An updated review on abnormal epigenetic modifications in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus.

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The inconsistent prevalence of SLE between monozygotic twins suggests that environmental factors affect the occurrence of this disease. Abnormal epigenetic regulation is strongly associated with the pathogenesis of SLE.

Screening of single-atomic catalysts loaded on two-dimensional transition metal dichalcogenides for electrocatalytic oxygen reduction via high throughput ab initio calculations.

The design and screening of low cost and high efficiency oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) electrocatalysts is vital in the realms of fuel cells and metal-air batteries. Existing studies largely rely on the calculation of absorption free energy, a method established 20 years ago by Jens K. Nørskov.

Computer-Aided Design of Self-Assembled Nanoparticles to Enhance Cancer Chemoimmunotherapy via Dual-Modulation Strategy.

The rational design of self-assembled compounds is crucial for the highly efficient development of carrier-free nanomedicines. Herein, based on computer-aided strategies, important physicochemical properties are identified to guide the rational design of self-assembled compounds. Then, the pharmacophore hybridization strategy is used to design self-assemble nanoparticles by preparing new chemical structures by combining pharmacophore groups of different bioactive compounds.

Injectable supramolecular hydrogel co-loading abemaciclib/NLG919 for neoadjuvant immunotherapy of triple-negative breast cancer.

The efficacy of cancer immunotherapy relies on a sufficient amount of functional immune cells. Triple-negative breast cancer lacks enough immune cell infiltration, and adjuvant therapy is necessary to prime anti-tumor immunity. However, the improvement in efficacy is unsatisfactory with concern about inducing systemic immunotoxicity.

Open frameworks in the NaMn(PO)F fluoro-pyrophosphates system.

Three new sodium manganese fluoro-pyrophosphate compounds, namely, NaMn(PO)F (I), NaMn(PO)F (II), and NaMn(PO)F (III), have been synthesized by heating a mixture of NaPF, NaPOF or NaHPO with different Mn sources in NaNO and KNO fluxes. The structures of the title compounds were characterized single-crystal X-ray diffraction (XRD). II is characteristic of a shell of Na ions that encloses one [Mn(PO)F] unit, whereas I and III reveal three-dimensional (3D) frameworks that consist of MnO, Mn/NaOF octahedra or MnO octahedra and distorted MnO square pyramids with PO units, where Na cations reside in different-membered ring one-dimensional (1D) tunnels.

Targeting hypoxia and angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma: New insights and therapeutic strategies.

In this manuscript we comment on the article by Yang published recently, focusing on how hepatic angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2) transcription promote the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). HCC is one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide, especially in regions with high hepatitis B virus infection rates. Ang-2 is a key mediator of angiogenesis and plays a significant role in the progression of chronic liver diseases towards HCC, particularly in the hypoxic microenvironment.

OsPIL15-Induced Delay in Rice Heading Date via Direct Binding to the OsLF Promoter is Dependent on Functional Phytochrome B.

Heading date of rice (Oryza sativa) is a key factor determining rice production and regional adaptability. We analysed the molecular mechanism of OsPIL15, encoding phytochrome-interacting factor-like protein, in delaying rice heading date. Overexpression of OsPIL15 delayed rice heading date by upregulating Hd1 and inhibiting Hd3a and RFT1 expression.

A prodrug nanodevice co-delivering docetaxel and ROR1 siRNA for enhanced triple negative breast cancer therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been a clinical challenge due to its high recurrence and metastasis rates. Chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for TNBC after surgery ablation, but it lacks targeted specificity and causes side effects in normal tissues. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is significantly expressed in TNBC cells, and small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting ROR1 can effectively suppress ROR1 gene expression, thereby inhibiting proliferation and metastasis.

Personalized Multi-Epitope Nanovaccine Unlocks B Cell-Mediated Multiple Pathways of Antitumor Immunity.

