Insights and perspectives of chitosan-based hydrogels for the removal of heavy metals and dyes from wastewater.

Water pollution has become an increasingly serious issue, necessitating the design and development of more effective wastewater treatment methods. Chitosan-based hydrogels, owing to their unique structural and chemical properties, have demonstrated high efficiency in removing contaminants. However, the application remains restricted by the scarcity of effective adsorption sites and limited environmental stability.

A stimuli-responsive drug delivery system based on konjac glucomannan, carboxymethyl chitosan and mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles.

A stimuli-responsive drug delivery system is developed for controlled delivery of curcumin (Cur) and chemo-photothermal therapy of breast cancer (BC). Cur is first loaded into mesoporous polydopamine nanoparticles (mPDA NPs) by π-π stacking, and then the Cur loaded mPDA NPs (mPDA NPs@Cur) are encapsulated in the hydrogels prepared through the crosslinking of oxidized konjac glucomannan (oxKGM) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). Owing to the pH-sensitivity of the hydrogels and the outstanding photothermal conversion capability of mPDA NPs, the release of Cur from the hydrogels can be greatly accelerated in acidic media upon near infrared (NIR) irradiation.

Bisphenol A degradation by manganese oxides at circumneutral pH: Quantitative evaluation of dissolved Mn(III) species with pyrophosphate.

Although trivalent manganese (Mn(III)) species have been recognized as crucial intermediates in the degradation of organic contaminants by Mn oxides, quantitative research on their specific roles remains scarce. Our study investigated the degradation processes of an organic pollutant, Bisphenol A (BPA), by dissolved Mn(III) and Mn(III)-bearing oxides, and elucidated the differences of the underlying mechanisms and reaction pathways between several Mn oxides and dissolved Mn(III). Our results indicated that BPA degradation rates with Mn(III)-bearing oxides alone follow the order: δ-MnO ≫ γ-MnOOH > MnO.

Intestinal inflammation exacerbates endometritis through succinate production by gut microbiota and SUCNR1-mediated proinflammatory response.

Endometritis poses higher health risks to women. Clinical practice has found that gastrointestinal dysfunction is more likely to lead to the occurrence of endometritis. However, the mechanism is unclear.

Janus PEGylated CuS-engineered Lactobacillus casei combats biofilm infections via metabolic interference and innate immunomodulation.

Bacterial implant-associated infections predominantly contribute to the failure of prosthesis implantation. The local biofilm microenvironment (BME), characterized by its hyperacidic condition and high hydrogen peroxide (HO) level, inhibits the host's immune response, thereby facilitating recurrent infections. Here, a Janus PEGylated CuS nanoparticle (CuPen) armed engineered Lactobacillus casei (L.

Black phosphorus nanosheets activate tumor immunity of glioblastoma by modulating the expression of the immunosuppressive molecule PD-L1.

The tumor microenvironment in glioblastoma (GBM) is characterized by a pronounced immunosuppressive state, which significantly hampers tumor treatment and contributes to treatment resistance. While our previous research established that black phosphorus nanosheets (BPNS) inhibited glioblastoma cell migration and invasion, the impact of BPNS on the anti-tumor-associated immune mechanism remains unexplored. This study firstly investigated whether BPNS could modulate the tumor microenvironment through immunotherapy and elucidated the underlying mechanisms.

Photoelectrochemical biosensing platform based on switch of photocurrent polarity of CdS/Ni-CAT nanorod arrays by Au@CuO for highly selective and sensitive CEA detection.

Sensitive and accurate determination of tumour biomarkers is extremely important for early cancer diagnosis. Herein, a photoelectrochemical biosensor platform was constructed for ultrasensitive tumour biomarker detection by utilizing Au@CuO to switch the photocurrent polarity of CdS/Ni-catecholates metal-organic framework (Ni-CAT) nanorod arrays grown in situ on ITO. The Ni-CAT obtains close contact with ITO and forms a Z-scheme heterojunction with CdS, which improves the photogenerated electron transfer ability.

