Investigation of Chip Morphology in Elliptical Vibration Micro-Turning of Silk Fibroin.

Silk fibroin, known for its biocompatibility and biodegradability, holds significant promise for biomedical applications, particularly in drug delivery systems. The precise fabrication of silk fibroin particles, specifically those ranging from tens of nanometres to hundreds of microns, is critical for these uses. This study introduces elliptical vibration micro-turning as a method for producing silk fibroin particles in the form of cutting chips to serve as carriers for drug delivery systems.

Comparison of Microfluidic Synthesis of Silver Nanoparticles in Flow and Drop Reactors at Low Dean Numbers.

This study evaluates the performance of continuous flow and drop-based microfluidic devices for the synthesis of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) under identical hydrodynamic and chemical conditions. Flows at low values of Dean number (De < 1) were investigated, where the contribution of the vortices forming inside the drop to the additional mixing inside the reactor should be most noticeable. In the drop-based microfluidic device, discrete aqueous drops serving as reactors were generated by flow focusing using silicone oil as the continuous phase.

Distance Measurement and Error Compensation of High-Speed Coaxial Rotor Blades Based on Coded Ultrasonic Ranging.

Coaxial rotor helicopters have many advantages and have a wide range of civilian and military applications; however, there is a risk of blade collision between the upper and lower rotor blades, and the challenge still exists in balancing rotor parameters and flight control. In this paper, a blade tip distance measurement method based on coded ultrasonic ranging and phase triggering is proposed to tackle this measurement environment and expand the application of ultrasonic ranging in high-speed dynamic measurement. The time of flight () of coded ultrasonic ranging is calculated by the amplitude threshold improvement method and cross-correlation method, and the sound velocity is compensated by a proposed multi-factor compensation method.

Enhanced Fluid Mixing in Microchannels Using Levitated Magnetic Microrobots: A Numerical Study.

The efficient mixing of fluids at microscale dimensions presents challenges due to the dominant laminar flow regime which restricts convective mixing. This study introduces a numerical analysis of a novel microrobotic mixing system with a levitated propeller robot, driven by magnetic fields, within a Y-shaped microchannel with a square cross-section (500 × 500 μm). Our research investigates the fluid mixing effectiveness facilitated by the microrobot through various levitation heights and orientations to enhance the mixing index (MI).

Additive Manufacturing of Smart Footwear Components for Healthcare Applications.

Diabetic foot complications pose significant health risks, necessitating innovative approaches in orthotic design. This study explores the potential of additive manufacturing in producing functional footwear components with lattice-based structures for diabetic foot orthoses. Five distinct lattice structures (gyroid, diamond, Schwarz P, Split P, and honeycomb) were designed and fabricated using stereolithography (SLA) with varying strand thicknesses and resin types.

Oxidative-Stress-Mediated Epigenetic Dysregulation in Spermatogenesis: Implications for Male Infertility and Offspring Health.

Male reproductive health is governed by an intricate interplay of genetic, epigenetic, and environmental factors. Epigenetic mechanisms-encompassing DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNA activity-are crucial both for spermatogenesis and sperm maturation. However, oxidative stress, driven by excessive reactive oxygen species, disrupts these processes, leading to impaired sperm function and male infertility.

Omics Data Integration Uncovers mRNA-miRNA Interaction Regions in Genes Associated with Chronic Venous Insufficiency.

Chronic venous insufficiency (CVI), a chronic vascular dysfunction, is a common health problem that causes serious complications such as painful varicose veins and even skin ulcers. Identifying the underlying genetic and epigenetic factors is important for improving the quality of life of individuals with CVI. In the literature, many genes, variants, and miRNAs associated with CVI have been identified through genomic and transcriptomic studies.

Development of a Polygenic Risk Score for Metabolic Dysfunction-Associated Steatotic Liver Disease Prediction in UK Biobank.

Background: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is the leading cause of liver-related morbidity and mortality. Although the invasive liver biopsy remains the golden standard for MASLD diagnosis, Magnetic Resonance Imaging-derived Proton Density Fat Fraction (MRI-PDFF) is an accurate, non-invasive method for the assessment of treatment response. This study aimed at developing a Polygenic Risk Score (PRS) to improve MRI-PDFF prediction using UK Biobank data to assess an individual's genetic liability to MASLD.

