The Effect of Caffeine Exposure on Sleep Patterns in Zebrafish Larvae and Its Underlying Mechanism.

The effect of caffeine on the behavior and sleep patterns of zebrafish larvae, as well as its underlying mechanisms, has been a topic of great interest. This study aimed to investigate the impact of caffeine on zebrafish larval sleep/wake behavior and the expression of key regulatory genes such as cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and adenosine (ADA) in the sleep pathway. To begin, the study determined the optimal dose and duration of caffeine exposure, with the optimal doses found to be 31.

Iodine-induced self-depassivation strategy to improve reversible kinetics in Na-Cl battery.

Rechargeable sodium-chlorine (Na-Cl) batteries show high theoretical specific energy density and excellent adaptability for extreme environmental applications. However, the reported cycle life is mostly less than 500 cycles, and the understanding of battery failure mechanisms is quite limited. In this work, we demonstrate that the substantially increased voltage polarization plays a critical role in the battery failure.

Exploring the relationship between response time sequence in scale answering process and severity of insomnia: A machine learning approach.

Utilizing computer-based scales for cognitive and psychological evaluations allows for the collection of objective data, such as response time. This cross-sectional study investigates the significance of response time data in cognitive and psychological measures, with a specific focus on its role in evaluating sleep quality through the Insomnia Severity Index (ISI) scale. A mobile application was designed to administer scale tests and collect response time data from 2729 participants.

Construction of UCNPs-aptamer-AuNPs luminescence energy transfer probe for ratio detection of Staphylococcus aureus.

A ratio luminescence probe was developed for detecting Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) based on luminescence energy transfer (LET) using double-wavelength emission (550 nm and 812 nm) upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) as donor, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) as acceptor and the aptamer for S. aureus as the specific recognition and link unit.

Vertical-Channel Cathode Host Enables Rapid Deposition Kinetics toward High-Areal-Capacity Sodium-Chlorine Batteries.

Rechargeable sodium chloride (Na-Cl) batteries have emerged as promising alternatives for next-generation energy storage due to their superior energy density and sodium abundance. However, their practical applications are hindered by the sluggish chlorine cathode kinetics related to the aggregation of NaCl and its difficult transformation into Cl. Herein, the study, for the first time from the perspective of electrode level in Na-Cl batteries, proposes a free-standing carbon cathode host with customized vertical channels to facilitate the SOCl transport and regulate the NaCl deposition.

A Concise Review of Biomolecule Visualization.

The structural characteristics of biomolecules are a major focus in the field of structural biology. Molecular visualization plays a crucial role in displaying structural information in an intuitive manner, aiding in the understanding of molecular properties. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of core concepts, key techniques, and tools in molecular visualization.

An innovative antibody fusion protein targeting PD-L1, VEGF and TGF-β with enhanced antitumor efficacies.

Immunosuppressive pathways in the tumor microenvironment (TME) are inextricably linked to tumor progression. Mono-therapeutics of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs, e.g.

Protective effect of N-(E)-p-coumaroyltyrosine on LPS-induced acute inflammatory injury and signaling pathway analysis.

N-trans-p-coumaroyltyrosine (N-(E)-p-coumaroyltyrosine, NPCT), extracted and purified from Abri Mollis Herba, is an amino acid amide. The defense mechanism of NPCT against inflammatory response is still unknown. In this study, lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced zebrafish acute inflammatory injury model was established to observe the inhibitory effect of NPCT on the aggregation of inflammatory cells in the yolk sac of zebrafish, as well as the inhibitory effect of NPCT on inflammatory and gas signaling factors.

Total network controllability analysis discovers explainable drugs for Covid-19 treatment.

Background: The active pursuit of network medicine for drug repurposing, particularly for combating Covid-19, has stimulated interest in the concept of structural controllability in cellular networks. We sought to extend this theory, focusing on the defense rather than control of the cell against viral infections. Accordingly, we extended structural controllability to total structural controllability and introduced the concept of control hubs.

[Application of precision-cut lung slice technology to study the role of DDR2 in pulmonary fibrosis].

Pulmonary fibrosis is a severe lung interstitial disease characterized by the destruction of lung tissue structure, excessive activation and proliferation of fibroblasts, secretion and accumulation of a large amount of extracellular matrix (ECM), and impaired lung function. Due to the complexity of the disease, a suitable animal model to mimic human pulmonary fibrosis has not yet been established. Precision-cut lung slice (PCLS) has been a widely used in vitro method to study lung physiology and pathogenesis in recent years.

Cancer-keeper genes as therapeutic targets.

Finding cancer-driver genes has been a central theme of cancer research. We took a different perspective; instead of considering normal cells, we focused on cancerous cells and genes that maintained abnormal cell growth, which we named cancer-keeper genes (CKGs). Intervening CKGs may rectify aberrant cell growth, making them potential cancer therapeutic targets.

Total network controllability analysis discovers explainable drugs for Covid-19 treatment.

Background The active pursuit of network medicine for drug repurposing, particularly for combating Covid-19, has stimulated interest in the concept of structural control capability in cellular networks. We sought to extend this theory, focusing on the defense rather than control of the cell against viral infections. Accordingly, we extended structural controllability to total structural controllability and introduced the concept of control hubs.

Comparative genomics of the medicinal plants Lonicera macranthoides and L. japonica provides insight into genus genome evolution and hederagenin-based saponin biosynthesis.

Lonicera macranthoides (LM) and L. japonica (LJ) are medicinal plants widely used in treating viral diseases, such as COVID-19. Although the two species are morphologically similar, their secondary metabolite profiles are significantly different.

