3D Mesoporous Electrodes Integrated with Soft Surgical Robotics for Putative Minimally Invasive Intraoperative Tumor Detection and Ablation Monitoring.

Flexible endoscopes equipped with multimodal sensors offer an innovative minimally invasive approach to perioperative diagnosis and intraoperative ablation monitoring, addressing the limitations of conventional mechanical- and optical-based techniques. Over the years, various miniaturized sensors have been developed, providing essential insights through minimally invasive surgeries (MIS). Among them, tactile sensors hold significant potential to revolutionize the diagnosis of tissue malignancy, serving to detect differences in the mechanical properties between healthy and cancerous tissues.

The SeqSplice multiplexed minigene splicing assay for characterization and quantitation of variant-induced and splice isoforms.

and germline variant classification is vital for clinical management of families with hereditary breast and ovarian cancer. However, clinical classification of rare variants outside of the splice donor/acceptor ±1,2-dinucleotides remains challenging, particularly for variants that induce new or cryptic splice site usage. Here, we present SeqSplice a high-throughput RNA splicing methodology utilizing barcoded minigene constructs together with a bespoke bioinformatics pipeline for identifying and quantifying the impacts for splice-altering variants.

Long-term Storage Stability of Inhalable Phage Powder Formulations: A Four-Year Study.

The growing potential of bacteriophage therapy as an alternative treatment for pulmonary infections caused by multidrug-resistant bacteria has been increasingly recognized. This study aimed to evaluate the long-term stability of spray-dried phage powder formulations for pulmonary delivery, focusing on both biological activity and physicochemical properties. Three phages, PEV1, PEV20, and PEV61, were selected for formulation based on their host range against clinical strains of Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Impact of Heat and Acidic Stress on the Biochemical Composition of Bacteriophages─A Nanoscale AFM-IR Study.

Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) poses a significant global health threat, highlighting the need for effective bacteriophage (phage) therapy formulations. Understanding phenotypic and genotypic changes is essential for optimizing phage formulation and delivery. Here, we examine the chemical composition changes of -specific phages subjected to external stresses, including heat and acidification, using atomic force microscopy-infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), with results confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and biological assays.

Deciphering hypothalamic pathology in ALS: insights into non-motor symptoms and disease progression.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a fatal neurodegenerative disease with highly heterogeneous clinical presentations. Among the non-motor features increasingly recognised as clinically relevant is the dysregulation of energy balance, with weight loss-particularly due to fat mass loss-emerging as a significant modifier of disease risk, progression, and survival. In this context, the hypothalamus-a key regulator of homeostatic and metabolic processes-has gained attention for its potential role in ALS pathophysiology.

Humidity-dependent benzene adsorption in indoor environments: The critical transition between competition and cooperation.

Benzene, a prevalent indoor air pollutant, poses significant health risks. While carbonaceous materials are widely used for benzene removal, their performance under humid conditions remains controversial, with reports showing both detrimental and beneficial effects of moisture. The underlying mechanisms governing these seemingly contradictory observations remain poorly understood, impeding the rational design of adsorbents that can maintain consistent performance across varying humidity levels.

Nanoemulsification of PTX and BEZ235 inhibits colon cancer growth.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common malignant tumors, and its drug resistance poses a huge challenge and a serious threat to people's health. In previous studies, we have found that the combination of paclitaxel and BEZ235 has synergistic anti-colon cancer effects, particularly in drug-resistant colorectal cancer, demonstrating excellent anti-tumor effects. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the preparation of the nanoemulsification of paclitaxel and BEZ235 (NEs-PTX-BEZ235) and to explore the potential key parameters for its clinical translation.

Suppression of Stacking Faults for Stable Formamidinium-Rich Perovskite Absorbers.

The poor intrinsic perovskite absorber stability is arguably a central limitation challenging the prospect of commercialization for photovoltaic (PV) applications. Understanding the nanoscopic structural features that trigger instabilities in perovskite materials is essential to mitigate device degradation. Using nanostructure characterization techniques, we observe the local degradation to be initiated by material loss at stacking faults, forming inherently in the (011)-faceted perovskite domains in different formamidinium lead triiodide perovskite compositions.

Appetite loss in patients with motor neuron disease: impact on weight loss and neural correlates of visual food cues.

Motor Neuron Disease (MND) is associated with significant non-motor symptoms, including the loss of appetite. Loss of appetite has emerged as a dominant feature of the disease that may contribute to negative energy balance, faster disease progression and earlier death. We examined the prevalence and impact of appetite loss and analysed neural correlates of visual food stimuli with prandial status and appetite in people living with MND (plwMND).

An fMRI dataset for appetite neural correlates in people living with Motor Neuron Disease.

The dataset investigates the neural correlates of appetite in people living with motor neuron disease (plwMND) compared to non-neurodegenerative disease controls. Thirty-six plwMND and twenty-three controls underwent two fMRI sessions: one in a fasted state and one postprandial. Participants viewed visual stimuli of non-food items, low-calorie foods, and high-calorie foods in a randomised block design.

Intrinsically Pro-Apoptotic Gold Nanoclusters for Optical Tracing and Inhibition of Solid Tumors.

