Thermosensitive Hydrogel Loaded with α-Mangostin for Enhanced Antitumor Effect of Doxorubicin.

The cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) in tumor stroma present substantial barriers to drug penetration, resulting in tumor resistance and progression. One promising strategy is to reprogram CAFs into a quiescent state, which necessitates novel approaches. Our study introduces a sequential treatment strategy using chitosan thermosensitive hydrogels loaded with α-Mangostin (α-M), a small molecule drug with antifibrotic properties, aimed at reprogramming CAFs within the breast cancer tumor microenvironment (TME).

Diverse Annulations of Alkyl(phenyl)phosphinic Chlorides and Imines.

The reactivity of alkyl(aryl)phosphinic chlorides and imines was investigated in the presence of a base. The results indicated that allyl/benzyl(aryl)phosphinic chlorides gave rise to 1,2-azaphosphines (δ-phostims), while nonbenzylic alkyl(aryl)phosphinic chlorides produced the corresponding β-phosphinolactams (β-phostims) in their reaction with cyclic dibenzo[,][1,4]oxazepines, whereas steric electron-rich arylmethyl(aryl)phosphinic chlorides generated [2 + 2 + 2] annuloadducts in some cases. The current investigation provides useful insight into the reactivity of phosphinic chlorides and imines.

Electroselective and Controlled Cross-Coupling of Isoindolinones with Alcohols.

A novel and efficient electrochemical method for electroselective and controlled cross-coupling of isoindolinones with equivalent alcohols has been developed without the need for metal catalysts and strong bases under mild conditions. The reaction provides a novel strategy for the controllable and effective synthesis of 3-alkoxyl and -hydroxymethyl-substituted isoindolinones, which is adjusted by 4-OH-TEMPO and tolerates various substrates. This protocol is an efficient tool for the construction of C-O and C-N bonds with high chemoselectivity.

Tumor-Homing Biomimetic Near-Infrared II SERS Probes for Targeted Intraoperative Resection Guidance of Orthotopic Glioblastoma.

In vivo optical imaging holds great potential for surgical guidance with the ability to intraoperatively identify tumor lesions in a surgical bed and navigate their surgical excision in real time. Nevertheless, its full potential remains underexploited, mainly due to the dearth of high-performance optical probes. Herein, hybrid cell membrane-biomimetic near-infrared II surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (NIR-II SERS) probes are reported for intraoperative resection guidance of orthotopic glioblastoma.

Development of a Highly Selective Ferroptosis Inducer Targeting GPX4 with 2-Ethynylthiazole-4-carboxamide as Electrophilic Warhead.

A highly selective ferroptosis inducer with drug-like properties can significantly advance the research on inducing ferroptosis for anticancer treatment. We previously reported a highly active GPX4 inhibitor , but its activity and stability need further improvement. In this work, a novel GPX4 inhibitor with more potent cytotoxicity (IC = 0.

Transcellular regulation of ETI-induced cell death.

To address the persistent challenge of cell death spread and limitation during effector-triggered immunity (ETI), we propose a 'concentric circle' model. This model outlines a regulatory framework, integrating multiple cells and diverse signaling molecules, including salicylic acid (SA), jasmonic acid (JA), and Ca. By accounting for the varying concentrations and spatiotemporal distributions of these molecules, our model aims for precision in immune defense and regulated cell death.

Emerging Microfluidic Building Blocks for Cultured Meat Construction.

Cultured meat aims to produce meat mass by culturing cells and tissues based on the muscle regeneration mechanism, and is considered an alternative to raising and slaughtering livestock. Hydrogel building blocks are commonly used as substrates for cell culture in tissue engineering and cultured meat because of their high water content, biocompatibility, and similar three-dimensional (3D) environment to the cellular niche . With the characteristics of precise manipulation of fluids, microfluidics exhibits advantages in the fabrication of building blocks with different structures and components, which have been widely applied in tissue regeneration.

A Novel Endophytic Fungus R-423 for the Control of Root Rot in Pigeon Pea as Reflected by the Alleviation of Reactive Oxygen Species-Mediated Host Defense Responses.

root rot is a devastating fungal disease that causes significant yield losses in legume crops. A novel endophytic fungus R-423 isolated from pigeon pea had a significant antagonistic capacity against . R-423 extracts could inhibit growth and cause it to die.

Dynamic Behaviors of Droplet Impacts in Dropwise Condensation on Horizontal Tube Bundles.

Dropwise condensation offers substantial heat transfer advantages over filmwise condensation, enhancing the industrial condenser efficiency and reducing energy losses. However, the dynamics of condensate droplets on horizontal tube bundles remains complex and insufficiently studied. This paper presents a detailed investigation of the impact of dynamic behaviors of condensate droplets by numerical simulation using the Volume of Fluid model.

Intestine versus liver? Uncovering the hidden major metabolic organs of silybin in rats.

Silybin, a milk thistle extract, is a flavonolignan compound with hepatoprotective effect. It is commonly used in dietary supplements, functional foods, and nutraceuticals. However, the metabolism of silybin has not been systematically characterized in organisms to date.

Engineered Strategies to Interfere with Macrophage Fate in Myocardial Infarction.

Myocardial infarction (MI), a severe cardiovascular condition, is typically triggered by coronary artery disease, resulting in ischemic damage and the subsequent necrosis of the myocardium. Macrophages, known for their remarkable plasticity, are capable of exhibiting a range of phenotypes and functions as they react to diverse stimuli within their local microenvironment. In recent years, there has been an increasing number of studies on the regulation of macrophage behavior based on tissue engineering strategies, and its regulatory mechanisms deserve further investigation.

