioned C2--propargyl xanthate (OSPX) leaving group or (PhO)PAuNTf-catalyzed activation of a 1,2--C2--alkynylbenzoate (OABz) substituent of the corresponding thioglycosides. These activation processes trigger 1,2-alkyl/arylthio-migration glycosylation, enabling the synthesis of structurally diverse 2-deoxy-β-glycosides under mild reaction conditions.

Surface-Sensitive Waveguide Imaging for In Situ Analysis of Membrane Protein Binding Kinetics.

Ligand binding to membrane proteins initiates numerous therapeutic processes. Surface plasmon resonance (SPR), a popular method for analyzing molecular interactions, has emerged as a promising tool for in situ determination of membrane protein binding kinetics owing to its label-free detection, high surface sensitivity, and resistance to intracellular interference. However, the excitation of SPR relies on noble metal films, typically gold, which are biologically incompatible and can cause fluorescence quenching.

Discovery of Metabolic Reprogramming 2-Quinolones as Effective Antimicrobials for MRSA-Infected Wound Therapy.

To date, the abuse of antibiotics and a gradual decline in novel antibiotic discovery enlarge the threat of drug-resistant bacterial infections, especially methicillin-resistant (MRSA). Herein, inspired by the unique structures and antibacterial activities of 2-quinolones, a class of novel 2-quinolones with substituted pyridines was synthesized. Notably, compound , the derivative with a methylpyridine fragment, showed potent antibacterial and antibiofilm activities, especially for MRSA strains (MIC = 0.

Nickel-Catalyzed Electroreductive Sulfuration of Alkyl Alcohols with Pyridyl Thioesters.

We demonstrate here an efficient and facile Ni-catalyzed electrochemical cross-electrophile thiolation approach for readily available alkyl alcohols with pyridyl thioesters. This C(sp)-S bond-forming modular strategy displays extensive substrate adaptability and good functional group tolerance, which allows the production of a range of alkyl sulfides with specific chemoselectivity. Furthermore, the potential applications of this methodology are illustrated by last-stage modification of bioactive molecules and sulfinylative cross-couplings.

The primary mechanism for highly potent inhibition of HIV-1 maturation by lenacapavir.

Lenacapavir (LEN) is a highly potent, long-acting antiretroviral medication for treating people infected with muti-drug-resistant HIV-1 phenotypes. The inhibitor targets multifaceted functions of the viral capsid protein (CA) during HIV-1 replication. Previous studies have mainly focused on elucidating LEN's mode of action during viral ingress.

Suppressing Tymovirus replication in plants using a variant of ubiquitin.

RNA viruses have evolved numerous strategies to overcome host resistance and immunity, including the use of multifunctional proteases that not only cleave viral polyproteins during virus replication but also deubiquitinate cellular proteins to suppress ubiquitin (Ub)-mediated antiviral mechanisms. Here, we report an approach to attenuate the infection of Arabidopsis thaliana by Turnip Yellow Mosaic Virus (TYMV) by suppressing the polyprotein cleavage and deubiquitination activities of the TYMV protease (PRO). Performing selections using a library of phage-displayed Ub variants (UbVs) for binding to recombinant PRO yielded several UbVs that bound the viral protease with nanomolar affinities and blocked its function.

A Granzyme B-Cleavable T Cell-Targeted Bispecific Cell Vesicle Connector for Reversing New-Onset Type 1 Diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disorder in which pancreatic β-cells are destroyed by CD8 T cells. Anti-CD3 antibody effectively treats early-stage T1D when β-cell autoantibodies are detected but before symptoms appear. However, it impairs the immune system temporarily, exposing individuals to infection.

Psychosocial burden and sociodemographic characteristics of cancer survivors seeking support for work-related issues in outpatient cancer counseling centers.

Introduction: Outpatient cancer counseling centers (OCCs) are important social work facilities that provide support for cancer survivors who have psychosocial and sociolegal challenges. This paper explores clinical and sociodemographic characteristics, psychosocial burden as well as access routes of clients in OCCs seeking work-related counseling.

Methods: Between May 2022 and December 2023, data were collected in 19 OCCs, using questionnaires and documentation by counselors.

