Publications by authors named "Pai Peng"
GWASs have identified many loci associated with osteoporosis, but the underlying genetic regulatory mechanisms and the potential drug target need to be explored. Here, a new regulatory mechanism is found that a GWAS intergenic SNP (rs4683184) functions as an enhancer to influence the binding affinity of transcription factor RUNX2, whose phase separation can mediate the long-range chromatin interaction between enhancer and target gene XCR1 (a member of the GPCR family), leading to changes of XCR1 expression and osteoblast differentiation. Bone-targeting AAV of Xcr1 can improve bone formation in osteoporosis mice, suggesting that XCR1 can be a new susceptibility gene for osteoporosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: Phosphoglycerate dehydrogenase (PHGDH), a pivotal enzyme in serine synthesis, plays a key role in the malignant progression of tumors through both its metabolic activity and moonlight functions. This study aims to elucidate the non-canonical function of PHGDH in promoting hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) metastasis through its interaction with methyltransferase-like 3 (METTL3), potentially uncovering a novel therapeutic target.
Methods: Western blot was used to study PHGDH expression changes under anoikis and cellular functional assays were employed to assess its role in HCC metastasis.
Escalating global protein demand necessitates the commercialization of protein rich products. Oat is a promising high-quality protein source but it requires structural and functional modifications to diversify its application. The current investigation was focused on the impact of different powers of ultrasonic waves (200, 400, and 600 W) on structural and functional characteristics of oat protein isolates to improve its techno-functional properties.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: To investigate the relationship between the triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index and cognitive impairment (CI).
Methods: Five authoritative databases were systematically searched for potentially relevant studies on 'TyG index' and 'CI' from inception to 27 April 2024. Two representative databases from the United Kingdom and United States were also included.
As emerging biomaterials, framework nucleic acids (FNAs) have recently demonstrated great potential in the biomedical field due to their high programmability, biocompatibility, unique structural diversity, and precise molecular design capabilities. This review focuses on the applications of FNAs in cellular sensing and disease treatment. First, we systematically introduce the applications of FNAs in cellular sensing, including their precise recognition and response to the extracellular tumor microenvironment, cell membrane proteins, and intracellular biomarkers.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBismuth oxide (BiVO4) is considered one of the most promising semiconductors for photoelectrochemical (PEC) water splitting due to its highly theoretical photocurrent of 7.5 mA cm-2. However, its sluggish kinetics and severe photocorrosion still hinder the real application of a large-area BiVO4 photoanode.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFArticle Synopsis
- Identifying T-cell receptors (TCRs) and virus epitopes is vital due to the rapid mutations of viruses like SARS-CoV-2, necessitating the development of a cost-effective and scalable workflow for this task.
- The study employs a tandem minigene (TMG) system and peptide-major histocompatibility complex-displaying yeasts to streamline epitope identification, avoiding the need for time-consuming peptide synthesis.
- Results show that 75% of individuals recovered from COVID-19 have T cells targeting a specific shared epitope from the virus, suggesting that some TCRs can cross-react with mutant strains, which may help in providing lasting immune responses.
Article Synopsis
- Bilayer and trilayer nickelate superconductors, specifically LaNiO (n=2 and 3), show unique properties at both high-temperature superconductivity and ambient pressure, including non-Fermi liquid behavior and density-wave transitions.
- Using ultrafast reflectivity measurements, researchers found significant differences in the dynamics of bilayer and trilayer nickelates, highlighting a coherent phonon mode in the bilayer LaNiO that isn’t present in the trilayer.
- The study reveals that the electron-phonon coupling has a minor effect on the electronic properties of LaNiO, with findings necessary for further understanding the relationship between superconductivity and density-wave transitions in these materials.*
Article Synopsis
- - The study focuses on developing a new type of wound dressing that has intrinsic antibacterial properties to combat bacterial infections, which hinder wound healing.
- - The antibacterial hydrogel, made from a combination of materials including PVA and HBPL, shows enhanced mechanical strength, absorbs wound fluid well, and maintains its antibacterial activity for longer periods without risking drug resistance.
