Prodigiosin inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis through influencing amino acid metabolism in multiple myeloma.

The recurrence of drug-resistant and expensive treatment drugs are major causes of the low survival rate of multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Exploring a safe, effective, low-cost and novel drug treatment for MM is a promising strategy to relieve the burden of MM patients. In this study, we found that prodigiosin could inhibit MM cell proliferation and induce MM cell apoptosis, however, it had a lesser cytotoxic effect on normal B cells within the IC range of MM cells.

Dynamic niche technology based hybrid breeding optimization algorithm for multimodal feature selection.

As a primary approach to address feature selection problems, evolutionary algorithms have been widely proposed to deal with the problem. Most of these methods are designed to find a single feature subset. However, the optimal feature subset within a dataset is often not unique, indicating that feature selection exhibits multimodal characteristics.

Advancements in lignocellulosic biorefining: An integrated approach for achieving complete conversion of unsterilized peanut shells into high-titer ethanol and succinic acid.

The inefficient utilization of carbon sources poses a critical bottleneck in lignocellulose biorefinery processes. This study aimed to devise an integrated approach for efficiently releasing the fermentable sugars from pretreated peanut shells, and subsequently converting the hexoses and pentoses into ethanol and succinic acid (SA), while minimizing carbon dioxide emissions. An enhanced cellulolytic enzyme catalytic system (CECS) has been developed through the optimization of accessory enzymes and additives.

MRI radiomics based on machine learning in high-grade gliomas as a promising tool for prediction of CD44 expression and overall survival.

We aimed to predict CD44 expression and assess its prognostic significance in patients with high-grade gliomas (HGG) using non-invasive radiomics models based on machine learning. Enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, along with the corresponding gene expression and clinicopathological data, was downloaded from online database. Kaplan-Meier survival curves, univariate and multivariate COX analyses, and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic were used to assess the prognostic value of CD44.

Contaminated oily wastewater treatment using composite membrane adsorption reactor.

Increased harmful pollutants emission into the environment poses a serious threat to the ecosystem and human health and mitigation of such problem has become a worldwide focus. In this research, the treatment of contaminated oily wastewater is investigated using a composite adsorptive membrane made of double-layer activated carbon-polymeric membranes shielded by a superhydrophilic (SHPI) porous material. The latter was prepared by immobilizing ZnO nanoparticles on stainless steel mesh using the spraying method.

A Case of Myeloproliferative Neoplasm with Eosinophilia Associated with PCM1-JAK2 Rearrangement.

Introduction: The PCM1-JAK2 rearrangement is generated through the t(8; 9)(p22; p24) translocation event. The myeloid/lymphoid neoplasms with eosinophilia (MLN-eo) with PCM1-JAK2 rearrangement is the common types of MLN-eo with tyrosine kinase fusion genes (MLN-Eo-tk). MLN-Eo with PCM1-JAK2 rearrangement is a rare disease with a poor prognosis and no unified treatment guidelines.

mGluR5-mediated astrocytes hyperactivity in the anterior cingulate cortex contributes to neuropathic pain in male mice.

Astrocytes regulate synaptic transmission in healthy and pathological conditions, but their involvement in modulating synaptic transmission in chronic pain is unknown. Our study demonstrates that astrocytes in the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) exhibit abnormal calcium signals and induce the release of glutamate in male mice. This leads to an elevation in extracellular glutamate concentration, activation of presynaptic kainate receptors, and an increase in synaptic transmission following neuropathic pain.

Molecular counting enables accurate and precise quantification of methylated ctDNA for tumor-naive cancer therapy response monitoring.

Personalized cancer treatment can significantly extend survival and improve quality of life for many patients, but accurate and real-time therapy response monitoring remains challenging. To overcome logistical and technical challenges associated with therapy response monitoring via imaging scans or assays that track the variant allele fraction (VAF) of somatic mutations in circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA), we developed a tumor-naive liquid biopsy assay that leverages Quantitative Counting Template (QCT) technology to accurately and precisely quantify methylated ctDNA (Northstar Response™). The assay achieves < 10% coefficient of variation at 1% tumor fraction, which is 2 × lower than tumor-naive, targeted-panel approaches using VAF.

