Dietary manipulation of intestinal microbes prolongs survival in a mouse model of Hirschsprung disease.

Unlabelled: Enterocolitis is a common and potentially deadly manifestation of Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) but disease mechanisms remain poorly defined. Unexpectedly, we discovered that diet can dramatically affect the lifespan of a HSCR mouse model ( , ) where affected animals die from HAEC complications. In the model, diet alters gut microbes and metabolites, leading to changes in colon epithelial gene expression and epithelial oxygen levels known to influence colitis severity.

Efficacy and safety of upadacitinib, a selective JAK-1 inhibitor in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis: a meta-analysis.

Objective: To systemically assess efficacy and safety of upadacitinib (UPA), a selective inhibitor of Janus kinase 1 (JAK1) in treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS).

Methods: Available databases were used to retrieve literatures of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of UPA for AS treatment until February 2024. After that, the data were extracted and the Revman 5.

Spleen stiffness measurement as a non-invasive assessment in patients with portal hypertension.

For patients with advanced chronic liver disease who are in a compensated state, the development of portal hypertension (PHT) can lead to a heightened risk of hepatic decompensation and mortality. This underscores the importance of timely and appropriate treatment to manage the condition and prevent further complications. The current gold standard procedure for determining PHT is the hepatic venous pressure gradient, but its invasiveness limits its usage in clinical practice and larger trials of novel agents.

Curcumin-loaded bioadhesive silk fibroin microsphere improves islet transplantation by mitigating oxidative stress and inhibiting apoptosis.

Islet transplantation, a form of cell therapy involving the injection of healthy islet cells into the recipient's body for curative treatment of T1DM, often fails due to oxidative stress and inflammatory damage experienced by the transplanted islets. Curcumin, a naturally occurring polyphenol with potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, has been underutilized in islet protection due to challenges associated with its co-delivery and formulation. In this study, we developed bioadhesive curcumin microspheres (PDA/CUR@SF) by incorporating curcumin into a silk fibroin matrix and subsequently coating it with polydopamine to enhance islet adherence.

Supramolecular Diodes with Donor-Acceptor Interactions.

Inspired by the initial proposal of σ-bridged donor-acceptor (D-σ-A) single-molecule diodes in 1974, extensive studies over the past 50 years have explored various designs for π-conjugated D-π-A single-molecule diodes due to their feasible chemical synthesis and effective charge transfer. However, the rectification ratio of π-conjugated single-molecule diodes has been long-term limited by the challenge of asymmetric electronic coupling to induce the rectification effect. Here, we present a supramolecular diode constructed through an intramolecular π-π interaction-driven assembly strategy.

Enhancing chemoimmunotherapy for colorectal cancer with paclitaxel and alantolactone via CD44-Targeted nanoparticles: A STAT3 signaling pathway modulation approach.

Chemoimmunotherapy has the potential to enhance chemotherapy and modulate the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment by activating immunogenic cell death (ICD), making it a promising strategy for clinical application. Alantolactone (A) was found to augment the anticancer efficacy of paclitaxel (P) at a molar ratio of 1:0.5 (P:A) through induction of more potent ICD via modulation of STAT3 signaling pathways.

Evolutionary analysis of DELLA proteins in sweet potato and related species reveals their roles in development and stress responses.

DELLA proteins act as master negative regulators in the gibberellin signaling pathway, which controls numerous aspects of plant growth and development. Despite the pivotal role of DELLA proteins, a comprehensive genome-wide analysis of the gene family in sweet potato () and its related species has yet to be conducted. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of this gene family among six species, including , , , , , and .

PLGA co-loaded Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharide and Mn as an adjuvant to induce potent immunity.

Developing a novel and potent adjuvant with excellent biocompatibility for immune response augmentation is crucial for enhancing vaccine efficacy. Here, we prepared a stable PLGA nanoparticle by encapsulating MnCl/Salvia miltiorrhiza polysaccharide (MS-PLGA) and employed it as an adjuvant in the model antigen OVA (MS-PLGA-OVA) to elicit potent immunity. The biological experiments indicated that the MS-PLGA-OVA could effectively recruit APCs to the injection site and provoke long-term antibodies.

Electromechanics of the Molecule-Electrode Interface and Interface-Mediated Effects in Single-Molecule Junctions.

The molecule-electrode interface can regulate both the efficiency and pathways of electron transport through single-molecule junctions (SMJs). The electromechanics of the interface has proven crucial in exposing the underlying mechanisms of electron transmission through SMJs, providing a theoretical base and practical guidance for designing and constructing functional molecular devices. Here we encompass several currently developed methodologies for investigating the electromechanics of molecule-electrode interface and provide an account of their application in elucidating the effects of the molecule-electrode interface on electron transport properties of SMJs.

Chondrocyte-targeted bilirubin/rapamycin carrier-free nanoparticles alleviate oxidative stress and modulate autophagy for osteoarthritis therapy.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent chronic disease, characterized by the destruction of joint cartilage and synovitis, affects over 7 % of people worldwide. Disease-modifying treatments for OA still face significant challenges. Chondrocytes, as the exclusive cellular component of articular cartilage, play a pivotal role in synthesizing the intricate matrix of cartilage, thereby assuming a critical responsibility in facilitating its renewal and repair processes.

Poria cocos polysaccharide-honeycomb manganese oxide nanoparticles as a vaccine adjuvant to induce potent immune responses.

As indispensable components of vaccines, adjuvants play a critical role in inducing potent immune responses. In our previous study, we isolated and purified a water-soluble polysaccharide from Poria cocos (PCP), and found that the PCP had the potential to act as an immunostimulant to induce a balanced Th1/Th2 immune response. However, the PCP showed effective immunomodulatory activity only at high concentrations.

