Engineering Acid-Promoted Two-Photon Ratiometric Nanoprobes for Evaluating HClO in Lysosomes and Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

HClO is considered a potential contributing factor and biomarker of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Accurate monitoring of lysosomal HClO is important for further developing specific diagnostic and therapeutic schedules for IBD. However, only rare types of fluorescent probes have been reported for detecting HClO in IBD so far.

Shaping the Emission Directivity of Single Quantum Dots in Dielectric Nanodisks Exploiting Mie Resonances.

Manipulating the optical landscape of single quantum dots (QDs) is essential to increase the emitted photon output, enhancing their performance as chemical sensors and single-photon sources. Micro-optical structures are typically used for this task, with the drawback of a large size compared to the embedded single emitters. Nanophotonic architectures hold the promise to modify dramatically the emission properties of QDs, boosting light-matter interactions at the nanoscale, in ultracompact devices.

Atomic Gap-State Engineering of MoS for Alkaline Water and Seawater Splitting.

Transition-metal dichalcogenides (TMDs), such as molybdenum disulfide (MoS), have emerged as a generation of nonprecious catalysts for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER), largely due to their theoretical hydrogen adsorption energy close to that of platinum. However, efforts to activate the basal planes of TMDs have primarily centered around strategies such as introducing numerous atomic vacancies, creating vacancy-heteroatom complexes, or applying significant strain, especially for acidic media. These approaches, while potentially effective, present substantial challenges in practical large-scale deployment.

Vat-Based 3D-Bioprinted Scaffolds from Photocurable Bacterial Levan for Osteogenesis and Immunomodulation.

Emerging techniques of additive manufacturing, such as vat-based three-dimensional (3D) bioprinting, offer novel routes to prepare personalized scaffolds of complex geometries. However, there is a need to develop bioinks suitable for clinical translation. This study explored the potential of bacterial-sourced methacrylate levan (LeMA) as a bioink for the digital light processing (DLP) 3D bioprinting of bone tissue scaffolds.

FF-ATPase Biomolecular Motor: Structure, Motility Manipulations, and Biomedical Applications.

Biomolecular motors are dynamic systems found in organisms with high energy conversion efficiency. FF-ATPase is a rotary biomolecular motor known for its near 100% energy conversion efficiency. It utilizes the synthesis and hydrolysis of ATP to induce conformational changes in motor proteins, thereby converting chemical energy into mechanical motion.

Palladium Nanosheet Enables Synergistic Electrocatalytic Dehalogenation via Direct and Indirect Electron Transfer Mechanisms.

Electrocatalytic dehalogenation is a promising method for the remediation of chlorinated organic pollutants. The dehalogenation performance is controlled by catalytic activity, and the underlying electrocatalytic dehalogenation mechanisms need to be carefully investigated for guiding the design of catalyst. Here we report the preparation of a new Pd-based catalyst with a nanosheet structure (Pd NS) by a simple wet-chemical reduction method.

Sophaline B inhibits non-small cell lung cancer by activating NLRP3/caspase-1/GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis and PI3K/AKT/mTOR-mediated autophagy.

Sophaline B (SPB), extracted from the seeds of L., is a natural bioactive compound that effectively exerts antiviral activities against the hepatitis B virus. This is the first study to demonstrate that SPB exerts anti-tumor effects on NSCLC by inducing pyroptosis and autophagy.

COX-2 Inhibitor Prediction With KNIME: A Codeless Automated Machine Learning-Based Virtual Screening Workflow.

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) is an enzyme that plays a crucial role in inflammation by converting arachidonic acid into prostaglandins. The overexpression of enzyme is associated with conditions such as cancer, arthritis, and Alzheimer's disease (AD), where it contributes to neuroinflammation. In silico virtual screening is pivotal in early-stage drug discovery; however, the absence of coding or machine learning expertise can impede the development of reliable computational models capable of accurately predicting inhibitor compounds based on their chemical structure.

Comparative Analysis of Protist Communities in Oilsands Tailings Using Amplicon Sequencing and Metagenomics.

The Canadian province of Alberta contains substantial oilsands reservoirs, consisting of bitumen, clay and sand. Extracting oil involves separating bitumen from inorganic particles using hot water and chemical diluents, resulting in liquid tailings waste with ecotoxicologically significant compounds. Ongoing efforts aim to reclaim tailings-affected areas, with protist colonisation serving as one assessment method of reclamation progress.

