Cancer-associated fibroblasts as a potential therapeutic target for thyroid cancers.

Thyroid cancer, a prevalent endocrine malignancy, is influenced by its tumor microenvironment (TME), with cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) playing a pivotal role in disease progression. Molecularly, CAFs orchestrate a pro-tumorigenic niche via cytokine secretion and extracellular matrix (ECM) stiffening, underscoring their targetability. Therapeutic strategies, including small molecule inhibitor-based therapies, immune-based therapies, nanoparticle-based approaches, and combination regimens, have been evaluated for their efficacy in disrupting CAF functionality.

Microfluidic synthesis of iron oxide nanoparticles for highly efficient intracellular delivery in stem cells and cancer cells.

Microfluidic devices offer more accurate fluid flow control and lower reagent use for uniform nanoparticle synthesis than batch synthesis. Here, we propose a microfluidic device that synthesizes uniform iron oxide nanoparticles (IONPs) for highly efficient intracellular delivery. The 3D-printed device was fabricated, comprising two inlets in the T-shaped channel with an inner diameter of 2 mm, followed by a helical mixing channel with a single outlet.

Observation of the Charge Density Wave Excitonic Order Parameter in Topological Insulator Monolayer WTe.

Strong electron-hole interactions in a semimetal or narrow-gap semiconductor may drive a ground state of condensed excitons. Monolayer WTe has been proposed as a host material for such an exciton condensate, but the order parameter─the key signature of a macroscopic quantum-coherent condensate─has not been observed. Here, we use Fourier-transform scanning tunneling spectroscopy (FT-STS) to study quasiparticle interference (QPI) and periodic modulations of the local density of states (LDOS) in monolayer WTe.

Smart MDD-A portable optical device for rapid, automated, and ultra-sensitive detection of malathion in liquid samples.

Pesticides are often used in agriculture to reduce post-harvest losses due to contamination and to increase productivity. Long-term exposure to these pesticides in food leads to serious health issues in humans and animals. Advanced sensing techniques are crucial for detecting pesticide traces in agricultural products present in low amounts.

Cobalt-catalyzed regio- and stereoselective synthesis of atropisomers with vicinal C-C and C-N diaxes.

A regio-, diastereo-, and enantioselective cobalt-catalyzed C-H activation/annulation of aromatic and alkenyl amides has been developed to access heterocycles featuring vicinal C-C and C-N diaxes. This strategy uniquely harnesses previously unexplored electronically unbiased internal alkynes and proceeds under mild conditions to deliver products in high yields with excellent regio- and stereocontrol.

Fe-Doped SnO Rods as a Sustainable Lubricant Additive for Enhanced Tribological Performance: Optimal Selection Using Bootstrap Procedures.

This study explores the effect of dispersion of Fe-doped SnO rods and SnO rod-based additives in transformer oil for lubricant applications. A notable reduction in friction and wear is achieved at a low weight percentage ∼0.025 wt % of additives along with oleic acid and oleyl amine as dispersants.

Atmospheric reactions of substituted butanes with OH radicals: kinetics and atmospheric implications.

2-Chlorobutane (2CB) and 2-aminobutane (2AB) are chiral compounds, which play a crucial role in biological complexity. These compounds can be released into the air through natural and man-made processes. Their emission into the atmosphere may influence the air quality and climate significantly.

Frontal alpha asymmetry and heart rate variability as markers of conditional heart-brain interaction in test anxiety.

Test Anxiety (TA) is known to impair the heart-brain interaction affecting both the central and autonomic nervous systems. The impairment is often assumed to be uniform, overlooking individual variability in stress response. This study explores how heart-brain dysregulation in TA may manifest conditionally, shaped by individual differences.

Dynamics of liquid rise in the interstices of circular capillaries under a non-inertial regime.

