Optimized Cell-Based Platform for Platelet-Free Detection of Heparin-Induced Thrombocytopenia Antibodies.

Accurate detection of heparin-induced thrombocytopenia (HIT) antibodies is crucial for diagnosing and managing thrombotic events. Conventional immunoassays, however, often lack specificity and require confirmatory testing with fresh human platelets. To address this limitation, we optimized our previously developed cell-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) for improved HIT detection under various experimental conditions.

A survey of genotypes associated with Leber congenital amaurosis and early-onset severe retinal degeneration identified in a Singaporean patient cohort.

Purpose: Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) and early-onset severe retinal degeneration (EOSRD) are inherited retinal diseases (IRDs) characterized by visual impairment beginning in infancy or childhood. This study aimed to describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of the first prospectively enrolled Singaporean patient cohort with disease-causing variants in genes associated with LCA, EOSRD, or related early-onset phenotypes.

Methods: Thirty-four patients from 30 families were prospectively recruited and underwent comprehensive clinical and genetic evaluation.

Molecular Insights into the Interaction between CD147 and the SARS-CoV‑2 Spike Protein.

Cluster of differentiation 147 (CD147), a transmembrane glycoprotein, has been identified as a potential auxiliary receptor for the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein (SP), contributing to COVID-19 infection. However, the detailed binding characteristics of this interaction remain unclear. Here, we characterized SP-CD147 binding using Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) and single-molecule force spectroscopy (SMFS) under varying contact times and temperatures.

Heterogeneity in prognosis for early-stage hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy: A multicenter analysis of 4,623 patients across five major staging systems.

Background & Aims: Multiple staging systems for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) have led to heterogeneous definitions of "early-stage" disease, potentially affecting treatment decisions and outcomes. This study aimed to quantify the prognostic variations among patients undergoing curative hepatic resection for "early-stage" HCC, as defined by five major staging systems.

Methods: In this multicenter study, 4623 patients who underwent curative resection for newly diagnosed HCC (2014-2023) across 11 tertiary hospitals were analyzed.

Real-world experience on efficacy and safety of different adjuvant chemotherapy regimens in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of various adjuvant chemotherapy (AC) regimens for treating locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods And Analysis: In this retrospective study, the patients received either intravenous AC regimens (cisplatin-fluorouracil (PF) or cisplatin-gemcitabine (GP)) or oral regimens (capecitabine or tegafur, gimeracil and oteracil potassium capsule (S-1)) following concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS).

SynchroSep-MS: Parallel LC Separations for Multiplexed Proteomics.

Achieving high throughput remains a challenge in MS-based proteomics for large-scale applications. We introduce SynchroSep-MS, a novel method for parallelized, label-free proteome analysis that leverages the rapid acquisition speed of modern mass spectrometers. This approach employs multiple liquid chromatography columns, each with an independent sample, simultaneously introduced into a single mass spectrometer inlet.

DDAH1 Promotes Cisplatin Chemoresistance in Patients with Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma via the EGFR-JAK2-STAT3 Pathway.

Cisplatin-based induction chemotherapy (IC) improves survival in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LANPC). However, ≈30% of patients with LANPC receiving IC develop chemoresistance, and 20% experience disease progression. The relation between chemoresistance and Dimethylarginine dimethylaminohydrolase-1 (DDAH1) in NPC has not been mentioned in previous studies.

Evaluation and reinforcement of the physicochemical properties of hybrid meatball kung-wan partially replaced with rice protein.

Hybrid meat products, involving the partial replacement of meat with plant proteins, provide a promising solution to address the rising consumer demand for sustainable and healthier food options. Rice protein (RP), featuring balanced amino acid composition and hypoallergenic property, represents a potent alternative to common legume-based proteins. This study investigates the potential of RP as a partial replacer for pork in kung-wan, a traditional Oriental-style emulsified meatball.

Dual prophylactic and therapeutic potential of iPSC-based vaccines and neoantigen discovery in colorectal cancer.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) share transcriptomic similarities with cancer cells and express tumor-specific and tumor-associated antigens, highlighting their potential as cancer vaccines. Our previous study demonstrated that an iPSC-based vaccine effectively prevented tumor growth in various mouse models, including melanoma, breast, lung, and pancreatic cancers. However, the underlying mechanisms and the therapeutic efficacy of the iPSC-based vaccine remain unclear.

Optoelectronic Artificial Synapses Based on ZnO/Nanoporous Hybrid Thin Film by Atomic/Molecular Layer Deposition.

An optoelectronic artificial synapse device has been established based on ZnO/Zn-HQ nanoporous hybrid thin films by atomic/molecular layer deposition. This unique nanoporous microstructure in devices significantly enhances the optoelectronic response and relaxation time, enabling important biosynaptic functions under optical stimuli, such as Pavlov's dog experiment and pattern recognition. The mechanism of ionization-deionization of oxygen vacancies has been proposed for this device.

Exosomal biomarkers: A novel frontier in the diagnosis of gastrointestinal cancers.