Additives-Modified Electrodeposition for Synthesis of Hydrophobic Cu/CuO with Ag Single Atoms to Drive CO Electroreduction.

Copper-based electrocatalysts are recognized as crucial catalysts for CO electroreduction into multi-carbon products. However, achieving copper-based electrocatalysts with adjustable valences via one-step facile synthesis remains a challenge. In this study, Cu/CuO heterostructure is constructed by adjusting the anion species of the Cu ions-containing electrolyte during electrodeposition synthesis.

Multiscale Understanding of Anion Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells: Mechanisms, Electrocatalysts, Polymers, and Cell Management.

Anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) are among the most promising sustainable electrochemical technologies to help solve energy challenges. Compared to proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs), AEMFCs offer a broader choice of catalyst materials and a less corrosive operating environment for the bipolar plates and the membrane. This can lead to potentially lower costs and longer operational life than PEMFCs.

Tumor-Associated Macrophages Nano-Reprogrammers Induce "Gear Effect" to Empower Glioblastoma Immunotherapy.

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most malignant brain tumor with high prevalence, remains highly resistant to the existing immunotherapies due to the significant immunosuppression within tumor microenvironment (TME), predominantly manipulated by M2-phenotypic tumor-associated macrophages (M2-TAMs). Here in this work, an M2-TAMs targeted nano-reprogrammers, MG5-S-IMDQ, is established by decorating the mannose molecule as the targeting moiety as well as the toll-like receptor (TLR) 7/8 agonist, imidazoquinoline (IMDQ) on the dendrimeric nanoscaffold. MG5-S-IMDQ demonstrated an excellent capacity of penetrating the blood-brain barrier (BBB) as well as selectively targeting M2-TAMs in the GBM microenvironment, leading to a phenotype transformation and function restoration of TAMs shown as heightened phagocytic activity toward tumor cells, enhanced cytotoxic effects, and improved tumor antigen cross-presentation capability.

Binuclear ruthenium complex linker length tunes DNA threading intercalation kinetics.

Binuclear ruthenium complexes have been investigated for potential DNA-targeted therapeutic and diagnostic applications. Studies of DNA threading intercalation, in which DNA base pairs must be broken for intercalation, have revealed means of optimizing a model binuclear ruthenium complex to obtain reversible DNA-ligand assemblies with the desired properties of high affinity and slow kinetics. Here, we used single-molecule force spectroscopy to study a binuclear ruthenium complex with a longer semi-rigid linker relative to the model complex.

Visualizing lipid nanoparticle trafficking for mRNA vaccine delivery in non-human primates.

mRNA delivered using lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) has become an important subunit vaccine modality, but mechanisms of action for mRNA vaccines remain incompletely understood. Here, we synthesized a metal chelator-lipid conjugate enabling positron emission tomography (PET) tracer labeling of LNP/mRNA vaccines for quantitative visualization of vaccine trafficking in live mice and non-human primates (NHPs). Following i.

Double-Stranded RNA-Based Method for Diagnosing Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia.

: This study explores the potential of using elevated levels of blood double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) as a diagnostic tool for severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) infection. : Blood samples from SFTS patients were collected, dsRNA was purified, and total dsRNA expression was quantitatively analyzed using a spiropyran-based method. Comparative analysis was performed using blood samples from healthy individuals and scrub typhus patients with similar symptoms.

The Association Between Periodontal Inflamed Surface Area (PISA), Inflammatory Biomarkers, and Mitochondrial DNA Copy Number.

: Periodontitis is an inflammatory disease induced by bacteria in dental plaque that can activate the host's immune-inflammatory response and invade the bloodstream. We hypothesized that a higher periodontal inflamed surface area (PISA) is associated with higher levels of inflammatory biomarkers, lower levels of antioxidants, and mitochondrial DNA copy number (mtDNAcn). : Using periodontal parameters, we calculated the PISA score, measured the levels of inflammatory biomarkers and antioxidants in the serum, and took buccal swabs for mtDNA and nuclear DNA (nDNA) extraction.

Tendon Anomaly Identification in Prestressed Concrete Beams Based on an Advanced Monitoring MEMS and Data-Driven Detection of Structural Damage.

The growing importance of state assessments in civil engineering has led to intensive research into the development of damage identification methods based on vibrations. Natural frequencies and modal shapes have garnered great interest because modal parameters are invariant of structure. Moreover, thanks to the global nature of modal parameters, their variations are not limited to the location of the damage.