Intrinsically theranostic metal nanoclusters are rare unless the stabilizing ligands exhibit therapeutic properties. A promising class of quasi-molecular, near-infrared (NIR) emitting, cytotoxic gold nanoclusters, coined as AXE (Au eXcitable and Eliminable) stabilized through terminal thioester groups on fluorinated, and crosslinked polymers, is presented for simultaneous bioimaging & therapy. Nano Variable Temperature-Electrospray ionization mass spectrometry analysis of these aqueous stable nanoclusters revealed 5 to 7 core gold atoms, with SAXS measurement confirming average size to be under 1 nm, consistent with the theoretical maximum for few atom planar gold clusters.

Development and face validity testing of pyeloplasty surgical training models.

Background: There are few realistic and accessible laparoscopic pyeloplasty training models. The aim of this study is to develop a functional training model through user-centered design that depicts the pathological features of pelvicoureteric junction obstruction (PUJO).

Methods: Realistic patient-matched anatomical models of the kidney, renal pelvis, and ureter were created based on segmentations of computed tomography (CT) scans of a paediatric patient with PUJO who underwent laparoscopic pyeloplasty.

The influence of pre-injury anticoagulant or antiplatelet agents on outcomes in trauma patients sustaining abdominal solid organ injuries: A scoping review.

Background: Indications for, and usage of, anticoagulant (AC) and antiplatelet (AP) agents is increasing. In this context, it is important to understand the evidence base of the effect of pre-injury AC/AP agents on patient outcomes in the context of traumatic solid organ injury (SOI) to inform management protocols.

Methods: A scoping review of the literature was undertaken with a systematic search strategy within the PubMed and Scopus databases.

A Pilot Study of PSMA PET/CT and MRI Fusion for Prostate Cancer: Software to Replace PET/MRI Hardware.

: Prostate-specific membrane antigen positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PSMA PET/CT), in combination with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may enhance the diagnosis and staging of prostate cancer. Image fusion of separately acquired PET/CT and MRI images serve to facilitate clinical integration and treatment planning. This study aimed to investigate different PSMA PET/CT and MRI image fusion workflows for prostate cancer visualisation.

Using X-ray velocimetry to measure lung function and assess the efficacy of a pseudomonas aeruginosa bacteriophage therapy for cystic fibrosis.

Phase contrast x-ray imaging (PCXI) provides high-contrast images of weakly-attenuating structures like the lungs. PCXI, when paired with 4D X-ray Velocimetry (XV), can measure regional lung function and non-invasively assess the efficacy of emerging therapeutics. Bacteriophage therapy is an emerging antimicrobial treatment option for lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF), particularly with increasing rates of multi-drug-resistant infections.

Optimizing Arterial Tissue Thickness Measurement Protocols: Digital Vernier Caliper Versus Digital Thickness Gauge.

Background: The aim of this study is to analyze the reproducibility of sample thickness measurements taken by a non-experienced user by comparing a standard digital vernier caliper, with four different protocols, to a specialized thickness gauge.

Methods: The current study is a methodological study where we examined the thickness of the porcine arterial wall in the thoracic aorta of six pigs. Two adjacent samples of 10 × 10 mm from each aorta were excised longitudinally from the anterior wall, resulting in twelve specimens.

Non-tuberculous mycobacterial bone and joint infections - a case series from a tertiary referral centre in Australia.

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) are rare causes of bone and joint infection (BJI) and there is limited evidence on which to base management decisions. This study describes 1 year of experience from a multi-disciplinary BJI team which collects data on all cases reviewed at a tertiary referral centre in Queensland, Australia.

Methods: The database was interrogated for all cases in which NTM were recovered from operative samples.

Engineered cross-feeding creates inter- and intra-species synthetic yeast communities with enhanced bioproduction.

Microorganisms can be engineered to sustainably produce a variety of products including fuels, pharmaceuticals, materials, and food. However, highly engineered strains often result in low production yield, due to undesired effects such as metabolic burden and the toxicity of intermediates. Drawing inspiration from natural ecosystems, the construction of a synthetic community with division of labor can offer advantages for bioproduction.

A pilot study: Examining cytoskeleton gene expression profiles in Pakistani children with autism spectrum disorder.

Background: Finding effective pharmacological interventions to address the complex array of neurodevelopmental disorders is currently an urgent imperative within the scientific community as these conditions present significant challenges for patients and their families, often impacting cognitive, emotional, and social development. In this study, we aimed to explore non-invasive method to diagnose autism spectrum disorders (ASD) within Pakistan children population and to identify clinical drugs for its treatment.

Aims: The current report outlines a comprehensive bidirectional investigation showcasing the successful utilization of saliva samples to quantify the expression patterns of profilins (PFN1, 2, and 3); and ERM (ezrin, radixin, and moesin) proteins; and additionally moesin pseudogene 1 and moesin pseudogene 1 antisense (MSNP1AS).

Spatial heterogeneity and prognostic significance of TAMs and TILs infiltrates in different staging esophageal squamous carcinoma.

Background: The prognostic value and clinical relevance of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain unclear.

Aims: To investigate the prognostic value and functional involvement of TILs in ESCC.

Methods: We included 40 patients across different stages of ESCC from Xinjiang.

Metabolic Engineering of for the High-Level Production of l-Valine under Aerobic Conditions.

l-Valine, an essential amino acid, serves as a valuable compound in various industries. However, engineering strains with both high yield and purity are yet to be delivered for microbial l-valine production. We engineered a strain capable of highly efficient production of l-valine.