Zuchong Yang, Daniele Zucchelli, Melissa Berteau‐Rainville
et al.
Abstract Polymer semiconductors hold great potential as active materials in (opto)electronic, thermoelectric, and biomedical devices. Their charge transport performance has seen tremendous progress, with mobilities exceeding 1 cm2 V−1 s−1 for a variety of donor‐acceptor copolymers. Nevertheless, charge injection at the metal/polymer interface is still rather ineffective and poorly understood. In a field‐effect transistor, this process is manifested by the contact resistance (Rc) which, for polymers, is several orders of magnitude higher than for their inorganic counterparts. Therefore, an in‐depth investigation of the charge injection in metal/donor‐acceptor polymer systems is sought‐after. Here, the low‐temperature dependent Rc and charge transport of a model isoindigo donor‐acceptor copolymer‐based transistor are studied. The metal/polymer interface is tuned by functionalizing the electrodes with different thiolated self‐assembled monolayers (SAMs). Rc in devices with SAM‐functionalized electrodes is generally lower and exhibited a weak temperature dependence. Counterintuitively, electrodes functionalized with SAMs expected to lead to an apparently unfavorable energy level alignment displayed the lowest Rc. The Fermi level is found to be pinned at all the encompassed interfaces. An energy‐level alignment modeling is employed to understand this behavior. The findings reveal that simply looking at the energy levels alignment of metal/polymer interface does not necessarily lead to reduced Rc.
Electric apparatus and materials. Electric circuits. Electric networks, Physics
Context: Androgenic alopecia (AGA) is a common condition affecting both men and women, characterized by progressive hair loss due to genetic and hormonal factors. Hair loss has significant impacts on psychosocial well-being and quality of life.
Evidence Acquisition: A comprehensive review of peer-reviewed studies was conducted, including clinical trials, observational studies, and emerging treatment reports published from 2000 to 2024. Databases such as PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched using keywords related to AGA, hair growth, and therapies.
Results: Current treatments for AGA include topical agents like minoxidil and finasteride, oral medications, and advanced options such as hair transplantation. Emerging therapies, including platelet-rich plasma (PRP), low-level laser therapy (LLLT), JAK inhibitors, and gene therapy, show promising efficacy in promoting hair regrowth. Combination therapies often enhance clinical outcomes.
Conclusions: While traditional treatments remain effective, emerging therapies and combination approaches offer improved results for AGA management. Ongoing research in gene therapy and novel molecular interventions may transform future therapeutic strategies.
Biochemistry, Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens
Abstract Wool curvature is one of the most valuable characteristics of Zhongwei goat fur. As the goats grow, the curvature progressively diminishes, which has a substantial impact on the quality and market value of wool. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a class of noncoding RNA and play vital roles in animal growth and development. However, the expression and function of circRNAs in the wool curvature of Zhongwei goats are unclear. In our study, we conducted circRNA expression profiling of Zhongwei goat skin exhibiting divergent curvature wool phenotypes at two developmental stages using the RNA‐seq. In total, 12,682 circRNAs and 158 differentially expressed circRNAs (DE circRNAs) were identified. KEGG analysis illustrated that host genes of DE circRNAs were significantly enriched in the signaling pathways of Ras, JAK/STAT5, and cAMP, which might affect wool curvature. We further validated five circRNAs using qRT‐PCR, which were consistent with the sequencing results. Functional verification assay demonstrated that circRNA8782 regulated fibroblast proliferation. In addition, we constructed a regulatory competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) network and predicted circRNA3173‐miR‐16b‐5p‐IGF1 axes involved in the regulation of wool curvature. Our result will provide the foundation for uncovering the regulatory mechanisms of underlying wool curvature patterns in goats.
