Characterization of human alcohol dehydrogenase 4 and aldehyde dehydrogenase 2 as enzymes involved in the formation of 5-carboxylpirfenidone, a major metabolite of pirfenidone.

Pirfenidone (PIR) is used in the treatment of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis. After oral administration, it is metabolized by cytochrome P450 1A2 to 5-hydroxylpirfenidone (5-OH PIR) and further oxidized to 5-carboxylpirfenidone (5-COOH PIR), a major metabolite excreted in the urine (90% of the dose). This study aimed to identify enzymes that catalyze the formation of 5-COOH PIR from 5-OH PIR in the human liver.

Unexpected identification of peak systolic velocity in the radial artery as a risk factor for functional primary patency of radiocephalic fistulas.

Objective: As radiocephalic fistula is not necessarily appropriate for all patients with advanced kidney disease, our aim was to investigate the sensitive indicators that affect the functional primary patency of radiocephalic fistulas.

Methods: This prospective observational study included consecutive patients referred to the Second Hospital of Dalian Medical University for initial creation of radiocephalic fistula from July 2017 to December 2019. Preoperative ultrasound parameters, demographic characteristics, serum indicators and comorbidities were recorded.

Effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib calcineurin inhibitor in interstitial lung disease secondary to anti-MDA5-positive dermatomyositis: a multi-centre cohort study.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness and safety of tofacitinib (TOF) calcineurin inhibitor (CNI) as initial immunosuppressive regimen for anti-melanoma differentiation-associated gene 5-positive dermatomyositis with interstitial lung disease (MDA5+DM-ILD).

Methods: Adult Chinese patients with newly-diagnosed MDA5+DM-ILD (ILD course<3 months) from five tertiary referral centres between April 2014 and January 2023 were included for this retrospective cohort study. The primary effectiveness endpoint was lung transplantation-free survival within 1 year.

Multienergy Barrier Anti-/Deicing Surface with Excellent Photothermal Effect.

Superhydrophobic surfaces are considered to be an effective method for anti-icing, but passive anti-icing alone is not as effective as it should be, so it is crucial to develop effective anti-icing techniques. In this study, a photothermal anti-icing structure with multienergy barriers was designed by combining active and passive anti-icing technologies and prepared by a three-step method of laser etching, hydrothermal growth of nanostructures, and chemical modification based on the Cassie-Baxter-Wenzel transition theory. The experimental results show that the static water contact angle of the prepared surface is up to 160°, the sliding angle is less than 3.

Anatomical considerations for thread-based brow lifting and wrinkle treatment.

This review explores the anatomical considerations and technical aspects of thread lifting for the forehead and eyebrow, focusing on the relationships between vascular structures, muscular anatomy, and age-related changes in the forehead-eyebrow complex. It highlights the critical importance of understanding neurovascular pathways, particularly the supratrochlear and supraorbital vessels, as well as the appropriate thread placement techniques necessary for optimal outcomes. The review demonstrates that I-shaped threads, when placed beneath the frontalis muscle, provide a safer and equally effective alternative to traditional U-shaped designs.

HMGB1-mediated CIITA super-enhancers are critical for DC trained immunity in acute-to-chronic progression of allograft rejection.

Chronic allograft rejection is mainly mediated by indirect recognition. Dendritic cells (DCs), as the major antigen-presenting cells in indirect recognition, exhibit an enhanced antigen-presenting ability in chronic rejection, but the specific mechanism is still unclear. Here, we found that pretreatment with high mobility group box-1 protein (HMGB1) in vivo can induce trained immunity in DCs.

Cholic acid inhibits ovarian steroid hormone synthesis and follicular development through farnesoid X receptor signaling in mice.

This study investigated the effects of cholic acid (CA) on steroid hormone synthesis and follicular development in mouse ovaries and the regulatory mechanism of CA on the expression of steroidogenesis-related genes in granulosa cells. The mice were divided into control and CA groups, and serum and ovarian samples were collected after 1, 2, and 4 months of treatment, respectively. The results showed that CA treatment for 1, 2, and 4 months reduced ovarian weights, disrupted the estrous cycle, decreased the number of antral follicles and corpora lutea, and lowered the serum levels of progesterone and estradiol.

Pretreatment of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin based on deep eutectic solvent containing a reversibly-soluble base.

The pretreatment with green deep eutectic solvents (DESs) is conducive to realizing the high-efficiency utilization of lignin at a low cost. In this study, an innovative choline chloride/urea/calcium hydroxide (ChCl/UR/Ca(OH)) DES containing a reversibly-soluble base Ca(OH) was developed for the pretreatment of enzymatic hydrolysis lignin (EHL). The lignin pretreatment effects of the proposed ChCl/UR/Ca(OH) DES were compare with a series of DESs.

