A bacterial methyltransferase that initiates biotin synthesis, an attractive anti-ESKAPE druggable pathway.

The covalently attached cofactor biotin plays pivotal roles in central metabolism. The top-priority ESKAPE-type pathogens, and , constitute a public health challenge of global concern. Despite the fact that the late step of biotin synthesis is a validated anti-ESKAPE drug target, the primary stage remains fragmentarily understood.

An artesunate-modified half-sandwich iridium(iii) complex inhibits colon cancer cell proliferation and metastasis through the STAT3 pathway.

Colon cancer is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers and is recognized as the most aggressive tumor of the digestive system. Aberrant activation of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) is associated with proliferation, metastasis and immunosuppression of the tumor cells. Here, to inhibit the STAT3 pathway and suppress metastasis in colon cancer cells, the half-sandwich iridium complex Ir-ART containing an artesunate-derived ligand was synthesized.

Light switchable Ir(III)-based photosensitizers: a dual-state system for non-invasive, reversible ROS control in tumor therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a powerful anticancer approach converting oxygen to ROS for tumor ablation, encounters hurdles like limited spatio-temporal selectivity and the consequent unnecessary damage to normal tissues. Addressing these challenges, developing controllable Ir(III)-based photosensitizers (PSs) emerges as a promising solution, offering enhanced efficacy and precision in cancer therapy, while propelling the clinical progression of metal-based PSs. Herein, we proposed a series of light-controlled PSs, integrating an Ir(III)-based moiety with a light-responsive module, enabling non-invasive "off-on" control of ROS production efficient energy transfer.

The Influence of Circadian Rhythms on DNA Damage Repair in Skin Photoaging.

Circadian rhythms, the internal timekeeping systems governing physiological processes, significantly influence skin health, particularly in response to ultraviolet radiation (UVR). Disruptions in circadian rhythms can exacerbate UVR-induced skin damage and increase the risk of skin aging and cancer. This review explores how circadian rhythms affect various aspects of skin physiology and pathology, with a special focus on DNA repair.

Ruthenium(ii)-Arene Complex Triggers Immunogenic Ferroptosis for Reversing Drug Resistance.

Chemoresistance remains an arduous challenge in oncology, but ferroptosis shows potential for overcoming it by stimulating the immune system. Herein, a novel high-performance ruthenium(II)-based arene complex [Ru(η--cym)(BTBpy)Cl] () is developed for ferroptosis-enhanced antitumor immunity and drug resistance reversal via glutathione (GSH) metabolism imbalance. shows significantly enhanced antiproliferation activity against cisplatin (CDDP)-resistant lung cancer cells (A549R), with 26.

Attract and kill trees? No simple solution for Anoplophora glabripennis (Coleoptera: Cerambycidae) control.

Anoplophora glabripennis (Motschulsky), the Asian longhorned beetle, is a serious wood-boring pest of hardwood trees. There have been records that suggest Elaeagnus angustifolia L. (Elaeagnaceae) might be an "attract and kill" tree species for A.

Impact of joint dispatch of reservoir group on water pollution incident in drinking water source area.

To reduce the harm of water contamination incidents in drinking water source areas (DWSAs) and explore feasible approaches, the research developed a hydrodynamic water quality model for DWSAs based on two dimensional water quality and quantity equations, Geographic Information System (GIS), and Digital Elevation Model (DEM). The Heshangshan Drinking Water Source Area (HDWSA) in the Three Gorges Reservoir Area (TGRA) was selected as the research area, with total phosphorus (TP) as the representative pollutant in the water. The research investigated the changes in TP content during various hydrological phase under pollution incident, compared the duration and trends of TP concentration exceeding standard value before and after joint reservoir group dispatch.

Intrinsically Decoupled Coordination Chemistries Enable Quasi-Eutectic Electrolytes with Fast Kinetics toward Enhanced Zinc-Ion Capacitors.