Peanuts are rich in various bioactive compounds, including total phenolics and total flavonoids. The aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of heating on total phenolic content, total flavonoid content, and antioxidant activity in peanut (Arachis hypogaea L). Seven peanut treatments were prepared, including heated peanuts at 95 °C for 30, 35, 40, and 45 min, and three unheated forms (unheated whole peanut, inner shell peanut, and outer shell peanut). Changes in antioxidant activity in heated peanuts were assessed by determining total phenolics, total flavonoids, and antioxidant activity using 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH), ferric reduction activity potential (FRAP), and 2,2-azino-bis-3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid (ABTS) assays. These values were compared with those of unheated peanuts. The results showed that peanut extract heated at 95 °C for 30 min, and the inner shell of peanuts, contained the highest concentrations of phenolic and flavonoid components (22.33, 24.50 mg GAE/g and 5.23, 6.61 mg QE/g, respectively). The highest DPPH, ABTS, and FRAP scavenging activities were also observed in the peanut extract heated at 95 °C for 30 min and in the inner shell peanut extract.
Asal Barshidi, Keivan Ardeshiri, Farbod Ebrahimi
et al.
Abstract The immune responses to cancer cells involve both innate and acquired immune cells. In the meantime, the most attention has been drawn to the adaptive immune cells, especially T cells, while, it is now well known that the innate immune cells, especially natural killer (NK) cells, play a vital role in defending against malignancies. While the immune cells are trying to eliminate malignant cells, cancer cells try to prevent the function of these cells and suppress immune responses. The suppression of NK cells in various cancers can lead to the induction of an exhausted phenotype in NK cells, which will impair their function. Recent studies have shown that the occurrence of this phenotype in various types of leukemic malignancies can affect the prognosis of the disease, and targeting these cells may be considered a new immunotherapy method in the treatment of leukemia. Therefore, a detailed study of exhausted NK cells in leukemic diseases can help both to understand the mechanisms of leukemia progression and to design new treatment methods by creating a deeper understanding of these cells. Here, we will comprehensively review the immunobiology of exhausted NK cells and their role in various leukemic malignancies. Video Abstract
Kathleen Schoofs, Maísa R. Ferro Dos Santos, Jilke De Wilde
et al.
Abstract Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC) is an aggressive cancer characterized by a high risk of relapse post-surgery. Current follow-up methods (serum carcinoembryonic antigen detection and PET-CT) lack sensitivity and reliability, necessitating a novel approach. Analyzing cell-free DNA (cfDNA) from blood plasma emerges as a promising avenue. This study aims to evaluate the cost-effective and genome-wide cell-free reduced representation bisulfite sequencing (cfRRBS) method combined with computational deconvolution for effective disease monitoring in EAC patients. cfDNA methylation profiling with cfRRBS was performed on 162 blood plasma samples from 33 EAC cancer patients and 28 blood plasma samples from 20 healthy donors. The estimated tumor fraction for EAC patients at the time of diagnosis was significantly different from the healthy donor plasma samples (one-sided Wilcoxon rank-sum test: p-value = 0.032). Tumor fractions above 15% and focal gains/amplifications in MYC (chr8), KRAS (chr12), EGFR (chr7) and NOTCH2 (chr1) were observed in four samples of distinct patients at the time metastatic disease was detected. This study showed feasibility to estimate tumor fractions in blood plasma of EAC patients based on cfDNA methylation using cfRRBS and computational deconvolution. Nevertheless, in this study only cancer patients with evidence of metastatic disease show high tumor fractions and copy number alterations.
Kubilay Karaboyun, Eyyüp Çavdar, Yakup İriağaç
et al.
