Construction and characterisation of mung bean protein isolate/carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan sodium hydrogels: Gel properties, structural properties, microstructure, sodium salt release, and 3D printing.

This study proposed a hydrogel system using mung bean protein isolate (MPI) and carboxymethyl konjac glucomannan (CKGM). The effects of CKGM addition on the gel properties, structural characteristics, and Na loading capacity of the MPI-CKGM system were investigated. FTIR and molecular docking techniques demonstrated that MPI and CKGM formed hydrogels via hydrogen bonding interactions.

Preparation and Adsorption Properties of Sodium Trimetaphosphate Crosslinked Porous Corn Starch.

The crosslinked porous corn starch was prepared by two steps: the native corn starch was hydrolyzed by α-amylase and glucoamylase, then the porous corn was crosslinked by sodium trimetaphosphate (STMP). The morphology and size of granules, spherulites, crystal type, molecular structure, swelling properties, thermal stability and adsorption properties of the crosslinked porous starch were investigated. The results indicated that a lot of holes formed in the porous starch, and the particle size of starch granules decreased.

Development and Evaluation of Aloperine-Loaded Nanostructured Lipid Carriers for the Treatment of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension.

Objective: This study focuses on the development and evaluation of nanostructured lipid carriers (NLCs) loaded with aloperine as a potential therapeutic approach for the treatment of pulmonary arterial hypertension.

Methods: The NLCs were designed to enhance the solubility, stability, and bioavailability of aloperine, a compound with vasodilatory and anti-inflammatory properties. Through a series of experiments including single-factor experimentation, transmission electron microscopy, high-performance liquid chromatography, in vivo pharmacokinetics, and tissue distribution studies, we assessed the physicochemical properties, drug release profiles, and in vitro and in vivo performance of this novel nanocarrier.

NOTCH3 Mutation Causes Glymphatic Impairment and Promotes Brain Senescence in CADASIL.

Aims: The aim of this study is to investigate the role of glymphatic function of cerebral autosomal dominant arteriopathy, subcortical infarcts, and leukoencephalopathy (CADASIL), the most common monogenic small vessel disease caused by NOTCH3 mutation, and to explore potential therapeutic strategies to improve glymphatic function.

Methods: We assessed glymphatic influx and efflux function in CADASIL mouse models (Notch3) and correlated these findings with brain atrophy in CADASIL patients. We also investigated the underlying mechanisms of glymphatic impairment, focusing the expression of AQP4 in astrocytic endfeet.

Drosophila modeling to identify causative genes and reveal the underlying molecular mechanisms for primary ovarian insufficiency.

Primary ovarian insufficiency (POI) is a disease defined as a reduction in ovarian function under the age of 40 and represents the main cause of female infertility. In recent years, many genetic mutations associated with POI have been identified using high-throughput sequencing technology. However, one big challenge today is to determine the disease-causing gene associations through functional assessment.

Cavity as radio telescope for galactic dark photon.

Dark photons, as a minimal extension of the Standard Model through an additional Abelian gauge group, may propagate relativistically across the galaxy, originating from dark matter decay or annihilation, thereby contributing to a galactic dark photon background. The generation of dark photons typically favors certain polarization modes, which are dependent on the interactions between dark matter and dark photons. We introduce a framework in which a resonant cavity is utilized to detect and differentiate these polarizations, leveraging the daily variation in expected signals due to the anisotropic distribution of dark photons and the rotation of the Earth.

Enhancing sulfide mitigation via the synergistic dosing of calcium peroxide and ferrous ions in gravity sewers: Efficiency and mechanism.

Chemical dosing constitutes an effective strategy for sulfide control in sewers; however, its efficacy requires further optimization and enhancement. In this study, a novel dosing strategy using the synergistic dosing of calcium peroxide (CaO) and ferrous ions (Fe) for sulfide control was proposed, and its efficacy in controlling sulfides was evaluated using a long-term laboratory-scale reactor. The results showed that adding CaO-Fe improves the effect of sulfide control.

