Sunlight-sensitive carbon dots for plant immunity priming and pathogen defence.

Global food production faces persistent threats from environmental challenges and pathogenic attacks, leading to significant yield losses. Conventional strategies to combat pathogens, such as fungicides and disease-resistant breeding, are limited by environmental contamination and emergence of pathogen resistance. Herein, we engineered sunlight-sensitive and biodegradable carbon dots (CDs) capable of generating reactive oxygen species (ROS), offering a novel and sustainable approach for plant protection.

Cascade-Responsive Nanoprodrug Disrupts Immune-Fibroblast Communications for Potentiated Cancer Mechanoimmunotherapy.

The abnormal tumor mechanical microenvironment due to specific cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) subset and low tumor immunogenicity caused by inefficient conversion of active chemotherapeutic agents are two key obstacles that impede patients with desmoplastic tumors from achieving stable and complete immune responses. Herein, it is demonstrated that FAP-αCAFs-induced stromal stiffness accelerated tumor progression by precluding cytotoxic T lymphocytes. Subsequently, a cascade-responsive nanoprodrug capable of re-educating FAP-αCAFs and amplifying tumor immunogenicity for potentiated cancer mechanoimmunotherapy is ingeniously designed.

Dietary total antioxidant capacity and risk of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis of 170,919 participants.

Background: Observational studies have assessed the association between total antioxidant capacity of the diet and risk of diabetes mellitus. However, results from these studies were not entirely consistent. In the current systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis, we aimed to determine the association between dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) and the risk of prediabetes and diabetes mellitus.

Mitochondrial respiratory complex IV deficiency recapitulates amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is categorized into ~10% familial and ~90% sporadic cases. While familial ALS is caused by mutations in many genes of diverse functions, the underlying pathogenic mechanisms of ALS, especially in sporadic ALS (sALS), are largely unknown. Notably, about half of the cases with sALS showed defects in mitochondrial respiratory complex IV (CIV).

Pain sensation and emotion induced by aromatase inhibitors: a new mouse model.

Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) are crucial for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients, enhancing disease-free survival and significantly reducing the risk of distant metastasis and local recurrence. However, AI-induced pain and emotional distress can impair the quality of life and medication adherence, leading to premature discontinuation and increased mortality. In this study, we developed a novel mouse model to investigate these effects.

A cell-type specific surveillance complex represses cryptic promoters during differentiation in an adult stem cell lineage.

Regulators of chromatin accessibility play key roles in cell fate transitions, triggering onset of novel transcription programs as cells differentiate. In the male germ line stem cell lineage, tMAC, a master regulator of spermatocyte differentiation that binds thousands of loci, is required for local opening of chromatin, allowing activation of spermatocyte-specific promoters. Here we show that a cell-type specific surveillance system involving the multiple zinc finger protein Kmg and the pipsqueak domain protein Dany dampens transcriptional output from weak tMAC dependent promoters and blocks tMAC binding at thousands of additional cryptic promoters, thus preventing massive expression of aberrant protein-coding transcripts.

Preliminary Characterization of Cervical Microflora in Pregnant Women with Cervical Incompetence.

Objective: The objective of this study was to investigate the impact of cervical microflora on cervical function and the efficacy of cervical cerclage in restoring the normal microecology of the reproductive tract, thereby improving pregnancy outcomes.

Methods: Based on defined inclusion and exclusion criteria, six pregnant women who underwent cervical cerclage for cervical incompetence at Shijiazhuang No. 4 hospital between January and May 2024 were enrolled.

IGF2BP1 Enhances Neprilysin mRNA Stability to Promote Proliferation, Invasion, and Angiogenesis in Placental Trophoblasts.

Background And Objective: Preeclampsia (PE) is a severe gestational disorder characterized by sudden hypertension and proteinuria, with substantial risks to both mother and fetus. This study aims to delineate the role of neprilysin, a metalloprotease known for its role in modulating vasoactive peptides, in the pathophysiology of PE.

Methods: We recruited a cohort of 57 participants, comprising 38 patients diagnosed with PE and 19 healthy controls, matched for demographic and clinical characteristics.

SPRY1 regulates macrophage M1 polarization in skin aging and melanoma prognosis.

Introduction: Skin aging is a complex, multifactorial process involving cellular damage, inflammation, and increased susceptibility to diseases. Despite its importance, the role of SPRY1 in skin aging remains poorly understood. This study aims to investigate the function of SPRY1 in skin aging, particularly its impact on macrophage M1 polarization, and explore its potential as a therapeutic target for mitigating skin aging and melanoma.

The association between sarcopenia and cardiovascular disease: An investigative analysis from the NHANES.

Background And Aims: Sarcopenia, a multifaceted chronic condition, exhibits an ambiguous association with cardiovascular disease (CVD). This study aimed to elucidate the connection between sarcopenia and CVD, as well as its implications for cardiovascular prognosis, by analyzing globally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The findings aim to provide valuable insights for clinical practice and future research endeavors.

Evaluation of binding interaction between compounds targeting peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ in Nelumbinis folium using receptor chromatography and molecular dynamic simulation.

Despite considerable efforts invested in clinical trials aimed at treating obesity and enhancing the metabolic profiles of Nelumbinis Folium, the precise phytochemicals involved and their mechanisms of action remain unclear due to the absence of an efficient screening technique. Herein, Nelumbinis Folium serves as the focal point to elucidate the bioactive compounds that specifically bind to peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ using immobilized receptor chromatography. Following identification through liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry, the compounds were further evaluated using chromatographic techniques and molecular dynamics simulations.

Impaired sensitivity to thyroid hormones is associated with lower heart rate in the euthyroid population.

