Astaxanthin-loaded polylactic acid-glycolic acid nanoparticles alleviates atherosclerosis by suppressing macrophage ferroptosis via the NRF2/SLC7A11/GPX4 pathway.

Background: Astaxanthin (ASX), a fat-soluble carotenoid mainly sourced from Haematococcus pluvialis, shows promise for clinical applications in chronic inflammatory diseases. This study investigates whether ASX can mitigate atherosclerosis (AS) by modulating macrophage ferroptosis and provides astaxanthin-loaded polylactic acid-glycolic acid nanoparticles (ASX-PLGA NPs) as comparison.

Method: ApoE-/- mice were fed a high-fat diet with ASX or statin intervention.

Artesunate-multiple pharmacological effects beyond treating malaria.

Artesunate, a semisynthetic derivative of artemisinin, is not only recommended as the first-line drug for treating severe malaria but is also a significant member of Artemisinin-based Combination Therapies (ACTs), used in combination with other artemisinin derivatives for treating uncomplicated malaria. Beyond its potent anti-malarial activity, artesunate has garnered considerable attention for its pharmacological effects, which encompass broad-spectrum anti-tumor, anti-viral, and anti-inflammatory properties. It has collectively demonstrated superior drug tolerance, low toxicity, and mild side effects in cell line experiments in vitro, experimental animal models, and clinical drug researches, as a monotherapy or in combination with other agents.

Association between descending aorta wall thickness or wall area and cardiovascular disease risk factors in cardiovascular disease-free patients: a study based on water-calcium material decomposition and subtraction-based computed tomography dark-blood imaging.

Background: Due to the low contrast between the vascular lumen and vessel wall, conventional computed tomography (CT) is not an effective method for visualizing the vessel wall. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility of vessel wall visualization using contrast-enhanced dual-energy CT (DECT)-derived water-calcium material decomposition (WMD) and subtraction-based dark-blood imaging (DBI). An additional objective of this study was to determine the association of descending aorta wall thickness (WT) and wall area (WA) with cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors and to ascertain the potential of DECT-derived WT and WA as image markers for identifying individuals at high risk for future CVD.

Left atrioventricular coupling index assessed with three-dimensional echocardiography: a prognostic marker of short-term outcomes in light-chain cardiac amyloidosis.

Background: Light-chain cardiac amyloidosis (AL-CA) is associated with structural and functional changes in the left atrium and left ventricle. This study aims to assess the value of the left atrioventricular coupling index (LACI) assessed by three-dimensional echocardiography (3DE) for predicting primary outcome in AL-CA.

Methods: Participants with biopsy-confirmed AL-CA from April 2022 to February 2024 were prospectively analysed.

Utilizing Headspace-Gas Chromatography-Ion Mobility Spectroscopy Technology to Establish the Volatile Chemical Component Fingerprint Profiles of Processed by Different Preparation Methods and to Perform Differential Analysis of Their Components.

In order to characterize the volatile chemical components of processed by different Traditional Chinese Medicine Processing methods and establish fingerprint profiles, headspace-gas chromatography-ion mobility spectrometry (HS-GC-IMS) technology was employed to detect, identify, and analyze processed by five different methods. Fingerprint profiles of volatile chemical components of processed by different methods were established; a total of 85 different volatile organic compounds (VOCs) were detected in the experiment, including esters, alcohols, ketones, aldehydes, terpenes, olefinic compounds, nitrogen compounds, lactones, pyrazines, sulfur compounds, thiophenes, acid, and thiazoles. Principal component analysis (PCA), Orthogonal Partial Least Squares Discriminant Analysis (OPLS-DA), and Pearson correlation analysis methods were used to cluster and analyze the detected chemical substances and their contents.

Size Effect on Shear Behaviors of 3D-Printed Soft Rock-like Materials Under Different Shear Velocities.

The shear failure of rock masses is one of the primary causes of underground engineering instability. The shear mechanical behavior of rocks at different sizes is of great significance for studying the shear failure pattern of engineering rock masses. However, due to the presence of various joints and defects in natural rocks, the obtained rock specimens exhibit significant discreteness, making it difficult to customize specimen sizes for size effect studies.

