Study on the Technical Parameters for Estimating HIV-1 Incidence by Using a Recombinant Antigen-based Capture Enzyme Immunoassay - China.

Introduction: A novel recombinant antigen-based capture enzyme immunoassay (RAg-CEIA) was optimized and used to determine technical parameters for estimating human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) incidence in China.

Methods: We employed orthogonal experimental design to optimize RAg-CEIA by adjusting raw material dilution ratios. The assay was used to measure normalized optical density (ODn) values in 171 longitudinal plasma specimens from 51 HIV-1 seroconverting individuals, plotted against estimated days post-seroconversion.

DMT1 Maintains Iron Homeostasis to Regulate Mitochondrial Function in Porcine Oocytes.

Iron plays critical roles in many cellular functions, including energy production, metabolism, and cell proliferation. However, the role of iron in maintaining oocyte quality remains unclear. In this study, DMT1 was identified as a key iron transporter during porcine oocyte maturation.

Insights into the formulation of lipid nanoparticles for the optimization of mRNA therapeutics.

mRNA-based therapeutics increasingly demonstrate significant potential in treating various diseases, including infectious diseases, cancers, and genetic disorders. Effective delivery systems are crucial for advancing mRNA therapeutics. Lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) serve as an excellent carrier, widely validated for their safety and tolerability in commercially available mRNA vaccines.

Characterizing HIV-1 transmission by genetic cluster analysis among newly diagnosed patients in the China-Myanmar border region from 2020 to 2023.

Cluster analysis of HIV sequence can provide insights into viral transmission patterns in border regions. This study aims to illuminate the HIV-1 subtype distribution and transmission dynamics among newly diagnosed individuals in Dehong prefecture, a region along the China-Myanmar border. Among 948 participants with gene sequences, 36 HIV-1 subtypes were identified, with URFs (18.

Paeoniflorin Promotes Ovarian Development in Mice by Activating Mitophagy and Preventing Oxidative Stress.

During the development of animal organs, various adverse stimuli or toxic environments can induce oxidative stress and delay ovarian development. Paeoniflorin (PF), the main active ingredient of the traditional Chinese herb Pall., has protective effects on various diseases by preventing oxidative stress.

Zinc deficiency deteriorates ovarian follicle development and function by inhibiting mitochondrial function.

Zinc (Zn) is a crucial trace element essential for human growth and development, particularly for reproductive health. Previous research has shown a decrease in serum zinc concentration with age and individuals with conditions such as polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and diabetes mellitus. However, the specific effects of zinc deficiency on the female reproductive system, especially ovarian function, are not fully understood.

A novel deep generative model for mRNA vaccine development: Designing 5' UTRs with 1-methyl-pseudouridine modification.

Efficient translation mediated by the 5' untranslated region (5' UTR) is essential for the robust efficacy of mRNA vaccines. However, the 1-methyl-pseudouridine (m1) modification of mRNA can impact the translation efficiency of the 5' UTR. We discovered that the optimal 5' UTR for m1-modified mRNA (m15' UTR) differs significantly from its unmodified counterpart, highlighting the need for a specialized tool for designing m15' UTRs rather than directly utilizing high-expression endogenous gene 5' UTRs.

Dual-targeting tigecycline nanoparticles for treating intracranial infections caused by multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) Acinetobacter baumannii (A. baumannii) is a formidable pathogen responsible for severe intracranial infections post-craniotomy, exhibiting a mortality rate as high as 71%. Tigecycline (TGC), a broad-spectrum antibiotic, emerged as a potential therapeutic agent for MDR A.

O-GlcNAcylation orchestrates porcine oocyte maturation through maintaining mitochondrial dynamics and function.

O-linked β-N-acetylglucosamine (O-GlcNAc) modification exists widely in cells, playing a crucial role in the regulation of important biological processes such as transcription, translation, metabolism, and the cell cycle. O-GlcNAc modification is an inducible reversible dynamic protein post-translational modification, which regulates complex cellular activities through transient glycosylation and deglycosylation. O-GlcNAc glycosylation is specifically regulated by O-GlcNAc glycosyltransferase (O-GlcNAc transferase, OGT) and O-GlcNAc glycoside hydrolase (O-GlcNAcase).

