Zscan4 mediates ubiquitination and degradation of the corepressor complex to promote chromatin accessibility in 2C-like cells.

Zygotic genome activation occurs in two-cell (2C) embryos, and a 2C-like state is also activated in sporadic (~1%) naïve embryonic stem cells in mice. Elevated chromatin accessibility is critical for the 2C-like state to occur, yet the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive. Zscan4 exhibits burst expression in 2C embryos and 2C-like cells.

Inflammatory proteins and hidradenitis suppurativa: Insights from genetic correlation and Mendelian randomization.

Previous research has highlighted a significant association between inflammatory proteins and the development and progression of hidradenitis suppurativa (HS). Nevertheless, the potential causative link between these factors remains to be definitively established. To investigate the genetic correlation between inflammatory proteins and HS, linkage disequilibrium score regression (LDSC) was employed.

New thermoplastic poly(ester-ether) elastomers with enhanced mechanical properties derived from long-chain dicarboxylic acid for medical device applications.

Recent advances in medical plastics highlight the need for sustainable materials with desirable elastic properties. Traditional polyester elastomers have been used as alternatives to polyvinyl chloride (PVC) due to their biocompatibility and adjustable mechanical properties. However, these materials often lack the necessary stability and toughness for reliable medical applications.

Comprehensive analysis of skin growth-related hub genes and microenvironment characterization in a mouse expanded skin model.

Background: Mechanical stretch-mediated tissue expansion is effective for obtaining extra skin and soft tissue required for the repair of defects or reconstruction of surface organs. Understanding the cellular and molecular mechanisms and identifying hub genes and key cell types associated with skin expansion could help predict the success of skin growth during expansion procedures.

Methods: We analyzed murine chip sequencing data and single-cell sequencing data available from the Gene Expression Omnibus database.

Microbially-driven phosphorus cycling and its coupling mechanisms with nitrogen cycling in mangrove sediments.

The phosphorus (P) cycle plays a crucial role in the biogeochemical cycling of mangrove sediments. However, the diversity of microbially-driven P-cycling and its coupling with nitrogen (N)-cycling remain poorly understood. In this study, we used metagenomic approaches to investigate microbial P-cycling and its potential interactions with N-cycling in mangrove sediments.

Causal relationship between immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, metabolites, and erectile dysfunction: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Previous studies have investigated the association between immune inflammation, metabolism and erectile dysfunction (ED). However, these studies are limited by biases, confounding factors, and reverse causality, failing to establish causality. We conducted a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study to elucidate the causal relationships between immune cells, inflammatory cytokines, plasma metabolites, and the risk of ED.

Immunogenic cell death-related signature predicts prognosis and immunotherapy efficacy in bladder cancer.

Background: Immunogenic cell death (ICD) has been verified as a modality of regulated cell death (RCD). Bladder cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor and ranks tenth in the incidence of global tumor epidemiology. We conducted this study to understand the relationship between ICD and BC and benefit clinical practice.

Unraveling the dual roles of dissolved organic matter on the photodegradation of aquatic contaminants: Molecular weight- and type-dependent heterogeneities.

Dissolved organic matter (DOM) in natural waters can regulate the behaviors and fates of aquatic contaminants, while the specific effects on contaminant attenuation are highly dependent on its inherent properties [e.g., molecular weights (MW) and types].

The accumulation process of pollutants in deposited particles of different sizes on different roads in Beijing, China.

Road-Deposited Sediments (RDS) samples were collected from four different roads in Beijing, and the distribution of pollutants in RDS with various particle sizes was compared. In this study, the cumulative mass of RDS exhibited a positive correlation with the number of dry days, and the RDS load below 75 μm was also influenced by road traffic volume. As traffic volume escalated, there was a corresponding increase in the load of these smaller RDS.

Global, regional, and national burdens of Alzheimer's disease and other forms of dementia in the elderly population from 1999 to 2019: A trend analysis based on the Global Burden of Disease Study 2019.

Dementia represents a significant health issue, afflicting both patients and their families. To assess the global trends in the incidence, prevalence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and other dementias in the elderly population, the Global Burden of Disease Study (1999-2019) was used. The average annual percentage change (AAPC) was estimated using linear regression.

Research on Environmental Risk Monitoring and Advance Warning Technologies of Power Transmission and Distribution Projects Construction Phase.

The threat power transmission and distribution projects pose to the ecological environment has been widely discussed by researchers. The scarcity of early environmental monitoring and supervision technologies, particularly the lack of effective real-time monitoring mechanisms and feedback systems, has hindered the timely quantitative identification of potential early-stage environmental risks. This study aims to comprehensively review the literature and analyze the research context and shortcomings of the advance warning technologies of power transmission and distribution projects construction period using the integrated space-sky-ground system approach.

Influence of Ag-18Cu-10Zn Filler Material on Microstructure and Properties of Laser-Welded Al/Cu Dissimilar Butt Joints.

