Effects of elevated yet non-inhibitory levels of selenite on growth and gene expression of the methanogenic archaeon Methanococcus maripaludis JJ.

Selenium is an essential trace element in many organisms but becomes toxic at elevated concentrations. At moderately increased, non-lethal levels, selenite triggers both selenium utilization and stress responses in microorganisms. However, the thresholds of such responses in archaea remain poorly understood.

Long-term outcomes following off-Pump coronary artery bypass grafting using only three in situ arterial grafts.

Objectives: Coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG) using bilateral internal thoracic artery (BITA) conduits can achieve good outcomes for multivessel lesions. This study evaluated early angiographic patency and outcomes following off-pump CABG (OPCAB) using only in situ BITA and right gastroepiploic artery (rGEA) grafts.

Methods: This retrospective analysis included patients undergoing OPCAB using only in situ skeletonized BITA and rGEA grafts (July 2007 to March 2019).

Accurate tacrolimus monitoring by dual peripherally inserted central catheters in allogeneic HSCT.

Introduction: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem-cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) requires reliable vascular access for medication, transfusion, and blood sampling, which often involves painful venipuncture. This prospective study evaluated a novel dual peripherally inserted central venous catheter (PICC) technique to reduce venipuncture frequency in allo-HSCT recipients.

Methods: The study enrolled 29 allo-HSCT recipients.

Regression equation for kidney function based on the ultrasonographic volumetry of the renal cortex.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is a public health concern; kidney size correlates with kidney function, except in diabetic kidney disease (DKD), where the kidney enlarges, limiting morphological measurement applications in CKD management. However, cortical size changes in DKD along with CKD progression remain understudied. We investigated kidney morphology alterations in patients with and without diabetes and established a regression equation for kidney function incorporating morphological alterations.

Misdiagnosis in patients with obstructed hemivagina and ipsilateral renal anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome: a retrospective study of 164 cases.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to summarize and analyze the incidence, underlying causes and related risk factors of misdiagnosis in patients with Obstructed Hemivagina and Ipsilateral Renal Anomaly (OHVIRA) syndrome.

Methods: This is a single center, retrospective study conducted in a tertiary hospital, enrolling patients diagnosed with OHVIRA syndrome in our center between January 2000 and December 2023, with intact charts retrieved. We collected information related to misdiagnosis.

Timing of surgery and outcomes in patients with congenital pulmonary airway malformation: a national inpatient database study.

Purpose: The timing of elective surgery for asymptomatic congenital pulmonary airway malformation (CPAM) at birth remains controversial. We aimed to describe characteristics and outcomes of patients who underwent surgery for CPAM.

Methods: We retrospectively identified patients aged < 18 years who were hospitalized for CPAM during the neonatal period and underwent surgery between July 2010 and March 2022 using the Diagnosis Procedure Combination database in Japan.

Discovery of APS03118, a Potent and Selective Next-Generation RET Inhibitor with a Novel Kinase Hinge Scaffold.

This study reports the discovery and preclinical activity of APS03118, a novel selective RET inhibitor featuring a novel tricyclic pyrazolo[3',4':3,4]pyrazolo[1,5-]pyridine hinge-binding scaffold designed to overcome acquired resistance to first-generation selective RET inhibitors (SRIs). By enhancing hydrogen bonding with conserved hinge residues (Glu805, Ala807), APS03118 potently inhibits wild-type RET and diverse resistance mutations, including solvent-front (G810R/S/C), gatekeeper (V804M/L/E), roof (L730I/M), and hinge (Y806C/N/H) variants. In preclinical models, APS03118 induced complete tumor regression in KIF5B-RET and CCDC6-RET V804 M patient-derived xenografts (PDXs) and significantly prolonged survival in an intracranial CCDC6-RET metastasis model.

Exploitation of Biodiversity in Bioeconomy: Examples, Opportunities, and Challenges.

While bioprocesses using Escherichia coli, Corynebacterium glutamicum, various species of Bacillus, lactic acid bacteria, Clostridia, the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris, fungi such as Aspergillus niger, and Chinese hamster ovary cells are well established, the high level of microbial diversity has not yet been exploited industrially. However, the use of alternative organisms has the potential to significantly expand the process window of bioprocesses. These extensions include the use of alternative substrates (e.

[Tinnitus-current developments : Overview and summary of current state of knowledge in 2024].

Chronic tinnitus is a common symptom of the auditory system. Its pathophysiology remains incompletely understood, primarily due to its multifactorial etiology, which resembles that of other chronic conditions. As a result, effective clinical management requires interdisciplinary diagnostics and personalized therapeutic strategies.