Anti-hypercholesterolemic effects of small-molecule pectin from Premna ligustroides Hemsl leaves: Modulation of inflammatory markers and gut microbiota in mice.

Small-molecule pectin (SMP) extracted from the leaves of Premna ligustroides Hemsl, with a molecular weight range of 5000-35,000 Da, has demonstrated anti-inflammatory and lipid-lowering properties in vitro. This study explored the effects of SMP on hypercholesterolemia in mice, with a focus on inflammation, lipid profiles, and cholesterol metabolism. Mice received SMP at doses of 607, 303, and 152 mg/kg body weight.

Recent advances of intelligent polymer gels as active carriers for medical imaging-guided cancer therapy: A review.

Cancer is a major global health challenges and various imaging-guided techniques are gaining prominence for its diagnosis and therapy with the advantages of high sensitivity, spatial resolution, and quantitative capability. The effectiveness of these approaches mainly relies on the establishment of a responsive platform. The intelligent polymer gel composites as the active carriers have drawn considerable attention owing to their outstanding versatility, three-layer network structure, mechanical adjustability and so forth, which may be contribute to loading drug, imaging probe, and targeting biomarkers in medical imaging-guided cancer therapy (IGCT).

Preparation, characterization, biological activity of 'Chuju' polysaccharides/chitosan and its application on the preservation of red grapes fruit.

In order to improve the preservation of red grape fruits, 'Chuju' polysaccharides (CCP) were cross-linked with chitosan (CS) to create CCP/CS composites with varying ratios. These composites were comprehensively characterized using FT-IR, C NMR, and SEM, which confirmed a smooth film surface and a uniform distribution of CCP. The composite films demonstrated efficacy in maintaining the quality of red grapes by mitigating shriveling and significantly reducing firmness loss by 22.

Fish gut symbiotic bacterium Bacillus thuringiensis: RSM optimization for its extracellular lipase enzyme production, lipase-protein purification, characterization, and docking analysis.

Lipase enzymes play a vital role in digestion and nutrient metabolism in host organisms, with symbiotic bacteria producing abundant enzymes, carbohydrates, vitamins, and other nutrients. This study aimed to isolate, identify, and screen lipase-producing bacteria from the gut of Systomus sarana, optimize enzyme production using Response Surface Methodology (RSM), and characterize the extracted lipase protein. A total of 11 bacterial strains were isolated and identified through 16S rRNA sequencing.

The mechanism of 3D-printed high internal phase Pickering emulsion gels improved by soybean protein isolate / bacterial cellulose co-assemblies.

In this study, soybean protein isolate (SPI) / bacterial cellulose (BC) co-assemblies replicate the fibrous network structure in animal fat to stabilize the 3D-printed high internal phase Pickering emulsion (HIPPE) gels with excellent processing characteristics. The SPI/BC co-assemblies, structured through pH shifting treatment, displayed exceptional emulsification and gelation properties. The relevant results indicate that the SPI/BC co-assemblies possess numerous hydrophobic and thiol groups on their surfaces.

Gelatin methacryloyl-phenylboronic acid/Hydroxyadamantane self-healing microgels for the periodontitis treatment by promoting alveolar bone regeneration.

Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory condition mainly caused by the interaction between the host immune system and periodontal tissue pathogens, and may lead to consequences, such as alveolar bone defects and tooth loss. Incomplete bacterial removal, persistent inflammation and high reactive oxygen species (ROS) environment are the main challenges for periodontal tissue repair and alveolar bone regeneration. In this study, an injectable composite microgel (Gelatin methacryloyl-Phenylboronic acid/Hydroxyadamantane, GPH) loaded with antimicrobial peptide (AMP) and cerium dioxide (CeO) microspheres was developed to achieve a synergistic function of bacteriostasis, immunomodulation, and ROS removal.

Multifunctional starch-based conductive hydrogels for smart sensors and flexible supercapacitors.

In order to overcome harsh working environments and meet eco-friendly demands, the development of environmentally tolerant and recyclable hydrogels is necessary. Herein, multifunctional conductive hydrogel was successfully constructed by introducing starch into polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/glycerin (Gly)/lithium chloride (LiCl) hydrogel. Starch is rich in active sites (-OH groups) that provide a variety of physical interactions for the construction of polymer hydrogels.

