Structure evolution and specific effects for the catalysis of atomically ordered intermetallic compounds.

Atomically ordered intermetallic compounds (IMCs) have been extensively studied for exploring catalysts with high activity, selectivity, and longevity. Compared to random alloys, IMCs present a more pronounced geometric and electronic effect with desirable catalytic performance. Their well-defined structure makes IMCs ideal model catalysts for studying the catalytic mechanism.

TRIM4 is associated with neural tube defects based on genome-wide DNA methylation analysis.

Background: Neural tube defects (NTDs) are complex abnormalities associated with gene-environment interactions. The underlying cause has not been determined.

Methods: Spinal cord tissues from cases with NTDs and healthy controls were collected.

Expression profile of maternal circulating microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for prenatal diagnosis of congenital heart defects.

Objective: The discovery of cell free fetal microRNAs (miRNAs) in maternal circulation has opened up novel probabilities for non-invasive prenatal diagnosis. This study aims to investigate circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers in the serum of pregnant women with congenital heart defect (CHD) fetuses.

Method: A total of 110 pregnant women including 50 CHD cases and 60 healthy controls were included in this study.

Inhibition of NRF2 signaling and increased reactive oxygen species during embryogenesis in a rat model of retinoic acid-induced neural tube defects.

Exposure to retinoic acid (RA) during pregnancy increases the risk of serious neural tube defects (NTDs) in the developing fetus. The precise molecular mechanism for this process is unclear; however, RA is associated with oxidative stress mediated by reactive oxygen species. Nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2) is a master regulator of oxidative stress that directs the expression of antioxidant genes and detoxifying proteins to maintain redox homeostasis.

Mitochondrial dysfunction is implicated in retinoic acid-induced spina bifida aperta in rat fetuses.

Neural tube defects (NTDs) are the most common and severe congenital malformations, which result from failure of the neural tube to close during embryonic development. The etiology of NTDs is complex, caused by interactions between genetic defects and environmental factors, but the exact mechanisms of this disease are still not fully understood. We herein employ a Seahorse Bioscience microplate-based extracellular flux (XF) analyzer to determine mitochondrial function and quantify respiratory coupling to various bioenergetic functions using specific pharmacological inhibitors of bioenergetic pathways.