Co-boosted catalytic performance of polyhistidine-tagged organophosphate hydrolase locked in cobalt-organic framework.

Hydrolysis of organophosphates (OPs) with organophosphate hydrolase (OPH) provides a green approach to degrading OPs, but the success of enzymatic OPs degradation relies on the availability of high-efficiency OPH. Herein, we report a simple but effective way to constructing high-performance OPH preparations based on the in situ encapsulation of hexahistidine-tagged OPH (H-OPH) into cobaltous zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-67) via biomineralization. ZIF-8 made of the same organic ligand but a different metal ion (Zn) was used for comparison.

Solar Energy-Promoted Bisphenol A Degradation with Immobilized Laccase in an FeO-Embedded Metal-Organic Framework.

Bisphenol A (BPA) is a well-recognized endocrine-disrupting chemical that poses risks to both human health and the environment. Laccase can effectively biodegrade bisphenol A, but the low environmental temperature (∼25 °C) restricts the biodegradation efficiency. In this study, the enzyme laccase and FeO with solar-thermal conversion capability were coimmobilized into zeolitic imidazolate framework-8 (Lac@ZIF-8-FeO) to facilitate efficient biodegradation of bisphenol A under simulated solar irradiation.

Effects of acute rope skipping exercises of different exercise modes on cognitive function in 9-10-year-old children.

To explore the effects of acute high-intensity interval rope skipping exercise and acute moderate-intensity continuous rope skipping exercise on cognitive function in 9-10-year-old children, this study aims to inform the selection of appropriate jump rope methods for cognitive training in physical activities. A total of 60 students from two classes of fourth grade in a primary school were selected as research subjects. After matching according to gender, they were randomly divided into HIIT group, MICT group and control group.

Cationic Surface Charge Engineering of Recombinant Transthyretin Remarkably Increases the Inhibitory Potency Against Amyloid β-Protein Fibrillogenesis.

The deposition of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) in the brain is the main pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The development of potent inhibitors against Aβ aggregation is one of the effective strategies to combat AD. Endogenous transthyretin (TTR) can inhibit Aβ fibrillization via hydrophobic interactions, but its weak inhibitory potency hinders its application in AD therapy.

Discovery of broad-spectrum high-affinity peptide ligands of spike protein for the vaccine purification of SARS-CoV-2 and Omicron variants.

To combat with emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants of concern (VOCs), we report the identification of a set of unique HWK-motif peptide ligands for the receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2 spike (S) protein from a phage-displayed peptide library. These HWK-motif peptides exhibited nanomolar affinity for RBD. Among them, the peptide, HWKAVNWLKPWT (SP-HWK), had not only the highest affinities for RBD and trimer S protein, but also broad-spectrum affinities for RBDs from VOCs.

Associations of ambient air pollution and daily outpatient visits for pediatric atopic dermatitis in Shanghai, China.

Limited evidence was available on ambient air pollution and pediatric atopic dermatitis (AD). The study aimed to evaluate the associations between short-term exposure to air pollutants and outpatient visits for pediatric AD. From 2016-2018, we collected data on six criteria air pollutants (PM, PM, NO, SO, CO and O) and daily outpatient visits for pediatric AD in 66 hospitals, covering all districts in Shanghai, China.

Methodological Validation and Inter-Laboratory Comparison of Microneutralization Assay for Detecting Anti-AAV9 Neutralizing Antibody in Human.

Anti-AAV neutralizing Abs (NAbs) titer is usually measured by cell-based microneutralization (MN) assay and is crucial for patient screening in AAV-based gene therapy clinical trials. However, achieving uniform operation and comparable results among different laboratories remains challenging. Here, we established a standardized MN assay for anti-AAV9 NAbs in human sera or plasma and transferred the method to the other two research teams.

Dual-Carbon Dots Composite: A Multifunctional Photo-Propelled Nanomotor Against Alzheimer's β-Amyloid.

The abnormal accumulation of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) is considered as the main pathological hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The design of potent multifunctional theranostic agents targeting Aβ is one of the effective strategies for AD prevention and treatment. Nanomotors as intelligent, advanced, and multifunctional nanoplatforms can perform many complex tasks, but their application in AD theranostics is rare.

Reflections on appropriately liberalizing ART for groups requiring special attention in China.

Purpose: The continuous advancement of assisted reproductive technologies (ART) and the evolving attitudes towards marriage and fertility among the general public have led to an increasing number of groups requiring special attention (GRSA) desiring to fulfill their reproductive needs through these technologies. These groups include single women (including single mothers without children), same-sex couples, and women in high-risk occupations, among others. The purpose of this paper is to explore the feasibility of appropriately liberalizing ART for GRSA.

Effectiveness of the six-step approach guided online training program to improve knowledge of pneumonia among pediatricians: a pretest-posttest study.

Background: In 2023, China witnessed an earlier and more widespread outbreak of pneumonia (MPP). To address this situation, an online training program was designed to enhance the knowledge of MPP among pediatricians in Shanghai, China.

Methods: An online training program on the diagnosis and treatment of MPP, guided by Kern's six-step approach, was developed by the Shanghai Pediatric Clinical Quality Control Center.

Serum albumin-embedding copper nanoclusters inhibit Alzheimer's β-amyloid fibrillogenesis and neuroinflammation.

Increasing evidence suggests that the accumulations of reactive oxygen species (ROS), β-amyloid (Aβ), and neuroinflammation are crucial pathological hallmarks for the onset of Alzheimer's disease (AD), yet there are few effective treatment strategies. Therefore, design of nanomaterials capable of simultaneously elimination of ROS and inhibition of Aβ aggregation and neuroinflammation is urgently needed for AD treatment. Herein, we designed human serum albumin (HSA)-embedded ultrasmall copper nanoclusters (CuNCs@HSA) via an HSA-mediated fabrication strategy.

