Synergistic integration of a rhodamine-labelled tripeptide into AIE-active fluorogenic probe: Enabling nanomolar detection of Al3+ ions through test strips, thin films, and Arduino-assisted optosensing platform.

Peptide-fluorophore conjugates (PFCs) have been expeditiously utilized for metal ion recognition owing to their distinctive characteristics. Selective detection and quantification of aluminum is essential to minimize health and environmental risks. Herein, we report the synthesis and characterization of a new chemoprobe with aggregation-induced emission characteristics by chemically conjugating rhodamine-B fluorophore with a tripeptide. The probe revealed ß-sheet secondary conformation in both solid and solution states, as confirmed by FT-IR, PXRD, and CD experiments. AIE characteristics of the probe in water-MeCN mixtures revealed the formation of spherically shaped nanoaggregates with an average size of 353 ± 7 nm, as confirmed by SEM, TEM, and DLS studies. The probe exhibited a large stokes shift (175 nm) and displayed selective colorimetric and fluorometric responses towards Al3+ ions with an extremely low detection limit (51 nm) and a fast response time (≤15 s). Comparative NMR studies confirmed the cleavage of spirolactam ring upon aluminum binding. The probe's practicality was enhanced through integration into test strips and thin films, allowing solid-phase detection of Al3+ ions. Furthermore, an RGB-Arduino enabled optosensing device has been developed to enable instant quantifiable analysis of aluminum concentrations in real-time conditions.

Depth estimation from monocular endoscopy using simulation and image transfer approach.

Obtaining accurate distance or depth information in endoscopy is crucial for the effective utilization of navigation systems. However, due to space constraints, incorporating depth cameras into endoscopic systems is often impractical. Our goal is to estimate depth images directly from endoscopic images using deep learning. This study presents a three-step methodology for training a depth-estimation network model. Initially, simulated endoscopy images and corresponding depth maps are generated using Unity based on a colon surface model obtained from segmented computed tomography colonography data. Subsequently, a cycle generative adversarial network model is employed to enhance the realism of the simulated endoscopy images. Finally, a deep learning model is trained using the synthesized endoscopy images and depth maps to estimate depths accurately. The performance of the proposed approach is evaluated and compared against prior studies utilizing unsupervised training methods. The results demonstrate the superior precision of the proposed technique in estimating depth images within endoscopy. The proposed depth estimation method holds promise for advancing the field by enabling enhanced navigation, improved lesion marking capabilities, and ultimately leading to better clinical outcomes.

Effects of recirculation and air change per hour on COVID-19 transmission in indoor settings: A CFD study with varying HVAC parameters.

COVID-19 has already claimed over 7 million lives and has infected over 775 million people globally [1]. SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes Covid-19, spreads primarily through droplets from infected people's airways, rendering Heating, Ventilation, and Air Conditioning (HVAC) systems critical in controlling infection risk levels in the indoor environment. To understand the dynamics of exhaled droplets and aerosols and the percentage of particles that are inhaled, escaped, recirculated, or trapped on different surfaces for a variety of environmental settings, we have presented our findings from the Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) modeling to investigate the impact of changing HVAC parameters in this paper. When combined with the spatial and temporal distribution of droplets, this method can be used to assess the potential risk and strengthen resilience. This finding demonstrates the viability and usefulness of CFD for modeling the distribution and dynamics of droplets and aerosols in confined environments. Our study demonstrates that raising the Air Change per Hour (ACH) from 2 to 8 reduces the risk of particle inhalation by nearly 70 %. Additionally, limiting the amount of air recirculation or increasing the amount of fresh air helps to reduce the number of airborne particles in an indoor space. To reduce the potential for respiratory droplet-related transmission and to provide relevant recommendations to the appropriate authority, the same computational approach could be applied to a wide range of ventilated indoor environments such as public buses, restaurants, exhibitions, and theaters.

Chemical optimization and derivatization of micrococcin p2 to target multiple bacterial infections: new antibiotics from thiopeptides.

