The surface phase diagram of FeO(001) revisited.

Understanding how the physical and electronic structures of metal-oxide surfaces evolve under varying conditions is crucial for optimizing their performance in applications such as catalysis. In this study, we compute the surface phase diagram of the FeO(001) facet using density functional theory (DFT)-based calculations, with an emphasis on understanding the terminations observed in surface science experiments. Our results reveal two stable terminations in addition to the subsurface cation vacancy (SCV) structure, which dominates under oxidizing conditions.

Factor B as a therapeutic target for the treatment of complement-mediated diseases.

The complement system, consisting of three initiating pathways-classical, lectin and alternative, is an important part of innate immunity. Dysregulation of the complement system is implicated in the pathogenesis of several autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Therapeutic inhibition of the complement system has been recognized as a viable approach to drug development and has been successful with the approval of a small number of complement inhibitors for diseases such as paroxysmal nocturnal hemoglobinuria, atypical hemolytic uremic syndrome, neuromyelitis optica, myasthenia gravis and geographic atrophy.

Iptacopan Reduces Proteinuria and Stabilizes Kidney Function in C3 Glomerulopathy.

Introduction: C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) is a complex, chronic, ultra rare, progressive primary glomerulonephritis, resulting from alternative complement pathway overactivation, leading to kidney failure in most patients, and frequent recurrence in transplants. Iptacopan (LNP023) is an oral, proximal complement inhibitor specifically targeting factor B, that selectively inhibits the alternative complement pathway.

Methods: This was a phase 2 extension study of 26 adult patients with native kidney (cohort A), or recurrent C3G (post kidney transplantation; cohort B) receiving open label iptacopan.

Kidney Transplantation in Children and Adolescents With C3 Glomerulopathy or Immune Complex Membranoproliferative Glomerulonephritis: An International Survey of Current Practice.

Background: Approximately 50% of patients with chronic kidney disease due to C3 glomerulopathy (C3G) or primary immune-complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) will require dialysis and/or kidney transplantation (KTx) within the first 10 years of disease onset. Currently, there are no guidelines regarding the indications for KTx or post-transplant management.

Methods: We therefore initiated an international online survey via Survey Monkey on C3G and IC-MPGN in children with CKD stage 5.

Structure and Dynamics of the Magnetite(001)/Water Interface from Molecular Dynamics Simulations Based on a Neural Network Potential.

The magnetite/water interface is commonly found in nature and plays a crucial role in various technological applications. However, our understanding of its structural and dynamical properties at the molecular scale remains still limited. In this study, we developed an efficient Behler-Parrinello neural network potential (NNP) for the magnetite/water system, paying particular attention to the accurate generation of reference data with density functional theory.

Study while you sleep: using targeted memory reactivation as an independent research project for undergraduates.

Newly acquired information is stabilized into long-term memory through the process of consolidation. Memories are not static; rather, they are constantly updated via reactivation, and this reactivation occurs preferentially during slow-wave sleep (SWS; also referred to as N3 in humans). Here we present a scalable neuroscience research investigation of memory reactivation using low-cost electroencephalogram (EEG) recording hardware and open-source software for students and educators across the K-12 and higher education spectrum.

Quantitative Measurement of Cooperative Binding in Partially Dissociated Water Dimers at the Hematite "R-Cut" Surface.

Water-solid interfaces pervade the natural environment and modern technology. On some surfaces, water-water interactions induce the formation of partially dissociated interfacial layers; understanding why is important to model processes in catalysis or mineralogy. The complexity of the partially dissociated structures often makes it difficult to probe them quantitatively.

Electrode Droplet Microarray (eDMA): An Impedance Platform for Label-Free Parallel Monitoring of Cellular Drug Response in Nanoliter Droplets.

Label-free real-time monitoring of cellular behavior using impedance spectroscopy is important for drug development and toxicological assessments. Parallelization and miniaturization of such experiments are essential for increasing throughput and enabling experiments with low abundant stem or primary cells. Traditional methods are not miniaturized and require large volumes of reagents and number of cells, limiting their suitability for cost effective high-throughput screening of cells of limited availability.

Protocol to generate a microfluidic vessels-on-chip platform using human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells.

