Search

Endothelial‐to‐mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a complex biological process of cellular transdifferentiation by which endothelial cells (ECs) lose their characteristics and acquire mesenchymal properties, leading to cardiovascular remodeling and complications in the adult cardiovascular diseases environment. Melatonin is involved in numerous physiological and pathological processes, including aging, and has anti‐inflammatory and antioxidant activities. This molecule is an effective therapeutic candidate for preventing oxidative stress, regulating endothelial function, and maintaining the EndMT balance to provide cardiovascular protection. Although recent studies have documented improved cardiac function by melatonin, the mechanism of action of melatonin on EndMT remains unclear. The present study investigated the effects of melatonin on induced EndMT by transforming growth factor‐β2/interleukin‐1β in both in vivo and in vitro models. The results revealed that melatonin reduced the migratory ability and reactive oxygen species levels of the cells and ameliorated mitochondrial dysfunction in vitro. Our findings indicate that melatonin prevents endothelial dysfunction and inhibits EndMT by activating related pathways, including nuclear factor kappa B and Smad. We also demonstrated that this molecule plays a crucial role in restoring cardiac function by regulating the EndMT process in the ischemic myocardial condition, both in vessel organoids and myocardial infarction (MI) animal models. In conclusion, melatonin is a promising agent that attenuates EC dysfunction and ameliorates cardiac damage compromising the EndMT process after MI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This manuscript presents RADCURE, one of the most extensive head and neck cancer (HNC) imaging datasets accessible to the public. Initially collected for clinical radiation therapy (RT) treatment planning, this dataset has been retrospectively reconstructed for use in imaging research. Acquisition and Validation Methods: RADCURE encompasses data from 3346 patients, featuring computed tomography (CT) RT simulation images with corresponding target and organ‐at‐risk contours. These CT scans were collected using systems from three different manufacturers. Standard clinical imaging protocols were followed, and contours were manually generated and reviewed at weekly RT quality assurance rounds. RADCURE imaging and structure set data was extracted from our institution's radiation treatment planning and oncology information systems using a custom‐built data mining and processing system. Furthermore, images were linked to our clinical anthology of outcomes data for each patient and includes demographic, clinical and treatment information based on the 7th edition TNM staging system (Tumor‐Node‐Metastasis Classification System of Malignant Tumors). The median patient age is 63, with the final dataset including 80% males. Half of the cohort is diagnosed with oropharyngeal cancer, while laryngeal, nasopharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancers account for 25%, 12%, and 5% of cases, respectively. The median duration of follow‐up is five years, with 60% of the cohort surviving until the last follow‐up point. Data Format and Usage Notes: The dataset provides images and contours in DICOM CT and RT‐STRUCT formats, respectively. We have standardized the nomenclature for individual contours—such as the gross primary tumor, gross nodal volumes, and 19 organs‐at‐risk—to enhance the RT‐STRUCT files' utility. Accompanying demographic, clinical, and treatment data are supplied in a comma‐separated values (CSV) file format. This comprehensive dataset is publicly accessible via The Cancer Imaging Archive. Potential Applications: RADCURE's amalgamation of imaging, clinical, demographic, and treatment data renders it an invaluable resource for a broad spectrum of radiomics image analysis research endeavors. Researchers can utilize this dataset to advance routine clinical procedures using machine learning or artificial intelligence, to identify new non‐invasive biomarkers, or to forge prognostic models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salt anions with a high donor number (DN) enable high sulfur utilization in lithium‐sulfur (Li‐S) batteries by inducing three‐dimensional (3D) Li2S growth. However, their insufficient compatibility with Li metal electrodes limits their cycling stability. Herein, a new class of salt anion, thiocyanate (SCN−), is presented, which features a Janus character of electron donor and acceptor. Due to a strong Li+ coordination by SCN− and the direct interaction of SCN− with polysulfide anions, the LiSCN electrolyte has a remarkably high lithium polysulfide solubility. This electrolyte induces 3D Li2S formation and ameliorates cathode passivation, even more than Br−, a typical high DN anion. Moreover, SCN− forms a Li3N‐enriched stable SEI layer at the surface of the Li metal electrode, enhancing cycling stability. A Li‐S battery with the LiSCN electrolyte shows high current density operation (2.54 mA cm⁻2) with high discharge capacity (1133 mAh g⁻1) and prolonged cycle life (100 cycles). This work demonstrates that the cathode and anode performance in a Li‐S battery can be simply and concurrently enhanced by the single salt anion. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents a review of genetic findings in obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD). It mentions the use of bioinformatics approaches in locating pathways relevant to neuroprotection. It notes that OCD susceptibility gene products affect cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) and other targets.