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The SIR model is a differential equations based model of the spread of an infectious disease that compartmentalises individuals in a population into one of three states: those who are susceptible to a disease (S), those who are infected and can transmit the disease to others (I), and those who have recovered from the disease and are now immune (R). This "Classroom Note" describes how to initiate teaching the SIR model with two concrete physical simulations to provide students with first-hand experience with some of the nuanced behaviour of how an infectious disease spreads through a closed population. One simulation physically models disease spread by the exchange of fluids, using pH to simulate infection. A second simulation incorporates randomness through the use of a probability game to keep track of the state of each individual at each time step. Both simulations invite students to ask questions about what factors influence disease spread. The concrete experience from the physical simulations enables students to make connections to the abstract mathematical representation of the SIR model and discuss the sources of stochasticity present in the spread of an infectious disease.

The effectiveness of a formal charge method to draw Lewis structures that was developed by Curnow was studied quantitatively by direct comparison of two groups of students: one of which was taught the new formal charge method and another that was taught a traditional method. Students' marks on a common assessment were found to improve by approximately 5% when taught the formal charge method, and students who used this method were able to identify the correct answer with fewer attempts. These differences were found to be statistically significant.

Educators play a key role in facilitating interactive learning experiences in informal science education settings, such as science centers and museums. Despite their importance, research around facilitation has generally focused on visitor impacts and not the strategies used by the educators themselves. The "ChemAttitudes" project studied and characterized facilitation moves used by educators during hands-on chemistry activities with visitors at two science museums. Building on previous research done by the Exploratorium, the project team defined a framework of three overarching categories of facilitation techniques: "Invite participation," "Support exploration," and "Deepen understanding." (referenced in short form as "Invite," "Support," and "Deepen"). Each of these categories also included distinct facilitation moves that educators used throughout an interaction with visitors. Overall, data indicated that educators used Support moves most often, Deepen moves less frequently, and Invite moves the least. Although educators almost always started an interaction with Invite, afterwards, they moved flexibly back and forth between the three types of moves in a non-linear order in response to the visitors. The framework and findings from this project can be used to support training and professional development for other informal educators using hands-on activities with visitors.

Chemistry is a vital and highly relevant field of science that is under-represented in science centers and museums. Amidst concerns that the public is ambivalent about the chemistry field, the "Explore Science: Let's Do Chemistry" project sought to understand how to design hands-on activities that could increase the feelings of interest, relevance, and self-efficacy around chemistry. Using design-based research, the team tested and refined a variety of activities while simultaneously creating a framework for future use about content and format strategies that increase interest, relevance, and self-efficacy. Science museum visitors tested these activities and were interviewed afterward to learn whether or not they had experienced any changes in their attitudes toward chemistry and what about the activity contributed to these feelings. Data indicated that the types of content embedded in an activity influence increased feelings that chemistry is relevant and interesting, while the format used in an activity contributes to increased interest and self-efficacy around chemistry. The design framework created from these findings can be used by other chemistry educators to develop additional chemistry outreach activities that support increased interest, relevance, or self-efficacy in participants.

A simple method to determine Lewis electron dot structures and formal charges without a need to sum all of the valence electrons, reorganize electron pairs, draw and pair up individual electrons, or remember a formal charge formula is described. The formal charge is determined by the group number (number of valence electrons) and the number of bonds, with the sum of formal charges then being equal to the total charge. This leads directly to a valid Lewis structure. The facility of the procedure allows the student to focus more on the chemical aspects of deciding which valid Lewis structure (or structures)is the correct or most important one.

Thermal conductivity is generally the tool of choice for quantification of fixed gases, particularly lighter-than-air gases. Unfortunately, gas chromatography-thermal conductivity detectors (GC-TCDs) are difficult to introduce in first- and second-year chemistry courses where the cost and number of instruments, as well as the space required, is impractical. In this article, the authors describe the development of a small, inexpensive microcontroller-based TCD for undergraduate teaching and research laboratory experiments which utilizes a matched pellistor pair to quantify hydrogen. The total cost of materials is under $200, including the microcontroller, electronics, TCD pellistor pair, and the mechanical parts which serve as the housing and analysis chamber.

Biomimetic replicas of superhydrophobic lotus and taro leaf surfaces can be made using polydimethylsiloxane. These replicas faithfully reproduce the microstructures of the leaves' surface and can be analyzed using contact angle goniometry, self-cleaning experiments, and optical microscopy. These simple and adaptable experiments were used to develop a novel general chemistry laboratory exercise, designed to introduce students to the current fields of materials science and biomimetics, and reinforce concepts such as intermolecular forces and surface tension.

This paper examines teachers' experiences in responding to a new Chemistry curriculum in the province of Manitoba in Canada informed by a "tetrahedral" orientation (Mahaffy, 2005) as a pedagogical framework for the teaching of Chemistry. This tetrahedral orientation endorses macroscopic, microscopic, symbolic and human element teaching and learning experiences and, considering that most Chemistry teaching typically focuses on the symbolic level (Johnstone, 1991), affords a much more diversified Chemistry teacher pedagogy and student-centred learning experience. The teachers self-selected for this study were a part of a larger group of 74 participants in a five-year professional development initiative focusing on fostering the enactment of the intended Chemistry curriculum with its tetrahedral orientation. These teachers were those whose orientations to teaching were statistically significantly different from other participants, as evidenced in the "narrowing" of their teaching practice to, predominantly, a symbolic representation for their Grade 12 classes in contrast to their more diversified practice in Grade 11. Using Aoki's reference to "tensionality" (1986), the study focuses on elucidating the tensions the teachers experienced in working in the space between Chemistry "curriculum-as-planned and curriculum-as-lived". Implications of this study in relation to Chemistry education curriculum policy and practice are discussed.

