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PRosettaC outperforms AlphaFold3 for modeling PROTAC ternary complexes
Alginate encapsulated cell blocks improve diagnostic consistency and long term specimen integrity in routine pathological diagnostics and cancer research
Abstract Cell blocks help preserve cytological material and facilitate ancillary diagnostics, but their accuracy is often compromised by uneven cell distribution and interference with immunohistochemical staining. We present an internally validated protocol for alginate-encapsulated cell blocks, which have been successfully used in routine pathology and during cancer research studies. Harvested cells were suspended in phosphate-buffered saline and centrifuged. Cell pellets were mixed with an alginate solution, immersed in 0.1 M calcium chloride to form conglomerates, fixed in 10% buffered formalin, processed in a tissue processor, embedded in paraffin, sectioned, and subjected to routine diagnostic protocols. Implementing alginate-encapsulated cell blocks in our laboratory allowed for the evaluation of pleural effusion, peritoneal effusion, and bronchial washings, with the cytopathological diagnoses matching the histopathological diagnoses in over 95% of cases analyzed. Cell blocks were internally validated against results obtained from histopathologic specimens and did not require manufacturer-provided kits. We have successfully applied the protocol to characterize the newly established mucoepidermoid carcinoma cell line (IHG-MUC360) expressing GOPC, with potent use in in vitro and in vivo studies. Integrating alginate encapsulation and cell block preparation significantly advances cytological diagnostics. Alginate-encapsulated cell blocks provide a cost-effective alternative to traditional methods, allowing long-term storage and re-evaluation of prepared samples. These findings are based on single-center internal experience and warrant further validation in larger, multicenter cohort.
Comparison of postoperative outcomes related to ejaculatory function and post-micturition dribbling between bulbospongiosus muscle sparing and non-sparing anastomotic urethroplasty techniques
The optoelectric tunability effect of structurally patterned Fe3O4-Au assembly on Rhodamine 6G signals under Magneto-SERS measurements
Abstract The magneto-plasmonic tunability property of magnetite-gold complex (Fe 3 O 4 -Au) colloids has garnered significant interest in bio-sensory applications like surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS). In many studies, this tunability does not only depend on the external magnetic field contribution but also on the concentration ratio between Fe 3 O 4 and Au. This would require multiple preparation of Fe 3 O 4 -Au colloidal badges. In this study, a magnetically stimulated Fe 3 O 4 -Au colloidal suspension in polyvinyl alcohol was spin-coated, forming a micro-patterned thin film on a silicon wafer substrate for assessing the SERS vibrational signal response of Rhodamine 6G (R6G). The varying concentration ratio between Fe 3 O 4 and Au across three regions of interest within the single cast resulted in differing optoelectronic behaviour. Such was observed from diffuse reflectance UV-Vis-NIR spectroscopy measurements, and its impact on different Raman signals of R6G. The introduction of an external magnetic field also led to approximately 133% higher peak intensity and improved spectral resolution of R6G under SERS measurements. This implies that the magnetic field polarization of Fe 3 O 4 domain electrons influences plasmon electrons of Au nanoparticles leading to tuning of electronic-influenced vibrations of nearby analyte molecules. The variability of nanoparticle concentration ratios, configurations and the magneto-optoelectronic effect of this design template, provide flexibility and tunability in diagnosing biomolecule signals under SERS.
A limerick competition celebrates science through rhyme
Ultrasonic rewarming of cryopreserved alginate encapsulated liver spheroids
Abstract Rapid volumetric rewarming methods are needed to enable the effective cryopreservation and recovery of large volumes of biological cells for therapy and banking of tissues and organs. Ultrasonic rewarming is currently under development, but its effect on cells and their post-rewarming viability has not yet been established. Here, we compare ultrasonic rewarming with the gold-standard $$37\,^{\circ }$$ C water bath using cryovials containing cryopreserved alginate encapsulated liver spheroids. Mean rewarming rates are used to establish the exposure time to rewarm to $$5\,^{\circ }$$ C for higher power (100 W) and lower power (20 W) ultrasonic rewarming. These electrical powers correspond to free-field pressures along the central cryovial axis of 2.8 MPa and 1.3 MPa, respectively. Ultrasonic rewarming is faster than the gold-standard (120±5 s), taking 88 s (36% faster) and 34 s (350% faster) to rewarm to $$5\,^{\circ }$$ C with the lower and higher powers. We measure post-rewarming liver spheroid viability and viable cell number across the 96-h recovery period. The lower power improves viability by 1% and the higher power reduces viability by 2% on average, relative to the gold-standard. There were no significant differences in viable cell number between rewarming methods. Our findings will serve as a foundation for ultrasonic cryovial rewarming and demonstrates potential for scaling to larger volumes.