Novel insights into seasonal airborne bacterial interactions and potential threats to human health in a northwest city, China.

Bioaerosols significantly influence air quality and human health. This study investigated the diversity, structure, and interaction of bacterial communities in particulate matter (PM) across four seasons in Xi'an. The results revealed that operational taxonomic units (OTUs) were the highest in autumn, reaching levels comparable to those in winter, but were 3.

A sequential stimuli-responsive hydrogel promotes structural and functional recovery of severe spinal cord injury.

Utilizing drug-loaded hydrogels to restore nerve conductivity emerges as a promising strategy in the treatment of spinal cord injury (SCI). However, many of these hydrogels fail to deliver drugs on demand according to the dynamic SCI pathological features, resulting in poor functional recovery. Inspired by the post-SCI microenvironments, here we report a time-sequential and controllable drug delivery strategy using an injectable hydrogel responsive to reactive oxygen species (ROS) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs).

DRIM modulates Src activation and regulates angiogenic functions in vascular endothelial cells.

Downregulated in Metastasis Protein (DRIM) was discovered in malignant epithelial cells and was thought to be mainly a nucleus protein affecting cancer cells. Recent single-cell sequencing analysis suggests that DRIM is abundantly expressed in vascular endothelial cells. There has been no knowledge of the role of DRIM in the endothelium.

Insight into nitrogen removal through sulfate reducing anaerobic ammonia oxidation coupled with sulfur cycle: A comparative study on inorganic and organic conditions.

Sulfate reducing anaerobic ammonium oxidation (S-Anammox) is a novel biological process that involves the oxidation of NH coupled with the reduction of SO. This process has been observed under both inorganic and organic conditions; however, the nitrogen removal performance and the specific functional species in these two contexts remain poorly understood. Furthermore, the simultaneous occurrence of coupled sulfate reduction and sulfide oxidation adds complexity to the understanding of nitrogen and sulfur conversions.

TRPML1 acts as a predisposing factor in lymphedema development by regulating the subcellular localization of aquaporin-3, -5.

An imbalance in lymphatic fluid, whether it is caused by generation, transport, outflow, or dysfunctional vessels, can lead to lymphedema; however, the exact pathogenesis of this disease remains unclear. To explore the mechanism, we focused on the association among TRPML1, aquaporin-3 (AQP3), and aquaporin-5 (AQP5) in human lymphatic endothelial cells (HLECs). We explored the role of TRPML1 in altering the permeability of HLECs in lymphedema.

Global prevalence and pattern of injuries in basketball players: a systematic review.

Introduction: Basketball, as a widely popular sport, can be associated with a high risk of injury. This study aimed to provide a comprehensive overview of basketball-related injuries in various groups through the utilization of a systematic review methodology.

Evidence Acquisition: An extensive search was conducted in the four valid databases using three groups of keywords up to November 2023 based on the PRISMA guidance.

The effect of modulating platelet reactive oxygen species by the addition of antioxidants to prevent clearance of cold-stored platelets.

Background: It is known that the rapid clearance of cold-stored platelets is attributed to various storage lesions, including an abnormal increase in reactive oxygen species when platelets are exposed to cold temperatures. As an antioxidant, N-acetylcysteine exhibits some significant effects on scavenging various reactive oxygen species and inhibiting cell damage and apoptosis.

Aims: This study aimed to investigate the effects of N-acetylcysteine on reducing reactive oxygen species production and protecting cold-stored platelets from phagocytosis and clearance, and to determine the optimal concentration of N-acetylcysteine.

Methylene blue-functionalized ZIF-8/Au nanoparticle composites based ratiometric electrochemical sensor for reliable detection of methyl parathion in vegetables.

A novel ratiometric electrochemical sensor based on methylene blue-functionalized ZIF-8/Au nanoparticle composites (ZIF-8@MB/AuNPs) was constructed for reliable detection of methyl parathion (MP). The ZIF-8@MB/AuNPs composites were prepared by a simple and mild room-temperature method. Here, ZIF-8 was served as a support for loading functional nanomaterials, which helps to improve the adsorption and accumulation capacity for MP.

