Targeting FABP4 to Inhibit AGEs-RAGE/NF-κB Signalling Effectively Ameliorates Nucleus Pulposus Dysfunction and Angiogenesis in Obesity-Related Intervertebral Disc Degeneration.

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is a primary contributor to low back pain, posing significant social and economic burdens. Increasing evidence shows that obesity contributes to IVDD, yet the underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here, we firstly revealed a causal correlation between obesity and IVDD via a two-sample mendelian randomization analysis and identified fatty acid-binding protein 4 (FABP4) as the potential regulator to associate IVDD and obesity.

Hybrid membranes-mediated biomimetic-nanoparticle carrying miR-665 for effective tumor treatment by remodeling tumor microenvironment.

Background: Osteosarcomas (OS) are malignant bone tumors prevalent in adolescents, characterized by aggressiveness and early metastasis. Current treatments including surgery and chemotherapy face challenges due to drug limitations and the complex tumor microenvironment (TME).

Methods: Tumour membranes (TM) derived from OS cells and macrophage membranes (MM) derived from macrophages were mixed to create hybrid membranes (HM), which were subsequently used to encapsulate microRNA-665(miR-665)-loaded Poly lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) nanoparticles, forming HM@PLGA/miR-665 complexes.

CircRUNX1 enhances the Warburg effect and immune evasion in non-small cell lung cancer through the miR-145/HK2 pathway.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is acknowledged as the primary subtype of lung cancer. The Warburg effect, marked by elevated glucose consumption and lactate fermentation, is a prevalent characteristic of NSCLC. The mechanisms by which circRNA mediates the regulation of the Warburg effect and immune evasion in NSCLC remain unclear.

Sesquiterpenoids isolated from the root bark of Lycium chinense.

This study reports the isolation of 11 previously undescribed sesquiterpenoids from the root bark of Lycium chinense Mill, including a 1,10-secoeudesmane-type sesquiterpene (1), a 9,10-secoeudesmane-type sesquiterpene (2) and nine rearranged eudesmane sesquiterpenes (3-11). Structures elucidation of these compounds was established using 1D/2D NMR, electronic circular dichroism calculations along with DP4 probability analysis, and X-ray diffraction analysis of single crystals. Lyciiterpenoid E (1), a eudesmane sesquiterpenoid, is characterised by a bond cleavage between C-1 and C-10 while, lyciiterpenoid F (2) exhibits a bond cleavage between C-9 and C-10.

Effects of different degrees of anthracosis on pleural structure: a preliminary exploratory study.

Background: Pleural anthracosis (PA) appears as superficial black discoloration or scattered focal black spots on the surface of the pleura. Few studies have investigated the relationship between PA and changes in pleural structure. The aim of this study is to perform a detailed morphometric characterization of pleura in patients with different degrees of PA at both macroscopic and microscopic levels.

Long-term effects of catheter ablation with vein of Marshall ethanol infusion vs. pulmonary vein isolation alone on persistent atrial fibrillation.

Objective: To evaluate the safety, efficacy, and long-term effects of catheter ablation with vein of Marshall ethanol infusion for bidirectional mitral isthmus block in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

Methods: Two hundred and forty patients from five centers with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF) who underwent radiofrequency ablation from October 2018 to December 2023 were retrospectively analyzed, including 120 patients who underwent traditional pulmonary vein isolation (PVI Only group) and 120 patients who underwent PVI and Marshall vein ablation (Marshall Plus group). The operation time, X-ray exposure, incidence of AF/atrial tachycardia (AT) and complications were compared between the two groups.

Identification of Two Immunoglobulin Light Chain Types and Expression of Immunoglobulin Diversity in Chinese Giant Salamander (Andrias davidianus).

Lacking research on immunoglobulins in the Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus) has left their populations vulnerable to pathogen infections, contributing to a sharp decline in their numbers. In this study, we employed the rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) technique along with paired-end 300 bp read length (PE300) sequencing. This approach was used to construct a DNA library, which enabled us to investigate the diversity of immunoglobulin gene expression.

Optimizing fractionation schedules for de-escalation radiotherapy in head and neck cancers using deep reinforcement learning.

