Contemporary trends in targeted protein degradation for neurodegenerative diseases.

Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs), including Alzheimer's, Huntington's, and Parkinson's disease, are associated with significant declines in cognitive function and mobility. The accumulation of misfolded proteins such as β-amyloid, tau, α-synuclein, and polyglutamates is a key factor in the progression of these conditions. Unfortunately, traditional small-molecule drugs face major obstacles in effectively targeting these proteins.

Transforming Agriculture with Magnetic Nanoparticles: A Holistic Exploration of their Role in Sustainable Agriculture.

The escalating demand for food, driven by a rapidly growing population, necessitates the implementation of intelligent and sustainable strategies in crop production. Among these innovations, the integration of various nanomaterials has emerged as a promising frontier, offering a transformative leap in modern agricultural practices. Notably, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) have shown significant potential, with their morphology, particle size, surface characteristics, and magnetic properties playing a crucial role in enhancing plant physiological responses, promoting soil rejuvenation, and boosting soil fertility.

In-situ Nanolipoidal Gel of Stiripentol for Intranasal Administration: Preclinical Evidence of Enhanced Biopharmaceutical and Therapeutic Outcomes.

Stiripentol (STP), an antiepileptic drug, is administered orally in the form of capsule and dry suspension. However, it is extremely unstable in acidic environment. Hence, to find the feasibility of alternate route of administration and to enhance the bioavailability of drug, STP loaded intranasal in-situ nanolipoidal gel formulation was formulated.

Integrating Traditional Medicine with Conventional Therapies to Combat Tuberculosis: A Comprehensive Review.

Tuberculosis (TB) poses a serious public health risk and is a hot topic in the international health forums. Global health organizations emphasize the importance of effectively managing and eradicating TB. The emergence of drug-resistant TB and the elevated risk of hepatotoxicity associated with anti-TB medications have highlighted the need for reevaluation of existing TB drugs.

Investigation of Fluorescence Sensing Capabilities in Boron-Nitrogen Co-Doped Carbon Quantum Dots Towards Fe (III) and Hg(II) Ions.

The detection of toxic metal ions in water is crucial for safeguarding environmental and human health. The study demonstrates a dual-mode fluorescence sensing strategy using boron and nitrogen co-doped carbon quantum dots (BN-CQDs), capable of both significant quenching and emission wavelength shift, for selective detection of Fe (III) and Hg(II) ions. In this study, (BN-CQDs) were synthesized using a green, microwave-assisted approach.

A novel unified Inception-U-Net hybrid gravitational optimization model (UIGO) incorporating automated medical image segmentation and feature selection for liver tumor detection.

Segmenting liver tumors in medical imaging is pivotal for precise diagnosis, treatment, and evaluating therapy outcomes. Even with modern imaging technologies, fully automated segmentation systems have not overcome the challenge posed by the diversity in the shape, size, and texture of liver tumors. Such delays often hinder clinicians from making timely and accurate decisions.

RUNX2 inhibition disrupts a PAX3::FOXO1-RUNX2 feed-forward loop and dismantles oncogenic gene programs in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma.

Fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma is an aggressive pediatric cancer of skeletal muscle lineage, with a 5-year overall survival of <30% for high-risk disease, and <8% when metastatic. The fusion gene, resulting from (2:13), is a signature driver of fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma, but similar to other transcription-factor based fusion genes in other cancers, not currently pharmacologically tractable. To identify novel druggable proteins in fusion-positive rhabdomyosarcoma tumor tissue and cell lines, we performed mRNA-seq of RMS patient tumors and utilizing the human FP-RMS cell lines Rh30 and Rh4, found that the RUNX2 transcription factor was the top druggable dependency.

Amaranthus Extract Promotes Healthy Follicles and Anagen Hair Density-A Randomized Placebo-Controlled, Double-Blinded Study.

A contributing factor to male pattern hair loss (MPHL) is a compromised microcirculation and increased vasoconstriction in the scalp. Since endothelial nitric oxide (NO) was found to act as a vasodilator, our study looked at the efficacy of an amaranthus hair cream in delivering absorbable nitrates to the scalp that would convert to NO resulting in vasodilation and also deliver the nutrients to the scalp. This was a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled parallel arm study of 50 males of 25-45 years.