Abstract Microbial α-l-fucosidases catalyse the hydrolysis of terminal α-l-fucosidic linkages and can perform transglycosylation reactions. Based on sequence identity, α-l-fucosidases are classified in glycoside hydrolases (GHs) families of the carbohydrate-active enzyme database. Here we explored the sequence-function space of GH29 fucosidases. Based on sequence similarity network (SSN) analyses, 15 GH29 α-l-fucosidases were selected for functional characterisation. HPAEC-PAD and LC-FD-MS/MS analyses revealed substrate and linkage specificities for α1,2, α1,3, α1,4 and α1,6 linked fucosylated oligosaccharides and glycoconjugates, consistent with their SSN clustering. The structural basis for the substrate specificity of GH29 fucosidase from Bifidobacterium asteroides towards α1,6 linkages and FA2G2 N-glycan was determined by X-ray crystallography and STD NMR. The capacity of GH29 fucosidases to carry out transfucosylation reactions with GlcNAc and 3FN as acceptors was evaluated by TLC combined with ESI–MS and NMR. These experimental data supported the use of SSN to further explore the GH29 sequence-function space through machine-learning models. Our lightweight protein language models could accurately allocate test sequences in their respective SSN clusters and assign 34,258 non-redundant GH29 sequences into SSN clusters. It is expected that the combination of these computational approaches will be used in the future for the identification of novel GHs with desired specificities.

Periodic conductivity trends are placed in the scope of lithium-ion batteries, where increases in the ionic radii of salt components affect the conductivity of a poly(ethyleneoxide)-based polymer electrolyte. Numerous electrolytes containing varying concentrations and types of metal salts are prepared and evaluated in either one or two laboratory sessions, requiring cooperation between all students in the classroom. The experiment is suitable for either high school students with a general chemistry background or undergraduate students in introductory general chemistry courses, as a number of fundamental topics can be discussed with this simple, inexpensive, and real-world-oriented project. (Contains 4 figures.)

Soil biogeochemistry, a discipline that explores the chemical speciation and transformations of elements in soils and the relationships between soils and global biogeochemical cycles, is becoming a popular course offering because it unites themes from a number of other courses. In this article, we present a set of case studies that have been used as the basis for student presentations and student-lead discussion. These case studies were specifically chosen because they focus on modern problems that illustrate key concepts in the course material and communicate an issue of significant concern or interest to society. The exercise helps to forge a linkage between the subjects discussed in the course and real-world issues. Presentations were used as a starting point for classroom discussion to encourage active participation on the part of the students. Instructor and student evaluations both indicated that the assignment was valuable as a learning aid to most students, and may have helped to connect course materials to more practical real-world examples. (Contains 2 tables and 1 figure.)

Experiments are described for the preparation of imidazolium chloride precursors to "N"-heterocyclic carbenes and their cyclopentadienyl nickel chloride derivatives. The syntheses have been optimized for second- and third-year undergraduate laboratories that have a maximum programmed length of three hours per week. The experiments are flexible and are readily adapted to a variety of laboratory schedules and student skill levels. The compounds can be characterized by [superscript 1]H and [superscript 13]C NMR spectroscopy, and the interesting challenges presented by the NMR spectroscopy of the 2,6-diisopropylphenyl substituted imidazole ring are illustrated. (Contains 1 figure, 2 schemes, and 3 notes.)

Volume phase holographic (VPH) optical elements have made a major contribution to Raman spectroscopy by providing notch filters, and VPH gratings that provide remarkable performance advantages over previous technologies. Holographic notch filters have eliminated Rayleigh scattered laser light from single monochromators, thereby contributing to the development of a new generation of compact, high-performance Raman instruments.

Abstract Human gamma-D crystallin (HGD) is a major constituent of the eye lens. Aggregation of HGD contributes to cataract formation, the leading cause of blindness worldwide. It is unique in its longevity, maintaining its folded and soluble state for 50-60 years. One outstanding question is the structural basis of this longevity despite oxidative aging and environmental stressors including ultraviolet radiation (UV). Here we present crystallographic structures evidencing a UV-induced crystallin redox switch mechanism. The room-temperature serial synchrotron crystallographic (SSX) structure of freshly prepared crystallin mutant (R36S) shows no post-translational modifications. After aging for nine months in the absence of light, a thiol-adduct (dithiothreitol) modifying surface cysteines is observed by low-dose SSX. This is shown to be UV-labile in an acutely light-exposed structure. This suggests a mechanism by which a major source of crystallin damage, UV, may also act as a rescuing factor in a finely balanced redox system.

The sobering reality is that numerous infectious diseases can no longer be effectively treated with antibiotics, necessitating immediate attention and action. Therefore, this study explores a thiadiazol derivative for the purpose of elucidating its antibacterial efficacy against carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Prior to this examination, the compound (DOP) under study was structurally and electronically investigated utilizing density functional theory (DFT) at the ωB97XD/6–311++G (d, p) level of theory. Interestingly, this comprehensive investigation encompassed spectral analyses including FT-IR, and UV-excitation all studied in different solvents including DMSO, water, and methanol. Results of the frontier molecular orbital (FMO) analysis, DOP_gas showcased the lowest energy gap of 3.943 eV, implying heightened reactivity. Substantially, results from the pharmacokinetic studies illuminated facets of distribution, metabolism, and toxicity. Thus, registering the compound to possess incredible drug-like properties suggesting no detriments in terms of treatment. Notwithstanding, resounding results from the molecular docking studies presented DOP exhibited notable binding affinities and formed strong conventional hydrogen bonds with specific residues, indicating robust interactions. Particularly, DOP_6V78 and DOP_4WEJ displayed the highest affinities of -11.0 kcal/mol and 10.1 kcal/mol against Klebsiella pneumonia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, respectively. These findings underscore the potential therapeutic efficacy of DOP against Carbapenem-resistant strains, suggesting its favorable attributes in comparison to conventional drugs in terms of binding affinity and interaction strength.

Parasitic infections such as lymphatic filariasis (elephantiasis) solely result from the infestation of a slender and thread-like worm. This condition precipitates swelling, often accompanied by skin alterations, potentially leading to substantial disability and disfigurement. Recent advancements in preventive measures for lymphatic filariasis encompass mass drug administration (MDA) involving antifilarial drugs. To that effect, this investigation employs an experimental and theoretical approach, utilizing the DFT/6–311++(2p,2d)/ωB97X-D level of theory, to evaluate the anti-filarial properties of a thiadiazol derivative, designated by the code (PTA). The comparative analysis of the spectroscopic data (FT-IR, UV, and NMR) was observed to be in good agreement. The geometry equilibration, it was observed that attributed to the influence of solvents and their properties, including the dielectric constant and polarity C18-S2 bond exhibited the highest bond length values 1.80208 (Å) in a gaseous environment. In the comparison of energy gaps, PTA_DMSO exhibited the smallest gap at 3.899 eV, while PTA_Water displayed a broader gap at 4.724 eV. PTA_Chloroform and PTA_Gas followed closely with energy gaps of 4.718 and 4.599 eV, respectively. The smaller energy gap observed in PTA_DMSO suggests higher reactivity and lower stability of the compound in this solvent. This finding underscores the potential efficacy of the ligand in DMSO as a promising drug candidate in this particular medium. From the molecular docking analysis shows the hydrogen bonds formed between 3VKL and PTA are four hydrogen bonds with a binding affinity of -4.6 kcal/mol, while with the two standard drugs, dimethylcarbamazine, one hydrogen bond with a binding affinity of -4.30 kcal/mol and albendazole with three hydrogen bonds with a binding affinity of -5.3 kcal/mol. Also, with 4BME protein, three hydrogen bonds with a binding affinity of -4.6 kcal/mol for PTA, one hydrogen bond for diethylcarbamazine with a binding affinity of -4.6 kcal/mol and two hydrogen bonds for albendazole with a binding affinity of -2.9 kcal/mol.