Capillary rise of liquids in confined geometries plays a vital role in natural and engineered systems such as microfluidic devices, porous media, and heat pipes. In this study, we investigate the transient dynamics of capillary rise, at later times, within the corners of the interstice between three closely packed circular micro-capillaries, with diameters in the range 300 μm to 10 mm, a commonly occurring geometry in many applications. Utilizing a combination of experiments and 3D VoF simulations with a dynamic contact angle model, we study the corner capillary rise by liquids over wide ranges of Capillary, Froude and Ohnesorge numbers.

An updated view of metabolic handoffs in microbiomes.

From the human gut to the deep ocean, diverse microbial communities underpin essential ecosystem processes. Limited understanding of the dynamics and interactions that shape these communities, however, constrains efforts to culture, investigate, and harness their potential. Further, these knowledge gaps restrict the ability to predict microbial responses to broader biodiversity declines and global change.

Accelerated bioremediation of antibiotics and nutrients in complex matrices using self-acclimatized, cost-effective microalgae‑bacteria consortia: a comprehensive comparison with standalone systems.

This study explored the simultaneous removal of major antibiotics (amoxicillin (AMX), ciprofloxacin (CIP), and sulfamethoxazole (SMX)) and nutrients using microalgae, bacteria, and their consortia. To simplify the particular strain maintenance, the consortia were formed by combining microalgae with activated sludge from a sewage treatment plant. In batch studies, antibiotics were set at 1 mg/L, and nutrient concentrations were 1.

Sex based cardiovascular differences in adult and middle-aged hypertensive schlager mice.

Hypertension can lead to hypertensive heart disease (HHD). Genetically hypertensive Schlager (BPH/2J) mice are valuable models for hypertension research. However, comprehensive sex- and age-related differences in cardiovascular phenotype and HHD progression in this model are currently lacking.

Preliminary Analysis and Proof-of-Concept Validation of a Neuronally Controlled Visual Assistive Device Integrating Computer Vision with EEG-Based Binary Control.

Contemporary visual assistive devices often lack immersive user experience due to passive control systems. This study introduces a neuronally controlled visual assistive device (NCVAD) that aims to assist visually impaired users in performing reach tasks with active, intuitive control. The developed NCVAD integrates computer vision, electroencephalogram (EEG) signal processing, and robotic manipulation to facilitate object detection, selection, and assistive guidance.

Performance Evaluation of ChaosFortress Lightweight Cryptographic Algorithm for Data Security in Water and Other Utility Management.

The Internet of Things (IoT) has become an integral part of today's smart and digitally connected world. IoT devices and technologies now connect almost every aspect of daily life, generating, storing, and analysing vast amounts of data. One important use of IoT is in utility management, where essential services such as water are supplied through IoT-enabled infrastructure to ensure fair, efficient, and sustainable delivery.

Extracellular Vesicles in Osteogenesis: A Comprehensive Review of Mechanisms and Therapeutic Potential for Bone Regeneration.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoscale, membrane-bound particles secreted by diverse cell types and act as pivotal mediators of intercellular communication during bone regeneration. These vesicles transport bioactive cargo including proteins, lipids, mRNAs, and microRNAs that modulate osteogenesis, angiogenesis, and immune responses within the bone microenvironment. EVs originating from mesenchymal stem cells, osteoblasts, endothelial cells, and macrophages have demonstrated substantial potential to promote bone formation, inhibit bone resorption, and enhance vascularization.

An explainable ML model for binary LJ fluids.

Lennard-Jones (LJ) fluids serve as an important theoretical framework for understanding molecular interactions. Binary LJ fluids, where two distinct species of particles interact based on the LJ potential, exhibit rich phase behavior and provide valuable insights into complex fluid mixtures. Here we report the construction and utility of a machine learning (ML) model for binary LJ fluids, focusing on their effectiveness in predicting radial distribution functions (RDFs) across a range of conditions.

Interaction of genetic variants activates latent metabolic pathways in yeast.

Genetic interactions are fundamental to the architecture of complex traits, yet the molecular mechanisms by which variant combinations influence cellular pathways remain poorly understood. Here, we answer the question of whether interactions between genetic variants can activate unique pathways and if such pathways can be targeted to modulate phenotypic outcomes. The model organism Saccharomyces cerevisiae was used to dissect how two causal SNPs, MKT1 and TAO3, interact to modulate metabolic and phenotypic outcomes during sporulation.