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, which predominantly manifest in the stomach, colorectum, liver, esophagus, and pancreas, accounting for approximately 35% of global cancer-related mortality. The advent of liquid biopsy has introduced a pivotal diagnostic modality for the early identification of premalignant GI lesions and incipient cancers. This non-invasive technique not only facilitates prompt therapeutic intervention, but also serves as a critical adjunct in prognosticating the likelihood of tumor recurrence.

Tumor biology characteristics score based on alpha-fetoprotein and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II as a predictor for recurrence and survival after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma: a multicenter cohort study.

Background: Current hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) staging systems lack comprehensive assessment of tumor biologic characteristics. This study aimed to develop and validate a tumor biology characteristics score (TBCS) based on alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and protein induced by vitamin K absence or antagonist II (PIVKA-II) to predict long-term oncologic outcomes after HCC resection.

Methods: In this multicenter retrospective cohort study, patients who underwent curative resection for HCC between June 2018 and December 2022 were included.

Haem biosynthesis regulates BCAA catabolism and thermogenesis in brown adipose tissue.

The distinctive colour of brown adipose tissue (BAT) is attributed to its high content of haem-rich mitochondria. However, the mechanisms by which BAT regulates intracellular haem levels remain largely unexplored. Here we demonstrate that haem biosynthesis is the primary source of haem in brown adipocytes.

Risk stratification model for predicting distant metastasis after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma: A multi-institutional analysis.

Distant metastasis after hepatectomy for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) significantly impairs long-term outcome. This study aimed to identify patterns, risk factors, and develop a prediction model for distant metastasis at first recurrence following HCC resection. This multi-center retrospective study included patients undergoing curative hepatectomy for HCC.

Inhibition of citrate transport reduces HIF-1α/GABA-T-mediated succinate accumulation in macrophages: The role of astragaloside IV in ischemic stroke.

Background: The occurrence of ischemic stroke is closely associated with the inflammatory infiltration of peripheral monocytes/macrophages, and the inflammatory activation of macrophages is often affected by metabolic reprogramming. The Slc25a1 regulates mitochondrial citrate transport and has been shown to affect cell proliferation and migration in cancer. Astragaloside IV exhibits significant anti-inflammatory activity and improves ischemic stroke, but its regulatory effect on macrophage metabolic reprogramming has not been elucidated.

Prognostic Value of the ASAP Score for Patients Undergoing Hepatic Resection for Hepatocellular Carcinoma: A Multicenter Analysis of 1,239 Patients.

Background And Aims: The ASAP score, which incorporates age, sex, alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), and protein induced by vitamin K absence-II, has demonstrated promise for early detection of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, its prognostic value after HCC treatment remains unknown. The current study sought to evaluate the prognostic value of the ASAP score to predict recurrence and survival following curative hepatic resection for HCC.

Monkeypox outbreak 2023 in Chengdu, China: an observational study.

Monkeypox is a zoonotic viral disease caused by monkeypox virus infection and formerly this disease had been endemic mainly in Africa. Since May 2022, the disease has rapidly spread across the world and some imported case was confirmed sporadically in China. Under these circumstances, data of confirmed cases were collected consecutively in Chengdu, southwest China to investigate clinical and epidemiological characteristics.

NR2E3-Associated Retinopathy Presenting with Bilateral Choroidal Neovascularization.

Purpose: We describe an atypical presentation of an 11-year-old female with enhanced S-cone syndrome (ESCS).

Methods: Case report. The patient underwent a thorough ophthalmic examination and investigations such as colour fundus photography, optical coherence tomography, fundus autofluorescence, fluorescein and indocyanine angiography, an electroretinogram and genetic testing.

Use of Laxative-Augmented Contrast Medium Increases the Accuracy in the Detection of Colorectal Neoplasms.

Colonic adenomas are considered a precursor of colorectal cancer. A 75-year-old woman had a history of post-operation left breast cancer. She received an excision when the left chest wall recurred.

GnRH agonist-only trigger, compared to dual trigger, reduces oocyte retrieval rate in high responders without affecting cumulative live birth rate.

Introduction: This study compared, in high responders undergoing IVF treatment, GnRH agonist-only trigger and dual trigger on oocyte retrieval rate and cumulative live birth rate (LBR). The aim was to determine if the GnRH agonist-only triggers had provided outcomes comparable to dual trigger, while minimizing the risk of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS).

Materials And Methods: A retrospective, matched case-control study was conducted at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, Taiwan, including women who underwent IVF/ICSI between January 1, 2014, and December 31, 2022.

Pathways to motherhood: A single-center retrospective study on fertility preservation and reproductive outcomes in patients with breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer treatments often have negative effects on fertility, which pose challenges among patients who want to be parents in the future. This study aimed to examine the efficacy of oocyte cryopreservation, embryo cryopreservation, and ovarian tissue cryopreservation in patients with breast cancer.

Methods: This retrospective review evaluated 42 patients with breast cancer who underwent fertility preservation at our center from January 2012 to December 2022.