Conventional and non-conventional antigen-binding sites promote the development and function of chronic lymphocytic leukemia stereotyped subset #4 clones.

Immunoglobulins (IGs) made by chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) B cells are unique in that they bind themselves (homo-dimerize). This interaction leads to signal transduction with functional consequences that depend on the affinity of homo-dimerization. We have studied the antigen-binding properties of the IGs from a subset of patients with CLL (Subset #4) that homo-dimerize at high affinity.

PD-1 expression identifies proliferating malignant CLL B cells and is a potential biomarker of response to BTK inhibitor therapy.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) remains incurable despite treatment advances, and a major challenge is that biomarkers that predict response and resistance to current therapies are lacking. We report that activated and proliferating malignant CLL B cells in circulation express PD-1, a protein normally expressed in T cells. PD-1 expression is absent in circulating B cells from healthy controls and nonmalignant B cells from patients with CLL.

Agentic LLM-based robotic systems for real-world applications: a review on their agenticness and ethics.

Agentic AI refers to autonomous systems that can perceive their environment, make decisions, and take actions to achieve goals with minimal or no human intervention. Recent advances in Large Language Models (LLMs) have opened new pathways to imbue robots with such "agentic" behaviors by leveraging the LLMs' vast knowledge and reasoning capabilities for planning and control. This survey provides the first comprehensive exploration of LLM-based robotic systems integration into agentic behaviors that have been validated in real-world applications.

An AI-based nutrition recommendation system: technical validation with insights from Mediterranean cuisine.

Introduction: Modern lifestyle trends such as sedentary behaviors and unhealthy diets pose a major health challenge, as they have been related to multiple pathologies. Following a healthy diet has become increasingly difficult in today's fast-paced world. Given this context, artificial intelligence can play a pivotal role in addressing the challenge.

State of the art biology, progression, and clinical management of monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL): consensus report from the Intercepting Blood Cancers Workshop Committee.

In March 2023 and 2024, a panel of international experts convened at the first and second Intercepting Blood Cancers (IBC) Workshops, with the aim of better appreciating the diagnostic challenges, pathophysiology, and potential therapeutic interventions for precursor malignant hematology conditions. Here, we report a summary of the proceedings from the sessions focused on monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis (MBL)/chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL). We highlight four main content areas: biology of MBL, clinical implications of MBL, progression of MBL and transformation from indolent CLL to aggressive disease, and opportunities for therapeutic intervention in early CLL.

Mixed Matrix Membranes Composed of Graphene-Based Derivatives as Additives in PVAm for CO Capture.

Graphene oxide (GO) mixed matrix membranes (MMMs) that employ facilitated transport of carbon dioxide were prepared and tested for use in postcombustion carbon capture. Two graphene hybrids were synthesized using exfoliated graphene (G) and GO as a basis and were then appended with triethylene glycol (TEG) and -(2-hydroxyethyl)-ethylenediamine (EDAOH) functional groups, respectively. Unfunctionalized GO nanoparticles were commercially obtained for comparison to the synthesized nanoparticles.

Assessing an eHealth Intervention on Quality of Life in Patients With Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and Myelodysplastic Syndromes: The MyPal Randomized Controlled Trial.

Purpose: The MyPal study (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT04370457) is a randomized controlled clinical trial assessing an eHealth intervention on the quality of life (QoL) of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS).

Methods: Patients who were receiving or had previously received treatment for CLL or MDS were randomly assigned (1:1) to access the MyPal digital health platform versus standard of care.

Perceptions and Needs of Stakeholders Regarding MyPal Project's Electronic Patient-Reported Outcome App: Cross-Sectional Qualitative Focus Group Study.

Background: Palliative care is crucial for patients with life-threatening and serious diseases such as cancer, as it addresses their physical, psychosocial, and spiritual needs. Hematological malignancies significantly contribute to global cancer cases, impacting both older adults and children. To meet the increasing demand for palliative care, electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) interventions offer valuable insights into patient monitoring and treatment decision-making.

Comparative analysis of muscle synergies in gait of stroke patients and healthy controls.

Introduction: This study analyzed muscle synergies in subacute stroke patients' gait, comparing paretic and non-paretic limbs with healthy individuals, and explored the structure and temporal activation of synergistic muscle activation patterns.

