Improving the Performance of Prenatal Cell-Free DNA Screening Through Size-Selective Fetal DNA Enrichment in a Cohort of 71,986 General and High-Risk Pregnancies.

Objective: To evaluate the performance of prenatal cell-free DNA (cfDNA) screening with and without the cell-free fetal DNA enrichment method in general-risk and high-risk pregnancies.

Methods: We performed a size-selective cell-free fetal DNA enrichment in 71,986 pregnancies. The cfDNA screening and follow-up results were collected for trisomies 21, 18, 13, fetal sex chromosome abnormalities (SCAs), and copy number variants (CNVs).

Garlic-Derived Exosome-Like Nanoparticles Enhance Gut Homeostasis in Stressed Piglets: Involvement of Modulation and Indole-3-propionic Acid Induction.

The occurrence of pediatric diarrhea is frequently associated with inflammatory responses, compromised barrier function, and dysbiosis in the gut. These conditions are commonly triggered by stressors, similar to postweaning diarrhea observed in piglets. Garlic-derived exosome-like nanoparticles (GELNs) hold the potential for ameliorating stress-induced diarrhea, yet supporting evidence remains scarce.

Promotes Milk Production and Fat Synthesis Through the PI3K-Akt/Insulin/AMPK/PPAR Signaling Pathways in Dairy Cattle.

Exploring functional genes/sites and the molecular regulatory mechanisms underlying milk production traits in dairy cattle is crucial for improving the development of the dairy industry and human health. In our previous work, the gene collagen type VI alpha 1 () was found to be involved in milk fat metabolism from liver transcriptome data across various lactation periods of cows. Through the integration of Cattle QTLdb, FarmGTEx and qPCR data, the gene was found to be located within known quantitative trait loci (QTLs), adjacent to single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with milk traits, and highly expressed in the mammary gland.

Changes in Mitochondrial Transcriptional Rhythms and Depression-like Behavior in the Hippocampus of IL-33-Overexpressing Mice.

Neuroinflammation is involved in the development of depression and may induce depression-like behaviors by affecting metabolism through interactions with circadian rhythms. As the hub of metabolism, mitochondria are regulated by various types of metabolism and release signals that regulate cellular functions. In this study, we performed transcriptomic analysis of the hippocampus of IL-33-overexpressing mice to provide new ideas to explore the pathogenesis of inflammation-mediated depression at the transcriptional level.

Central sleep apnea caused by low dosage of baclofen: a case report.

Background: Baclofen can relax muscle spasticity by inhibiting the transmission of both mono- and polysynaptic reflexes at the spinal cord. It has been increasingly used off-label for the management of spinal cord lesions or neurologic disorders. However, the expansion use has led to an increase in baclofen-associated complications.

Mechanism of Copper Stress on Algae Determined Using Mass Spectrometry Molecular Network: Molecular Characteristics and Metabolite Identification.

Algae typically respond to environmental changes by regulating the production and release of metabolites that affect water quality and cause various environmental issues. In this study, we investigated the role of algal organic matter (AOM) in copper [Cu(II)] using high-resolution mass spectrometry and a molecular-network-based nontargeted screening. The abundance and activity of algae were inhibited after the addition of Cu(II).

Process Monitoring for Vacuum-Assisted Resin Infusion by Using Carbon Nanotube-Based Sensors.

This paper developed a carbon nanotube (CNT)-coated aramid fiber sensor, which was successfully used to monitor the resin flow front and sense the fluid pressure difference during the (VARI) process. The electrical resistance change of the CNT-coated fiber sensor was compared with that of buckypaper materials. The results show that the electrical resistances of CNT sensors show rapid growth successively along the infusion direction once the flow front reaches the sensor position during resin infusion in the VARI process.

Skin-like Heterogeneous and Self-Healing Conductive Hydrogel toward Ultrasensitive Marine Sensing.

Flexible wearable electronic devices based on hydrophobic, conductive hydrogels have attracted widespread attention in the field of underwater sensing. However, traditional homogeneous hydrogels tend to compromise their conductivity and sensing performance when achieving hydrophobicity, and the high complexity of marine environments further reduces their sensing performance and service life. Here, we develop a seawater-resistant conductive hydrogel with ultrahigh sensitivity and self-healing ability by the introduction of a skin-like heterogeneous structure, consisting of a hydrophobic outer layer that protects against seawater and a conductive internal layer that senses.