Here, we present a protocol for producing a microfluidic vessel-on-chip platform using human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (SC-ECs). We describe steps for manufacturing the 3D-printed chip, cell culturing to generate SC-ECs, hydrogel patterning, and the formation and cultivation of barrier-forming vessels. We then detail procedures for the retrieval of cells and media from the open microfluidic chip platform to enable multi-omics analysis.

Multi-omics analysis of overexpressed tumor-associated proteins: gene expression, immunopeptide presentation, and antibody response in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma, with a focus on cancer-testis antigens.

Introduction: The human leukocyte antigen complex (HLA) is essential for inducing specific immune responses to cancer by presenting tumor-associated peptides (TAP) to T cells. Overexpressed tumor associated antigens, mainly cancer-testis antigens (CTA), are outlined as essential targets for immunotherapy in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). This study assessed the degree to which presentation, gene expression, and antibody response (AR) of TAP, mainly CTA, are correlated in OPSCC patients to evaluate their potential as immunotherapy targets.

Kidney transplantation in children and adolescents with C3 glomerulopathy or immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis: a real-world study within the CERTAIN research network.

Background: Complement 3 glomerulopathy (C3G) and immune complex membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis (IC-MPGN) are ultra-rare chronic kidney diseases with an overall poor prognosis, with approximately 40-50% of patients progressing to kidney failure within 10 years of diagnosis. C3G is characterized by a high rate of disease recurrence in the transplanted kidney. However, there is a lack of published data on clinical outcomes in the pediatric population following transplantation.

Developing Therapies for C3 Glomerulopathy: Report of the Kidney Health Initiative C3 Glomerulopathy Trial Endpoints Work Group.

Randomized clinical trials are underway to evaluate the efficacy of novel agents targeting the alternative complement pathway in patients with C3 glomerulopathy (C3G), a rare glomerular disease. The Kidney Health Initiative convened a panel of experts in C3G to ( 1 ) assess the data supporting the use of the prespecified trial end points as measures of clinical benefit and ( 2 ) opine on efficacy findings they would consider compelling as treatment(s) of C3G in native kidneys. Two subpanels of the C3G Trial Endpoints Work Group reviewed the available evidence and uncertainties for the association between the three prespecified end points-( 1 ) proteinuria, ( 2 ) eGFR, and ( 3 ) histopathology-and anticipated outcomes.

Quantification of human papillomavirus cell-free DNA from low-volume blood plasma samples by digital PCR.

The incidence rate of human papillomavirus-driven oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC) is increasing in countries with high human development index. HPV cell-free DNA (cfDNA) isolated from 3 to 4 mL blood plasma has been successfully used for therapy surveillance. A highly discussed application of HPV-cfDNA is early detection of HPV-OPC.

Stem cell-derived vessels-on-chip for cardiovascular disease modeling.

The metabolic syndrome is accompanied by vascular complications. Human in vitro disease models are hence required to better understand vascular dysfunctions and guide clinical therapies. Here, we engineered an open microfluidic vessel-on-chip platform that integrates human pluripotent stem cell-derived endothelial cells (SC-ECs).

Novel high-dense microelectrode array based multimodal bioelectronic monitoring system for cardiac arrhythmia re-entry analysis.

In recent decades, significant progress has been made in the treatment of heart diseases, particularly in the field of personalized medicine. Despite the development of genetic tests, phenotyping and risk stratification are performed based on clinical findings and invasive in vivo techniques, such as stimulation conduction mapping techniques and programmed ventricular pacing. Consequently, label-free non-invasive in vitro functional analysis systems are urgently needed for more accurate and effective in vitro risk stratification, model-based therapy planning, and clinical safety profile evaluation of drugs.

Microcavity well-plate for automated parallel bioelectronic analysis of 3D cell cultures.

Three-dimensional (3D) in vitro cell culture models serve as valuable tools for accurately replicating cellular microenvironments found in vivo. While cell culture technologies are rapidly advancing, the availability of non-invasive, real-time, and label-free analysis methods for 3D cultures remains limited. To meet the demand for higher-throughput drug screening, there is a demanding need for analytical methods that can operate in parallel.

Single-cell characterization of neovascularization using hiPSC-derived endothelial cells in a 3D microenvironment.

The formation of vascular structures is fundamental for in vitro tissue engineering. Vascularization can enable the nutrient supply within larger structures and increase transplantation efficiency. We differentiated human induced pluripotent stem cells toward endothelial cells in 3D suspension culture.