Rapid clonal expansion and somatic hypermutation contribute to the fate of SARS-CoV-2 broadly neutralizing antibodies.

Several vaccines and immunization strategies, including inactivated vaccines, have proven effective in eliciting antibodies against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), providing an opportunity to characterize the antibody response. In this study, we investigated the monoclonal antibody responses elicited by wild-type SARS-CoV-2 inactivated vaccination compared to those elicited by natural infection and mRNA vaccination. The analysis showed that antibodies encoded by biased germline genes were shared between SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated and naturally infected individuals.

Theoretical study on the alkyl chain length impact of azobenzene-based photoresponsive ionic liquids.

The light-modulated isomerization and aggregation behavior of ionic liquids (ILs) in aqueous solutions holds fundamental and technological significance. Although several azobenzene-based photoresponsive ILs have been synthesized, there is still a lack of understanding regarding the aggregation mechanism, regularity of the alkyl chain length, and the position of the azobenzene (cis- and trans-) in these photoresponsive ILs. To elucidate the structure-property relationship of photoresponsive ILs, four types of azobenzene groups photosensitive ILs ([AzoCDMEA]Br, n = 2,4,6,10) in both trans- and cis- configurations were investigated by density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Pd-O-Ti dual sites for efficient electrochemical active hydrogen generation and bromate reduction.

Atomic hydrogen (H*) plays a crucial role in electrochemical reduction technology towards various environmental and energy applications, but suffers from low utilization efficiency arisen from the undesirable H-H dimerization and the competitive adsorption between water molecule with reactants on the traditional adjacent catalytic sites. Herein, we anchored Pd single atoms on the naturally formed titanium oxide of titanium foam to construct Pd-O-Ti dual-site electrocatalyst with spatially isolated water dissociation and H* utilization site, which synchronously inhibits the H-H dimerization and the competitive adsorption of water molecule and targeted reactants. Experiments and theoretical calculations revealed that the Ti-O sites could synergistically dissociate water to H*, which overflowed to nearby Pd single-atom sites for designed reduction reactions and utilization benefiting from the hydrogen spillover ability of titanium oxide substrate.

Esophageal submucosal gland duct adenoma: a case report and literature review.

Introduction: Esophageal submucosal gland duct adenoma (ESGDA) is a rare, benign tumor with non-specific clinical features and imaging findings, often leading to misdiagnosis.

Case Report: In this report we describe the clinicopathological features of a new-onset case of ESGDA and review 19 previously-reported ESGDA cases in the literature.

Results: The median age of the 20 patients was 70 years, and the male-to-female ratio was 5:2.

NIEAs elicited by wild-type SARS-CoV-2 primary infection fail to enhance the infectivity of Omicron variants.

SARS-CoV-2 infection widely induces antibody response targeting diverse viral proteins, including typical representative N-terminal domain (NTD), receptor-binding domain (RBD), and S2 subunit of spike. A lot of NTD-, RBD-, and S2-specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) have been isolated from COVID-19 convalescents, some of which displaying potent activities to inhibit viral infection. However, a small portion of NTD-specific mAbs elicited by wild-type (WT) SARS-CoV-2 primary infection could facilitate the virus entry into target cells in vitro, so called NTD-targeting infection-enhancing antibodies (NIEAs).

Preclinical tumor control with a laser-accelerated high-energy electron radiotherapy prototype.

Radiotherapy using very-high-energy electron (VHEE) beams (50-300 MeV) has attracted considerable attention due to its advantageous dose deposition characteristics, enabling deep penetration and easy manipulation by magnetic components. One promising approach to compactly delivering these high energy electron beams in a cost-effective manner is laser wakefield acceleration (LWFA), which offers ultra-strong accelerating gradients. However, the transition from this concept to a functional machine intended for tumor treatment remains elusive.

Absorption-Reflection-Transmission Power Coefficient Guiding Gradient Distribution of Magnetic MXene in Layered Composites for Electromagnetic Wave Absorption.

