Stromal architecture and fibroblast subpopulations with opposing effects on outcomes in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Dissecting the spatial heterogeneity of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) is vital for understanding tumor biology and therapeutic design. By combining pathological image analysis with spatial proteomics, we revealed two stromal archetypes in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) with different biological functions and extracellular matrix compositions. Using paired single-cell RNA and epigenomic sequencing with Stereo-seq, we revealed two fibroblast subsets CAF-FAP and CAF-C7, whose spatial enrichment strongly correlated with the two stromal archetypes and opposing patient prognosis.

The History of Studies on Oxetane Ring Formation in Paclitaxel Biosynthesis.

There is no doubt that breakthroughs in the enzyme-mediated formation of the oxetane ring in paclitaxel biosynthesis constitute significant milestones in the biosynthesis of complex natural products. In this review, we summarize the understanding of the biosynthesis of the oxetane ring of paclitaxel from different viewpoints. Generally, it covers five aspects, (1) a different understanding of the mechanistic formation of the oxetane ring on the basis of sound chemical reasoning, (2) a reasonable speculation of the biosynthetic pathways and suitable surrogate substrates for oxetane ring formation based on the natural and chemical logical analysis, (3) Taxus genome-enabled enzymes identification, (4) the discovery of different enzymes that mediate oxetane ring formation, and (5) a mechanistic investigation involving the use of isotopic labelling experiments and quantum chemical calculations.

Comparative Population Genetics of Two Alvinocaridid Shrimp Species in Chemosynthetic Ecosystems of the Western Pacific.

Deep-sea shrimps from the family Alvinocarididae are prominent inhabitants of chemosynthesis-based habitats worldwide. However, their genetic diversity and population connectivity remain poorly understood due to limited sampling. To fill these knowledge gaps, we compared the population genetics of two vent- and seep-dwelling alvinocaridid species with overlapped geographic ranges between the South China Sea and the Manus Basin.

Nano LiF-Enabled In Situ Synergistic Catalytic Polymeric Electrolytes for Stable Lithium Metal Batteries.

Solid polymer electrolytes (SPEs) with excellent ionic conductivity and a wide electrochemical stability window are critical for high-energy lithium metal batteries (LMBs). However, the widespread application of polymer electrolytes is severely limited by inadequate room-temperature ionic conductivity, sluggish interfacial charge transport, and uncontrolled reactions at the electrode/electrolyte interface. Herein, we present a uniform polymerized 1,3-dioxolane (PDOL) composite solid polymer electrolyte (PDOL-S/F-nano LiF CSE) that satisfies these requirements through the in situ catalytic polymerization effect of nano LiF on the polymerization of 1,3-dioxolane-based electrolytes.

Cross-Cultural Adaptation and Validation of the Mandarin Chinese Version of the Vocal Performance Questionnaire.

Objective: The Mandarin Chinese version of the Vocal Performance Questionnaire (VPQ-CM) for evaluating vocal performance.

Methods: A total of 120 participants with vocal disorders and 120 healthy participants completed this study. Investigators translated the original VPQ into the VPQ-CM, and participants completed the questionnaire fill it.

Aptazyme-directed A-to-I RNA editing.

As a promising therapeutic approach, the RNA editing process can correct pathogenic mutations and is reversible and tunable, without permanently altering the genome. RNA editing mediated by human ADAR proteins offers unique advantages, including high specificity and low immunogenicity. Compared to CRISPR-based gene editing techniques, RNA editing events are temporary, which can reduce the risk of long-term unintended side effects, making off-target edits less concerning than DNA-targeting methods.

Original article: Efficacy and safety of single-dose suraxavir marboxil tablet in the treatment of acute uncomplicated influenza in adults: a multi-center, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 clinical trial.

Objectives: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of suraxavir marboxil (GP681, abbreviated as suraxavir) in adults with uncomplicated influenza.

Methods: We conducted a multi-center randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled phase 2 trial in 18 Chinese centers. Participants had to be aged 18-65 years with positive influenza test, presenting with at least one influenza systemic and respiratory symptoms in at least moderate severity within 48 hours of onset.

Prokaryotic and eukaryotic periphyton responses to warming, nutrient enrichment and small omnivorous fish: A shallow lake mesocosms experiment.