Star-like Cluster SMg: A Binary Dianion Global Minimum Featuring a Planar Pentacoordinate Sulfur.

For over half a century, clusters exhibiting unconventional bonding have captivated researchers due to their unique electronic characteristics. While most elements in the periodic table demonstrate this remarkable structural feature, sulfur has been notably absent from known global minima with a planar pentacoordinate center. Herein, we report the first binary dianion cluster, SMg, featuring a planar pentacoordinate sulfur (ppS) atom.

Algorithm-Driven Chromatographic Method for Prostaglandin Isomer Identification via Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

This study explores the computational isolation of prostaglandin (PG) isomers, specifically PG E (PGE) and D (PGD), to enhance method development efficiency and provide insights into their retention behavior during supercritical fluid extraction (SFE) combined with supercritical fluid chromatography (SFC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS/MS). Although PGE and PGD are positional isomers that yield identical product ions in MS/MS, they serve distinct biological roles. This research illustrates the efficacy of selected reaction monitoring (SRM)-based techniques for differentiating coeluting isomers.

Flatness-based control for generalized synchronization of chaotic systems with large dissipation and dimension mismatch.

A flat control law is based on the structural analysis of a controlled system, allowing optimal placement of sensors and actuators. Once designed, any desired dynamics can be imposed onto the system. When the target dynamics comes from a system structurally different from the controlled one, generalized synchronization can be achieved, provided the control gain is sufficiently large.

Diverse Ring Opening and Annulation Catalyses of Isoxazole To Construct Valuable Functionalized Pyrroles, Pyridines, and Nicotinamides.

This study introduces microwave-assisted, Fe(III)-catalyzed ring-opening annulations of isoxazoles, enabling the rapid and selective synthesis of 1,4-diacyl pyrroles and substituted pyridines. By leveraging microwave irradiation and transition metal catalysis, this approach enhances the reaction efficiency, reduces reaction times, and promotes high regioselectivity under mild conditions. Under thermal conditions, the Ru(II) catalyst led to the synthesis of nicotinamide derivatives.

Vacuum-compatible sub-micrometer liquid flat-jet apparatus for soft x-ray spectroscopy.

We have developed a vacuum-compatible liquid flat-jet apparatus that delivers stable, sub-micrometer sheets for soft-x-ray spectroscopy. Interchangeable PEEKsil microjets (ϕ 25-100 μm) collide to form a leaf-like jet that runs reproducibly for more than 6 h at ∼0.1 Pa.

No Association Between Vocal Emotion Recognition and Subjective Parental Reporting of Alexithymia in School-Age Children With Hearing Aids.

Objectives: Alexithymia is characterized by difficulties in identifying and describing one's own emotions. Alexithymia has previously been associated with deficits in the processing of emotional information at both behavioral and neurobiological levels, and some studies have shown elevated levels of alexithymic traits in adults with hearing loss. This explorative study investigated alexithymia in young and adolescent school-age children with hearing aids in relation to (1) a sample of age-matched children with normal hearing, (2) age, (3) hearing thresholds, and (4) vocal emotion recognition.

Mixed-Length Multivariate Covalent Organic Framework for Combined Near-Infrared Photodynamic Therapy and Drug Delivery.

Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) have been emerging as versatile reticular materials due to their tunable structures and functionalities, enabled by precise molecular engineering at the atomic level. While the integration of multiple components into COFs has substantially expanded their structural complexity, the strategic engineering of diverse functionalities within a single framework the random distribution of linkers with varying lengths remains largely unexplored. Here, we report a series of highly crystalline mixed-length multivariate COFs synthesized using azobenzene and bipyridine as linkers, where tuning the ratio of linkers and incorporating palladium effectively modulates the balance between near-infrared (NIR) light absorption and catalytic sites for NIR-generation of hydrogen peroxide (HO).

Dynamics of polymer rings: The Rouse ring chain with attractive harmonic potential of spherical symmetry.

The static and dynamic properties of a cyclic Rouse chain modified by the introduction of an effective, spherically symmetric, attracting potential of entropic nature are studied. It is shown that a relatively weak potential can lead to a strong contraction of the polymer chain: the radius of gyration becomes much smaller compared to the size of the free cyclic chain. The pronounced decrease in the terminal relaxation time of cyclic macromolecules in the presence of a harmonic potential compared to the Rouse relaxation time leads to a lengthening of the time interval for the transition to the normal, i.

Reproducibility of fixed-node diffusion Monte Carlo across diverse community codes: The case of water-methane dimer.

