PRDM16 controls smooth muscle cell fate in atherosclerosis.

Vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) normally exist in a contractile state but can undergo fate switching to produce various cell phenotypes in response to pathologic stimuli. In atherosclerosis, these phenotypically modulated SMCs regulate plaque composition and influence the risk of major adverse cardiovascular events. We found that PRDM16, a transcription factor that is genetically associated with cardiovascular disease, is highly expressed in arterial SMCs and downregulated during SMC fate switching in human and mouse atherosclerosis.

Design, Synthesis, and Antifungal Activity of Melatonin Derivatives Containing a (Thio)Semicarbazide Group.

Melatonin is a natural hormone that has functions such as circadian rhythm regulation, neuroregulation and cardiac protection, as well as antifungal activity. In this study, two series of melatonin derivatives containing a semicarbazide or a thiosemicarbazide group were designed and synthesized. The antifungal screening results indicated that compound III-9 exhibited a broad antifungal spectrum against six phytopathogenic fungi at 50 µg/mL, with over 60% growth inhibition, and this is highlighted by its inhibition rates of 80.

The Mediating Effect of Concurrent Changes in Dietary Behaviors on the Associations Between Intervention and Changes in Adiposity Outcomes: Evidence from a Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial.

Behavioral interventions have been shown to be effective in improving dietary behavior and reducing childhood obesity. There is limited evidence on how concurrent changes in dietary behavior from intervention studies affect childhood obesity. The present study aimed to evaluate the mediating effect of concurrent changes in dietary behaviors between the intervention and changes in adiposity indicators.

Hyaluronic acid/silk fibroin nanoparticles loaded with methotrexate for topical treatment of psoriasis.

Systemic administration of methotrexate (MTX), widely regarded as one of the most effective treatments for psoriasis, poses significant challenges due to its high toxicity, limited solubility, and potential for adverse effects. Consequently, developing a topical form of MTX may offer a safer and more effective strategy for psoriasis management. Silk fibroin (SF), a protein-based biomacromolecule, has shown considerable promise as a nanocarrier for sustained and targeted drug delivery, owing to its exceptional physicochemical and biological properties.

Tumor Microenvironment Responsive Key Nanomicelles for Effective Against Invasion and Metastasis in Ovarian Cancer Using Mice Model.

Background: Ovarian cancer is difficult to detect in its early stages, and it has a high potential for invasion and metastasis, along with a high rate of recurrence. These factors contribute to the poor prognosis and reduced survival times for patients with this disease. The effectiveness of conventional chemoradiotherapy remains limited.

Electronic spectroscopy and excited state mixing of OThF.

Electronic spectra for OThF have been recorded using fluorescence excitation and two-photon resonantly enhanced ionization techniques. Multiple vibronic bands were observed in the 340-460 nm range. Dispersed fluorescence spectra provided ground state vibrational constants and evidence of extensive vibronic state mixing at higher excitation energies.

Deficiency of Epithelial PIEZO1 Alleviates Liver Steatosis Induced by High-Fat Diet in Mice.

PIEZO1 has been found to play a vital role in regulating intestinal epithelial cells (IEC) function and maintaining intestinal barrier in recent years. Therefore, IEC PIEZO1 might exert a significant impact on liver metabolism through the gut-liver axis, but there is no research on this topic currently. Classic high-fat diet (HFD) model and mice with IEC-specific deficiency of PIEZO1 ( ) were used to explore the problem.

Activation of HO by ThO Experimental and Computational Studies.

A synergetic study that utilized anion photoelectron spectroscopy and high-level ab initio calculations has explored the activation of HO molecules by ThO molecular anions. Both experiment and theory found conclusive evidence for said activation. In the experiments, this appeared as a tell-tale directional shift in the spectral profile of the anionic complex that ruled out physisorption, i.

The Mediating Role of Gut Microbiota on the Association Between Dietary Quality and Cancer-Related Fatigue Among Breast Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is highly prevalent in patients with breast cancer, resulting in undesirable outcomes and even reduced survival rates. This cross-sectional study investigated the relationship between dietary quality and CRF in patients with breast cancer, and the potential role of gut microbiota (GM) in this association.