Dissimilar welding between aluminum and copper poses significant challenges, primarily due to differences in their thermal and mechanical properties, resulting in brittle intermetallic compounds, limited joint strength, and high electrical resistivity. This study aims to overcome these issues by employing Ag-18Cu-10Zn filler material and optimizing laser power with a focus on improving joint strength and electrical conductivity. The results indicate that the incorporation of silver and zinc enhances the phase composition and microstructure of the weld.

Removal and ecological impact of sulfamethoxazole and N-acetyl sulfamethoxazole in mesocosmic wetlands dominated by submerged plants: Plant tolerance, microbial response, and nitrogen transformation.

Sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and its human metabolite N-acetylsulfamethoxazole (N-SMX) are frequently detected in aquatic environments, posing potential threats to freshwater ecosystem health. Constructed wetlands are pivotal for wastewater treatment, with plant species serving as key determinants of pollutant removal efficiency. In this study, wetlands dominated by three submerged plants (Myriophyllum verticillatum, Vallisneria spiralis, Hydrilla verticillata) were respectively constructed to investigate the removal of SMX and N-SMX, and the impact on wetland ecology regarding plant tolerance, microbial response, and nitrogen transformation.

Phase Engineering of Zirconia Support Promotes the Catalytic Dehydrogenation of Formic Acid by Pd Active Sites.

The development of Pd-based catalysts with outstanding activity and stability can further promote the hydrogen storage application of formic acid (FA). Regulating the support structure is an effective strategy for enhancing active sites in heterogeneous catalytic systems. This study prepared three types of nanosized ZrO through phase engineering to support Pd metal and investigated the implications of support structure on the microenvironment of active sites, thus revealing the structure-activity relationship of the catalysts.

Self-improving generative foundation model for synthetic medical image generation and clinical applications.

In many clinical and research settings, the scarcity of high-quality medical imaging datasets has hampered the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) clinical applications. This issue is particularly pronounced in less common conditions, underrepresented populations and emerging imaging modalities, where the availability of diverse and comprehensive datasets is often inadequate. To address this challenge, we introduce a unified medical image-text generative model called MINIM that is capable of synthesizing medical images of various organs across various imaging modalities based on textual instructions.

Association Between Sleep Quality and Cirrhotic Cardiomyopathy: A Prospective Case-Control Study.

Objective: The main purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in sleep quality among patients with cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CCM).

Methods: The study included liver cirrhosis patients aged 18-75 from Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University and collected their clinical examination results to assess the clinical characteristics and related risk factors of patients with CCM.

Results: The study found that the onset of CCM was not related to the etiology of inducing cirrhosis.

Trends and Advances in Antimicrobial Surface Modification for Orthopedic Implants (2014-2024).

The failure of orthopedic implants can significantly impact patients physiologically, psychologically, and economically. A bibliometric study of the field of surface modification for antimicrobial purposes in orthopedic implants provides insights into its developmental trajectory and offers valuable predictions for future advancements, thus playing a pivotal role in guiding research in this domain. Relevant publications on surface modification for antimicrobial purposes in orthopedic implants published between 2014 and 2024 were selected from the Web of Science (Core Collection) dataset and analyzed using VOSviewer and Citespace.

Discrete element model construction and dehulling simulation verification based on harvested quinoa grains.

The dry dehulling process of quinoa grains faces challenges such as poor visibility and unclear dynamic response characteristics, leading to irrational settings of the shelling process and high losses of the final processed product. Simulation methods provide an effective solution to this issue, with the accuracy of the simulation model being crucial. In this study, using the Experts in Discrete Element Modeling (EDEM) simulation software, based on the biological characteristics and mechanical properties of the grains, a method was proposed to construct a discrete-element simulation model for the double-layer bonding of the quinoa grain using the three-axis spatial coordinates method.

From fat crystals to creamy texture: Unraveling the role of fatty acid composition in ice cream stability and quality.

To fundamentally elucidate the impact of fat composition on ice cream properties, this study employed controlled variable methods, utilizing anhydrous milk fat (AMF), palm oil (PO), and coconut oil (CO) as fat sources. Thermodynamic analysis showed that increasing saturated and long-chain fatty acids doubles the crystallization rate (Kz), significantly enhancing crystalline solid fat content (CSFC) at -5 °C. This improvement increases the ice cream's resistance to melting and structural collapse.

Unveiling the podocyte-protective effect of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 inhibitors.

The renoprotective effects of sodium-glucose cotransporter-2 (SGLT2) inhibitors in both diabetic and nondiabetic nephropathy are widely recognized due to results from randomized controlled trials notably the DAPA-CKD and EMPA-KIDNEY trials. Research exploring the mechanisms of renoprotection indicates that SGLT2 inhibitors exert protective effects on podocytes by enhancing autophagy and stabilizing the structure of podocytes and basement membranes. Furthermore, reductions in lipotoxicity, oxidative stress, and inflammation have been confirmed with SGLT2 inhibitor treatment.