Journals
2025 EN
Francis Emmet A. · Sarikhani Einollah · Patel Vrund
+5 more
Abstract Nuclear translocation of the transcription regulatory proteins yes‐associated protein (YAP) and transcriptional coactivator with PDZ‐binding motif (TAZ) is a critical readout of cellular mechanotransduction. Recent experiments have demonstrated that cells on substrates with well‐defined nanotopographies demonstrate mechanoadaptation through a multitude of effects ‐ increased integrin endocytosis as a function of nanopillar curvature, increased local actin assembly on nanopillars but decreased global cytoskeletal stiffness, and enhanced nuclear deformation. How do cells respond to local nanotopographical cues and integrate their responses across multiple length scales? This question is addressed using a biophysical model that incorporates plasma membrane (PM) curvature‐dependent endocytosis, PM curvature‐sensitive actin assembly, and stretch‐induced opening of nuclear pore complexes (NPCs) in the nuclear envelope (NE). This model recapitulates lower levels of global cytoskeletal assembly on nanopillar substrates, which can be partially compensated for by local actin assembly and NE indentation, leading to enhanced YAP/TAZ transport through stretched NPCs. Using cell shapes informed by electron micrographs and fluorescence images, the model predicts lamin A and F‐actin localization around nanopillars, in agreement with experimental measurements. Finally, simulations predict nuclear accumulation of YAP/TAZ following rupture of the NE and this is validated by experiments. Overall, this study indicates that nanotopography tunes mechanoadaptation through both positive and negative feedback on mechanotransduction.
Journals
2025 EN
Zhou Xiangda · Zhang Sijia · Yang Wenjuan
+18 more
Abstract Natural killer (NK) cells are critical components of the first‐line immune defense, responsible for eliminating tumorigenic cells. NK cell‐based adoptive immunotherapy has gained increasing attention; however, cryopreservation, a standard technique for NK cell storage, significantly impairs NK cell cytotoxicity, particularly in physiological 3D environments. Here, we demonstrate that short‐term co‐culture with effector T cells markedly enhances NK cell motility and killing functionality. Notably, a brief 1‐day co‐culture is sufficient to restore cryopreservation‐impaired NK cell functionality in 3D environments. This enhancement requires direct contact between T cells and NK cells, which facilitates localized high concentrations of IL‐2 at the cell contact sites. To develop a controled, donor‐independent solution, we demonstrate that synthetic T cells with surface‐bound IL‐2 exhibit superior efficiency in revitalizing cryopreserved NK cells. These findings uncover a previously unrecognized role for physical contact‐mediated local IL‐2 signaling and provide an efficient, cost‐effective, and tunable strategy to rescue NK cell functionality post‐cryopreservation, paving the way for more scalable, potent, and clinically viable NK cell‐based immunotherapies.
Journals
2025 EN
Zhou Xiangda · Zhang Sijia · Yang Wenjuan
+18 more
Boosting Cryopreserved Natural Killer Cytotoxicity In their Research Article (DOI: 10.1002/advs.202505731), Bin Qu and co‐workers present a strategy to enhance the cytotoxic activity of natural killer (NK) cells using IL‐2‐presenting synthetic cells. This approach significantly boosts the tumor‐killing function of both freshly isolated and cryopreserved NK cells‐including CAR‐engineered NK cells. Notably, synthetic cells displaying IL‐15 produce similar effects. This innovative platform provides a powerful and clinically relevant method to advance off‐the‐shelf NK cell‐based immunotherapies.
Journals
2025 EN
Kralj Suzana · Artuk Kerem · Wieczorek Alexander
+7 more
Abstract Cesium‐formamidinium lead iodide (Cs x FA 1‐x PbI 3 ) perovskites are a promising methylammonium‐free alternative for efficient single‐junction solar cells. However, they have not been fully explored by vapor‐phase deposition techniques. Herein, a template‐assisted approach is demonstrated for the growth of Cs x FA 1‐x PbI 3 perovskite films using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) from a single‐source target of mixed precursors. Implementing a lead iodide (PbI 2 ) + Cs x FA 1‐x PbI 3 tailored template, phase‐pure Cs x FA 1‐x PbI 3 films with uniform coverage on both planar and textured substrates are achieved. Compositional analysis via X‐ray fluorescence confirms near‐stoichiometric transfer of the inorganic cations (Cs/Pb), with identical Cs 0.2 FA 0.8 PbI 3 composition and a bandgap of 1.58 eV achieved in templated and non‐templated films. However, the presence of the template proves essential for attaining phase‐pure films in the photoactive cubic (α‐) phase. Proof‐of‐concept solar cells fabricated with templated‐PLD α‐Cs x FA 1‐x PbI 3 achieve an efficiency exceeding 12.9% on 0.1 cm 2 area devices without the employment of passivation approaches. Additionally, increasing deposition rates does not alter the phase, morphology, or optoelectronic properties of the templated films on textured substrates, indicating the robustness of this methodology. The compositional control of PLD for Cs‐FA‐based perovskites is showcased, and template‐assisted growth is demonstrated as a reliable pathway to high‐quality reproducible perovskite films.
