A two-sample mendelian randomization study of non-tuberculous mycobacteria infection and lung cancer.

Background: Non-tuberculous mycobacterial lung disease may coexist or precede lung cancer, yet a causal link remains unproven. This study aimed to elucidate the causal association between non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) and lung cancer.

Methods: Summary data from genome-wide association studies (GWAS) for NTM, atypical mycobacterial lung infections, and various types of lung cancer were utilized.

Novel Characterization Method of the Mesophase Optical Textures Based on In Situ Coking of Heavy Oil.

This study introduces a novel method for rapid characterization of the mesophase optical textures based on in situ coking of heavy oil. The conventional methods of mesophase characterization often compromise the structural integrity of coke's texture and exhibit constraints in image processing, which may lead to misrepresentation of coke properties. In this research, a rapid characterization method for the mesophase was developed, in which the digital image processing technique and statistical methods were combined together.

Discovery of Novel Small-Molecule Inhibitors Disrupting the MTDH-SND1 Protein-Protein Interaction.

MTDH-SND1 protein-protein interaction (PPI) plays an important role in the initiation and development of tumors, and it is a target for the treatment of breast cancer. In this study, we identified and synthesized a series of novel small-molecule inhibitors of MTDH-SND1 PPI. The representative compound showed potent activity against MTDH-SND1 PPI with an IC of 487 ± 99 nM and tight binding to the SND1-purified protein with a value of 279 ± 17 nM.

Dual-stage excitation source improves the analytical sensitivity of miniaturized optical emission spectrometer.

Miniaturized optical emission spectrometric (OES) devices based on various microplasma excitation sources provide a reliable tool for in-situ elemental analysis. The key to improving analytical performance is enhancing the excitation capability of the microplasma source in these devices. Here, dielectric barrier discharge (DBD) and point discharge (PD) technologies are combined to construct an enhanced dual-stage excitation source (called DBD-PD), which improves the overall excitation efficiency and OES signal sensitivity.

Identification of biomarkers for chronic renal fibrosis and their relationship with immune infiltration and cell death.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) represents a significant global public health challenge. This study aims to identify biomarkers of renal fibrosis and elucidate the relationship between unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO), immune infiltration, and cell death.

Methods: Gene expression matrices for UUO were retrieved from the gene expression omnibus (GSE36496, GSE79443, GSE217650, and GSE217654).

Novel PD-L1/VISTA Dual Inhibitor as Potential Immunotherapy Agents.

Inhibiting the activity of immune checkpoint proteins to reignite the antitumor activity of immune cells has emerged as a pivotal strategy. PD-L1 and VISTA, as critical proteins governing immune regulation, are concurrently upregulated under conditions such as hypoxia. Through a rational drug design process, , a dual-target inhibitor for PD-L1 and VISTA is identified.

Association between quantitative CT body composition analysis and prognosis in cetuximab-based first-line treatment for advanced colorectal cancer patients.

Background: The objective of this study is to investigate the potential association between change in body composition before and after cetuximab-based therapy and the prognostic outcomes among individuals diagnosed with advanced colorectal cancer.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was undertaken on a cohort of 81 patients diagnosed with RAS wild-type (WT) metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who were treated with cetuximab-based first-line therapy. To assess relevant body composition parameters, quantitative computed tomography (QCT) scans were conducted both before and after cetuximab treatment.

Precision autofocus in optical microscopy with liquid lenses controlled by deep reinforcement learning.

Microscopic imaging is a critical tool in scientific research, biomedical studies, and engineering applications, with an urgent need for system miniaturization and rapid, precision autofocus techniques. However, traditional microscopes and autofocus methods face hardware limitations and slow software speeds in achieving this goal. In response, this paper proposes the implementation of an adaptive Liquid Lens Microscope System utilizing Deep Reinforcement Learning-based Autofocus (DRLAF).

Melanin-Deferoxamine Nanoparticles Targeting Ferroptosis Mitigate Acute Kidney Injury via RONS Scavenging and Iron Ion Chelation.

Rhabdomyolysis (RM)-induced acute kidney injury (AKI) involves the release of large amounts of iron ions from excess myoglobin in the kidneys, which mediates the overproduction of reactive species with the onset of iron overload via the Fenton reaction, thus inducing ferroptosis and leading to renal dysfunction. Unfortunately, there are no effective treatments for AKI other than supportive care. Herein, we developed a multifunctional nanoplatform (MPD) by covalently bonding melanin nanoparticles (MP NPs) to deferoxamine.

ADAR1 is required for acute myeloid leukemia cell survival by modulating post-transcriptional Wnt signaling through impairing miRNA biogenesis.

Recent extensive studies on the genomic and molecular profiles of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) have expanded the treatment options, including, a range of compounds represented by fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 and isocitrate dehydrogenase 1/2 inhibitors. However, despite this progress, further treatments for AML are still required. Adenosine deaminase acting on RNA 1 (ADAR1) has been shown to play an important oncogenic role in many cancers, but its involvement in AML progression remains underexplored.

Electrothermal desolvation-enhanced microplasma optical emission spectrometry for sensitive determination of Cd, Zn Pb and Mn in environmental water samples.

Herein, a novel electrothermal desolvation (ED) introduction approach is developed to enhance the analytical sensitivity of the point discharge (PD)-based microplasma-optical emission spectrometric (PD-MIP-OES) system for detecting trace Cd, Zn, Pb and Mn in environmental water samples. Liquid samples are converted into aerosols through a miniature ultrasonic nebulizer, and subsequently desolvated by electric heating at 350 °C. The analytes obtained after condensation (referring to the smaller apertures aerosols and volatile analytes after ED and condensation) are excited and detected by PD-MIP-OES.

Triboelectric Nanogenerator-Embedded Intelligent Self-Aligning Roller Bearing with the Capability of Self-Sensing, Monitoring, and Fault Diagnosis.

Monitoring the dynamic behaviors of self-aligning roller bearings (SABs) is vital to guarantee the stability of various mechanical systems. This study presents a novel self-powered, intelligent, and self-aligning roller bearing (I-SAB) with which to monitor rotational speeds and bias angles; it also has an application in fault diagnosis. The designed I-SAB is compactly embedded with a novel sweep-type triboelectric nanogenerator (TENG).

Triptolide exposure triggers ovarian inflammation by activating cGAS-STING pathway and decrease oocyte quality in mouse.

Triptolide (TPL), a prominent bioactive constituent derived from the Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii, exhibits diverse pharmacological effects such as anti-tumor and anti-immune properties. Despite its extensive clinical application for the treatment of arthritis and immune disorders, TPL has been associated with multiorgan toxicity, including adverse effects on the female reproductive system. However, the precise mechanisms underlying TPL-induced ovarian damage remain poorly understood.

Imaging-guided bioresorbable acoustic hydrogel microrobots.

Micro- and nanorobots excel in navigating the intricate and often inaccessible areas of the human body, offering immense potential for applications such as disease diagnosis, precision drug delivery, detoxification, and minimally invasive surgery. Despite their promise, practical deployment faces hurdles, including achieving stable propulsion in complex in vivo biological environments, real-time imaging and localization through deep tissue, and precise remote control for targeted therapy and ensuring high therapeutic efficacy. To overcome these obstacles, we introduce a hydrogel-based, imaging-guided, bioresorbable acoustic microrobot (BAM) designed to navigate the human body with high stability.

EZH2 inhibition enhances T cell immunotherapies by inducing lymphoma immunogenicity and improving T cell function.

T cell-based immunotherapies have demonstrated effectiveness in treating diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL) and follicular lymphoma (FL) but predicting response and understanding resistance remains a challenge. To address this, we developed syngeneic models reflecting the genetics, epigenetics, and immunology of human FL and DLBCL. We show that EZH2 inhibitors reprogram these models to re-express T cell engagement genes and render them highly immunogenic.

Multilevel Cu-LIG Tactile Sensing Arrays for 3D Touch Human-Machine Interaction.

