Signatures of Polar Metal Phase in the Quasi-2D Electron System in PLD-Grown Amorphous-Epitaxial Oxide Heterostructures.

For years, itinerant charge carriers in ferroelectric insulators were believed to completely quench ferroelectricity. Recent breakthroughs, however, demonstrated the existence of a novel class of quasi-two-dimensional polar metals with promising applications in nonvolatile electronics and spintronics. Here, by combining temperature-dependent magnetotransport measurements, optical second harmonic generation (SHG), resonant photoemission spectroscopy (ResPES), and X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), we report on the properties of a BaTiO-based oxide heterostructure, sustaining a persistent polar displacement in the BaTiO layer while supporting a two-dimensional electron gas.

Engineering gold nanoparticles aggregation in acrylate hydrogel-photopolymers for SERS-based on-site highly sensitive dimethoate detection on olives.

Hydrogel-based flexible plasmonic devices represent a cutting-edge technology for real-time monitoring of food safety, particularly for pesticide detection. This study presents a cost-effective, portable, and sensitive method to detect dimethoate (DMT), a hazardous organophosphorus pesticide, at concentrations below the maximum residue limit (MRL) of 0.01 ppm on olives.

Impact of hyaluronic acid molecular weight on silibinin intranasal delivery via hybrid nanoparticle formulation.

This study aimed to develop hybrid nanoparticles (LPNs) using hyaluronic acid (HA) of different molecular weights for intranasal delivery of silibinin (SLB) to glioma tumors. LPNs were prepared using low, medium, and high molecular weight HA. Blank LPNs measured approximately 100 nm, whereas SLB-LPNs were about 160 nm.

Polarization-Sensitive Holotomography for Multidimensional Label-Free Imaging and Characterization of Lipid Droplets in Cancer Cells.

Lipid droplets (LDs) are key markers of cellular metabolism, often altered in cancer. While holotomography enables 3D, label-free imaging of LDs via refractive index, it relies on complex thresholding and lacks biochemical specificity. Here, polarization-sensitive holotomography (PS-HT), which leverages the intrinsic birefringence of LDs for high-contrast, selective identification with a fixed near-zero threshold is presented.

Superconducting Quantum Magnetometers for Brain Investigations.

This review article aims to provide an overview of superconducting magnetic quantum sensors and their applications in the biomedical field, particularly in the neurological field. These quantum sensors are based on superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs), the operating principles of which will be presented along with the most relevant characteristics. Emphasis will be placed on the magnetic flux and magnetic field noise, which are essential for applications, especially brain investigations requiring ultra-high magnetic field sensitivity.

3D Photonic Metacrystals with Enhanced Collective Mie Resonances for Dual Structural Coloration.

3D photonic crystals offer nonfading structural coloration and complex optical properties through coupled Mie resonances in high-refractive-index materials. Although strong magnetic resonances make them promising, they often suffer from optical losses in the visible spectrum. Enhancing Mie resonances and quality factors through collective coupling in lithographically ordered arrays has been demonstrated.

Drug-Induced Reversible Lysosomal Changes Tracked in Live Cells by Holo-Tomographic Flow Cytometry.

Lysosomal storage diseases (LSDs) are genetic disorders caused by enzyme deficiencies that lead to lysosomal dysfunction and progressive cell damage. Accurate visualization and quantification of lysosomal morphology and subcellular localization are essential parameters for understanding the pathology and disease progression of different LSDs, as well as for developing effective therapies. Here, we successfully identified and characterized lysosomes using a holo-tomographic flow cytometry (HTFC) technique, which allows for label-free, high-content, and high-throughput 3D imaging of lysosomal compartments in single live cells.

Biophotonic function of the calcium carbonate skeleton in Lithothamnion crispatum: A possible adaptation of coralline algae to low-light environments.

Coralline algae (Corallinophycidae, Rhodophyta) have adapted to a broad range of marine habitats, including low-light mesophotic zones, yet the potential role of their high-Mg calcite skeleton in light harvesting remains poorly investigated. Here, we examine the skeletal architecture of Lithothamnion crispatum rhodoliths through X-ray micro-computed tomography (μ-CT) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM), revealing a distinct Voronoi-like tessellation of the epithallial cells associated with a nearly hyperuniform arrangement of submicrometric pores. This structural organization can promote the penetration of scattered light into the thallus, enhancing photon availability in deeper tissues.

Enhancing the photoresponse performance of graphene on silicon-based heterojunction as a broadband photodetector.