Eutectic electrolytes show potential beyond conventional low-concentration electrolytes (LCEs) in zinc (Zn)-ion capacitors (ZICs) yet suffer from high viscosity and sluggish kinetics. Herein, we originally propose a universal theory of intrinsically decoupling to address these issues, producing a novel electrolyte termed "quasi-eutectic" electrolyte (quasi-EE). Joint experimental and theoretical analyses confirm its unique solution coordination structure doped with near-LCE domains.

Stretchable Tb-Tb Distance Regulates the Piezofluorochromic Behavior of Chiral Tb(III)-MOF upon Compression.

Luminescent chiral microcrystals with the Tb(COO) subunit indicated strong green mechano-luminescence under compression. Furthermore, piezofluorochromic behavior in the diamond anvil cell was observed, with the intensity tendency of decreasing-increasing-decreasing and a shortened lifetime upon compression, due to the reversible stretchable Tb-Tb interactions. The Tb-Tb distance upon compression was refined through situ high-pressure X-ray absorption spectra, which was consistent with the tendency of the piezofluorochromic intensity.

Molecular probes for super-resolution imaging of drug dynamics.

Super-resolution molecular probes (SRMPs) are essential tools for visualizing drug dynamics within cells, transcending the resolution limits of conventional microscopy. In this review, we provide an overview of the principles and design strategies of SRMPs, emphasizing their role in accurately tracking drug molecules. By illuminating the intricate processes of drug distribution, diffusion, uptake, and metabolism at a subcellular and molecular level, SRMPs offer crucial insights into therapeutic interventions.

Mitochondria-Targeting Metallodrugs for Cancer Therapy: Perspectives from Cell Death Modes.

Mitochondria, recognized as the cellular powerhouses, are indispensable organelles responsible for crucial cellular processes, such as energy metabolism, material synthesis, and signaling transduction. Their intricate involvement in a broad spectrum of diseases, particularly cancer, has propelled the exploration of mitochondria-targeting treatment as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. Since the groundbreaking discovery of cisplatin, the trajectory of research on the development of metal complexes have been marked by continuous advancement, giving rise to a diverse array of metallodrugs characterized by variations in ligand types, metal center properties, and oxidation states.

Mitochondria-targeted ruthenium complexes can be generated in vitro and in living cells to target triple-negative breast cancer cells by autophagy inhibition.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive type of breast cancer, which owned severe resistance to platinum-based anticancer agents. Herein, we report a new metal-arene complex, Ru-TPE-PPh, which can be synthesized in vitro and in living cells with copper catalyzed the cycloaddition reaction of Ru-azide and alkynyl (CuAAC). The complex Ru-TPE-PPh exhibited superior inhibition of the proliferation of TNBC MDA-MB-231 cells with an IC value of 4.

Iridium(III)-Based PD-L1 Agonist Regulates p62 and ATF3 for Enhanced Cancer Immunotherapy.

Anti-PD-L1 immunotherapy, a new lung cancer treatment, is limited to a few patients due to low PD-L1 expression and tumor immunosuppression. To address these challenges, the upregulation of PD-L1 has the potential to elevate the response rate and efficiency of anti-PD-L1 and alleviate the immunosuppression of the tumor microenvironment. Herein, we developed a novel usnic acid-derived Iridium(III) complex, , that boosts PD-L1 expression and converts "cold tumors" to "hot".

Dual inhibition of oxidative phosphorylation and glycolysis to enhance cancer therapy.

Dual suppression of oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis can disrupt metabolic adaption of cancer cells, inhibiting energy supply and leading to successful cancer therapy. Herein, we have developed an α-tocopheryl succinate (α-TOS)-functionalized iridium(III) complex Ir2, a highly lipophilic mitochondria targeting anticancer molecule, could inhibit both oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS) and glycolysis, resulting in the energy blockage and cancer growth suppression. Mechanistic studies reveal that complex Ir2 induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) elevation and mitochondrial depolarization, and triggers DNA oxidative damage.