Interference of HS During CO Detection by Probes Which Respond Through Tsuji-Trost Reaction-Does the Lack of Response Confirm Lack of Interference?

There is a great interest in getting deeper insights into the signaling roles and pathophysiological connections of gasotransmitters such as CO, NO, and HS. Among the probes for CO detection, those which respond through fluorescence outputs after activation through Tsuji-Trost reaction are popular. Interestingly, a number of reports in this area have shown that these probes are nonresponsive toward HS under the conditions employed.

A call for caution in the biological interpretation of viral auxiliary metabolic genes.

Virus-encoded auxiliary metabolic genes (AMGs) are non-essential genes that increase viral fitness by maintaining or manipulating host metabolism during infection. AMGs are intriguing from an evolutionary perspective, as most viral genomes are highly compact and have limited coding capacity for accessory genes. Advances in viral (meta)genomics have expanded the detection of putative AMGs from viruses in diverse environments.

Nematic Order from Phase Synchronization of Shape Oscillations.

We show that a suspension of noninteracting deformable particles subjected to an oscillatory shear flow leads to development of nematic order that arises from the phenomenon of phase synchronization. The synchronized state corresponds to a unique, stable limit cycle confined in the toroidal state space. The limit cycle exists since, unlike rigid particles, deformable particles can modulate aspect ratio, adjust their tumbling rate, and thus achieve phase synchronization.

Search for a Neutral Gauge Boson with Nonuniversal Fermion Couplings in Vector Boson Fusion Processes in Proton-Proton Collisions at sqrt[s]=13 TeV.

The first search for a heavy neutral spin-1 gauge boson (Z^{'}) with nonuniversal fermion couplings produced via vector boson fusion processes and decaying to tau leptons or W bosons is presented. The analysis is performed using LHC data at sqrt[s]=13  TeV, collected from 2016 to 2018 with the CMS experiment and corresponding to an integrated luminosity of 138  fb^{-1}. The data are consistent with the standard model predictions.

Precision Measurement of the Branching Fraction of D^{+}→μ^{+}ν_{μ}.

Using 20.3  fb^{-1} of e^{+}e^{-} collision data collected at a center-of-mass energy of E_{c.m.

Stratified patterns from evaporating colloidal dispersions containing binary particles.

Stratifying particles based on their size, coupled with evaporation-driven self-assembly, is an energy-efficient path to achieve particle segregation from an engineering and scientific perspective. At the end of evaporation, elegant arrays of deposition patterns emerge. Even though it is well-known that when two dispersions, , with one having particles in the micrometer range while the other one has particles in the sub-micron range, are mixed and dried, the resultant deposition pattern may have particle segregation.

Metagenomic analysis reveals how multiple stressors disrupt virus-host interactions in multi-trophic freshwater mesocosms.

Virus-host interactions are vital to microbiome ecology and evolution, yet their responses to environmental stressors under global change remain poorly understood. We perform a 10-month outdoor mesocosm experiment simulating multi-trophic freshwater shallow lake ecosystems. Using a fully factorial design comprising eight treatments with six replicates each, we assess the individual and combined effects of climate warming, nutrient loading, and pesticide loading on DNA viral communities and their interactions with microbial hosts.

Dynamical properties of chromatin provide insights into key folding principles.

Even though the three-dimensional static organization of chromatin is highly studied, chromatin is a dynamic structure, and time-dependent changes are crucial for biological function. Although it is known that both intrachromatin interaction and loop extrusion are crucial to understanding chromatin organization, what their respective roles are in deciding the nature of spatial and temporal organization is not clear. Simulating a model with active loop extrusion and intrachromatin interactions, we show that under certain conditions, the measurable dynamic quantities are dominated by the loop extrusion, even though the population-averaged contact map (structure) can be dominated by intrachromatin interactions, with loop extrusion playing no major role.