Deep learning-assisted monitoring of trastuzumab efficacy in HER2-Overexpressing breast cancer via SERS immunoassays of tumor-derived urinary exosomal biomarkers.

Monitoring drug efficacy is significant in the current concept of companion diagnostics in metastatic breast cancer. Trastuzumab, a drug targeting human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2), is an effective treatment for metastatic breast cancer. However, some patients develop resistance to this therapy; therefore, monitoring its efficacy is essential. Here, we describe a deep learning-assisted monitoring of trastuzumab efficacy based on a surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunoassay against HER2-overexpressing mouse urinary exosomes. Individual Raman reporters bearing the desired SERS tag and exosome capture substrate were prepared for the SERS immunoassay; SERS tag signals were collected to prepare deep learning training data. Using this deep learning algorithm, various complicated mixtures of SERS tags were successfully quantified and classified. Exosomal antigen levels of five types of cell-derived exosomes were determined using SERS-deep learning analysis and compared with those obtained via quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. Finally, drug efficacy was monitored via SERS-deep learning analysis using urinary exosomes from trastuzumab-treated mice. Use of this monitoring system should allow proactive responses to any treatment-resistant issues.

Label-Free and Colorimetric Detection of Influenza A Virus via Receptor-Mediated Viral Fusion with Plasmonic Vesicles.

The rapid transmission and numerous re-emerging human influenza virus variants that spread via the respiratory system have led to severe global damage, emphasizing the need for detection tools that can recognize active and intact virions with infectivity. Here, this work presents a plasmonic vesicle-mediated fusogenic immunoassay (PVFIA) comprising gold nanoparticle (GNP) encapsulating fusogenic polymeric vesicles (plasmonic vesicles; PVs) for the label-free and colorimetric detection of influenza A virus (IAV). The PVFIA combines two sequential assays: a biochip-based immunoassay for target-specific capture and a PV-induced fusion assay for color change upon the IAV-PV fusion complex formation. The PVFIA demonstrates excellent specificity in capturing the target IAV, while the fusion conditions and GNP induce a significant color change, enabling visual detection. The integration of two consecutive assays results in a low detection limit (100.7919 EID50 mL-1 ) and good reliability (0.9901), indicating sensitivity that is 104.208 times higher than conventional immunoassay. Leveraging the PV viral membrane fusion activity renders the PVFIA promising for point-of-care diagnostics through colorimetric detection. The innovative approach addresses the critical need for detecting active and intact virions with infectivity, providing a valuable tool with which to combat the spread of the virus.

Changes in cortisol awakening responses (CAR) in menopausal women through short-term marine healing retreat program with specific factors affecting each CAR index.

Recent studies have reported that the cortisol awakening response (CAR) is associated with various health risks. The different indices used to represent the CAR include the average cortisol levels in the morning immediately after waking (AVE); the total area under the curve of cortisol levels with respect to ground (AUCg); and the area under the curve of cortisol levels with respect to increase (AUCi). However, it is unclear which physiological phenomenon each index reflects. This study investigated the factors, such as stress, circadian rhythm, sleep, and obesity, affecting the CAR through a marine retreat-based healing program in which the anticipated stress of the participants could be controlled to some degree. Fifty-one menopausal women in their 50s and 60s were included, who performed beach yoga and Nordic walking for four days at an uncontaminated beach. The baseline CAR indices showed that the AVE and AUCg were significantly higher in the high sleep efficiency group than in the low sleep efficiency group. However, the AUCi decreased substantially with increasing age. The changes in the AVE, AUCg, and AUCi were calculated through the program, and it was found that the AVE and AUCg increased significantly more in the obese group than in the normal and overweight groups. The obese group also showed significantly decreased serum triglyceride and BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) levels compared to the low BMI group. Thus, it was confirmed that AVE and AUCg reflected physiological phenomena affected by factors such as sleep efficiency and obesity, whereas the AUCi was affected by factors such as age. In addition, the marine retreat program can improve the low levels of CAR associated with obesity and aging.

Effect of the Marine Exercise Retreat Program on Thyroid-Related Hormones in Middle-Aged Euthyroid Women.

This study aimed to investigate the effects of a marine exercise retreat program on thyroid-related hormone levels. A total of 62 middle-aged euthyroid women participated in a 6-day marine exercise retreat program. Using thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH) and free thyroxine (fT4) hormone levels, the participants were divided into high and low-hormone-level groups. Despite decreased TSH and fT4 levels after the program, the factors influencing changes in each group were different. TSH levels were influenced by changes in the normalized low frequency (nLF) of heart rate variability and carbon monoxide (CO) from all the participants, and changes in body fat percentage, nLF, and nitrogen dioxide (NO2) exposure level in the high TSH group. fT4 levels were influenced by changes in body mass index (BMI), NO2 exposure, and particulate matter diameter of 10 µm or less (PM10) exposure in all participants. Changes in BMI and CO exposure influenced the low fT4 group. Lastly, changes in the exercise stress test affected the high fT4 group. Thus, the marine exercise retreat program affected euthyroid thyroid-related hormone levels, and influencing factors differ depending on the initial value of the hormone.