AptaFluorescence: An aptamer-based fluorescent imaging protocol for biomolecule visualization.

Immunofluorescence is highly dependent on antibody-antigen interactions for accurate visualization of proteins and other biomolecules within cells. However, obtaining antibodies with high specificity and affinity for their target proteins can be challenging, especially for targets that are complex or naturally present at low levels. Therefore, we developed AptaFluorescence, a protocol that utilizes fluorescently labeled aptamers for in vitro biomolecule visualization.

Prevalence and Outcomes of Orthostatic Hypotension in Hemorrhagic Stroke Patients During Hospitalization.

Background/objectives: Orthostatic hypotension (OH) is highly prevalent in hospitalized patients and can lead to major consequences. The prevalence of OH among patients with stroke has also been reported to be high in in-patient cohorts. However, no previous analysis has focused exclusively on patients with hemorrhagic stroke, a group that may have a different disease profile, including a greater need for blood pressure control and surgical intervention.

Detecting Tumor-Associated Intracranial Hemorrhage Using Proton Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy.

Intracranial hemorrhage associated with primary or metastatic brain tumors is a critical condition that requires urgent intervention, often through open surgery. Nevertheless, surgical interventions may not always be feasible due to two main reasons: (1) extensive hemorrhage can obscure the underlying tumor mass, limiting radiological assessment; and (2) intracranial hemorrhage may occasionally present as the first symptom of a brain tumor without prior knowledge of its existence. The current review of case studies suggests that advanced radiological imaging techniques can improve diagnostic power for tumoral hemorrhage.

Higher Versus Lower Protein Delivery in Critically Ill Patients: A Systematic Review and Bayesian Meta-Analysis.

Objectives: Recent multicenter trials suggest that higher protein delivery may result in worse outcomes in critically ill patients, but uncertainty remains. An updated Bayesian meta-analysis of recent evidence was conducted to estimate the probabilities of beneficial and harmful treatment effects.

Data Sources: An updated systematic search was performed in three databases until September 4, 2024.

Controlling the Morphology of Poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide) Self-Assemblies in Solution: Interplay of Homopolymer Additives and Kinetic Traps.

This study investigates the effects of homopolymer additives and kinetic traps on the self-assembly of poly(ethylene glycol)-b-poly(lactide) (PEG-PLA) block copolymer (BCP) nanostructures in aqueous environments. By using non-adsorbing PEG homopolymers to kinetically trap PEG-PLA nanostructures, we demonstrate that varying the concentration and molecular weight of the added PEG induces a reversible micelle-to-vesicle transition. This transition is primarily driven by changes in the molecular geometry of the PEG-PLA BCPs due to excluded volume screening effects.

Enhanced Specificity in Colorimetric LAMP Assay for Detection Using a Combination of Two Additives.

The genus comprises fungal species closely related to , with and being medically important. These species can cause infections in both immunocompetent and immunocompromised individuals. The current detection methods are limited, prompting the need for rapid and specific diagnostic tools.

Ischemic Stroke in Women: Understanding Sex-Specific Risk Factors, Treatment Considerations, and Outcomes.

Ischemic stroke is a major cause of mortality and disability and has become a significant public health concern among women. Overall, women have more ischemic stroke events than men, in part due to their longer life span, and also suffer from more severe stroke-related disabilities compared to men. Women are also more likely than men to present with atypical non-focal neurological symptoms, potentially leading to delayed diagnosis and treatment.

Sensing Technologies for Outdoor/Indoor Farming.

To face the increasing requirement for grains as the global population continues to grow, improving both crop yield and quality has become essential. Plant health directly impacts crop quality and yield, making the development of plant health-monitoring technologies essential. Variable sensing technologies for outdoor/indoor farming based on different working principles have emerged as important tools for monitoring plants and their microclimates.

Development of BCMA-Targeted Bispecific Natural Killer Cell Engagers for Multiple Myeloma Treatment.

Background: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA)-targeted T cell-redirecting immunotherapies, including Chimeric Antigen Receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers have demonstrated remarkable success in treating relapsed/refractory (RR) multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of plasma cells. However, a significant challenge is the severe side effects associated with T-cell overactivation, leading to cytokine release syndrome and neurotoxicity in MM patients undergoing such therapies. Bispecific NK cell engagers (NKCEs) may offer a promising alternative by redirecting NK cell cytotoxic activity towards tumor cells without triggering cytokine release syndrome.

The historical evolution of smallpox treatment in Japan visualised through Japanese artwork and woodblock prints.

Art reveals core human emotions during catastrophes like epidemics, allowing people to narrate their coping stories. This review examines smallpox's historical evolution and treatment in Japan, integrating visual art with medical history. It provides chronological insights from smallpox's arrival and traditional remedies to the era of vaccination and public health measures leading to eventual eradication.

Radiotherapy-Induced Stevens-Johnson Syndrome/ Toxic Epidermal Necrolysis in an Adolescent Girl With Diffuse Glioma of the Pons.

Radiotherapy is a rare cause of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS)/ toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN), especially in the pediatric age group. Most of the reported cases were concomitantly started on anti-epileptic drugs. Herein, we present a case of radiotherapy induced SJS/TEN in an adolescent girl in the absence of anti-epileptic drug use.

FISPGHAN statement on the global public health impact of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease.

As rates of obesity rise worldwide, incidence of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly referred to as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, is increasing, worsening the burden of healthcare systems. The council of the Federation of International Societies for Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology, and Nutrition (FISPGHAN) identified the topic of MASLD epidemiology, treatment, and prevention as a global priority issue to be addressed by an expert team, with the goal to describe feasible and evidence-based actions that may contribute to reducing MASLD risk. The FISPGHAN member societies nominated experts in the field.