HCF-1 as a key modulator of OGT function and O-GlcNAcylation in the liver.

Host cell factor-1 (HCF-1) is a transcriptional coregulator essential for maintaining liver function and cellular metabolism. O-linked N-acetylglucosamine transferase (OGT) is a key nutrient-sensing enzyme that catalyzes protein O-GlcNAcylation, a critical post-translational modification regulating metabolic pathways. This study investigates the role of hepatocyte-specific depletion of HCF-1 in regulating OGT stability, activity, and cellular localization in hepatocytes.

Lattice Mismatch Induced Lattice Thermal Conductivity Reduction and Negative Thermal Expansion of GeTe-Based Thermoelectric Bulk Alloys.

Lattice mismatch is an intriguing concept that gives rise to various fascinating physical phenomena in emerging research fields such as twistronics and heterostructure devices, which are based on thin films. Although lattice mismatch generates defects and dislocations that significantly affect lattice thermal conductivity, studies on the effects of lattice mismatch in bulk materials remain insufficient. This study investigates the effects of lattice mismatch on the thermoelectric properties of GeTe-based bulk alloys, known for their excellent thermoelectric performance.

A novel hybrid deep learning approach combining deep feature attention and statistical validation for enhanced thyroid ultrasound segmentation.

An effective diagnosis system and suitable treatment planning require the precise segmentation of thyroid nodules in ultrasound imaging. The advancement of imaging technologies has not resolved traditional imaging challenges, which include noise issues, limited contrast, and dependency on operator choices, thus highlighting the need for automated, reliable solutions. The researchers developed TATHA, an innovative deep learning architecture dedicated to improving thyroid ultrasound image segmentation accuracy.

Naringenin-loaded, tween 80-coated chitosan nanoparticles: a promising therapeutic for streptozotocin induced cognitive deficit in mice.

Objective: The current study aimed to formulate naringenin nanoparticles (NNPs) with chitosan polymer and investigate their protective effect against cognitive deficit induced by streptozotocin (STZ) in swiss albino mice.

Methods: The interactions of naringenin with the possible targets involved in the pathogenesis of cognitive deficit were predicted using AutoDock vina and predicted its absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion, and toxicity (ADMET) properties with SwissADME and ProTox-II web servers. NNPs were formulated with chitosan using the ionotropic gelation method and coated with tween 80.

Design and evaluation of curcumin, naringenin, and alpha-lactalbumin encapsulated nanostructured lipid carriers for targeted ocular drug delivery in diabetic retinopathy.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR), a leading cause of vision impairment and blindness, poses significant challenges for ocular drug delivery due to barriers limiting drug penetration to the eye's posterior segment. This study aimed to develop and characterize nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) encapsulating curcumin, naringenin, and alpha-lactalbumin for sustained and targeted ocular delivery via topical administration in DR management. The NLCs exhibited a uniform particle size of 138.

Exploring design formulations and properties of chitosan-functionalized metal oxide nanoparticles for wound dressing applications - A review.

Understanding the chemical structure of chitosan helps researchers design effective wound dressings, which would be beneficial for treating both acute and chronic wounds. Due to the poly-cationic nature of chitosan, it can easily bind to negatively charged surface of any substance. Moreover, chitosan possesses remarkable biological properties such as inherent biodegradability, biocompatibility, and good cyto-compatibility to name a few.

Caloric restriction mimetics chlorogenic acid and fisetin as potential autophagy inducers targeting ATG101.

Autophagy is an important cytoprotective process impaired in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease. The initiation process is mediated by the protein kinase Unc-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) complex. ATG101, a cytosolic protein, plays a pivotal role in initiating autophagy as a component of the ULK complex in mammalian cells.

The proton-dependent oligopeptide transporter Ptr_C serves as an efficient system for antifungal delivery into Candida auris.

Aims: PTR transporters mediate the uptake of dipeptides/tripeptides as well as peptidomimetic drugs across diverse organisms, including bacteria, yeast, and humans. Our previous study identified three PTR transporters in Candida auris, with Ptr_C serving as a key player in the uptake of peptide substrates, including the antifungal, l-norvalyl-N3-(4-methoxyfumaroyl)-l-2,3-diaminopropanoic acid (Nva-FMDP). This study aims to evaluate the efficacy of different FMDP-based antifungal variants against C.