Introduction: This study investigated the relationship between serum interleukin-20 (IL-20) levels and paclitaxel-associated neuropathy in patients with non-metastatic breast cancer. Paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) is a significant side effect of paclitaxel chemotherapy, and the exact mechanism underlying PIPN is not fully understood. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted with non-metastatic breast cancer patients between January 2022 and November 2022. Neuropathy symptoms were evaluated using the QLQ-CIPN20 questionnaire, and serum IL-20 levels were measured at three time points: before chemotherapy, on the 7th day after the first paclitaxel treatment, and after the last treatment. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to identify factors predicting PIPN. Results: This study was completed with 59 female patients. During the study, 47 patients (79.6%) reported any degree of neuropathy, whereas 12 patients (20.4%) had no neuropathy. Univariate analysis to predict neuropathy measured on day 7 after first paclitaxel administration demonstrated that age, body mass index, 7th-day serum IL-20 level, and last cycle serum IL-20 level were predictive for PIPN. Conclusion: This study demonstrated the relationship between serum IL-20 levels and paclitaxel-related neuropathy in breast cancer patients. Further research targeting the function of IL-20 is needed to investigate potential strategies to prevent and treat PIPN.
Scolastica Manyim, Ambrose K. Kiprop, Josphat Igadwa Mwasiagi
et al.
Coloured textile products are more marketable, and are therefore always in higher demand. This has increased the use of synthetic dyes in the textile industry, thus raising environmental pollution associated with synthetic dyes. Natural dyes have been shown to be suitable alternatives. However, the use of metallic mordants during dyeing means the process is not eco-friendly, hence the need to develop bio-mordants that can be used as alternatives to some toxic metallic mordants. In this study, the effects of bio-mordants on the dyeing properties of Euclea divinorum Hiern (Ebenaceae) dye extract were assessed using different mordanting methods on cotton fabric. Dyeing characteristics were evaluated in terms of colour fastness and colour strength. Antioxidant textile finishing properties of the natural dye on cotton fabric was determined using the 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical (DPPH) method. The bio-mordants improved the colour strength for dyed cotton fabric from 0.612 to 0.863 and 0.911 for the cotton fabric mordanted with mango and rosemary, respectively. This study identified an important basis of suitable bio-mordants that can be applicable when dyeing cotton fabric with E. divinorum natural dye. In addition, the good antioxidant activity of 72.5% indicates that E. divinorum dye extract is a promising agent for the future development of bioactive, protective and health textile fabric.
Pentameric ligand-gated ion channels (pLGIC) play important roles in fast neuronal signal transmission. Functional receptors are pentamers, with each subunit having an extracellular domain (ECD), a transmembrane domain (TMD) and an intracellular domain. The binding of the agonist to the ECD induces a structural change that is transduced to the TMD to open the channel. Molecular details of this process are emerging, but a comprehensive understanding is still lacking. Proline (Pro) is one amino acid that has attracted much interest; its unusual features generate bends in loops and kinks and bulges in helices, which can be essential for function in some pLGICs. Here, we explore the roles of four conserved Pros in the glycine receptor (GlyR), creating substitutions with canonical and noncanonical amino acids, characterizing them using two electrode voltage clamp electrophysiology in <i>Xenopus</i> oocytes, and interpreting changes in receptor parameters using structural data from the open and closed states of the receptor. The data reveal that for efficient function, the Pro in the α1β1 loop is needed to create a turn and to be the correct size and shape to interact with nearby residues; the peptide bond of the Pro in the Cys-loop requires the <i>cis</i> conformation; and the Pros in loop A and M1 allow efficient function because of their reduced hydrogen bonding capacity. These data are broadly consistent with data from other pLGICs, and therefore likely represent the important features of these Pros in all members of the family.
Faez Ahmmed, Anis Ul Islam, Yousef E. Mukhrish
et al.
