Leveraging computational modeling to explore epithelial and endothelial cell monolayer mechanobiology.

Endothelial cells (ENCs) and epithelial cells (EPCs) form monolayers whose barrier function is critical for the maintenance of physiological processes and extremely sensitive to mechanical cues. Computational models have emerged as powerful tools to elucidate how mechanical cues impact the behavior of these monolayers in health and disease. Herein, the importance of mechanics in regulating ENC and EPC monolayer behavior is established, highlighting similarities and differences in various biological contexts.

Long-term diverse straw management influences arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal community structure and plant growth in a rice-rotated wheat cropping system.

Communities of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) in soil are influenced by various agricultural managements, which in turn affects crop productivity. However, the impacts of straw returning on AMF communities are sparsely understood. Here, a 7-year field experiment including three sets of straw managements - returning methods (CK: no-tillage without straw; RT-SR: rotary tillage with straw; DB-SR: ditch-buried tillage with straw), burial amount, burial depth - were applied to evaluate the influences of straw managements on AMF composition.

Can't help processing numbers with text: Eye-tracking evidence for simultaneous instead of sequential processing of text and numbers in arithmetic word problems.

Solving arithmetic word problems requires individuals to create a correct mental representation, and this involves both text processing and number processing. The latter comprises understanding the semantic meaning of numbers (i.e.

Perceptions of science, science communication, and climate change attitudes in 68 countries - the TISP dataset.

Science is integral to society because it can inform individual, government, corporate, and civil society decision-making on issues such as public health, new technologies or climate change. Yet, public distrust and populist sentiment challenge the relationship between science and society. To help researchers analyse the science-society nexus across different geographical and cultural contexts, we undertook a cross-sectional population survey resulting in a dataset of 71,922 participants in 68 countries.

A comparison on safety and efficacy between 24 Fr versus 18 Fr pneumatic balloon dilators for percutaneous treatment of renal stones between 10 and 20 mm: results from a contemporary cohort.

Purpose: To assess differences in safety and efficacy between 24 and 18 Fr pneumatic balloon dilators for percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) of renal stones between 10 and 20 mm.

Methods: Patients were randomized to dilatation with a 24 Fr (Group A) versus 18 Fr (Group B) Ultraxx pneumatic dilator (Cook Medical). In all procedures percutaneous puncture was performed under ultrasound guidance.

Global transcriptome changes during growth of a novel Penicillium coffeae isolate on the wheat stripe rust fungus, Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici.

Wheat stripe rust caused by the fungus Puccinia striiformis f. sp. tritici (Pst) is currently the most destructive disease of wheat.

Symbiosis and horizontal gene transfer promote herbivory in the megadiverse leaf beetles.

Beetles that feed on the nutritionally depauperate and recalcitrant tissues provided by the leaves, stems, and roots of living plants comprise one-quarter of herbivorous insect species. Among the key adaptations for herbivory are plant cell wall-degrading enzymes (PCWDEs) that break down the fastidious polymers in the cell wall and grant access to the nutritious cell content. While largely absent from the non-herbivorous ancestors of beetles, such PCWDEs were occasionally acquired via horizontal gene transfer (HGT) or by the uptake of digestive symbionts.

Sleep for infants after discharge from a neonatal ward: Expert- and parent endorsed strategies.

Background: This study aims to outline sleep strategies grounded in scientific research and endorsed by sleep experts, integrating parental input into the evaluation process, to assist parents in supporting infant sleep after discharge from a neonatal ward.

Methods: A Delphi method, consisting of three rounds, was employed. Sleep strategies based on scientific literature were presented to sleep experts and parents of infants discharged from a neonatal ward.

Comparison of 1D and 3D volume measurement techniques in NF2-associated vestibular schwannoma monitoring.

To compare 1D (linear) tumor volume calculations and classification systems with 3D-segmented volumetric analysis (SVA), focusing specifically on their effectiveness in the evaluation and management of NF2-associated vestibular schwannomas (VS). VS were clinically followed every 6 months with cranial, thin-sliced (< 3 mm) MRI. We retrospectively reviewed and used T1-weighted post-contrast enhanced (gadolinium) images for both SVA and linear measurements.