Porcine promyelocytic leukemia protein isoforms suppress Japanese encephalitis virus replication in PK15 cells.

Background: Promyelocytic leukemia protein (PML) is a primary component of PML nuclear bodies (PML-NBs). PML and PML-NBs play critical roles in processes like the cell cycle, DNA damage repair, apoptosis, and the antiviral immune response. Previously, we identified five porcine PML alternative splicing variants and observed an increase in the expression of these PML isoforms following Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) infection.

Theoretical study of protein adsorption on graphene/h-BN heterostructures.

The biological characteristics of planar heterojunction nanomaterials and their interactions with biomolecules are crucial for the potential application of these materials in the biomedical field. This study employed molecular dynamics (MD) simulations to investigate the interactions between proteins with distinct secondary structures (a single α-helix representing the minimal oligomeric domain protein, a single β-sheet representing the WW structural domain of the Yap65 protein, and a mixed α/β structure representing the BBA protein) and a planar two-dimensional heterojunction (a GRA/h-BN heterojunction consisting of a graphene nanoplate (GRA) and a hexagonal boron nitride nanoplate (h-BN)). The results indicate that all three kinds of protein can be quickly and stably adsorbed on the GRA/h-BN heterojunction due to the strong van der Waals interaction, regardless of their respective types, structures and initial orientations.

Tuning the mechanical properties of sol-gel monolithic metal-organic frameworks by ligand engineering.

The sol-gel monolithic MOFs has come to prominent attention for industrial application owing to the higher powder packing density, enhanced processabilities and mechanical stabilities compared to the powder counterpart. The mechanical properties are particularly important during machine shaping processing because of porous framework structure. We used ligand engineering to design and synthesize UiO-66-type materials modified different chemical functional groups (-NH, -2OH, -2COOH) by sol-gel method, with the aim to assess the impact of different functional groups on the mechanical properties of these monolithic materials based on nanoindentation technology.

Fluorochloridone induces mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptosis in primary goat Sertoli cells.

Fluorochloridone (FLC), a pyrrolidone herbicide, has been recognized as a hazardous chemical. The in vitro adverse effects of FLC on the reproduction of livestock have not been assessed. This study was conducted to explore the cytotoxicity and toxicological mechanisms of FLC on cultured goat Sertoli cells.

mRNA-LNP vaccination-based immunotherapy augments CD8 T cell responses against HPV-positive oropharyngeal cancer.

Although mRNA vaccines are known as potent activators of antigen-specific immune responses against infectious diseases, limited understanding of how they drive the functional commitment of CD8 T cells in tumor microenvironment (TME) and secondary lymphoid organs hinders their broader application in cancer immunotherapy. Here, we systematically evaluated the immunological effects of a lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA vaccine that encodes human papillomavirus E7 protein (HPV mRNA-LNP), a tumor-specific antigen of HPV-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). HPV mRNA-LNP vaccination activated overall and HPV-specific CD8 T cells, as well as differentially drove the functional commitment of CD8 T cells through distinct IFN-response and exhaustion trajectories in the spleen and TME, respectively.

A Tb ion encapsulated anionic indium-organic framework as logical probe for distinguishing quenching Fe and Cu ions.

We successfully synthesized a stable anionic microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) HDU-1 ([MeNH]In[(TATAB)(DMF)](DMF)(HO)) and constructed a fluorescent probe Tb@HDU-1 by an exchange strategy. Because of its suspension distinct fluorescent response of Tb(III) characteristic transition and ligand emission, the Tb@HDU-1 can be used as fluorescent probe for sensing towards Fe and Cu ions. It is surprising that Tb@HDU-1 is used as a ratiometric fluorescent probe for Cu ions while only single peak detection for Fe ions, which describes a particular rare example of a sensor based on Ln-MOFs to distinguish quenching Fe and Cu ions.

