A Dual-Target Real-time PCR for proactive detection of Mpox variants.

In 2022, cases of Monkeypox virus (MPXV) in California contained a mutation in the TNF receptor gene (GR2G) that rendered the virus undetectable using a widely adopted public health diagnostic qPCR assay. This underscored the need for a dual-target PCR approach and prompted validation of a second target by the BCCDC Public Health Laboratory. In addition to the GR2G target validated in the original qPCR assay (and duplexed with the endogenous target human β-globin (HBG)), GP113 (OPG128) was identified and validated using both clinical samples and MPXV DNA controls.

Posttreatment toxicity following single-fraction versus multifraction hypofractionated stereotactic radiosurgery for larger meningiomas.

Objective: Stereotactic radiosurgery (SRS) has been used to manage patients with intracranial meningioma with contraindications to resection. Limitations to SRS traditionally include tumors > 3 cm due to the risk of posttreatment toxicity. Hypofractionated SRS (hSRS) has been proposed as an alternative for tumors exceeding volume constraints for single-fraction SRS, although how hypofractionation affects the volume versus toxicity relationship has not been reported.

Age and gender-specific flow-mediated dilation reference values and predictive factors for Chinese children and adolescents.

Background: We aim to establish normative reference values of brachial artery flow-mediated dilation (FMD) by age and gender in children and adolescents, and to identify predictors of FMD in this population.

Methods: A representative sample of 1498 healthy children and adolescents aged 8 to 17 years was recruited. Subjects underwent sonographic brachial artery assessment and blood sampling.

Evaluation of pandemic potential of the genotype 4 (G4) swine influenza virus using and cultures of the human respiratory tract.

Recent studies have reported a genotype 4 (G4) reassortant Eurasian avian-like (EA) H1N1 virus in swine, demonstrating a potential pandemic threat in humans. Here, we have compared the tropism, replication competence and pro-inflammatory cytokine and chemokine induction of the two G4 EA H1N1 strains in parallel with 2009 pandemic H1N1 (H1N1/pdm/09) and A/Quail/HK/G1/1997 H9N2 (G1) using culture of the human respiratory tract and culture of human peripheral blood-derived macrophages. Our results showed that G4 strains could replicate in cultures of human lung and bronchus with a similar replication competence to H1N1/pdm/09.

Thermoresponsive Platinum(II) 2,6-Di(pyrid-2-yl)pyrazine Complexes with Unusual Aggregation Behavior upon Heating.

A series of alkynylplatinum(II) complexes with 2,6-di(pyrid-2-yl)pyrazine ligand has been synthesized and characterized. Interestingly, the complexes have been found to exhibit unprecedented thermochromic behavior with absorption maxima shifting to the longer-wavelength region upon increasing temperature. This phenomenon is significantly different from that in conventional platinum(II) systems, where an elevated temperature typically promotes the dissociation of aggregates and diminishes MMLCT absorptions.

Association between maternal glucose levels in pregnancy and offspring's metabolism and adiposity: an 18-year birth cohort study.

Aims/hypothesis: The study aimed to explore the association between maternal glucose levels in pregnancy and offspring's metabolism and adiposity at approximately 18 years of age.

Methods: Pregnant women from the Hong Kong Field Centre enrolled in the Hyperglycemia and Adverse Pregnancy Outcome (HAPO) study underwent a 75 g OGTT at 24-32 gestational weeks. Offspring's metabolic and adiposity traits were assessed at 18 years postpartum.

Viral characterization of the reassortants between canine influenza H3N2 and human pandemic (2009) H1N1 and avian H9N2 viruses in canine ex vivo tracheal explants.

Background: In 2007, the canine influenza H3N2 virus (H3N2-CIV) first emerged in the canine population in South Korea. The virus had since spread internationally and continues to circulate in the canines. While there is currently no report of H3N2-CIV spilling over to the human population, the virus had shown a tendency to reassort with other influenza subtypes.

MRI-Based Radiomics Ensemble Model for Predicting Radiation Necrosis in Brain Metastasis Patients Treated with Stereotactic Radiosurgery and Immunotherapy.

Radiation therapy is a primary and cornerstone treatment modality for brain metastasis. However, it can result in complications like necrosis, which may lead to significant neurological deficits. This study aims to develop and validate an ensemble model with radiomics to predict radiation necrosis.

