Highly Conductive, Ultratough, and Adhesive Eutectogels with Environmental Tolerance Enabled by Liquid Metal Composites.

Eutectogels are recently emerged as promising alternatives to hydrogels owing to their good environmental stability derived from deep eutectic solvents (DES). However, construction of competent eutectogels with both high conductivity and mechanical toughness is still difficult to achieve yet highly demanded. In this work, new LMNP-PEDOT-CMC-AA (LPCA) eutectogels are prepared using acrylic acid (AA) and carboxymethylcellulose sodium (CMC) as polymeric networks, liquid metal nanoparticle-poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (LMNP-PEDOT) are added as multifunctional soft fillers.

A physiologically-based quantitative systems pharmacology model for mechanistic understanding of the response to alogliptin and its application in patients with renal impairment.

Alogliptin is a highly selective inhibitor of dipeptidyl peptidase-4 and primarily excreted as unchanged drug in the urine, and differences in clinical outcomes in renal impairment patients increase the risk of serious adverse reactions. In this study, we developed a comprehensive physiologically-based quantitative systematic pharmacology model of the alogliptin-glucose control system to predict plasma exposure and use glucose as a clinical endpoint to prospectively understand its therapeutic outcomes with varying renal function. Our model incorporates a PBPK model for alogliptin, DPP-4 activity described by receptor occupancy theory, and the crosstalk and feedback loops for GLP-1-GIP-glucagon, insulin, and glucose.

The Association Between IL-8 Gene Polymorphisms and the Risk of Several Types of Cancer, Especially in Gastric Cancer.

Background: Changes in functional genetic polymorphisms may increase or decrease the risk of cancer in patients. Nowadays, the association between polymorphisms in the interleukin-8 (IL-8) gene and the susceptibility of cancer risk have been investigated in many studies, however, above relationships remain unclear.

Aim: The current study aims to comprehensively evaluate the association between IL-8 gene six polymorphisms and the whole cancer risk, especially -251 polymorphism and gastric cancer.

Impact of Methotrexate and 7-Hydroxymethotrexate Exposure on Renal Toxicity in Pediatric Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Background: 7-Hydroxymethotrexate (7-OHMTX) is the main metabolite in plasma following high-dose MTX (HD-MTX), which may result in activity and toxicity of the MTX. Moreover, 7-OHMTX could produce crystalline-like deposits within the renal tubules under acidic conditions or induce renal inflammation, oxidative stress, and cell apoptosis through various signaling pathways, ultimately leading to kidney damage. The objectives of this study were thus to explore the exposure-safety relationship of two compounds and search the most reliable marker for predicting HDMTX nephrotoxicity.

FRET analysis of the unwrapping of nucleosomal DNA containing a sequence characteristic of the + 1 nucleosome.

Sequence-dependent mechanical properties of DNA could play essential roles in nuclear processes by affecting histone-DNA interactions. Previously, we found that the DNA entry site of the first nucleosomes from the transcription start site (+ 1 nucleosome) in budding yeast enriches AA/TT steps, but not the exit site, and the biased presence of AA/TT in the entry site was associated with the transcription levels of yeast genes. Because AA/TT is a rigid dinucleotide step, we considered that AA/TT causes DNA unwrapping.

A Rapid PCR-LAMP Assay for the Early Detection of Lasiodiplodia theobromae from Basal Stem Rot-Infected Passion Fruit Plants.

Lasiodiplodia theobromae is an emerging threat and the main pathogenic fungi associated with basal stem rot of passion fruit in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, China. Current pathogen identification protocols are labor-intensive and time-consuming, emphasizing the need for more efficient methods to enable precise surveillance of L. theobromae for early detection and warning.

Intrasporangium zincisolvens sp. nov., A Novel Actinobacterium Isolated from Rhizosphere Soil.

A novel phosphate-solubilizing and zinc-solubilizing actinobacterium strain YIM S08009 was isolated from rhizosphere soil collected from Pinus yunnanensis in Wuliangshan National Nature Reserve, Pu'er City, Yunnan Province, southwest PR China. Cells of strain YIM S08009 were Gram-stain-positive, non-motile, irregular rods to cocci, and formed yellow and white colonies on nutrient agar. Growth was observed at 10-40 °C (optimum 25-35 °C), pH 6.

Triple‑negative breast cancer cell‑derived piR‑31115 promotes the proliferation and migration of endothelial cells via METTL3‑mediated m6A modification of YAP1.