Developing a high-performance photodetector based on graphene technology is a significant challenge in the field of light sensors. In this work, photodetectors based on a graphene monolayer/SiN/Si heterojunction connected to an Ohmic and a Schottky back junction have been realized. The current-voltage characteristics in dark and under illumination conditions in the range from UV to IR have been carried out.

Resolving SPARC-HSA binding kinetics with an ultrasensitive photonic sensor based on bound states in the continuum.

Secreted protein acidic and rich in cysteine (SPARC) is critical in cell-matrix interactions and tissue remodeling. It influences tumor progression through its affinity for human serum albumin (HSA) - the most abundant plasma protein, which also plays a crucial role in drug delivery. Strong molecular binding leads to a dissociation constant K in the nanomolar range.

Dynamics of energy-selected fragments from nucleobase-protein interaction molecular models revealed by combined photoelectron-photoion coincidence spectroscopy and theoretical simulation.

A combined experimental and computational approach aimed at systematically exploring unimolecular reaction channels of ionized gas-phase systems-including rearrangements, intramolecular bonds formation, and fragmentation-has been applied to 5- and 6-benzyluracil (5BU and 6BU) molecules, which are used as molecular models of photo-induced interactions between nucleobases and aromatic aminoacids. Photoelectron-photoion coincidence experiments offer a unique view of energy-selected fragmentation channels, while ab initio molecular dynamics of the ionic system, performed with semi-empirical potentials and for long simulation times, can extensively explore possible unimolecular reactive pathways, revealing the detailed molecular identity of the products. Results show that, at lower binding energies, ionized 5- and 6-benzyluracil molecules do not fragment but may nevertheless rearrange to give, mainly in 6BU, cross-linked products.

From genotype to phenotype: decoding mutations in blasts by holo-tomographic flow cytometry.

Cup-like nuclear morphological alterations in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) blasts have been widely correlated with Nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutations. NPM1-mutated AML has earned recognition as a distinct entity among myeloid tumors, but the absence of a thoroughly established tool for its morphological analysis remains a notable gap. Holographic tomography (HT) can offer a label-free solution for quantitatively assessing the 3D shape of the nucleus based on the volumetric variations of its refractive indices (RIs).

Assessing Fish Populations Through Length-Weight Relationships and Condition Factors in Three Lakes of Nigeria.

Freshwater fisheries ecology encompasses the intricate interactions among fish species, their aquatic habitats, and human activities [...

The inhibitory potential of three scorpion venom peptides against multidrug-resistant .

Background: The rise of drug-resistant bacterial infections, particularly those caused by underscores the urgent need for novel therapeutic candidates. Hospital-acquired infections from carbapenemase (KPC)-producing bacteria pose a serious health threat, particularly impacting the respiratory and urinary tracts. This study investigates the antibacterial efficacy of three antimicrobial peptides, called pantinins, derived from scorpions' venom against and various KPC-producing clinical isolates.

Enhancing G-quadruplex-based DNA nanotechnology: new lipophilic DNA G-quadruplexes with TBDPS modifications.

This study introduces a novel class of highly lipophilic DNA G-quadruplexes (G4s) obtained by installing the lipophilic -butyldiphenylsilyl group (TBDPS) at both ends of 5'-CG -3'-3'-G C-5' oligonucleotides (ONs), where = 1 or 2, featuring a 3'-3' inversion of polarity, thus obtaining symmetric (TBDPS-5'-CG -3'-3'-G C-5'-TBDPS) lipophilic G4s after annealing in K-containing buffer. The new 5'-bis-conjugated TBDPS-ONs were synthesized using a tailored solid-phase approach, where the first nucleoside (dC) was linked to the polymeric support the exocyclic amino group of the nucleobase. The effect of the presence of the TBDPS groups on G4 formation, stability, and propensity to form supramolecular G4 aggregates was assessed using H NMR, circular dichroism (CD), polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), dynamic light scattering (DLS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) analyses.

New Methodologies as Opportunities in the Study of Bacterial Biofilms, Including Food-Related Applications.

Traditional food technologies, while essential, often face limitations in sensitivity, real-time detection, and adaptability to complex biological systems such as microbial biofilms. These constraints have created a growing demand for more advanced, precise, and non-invasive tools to ensure food safety and quality. In response to these challenges, cross-disciplinary technological integration has opened new opportunities for the food industry and public health, leveraging methods originally developed in other scientific fields.

MIP-Modified Porous Silicon Optical Sensor for Interleukin-6 Label-Free Quantification.