H9N2 avian influenza virus diagnostics utilizing specific high-sensitivity enzymatic molecular system termed RPA-based CRISPR-Cas13a.

H9N2 avian influenza virus (AIV), a major pathogen causing respiratory infections in poultry, poses a significant threat to the poultry industry and human health. Early detection and control of H9N2 infections are essential for minimizing economic losses and preventing potential zoonotic transmission. A novel CRISPR-Cas family member called CRISPR-Cas13a comprises the CRISPR RNA (crRNA) and Cas13a nuclease.

Duck feather inspired hydrophobic carboxymethyl cellulose/gelatin film for intelligent and active food packaging.

Inspired by the superhydrophobic characteristics of duck feathers this research introduced an intelligent, responsive, and eco-friendly food packaging film constructed from carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) and gelatin (Gel). The film successfully mimics the asymmetric, bionic, barbed structure of a duck feather, offering outstanding hydrophobicity and moisture vapor resistance characteristics. Moreover, the bionic film demonstrated good mechanical strength, film-forming ability and biodegradability.

Enhanced capacity in cellulose aerogel for carbon dioxide capture through modified by metal-organic framework.

Microporous metal-organic frameworks (MOF) exhibit excellent carbon dioxide (CO) adsorption performance and selectivity for CO/N separation. However, the challenges associate with the recycling and reuse of MOF powders hinder their practical applications. To address these limitations, a flexible and stable MOF-based composite material was designed by immobilizing UiO-66(Zr)-(OH) onto cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) aerogels (MOF-CNFs), which featured high porosity.

Temperature-driven CsgA-enhanced mutant enable distinct self-assembly.

Functional coating materials have found extensive applications across various technological fields. However, the effectiveness of these coating depends critically on the choice of an appropriate medium. In this study, we developed an advanced "molecular glue", a CsgA variant known as CsgA-pro, which can serve as a versatile medium for biotherapy.

Microfluidic design and preparation of hydrogel microcapsules of Mesona chinensis polysaccharide: Characterization, pH-responsive behavior and gastrointestinal protection for Lactobacillus plantarum.

Probiotics have brought many health benefits to the human body. However, their viability during gastrointestinal transit is a concern. Therefore, this study selected Mesona chinensis polysaccharide (MCP), an edible natural polysaccharide, and constructed a new type of microcapsules using MCP as raw material to prepare cross-linked calcium ions through a microfluidic system as an ideal intestinal targeting carrier to achieve precise delivery of bioactive substances.

Synthesis of waterborne polyurethane-carboxymethyl chitosan cross-linked biodegradable bio-based porous materials for the adsorption of methylene blue.

The development of green and cost-effective biomass adsorbents is necessary for removing large amounts of dyes from wastewater. In this study, polyurethane prepolymers were synthesized using polycaprolactone diol (OH-PCL-OH), isophorone diisocyanate, and 2,2-dihydroxymethylpropionic acid, which were subsequently dispersed in aqueous carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS) solution to produce waterborne polyurethane (WPU)-CMCS porous materials. The adsorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier transform infrared spectrometer (FT-IR), thermogravimetric (TGA) and mercury intrusion porosimetry (MIP).

A simple approach to fabricate chitosan-delivered avermectin controlled release microparticles for improved efficacy and reduced residues.

The presence of a synergistic effect between carrier and insecticide in controlled release formulations is highly desirable to improve efficacy to target pests and reduce insecticide use. Herein, controlled release microparticles of avermectin (AVM) were fabricated using natural chitosan (CTS) as a carrier by a pH adjustment method. The resulted AVM@CTS microparticles displayed high encapsulation efficiency (73.

Integrated analysis of proteome and transcriptome profiling reveals pan-cancer-associated pathways and molecular biomarkers.

Understanding dysregulated genes and pathways in cancer is critical for precision oncology. Integrating mass spectrometry-based proteomic data with transcriptomic data presents unique opportunities for systematic analyses of dysregulated genes and pathways in pan-cancer. Here, we compiled a comprehensive set of datasets, encompassing proteomic data from 2,404 samples and transcriptomic data from 7,752 samples across 13 cancer types.

Cheek acupuncture reduces postoperative nausea and vomiting in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery: A randomized controlled trial.

Objective: Cheek acupuncture, a recently established microneedle therapy, has been proven to effectively reduce pain, but its potential antiemetic effects remain unconfirmed. Thus, This study aimed to compare the antiemetic efficacy of cheek acupuncture with ondansetron and evaluate the cumulative effect in patients undergoing laparoscopic gynecological surgery.

Design: A single-center randomized controlled trial SETTING: A university teaching hospital.