This study is aimed at evaluating the impact of solvation on the structural, spectroscopy (UV, NMR, FT-IR), reactivity, bonding interactions, and the drug potential of Pyridine 4-Carbaldehyde Semi-carbazone (PCS) against the disease (cholera) causing protein in the Gram-negative bacterium; Vibrio cholerae. Notably, the study was carried out using both experimental and theoretical calculations based on density functional theory (DFT) at the GD3B/B3LYP/6–311G++(2D,2P) level of theory along with molecular docking. Results from the UV- spectrum showed very fair absorption levels across the different solvents used, with theoretical peaks at 463 nm, 467 nm, 470 nm and 468 nm for PCS_DMSO, PCS_ETOH, PCS_H2O and PCS_MEOH, respectively. The study reveals discrepancies between experimental and theoretical 1H NMR shifts. However, theoretical 13C NMR shifts show minute differences. RDG analysis reveals steric repulsions in the pyridine ring. Whereas, the investigation of electronic properties reveal that the decreasing order of PCS_DMSO (3.668 eV) > PCS_H2O (3.206 eV) > PCS_MEOH (3.202 eV) > PCS_ETOH (0.312 eV). The results of docking showed that PCS had binding affinities of -5.0 Kcal/mol with protein 7P3R and -5.4 Kcal/mol with protein 1XTC which happen to be much lesser than -10.2 Kcal/mol formed between erythromycin and 7P3R. However, erythromycin formed a non-feasible bonding interactions with 1XTC with biding affinity of 18.0 Kcal/mol. Results of the MD simulation showed that PCS-MEOH had a higher energy value than PCS-DMSO, PCS-ETOH, and PCS-H2, indicating that it can interact with other substances more effectively, disperse more quickly. These results from the various studied objectives, however, suggest Pyridine 4-Carbaldehyde Semi-carbazone to be a lead compound for tackling the incidence, distribution and prevalence of cholera.

The aim of this study was to investigate the modifications of the mechanical properties of polypropylene (PP) by incorporating elastomers, while considering the impact on its stiffness. Specifically, the research focused on determining the optimal loading of elastomer to achieve desirable properties and exploring the influence of these processes on the morphology and mechanical behavior of the prepared blends. Thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs) consisting of polypropylene and natural rubber (PP/NR) were prepared using a melt-mixing process, and the mechanical properties of the blends were evaluated. The stress-strain properties of the blends revealed a successful modification of PP, transforming it from a stiff and strong thermoplastic into a stiff and tough thermoplastic elastomer when 10% NR was included in the PP matrix. As the loading of NR increased, a reduction in tensile strength (TS) and modulus (E) of the blends was observed, while elongation at break (EB) increased. The flexural strength of unmodified PP was 45.9 MPa, which decreased with increasing NR loading. Similarly, the impact strength of unmodified PP was 25.8 KJ/m2, whereas the values for 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% NR inclusion were 30.8, 24.3, 20.6, and 15.2 KJ/m2, respectively. The melt flow index (MFI) of unmodified PP was 14.1 g/10 min, while the values for 10%, 20%, 30%, and 40% NR inclusion were 19.4, 15.7, 11.6, and 10.2 g/10 min, respectively. The best combination of mechanical properties was observed at 10% NR inclusion in the PP matrix. The micrograph of the blends, as observed from SEM micrographs, supported the modification of PP, resulting in the production of TPE with observable adhesion sites, indicating good compatibility between the components. In a nutshell, a significant 47% increase in impact strength was achieved through the modification process.

Hop flowers contain chemical substances that are used to confer sensory properties to beer. Hop flower products have very high commercial value, but national production represents less than 2% of domestic consumption. In this work, flowers from different hop cultivars grown in northeast of Brazil (Rio Grande do Norte and Ceará) were analyzed to quantitate metabolites of industrial interest. Flowers from the initial and three consecutive harvests were collected, and bitter acids and xanthohumol were evaluated by HPLC-UV and essential oils by GC-MS. The cultivar Columbus was subjected to only 10% of the irrigation time during the third flowering phase to evaluate the effect of water stress on the formation of metabolites. Compounds were detected in appreciable quantities in all samples, and consecutive flowering of some cultivars showed a significant increase in total bitter acids with successive harvests. Plants subjected to water stress showed an abrupt decrease in the concentration of compounds. The cultivars evaluated by liquid and gas chromatography showed a significant concentration of bitter acids and essential oils within the expected range, and the chemical composition of the oils showed different compounds characteristic of hops.

Abstract Despite recent advances in cryo-electron microscopy and artificial intelligence-based model predictions, a significant fraction of structure determinations by macromolecular crystallography still requires experimental phasing, usually by means of single-wavelength anomalous diffraction (SAD) techniques. Most synchrotron beamlines provide highly brilliant beams of X-rays of between 0.7 and 2 Å wavelength. Use of longer wavelengths to access the absorption edges of biologically important lighter atoms such as calcium, potassium, chlorine, sulfur and phosphorus for native-SAD phasing is attractive but technically highly challenging. The long-wavelength beamline I23 at Diamond Light Source overcomes these limitations and extends the accessible wavelength range to λ = 5.9 Å. Here we report 22 macromolecular structures solved in this extended wavelength range, using anomalous scattering from a range of elements which demonstrate the routine feasibility of lighter atom phasing. We suggest that, in light of its advantages, long-wavelength crystallography is a compelling option for experimental phasing.

