High-Entropy Oxychalcogenide for Hydrogen Spillover Enhanced Hydrogen Evolution Reaction in Proton and Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolyzers.

The hydrogen spillover phenomenon provides an expeditious reaction pathway via hydrogen transfer from a strong H adsorption site to a weak H adsorption site, enabling a cost-efficient hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) analogous to platinum with moderate H adsorption energy. Here, a high-entropy oxychalcogenide (HEOC) comprising Co, Ni, Mo, W, O, Se, and Te is prepared by a two-step electrochemical deposition for hydrogen spillover-enhanced HER in acidic and alkaline water electrolysis. The anodic-cathodic reversal current enables the co-deposition of cations and aliovalent anions, facilitating a glass structure with multiple active sites for hydrogen spillover.

Niclosamide attenuates calcification in human heart valvular interstitial cells through inhibition of the AMPK/mTOR signaling pathway.

Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a considerable health burden with a lack of effective therapeutic options. There is an urgent need to develop interventions that inhibit the osteogenic transformation of valvular interstitial cells (VICs) and delay the calcification process. Niclosamide, an FDA-approved anti-helminthic drug, has emerged as a promising candidate that demonstrates a negative regulatory effect on porcine VICs calcification.

The storage mite Tyrophagus putrescentiae induces greater lung inflammation than house dust mites in mice.

Exposure to storage mite (SM) and house dust mite (HDM) allergens is a risk factor for sensitization and asthma development; however, the related immune responses and their pathology have not been fully investigated. The HDMs Dermatophagoides farinae and Dermatophagoides pteronyssinus and SM Tyrophagus putrescentiae are potent allergens that induce asthma. Most SM-related studies have focused on the allergic reactions of individuals by measuring their immunoglobulin (Ig)E expression.

Niclosamide Inhibits Aortic Valve Interstitial Cell Calcification by Interfering with the GSK-3β/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway.

The most common heart valve disorder is calcific aortic valve stenosis (CAVS), which is characterized by a narrowing of the aortic valve. Treatment with the drug molecule, in addition to surgical and transcatheter valve replacement, is the primary focus of researchers in this field. The purpose of this study is to determine whether niclosamide can reduce calcification in aortic valve interstitial cells (VICs).

A Rabbit Aortic Valve Stenosis Model Induced by Direct Balloon Injury.

Animal models are emerging as an important tool to understand the pathologic mechanisms underlying aortic valve stenosis (AVS) because of the lack of access to reliable sources of diseased human aortic valves. Among the various animal models, AVS rabbit models are one of the most commonly used in large animal studies. However, traditional AVS rabbit models require a long-term period of dietary supplementation and genetic manipulation to induce significant stenosis in the aortic valve, limiting their use in experimental studies.

Spatiotemporal dynamics of macrophage heterogeneity and a potential function of Trem2 macrophages in infarcted hearts.

Heart failure (HF) is a frequent consequence of myocardial infarction (MI). Identification of the precise, time-dependent composition of inflammatory cells may provide clues for the establishment of new biomarkers and therapeutic approaches targeting post-MI HF. Here, we investigate the spatiotemporal dynamics of MI-associated immune cells in a mouse model of MI using spatial transcriptomics and single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq).

AIMP3 induces laminopathy and senescence of vascular smooth muscle cells by reducing lamin A expression and leads to vascular aging in vivo.

Aminoacyl-tRNA synthetase-interacting multifunctional protein 3 (AIMP3), a tumor suppressor, mediates a progeroid phenotype in mice by downregulating lamin A. We investigated whether AIMP3 induces laminopathy and senescence of human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMCs) and is associated with vascular aging in mice and humans in line with decreased lamin A expression. Cellular senescence was evaluated after transfecting HASMCs with AIMP3.

Nanoparticle-Mediated Blocking of Excessive Inflammation for Prevention of Heart Failure Following Myocardial Infarction.

Severe cardiac damage following myocardial infarction (MI) causes excessive inflammation, which sustains tissue damage and often induces adverse cardiac remodeling toward cardiac function impairment and heart failure. Timely resolution of post-MI inflammation may prevent cardiac remodeling and development of heart failure. Cell therapy approaches for MI are time-consuming and costly, and have shown marginal efficacy in clinical trials.