Expanding the Mutation Spectrum for Inherited Retinal Diseases.

Background/objectives: Inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) represent a diverse group of genetic disorders characterized by degeneration of the retina, leading to visual impairment and blindness. IRDs are heterogeneous, sharing common clinical features that can be difficult to diagnose without knowing the genetic basis of the disease. To improve diagnostic accuracy and advance understanding of disease mechanisms, genetic testing was performed for 103 unrelated patients with an IRD at a single clinical site between 30 August 2022 and 5 February 2024.

Novel Splice-Altering Variants in the and Genes Causative of X-Linked Choroideremia and Cone Dystrophy.

Background: An estimated 10-15% of all genetic diseases are attributable to variants in noncanonical splice sites, auxiliary splice sites and deep-intronic variants. Most of these unstudied variants are classified as variants of uncertain significance (VUS), which are not clinically actionable. This study investigated two novel splice-altering variants, NM_000390.

Polygenic Score Approach to Predicting Risk of Metabolic Syndrome.

Background/objectives: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex condition linking obesity, diabetes, and hypertension, representing a major challenge in clinical care. Its rising global prevalence, driven by urbanization, sedentary lifestyles, and dietary changes, underscores the need for effective management. This study aims to explore the genetic mechanisms behind MetS, including adiposity, inflammation, neurotransmitters, and β-cell function, to develop a prognostic tool for MetS risk.

Transcriptomic Evidence Reveals the Dysfunctional Mechanism of Synaptic Plasticity Control in ASD.

Background/objectives: A prominent endophenotype in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is the synaptic plasticity dysfunction, yet the molecular mechanism remains elusive. As a prototype, we investigate the postsynaptic signal transduction network in glutamatergic neurons and integrate single-cell nucleus transcriptomics data from the Prefrontal Cortex (PFC) to unveil the malfunction of translation control.

Methods: We devise an innovative and highly dependable pipeline to transform our acquired signal transduction network into an mRNA Signaling-Regulatory Network (mSiReN) and analyze it at the RNA level.

Hypoxia-Inducible Factor in Renal Cell Carcinoma: From Molecular Insights to Targeted Therapies.

Mutations of the von Hippel-Lindau () tumor suppressor gene occur frequently in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (RCC), the predominant histology of kidney cancer, and have been associated with its pathogenesis and progression. Alterations of lead to impaired degradation of hypoxia-inducible factor 1α (HIF1α) and HIF2α promoting neoangiogenesis, which is pivotal for cancer growth. As such, targeting the VHL-HIF axis holds relevant potential for therapeutic purposes.

Maximal Fat Oxidation During Exercise in Healthy Individuals: Lack of Genetic Association with the rs9939609 Polymorphism.

: Previous studies suggest that there is a genetically determined component of fat oxidation at rest and during exercise. To date, the gene has been proposed as a candidate gene to affect fat oxidation during exercise because of the association of the "at-risk" A allele with different obesity-related factors such as increased body fat, higher appetite and elevated insulin and triglyceride levels. The A allele of the gene may also be linked to obesity through a reduced capacity for fat oxidation during exercise, a topic that remains largely underexplored in the current literature.

Insights into Reproduction Through Gonadal Tissue Methylation Analysis and Transcriptomic Integration.

Fish exhibit diverse mechanisms of sex differentiation and determination, shaped by both external and internal influences, often regulated by distinct DNA methylation patterns responding to environmental changes. In aquaculture, reproductive issues in captivity pose significant challenges, particularly the lack of fertilization capabilities in captive-bred males, hindering genetic improvement measures. This study analyzed the methylation patterns and transcriptomic profiles in gonadal tissue DNA from groups differing in rearing conditions and sexual maturity stages.

Senegalin-2: A Novel Hexadecapeptide from with Antibacterial and Muscle Relaxant Activities, and Its Derivative Senegalin-2BK as a Bradykinin Antagonist.

The amphibian skin secretions are excellent sources of bioactive peptides, some of which and their derivatives exhibit multiple properties, including antibacterial and antagonism against bradykinin. A novel peptide Senegalin-2 was isolated from the skin secretions of frog. Senegalin-2 relaxed rat bladder smooth muscle (EC 17.

Cardiovascular Risk Biomarkers in Women with and Without Polycystic Ovary Syndrome.