Menthol cigarette use in US pregnancies: Prevalence, racial/ethnic disparities, and associated characteristics from the 2010-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH).

Introduction: Pregnant people who smoke constitute a uniquely vulnerable population likely to be impacted by a menthol cigarette (MC) ban. However, there are no published reports of prevalence of prenatal MC use in a nationally-representative US sample including racial-ethnic disparities and associated characteristics.

Methods: Participants were 1245 US pregnant people who smoked MC or non-MC (NMC) in the past 30-days from the 2010-2019 National Survey on Drug Use and Health.

Small pulmonary nodule localization techniques in the era of lung cancer screening: a narrative review.

The widespread adoption of high-resolution computed tomography (CT) screening has led to increased detection of small pulmonary nodules, necessitating accurate localization techniques for surgical resection. This review examines the evolution, efficacy, and safety of various localization methods for small pulmonary nodules. Studies focusing on localization techniques for pulmonary nodules ≤30 mm in diameter were included, with emphasis on technical success rates and complication profiles.

First-Attempt Success in Ultrasound-Guided vs Standard Peripheral Intravenous Catheter Insertion: The EPIC Superiority Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Pediatric peripheral intravenous catheter (PIVC) insertion can be difficult and time-consuming, frequently requiring multiple insertion attempts and often resulting in increased anxiety, distress, and treatment avoidance among children and their families. Ultrasound-guided PIVC insertion is a superior alternative to standard technique (palpation and visualization) in high-risk patients.

Objective: To compare first-time insertion success of PIVCs inserted with ultrasound guidance compared with standard technique (palpation and visualization) across all risk categories in the general pediatric hospital population.

Pharmacy Subscription Program and Medication Refills, Days' Supply, and Out-of-Pocket Costs.

Importance: Medication nonadherence imposes high morbidity, mortality, and costs but is challenging to address given its multiple causes. Subscription models are increasingly used in health care to encourage healthy behaviors; in January 2023, Amazon Pharmacy launched RxPass, a subscription program offering Amazon Prime members (hereafter, company members) in 45 states access to 60 common generic medications for a flat $5 monthly fee.

Objective: To evaluate the associations of program enrollment with medication refills, days' supply, and out-of-pocket costs.

Exploration of the Combined Mechanism of Direct and Indirect Effects of Paeoniflorin in the Treatment of Cholestasis.

Cholestasis is a multifactorial hepatobiliary disorder, characterized by obstruction of bile flow and accumulation of bile, which in turn causes damage to liver cells and other tissues. In severe cases, it can result in the development of life-threatening conditions, including cirrhosis and liver cancer. Paeoniflorin (PF) has been demonstrated to possess favourable therapeutic potential for the treatment of cholestasis.

Acute anticonvulsant effects of dapsone on PTZ- and MES-induced seizures in mice: NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition and Nrf2/HO-1 pathway preservation.

Background: Epilepsy, a neurological disorder characterized by recurrent seizures, presents considerable difficulties in treatment, particularly when dealing with drug-resistant cases. Dapsone, recognized for its anti-inflammatory properties, holds promise as a potential therapeutic option. However, its effectiveness in epilepsy requires further investigation.

How does chronic pain lead to memory loss?

A dysfunctional signaling pathway in the hippocampus has been linked to chronic pain-related memory impairment in mice.

An efficient direct electrolysis method for the synthesis of 1,1,1,3,3,3-hexafluoroisopropyxy substituted imidazo[1,2-]pyridines.

Electrochemical oxidative cross-dehydrogenative-coupling (CDC) is an ideal strategy to conduct the C3-alkoxylation of imidazo[1,2-]pyridine, but it remains a challenge owing to limitation imposed by the use of alkyl alcohols and carboxylic acids. Herein, we report a mild and efficient 2-electrode constant-potential electrolysis of imidazo[1,2-]pyridine with hexafluoroisopropanol (HFIP) to produce various imidazo[1,2-]pyridine HFIP ethers. Mechanistic studies indicated that the electrooxidation reaction might involve radical coupling and ionic reaction.