Triple‑negative breast cancer (TNBC), a highly malignant breast cancer subtype with a pronounced metastatic propensity, forms the focus of the present investigation. MDA‑MB‑231, a prevalently utilized TNBC cell line in cancer research, was employed. In accordance with the tumour angiogenesis theory, cancer cells are capable of instigating angiogenesis and the formation of a novel vascular system within the tumour microenvironment, which subsequently sustains malignant proliferation and metastasis.

Prostate cancer cells elevate glycolysis and G6PD in response to caffeic acid phenethyl ester-induced growth inhibition.

Background: Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) is the main bioactive component of poplar type propolis. We previously reported that treatment with caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) suppressed the cell proliferation, tumor growth, as well as migration and invasion of prostate cancer (PCa) cells via inhibition of signaling pathways of AKT, c-Myc, Wnt and EGFR. We also demonstrated that combined treatment of CAPE and docetaxel altered the genes involved in glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle.

Nanoparticle Adjuvants Incorporating Haptens Drive Potent Immune Tolerance to Accelerate Hair Regrowth.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a prevalent autoimmune condition that causes sudden hair loss and poses significant psychological challenges to affected individuals. Current treatments, including corticosteroids and Janus kinase inhibitors, fail to provide long-term efficacy due to adverse effects and relapse after cessation. This study introduces a nanoparticle (NP) system that codeliver diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) and rapamycin (RAPA) prodrugs to induce immune tolerance and promote hair regeneration.

Drosophila CG11700 may not affect male fecundity-lifespan tradeoff as previously reported.

Our recent investigations on the function of Drosophila CG11700 and CG32744 (Ubi-p5E) genes using CRISPR/Cas9 deletion technology could not repeat or confirm the results on CG11700 shown in our previous study which was based on P-element excision assay (Zhan et al. 2012). Here by CRISPR/Cas9 editing, we generated mutants of CG32744 with the whole gene body fully deleted from the genome, and truncated mutants of CG11700 with N-terminal 103 aa deleted out of its total 301 aa peptide sequence.

Newly identified c-di-GMP pathway putative EAL domain gene STM0343 regulates stress resistance and virulence in Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium.

S. Typhimurium is a significant zoonotic pathogen, and its survival and transmission rely on stress resistance and virulence factors. Therefore, identifying key regulatory elements is crucial for preventing and controlling S.

ALKBH5 suppresses gastric cancer tumorigenesis and metastasis by inhibiting the translation of uncapped WRAP53 RNA isoforms in an m6A-dependent manner.

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification serves as an essential epigenetic regulator in eukaryotic cells, playing a significant role in tumorigenesis and cancer progression. However, the detailed biological functions and underlying mechanisms of m6A regulation in gastric cancer (GC) are poorly understood. Our research revealed that the m6A demethylase ALKBH5 was markedly downregulated in GC tissues, which was associated with poor patient prognosis.

Rational selection of TbpB variants yields a bivalent vaccine with broad coverage against Neisseria gonorrhoeae.

Neisseria gonorrhoeae is an on-going public health problem due in part to the lack of success with efforts to develop an efficacious vaccine to prevent this sexually transmitted infection. The gonococcal transferrin binding protein B (TbpB) is an attractive candidate vaccine antigen. However, it exhibits high levels of antigenic variability, posing a significant obstacle in evoking a broadly protective immune response.

The efficacy and safety of thymosin α1 for sepsis (TESTS): multicentre, double blinded, randomised, placebo controlled, phase 3 trial.

Objective: To evaluate whether the immunomodulatory drug thymosin α1 reduces mortality in adults with sepsis.

Design: Multicentre, double blinded, placebo controlled phase 3 trial.

Setting: 22 centres in China, September 2016 to December 2020.

Association between maternal serum zinc and birth weight is modified by neonatal SOD2 polymorphism and promoter methylation.

Background: Conflicting findings exist regarding the association between maternal serum zinc and neonatal birth weight. This study aimed to explore the association between maternal serum zinc and birth weight, and whether this association was modified by neonatal SOD2 polymorphism and promoter methylation.

Methods: We recruited 464 mother-newborn pairs at Houzhai Center Hospital from January 2010 to January 2012.

Dual modes of DNA N-methyladenine maintenance by distinct methyltransferase complexes.

