Efficacy and mechanism of inhibition of the GPR30-PI3K pathway by 4-phenylbutyric acid in the treatment of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) is a liver disease that manifests predominantly in the later stages of pregnancy. The primary treatment currently involves the use of ursodeoxycholic acid (UDCA). In this study, the therapeutic effectiveness of 4-phenylbutyric acid (4-PBA) in the treatment of ICP, as well as the potential mechanisms involved, are investigated to offer new references for clinical treatment decisions using ICP model.

Genomic and phenotypic evidence support visual and olfactory shifts in primate evolution.

Sensory trade-offs between vision and olfaction in the evolution and radiation of primates have long been debated. However, insights have been limited by a lack of sensory gene sequences and accompanying functional predictions. Here we conduct large-scale functional analyses of visual and olfactory receptors and related brain regions across extant primates.

Independent influence of type 2 diabetes on reduced cardiopulmonary fitness in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention: a cross-sectional study.

Previous studies have found a significant association between type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and impaired cardiopulmonary fitness (CRF); however, little evidence was shown in patients after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). This study aimed to evaluate the independent effects of T2DM on CRF in patients who have undergone successful percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) and received guideline-directed medical therapy. Additionally, we explored whether this association is influenced by factors such as demographic features, physical activity level, duration of diabetes, time from index PCI, and history of occlusion myocardial infarction.

Network analysis of meaning in life, perceived social support, and depressive symptoms among vocational undergraduate students.

Background: Depression poses a considerable personal and public health problem, particularly in the post-epidemic era. The present study aimed to investigate the association between meaning in life (MIL) and perceived social support (PSS) with depressive symptoms among vocational undergraduate students, employing a network analysis approach to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying pathways and to prevent the progression of depressive symptoms into disorders.

Methods: A total of 1367 Chinese vocational undergraduates ( = 20.

Network analysis of interactions of rumination and anxiety on smartphone dependence symptoms.

Objective: Rumination and anxiety have been posited as correlates of smartphone dependence (SPD). However, little is known regarding how the components of both affect SPD symptoms at subtle levels. Therefore, we used the network analysis approach to identify the connections at a micro level to provide possible interventions for reducing SPD symptoms.

Advances in SERS detection method combined with microfluidic technology for bio-analytical applications.

With the advancement of research on life systems and disease mechanisms, the precision of analysis tends to be at a single molecule or single gene level. The surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) method is highly anticipated because of its sensitive detection ability down to a single molecule level. The SERS-based microfluidic platforms retain both advantages of SERS and microfluidics, working in a complementary way.

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.

Characteristic Polyphenols in 15 Varieties of Chinese Jujubes Based on Metabolomics.

Background: Jujube is a homologous herb of medicine and food, and polyphenols are key in determining the functional effects of jujubes.

Methods: In this study, characteristic polyphenols in 15 varieties of Chinese jujubes were investigated based on untargeted metabolomics.

Results: The results showed that a total of 79 characteristic polyphenols were identified in the 15 varieties of Chinese jujube, and 55 characteristic polyphenols such as syringetin, spinosin and kaempferol were reported for the first time.

Genomic Insights Into Genetic Basis of Evolutionary Conservatism and Innovation in Frogs.

Examining closely related species evolving in similar environments offers valuable insights into the mechanisms driving phylogenetic conservatism and evolutionary lability. This can elucidate the intricate relationship between inheritance and environmental factors. Nonetheless, the precise genomic dynamics and molecular underpinnings of this process remain enigmatic.

Enhancing the tissue penetration to improve sonodynamic immunotherapy for pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma using membrane-camouflaged nanoplatform.

Purpose: Sonodynamic therapy (SDT) is a promising strategy as an "in situ vaccine" to enhance activation of antitumor immune responses in solid tumors. However, the dense extracellular matrix (ECM) in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) lead to hypoxia and limited penetration of most drugs, aggravating the immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment and limiting the efficacy of synergistic sonodynamic immunotherapy. Therefore, it is essential to regulate ECM in order to alleviate tumor hypoxia and enhance the efficacy of sonodynamic immunotherapy for PDAC.

Co-delivery of SN38 and MEF2D-siRNA via tLyp-1-modified liposomes reverses PD-L1 expression induced by STING activation in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) exhibits an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment, leading to a low objective response rate when immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are utilized. The cGAS-STING pathway demonstrates a powerful immune stimulatory effect, nevertheless, activation of this pathway triggers an upregulation of PD-L1, which inhibits the anti-tumor function of immune cells. The present study discovered that knockdown of MEF2D by a siRNA in H22 cells decreases the expression of PD-L1.

Label-Free Single-Molecule Electrical Sensor for Ultrasensitive and Selective Detection of Iodide Ions in Human Urine.

Herein, a label-free single-molecule electrical sensor was first proposed for the ultrasensitive and selective detection of iodide ions in human urine. Single-molecule conductance measurements in different halogen ion solutions via scanning tunneling microscopy break junction (STM-BJ) clearly revealed that I ions strongly affect the stability and displacement distance (Δ) distribution of molecular junctions. Theoretical calculations prove that the specific adsorption of I ions modifies the surface properties and weakens the molecular adsorption.

Fluorogenic target competitors for developing label-free and sensitive folding-unswitching aptamer sensors.

Background: Aptamers have aroused tremendous applications in sensors, drug deliveries, diagnosis, and therapies. In particular, target-induced global structure switching of aptamers has been widely used to develop selective sensors. However, fluorophore and/or quencher modification, sequence elongation, and nano-interface adsorption are required to design such global structure-switching aptamer sensors (SSAS) in order to signal target binding events.