Impaired E-cadherin (Cdh1) functions are closely associated with cellular dedifferentiation, infiltrative tumor growth and metastasis, particularly in gastric cancer. The class-I carcinogen Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) colonizes gastric epithelial cells and induces Cdh1 shedding, which is primarily mediated by the secreted bacterial protease high temperature requirement A (HtrA). In this study, we used human primary epithelial cell lines derived from gastroids and mucosoids from different healthy donors to investigate HtrA-mediated Cdh1 cleavage and the subsequent impact on bacterial pathogenesis in a non-neoplastic context. We found a severe impairment of Cdh1 functions by HtrA-induced ectodomain cleavage in 2D primary cells and mucosoids. Since mucosoids exhibit an intact apico-basal polarity, we investigated bacterial transmigration across the monolayer, which was partially depolarized by HtrA, as indicated by microscopy, the analyses of the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER) and colony forming unit (cfu) assays. Finally, we investigated CagA injection and observed efficient CagA translocation and tyrosine phosphorylation in 2D primary cells and, to a lesser extent, similar effects in mucosoids. In summary, HtrA is a crucially important factor promoting the multistep pathogenesis of H. pylori in non-transformed primary gastric epithelial cells and organoid-based epithelial models.

This paper demonstrates the unpredictability of outcomes that result from compounding variabilities when using generative design (GD) coupled with additive manufacturing (AM). AM technologies offer the greatest design freedom and hence are most able to leverage the full capability of generative design (GD) tools and thus maximize potential improvements, such as weight, waste and cost reduction, strength, and part consolidation. Implicit in all studies reported in the literature is the fundamental assumption that the use of GD, irrespective of user experience or approach followed, yields high-performing and/or comparable design outputs. This work demonstrates the contrary and shows that achieving high performance with GD tools requires careful consideration of study setup and initial conditions. It is further shown that, when coupled with the inherent variability of AM parts, the potential variation in the performance of the design output can be significant, with poorer designs achieving only a fraction of that of higher-performing designs. This investigation shows how AM by Material Extrusion (MEX), which is used to manufacture components with polylactic acid (PLA), varies through different design pathways, bridging MEX and GD. Through a practical study across nine independently generated designs, the breadth of performance—due to initial GD conditions and MEX part strength unpredictability—is shown to reach 592%. This result suggest that current GD tools, including their underlying workflows and algorithms, are not sufficiently understood for users to be able to generate consistent solutions for an input case. Further, the study purports that training and consideration on GD setup are necessary to apply GD toolsets to achieve high-performing designs, particularly when applied in the context of MEX.

Chorioamnionitis is a risk factor for necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). Ureaplasma parvum (UP) is clinically the most isolated microorganism in chorioamnionitis, but its pathogenicity remains debated. Chorioamnionitis is associated with ileal barrier changes, but colonic barrier alterations, including those of the mucus barrier, remain under-investigated, despite their importance in NEC pathophysiology. Therefore, in this study, the hypothesis that antenatal UP exposure disturbs colonic mucus barrier integrity, thereby potentially contributing to NEC pathogenesis, was investigated. In an established ovine chorioamnionitis model, lambs were intra-amniotically exposed to UP or saline for 7 d from 122 to 129 d gestational age. Thereafter, colonic mucus layer thickness and functional integrity, underlying mechanisms, including endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and redox status, and cellular morphology by transmission electron microscopy were studied. The clinical significance of the experimental findings was verified by examining colon samples from NEC patients and controls. UP-exposed lambs have a thicker but dysfunctional colonic mucus layer in which bacteria-sized beads reach the intestinal epithelium, indicating undesired bacterial contact with the epithelium. This is paralleled by disturbed goblet cell MUC2 folding, pro-apoptotic ER stress and signs of mitochondrial dysfunction in the colonic epithelium. Importantly, the colonic epithelium from human NEC patients showed comparable mitochondrial aberrations, indicating that NEC-associated intestinal barrier injury already occurs during chorioamnionitis. This study underlines the pathogenic potential of UP during pregnancy; it demonstrates that antenatal UP infection leads to severe colonic mucus barrier deficits, providing a mechanistic link between antenatal infections and postnatal NEC development.

Thoracic aortic aneurysm (TAA) has a prevalence of 0.16–0.34% and an incidence of 7.6 per 100,000 person-years, accounting for 1–2% of all deaths in Western countries. Currently, no effective pharmacological therapies have been identified to slow TAA development and prevent TAA rupture. Large TAAs are treated with open surgical repair and less invasive thoracic endovascular aortic repair, both of which have high perioperative mortality risk. Therefore, there is an urgent medical need to identify the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying TAA development and rupture to develop new therapies. In this review, we summarize animal TAA models including recent developments in porcine and zebrafish models: porcine models can assess new therapeutic devices or intervention strategies in a large mammal and zebrafish models can employ large-scale small-molecule suppressor screening in microwells. The second part of the review covers current views of TAA pathogenesis, derived from recent studies using these animal models, with a focus on the roles of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGFβ) pathway and the vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC)-elastin-contractile unit. The last part discusses TAA treatment options as they emerge from recent preclinical studies.

In the evolving landscape of portfolio management (PM), the fusion of advanced machine learning techniques with traditional financial methodologies has opened new avenues for innovation. Our study introduces a cutting-edge model combining deep reinforcement learning (DRL) with a non-stationary transformer architecture. This model is designed to decode complex patterns in financial time-series data, enhancing portfolio management strategies with deeper insights and robustness. It effectively tackles the challenges of data heterogeneity and market uncertainty, key obstacles in PM. Our approach integrates key macroeconomic indicators and targeted news sentiment analysis into its framework, capturing a comprehensive picture of market dynamics. This amalgamation of varied data types addresses the multifaceted nature of financial markets, enhancing the model’s ability to navigate the complexities of asset management. Rigorous testing demonstrates the model’s efficacy, highlighting the benefits of blending diverse data sources and sophisticated algorithmic approaches in mastering the nuances of PM.

