Transducing chemical energy through catalysis by an artificial molecular motor.

Cells display a range of mechanical activities generated by motor proteins powered through catalysis. This raises the fundamental question of how the acceleration of a chemical reaction can enable the energy released from that reaction to be transduced (and, consequently, work to be done) by a molecular catalyst. Here we demonstrate the molecular-level transduction of chemical energy to mechanical force in the form of the powered contraction and powered re-expansion of a cross-linked polymer gel driven by the directional rotation of artificial catalysis-driven molecular motors.

sc-SPLASH provides ultra-efficient reference-free discovery in barcoded single-cell sequencing.

Typical high-throughput single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) analyses are primarily conducted by (pseudo)alignment, through the lens of annotated gene models, and aimed at detecting differential gene expression. This misses diversity generated by other mechanisms that diversify the transcriptome such as splicing and V(D)J recombination, and is blind to sequences missing from imperfect reference genomes. Here, we present sc-SPLASH, a highly efficient pipeline that extends our SPLASH framework for statistics-first, reference-free discovery to barcoded scRNA-seq (10x Chromium) and spatial transcriptomics (10x Visium); we also provide its optimized module for preprocessing and -mer counting in barcoded data, BKC, as a standalone tool.

[Effects of personalized oral stents in intensity-modulated radiation therapy treatment].

Purpose: To explore the effects of personalized oral stents in intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatment.

Methods: Totally 108 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with IMRT at Nanjing Gaochun People's Hospital from January 2021 to December 2023 were selected. Using a random number table method, the patients were divided into experimental group (n=54) using personalized oral stents and control group (n=54) using simple mouthpieces.

[Scientific connotation in processing of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata with Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma based on "interactions between excipients and herbal medicine and component transformation" dynamic processing].

The processing of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is a core theory within TCM, embodying deep philosophical, cultural, and natural scientific wisdom. Among the various techniques, the "synergistic processing of medicinal materials and excipients" has garnered significant attention due to its uniqueness. This study explored the impact of the adjuvant Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on the dynamic process of component transformation during the processing of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata using techniques such as acidic dye colorimetry, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, density functional theory(DFT), and molecular dynamics simulations(MDS).

[Comparison on material basis between single and co-decoctions of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma and Coptidis Rhizoma by supramolecular chemistry].

This study employed supramolecular chemistry of traditional Chinese medicine to compare the material basis between different decocting methods(co-decocting and single decocting) and explained the chemical basis of Rhei Radix et Rhizoma-Coptidis Rhizoma in alleviating the disadvantage of bitter and cold medicines damaging the stomach. The spectroscopic differences between the co-decoction and single decoctions were characterized by ultraviolet-visible absorption spectrum, infrared spectrum, and circular dichroism spectrum. Five characteristic alkaloids, such as berberine, were selected as the indicators to compare the sample solubility and dissolution of medicinal components between the co-decoction and single decoctions by high performance liquid chromatography.

Direct Synthesis of Sulfinylated Phenanthrenes via BF-Promoted Annulation of 2-Alkynyl Biaryls with Arylsulfinic Acids.

A novel approach to sulfinylated phenanthrenes has been developed by BF-promoted annulation of 2-alkynyl biaryls with arylsulfinic acids. This approach utilizes readily available arylsulfinic acids as a sulfinyl source and affords a variety of sulfinylated phenanthrenes in good to excellent yields under simple and mild reaction conditions.

The PHD transcription factor ThPHD5 regulates antioxidant enzyme activity to increase salt tolerance in Tamarix hispida.

PHD proteins are an important class of transcription factors (TFs) that are widely distributed in eukaryotes and play crucial roles in many aspects of plant growth, development and response to stress. We identified a transcription factor, ThPHD5, from the PHD family in Tamarix hispida based on its potential involvement in abiotic stress response processes. In this study, the salt tolerance function of ThPHD5 from T.

Variations in microbial community compositions and processes imposed under contrast geochemical contexts in Sicilian mud volcanoes, Italy.

Terrestrial mud volcanoes represent surface features of channels for subsurface methane transport and, therefore, constitute an important source of methane emission from natural environments. How microbial processes regulate methane emissions in terrestrial mud volcanoes has yet to be fully addressed. This study demonstrated the geochemical characteristics and microbial communities of four mud volcano and seep sites in two geological settings of Sicily, Italy.

Manganaelectro-Catalyzed Cyclization of -Aminoarylketones with Ammonia: An Approach to 1,2-Dihydroquinazolines.

A manganaelectro-catalyzed cyclization reaction of 2-aminoarylketones with simple alcohols and ammonia under mild conditions is reported for the first time. The cooperative catalysis effectively enhances the oxidation of primary alcohols into aldehydes, thus enabling the synthesis of substituted 1,2-dihydroquinazolines in good to excellent yields. In addition, the utilities of this method are highlighted in the construction of biologically active molecules that would otherwise be difficult to access through a traditional method.

Spatially resolved analysis of pancreatic cancer identifies therapy-associated remodeling of the tumor microenvironment.

