In this article we study the structure and the orientation of DNA strands by Surface Enhanced Raman Scattering (SERS). We study the influence of two parameters on the structure of strands containing 20 adenines: the hybridization with the complementary strand and the presence of mismatch within the sequence. By varying the concentration of complementary strands, we show that hybridisation induces a change in strand orientation and loss of flexibility, indicating that the formation of the double helix freezes the conformation of DNA strand.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe choroid plexus is a major site for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production, characterized by a multiciliated epithelial monolayer that regulates CSF production. We demonstrate that defective choroid plexus ciliogenesis or intraflagellar transport yields neonatal hydrocephalus, at least in part due to increased water channel Aqp1 and ion transporter Atp1a2 expression. We demonstrate choroid plexus multicilia as sensory cilia, transducing both canonical and non-canonical Sonic Hedgehog (Shh) signaling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHuman cell division cycle-associated 8 (CDCA8), also known as Borealin or Dasra-B, is a critical component of the vertebrate Chromosomal Passenger Complex (CPC). It plays a pivotal role in the segregation of sister chromatids during the cell cycle and is essential for preventing the formation of aneuploid chromosomes and ensuring successful cytokinesis. Numerous studies have demonstrated that CDCA8 is upregulated in various cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma, lung cancer, glioma, and bladder cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: First-pass effect (FPE) is crucial for better outcomes in mechanical thrombectomy (MT) for acute large vessel occlusions. However, its frequency and predictors in vertebrobasilar artery occlusion (VBAO) remain unclear.
Objective: To conduct a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the incidence of FPE in MT for VBAO and its impact on key clinical outcomes.
Red mud (RM), a solid waste byproduct of the alumina industry, has accumulated in significant global stockpiles. Currently, the primary application of RM involves magnetic separation to recover iron oxides, while the residual RM is predominantly landfilled. Due to its strong alkalinity, RM can serve as a substitute for strong alkalis or sodium salts in the alkali activation of concrete, thereby accelerating setting time and improving early-age strength.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFExosomal miRNAs, particularly miRNA-21, are promising cancer biomarkers. Current enzyme-dependent detection methods face challenges, such as environmental limitations and high costs. In contrast, enzyme-independent sensors are highly desirable for on-site, miniaturized, and cost-effective miRNA detection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis study presents a novel method for sensitive miRNA detection based on a split-T7 switch modulating CRISPR/Cas12a system. By integrating the split-T7 promoter-mediated transcription with the CRISPR/Cas12a system, this method can achieve femtomolar detection of the target miRNA within 1 h and successfully analyze miR-21 in samples from various cell lines, demonstrating its potential for clinical applications.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWith advancements in oil and gas exploration, the design and measurement methods of X-ray density logging tools have gained significant attention as a new generation of controllable sources. Using an existing ultra-slim gamma tool as an example, this work shows how the tool could be re-designed by replacing the gamma source with an X-ray source. The key aspects of this study include: 1) Simulating the production of X-ray with different energies; 2) Studying the optimum spacing of X-ray logging tool by considering the factors of detection efficiency, density measurement sensitivity, and depth of investigation; 3) Performing X-ray density measurements using multivariable forward and inversion methods and comparing the results with gamma density logging.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe ability to survive starvation is a critical evolutionary adaptation, yet the molecular mechanisms underlying this capability remain incompletely understood. Pore-forming proteins (PFPs) are typically associated with immune defense, where they disturb the membranes of target cells. However, the role of PFPs in non-immune functions, particularly in metabolic and structural adaptations to starvation, is less explored.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMultiscale cation inhomogeneity has been a major hurdle in state-of-the-art formamidinium-caesium (FA-Cs) mixed-cation perovskites for achieving perovskite solar cells with optimal power conversion efficiencies and durability. Although the field has attempted to homogenize the overall distributions of FA-Cs in perovskite films from both plan and cross-sectional views, our understanding of grain-to-grain cation inhomogeneity and ability to tailor it-that is, spatially resolving the FA-Cs compositional difference between individual grains down to the nanoscale-are lacking. Here we reveal that as fundamental building blocks of a perovskite film, individual grains exhibit cationic compositions deviating from the prescribed ideal composition, severely limiting the interfacial optoelectronic properties and perovskite layer durability.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElaborate engineering of the microstructure of electromagnetic (EM) absorption materials affords infinite potential for achieving superior EM wave absorption performance. In this work, a leaf-like Co/C nanosheet was rationally fabricated by a facile pyrolysis of a CoZn-based zeolitic imidazolate framework-L (Co/Zn-ZIF-L) precursor. Herein, Co nanoparticles (NPs) are uniformly confined in the leaf-like porous carbon matrix, forming attractive heterostructures.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFenghuang Dancong tea (FHDC) is a renowned oolong tea in China due to its complex aroma characteristics. However, the aroma differences between FHDC teas with typical aroma profiles are still unknown. This study employed the sensomics approach to characterize the key odorants in three distinct FHDC samples with aroma types of Yashi, Huangzhi, and Milan, respectively.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFGlycogen synthase kinase 3 (GSK3)-like kinases play important roles in stress responses in plants. However, the mechanism of GSK3-like kinases in drought-induced antioxidant defense is not clear. In this study, we discovered that the GSK3-like kinase SHAGGY-like kinase 1 (ZmSK1) negatively regulates drought tolerance by inhibiting antioxidant defense in maize (Zea mays).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLithium manganese oxide (LiMnO) is a promising cathode material for Li-ion batteries due to its abundant reserves and high discharge voltage. However, the dissolution and migration of transition metal Mn ions during the cycling process will cause a significant deterioration of capacity. In this study, a MOF-based quasi-solid electrolyte (UiO-QSE) is proposed to tackle this issue.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: To explore the differences in long-term ankle joint function between one-stage and staged microsurgical repair of open Achilles tendon defects.