Methods: Dietary intake and CRF were evaluated in 342 patients, with 64 fecal samples collected for 16sRNA sequencing and 106 plasma samples for tryptophan (TRP) metabolite determination.

Multipool-CEST and CEST-based pH assessment as predictive tools for glioma grading, IDH mutation, 1p/19q codeletion, and MGMT promoter methylation in gliomas.

Objectives: To comprehensively and noninvasively predict glioma grade, IDH mutation status, 1p/19q codeletion status, and MGMT promoter methylation status using chemical exchange saturation transfer (CEST)-based tumor pH assessment and metabolic profiling.

Methods: We analyzed 128 patients with pathologically confirmed adult diffuse glioma. CEST-derived metrics based on tumor regions were obtained using five-pool Lorentzian analysis and pH_weighted analysis.

Continuous decoupled redox electrochemical CO capture.

Electrochemical CO capture driven by renewable electricity holds significant potential for efficient decarbonization. However, the widespread adoption of this approach is currently limited by issues such as instability, discontinuity, high energy demand, and challenges in scaling up. In this study, we propose a scalable strategy that addresses these limitations by transforming the conventional single-step electrochemical redox reaction into a stepwise electrochemical-chemical redox process.

Elevated circulating homocysteine concentrations delayed nerve conduction velocity and increase the risk of diabetic kidney disease in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Introduction: China has the largest population of individuals with diabetes, and the prevalence of various complications among patients with type 2 diabetes remains high. Diabetic nephropathy affects approximately 20% to 40% of diabetic patients, becoming a major cause of chronic kidney disease and end-stage renal disease. Furthermore, around 50% of patients develop diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN), which is closely associated with physical disability, increased healthcare costs, and reduced work productivity.

Moderate-to-vigorous physical activity modulates the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D and bone stiffness in European children and adolescents.

It remains unclear how serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations relate to childhood bone health. We hypothesized that 25(OH)D was inversely associated with bone turnover biomarkers and positively associated with bone stiffness. Cross-sectional analyses were performed using data from participants (2-15-year-old, 51% boys) from the Identification and Prevention of Dietary- and Lifestyle-induced Health Effects in Children and Infants Study (IDEFICS)/I.

The Mediating Role of Oxidative Stress on the Association Between Oxidative Balance Score and Cancer-Related Cognitive Impairment in Lung Cancer Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Objectives: To explore the association between the oxidative balance score (OBS) and cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in patients with lung cancer, as well as the oxidative stress biomarkers involved.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 315 lung cancer patients were recruited, from whom 142 blood samples were collected to determine oxidative stress biomarkers. Dietary intake was assessed using 3-day, 24 h dietary recalls.

Multiparametric Chemical Exchange Saturation Transfer MRI Detects Metabolic Changes in Mild Cognitive Impairment Cases at 3.0 Tesla.

This study aimed to assess the potential of multiparametric chemical exchange saturation transfer magnetic resonance imaging (CEST MRI) for MCI detection. Twenty-eight patients with MCI and 31 age- and gender-matched normal controls (NCs) were enrolled. CEST MRI was performed with a gradient and spin-echo sequence on a 3T scanner.

Effects of Cacna1d D307G Mutation on Blood Pressure and Kidney Function in Rats with Salt Loading.

Introduction: Our recent findings revealed that CACNA1D D307G mutation participates in the early-onset hypertension.

Methods: We used the CRISPR/Cas9 technique to generate the Cacna1d D307G mutation rat model and investigated the effects of Cacna1d D307G mutation on blood pressure (BP) and renal function. Rats fed normal-salt diet had normal plasma aldosterone levels but higher plasma ET-1 and mildly elevated systolic BP (SBP) in D307G and G307G rats compared with the wild type (WT) until 24 weeks.

Depletion of regulatory T cells enhances the T cell response induced by the neoantigen vaccine with weak immunogenicity.