In combination with cell-intrinsic properties, interactions in the tumor microenvironment modulate therapeutic response. We leveraged single-cell spatial transcriptomics to dissect the remodeling of multicellular neighborhoods and cell-cell interactions in human pancreatic cancer associated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy. We developed spatially constrained optimal transport interaction analysis (SCOTIA), an optimal transport model with a cost function that includes both spatial distance and ligand-receptor gene expression.

Water-soluble biodegradable polyesters with pH and ionic responsivity.

The synthesis of novel water-soluble polymers with biodegradability is an effective way to mitigate their negative environmental impacts. In this study, semi-aromatic copolyester poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene terephthalate) (PBST) with exceptional biodegradability is used as the resin matrix. Anionic sodium 1-3-isophthalate-5-sulfonate (SIPA) is introduced as a fourth monomer to prepare random poly(butylene succinate-co-butylene terephthalate-co-butylene 5-sodiosulfoisophthalate) (PBSTS) copolyesters by melt copolymerization.

The methane-oxidizing microbial communities of three maar lakes in tropical monsoon Asia.

Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) is a group of planktonic microorganisms that use methane as their primary source of cellular energy. For tropical lakes in monsoon Asia, there is currently a knowledge gap on MOB community diversity and the factors influencing their abundance. Herewith, we present a preliminary assessment of the MOB communities in three maar lakes in tropical monsoon Asia using Catalyzed Reporter Deposition, Fluorescence In-Situ Hybridization (CARD-FISH), 16S rRNA amplicon sequencing, and pmoA gene sequencing.

Factors associated with perceived cognitive function in breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy: A multicenter cross-sectional study.

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the factors associated with perceived cognitive function among breast cancer patients treated with chemotherapy in China.

Methods: The study was a multicenter cross-sectional design. Data were collected from 10 public hospitals in China between April 2022 and February 2023.

Nonlinear dynamics of an interband cascade laser with optical injection.

This work reports the nonlinear dynamics of a mid-infrared interband cascade laser (ICL) subject to optical injection. It is shown that the stable locking regime is asymmetric and broadens with increasing injection strength. Outside the locking regime, the ICL mostly produces period-one oscillations.

Broadband chaos of an interband cascade laser with a 6-GHz bandwidth.

Near-infrared semiconductor lasers subject to optical feedback usually produce chaos with a broad bandwidth of a few GHz. However, the reported mid-infrared interband cascade lasers (ICLs) only show chaos with a limited bandwidth below 1 GHz. Here we show that an ICL with optical feedback is able to generate broadband chaos as well.

Hollow Metal-Organic Framework/MXene/Nanocellulose Composite Films for Giga/Terahertz Electromagnetic Shielding and Photothermal Conversion.

With the continuous advancement of communication technology, the escalating demand for electromagnetic shielding interference (EMI) materials with multifunctional and wideband EMI performance has become urgent. Controlling the electrical and magnetic components and designing the EMI material structure have attracted extensive interest, but remain a huge challenge. Herein, we reported the alternating electromagnetic structure composite films composed of hollow metal-organic frameworks/layered MXene/nanocellulose (HMN) by alternating vacuum-assisted filtration process.

Multimodal image fusion-assisted endoscopic evacuation of spontaneous intracerebral hemorrhage.

Purpose: Although traditional craniotomy (TC) surgery has failed to show benefits for the functional outcome of intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). However, a minimally invasive hematoma removal plan to avoid white matter fiber damage may be a safer and more feasible surgical approach, which may improve the prognosis of ICH. We conducted a historical cohort study on the use of multimodal image fusion-assisted neuroendoscopic surgery (MINS) for the treatment of ICH, and compared its safety and effectiveness with traditional methods.

Investigation of organic contaminants in the blubber of a blue whale (Balaenoptera musculus) first stranded on the coast of Taiwan.

This study presents a comprehensive assessment of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) in the blubber of a stranded blue whale found on the coast of Taiwan. The analysis included polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT), Hexachlorobenzene (HCB), and polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDEs). The whale exhibited evident signs of emaciation, including low body weight, reduced blubber fat content, and thin blubber thickness.

Rational Synthesis of Functionalized Covalent Organic Frameworks via Four-Component Reaction.

The construction of function-oriented covalent organic frameworks (COFs) remains a challenge as it requires simultaneous consideration of diversified structures, robust linkage, and tailorable functionalities. Herein, we report the rational synthesis of functionalized COFs via a four-component reaction strategy. Through the four-component Debus-Radziszewski reaction, 11 -substituted imidazole-based COFs with diversified structures were facilely constructed from readily available building blocks.

Ki-67 Change in Anthracyline-containing Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response in Breast Cancer.

Objective: Anthracycline-containing regimens are irreplaceable in neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) for breast cancer (BC) at present. However, 30% of early breast cancer (EBC) patients are resistant to anthracycline-containing chemotherapy, leading to poor prognosis and higher mortality. Ki-67 is associated with the prognosis and response to therapy, and it changes after NAC.

SPLASH: A statistical, reference-free genomic algorithm unifies biological discovery.

Today's genomics workflows typically require alignment to a reference sequence, which limits discovery. We introduce a unifying paradigm, SPLASH (Statistically Primary aLignment Agnostic Sequence Homing), which directly analyzes raw sequencing data, using a statistical test to detect a signature of regulation: sample-specific sequence variation. SPLASH detects many types of variation and can be efficiently run at scale.