Involvement of platelet signaling pathways in colorectal cancer and new therapeutic targets.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most widespread tumor types, and it stands as the second leading cause of disease-related mortality globally. Due to its adverse effects, which lead to low patient adherence, new alternatives to conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments are being studied. Since, in most cases, platelets are positively involved in the persistence and progression of CRC, several elements of the platelet signaling pathway have been considered possible therapeutic targets.

MIBiG 4.0: advancing biosynthetic gene cluster curation through global collaboration.

Specialized or secondary metabolites are small molecules of biological origin, often showing potent biological activities with applications in agriculture, engineering and medicine. Usually, the biosynthesis of these natural products is governed by sets of co-regulated and physically clustered genes known as biosynthetic gene clusters (BGCs). To share information about BGCs in a standardized and machine-readable way, the Minimum Information about a Biosynthetic Gene cluster (MIBiG) data standard and repository was initiated in 2015.

Internalization and Cellular Fate of Protein Corona-Coated Nanoparticles by Multimodal Multi-Scale Microscopy.

Upon exposure to biological environments, nanoparticles are rapidly coated with biomolecules, predominantly proteins, which alter their colloidal stability, biodistribution, and cell interactions. Despite extensive efforts to investigate the nanoparticles' fate, only a few studies use high-resolution characterization methods that allow in-depth characterization, and the existing methodologies are unable to differentiate particles internalized at the onset of incubation from those taken up toward the end of an incubation period. In this study, these limitations related to incubation disparities are overcame and precisely monitored the spatiotemporal displacement of colloidally stable protein corona-coated nanoparticles within cells.

Multimodal single-cell profiling reveals neuronal vulnerability and pathological cell states in focal cortical dysplasia.

Focal cortical dysplasia (FCD) is a neurodevelopmental condition characterized by malformations of the cerebral cortex that often cause drug-resistant epilepsy. In this study, we performed multi-omics single-nuclei profiling to map the chromatin accessibility and transcriptome landscapes of FCD type II, generating a comprehensive multimodal single-nuclei dataset comprising 61,525 cells from 11 clinical samples of lesions and controls. Our findings revealed profound chromatin, transcriptomic, and cellular alterations affecting neuronal and glial cells in FCD lesions, including the selective loss of upper-layer excitatory neurons, significant expansion of oligodendrocytes and immature astrocytic populations, and a distinct neuronal subpopulation harboring dysmorphic neurons.

Endothelium-derived 6-nitrodopamine is the major mechanism by which nitric oxide relaxes the rabbit isolated aorta.

6-Nitrodopamine (6-ND) is the predominant catecholamine released from isolated vascular tissues in both mammals and reptiles, with its release being significantly reduced by the NO synthesis inhibitor, N-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME). The vasorelaxation induced by 6-ND is unaffected by either L-NAME or the soluble guanylate cyclase (sGC) inhibitor, ODQ, indicating an alternative mechanism of action. The vasorelaxant effect appears to be mediated through selective antagonism of dopamine D receptors rather than traditional nitric oxide (NO)-mediated pathways.

Glial cell deficits are a key feature of schizophrenia: implications for neuronal circuit maintenance and histological differentiation from classical neurodegeneration.

Dysfunctional glial cells play a pre-eminent role in schizophrenia pathophysiology. Post-mortem studies have provided evidence for significantly decreased glial cell numbers in different brain regions of individuals with schizophrenia. Reduced glial cell numbers are most pronounced in oligodendroglia, but reduced astrocyte cell densities have also been reported.

5-Fluorouracil-loaded chitosan nanoparticles conjugated with methotrexate for targeted therapy of colorectal cancer.

The poor prognosis of colorectal cancer (CRC) is mainly associated with the highly invasive nature, delayed diagnosis, multidrug-resistant cells, tumor recurrence, and metastasis. Targeted therapies offer a promising means to enhance drug accumulation at the tumor site with the aid of cell-targeting ligands. Herein, chitosan-based multifunctional nanoparticles, conjugated with methotrexate (MTX) by covalent bonds, were designed for targeted delivery of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) to improve CRC therapy.

Mechanical behavior and failure mode of body-centered cubic, gyroid, diamond, and Voronoi functionally graded additively manufactured biomedical lattice structures.

Given the capability to produce parts with complex geometries, powder bed fusion using a laser beam (PBF-LB), one of several additive manufacturing techniques, is becoming increasingly prevalent in both research and industry. Advances in the development of biomedical lattice structures show a trend in the use of functional gradients for greater customization and adjustment of mechanical properties according to the demands. This study analyzed four biomedical potential lattice structures (regular and graded) manufactured using PBF-LB in Ti6Al4V alloy.

Heterogeneous neutrophils in lung transplantation and proteolytic CXCL8 activation in COVID-19, influenza and lung transplant patient lungs.

