Ultra-Sensitive Detection of Bacterial Spores via SERS.

Bacterial spores are highly resilient and capable of surviving extreme conditions, making them a persistent threat in contexts such as disease transmission, food safety, and bioterrorism. Their ability to withstand conventional sterilization methods necessitates rapid and accurate detection techniques to effectively mitigate the risks they present. In this study, we introduce a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) approach for detecting spores by targeting calcium dipicolinate acid (CaDPA), a biomarker uniquely associated with bacterial spores.

TIGIT-expression on natural killer cell subsets is an early indicator of alleviating liver inflammation following bulevirtide treatment in chronic hepatitis D.

Background Aims: Bulevirtide (BLV) is a novel and the only approved treatment option for patients with chronic hepatitis D (CHD). BLV alleviates liver inflammation already early during treatment when only minor HDV RNA changes are observed. We hypothesized that BLV-treatment may influence immune cells in CHD patients and performed a high-resolution analysis of natural killer (NK) cells before and during BLV-therapy.

Dose-Response Relationship of Phloretin Therapy on Water and Glucose Transport during Experimental Peritoneal Dialysis.

Background: Water retention, ultrafiltration insufficiency, and metabolic complications due to abnormally high glucose concentrations are still common problems in patients treated with peritoneal dialysis. Phloretin, a nonselective inhibitor of facilitative glucose transporter channels (GLUT), has shown to improve water transport and lower glucose absorption in experimental peritoneal dialysis. However, the dose-response relationship remains unknown, and we therefore performed a dose-response study to elucidate the pharmacodynamic properties of intra-peritoneal phloretin therapy.

Adjuvant Chemotherapy After Resection of Localized Pancreatic Adenocarcinoma Following Preoperative FOLFIRINOX.

Importance: The effect of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX (combination leucovorin calcium [folinic acid], fluorouracil, irinotecan hydrochloride, and oxaliplatin in full or modified dosing) chemotherapy on overall survival (OS) is unclear because current studies do not account for the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

Objective: To investigate the association of adjuvant chemotherapy following resection of pancreatic adenocarcinoma after preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX with OS, taking into account the number of cycles of preoperative chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy regimen.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This retrospective cohort study included patients with localized pancreatic adenocarcinoma treated with 2 to 11 cycles of preoperative (m)FOLFIRINOX followed by resection across 48 centers in 20 countries from 2010 to 2018.

A literature-based cost-effectiveness analysis of device-assisted suturing versus needle-driven suturing during laparotomy closure.

Purpose: Small-bites suturing technique for laparotomy closure is now recommended as the standard of care. However, uptake of the practice remains slow. A medical technology called the SutureTOOL has been developed which can facilitate implementation of small-bites.

CRISPR-Cas-mediated adaptation of Thermus thermophilus HB8 to environmental stress conditions.

Bacteria experience a continual array of environmental stresses, necessitating adaptive mechanisms crucial for their survival. Thermophilic bacteria, such as Thermus thermophilus, face constant environmental challenges, particularly high temperatures, which requires robust adaptive mechanisms for survival. Studying these extremophiles provides valuable insights into the intricate molecular and physiological processes used by extremophiles to adapt and survive in harsh environments.

Survey of legislative frameworks and national recommendations governing paediatric maintenance haemodialysis in Europe.

Background: The application of international recommendations for paediatric maintenance haemodialysis (HD) could be strengthened by national laws or written recommendations. Our aim was therefore to describe the national rules governing paediatric maintenance HD in European countries.

Methods: A national representative, approved by the president of each paediatric nephrology society, was contacted in all 42 European countries to complete two online questionnaires.

Palladium-Catalyzed Oxidative Allene-Allene Cross-Coupling.

Direct cross-coupling reactions between two similar unactivated partners are challenging but constitute a powerful strategy for the creation of new carbon-carbon bonds in organic synthesis. [4]Dendralenes are a class of acyclic branched conjugated oligoenes with great synthetic potential for the rapid generation of structural complexity, yet the chemistry of [4]dendralenes remains an unexplored field due to their limited accessibility. Herein, we report a highly selective palladium-catalyzed oxidative cross-coupling of two allenes with the presence of a directing olefin in one of the allenes, enabling the facile synthesis of a broad range of functionalized [4]dendralenes in a convergent modular manner.

Effect of a GnRH injection on kisspeptin levels in girls with suspected precocious puberty: a randomized-controlled pilot study.