The Fragile Balance: Autophagy's Role in Neurodegenerative Disease Progression.

Autophagy relates to the mechanism underlying the intracellular constituents' breakdown by lysosomes. Autophagy plays an essential role in preserving and regulating cellular homeostasis by mediating the degradation of intracellular components and recycling their decomposition products. It was demonstrated that autophagy operates in-vivo in the starving reaction, initial growth, internal control of quality, and cell division.

Black carbon characterization and its association with meteorological phenomena using network data.

Studies related to the impact of Black Carbon (BC) aerosols on weather phenomena like monsoon breaks, winter fog events, and pre-monsoon heatwaves are sparse in India. This study fills the gap of observational information of BC aerosols and their relationship with meteorological phenomena. We examined the interaction between BC aerosols and precipitation during the monsoon's active-break cycle, a critical period for agriculture, water resources, and weather patterns.

Development of reverse transcription loop-mediated isothermal amplification-based assay for rapid and specific detection of human fungal pathogen, .

Background And Purpose: Due to the ability of , a multidrug-resistant human fungal pathogen, to colonize the skin and hospital surfaces, it is pertinent to control its nosocomial outbreaks through rapid diagnosis. Delayed and improper diagnosis of due to misidentification becomes a major hurdle in the prevention of employment of efficient therapeutics leading to the development of drug resistance. The culture-based methods are slow and less sensitive while PCR-based methods are costly.

Skin lamellar bodies: a unique set of lysosome-related organelles.

Skin lamellar bodies (LBs) are crucial for forming and renewing the protective skin barrier, which regulates the body's internal environment and integrity. LB dysfunction is associated with severe disease conditions such as atopic dermatitis, Netherton syndrome and Harlequin ichthyosis, among others. Despite its importance in human physiology, the intracellular origin and biogenesis mechanism of LBs remain largely unknown.

Comparison of Bioavailability of Nitrates and Nitrites in 3 Species of : A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled, 4-Way Crossover Study in Healthy Subjects Under Fasting Conditions.

Background: is a significant source of dietary nitrates, which have been known to improve aerobic capacity and exercise performance in physically active individuals. There is a significant data gap on nonpartitive pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence studies of nitrate and nitrite from 3 species of Amaranth (, and ).

Objective: This study aimed to assess the bioavailability of nitrates and nitrites from 3 species in a randomized, placebo-controlled design, thereby filling this gap.

Sustainable Hydrogen Production, a Review of Methods, Types, Applications, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.

Hydrogen is promising as an innovative energy vector beyond its conventional role and receiving international identification as a feasible fuel source. This review provides a concise examination of current advances in hydrogen production techniques employing renewable and conventional energy sources, as well as important difficulties in hydrogen production. Wind and solar are the two most promising sustainable energy sources for hydrogen manufacturing.

Cotton stalk derived lignin-based hydrogel and its therapeutic utility in diabetic retinopathy.

Cotton stalk waste from agriculture has been shown to be a rich source of cellulose and lignin. In our study, we have developed the lignin-based hydrogel for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Lignin's natural antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties complement its function as a drug carrier, especially in conditions where oxidative stress and inflammation play a significant role, as in DR.

Progress in modifying and delivering mRNA therapies for cancer immunotherapy.

Advancements in mRNA-based therapeutics have greatly enhanced cancer immunotherapy by using the immune system to specifically target and eradicate cancer cells. There has been notable advancement in tailoring and administering mRNA to treat cancer. Codon optimization, chemical alterations, and sequence manipulation are complex design methodologies employed in the production of mRNA vaccines and treatments.

Plasmid DNA and mRNA delivery: Approaches and challenges.

for delivery of plasmid DNA and mRNA transform biology and medicine, offering powerful tools for gene therapy, vaccine development, cancer immunotherapy, and regenerative medicine. Plasmid DNA provides a relatively stable and sustained expression of the genes which also provides the basic groundwork for long-lasting therapeutic. At the same time, mRNA has also demonstrated more appropriateness for dynamic and time-sensitive applications due to its short-lived and accurate translation capabilities, such as during the development of mRNA-based COVID-19 vaccines.