Objective: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a prevalent metabolic disorder with an increased risk for cardiovascular disease (CVD) that is enhanced by obesity. This study sought to determine whether a panel of cardiovascular risk proteins (CVRPs) would be dysregulated in overweight/obese PCOS patients, highlighting potential biomarkers for CVD in PCOS.

Methods: In this exploratory cross-sectional study, plasma levels of 54 CVRPs were analyzed in women with PCOS (n = 147) and controls (n = 97).

The Introduction of the Global Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) Research Agenda on Antimicrobial Resistance and Its Added Value to the WHO and the WHO/FAO/UNEP/WOAH 2023 Research Agendas on Antimicrobial Resistance.

: Given the magnitude and urgency of the global antimicrobial resistance (AMR) problem and the insufficiency of strategies to reduce antimicrobial use, there is a need for novel strategies. Traditional, Complementary, and Integrative Healthcare (TCIH) provides strategies and solutions that contribute to reducing (inappropriate) antimicrobial use, preventing or treating infections in both human and veterinary medicine, and may contribute to promoting the health/resilience of humans and animals and reducing AMR. The aims of this study were to present the core results of a global TCIH research agenda for AMR and its added value to two existing global AMR research agendas published in 2023.

Thromboelastometry-Based Profiling of Haemostatic Alterations in Neonatal Sepsis by Causative Pathogens.

: Neonatal sepsis is a serious condition with high mortality, especially in premature and low-birth-weight neonates. This study aims to examine whether the haemostatic profile of neonates with sepsis defers depending on the type of bacteria (Gram-positive or Gram-negative), by using the method of Rotational Thromboelastometry (ROTEM). : This single-centre prospective cohort study was conducted on 128 neonates with sepsis, including 95 cases caused by Gram-negative pathogens and 33 cases caused by Gram-positive bacteria.

Oral Antibacterial Drug Prescribing in Primary Care Out-of-Hours Services: A Scoping Review.

Background/objectives: The rapid spread of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) presents a critical threat to global health. Primary care plays a significant role in this crisis, with oral antibacterial drugs among the most prescribed medications. Antibacterial prescribing rates are often high and complicated in out-of-hours (OOH) services, including weekdays outside regular hours, weekends, and holidays, potentially exacerbating AMR.

Knowledge, Attitudes, Motivations, Expectations, and Systemic Factors Regarding Antimicrobial Use Amongst Community Members Seeking Care at the Primary Healthcare Level: A Scoping Review.

Background/objectives: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) is a major global health challenge, particularly in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, motivations, and expectations of community members regarding antimicrobial use is essential for effective stewardship interventions. This scoping review aimed to identify key themes relating to the critical areas regarding antimicrobial use among community members in primary healthcare (PHC), with a particular focus on LMICs.

Methicillin-Resistant : The Shifting Landscape in the United Arab Emirates.

Background: Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) is a significant burden globally, particularly in the Arabian Gulf region. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has experienced rising MRSA prevalence, with increasing diversity in the clonal complexes (CCs) identified. The COVID-19 pandemic, with its increased hospitalization rates and antibiotic use, may have further influenced MRSA's genetic evolution and epidemiology in the country.

Retrospective Study of Chronic Coughing in Dogs in a Referral Centre in the UK: 329 Cases (2012-2021).

Chronic coughing is a common complaint in small animal medicine and it has an extensive differential diagnosis with very different treatment and prognosis. Coughing is considered chronic when it lasts at least 8 weeks. This retrospective study aimed to describe the most common causes of chronic coughing in a population of dogs that presented to a referral hospital in England between January 2012 and December 2021.

Vertical Movement of Head, Withers, and Pelvis of High-Level Dressage Horses Trotting in Hand vs. Being Ridden.

Prior to international competitions, dressage horses are evaluated for fitness to compete while trotting in hand on a firm surface. This study compares the kinematics of experienced dressage horses trotting under fitness-to-compete conditions vs. performing collected and extended trot when ridden on a sand-fiber arena surface.

Molecular Genetic Assessment Aids in Clarifying Phylogenetic Status of Iranian Kerman Wild Sheep.

Two species of wild sheep inhabit Iran: Asiatic mouflon () and urial (). Phylogenetic relationships between populations distributed in this country are complex and still remain unclear. This study aimed to clarify, by genetic assessment, the phylogenetic status of Kerman wild sheep, considered to be a hybrid of the two species.