Ultrasound-assisted preparation of shikonin-loaded emulsions for the treatment of bacterial infections.

Bacteria can encapsulate themselves in a self-generated matrix of hydrated extracellular polymeric substances such as polysaccharides, proteins, and nucleic acids, thereby forming bacterial biofilm infections. These biofilms are drug resistant and will diminish the efficacy of antimicrobial agents, rendering treatment of such infections challenging. Herein, an innovative strategy is proposed to synergistically degrade bacterial biofilms and eradicate the entrapped bacteria through integrating α-amylase (α-Amy), shikonin (SK) and epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) within an emulsion.

The inhibition of ZC3H13 attenuates G2/M arrest and apoptosis by alleviating NABP1 m6A modification in cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a clinical syndrome caused by various etiologies and causes a rapid decline in renal function in a short period of time. The most common internal modification of mRNAs is the N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, which is important for controlling gene expressions. However, the role of m6A modification in AKI is largely unknown.

Parenting styles and externalizing problem behaviors of preschoolers: mediation through self-control abilities and emotional management skills.

Introduction: The detection rate of externalizing problem behaviors among Chinese children has been increasing year by year. Before the age of six, the problem behaviors that appear in children are predominantly externalizing problem behaviors. Family is the starting point for children's socialization.

Identification of ECE2 signaling in promoting non-small lung cancer progression through ET1/YAP1/MAGEA3 axis.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a major cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide with high heterogeneity. However, the molecular basis for NSCLC development remains poorly understood. In this study, we analyzed endothelin converting enzyme 2 (ECE2) expression in NSCLC using transcriptome data from 59 normal and 515 NSCLC tissues obtained from The cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database.

The Financial Toxicity Experience of Patients with Colorectal Cancer During Chemotherapy: A Qualitative Study.

Background: This study aimed to explore the experience of financial toxicity in patients with colorectal cancer during chemotherapy and to inform the development of targeted interventions.

Methods: A descriptive qualitative research method was used to conduct semi-structured interviews with a purposive sample of 15 patients with colorectal cancer undergoing chemotherapy who attended the Department of Medical Oncology of the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from March to June 2024, and the data were organized and analyzed using the Nvivo 11.0 qualitative data analysis software and the thematic analysis method.

Hydrogen Bonding-Driven Adaptive Coacervates as Protocells.

Coacervation based on liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) has been widely used for the preparation of artificial protocells and to mimic the dynamic organization of membrane-free organelles. Most complex synthetic coacervates are formed through electrostatic interactions but cannot withstand high ionic strength conditions (>0.1 M).

Inosine Prevents Colorectal Cancer Progression by Inducing M1 Phenotypic Polarization of Macrophages.

Inosine (IS) is a naturally occurring metabolite of adenosine with potent immunomodulatory effects. This study investigates the immunomodulatory effects of inosine, particularly its ability to inhibit the development of colorectal cancer (CRC) cells CT26 through modulation of macrophage phenotypes. Aside from the already reported effects of inosine on T cells, in this study, in vitro experiments revealed that inosine could modulate macrophage phenotype.

Downscaling of ERA5 reanalysis land surface temperature based on attention mechanism and Google Earth Engine.

Land Surface Temperature (LST) is widely recognized as a sensitive indicator of climate change, and it plays a significant role in ecological research. The ERA5-Land LST dataset, developed and managed by the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts (ECMWF), is extensively used for global or regional LST studies. However, its fine-scale application is limited by its low spatial resolution.

Antioxidative Indole Diketopiperazine Alkaloids from Endophytic Fungi Aspergillus sp. JXC-5.

Three previously undescribed indole diketopiperazine alkaloids and seventeen known compounds were characterized by Aspergillus sp. JXC-5 by solid fermentation. Their structures were elucidated by spectroscopic methods and high-resolution electrospray ionization mass spectrometry, and the absolute configurations were further confirmed by electronic circular dichroism (ECD), induced CD spectra, and ML_J_DP4 methods.

The gut microbiome across the lifespan: how diet modulates our microbial ecosystem from infancy to the elderly.

This comprehensive review examines the impact of dietary patterns on gut microbiome composition and diversity from infancy to old age, linking these changes to age-related health outcomes. It investigates how the gut microbiome develops and changes across life stages, focusing on the influence of dietary factors. The review explores how early-life feeding practices, including breastfeeding and formula feeding, shape the infant gut microbiota and have lasting effects.

Microscopic investigation of chemical and physical alteration behaviors in sandstone minerals induced by CO-HO-rock interactions during CO saline aquifer storage.

