Biosynthetic ε-poly-L-lysine for the treatment of extensively- and pan-drug-resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) represents a major cause of antimicrobial resistance-related morbidity and mortality. The recent emergence of highly fatal infections, caused by carbapenem-resistant PA, has called for novel antimicrobial therapies and strategies. In this study, we highlight the therapeutic potential of ε-poly-L-lysine (εPL), an antimicrobial polymer for treating extensively-and pan-drug-resistant-PA.

SurFF: a foundation model for surface exposure and morphology across intermetallic crystals.

With approximately 90% of industrial reactions occurring on surfaces, the role of heterogeneous catalysts is paramount. Currently, accurate surface exposure prediction is vital for heterogeneous catalyst design, but it is hindered by the high costs of experimental and computational methods. Here we introduce a foundation force-field-based model for predicting surface exposure and synthesizability (SurFF) across intermetallic crystals, which are essential materials for heterogeneous catalysts.

Exploring experiences of the regulatory toxicology system: system-level promoters and inhibitors of new approach methodologies.

The transition from traditional animal-based approaches and assessments to New Approach Methodologies (NAMs) marks a scientific revolution in regulatory toxicology, with the potential of enhancing human and environmental protection. However, implementing the effective use of NAMs in regulatory toxicology has proven to be challenging, and so far, efforts to facilitate this change frequently focus on singular technical, psychological or economic inhibitors. This article takes a system-thinking approach to these challenges, a holistic framework for describing interactive relationships between the components of a system of interest.

Economic evaluation of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) in patients with breast cancer: systematic review.

Introduction: Metastatic breast cancer (mBC) is a major global health challenge. Antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs), including trastuzumab emtansine (T-DM1), trastuzumab deruxtecan (T-DXd), and sacituzumab govitecan (SG), offer clinical benefits but are associated with high costs, making cost-effectiveness assessments essential for policy decisions.

Methods: This systematic review analyzed economic evaluations comparing T-DM1, T-DXd, and SG with conventional treatments in breast cancer.

Racial stereotypes bias the neural representation of objects towards perceived weapons.

Racial stereotypes have been shown to bias the identification of innocuous objects, making objects like wallets or tools more likely to be identified as weapons when encountered in the presence of Black individuals. One mechanism that may contribute to these biased identifications is a transient perceptual distortion driven by racial stereotypes. Here we provide neuroimaging evidence that a bias in visual representation due to automatically activated racial stereotypes may be a mechanism underlying this phenomenon.

Enhanced Sensitivity of Nonlinear Optical Signatures of Aggregation-Induced Emission.

Understanding how molecular aggregation influences nonlinear optical properties is essential for advancing organic fluorophores in imaging, sensing, and photonic applications. However, the relationship between the molecular aggregation and the magnitude of nonlinear two-photon absorption cross-section remains underexplored. Here, we systematically investigate the aggregation-dependent two-photon absorption properties of the fluorophore TPAPhCN by tuning the degree of aggregation.

Social media and cytopathology (#cytopath) education: developing a curated online resource index and exploring the evolution of e-learning.

In recent years, social media (SoMe) has revolutionized medical education within the field of pathology; however, its performance in cytopathology has not been explored in detail. This systematic review aims to analyze SoMe trends, hashtag metrics, and online resources within cytopathology over the period of 7 years. A systematic review of 4 databases (PubMed, Medline, Embase, and Scopus) was conducted between January 1st, 2017, and December 22nd, 2022, in order to identify relevant English-language articles about SoMe and cytopathology.

Delineation of the post-operative primary tumour and nodal clinical target volumes in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma: European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) clinical guidelines.

Background And Purpose: To date, no consensus guidelines have been published that systematically guide delineation of primary and nodal Clinical Target Volumes (CTVs) in patients who require post-operative radiotherapy (PORT) for mucosal Head and Neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). As a result, significant individual, institutional and national variation exists in the way that CTVs are delineated in the post-operative setting, leading to considerable heterogeneity in radiotherapy treatment.

Methods: A multi-disciplinary group of experts convened by the European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (ESTRO) set-out principles for the multi-disciplinary management of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC).

Dengue virus infection reprograms baseline innate immune gene expression.

Background: All three dengue vaccines that have completed phase 3 clinical trials have shown greater efficacy in dengue-seropositive compared to dengue-seronegative individuals. This includes the live-attenuated tetravalent dengue vaccine TAK-003, where immunogenicity in baseline seronegative individuals remains lower after two doses, despite seroconversion after the first dose, compared to baseline seropositive individuals after one dose.

Methods: A whole-genome microarray was used to analyze the host response to TAK-003.

Therapeutic potentials of mesenchymal stem cells and their extracellular vesicles on liver diseases by modulating mitochondrial function of macrophages.

Macrophages play crucial roles in the progression of liver diseases. Increasing studies have shown that mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and their extracellular vesicles (MSC-EVs) could reshape the liver immune microenvironment by regulating the function and phenotype of macrophages, thereby exerting a therapeutic effect on liver diseases. Mitochondria, apart from being the central hub of energy metabolism, also finely regulate macrophage-mediated innate immune responses by modulating reactive oxygen species levels, cell polarization, and cell death.

