Browse Articles

Analyzing the impact of prolonged pauses on soccer performance

Robust genome editing activity and the applications of enhanced miniature CRISPR-Cas12f1

Abstract With recent advancements in gene editing technology using the CRISPR/Cas system, there is a demand for more effective gene editors. A key factor facilitating efficient gene editing is effective CRISPR delivery into cells, which is known to be associated with the size of the CRISPR system. Accordingly, compact CRISPR-Cas systems derived from various strains are discovered, among which Un1Cas12f1 is 2.6 times smaller than SpCas9, providing advantages for gene therapy research. Despite extensive engineering efforts to improve Un1Cas12f1, the editing efficiency of Un1Cas12f1 is still shown to be low depending on the target site. To overcome this limitation, we develop enhanced Cas12f1 (eCas12f1), which exhibits gene editing activity similar to SpCas9 and AsCpf1, even in gene targets where previously improved Un1Cas12f1 variants showed low gene editing efficiency. Furthermore, we demonstrate that eCas12f1 efficiently induces apoptosis in cancer cells and is compatible with base editing and regulation of gene expression, verifying its high utility and applicability in gene therapy research.

Ticam2 ablation facilitates monocyte exhaustion recovery after sepsis

Integration of ordered porous materials for targeted three-component gas separation

Generalized robust regression techniques and adaptive cluster sampling for efficient estimation of population mean in case of rare and clustered populations

In-situ restructuring of Ni-based metal organic frameworks for photocatalytic CO2 hydrogenation

Production of abiotic or biogenic hydrocarbons on rock particles in the presence of H2O and carbon compounds

TiO_<i>x</i>(OH)_{4–2<i>x</i>} Nanosheets with Catalytic Antioxidative Activity Alleviate Oxidative Injury in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Dynamically reconfigurable acoustofluidic metasurface for subwavelength particle manipulation and assembly

Abstract Particle manipulation plays a pivotal role in scientific and technological domains such as materials science, physics, and the life sciences. Here, we present a dynamically reconfigurable acoustofluidic metasurface that enables precise trapping and positioning of microscale particles in fluidic environments. By harnessing acoustic-structure interaction in a passive membrane resonator array, we generate localized standing acoustic waves that can be reconfigured in real-time. The resulting radiation force allows for subwavelength manipulation and patterning of particles on the metasurface at individual and collective scales, with actuation frequencies below 2 MHz. We further demonstrate the capabilities of the reconfigurable metasurface in trapping and enriching beads and biological cells flowing in microfluidic channels, showcasing its potential in high-throughput bioanalytical applications. Our versatile and biocompatible particle manipulation platform is suitable for applications ranging from the assembly of colloidal particles to enrichment of rare cells.

Bilateral hip exoskeleton assistance enables faster walking in individuals with chronic stroke-related gait impairments

Abstract Millions of individuals surviving a stroke have lifelong gait impairments that reduce their personal independence and quality of life. Reduced walking speed is one of the major problems limiting community mobility and reintegration. Previous studies have shown positive effect of robot-assisted gait training utilizing hip exoskeletons for individuals with gait impairments due to a stroke, leading to increased walking speed in post-treatment compared to pre-treatment assessments. However, no evidence emerged of a significant increasing in walking speed attributable to device usage compared to walking without the device. In this pilot investigation, we observed that hip flexion/extension assistance delivered by a portable bilateral powered hip exoskeleton increased overground self-selected walking speed by 20.2 ± 5.0% on average among six chronic post-stroke survivors. When comparing walking with and without the hip exoskeleton within the same experimental session, the observed speed increment resulted in statistically and clinically meaningful improvement (0.14 ± 0.03 m/s &gt; minimal clinically important difference, p = 0.015). The increased walking speed was the result of a higher self-selected cadence and longer step length both on the paretic and nonparetic limbs. By facilitating gait, a bilateral hip exoskeleton could be a viable technology for extending locomotor mobility and facilitating gait training of individuals affected by post-stroke hemiparesis.

