Distinct responses of Caenorhabditis elegans to polyethylene microplastics and plant secondary metabolites.

Soil worms are among the most abundant and functionally diverse soil animals. However, they have been largely overlooked in studies on microplastic (MP) toxicity. MPs and plant secondary metabolites (PSMs) are ubiquitous in soil due to plant litter decomposition and heavy MP contamination, inevitably interacting and exerting combined toxicity on soil organisms.

Motor protein KIF5B inhibition as a novel strategy of controlled reperfusion against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Metabolic dysregulation triggered by nutrient influx at reperfusion onset induces reactive oxygen species (ROS) burst and cellular injury, contributing to the detrimental effects observed in ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Thus, implementing controlled reperfusion emerges as a superior cardioprotective strategy to alleviate reperfusion injury. Kinesin KIF5B transports GLUT4- and CD36-containing vesicles to the plasma membrane, facilizing the import of glucose and fatty acids into cells, suggesting a role in controlled reperfusion.

Unraveling Structural and Biochemical Insights into a Novel Thermo-Alkaline Pectate Lyase from for Sustainable Fabric Bioscouring.

Pectate lyase (PL) holds significant potential for applications in various industries. However, the existing PL was unable to adapt to thermo-alkaline industrial environments. In this work, a PL from DSM 6725 (hereafter, CbPelD) was studied to disclose its structural and biochemical properties.

Fluorinated greenhouse gas mitigation potential and routes in China and globally.

Facing the 2035 nationally determined contributions and carbon neutral target, the mitigation potential and cost of fluorinated gases (F-gases), fast-growing greenhouse gases, need to be evaluated. Applying the established DECAF model, this study assessed China's F-gas mitigation potential, as well as its climate and economic impacts. Over 2021-2060, territorial cumulative GWP-weighted F-gas abatement of 42∼50 gigatonnes CO-eq (62%-74% reduction) could be achieved in China at the cost of 30∼44 USD/t CO-eq, with remaining emissions of 143∼390 Mt CO-eq yr in 2060.

Comprehensive pharmacokinetic analysis of trans-crocetin and its metabolites- cis-crocetin, CM, and CD- in rats using UPLC-Q-Orbitrap-MS/MS method.

Crocetin, an active component of saffron (Crocus sativus L.), exhibits antidepressant, anti-tumor, and anti-diabetic effects. However, the pharmacokinetics of trans-crocetin and its metabolites, such as cis-crocetin, crocetin-monoglucuronide (CM), and crocetin-diglucuronide (CD), after intragastric (i.

Harnessing Mn Ions and Antitumor Peptides: A Robust Hydrogel for Enhanced Tumor Immunotherapy.

Immunotherapy has attracted widespread attention because of its durable and effective antitumor properties. However, systemic delivery strategies often result in immune-related off-target toxicity effects and inadequate drug retention at the tumor site, which limits its broader application. In this research, we designed a dual-functional antitumor peptide (N-Pep) that serves as both a therapeutic agent and metal ions (Mn) immunomodulator carrier.

Structure and Wiring Optimized TT/MT Double-Helical Fiber Sensors: Fabrication and Applications in Human Motion Monitoring and Gesture Recognition.

A fibrous flexible sensor, with its small size, minimally burdens the human body, ranking among the most user-friendly flexible sensors. However, its application is often limited by damage caused by electrode movement, as flexible sensors are typically attached to joints, which can be greatly alleviated by placing the two electrodes on the same side. Inspired by the hydrogen bonds in the double-helical structure of DNA, the double-helical electrode design is commonly found and applied in fiber-based batteries and supercapacitors into fibrous flexible sensors through coaxial wet-spinning and further treatment.

Ultrafast Intersystem Crossing in Naturally Occurring Plant Pigments 5-Hydroxyflavones under Direct UV Excitation.

Flavonoids, a group of natural pigments, have attracted notable attention for their intrinsic fluorescent bioactive properties and potential therapeutic implications. Recent studies have suggested that the photoexcitation of specific flavonoids can also lead to the formation of triplet states, thereby potentially enhancing their applications in photoactivated antioxidant mechanisms. However, the crucial mechanism details about triplet state formation are still poorly understood.

Associations between changes in the gut microbiota and liver cirrhosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Summaries of the relationships between the microbiota and liver cirrhosis and their conclusions are not consistent. This study describes microbial differences in patients with liver cirrhosis by performing a meta-analysis.

Methods: We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library and collected related articles published before March 10, 2024.

Revolutionizing Heart Failure Therapy: Harnessing IVT mRNA and Fusion Protein Technology to Prolong rhBNP Half-Life.

Purpose: Recombinant human B-type natriuretic peptide (rhBNP) has been extensively proven to be an effective mean of heart failure (HF) therapy, but its clinical application is limited by its very short half-life. This study aims to combine in vitro transcribed mRNA (IVT mRNA) and fusion protein technology to develop a rhBNP-Fc mRNA drug with long half-life, high efficiency and few side effects to treat HF.