Objectives: Kisspeptin plays a major role in the onset of puberty by stimulating the gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) neurons. The aim of this study was to investigate whether GnRH inhibits kisspeptin secretion via a negative feedback mechanism and potential associations between kisspeptin levels and other hormones of importance for pubertal onset.

Methods: Thirteen girls with suspected central precocious puberty underwent a GnRH stimulation test twice in a randomized, placebo-controlled manner.

Microfluidic vessel-on-chip platform for investigation of cellular defects in venous malformations and responses to various shear stress and flow conditions.

A novel microfluidic platform was designed to study the cellular architecture of endothelial cells (ECs) in an environment replicating the 3D organization and flow of blood vessels. In particular, the platform was constructed to investigate EC defects in slow-flow venous malformations (VMs) under varying shear stress and flow conditions. The platform featured a standard microtiter plate footprint containing 32 microfluidic units capable of replicating wall shear stress (WSS) in normal veins and enabling precise control of shear stress and flow directionality without the need for complex pumping systems.

Discordance and Performance of the ARC-HBR and PRECISE-DAPT High Bleeding Risk Definitions After Coronary Stenting.

Background: The aim of the ARC-HBR (Academic Research Consortium for High Bleeding Risk) and PRECISE-DAPT (Predicting Bleeding Complications in Patients Undergoing Stent Implantation and Subsequent Dual Antiplatelet Therapy) score definitions for high bleeding risk is to identify patients who would benefit from shorter or less intensive antiplatelet therapy after coronary stenting.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the performance of the ARC-HBR and PRECISE-DAPT score definitions for high bleeding risk in routine clinical practice.

Methods: Using nationwide registers, all patients in Stockholm, Sweden, who were discharged after coronary stenting with dual antiplatelet therapy (January 1, 2013, to July 1, 2018) were included.

Adverse Pregnancy Outcomes and Long-Term Risk of Heart Failure in Women: National Cohort and Co-Sibling Study.

Background: Adverse pregnancy outcomes, such as preterm delivery and hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, may be associated with higher future risks of heart failure (HF). However, the comparative effects of different adverse pregnancy outcomes on long-term risk of HF, and their potential causality, are unclear.

Objectives: The authors sought to examine 5 major adverse pregnancy outcomes in relation to long-term risk of HF in a large population-based cohort.

Elevated Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio Predicts Prognosis in Acute Myocarditis.

Background: Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is an easy-to-use inflammatory biomarker. Baseline NLR is independently associated with incident cardiovascular events and all-cause mortality. However, whether this applies to acute myocarditis (AM) has not been evaluated.

Opportunities for More Tailored Approaches to Genotoxicity Testing and Carcinogenicity Strategy for Oligonucleotide Therapeutics: Outcome of an Industry Survey.

The Oligonucleotide Nonclinical Working Group (WG) of the European Federation of Pharmaceutical Industries and Associations conducted an industry survey to understand current practices and regulatory expectations for genotoxicity and carcinogenicity assessment of oligonucleotide therapeutics (ONTs), along with historical genotoxicity testing results. The survey, involving 29 pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, revealed a consistent absence of genotoxicity across a diverse range of oligonucleotide classes and chemistries, consistent with previous observations. Despite the lack of genotoxicity, companies continue to follow standard testing guidelines, with only limited divergence.

Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) Classes in MASK-air Users.

Background And Objectives: The Allergic Rhinitis and its Impact on Asthma (ARIA) guidelines classify rhinitis as "intermittent" or "persistent" and "mild" or "moderate-severe". To assess ARIA classes in a real-world study in terms of phenotypic differences and their association with asthma.

Methods: We performed a cross-sectional real-world study based on users of the MASK-air® app who reported data for at least 3 different months.

A proteogenomic analysis of the adiposity colorectal cancer relationship identifies GREM1 as a probable mediator.

Background: Adiposity is an established risk factor for colorectal cancer (CRC). The pathways underlying this relationship, and specifically the role of circulating proteins, are unclear.

Methods: Utilizing two-sample univariable Mendelian randomization (UVMR), multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR), and colocalization, based on summary data from large sex-combined and sex-specific genetic studies, we estimated the univariable associations between: (i) body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) and overall and site-specific (colon, proximal colon, distal colon, and rectal) CRC risk, (ii) BMI and WHR and circulating proteins, and (iii) adiposity-associated circulating proteins and CRC risk.

