Exploring genetic loci linked to COVID-19 severity and immune response through multi-trait GWAS analyses.

Introduction: COVID-19 severity has been linked to immune factors, with excessive immune responses like cytokine storms contributing to mortality. However, the genetic basis of these immune responses is not well understood. This study aimed to explore the genetic connection between COVID-19 severity and blood cell traits, given their close relationship with immunity.

PIWI-interacting RNA MIABEPIR regulates cerebral endothelial cell function via DAPK2 pathway in offspring following maternal immune activation.

Maternal immune activation (MIA) is recognised as a risk factor in the neurodevelopmental disorders. However, the precise molecular pathways through which MIA disrupts neurovascular function remain largely unexplored. Here, we identify a novel MIA-associated brain endothelial piRNA (MIABEPIR) involved in regulating BMEC function and BBB integrity.

Protosappanin B activates the Wnt pathway to protect against glucocorticoid-induced osteoblast inhibition and enhance bone formation.

Osteoporosis remains a major health challenge due to impaired osteoblast function and reduced bone formation, particularly in glucocorticoid-induced osteoporosis (GIOP). The Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway plays a critical role in osteogenesis, making it a promising target for protective interventions against osteoporosis-related bone loss. In this study, virtual screening of a natural product library identified Protosappanin B (PB) as a potential Wnt pathway activator with high binding affinity for Wnt receptors.

Valence Bond Molecular Dynamics: A Study of S2 Reaction Mechanisms.

In this paper, a molecular dynamics (MD) approach based on classical valence bond (VB) theory, referred to as AIVBMD, is presented. To validate AIVBMD, a novel algorithm that enables efficient computation of energy gradients based on nonorthogonal orbitals is introduced. Taking the gas-phase S2 reaction as an example, a compact VB wave function gives reasonable accuracy with only 27 VB structures, compared to the full active space of 5292 VB structures.

Preparation and Performance of Nickel-Doped LaSrCoO-SrCO Composite Materials for Alkaline Oxygen Evolution in Water Splitting.

Perovskites exhibit catalytic properties on the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in water electrolysis. Elemental doping by specific preparation methods is a good strategy to obtain highly catalytical active perovskite catalysts. In this work, LaSrCoNiO perovskite materials doped with different ratios of nickel were successfully synthesized by the sol-gel method.

Inflammation-targeted delivery of probiotics for alleviation of colitis and associated cognitive disorders through improved vitality and colonization.

Oral probiotic biotherapies hold significant promise for addressing intestinal inflammatory disorders. Nonetheless, due to the challenging pathological microenvironment of the gastrointestinal tract, it is difficult to achieve deliver probiotics in an inflammation-targeted manner while improving their intestinal colonization and minimizing the impact of gastrointestinal environment on their vitality. To address this, an innovative probiotics oral delivery system (EcN-Apt@HG) against ulcerative colitis (UC) was developed by conjugating IL-6 aptamer to the surface of EcN and subsequently encapsulating the probiotics in a hydrogel consisting of aldehyde-functionalized chondroitin sulfate (CS) and Poly(amidoamine) (PAMAM).

An abundant ginger compound furanodienone alleviates gut inflammation via the xenobiotic nuclear receptor PXR in mice.

The literature documenting the value of drug-like molecules found in natural products is vast. Although many dietary and herbal remedies have been found to be effective for treating intestinal inflammation, the identification of their active components has lagged behind. In this study, we find that a major ginger component, furanodienone (FDN), is a selective pregnane X receptor (PXR) ligand with agonistic transcriptional outcomes.

5,7-Dihydroxy-4-Methylcoumarin enhances osteogenesis and ameliorates osteoporosis via the AKT1 pathway.

Osteoporosis is a chronic disease distinguished by decreased bone density and degradation of bone microstructure, frequently linked with inflammation and oxidative stress, both of which contribute to the acceleration of bone resorption. The compound 5,7-Dihydroxy-4-methylcoumarin (D4M) present in Artemisia dracunculus exhibits significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Nonetheless, the potential anti-osteoporotic effects of D4M, along with the molecular targets and mechanisms responsible for these effects, have not been studied.

Towards planetary boundary sustainability of food processing wastewater, by resource recovery & emission reduction: A process system engineering perspective.

Meeting the needs of a growing population calls for a change from linear production systems that exacerbate the depletion of finite natural resources and the emission of environmental pollutants. These linear production systems have resulted in the human-driven perturbation of the Earth's natural biogeochemical cycles and the transgression of environmentally safe operating limits. One solution that can help alleviate the environmental issues associated both with resource stress and harmful emissions is resource recovery from waste.

Acidosis induces autophagic cell death through ASIC1-mediated Akt/mTOR signaling in HT22 neurons.

Although it has been confirmed that acid-sensing ion channel 1 (ASIC1) plays a critical role in acidosis-induced neuronal injury and death, its underlying mechanisms remain largely unclear. In the present study, we investigated the involvement of ASIC1 in acidosis-induced neuronal death and its underlying mechanisms in HT22 neurons. The neurons were cultured in acidic medium to mimic extracellular acidosis.

High throughput parameter estimation and uncertainty analysis applied to the production of mycoprotein from synthetic lignocellulosic hydrolysates.

The current global food system produces substantial waste and carbon emissions while exacerbating the effects of global hunger and protein deficiency. This study aims to address these challenges by exploring the use of lignocellulosic agricultural residues as feedstocks for microbial protein fermentation, focusing on A3/5, a mycelial strain known for its high protein yield and nutritional quality. We propose a high throughput microlitre batch fermentation system paired with analytical chemistry to generate time series data of microbial growth and substrate utilisation.

Protective Effect of Rosavin Against Intestinal Epithelial Injury in Colitis Mice and Intestinal Organoids.

Introduction: species have been utilized as functional foods in Asia and Europe for promoting health. Research has demonstrated that has the potential to alleviate inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) in animal models. However, the specific active components and the underlying mechanism for ameliorating intestinal damage remain unclear.

BrfA functions as a bacterial enhancer-binding protein to regulate functional amyloid Fap-dependent biofilm formation in Pseudomonas fluorescens by sensing cyclic diguanosine monophosphate.

The functional amyloid of Pseudomonas (Fap) is essential for the formation of macrocolony biofilms, pellicles, and solid surface-associated (SSA) biofilms of Pseudomonas fluorescens PF07, an isolate from refrigerated marine fish. However, limited information on the expression regulation of fap genes is available. Herein, we found that a novel bacterial enhancer-binding protein (bEBP), BrfA, regulated Fap-dependent biofilm formation by directly sensing cyclic diguanosine monophosphate (c-di-GMP).

Effects of rice fermentation and its bioactive components on UVA-induced oxidative stress and senescence in dermal fibroblasts.

Photoaging, caused by ultraviolet (UV) radiation, is characterized by the senescence of skin cells and reduction of collagens. Although rice fermentation is widely used in the cosmetics, its impact on skin photoaging is still not well understood. Herein, we investigated the possible effectiveness of Maifuyin, a fermented rice product, and its components, succinic acid (SA), and choline, for safeguarding UVA-exposed human dermal fibroblasts (HDFs) against photoaging.

MYBL2 is a Novel Independent Prognostic Biomarker and Correlated with TMB in pancreatic cancer.

Pancreatic cancer continues to pose a significant threat due to its high mortality rate. While MYB family genes have been identified as oncogenes in certain cancer types, their role in pancreatic cancer remains largely unexplored. The mRNA and protein expression of MYB family genes in pancreatic cancer samples was analyzed using TNMplot, HPA, and TISBID online bioinformatics tools, sourced from the TCGA and GETx databases.

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).

An antifouling supramolecular polymer ophthalmic ointment alleviates symblepharon in rat alkali burn eyes.

Symblepharon is an adverse ocular disease resulting in ocular discomfort and impaired vision, severely dragging down a patient's quality of life. Due to the specificity of the ocular surface, the retention time of drugs on it is short, leading to limited therapeutic effects for ocular diseases. Therefore, it is imperative to design a novel drug delivery system, which can not only prolong the retention time of a drug but also play an anti-fibrosis role in symblepharon.

cAMP-independent DNA binding of the CRP family protein DdrI from .

The cAMP receptor proteins (CRPs) play a critical role in bacterial environmental adaptation by regulating global gene expression levels via cAMP binding. Here, we report the structure of DdrI, a CRP family protein from . Combined with biochemical, kinetic, and molecular dynamics simulations analyses, our results indicate that DdrI adopts a DNA-binding conformation in the absence of cAMP and can form stable complexes with the target DNA sequence of classical CRPs.

Numerical prediction model for long- and short-term concentration of indoor volatile organic compounds from building materials.

Emission models of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) from individual indoor building materials have been developed and validated. However, multiple indoor building materials release VOCs simultaneously, and neither single building material nor multiple building material emission models can predict the entire release cycle of VOCs accurately. This study established a long- and short-term numerical prediction model for indoor VOC concentration.

A case report of successful rescue using veno-arterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation: managing cerebral-cardiac syndrome.

Introduction: The presence of cerebral-cardiac syndrome, wherein brain diseases coincide with heart dysfunction, significantly impacts patient prognosis. In severe instances, circulatory failure may ensue, posing a life-threatening scenario necessitating immediate life support measures, particularly effective circulatory support methods. The application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO) is extensively employed as a valuable modality for delivering circulatory and respiratory support in the care of individuals experiencing life-threatening circulatory and respiratory failure.

Teaching effects of the online and offline flipped classroom model (FCM) in the post-epidemic era: Development and feasibility study.

With the rapid development of multimedia technology, the student centered flipped classroom model (FCM) and massive open online courses (MOOCs) have been increasingly introduced and implemented in higher medical education. However, comparative analyses of the offline face-to-face FCM and completely online FCM have been rarely reported. In this study, we focused specifically on a set of flipped classrooms in which prerecorded videos were provided before class.