Antimicrobial resistance poses a significant threat to humanity, and the development of new antibiotics is urgently needed. Our research has focused on thiopeptide antibiotics such as micrococcin P2 (MP2) and derivatives thereof as new anti-infective agents. Thiopeptides are sulfur-rich, structurally complex substances that exhibit potent activity against Gram-positive pathogens and Mycobacteria species, including clinically resistant strains. The clinical development of thiopeptides has been hampered by the lack of efficient synthetic platforms to conduct detailed structure-activity relationship studies of these natural products. The present contribution touches upon efficient synthetic routes to MP2 that laid the groundwork for clinical translation. The medicinal chemistry campaign on MP2 has been guided by computational molecular dynamic simulations and parallel investigations to improve drug-like properties, such as enhancing the aqueous solubility and optimizing antibacterial activity. Such endeavors have enabled identification of promising lead compounds, AJ-037 and AJ-206, against Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC). Extensive in vitro studies revealed that these compounds exert potent activity against MAC species, a subspecies of non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) that proliferate inside macrophages. Two additional pre-clinical candidates have been identified: AJ-024, for the treatment of Clostridioides difficile infections, and AJ-147, for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus impetigo. Both compounds compare quite favorably with current first-line treatments. In particular, the ability of AJ-147 to downregulate pro-inflammatory cytokines adds a valuable dimension to its clinical use. In light of above, these new thiopeptide derivatives are well-poised for further clinical development.

Sinapic acid-pullulan based inflammation responsive nanomicelles for the local treatment of experimental inflammatory arthritis.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder of joints. RA is one of the major causes of disability and morbidity worldwide. Administration of conventional drugs through the systemic route restricts the bioavailability of drugs, systemic toxicity, and reduced efficacy. We have introduced Rebamipide (Reb)-loaded Sinapic acid (SA)-Pullulan (PL) nanomicelles (Reb@SA-PL NMs), a nanotechnology based drug delivery system for the treatment of inflammatory arthritis. PL is a polysaccharide obtained from the fungus Aureobasidium pullulans, and SA is a bioactive polyphenol found in various plants. Both are classified by US-FDA Generally Recognised as Safe (GRAS) materials. Reb@SA-PL NMs found to be cytocompatible. Subsequently, intra-articular administration of Reb@SA-PL NMs enhances the anti-arthritic potential compared to free Reb drug in collagen-induced experimental inflammatory arthritis rat model. Reb@SA-PL NMs reduced the expression of RANKL receptor and Nf-κB. Reb@SA-PL NMs reverses the breakdown of type II collagen, MMP-13, and inhibits the pro-inflammatory markers. Reb@SA-PL NMs prevented bone erosion, cartilage degradation, joint oedema, and synovial inflammation. The results of the study demonstrated that Reb@SA-PL NMs, an enzyme-responsive drug delivery system, has excellent potential for alleviating inflammatory arthritis by blocking MMP-13 and RANKL.

Morbidity and Mortality After Laparoscopy-Assisted Distal Gastrectomy and Totally Laparoscopic Distal Gastrectomy to Treat Gastric Cancer: An Interim Report: A Phase III Multicenter, Prospective, Randomized Trial (The KLASS-07 Trial).

PURPOSE: We conducted a randomized prospective trial (KLASS-07 trial) to compare laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) and totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) for gastric cancer. In this interim report, we describe short-term results in terms of morbidity and mortality. METHODS AND METHODS: The sample size was 442 participants. At the time of the interim analysis, 314 patients were enrolled and randomized. After excluding patients who did not undergo planned surgeries, we performed a modified per-protocol analysis of 151 and 145 patients in the LADG and TLDG groups, respectively. RESULTS: The baseline characteristics, including comorbidity status, did not differ between the LADG and TLDG groups. Blood loss was somewhat higher in the LADG group, but statistical significance was not attained (76.76±72.63 vs. 62.91±65.68 mL; P=0.087). Neither the required transfusion level nor the operation or reconstruction time differed between the 2 groups. The mini-laparotomy incision in the LADG group was significantly longer than the extended umbilical incision required for specimen removal in the TLDG group (4.79±0.82 vs. 3.89±0.83 cm; P<0.001). There were no between-group differences in the time to solid food intake, hospital stay, pain score, or complications within 30 days postoperatively. No mortality was observed in either group. CONCLUSIONS: Short-term morbidity and mortality rates did not differ between the LADG and TLDG groups. The KLASS-07 trial is currently underway. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03393182.

Rare Case of Echinostoma cinetorchis Infection, South Korea.

A woman in South Korea who underwent a colonoscopy for occasional gastrointestinal discomfort had 4 adult flukes of Echinostoma cinetorchis showing 37 collar spines around the oral sucker recovered from the terminal ileum through the ascending colon. Partial gene sequencing showed high identity with E. cinetorchis.