Epigenetic modulation elicits an NK cell-mediated immune response in urothelial carcinoma.

Unlabelled: Urothelial carcinoma (UC), the second most prevalent cancer of the urothelial system, has demonstrated a well-developed ability to evade natural killer (NK) cell-mediated killing via various pathways, highlighting the need for innovative therapeutic approaches. Our study examines the role of cyproheptadine (CPH) and entinostat (ENT) as epigenetic modifiers in enhancing NK cell-mediated cytotoxicity against UC. Through our in vitro experiments, we observed that pre-treatment with CPH or ENT significantly increased NK cell-mediated elimination of UC cells, as demonstrated in NK cytotoxicity assay wherein UC cells were co-cultured with both NK-92 and human primary NK cells.

Can a Diet, Nutrition and Supplement Program Prevent Uterine Fibroid Recurrence? Pilot Results of the LIFE Program.

The objective of this prospective, longitudinal cohort study was to evaluate the pilot effects of a 24-month exercise and nutrition intervention, called the Lifestyle Intervention for Fibroid Elimination Program (LIFE), at NYU Langone Health's Center for Fibroid Care. Specifically, we evaluate the impact on quality of life (QOL), symptom severity (SS), and clinical lab markers in 22 fibroid patients. Patients who underwent a procedure within 3 months of the start of the LIFE Program and completed up to 12 months of the program were included in this study.

Design and Application of Conjugatable Small Molecule Toll-Like Receptor 4 Ligands.

We identified structurally distinct pyrimido[5,4-]indole derivatives as toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) ligands. Previous structure-activity relationship studies revealed that C8-aryl derivatives in pyrimido[5,4-]indole, especially phenyl and 2-naphthyl compounds, are more potent in the activation of TLR4 signaling. Molecular modeling of these compounds indicated that C8-aryl groups are important for the interaction of the TLR4/myeloid differentiation factor-2 (MD-2) complex.

Modeling Latent Dynamics of the Autonomic Nervous System in Response to Trauma Recall and Non-Invasive Vagus Nerve Stimulation.

Objective: To develop a person-specific dynamic modeling approach to quantify the time course of multiple peripheral markers of the autonomic nervous system (ANS) in response to acute stressors and potential stress-reducing interventions.

Methods: We curated data (N=50 participants) from a double-blind, randomized, sham-controlled trial of non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation (nVNS) for posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD). For each participant, a multi-input, multi-output, linear state space model (SSM) was trained on $\sim$3500 s of cardiovascular and respiratory marker time series data and tested for predictive validity on $\sim$2000 s of held-out data.

Self-Assembly of Alkynylplatinum(II) Complexes for Sialic Acid Detection and Differentiation of Cancer Cells from Normal Cells.

A series of platinum(II) complexes incorporating a histidine moiety and/or positively charged group has been designed and synthesized to explore the specific binding between platinum(II) complexes and the analyte and their sensing ability. The specific hydrogen bonding between the histidine moiety and sialic acids, and the electrostatic interaction between the positively charged trimethylammonium group of the platinum(II) complexes and negatively charged carboxylate groups of sialic acids have been found to enhance the binding affinity. The supramolecular assembly of platinum(II) complexes upon binding to sialic acids induces remarkable luminescence changes due to noncovalent Pt(II)Pt(II) and π-π stacking interactions, achieving sensing and visualization of sialic acids.

Late-Life Short-Term Dietary Restriction Improves Intestinal Stem Cell Function and Alters Intestinal Stem Cell Deoxyribonucleic Acid Methylation in Mice.

Background: Intestinal regenerative capacity declines with age due to the declining intestinal stem cell (ISC) function. Dietary restriction (DR), the most robust anti-aging intervention to date, has been shown to improve ISC function in young mice.

Objectives: The goal of this study is to evaluate the effect of short-term DR (stDR) on ISC function when implemented late in life.

Dynamic Interaction Between SARS-CoV-2 and Influenza A Virus Infection in Human Respiratory Tissues and Cells.

With the concurrent circulations of SARS-CoV-2 omicron and influenza A viruses in the community, there is evidence showing co-infection with both viruses. However, disease severity may vary due to the complex immunity landscape of the patients and the neutralizing antibody waning status. The intrinsic dynamic relationship and pathological significance for such co-infections remain largely unknown.