Methods: Muscle synergies were computed from EMG data of 12 muscles in 138 able-bodied adults and 50 stroke survivors using non-negative matrix factorization, analyzing 350 control strides, 319 paretic strides, and 337 non-paretic strides. Temporal activation coefficients of the muscle synergies between groups of strides were also compared using cross-correlation analysis.

In Vitro Assessment of a Doubly Adjuvanted Self-Emulsified Nanoemulsion as a Delivery Vehicle for Antigenic Proteins.

Leishmaniasis is a prevailing infectious disease transmitted via infected phlebotomine sandflies. The lack of an efficient vaccine with respect to immunogenic antigens and adjuvanted delivery systems impedes its control. Following the induction of immune responses in mice vaccinated with multi-epitope peptides (LeishPts) encapsulated in doubly adjuvanted self-nanoemulsifying drug delivery systems (ST-SNEDDSs), this study aims to assess ST-SNEDDS-based nanoemulsions as vehicles for the delivery of antigenic proteins.

Mechanical Properties of Bio-Printed Mortars with Bio-Additives for Green and Sustainable Construction.

Additive manufacturing (AM) has brought significant breakthroughs to the construction sector, such as the ability to fabricate complex geometries, enhance efficiency, and reduce both material usage and construction waste. However, several challenges must still be addressed to fully transition from conventional construction practices to innovative and sustainable green alternatives. This study investigates the use of non-cementitious traditional mixtures for green construction applications through 3D printing using Liquid Deposition Modeling (LDM) technology.

Comparative Transcriptome Analysis in Tomato Fruit Reveals Genes, Pathways, and Processes Affected by the LEC1-LIKE4 Transcription Factor.

Tomato () is a globally important crop, and enhancing its fruit quality and phenotypic traits is a key objective in modern breeding. This study investigates the role of the LEAFY-COTYLEDON1-LIKE4 (L1L4), an NF-YB subunit of the nuclear factor Y (NF-Y) transcription factor, in tomato fruit development using RNA-sequencing data from zinc-finger nuclease (ZFN)-targeted disruption lines. Differential gene expression (DEG) analyses of two independent mutant lines compared to the wild-type line revealed significant alterations in key metabolic pathways and regulatory networks that are implicated in fruit ripening.

Genetic Diversity, Population Structure, and Historical Gene Flow Patterns of Nine Indigenous Greek Sheep Breeds.

Ιn this study, we evaluated the genetic resources of nine Greek sheep breeds. The genotyping data of 292 animals were acquired from Illumina's OvineSNP50 Genotyping BeadChip. The genetic diversity and inbreeding levels were evaluated using the observed and expected heterozygosity indices, the F inbreeding coefficient, and runs of homozygosity (ROH).

Effect of ferrite content and temperature on the magnetic properties of Fe@SiO2@Mn-Zn-ferrite SMC materials.

Building upon previous studies that have reported promising soft magnetic performance of Fe/Mn-Zn ferrite-based soft magnetic composites (SMCs), the present work focuses on effect of ferrite content and temperature on the magnetic properties of Fe@SiO2@Mn-Zn-ferrite SMC materials. A series of five Fe/SiO/Mn-Zn SMCs were fabricated using powder metallurgy and compaction. Structural characterization and detailed magnetic property measurements were performed to assess their soft magnetic behavior.

Valorization of Anaerobic Liquid Digestates Through Membrane Processing and Struvite Recovery-The Case of Dairy Effluents.

An integrated process scheme is developed for valorizing filtered liquid digestates (FLD) from an industrial anaerobic digestion (AD) plant treating dairy-processing effluents with relatively low nutrient concentrations. The process scheme involves FLD treatment by nanofiltration (NF) membranes, followed by struvite recovery from the NF-retentate. An NF pilot unit (designed for this purpose) is combined with a state-of-the-art NF/RO process simulator.

A Dual-Branch Fusion Model for Deepfake Detection Using Video Frames and Microexpression Features.

Deepfake detection has become a critical issue due to the rise of synthetic media and its potential for misuse. In this paper, we propose a novel approach to deepfake detection by combining video frame analysis with facial microexpression features. The dual-branch fusion model utilizes a 3D ResNet18 for spatiotemporal feature extraction and a transformer model to capture microexpression patterns, which are difficult to replicate in manipulated content.