A diagnostic host-specific transcriptome response for Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia to guide pediatric patient treatment

Rapamycin inhibits tamoxifen-induced endometrial proliferation in vitro as a pilot approach for endometrial protection in breast cancer

Abstract Tamoxifen, a common adjuvant therapy for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer, is associated with an increased risk of endometrial pathologies, such as hyperplasia, polyps, and carcinoma. This study investigates rapamycin, an mTOR inhibitor, as a potential novel strategy for preventing tamoxifen-induced endometrial proliferation. This in vitro study utilised endometrial stromal cells isolated from infertile women. The cells were treated with tamoxifen alone or in combination with rapamycin, and proliferation was assessed using the CCK-8 assay. The activation of the mTOR pathway, as well as apoptosis and cell cycle markers, was evaluated by Western blotting to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these effects. The study design emphasised simulating clinically relevant exposure levels. Tamoxifen significantly increased endometrial cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Rapamycin effectively inhibited this proliferation, even at concentrations lower than those typically observed in clinical settings. Quantitative analysis by Western blotting showed activation of the mTOR pathway and cell cycle in the tamoxifen group, and inhibition of these pathways in the tamoxifen plus rapamycin combination group, whereas there was no change in apoptosis. In conclusion, rapamycin shows promise as a prophylactic agent against tamoxifen-induced endometrial pathologies, with potential implications for fertility preservation and endometrial protection in breast cancer patients.

ThCTi@<i>C</i>_<i>s</i>(6)-C₈₂: Th═C Double Bond in a Mixed Actinide-Transition Metal Cluster

The Toxoplasma rhoptry protein ROP55 is a major virulence factor that prevents lytic host cell death

Modeling the impact of extreme weather events and future climate on the radiologically contaminated sites of Enewetak Atoll

Confinement and Catalysis within <i>De Novo</i> Designed Peptide Barrels

Atlantic overturning inferred from air-sea heat fluxes indicates no decline since the 1960s

Artemisia capillaris with two novel active compounds, Kawarayomogin I and II, inhibits HYBID (KIAA1199) expression as well as hyaluronic acid degradation

Abstract Hyaluronic acid (HA) is an important component of the skin’s extracellular matrix, and its degradation leads to wrinkles. Hyaluronan-binding protein involved in hyaluronan depolymerization (HYBID) is the main factor responsible for HA degradation in dermis. This study aimed to identify natural plant materials that can effectively suppress HYBID expression and protect HA from degradation. Screening of various plant extracts was performed for the inhibition of histamine-induced mRNA expression of HYBID in normal human dermal fibroblasts (NHDF). The molecular size distribution of HA was evaluated by incubating fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC)-labeled large HA (1200–1600 kDa) in NHDF for certain time followed by measuring different sizes of FITC-labeled HA in the cultured medium by HPLC. Among 380 plant extracts, we found that Artemisia capillaris flower extract (ACFE) was the most effective agent in both suppressing HYBID expression as well as protecting large HA from degradation. Subsequent mechanism elucidation studies showed that ACFE epigenetically regulates the expression of HYBID by modulating the expression of a specific miRNA, miR-486-5p, which is known to directly target and inhibit HYBID expression. Our active compound search identified 1-caffeoyl-3-hydroxybutane and 3-caffeoyl-1-hydroxybutane in ACFE as new compounds, which we named Kawarayomogin I and Kawarayomogin II, respectively. This is the first report to show that Artemisia capillaris with two novel active compounds inhibits HYBID expression as well as hyaluronic acid degradation, and therefore, could be used as possible agent for cosmeceutical potential.

Observation of a rare beta decay of the charmed baryon with a Graph Neural Network

Integrating single-cell RNA-Seq and bulk RNA-Seq data to explore the key role of fatty acid metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma