Molecular and biochemical evolution of casbene-type diterpene and sesquiterpene biosynthesis in rice.

Casbene and neocembrene are casbene-type macrocyclic diterpenes; their derivatives play significant roles in plant defense and have pharmaceutical applications. We had previously characterized a casbene synthase, TERPENE SYNTHASE 28 (OsTPS28), in rice (Oryza sativa). However, the mechanism of neocembrene biosynthesis in rice remained unclear.

NLRP3 promotes inflammatory signaling and IL-1β cleavage in acute lung injury caused by cell wall extract of Lactobacillus casei.

Gram-positive bacterial pneumonia is a significant cause of hospitalization and death. Shortage of a good experimental model and therapeutic targets hinders the cure of acute lung injury (ALI). This study has established a mouse model of ALI using Gram-positive bacteria Lactobacillus casie cell wall extracts (LCWE) and identified the key regulator NLRP3.

CRISPR-Cas13a Targeting the FGFR3-TACC3 Fusion Gene Inhibits Proliferation of Bladder Cancer Cells in vitro and in vivo.

Introduction: The FGFR3-TACC3 fusion gene exists in a variety of malignant tumors, including bladder cancer. In our ongoing research on the CRISPR-Cas13a gene-editing system, we reported the use of CRISPR-Cas13a gene-editing system to knockout FGFR3-TACC3 and inhibit the proliferation of bladder tumor cells.

Purpose:  This study aimed to use the CRISPR-Cas13a gene-editing system to target the FGFR3-TACC3 fusion gene in bladder cancer cells, which has the potential to be a new and effective treatment for bladder cancer.

Enhanced therapeutic potential of a self-healing hyaluronic acid hydrogel for early intervention in osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is characterized by symptoms such as abnormal lubrication function of synovial fluid and heightened friction on the cartilage surface in its early stages, prior to evident cartilage damage. Current early intervention strategies employing lubricated hydrogels to shield cartilage from friction often overlook the significance of hydrogel-cartilage adhesion and enhancement of the cartilage extracellular matrix (ECM). Herein, we constructed a hydrogel based on dihydrazide-modified hyaluronic acid (HA) (AHA) and catechol-conjugated aldehyde-modified HA (CHA), which not only adheres to the cartilage surface as an effective lubricant but also improves the extracellular environment of chondrocytes in OA.

Identifying feature genes of chickens with different feather pecking tendencies based on three machine learning algorithms and WGCNA.

Feather pecking (FP) is a significant welfare concern in poultry, which can result in reduced egg production, deterioration of feather condition, and an increase in mortality rate. This can harm the health of birds and the economic benefits of breeders. FP, as a complex trait, is regulated by multiple factors, and so far, no one has been able to elucidate its exact mechanism.

Effects of ethanol addition on the quality and stability of Pickering emulsions: Developing Baijiu-infused ice cream.

The application of Pickering emulsions in real food systems has attracted increasing research interest. Similarly, the tendency of incorporation of Chinese Baijiu into food products is also increasing. This study aimed to investigate the effects of ethanol addition (3 %-15 %, v/v) on the physicochemical, rheological properties and microstructure of Pickering emulsions.

The microneme protein1 (MIC1) of Chinese 1 Toxoplasma regulates pyroptosis through the TLR4/NLRP3 pathway in macrophages.

Background: TgMIC1, a soluble adhesion protein that typically facilitates parasite invasion, exhibited varying expression levels among distinct virulence strains of Chinese 1 Toxoplasma. This study aims to explore its role in immunological regulation and its association with diverse postinfection outcomes in Toxoplasma infection.

Methods: First, the mic1 knockout strain Wh3Δmic1 was generated and assessed for its virulence and proliferative capacity.

OsbHLH5 Synergically Regulates Phenolamide and Diterpenoid Phytoalexins Involved in the Defense of Rice Against Pathogens.

Rice () produces phenolamides and diterpenoids as major phytoalexins. Although the biosynthetic pathways of phenolamides and diterpenoids in plants have been revealed, knowledge of their accumulation regulatory mechanisms remains limited, and, in particular, no co-regulatory factor has been identified to date. Here, using a combined co-expression and evolutionary analysis, we identified the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor as a positive bifunctional regulator of phenolamide and diterpenoid biosynthesis in rice.

The role of FOXK2-FBXO32 in breast cancer tumorigenesis: Insights into ribosome-associated pathways.

Objective: To search for a new biomarker that can predict the efficacy and prognosis of tumor immunotherapy.

Method: FOXK2 genes were analyzed using single-cell sequencing in pan-cancer bulk RNA-seq from the TCGA database. We used algorithms to predict their immune infiltration.