Journals
2025 EN
Mousania Zeinab · Kayastha Darpan · Rimmer Ryan A.
+1 more
Abstract Background Operating rooms generate 1.8 million tons of waste annually, or 20%‒30% of the total healthcare waste in the United States. Our objective was to perform a life cycle assessment (LCA) for endoscopic sinus surgeries (ESSs) in order to analyze its environmental impact. Methods A comprehensive LCA of ESS was performed considering energy, climate, and water use impacts associated with the materials and processes used. It focuses on the ESS performed at a large tertiary academic hospital and then extends the impacts to consider annual US surgeries. The assessment considers end‐of‐life waste management at both landfills and incinerators. Results Single‐use instrument production constitutes 89%‒96% of the total impacts throughout the life cycle of an ESS. Waste‐to‐energy incineration is shown to be a preferred end‐of‐life destination, as it recovers much of the input production energy of plastic items, ultimately reducing the input to 36%, although this is done at the expense of higher greenhouse gas emissions. For multi‐use items, decontamination dominates environmental impact (>99% of totals), but consideration of reusable items reduces overall energy consumption and global warming potential (GWP) by 25%‒33%. Conclusion Single‐use items dominate the total environmental impact of ESS. While multi‐use items require additional decontamination over their lifetimes, results show that their incorporation reduces energy consumption and GWP by 25%‒33%, demonstrating the clear environmental benefit.
Journals
2025 EN
Albobaledi Zeinab · Tarahhomi Atekeh · Khaleghian Ali
+2 more
ABSTRACT A thiophosphoric triamide (SPT) ligand P(S)[NH‐ 2 Py] 3 was synthesized and utilized as a ligand to make novel binuclear and mononuclear Co 2+ and Cd 2+ complexes. The compounds are the first examples of discrete chelate SPT complexes with a [N] 3 P(S)‐based backbone in which the SPT acts as a flexible tridentate N , N , N ‐donor or N , N , O ‐donor ligand. The metal cation features a hexacoordinate environment M(N) 3 (Cl) 3 /M(N) 4 (O) 2 adopting a distorted octahedral geometry. Hirshfeld surface analysis affirms that the pyridinyl nitrogen is a more dominant H‐bond acceptor than the thiophosphoryl sulfur atom. The inhibitory activity against the MDA‐MB‐231 cancer cell line in vitro indicated a good inhibitory effect for all compounds. The mononuclear Co 2+ complex showed a stronger inhibitory activity against cancer cells than other studied compounds with an IC50 of 62 ± 1.4 nM. Antioxidant and antihemolytic activity of the compounds showed appreciable performance with the highest activities for the Cd 2+ complex. A computational DNA binding study by molecular docking indicated a good affinity of the compounds with the DNA receptor by a mixed mode of interactions. Docking was also performed on SARS‐CoV‐2 and monkeypox (Mpox), resulting in binding energies (−5.5 to −8.9 kcal/mol) that are competitive with current effective drugs.
Journals
2025 EN
AlNaimi Maryam · Dalloul Mariam · AlSada Ruqaya
+1 more
ABSTRACT The emission of greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), is a major contributor to global warming and climate change. Meanwhile, the blend membrane plays a critical role in the membrane‐based separation technology. Up until now, the compatibility and sorption studies of the blend cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB) polymers at different molecular weights (Mns) of 12,000 and 65,000 dissolved in chloroform have not been fully examined for nonpolar CO 2 /Nitrogen (N 2 ) separation. In this work, CAB with Mn of 65,000 demonstrated stronger compatibility with chloroform. The sorption study also explored the impact of casting thickness and solvent evaporation time for efficient CO 2 /N 2 separation. The optimized membrane, M2 of casting thickness (250 μm), and solvent evaporation time (5 min), with permeance of 106.87 ± 1.03 GPU, displayed the best sorption results with a CO 2 solubility coefficient of 5.49 × 10 12 cm 3 (STP)/cm 4 cmHg, and CO 2 diffusivity coefficient of 2.80 × 10 12 cm 2 /s. This innovative membrane can reduce carbon emissions in the industrial sectors, thus representing a significant advancement in the global sustainable development goals.