Background: The association of thyroid hormone sensitivity with heart rate remains unclear.

Objective: This study aims to elucidate the relationship between impaired thyroid hormone sensitivity and lower heart rate in the euthyroid population.

Methods: A total of 550 participants were included.

Edible and herbal plants against Helicobacter pylori infection: From epidemiological, experimental studies to clinical perspectives.

Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection is an important global public health concern, causing conditions like gastritis, gastroduodenal ulcers, gastric lymphoma, distal gastric cancer and other gastric diseases. With the increasing prevalence of antibiotics resistance, the cure rate of antibiotics-based triple or quadruple therapy has declined to 80 % or less.

Charged substrate treatment enhances T cell mediated cancer immunotherapy.

Biophysical cues play a crucial role in T cell biology, yet their implications in adoptive T cell therapy (ACT) remain largely unknown. Here, we investigate the effect of electrical stimuli on CD8 T cells using a charged substrate composed of electroactive nanocomposites with tunable surface charge intensities. Electrical stimuli enhance the persistence and tumor-suppressive efficacy of transferred T cells, with effects dependent on substrate charge.

MMI combiner integrated 4 × 50 Gb/s array of directly modulated 1.3 µm DFB lasers with MQW-based passive reflectors.

We report an InP-based MMI combiner integrated array of 4 channel directly modulated 1.3 µm distributed feedback (DFB) lasers. Each laser channel in the array has an active DFB section and a passive distributed Bragg reflector (DBR) section.

Tofacitinib Treatment for Active Dermatomyositis and Anti-synthetase Syndrome: A Prospective Cohort Pilot Study.

Objectives: The objective of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of tofacitinib in the treatment of active dermatomyositis (DM) and anti-synthetase syndrome (ASS).

Methods: Tofacitinib was administered at a dose of 5 mg twice daily to patients who exhibited inadequate response to conventional treatments. The primary end point was the reduction of T follicular helper (Tfh) cells at week 24.

Molecular Dynamics Insights into Water Transport Mechanisms in Polyamide Membranes: Influence of Cross-Linking Degree.

Polyamide (PA) membranes are widely utilized in desalination and water treatment applications, yet the mechanisms underlying water transport within these amorphous polymer materials remain insufficiently understood. To gain more insight into these problems on a microscopic scale, we employ molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to analyze the relationship between the structural properties and the water permeation behavior of PA membranes. Two distinct atomistic models of PA membranes are developed by controlling their degrees of cross-linking (DC).

Challenges in determining the global burden of non-malignant central nervous system tumors: an analysis of international incidence and mortality data sources.

Background: Non-malignant tumors of the CNS contribute substantially to the morbidity and mortality from CNS tumors. It is critical to understand the epidemiology of non-malignant CNS tumors separately from CNS malignancies to inform resource allocation and policy since treatment and prognosis can differ. High quality international data on non-malignant CNS tumor burden are needed to accomplish this goal.

sp. nov., a novel yeast species isolated from plant leaves in China.

Two novel yeast strains, NYNU 236247 and NYNU 23523, were isolated from the leaves of Hance, collected in the Tianchi Mountain National Forest Park, Henan Province, central China. Phylogenetic analysis of the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene and the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region revealed the closest relatives of the strains are three described species: , and . The novel species differed from the type strains of these three species by 12 to 22 nucleotide substitutions and 1 gap (~2.

Identification, characterization, and expression of Oryza sativa tryptophan decarboxylase genes associated with fluroxypyr-meptyl metabolism.

Tryptophan decarboxylase (TDC) belongs to a family of aromatic amino acid decarboxylases and catalyzes the conversion of tryptophan to tryptamine. It is the enzyme involved in the first step of melatonin (MT) biosynthesis and mediates several key functions in abiotic stress tolerance. In Oryza sativa under pesticide-induced stress, TDC function is unclear.

Identification and characterization of a human MORC2 DNA binding region that is required for gene silencing.

The eukaryotic microrchidia (MORC) protein family are DNA gyrase, Hsp90, histidine kinase, MutL (GHKL)-type ATPases involved in gene expression regulation and chromatin compaction. The molecular mechanisms underlying these activities are incompletely understood. Here, we studied the full-length human MORC2 protein biochemically.

Surpass Streamline Flow Diverter for the Treatment of Craniocervical Unruptured Dissecting Aneurysms: A Multi-Institutional Retrospective Study.

Objective: Currently, there is no established treatment consensus for craniocervical unruptured dissecting aneurysms (UDAs). This study aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of the Surpass Streamline Flow Diverter (SSFD) for treating craniocervical UDAs.

Methods: A retrospective review of 3 centers' databases was conducted to identify patients with craniocervical UDAs treated with SSFDs from January 2021 to December 2023.

Dual-Functional Passivation Agent of Natural Dye Congo Red For Enhanced Carbon-Based Perovskite Solar Cells.

Carbon-based perovskite solar cells (C-PSCs) have acquired broad interest due to their superior stability and lower cost compared with metal-based perovskite solar cells (M-PSCs). However, the presence of perovskite defects greatly limits the power conversion efficiency (PCE) and long-term stability of C-PSCs. Herein, a natural dye Congo red molecule containing dual-functional groups of amino and sulfonic acids is first used as a surface passivation agent to treat the surface of perovskite films.

Management of Pediatric Voice Disorders: Perceived Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice Patterns Among Otolaryngologists in Southwest China.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice patterns of otolaryngologists in Southwest China in managing pediatric dysphonia.

Study Design: Cross-sectional survey.

Setting: An online survey was disseminated between August and September 2023 to hospital-based otolaryngologists in Southwest China.