Target-specific peptides for BK virus agnoprotein identified through phage display screening: advancing antiviral therapeutics.

BK virus is implicated in polyomavirus-associated nephropathy (PVAN) and hemorrhagic cystitis, particularly in kidney transplant recipients, affecting the functionality of the transplanted kidney and posing a risk of graft loss. Despite these challenges, specific antiviral drugs targeting BK virus remain elusive. Agnoprotein, a small, positively charged protein encoded by the BK virus late gene, functions in the assembly, maturation, and release of the virus.

Design and Synthesis of Hederagenin Derivatives for the Treatment of Sepsis by Targeting TAK1 and Regulating the TAK1-NF-κB/MAPK Signaling.

Sepsis is a systemic inflammatory response caused by infection and is a leading cause of death worldwide. We designed and synthesized a series of hederagenin analogues with anti-inflammatory activity. The most effective compound, , reduced the release of TNF-α and IL-6 in RAW264.

Comparison of the Efficacy and Safety of PD-1/PD-L1 Inhibitors in the Treatment of Small Cell Lung Cancer.

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors in treating small-cell lung cancer (SCLC) and determine the role of PD-1 monoclonal antibodies in improving patient outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was performed on 37 SCLC patients who received PD-1 or PD-L1 inhibitors along with chemotherapy at the First Hospital of Lanzhou University between June 2018 and June 2023. Treatment effectiveness was measured by overall response rate (ORR), disease control rate (DCR), overall survival (OS), and progression-free survival (PFS), utilizing chi-square and T-tests, along with Kaplan-Meier and log-rank analyses.

Regulation Roles of Juvenile Hormone Epoxide Hydrolase Gene 2 in the Female River Prawn Reproductive Process.

In this study, we investigated the regulatory roles of the () gene in the reproductive process of female . Its total cDNA length was 1848 bp, encoding for 460 amino acids. It contained conserved domains typical of epoxide hydrolases, such as the Abhydrolase family domain, the EHN epoxide hydrolase superfamily domain, and the "WWG" and "HGWP" motifs.

Heterogeneous Interface Engineering of 2D Black Phosphorus-Based Materials for Enhanced Photocatalytic Performance.

Photocatalysis has garnered significant attention as a sustainable approach for energy conversion and environmental management. 2D black phosphorus (BP) has emerged as a highly promising semiconductor photocatalyst owing to its distinctive properties. However, inherent issues such as rapid recombination of photogenerated electrons and holes severely impede the photocatalytic efficacy of single BP.

Study of the Influence of Bamboo Suspension Water-Removal Processes on the Properties of Bamboo-Based Molding Materials.

Bamboo is a fast-growing lignocellulosic plant in nature. It is an abundant and renewable resource with wide applications. The processing of bamboo results in a large amount of residue.

Catalytic Performance of Sn-β Zeolites with Different Si/Al Ratios in the Conversion of Glucose to Lactic Acid.

Lactic acid is an important platform feedstock for synthesizing various chemicals. Lactic acid is normally converted from any sugar such as glucose, and Sn-β zeolite is an effective catalyst. In this study, β zeolite with different Si/Al ratios was prepared and characterized.

Genome-wide association and transcriptomic analysis and the identification of growth-related genes in Macrobrachium nipponense.

Macrobrachium nipponense is a commercially important freshwater species of prawn that is widely distributed across Asian countries. In order to investigate the molecular mechanisms of growth in M. nipponense, and to provide a foundation for molecular breeding, we used genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) and transcriptomic analysis to screen polymorphisms and genes related to growth traits.

A study on the functional role of the DHCR24 gene in gonadal differentiation and development of Macrobrachium nipponense.

Sex differentiation in crustaceans is a complex process influenced by various factors, including the androgenic gland and sex-related genes. This study characterized the role of the Mn-DHCR24 gene in the oriental river prawn (Macrobrachium nipponense). We used bioinformatics to analyze sequence features and phylogenetic relationships of a single Mn-DHCR24 gene.

Scale-up construction of stable multifunctional hydrogel interfaces for large-scale purification of complex oil-water emulsions and oil recovery.