Journals
2025 EN
Jafari Zohreh · Honarmand Shokouh · Abbasirad Zeinab
+2 more
ABSTRACT Lung cancer has the second‐highest incidence rate after breast cancer and remains the leading cause of cancer‐related mortality. The 1‐year survival rate for lung cancer patients is below 50%, highlighting the urgent need for novel therapeutic strategies and drug development. Phytochemicals and their derivatives have been widely explored for their anticancer properties, serving as chemotherapeutic agents against various types of cancer. One of these herbal compounds, berberine (BBR), a quaternary isoquinoline alkaloid, has shown significant promise in preclinical studies and is currently undergoing clinical trials for cancer treatment. BBR exhibits diverse biological activities, contributing to its anticancer potential, including antioxidant, antidiarrheal, antidiabetic, antimicrobial, and so on. However, despite its multifunctional therapeutic potential, BBR faces several limitations, hindering its clinical application, like poor bioavailability, low tissue uptake, a short plasma half‐life, and rapid metabolic elimination. To address these challenges, various targeted drug delivery approaches have been developed to improve its efficacy. This review aims to provide a comprehensive overview of drug delivery strategies designed to encapsulate BBR for enhanced lung cancer therapy, highlighting the most recent advancements in the field. Moreover, the molecular structure of BBR and the biological pathways it targets to inhibit lung cancer progression are discussed in detail. Finally, BBR‐encapsulated nanocarriers specifically developed for lung cancer therapy are evaluated in terms of their benefits, limitations, and overall therapeutic potential.
Journals
2025 EN
Nazmi Sana · Nikbakht HosseinAli · Behmanesh Fereshteh
+2 more
ABSTRACT Background Body image concerns often arise during puberty. The aim of this study is to determine the effectiveness of pubertal health group counseling based on problem‐solving for body image concerns and anxiety in adolescent girls. Methods This quasi‐experimental study was conducted on 100 adolescent female students in Babol City during 2022–2023. The intervention group participated in weekly 90‐min problem‐solving group counseling on puberty health for 6 weeks. Data collection utilized socio‐demographic questionnaires, Littleton's Body Image Concern Inventory, and the Zung Anxiety Scale. Results The mean difference in reduced body image concerns and anxiety before, immediately after, and 6 weeks post‐study in the problem‐solving consulting group was statistically significant ( p < 0.005), unlike the control group. In the intervention group, the mean differences in body image concern were −21.40 (95% CI = −17.91 to −24.89) before to immediately, and −18.76 (95% CI = −15.07 to −22.44) before to 6 weeks later ( p < 0.001). The average anxiety differences for these intervals were −9.68 (95% CI = −6.83 to −12.52) and −8.52 (95% CI = −6.06 to −19.97) in the intervention group ( p < 0.001). The ANCOVA test results indicated a difference in body image concern and anxiety scores between the two groups after the study, accounting for baseline values with a reduction observed in the counseling group ( p < 0.001). The effect sizes of body image concern and anxiety were 0.56 and 0.41, respectively. Conclusions The findings demonstrate that problem‐solving group counseling effectively reduces body image concerns and anxiety in adolescent girls. Policymakers can leverage this research for health planning in counseling for this demographic. Trial Registration Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials: (IRCT20180218038783N3)
Journals
2025 EN
Akbarnejad Zeinab · Bagherian Kasra · Noorbakhsh Seyed Ali
+7 more
ABSTRACT Background Tinnitus, a self‐reported perceptual disorder, is currently believed to arise from maladaptive plasticity due to reduced sensory input. While deep brain stimulation (DBS) has shown promise in alleviating tinnitus‐related behaviors, its effects on neuronal activity remain unclear. This study aimed to evaluate the spontaneous firing rates (SFRs) of the primary auditory cortex (A1) before and after DBS of the external cortex of the inferior colliculus (ECIC) in a rat model of tinnitus. Methods Tinnitus was induced in rats through sodium salicylate injections for 14 consecutive days, while the control group received normal saline injections over the same period. We conducted tinnitus and hearing assessments using the gap pre‐pulse inhibition of the acoustic startle (GPIAS) and pre‐pulse inhibition (PPI) tests. From day 14, both groups underwent DBS of the ECIC and single unit recordings from the A1. Results Before ECIC stimulation, A1 neurons in rats with potential tinnitus exhibited significantly higher spontaneous activity compared to controls. Following ECIC stimulation, the SFRs in the group displaying abnormal GPIAS responses significantly decreased, and the difference between the tinnitus and control groups was no longer significant. Additionally, inter‐spike interval (ISI) analysis revealed a higher frequency of short ISIs (<5 ms) in rats with potential tinnitus, which decreased after DBS, aligning with values observed in the control group. Conclusion ECIC stimulation effectively modulates A1 hyperactivity, highlighting its role in tinnitus pathophysiology. These findings warrant further research into ECIC's role in tinnitus regulation, which could inform future therapeutic interventions and enhance mathematical models of tinnitus mechanisms.