The morphological distribution of absorbent in composites is equally important with absorbents for the overall electromagnetic properties, but it is often ignored. Herein, a comprehensive consideration including electromagnetic component regulation, layered arrangement structure, and gradient concentration distribution was used to optimize impedance matching and enhance electromagnetic loss. On the microscale, the incorporation of magnetic Ni nanoparticles into MXene nanosheets (Ni@MXene) endows suitable intrinsic permittivity and permeability.

Spectral computed tomography in the assessment of metastatic lymph nodes in cervical cancer patients treated with definitive radiotherapy: a single-center, prospective study.

Identifying metastatic lymph nodes (LNs) in patients with cervical cancer treated with definitive radiotherapy may inform treatment strategy and determine prognosis, but available methods have limitations, especially in developing regions. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the performance of quantitative parameters in spectral computed tomography (CT) scanning in this context, focusing on its complementary role alongside conventional diagnostic approaches like 18-fluorine-fuorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography computed tomography (18 F FDG-PET/CT). Patients with cervical cancer, who underwent pretreatment spectral CT simulation scanning and planned radiotherapy, were enrolled in this prospective study.

Harmine promotes axon regeneration through enhancing glucose metabolism.

Axon regeneration requires a substantial mitochondrial energy supply. However, injured mature neurons often fail to regenerate due to their inability to meet these elevated energy demands. Our findings indicate that harmine compensates for the energy deficit following axonal injury by enhancing the coupling between glucose metabolism and mitochondrial homeostasis, thereby promoting axon regeneration.

Percutaneous unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation in geriatric patients.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to investigate the surgical efficacy and safety of percutaneous unilateral biportal endoscopic discectomy (UBED) for symptomatic lumbar disc herniation (LDH) in geriatric patients.

Methods: Seventy-two geriatric patients, aged 65-86 years (mean age: 73.2 years), with single or two-level LDH who underwent UBED from January 2020 to September 2022 were retrospectively analyzed.

A cell-penetrating bispecific antibody suppresses hepatitis B virus replication and secretion.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) represents one of the major pathogenic factor that leads to chronic liver diseases and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The currently approved anti-HBV drugs cannot eradicate the virus or block the development of HCC. HBV nucleocapsid consists of the hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg) and the HBV relaxed-circular partially double-stranded DNA (rcDNA), indispensable in virus replication.

Single-Cell RNA Sequencing Uncovers Molecular Features Underlying the Disrupted Neurogenesis Following Traumatic Brain Injury.

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of death and disability worldwide, with limited effective treatment strategies. Endogenous neural stem cells (NSCs) give rise to neurons and glial cells throughout life. However, NSCs are more likely to differentiate into glial cells rather than neurons at the lesion site after TBI and the underlying molecular mechanism remains largely unknown.

Phillygenin Inhibits PI3K-Akt-mTOR Signalling Pathway to Prevent bleomycin-Induced Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis in Mice.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a lethal lung disease characterised by irreversible lung structure and function. Phillygenin (PHI) is a lignan extracted from Forsythiae fructus with the activities of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant. This study aimed to explore the protective effect of PHI on IPF.

How does green psychological climate improve voluntary workplace green behavior? A moderated mediation model centered on green satisfaction.

Drawing on the framework of social exchange theory and supply-value fit theory, this research developed and tested a moderated mediation model centered on green satisfaction, which explicates how and when green psychological climate affects voluntary workplace green behavior (VWGB). The analyses of two-wave data obtained from 255 Chinese employees provided support for the research hypotheses. Specifically, green psychological climate positively influences employee VWGB by promoting their green satisfaction.

Mammalian SLC39A13 promotes ER/Golgi iron transport and iron homeostasis in multiple compartments.

Iron is a potent biochemical, and accurate homeostatic control is orchestrated by a network of interacting players at multiple levels. Although our understanding of organismal iron homeostasis has advanced, intracellular iron homeostasis is poorly understood, including coordination between organelles and iron export into the ER/Golgi. Here, we show that SLC39A13 (ZIP13), previously identified as a zinc transporter, promotes intracellular iron transport and reduces intracellular iron levels.

Air-Drying for Rapid Manufacture of Flexible Aramid Nanofiber Aerogel Fibers with Robust Mechanical Properties and Thermal Insulation in Harsh Environments.