A management of patients achieving clinical complete response after neoadjuvant therapy and perspectives: on locally advanced rectal cancer.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) followed by total mesorectal excision (TME) and selective use of adjuvant chemotherapy is currently considered the standard of care for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). Despite this, the concept of organ preservation is gradually challenging this approach. The management of complete clinical remission (cCR) lacks international consensus, leading scholars to develop their own perspectives based on well-designed studies and long-term data from large multicenter cohorts.

Bacterial cellulose-based scaffold modified with anti-CD29 antibody to selectively capture urine-derived stem cells for bladder repair.

Acellular cellulose-based biomaterials hold promising potential for treating bladder injuries. However, the compromised cellular state surrounding the wound impedes the complete reconstruction of the bladder. This necessitates the development of a bio-instructive cellulose-based biomaterial that actively controls cell behavior to facilitate effective bladder regeneration.

Lactoferrin-functionalized PEGylation liposomes loaded with norcantharidin acid for targeted therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Norcantharidin (NCTD), an antitumor agent with an increased leukocyte function, has been used for the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in clinical. However, the clinical application of NCTD is limited due to its inadequate hydrophilicity and lipophilicity, short half-life (t), as well as adverse effects such as vascular irritation, cardiotoxicity, and nephrotoxicity. Herein, a lactoferrin (Lf) and DSPE-mPEG functionalized liposomes loaded with norcantharidic acid (NCA), an active metabolite of NCTD, was constructed for the targeted therapy of HCC.

PKM2-mediated collagen XVII expression is critical for wound repair.

Chronic wounds have emerged as a tough clinical challenge. An improved understanding of wound healing mechanisms is paramount. Collagen XVII (COL17), a pivotal constituent of hemidesmosomes, holds considerable promise for regulating epidermal cell adhesion to the basement membrane, as well as for epidermal cell motility and self-renewal of epidermal stem cells.

Dual Biological Effects and Mechanisms of Gut Microbiota in Breast Cancer: A Review.

Breast cancer (BC) is a common malignant tumor. BC is serious and has a high mortality rate. The incidence of BC has increased in recent years.

The effect of blood glucose levels on serum triglyceride clearance in patients with hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis.

Preventing moderately severe and severe acute pancreatitis (MSAP & SAP) is the primary goal of the management of hyperlipidemic acute pancreatitis (HLAP). The main aim of this study was to investigate the factors affecting serum triglyceride (TG) clearance, particularly blood glucose (GLU) levels, which could potentially help to prevent the development of MSAP & SAP. The clinical data from 177 patients with MSAP & SAP and 195 patients with mild acute pancreatitis (MAP) on days 1-6 after the onset were collected and analyzed by multivariate logistic regression to identify the factors that have an impact on the severity of HLAP, especially TG.

Enhanced Analgesic Efficacy and Reduced Side Effects of Morphine by Combination with PD-1 Agonist.

Chronic pain is a debilitating disease and remains challenging to treat. Morphine serves as the most commonly used drug for the treatment of pathological pain. However, detrimental side effects (e.

Inhibition of KLF5 promotes ferroptosis via the ZEB1/HMOX1 axis to enhance sensitivity to oxaliplatin in cancer cells.

As a novel form of nonapoptotic cell death, ferroptosis is developing into a promising therapeutic target of dedifferentiating and therapy-refractory cancers. However, its application in pancreatic cancer is still unknown. In the preliminary research, we found that F-box and WD repeat domain-containing 7 (FBW7) inhibited the migration and proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells through its substrate c-Myc.

Comparison of hand-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy laparoscopic adrenalectomy for large pheochromocytomas: a retrospective study.

Background: It remains uncertain whether hand-assisted laparoscopic adrenalectomy (HAL) has advantages in treating large pheochromocytomas (PHEOs). This study aimed to assess the feasibility and safety of HAL compared to laparoscopic adrenalectomy (LA).

Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on patients with PHEOs ≥6 cm who received HAL (n=16) and LA (n=20) at Shandong Provincial Hospital from January 2020 to January 2023.

Modulating Ferroptosis: A Novel Approach to Promote Neural Repair in Brain Injury.