Ultralong Compositional Gradient Perovskite Nanowires Fabricated by Source-Limiting Anion Exchange.

Anion exchange in halide perovskites offers prospective approaches to band gap engineering for miniaturized and integrated optoelectronic devices. However, the band engineering at the nanoscale is uncontrollable due to the rapid and random exchange nature in the liquid or gas phase. Here, we report a source-limiting mechanism in solid-state anion exchange between low-dimensional perovskites, which readily gives access to ultralong compositional gradient nanowires (NWs) with lengths of up to 100 μm.

Bidirectional enhancement of output performance of nanogenerators by M-COFs materials.

The emergence of nanogenerators, which have the ability to capture mechanical energy from the environment and to collect and transmit tiny energy, is rapidly becoming a hot research topic. The performance of electrode materials is the key to the efficiency of nanogenerators. Covalent organic skeletons (COFs), a class of crystalline organic porous materials with the advantages of large specific surface area, high porosity, tunable structure, and flexible tailorability, have very significant advantages in being used as nanogenerator materials.

CAR immunotherapy in autoimmune diseases: promises and challenges.

In recent years, the use of chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-T cells has emerged as a promising immunotherapy in multiple diseases. CAR-T cells are T cells genetically modified to express a surface receptor, known as CAR, for the targeting of cognate antigens on specific cells. The effectiveness of CAR-T cell therapy in hematologic malignancies including leukemia, myeloma, and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has led to consider its use as a potential avenue of treatment for autoimmune diseases.

CircSEC24B activates autophagy and induces chemoresistance of colorectal cancer via OTUB1-mediated deubiquitination of SRPX2.

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are a type of regulatory RNA that feature covalently closed single-stranded loops. Evidence suggested that circRNAs play important roles in the progression and development of various cancers. However, the impact of circRNA on autophagy-mediated progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) remains unclear.

Analysis of Lignan Content and Rhizosphere Microbial Diversity of (Turcz.) Baill. Resources.

Genetic and environmental factors influence the growth and quality of medicinal plants. In recent years, rhizosphere microorganisms have also emerged as significant factors affecting the quality of medicinal plants. This study aimed to identify resources with high lignan content and analyze the microbial diversity of the rhizosphere soil.

Gate-Switchable Molecular Diffusion on a Graphene Field-Effect Transistor.

Controlling the surface diffusion of particles on 2D devices creates opportunities for advancing microscopic processes such as nanoassembly, thin-film growth, and catalysis. Here, we demonstrate the ability to control the diffusion of FTCNQ molecules at the surface of clean graphene field-effect transistors (FETs) via electrostatic gating. Tuning the back-gate voltage () of a graphene FET switches molecular adsorbates between negative and neutral charge states, leading to dramatic changes in their diffusion properties.

Breaking the scaling relations of effective CO electrochemical reduction in diatomic catalysts by adjusting the flow direction of intermediate structures.

The electrocatalytic carbon dioxide reduction reaction (CORR) is a promising approach to achieving a sustainable carbon cycle. Recently, diatomic catalysts (DACs) have demonstrated advantages in the CORR due to their complex and flexible active sites. However, our understanding of how DACs break the scaling relationship remains insufficient.

Biocatalytic Synthesis of Ruxolitinib Intermediate via Engineered Imine Reductase.

An enzyme catalyzed strategy for the synthesis of a chiral hydrazine from 3-cyclopentyl-3-oxopropanenitrile and hydrazine hydrate is presented. An imine reductase (IRED) from was identified to catalyze the reaction between 3-cyclopentyl-3-oxopropanenitrile and hydrazine hydrate to produce trace amounts of ()-3-cyclopentyl-3-hydrazineylpropanenitrile . We employed a 2-fold approach to optimize the catalytic performance of this enzyme.

Enhancing emotional expression in cat-like robots: strategies for utilizing tail movements with human-like gazes.

In recent years, there has been a significant growth in research on emotion expression in the field of human-robot interaction. In the process of human-robot interaction, the effect of the robot's emotional expression determines the user's experience and acceptance. Gaze is widely accepted as an important media to express emotions in human-human interaction.