Dental Calculus Formation Rate: The Role of Salivary Proteome and Metaproteome.

Background: Dental calculus accumulation varies across individuals. While various factors contribute to its accumulation, the role of salivary composition remains underexplored. This study aims to compare individuals suffering from rapid rates of dental calculus formation rates with those having slow formation rates in terms of salivary electrochemical properties as well as its proteomic, metaproteomic and elemental composition.

Genome-wide characterization and expression analysis of the gene family in response to salt and drought stress in alfalfa ().

The microfilament cytoskeleton, formed by the process of actin polymerization, serves not only to support the morphology of the cell, but also to regulate a number of cellular activities. Actin-depolymerizing factors (ADFs) represent a significant class of actin-binding proteins that regulate the dynamic alterations in the microfilament framework, thereby playing a pivotal role in plant growth and development. Additionally, they are instrumental in modulating stress responses in plants.

Endothelial protein C receptor promotes retinal neovascularization through heme catabolism.

Pathological retinal neovascularization (RNV) is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide; however, its underlying mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found that the expression of endothelial protein C receptor (Epcr) was increased during RNV, and its ligand was elevated in the serum or vitreous body of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Deleting endothelial Epcr or using an EPCR-neutralizing antibody ameliorated pathological retinal angiogenesis.

Next generation lysosome: Brought to you by cGAS-STING.

Renowned for driving interferon responses, the cGAS-STING pathway reveals a surprising role: lysosomal biogenesis. In this issue of Immunity, Xu et al. uncover how STING activates the transcription factor TFEB, linking innate immune sensing to enhanced pathogen clearance through lysosomal activity.

The HALP score differs among sporadic and familial Parkinson's disease.

Background: Parkinson's disease (PD) is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder affecting quality of life. The onset of PD is thought to result from a multifaceted convergence of aging, genetic predisposition, and environmental exposure. The hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte, and platelet (HALP) score, a specific measure of inflammation and nutrition, has been identified in the literature.

Isolating the ring-redox states of boron sub-phthalocyanines.

Ring-reduced and ring-oxidized boron subphthalocyanine complexes have been isolated and structurally characterized. The doubly reduced species forms a trinuclear cluster with intramolecular B-N bonds, while the mono-oxidized system shows minimal bond localization. UV-visible absorption spectra and accompanying TD-DFT calculations are indicative of the ring-oxidation state.

Association of abstinence time with semen quality in men who undergoing fertility evaluation: a cross-sectional study from 3052 participants.

Objective: Abstinence time has been associated with semen quality, but the results remain controversial.

Methods: This study recruited 3052 men undergoing fertility evaluation. Abstinence time (AT) was categorized as short (0-1 day), WHO-recommended (2-7 days) and long (>7 days).

Genome-based analysis of the genetic pattern of black sheep in Qira sheep.

Objective: Black wool can effectively prevent sheep from DNA damage as well as fungal infection, and can improve reproductive performance. In order to explore the candidate genes related to black wool formation in Qira sheep.

Methods: We selected 123 adult healthy ewes with different coat colors in Qira sheep groups (black (B), brown (Y) and grey (G)) and extracted DNA from their venous blood to obtain Illumina Ovine SNP 50K chip data.

Computational insights into asymmetric cross-aldol carboligation in choline chloride/ethylene glycol deep eutectic solvents.

Limited research has been conducted on the exploration of chemical reactions in deep eutectic solvents (DES) using density functional theory (DFT). In this study, a comprehensive analysis of the mechanism of a cross-aldol reaction in DES through DFT calculations at the M06-2X/6-311+G(d,p)//M06-2X/6-31G(d,p) level was carried out for the first time. The aldol reaction mechanism comprised two primary stages, namely, enolization and addition, with the former identified as the rate-determining step.

Cell-free assays reveal that the HIV-1 capsid protects reverse transcripts from cGAS immune sensing.