Improved human-relevant preclinical models of coronary artery disease (CAD) are needed to improve translational research and drug discovery. Mitochondrial dysfunction and associated oxidative stress contribute to endothelial dysfunction and are a significant factor in the development and progression of CAD. Endothelial colony-forming cells (ECFCs) can be derived from peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and offer a unique potentially personalised means for investigating new potential therapies targeting important components of vascular function. We describe the application of the high-throughput and confocal Opera Phenix® High-Content Screening System to examine mitochondrial superoxide (mROS) levels, mitochondrial membrane potential, and mitochondrial area in both established cell lines and patient-derived ECFCs simultaneously. Unlike traditional plate readers, the Opera Phenix® is an imaging system that integrates automated confocal microscopy, precise fluorescent detection, and multi-parameter algorithms to visualize and precisely quantify targeted biological processes at a cellular level. In this study, we measured mROS production in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and patient-derived ECFCs using the mROS production probe, MitoSOXTM Red. HUVECs exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein (oxLDL) increased mROS levels by 47.7% (p < 0.0001). A pooled group of patient-derived ECFCs from participants with CAD (n = 14) exhibited 30.9% higher mROS levels compared to patients with no CAD when stimulated with oxLDL (n = 14; p < 0.05). When tested against a small group of candidate compounds, this signal was attenuated by PKT-100 (36.22% reduction, p = 0.03), a novel P2X7 receptor antagonist. This suggests the P2X7 receptor as a valid target against excess mROS levels. As such, these findings highlight the potential of the MitoSOX-Opera Phenix technique to be used for drug discovery efforts in CAD.

Described is a quick, easy, and cheap, but effective method of obtaining infrared spectra of solids and nonvolatile liquids by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The technique uses tissue paper as a support matrix. (RH)

The rupture of an abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) causes about 200,000 deaths worldwide each year. However, there are currently no effective drug therapies to prevent AAA formation or, when present, to decrease progression and rupture, highlighting an urgent need for more research in this field. Increased vascular inflammation and enhanced apoptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) are implicated in AAA formation. Here, we investigated whether hydralazine, which has anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties, inhibited AAA formation and pathological hallmarks. In cultured VSMCs, hydralazine (100 μM) inhibited the increase in inflammatory gene expression and apoptosis induced by acrolein and hydrogen peroxide, two oxidants that may play a role in AAA pathogenesis. The anti-apoptotic effect of hydralazine was associated with a decrease in caspase 8 gene expression. In a mouse model of AAA induced by subcutaneous angiotensin II infusion (1 µg/kg body weight/min) for 28 days in apolipoprotein E-deficient mice, hydralazine treatment (24 mg/kg/day) significantly decreased AAA incidence from 80% to 20% and suprarenal aortic diameter by 32% from 2.26 mm to 1.53 mm. Hydralazine treatment also significantly increased the survival rate from 60% to 100%. In conclusion, hydralazine inhibited AAA formation and rupture in a mouse model, which was associated with its anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic properties.

Because concrete strengths and quality are affected by various factors, multivariate regression models are often used to analyze the differences between predicted and target outputs. However, the variableness of a predicted output and how individual input parameters affect prediction reliabilities are still uncertain in practical applications, especially for the prediction of compressive strengths of concrete. This study aims to develop multivariate models for predicting concrete strengths and providing the variance analysis of prediction results by comparisons with experiment outcomes. First, this paper provides an in-depth examination of established variance analysis methods in the context of commonly used multivariate regression models. Then, based on Gaussian process regression, this study melds principal component analysis (PCA), linear discriminant analysis (LDA), and multivariate analysis of variance (MANOVA) to assess the variability in concrete strength prediction using different curing methods. This innovative approach proves effective in evaluating the precision of the correlation and regression models (R-squared values ≥ 0.9049). The comparison between prediction results and experiment outcomes shows that retaining heat in cylinders can make them become too hot and overestimate in-place concrete strength. This study improves the methodologies of regression modeling for variance analysis and improves the reliability of concrete strength prediction. Additionally, the outcomes of this research can help save a substantial amount of financial resources and time that are required to obtain experimental data on the strengths of concrete components.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN, Heterodera glycines, Ichinohe) poses a significant threat to global soybean production, necessitating a comprehensive understanding of soybean plants’ response to SCN to ensure effective management practices. In this study, we conducted dual RNA-seq analysis on SCN-resistant Plant Introduction (PI) 437654, 548402, and 88788 as well as a susceptible line (Lee 74) under exposure to SCN HG type 1.2.5.7. We aimed to elucidate resistant mechanisms in soybean and identify SCN virulence genes contributing to resistance breakdown. Transcriptomic and pathway analyses identified the phenylpropanoid, MAPK signaling, plant hormone signal transduction, and secondary metabolite pathways as key players in resistance mechanisms. Notably, PI 437654 exhibited complete resistance and displayed distinctive gene expression related to cell wall strengthening, oxidative enzymes, ROS scavengers, and Ca2+ sensors governing salicylic acid biosynthesis. Additionally, host studies with varying immunity levels and a susceptible line shed light on SCN pathogenesis and its modulation of virulence genes to evade host immunity. These novel findings provide insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying soybean–SCN interactions and offer potential targets for nematode disease management.

Abstract The PtIV prodrug iproplatin has been actively loaded into liposomes using a calcium acetate gradient, achieving a 3‐fold enhancement in drug concentration compared to passive loading strategies. A strain‐promoted cycloaddition reaction (azide‐ dibenzocyclooctyne) was used to attach iproplatin‐loaded liposomes L(Pt) to gas‐filled microbubbles (M), forming an ultrasound‐responsive drug delivery vehicle [M−L(Pt)]. Ultrasound‐triggered release of iproplatin from the microbubble‐liposome construct was evaluated in cellulo. Breast cancer (MCF‐7) cells treated with both free iproplatin and iproplatin‐loaded liposome−microbubbles [M−L(Pt)] demonstrated an increase in platinum concentration when exposed to ultrasound. No appreciable platinum uptake was observed in MCF‐7 cells following treatment with L(Pt) only or L(Pt)+ultrasound, suggesting that microbubble‐mediated ultrasonic release of platinum‐based drugs from liposomal carriers enables greater control over drug delivery.

