CHIP modulates Wnt/β-catenin signalling in colorectal cancer through proteasomal degradation of DDX17.

The C-terminus of Hsc70-interacting protein (CHIP), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, plays a pivotal role in cellular protein homeostasis by targeting client proteins for proteasomal degradation. DEAD-box RNA helicase DDX17 is a key regulator of RNA metabolism and has been implicated in various cancer-related processes, including Wnt/β-catenin signalling and EMT. In this study, we uncover a novel regulatory axis involving CHIP and DDX17 responsible for modulation of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in colorectal cancer (CRC).

Ultrafast elastocapillary fans control agile maneuvering in ripple bugs and robots.

ripple bugs use specialized middle-leg fans with a flat-ribbon architecture to navigate the surfaces of fast-moving streams. We show that the fan's directional stiffness enables fast, passive elastocapillary morphing, independent of muscle input. This flat-ribbon fan balances collapsibility during leg recovery with rigidity during drag-based propulsion, enabling full-body 96° turns in 50 milliseconds, with forward speeds of up to 120 body lengths per second-on par with fruit fly saccades in air.

Novel Artificial intelligence systems in detecting adenomas in colonoscopy: a systemic review and network meta-analysis.

Background: Artificial intelligence (AI) has the potential to improve adenoma detection rates (ADRs) during colonoscopy, but the efficacy of various AI-assisted systems remains unclear.

Objective: To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of different AI-assisted systems for detecting colorectal neoplasia during colonoscopy.

Design: A systematic literature search of PubMed, Scopus, and Google Scholar databases was conducted up to March 4, 2025, to identify randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing AI-assisted colonoscopy to conventional colonoscopy.

Strain-specific mutagenicity of NDMA and CPNP: insights from TA1535, TA100, and WP2 uvrA (pKM101) under metabolic activation.

The Ames test is a critical assay for assessing the mutagenic potential of chemical compounds; however, its conventional version (OECD TG 471) falls short in detecting nitrosamine mutagenicity due to insufficient metabolic activation. Given the ubiquity of nitrosamines as environmental contaminants and drug impurities, an enhanced protocol incorporating 30 % v/v hamster and rat liver S9 fractions with a 30-minute pre-incubation is warranted. This study streamlined the enhanced Ames test by evaluating the sensitivity of S.

A dynamically crosslinked, self-adapting, injectable gelatin-chondroitin sulfate hydrogel with antibacterial and antioxidant properties for treatment of deep and irregular wounds.

Chronic, deep, and irregularly shaped wounds often infected with bacteria are considered a major clinical concern. The overproduction of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and disruption of the balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines delay the healing process. Traditionally used dressings are unable to address these multiple issues.

Reversible kink instability drives ultrafast jumping in nematodes and soft robots.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) exhibit a bending-elastic instability, or kink, before becoming airborne, a feature previously hypothesized but not substantiated to enhance jumping performance. Here, we provide the evidence that this kink is crucial for improving launch performance. We demonstrate that EPNs actively modulate their aspect ratio, forming a liquid-latched α-shaped loop over a slow timescale [Formula: see text] (1 second), and then rapidly open it [Formula: see text] (10 microseconds), achieving heights of 20 body lengths and generating power of ∼10 watts per kilogram.

Biosensors and lateral flow immunoassays: Current state and future prospects.

The advent of paper-based biosensors represents a novel paradigm in point-of-care (POC) diagnostics, emerging as versatile tools. However, the broad term "biosensors" can be misleading, encompassing a range of techniques such as dipstick assays, electrochemical, microfluidics and immunoassay-based biosensors (including lateral flow (LFA), vertical flow and nucleic acid-based immunoassays). This narrative review aims to consolidate the vast and dispersed information on biosensors into a systematically organized resource addressing both practical and theoretical aspects for researchers developing paper-based biosensors.

Easily Injectable, Organic Solvent-Free Self-Assembled Hydrogel Platform for Endoscope Mediated Gastrointestinal Polypectomy.

Endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD) and endoscopic mucosal resection (ESR) are used to eliminate tiny, flat lesions in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT). A substantial submucosal cushion is required for effective dissection. Commonly used saline and hypertonic dextrose injections disperse quickly and do not offer significant elevation, whereas polymers such as gelatin and alginate are challenging to inject.