High-performance flexible tactile sensors have attracted significant attention in the domains of human-machine interactions. However, the efficient fabrication of sensors with highly sensitive responses over a broad load range still remains a challenge. Here, we propose a one-step laser writing route to construct a distinctive multilevel piezoresistive structure, consisting of Cu nanoparticle-doped graphene protrusions and surrounding porous Cu sheets.

Enhancing Proton Therapy Efficacy Through Nanoparticle-Mediated Radiosensitization.

Proton therapy, characterized by its unique Bragg peak, offers the potential to optimize the destruction of cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues, positioning it as one of the most advanced cancer treatment modalities currently available. However, in comparison to heavy ions, protons exhibit a relatively lower relative biological effectiveness (RBE), which limits the efficacy of proton therapy. The incorporation of nanoparticles for radiosensitization presents a novel approach to enhance the RBE of protons.

Implantable Multifunctional Micro-Oxygen Reservoir System for Promoting Vascular-Osteogenesis via Remodeling Regenerative Microenvironment.

Hypoxia and reactive oxygen species (ROS) overaccumulation cause persistent oxidative stress and impair intrinsic regenerative potential upon tissue injury. For local tissue injury with hypoxia, such as bone fracture and defects, a localized-sufficient oxygen supply is highly desirable but remains challenging. Therefore, to explore a strategy and its intrinsic mechanism for supplying oxygen locally and remodeling the regenerative microenvironment, an innovative oxygenating hydrogel microsphere system with sustained oxygenation and antioxidant properties is introduced by loading CaO@SiO@PDA (CSP) nanoparticles.

Source and mask optimization for stability of reticle and wafer stages.

The relative motion of the reticle stage and wafer stage caused by vibration during the scanning exposure process of the lithography machine is an important factor that affects the imaging quality under limited lithography ability. In this paper, the influence of the vibration of the lithography stage system on the lithography imaging quality is studied. The lithography model including the vibration error of the stage is taken into account in the framework of source and mask optimization (SMO).

The application of QCT in the prognostic assessment of mCRC undergoing first-line treatment based on bevacizumab.

Background: Bevacizumab induces muscle atrophy by changing the gene expression level of muscle tissue. Quantitative computed tomography (QCT) enables precise measurement of various body compositions, including muscle area.

Materials & Methods: A total of 102 patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) undergoing first-line chemotherapy based on bevacizumab were enrolled at thirst Affiliated Hospital of the University of Science and Technology of China.

Electroanalytical Quantification of DNA Chirality.

Although chirality is critical for molecular properties and functions, experimental quantification of chirality is lacking. Herein, we performed cyclic voltammetry (CV) under polarized magnetic fields to provide a unified scale to quantify and compare DNA chirality. We observed the largest electron spin polarization in DNA structures with opposite chiral senses, which is consistent with the effect of chiral-induced spin selectivity (CISS).

Subphenotypic features of patients with sepsis and ARDS: a multicenter cohort study.

Objectives: Patients with sepsis are often comorbid with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), and the phenotypic characteristics of pulmonary and non-pulmonary infections leading to ARDS are still unclear. This study aimed to compare the phenotypic characteristics of ARDS resulting from pulmonary infections and other non-site infections and provide better guidance for clinical treatment.

Methods: We conducted a multicenter cohort analysis using data from the Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Medical Information Mart for Intensive Care-IV (MIMIC-IV), and the electronic intensive care unit (eICU) databases.

Isolated Ni Atoms for Enhanced Photocatalytic HO Performance with 1.05% Solar-to-Chemical Conversion Efficiency in Pure Water.

Photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (HO) production encounters a major impediment in its low solar-to-chemical conversion (SCC) efficiency due to undesired HO product decomposition. Herein, an isolated nickel (Ni) atom modification strategy is developed to adjust the thermodynamic process of HO production to address the challenge. Sacrificial experiments and in situ characterization reveal that HO generation occurs via a highly selective indirect two-electron oxygen reduction reaction.