Dual-plasmonic eccentric nanostructure with prominent colorimetric and photothermal performance to detect zearalenone by dual signal immunochromatography assay.

In the study, an eccentric heterogeneous core-shell nanomaterial Au@CuSe was simply and rapidly synthesized. This novel nano-structure exhibits superior colorimetric intensity, enhanced antibody coupling efficiency, and strong broadband absorption across the visible to near-infrared spectrum, with a photothermal conversion efficiency of 59.40%.

A comprehensive investigation of the impact of cross-linker backbone structure on protein dynamics analysis: A case study with Pin1.

Understanding protein structure is essential for elucidating its function. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has been widely recognized as a powerful tool for analyzing protein complex structures. However, the effect of cross-linker backbone structure on protein dynamic conformation analysis remains less understood.

Therapeutic potential of monomethyl fumarate and aluminum ion combination in alleviating inflammation and oxidative stress in psoriasis.

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin condition characterized by erythematous plaques with white scales. Its pathogenesis is closely linked to oxidative stress and an imbalance in Th1/Th2 immune responses. Current treatments for psoriasis, such as topical agents, systemic therapies and phototherapy, frequently fail to achieve complete remission in clinical settings.

The role of third component in coumarin-based all-small-molecule ternary organic solar cells with non-fullerene acceptor based on molecular stacking.

The power conversion efficiency (PCE) of ternary all-small-molecule organic solar cells (T-ASM-OSCs) differs significantly from that of the polymer systems (2 %), and the role of third component remains unclear. The electron donor of coumarin derivatives with simple structure and strong and broad light absorption has high PCE for T-ASM-OSCs composed of non-fullerene acceptors (Y6 and DBTBT-IC). Here, we calculated the electronic structure and interfacial properties of the binary C1-CN:Y6 and ternary C1-CN:Y6:DBTBT-IC systems using molecular dynamic (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) to explore the role of the third component (DBTBT-IC).

Hemoglobin-derived amyloid fibrils: Fibrillization mechanisms and potential applications.

Fibrils from food proteins were widely reported but it has not been reported on sus scrofa hemoglobin. Utilizing fibrillization strategies can efficiently utilize hemoglobin and reduce waste. This work explores a new strategy to prepare hemoglobin-derived fibrils by removing the heme group.

Transcriptome analysis reveals heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) induced by tembusu virus infection is associated with immune responses.

The outbreak and prevalence of tembusu virus (TMUV) endanger the breeding industry of waterfowls. However, little is known about the molecular mechanism underlying TMUV infection. It was reported that heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) was a positive regulator of the infection of TMUV.

Spinal Cord Stimulation for Prolonged Disorders of Consciousness: A Study on Scalp Electroencephalography.

Background: Patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC) undergoing spinal cord stimulation (SCS) for arousal treatment require an assessment of their conscious state before and after the procedure. This is typically evaluated using behavioral scales (CRS-R), but this method can be influenced by the subjectivity of the physician. Event-related potentials (ERP) and EEG power spectrum are associated with the recovery of consciousness.

Dexmedetomidine Mitigates Acute Lung Injury by Enhancing M2 Macrophage Polarization and Inhibiting RAGE/Caspase-11-Mediated Pyroptosis.

Background: Acute lung injury (ALI) significantly impacts the survival rates in intensive care units (ICU). Releasing a lot of pro-inflammatory mediators during the progression of the disease is a core feature of ALI, which may lead to uncontrolled inflammation and further damages the tissues and organs of patients. This study explores the potential therapeutic mechanisms of Dexmedetomidine (Dex) in ALI.

CLEC7A Knockdown Alleviates Ischemic Stroke by Inhibiting Pyroptosis and Microglia Activation.

Background: Ischemic stroke (IS) is the leading cause of mortality worldwide. Herein, we aimed to identify novel biomarkers and explore the role of C-type lectin domain family 7 member A () in IS.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using the GSE106680, GSE97537, and GSE61616 datasets, and hub genes were identified through construction of protein-protein interaction networks.

Research Progress on the Role of the Interleukin Family in the Pathogenesis of Cerebral Palsy in Children.