Achieving High Potential Stability of Solid-Contact Ion-Selective Electrodes: The Role of Solution with the Primary Ion Preconditioning of the Membrane Cocktail.

Solid-contact ion-selective electrodes often struggle with potential stability during and between measurements. The potential drift significantly limits the reliability of the signal readout of ion-selective electrodes (ISEs), thereby limiting their practical applications. In this work, preadding a solution with the primary ion into the ion-selective membrane cocktail before drop-casting the ISEs was used to investigate the nature of ISEs' potential stability.

Type 4 Macular Neovascularization (NV): A New Member of the Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) Classification of NV Age-Related Macular Degeneration (AMD).

Purpose: To describe the clinical and multimodal imaging features of a novel form of macular neovascularization (MNV), designated Type 4 MNV, defined by mixed Type 1 and Type 2 neovascularization (NV), extensive intraretinal anastomotic NV, and central posterior hyaloid fibrosis (CPHF).

Methods: This multicenter retrospective observational case series included patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) exhibiting both Type 1 and 2 MNV and an overlying anastomotic intraretinal NV network. This was confirmed with OCT and OCT angiography (OCTA).

Early-Start vs. Late-Start Icodextrin for Children Receiving Chronic Peritoneal Dialysis: Findings from the International Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Network.

Background: Experience with icodextrin use in children on long-term peritoneal dialysis is limited. We describe international icodextrin prescription practices and their impact on clinical outcomes: ultrafiltration, blood pressure control, residual kidney function (RKF), technique and patient survival.

Methods: We included patients under 21 years enrolled in the International Pediatric Peritoneal Dialysis Network (IPPN) between 2007 and 2024, on automated PD with a daytime dwell.

Multi-layer matrix factorization for cancer subtyping using full and partial multi-omics dataset.

Cancer, with its inherent heterogeneity, is commonly categorized into distinct subtypes based on unique traits, cellular origins, and molecular markers specific to each type. However, current studies primarily rely on complete multi-omics datasets for predicting cancer subtypes, often overlooking predictive performance in cases where some omics data may be missing and neglecting implicit relationships across multiple layers of omics data integration. This paper introduces Multi-Layer Matrix Factorization (MLMF), a novel approach for cancer subtyping that employs multi-omics data clustering.

What is the preferred mesh placement in primary ventral hernia repair? An international survey of 442 surgeons.

Purpose: Primary ventral hernia repair is a common elective procedure; however, mesh placement practices vary widely, and there is limited evidence to guide optimal placement. This international study examined surgeons' preferences and considerations regarding mesh placement in elective primary ventral hernia repair.

Methods: We conducted an international cross-sectional survey targeting surgeons experienced in primary ventral hernia repair.

Structure-Function Associations of Choroidal Thickness With Retinal Sensitivity in Myopia.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the focal relationship between choroidal thickness and retinal sensitivity in myopic eyes.

Methods: Participants underwent swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) imaging and microperimetry testing. Choroidal thicknesses were obtained by segmenting the SS-OCT scans using a deep-learning approach.

Wavelength Selective Single Molecule Photobase/Photoacid Generator Enabling Dynamic Control of Soft Matter Materials Functions.

Photoremovable protecting groups (PRPGs) enable precise spatiotemporal control over molecular release and functional activation. Recent advances have introduced wavelength-selective systems for sequential deprotection, broadening applications in drug delivery, material synthesis, and photopolymerization. In parallel, PRPGs play a crucial role in photobase generators (PBGs) and photoacid generators (PAGs), enabling oxygen-tolerant, spatially controlled polymerization and depolymerization through light-induced base and acid release.

Effects of Perceived Scarcity on Mental Health, Time and Risk Preferences, and Decision-Making During and After COVID-19 Lockdown: Quasi-Natural Experimental Study.

Background: The COVID-19 lockdowns led to significant resource constraints, potentially impacting mental health and decision-making behaviors. Understanding the psychological and behavioral consequences could inform designing interventions to mitigate the negative impacts of episodic scarcity during crises like pandemics.

Objective: To investigate the effects of perceived scarcity on mental health (stress and fear), cognitive functioning, time and risk preferences (present bias and risk aversion), and trade-offs between groceries, health, and temptation goods during and after the COVID-19 lockdown in Shanghai.

Comparative study of proficiency improvement in ArtiSential according to conventional laparoscopic surgery experiences.

Background: This pilot study investigates the adaptability of the articulating instrument (ArtiSential) among surgeons with different levels of experience in conventional laparoscopic surgery.

Methods: From June to November 2023, 18 laparoscopic surgeons participated in peg transfer and suture training using ArtiSential instruments. Participants were categorized into novice, intermediate, and expert groups.

Engineering Aging: Approaches to Model and Deconstruct Biological Complexity.

The disparity between the global increase in life expectancy and the steady decline in health outcomes with age has been a major driver for developing new ways to research aging. Although this current tools for studying aging outside of the human body-such as animal models and cells in a dish-have improved this fundamental understanding of the markers and key mechanisms underlying this process, several limitations remain. Animal models are poor biological representations of humans and have a weak track record of translating pre-clinical results into successful clinical applications.