Effects of gut microbiota and metabolites on the host defense peptide expression.

The widespread use of antibiotics has led to the emergence of multidrug-resistant bacteria, which pose significant threats to animal health and food safety. Host defense peptides (HDPs) have emerged as promising alternatives because of their unique antimicrobial properties and minimal resistance induction. However, the high costs associated with HDP production and incorporation into animal management practices hinder their widespread application.

Enhanced detection of Cystatin C for predicting adverse outcomes in gestational diabetes mellitus using a point-of-care immunosensor.

Cystatin C (Cys-C) is emerging as a critical biomarker for assess gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), a condition that significantly impacts maternal and fetal health. In this study, we developed a novel label-free electrochemical immunosensor designed for point-of-care applications, offering lower reagent consumption and rapid detection of Cys-C in pregnant women with GDM. Compared to traditional enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), the sensor demonstrates enhanced sensitivity, reduced reagent usage, and faster detection.

Tumor microenvironment-responsive multinucleated nanocomplexes loaded with carbon dots for combined photothermal/chemodynamic therapy of breast cancer.

Low cure rate and high death rate of cancers have seriously threatened human health. The combining multiple therapies is a promising strategy for cancer treatment. In this study, we construct a novel multinucleated nanocomplex loaded with carbon dots (CDs-SA@TAMn) that responds to tumor microenvironment for combined photothermal/chemodynamic cancer therapy.

Enhancing Cardiomyocyte Purity through Lactate-Based Metabolic Selection.

Background: Direct reprogramming of fibroblasts into chemically induced cardiomyocyte-like cells (CiCMs) through small molecules presents a promising cell source for cardiac regeneration and therapeutic development. However, the contaminating non-cardiomyocytes, primarily unconverted fibroblasts, reduce the effectiveness of CiCMs in various applications. This study investigated a metabolic selection approach using lactate to enrich CiCMs by exploiting the unique metabolic capability of cardiomyocytes to utilize lactate as an alternative energy source.

Correction: Diversity of lithophytic moss species in karst regions in response to elevation gradients.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.

UAV target tracking method based on global feature interaction and anchor-frame-free perceptual feature modulation.

Target tracking techniques in the UAV perspective utilize UAV cameras to capture video streams and identify and track specific targets in real-time. Deep learning UAV target tracking methods based on the Siamese family have achieved significant results but still face challenges regarding accuracy and speed compatibility. In this study, in order to refine the feature representation and reduce the computational effort to improve the efficiency of the tracker, we perform feature fusion in deep inter-correlation operations and introduce a global attention mechanism to enhance the model's field of view range and feature refinement capability to improve the tracking performance for small targets.

Ubiquitination-related Gene UBTD1 Mediates Poor Prognosis of Colorectal Cancer and Affects Colorectal Cancer Cell Proliferation and Ferroptosis.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer worldwide, and its occurrence and progression are often regulated by genetic and hereditary factors. Ubiquitination and the associated ubiquitin-binding enzymes and ligases regulate the tumor microenvironment and antitumor immunity to mediate tumor pathogenesis and progression. In this study, we examined the molecular characteristics and immunomodulatory effects of ubiquitination-associated genes that mediate CRC prognosis.

Modulating Ferroptosis: A Novel Approach to Promote Neural Repair in Brain Injury.

The increasing prevalence of brain injuries resulting in cognitive and motor function impairments poses a substantial global medical challenge. Nerve repair therapies offer promise for addressing brain injury-related disorders. Ferroptosis, as a cell death mechanism associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.

Sex-Specific Mechanisms of Fluoride-Induced Gonadal Injury: A Multi-Omics Investigation into Reproductive Toxicity and Gut Microbiota Disruption.

Fluoride, a common agricultural additive used to enhance plant resilience and pest control, poses toxicity risks when exposure surpasses safe thresholds, affecting ecosystems and human health. While its reproductive toxicity is recognized, the sex-specific and cross-generational effects remain underexplored. To address this gap, we employed an integrative approach combining transcriptomics (next-generation sequencing (NGS)), bioinformatic network analysis, gut microbiota sequencing, and functional assays.