NetMoST: A network-based machine learning approach for subtyping schizophrenia using polygenic SNP allele biomarkers.

Subtyping neuropsychiatric disorders like schizophrenia is essential for improving the diagnosis and treatment of complex diseases. Subtyping schizophrenia is challenging because it is polygenic and genetically heterogeneous, rendering the standard symptom-based diagnosis often unreliable and unrepeatable. We developed a novel network-based machine-learning approach, netMoST, to subtyping psychiatric disorders.

Abrusamide H Impairs the Secretion of the Cytokines in RAW264.7 Cells and the Inflammatory Infiltration in Tail Transection-Induced Zebrafish.

Abrus mollis Hance (Leguminosae) has a variety of biological activities, including anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antibacterial, antiviral, and antitumor activities. However, the specific substances responsible for the anti-inflammatory effects are unknown. Abrusamide H (BJBS) is a truxillic acid derivative obtained from the leaves of Abrus mollis Hance and has potential anti-inflammatory effects.

Total controllability analysis discovers explainable drugs for Covid-19 treatment.

Network medicine has been pursued for Covid-19 drug repurposing. One such approach adopts structural controllability, a theory for controlling a network (the cell). Motivated to protect the cell from viral infections, we extended this theory to total controllability and introduced a new concept of control hubs.

Cyanine dye-assembled composite upconversion nanoparticles for the sensing and cell imaging of nitrite based on a single particle imaging method.

In this work, a single particle imaging method based on the total internal reflection (TIR) imaging platform for the sensing and cell imaging of nitrite (NO) in the near-infrared region using cyanine dye-assembled composite upconversion nanoparticles (UCNPs) was developed. The NaYF:Yb,Tm@NaGdF UCNPs were synthesized as energy donors, and the cyanine dye IR-798 was prepared as an energy acceptor. Since the absorption spectrum of the cyanine dye IR-798 and the luminescence spectrum of upconversion nanoparticles overlapped effectively, IR-798 quenched the luminescence of the UCNPs.

Interrelation Between Fibroblasts and T Cells in Fibrosing Interstitial Lung Diseases.

Interstitial lung diseases (ILDs) are a heterogeneous group of diseases characterized by varying degrees of inflammation and fibrosis of the pulmonary interstitium. The interrelations between multiple immune cells and stromal cells participate in the pathogenesis of ILDs. While fibroblasts contribute to the development of ILDs through secreting extracellular matrix and proinflammatory cytokines upon activation, T cells are major mediators of adaptive immunity, as well as inflammation and autoimmune tissue destruction in the lung of ILDs patients.

Chimeric antigen receptor T cells targeting PD-L1 suppress tumor growth.

Background: Chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T cells) therapy has been well recognized for treating B cell-derived malignancy. However, the efficacy of CAR-T cells against solid tumors remains dissatisfactory, partially due to the heterogeneity of solid tumors and T cell exhaustion in tumor microenvironment. PD-L1 is up-regulated in multiple solid tumors, resulting in T cell exhaustion upon binding to its receptor PD-1.

Mesothelin is a target of chimeric antigen receptor T cells for treating gastric cancer.

Background: Gastric cancer (GC) is a common cancer in Asia and currently lacks a targeted therapy approach. Mesothelin (MSLN) has been reported to be expressed in GC tissue and could be targeted by chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cells. Mesothelin targeting CAR-T has been reported in mesothelioma, lung cancer, breast cancer, and pancreas cancer.

DNAX-activating protein 10 co-stimulation enhances the anti-tumor efficacy of chimeric antigen receptor T cells.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell immunotherapies have shown remarkable efficacy in treating multiple types of hematological malignancies but are not sufficiently effective at treating solid tumors. NKG2D is a strong activating receptor for NK cells and a co-stimulatory receptor for T cells. NKG2D signal transduction depends on DNAX-activating protein 10 (DAP10).

CD215+ Myeloid Cells Respond to Interleukin 15 Stimulation and Promote Tumor Progression.

Interleukin 15 (IL-15) regulates the development, survival, and functions of multiple innate and adaptive immune cells and plays a dual role in promoting both tumor cell growth and antitumor immunity. Here, we demonstrated that the injection of recombinant human IL-15 (200 µg/kg) or murine IL-15 (3 µg/kg) to tumor-bearing NOD- (NSI) mice resulted in increased tumor progression and CD45+ CD11b+ Gr-1+ CD215+ cell expansion in the tumors and spleen. In B16F10-bearing C57BL/6 mice model, we found that murine IL-15 has antitumoral effect since the activation and expansion of CD8+ T cells with murine IL-15 treatment.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Deletion of Foxn1 in NOD/SCID/IL2rg Mice Results in Severe Immunodeficiency.

Immunodeficient mice engrafted with either normal or cancerous human cells are widely used in basic and translational research. In particular, NOD/SCID/IL2rg mice can support the growth of various types of human cancer cells. However, the hairs of these mice interfere with the observation and imaging of engrafted tissues.

Current status and perspectives of patient-derived xenograft models in cancer research.

Cancers remain a major public health problem worldwide, which still require profound research in both the basic and preclinical fields. Patient-derived xenograft (PDX) models are created when cancerous cells or tissues from patients' primary tumors are implanted into immunodeficient mice to simulate human tumor biology in vivo, which have been extensively used in cancer research. The routes of implantation appeared to affect the outcome of PDX research, and there has been increasing applications of patient-derived orthotopic xenograft (PDOX) models.