Intelligent scheduling for distributed-level island integrated energy systems considering multi-energy utilization and incentive-penalty stepped carbon trading mechanism
Daily briefing: The secret language of plants
Amine functionalized reduced graphene oxide decorated with BiOI and Ag3PO4 as a Novel Visible Light catalyst against RhB
Systemic hypoxia appears to attenuate autophagy in human peripheral blood mononuclear cells during repeated sprint exercises
Biochemical changes and phytoextraction potential of quinoa and wheat for their resilience to salt stress
Molecular and pathological insights into gene expression and oxidative stress in Clinostomum complanatum and Euclinostomum heterostomum
Abstract Parasitic infections caused by Clinostomum complanatum and Euclinostomum heterostomum pose significant threats to aquaculture systems and public health. This study examined their molecular, immunological, and pathological impacts in Egyptian Nile tilapia ( Oreochromis niloticus ), with COXI gene sequencing confirming both species and revealing genetic similarities to regional isolates, suggesting broad geographical distribution. Euclinostomum heterostomum -infected fish exhibited significant upregulation of immune-related genes ( IFN-γ : 1.96-fold; IL-10 : 2.06-fold; IL-12 : 1.91-fold; IL-1β : 4.07-fold; CYP-1α : 2.07-fold) and elevated oxidative stress markers (SOD: 2.96-fold; CAT: 3.52-fold; GSH: 3.07-fold; TAC: 2.58-fold) compared to uninfected controls ( p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Similarly, Clinostomum complanatum infections triggered upregulation of IFN-γ (2.17-fold), IL-10 (2.09-fold), IL-12 (2.25-fold), IL-1β (2.51-fold), and CYP-1α (2.58-fold), alongside increased SOD (2.63-fold), CAT (2.70-fold), GSH (2.99-fold), and TAC (2.65-fold) compared to uninfected controls ( p < 0.0001 for all comparisons). Histopathology revealed necrosis, fibrosis, and inflammation in gill and kidney tissues, with immunohistochemical staining confirming localized inflammatory markers. These findings demonstrate systemic immune activation and physiological stress caused by clinostomid infections, providing critical insights for aquaculture disease management strategies.
Optimal architecture for a sentiment analysis transformer with multihead attention and genetic crossover
Open-source protein structure AI aims to match AlphaFold
Olfactory gene dynamics in invasive Indian and non-invasive African malaria vectors at the crossroads of development, infection and resistance
Abstract Olfaction plays a pivotal role in a mosquito’s lifecycle, influencing vital functions such as finding food, mates, identifying hosts, and locating sites for laying eggs. However, a detailed catalog of the olfactory genes in mosquitoes has remained elusive—until now. In this study, we compiled the olfactory genes catalog for four key malaria vectors: two major Indian species, Anopheles stephensi and Anopheles culicifacies , along with two African species, Anopheles gambiae and Anopheles funestus . Using an extensive genome-wide approach, we uncovered crucial carrier proteins like odorant binding proteins ( OBPs ), chemosensory proteins ( CSPs ), and several receptors, including odorant receptors ( ORs ), ionotropic receptors ( IRs ), and gustatory receptors ( GusRs ). A particularly striking discovery was the significantly higher number of OBP , OR , and IR genes in African malaria vectors compared to their Indian counterparts, hinting at the gene gain and functional diversification in these species. The invasive A. stephensi —which has spread from Asia to Africa—showed closer genetic ties to A. minimus and A. gambiae than to A. culicifacies . Furthermore, when examining the expression of CSPs and SAPs in the larval stage of A. stephensi , we found that pyrethroid-resistant mosquito larvae exhibited elevated expression of SAP2 and SAP3 , providing new evidence of their potential role in insecticide resistance. This study not only sheds light on the genetic basis of mosquito olfaction but also offers crucial insights into how these genes are linked to different physiological functions, paving the way for improved malaria control strategies.