The prevalence of obesity, defined as the body mass index (BMI) ≥ 30 kg/m2, has reached epidemic levels. Obesity is associated with an increased risk of various cancers, including gastrointestinal ones. Recent evidence has suggested that obesity disproportionately impacts males and females with cancer, resulting in varied transcriptional and metabolic dysregulation. This study aimed to elucidate the differences in the metabolic milieu of adenocarcinomas of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract both related and unrelated to sex in obesity. To demonstrate these obesity and sex-related effects, we utilized three primary data sources: serum metabolomics from obese and non-obese patients assessed via the Biocrates MxP Quant 500 mass spectrometry-based kit, the ORIEN tumor RNA-sequencing data for all adenocarcinoma cases to assess the impacts of obesity, and publicly available TCGA transcriptional analysis to assess GI cancers and sex-related differences in GI cancers specifically. We applied and integrated our unique transcriptional metabolic pipeline in combination with our metabolomics data to reveal how obesity and sex can dictate differential metabolism in patients. Differentially expressed genes (DEG) analysis of ORIEN obese adenocarcinoma as compared to normal-weight adenocarcinoma patients resulted in large-scale transcriptional reprogramming (4029 DEGs, adj. p < 0.05 and |logFC| > 0.58). Gene Set Enrichment and metabolic pipeline analysis showed genes enriched for pathways relating to immunity (inflammation, and CD40 signaling, among others) and metabolism. Specifically, we found alterations to steroid metabolism and tryptophan/kynurenine metabolism in obese patients, both of which are highly associated with disease severity and immune cell dysfunction. These findings were further confirmed using the TCGA colorectal adenocarcinoma (CRC) and esophageal adenocarcinoma (ESCA) data, which showed similar patterns of increased tryptophan catabolism for kynurenine production in obese patients. These patients further showed disparate alterations between males and females when comparing obese to non-obese patient populations. Alterations to immune and metabolic pathways were validated in six patients (two obese and four normal weight) via CD8+/CD4+ peripheral blood mononuclear cell RNA-sequencing and paired serum metabolomics, which showed differential kynurenine and lipid metabolism, which corresponded with altered T-cell transcriptome in obese populations. Overall, obesity is associated with differential transcriptional and metabolic programs in various disease sites. Further, these alterations, such as kynurenine and tryptophan metabolism, which impact both metabolism and immune phenotype, vary with sex and obesity together. This study warrants further in-depth investigation into obesity and sex-related alterations in cancers that may better define biomarkers of response to immunotherapy.

Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness, affecting 76 million globally. It is characterized by irreversible damage to the optic nerve. Pharmacotherapy manages intraocular pressure (IOP) and slows disease progression. However, non-adherence to glaucoma medications remains problematic, with 41–71% of patients being non-adherent to their prescribed medication. Despite substantial investment in research, clinical effort, and patient education protocols, non-adherence remains high. Therefore, we aimed to determine if there is a substantive genetic component behind patients’ glaucoma medication non-adherence. We assessed glaucoma medication non-adherence with prescription refill data from the Marshfield Clinic Healthcare System’s pharmacy dispensing database. Two standard measures were calculated: the medication possession ratio (MPR) and the proportion of days covered (PDC). Non-adherence on each metric was defined as less than 80% medication coverage over 12 months. Genotyping was done using the Illumina HumanCoreExome BeadChip in addition to exome sequencing on the 230 patients (1) to calculate the heritability of glaucoma medication non-adherence and (2) to identify SNPs and/or coding variants in genes associated with medication non-adherence. Ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA) was utilized to derive biological meaning from any significant genes in aggregate. Over 12 months, 59% of patients were found to be non-adherent as measured by the MPR80, and 67% were non-adherent as measured by the PDC80. Genome-wide complex trait analysis (GCTA) suggested that 57% (MPR80) and 48% (PDC80) of glaucoma medication non-adherence could be attributed to a genetic component. Missense mutations in TTC28, KIAA1731, ADAMTS5, OR2W3, OR10A6, SAXO2, KCTD18, CHCHD6, and UPK1A were all found to be significantly associated with glaucoma medication non-adherence by whole exome sequencing after Bonferroni correction (p < 10−3) (PDC80). While missense mutations in TINAG, CHCHD6, GSTZ1, and SEMA4G were found to be significantly associated with medication non-adherence by whole exome sequencing after Bonferroni correction (p < 10−3) (MPR80). The same coding SNP in CHCHD6 which functions in Alzheimer’s disease pathophysiology was significant by both measures and increased risk for glaucoma medication non-adherence by three-fold (95% CI, 1.62–5.8). Although our study was underpowered for genome-wide significance, SNP rs6474264 within ZMAT4 (p = 5.54 × 10–6) was found to be nominally significant, with a decreased risk for glaucoma medication non-adherence (OR, 0.22; 95% CI, 0.11–0.42)). IPA demonstrated significant overlap, utilizing, both standard measures including opioid signaling, drug metabolism, and synaptogenesis signaling. CREB signaling in neurons (which is associated with enhancing the baseline firing rate for the formation of long-term potentiation in nerve fibers) was shown to have protective associations. Our results suggest a substantial heritable genetic component to glaucoma medication non-adherence (47–58%). This finding is in line with genetic studies of other conditions with a psychiatric component (e.g., post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) or alcohol dependence). Our findings suggest both risk and protective statistically significant genes/pathways underlying glaucoma medication non-adherence for the first time. Further studies investigating more diverse populations with larger sample sizes are needed to validate these findings.

Cancer is a globally prevalent cause of premature mortality. Of growing interest is the development of novel anticancer therapies and the optimisation of associated risks. Major issues presently facing conventional anticancer therapies include systemic toxicity, poor solubility, membrane permeability, and multidrug resistance Nanocarriers have been employed to address these issues. Nanocarriers encapsulate anticancer drugs, enabling them to bypass biological barriers and minimise their adverse side effects. These drug delivery systems offer extensive benefits as they can be modified to gravitate towards specific environmental conditions. To further enhance the safety and efficacy of these drug carriers, modern developments have included incorporating a molecular switching mechanism into their structure. These molecular switches are responsive to endogenous and exogenous stimuli and may undergo reversible and repeatable conformational changes when activated. The incorporation of molecular switches can, therefore, impart stimuli-responsive drug-release control on a DDS. These stimuli can then be manipulated to offer precise dosage control over the drug release at a specific target site. This review discusses recent developments in the design of DDSs incorporating light and pH-responsive molecular switches as drug release controllers.