The chemistry and biochemistry of carbohydrate esters are essential parts of biochemical and medicinal research. A group of methyl β-<span style="font-variant: small-caps;">d</span>-galactopyranoside (β-MGP, <b>1</b>) derivatives was acylated with 3-bromobenzoyl chloride and 4-bromobenzoyl chloride in anhydrous <i>N</i>,<i>N</i>-dimethylformamide/triethylamine to obtain 6-<i>O</i>-substitution products, which were subsequently converted into 2,3,4-tri-<i>O</i>-acyl derivatives with different aliphatic and aromatic substituents. Spectroscopic and elemental data exploration of these derivatives confirmed their chemical structures. In vitro biological experiments against five bacteria and two fungi and the prediction of activity spectra for substances (PASS) revealed ascending antifungal and antibacterial activities compared with their antiviral activities. Minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) and minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) experiments were performed for two derivatives, <b>3</b> and <b>9,</b> based on their antibacterial activities. Most of these derivatives showed >780% inhibition of fungal mycelial growth. Density functional theory (DFT) was used to calculate the chemical descriptors and thermodynamic properties, whereas molecular docking was performed against antibacterial drug targets, including PDB: 4QDI, 5A5E, 7D27, 1ZJI, 3K8E, and 2MRW, and antifungal drug targets, such as PDB: 1EA1 and 1AI9, to identify potential drug candidates for microbial pathogens. A 100 ns molecular dynamics simulation study revealed stable conformation and binding patterns in a stimulating environment by their uniform RMSD, RMSF, SASA, H-bond, and RoG profiles. In silico pharmacokinetic and quantitative structure–activity relationship (QSAR) calculations (pIC<sub>50</sub> values 3.67~8.15) suggested that all the designed β-MGP derivatives exhibited promising results due to their improved kinetic properties with low aquatic and non-aquatic toxicities. These biological, structure–activity relationship (SAR) [lauroyl-(CH<sub>3</sub>(CH<sub>2</sub>)<sub>10</sub>CO-) group was found to have potential], and in silico computational studies revealed that the newly synthesized MGP derivatives are potential antibacterial/antifungal candidates and can serve as therapeutic targets for human and plant pathogens.
Beena Koshy, Manikandan Srinivasan, Timiri Palani Murugan
et al.
Abstract Background Head circumference (HC) measurement is routinely not performed in early childhood and there is conflicting information about its utility in literature. The current study analyses the association between HC at two years of age and cognition at two and five years of age. Methods A community based birth-cohort recruited between 2010 and 2012 was followed up till five years of age in an urban slum in Vellore, India. Children were recruited at birth after informed parental consent by consecutive sampling using eligibility criteria of healthy new-born, singleton pregnancy and family’s availability in the study area during follow-up. HC measured at two years of age was used as the exposure variable to calculate association with cognition at both two and five years of age. Cognitive domain of Bayley scale of infant development was used at two years of age and Wechsler Preschool Primary Scales of Intelligence at five years. Results Of the 251 enrolled children, 138 (55%) were girls and 71 (30%) belonged to lower socioeconomic status. At 2 years, 8.81% of children had HC < − 3SD. Compared to children with HC z-scores ≥ − 2 SD, those with measurements < − 3 SD had a lower cognition scores by − 2.21 [95% CI: − 3.87 - -0.56] at 2 years. Also, children with HC < − 3 SD at two years scored significantly lower scores in cognitive domains of verbal, − 7.35 [95% CI: − 11.78 - -2.92] and performance, − 7.07 [95% CI: − 11.77 - -2.36] intelligence at five years. Conclusions This study showed that smaller HC at 2 years of age was negatively associated with cognition at both 2 and 5 years of age. Early childhood HC measurements can be utilised as a cheaper screening tool to identify children at risk in LMIC settings. Further studies can confirm these findings in diverse settings.
Mirosław M. Michalski, Katarzyna Kubiak, Magdalena Szczotko
et al.
