Cross- and Within-Language Associations Between Phonological, Lexical, and Grammatical Domains in Mandarin-English Bilingual Preschoolers in Singapore.

Purpose: This study aims to examine the associations of phonological, lexical, and grammatical skills within and between languages in Mandarin-English bilingual preschoolers.

Method: Sixty-three Singaporean Mandarin-English bilingual children aged 3-5 years were assessed for articulation, receptive vocabulary, and receptive grammar using standardized instruments in English and compatible tools in Mandarin. Regression analyses were performed on each language outcome, with other language variables as predictors, controlling for age, nonverbal working memory, and home language environment.

Detecting CYP2C19 genes through an integrated CRISPR/Cas13a-assisted system.

CYP2C19 gene single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) should be considered in the clinical use of clopidogrel as they have important guiding value for predicting the risk of bleeding and thrombosis after clopidogrel treatment. The CRISPR/Cas system is increasingly used for SNP detection owing to its single-nucleotide mismatch specificity. Simultaneous detection of multiple SNPs for rapid identification of the CYP2C19 genotype is important, but there is no method to detect a wide variety of CYP2C19 SNPs.

The hidden weavers: A review of DNA/RNA R-loops in stem cell biology and therapeutic potential.

R-loops, three-stranded nucleic acid structures composed of RNA-DNA hybrids, are increasingly recognized as central regulators of genomic stability and transcription. These structures play critical roles across various cellular processes, including DNA replication, repair, and gene regulation, with significant implications for stem cell biology and disease pathogenesis. This review comprehensively explores the molecular underpinnings of R-loop formation, emphasizing the dual nature of R-loops in both facilitating normal cellular functions and contributing to genomic instability.

Laboratory investigation of METTL7A driving MSC osteogenic differentiation through YAP1 translation enhancement via eIF4F recruitment.

Aim: Effective control of mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) differentiation towards osteogenic lineages is fundamental for bone regeneration. This study elucidates the regulatory role of methyltransferase like 7A (METTL7A) in the osteogenic differentiation of MSCs.

Methodology: Alkaline phosphatase staining, Alizarin Red S staining, western blotting, and in vivo studies were conducted to determine the effects of METTL7A depletion or overexpression on the osteogenic differentiation of various types of MSCs.

Mangroves increased the mercury methylation potential in the sediment by producing organic matters and altering microbial methylators community.

Mangrove ecosystem has attracted global attention as a hotspot for mercury (Hg) methylation. Although numerous biotic and abiotic parameters have been reported to influence methylmercury (MeHg) production in sediments, the key factors determining the elevated MeHg levels in mangrove wetlands have not been well addressed. In this study, Hg levels in the sediments from different habitats (mudflats, mangrove fringe, and mangrove interior) in the Futian mangrove wetland were investigated, aiming to characterize the predominant factors affecting the MeHg production and distinguish the key microbial taxa responsible for Hg methylation.

Intra-tumoral sphingobacterium multivorum promotes triple-negative breast cancer progression by suppressing tumor immunosurveillance.

Background: Intratumor-resident bacteria represent an integral component of the tumor microenvironment (TME). Microbial dysbiosis, which refers to an imbalance in the bacterial composition and bacterial metabolic activities, plays an important role in regulating breast cancer development and progression. However, the impact of specific intratumor-resident bacteria on tumor progression and their underlying mechanisms remain elusive.

Application of Robot-assisted Pancreaticobiliary Junction Resection in Benign Duodenal Tumors.

Robot-assisted pancreaticobiliary junction resection is a surgical technique employed to treat benign duodenal tumors. The procedure involves several key steps: making a longitudinal incision in the duodenum, excising the tumor at the pancreaticobiliary junction, inserting a biliary stent, connecting the biliary and duodenal mucosa, and suturing the duodenal incision during phase I. The robotic system enhances visibility, facilitates precise operations, minimizes duodenal traction injuries to the duodenum and surgical trauma, ensures accurate suture and fixation of bile duct stents, connects the bile duct and duodenal mucosa and reduces postoperative recovery time.

Targeting cancer with precision: strategical insights into TCR-engineered T cell therapies.

T cell receptor-engineered T (TCR-T) cell therapies are at the forefront of cancer immunotherapy, offering a transformative approach that significantly enhances the ability of T cells to recognize and eliminate cancer cells. This innovative method involves genetically modifying TCRs to increase their affinity for tumor-specific antigens. While these enhancements improve the ability of T cells to recognize and bind to antigens on cancer cells, rigorous assessment of specificity remains crucial to ensure safety and targeted responses.

Orchestrating cancer therapy: Recent advances in nanoplatforms harmonize immunotherapy with multifaceted treatments.