Bi-allelic KICS2 mutations impair KICSTOR complex-mediated mTORC1 regulation, causing intellectual disability and epilepsy.

Nutrient-dependent mTORC1 regulation upon amino acid deprivation is mediated by the KICSTOR complex, comprising SZT2, KPTN, ITFG2, and KICS2, recruiting GATOR1 to lysosomes. Previously, pathogenic SZT2 and KPTN variants have been associated with autosomal recessive intellectual disability and epileptic encephalopathy. We identified bi-allelic KICS2 variants in eleven affected individuals presenting with intellectual disability and epilepsy.

First-in-class ultralong-target-residence-time p38α inhibitors as a mitosis-targeted therapy for colorectal cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) constitutes the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide and advanced CRCs are resistant to targeted therapies, chemotherapies and immunotherapies. p38α (Mapk14) has been suggested as a therapeutic target in CRC; however, available p38α inhibitors only allow for insufficient target inhibition. Here we describe a unique class of p38α inhibitors with ultralong target residence times (designated ULTR-p38i) that robustly inhibit p38α downstream signaling and induce distinct biological phenotypes.

Evaluation of a Deep Learning Denoising Algorithm for Dose Reduction in Whole-Body Photon-Counting CT Imaging: A Cadaveric Study.

Rationale And Objectives: Photon Counting CT (PCCT) offers advanced imaging capabilities with potential for substantial radiation dose reduction; however, achieving this without compromising image quality remains a challenge due to increased noise at lower doses. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a deep learning (DL)-based denoising algorithm in maintaining diagnostic image quality in whole-body PCCT imaging at reduced radiation levels, using real intraindividual cadaveric scans.

Materials And Methods: Twenty-four cadaveric human bodies underwent whole-body CT scans on a PCCT scanner (NAEOTOM Alpha, Siemens Healthineers) at four different dose levels (100%, 50%, 25%, and 10% mAs).

A Successful Control of the Intraoperative Bleeding from McConnell's Artery during Fully Endoscopic Resection of Planum Sphenoidale Meningioma Using Bone Chip and Bioglue : A Case Report.

The endoscopic transsphenoidal approach is a common approach used in skull base neurosurgery to reach the sellar region. One of the intraoperative risks of this approach is intraoperative bleeding out of the carotid artery. Gentle drilling can prevent carotid artery injury.

ERK activation waves coordinate mechanical cell competition leading to collective elimination via extrusion of bacterially infected cells.

Epithelial cells respond to infection with the intracellular bacterial pathogen Listeria monocytogenes by altering their mechanics to promote collective infected cell extrusion (CICE) and limit infection spread across cell monolayers. However, the underlying biochemical pathways remain elusive. Here, using in vitro (epithelial monolayers) and in vivo (zebrafish larvae) models of infection with L.

Identification of dissipation pathways for pharmaceuticals in soils - a modelling approach.

Concentrations of pollutants like pharmaceuticals in soils typically decrease over time, though it often remains unclear whether this dissipation is caused by the transformation of the pollutant or a decreasing extractability. We developed a mathematical model that (1) explores the plausibility of different dissipation pathways, and (2) allows the quantification of concentration differences between aqueous soil extracts and soil solution. The model considers soil particles as uniform spheres, kinetic sorption towards an equilibrium (Freundlich model), and two dissipation pathways, irreversible transformation and mineralization (following 1 order kinetics) as well as the formation of non-extractable residues intraparticle diffusion.

The long way from raw data to NAM-based information: Overview on data layers and processing steps.

Toxicological test methods generate raw data and provide instructions on how to use these to determine a final outcome such as a classification of test compounds as hits or non-hits. The data processing pipeline provided in the test method description is often highly complex. Usually, multiple layers of data, ranging from a machine-generated output to the final hit definition, are considered.

Role of endoscopic sequestrectomy in the treatment of therapy-resistant radiculopathy in patients with extreme obesity: technical note and case report.