Programmed Death Ligand-1 in Melanoma and Extracellular Vesicles Promotes Local and Regional Immune Suppression through M2-like Macrophage Polarization.

Tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) play dual roles (both pro- and antitumor) in tumor progression. TAMs induce programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1) expression in cancer cells. However, the regulatory effects of PD-L1 in melanoma cells on TAM phenotypical switching remain underexplored.

The emerging modulators of non-coding RNAs in diabetic wound healing.

Diabetic wound healing is a complex physiological process often hindered by the underlying metabolic dysfunctions associated with diabetes. Despite existing treatments, there remains a critical need to explore innovative therapeutic strategies to improve patient outcomes. This article comprehensively examines the roles of non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), specifically microRNAs (miRNAs), long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), in regulating key phases of the wound healing process: inflammation, angiogenesis, re-epithelialization, and tissue remodeling.

Cellulose synthase-like OsCSLD4: a key regulator of agronomic traits, disease resistance, and metabolic indices in rice.

Cellulose synthase-like OsCSLD4 plays a pivotal role in regulating diverse agronomic traits, enhancing resistance against bacterial leaf blight, and modulating metabolite indices based on the multi-omics analysis in rice. To delve deeper into this complex network between agronomic traits and metabolites in rice, we have compiled a dataset encompassing genome, phenome, and metabolome, including 524 diverse accessions, 11 agronomic traits, and 841 metabolites, enabling us to pinpoint eight hotspots through GWAS. We later discovered four distinct metabolite categories, encompassing 15 metabolites that are concurrently present on the QTL qC12.

Transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis based on different aggressive pecking phenotype in duck.

Aggressive pecking is an important welfare and production efficiency issue in poultry farming. The precise mechanisms underlying the occurrence of aggressive pecking remain poorly understood. In this study, we selected Sansui ducks that performed aggressive pecking and ducks that did not perform aggressive pecking from video recordings.

Advancements in melanoma immunotherapy: the emergence of Extracellular Vesicle Vaccines.

Malignant melanoma represents a particularly aggressive type of skin cancer, originating from the pathological transformation of melanocytes. While conventional interventions such as surgical resection, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy are available, their non-specificity and collateral damage to normal cells has shifted the focus towards immunotherapy as a notable approach. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are naturally occurring transporters, and are capable of delivering tumor-specific antigens and directly engaging in the immune response.

TgMIC6 inhibition of autophagy is partially responsible for the phenotypic differences between Chinese 1 Toxoplasma gondii strains.

Chinese1 is the predominant Toxoplasma gondii lineage in China, and significant phenotypic differences are observed within the lineage. WH3 and WH6 are two representative strains of Chinese 1, which exhibit divergent virulence and pathogenicity in mice. However, virulence determinants and their modulating mechanisms remain elusive.

The prognostic implications of cuproptosis-related gene signature and the potential of PPIC as a promising biomarker in cutaneous melanoma.

Cutaneous melanoma is the most lethal of all skin tumors. Recently, cuproptosis, a novel form of cell death linked to oxidative phosphorylation, has emerged as an important factor. However, the precise role of cuproptosis in melanoma remains unclear.

Magnetic fibrin nanofiber hydrogel delivering iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles promotes peripheral nerve regeneration.

Peripheral nerve injury is a debilitating condition that have a profound impact on the overall quality of an individual's life. The repair of peripheral nerve defects continues to present significant challenges in the field. Iron oxide magnetic nanoparticles (IONPs) have been recognized as potent nanotools for promoting the regeneration of peripheral nerves due to their capability as biological carriers and their ability to template the hydrogel structure under an external magnetic field.

Comprehensive evaluation of the efficacy and safety of a new multi-component anti-aging topical eye cream.

Background: The delicate periorbital region is susceptible to skin dehydration, wrinkles, and loss of elasticity. Thus, targeted and effective anti-aging interventions are necessary for the periorbital area.

Aim: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a new anti-aging eye cream formulated with the active complex (Yeast/rice fermentation filtrate, N-acetylneuraminic acid, palmityl tripeptide-1, and palmitoyl tetrapeptide-7).

Yolk-shelled silver nanowire@amorphous metal-organic framework for controlled drug delivery and light-promoting infected wound healing.

Bacteria-infected wounds healing has been greatly hindered by antibiotic resistance and persistent inflammation. It is crucial to develop multifunctional nanocomposites that possess effective antibacterial properties and can simultaneously accelerate the wound healing process to overcome the above challenges. Herein, we prepared a yolk-shell structured Ag nanowires (NWs)@amorphous hollow ZIF-67 by etching ZIF-67 onto the Ag NWs for infected wound healing for the first time.