Extending Unique 1D Double-Chains to 2D Layers with Birefringent Gain by Introducing a Hydroxyl Group.

It remains a significant hurdle for discovering birefringent materials in the deep ultraviolet (DUV, λ < 200 nm). It is well-known that the OH anions are recognized for their capability to eliminate the dangling bonds from terminal oxygen atoms, promoting the ultraviolet (UV) cutoff edge blueshift and regulating the crystal structure. Here, two new barium hydroxyborates, BaBO(OH)(HO) (BaBOH) and NaBaBO(OH)(HO) (NaBaBOH), were designed and synthesized while displaying different dimensions.

Epidemiology of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: current insights and future outlook.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is characterised by its remarkable geographical and ethnic distribution. The interplay between genetic susceptibility, environmental exposures, and Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infections is indicated in the development of NPC. Exposure to tobacco smoking, dietary factors, and inhalants has been associated with the risk of NPC.

Functional Upgrading of an Organo-Ir(III) Complex to an Organo-Ir(III) Prodrug as a DNA Damage-Responsive Autophagic Inducer for Hypoxic Lung Cancer Therapy.

The efficiency of nitrogen mustards (NMs), among the first chemotherapeutic agents against cancer, is limited by their monotonous mechanism of action (MoA). And tumor hypoxia is a significant obstacle in the attenuation of the chemotherapeutic efficacy. To repurpose the drug and combat hypoxia, herein, we constructed an organo-Ir(III) prodrug, , with the composition of a reactive oxygen species (ROS)-inducing moiety (Ir-arene fragment)-a hypoxic responsive moiety (azo linker)-a DNA-alkylating moiety (nitrogen mustard), and realized DNA damage response (DDR)-mediated autophagy for hypoxic lung cancer therapy for the first time.

Preparation and Electrochemical Performance of NaLiFePOF/C Composite Cathode Materials with Different Lithium/Sodium Ratios.

With their advantages of abundant raw material reserves, safety, and low toxicity and cost, sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) have gained increasing attention in recent years. Thanks to a high theoretical specific capacity (124 mAh g), a high operating voltage (about 3.2 V), and a very stable three-dimensional layered structure, sodium ferric fluorophosphate (NaFePOF, NFPF) has emerged as a strong candidate to be used as a cathode material for SIBs.

Green synthesis of chitosan/glutamic acid/agarose/Ag nanocomposite hydrogel as a new platform for colorimetric detection of Cu ions and reduction of 4-nitrophenol.

In this study, the green synthesis of chitosan/glutamic acid/agarose/Ag (Chi/GA/Aga/Ag) nanocomposite hydrogel was obtained via in situ reduction of Ag ions during the crosslinking process of chitosan-agarose double network hydrogels. The rich hydroxyl, carboxyl and amino groups in both agarose, chitosan, and glutamic acid can effectively control the growth, dispersion and immobilization of nearly spherical Ag nanoparticles (70 nm) in the Chi/GA/Aga/Ag composite hydrogel. Glutamic acids can act as the structure-directing agents to induce the formation of chitosan/glutamic acid hydrogel.

Experimental investigation of expansive bending pipe flow separation control using a surface dielectric barrier discharge plasma actuator.

Adverse pressure gradients can cause severe flow separation within typical S-shaped inlets. This results in a total pressure distortion at the aerodynamic interface plane (AIP). The expansive bending pipe, where flow separation also occurs due to the adverse pressure gradient, is the basis for investigations into S-shaped inlets.

Pandemic-induced fear and stock market returns: Evidence from China.

We construct a pandemic-induced fear (PIF) index to measure fear of the COVID-19 pandemic using Internet search volumes of the Chinese local search engine and empirically investigate the impact of fear of the pandemic on Chinese stock market returns. A reduced-bias estimation approach for multivariate regression is employed to address the issue of small-sample bias. We find that the PIF index has a negative and significant impact on cumulative stock market returns.