Fixed-node diffusion quantum Monte Carlo (FN-DMC) is a widely trusted many-body method for solving the Schrödinger equation, known for its reliable predictions of material and molecular properties. Furthermore, its excellent scalability with system complexity and near-perfect utilization of computational power make FN-DMC ideally positioned to leverage new advances in computing to address increasingly complex scientific problems. Even though the method is widely used as a computational gold standard, reproducibility across the numerous FN-DMC code implementations has yet to be demonstrated.

A multi-dimensional computational framework of drug-induced hepatotoxicity: integrating molecular structure features with disease pathogenesis.

Drug-induced hepatotoxicity (DIH), characterized by diverse phenotypes and complex mechanisms, remains a critical challenge in drug discovery. To systematically decode this diversity and complexity, we propose a multi-dimensional computational framework integrating molecular structure analysis with disease pathogenesis exploration, focusing on drug-induced intrahepatic cholestasis (DIIC) as a representative DIH subtype. First, a graph-based modularity maximization algorithm identified DIIC risk genes, forming a DIIC module and eight disease pathogenesis clusters.

The Arch from the Stones: Understanding Protein Folding Energy Landscapes via Bioinspired Collective Variables.

Protein folding remains a formidable challenge despite significant advances, particularly in sequence-to-structure prediction. Accurately capturing thermodynamics and intermediates via simulations demands overcoming time scale limitations, making effective collective variable (CV) design for enhanced sampling crucial. Here, we introduce a strategy to automatically construct complementary, bioinspired CVs.

Mechanistic Characterisation of a Diterpene Synthase for Chryseojoostenes A-E from Chryseobacterium Joostei.

A diterpene synthase from Chryseobacterium joostei was characterised and produces the five unique compounds chryseojoostenes A-E. Chryseojoostenes D and E were produced in too low amounts for isolation from the wildtype enzyme, but extensive site-directed mutagenesis resulted in an enzyme variant in which the production of these compounds was enhanced. The biosynthesis of the enzyme products was investigated in detail through a combined experimental and computational approach, indicating a complex hydrogen scrambling during terpene cyclisation and a long-range proton shift towards chryseojoostene E.

Investigating Anion-π Interactions In Ion-Pair Receptors Based On 3,5-Dinitrobenzoic Acid.

The design, synthesis, and characterization of a series of supramolecular receptors based on electron-deficient aromatic systems capable of engaging in anion-π interactions are reported. Receptors 1 and 3 combine an electron-poor aromatic scaffold with a cation-binding crown ether unit. Binding studies monitored by H NMR titrations in acetonitrile revealed that these receptors exhibit enhanced affinity for bromide anions in the presence of sodium cations, indicating cooperative ion-pair recognition.

Melem-Perylene Diimide Polymer Network as Efficient Positive Electrode for Rechargeable Lithium and Magnesium Batteries.

Organic battery electrode materials represent a sustainable alternative compared to most inorganic electrodes, yet challenges persist regarding their energy density and cycling stability. In this work, a new organic electrode material is described, which is obtained via ionothermal polymerization of low-cost starting materials, melem (2,5,8-triamino-tri-s-triazine) and perylenetetracarboxylic dianhydride (PTCDA). The resulting networked polymer Melem-PDI exhibits favorable thermal and electrochemical properties, prompting investigation into its performance as a positive electrode material in rechargeable lithium and magnesium batteries.

Preventing Glioblastoma Relapse by Igniting Innate Immunity through Mitochondrial Stress in the Surgical Cavity.

Innate immunity is crucial in orchestrating the brain immune response, however, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) has evolved sophisticated mechanisms to evade innate immune surveillance, posing significant challenges for current immunotherapies. Here, a therapeutic strategy is reported that aims at reactivating innate immune responses in GBM via targeted induction of mitochondrial stress, thereby enhancing tumor immunogenicity. Specifically, innate immune-stimulating nanoparticles (INSTNA) are developed, encapsulating positively charged iridium-based complexes (Ir-mito) and small interfering RNA against Methylation-Controlled J protein (si-MCJ) to attenuate mitochondrial respiration.

Binder-Free Nickel Borate/Nickel Hydroxide Bifunctional Catalyst for Coupled Nitrate Reduction and Glycerol Oxidation Toward Sustainable Ammonia Production.

The accumulation of nitrate (NO) from agricultural runoff poses a growing threat to ecosystems and public health. Converting nitrate into ammonia (NH) through the electrochemical nitrate reduction reaction (NORR) offers a promising strategy to mitigate environmental contamination while creating a sustainable circular route to fertilizer production. However, achieving high NH production and energy efficiency remains challenging.