Microplastics in soils: A comprehensive review.

Microplastics (MPs) have become pervasive pollutants in terrestrial ecosystems, raising significant ecological risks and human health concerns. Despite growing attention, a comprehensive understanding of their quantification, sources, emissions, transport, degradation, and accumulation in soils remains incomplete. This review synthesizes the current knowledge on the anthropogenic activities contributing to soil MP contamination, both intentional and unintentional behaviors, spanning sectors including agriculture, domestic activities, transportation, construction, and industry.

Development of a sandwich-type electrochemical DNA sensor based on CeO/AuPt nanoprobes for highly sensitive detection of hepatitis B virus DNA.

To provide accurate diagnostic evidence for early hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection-related diseases, this study targeted HBV DNA as an analyte, where a sandwich-type electrochemical DNA sensor based on gold nanoparticles/reduced graphene oxide (Au NPs/ERGO) and cerium oxide/gold-platinum nanoparticles (CeO/AuPt NPs) was constructed. Au NPs/ERGO composite nanomaterials were first synthesized on the surface of a glass carbon electrode using electrochemical co-reduction, which significantly improved the specific surface area and electrical conductivity of the electrode. Further specific hybridization of target HBV-DNA was performed by combining capture probe DNA (S1-DNA) bound to AuNPs/ERGO with CeO/AuPt modified signal probe DNA (S2-DNA).

MicroSphere 3D Structures Delay Tissue Senescence through Mechanotransduction.

The extracellular matrix (ECM) stores signaling molecules and facilitates mechanical and biochemical signaling in cells. However, the influence of biomimetic "rejuvenation" ECM structures on aging- and degeneration-related cellular activities and tissue repair is not well understood. We combined physical extrusion and precise "on-off" alternating cross-linking methods to create anisotropic biomaterial microgels (MicroRod and MicroSphere) and explored how they regulate the cell activities of the nucleus pulposus (NP) and their potential antidegenerative effects on intervertebral discs.

Mechanism of female CHH caused by compound heterozygous mutations in the LHB gene.

Background: Luteinizing hormone (LH) plays a crucial role in the postnatal development and maturation of gonads. Inactivating mutations of the luteinizing hormone beta subunit (LHB)gene are extremely rare and can result in congenital hypogonadotropic hypogonadism (CHH).

Methods: We conducted DNA sequencing on an 18-year-old female patient with undetectable LH and clinical symptoms of CHH.

Deciphering the δ-Lactam Formation and lron-Reducing Activity of Spinactins from .

The cyclic structure of non-ribosomal peptides (NRPs) is critical for enhancing their stability and bioactivity, which highlights the importance of exploring NRP cyclization enzymes for natural product discovery. Thioesterases (TEs) are crucial enzymes that catalyze the formation of various lactams, including macrolactams, β-lactams, and γ-lactams; however, their potential to produce other lactam types remains largely unexplored. In this study, we identified spinactin A () and novel derivatives, spinactin B-E (-), from NRRL 18395 and characterized the biosynthetic enzymes involved, particularly a unique TE SncF, responsible for δ-lactam formation.