Retroviruses can be detected by the innate immune sensor cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS), which recognizes reverse-transcribed DNA and activates an antiviral response. However, the extent to which HIV-1 shields its genome from cGAS recognition remains unclear. To study this process in mechanistic detail, we reconstituted reverse transcription, genome release, and innate immune sensing of HIV-1 in a cell-free system.

How Does Procedural Justice Affect Job Crafting? The Role of Organizational Psychological Ownership and High-Performance Work Systems.

In today's highly competitive and complex market environment, enhancing adaptability has become essential for the sustainable development of enterprises. Job crafting, an important strategy for strengthening a company's core competitiveness, has garnered increasing attention in recent years. However, previous studies have often overlooked its antecedent variables and mechanisms.

Barcoded screening identifies nanocarriers for protein delivery to kidney.

Targeted protein delivery with nanocarriers holds significant potential to enhance therapeutic outcomes by precisely directing proteins to specific organs or tissues. However, the complex interactions between nanocarriers and the biological environment pose considerable challenges in designing effective targeted delivery vehicles. In this study, we address this challenge by leveraging DNA-barcoded high-throughput screening.

Nucleophilic and Electrophilic Molybdenum Terminal Oxo Complexes by Coordination-Induced Bond Weakening of Hydroxo O-H Bonds.

The extent of coordination-induced bond weakening in aquo and hydroxo ligands bonded to a molybdenum(III) center complexed by a dianionic, pentadentate ligand system was probed by reacting the known complex (BPzPy)Mo(III)-NTf, , with degassed water or dry lithium hydroxide. The aquo adduct was not observed, but two LiNTf-stabilized hydroxo complexes were fully characterized. Computational and experimental work showed that the O-H bond in these complexes was significantly weakened (to ≈57 kcal mol), such that these compounds could be used to form the diamagnetic, neutral terminal molybdenum oxo complex (BPzPy)Mo(IV)O, , by hydrogen atom abstraction using the aryl oxyl reagent ArO• (Ar = 2,4,6-tri--butylphenyl).

Biodegradable semiconducting polymer nanoparticles for phototheranostics.

Semiconducting polymer nanoparticles (SPNs) have been widely applied for phototheranostics. However, the disadvantage of long-term metabolism greatly suppresses the clinical application of SPNs. To improve the metabolic rate and minimize the long-term toxicity of SPNs, biodegradable semiconducting polymers (BSPs), whose backbones may be degraded under certain conditions, have been designed.

Bioorthogonal Synthesis of Biomimetic Nanoparticles for Screening Chemical Hazards in Food Samples.

The ability to identify unknown risks is the key to improving the level of food safety. However, the conventional nontargeted screening methods for new contaminant identification and risk assessment remain difficult work. Herein, a toxic-oriented screening platform based on high-expression epidermal growth factor receptor HEK293 cell membrane-coated magnetic nanoparticles (EGFR/MNPs) was first used for the discovery of unknown contaminants from food samples.

Design and synthesis of coumarin-based amphoteric antimicrobials with biofilm interference and immunoregulation effects.

Bacterial infections pose a threat to human and animal health, and the formation of biofilm exacerbates the microbial threat. New antimicrobial agents to address this challenge are much needed. In this study, several new amphoteric compounds derived from the natural product coumarin were designed and synthesized by mimicking the structure and function of antimicrobial peptides.

Safety and Immunogenicity of SARS-CoV-2 Spike Receptor-Binding Domain andN-Terminal Domain mRNA Vaccine.

Background: mRNA-1283 is an investigational COVID-19 mRNA vaccine encoding the receptor-binding and N-terminal domains of the SARS-CoV-2 spike protein in contrast to the original mRNA-1273, which encodes the full-length spike protein.

Methods: A phase 2a, dose-ranging, observer-blind, randomized study (NCT05137236) conducted in adults (≥18 years) previously vaccinated with mRNA-1273 evaluated the safety and immunogenicity of a single dose of mRNA-1283 (2.5, 5, and 10 µg) and its bivalent formulation, mRNA-1283.