Identification of a novel single nucleotide deletion in the NHS causing Nance-Horan syndrome.

Background: Nance-Horan syndrome (NHS) is a rare X-linked dominant disorder caused by pathogenic variants in the NHS gene on chromosome Xp22.2-Xp22.13.

[Design and Implementation of Non-Invasive Hemodynamic Monitoring System Based on Impedance Cardiogram Method].

Hemodynamic monitoring can reflect cardiac function and blood perfusion and is an indispensable monitoring method in clinical practice. Invasive hemodynamic monitoring methods represented by the thermodilution method are limited in their clinical application scope because they require vascular cannulation. Non-invasive hemodynamic monitoring has attracted extensive attention from medical companies and clinicians at home and abroad in recent years due to its advantages such as safety, non-invasiveness, continuous monitoring, simple operation, and low cost.

UFMylation maintains YAP stability to promote vascular endothelial cell senescence.

Endothelial cell (EC) senescence is an accomplice for vascular aging, which leads to cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Evidences showed that Hippo-Yes-associated protein (YAP) signaling pathway plays an essential role in aging-associated CVDs. Here, we reported that YAP was elevated in senescent human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and inhibition of YAP could attenuate HUVECs senescence.

Polymeric Nanofibers via Green Electrospinning for Safe Food Engineering.

Electrospun functional nanofibers enable controlled release of the loaded active ingredient and an adjustable dissolution rate. However, the widespread use of toxic organic solvents in electrospinning poses risks to human health and the environment whereas increasing production costs and complexity. This article examines the application of eco-friendly electrospinning technologies in food engineering, with a focus on water-based and melt electrospinning methods.

Targeting JAML promotes normalization of tumour blood vessels to antagonize tumour progression via FAK/SRC and VEGF/VEGFR2 signalling pathways.

Background: Angiogenesis is a crucial process in tumour growth and metastasis. Junctional adhesion molecule-like protein (JAML) plays an important role in cancer proliferation; however, its expression and role in tumour angiogenesis remains unexplored.

Methods: We collected colorectal cancer from Jinan Central Hospital, using immunofluorescence staining to confirm the expression of JAML in vascular endothelial cells of cancer and adjacent tissue.

Bacterial Swimming and Accumulation on Endothelial Cell Surfaces.

Flagellar-driven locomotion plays a critical role in the bacterial attachment and colonization of surfaces, contributing to the risks of contamination and infection. Extensive efforts to uncover the underlying principles governing bacterial motility near surfaces have relied on idealized assumptions about surrounding artificial surfaces. However, in the context of living systems, the role of cells from tissues and organs becomes increasingly critical, particularly in bacterial swimming and adhesion, yet it remains poorly understood.

Cardiomyocyte PRL2 Promotes Cardiac Hypertrophy via Directly Dephosphorylating AMPKα2.

Background: Pathological cardiac hypertrophy can result in heart failure. Protein dephosphorylation plays a primary role in the mediation of various cellular processes in cardiomyocytes. Here, we investigated the effects of a protein tyrosine phosphatase, PRL2 (phosphatase of regenerative liver 2), on pathological cardiac hypertrophy.

Spice aldehydes improve emulsification stability of β-carotene by Schiff base reaction binding sodium caseinate as emulsion surface stabilizer.

Cinnamaldehyde (CA), P-Anisaldehyde (PAA), N-heptanal (NHA) and Citronellal (CNA) were used to modify sodium caseinate (SC) as emulsifiers to stabilize β-carotene emulsion, and the binding mechanism of SC and spice aldehyde (SA) was discussed. The results showed that the binding of SA and SC was mainly driven by non-covalent interaction, especially hydrogen bonding. It was also found that CA may form covalent bond with SC through Schiff base reaction.

AtPHR1 and SlPHL1 positively regulate phosphorus remobilization in response to phosphate starvation by directly facilitating the transcription of genes encoding S-like ribonucleases in Arabidopsis and tomato, respectively.

Phosphorus (P) is a crucial element for plant growth and development, with inorganic phosphate (Pi) being the primary form absorbed by plant roots. However, soil often experiences Pi deficiency, leading to early leaf senescence and hastening the P re-mobilization from senescent leaves to young tissues. The PHOSPHATE STARVATION RESPONSE (PHR) proteins are widely acknowledged as pivotal regulatory factors in response to low Pi, and they may be involved in the regulation of leaf senescence and P remobilization triggered by Pi deprivation.