Autonomous B-cell Receptor Signaling in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia.

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is driven by both antigen-dependent and antigen-independent cell-autonomous B-cell receptor (BcR) signaling. The latter has been documented in CLL cases in different disease subgroups and correlates with disease progression. Autonomous signaling is also relevant in monoclonal B-cell lymphocytosis and other B-cell malignancies, including diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and splenic marginal zone lymphoma.

Chemical Targeting of the ATXN1 aa99-163 Interaction Site Suppresses polyQ-Expanded Protein Dimerization.

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 1 (SCA1) is a neurodegenerative disease caused by the expansion of a polyglutamine (polyQ) tract in the ATXN1 protein. This expansion is thought to be responsible for the gradual aggregation of the mutant protein, which is associated with increased cytotoxicity and neuronal cell death. Apart from the polyQ tract, other domains in ATXN1 are also involved in the initial events of protein aggregation, such as a dimerization domain that promotes protein oligomerization.

Darling (v2.0): Mining disease-related databases for the detection of biomedical entity associations.

Darling is a web application that employs literature mining to detect disease-related biomedical entity associations. Darling can detect sentence-based cooccurrences of biomedical entities such as genes, proteins, chemicals, functions, tissues, diseases, environments, and phenotypes from biomedical literature found in six disease-centric databases. In this version, we deploy additional query channels focusing on COVID-19, GWAS studies, cardiovascular, neurodegenerative, and cancer diseases.

PEDRO: A Peer-to-Peer Support Platform for Adverse Drug Reaction Management in Patients with CLL.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL) treatment often leads to adverse drug reactions (ADRs) and drug-drug interactions (DDIs), significantly impacting patients' quality of life (QoL). To address the challenges in managing ADRs/DDIs, the PEDRO platform was developed to enhance communication between healthcare professionals (HCPs) managing patients with CLL in real-world healthcare settings and experts with significant research profiles in CLL. This paper presents the PEDRO platform built to provide a secure, scalable, and user-friendly solution for peer-to-peer (P2P) support in ADR/DDI management.

Disease-specific U1 spliceosomal RNA mutations in mature B-cell neoplasms.

Recurrent mutations in the third base of U1 spliceosomal RNA responsible for marked splicing and expression abnormalities have been described in chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and some solid tumors. However, the clinical significance of these mutations in large and independent CLL cohorts as well as their presence in other B-cell neoplasms is unknown. Here we characterized U1 mutations in 1670 CLL and 363 mature B-cell lymphomas.

Genome Editing of the Gene Modifies Tomato Plant Architecture and Fruit Traits.

Genome editing has revolutionized plant science, providing an unprecedented ability to precisely manipulate plant genomes. For this study, genome editing was utilized to target and modify the NF-YA8 transcription factor (TF) in tomato plants ( L. var.

Diversity of Bioactive Compounds in Microalgae: Key Classes and Functional Applications.

Microalgae offer a sustainable and versatile source of bioactive compounds. Their rapid growth, efficient CO utilization, and adaptability make them a promising alternative to traditional production methods. Key compounds, such as proteins, polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs), polyphenols, phytosterols, pigments, and mycosporine-like amino acids (MAAs), hold significant commercial value and are widely utilized in food, nutraceuticals, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, driving innovation across multiple industries.

Resistance to targeted therapies in chronic lymphocytic leukemia: Current status and perspectives for clinical and diagnostic practice.

The integration of BTK and BCL2 inhibitors into the treatment of patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) represents a paradigm shift and has led to significant improvements in clinical outcomes, including prolonged survival and enhanced quality of life. However, despite the efficacy of these agents, resistance to targeted therapy remains a major challenge, ultimately resulting in treatment failure and disease progression for a significant proportion of patients. Related to this, diagnostic testing for genetic variants associated with resistance, such as mutations in BTK, PLCG2 and BCL2, may become an increasingly common part of clinical routine practice.

CO sequestration potential in Depleted Hydrocarbon fields - A geochemical approach.

Background: The CO emissions reduction is crucial for the energy transition. New technologies for CO capture and storage are under development, such as CEEGS . Porous media and rock caverns are geological formations of high interest for such technology.