TFEB/3 govern repair Schwann cell generation and function following peripheral nerve injury.

TFEB and TFE3 (TFEB/3), key regulators of lysosomal biogenesis and autophagy, play diverse roles depending on cell type. This study highlights a hitherto unrecognized role of TFEB/3 crucial for peripheral nerve repair. Specifically, they promote the generation of progenitor-like repair Schwann cells after axonal injury. In Schwann cell-specific TFEB/3 double knock-out mice of either sex, the TFEB/3 loss disrupts the transcriptomic reprogramming that is essential for the formation of repair Schwann cells. Consequently, mutant mice fail to populate the injured nerve with repair Schwann cells and exhibit defects in axon-regrowth, target reinnervation, and functional recovery. TFEB/3 deficiency inhibits the expression of injury-responsive repair Schwann cell genes, despite the continued expression of c-Jun, a previously identified regulator of repair Schwann cell function. TFEB/3 binding motifs are enriched in the enhancer regions of injury-responsive genes, suggesting their role in repair gene activation. Autophagy-dependent myelin breakdown is not impaired despite TFEB/3 deficiency. These findings underscore a unique role of TFEB/3 in adult Schwann cells that is required for proper peripheral nerve regeneration.Significance Statement Peripheral nerves have been recognized for their efficient regenerative capabilities compared to the central nervous system neurons. This is due to the remarkable ability of Schwann cells to undergo a reprogramming process, transforming into progenitor-like repair Schwann cells that actively contribute to axon regeneration and overall nerve repair. However, the specific transcriptional regulators responsible for initiating this transformation in the adult peripheral nerve have remained elusive. Our study elucidates a previously undescribed, injury-responsive function of TFEB/3 in adult Schwann cells, showcasing its ability to promote tissue repair. Our findings hold important implications for enhancing nerve regeneration by bolstering the regenerative capacity of glial cells, thereby contributing to advancements in the field of neural tissue repair.

Surgical outcomes of external double needle puncture epiglottopexy in severe laryngomalacia patients with high-risk comorbidities.

OBJECTIVES: Patients with severe laryngomalacia (LM) and high-risk comorbidities require surgical interventions such as supraglottoplasty. However, evidence supporting epiglottopexy for these patients is scarce. This study aims to report the surgical outcomes of external double needle puncture using a single thread for epiglottopexy in severe LM patients with high-risk comorbidities. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted at a single tertiary hospital. We enrolled 32 patients under 12 months with severe LM who underwent external double needle puncture epiglottopexy. We compared clinical factors between the successful and failed groups and identified risk factors for the failure of epiglottopexy. RESULTS: Of the airway surgical outcomes, 22 (68.7 %) patients were in the successful group. In the failed group (n = 10, 32.3 %), patients received tracheostomies due to uncontrolled saliva (n = 3), the need for mechanical ventilation (n = 3), and uncontrolled LM (n = 4). There was a statistically significant difference in body weight at the time of surgery and the proportion of associated comorbidities between the two groups. Gestational age was the only factor significantly associated with successful surgical outcomes in both univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses (odds ratio = 2.263; 95 % confidence interval, 1.042-4.918; P = 0.039). CONCLUSION: External double needle puncture epiglottopexy is an effective surgical method for patients with LM who present with a retroflexed floppy epiglottis and high-risk comorbidities. Low gestational age is a major risk factor for surgical failure. Consideration of factors such as the need for mechanical ventilation and uncontrolled saliva should be prioritized before and after surgery to enhance surgical success.

Development of a novel sensory material for rapid detection of mercury ions in various water sources: Solution and solid-state analysis.

A xanthene propane nitrile-based sensor material was successfully prepared, and an attempt towards the preparation of polymer bead form was made for the sensitive or selective detection of mercury ions (Hg2+) in water. The sensor material in solution as well as in polymeric form showed amazing selectivity over other added metal ions with a naked eye color change, UV visible spectral and fluorescence spectral change, and a rapid and excellent color change from colorless to purple. The 1H NMR study exposed the probable binding site of the probe with the added mercury ion. In this study, the imine nitrogen and the C = O interact with the mercury ion, resulting in the ring opening of lactam with a vivid color change. The EDTA test was done to verify the reversible behavior of the probe and confirmed its reversibility by UV-visible and fluorescence spectral studies. The polymer bead made using this probe can be used as a tool for monitoring mercury ions in real time in different sources of water samples. The sensor molecule itself senses the mercury ion in its solid state by simple grinding and changes its color from pale yellow to deep purple. The sensor color change response is very rapid towards mercury detection, which is confirmed by the prepared test strip.