Nanoscale Evolution of Charge Transport Through C-H···π Interactions.

C-H···π interactions, a prevalent intermolecular force, play a pivotal role in chemistry, materials science, and life sciences. Despite extensive studies of their influence on intermolecular binding configurations and energetics, their impact on intermolecular coupling and charge transport remains unexplored. Here, we investigate the charge transport within supramolecular junctions connected by C-H···π and π-π interactions, respectively, and find that C-H···π interactions exhibit conductances that are 3.

Chinese yam polysaccharide-loaded aluminium hydroxide nanoparticles used as vaccine adjuvant to induce potent humoral and cellular immune responses.

Due to their safety and efficacy, aluminium salts (Alum) are considered the most important adjuvants in human vaccines. However, Alum adjuvants are unable to elicit a cellular immune response, which is vital for the prevention of various chronic infectious diseases and cancers. Herein, we isolated and purified a water-soluble polysaccharide from Chinese yam, named CYP, which was primarily composed of →4)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, →4,6)-α-D-Glcp-(1→, and α-D-Glcp-(1→.

Injectable calcium phosphate cement integrated with BMSCs-encapsulated microcapsules for bone tissue regeneration.

Injectable calcium phosphate cement (CPC) offers significant benefits for the minimally invasive repair of irregular bone defects. However, the main limitations of CPC, including its deficiency in osteogenic properties and insufficient large porosity, require further investigation and resolution. In this study, alginate-chitosan-alginate (ACA) microcapsules were used to encapsulate and deliver rat bone mesenchymal stem cells (rBMSCs) into CPC paste, while a porous CPC scaffold was established to support cell growth.

Poria cocos polysaccharide-loaded Alum Pickering emulsion as vaccine adjuvant to enhance immune responses.

Traditional Alum adjuvants mainly elicit a Th2 humoral immune response, but fail to generate a robust Th1 cellular immune response. However, the cellular immune response is essential for vaccination against cancer and a number of chronic infectious diseases, including human immunodeficiency virus infection and tuberculosis. In our previous study, we demonstrated that the polysaccharide from Poria cocos (PCP) has the potential to serve as an immunologic stimulant, enhancing both humoral and cellular immune responses.

The Structural Characterization of a Polysaccharide from the Dried Root of and Its Use as a Vaccine Adjuvant to Induce Humoral and Cellular Immune Responses.

In order to supplement the research gap concerning polysaccharide extracted from Danshen in NMR analysis, and to clarify its immune enhancement effect as an adjuvant, we isolated and purified SMPD-2, which is composed of nine monosaccharides such as Ara, Gal, and Glc from Danshen. Its weight average molecular weight was 37.30 ± 0.

Grazing affects ecosystem traits by regulating plateau pika activities at the landscape scale.

The mechanism underlying the effects of livestock grazing on grassland ecosystem traits has been greatly discussed. However, as a common small burrowing mammal on the Tibetan Plateau grasslands, the plateau pika's (Ochotona curzoniae) influence on alpine grassland ecosystem traits has rarely been investigated, especially beyond the plot scale. In this study, we flew an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) over a grassland landscape under grazing and nongrazing treatments.

Effect of High-Flow Nasal Cannula Flow on Intrapharyngeal Pressure During Fiberoptic Bronchoscopy Under Deep Sedation.

Background: The flow reaching the vocal folds may be lower than that at the output of high-flow nasal cannula (HFNC) system. This could be due to upper-respiratory obstruction, oxygen leakage, or other factors. The objective of this study was to observe the effect of flow through a nasopharyngeal airway on intrapharyngeal pressure (IPP) in subjects undergoing fiberoptic bronchoscopy (FOB).

Structural characterization and adjuvant activity of a water soluble polysaccharide from Poria cocos.

Adjuvants, as the essential component of vaccines, are crucial in enhancing the magnitude, breadth and durability of immune responses. Unfortunately, commonly used Alum adjuvants predominantly provoke humoral immune response, but fail to evoke cellular immune response, which is crucial for the prevention of various chronic infectious diseases and cancers. Thus, it is necessary to develop effective adjuvants to simultaneously induce humoral and cellular immune response.

Genome-wide identification of quantitative trait loci and candidate genes for seven carcass traits in a four-way intercross porcine population.

Background: Carcass traits are essential economic traits in the commercial pig industry. However, the genetic mechanism of carcass traits is still unclear. In this study, we performed a genome-wide association study (GWAS) based on the specific-locus amplified fragment sequencing (SLAF-seq) to study seven carcass traits on 223 four-way intercross pigs, including dressing percentage (DP), number of ribs (RIB), skin thinkness (ST), carcass straight length (CSL), carcass diagonal length (CDL), loin eye width (LEW), and loin eye thickness (LET).

Identification of potential tissue-specific biomarkers involved in pig fat deposition through integrated bioinformatics analysis and machine learning.

Backfat thickness (BT) and intramuscular fat (IMF) content are closely appertained to meat production and quality in pig production. Deposition in subcutaneous adipose (SA) and IMF concerns different genes and regulatory mechanisms. And larger studies with rigorous design should be carried to explore the molecular regulation of fat deposition in different tissues.

Current research insights into the role of CTLA-4 in hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection.

Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a significant global public health concern, and the clearance of HBV is closely linked to the activity of HBV-specific T cells, which is regulated by various co-suppressor molecules. Cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is among these co-suppressor molecules which induces T cell exhaustion by competitively inhibiting CD28 and dampening the function of HBV-specific T cells. CTLA-4 also plays a role in the regulation of T helper (Th) cell differentiation and influences cytokine release.