Theoretical insights into spacer molecule design to tune stability, dielectric, and exciton properties in 2D perovskites.

Two-dimensional organic-inorganic perovskites have garnered extensive interest owing to their unique structure and optoelectronic performance. However, their loose structures complicate the elucidation of mechanisms and tend to cause uncertainty and variations in experimental and calculated results. This can generally be rooted in dynamically swinging spacer molecules through two mechanisms: one is the intrinsic geometric steric effect, and the other is related to the electronic effect orbital overlapping and electronic screening.

Single cell derived multicellular meristem: insights into male-to-hermaphrodite conversion and de novo meristem formation in ceratopteris.

Land plants alternate between asexual sporophytes and sexual gametophytes. Unlike seed plants, ferns develop free-living gametophytes. Gametophytes of the model fern Ceratopteris exhibit two sex types: hermaphrodites with pluripotent meristems and males lacking meristems.

Crafting Hollow Spheres via Bulk Ice Melting with ppb-Level Gas Sensing Performance.

Ice melting, a common yet complex phenomenon, remains incompletely understood. While theoretical studies suggest that preexisting defects in ice generate "off-lattice" water molecules, triggering bulk ice melting, direct experimental evidence of their form has been lacking as the transparent and transient nature of ice poses significant challenges for observation with current techniques. Here, we introduce an ice-melting-induced lyophilization (IMIL) technique that employs graphene-based nanoprobes to replicate and track liquid evolution within melting bulk ice.

Direct lysine dimethylation of IRF3 by the methyltransferase SMYD3 attenuates antiviral innate immunity.

Interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) is the key transcription factor in the type I IFN signaling pathway, whose activation is regulated by multiple posttranslational modifications. Here, we identify SMYD3, a lysine methyltransferase, as a negative regulator of IRF3. SMYD3 interacts with IRF3 and catalyzes the dimethylation of IRF3 at lysine 39.

Palladium-catalyzed allylic C-H alkylation of terminal olefins with 3-carboxamide oxindoles.

A novel palladium-catalyzed allylic C-H alkylation of terminal olefins with 3-carboxamide oxindoles is described. A variety of new 3-carboxamide-3-allylation oxindoles with an all-carbon quaternary center were obtained in moderate to good yields (up to 99%). In addition, the asymmetric version of this reaction was also explored, providing moderate enantioselectivity.

Calcium-mediated mitochondrial fission and mitophagy drive glycolysis to facilitate arterivirus proliferation.

Mitochondria, recognized as the "powerhouse" of cells, play a vital role in generating cellular energy through dynamic processes such as fission and fusion. Viruses have evolved mechanisms to hijack mitochondrial function for their survival and proliferation. Here, we report that infection with the swine arterivirus porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV), manipulates mitochondria calcium ions (Ca2+) to induce mitochondrial fission and mitophagy, thereby reprogramming cellular energy metabolism to facilitate its own replication.

Ghrelin Induces Ferroptosis Resistance and M2 Polarization of Microglia to Alleviate Neuroinflammation and Cognitive Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease.

Microglial polarization and ferroptosis are important pathological features in Alzheimer's disease (AD). Ghrelin, a brain-gut hormone, has potential neuroprotective effects in AD. This study aimed to explore the potential mechanisms by which ghrelin regulates the progression of AD, as well as the crosstalk between microglial polarization and ferroptosis.

Palmitoylation-dependent association with Annexin II directs hepatitis E virus ORF3 sorting into vesicles and quasi-enveloped virions.

Historically considered to be nonenveloped, hepatitis E virus (HEV), an important zoonotic pathogen, has recently been discovered to egress from infected cells as quasi-enveloped virions. These quasi-enveloped virions circulating in the blood are resistant to neutralizing antibodies, thereby facilitating the stealthy spread of infection. Despite abundant evidence of the essential role of the HEV-encoded ORF3 protein in quasi-enveloped virus formation, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Design, Synthesis, and Antibacterial Activity of Novel Sulfone Derivatives Containing a 1,2,4-Triazolo[4,3-]Pyridine Moiety.

To develop antibacterial agents with a novel mechanism of action, a series of sulfone compounds containing a 1,2,4-triazolo[4,3-]pyridine were designed and synthesized by progressive molecular structure optimization. The antibacterial activities of some derivatives against the four plant pathogens (), (), (), and () were evaluated. Among them, compound demonstrated significant antibacterial activities against , , and , with EC values of 1.

Zika and Dengue Virus Autoimmunity: An Overview of Related Disorders and Their Potential Mechanisms.

Zika virus (ZIKV) and dengue virus (DENV) are two major mosquito-borne flaviviruses that pose a significant threat to the global public health system, particularly in tropical regions. The clinical outcomes related to these viral pathogens can vary from self-limiting asymptomatic infections to various forms of life-threatening pathological conditions such as haemorrhagic disorders. In addition to the direct effects of the viral pathogens, immune processes play also a significant function in the development of diseases mediated by ZIKV and DENV.

Validation of a method for estimating pulmonary dead space in ventilated beagles to correct exhaled propofol concentration in mixed air.