Fecal microbiota transplantation as a potential therapeutic approach to improve impaired glucose tolerance via gut microbiota modulation in rat model.

Objectives: To investigate the impact of diet-induced gut microbiota alterations on type 2 diabetes and assess the therapeutic potential of Fecal Microbiota Transplantation (FMT) in restoring a balanced gut microenvironment.

Methods: To induce type 2 diabetes, rats were fed a high-sugar high-fat diet (HSFD) for 90 days. After diabetes induction, animals were divided into an HSFD control group, a metformin group (100 mg/kg), and an FMT group (100 mg/kg), receiving treatment for an additional 90 days.

Evaluation of the efficacy of convalescent plasma in moderate to severe COVID-19 during 2020-2021: a retrospective observational study.

Convalescent plasma therapy (CPT) is one of the treatment modalities used for COVID-19. Initial smaller studies showed the usefulness of CPT in COVID-19, but larger studies showed that it is not effective. This is a retrospective observational study conducted between 1st June 2020 and 31st July 2021 at a tertiary hospital in Noida, India.

Chitosan: Microsphere Formulation and Characterization for Slow - Release Prebiotic Activities in Gut Microbiota Remodelling.

Introduction: Chitosan is a biocompatible, mucoadhesive, and biodegradable polymer widely used for various purposes due to its biological activity and safety. The current study aimed to formulate Chitosan microspheres and conduct an in-vitro evaluation of their cytotoxicity. The concept is focused on targeted gut delivery and biological activities in gut microbiota remodelling.

Formulated chitosan microspheres remodelled the altered gut microbiota and liver miRNA in diet-induced Type-2 diabetic rats.

Chitosan was formulated into a microsphere and comprehensively characterized and evaluated for its anti-inflammatory potential and anti-diabetic properties against the high sugar fat diet-induced diabetic animals. The diabetic model was induced through feeding with a high-sugar fat diet. Metformin, a standard antidiabetic drug, and CMS (chitosan microspheres) were administered orally for 90 days as reversal strategies.

Glioma nanotherapy: Unleashing the synergy of dual-loaded DIM and TMZ.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is a highly aggressive form of primary brain tumor in adults, which unfortunately has an abysmal prognosis and poor survival rates. The reason behind the poor success rate of several FDA-approved drug is mainly attributed to insufficient drug distribution to the tumor site across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and induction of resistance. In this study, we have developed a novel nanotherapeutic approach to achieve our goal.

GBM immunotherapy: Exploring molecular and clinical frontiers.

GBM is the most common, aggressive, and intracranial primary brain tumor; it originates from the glial progenitor cells, has poor overall survival (OS), and has limited treatment options. In this decade, GBM immunotherapy is in trend and preferred over several conventional therapies, due to their better patient survival outcome. This review explores the clinical trials of several immunotherapeutic approaches (immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs), CAR T-cell therapy, cancer vaccines, and adoptive cell therapy) with their efficacy and safety.

E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases in colorectal cancer: Emerging molecular insights and therapeutic opportunities.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) presents ongoing challenges due to limited treatment effectiveness and a discouraging prognosis, underscoring the need for ground-breaking therapeutic approaches. This review delves into the pivotal role of E3 ubiquitin ligases and deubiquitinases (DUBs), underscoring their role as crucial regulators for tumor suppression and oncogenesis in CRC. We spotlight the diverse impact of E3 ligases and DUBs on CRC's biological processes and their remarkable versatility.

Comparative Profiles of the WATCHMAN™ and Amplatzer™ Cardiac Plug/Amplatzer™ Amulet™ Devices for Left Atrial Appendage Closure in Non-valvular Atrial Fibrillation: A Comprehensive Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia marked by irregular and frequent tachycardic rhythms in the atria, affecting 1%-2% of the general population. The WATCHMAN™ device from Boston Scientific (Marlborough, MA, USA) and the Amplatzer™ Amulet™ device from Abbott (Chicago, IL, USA) are two devices used globally for left atrial appendage closure (LAAC) in non-valvular AF. A systematic search was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Elsevier's ScienceDirect literature databases to identify studies comparing the WATCHMAN™ procedure with Amulet™ device implantation for LAAC in patients with AF.

Reversible kink instability drives ultrafast jumping in nematodes and soft robots.

Entomopathogenic nematodes (EPNs) exhibit a bending-elastic instability, or kink, before becoming airborne, a feature hypothesized but not proven to enhance jumping performance. Here, we provide the evidence that this kink is crucial for improving launch performance. We demonstrate that EPNs actively modulate their aspect ratio, forming a liquid-latched closed loop over a slow timescale (1 s), then rapidly open it (10 µs), achieving heights of 20 body lengths (BL) and generating ∼ 10 W/Kg of power.

A paper-based point-of-care device for the detection of cysteine using gold nanoparticles from whole blood.

We present a colorimetric probe based on polyvinylpyrrolidone-capped gold nanoparticles (PVP-AuNPs) that is sensitive and selective for cysteine (Cys). A microfluidic paper-based analytical device (μ-PAD) with embedded dried PVP-AuNPs at the polyethersulfone (PES) paper surface is used for Cys detection. When thiol molecules attach to PVP-AuNPs in the presence of Cys, they clump together, and this causes the solution's color to shift from red to blue within 5 minutes.

Head-to-head comparison of [F]-Flortaucipir, [F]-MK-6240 and [F]-PI-2620 postmortem binding across the spectrum of neurodegenerative diseases.

We and others have shown that [F]-Flortaucipir, the most validated tau PET tracer thus far, binds with strong affinity to tau aggregates in Alzheimer's (AD) but has relatively low affinity for tau aggregates in non-AD tauopathies and exhibits off-target binding to neuromelanin- and melanin-containing cells, and to hemorrhages. Several second-generation tau tracers have been subsequently developed. [F]-MK-6240 and [F]-PI-2620 are the two that have garnered most attention.

Composition and interaction of maternal microbiota with immune mediators during pregnancy and their outcome: A narrative review.

The connection between maternal microbiota and infant health has been greatly garnered interest for therapeutic purposes. The early resident microbiota perpetually exhibits much more flexibility as compared to that of the adults, and therefore, constant need of understanding the infant as well as maternal microbiota and their implications however has increased. In this review, we focus mainly on the diversity of overall maternal microbiota including the gut, vaginal, colostrum microbiota and how inflammatory markers fluctuate throughout the normal pregnancy as well in pregnancy with complications.

Insulin Resistance and Coronary Artery Disease: Untangling the Web of Endocrine-Cardiac Connections.

The relationship between insulin resistance and coronary artery disease (CAD) is a crucial study area in understanding the complex connection between metabolic dysregulation and cardiovascular morbidity. This scholarly investigation examines the intricate relationship between insulin resistance, a key characteristic of metabolic syndrome, and CAD development. The goal is to understand the detailed molecular and physiological connections that underlie the dangerous connection between the endocrine and cardiac systems.

Air-to-land transitions: from wingless animals and plant seeds to shuttlecocks and bio-inspired robots.

Recent observations of wingless animals, including jumping nematodes, springtails, insects, and wingless vertebrates like geckos, snakes, and salamanders, have shown that their adaptations and body morphing are essential for rapid self-righting and controlled landing. These skills can reduce the risk of physical damage during collision, minimize recoil during landing, and allow for a quick escape response to minimize predation risk. The size, mass distribution, and speed of an animal determine its self-righting method, with larger animals depending on the conservation of angular momentum and smaller animals primarily using aerodynamic forces.

Targeting PD-1/PD-L1 in cancer immunotherapy: An effective strategy for treatment of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) patients.

Maintaining the balance between eliciting immune responses against foreign proteins and tolerating self-proteins is crucial for maintenance of homeostasis. The functions of programmed death protein 1 (PD-1) and its ligand programmed death ligand 1 (PD-L1) are to inhibit immune responses so that over-reacting immune cells does not cause any damage to its own body cells. However, cancer cells hijack this mechanism to attenuate immune cells functions and create an immunosuppressive environment that fuel their continuous growth and proliferation.

COVID-19 therapeutics: Clinical application of repurposed drugs and futuristic strategies for target-based drug discovery.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) causes the complicated disease COVID-19. Clinicians are continuously facing huge problems in the treatment of patients, as COVID-19-specific drugs are not available, hence the principle of drug repurposing serves as a one-and-only hope. Globally, the repurposing of many drugs is underway; few of them are already approved by the regulatory bodies for their clinical use and most of them are in different phases of clinical trials.