B lymphocytes have emerged as an important immune-regulating target. Inoculation with tumor cell membrane-derived vaccines is a promising strategy to activate B cells, yet their efficiency is limited due to lack of costimulatory molecules. To amplify B cell responses against tumor, herein, a spatiotemporally-synchronized antigen-adjuvant integrated nanovaccine, termed as CM-CpG-aCD40, is constructed by conjugating the immune stimulative CpG oligonucleotide and the anti-CD40 antibody (aCD40) onto the membrane vesicles derived from triple negative breast cancer cells.

5-Fluorouracil Loaded Prebiotic-Probiotic Liposomes Modulating Gut Microbiota for Improving Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy.

The gut microbiota exerts inhibitory effects on the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) through various mechanisms. Compared to traditional microbiota regulation methods, prebiotics and probiotics demonstrate significant advantages in terms of safety and patient adaptability. Their synergy not only improves the intestinal environment but also enhances the host's anti-tumor immune response.

Interleukin 15-Presenting Nanovesicles with Doxorubicin-Loaded Ferritin Cores for Cancer Immunochemotherapy.

Interleukin 15 (IL15) is crucial for fostering the survival and proliferation of nature killer (NK) cells and cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs), playing a pivotal role in tumor control. However, IL15 supplementary therapy encounters challenges such as systemic inflammation and non-specific stimulation of cancer cells. Herein, a nanovesicle termed DoxFILN, comprising a membrane presenting IL15/IL15 receptor α complexes (IL15c) and a core of doxorubicin-loaded ferritin (Dox-Fn) are reported.

Recurrence and influencing factors of hepatitis B surface antigen seroclearance induced by peginterferon alpha-based regimens.

Background: The long-term stability of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) seroclearance following peginterferon alpha (peg-IFN-α)-based therapy has not been extensively studied, leaving the full potential and limitations of this strategy unclear.

Aim: To assess HBsAg recurrence after seroclearance achieved by peg-IFN-α regimens.

Methods: This prospective, multicenter, observational study was conducted from November 2015 to June 2021 at three Chinese hospitals: The Second Affiliated Hospital of Xi'an Jiaotong University, Ankang Central Hospital, and The Affiliated Hospital of Yan'an University.

Conformation Influences Biological Fates of Peptide-Based Nanofilaments by Modulating Protein Adsorption and Interfilament Entanglement.

Filamentous structures exert biological functions mediated by multivalent interactions with their counterparts in sharp contrast with spherical ones. The physicochemical properties and unique behaviors of nanofilaments that are associated with multivalent interaction with protein are poorly understood. Here, peptide-based nanofilaments containing different homotetrapeptidic inserts are reported and their protein adsorption and biological fates are tested.

A bulk Schottky junction for high-sensitivity portable radiation detectors.

The thickness of X-ray detectors needs to reach hundreds of micrometers to absorb X-ray, and therefore, high voltages over tens or hundreds of volts should be applied to extract X-ray-generated carriers. Here, we propose a bulk Schottky junction for X-ray detection using interpenetrated macroporous-carbon electrodes and metal-halide perovskite networks. The X-ray-generated holes are extracted by the macroporous-carbon electrodes under the built-in electric field, while the electrons in the perovskite phase result in a high gain effect.

Rational strategies for improving the efficiency of design and discovery of nanomedicines.

The rise of rational strategies in nanomedicine development, such as high-throughput methods and computer-aided techniques, has led to a shift in the design and discovery patterns of nanomedicines from a trial-and-error mode to a rational mode. This transition facilitates the enhancement of efficiency in the preclinical discovery pipeline of nanomaterials, particularly in improving the hit rate of nanomaterials and the optimization efficiency of promising candidates. Herein, we describe a directed evolution mode of nanomedicines driven by data to accelerate the discovery of nanomaterials with high delivery efficiency.

Lead acetate-based test strip method for rapid and quantitative detection of residual sulfur dioxide in Chinese herbal medicines.

