Mitochondria-Targeted Icaritin Nanoparticles Induce Immunogenic Cell Death in Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a highly malignant tumor that is resistant to chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Icaritin (ICT), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been reported as an immunoregulatory agent for treating advanced unresectable HCC. ICT induces mitophagy to cause immunogenic cell death (ICD); however, the poor bioavailability of ICT limits its therapeutic efficacy and clinical use.

Formation mechanism of lignin-derived carbon quantum dots: From chemical structures to fluorescent behaviors.

Biomass-derived carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have the advantage of being green and low-cost, but their complex structure makes the study of their formation mechanism encounter a bottleneck. Lignin-derived CQDs were prepared by a two-step process of "low-temperature liquid depolymerization" coupled with "hydrothermal reaction" in a mild organic acid system. In the first step of the low-temperature acidolysis process, the lignin polymer first undergoes deethering and depolymerization reactions.

Mechanical Characteristics of Multi-Level 3D-Printed Silicone Foams.

Three-dimensional-printed silicone rubber foams, with their designable and highly ordered pore structures, have shown exceptional potential for engineering applications, particularly in areas requiring energy absorption and cushioning. However, optimizing the mechanical properties of these foams through structural design remains a significant challenge. This study addresses this challenge by formulating the research question: How do different 3D-printed topologies and printing parameters affect the mechanical properties of silicone rubber foams, and how can we design a novel topological structure? To answer this, we explored the mechanical behavior of two common structures-simple cubic (SC) and face-centered tetragonal (FCT)-by varying printing parameters such as filament spacing, filament diameter, and layer height.

[Recent advances in metabolic engineering of microorganisms for production of tyrosol and its derivatives].

Tyrosol is a natural phenolic compound with antioxidant, anti-inflammatory and other biological activities, serving as an important precursor of high-value products such as hydroxytyrosol and salidroside. Therefore, the green and efficient biosynthesis of tyrosol and its derivatives has become a research hotspot in recent years. Building cell factories by metabolic engineering of microorganisms is a potential industrial production way, which has low costs and environmental friendliness.

In-situ construction of integrated asymmetric micro-supercapacitors achieving monolithic hundred-volt output.

Asymmetric micro-supercapacitors (MSCs) exhibit higher energy density while face significant challenges in power density as well as cycling life and large dimensions. The key factors contributing to these dilemmas include the match of electrode materials and electrolytes, poor uniformity of device, and complicated while low-precise fabrication processes. Herein we develop a laser scribing-engraving (LSE) strategy to fabricate MSCs with monolithic high-voltage output and scalable array integration.

Evaluation of enhanced external counterpulsation for diabetic foot based on a patient-specific 0D-1D cardiovascular system model.

Background And Objective: Diabetic foot (DF) complications often lead to severe vascular issues. This study investigated the effectiveness of enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) and its derived innovative compression strategies in addressing poor perfusion in DF. Although developing non-invasive and efficient treatment methods for DF is critical, the hemodynamic alterations during EECP remain underexplored despite promising outcomes in microcirculation.

The alarmin IL-33 exacerbates pulmonary inflammation and immune dysfunction in SARS-CoV-2 infection.

Dysregulated host immune responses contribute to disease severity and worsened prognosis in COVID-19 infection and the underlying mechanisms are not fully understood. In this study, we observed that IL-33, a damage-associated molecular pattern molecule, is significantly increased in COVID-19 patients and in SARS-CoV-2-infected mice. Using IL-33 mice, we demonstrated that IL-33 deficiency resulted in significant decreases in bodyweight loss, tissue viral burdens, and lung pathology.

Tirzepatide modulates the regulation of adipocyte nutrient metabolism through long-acting activation of the GIP receptor.

Tirzepatide, a glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide/glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor (GIPR/GLP-1R) agonist, has, in clinical trials, demonstrated greater reductions in glucose, body weight, and triglyceride levels compared with selective GLP-1R agonists in people with type 2 diabetes (T2D). However, cellular mechanisms by which GIPR agonism may contribute to these improved efficacy outcomes have not been fully defined. Using human adipocyte and mouse models, we investigated how long-acting GIPR agonists regulate fasted and fed adipocyte functions.

Innate and Adaptive Immune Parameters following mRNA Vaccination in Mice.