- - Tests on MRSA-infected rat wounds showed that this hydrogel effectively killed 99.9% of bacteria and significantly sped up the healing process, reducing inflammation and promoting tissue regeneration, even after prolonged exposure to saline.
Article Synopsis
- - The severe photocorrosion of cadmium sulfide (CdS) limits its use in solar hydrogen production, prompting the need for better protective strategies.
- - A new hybrid overlayer combining defective Ni-MOF and NiO nanoparticles is developed and applied to TiO/CdS heterojunctions, resulting in a photoanode that significantly boosts photocurrent density.
- - The hybrid overlayer enhances performance by isolating CdS from the electrolyte, acting as a cocatalyst, passivating surface defects, and improving charge transfer, demonstrating notable stability with 70% photocurrent retention after 11 hours.
Article Synopsis
- * Na-doping enhances the activation of the LiMnO phase, leading to a high initial discharge capacity of 284.2 mAh/g at low discharge rates (0.1C).
- * The Na-doped material shows significant electrochemical stability, maintaining 94.0% capacity after 100 charge-discharge cycles at 0.5C, along with a minimal voltage decay of 2.0 mV per cycle, making it a promising strategy for battery development.
Article Synopsis
- Tree stand age significantly influences soil carbon sinks through its interactions with soil organic matter, decomposition rates, and microbial activity, yet understanding of these effects is limited.
- A study on Japanese larch plantations revealed that changes in tree age impact microbial composition and metabolic activity in the rhizosphere, with diversity and stability increasing from young to mature forests.
- Keystone microbial taxa were linked to carbon transformation, with mature forests showing improved degradation of recalcitrant carbon, emphasizing the role of tree age-associated microbiomes in carbon sequestration.
Article Synopsis
- - The superomedial pedicle reduction mammoplasty has become a popular alternative to the more commonly performed inferior pedicle technique, which is known for effective vascularization of the nipple-areola complex and better removal of excess tissue.
- - A systematic review and meta-analysis of twelve studies found that the superomedial technique has significantly lower rates of overall complications and delayed wound healing compared to the inferior pedicle technique.
- - Both techniques are considered safe and reliable, but the superomedial pedicle may offer benefits in reducing certain postoperative issues.
Article Synopsis
- Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has a poor prognosis and traditional therapies are not effective for many patients.
- A study involving 84 TNBC patients analyzed tissue samples to understand the mRNA and protein expression of certain factors, specifically HIF-1α and CD147.
- The findings showed that higher levels of CD147, which is associated with HIF-1α, are linked to worse patient outcomes, suggesting CD147 could serve as a useful biomarker for TNBC prognosis.
Stabilizing NASICON-type NaMnCr(PO) by Ti-substitution toward a high-voltage cathode material for sodium ion batteries.
J Colloid Interface Sci
October 2024
Article Synopsis
- Researchers are focused on improving the sodium superionic conductor NaMnCr(PO) for better performance in sodium-ion batteries, addressing its rapid structural degradation during cycling.
- By substituting some manganese (Mn) with titanium (Ti), the newly developed NaMnTiCr(PO)/C cathode shows impressive capacity retention of 91% after 500 cycles and excellent rate capacities.
- The material also demonstrates higher energy density and stable cycling by promoting better charge transfer and preventing electrolyte decomposition, suggesting new directions for battery material design.
Article Synopsis
- * The study investigates the cardioprotective effects of anthocyanin (ACN) from black barley, revealing its potential to reduce oxidative stress damage in heart cells by preventing cell death (apoptosis).
- * Research demonstrates that ACN affects the PTEN-Akt signaling pathway, indicating its role in managing CVD, while future studies will further explore how ACN regulates PTEN to enhance its therapeutic use.
Article Synopsis
- * The study introduces a new method using framework nucleic acids traps (FNATs) that can recognize specific chemical signals and influence cell behavior by self-assembling on the cell surface.
- * This innovative approach not only prevents target cell movement but also activates a photosensitizer to induce cell destruction, offering new tools for studying and controlling cellular activities.