Activation of Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor by ITE Improves Cardiac Function in Mice After Myocardial Infarction.

Background The immune and inflammatory responses play a considerable role in left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Binding of AhR (aryl hydrocarbon receptor) to its ligands modulates immune and inflammatory responses; however, the effects of AhR in the context of MI are unknown. Therefore, we evaluated the potential association between AhR and MI by treating mice with a nontoxic endogenous AhR ligand, ITE (2-[1'H-indole-3'-carbonyl]-thiazole-4-carboxylic acid methyl ester).

Association between Sociodemographic Factors and Diarrhea in Children Under 5 Years in Rwanda.

Diarrheal disease is the second leading cause of mortality and morbidity in children under 5 years old worldwide, and is the most common cause of malnutrition in sub-Saharan Africa. In Rwanda, diarrhea is the third leading cause of death in children under 5 years old. This study examined the association between sociodemographic factors and diarrhea in children under 5 years using the data of 7,474 households in the 2014-2015 Rwanda Demographic and Health Survey.

Divergent Strategies for the π-Extension of Heteroaryl Halides Using Norbornadiene as an Acetylene Synthon.

Pd-catalyzed multicomponent coupling reactions of five-membered heteroaryl halides and norbornadiene (NBD) were developed. Either direct addition of (benzo)azoles or 2:1 annulation was achieved depending on the propensity of the intermediate complex to undergo palladacycle formation, determined by the nature and substitution pattern of the heteroarene. The obtained - and -diheteroaryl norbornenes underwent epimerization and retro-Diels-Alder reactions to afford the corresponding -isomers and π-extended heteroaromatic systems, respectively, demonstrating the versatility of NBD as an acetylene synthon.

A first nation-wide assessment of soil-transmitted helminthiasis in Fijian primary schools, and factors associated with the infection, using a lymphatic filariasis transmission assessment survey as surveillance platform.

Background: Soil-transmitted helminthiasis (STH) is endemic in Fiji but its prevalence is not known and likely to have changed after a decade of mass drug administration (MDA) for lymphatic filariasis (LF). By linking with LF transmission assessment surveys (LF-TAS), we undertook the first nation-wide assessment of STH in Fijian primary schools, as well as an analysis of factors associated with STH infections.

Methodology/principal Findings: A cross-sectional assessment for STH was conducted in all four Divisions of Fiji from 2014 to 2015.

Immune-triggering effect of the foodborne parasite Kudoa septempunctata through the C-type lectin Mincle in HT29 cells.

Kudoa septempunctata is a myxozoan parasite that causes food poisoning in individuals consuming olive flounder. The present study aimed to investigate the currently insufficiently elucidated early molecular mechanisms of inflammatory responses in the intestine owing to parasite ingestion. After Kudoa spores were isolated from olive flounder, HT29 cells were exposed to spores identified to be alive using SYTO-9 and propidium iodide staining or to antigens of Kudoa spores (KsAg).

MSC-Encapsulating in Situ Cross-Linkable Gelatin Hydrogels To Promote Myocardial Repair.

Current stem cell-based therapy for cardiac repair and regeneration after myocardial infarction (MI) is not readily translatable into clinical scenarios due to the low retention and survival of the transplanted cells. Here, we evaluated a simple and feasible design of gelatin-hydroxyphenyl propionic acid (GH) hydrogel as an in situ cross-linkable and injectable cell delivery platform for cardiac tissue regeneration. The GH hydrogel exhibited improved cell retention and survival in vitro and in vivo when encapsulating mouse bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) that were used as promising therapeutic candidates for stem cell therapy.

Near-zero temperature coefficient of resistance of hybrid resistor fabricated with carbon nanotube and metal alloy.

A hybrid resistor has been fabricated by parallely connecting carbon nanotube (CNT) fiber with negative temperature coefficient of resistance (TCR) and metal alloy with positive TCR to achieve near zero TCR. The CNT fibers were prepared by yarning CNTs grown on the silicone substrate by chemical vapor deposition (CVD) method. The CNT fiber resistors were fabricated by winding CNT fiber on the ceramic rod.

Connexin 43 plays an important role in the transformation of cholangiocytes with Clonochis sinensis excretory-secretory protein and N-nitrosodimethylamine.