The COVID-19 pandemic has raised the standard regarding the current vaccine development pace, as several messenger RNA (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines have proved their ability to induce strong immunogenicity and protective efficacy. We developed 1-methylpseudouridine-containing mRNA-LNP vaccines, expressing either the more conserved SARS-CoV-2 nucleoprotein (mRNA-N) or spike protein (mRNA-S), both based on the prototypic viral sequences. When combining both mRNA-S and mRNA-N together (mRNA-S+N), the vaccine showed high immunogenicity and broad protection against different SARS-CoV-2 variants, including wildtype, Delta, BA.

Nonlinear Conductivity and Thermal Stability of Anti-Corona Epoxy Resin Nanocomposites.

The long-term operation of motors induces substantial alterations in the surface conductivity and nonlinear coefficient of anti-corona paint, diminishing its efficacy and jeopardizing the longevity of large motors. Hence, the development of high-performance anti-corona paint holds paramount importance in ensuring motor safety. In this study, we integrate two nano-fillers, namely silicon carbide (SiC) and organic montmorillonite (O-MMT), into a composite matrix comprising micron silicon carbide and epoxy resin (SiC/EP).

In vitro mRNA-S maternal vaccination induced altered immune regulation at the maternal-fetal interface.

Background: Maternal-fetal immunology is intricate, and the effects of mRNA-S maternal vaccination on immune regulation at the maternal-fetal interface require further investigation. Our study endeavors to elucidate these immunological changes, enhancing our comprehension of maternal and fetal health outcomes. By analyzing immune profiles and cytokine responses, we aim to provide valuable insights into the impact of mRNA-S vaccination on the delicate balance of immune regulation during pregnancy, addressing critical questions in the field of reproductive pharmacology.

A novel web-based dynamic prognostic nomogram for gastric signet ring cell carcinoma: a multicenter population-based study.

Background: Gastric signet ring cell carcinoma (GSRCC) is a rare and highly malignant disease with a poor prognosis. To assess the overall survival (OS) and cancer-specific survival (CSS) of patients with GSRCC, prognostic nomograms were developed and validated using common clinical factors.

Methods: This retrospective cohort study included patients diagnosed with GSRCC between 2011 and 2018 from the National Cancer Center (n = 1453) and SEER databases (n = 2745).

Elasticity-controlled jamming criticality in soft composite solids.

Soft composite solids are made of inclusions dispersed within soft matrices. They are ubiquitous in nature and form the basis of many biological tissues. In the field of materials science, synthetic soft composites are promising candidates for building various engineering devices due to their highly programmable features.

SynergyX: a multi-modality mutual attention network for interpretable drug synergy prediction.

Discovering effective anti-tumor drug combinations is crucial for advancing cancer therapy. Taking full account of intricate biological interactions is highly important in accurately predicting drug synergy. However, the extremely limited prior knowledge poses great challenges in developing current computational methods.

Large-Scale Production and Integrated Application of Micro-Supercapacitors.

Micro-supercapacitors, emerging as promising micro-energy storage devices, have attracted significant attention due to their unique features. This comprehensive review focuses on two key aspects: the scalable fabrication of MSCs and their diverse applications. The review begins by elucidating the energy storage mechanisms and guiding principles for designing high-performance devices.

Argatroban in Patients With Acute Ischemic Stroke With Early Neurological Deterioration: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: The effect of argatroban in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS) and early neurological deterioration (END) is unknown.

Objective: To assess the efficacy of argatroban for END in AIS.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This open-label, blinded-end point, randomized clinical trial was conducted from April 4, 2020, through July 31, 2022.

Monovalent SARS-COV-2 mRNA vaccine using optimal UTRs and LNPs is highly immunogenic and broadly protective against Omicron variants.

The emergence of highly transmissible severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) variants of concern (VOCs) that are resistant to the current COVID-19 vaccines highlights the need for continued development of broadly protective vaccines for the future. Here, we developed two messenger RNA (mRNA)-lipid nanoparticle (LNP) vaccines, TU88mCSA and ALCmCSA, using the ancestral SARS-CoV-2 spike sequence, optimized 5' and 3' untranslated regions (UTRs), and LNP combinations. Our data showed that these nanocomplexes effectively activate CD4 and CD8 T cell responses and humoral immune response and provide complete protection against WA1/2020, Omicron BA.

Lonidamine liposomes to enhance photodynamic and photothermal therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma by inhibiting glycolysis.

Phototherapy, including photodynamic therapy (PDT) and photothermal therapy (PTT), has great promise in the treatment of cancer. However, there are many obstacles that can restrict the therapeutic efficacy of phototherapy. The hypoxic tumor microenvironment can restrict the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in PDT.