Methods: The rhBNP-Fc fusion mRNA with IgG4-Fc sequence was produced by IVT technology.

The Genetic and Epigenetic Toxicity of Silica Nanoparticles: An Updated Review.

Silica nanoparticles (SiNPs) are widely used in biomedical fields, such as drug delivery, disease diagnosis, and molecular imaging. An increasing number of consumer products containing SiNPs are being used without supervision, and the toxicity of SiNPs to the human body is becoming a major problem. SiNPs contact the human body in various ways and cause damage to the structure and function of genetic material, potentially leading to carcinogenesis, teratogenicity and infertility.

Adult mental health impairment and oral health care use in the United States, Medical Expenditure Panel Survey 2017-2021.

Background: Mental illnesses can cause mental health (MH) impairments such as decreased interest and generalized fatigue. MH impairments can adversely affect oral health. The aim of this study was to investigate the associations between MH impairment, MH care, and oral health care use.

mRNA m5C Alteration in Azacitidine Demethylation Treatment of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

The DNA demethylating therapy with azacitidine (AZA) is a promising therapeutic strategy for elderly patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML). AZA primarily inhibits DNA methylation, promotes cell differentiation and apoptosis in AML. However, as a cytosine nucleoside analog, AZA also has the potential to be incorporated into RNA molecules.

Nano-size Joule-Heating to Achieve Low-Ohmic Ag-Si Contact on Boron Emitters of n-TOPCon Solar Cells.

Over the past decade, Tunnel Oxide Passivated Contact (TOPCon) solar cells have emerged as a leading technology for high-efficiency silicon solar cells. Conventional metallization processes using silver/aluminum (Ag/Al) pastes encounter significant hurdles due to reliability risks and insufficient contact quality. Recent advancements in laser-induced metallization technologies, particularly laser-enhanced contact optimization (LECO), offer promising solutions.

Dual Role of Lysosome in Cancer Development and Progression.

Lysosomes are essential intracellular catabolic organelles that contain digestive enzymes involved in the degradation and recycle of damaged proteins, organelles, etc. Thus, they play an important role in various biological processes, including autophagy regulation, ion homeostasis, cell death, cell senescence. A myriad of studies has shown that the dysfunction of lysosome is implicated in human aging and various age-related diseases, including cancer.

Synthesis and evaluation of photoaffinity labeling reagents for identifying binding sites of sulfated neurosteroids on NMDA and GABA receptors.

The endogenous neurosteroids dehydroepiandrosterone sulfate (DHEAS) and pregnenolone sulfate (PS) are allosteric modulators of γ-aminobutyric acid type A (GABA) and -methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) type glutamate receptors. Analogues of these endogenous steroid sulfates can be either positive or negative allosteric modulators (PAMs or NAMs, respectively) of these receptors, but there is limited information about the steroid-protein binding interactions that mediate these effects and photoaffinity labeling reagents (PALs) of sulfated steroids have not been reported previously. The synthesis of a panel of ten sulfated steroid analogues containing a diazirine group, five of which also contain an alkyne group for click chemistry reactions, for use in photoaffinity labeling studies to identify binding sites for steroid sulfates that are either positive or negative allosteric modulators is reported.

Global microplastics pollution: a bibliometric analysis and review on research trends and hotspots in agroecosystems.

The prevalence of microplastics (MPs) in agricultural ecosystems poses a notable threat to dynamics of soil ecosystems, crop productivity, and global food security. MPs enter agricultural ecosystems from various sources and have considerable impacts on the physiochemical properties soil, soil organisms and microbial communities, and plants. However, the intensity of these impacts can vary with the size, shape, types, and the concentrations of MPs in the soil.

Mapping grey matter and cortical thickness alterations associated with subjective cognitive decline and mild cognitive impairment among rural-dwelling older adults in China: A population-based study.

Background: The structural brain alterations for subjective cognitive decline (SCD) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are poorly defined. We sought to characterize grey matter volume (GMV) and cortical thickness associated with SCD and MCI among rural-dwelling older adults in China.

Methods: This population-based cross-sectional study included 1072 dementia-free participants from the brain MRI sub-study of MIND-China (2018-2020).

Eco-environmental responses of Eichhornia crassipes rhizobacteria community to co-stress of per(poly)fluoroalkyl substances and microplastics.

The stabilization of rhizobacteria communities plays a crucial role in sustaining healthy macrophyte growth. In light of increasing evidence of combined pollution from microplastics (MPs) and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs), Selecting typical floating macrophyte as a case, this study explored their impacts using hydroponic simulations and 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing. A total of 31 phyla, 77 classes, 172 orders, 237 families, 332 genera, and 125 rhizobacteria species were identified.