Clearing Disseminated Venous Thromboembolism in a Single Procedure Using Thrombolytic-Free Large Bore Suction Thrombectomy: A Versatile Toolbox to Unclog the Venous Circulation.

Disseminated venous thromboembolism (VTE) occurs commonly in cancer patients, who tend to have contraindications to systemic thrombolysis and require cancer surgery. Such clinical scenarios are often challenging to manage. In this case report, we illustrate an innovative, single procedural approach in such a patient to remove extensive VTE, improve symptoms, prevent hemodynamic decompensation, and allow for a minimal level of anticoagulation such that necessary cancer surgery can proceed safely.

Anti-diabetic effects of GLP-1 receptor agonists on obese and overweight patients across diabetes status, administration routes, treatment duration and baseline characteristics: A systematic review.

Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are increasingly used for anti-obesity indications. However, little is known of the comparative effect of GLP-1 RAs and their glycemic impact across the different routes of administration, diabetic statuses and durations of prescription. PubMed, EMBASE and CENTRAL were searched from inception to 13 February 2024.

Asia-Pacific Survey on the Management of Helicobacter pylori Infection.

Background And Aim: Gastric cancer (GC)-related incidence and mortality rates remain high owing to Helicobacter pylori infection in Asia, and the importance of primary and secondary prevention of GC has been well recognized. We aimed to investigate the extent of overall agreement among clinicians in the Asia-Pacific region regarding the management of H. pylori infection.

Impact of dementia and mild cognitive impairment on bone health in older people.

Mild cognitive impairment, dementia and osteoporosis are common diseases of ageing and, with the increasingly ageing global population, are increasing in prevalence. These conditions are closely associated, with shared risk factors, common underlying biological mechanisms and potential direct causal pathways. In this review, the epidemiological and mechanistic links between mild cognitive impairment, dementia and skeletal health are explored.

Trends of early-onset colorectal cancer in Singapore: an epidemiological study of a multi-ethnic population.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) incidence and mortality in those aged 50 years and above have decreased over the last 2 decades. However, there is a rising incidence in CRC among individuals under 50 years of age, termed early-onset colorectal cancer (EOCRC). EOCRC patients are more advanced stage at diagnosis and may suffer more psychosocial, emotional and financial distress.

Enhancement of detoxification of xenobiotic aromatic amine dyes by N-acetyltransferase 1 (NAT1) enzyme on human keratinocytes cells through structural modification.

The metabolic conversion of aromatic amines to N-acetylated forms in skin and keratinocytes depends on N-acetyltransferase-1 (NAT1). Common hair color ingredient such as para-phenylenediamine (PPD) causes allergic contact dermatitis. We explored how different electronic substituents on PPD aided NAT1 enzyme biotransform oxidative arylamine (AA) compounds G1-G13 by N-acetylation, NAT-1 activity assays, metabolism, and in vitro clearance investigations in human keratinocytes, while identifying NAT-1 protein levels by Western blot and qRT-PCR.

Subclinical disease among people with culture-confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis in Singapore - a retrospective study.

Introduction: Subclinical tuberculosis (TB) is challenging to diagnose due to the lack of a clear definition and symptoms. This study aimed to describe the subclinical disease spectrum among people with culture confirmed pulmonary tuberculosis routinely diagnosed in Singapore, a country with moderate incidence, utilising different definitions. It also aimed to identify risk factors for subclinical TB and the current diagnostic approaches in detecting subclinical TB.

Native starch derived from different botanical sources as an effective co-cushioning agent in MUPS tablets.

Compaction of sustained release coated pellets into multi-unit pellet system (MUPS) tablets has been associated with damage to the functional polymer layer, leading to a loss in desired sustained release function. Many filler materials and complex processes have been studied on their ability to mitigate compaction-induced pellet coat damage. Among these, native or unprocessed starches included in the filler material have not been explored well despite being a simple strategy.

The second phase of tumor invasion driven by immune cells: A study on doxorubicin-loaded PLG nanoparticles.

Poly(lactide-co-glycolide) (PLG) nanoparticles loaded with doxorubicin have reached phase-I clinical trials for treating advanced solid tumors. This study explores cell hitchhiking, where nanoparticles associate with blood cells and investigates the impact on pharmacokinetics and tumor migration. Previous findings highlighted the early post-injection phase dominated by nonspecific nanoparticle-cell interactions and burst release.

Hemostatic Outcome Definitions in Pediatric Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation: Challenges in Cohorts From Rotterdam (2019-2023) and Melbourne (2016-2022).

Objectives: To determine if a priori standardization of outcome hemostatic definitions alone was adequate to enable useful comparison between two cohorts of pediatric extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) patients, managed according to local practice and protocol.

Design: Comparison of two separate prospective cohort studies performed at different centers with standardized outcome definitions agreed upon a priori.

Setting: General and cardiac PICUs at the Royal Children's Hospital (RCH) in Melbourne, Australia, and the Sophia Children's Hospital (SCH) in Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Evaluations of the Perturbation Resistance of the Deep-Learning-Based Ligand Conformation Optimization Algorithm.

In recent years, the deep learning (DL) technique has rapidly developed and shown great success in scoring the protein-ligand binding affinities. The protein-ligand conformation optimization based on DL-derived scoring functions holds broad application prospects, for instance, drug design and enzyme engineering. In this study, we evaluated the robustness of a DL-based ligand conformation optimization protocol (DeepRMSD+Vina) for optimizing structures with input perturbations by examining the predicted ligand binding poses and scoring.