Gold-Modified Covalent Organic Frameworks-Assisted Laser Desorption/Ionization Mass Spectrometry for Analysis of Metabolites Induced by Triclosan Exposure.

Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (MALDI) mass spectrometry (MS) holds great promise for the rapid and sensitive detection of biomolecules, but its precise detection of small molecule metabolites is hindered by severe background interference from the organic matrix in the low molecular weight range. To address this issue, nanomaterials have commonly been utilized as substrates in LDI-MS. Among them, covalent organic frameworks (COFs), known for their unique optical absorption and structural properties, have garnered significant attention.

Small Molecular Oligopeptides Adorned with Tryptophan Residues as Potent Antitumor Agents: Design, Synthesis, Bioactivity Assay, Computational Prediction, and Experimental Validation.

Tryptophan participates in important life activities and is involved in various metabolic processes. The indole and aromatic binuclear ring structure in tryptophan can engage in diverse interactions, including π-π, π-alkyl, hydrogen bonding, cation-π, and CH-π interactions with other side chains and protein targets. These interactions offer extensive opportunities for drug development.

KW2478 and Cisplatin Synergistically Anti-colorectal Cancer by Targeting PI3K/AKT/mTOR Pathway.

Objective: The objective of this study is to examine the impact of KW-2478 combined with DDP on colorectal cancer cells both in vitro and in vivo and to elucidate the molecular mechanism of KW-2478 in colorectal cancer.

Methods: qRT-PCR and Western blot were employed to assess HSP90 mRNA and protein expression in normal intestinal epithelial and colorectal cancer cells. DLD-1 and HCT116 were selected for the experiment.

The BEN domain protein LIN-14 coordinates neuromuscular positioning during epidermal maturation.

Development and function of an organism depend on coordinated inter-tissue interaction. How such interactions are maintained during tissue renewal and reorganization remains poorly understood. Here, we find that BEN domain transcription factor LIN-14 is required in epidermis for maintaining the position of motor neurons and muscles during developmental tissue reorganization.

Development and Validation of a Diagnostic Model for Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection Based on Proteomic Profiling.

Purpose: Stanford Type B Aortic Dissection (TBAD), a critical aortic disease, has exhibited stable mortality rates over the past decade. However, diagnostic approaches for TBAD during routine health check-ups are currently lacking. This study focused on developing a model to improve the diagnosis in a population.

Macrophage-mimicking nanotherapy for attenuation of acute pancreatitis.

Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a highly fatal pancreatic inflammation. In recent years, synthetic nanoparticles have been extensively developed as drug carriers to address the challenges of systemic adverse reactions and lack of specificity in drug delivery. However, systemically administered nanoparticle therapy is rapidly cleared from circulation by the mononuclear phagocyte system (MPS), leading to suboptimal drug concentrations in inflamed tissues and suboptimal pharmacokinetics.

A predictive model for advanced esophageal cancer involving the lower third of the esophagus.

Background: Esophageal cancer (EC) is one of the most common malignant tumors worldwide, which has severely threatened human health. This study aims to evaluate the prognostic factors and predictors of survival in patients diagnosed with advanced lower third esophageal carcinoma (aLEC). Based on the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database, we developed a model (nomogram) to provide accurate and individualized survival prediction for the patients who have lost the opportunity to undergo radical surgery.

Boundary-artifact-free quantitative phase imaging with Fourier ptychographic microscopy.

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) enables high-resolution, wide-field imaging of both amplitude and phase, presenting significant potential for applications in digital pathology and cell biology. However, artifacts commonly observed at the boundaries of reconstructed images can significantly degrade imaging quality and phase retrieval accuracy. These boundary artifacts are typically attributed to the use of the fast Fourier transform (FFT) on non-periodic images.

Self-Reconstruction of High Entropy Alloys for Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Evolution.