The increasing prevalence of brain injuries resulting in cognitive and motor function impairments poses a substantial global medical challenge. Nerve repair therapies offer promise for addressing brain injury-related disorders. Ferroptosis, as a cell death mechanism associated with oxidative stress and inflammation.

Circulating tumour DNA in predicting and monitoring survival of patients with locally advanced rectal cancer undergoing multimodal treatment: long-term results from a prospective multicenter study.

Background: Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy (nCRT) is the standard for locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC). However, distant metastasis remains the primary cause of treatment failure. Early identification of high-risk individuals for personalized treatment may offer a solution.

Composites of YF: Yb, Er, Tm@CN-Au with near-infrared light-driven ability for photocatalytic wastewater purification.

Photocatalytic technology for removing organic dye pollutants has gained considerable attention because of its ability to harness abundant solar energy without requiring additional chemical reagents. In this context, YF spheres doped with Yb, Er, Tm (YF) are synthesized using a hydrothermal method and are subsequently coated with a layer of graphitic carbon nitride (g-CN) with Au nanoparticles (NPs) adsorbed onto the surface to create a core-shell structure, designated as YF: Yb, Er, Tm@CN-Au (abbreviated as YF@CN-Au). The core-shell composites demonstrate remarkable stability, broadband absorption, and exceptional photocatalytic activity across the ultraviolet (UV) to near-infrared (NIR) spectral range.

SERS-Based Local Field Enhancement in Biosensing Applications.

Surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) stands out as a highly effective molecular identification technique, renowned for its exceptional sensitivity, specificity, and non-destructive nature. It has become a main technology in various sectors, including biological detection and imaging, environmental monitoring, and food safety. With the development of material science and the expansion of application fields, SERS substrate materials have also undergone significant changes: from precious metals to semiconductors, from single crystals to composite particles, from rigid to flexible substrates, and from two-dimensional to three-dimensional structures.

Tunable MEMS-based meta-absorbers for nondispersive infrared gas sensing applications.

In conventional nondispersive infrared (NDIR) gas sensors, a wide-spectrum IR source or detector must be combined with a narrowband filter to eliminate the interference of nontarget gases. Therefore, the multiplexed NDIR gas sensor requires multiple pairs of narrowband filters, which is not conducive to miniaturization and integration. Although plasmonic metamaterials or multilayer thin-film structures are widely applied in spectral absorption filters, realizing high-performance, large-area, multiband, and compact filters is rather challenging.

The trajectory of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder symptoms and its dynamic relationship with inhibitory control.

Background: Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder in childhood, characterized by symptoms of inattention, hyperactivity, and impulsivity. Impaired inhibitory control is observed in the majority of individuals with ADHD. Understanding the relationship between inhibitory control and the developmental trajectory of ADHD is essential for informing clinical prognosis and guiding early interventions.

Establishing a robust triangulation framework to explore the relationship between hearing loss and Parkinson's disease.

The relationship between hearing loss (HL) and Parkinson's disease (PD) remains unclear. Using individual-level and summary-level data from the UK Biobank and the largest genome-wide association studies, we examined this link through observational, Mendelian randomization and genetic pleiotropy analyses. Among 158,229 participants, PD risk rose with HL severity especially in elder and males, and hearing aids significantly reduced PD risk in males.

Structures and properties of α-amylase and glucoamylase immobilized by ZIF-8 via one-pot preparation.

The immobilization of α-amylase and glucoamylase using a metal-organic framework (enzyme@ZIF-8) was prepared in situ through a one-pot method. The morphology, crystal structure, and molecular characteristics of the free enzyme and enzyme@ZIF-8 were characterized. The enzyme@ZIF-8 exhibited the rhombic dodecahedron morphology, with a decrease in particle size.

Broad Evidence Triangulation Should Be Established for a Valid and Robust Causal Relation Between Air Pollution and Health Outcome.

This letter aims to provide valuable insights into broader evidence triangulation (i.e., a well-designed primary association analysis followed by elaborate approaches to control residual confounding effects from various design and modeling perspectives) for clarifying the association between air pollutants and health outcomes.