In this study, we present an innovative optical biosensor designed to detect Interleukin-6 (IL-6), a pivotal cytokine implicated in many pathological conditions. Our sensing platform is made of a porous silicon (PSi) nanostructured substrate modified with a thin (~5 nm) molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP), ensuring both high specificity and sensitivity toward IL-6 molecules. The fabrication process involves electrochemical etching of silicon chips to create the porous structure, followed by the electrodeposition of the MIP, which is tailored to selectively bind the IL-6 target.

Advanced Deep Learning and Machine Learning Techniques for MRI Brain Tumor Analysis: A Review.

A brain tumor is the result of abnormal growth of cells in the central nervous system (CNS), widely considered as a complex and diverse clinical entity that is difficult to diagnose and cure. In this study, we focus on current advances in medical imaging, particularly magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and how machine learning (ML) and deep learning (DL) algorithms might be combined with clinical assessments to improve brain tumor diagnosis. Due to its superior contrast resolution and safety compared to other imaging methods, MRI is highlighted as the preferred imaging modality for brain tumors.

Magnetoencephalography Dimensionality Reduction Informed by Dynamic Brain States.

Complex spontaneous brain dynamics mirror the large number of interactions taking place among regions, supporting higher functions. Such complexity is manifested in the interregional dependencies among signals derived from different brain areas, as observed utilising neuroimaging techniques, like magnetoencephalography. The dynamics of this data produce numerous subsets of active regions at any moment as they evolve.

Holographic tomography of the diatom Skeletonema pseudocostatum used as a bioindicator of heavy metal-polluted waters.

Heavy metal contamination in aquatic environments poses a significant threat to microbial communities, yet the subcellular responses of phytoplankton to metal stress remain poorly understood. In particular, the effects of heavy metal exposure on the structural and physiological properties of diatoms require further investigation. Here, we analyze the impact of cadmium (Cd) and copper (Cu) exposure on the subcellular structures of the diatom Skeletonema pseudocostatum using holographic tomography.

Recent breakthroughs in digital holography, 2D/3D imaging, and holographic optical elements: introduction.

The Optica Digital Holography and Three-Dimensional Imaging Topical Meeting (DH) 2024 in Paestum, Italy. brought together a vibrant hub for global experts to showcase cutting-edge research and industry pioneers to discuss the latest developments in digital holography (DH) and 3D imaging techniques. This meeting's impact is further amplified by a dedicated feature issue across three prestigious Optica journals: , , and .

Mapping Brain Lesions to Conduction Delays: The Next Step for Personalized Brain Models in Multiple Sclerosis.

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a clinically heterogeneous, multifactorial autoimmune disorder affecting the central nervous system. Structural damage to the myelin sheath, resulting in the consequent slowing of the conduction velocities, is a key pathophysiological mechanism. In fact, the conduction velocities are closely related to the degree of myelination, with thicker myelin sheaths associated to higher conduction velocities.

An Innovative IoT and Edge Intelligence Framework for Monitoring Elderly People Using Anomaly Detection on Data from Non-Wearable Sensors.

The aging global population requires innovative remote monitoring systems to assist doctors and caregivers in assessing the health of elderly patients. Doctors often lack access to continuous behavioral data, making it difficult to detect deviations from normal patterns when elderly patients arrive for a consultation. Without historical insights into common behaviors and potential anomalies detected with unobtrusive techniques (e.

Enhancing PDAC therapy: Decitabine-olaparib synergy targets KRAS-dependent tumors.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) shows limited response to chemotherapy, partly due to the absence of effective biomarkers for personalized treatment. Kirsten rat sarcoma viral oncogene homolog (KRAS) mutations are found in 90% of PDAC cases, and tumors dependent on KRAS (dKRAS) can be identified using gene expression signature scores. Previous research indicates that dKRAS-PDAC cells are sensitive to decitabine (DEC), an FDA-approved drug for hematological cancers, though its use in solid tumors is limited by side effects.

Analyzing Information Exchange in Parkinson's Disease via Eigenvector Centrality: A Source-Level Magnetoencephalography Study.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disorder that manifests through motor and non-motor symptoms. Understanding the alterations in brain connectivity associated with PD remains a challenge that is crucial for enhancing diagnosis and clinical management. This study utilized Magnetoencephalography (MEG) to investigate brain connectivity in PD patients compared to healthy controls (HCs) by applying eigenvector centrality (EC) measures across different frequency bands.