[Interpretation of the UK screening and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity updated 2022 guidelines].

The UK screening and treatment of retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) updated 2022 guidelines were developed by a multidisciplinary guideline development group from the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists, following the standards of the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. They were published on the websites of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health and the Royal College of Ophthalmologists in March 2022, and formally published in in March 2023. The guidelines provide evidence-based recommendations for the screening and treatment of ROP.

Relationships between Bitter Taste Receptor Gene Evolution, Diet, and Gene Repertoire in Primates.

Bitter taste perception plays a critical role in deterring animals from consuming harmful and toxic substances. To characterize the evolution of primate Tas2r, test the generality of Tas2r duplication in Cercopithecidae species, and examine whether dietary preferences have shaped the Tas2r repertoire of primate species, we identified Tas2r in the genomes of 35 primate species, including 16 Cercopithecidae, 6 Hominidae, 4 Cebidae, 3 Lemuridae, and 6 other species. The results showed that the total number of primate Tas2r ranged from 27 to 51, concentrating on 2 to 4 scaffolds of each species.

Identification of a broad-spectrum high-affinity peptide ligand for the purification of spike proteins.

Since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, the global demand for vaccines has increased rapidly to prevent infection and protect high-risk populations. However, identifying viral mutations poses an additional challenge for chromatographic purification of vaccines and subunit vaccines. In this study, a new affinity peptide model, XVXGLNXWXRYSK, was established, and a library of 612 peptides was generated for ligand screening.

Quercetin-derived red emission carbon dots: A multifunctional theranostic nano-agent against Alzheimer's β-amyloid fibrillogenesis.

Multifunctional agents with therapeutic and diagnostic capabilities are imperative to the prevention of Alzheimer's disease (AD), which is considered due to abnormal aggregation and deposition of β-amyloid protein (Aβ) as well as oxidative stress. Herein, quercetin (Que)- and p-phenylenediamine (p-PD)-derived red emission carbon dots (CDs) synthesized via a one-step hydrothermal method were designed as a novel theranostic nano-agent for the multi-target treatment of AD. R-CD-75 with an optimized composition exhibited significant inhibition of Aβ aggregation and rapid depolymerization of mature Aβ fibrils (<4 h) at micromolar concentrations (2 and 5 μg/mL, respectively).

Affinity chromatography for virus-like particle manufacturing: Challenges, solutions, and perspectives.

The increasing medical application of virus-like particles (VLPs), notably vaccines and viral vectors, has increased the demand for commercial VLP production. However, VLP manufacturing has not yet reached the efficiency level achieved for recombinant protein therapeutics, especially in downstream processing. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the challenges associated with affinity chromatography for VLP purification with respect to the diversity and complexity of VLPs and the associated upstream and downstream processes.

Using an In Vivo Mouse Model to Determine the Exclusion Criteria of Preexisting Anti-AAV9 Neutralizing Antibody Titer of Pompe Disease Patients in Clinical Trials.

The efficacy of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-based gene therapy is dependent on effective viral transduction, which might be inhibited by preexisting immunity to AAV acquired from infection or maternal delivery. Anti-AAV neutralizing Abs (NAbs) titer is usually measured by in vitro assay and used for patient enroll; however, this assay could not evaluate NAbs' impacts on AAV pharmacology and potential harm in vivo. Here, we infused a mouse anti-AAV9 monoclonal antibody into Balb/C mice 2 h before receiving 1.

Composite of KLVFF-Transthyretin-Penetratin and Manganese Dioxide Nanoclusters: A Multifunctional Agent against Alzheimer's β-Amyloid Fibrillogenesis.

Design of amyloid β-protein (Aβ) inhibitors is considered an effective strategy for the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the limited blood-brain barrier (BBB) penetration and poor Aβ-targeting capability restricts the therapeutic efficiency of candidate drugs. Herein, we have proposed to engineer transthyretin (TTR) by fusion of the Aβ-targeting peptide KLVFF and cell-penetrating peptide Penetratin to TTR, and derived a fusion protein, KLVFF-TTR-Penetratin (KTP).

Transthyretin-Penetratin: A Potent Fusion Protein Inhibitor against Alzheimer's Amyloid-β Fibrillogenesis with High Blood Brain Barrier Crossing Capability.

The design of a potent amyloid-β protein (Aβ) inhibitor plays a pivotal role in the prevention and treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Despite endogenous transthyretin (TTR) being recognized as an Aβ inhibitor, the weak inhibitory and blood brain barrier (BBB) crossing capabilities hinder it for Aβ aggregation inhibition and transport. Therefore, we have herein designed a recombinant TTR by conjugating a cationic cell penetrating peptide (penetratin, Pen), which not only enabled the fusion protein, TTR-Pen (TP), to present high BBB penetration but also greatly enhanced the potency of Aβ inhibition.

Co-Immobilization of Laccase and Mediator into Fe-Doped ZIF-8 Significantly Enhances the Degradation of Organic Pollutants.

Co-immobilization of laccase and mediator 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulphonic acid) (ABTS) for wastewater treatment could simultaneously achieve the reusability of laccase and avoid secondary pollution caused by the toxic ABTS. Herein, Fe-induced mineralization was proposed to co-immobilize laccase and ABTS into a metal-organic framework (ZIF-8) within 30 min. Immobilized laccase (Lac@ZIF-8-Fe) prepared at a 1:1 mass ratio of Fe to Zn exhibited enhanced catalytic efficiency (2.