Associations between exposure to phthalates and rheumatoid arthritis risk among adults in NHANES, 2007-2016.

Background: The etiology of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is multifactorial, encompassing genetics and environment. Despite the widespread use of phthalates as chemical additives, their potential impact on RA has received limited investigation. This study aimed to evaluate the potential associations between exposure to phthalates and rheumatoid arthritis risk among adults.

An Anionic Porous Indium-Organic Framework with Nitrogen-Rich Linker for Efficient and Selective Removal of Trace Cationic Dyes.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with porosity and functional adjustability have great potential for the removal of organic dyes in the wastewater. Herein, an anionic porous metal-organic framework (MOFs) [MeNH]In[(TATAB)(DMF)]·(DMF)(HO) (HDU-1) was synthesized, which is constructed from a [In(OOC)] cluster and a nitrogen-rich linker HTATAB (4,4',4″--triazine-1,3,5-triyltri--aminobenzoic acid). The negatively charged [In(OOC)] cluster and uncoordinated -COOH on the linker result in one unit cell of HDU-1 having 8 negative sites.

Promising anti-ovarian aging herbal formulation He's Yangchao promotes in vitro maturation of oocytes from advanced maternal age mice.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Marveled at the discovery of artemisinin, the world's expectations for traditional Chinese medicine are rising. He's Yangchao formula (HSYC) is a traditional Chinese herbal formula with the effects of tonifying kidney and essence, and reconciling yin and yang. It has been clinically proven to have anti-ovarian aging effects.

Temperature-Dependent Mechanical Properties of a Metal-Organic Framework: Creep Behavior of a Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 Single Crystal.

Zeolite Imidazole Framework-8 (ZIF-8) with a robust structure and high thermal stability is a strong candidate to act as the catalyst matrix for various chemical applications, especially for those at higher temperatures, like hydrogenation. In this study, the time-dependent plasticity of a ZIF-8 single crystal was explored by a dynamic indentation technique to explore its mechanical stability at higher temperatures. The thermal dynamic parameters for the creep behaviors, like activation volume and activation energy, were determined, and possible mechanisms for the creep of ZIF-8 were then discussed.

Sodium alginate coating simultaneously increases the biosafety and immunotherapeutic activity of the cationic mRNA nanovaccine.

The extraordinary advantages associated with mRNA vaccines, including their high efficiency, relatively low severity of side effects, and ease of manufacture, have enabled them to be a promising immunotherapy approach against various infectious diseases and cancers. Nevertheless, most mRNA delivery carriers have many disadvantages, such as high toxicity, poor biocompatibility, and low efficiency , which have hindered the widespread use of mRNA vaccines. To further characterize and solve these problems and develop a new type of safe and efficient mRNA delivery carrier, a negatively charged SA@DOTAP-mRNA nanovaccine was prepared in this study by coating DOTAP-mRNA with the natural anionic polymer sodium alginate (SA).

Zinc deficiency compromises the maturational competence of porcine oocyte by inducing mitophagy and apoptosis.

Zinc, an essential trace mineral, plays a pivotal role in cell proliferation, maintenance of redox homeostasis, apoptosis, and aging. Serum zinc concentrations are reduced in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS). However, the underlying mechanism of the effects of zinc deficiency on the female reproductive system, especially oocyte quality, has not been fully elucidated.

A novel heterologous receptor-binding domain dodecamer universal mRNA vaccine against SARS-CoV-2 variants.

There are currently approximately 4,000 mutations in the SARS-CoV-2 S protein gene and emerging SARS-CoV-2 variants continue to spread rapidly worldwide. Universal vaccines with high efficacy and safety urgently need to be developed to prevent SARS-CoV-2 variants pandemic. Here, we described a novel self-assembling universal mRNA vaccine containing a heterologous receptor-binding domain (HRBD)-based dodecamer (HRBD) against SARS-CoV-2 variants, including Alpha (B.