Aerogel fibers uniting characteristics of both aerogels (lightweight and porosity) and fibers (flexibility and wearability) exhibit a great potential for the production of the next generation of thermal protection textiles; still, the complex drying procedures and mechanical brittleness remain the main obstacles toward further exploitation. Herein, flexible and robust aramid nanofiber aerogel fibers (ANAFs) are scalably prepared by continuous wet-spinning coupled with fast air-drying. This synthesis involves calcium ions (Ca⁺) cross-linking and solvent displacement by low surface tension solvents, to enhance skeleton strength and reduce the capillary force during evaporation, respectively, thus minimizing shrinkage to 29.

Chemerin attenuates acute kidney injury by inhibiting ferroptosis via the AMPK/NRF2/SLC7A11 axis.

Acute kidney injury (AKI) is a common and life-threatening condition associated with cell death, where ferroptosis plays a critical role. Chemerin, primarily produced in white adipose tissue, has multiple biological functions in renal pathophysiology. However, to date, whether and how chemerin regulates the progression of AKI remain unclear.

Inhibition of PKM2 by shikonin impedes TGF-β1 expression by repressing histone lactylation to alleviate renal fibrosis.

Background: Macrophage-myofibroblast transition (MMT) plays a significant role in the progression of renal fibrosis in chronic kidney disease (CKD), making inhibition of MMT a promising therapeutic strategy. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) and its metabolite lactate are implicated in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis; however, the mechanisms through which they contribute to this process remain poorly understood.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of PKM2 inhibition by shikonin on renal fibrosis and the underly mechanisms.

Boosting neuronal activity-driven mitochondrial DNA transcription improves cognition in aged mice.

Deciphering the complex interplay between neuronal activity and mitochondrial function is pivotal in understanding brain aging, a multifaceted process marked by declines in synaptic function and mitochondrial performance. Here, we identified an age-dependent coupling between neuronal and synaptic excitation and mitochondrial DNA transcription (E-TC), which operates differently compared to classic excitation-transcription coupling in the nucleus (E-TC). We demonstrated that E-TC repurposes molecules traditionally associated with E-TC to regulate mitochondrial DNA expression in areas closely linked to synaptic activation.

A feasibility study of using virtual noncontrast images synthesized from dual-energy computed tomography for radiotherapy treatment planning.

Background: In the traditional computed tomography (CT) simulation process, patients need to undergo CT scans before and after injection of iodine-based contrast agent, resulting in a cumbersome workflow and additional imaging dose. Contrast-enhanced spectral CT can synthesize true contrast-enhanced (TCE) images and virtual noncontrast (VNC) images in a single scan without geometric misalignment. To improve work efficiency and reduce patients' imaging dose, we studied the feasibility of using VNC images for radiotherapy treatment planning, with true noncontrast (TNC) images as references and explored its dosimetric advantages compared to using TCE images.

An innovative minimally invasive approach for hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy: Transaortic septal myectomy via right infra-axillary incision.

Objective: To assess the short-term outcomes of the transaortic modified Morrow procedure when performed via a minimally invasive right infra-axillary incision.

Methods: We conducted a retrospective observational study at a single center of patients diagnosed with hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy from September 2021 to July 2023.

Results: The cohort comprised 148 patients (mean age 47.

A novel algorithm for the detection of microsatellite instability in endometrial cancer using next‑generation sequencing data.

The molecular-based detection of microsatellite instability (MSI) in endometrial cancer is complex, due to the low sensitivity of PCR and a lack of standardization in next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods. In the present study, sequenced data were obtained from an NGS panel following the addition of five commonly used microsatellite loci. Subsequently, a novel algorithm, namely MSIPeak, was developed for data analysis.

Crucial roles of asprosin in cisplatin-induced ferroptosis and acute kidney injury.

Ferroptosis is a type of non-apoptotic regulated cell death characterized by iron accumulation and lipid peroxidation. Cisplatin is an effective chemotherapy drug with several serious side effects including acute kidney injury (AKI). Asprosin is a peptide contributing to metabolism regulation and metabolic disorders.