Methods: A retrospective analysis of the surgical treatment and follow-up data of 147 patients with open Achilles tendon defects from January 2007 to September 2023 was conducted. Patients were divided into a one-stage reconstruction group (n = 81) and a staged reconstruction group (n = 66) on the basis of whether one-stage microsurgical repair was used.
Alterations in intestinal microbiota have been identified as a key risk factor in rheumatoid arthritis (RA). This study presents a multidimensional gut microbiota profile from a large cohort of RA patients, stratified by disease stage and treatment regimens, and compared to healthy controls. Our dataset comprises gut microbiota profiles from 2,238 individuals, including 1,034 RA patients (Ascia Pacific RA cohort, APRAC) and 1,204 healthy controls.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe electrocatalytic oxidation of ethylene glycol (EG) to produce valuable glycolic acid (GLYA) is a promising strategy to tackle EG overcapacity. Despite the good selectivity of Pd for EG oxidation, its performance is constrained by limited mass activity and toxicity of intermediates like CO or CO-analogues. This study reports the alloying of Pd with Ni and Mo metals to enhance the activity and durability of EG oxidation in alkaline media.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFG protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) and G proteins transmit signals from hormones and neurotransmitters across cell membranes, initiating downstream signaling and modulating cellular behavior. Using advanced computer modeling and simulation, we identified atomistic-level structural, dynamic, and energetic mechanisms of norepinephrine (NE) and stimulatory G protein (G) interactions with β-adrenergic receptors (βARs), crucial GPCRs for heart function regulation and major drug targets. Our analysis revealed distinct binding behaviors of NE within βAR and βAR despite identical orthosteric binding pockets.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChoroid plexus is a major site for cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) production, characterized by a multiciliated epithelial monolayer that regulates CSF production. We demonstrate that defective choroid plexus ciliogenesis or Intraflagellar transport yields neonatal hydrocephalus, at least in part, due to increased water channel Aqp1 and ion transporter Atp1a2 expression. We demonstrate choroid plexus multicilia as sensory cilia, transducing both canonical and non-canonical Shh signaling.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFClear cell meningioma (CCM) is an exceedingly rare subtype of meningioma, with spinal occurrences being even more uncommon. It predominantly affects children and is characterized by a high recurrence rate and poor prognosis, posing significant challenges for clinical treatment. Currently, gross total resection (GTR) is the best approach to reduce recurrence and improve prognosis in these patients.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
April 2025
Exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) are among the most common biomarkers for tumor diagnosis. However, single-miRNA detection lacks ideal sensitivity and specificity for diagnosing a certain tumor in clinics. In this work, we fabricated a convenient multi-miRNA detection platform for sensitive and specific detection on exosomal miRNAs in the plasma of patients using a terahertz (THz) metamaterial biosensor on the basis of strand displacement amplification (SDA) and AuNPs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFNonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, but effective therapeutic drugs are still lacking. Dihydrotanshinone I (DHTS), a natural product isolated from Salvia miltiorrhiza , has been shown to have ameliorative effects on NAFLD. The aim of this study was to investigate the hepatoprotective effect of DHTS on NAFLD and its mechanism.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Bioeng Biotechnol
January 2025
Biliary duct injury, biliary atresia (BA), biliary tract tumors, primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC), and other diseases are commonly encountered in clinical practice within the digestive system. To gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis and development of these diseases and explore more effective treatment methods, organoid technology has recently garnered significant attention. Organoids are three-dimensional structures derived from stem/progenitor cells that can faithfully mimic the intricate structure and physiological function of tissues or organs .
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe rapid advancement of precision medicine and the continuous emergence of novel pathogens have presented new challenges for biosensors, necessitating higher requirements. Target amplification technology serves as the core component in biosensor construction. Enzyme-based amplification methods are often sensitive and selective but involve relatively complex operational steps, whereas enzyme-free amplification methods offer simplicity but frequently fail to meet both sensitivity and selectivity simultaneously.
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