Predicting Sensory and Affective Tactile Perception from Physical Parameters Obtained by Using a Biomimetic Multimodal Tactile Sensor.

Tactile perception plays a crucial role in the perception of products and consumer preferences. This perception process is structured in hierarchical layers comprising a sensory layer (soft and smooth) and an affective layer (comfort and luxury). In this study, we attempted to predict the evaluation score of sensory and affective tactile perceptions of materials using a biomimetic multimodal tactile sensor that mimics the active touch behavior of humans and measures physical parameters such as force, vibration, and temperature.

Room Temperature NO-Sensing Properties of N-Doped ZnO Nanoparticles Activated by UV-Vis Light.

Zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) with varying levels of nitrogen (N) doping were synthesized using a straightforward sol-gel approach. The morphology and microstructure of the N-doped ZnO NPs were examined through techniques such as SEM, XRD, photoluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy. The characterization revealed visible changes in the morphology and microstructure resulting from the incorporation of nitrogen into the ZnO lattice.

The Vimentin-Targeting Drug ALD-R491 Partially Reverts the Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Vimentin Interactome of Lung Cancer Cells.

The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a common feature in early cancer invasion. Increased vimentin is a canonical marker of the EMT; however, the role of vimentin in EMT remains unknown. To clarify this, we induced EMT in lung cancer cells with TGF-β1, followed by treatment with the vimentin-targeting drug ALD-R491, live-cell imaging, and quantitative proteomics.

miR-217-5p NanomiRs Inhibit Glioblastoma Growth and Enhance Effects of Ionizing Radiation via EZH2 Inhibition and Epigenetic Reprogramming.

: CSCs are critical drivers of the tumor and stem cell phenotypes of glioblastoma (GBM) cells. Chromatin modifications play a fundamental role in driving a GBM CSC phenotype. The goal of this study is to further our understanding of how stem cell-driving events control changes in chromatin architecture that contribute to the tumor-propagating phenotype of GBM.

Effect of a Novel Lavender Extract on Plasma Lipid and Lipoprotein Metabolism, Glucose Tolerance and Adipose Tissue Metabolic Activation: A Preclinical Safety and Efficacy Study.

Background/objectives: Lavender has been utilized for its medicinal properties since ancient times, with numerous health benefits reported. This study aimed to valorize solid waste from lavender essential oil production by developing a novel lavender extract from solid lavender residues. The extract's preclinical safety and efficacy were evaluated with emphasis on plasma lipid and lipoprotein metabolism, glucose tolerance, and adipose tissue metabolic activity.

Effects of Long-Term Fasting on Gut Microbiota, Serum Metabolome, and Their Association in Male Adults.

Background: Long-term fasting demonstrates greater therapeutic potential and broader application prospects in extreme environments than intermittent fasting.

Method: This pilot study of 10-day complete fasting (CF), with a small sample size of 13 volunteers, aimed to investigate the time-series impacts on gut microbiome, serum metabolome, and their interrelationships with biochemical indices.

Results: The results show CF significantly affected gut microbiota diversity, composition, and interspecies interactions, characterized by an expansion of the Proteobacteria phylum (about six-fold) and a decrease in Bacteroidetes (about 50%) and Firmicutes (about 34%) populations.

Edible Coating Combining Liquid Smoke from Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches and Turmeric Extract to Prolong the Shelf Life of Mackerel.

This research aimed to evaluate the use of edible coating from a combination of liquid smoke and turmeric extract as a preservative for mackerel at room temperature. Liquid smoke was obtained from the pyrolysis of oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) at a temperature of 380 °C and purified by distillation at 190 °C. Liquid smoke with a concentration of 3% was combined with turmeric extract at a ratio of 2, 4, 6, and 8 g/L (CLS 2:1, CLS 4:1, CLS 6:1 and CLS 8:1).

Bioinformatics and Deep Learning Approach to Discover Food-Derived Active Ingredients for Alzheimer's Disease Therapy.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) prevention is a critical challenge for aging societies, necessitating the exploration of food ingredients and whole foods as potential therapeutic agents. This study aimed to identify natural compounds (NCs) with therapeutic potential in AD using an innovative bioinformatics-integrated deep neural analysis approach, combining computational predictions with molecular docking and in vitro experiments for comprehensive evaluation. We employed the bioinformatics-integrated deep neural analysis of NCs for Disease Discovery (BioDeepNat) application in the data collected from chemical databases.