Stable inheritance of DNA N-methyladenine (6mA) is crucial for its biological functions in eukaryotes. Here, we identify two distinct methyltransferase (MTase) complexes, both sharing the catalytic subunit AMT1, but featuring AMT6 and AMT7 as their unique components, respectively. While the two complexes are jointly responsible for 6mA maintenance methylation, they exhibit distinct enzymology, DNA/chromatin affinity, genomic distribution, and knockout phenotypes.

Ganoderic Acid A Alleviates Severe Acute Pancreatitis by Modulating Gut Homeostasis and Inhibiting TLR4-NLRP3 Signaling.

Background Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) manifests as a critical state marked by acute abdominal symptoms, often associated with intestinal barrier dysfunction, exacerbating SAP retroactively. Ganoderic acid A (GAA) demonstrates anti-inflammatory properties in various inflammatory disorders. Nonetheless, its potential therapeutic impact on SAP and the underlying mechanisms remain unexplored.

Partial intestinal obstruction caused by duodenal obstruction by the superior mesenteric artery and abdominal aorta in a middle-aged woman: A case report.

A 55-year-old woman with non-small cell lung carcinoma complained of epigastric pain, bloating, anorexia and postprandial nausea and vomiting over a five-year period. An upper gastrointestinal pan-glucosamine contrast examination revealed a distinctive large, hook-shaped, ptotic gastric lumen with normal motility. The contrast agent demonstrated an abnormal round-trip flow anterior to the spine at the duodenal level, with pooling and gradual passage through this region in strands after prolonged retention.

Photocatalytic [3 + 2]-annulation sodium tetraarylborate: a fundamental approach for synthesizing 1,4,2-diazaborole analogs.

Substantial advancements have been achieved in the field of photocatalytic borylation utilizing 4c-7e Lewis base-boryl radicals. However, the utilization of 3c-5e neutral boryl radicals for C-B bond formation remains relatively underexplored due to their inherent instability. In this study, we successfully demonstrated the direct construction of C-B bonds using sodium tetraarylborate as a key reagent.

Engineering Cascade Bio-solar Cells Inspired by the Z-Scheme of Oxygenic Photosynthesis: Layered Chlorophyll and Bacterio-chlorophyll Derivatives.

The natural Z-scheme of oxygenic photosynthesis efficiently drives electron transfer from photosystem II (PSII) to photosystem I (PSI) via an electron transport chain, despite the lower energy levels of PSII. Inspired by this sophisticated mechanism, we present a layered cascade bio-solar cell (CBSC) that emulates the Z-scheme. In this design, chlorophyll derivatives (Chl) act as PSI analogs, while bacteriochlorophyll derivatives (BChl) serve as PSII analogs in the active layer.

A Chiral Sensing Platform Based on a Starfish-Shaped AuCu Alloy for Chiral Analysis.

Designing alloys with intrinsic chirality for chiral analysis is an interesting subject, since most alloys are achiral. Here, a starfish-shaped AuCu alloy is facilely prepared through simultaneous reduction of chloroauric acid (HAuCl) and copper chloride (CuCl) by l-ascorbic acid (l-AA). The resultant AuCu alloy exhibits fascinating chirality due to the chiral lattice distortion generated in the alloy.

Identifying effective immune biomarkers in alopecia areata diagnosis based on machine learning methods.

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a common non-scarring hair loss disorder associated with autoimmune conditions. However, the pathobiology of AA is not well understood, and there is no targeted therapy available for AA.  METHODS: In this study, differential gene expression analysis, immune status assessment, weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA), and functional enrichment analysis were performed to identify shared genes associated with both immunological response and AA.

Genome-wide association study identifies candidate genes affecting body conformation traits of Zhongwei goat.

Background: Identifying markers or genes crucial for growth traits in Zhongwei goats is pivotal for breeding. Pinpointing genetic factors linked to body size gain enhances breeding efficiency and economic value. In this study, we used the MGISEQ-T7 platform to re-sequence 240 Zhongwei goats (133 male; 107 female) belonging to 5 metrics of growth traits at different growth stages (40 days and 6 months, here in after referred to as 40d and 6 m), namely, Body Weight (BW), Body Height (BH), Body Length (BL), Chest Circumference (CC), Tube Circumference (TC) were examined.

MicroRNA-150-3p enhances the antitumour effects of CGP57380 and is associated with a favourable prognosis in non-small cell lung cancer.

MicroRNA (miRNA) dysregulation has been identified in several carcinomas, including non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and is known to play a role in the development and progression of this disease. We initially conducted a miRNA microarray analysis, which revealed that the MNK inhibitor CGP57380 increased the expression of miR-150-3p. A similar analysis was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA).