Topology-engineered radio-theranostic layered double hydroxide nanocarrier via surface modification with spacer-linked cancer targeting ligand and lattice-integrated radioisotope.

A theranostic hybrid nanomaterial was synthesized by incorporating functional moieties such as anticancer drug methotrexate (MTX), cancer targeting ligand folic acid (FA) and a radioisotope, Co-57, into topological sites of layered double hydroxide (LDH). The surface of the drug intercalated LDH (MTX-LDH) was successfully modified with FA utilizing hexamethylene diamine (HDA) as a spacer. The radioisotope, Co-57, was then incorporated into the frameworks of the surface-modified LDH (Co@FHML) via a hydrothermal method in order to preserve the crystalline phase and particle size of the LDH during the incorporation.

A multimodal approach of microglial CSF1R inhibition and GENUS provides therapeutic effects in Alzheimer's disease mice.

The CSF1R inhibitor PLX3397, an FDA-approved treatment for a rare cancer, has been shown to reduce microglia count, lower inflammation, and increase synaptic markers in mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the effects of PLX3397 on neural function in AD remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized the effects of PLX3397 treatment in 5xFAD mice.

Dual-Strategy Direct Photocatalytic Patterning for Efficient Perovskite Nanocrystal LED Displays.

Achieving nondestructive, high-resolution patterning of perovskite nanocrystals (PeNCs) is essential for next-generation near-eye displays. However, the intrinsic instability of PeNCs renders conventional patterning methods detrimental to their optical and electrical properties. Herein, a dual strategy is reported that enables both high-resolution patterning and the fabrication of efficient light-emitting diodes (LEDs).

Spin-polarized Acidic Water Electrolysis with Antenna-Reactor Plasmonic Electrocatalysts.

Water electrolysis, driven by renewable electricity, offers a sustainable path for hydrogen production. However, efficient bifunctional electrocatalysts are needed to overcome the high overpotentials of both the oxygen evolution reaction and hydrogen evolution reaction. To address this, a novel catalyst system is developed integrating plasmonic nanoreactors with chirality-induced spin selectivity.

Comprehensive plant health monitoring: expert-level assessment with spatio-temporal image data.

Maintaining crop health is essential for global food security, yet traditional plant monitoring methods based on manual inspection are labor-intensive and often inadequate for early detection of stressors and diseases, and insufficient for timely, proactive interventions. To address this challenge, we propose a deep learning-based framework for expert-level, spatiotemporal plant health assessment using sequential RGB images. Our method categorizes plant health into five levels, ranging from very poor to optimal, based on visual and morphological indicators observed throughout the cultivation cycle.

Fermented Morinda citrifolia extract improves late-onset hypogonadism in aged rats.

Background: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH) is an age-associated condition characterized by a progressive decline in testosterone levels. It manifests as reduced libido, infertility, muscle loss, and cognitive impairment in middle-aged men. Although testosterone replacement therapy is effective, its associated side effects highlight the need for safer alternatives.

Pretrained patient trajectories for adverse drug event prediction using common data model-based electronic health records.

Background: Pretraining electronic health record (EHR) data using language models has enhanced performance across various medical tasks. Despite the potential of EHR pretraining models, predicting adverse drug events (ADEs) using EHR pretraining models has not been explored.

Methods: We used observational medical outcomes partnership common data model (CDM)-based EHR data from Seoul National University Hospital (SNUH) between January 2001 and December 2023 and Ajou University Medical Center (AUMC) between January 2004 and December 2023.

Construction of metre-scale foldable space shelter based on gravity-driven self-assembling origami.

Space infrastructure to protect astronauts and equipment from various hazards is critical for sustainable exploration. However, conventional shelters are challenging to transport due to their large volume, and in-situ construction requires significant time. Deployable shelters can address volume constraints, but thin-panel designs often lack functionality and robustness.

Enhancement of CEP215 dynamics for spindle pole assembly during mitosis.

The microtubule-organizing activity of centrosomes fluctuates during the cell cycle, reaching the highest levels at M phase. CEP215 (also known as CDK5RAP2) is a key pericentriolar material (PCM) protein for microtubule organization of the human centrosome. Here, we provide evidence that CEP215 exhibits a dynamically suppressed, solid-like state in interphase centrosomes, and becomes a more dynamic state in mitotic centrosomes.

Hydride Ion Conductors with Polyanionic Complex Anions.

Hydride ion (H)-conducting solid-state materials have lately received great attention for advanced electrochemical energy storage/conversion systems, including hydride ion-based batteries, electrolysis, and fuel cells. However, the highly reactive nature of hydride ions has posed challenges in diversifying anion systems, which are crucial for designing their effective transport. This study reports perovskite-type hydride ion conductors, SrNaLiH(BH) (0 ≤ ≤ 1 and 0 ≤ ≤ 0.

Assessing the Efficacy of Ligilactobacillus salivarius CLS0420 and Lacticaseibacillus paracasei CLPC0603 on Vaginal Well-Being in Healthy Women: A Pilot, Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

Despite the growing development of probiotics for preventing bacterial vaginosis (BV), their effectiveness in women without BV has not been thoroughly investigated. This pilot, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study aims to assess the impact of orally administered probiotic strains, exhibiting in vitro antimicrobial activity against Gardnerella vaginalis and Candida albicans, on vaginal well-being in women without preexisting health conditions. Healthy women (n = 30, aged 19-50) were enrolled and randomly assigned using simple randomization to receive either probiotic or placebo capsules.

Uniform Molecular Alignment on Ag-Doped Nickel Oxide Films.

This study presents the uniform alignment of liquid crystal (LC) molecules on silver (Ag)-doped nickel oxide (NiO) films. The films were fabricated using a solution brush coating process, with Ag doping concentrations of 0, 10, and 20 wt%. X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy confirmed the successful formation of the films, while atomic force microscopy revealed nano/microgroove anisotropic structures, attributed to brush hair movement during coating.

Regioselective Fluorination of Thiophene-Based Heterocycles for Modulation of Multiple Physical Properties in Organic Semiconductors.

Thiophene-based derivatives are cost-effective and promising electron-donating units in high-performance π-conjugated materials for organic electronics. Fluorination is crucial for modulating their electronic and structural properties; however, few studies have been conducted due to synthetic challenges. We developed a fluorination method that enables regioselective fluorination of thiophene-based heterocycles.

Protein disulfide isomerase integrates toll-like receptor 4 and P2X7 receptor signaling pathways during lipopolysaccharide-induced neuroinflammation.

P2X7 receptor (P2X7R) augments lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-mediated neuroinflammation. These roles of P2X7R in neuroinflammation are relevant to nitrosative stress through nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB)-inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathway, while the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated whether protein disulfide isomerase (PDI) is involved in the integration of TLR4-P2X7R functions in response to LPS in vivo.

Deciphering the anti-obesity mechanisms of pharmabiotic probiotics through advanced multiomics analysis.

Probiotics with "pharmabiotic" properties are increasingly recognized as effective tools for combating obesity by altering gut microbiota and reducing body fat. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying their anti-obesity effects remain largely unexplored due to the absence of a universal methodology. Herein, we developed a multiomics-based strategy to elucidate how probiotics reduce lipid production in adipocytes.

Abortion Rate Increased And Birth Rate Decreased After Introduction Of Medicaid Abortion Coverage In Illinois.

The Hyde Amendment prohibits US federal spending on abortion, including federal Medicaid dollars. Seventeen states cover abortion care in their Medicaid programs, using state funds, but causal evidence on how Medicaid coverage for abortion affects pregnancy outcomes is limited. Using a difference-in-differences design and 2014-21 birth and abortion data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that predate the US Supreme Court's decision in 2022, we evaluated a 2018 policy introducing Medicaid coverage for abortion in Illinois.

Changes in contraceptive method use, access, and experiences of care during a statewide contraceptive initiative.

Objective: To examine changes in contraceptive use, access, and care experiences during a statewide contraceptive access initiative, Delaware Contraceptive Access Now.

