A Rigorous Nuclear DNA-Excluding Mass Spectrometry Assay for Accurate Identification of 5-Methylcytosine in Mitochondrial DNA.

5-Methylcytosine (5mC) functions as a well-characterized epigenetic DNA mark in nuclear DNA, but its presence in mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) remains elusive. Here, we report a new and rigorous nuclear DNA (nDNA)-excluding mass spectrometry assay enabling the reliable and accurate identification of 5mC in mtDNA for the first time. First, circular mtDNA is enriched over 809-946-fold by combining alkaline lysis and linear DNA-specific RecBCD cutting; nDNA accounts for ∼12-19% of the DNA remaining after this step.

SR-A3 suppresses AKT activation to protect against MAFLD by inhibiting XIAP-mediated PTEN degradation.

Scavenger receptor class A member 3 (SR-A3) is implicated in metabolic diseases; however, the relationship between SR-A3 and metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has not been documented. Here, we show that hepatic SR-A3 expression is significantly reduced in human and animal models in the context of MAFLD. Genetic inhibition of SR-A3 in hamsters elicits hyperlipidemia, hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, and hepatic steatosis under chow-diet condition, yet escalates in diet-induced MAFLD.

Parvimonas micra promotes oral squamous cell carcinoma metastasis through TmpC-CKAP4 axis.

Parvimonas micra (P. micra), an opportunistic oral pathogen associated with multiple cancers, has limited research on its role in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). This study shows that P.

DeepJiandu Dataset for Character Detection and Recognition on Jiandu Manuscript.

In ancient China, bamboo and wooden slips, known as "Jiandu", were the primary mediums for recording historical events before the invention of paper. These artifacts are rich in historical data and cultural significance. Accurate identification of characters on Jiandu is essential for deciphering the historical narratives they contain and plays a vital role in processing Jiandu manuscripts.

Motor protein KIF13B orchestrates hepatic metabolism to prevent metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease.

Background: Kinesin family member 13B (KIF13B), a crucial motor protein, exerts multiple cellular biological functions. However, the implication of KIF13B in metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD) has not been explored yet. This study aimed to investigate KIF13B's role and underlying mechanism in MAFLD and proposes it as a potential pharmacological target.

Exploring Self-Conditioning Co-Sample Strategy of Diffusion Models in Dermoscopic Images.

Generative dataset expansion methods can effectively alleviate the scarcity of data in dermoscopic image segmentation but commonly employ a two-stage synthesis strategy that contains additional learnable components and complex design, which results in high computational resource costs. Diffusion models utilizing a self-conditioning strategy have shown strong potential for efficiently reusing priors in the pipeline without relying on excessively complicated conditioning designs. Inspired by this, we propose a dataset expansion method called SCCS-Diff.

Prognostic development and validation of a prediction model based on major histocompatibility complex-related differentially expressed genes in stomach adenocarcinoma.

Background: Stomach adenocarcinoma (STAD) is a common malignant tumor with high morbidity and mortality. Major histocompatibility complex (MHC) is an important component of the immune system responsible for antigen presentation. However, no studies have yet reported on the relationship between major histocompatibility complex-related differentially expressed genes (MHCRDEGs) and the survival prognosis of STAD.

Comprehensive single-cell analysis of triple-negative breast cancer based on cDC1 immune-related genes: prognostic model construction and immunotherapy potential.

Background: Various components of the immunological milieu surrounding tumors have become a key focus in cancer immunotherapy research. There are currently no reliable biomarkers for triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC), leading to limited clinical benefits. However, some studies have indicated that patients with TNBC may achieve better outcomes after immunotherapy.

Enteric-Coated Aspirin Induces Small Intestinal Injury via the Nrf2/Gpx4 Pathway: A Promising Model for Chronic Enteropathy.

Background: Aspirin is widely used to prevent and treat cardiovascular diseases. The most common side effect is gastrointestinal damage. In recent years, aspirin-associated enteropathy has received increasing attention.

Utilization of nanotechnology to surmount the blood-brain barrier in disorders of the central nervous system.

Central nervous system (CNS) diseases are a major cause of disability and death worldwide. Due to the blood-brain barrier (BBB), drug delivery for CNS diseases is extremely challenging. Nano-delivery systems can overcome the limitations of BBB to deliver drugs to the CNS, improve the ability of drugs to target the brain and provide potential therapeutic methods for CNS diseases.

Gene drive-based population suppression in the malaria vector Anopheles stephensi.

Gene drives are alleles that can bias the inheritance of specific traits in target populations for the purpose of modification or suppression. Here, we construct a homing suppression drive in the major urban malaria vector Anopheles stephensi targeting the female-specific exon of doublesex, incorporating two gRNAs and a nanos-Cas9 to reduce functional resistance and improve female heterozygote fitness. Our results show that the drive was recessive sterile in both females and males, with various intersex phenotypes in drive homozygotes.

Structural analyses of Cryptosporidium parvum epitopes reveal a novel scheme of decapeptide binding to H-2K.

Cryptosporidium has gained much attention as a major cause of diarrhea worldwide. Here, we present the first structure of H-2K complexed with a decapeptide from Cryptosporidium parvum Gp40/15 protein (Gp40/15-VTF10). In contrast to all published structures, the aromatic residue P3-Phe of Gp40/15-VTF10 is anchored in pocket C rather than the canonical Y/F at P5 or P6 reported for octapeptides and nonapeptides.