Time-Dependent Effect of Eggshell Membrane on Monosodium-Iodoacetate-Induced Osteoarthritis: Early-Stage Inflammation Control and Late-Stage Cartilage Protection.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a chronic degenerative joint disease that causes chronic pain, swelling, stiffness, disability, and significantly reduces the quality of life. Typically, OA is treated using painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). While current pharmacologic treatments are common, their potential side effects have prompted exploration into functional dietary supplements. Recently, eggshell membrane (ESM) has emerged as a potential functional ingredient for joint and connective tissue disorders due to its clinical efficacy in relieving joint pain and stiffness. Despite promising clinical evidence, the effects of ESM on OA progression and its mechanism of action remain poorly understood. This study evaluated the efficacy of Ovomet®, a powdered natural ESM, against joint pain and disease progression in a monosodium iodoacetate (MIA)-induced rodent model of OA in mice and rats. The results demonstrate that ESM significantly alleviates joint pain and attenuates articular cartilage destruction in both mice and rats that received oral supplementation for 5 days prior to OA induction and for 28 days thereafter. Interestingly, ESM significantly inhibited mRNA expression levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß), and interleukin-6 (IL-6), as well as inflammatory mediators, cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and inducible nitric oxide synthase in the knee joint cartilage at the early stage of OA, within 7 days after OA induction. However, this effect was not observed in the late stage at 28 days after OA induction. ESM further attenuates the induction of protein expression for cartilage-degrading enzymes like matrix metalloproteinase (MMPs) 3 and 13, and a disintegrin and metalloproteinase with thrombospondin motifs 5 (ADAMTS-5), in the late-stage. In addition, MIA-induced reduction of the protein expression levels of cartilage components, cartilage oligomeric matrix protein (COMP), aggrecan (ACAN) and collagen type II α-1 chain (COL2α1), and cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM) synthesis promoting transcriptional factor SRY-Box 9 (SOX-9) were increased via ESM treatment in the cartilage tissue. Our findings suggest that Ovomet®, a natural ESM powder, is a promising dietary functional ingredient that can alleviate pain, inflammatory response, and cartilage degradation associated with the progression of OA.

Synthesis and luminescent properties of a linear difluorene pyrazine (D-A-D) derivative as a selective indicator for a reversible acid-base vapour sensor.

We have synthesized a structure in which pyrazine is the core structure and fluorene derivatives are attached to both sides. Photo physical investigations such as aprotic solvents (Hexane to DMF) were carried out. A redshift was revealed from non-polar aprotic solvents to polar aprotic solvents. The luminescence intensity was gradually decreased, which is incredibly more complex towards changes in the solvent polarization than their UV/Vis absorption spectra. The compound showed a redshift from 445 nm to 473 nm when slowly increasing the water fraction (fw) from 0 to 30 %. Also, rising water fraction (fw > 40-90 %) effectively attenuated the instantaneous emission intensity was observed. At the same time, the intensity of the emission peak was reduced due to the TICT effect on fluorene and pyrazine rings due to enhanced solvent polarity. In addition, optically reversible acidofluorochromic properties were performed experimentally in both solvent and solid phases. For the acidic substances TFA and HF, which contain fluorine, new redshift peaks from 425 nm and 503 nm were observed upon reaction with the PDF solution, and the emission intensity was extinguished by more than 90 % and 60 %, respectively. Upon addition of TFA up to 1500 equal, the PDF mixture suffered from 50 % lower energy absorption intensity. The 1H NMR spectrum confirmed the proposed mechanism (TFA/TEA, ON-OFF-ON). Therefore, the present work presents a novel approach to fabricating ON-OFF-ON active-pull pyrazine scaffolds that can be used in DSEgens, referred to as "ON-OFF-ON" fluorescent sensors, for multifunctional applications.

A Modified Approach for Preventing Anterior Glottic Web Formation Using Mitomycin C in Bilateral Vocal Fold Lesions.

Objectives: Laryngeal keel insertion, mucosal suture, application of mitomycin-C (MMC), and staged operations are approaches to prevent the anterior glottic web, but there are limitations. Our study suggests a modified approach to prevent the formation of an anterior glottic web. Methods: This retrospective single-institution tertiary center study (N = 23) involved the simultaneous removal of bilateral vocal fold lesions with topical MMC application. If exudate was identified after 4 to 6 weeks, second laryngomicroscopic surgery (LMS) was performed to remove it with topical MMC application. Extent of anterior glottic web was measured as a percentage of the total length of the membranous vocal fold. Results: After the initial surgery, 18 patients recovered without anterior web or fibrin exudate. Thick exudate was observed in 5 patients. After the second LMS, all patients showed improvement and did not develop anterior web. Conclusion: This modified method has been developed to prevent the anterior glottic web without complications.

Totally laparoscopic versus laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy: the KLASS-07: a randomized controlled trial.

BACKGROUNDS: Strong evidence is lacking as no confirmatory randomized controlled trials (RCTs) have compared the efficacy of totally laparoscopic distal gastrectomy (TLDG) with laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG). The authors performed an RCT to confirm if TLDG is different from LADG. METHODS: The KLASS-07 trial is a multi-centre, open-label, parallel-group, phase III, RCT of 442 patients with clinical stage I gastric cancer. Patients were enroled from 21 cancer care centres in South Korea between January 2018 and September 2020 and randomized to undergo TLDG or LADG using blocked randomization with a 1:1 allocation ratio, stratified by the participating investigators. Patients were treated through R0 resections by TLDG or LADG as the full analysis set of the KLASS-07 trial. The primary endpoint was morbidity within postoperative day 30, and the secondary endpoint was quality of life (QoL) for 1 year. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT03393182). RESULTS: Four hundred forty-two patients were randomized (222 to TLDG, 220 to LADG), and 422 patients were included in the pure analysis (213 and 209, respectively). The overall complication rate did not differ between the two groups (TLDG vs. LADG: 12.2% vs. 17.2%). However, TLDG provided less postoperative ileus and pulmonary complications than LADG (0.9% vs. 5.7%, P= 0.006; and 0.5% vs. 4.3%, P= 0.035, respectively). The QoL was better after TLDG than after LADG regarding emotional functioning at 6 months, pain at 3 months, anxiety at 3 and 6 months, and body image at 3 and 6 months (all P< 0.05). However, these QoL differences were resolved at 1 year. CONCLUSIONS: The KLASS-07 trial confirmed that TLDG is not different from LADG in terms of postoperative complications but has the advantages to reduce ileus and pulmonary complications. TLDG can be a good option to offer better QoL in terms of pain, body image, emotion, and anxiety at 3-6 months.

JOURNAL/ijos/04.03/01279778-202408000-00031/figure1/v/2024-08-13T152924Z/r/image-jpeg.

Impact of Dietary Intake and Habits on Subjective Voice and Laryngeal Mucosal Diseases: Analysis From Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey Between 2008 and 2021.

OBJECTIVES: Dysphonia negatively affects social communication, leading to reduced quality of life. Comprehensive research on dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal diseases using large-scale epidemiological data is lacking. Therefore, we investigated how dietary and habitual factors influence dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal diseases using data from the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey. STUDY DESIGN: A population-based cross-sectional study. METHODS: The study included individuals aged 19 years and older who both underwent laryngoscopic examinations and completed a dysphonia survey. Dietary and habitual factors and results of the laryngoscopic examinations were collected. Risk factors for dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal diseases were identified. RESULTS: The weighted frequency of dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal diseases was 6.4% and 6.0%, respectively. In univariable analyses for dysphonia, sex, body weight change, alcohol ingestion, and various minerals and vitamins showed statistically significant associations. However, in the multivariable analysis, only age, body weight, female sex, and vitamin A intake were significantly associated with dysphonia. Age, body weight, body mass index, sex, smoking, amount of sodium intake, and alcohol intake were associated with laryngeal mucosal diseases in the univariable analyses, but in the multivariable analysis, only age, smoking, and amount of niacin intake were significant factors. CONCLUSIONS: In this large-scale epidemiological analysis, subjective dysphonia and laryngeal mucosal diseases had different frequencies and risk factors. Age was a risk factor for both dysphonia and mucosal diseases, but smoking was only a risk factor for laryngeal mucosal diseases. Diet types, calories, and water and alcohol intake were not significant risk factors for either laryngeal mucosal diseases or dysphonia.

Sparse Graph Representation Learning Based on Reinforcement Learning for Personalized Mild Cognitive Impairment (MCI) Diagnosis.

Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging (rs-fMRI) has gained attention as a reliable technique for investigating the intrinsic function patterns of the brain. It facilitates the extraction of functional connectivity networks (FCNs) that capture synchronized activity patterns among regions of interest (ROIs). Analyzing FCNs enables the identification of distinctive connectivity patterns associated with mild cognitive impairment (MCI). For MCI diagnosis, various sparse representation techniques have been introduced, including statistical- and deep learning-based methods. However, these methods face limitations due to their reliance on supervised learning schemes, which restrict the exploration necessary for probing novel solutions. To overcome such limitation, prior work has incorporated reinforcement learning (RL) to dynamically select ROIs, but effective exploration remains challenging due to the vast search space during training. To tackle this issue, in this study, we propose an advanced RL-based framework that utilizes a divide-and-conquer approach to decompose the FCN construction task into smaller sub-problems in a subject-specific manner, enabling efficient exploration under each sub-problem condition. Additionally, we leverage the learned value function to determine the sparsity level of FCNs, considering individual characteristics of FCNs. We validate the effectiveness of our proposed framework by demonstrating its superior performance in MCI diagnosis on publicly available cohort datasets.

Feasibility of images acquired using smartphone camera for marginal and internal fit of fixed dental prosthesis: comparison and correlation study.

This study aimed to measure marginal and internal fit using images captured with both an optical microscope and a smartphone camera, comparing the fit measurement performance of these devices and analyzing their correlation. Working casts (with 10 posterior and 10 anterior teeth) created to fabricate fixed dental prostheses were used. These working casts were scanned using a desktop scanner (E1) to design an interim crown, and the designed interim crown was fabricated using a three-dimensional (3D) printer. Utilizing the silicone replica technique, the fabricated interim crown replicated the fit, which was then captured using both an optical microscope and a smartphone camera. The captured images were used to measure the marginal and internal fit according to the imaging device. Intraclass correlation coefficients (ICC) were used for reliability analysis according to the imaging device. Furthermore, the Wilcoxon signed-rank test was adopted for the comparative evaluation of the marginal and internal fit between the imaging devices (α = 0.05). The measurement results of the marginal and internal fit according to the optical microscope and smartphone camera did exhibit a significant difference (P < 0.05). The ICC between the two devices showed an "excellent" agreement of over 0.9 at all measurement points (P < 0.001). A smartphone camera could be used to obtain images for evaluating the marginal and internal fit.

TEAD1 is crucial for developmental myelination, Remak bundles, and functional regeneration of peripheral nerves.

Previously we showed that the hippo pathway transcriptional effectors, YAP and TAZ, are essential for Schwann cells (SCs) to develop, maintain and regenerate myelin . Although TEAD1 has been implicated as a partner transcription factor, the mechanisms by which it mediates YAP/TAZ regulation of SC myelination are unclear. Here, using conditional and inducible knockout mice, we show that TEAD1 is crucial for SCs to develop and regenerate myelin. It promotes myelination by both positively and negatively regulating SC proliferation, enabling Krox20/Egr2 to upregulate myelin proteins, and upregulating the cholesterol biosynthetic enzymes FDPS and IDI1. We also show stage-dependent redundancy of TEAD1 and that non-myelinating SCs have a unique requirement for TEAD1 to enwrap nociceptive axons in Remak bundles. Our findings establish TEAD1 as a major partner of YAP/TAZ in developmental myelination and functional nerve regeneration and as a novel transcription factor regulating Remak bundle integrity.

Tailored fluorophore design: Enhancing selectivity for cyanide ion sensing in water and food samples, and innovative device development.

A rigid fluorophore unit of Julolidine/coumarin fused with an indolium-conjugated system was built for the immediate and effective recognition of cyanide ions in a 90 % aq. DMSO solution. The probes are capable of displaying better sensitivity/selectivity for the cyanide ion over a wide range of other interfering ions. The probe JI showed an instant colorimetric variation, whereas the modified probe JCI showed both colorimetric and fluorimetric variation with cyanide ion. The observed detection limit values indicated excellent sensitivity of the probe to the cyanide ion. HRMS and 1H NMR studies confirmed that the mechanism of detection of CN- is via the nucleophilic attack on the electron-deficient indolium moiety of the molecule. Moreover, the probes are well proficient in selective recognition of cyanide in various real time applications (test strips, electronic sensor kit, food and water sample analysis).