Expression of concern: Electrochemical genosensor based on gold nanostars for the detection of O157:H7 DNA.

Expression of concern for 'Electrochemical genosensor based on gold nanostars for the detection of O157:H7 DNA' by Nasrin Razmi , , 2022, , 1562-1570, https://doi.org/10.1039/D2AY00056C.

Short- and Long-Term Effects on Physical Fitness in Older Adults: Results from an 8-Week Exercise Program Repeated in Two Consecutive Years.

: Information on the long-term maintenance of short-term exercise fitness gains measured by field-based tests is scarce in older adults. This study aimed to investigate short- and long-term changes in various physical fitness parameters after an 8-week exercise program. : In this longitudinal study, a total of 265 participants (62% women; mean age 71.

Harnessing cell aggregates for enhanced adeno-associated virus manufacturing: Cultivation strategies and scale-up considerations.

The possibility to produce recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) by adherent HEK293T cells was studied in a stirred tank bioreactor (STR) culture of cell aggregates. A proof-of-concept of rAAV production was successfully demonstrated in a process where single cells were first expanded, then cell aggregates were formed by dilution into a different medium 1 day before triple plasmid transfection was conducted. An alternative approach for the STR inoculation using a seed taken from a high cell density perfusion (HCDP) culture was also investigated.

Ultranarrow Semiconductor WS Nanoribbon Field-Effect Transistors.

Semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDs) have attracted significant attention for their potential to develop high-performance, energy-efficient, and nanoscale electronic devices. Despite notable advancements in scaling down the gate and channel length of TMD field-effect transistors (FETs), the fabrication of sub-30 nm narrow channels and devices with atomic-scale edge control still poses challenges. Here, we demonstrate a crystallography-controlled nanostructuring technique to fabricate ultranarrow tungsten disulfide (WS) nanoribbons as small as sub-10 nm in width.

Tangential Versus Segmental Portomesenteric Venous Resection During Pancreatoduodenectomy for Pancreatic Cancer: An International Multicenter Cohort Study on Surgical and Oncological Outcome.

Objective: To investigate whether tangential versus segmental portomesenteric venous resection (PVR) impacts surgical and oncological outcome in patients undergoing pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer with portomesenteric vein (PMV) involvement.

Summary Background Data: Current comparative studies on tangential versus segmental PVR as part of pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatic cancer include all degrees of PMV involvement, including cases where tangential PVR may not be a feasible approach, limiting the clinical applicability.

Methods: International retrospective study in 10 centers from 5 countries, including all consecutive patients after pancreatoduodenectomy with PVR for pancreatic cancer with ≤180° PMV involvement on cross-sectional imaging at diagnosis (2014-2020).

Tumour-Associated Macrophages in Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Objective: Tumour-associated macrophages (TAMs) are crucial in the progression and treatment response of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). TAMs infiltrate OSCC, adopting an M2-like phenotype that promotes tumour growth, metastasis and immune suppression. The current narrative review explored the roles of TAMs in OSCC, focusing on their impact on the tumour microenvironment, invasion, metastasis, angiogenesis, immunosuppression and potential therapeutic targeting.

Dual-Functional Carbon Dot Films: Blue-Light Filtration and Cyan-Light Conversion for Healthier White Light-Emitting Diodes.

Blue light emitted by commercial white light-emitting diodes (WLEDs) in the 440-470 nm range poses ocular health risks with prolonged exposure. Effective filtration is crucial for health-conscious lighting, but traditional filters often cause color distortion by completely removing blue emission. In this study, we address this challenge by synthesizing carbon dots (CDs) with strong absorption at 460 nm and bright cyan emission at 485 nm, featuring a photoluminescence quantum yield of 65% and a narrow full width at half-maximum of 30 nm.

Decontamination and Surface Analysis of PFAS-Contaminated Fire Suppression System Pipes: Effects of Cleaning Agents and Temperature.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)-containing firefighting foam have been used in stationary fire suppression systems for several decades. However, there is a lack of research on how to decontaminate PFAS-contaminated infrastructure and evaluate treatment efficiency. This study assessed the removal of PFAS from stainless steel pipe surfaces using different cleaning agents (tap water, methanol, and aqueous solutions containing 10 and 20 wt % of butyl carbitol (BC)) at different temperatures (20 °C, 40 °C, and 70 °C).