The risk factors and prediction model for postoperative pneumonia after craniotomy.

Background: Craniotomy is highly susceptible to postoperative pneumonia, which significantly impacts the outcomes of patients undergoing such procedures. Our study aims to examine the risk factors associated with postoperative pneumonia and establish a predictive model with a nomogram to assess this risk.

Methods: We conducted a matched 1:1 case-control study involving 831 adult patients undergoing craniotomy at our hospital.

A prodrug nanodevice co-delivering docetaxel and ROR1 siRNA for enhanced triple negative breast cancer therapy.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has been a clinical challenge due to its high recurrence and metastasis rates. Chemotherapy remains the primary treatment for TNBC after surgery ablation, but it lacks targeted specificity and causes side effects in normal tissues. Receptor tyrosine kinase-like orphan receptor 1 (ROR1) is significantly expressed in TNBC cells, and small interference RNA (siRNA) targeting ROR1 can effectively suppress ROR1 gene expression, thereby inhibiting proliferation and metastasis.

[Research progress on the effect of estuary microplastics on antibiotic resistance genes].

Estuaries are transitional zones between rivers and marine environments, with intensive human activities. Pollutants pose a threat to the ecological systems of estuaries. Among these pollutants, microplastics and antibiotic resistant genes have gained significant attention due to their potential impacts on estuarine organisms and human health.

Development and validation of interpretable machine learning models for postoperative pneumonia prediction.

Background: Postoperative pneumonia, a prevalent form of hospital-acquired pneumonia, poses significant risks to patients' prognosis and even their lives. This study aimed to develop and validate a predictive model for postoperative pneumonia in surgical patients using nine machine learning methods.

Objective: Our study aims to develop and validate a predictive model for POP in surgical patients using nine machine learning algorithms.

Changes and influencing factors of phytoplankton in the Tianjin coastal waters of Bohai Bay at the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak.

We studied the characteristics of plankton community and its response to water environmental factors at the early stage of COVID-19 outbreak (2019-2020) in the Tianjin coastal waters of Bohai Bay. The water quality showed a good trend during this period, due to the reduction of pollution brought by the runoff rivers and water exchange driven by the circulation. In the survey area, 68 species of diatomata and dinoflagellata phytoplankton were found, where diatomata was the dominant population.

5-Fluorouracil Loaded Prebiotic-Probiotic Liposomes Modulating Gut Microbiota for Improving Colorectal Cancer Chemotherapy.

The gut microbiota exerts inhibitory effects on the occurrence and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC) through various mechanisms. Compared to traditional microbiota regulation methods, prebiotics and probiotics demonstrate significant advantages in terms of safety and patient adaptability. Their synergy not only improves the intestinal environment but also enhances the host's anti-tumor immune response.

Identification of a novel immunosenescence-related genes and integrative analyses in patients with psoriasis.

Background: Immunosenescence, characterized by age-related changes in the immune system, may contribute to the onset and progression of psoriasis, a condition whose incidence increases with age and often requires intensified medication in older patients.

Methods: This study utilized bioinformatics analyses to identify differentially expressed immunosenescence-related genes in psoriasis patients from the GEO database. Enrichment, correlation, and interaction network analyses were conducted to explore their involvement in immune and inflammation pathways.

Environmental enrichment attenuates maternal separation-induced excessive hoarding behavior in adult female mice.

Background: Previous studies have demonstrated that early life stress (ELS) impacts hoarding behavior in adult humans. This study aimed to assess the potential mitigation by environmental enrichment on hoarding behavior in rodents caused by maternal separation, thereby providing insights into therapeutic strategies for hoarding disorder.

Methods: Newborn mice were randomly divided into four groups.

Mass incarceration as a driver of the tuberculosis epidemic in Latin America and projected effects of policy alternatives: a mathematical modelling study.

Background: Tuberculosis incidence is increasing in Latin America, where the incarcerated population has nearly quadrupled since 1990. We aimed to quantify the impact of historical and future incarceration policies on the tuberculosis epidemic, accounting for effects in and beyond prisons.

Methods: In this modelling study, we calibrated dynamic compartmental transmission models to historical and contemporary data from Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, El Salvador, Mexico, and Peru, which comprise approximately 80% of the region's incarcerated population and tuberculosis burden.

Site Effect of Electron Acceptors on Ultralong Organic Room-Temperature Phosphorescence.

Herein, we successfully observe the site effect of electron acceptors on ultralong organic room-temperature phosphorescence (UORTP) in the case of 7-benzo[]carbazole (BCz) derivatives: cyanophenyl on the nitrogen site can promote intersystem crossing (ISC) efficiency and enhance phosphorescence intensity by facilitating -π* transitions but make a slight change to the phosphorescence wavelength; cyanophenyl on the naphthalene site can cause a remarkable red shift of phosphorescence wavelength by reducing the T energy level of BCz derivatives and also enhance phosphorescence intensity by promoting ISC but weaken phosphorescence intensity by lowering the molecular symmetry. Three BCz derivatives (1-BCzPhCN, 2-BCzPhCN, and 3-BCzPhCN) with the electron acceptor cyanophenyl at different sites (nitrogen site and naphthalene site) were synthesized through a combination of the nucleophilic substitution reaction and the Suzuki coupling reaction. The phosphorescence properties of 1-BCzPhCN, 2-BCzPhCN, and 3-BCzPhCN in toluene solution, in a copolymerized MMA film, and in a PVA film were measured and analyzed.