Abstract We report on the design and testing of new graphite and graphene oxide‐based extended π‐conjugated synthetic scaffolds for applications in sustainable chemistry transformations. Nanoparticle‐functionalised carbonaceous catalysts for new Fischer Tropsch and Reverse GasWater Shift (RGWS) transformations were prepared: functional graphene oxides emerged from graphite powders via an adapted Hummer's method and subsequently impregnated with uniform‐sized nanoparticles. Then the resulting nanomaterials were imaged by TEM, SEM, EDX, AFM and characterised by IR, XPS and Raman spectroscopies prior to incorporation of Pd(II) promoters and further microscopic and spectroscopic analysis. Newly synthesised 2D and 3D layered nanostructures incorporating carbon‐supported iron oxide nanoparticulate pre‐catalysts were tested, upon hydrogen reduction in situ, for the conversion of CO2 to CO as well as for the selective formation of CH4 and longer chain hydrocarbons. The reduction reaction was also carried out and the catalytic species isolated and fully characterised. The catalytic activity of a graphene oxide‐supported iron oxide pre‐catalyst converted CO2 into hydrocarbons at different temperatures (305, 335, 370 and 405 °C), and its activity compared well with that of the analogues supported on graphite oxide, the 3‐dimensional material precursor to the graphene oxide. Investigation into the use of graphene oxide as a framework for catalysis showed that it has promising activity with respect to reverse gas water shift (RWGS) reaction of CO2 to CO, even at the low levels of catalyst used and under the rather mild conditions employed at atmospheric pressure. Whilst the γ‐Fe2O3 decorated graphene oxide‐based pre‐catalyst displays fairly constant activity up to 405 °C, it was found by GC‐MS analysis to be unstable with respect to decomposition at higher temperatures. The addition of palladium as a promoter increased the activity of the iron functionalised graphite oxide in the RWGS. The activity of graphene oxide supported catalysts was found to be enhanced with respect to that of iron‐functionalised graphite oxide with, or without palladium as a promoter, and comparable to that of Fe@carbon nanotube‐based systems tested under analogous conditions. These results display a significant step forward for the catalytic activity estimations for the iron functionalised and rapidly processable and scalable graphene oxide. The hereby investigated phenomena are of particular relevance for the understanding of the intimate surface morphologies and the potential role of non‐covalent interactions in the iron oxide‐graphene oxide networks, which could inform the design of nano‐materials with performance in future sustainable catalysis applications.

The present study is focused on the synthesis, characterization, DFT Studies, and in silico biological evaluation of novel benzenesulfonamides as antidiabetic agents. The compounds were synthesized and characterized experimentally using the NMR, FT-IR and HRMS while the molecular electronic structure properties were investigated using DFT-based theoretical methods at the M06-2X/6–311++G (d, p) level of theory. The results of the calculated vibrational energies were in perfect agreement with those of the experimental frequencies for different functional groups. The natural bond orbital (NBO) analysis was also carried out to study the intramolecular charge transfer interactions and energies of stabilization. Molecular docking simulation showed that the compounds; 3-Methyl-2-(4-methylphenylsulfonamido)-N-(2-oxo-2(piperidin-1-yl) ethyl) pentanamide (MMOPEP), 3-Methyl-N-(2-oxo-2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl))-2-(phenylsulfonamido)pentanamide (MOPEPP) and, 3-Methyl-2-(4-nitrophenylsulfonamido)-N-(2-oxo-2-(piperidin-1-yl)ethyl)pentanamide (MNOPEP) fitted tightly to the amino acid residues binding sites of insulin inhibiting protein receptors (7m17) with an average binding affinity of −6.9 kcal/mol, −6.6 kcal/mol, −6.7 kcal/mol respectively, thereby stimulating the release of insulin from functioning pancreatic beta cells which will in turn, lower blood glucose. This study provides a platform for scrutiny and clinical trials of benzenesulfonamide-based drugs as antidiabetic agents.

Interpretable featurisation allows Quantitative Structure-Property Relationships (QSPR) between chiral diene ligand structures and product stereoselectivities in rhodium-catalysed asymmetric Michael additions (RhCASA). The machine learning approach developed herein is simple to implement yet provides instructive insights and useful predictions (q2/R2 0.7–0.8). These simple interpretable features are found to give comparable predictive ability to both commercial (Dragon) and molecular signature descriptor library approaches. Strong insights into the specific areas of the chiral diene ligand that engender improved RhCASA process enantioselectivity are achieved. These were more interpretable, to synthetic chemists, than existing ML approaches, greatly facilitating design of new chiral diene-ligands.

Recently, the combination of chemotherapy plus nivolumab (chemo-immunotherapy) has become the standard of care for advanced-stage gastric cancer (GC) patients. However, despite its efficacy, up to 40% of patients do not respond to these treatments. Our study sought to identify variations in gene expression associated with primary resistance to chemo-immunotherapy. Diagnostic endoscopic biopsies were retrospectively obtained from advanced GC patients previously categorized as responders (R) or non-responders (NR). Thirty-four tumor biopsies (R: n = 16, NR: n = 18) were analyzed by 3′ massive analysis of cDNA ends (3′MACE). We found >30 differentially expressed genes between R and NRs. Subsequent pathway enrichment analyses demonstrated that angiogenesis and the Wnt-β-catenin signaling pathway were enriched in NRs. Concomitantly, we performed next generation sequencing (NGS) analyses in a subset of four NR patients that confirmed alterations in genes that belonged to the Wnt/β-catenin and the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) pathways. We speculate that angiogenesis, the Wnt, and the PI3K pathways might offer actionable targets. We also discuss therapeutic alternatives for chemo-immunotherapy-resistant advanced-stage GC patients.

A tremendous number of solvents, either as liquids or vapors, contaminate the environment on a daily basis worldwide. Olefin metathesis, which has been widely used as high-yielding protocols for ring-opening metathesis polymerization (ROMP), ring-closing metathesis (RCM), and isomerization reactions, is typically performed in toxic and volatile solvents such as dichloromethane. In this study, the results of our systematic experiments with the Grubbs G1, G2, and Hoveyda-Grubbs HG2 catalysts proved that benzotrifluoride (BTF) can replace dichloromethane (DCM) in these reactions, providing high yields and similar or even higher reaction rates in certain cases. The ROMP of norbornene resulted not only in high yields but also in polynorbornenes with a high molecular weight at low catalyst loadings. Ring-closing metathesis (RCM) experiments proved that, with the exception of the G1 catalyst, RCM occurs with similar high efficiencies in BTF as in DCM. It was found that isomerization of (Z)-but-2-ene-1,4-diyl diacetate with the G2 and HG2 catalysts proceeds at significantly higher initial rates in BTF than in DCM, leading to rapid isomerization with high yields in a short time. Overall, BTF is a suitable solvent for olefin metathesis, such as polymer syntheses by ROMP and the ring-closing and isomerization reactions.

Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a highly debilitating psychiatric disorder that can be triggered by exposure to extreme trauma. Even if PTSD is primarily a psychiatric condition, it is also characterized by adverse somatic comorbidities. One illness commonly co-occurring with PTSD is Metabolic syndrome (MetS), which is defined by a set of health risk/resilience factors including obesity, elevated blood pressure, lower high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, higher triglycerides, higher fasting blood glucose and insulin resistance. Here, phenotypic association between PTSD and components of MetS are tested on a military veteran cohort comprising chronic PTSD presentation (n = 310, 47% cases, 83% male). Consistent with previous observations, we found significant phenotypic correlation between the various components of MetS and PTSD severity scores. To examine if this observed symptom correlations stem from a shared genetic background, we conducted genetic correlation analysis using summary statistics data from large-scale genetic studies. Our results show robust positive genetic correlation between PTSD and MetS (rg[SE] = 0.33 [0.056], p = 4.74E-09), and obesity-related components of MetS (rg = 0.25, SE = 0.05, p = 6.4E-08). Prioritizing genomic regions with larger local genetic correlation implicate three significant loci. Overall, these findings show significant genetic overlap between PTSD and MetS, which may in part account for the markedly increased occurrence of MetS among PTSD patients.

Sarcopenia is characterised by an age-related decrease in the number of muscle fibres and additional weakening of the remaining fibres, resulting in a reduction in muscle mass and function. Many studies associate poor maternal nutrition during gestation and/or lactation with altered skeletal muscle homeostasis in the offspring and the development of sarcopenia. The aim of this study was to determine whether the musculoskeletal physiology in offspring born to mouse dams fed a low-protein diet during pregnancy was altered and whether any physiological changes could be modulated by the nutritional protein content in early postnatal stages. Thy1-YFP female mice were fed ad libitum on either a normal (20%) or a low-protein (5%) diet. Newborn pups were cross-fostered to different lactating dams (maintained on a 20% or 5% diet) to generate three groups analysed at weaning (21 days): Normal-to-Normal (NN), Normal-to-Low (NL) and Low-to-Normal (LN). Further offspring were maintained ad libitum on the same diet as during lactation until 12 weeks of age, creating another three groups (NNN, NLL, LNN). Mice on a low protein diet postnatally (NL, NLL) exhibited a significant reduction in body and muscle weight persisting up to 12 weeks, unlike mice on a low protein diet only prenatally (LN, LNN). Muscle fibre size was reduced in mice from the NL but not LN group, showing recovery at 12 weeks of age. Muscle force was reduced in NLL mice, concomitant with changes in the NMJ site and changes in atrophy-related and myosin genes. In addition, μCT scans of mouse tibiae at 12 weeks of age revealed changes in bone mass and morphology, resulting in a higher bone mass in the NLL group than the control NNN group. Finally, changes in the expression of miR-133 in the muscle of NLL mice suggest a regulatory role for this microRNA in muscle development in response to postnatal diet changes. Overall, this data shows that a low maternal protein diet and early postnatal life low-protein intake in mice can impact skeletal muscle physiology and function in early life while postnatal low protein diet favours bone integrity in adulthood.

As pancreatic cancer is the third deadliest cancer in the U.S., the ability to study genetic alterations is necessary to provide further insight into potentially targetable regions for cancer treatment. Circulating tumor cells (CTCs) represent an especially aggressive subset of cancer cells, capable of causing metastasis and progressing the disease. Here, we present the Labyrinth–DEPArray pipeline for the isolation and analysis of single CTCs. Established cell lines, patient-derived CTC cell lines and freshly isolated CTCs were recovered and sequenced to reveal single-cell copy number variations (CNVs). The resulting CNV profiles of established cell lines showed concordance with previously reported data and highlight several gains and losses of cancer-related genes such as FGFR3 and GNAS. The novel sequencing of patient-derived CTC cell lines showed gains in chromosome 8q, 10q and 17q across both CTC cell lines. The pipeline was used to process and isolate single cells from a metastatic pancreatic cancer patient revealing a gain of chromosome 1q and a loss of chromosome 5q. Overall, the Labyrinth-DEPArray pipeline offers a validated workflow combining the benefits of antigen-free CTC isolation with single cell genomic analysis.

Immunomodulators are drugs that either stimulate or suppress the immune system in response to an immunopathological disease or cancer. The majority of clinically approved immunomodulators are either chemically synthesised (e.g., dexamethasone) or protein-based (e.g., monoclonal antibodies), whose uses are limited due to toxicity issues, poor bioavailability, or prohibitive cost. Nature is an excellent source of novel compounds, as it is estimated that almost half of all licenced medicines are derived from nature or inspired by natural product (NP) structures. The clinical success of the fungal-derived immunosuppressant cyclosporin A demonstrates the potential of natural products as immunomodulators. Conventionally, the screening of NP molecules for immunomodulation is performed in small animal models; however, there is a growing impetus to replace animal models with more ethical alternatives. One novel approach is the use of Galleria melonella larvae as an in vivo model of immunity. Despite lacking adaptive antigen-specific immunity, this insect possesses an innate immune system comparable to mammals. In this review, we will describe studies that have used this alternative in vivo model to assess the immunomodulating activity of synthetic and NP-derived compounds, outline the array of bioassays employed, and suggest strategies to enhance the use of this model in future research.

The neonatal Fc receptor (FcRn) is responsible for recycling of IgG antibodies and albumin throughout the body. This mechanism has been exploited for pharmaceutic delivery across an array of diseases to either enhance or diminish this function. Monoclonal antibodies and albumin-bound nanoparticles are examples of FcRn-dependent anti-cancer therapeutics. Despite its importance in drug delivery, little is known about FcRn expression in circulating immune cells. Through time-of-flight mass cytometry (CyTOF) we were able to characterize FcRn expression in peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) populations of pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) patients and non-cancer donors. Furthermore, we were able to replicate these findings in an orthotopic murine model of PDAC. Altogether, we found that in both patients and mice with PDAC, FcRn was elevated in migratory and resident classical dendritic cell type 2 (cDC2) as well as monocytic and granulocytic myeloid-derived suppressor cell (MDSC) populations compared to tumor-free controls. Furthermore, PBMCs from PDAC patients had elevated monocyte, dendritic cells and MDSCs relative to non-cancer donor PBMCs. Future investigations into FcRn activity may further elucidate possible mechanisms of poor efficacy of antibody immunotherapies in patients with PDAC.