Purpose: Patients with locally-advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinomas(HNSCCs), particularly those related to human papillomavirus(HPV), often achieve good locoregional control(LRC), yet they suffer significant toxicities from standard chemoradiotherapy. This study aims to optimize the daily dose fractionation based on individual responses to radiotherapy(RT), minimizing toxicity while maintaining a low risk of LRC failure.

Method: A virtual environment was developed to simulate tumor dynamics under RT for optimizing dose schedules.

PPM1D ameliorates Alzheimer's disease by promoting mitophagy.

Mitochondrial autophagy (mitophagy) plays an essential role in the maintenance of mitochondrial homeostasis. Defective mitophagy triggered by amyloid beta (Aβ) is linked to neuronal deterioration and neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the molecular mechanism underlying the defective mitophagy in AD is still not fully illustrated.

Expanding the utilization of binding pockets proves to be effective for noncovalent small molecule inhibitors against SARS-CoV-2 M.

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), has resulted in millions of deaths and continues to pose serious threats to global public health. The main protease (M) of SARS-CoV-2 is crucial for viral replication and its conservation, making it an attractive drug target. Here, we employed a structure-based drug design strategy to develop and optimize novel inhibitors targeting SARS-CoV-2 M.

Dissipation of Ulva prolifera green tides across various spatial and temporal scales and the short-term effects on marine environments.

The floating Ulva prolifera green tides have been observed annually in the South Yellow Sea (SYS) since 2007, and most researches indicate that Ulva prolifera typically appears near the Jiangsu Shoal in May, then floats and spreads northward, and eventually millions of tons of Ulva prolifera (4539600 t in 2021) accumulates and disappeared offshore of the Shandong Peninsula. The decomposition of Ulva prolifera in this region releases substantial amounts of nutrients and organic matter, which significantly affect the coastal ecosystem. To study the extinction of green tides on the environment, this study examines environmental parameters across three characteristic areas and analyzed the impact of Ulva prolifera death on the coastal seawater of Qingdao city from 2017 to 2022.

A renewable thermochromic phase change material encapsulated within a wood-based cellulose/sodium methylsilicate framework.

Thermochromic phase change material (TC) is a temperature-responsive heat storage material. However, few TCs are renewable. In the present study, a renewable TC (RTC) composed of alizarin, myristyl myristate, and 1-hexadecanol was synthesized, demonstrating a color shift between orange and orange-red during phase transitions.

Multi-cascade signal amplification and structure modulation strategy for highly sensitive and selective detection of cysteine using bovine serum albumin-stabilized gold nanoflowers as signal mediator.

A novel nanosensing system was constructed for highly sensitive and selective detection of cysteine (Cys) via the combination of the excellent optical properties of bovine serum albumin-stabilized gold nanoflowers (BSA-AuNFs), the high selectivity of the molecular structure regulation performance of cystine, and the high sensitivity of the multi-cascade signal amplification strategy. The sensing mechanism has been confirmed by UV-vis absorption spectroscopy, TEM, HRMS and H NMR spectra titration analysis, which can effectively improve the sensitivity and selectivity of the detection of Cys. In addition, the molecular structure regulation performance of cystine (disulfide bond effect) further improved the selectivity of this analytical system.

Engineering Mn-doped Co-based heterostructures with oxygen vacancies toward efficient industrial-scale water oxidation catalysis.

Developing efficient and durable catalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is essential for advancing water-splitting technologies. In this study, we present a self-supported MnCo-CoCoO/NF catalyst featuring a 2D/2D heterostructure, consisting of nanowire arrays coated with ultrathin nanosheets. This unique architecture forms interconnected 3D porous channels, enhancing electrolyte penetration, oxygen diffusion, and mass transport.

Label-free turn-on electrochemiluminescence assay of β-glucuronidase at single-electrode.

Electrochemiluminescence (ECL) has achieved significant commercial success over the past few decades across various fields, particularly in the healthcare industry. The measurement scheme oftentimes involves target recognition elements (e.g.

Differentiation with electroencephalography microstate in temporal lobe epilepsy with and without cognitive decline.

Objective: Electroencephalography (EEG) microstate analysis is widely used in the study of various neurological and psychiatric disorders. We aim to assess whether EEG microstates are altered in TLE patients with and without cognitive decline.

Methods: This study included a total of 47 temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE) patients with or without cognitive decline and 14 healthy controls (HCs).