Alkaline water (HO) electrolysis is currently a commercialized green hydrogen (H) production technology, yet the unsatisfactory hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) performance severely limits its energy conversion efficiency and cost reduction. Herein, PtRuFeCoNi high entropy alloys (HEAs) is synthesized and subsequently exploited electrochemically induced structural oxidation processes to construct self-reconfigurable HEAs, as an efficient alkaline HER catalyst. The optimized self-reconstructed PtRuFeCoNi HEAs with the HEAs and cobalt rutheniate interface (HEAs-CoRuO) exhibits excellent alkaline HER performance, requiring just 11.

A self-hygroscopic, rapidly self-gelling polysaccharide-based sponge with robust wet adhesion for non-compressible hemorrhage control and infected wounds healing.

Uncontrollable non-compressible hemorrhage and traumatic infection have been major causes of mortality and disability in both civilian and military populations. A dressing designed for point-of-care control of non-compressible hemorrhage and prevention of traumatic infections represents an urgent medical need. Here, a novel self-gelling sponge OHN@ε-pL is developed, integrating N-succinimidyl ester oxidized hyaluronic acid (OHN) and ε-poly-L-lysine (ε-pL).

Rituximab as a first-line therapy in children with new-onset idiopathic nephrotic syndrome.

Background: Idiopathic nephrotic syndrome (INS) in children, commonly treated with steroids, poses challenges due to associated side effects. Rituximab, known for its efficacy in reducing relapse frequency in difficult-to-treat cases, emerges a potential first-line therapy for pediatric new-onset INS.

Method: This is a single-center, retrospective, observational study to evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab as a first-line therapy for pediatric INS.

Smart and Noninvasive SERS Immunosensors for Monitoring Dynamic Expression of Cytokines during Cell Pyroptosis.

Accompanying the occurrence of inflammatory reaction to release cytokines, pyroptosis can activate an immune response for resistance against cancer. Consequently, elevated levels of cytokines released by cancer cells are highly correlated with the effectiveness of cancer treatment. Herein, a noninvasive surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) immunosensor was developed to sensitively and specifically measure the tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), a proinflammatory cytokine, during the cell pyroptosis process.

Efficient Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Oxygen Evolution/Reduction Reactions in Two-Dimensional Metal-Organic Frameworks by a Constant Potential Method.

The evolution of bifunctional catalysts for the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts that are highly active, stable, and conductive is crucial for advancing metal-air batteries and fuel cells. We have here thoroughly explored the OER and ORR performance for a category of two-dimensional (2D) metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) called TM(HADQ), and Rh(HADQ) exhibits a promising bifunctional OER/ORR activity, with an overpotential of 0.31 V for both OER and ORR.

A new phase of China-ASEAN health cooperation: the China-ASEAN Beijing Declaration on Cooperation in Innovation of Health Products and Technologies.

Utilizing innovative methods to advance the research and development (R&D) of health products and enhance their accessibility has become crucial to achieving universal health coverage, addressing public health emergencies, and promoting population health and wellbeing. However, structural contradictions do exist in the supply and demand of health products in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). With the joint support of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, the Ministry of Education, and the China-ASEAN Center, Peking University established the China-ASEAN Science and Technology Cooperation Center for Public Health in April 2023.

Optimizing the NGS-based discrimination of multiple lung cancers from the perspective of evolution.

Next-generation sequencing (NGS) offers a promising approach for differentiating multiple primary lung cancers (MPLC) from intrapulmonary metastasis (IPM), though panel selection and clonal interpretation remain challenging. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) data from 80 lung cancer samples were utilized to simulate MPLC and IPM, with various sequenced panels constructed through gene subsampling. Two clonal interpretation approaches primarily applied in clinical practice, MoleA (based on shared mutation comparison) and MoleB (based on probability calculation), were subsequently evaluated.

Intra-arterial tenecteplase after successful endovascular recanalisation in patients with acute posterior circulation arterial occlusion (ATTENTION-IA): multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Objective: To assess whether intra-arterial tenecteplase administered after successful endovascular recanalisation improves outcomes in patients with acute arterial occlusion of the posterior circulation.

Design: Multicentre randomised controlled trial.

Setting: 31 hospitals in China, 24 January 2023 to 24 August 2023.