Advancements in cancer therapy have increasingly focused on leveraging the synergistic effects of combining immunotherapy with other treatment modalities, facilitated by the use of innovative nanoplatforms. These strategies aim to augment the efficacy of standalone treatments while addressing their inherent limitations. Nanoplatforms enable precise delivery and controlled release of therapeutic agents, which enhances treatment specificity and reduces systemic toxicity.

Nanomorphogenesis of interlayered polyamide membranes for precise ion sieving in lithium extraction.

Nanofiltration (NF) offers a scalable and energy-efficient method for lithium extraction from salt lakes. However, the selective separation of lithium from magnesium, particularly in brines with high magnesium concentrations, remains a significant challenge due to the close similarity in their hydrated ionic radii. The limited Li/Mgselectivity of current NF membranes is primarily attributed to insufficient control over pore size and surface charge.

Risk factors associated with pregnancy outcomes in patients with recurrent pregnancy loss after treatment.

Background: The treatment for recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) has been addressed in international guidelines. However, limited studies have investigated the risk factors associated with pregnancy and live birth outcomes in patients with RPL after treatment. The objective of this study was to offer a comprehensive assessment of the risk factors for pregnancy loss in patients with a history of RPL following therapeutic interventions.

Ferrocene-decorated graphene nanosheets built by edge-to-face π-π interaction for room temperature ppb-level NO sensing.

The development of materials toward ppb-level nitric oxide (NO) sensing at room temperature remains in high demand for the monitoring of respiratory inflammatory diseases. In order to find an iron-containing molecule without steric hindrance to combine with graphene for room temperature NO gas sensing, here a supramolecular assembly of ferrocene (Fc) and reduced graphene oxide (rGO) was designed and prepared for NO sensing. The assembly of Fc/rGO was characterized using FT-IR, TEM, and XPS measurements.

Investigation of rare earth giant magnetostrictive transducers based on improved LTspice circuit model.

Rare earth giant magnetostrictive ultrasonic transducers (GMUTs) hold significant potential for advancement in ultrasonic machining due to their superior properties. Building on the study of a modular multi-field coupled circuit simulation model of the transducer using LTspice, this work further proposes an improved circuit simulation model. By segmenting the transducer components, a segmented equivalent circuit model (SECM) is constructed to reflect the vibration characteristics at different positions within the components.

Correction: The relationship between political instability and stock market performance: An analysis of the MSCI index in the case of Pakistan.

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

A new species of Hydrochara Berthold from China (Coleoptera, Hydrophilidae, Hydrophilini).

A new species of the water scavenger beetle, Hydrochara loong sp. nov. is described based on a pair of specimens collected from Shaanxi and a female collected from Hubei.

Four new species of Enochrus Thomson (Coleoptera: Hydrophilidae) from southern China.

Four new species of the water scavenger beetle genus Enochrus Thomson, 1859 are described from China. Among the new species, Enochrus hani sp. nov.

ACVR1 mediates renal tubular EMT in kidney fibrosis via AKT activation.

Tubulointerstitial fibrosis in the kidneys is a chronic and progressive process. Although studies suggested that tubular epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays a key role in the development of kidney fibrosis, whether ACVR1, a member of the TGFβ superfamily, is involved in the EMT needs to be illustrated. Using bioinformatics analysis of bulk-seq data (GSE23338 and GSE168876), we found that TGF-β1 perhaps activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway and induced the mRNA expression of ACVR1, fibronectin, and Collagen I in HK-2 cells (human renal tubular epithelial cell line).

Self-Aggregation Control of Porphyrin for Enhanced Selective Covalent Organic Network Membranes.

Covalent organic networks (CONs) are considered ideal for precise molecular separation compared with traditional polymer membranes because their pores have a sharp molecular weight cut-off and a robust structure. However, challenges remain with regard to tuning pores as a prerequisite for facile membrane fabrication to a defect-free layer. Herein, a highly conjugated amino-porphyrin is used and exploited its tunable stacking behavior to fabricate porphyrin-based polyamide CONs with ordered structures through interfacial polymerization with acyl chlorides.

Optimizing CD8 T cell-based immunotherapy via metabolic interventions: a comprehensive review of intrinsic and extrinsic modulators.

CD8 T cells are integral to the effective management of cancer and infectious diseases due to their cytotoxic functions. The efficacy of these cells is profoundly influenced by their metabolic state, which regulates their activation, differentiation, and longevity. Accordingly, the modulation of metabolic pathways within CD8 T cells is crucial for enhancing the effectiveness of T cell-based immunotherapy.

pK205R targets the proximal element of IFN-I signaling pathway to assist African swine fever virus to escape host innate immunity at the early stage of infection.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is a nuclear cytoplasmic large DNA virus (NCLDV) that causes devastating hemorrhagic diseases in domestic pigs and wild boars, seriously threatening the development of the global pig industry. IFN-I plays an important role in the body's antiviral response. Similar to other DNA viruses, ASFV has evolved a variety of immune escape strategies to antagonize IFN-I signaling and maintain its proliferation.