Global change stressors, including climate warming, eutrophication, and small-sized omnivorous fish, may exert interactive effects on the food webs and functioning of shallow lakes. Periphyton plays a central role in the primary production and nutrient cycling of shallow lakes but constitutes a complex community composed of eukaryotes and prokaryotes that may exhibit different responses to multiple environmental stressors with implications for the projections of the effects of global change on shallow lakes. We analyzed the effects of warming, nutrient enrichment, small omnivorous fish and their interactions on eukaryotic and prokaryotic periphyton structures in shallow lake mesocosms.

Research on bioaugmented slurry remediation of PAHs in actual contaminated soil: screening microbial agents and optimizing key parameters.

Bioaugmented slurry technology is a sustainable remediation technology for PAHs-contaminated soil. However, the lack of experimental data on the remediation of complex, actual contaminated soils has hindered the practical application of this technology. This study explored the bioaugmented degradation of PAHs using actual soil slurry with and without the addition of microbial agents in the microscopic world.

The Anti-Neuroinflammatory Effects of Cepharanthine in Uric Acid-Induced Neuroinflammation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Cepharanthine (CEP) is an alkaloid extracted from Stephania cephalantha Hayata, a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) renowned for its heatclearing and dehumidifying properties. For centuries, Stephania cephalantha Hayata has been employed in the treatment of a wide range of diseases, including pain, edema, inflammation, and fever.

Aim Of The Study: Our research aims to investigate the role and mechanism of Cepharanthine in ameliorating uric acid (UA) induced neuroinflammatory responses.

Changyanning tablet alleviates Crohn's disease by inhibiting GPX4-mediated ferroptosis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Changyanning tablets (CYN) are a marketed traditional Chinese medicine composed of Diijincao (Euphorbia humifusa Willd.), Jinmaoercao (Hedyotis chrysotricha (Palib.) Merr.

Starch retrogradation in starch-based foods: Mechanisms, influencing factors, and mitigation strategies.

Starch-based foods are the most common foods in the daily diets. However, starch-based foods are prone to starch retrogradation, resulting in texture hardening, taste deterioration and nutrient loss. This paper reviewed the mechanisms and the influencing factors of starch retrogradation in starch-based foods, and the strategies to mitigate it.

Applications of modified lignocellulose and its composites prepared by different pretreatments in biomedicine: A review.

Lignocellulosic biomass represents one of the most abundant renewable biological resources on earth. Despite its current underutilization as a source of high-value chemicals, it has promising applications in biomedical and other fields. Presently, lignocellulose is predominantly transformed into high-value-added products, e.

Hexahistidine-metal assembly encapsulated fibroblast growth factor 21 for lipopolysaccharide-induced acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury (ALI)/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) represents a spectrum of potentially fatal conditions that currently lack effective drug treatment. Recent researches suggest that Fibroblast Growth Factor 21 (FGF21) may protect against ALI/ARDS. However, the clinical use of FGF21 is limited by its rapid degradation, restricted targeting capabilities, and numerous adverse effects.

Facile integration of a binary nano-prodrug with αPD-L1 as a translatable technology for potent immunotherapy of TNBC.

Immune checkpoint blockers (ICBs)-based immunotherapy is a favorable approach for efficient triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) treatment. However, the therapeutic efficacy of ICBs is greatly compromised by immunosuppressive tumor microenvironments (TMEs) and low expression levels of programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1). Herein, we constructed an amphiphilic prodrug by linking a hydrophobic STING agonist, MSA-2 and a hydrophilic chemotherapeutic drug, gemcitabine (GEM) via an ester bond, which can self-assemble into GEM-MSA-2 (G-M) nanoparticles (NPs) with a tumor growth inhibition (TGI) value of 87.

Maize transcription factor ZmEREB167 negatively regulates starch accumulation and kernel size.

Transcription factors play critical roles in the regulation of gene expression during maize kernel development. The maize endosperm is a large storage organ, accounting for nearly 90% of the dry weight of mature kernel, and is also the main place for starch storage. In this study, we identify an endosperm-specific EREB gene, ZmEREB167, which encodes a nucleus-localized EREB protein.

Background-free luminescent and chromatic assay for strong visual detection of creatinine.