Intramolecular Friedel-Crafts Reactions of Sulfamoyl Fluorides, Fluorosulfates, and Sulfuramidimidoyl Fluorides.

Sultams are valuable heterocycles with numerous applications, particularly as pharmacophores. Previous syntheses of these compounds usually require metal-catalyzed cyclization or multiple-step processes. Here, we report a straightforward strategy for accessing these important motifs by developing the intramolecular Friedel-Crafts cyclization of sulfamoyl fluorides under mild conditions.

Ferric Nitrate as a Bifunctional Catalyst for Dehydration and Oxidative Cleavage-Esterification of Tertiary Alcohols.

The selective oxidative cleavage and functionalization of C(OH)-C bonds in tertiary alcohols harbor immense feasibility in organic synthesis and enable the production of high value-added chemicals from renewable biomass. However, it remains a challenge, owing to the inherent kinetic inertness and thermodynamic stability of C(OH)-C bonds and the lack of C-H. Taking the huge potential and challenge of C(OH)-C bond activation and functionalization into consideration, herein, we show the first example of an inexpensive bifunctional ferric nitrate catalyst for catalytic direct oxidation of structurally distinct tertiary alcohols to esters with environmentally benign molecular oxygen as an oxidant and MeOH as a solvent, without the assistance of any additives.

Ten proposed measures to improve vaccination: Health care providers' perspectives on promoting the vaccination intake of children with special healthcare needs in China.

Introduction: Children with special healthcare needs (CSHCN) often experience vaccination delays or missed vaccines in China. The coverage rate of the age-appropriate National Immunisation Programme vaccine was suboptimal. This study aimed to explore attitudes, behaviours, and suggestions regarding the improvement of routine vaccination services for CSHCN among healthcare providers.

Antagonistic Effects of Distance and Overlap toward Anomalous Pressure-Induced Blueshift of π-π Excimer Fluorescence in 9-(2,2-Diphenylvinyl)anthracene Crystals.

Piezochromic materials usually exhibit a gradual redshift of emission as pressure increases due to the formation of a low-energy "dark" state, e.g., excimer.

Efficient Methanol Oxidation Kinetics Enabled by an Ordered Heterocatalyst with Dual Electric Fields.

Induced by a sharp-tip-enhanced electric field, periodical nanoassemblies can regulate the reactant flux on the electrode surface, efficiently optimizing the mass transfer kinetics in electrocatalysis. However, when the nanoscale building blocks in homoassemblies are arranged densely, it results in the overlap and reduction of the local electric field. Herein, we present a comprehensive kinetic heteromodel that simultaneously couples the sharp-tip-enhanced electric field and charge transfer electric field between different building blocks with any arrangement densities.

Characterization of Subcutaneous and Visceral De-differentiated Fat Cells.

The capacity of mature adipocytes to de-differentiate into fibroblast-like cells has been demonstrated in vitro and a few, rather specific in vivo conditions. A detailed comparison between de-differentiated fat (DFAT) cells and adipose stem and progenitor cells (ASPCs) from different adipose depots is yet to be conducted. Moreover, whether de-differentiation of mature adipocytes from classical subcutaneous and visceral depots occurs under physiological conditions remains unknown.

Sp3 ameliorated experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis by triggering Socs3 in Th17 cells.

Introduction: Although it is believed that chronic inflammatory and degenerative diseases of the central nervous system are mediated by autoimmune Th17 cells, the underlying mechanisms remain largely unexplored. Recent studies and our research have revealed that Sp3 was blocked in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients and experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). However, it remained unclear why it is silent and how it regulates Th17 cell differentiation in MS.

DNA methylation-induced suppression of PRDM16 in colorectal cancer metastasis through the PPARγ/EMT pathway.

Background: PR/SET domain 16 (PRDM16) is an important transcription factor in the differentiation process of brown adipocytes, which plays an important role in maintaining the special morphological characteristics and cellular function of brown adipocytes. However, the role of PRDM16 in human colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently unknown.

Methods: Methylation sequencing, methylation-specific PCR (MSP), multiple bioinformatics analyses, Co-Immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay and Immunofluorescence (IF) staining, in vitro and in vivo functional experiments were performed to study the biological role of PRDM16 in CRC progression.

Cancer-associated fibroblasts promote oral squamous cell carcinoma progression by targeting ATP7A via exosome-mediated paracrine miR-148b-3p.

Cuproptosis is a newly discovered form of non-apoptotic cell death. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) can secrete various bioactive substances, including exosomes, to promote tumor progression. However, the impact of CAFs on the regulation of copper metabolism and cuproptosis in oral squamous cell carcinomas (OSCC) has not been investigated.

Cloning and functional characterization of the caffeine oxidase gene CsCDH from Camellia sinensis.

Theacrine, a purine alkaloid with pharmacological effects such as calming and anti-depressive activities, is biosynthesized through a key rate-limiting enzyme, caffeine oxidase. Despite its importance, the caffeine oxidase gene (CsCDH) in Camellia sinensis has not been cloned to date. We successfully isolated the full-length CsCDH cDNA, which contains a 501-bp open reading frame (ORF) encoding a 166-amino-acid protein with a calculated molecular weight of 18.

Modification-based Pinus pumila polysaccharides and their effects on osteoblast MC3T3-E1.

In this study, a polysaccharide component was extracted from Pinus pumila using biomimetic-microwave assisted alkali tandem extraction and then purified by DEAE-52 and Sephadex G-200. A new purified polysaccharide (PSP c-a) was determined through in vitro tracking. The structural features were characterized using a HPGP, FTIR, IC and NMR spectroscopy.