Article Synopsis
- Precise control of quantum systems can enhance applications like quantum simulation and computation, utilizing techniques such as Floquet Hamiltonian engineering through rapid switching of Hamiltonians.
- In a solid-state NMR system, quantum simulation involves modulating the natural Hamiltonian with fast control pulses, which need to be short and powerful to minimize errors but can introduce phase-transient control errors.
- The study presents a method called "frame-change technique" to diagnose and correct phase transient errors, demonstrating significant improvements in various experimental settings without adding extra control overhead.
Article Synopsis
- Zeolite-encapsulated metal nanoparticles have shown potential in catalysis through a process called hydrogen spillover, but boosting the catalytic properties of zeolite supports is still a challenge.
- A new approach was developed to improve reactant adsorption on zeolite surfaces using ion exchange, resulting in various platinum nanocluster catalysts (Pt@NaA, Pt@HA, Pt@KA, and Pt@CaA).
- The Pt@CaA catalyst demonstrated the highest activity for converting acetophenone to 1-phenylethanol with near 100% selectivity, attributed to enhanced carbonyl group adsorption due to calcium ion exchange, as supported by DFT calculations and temperature-programmed desorption experiments.
Article Synopsis
- Lithium nickel oxide (LiNiO) has high capacity and low cost for lithium-ion batteries but faces issues with structure and interface stability.* -
- Bulk doping and surface coating have been shown to improve the stability of LiNiO, with PO-doping and LiPO-coating being effective dual modification methods.* -
- The study finds that PO doping enhances crystal structure stability and reversibility, while LiPO coating improves interface stability, leading to better overall performance and lithium ion diffusion.*
Article Synopsis
- Severe congenital ptosis is a common issue in kids that affects vision and appearance, leading to potential psychological issues.
- The frontalis muscle advancement technique is a surgical method used to treat this condition, focusing on the aesthetic relationship between the brow and eyelids.
- A study of 48 patients showed that surgery resulted in a 4.8% decrease in eyebrow height but improved the overall appearance and harmony of the brow-eye continuum, indicating its effectiveness.
Article Synopsis
- A study examined the impact of tape eyelid closure on reducing lagophthalmos, a common issue after blepharoptosis surgery, involving 112 patients with severe congenital ptosis.
- Two surgical techniques were used: frontalis muscle advancement and conjoint fascial sheath suspension, both of which showed significant improvement in eyelid function post-surgery.
- The research concluded that tape tarsorrhaphy is a simple and effective method for managing lagophthalmos, leading to satisfactory aesthetic results for patients.
Article Synopsis
- This study highlights the increasing risk of cognitive impairment or dementia in patients who have experienced acute kidney injury (AKI), indicating an urgent need for further investigation in this area.
- A meta-analysis of seven studies involving 423,876 patients revealed a significant connection between AKI and cognitive decline, with a higher risk observed in international studies compared to domestic ones.
- The findings suggest that early interventions could help mitigate cognitive impairment in AKI patients, emphasizing the importance of monitoring and addressing cognitive health in these individuals.
Real-world effectiveness of an intranasal spray A8G6 antibody cocktail in the post-exposure prophylaxis of COVID-19.
Signal Transduct Target Ther
October 2023
Article Synopsis
- * Results showed that only 6.9% of participants who received the A8G6 treatment contracted COVID-19, compared to 44.4% in the control group, indicating an impressive prevention efficacy of 84.4%.
- * The treatment was generally safe, with minimal side effects (3.1% experiencing mild reactions), and participants receiving A8G6 also had a longer time before testing positive for the virus compared to those in the control group.
Article Synopsis
- * Research into new atomic species, like alkaline earth atoms, is being explored to enhance coherence and scalability, crucial for quantum error correction techniques.
- * The study introduces a neutral atom qubit based on a long-lived state in Yb, achieving high accuracy in quantum gate operations and effectively managing errors through mid-circuit detection, indicating Yb's potential for fault-tolerant quantum computing.