Background: The neoantigen vaccine has remarkable potential in treating advanced cancer due to its tumor specificity and ability to bypass central tolerance mechanisms. However, numerous neoantigens show poor immunogenicity, and the immune inhibitory factors of present in both tumors and tumor-draining lymph nodes impair the efficacy of cancer neoantigen vaccine. Eliminating immunosuppressive cells will improve the priming and expansion of anti-tumor immune cells induced by the vaccine.

High-performance silk/polylactic acid composite scaffold material with immunomodulation and osteogenesis function.

The choice of suitable materials and effective structural design are crucial in influencing the therapeutic outcomes of bone tissue engineering scaffolds. This study introduces a controllable biodegradable composite scaffold composed of flat silkworm cocoon (FSC) and polylactic acid (PLA) as an innovative strategy for promoting bone healing in complex injuries. We focused on optimizing the scaffold's structural design, mechanical properties, and underlying mechanisms of osteogenesis.

MgAc-Modified SnO Electron Transport Layer for Highly Efficient and Thermal Stable Perovskite Solar Cells.

There are always defects and oxygen vacancies in SnO prepared by solution methods, hindering efficient carrier transfer between SnO and the perovskite in perovskite solar cells. Thus, we employed MgAc to modify the interface. Carboxyl groups of MgAc filled the oxygen vacancies in SnO, reducing its surface defect density, and Mg partially replaced surface Sn, improving the properties of the SnO layer.

Cuproptosis-based layer-by-layer silk fibroin nanoplatform-loaded PD-L1 siRNA combining photothermal and chemodynamic therapy against metastatic breast cancer.

Cuproptosis is a newly identified form of copper-dependent cell death that differs from other known pathways. This discovery provides a new way to explore copper-based nanomaterial applications in cancer therapy. This study used a layer-by-layer self-assembling method to load CuS nanoparticle (NP) cores with the siRNA of the immune escape-related gene and wrap a silk fibroin (SF) shell to form a multifunctional copper-based SF nanoplatform, denoted as CuS-PEI-siRNA-SFNs.

Removal of Per- and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances (PFAS) in fixed bed anion exchange reactors: Factors determining PFAS uptake capacity and models predicting PFAS breakthrough.

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) are widespread contaminants with adverse environmental and public health effects. Anion exchange (IX) processes can effectively remove many PFAS from water. Objectives of this research were to (1) quantify the effects of PFAS structure and background water matrix constituents [dissolved organic matter (DOM) and major inorganic anions (bicarbonate, chloride, sulfate, and nitrate)] on PFAS uptake capacity of IX resins (K), and (2) develop models that predict PFAS breakthrough in packed bed IX columns from PFAS structure and background water matrix characteristics.

Redox-mediated decoupled seawater direct splitting for H production.

Seawater direct electrolysis (SDE) using renewable energy provides a sustainable pathway to harness abundant oceanic hydrogen resources. However, the side-reaction of the chlorine electro-oxidation reaction (ClOR) severely decreased direct electrolysis efficiency of seawater and gradually corrodes the anode. In this study, a redox-mediated strategy is introduced to suppress the ClOR, and a decoupled seawater direct electrolysis (DSDE) system incorporating a separate O evolution reactor is established.

Efficacy and safety of tegoprazan for duodenal ulcers in Chinese patients: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, non-inferiority, phase III study.

Objective: Tegoprazan represents a newly developed potassium-competitive acid blocker utilized for the treatment of acid-related disorders. The present study aimed to explore the therapeutic effectiveness of tegoprazan in Chinese individuals with duodenal ulcers (DU).

Methods: In the current multicenter, randomized, double-blind, double-dummy, parallel-group, non-inferiority, phase III clinical trial, individuals with DU underwent randomization 1:1 to be administered tegoprazan 50 mg or lansoprazole 30 mg once daily.

Flat silk cocoons: A candidate material for fabricating lightweight and impact-resistant composites.

The utilization of silk cocoons in the production of lightweight and tough composites has been gaining increasing attention. However, the limited applications of normal silk cocoons (NSC) are attributed to their small size and irregular shape. To overcome this deficiency, flat silk cocoons (FSC) with a similar structure and controllable size were prepared.