Background: Surgical treatment of therapy-resistant radiculopathy associated with lumbar herniated discs in patients with extreme obesity is a challenge for neurosurgeons. In addition to technical problems in surgery due to the abundant subcutaneous adipose tissue and perioperative risks, there are significant anesthetic risks when anesthesia is performed with a patient in the prone position. A surgical procedure should preferably be minimally traumatic and quick with minimal risks of complications.

Single-cell analysis identifies the CNP/GC-B/cGMP axis as marker and regulator of modulated VSMCs in atherosclerosis.

A balanced activity of cGMP signaling contributes to the maintenance of cardiovascular homeostasis. Vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) can generate cGMP via three ligand-activated guanylyl cyclases, the NO-sensitive guanylyl cyclase, the atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP)-activated GC-A, and the C-type natriuretic peptide (CNP)-stimulated GC-B. Here, we study natriuretic peptide signaling in murine VSMCs and atherosclerotic lesions.

Design, Synthesis, and Unprecedented Interactions of Covalent Dipeptide-Based Inhibitors of SARS-CoV-2 Main Protease and Its Variants Displaying Potent Antiviral Activity.

The main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 is a key drug target for the development of antiviral therapeutics. Here, we designed and synthesized a series of small-molecule peptidomimetics with various cysteine-reactive electrophiles. Several compounds were identified as potent SARS-CoV-2 M inhibitors, including compounds (IC = 0.

Tumor-infiltrating plasma cells are a prognostic factor in penile squamous cell carcinoma.

Penile cancer (PeCa) is a rare disease with poor prognosis in the metastatic stage. Neither effective adjuvant nor palliative therapeutic options are available. Research efforts in this field have so far failed to establish robust predictors of survival.

Rhabdomyosarcoma Surgical Update.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) tumors arise from mesenchymal tissue and represent half of pediatric sarcomas, which in turn make up 7% of pediatric tumors. Advances in local control therapy of RMS have improved outcomes after surgical resection of the primary tumor, either before or after induction chemotherapy, even in the setting of metastatic disease. The utilization of diagnostic core needle and sentinel node biopsy techniques for lymph node staging are becoming more widely used.

Investigation of the suitability of confocal Raman spectroscopy for the demonstration of bioequivalence of topical products.

Bioequivalence studies of topical formulations have attracted increased interest as the European Medicines Agencies "Guideline on quality and equivalence on locally applied, locally acting cutaneous products" describes them in the context of the approval of generics. Since the guideline only proposes tape stripping as a destructive method for bioequivalence testing in in vitro skin penetration, the aim of this study was to investigate the suitability of confocal Raman spectroscopy (CRS) as a non-destructive alternative. To validate the CRS results, tape stripping and CRS experiments using ketoprofen as a model API were performed consecutively on the same samples of ex vivo porcine skin after frozen storage and compared.

Attention incorporated network for sharing low-rank, image and k-space information during MR image reconstruction to achieve single breath-hold cardiac Cine imaging.

Cardiac Cine Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) provides an accurate assessment of heart morphology and function in clinical practice. However, MRI requires long acquisition times, with recent deep learning-based methods showing great promise to accelerate imaging and enhance reconstruction quality. Existing networks exhibit some common limitations that constrain further acceleration possibilities, including single-domain learning, reliance on a single regularization term, and equal feature contribution.

Salvage Autologous Transplant in Relapsed Multiple Myeloma: Long-Term Follow-Up of the Phase 3 GMMG ReLApsE Trial.

The multicenter, phase III GMMG ReLApsE trial (EudraCT-No:2009-013856-61) randomized relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) patients equally to lenalidomide/dexamethasone (LEN/DEX, 25mg days 1-21/40mg weekly, 4-week cycles) re-induction, salvage high dose chemotherapy (sHDCT, melphalan 200mg/m2), autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and LEN maintenance (10mg/day; transplant arm, n=139) versus continuous LEN/DEX (control arm, n=138). Ninety-four percent of patients had received frontline HDCT/ASCT. We report an updated analysis of survival endpoints with a median follow-up of 99 months.