This study was carried out in north-eastern Poland during two hunting seasons between 2018 and 2020. Ticks (<i>Ixodes ricinus</i> and <i>Dermacentor reticulatus</i>) were removed from wild cervids and boars and examined for the presence of <i>Borrelia</i> spirochetes and Rickettsiales members: <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. and <i>Anaplasma phagocytophilum</i>. The present study contributes to the knowledge of even-toed ungulates, which are an important reservoir of the above-mentioned pathogens and a potential source of infections for humans through ticks as vectors. Almost 40% of the collected ticks (191 out of 484) were infected with the following pathogens: 3.3% with <i>Borrelia</i> spp., 19.2% with <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and 26.9% with <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. Only the ticks collected from cervids carried <i>Borrelia</i>. Typing of the species DNA confirmed the presence of <i>B. afzelii</i>, <i>B. garinii</i>, <i>B. lusitaniae</i> and <i>B. miyamotoi</i>. An analysis of <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. sequences using the GenBank data revealed the presence of <i>R. helvetica</i>, <i>R. raoultii</i> and <i>R. monacensis</i>. Monoinfections (79.1%) dominated over co-infections (20.9%). Among co-infections, the most frequent was <i>A. phagocytophilum</i>/<i>Rickettsia</i> spp. (70%), however co-infections, including <i>B. afzelii</i>/<i>A. phagocytophilum</i>, <i>B. afzelii</i>/<i>Rickettsia</i> spp., <i>B. miyamotoi</i>/<i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and <i>B. afzelii</i>/<i>B. garinii</i>/<i>B. lusitaniae</i>, were also noted. Significant differences were observed in the affinity of some pathogens to their vectors. Thus, <i>Borrelia</i> spp. and <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> were more frequently detected in <i>I. ricinus</i> (5.3% and 23.1%) than in <i>D. reticulatus</i> (1.2% and 15.3%). Infection frequency with <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. was similar (approximately 25–29%) in both tick species. The prevalence of <i>A. phagocytophilum</i> and <i>Rickettsia</i> spp. in ticks removed from cervids was 19.8% and 27.1%, and in ticks from wild boars it was 13.3% and 24.4%, respectively.
Öznur Güngör, Chedia Ben Ali Hassine, Muammer Burç
et al.
In this study, we investigated the electrochemical modification of a gold electrode using poly(L-phenylalanine) and its applicability for the quantification of resveratrol (RESV). The gold electrode was modified with L-phenylalanine employing cyclic voltammetry (CV) in aqueous solution. The detection of RESV with the modified electrode was investigated by square wave voltammetry (SWV) in a phosphate buffer solution (PBS) (pH = 1.2). The analytical calibration curve for RESV showed a linear response with concentration in the oxidation peak current range from 50 to 1000 µM, with a limit of detection (LOD) of 35.16 µM and limit of quantitation (LOQ) of 105.5 µM. The application of the prepared electrochemical sensor was carried out with a standard addition method in red wine samples.
Tahir Mahmood Qureshi, Aniqa Amjad, Muhammad Nadeem
et al.
Objective The present study was conducted to evaluate the antioxidant potential of paneer, a soft cheese supplemented with various water soluble date extracts during storage. Further, the whey obtained from all the paneer samples was also investigated for its antioxidant potential. Methods The date cultivars were evaluated for their physico-chemical characteristics and date extracts were assessed for their antioxidant potential. Physico-chemical evaluation, microbiological quality and further antioxidant potential of the prepared paneer were carried out during storage period (0 to 8 days, 5°C). Results All the date extracts were found to have considerable antioxidant activity due to presence of total phenolics and flavonoids. Owing to the presence of phenolics and flavoinds in date extracts, supplemented paneer showed higher trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity, reducing power and 2, 2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) radical scavenging activity than control paneer. Paneer supplemented with Rabi extracts had the highest total phenolics (190.7 μg gallic acid equivalent/g paneer), DPPH radical scavenging activity (928.1 μmol equivalent of Trolx/g paneer) and trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity (9.2 μmol equivalent of Trolx/g paneer). The whey obtained from control paneer showed lower values of total phenolics, total flavonoids, DPPH, trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity and reducing power as compared to the values of whey obtained from paneer supplemented with date extracts. Conclusion Paneer supplemented with date extracts and its whey may offer potent antioxidant activity.