Elevated neutrophil counts in broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) fluids of lung transplant (LTx) patients with chronic lung allograft dysfunction (CLAD) are associated with disease pathology. However, phenotypical characteristics of these cells remained largely unknown. Moreover, despite enhanced levels of the most potent human neutrophil-attracting chemokine CXCL8 in BAL fluid, no discrimination had been made between natural NH-terminally truncated CXCL8 proteoforms, which exhibit up to 30-fold differences in biological activity.

Introducing all-inkjet-printed microneedles for in-vivo biosensing.

Microneedles are mainly used for pain-free drug administration and in biosensing for wearable systems. They are also promising for fields such as agronomy for precision farming, but their fabrication is not straightforward, often requiring expensive equipment and cleanroom protocols, being unsuitable for mass production. Here, we report a new and simple method for the scalable fabrication of all-inkjet-printed conductive microneedles based on silver nanoparticles (extensible to any other metallic nanoparticle ink) and a simple example of their application for monitoring the electrochemical properties of plants.

The effect of breakfast skipping and sleep disorders on glycemic control, cardiovascular risk, and weight loss in type 2 diabetes.

Background & Aims: Meal timing is an emerging branch of science that investigates the influence of eating patterns on the circadian rhythm and overall health. There are still discrepancies in the literature as to whether late distribution of food intake and sleep disorders could impact biochemical, anthropometric, and cardiovascular markers. The objectives of this study were firstly observe skipping breakfast and sleep disorders over 12 months.

Clinicopathological, Prognostic and Molecular Profile of Salivary Gland Intraductal Carcinoma: A Systematic Review.

Purpose: This study aimed to conduct a systematic review summarizing the clinicopathological, prognostic, and molecular features of salivary gland intraductal carcinoma (SGIC).

Methods: This study followed the PRISMA 2020 guidelines and was registered in the PROSPERO database. It included case reports, case series studies, and cohort studies of SGIC indexed in the PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases published between 1983 and 2024.

Turmeric products: Evaluation of curcumin and trace elements.

Turmeric (Curcuma longa L.) is valued for its coloring properties, flavor enhancement, functionality, as well as antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects, which help prevent various diseases. This study aimed to evaluate the levels of curcumin and trace elements (Cr, Co, Ni, As, Mo, Cd, Sb, Ba, Hg, and Pb) in 30 samples of turmeric capsules.

A comprehensive study on bisphenol A and estrogenic activity in the Paraíba do Sul River, São Paulo, Brazil.

In recent decades, contaminants of emerging concern (CECs) in aquatic environments have garnered significant attention due to their adverse effects on ecosystems and human health. Among these CECs, bisphenol A (BPA) is a major concern because of its widespread use and endocrine-disrupting properties. Brazil's urbanization and industrial growth have led to significant pollution challenges, primarily due to inadequate sewage infrastructure and untreated domestic wastewater being discharged into rivers, contributing to the presence of emerging contaminants in surface waters.

Basic and preclinical epilepsy research Scientists' perception of clinical epileptology.

The interaction between basic science epilepsy researchers and clinical epileptologists is a longstanding issue. Efforts to provide opportunities for a dialogue between preclinical and clinical epilepsy professionals are crucial to reduce the knowledge gap between them and improve the translational success of neurobiology-based research. The International League Against Epilepsy (ILAE) Research and Innovation Task Force circulated a survey to investigate the need for an update on new clinical epilepsy concepts within the basic science community.

Sprint and jump performance are determined by localized BIA - an ecological study in track and field adolescent athletes.

Background: Raw data obtained through bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) have been applied in different populations to assess body fluids and cell integrity. Assessing raw BIA parameters in specific muscles is an emerging method for evaluating muscle function. We investigated the associations of the BIA-derived variables of resistance (R), reactance (Xc) and phase angle (PhA) measured through whole-body (WB) and muscle-localized (ML) methods with performance in the countermovement jump (CMJ) and 50-meter (m) sprint.

High-Intensity Interval Training for Cancer Patients: A Review of Key Considerations for Exercise Prescription.

Background: High-intensity interval training (HIIT) performed before, during, and after cancer treatment can attenuate the adverse effects induced by anti-cancer drugs. A clear presentation and rationale of characteristics of HIIT variables is vital to produce the expected HIIT adaptations in cancer patients. However, there are concerns regarding the HIIT protocols used in the cancer literature.

Route Planning Process by the Endangered Black Lion Tamarin in Different Environmental Contexts.

Daily, primates take a variety of decisions to establish why, when, and where to move. However, little is known about the factors influencing and shaping primate daily routes. We investigated the decision-making processes linked to route planning in four groups of black lion tamarins (BLT-Leontopithecus chrysopygus).