Neuroprotective Riluzole-Releasing Electrospun Implants for Spinal Cord Injury.

Spinal cord injury (SCI) results in paralysis, driven partly by widespread glutamate-induced secondary excitotoxic neuronal cell death in and around the injury site. While there is no curative treatment, the standard of care often requires interventive decompression surgery and repair of the damaged dura mater close to the injury locus using dural substitutes. Such intervention provides an opportunity for early and local delivery of therapeutics directly to the injured cord via a drug-loaded synthetic dural substitute for localized pharmacological therapy.

Plant MIR2911 in honeysuckle is effective against SARS-CoV-2 variant.

The COVID-19 pandemic remains a global health challenge, with the emergence of new SARS-CoV-2 variants complicating treatment and prevention efforts. MIR2911, a plant-derived microRNA from honeysuckle, has shown antiviral activity against the original strain of SARS-CoV-2. Here, we investigate its efficacy against the Delta variant (B.

A Simple Strategy for Co-Immobilization of NADH-Dependent Enzymes and NADH for Efficient Biocatalysis in Continuous Flow Reactors.

The application of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD)(H)-dependent enzymes in continuous flow reactors poses significant challenges due to the high cost of NAD(H) and its inevitable loss during reactor operation. To overcome these limitations, a novel platform comprising Cry3Aa-enzyme fusion particles modified with polyethylenimine (PEI) is developed and its application for two catalytic processes is demonstrated. In the first system, two NAD(H)-dependent enzymes, formate dehydrogenase (FDH), and leucine dehydrogenase (LDH) are genetically co-immobilized within Cry3Aa particles and then modified with PEI to facilitate NADH co-immobilization.

Implementation of Instrumental Assessment to Assess Dysphagia in Older Adults Receiving Long-Term Care Services: A Scoping Review.

Dysphagia, a prevalent condition among older adults, poses significant health risks if not accurately assessed and managed. Instrumental assessments (IAs) like videofluoroscopic swallowing study (VFSS) and fiberoptic endoscopic evaluation of swallowing (FEES) allow detailed examinations of swallowing physiology but are underutilized in long-term care settings due to logistical challenges. This study aims to explore the current practice patterns, stakeholder perspectives, and barriers to and facilitators of IA implementation in these settings.

Imaging Characteristics and Diagnostic Implications of Breast Amyloidoma.

Breast amyloidoma is an extremely rare and potentially underdiagnosed entity with underreported diagnostic implications. Breast amyloidomas typically present as painless masses with varying imaging characteristics ranging from nonspecific asymmetries to mammary carcinoma mimics. Calcifications are visualized in many described cases in the literature with a characteristic histopathologic appearance following Congo red staining under polarized light.

Gene delivery of SUMO1-derived peptide rescues neuronal degeneration and motor deficits in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease.

Developing α-synuclein aggregation inhibitors is challenging because its aggregation process involves several microscopic steps and heterogeneous intermediates. Previously, we identified a SUMO1-derived peptide, SUMO1(15-55), that exhibits tight binding to monomeric α-synuclein via SUMO-SUMO-interacting motif (SIM) interactions, and effectively blocks the initiation of aggregation and formation of toxic aggregates in vitro. In cellular and Drosophila models, SUMO1(15-55) was efficacious in protecting neuronal cells from α-synuclein-induced neurotoxicity and neuronal degeneration.

Screening primary aldosteronism by plasma aldosterone-to-angiotensin II ratio.

Objectives: Primary aldosteronism (PA) is a common cause of secondary hypertension. The aldosterone-to-renin ratio (ARR) is the current recommended biomarker for PA screening, but it has limitations. This study evaluates another ratio, the aldosterone-to-angiotensin II ratio (AAIIR), as an alternative screening tool for PA.

Genomic Signature for Initial Brain Metastasis Velocity (iBMV) in Non-Small-Cell Lung Cancer Patients: The Elusive Biomarker to Predict the Development of Brain Metastases?

: No prior studies have attempted to identify a biomarker for initial brain metastasis velocity (iBMV), with limited studies attempting to correlate genomic data with the development of brain metastases. : Patients with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) who underwent next-generation sequencing (NGS) were identified in our departmental database. iBMV was calculated by dividing the number of BMs by the interval of time between primary cancer and BM diagnosis.