Background: Mixed exhaled air has been widely used to determine exhaled propofol concentrations with online analyzers, but changes in dead space proportions may lead to inaccurate assessments of critical drug concentration data. This study proposes a method to correct propofol concentration in mixed air by estimating pulmonary dead space through reconstructing volumetric capnography (Vcap) from time-CO and time-volume curves, validated with vacuum ultraviolet time-of-flight mass spectrometry (VUV-TOF MS).

Methods: Existing monitoring parameters, including time-volume and time-CO curves, were used to determine Vcap.

Recursive partitioning staging system based on the log odds of the negative lymph node/T stage ratio in colon mucinous adenocarcinoma.

Background: This study aimed to investigate the prognostic significance of the log odds of negative lymph nodes/T stage ratio (LONT) and develop an efficient prognostic staging system using LONT in patients with colon mucinous adenocarcinoma (MAC).

Methods: This study included 5,236 patients diagnosed with colon MAC obtained from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results database. The Kaplan-Meier method, subgroup analysis, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve, and Cox proportional hazard regression model were used to determine the clinical outcomes.

Ultrasonography-guided aspiration and sclerotherapy for simple renal cysts in children: a comparative study with laparoscopic deroofing and optimization of therapeutic approaches.

Objective: To compare the clinical outcomes of ultrasonography-guided aspiration and sclerotherapy and laparoscopic deroofing for the treatment of simple renal cysts in children, providing evidence for clinical decision-making in the management of pediatric renal cysts.

Methods: A total of 49 patients with simple renal cysts were divided into two groups based on the treatment method: 29 patients (group 1) underwent laparoscopic deroofing, 20 patients (group 2) underwent ultrasonography-guided aspiration and sclerotherapy. The clinical efficacy differences between the two groups were compared.

Klp2-mediated Rsp1-Mto1 colocalization inhibits microtubule-dependent microtubule assembly in fission yeast.

Microtubule assembly takes place at the centrosome and noncentrosomal microtubule-organizing centers (MTOCs). However, the mechanisms controlling the activity of noncentrosomal MTOCs are poorly understood. Here, using the fission yeast as a model organism, we demonstrate that the kinesin-14 motor Klp2 interacts with the J-domain Hsp70/Ssa1 cochaperone Rsp1, an inhibitory factor of microtubule assembly, and that Klp2 is required for the proper localization of Rsp1 to microtubules.

LGR4 promotes proliferation and homing via activation of the NF‑κB signaling pathway in multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy characterized by clonal proliferation in the bone marrow (BM). Previously, it was reported that G‑protein‑coupled receptor 4 (LGR4) contributed to early hematopoiesis and was associated with poor prognosis in patients with MM. However, the mechanism of cell homing and migration, which is critical for MM progression, remains unclear.

Successful Treatment of Freckles Using a 730-nm Picosecond Laser: A Prospective Study.

Objective: Freckles are common hyperpigmented diseases that commonly occur in Caucasians and Asians. Freckles often cause cosmetic and even psychosocial concerns. Various lasers with different wavelengths have been used to treat pigmented spots.

Spatial transcriptomics reveals unique metabolic profile and key oncogenic regulators of cervical squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: As a prevalent and deadly malignant tumor, the treatment outcomes for late-stage patients with cervical squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) are often suboptimal. Previous studies have shown that tumor progression is closely related with tumor metabolism and microenvironment reshaping, with disruptions in energy metabolism playing a critical role in this process. To delve deeper into the understanding of CSCC development, our research focused on analyzing the tumor microenvironment and metabolic characteristics across different regions of tumor tissue.

Pathomics-based machine learning models for predicting pathological complete response and prognosis in locally advanced rectal cancer patients post-neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: insights from two independent institutional studies.

Background: Accurate prediction of pathological complete response (pCR) and disease-free survival (DFS) in locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (NCRT) is essential for formulating effective treatment plans. This study aimed to construct and validate the machine learning (ML) models to predict pCR and DFS using pathomics.

Method: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 294 patients who received NCRT from two independent institutions.

Kidney Gastrin/CCKBR Attenuates Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus by Inhibiting SGLT2-Mediated Glucose Reabsorption through Erk/NF-κB Signaling Pathway.

Background: Both sodium-glucose cotransporters (SGLTs) and Na+/H+ exchangers (NHEs) rely on a favorable Na-electrochemical gradient. Gastrin, through the cholecystokinin B receptor (CCKBR), can induce natriuresis and diuresis by inhibiting renal NHEs activity. The present study aims to unveil the role of renal CCKBR in diabetes through SGLT2-mediated glucose reabsorption.

A novel piperine derivative HJ-23 exhibits anti-colorectal cancer effects by activating the p53 pathway.

There has been an increase in the incidence and poor prognosis of colorectal cancer in recent years. In several studies, piperine has been shown to inhibit colon cancer cell growth and induce apoptosis. This study aimed to investigate whether a novel piperine-derived compound, HJ-23 (2,2-difluorobenzo[d][1,3]dioxol-5-yl)(4-(2,4-difluorophenyl)piperazin-1-yl)methanone), can effectively inhibit the development of colorectal cancer through specific molecular mechanisms.