Strong and tough adhesive hydrogel based on polyacrylate/carboxylated cellulose nanofibers/Zr for high-sensitivity motion monitoring and controlled transdermal drug delivery.

Monitoring athletes' movement is crucial for health management and personalized care. Targeted, controlled drug delivery can also enhance treatment effectiveness for chronic pain from issues like muscle strain or joint inflammation. Therefore, multifunctional materials are needed to integrate monitoring, diagnosis, intervention, and treatment within a single system.

Molecular Engineering of Cordycepin Derivatives for Enhanced Biological Activity and Stability.

To address the metabolic instability of cordycepin induced by adenosine deaminase (ADA) and to enhance its bioactivity, this study developed eleven novel cordycepin derivatives using molecular engineering techniques. By incorporating sterically hindered protective groups and modifying the glycosyl moiety, the research aimed to improve both stability and efficacy. Antibacterial tests revealed that five derivatives showed significantly greater activity against pathogenic strains compared to cordycepin, with better compatibility with probiotics.

Structural basis for RNA-guided DNA degradation by Cas5-HNH/Cascade complex.

Type I-E CRISPR (clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats)-Cas (CRISPR-associated proteins) system is one of the most extensively studied RNA-guided adaptive immune systems in prokaryotes, providing defense against foreign genetic elements. Unlike the previously characterized Cas3 nuclease, which exhibits progressive DNA cleavage in the typical type I-E system, a recently identified HNH-comprising Cascade system enables precise DNA cleavage. Here, we present several near-atomic cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM) structures of the Candidatus Cloacimonetes bacterium Cas5-HNH/Cascade complex, both in its DNA-bound and unbound states.

IGF2BP1 stabilizes Akt2 mRNA to promote glucose metabolism and maintain spermatogonial proliferation.

In Brief: The dysregulation of spermatogonial proliferation is one of the causes of male infertility. Using mice as an animal model, this study reveals the function and mechanism of m6A methylation reader insulin-like growth factor-2 mRNA-binding protein 1 (IGF2BP1) and its target Akt2 in spermatogonia.

Abstract: IGF2BP1, as a newly identified N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation reader, plays a key role in mRNA stability, alternative splicing and translation.

Gut microbe-derived betulinic acid alleviates sepsis-induced acute liver injury by inhibiting macrophage NLRP3 inflammasome in mice.

Unlabelled: Sepsis-induced acute liver injury (SALI) is a prevalent and life-threatening complication associated with sepsis. The gut microbiota plays a crucial role in the maintenance of health and the development of diseases. The impact of physical exercise on gut microbiota modulation has been well-documented.

Effect of different thermal treatments on starch digestion of Tsamba (Highland barley products): Insights from starch structural properties and enzyme activity.

This study elucidated the mechanisms involved in the impact of Tsamba (a highland barley product) starch digestibility by different thermal treatments. The results demonstrate that different thermal processing methods (microwave, roasting, sand frying, frying, baking, and steaming) significantly alter the polyphenol content of highland barley, which in turn affects its ability to inhibit α-amylase activity. SEM, CLSM, XRD and FTIR were used to evaluate the effects on starch microstructure and digestibility.

Nanoenzyme-based sensors for the detection of anti-tumor drugs.

Natural enzymes are a class of biological catalysts that can catalyze a specific substrate. Although natural enzymes have catalytic activity, they are susceptible to the influence of external environment such as temperature, and storage requirements are more stringent. Since the first discovery of magnetic FeO nanoparticles with peroxidase-like activity in 2007, the research on nanoenzymes has entered a rapid development stage.

UPLC-MS/MS Method for Givinostat in Rat Plasma: Development, Validation, in vivo Pharmacokinetics Study and in vitro Metabolic Stability Research.

Background: Givinostat, a potent histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitor, is promising for the treatment of relapsed leukemia and myeloma.

Purpose: This study aimed to develop and verify a quick assay for the measurement of givinostat concentration using ultra-performance liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC-MS/MS) with eliglustat as the internal standard (IS), establishing a basic pharmacokinetic profile for its pre-clinical application and metabolic stability in vitro.

Methods: Sample preparation was performed via protein precipitation using acetonitrile.