Dihydroartemisinin Modulates Prostate Cancer Progression by Regulating Multiple Genes via the Transcription Factor NR2F2.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of dihydroartemisinin (DHA) on DU145 cells and the role of NR2F2 (COUP-TFII) and its potential target genes in this process.

Methods: GSE122625 was used to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) between the DHA-treated and control groups. Protein-protein interaction (PPI) network analysis was performed to identify hub genes, and the ChEA3 database was used to identify potential transcription factors.

Influence of YO Doping on Phase Evolution and Dielectric Characteristics of ZrO Ceramics.

Improvements in phase stability and dielectric characteristics can broaden the applications of zirconia in ceramics. Herein, a series of YO-stabilized zirconia (YSZ) ceramics are synthesized using solid-state sintering, followed by an investigation into their phase evolution, grain size, dielectric constant, and breaking field. As the YO content increases from 0 wt% to 4 wt%, the as-grown YSZ ceramics undergo a distinct phase transformation, transitioning from monoclinic to monoclinic + tetragonal and further to monoclinic + tetragonal + cubic, before finally returning to monoclinic + cubic.

Enhanced Recognition of a Herbal Compound Epiberberine by a DNA Quadruplex-Duplex Structure.

The small molecule epiberberine (EPI) is a natural alkaloid with versatile bioactivities against several diseases including cancer and bacterial infection. EPI can induce the formation of a unique binding pocket at the 5' side of a human telomeric G-quadruplex (HTG) sequence with four telomeric repeats (Q4), resulting in a nanomolar binding affinity ( approximately 26 nM) with significant fluorescence enhancement upon binding. It is important to understand (1) how EPI binding affects HTG structural stability and (2) how enhanced EPI binding may be achieved through the engineering of the DNA binding pocket.

Associations of clinical subtypes and bile acid levels of intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy with pregnancy outcomes.

Intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) can lead to many adverse pregnancy outcomes, and the influencing factors remain unclear at present. This study retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 1815 pregnant women with ICP and evaluated the relationship between ICP subtypes, gestational age at onset, and pregnancy outcomes. The results of this study show that during pregnancy, the levels of biochemical indicators (TBA, DBIL and ALT) in the serum of pregnant women initially diagnosed with subtypes of ICP were noted to constantly change, and the subtype of ICP and its severity also changed.

Effects of Connectivity Isomerization on Electron Transport Through Thiophene Heterocyclic Molecular Junction.

Connectivity isomerization of the same aromatic molecular core with different substitution positions profoundly affects electron transport pathways and single-molecule conductance. Herein, we designed and synthesized all connectivity isomers of a thiophene () aromatic ring substituted by two dihydrobenzo[b]thiophene () groups with ethynyl spacers (,-TP-BT, (, = 2,3; 2,4; 2,5; 3,4)), to systematically probe how connectivity contributes to single-molecule conductance. Single-molecule conductance measurements using a scanning tunneling microscopy break junction (STM-BJ) technique show ∼12-fold change in conductance values, which follow an order of 10 () < 10 () < 10 () < 10 ().

Characterization and therapeutic potential of MRABP9, a novel lytic bacteriophage infecting multidrug-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii clinical strains.

Acinetobacter baumannii is one of the most important pathogens of healthcare-associated infections. The rising prevalence of multidrug-resistant A. baumannii (MRAB) strains and biofilm formation impact the outcome of conventional treatment.

Epigenetic signatures of social status in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta).

In mammalian societies, dominance hierarchies translate into inequalities in health, reproductive performance and survival. DNA methylation is thought to mediate the effects of social status on gene expression and phenotypic outcomes, yet a study of social status-specific DNA methylation profiles in different age classes in a wild social mammal is missing. We tested for social status signatures in DNA methylation profiles in wild female spotted hyenas (Crocuta crocuta), cubs and adults, using non-invasively collected gut epithelium samples.

Prognostic implication of residual inflammatory trajectories in acute type I aortic dissection: dual-center prospective cohort study.

Background: Peripheral platelet-white blood cell ratio (PWR) integrating systemic inflammatory and coagulopathic pathways is a key residual inflammatory measurement in the management of acute DeBakey type I aortic dissection (AAD); however, trajectories of PWR in AAD is poorly defined.

Methods: Two AAD cohorts were included in two cardiovascular centers (2020-2022) if patients underwent emergency total arch replacement with frozen elephant trunk implantation. PWR data were collected over time at baseline and five consecutive days after surgery.

Ratiometric G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzymes with low-dosage associative substrates.

Background: G-quadruplex (G4)/hemin DNAzymes with conversion of substrates into colorimetric readouts are well recognized as convenient biocatalysis tools in sensor development. However, the previously developed colorimetric G4/hemin DNAzymes are diffusive substrate-based DNAzymes (DSBDs). The current colorimetric DSBDs have several drawbacks including high dosage (∼mM) of diffusive substrates (DSs), colorimetric product toxicity, and single colorimetric readout without tolerance to fluctuation of experimental factors and background.

Divergent Evolutionary Rates of Primate Brain Regions as Revealed by Genomics and Transcriptomics.

Although the primate brain contains numerous functionally distinct structures that have experienced diverse genetic changes during the course of evolution and development, these changes remain to be explored in detail. Here we utilize two classic metrics from evolutionary biology, the evolutionary rate index (ERI) and the transcriptome age index (TAI), to investigate the evolutionary alterations that have occurred in each area and developmental stage of the primate brain. We observed a higher evolutionary rate for those genes expressed in the non-cortical areas during primate evolution, particularly in human, with the highest rate of evolution being exhibited at brain developmental stages between late infancy and early childhood.