When annealing is detrimental: The case of HMGB1-targeting G-quadruplex aptamers.

In this work, we present the case of the G-quadruplex(G4)-forming aptamers we recently identified for the recognition of HMGB1, protein involved in inflammation, autoimmune diseases and cancer. These aptamers were previously analyzed, without annealing them, after proper dilution of the stock solution in a pseudo-physiological buffer mimicking the extracellular environment where the protein exerts its pathological activity, and showed high thermal stability and nuclease resistance, good protein affinity and remarkable in vitro activity. These features were more marked for the aptamers forming dimeric, parallel G4 structures in solution.

An electrochemical biosensor for on-glove application: Organophosphorus pesticide detection directly on fruit peels.

One of the greatest challenges for the future is represented by the conservation of global agricultural production: it is necessary to implement early monitoring of the health conditions of crops through innovative technologies that allow a sustainable development. To reach this goal, the development of portable biosensors might represent a robust strategy for monitoring agricultural sites in agreement with the requirement of precision agriculture. In this work, an electrochemical inhibition biosensor has been engineered onto a glove to quantify organophosphorus pesticides directly on fruits peels.

Does gut microbiota dysbiosis impact the metabolic alterations of hydrogen sulfide and lanthionine in patients with chronic kidney disease?

Background: Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD) is characterized by a methionine-related metabolic disorder involving reduced plasma levels of hydrogen sulfide (HS) and increased lanthionine. The gut microbiota influences methionine metabolism, potentially impacting sulfur metabolite dysfunctions in CKD. We evaluated whether gut microbiota dysbiosis contributes to HS and lanthionine metabolic alterations in CKD.

The Opportunistic Pathogen : Virulence and Antibiotic Resistance, Clinical Features, Association with Orthopedic Implants and Other Medical Devices, and a Glance at Industrial Applications.

In recent decades, the risk of developing opportunistic infections has increased in parallel with the ever-increasing number of people suffering from chronic immunosuppressive diseases or undergoing prosthetic surgery. is a Gram-positive and coagulase-negative bacterium. Usually found as a component of the healthy human and animal microbiota of the skin and mucosae, it can take on the role of an opportunistic pathogen capable of causing a variety of infections, ranging from mild to life-threatening, not only in immunocompromised patients but even, although rarely, in healthy people.

Monoclonal Antibodies for the Treatment of Ocular Diseases.

Monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have revolutionized the landscape of cancer therapy, offering unprecedented specificity and diverse mechanisms to combat malignant cells. These biologic agents have emerged as a cornerstone in targeted cancer treatment, binding to specific antigens on cancer cells and exerting their therapeutic effects through various mechanisms, including inhibition of signaling pathways, antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), complement-dependent cytotoxicity (CDC), and antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis (ADCP). The unique ability of mAbs to engage the immune system and directly interfere with cancer cell function has significantly enhanced the therapeutic armamentarium against a broad spectrum of malignancies.

Second-Order Mass-Weighting Scheme for Atom-Centered Density Matrix Propagation Molecular Dynamics.

The atom-centered density matrix propagation (ADMP) method is an extended Lagrangian approach to ab initio molecular dynamics, which includes the density matrix in an orthonormalized atom-centered Gaussian basis as additional, fictitious, electronic degrees of freedom, classically propagated along with the nuclear ones. A high adiabaticity between the nuclear and electronic subsystems is mandatory in order to keep the trajectory close to the Born-Oppenheimer (BO) surface. In this regard, the fictitious electronic mass , being a symmetric, nondiagonal matrix in its most general form, represents a free parameter, exploitable to optimize the propagation of the electronic density.

Advances in Extremophile Research: Biotechnological Applications through Isolation and Identification Techniques.

Extremophiles, organisms thriving in extreme environments such as hot springs, deep-sea hydrothermal vents, and hypersaline ecosystems, have garnered significant attention due to their remarkable adaptability and biotechnological potential. This review presents recent advancements in isolating and characterizing extremophiles, highlighting their applications in enzyme production, bioplastics, environmental management, and space exploration. The unique biological mechanisms of extremophiles offer valuable insights into life's resilience and potential uses in industry and astrobiology.

Vinegar - a beneficial food additive: production, safety, possibilities, and applications from ancient to modern times.

Vinegar is a natural product derived from fruits or grains after being subjected to food fermentation processes. Vinegar is a beneficial food additive, preservative, and condiment. It is appreciated across the Islamic world following the Prophetic teaching where Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) recommended its utility, saying: "The best of condiments is vinegar".

Endonasal Route for Tuberculum and Planum Meningiomas.

Tuberculum and planum meningiomas are challenging tumors per their critical location and neurovascular relationships. The standard treatment is usually represented by complete tumor removal, being the transcranial approaches the well-established routes. During the last decades, novel surgical routes have been experimented with emphasis on the concept of minimal invasive approaches.

Impact of Fenton aging on the incipient motion of microplastic particles in open-channel flow.

Upon entering the environment, Microplastics (MPs) experience aging processes that modify their properties and integrity. Previous methods for predicting the incipient motion of MPs have been validated using pristine plastics, which do not account for the effects of aging. This can lead to uncertainties in both quantification and characterization.

PEI-Engineered Lipid@PLGA Hybrid Nanoparticles for Multimodal Delivery of Antigens and Immune Adjuvants to the Respiratory Mucosa.

Antigen delivery via respiratory mucosal surfaces is an interesting needle-free option for vaccination. Nonetheless, it demands for the design of especially tailored formulations. Here, lipid/poly(lactic-co-glycolic) acid (PLGA) hybrid nanoparticles (hNPs) for the combined delivery of an antigen, ovalbumin (Ova), and an adjuvant, synthetic unmethylated cytosine-phosphate-guanine oligodeoxynucleotide (CpG) motifs, is developed.

Effects of maternal dietary supplementation with antioxidants on clinical status of mares and their foal.

Background: The peripartum period constitutes a delicate physiological moment in mares showing a transient state of oxidative stress. Diet supplementation with antioxidants during pregnancy in women appears to have a beneficial effect on mother and neonate health. The aim of this work was to evaluate the effects of diet supplementation with a commercial product containing a mix of antioxidants (Oxyliver, Candioli) on the length of gestation, weight, and haemato-biochemical parameters in Italian Salernitano mares and their newborn foals.

Organic Chimeras based on Selenosugars, Steroids, and Fullerenes as Potential Inhibitors of the β-amyloid Peptide Aggregation.

The aggregation of β-amyloid peptide (Aβ) is associated with neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease (AD). Several therapies aimed at reducing the aggregation of this peptide have emerged as potential strategies for the treatment of AD. This paper describes the design and preparation of new hybrid molecules based on steroids, selenosugars, and [60]fullerene as potential inhibitors of Aβ oligomerization.