Background: Clonorchis sinensis is a group I bio-carcinogen responsible for cholangiocarcinoma (CHCA) in humans. However, the mechanism by which C. sinensis promotes carcinogenesis is unclear.

An advanced protocol for the purification of whipworm eggs from feces for use as therapeutic agents.

Recent studies have attempted to treat autoimmune diseases using Trichuris suis. whipworm) eggs. Large quantities of eggs can be obtained efficiently by collecting from the feces of the porcine hosts rather than by extracting from the female worm uterus.

Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis infection changes the gut microbiome and increases probiotic Lactobacillus in mice.

Chinese liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis changes the host's immune system. Recently, it has been reported that helminths including C. sinensis can ameliorate immune-related diseases such as allergy.

Intestinal fluke Metagonimus yokogawai infection increases probiotic Lactobacillus in mouse cecum.

Helminth infection can alleviate immune-mediated disorders such as allergies and autoimmune diseases, by altering the gut microbiome. However, changes in gut microbiome due to intestinal trematodes remain unelucidated. Here, we evaluated the changes in the gut microbiome of ICR mice infected with Metagonimus yokogawai, a hypo-virulent intestinal trematode.

Natural melanin-loaded nanovesicles for near-infrared mediated tumor ablation by photothermal conversion.

Photothermal therapy requires a biocompatible material to absorb near-infrared (NIR) light and generate sufficient heat. Herein, we suggest natural melanin-loaded nanovesicles (melasicles) as photothermal therapeutic agents (PTA) for NIR mediated cancer therapy in vivo. The mean size of these melasicles was 140 ± 15 nm.

C-H Alkenylation of Pyrroles by Electronically Matching Ligand Control.

Directing group and substrate control strategies have frequently been employed for the regioselective C-H alkenylation of acid- and oxidant-sensitive pyrrole heterocycles. We developed an undirected, aerobic strategy for the C-H alkenylation of N-alkylpyrroles by ligand control. For C2-alkenylation of electron-rich N-alkylpyrroles, an electrophilic palladium catalyst derived from Pd(OAc) and 4,5-diazafluoren-9-one (DAF) was used.

Recombinant adenylate kinase 3 from liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis for histochemical analysis and serodiagnosis of clonorchiasis.

Due to the lack of an effective prophylactic intervention and diagnosis, human liver fluke Clonorchis sinensis continues to afflict a large human population, causing a chronic inflammatory bile duct disease. With an aim to identify target antigens for sensitive serodiagnosis, adenylate kinase 3 of C. sinensis (CsAK3) was successfully expressed in soluble form in Escherichia coli by fusion to an RNA-interacting domain derived from human Lys-tRNA synthetase and purified by Ni2+-affinity chromatography.

Poly(rC) binding protein 2 acts as a negative regulator of IRES-mediated translation of Hr mRNA.

During the hair follicle (HF) cycle, HR protein expression is not concordant with the presence of the Hr mRNA transcript, suggesting an elaborate regulation of Hr gene expression. Here we present evidence that the 5' untranslated region (UTR) of the Hr gene has internal ribosome entry site (IRES) activity and this activity is regulated by the binding of poly (rC) binding protein 2 (PCBP2) to Hr mRNA. Overexpression and knockdown of PCBP2 resulted in a decrease in Hr 5' UTR IRES activity and an increase in HR protein expression without changing mRNA levels.

Clonorchis sinensis antigens alter hepatic macrophage polarization in vitro and in vivo.

Clonorchis sinensis infection elicits hepatic inflammation, which can lead to cholangitis, periductal hepatic fibrosis, liver cirrhosis, and even cholangiocarcinoma. Hepatic macrophages are an intrinsic element of both innate and acquired immunity. This study was conducted to demonstrate the dynamics of hepatic macrophage polarization during C.

Infarcted Myocardium-Primed Dendritic Cells Improve Remodeling and Cardiac Function After Myocardial Infarction by Modulating the Regulatory T Cell and Macrophage Polarization.

Background: Inflammatory responses play a critical role in left ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). Tolerogenic dendritic cells (tDCs) can modulate immune responses, inducing regulatory T cells in a number of inflammatory diseases.

Methods: We generated tDCs by treating bone marrow-derived dendritic cells with tumor necrosis factor-α and cardiac lysate from MI mice.