Cerebral palsy (CP), a common neurological disorder in children, remains a significant research focus. The interleukin (IL) family, pivotal mediators in inflammatory responses, shows increased expression in various neuroinflammatory diseases, markedly influencing their onset and progression. Elevated IL levels in the brains of children with CP, in contrast to healthy peers, reflect similar elevations in neurological conditions linked to CP, indicating a strong association between CP and the IL family.

Electrochemical Biosensors for Cancer Diagnosis: Multitarget Analysis to Present Molecular Characteristics of Tumor Heterogeneity.

Electrochemical biosensors are gaining attention as powerful tools in cancer diagnosis, particularly in liquid biopsy, due to their high efficiency, rapid response, exceptional sensitivity, and specificity. However, the complexity of intra- and intertumor heterogeneity, with variations in genetic and protein expression profiles and epigenetic modifications, makes electrochemical biosensors susceptible to false-positive or false-negative diagnostic outcomes. To address this challenge, there is growing interest in simultaneously analyzing multiple biomarkers to reveal molecular characteristics of tumor heterogeneity for precise cancer diagnosis.

Unveiling Key Biomarkers and Mechanisms in Septic Cardiomyopathy: A Comprehensive Transcriptome Analysis.

Purpose: Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is a significant global public health concern characterized by substantial morbidity and mortality, which has not been improved for decades due to lack of early diagnosis and effective therapies. This study aimed to identify hub biomarkers in SCM and explore their potential mechanisms.

Methods: We utilized the GSE53007 and GSE207363 datasets for transcriptome analysis of normal and SCM mice.

Astragalus Polysaccharide Mitigates Rhabdomyolysis-Induced Acute Kidney Injury via Inhibition of M1 Macrophage Polarization and the cGAS-STING Pathway.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the impact of APS on acute kidney injury induced by rhabdomyolysis (RIAKI), exploring its association with macrophage M1 polarization and elucidating the underlying mechanisms.

Methods: C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to one of three groups: a normal control group, a RIAKI model group, and an APS treatment group. Techniques such as flow cytometry and immunofluorescence were employed to demonstrate that APS can inhibit the transition of renal macrophages to the M1 phenotype in RIAKI.

Construction and validation of coronary heart disease risk prediction model for general hospitals in Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang, China.

Objective: To analyze the risk factors for coronary heart disease (CHD) in patients hospitalized in general hospitals in the Tacheng Prefecture, Xinjiang, and to construct and verify the nomogram prediction model for the risk of CHD.

Methods: From June 2022 to June 2023, 489 CHD patients (CHD group) and 520 non-CHD individuals (control group) in Tacheng, Xinjiang, were retrospectively selected. Using a 7:3 ratio, patients were divided into a training group (706 cases) and a validation group (303 cases).

Rapid and Large-Scale Synthesis of Chiral and Fluorescent Sulfur Quantum Dots for Intracellular Temperature Monitoring.

The large-scale preparation of fluorescent nanomaterials with laboratory-relevant chemical and optical properties will greatly forward their consumer market applications; however, it still remains challenging. In this work, a universal strategy was developed for the rapid and large-scale synthesis of fluorescent sulfur quantum dots that recently has drawn great attention because of their unique optical characteristics. From the fact that empty 3d orbitals of sulfide species are able to bind with lone-pair π electrons of the heteroatomic groups, many amino-group containing compounds, such as amino acid and polyethylenimine molecules, were exploited to synthesize sulfur quantum dots.

Subcellular spatial regulation of immunity-induced phosphorylation of RIN4 links PAMP-triggered immunity to Exo70B1.

RIN4 is a crucial regulator of plant immunity, playing a role in both PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) and effector-triggered immunity (ETI). While the impact of post-translational modifications (PTMs) on RIN4 has been extensively studied, their specific effects on plant immune response regulation and the underlying mechanisms have remained unclear. In this study, we investigated the phosphorylation of RIN4 at threonine-166 (RIN4) in transgenic lines expressing various RIN4 variants.