Selective aggregation of natural ligands into efficient AIEgens on a human telomeric duplex-G-quadruplex junction.

DNA structures with the potential to concurrently recruit multiple ligands are promising in pharmaceutical and sensing applications when concentrated in a local environment. Herein, we found that human telomeric G-quadruplex (htG4) structures with a junction can selectively aggregate a natural ligand of tetrahydropalmatine (THP) into AIEgens. The htG4 monomer favors formation of a THP dimer emitting at ∼525 nm.

Integrating network pharmacology with molecular docking and dynamics to uncover therapeutic targets and signaling mechanisms of vitamin D3 in Parkinson's disease.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder marked by dopaminergic neuron degeneration in the substantia nigra. Emerging evidence suggests vitamin D3 (VD) plays a therapeutic role in PD, but its precise molecular mechanisms remain unclear. This study employed network pharmacology and bioinformatics to identify VD's hub targets and related pathways.

The smallest plant from the Lower Devonian of South China and the divergent life-history strategies in zosterophyllopsids.

Plants have evolved different life-history strategies to overcome limited amounts of available resources; however, when and how divergent strategies of sexual reproduction evolved in early land plants are not well understood. As one of the notable and vital components of early terrestrial vegetation, the Zosterophyllopsida and its type genus reached maximum species diversity during the Pragian (Early Devonian; 410.8-407.

Deterministic patterns in single-cell transcriptomic data.

We report the existence of deterministic patterns in statistical plots of single-cell transcriptomic data. We develop a theory showing that the patterns are neither artifacts introduced by the measurement process nor due to underlying biological mechanisms. Rather they naturally emerge from finite sample size effects.

Downregulation of tRNA methyltransferase FTSJ1 by PM2.5 promotes glycolysis and malignancy of NSCLC via facilitating PGK1 expression and translation.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure has been associated with increased incidence and mortality of lung cancer. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying PM2.

No causal relationship between ankylosing spondylitis and Parkinson's disease: Insights from Mendelian randomization studies.

Background: Retrospective cohort and cross-sectional studies have indicated an association between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and Parkinson's disease (PD). However, owing the multitude of limitations, a consistent conclusion has not been determined. Furthermore, whether a causal relationship exists between these two diseases remains unclear.

Structure-activity relationships and pharmacokinetic evaluation of L-cystine diamides as L-cystine crystallization inhibitors for cystinuria.

Cystinuria is a rare genetic disorder characterized by defective l-cystine reabsorption from the renal proximal tubule, resulting in abnormally high concentrations of L-cystine and subsequent l-cystine crystallization and stone formation in urine. l-Cystine diamides have shown great promise as inhibitors of l-cystine crystallization. The free α-amino groups in l-cystine diamides have previously been shown to be necessary for l-cystine crystallization inhibitory activity.

NINJ1 regulates plasma membrane fragility under mechanical tension.

Plasma membrane integrity is vital not only for cell survival but also nearly all aspects of cell functioning1. Mechanical stress can cause plasma membrane damage2, but it is not known whether there are large molecules (proteins) that control plasma membrane integrity. Here we constructed a 384-well cellular stretch system that delivers precise, reproducible mechanical strain to adherent cells.

Modified Ce/Zr-MOF Nanoparticles Loaded with Curcumin for Alzheimer's Disease via Multifunctional Modulation.

Introduction: Alzheimer's disease (AD), a neurodegenerative condition, stands as the most prevalent form of dementia. Its complex pathological mechanisms and the formidable blood-brain barrier (BBB) pose significant challenges to current treatment approaches. Oxidative stress is recognized as a central factor in AD, underscoring the importance of antioxidative strategies in its treatment.

Inhibition of NAMPT by PAK4 Inhibitors.

The serine/threonine kinase PAK4 plays a crucial role in regulating cell proliferation, survival, migration, and invasion. Overexpression of PAK4 correlates with poor prognosis in some cancers. KPT-9274, a PAK4 inhibitor, significantly reduces the growth of triple-negative breast cancer cells and mammary tumors in mouse models, and it also inhibits the growth of several other types of cancer cells.

Downregulation of tRF-Cys-GCA-029 by hyperglycemia promotes tumorigenesis and glycolysis of diabetic breast cancer through upregulating PRKCG translation.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) affects up to one-third of breast cancer (BC) patients. Patients with co-existing BC and DM (BC-DM) have worsened BC prognosis. Nevertheless, the molecular mechanisms orchestrating BC-DM prognosis remain poorly understood.

8-l-Cystinyl Bis(1,8-diazaspiro[4.5]decane) as an Orally Bioavailable l-Cystine Crystallization Inhibitor for Cystinuria.

Cystinuria, a rare genetic disorder, is characterized by defective l-cystine reabsorption from the renal proximal tubule, resulting in abnormally high concentrations of l-cystine and subsequent l-cystine crystallization in urine and stone formation in the urinary tract. Inhibition of l-cystine crystallization by l-cystine diamides such as LH708 () represents a promising new approach to prevent stone formation in patients with cystinuria. While shows promising efficacy and a good safety profile in a -knockout mouse model of cystinuria, further structural modification of led to the discovery of 8-l-cystinyl bis(1,8-diazaspiro[4.

Bulimia nervosa selectively reshapes the structure and intrinsic function of anterior insula subregions associated with cognition-emotion integration.

Background: Existing evidence suggests that anterior insula plays a crucial role in cognitive control and emotional regulation and is implicated in the onset and maintenance of bulimia nervosa (BN). However, it remains unclear how structural and functional abnormalities in specific subregions of anterior insula contribute to BN.

Methods: In this study, we analyzed structural MRI and resting-state functional MRI data from 54 BN patients and 56 healthy controls (HCs).

The Synthesis of Narrowly Dispersed Poly(ε-caprolactone) Microspheres by Dispersion Polymerization Using a Homopolymer Poly(dodecyl acrylate) as the Stabilizer.

Using dodecyl acrylate as a raw material and 2-Cyanoprop-2-yl-dithiobenzoate as a chain transfer agent, poly(dodecyl acrylate) is synthesized by reversible addition-fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. Using poly(dodecyl acrylate) as stabilizers, narrowly dispersed poly(ε-caprolactone) microspheres with particle sizes ranging from 0.5 to 1.

Mechanism of Interconnected Pore Formation in High Internal Phase Emulsion-Templated Polymer.

High internal phase emulsion-templated polymer, named polyHIPE, has received widespread attention due to its great potential applications in many fields, such as separation, adsorption, heterogeneous catalysis, and sound absorption. The broad applicability is largely dependent on its adjustable opening structure. However, the question of why polyHIPE has an interconnected pore network structure is still to be discussed.

Clonal growth characteristics and diversity patterns of different Clintonia udensis (Liliaceae) diploid and tetraploid cytotypes in the Hualongshan Mountains.

Polyploidization plays an important role in plant evolution and biodiversity. However, intraspecific polyploidy compared to interspecific polyploidy received less attention. Clintonia udensis (Liliaceae) possess diploid (2n = 2x = 14) and autotetraploid (2n = 4x = 28) cytotypes.

Host-virus coevolution drives soil microbial function succession along a millennium land reclamation chronosequence.

Introduction: Gene exchange between viruses and hosts plays an important role in driving virus-host coevolution, enabling adaptation of both viruses and hosts to environmental changes. However, the mechanisms and functional significance of virus-host gene exchanges over long-term scales remain largely unexplored.

Objective: The present study aimed to gain insights into the role of viruses in virus-host interactions and coevolution by monitoring virome dynamics along a millennium-long land reclamation chronosequence.