To prevent the residual sulfur dioxide in Chinese herbal medicines (CHM) caused by sulfur fumigation, which may lead to severe health issues, there is an urgent need for a rapid and quantitative detection technique. Sodium borohydride was used as a reducing agent to convert sulfur dioxide into hydrogen sulfide, which was then detected using lead acetate test strip. An accurate testing apparatus was designed, consisting of reaction bottle cap, reaction bottle, lead acetate test strip, and sulfur dioxide detector.

Nutrition, Flavor, and Microbial Communities of Two Traditional Bacterial Douchi from Gansu, China.

Douchi has attracted attention for its unique taste and rich health functions. This study investigated the nutrition, flavor and correlation between the flavor and microorganisms of two traditional bacterial douchi from the province of Gansu in northwest China. The findings reveal significant variations in nutrition, flavor compounds, and the microbiota between Longnan and Qingyang douchi.

Bi-doped ruthenium oxide nanocrystal for water oxidation in acidic media.

There is an urgent need to develop a cost-effective and highly efficient acidic OER catalyst to support the progress of proton exchange membrane water electrolysis technology. Ruthenium-based catalysts, which possess high activity and significantly lower cost compared to iridium-based catalysts, emerge as competitive candidates. However, their suboptimal stability constrains the wide application of RuO.

Cabozantinib-encapsulated and maytansine-conjugated high-density lipoprotein for immunotherapy in colorectal cancer.

Advanced colorectal cancer (CRC) responds poorly to current adjuvant therapies, partially due to its immunosuppressive intestinal microenvironment. We found that myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) were enriched in orthotopic tumors due to treatment-induced succinate release, which activated tuft cells and upregulated interleukin 25 (IL-25) and interleukin 13 (IL-13). We engineered a cabozantinib (Cabo)-encapsulated and maytansine (DM1)-conjugated synthetic high-density lipoprotein (CD-sHDL) to modulate the tumor microenvironment.

Developing and Verifying an Effective Diagnostic Model Linked to Immune Infiltration in Stanford Type A Aortic Dissection.

Background: The deadly cardiovascular condition known as Stanford type A aortic dissection (TAAD) carries a high risk of morbidity and mortality. One important step in the pathophysiology of the condition is the influx of immune cells into the aorta media, which causes medial degeneration. The purpose of this work was to investigate the potential pathogenic significance of immune cell infiltration in TAAD and to test for associated biomarkers.

Shear Anisotropy Domains on Graphene Revealed by In-Plane Elastic Imaging.

Anisotropic domains with 180° periodicity are known to be universally present on graphene as well as on other two-dimensional (2D) crystals. The physical origin of the domains and the mechanism of its anisotropy are, however, still unclear. Here, by employing in-plane elastic imaging by torsional resonance atomic force microscopy (TR-AFM), we demonstrate that the observed domains on graphene are of in-plane elastic (shear) anisotropy but not of friction anisotropy as commonly believed.

Confined copper depletion via a hydrogel platform for reversing dabrafenib/cetuximab resistance in BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer.

BRAF-mutant colorectal cancer (CRC) is resistant to most first-line therapeutics, including the BRAF inhibitor dabrafenib and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) inhibitor cetuximab. Although copper depletion shows promise in reversing dabrafenib/cetuximab resistance in BRAF-mutant CRC, its application is limited by the potential for excessive copper depletion in non-tumor objects. In this study, we have developed a hydrogel platform for confined copper depletion in BRAF-mutant CRC cells, which effectively reverses dabrafenib/cetuximab resistance and enhancing therapeutic efficiency.

The association of organochlorine pesticides and polychlorinated biphenyls exposure with dyslipidemia and blood lipids: The mediating effect of white blood cell counts.

Epidemiological evidence regarding the associations of organochlorine pesticides (OCPs) and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) with lipid metabolism and its potential biological mechanisms remain largely unknown. We intended to explore the associations of OCPs and PCBs with dyslipidemia and blood lipid levels, and further evaluate the mediating role of total and differential white blood cell (WBC) counts. We measured the blood lipid levels, the concentration of OCPs/PCBs and WBC counts in serum among 2036 adults in Wuhan city, China.