Effect of lysine-assisted ultrasonic and vacuum tumbling treatment on the quality of chicken breast meat in canned foods.

Curing is a technological process that improves the tenderness, water retention, and overall quality of canned food. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different exogenous additives, specifically sodium tripolyphosphate and lysine, on the quality of chicken breast meat in canned assorted vegetables and diced chicken using different curing methods: static curing, ultrasonic curing, vacuum tumbling curing, and ultrasonic combined with vacuum tumbling curing. The texture, moisture mobility and distribution, microstructure, and sensory acceptability of the chicken meat were evaluated.

Reverse traceability analysis of estrogenic active ingredients in Cuscutae semen based on intestinal and hepatic metabolism.

As a traditional Chinese medicine for reinforcing kidney, Cuscutae semen can be applied in regulating the level of estrogen. And nine direct-acting substances in vivo with estrogenic effect has been figured out according to our previous research. However, their transformation relationship and the prototype forms of some metabolites are still not clear, impeding the elucidation of the effective substances of Cuscutae semen.

Sensitive SERS detection of trace methamphetamine in complex samples through sharp-spiked gold nanostructure.

Taking a massive overdose of methamphetamine (MAMP), which is one of the most prevalent illicit drugs in the world, will stimulate central nervous system, impair both physical and mental health and even lead to death. Therefore, the rapid quantitative testing in the field of MAMP is of great importance to law enforcement agencies. In this study, a branched, sharp-spiked gold nanostructure, named AuNS@4-MBA, is successfully synthesized at room temperature.

Genome-wide characterization of pepper DREB family members and biological function of CaDREB32 in response to salt and osmotic stresses.

Dehydration response element binding (DREB) transcription factors play multiple roles in plant growth, development and response to abiotic stress. However, their biological functions in response to salt and osmotic stress in vegetables of the Solanaceae family are largely unclear. Here, 49 CaDREB genes classified into six groups were identified in the pepper genome.

Biosynthesized Fe-C-dots nanozymes modulate growth, physiological and phytochemical peculiarity to improve saline-alkaline stress tolerance in wheat.

Nanotechnology has shown great potential to improve agricultural production and increase crop tolerance to abiotic stresses, including saline-alkaline environments. This study focuses on the biological mechanism of biocompatible iron-doped carbon dots (Fe-C-dots) nanozyme biosynthesized from artemisinin extract to alleviate saline-alkaline stress in wheat (Triticum aestivum L.).

Fangchinoline suppresses nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression by inhibiting SQLE to regulate the PI3K/AKT pathway dysregulation.

Background And Purpose: Squalene epoxidase (SQLE), a key enzyme in cholesterol metabolism, remains underexplored in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Additionally, the therapeutic potential of Fangchinoline, an alkaloid with anticancer properties, has yet to be systematically evaluated. This research investigates Fangchinoline's efficacy in NPC treatment and SQLE-related mechanisms.

Rapid detection of frogeye leaf spot pathogen in seeds by LAMP assays to protect soybean production.

Frogeye leaf spot (FLS), caused by Cercospora sojina, is a significant disease affecting soybean crops economically. Seed inspection plays a vital role in reducing the incidence of this disease. However, limited research has been conducted on the fast and accurate identification of C.

Genetic and epigenetic mechanisms of GPRC5D loss after anti-GPRC5D CAR T-cell therapy in multiple myeloma.

G protein-coupled receptor, class C, group 5, member D (GPRC5D) has emerged as a novel target for chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy, demonstrating promising efficacy in multiple myeloma (MM). However, disease relapse is still common, and the mechanism of resistance remains poorly understood. In this study, we conducted whole-genome sequencing (WGS) and whole-genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) on MM samples from 10 patients who relapsed after GPRC5D CAR T-cell therapy.

Quantitative susceptibility mapping via deep neural networks with iterative reverse concatenations and recurrent modules.

Background: Quantitative susceptibility mapping (QSM) is a post-processing magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) technique that extracts the distribution of tissue susceptibilities and holds significant promise in the study of neurological diseases. However, the ill-conditioned nature of dipole inversion often results in noise and artifacts during QSM reconstruction from the tissue field. Deep learning methods have shown great potential in addressing these issues; however, most existing approaches rely on basic U-net structures, leading to limited performances and reconstruction artifacts sometimes.