Cholesterol is an essential component of membrane lipids and a starting material for hormone synthesis. After cholesterol is delivered to the cell as low-density lipoprotein, it is endocytosed and degraded in lysosomes to liberate free cholesterol. Free cholesterol is transported to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and esterified for further use. However, the mechanisms that transport cholesterol from lysosomes to the endoplasmic reticulum are poorly understood. We searched for binding proteins of a small GTP-binding protein, Rab11, and identified a novel protein, Rab11-binding protein containing LisH, coiled coil, and heat repeats (RELCH). RELCH also binds to oxysterol-binding protein (OSBP), an essential protein for nonvesicular cholesterol transport. The Rab11-RELCH-OSBP complex was found to tether to recycling endosomes and the trans-Golgi network, thereby mediating nonvesicular cholesterol transport between them. This pathway is distinct from the cholesterol transport pathway identified previously. In the absence of this complex, cholesterol accumulates in lysosomes in vitro and in vivo, suggesting the involvement of this complex in diseases associated with cholesterol transport.
Nevein M. Al-sheikh, Sally M. El-Hefnway, Ahmed M. Abuamer
et al.
Background: Metadherin (MTDH) has been known as an essential oncogene in carcinogenesis and tumor spread in several malignancies, via its effect on pathways of signal transduction. Objective: We aimed to evaluate the role of serum MTDH mRNA expression in the diagnosis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and to compare its expression levels with serum levels of Alpha-fetoprotein (AFP). Subjects & methods: A total of 150 subjects (90 HCC patients & 60 healthy volunteers) were enrolled in the current study. Serum MTDH mRNA relative expression was analyzed by Real Time PCR technique. Results: There was a significant statistical increase of serum MTDH mRNA expression in HCC group when compared to controls (P < 0.05). MTDH mRNA expression was significantly associated with clinicopathological data, advanced tumor stage and poor histological differentiation in HCC patients (p < 0.05). There was direct positive correlation between MTDH mRNA expression and serum AFP levels in HCC group (r = 0.445), P value = <0.05. ROC curve was used to verify the accuracy of MTDH mRNA expression and compare it with accuracy of serum AFP in HCC diagnosis; MTDH mRNA expression had higher accuracy (92%), sensitivity (91%) and specificity (93%) than AFP. Conclusion: MTDH mRNA is up-regulated in serum of HCC patients; MTDH may be considered as non-invasive biomarker for HCC diagnosis and it could replace serum AFP in HCC diagnosis as it had higher accuracy. Keywords: Biomarker, Expression, Hepatocellular carcinoma, Metadherin, Real Time PCR
Eka Herawati, Ardian Susanto, Christina Noventy Sihombing
Based on American Diabetes Association (ADA), diabetes can be classified into the following general categories: type 1 diabetes (T1D), type 2 diabetes (T2D), gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and specific types of diabetes due to other cause. Obesity is by far the main underlying factor causing T2D and its pathological potential lies in obesity-associated insulin resistance, activation of innate immunity and chronic low-grade inflammation. When tissue inflammation induced, tissue destruction occurs, 'self' antigens, which are generally not accessible to T cells, can be released from the affected tissues and promote autoimmune activation. The 4 major autoantibodies are islet-cell cytoplasmic autoantibodies (ICA), glutamid acid decarboxylase antibody (GADA), islet antigen-2 antibody (IA-2A) and insulin autoantibodies (IAA). In addition, ZnT8A has recently been found to predict T1D. ZnT8 is contained in the islets of Langerhans, with the highest expression is in β cells of the pancreas. ZnT8A measurements simultaneously with GADA, IA-2A and IAA achieve rates of 98% detection for onset level of autoimmune diabetes. Presence of antibodies in T2D also shows the potential serious complications compared with T2D without antibodies. The combination of GADA, IA-2A and ZnT8A can be suggested as the most powerful and cost-effective diagnostic approach in patients with T1D.
Keywords: autoantibody, autoimmune, diabetes mellitus, ICA, GADA, IA-2A, IAA, ZnT8A