CO saline aquifer storage represents a promising strategy for mitigating the environmental impact of greenhouse gas emissions. However, the long-term effects of CO dissolved in formation water on rock minerals remain insufficiently understood. This study utilizes cast thin section analysis, scanning electron microscopy, and energy dispersive spectrometry techniques to perform a comprehensive microscopic investigation on this issue.

Anti-Inflammatory and Antioxidative -Acetyldopamine Dimers from Adult Smith.

One undescribed fatty glyceride (), two unreported -acetyldopamine dimers ( and ), and four known structurally diverse -acetyldopamine dimers were isolated from adult Smith. Their structures were elucidated based on a comprehensive analysis of spectroscopic data, HRESIMS, and NMR calculations with ML_J_DP4, and the absolute configurations of and were determined via ECD calculations. Regarding their bioactivities, compounds and can inhibit the production of NO.

TRAIL induces podocyte PANoptosis via death receptor 5 in diabetic kidney disease.

Podocytes can undergo PANoptosis (apoptosis, pyroptosis, and necroptosis). Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is the leading cause of kidney failure, and podocyte loss is a major event leading to the progression of DKD. Here, we compared single cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data between three normal and three DKD human kidney samples and found a significant increase of TNFSF10 and TNFRSF10B expression in podocytes of patients with DKD.

Sodium Danshensu Inhibits Macrophage Inflammation in Atherosclerosis via the miR-200a-3p/MEKK3/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Macrophages are fundamental cellular components of atherosclerotic plaques, and inhibition of macrophage inflammation can delay the development of atherosclerotic plaques. Sodium danshensu (SDSS) can inhibit inflammatory responses and thus delay atherosclerosis, but the specific mechanism remains unclear. The effect of SDSS in inhibiting atherosclerosis was confirmed by observing and detecting atherosclerotic plaque area, morphology and lipid levels in the aorta.

LncRNA PVT1 induces mitochondrial dysfunction of podocytes via TRIM56 in diabetic kidney disease.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is a significant contributor to podocyte injury in diabetic kidney disease (DKD). While previous studies have shown that PVT1 might play a vital role in DKD, the precise molecular mechanisms are largely unknown. By analyzing the plasma and kidney tissues of DKD patients, we observed a significant upregulation of PVT1 expression, which exhibited a positive correlation with albumin/creatinine ratios and serum creatinine levels.

Chromosome-level genome assembly of the medicinal insect Blaps rhynchopetera using Nanopore and Hi-C technologies.

Blaps rhynchopetera Fairmaire is a significant medicinal resource in southwestern China. We utilized Nanopore and Hi-C technologies in combination to generate a high-quality, chromosome-level assembly of the B. rhynchopetera genome and described its genetic features.

Heterogeneity of cerebral atrophic rate in mild cognitive impairment and its interactive association with proteins related to microglia activity on longitudinal cognitive changes.

Background: Heterogeneity of cerebral atrophic rate commonly exists in mild cognitive impairment (MCI), which may be associated with microglia-involved neuropathology and have an influence on cognitive outcomes.

Objective: We aim to explore the heterogeneity of cerebral atrophic rate among MCI and its association with plasma proteins related to microglia activity, with further investigation of their interaction effects on long-term cognition.

Subjects: A total of 630 MCI subjects in the ADNI database were included, of which 260 subjects were available with baseline data on plasma proteins.

PlantSR: Super-Resolution Improves Object Detection in Plant Images.

Recent advancements in computer vision, especially deep learning models, have shown considerable promise in tasks related to plant image object detection. However, the efficiency of these deep learning models heavily relies on input image quality, with low-resolution images significantly hindering model performance. Therefore, reconstructing high-quality images through specific techniques will help extract features from plant images, thus improving model performance.

Buyang Huanwu Decoction Alleviates Atherosclerosis by Regulating gut Microbiome and Metabolites in Apolipoprotein E-deficient Mice fed with High-fat Diet.

The traditional Chinese herbal prescription Buyang Huanwu decoction (BHD), effectively treats atherosclerosis. However, the mechanism of BHD in atherosclerosis remains unclear. We aimed to determine whether BHD could alleviate atherosclerosis by altering the microbiome-associated metabolic changes in atherosclerotic mice.

GWAS determined genetic loci associated with callus induction in oil palm tissue culture.

GWAS identified six loci at 25 kb downstream of WAK2, a crucial gene for cell wall and callus formation, enabling development of a SNP marker for enhanced callus induction potential. Efficient callus induction is vital for successful oil palm tissue culture, yet identifying genomic loci and markers for early detection of genotypes with high potential of callus induction remains unclear. In this study, immature male inflorescences from 198 oil palm accessions (dura, tenera and pisifera) were used as explants for tissue culture.