Study Design: We used responses from the Delaware/Maryland Survey of Women at the early wave (November, 2016-March, 2017) and late wave (February, 2021-October, 2021). Our cross-sectional sample included 6467 respondents at risk of unintended pregnancy.

Development and Evaluation of Five-in-One Vaccine Microneedle Array Patch for Diphtheria, Tetanus, Pertussis, Hepatitis B, and Type b: Immunological Efficacy and Long-Term Stability.

: The development of a five-in-one vaccine microneedle patch (five-in-one MN patch) aims to address challenges in administering vaccines against Diphtheria (DT), Tetanus (TT), Pertussis (wP), Hepatitis B (HBsAg), and type b (Hib). Combining multiple vaccines into a single patch offers a novel solution to improve vaccine accessibility, stability, and delivery efficiency, particularly in resource-limited settings. : The five-in-one MN patch consists of four distinct microneedle arrays: DT and TT vaccines are coated together on one array, while wP, HepB, and Hib vaccines are coated separately on individual arrays.

Improvement of Late-Onset Hypogonadism Symptoms of Fermented Extract in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli Cells.

Background/objectives: Late-onset hypogonadism (LOH), characterized by declining testosterone levels with age, negatively affects the health of men, causing physical, psychological, and sexual dysfunction. Conventional testosterone replacement therapies have side effects, which has led to interest in natural alternatives. We investigated the effects of a standardized fermented extract (FME) on oxidative stress-induced damage in TM3 Leydig and TM4 Sertoli cells.

Neuronal PLPP/CIN exaggerates the immune response of hippocampal microglia to LPS challenge dependent on PAK1-NF-κB-COX-2 signaling pathway.

Recently, we have reported that pyridoxal-5'-phosphate phosphatase/chronophin (PLPP/CIN) selectively dephosphorylates neurofibromin 2 (NF2, also known as merlin) at serine (S) 10 site. Since NF2 inhibits p21-activated kinase 1 (PAK1)-mediated nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) activation, in the present study, we investigated the role of PLPP/CIN-mediated NF2 S10 dephosphorylation in lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation and explored its related signaling pathways in the mouse hippocampus. PLPP/CIN overexpression increased NF2 S10 dephosphorylation and PAK1 S204 autophosphorylation under physiological condition, which were reversed by PLPP/CIN deletion.

Rational Design of Biocompatible Ir(III) Photosensitizer to Overcome Drug-Resistant Cancer via Oxidative Autophagy Inhibition.

Autophagy is a crucial quality control mechanism that degrades damaged cellular components through lysosomal fusion with autophagosomes. However, elevated autophagy levels can promote drug resistance in cancer cells, enhancing their survival. Downregulation of autophagy through oxidative stress is a clinically promising strategy to counteract drug resistance, yet precise control of oxidative stress in autophagic proteins remains challenging.

Poly(HEMA-co-MMA) Hydrogel Scaffold for Tissue Engineering with Controllable Morphology and Mechanical Properties Through Self-Assembly.

Poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) has been widely used in medical materials for several decades. However, the poor mechanical properties of this material have limited its application in the field of tissue engineering. The purpose of this study was to fabricate a scaffold with suitable mechanical properties and in vitro cell responses for soft tissue by using poly(HEMA-co-MMA) with various concentration ratios of hydroxyethyl methacrylate (HEMA) and methyl methacrylate (MMA).

Further Validating the Robotic Microsurgery Platform through Preclinical Studies on Rat Femoral Artery and Vein.

This research aims to validate the proficiency and accuracy of the robotic microsurgery platform using rat femoral vessel model.A total of 256 rat femoral vessels were performed, half using robotic and the other by manual microanastomosis by eight microsurgeons with less than 5 years of experience given eight trials (rats) each. Vessel demographics, proficiency (duration of suture and Structured Assessment of Robotic Microsurgical Skills [SARMS]), and accuracy (patency and scanning electron microscopic [SEM]) were analyzed between the two groups.