Inspired by the multi-level structure of grass clumps in nature, a novel filter with plexiform-structured hydrogel interface was constructed using sepiolite-derived silica nanofiber (SiNF) as the supporter and crosslinked polyvinyl alcohol (cl-PVA) hydrogel as the coating. Experimental test, DFT and MD calculations have confirmed that the addition of SiNF can not only enhance oil-water separation efficiency, but also improve the stability of hydrogel coating. The hydrogel interface with excellent stability and superhydrophilic/underwater superoleophobicity can be manufactured on a large copper mesh (1 m × 1.

Exploring the metabolic dynamics, storage stability, and functional potential of Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9 fermented milk.

Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus Probio-M9 (Probio-M9), a probiotic strain sourced from healthy breast milk, is recognized for its resilience to gastric and bile acids, along with its potential health benefits for infants. Its unique origin may influence its metabolic properties and effectiveness, garnering increasing interest within the scientific community in recent years. However, research on its efficacy as a starter culture for milk fermentation and the associated metabolic shifts remains limited.

Exploring 1T/2H MoS quantum dots modified 2D CoP nanosheets for efficient electrocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction.

The exploration of multiphases and 0D/2D heterojunction in transition metal phosphides (TMPs) and transition metal sulfides (TMDs) is of major interest for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Herein, a novel combination route where 0D mixed-phased 1T/2H molybdenum sulfide quantum dots (MoS QDs) are uniformly anchored on the 2D CoP nanosheets is developed. MoS QDs and CoP were prepared via hydrothermal method and mixed with different ratios (Mo:Co ratios of 2:1, 1:1, and 1:2) and annealed under different temperatures to modulate their application in acidic HER processes.

Examining multidimensional health poverty and determining factors among rural women of childbearing age in ningxia, china.

Background: The multidimensional health poverty afflicting rural women of reproductive age bears profound implications for the sustainable development of families, societies, and healthy villages. Elucidating vulnerable groups at risk of multidimensional health poverty and delineating its determinants can inform refinements and implementation of health-poverty alleviation policies.

Methods: Based on the 2022 "Health Status and Health Service Utilization" survey data in rural Ningxia, China, this study analyzes the dimension of health status, capacity for health service utilization, health expenditure and security using the A-F dual-threshold method, logit model, and probit model.

Significance of humic matters-soil mineral interactions for environmental remediation: A review.

Industrial and human activities have led to serious soil and water pollution. Traditional remediation techniques have problems such as high treatment costs and the tendency to cause secondary pollution. Soil minerals and humic matters are common active components in soils.

Association between sanitary toilets and health poverty vulnerability among rural western Chinese adults aged 45 years and older: A cross-sectional study.

This study aimed to investigate the association between sanitary toilets and health poverty vulnerability among rural western Chinese adults aged 45 years and older. Using data from the 'Rural Household Health Inquiry Survey' conducted in 2022, a three-stage feasible generalized least squares method was employed to calculate health poverty vulnerability. Propensity score matching (PSM) and mediation effect analysis were used to assess the association between sanitary toilets and health poverty vulnerability among rural western Chinese adults aged 45 years and older and the mechanisms underlying this impact.

Intranasal esketamine versus esketamine-dexmedetomidine combination for premedication in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Preoperative fear and anxiety are prevalent in children undergoing surgery. The combination of esketamine and dexmedetomidine has been proposed as a promising premedication for enhancing preoperative sedation and analgesia. This study compared the premedication efficacy of intranasal esketamine alone and esketamine-dexmedetomidine combination in pediatric patients undergoing strabismus surgery.

Association between cooking with solid fuels and depressive symptoms among middle-aged and older adults in China: The mediating effect of the residential environment.

Background: Depression is a common issue among elderly people in both developing and developed countries. Existing research indicates that cooking with solid fuels has a negative impact on the mental health of middle-aged and elderly people (aged 45 and older). However, the potential role of the residential environment in this process is not yet clear.

Molecular mechanisms underlying sex and treatment-dependent differences in an animal model of cue-exposure therapy for cocaine relapse prevention.

Environmental enrichment combined with the glycine transporter-1 inhibitor Org24598 (EE+ORG) during cocaine-cue extinction (EXT) inhibited reacquisition of 1.0 mg/kg cocaine self-administration in male but not female rats in a previous investigation. In this investigation, we determined if this treatment benefit in males required EXT training and ascertained the molecular basis for the observed sex difference in treatment efficacy.