Creatinine is an essential biomarker for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of renal insufficiency. Although fluorescent methods are powerful tools for creatinine detection, almost all reported fluorescent probes rely on short-wavelength excitation and a single fluorescent signal, making them susceptible to environmental and operational conditions. In this study, a near-infrared excited, highly sensitive, and multi-output signal sensing system was established using upconversion nanoparticles and 3,5-dinitrobenzoic acid (DNBA) for synergistic luminescent and colorimetric assay for strong visual detection of creatinine.

Gas sensing by long-wavelength and long-afterglow pectin/melamine-formaldehyde aerogel via resonance energy transfer.

The exploration of pure organic ultra-long room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) materials has emerged as a research hotspot in recent years. Herein, a simple strategy for fabricating long-afterglow polymer aerogels with three-dimensional ordered structures and environmental monitoring capabilities is proposed. Based on the non-covalent interactions between pectin (PC) and melamine formaldehyde (MF), a composite aerogel (PCMF@phenanthrene) (PCMF@PA) doped with phosphorescent organic small molecules was constructed.

Electrical activation of periodate by nano-zero-valent cobalt/nitrogen-doped carbon for sulfisoxazole degradation: Insights into rapid electron transfer mechanisms.

Periodate (PI) activation via three-dimensional electrochemical (E) is a promising approach for degrading sulfisoxazole (SIZ), while the scarcity of active sites significantly limits the efficient electron-transfer rate. Herein, we synthesized multiple strongly active zero-valent cobalt (Co) nanoparticles encapsulated in nitrogen-doped carbon (NC) shells through Co-potassium chloride (KCl) doping pyrolysis of Zeolitic Imidazolate Framework-8 (ZIF-8) to induce the rapid electron transfer pathways (ETP). Specifically, molten KCl doping provides confined structures for Co with a diameter of 12.

ManiNeg: Manifestation-guided multimodal pretraining for mammography screening.

Breast cancer poses a significant health threat worldwide. Contrastive learning has emerged as an effective method to extract critical lesion features from mammograms, thereby offering a potent tool for breast cancer screening and analysis. A crucial aspect of contrastive learning is negative sampling, where the selection of hard negative samples is essential for driving representations to retain detailed lesion information.

Riverine songbirds capture high levels of atmospheric mercury pollution from brown food webs in forests by mercury isotopic evidence.

Elevated methylmercury (MeHg) exposure poses significant risks to bird health, behavior, and reproduction. Still, the risk of MeHg exposure to forest birds, accounting for over 80 % of the world's bird species, is poorly understood. This study combines Hg isotopes and video analysis, aiming to assess MeHg exposure risks to a forest riverine songbird, the spotted forktail (Enicurus maculatus) from a remote subtropical montane forest.

Exposure profiles, determinants, and health risks of chemicals in personal care products among healthy older adults from the China BAPE study.

Personal care products (PCPs) are ubiquitously present in the environment, and the associated health risks have been increasingly concerned worldwide. However, knowledge regarding exposure assessments of older adults to these chemicals and their health risks remains largely limited. In the present study, five repeated surveys involving 76 healthy older adults in Jinan, Shandong Province, were performed to quantify urinary exposure levels of 14 chemicals in PCPs.

Quantification of micro- and nano-plastics in atmospheric fine particles by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry with chromatographic peak reconstruction.

The effects of micro- and nano-plastics (MNPs) on human health are of global concern because MNPs are ubiquitous, persistent, and potentially toxic, particularly when bound to atmospheric fine particles (PM). Traditional quantitative analysis of MNPs by pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) is often inaccurate because of false positive signals caused by similar polymers and organic compounds. In this study, a reliable analytical strategy combining HNO digestion and chromatographic peak reconstruction was developed to improve the precision of pyrolysis-gas chromatography-mass spectrometry analysis of multiple MNPs bound to PM.

p-Phenylenediamines and their derived quinones: A review of their environmental fate, human exposure, and biological toxicity.

p-Phenylenediamines (PPDs) are widely used as antioxidants in numerous rubber products to prevent or delay oxidation and corrosion. However, their derived quinones (PPD-Qs), generated through reactions with ozone, are ubiquitous in the environment and raise significant health and toxicity concerns. This review summarizes the current state of knowledge on environmental distribution and fate, human exposure, and biological toxicity of PPDs and PPD-Qs, and makes recommendations for future research directions.