Impregnation of SeS into a Nitrogen- and Sulfur-Co-Doped Functional Metal Carbides and Nitrides for High-Performance Li-S Batteries.

In this study, nitrogen- and sulfur-co-doped MXene (NS-MXene) was developed as a high-performance cathode material for lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Heterocyclic SeS molecules were successfully confined within the NS-MXene structure using a simple melt impregnation method. The resulting NS-MXene exhibited a unique wrinkled morphology with a stable structure which facilitated rapid ion transport and provided a physical barrier to mitigate the shuttle effect of polysulfide.

Efficient Removal of Sulfamethoxazole in Electro-Oxidation System with Boron-Doped Diamond Anode and Electrolyte NaCl: Degradation Mechanisms.

In recent years, the pollutant sulfamethoxazole (SMX) that is widely used in medical therapy has been frequently detected in different water systems. Thereby, it is necessary to develop green and effective advanced oxidation strategies, especially the electro-oxidation process. In this study, an electro-oxidation system featuring a boron-doped diamond (BDD) anode and NaCl as the supporting electrolyte was implemented to effectively remove sulfamethoxazole (SMX) without the addition of external oxidants.

Effect of Structurally Modified Toluene Diisocyanate-Based Polyurethane Pads on Chemical Mechanical Polishing of 4H Silicon Carbide Substrate.

This study investigates the impact of polycarbonate diol (PCDL)-modified toluene diisocyanate (TDI)-based polyester polyurethane polishing pads on the chemical mechanical polishing of 4H silicon carbide (4H-SiC) substrates. Employing a unique metho, PCDL alters the ratio of polyurethane soft and hard segments, facilitating the one-step synthesis of a polishing pad via chemical foaming. The extent of the reaction of isocyanate groups was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, while the changes in the glass transition temperature of the material before and after modification were evaluated using differential scanning calorimetry.

Chromosomal Location and Identification of as a New Gene Responsible for Familial Bicuspid Aortic Valve.

Congenital bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) signifies the most frequent category of congenital cardiovascular anomaly globally, occurring in approximately 0.5-2% of the general population worldwide. BAV is a major cause of thoracic aortopathy, encompassing aortic stenosis, aortic root dilation with regurgitation, aortic dissection, and aortic aneurysms, consequently leading to substantial late-onset morbidity and mortality.

Associations between exposure to brominated flame retardants and hyperlipidemia risk in U.S. Adults.

Background: Environmental exposure to toxic brominated flame retardants (BFRs) has been confirmed to have detrimental effects on human health. The impact of serum BFRs on hyperlipidemia risk has not been sufficiently examined. Our objective is to identify both the individual and combined effects of serum BFRs on hyperlipidemia and to further investigate the most influential chemicals.

Comparison analysis of ICIs and chemotherapy combined with or without lenvatinib as first-line treatment of unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: Effective first-line treatments for unresectable intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC) remain limited. This real-world study aimed to compare the efficacy of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) plus chemotherapy combined with or without Lenvatinib as first-line treatment in unresectable ICC patients and identify predictors of treatment response and prognosis.

Methods: In this retrospective cohort study, 58 patients with unresectable ICC received either dual therapy (ICIs plus chemotherapy) or triple therapy (ICIs plus chemotherapy and Lenvatinib) as first-line treatment.

Transposition element MERVL regulates DNA demethylation through TET3 in oxidative-damaged mouse preimplantation embryos.

Transposable elements (TEs) comprise approximately half of eukaryotic genomes and significantly contribute to genome plasticity. In this study, we focused on a specific TE, MERVL, which exhibits particular expression during the 2-cell stage and commonly serves as an indicator of embryonic totipotency. However, its precise role in embryo development remains mysterious.

Deficiency of UBE3D in mice leads to severe embryonic abnormalities and disrupts the mRNA of Homeobox genes via CPSF3.

Neurulation is a crucial event during vertebrate early embryogenesis, and abnormalities in this process can result in embryonic lethality or congenital disorders, such as neural tube defects. Through our previous phenotypic-driven screening in mice, we have identified UBE3D as a key factor for the neurulation process. By generating Ube3d knockout mice using CRISPR/Cas9 technology, we observed that homozygous mice exhibited severe growth retardation and malformation, ultimately dying between E10.

The association between gut microbiota and accelerated aging and frailty: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The recent observational studies have unveiled the correlation between the composition and dynamic alterations of the gut microbiome and aging; however, the causal relationship remains uncertain.

Aims: The objective of this study is to investigate the causal relationship between the gut microbiome and accelerated aging as well as frailty, from a genetic perspective.

Methods: We obtained data on the gut microbiome, intrinsic epigenetic age acceleration, and Frailty Index from published large-scale genome-wide association studies.

Structure and mechanism of the plastid/parasite ATP/ADP translocator.

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is the principal energy currency of all living cells. Metabolically impaired obligate intracellular parasites, such as the human pathogens Chlamydia trachomatis and Rickettsia prowazekii, can acquire ATP from their host cells through a unique ATP/adenosine diphosphate (ADP) translocator, which mediates the import of ATP into and the export of ADP and phosphate out of the parasite cells, thus allowing the exploitation of the energy reserves of host cells (also known as energy parasitism). This type of ATP/ADP translocator also exists in the obligate intracellular endosymbionts of protists and the plastids of plants and algae and has been implicated to play an important role in endosymbiosis.

Spatial immune scoring system predicts hepatocellular carcinoma recurrence.

Given the high recurrence rates of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) post-resection, improved early identification of patients at high risk for post-resection recurrence would help to improve patient outcomes and prioritize healthcare resources. Here we observed a spatial and HCC recurrence-associated distribution of natural killer (NK) cells in the invasive front and tumour centre from 61 patients. Using extreme gradient boosting and inverse-variance weighting, we developed the tumour immune microenvironment spatial (TIMES) score based on the spatial expression patterns of five biomarkers (SPON2, ZFP36L2, ZFP36, VIM and HLA-DRB1) to predict HCC recurrence risk.

Expert consensus on the clinical strategies for orthodontic treatment with clear aligners.

Clear aligner treatment is a novel technique in current orthodontic practice. Distinct from traditional fixed orthodontic appliances, clear aligners have different material features and biomechanical characteristics and treatment efficiencies, presenting new clinical challenges. Therefore, a comprehensive and systematic description of the key clinical aspects of clear aligner treatment is essential to enhance treatment efficacy and facilitate the advancement and wide adoption of this new technique.

Single-centre, randomised and double-blind clinical trial on the efficacy of transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation in preventing and treating primary headache in children and adolescents: a study protocol.

Introduction: Primary headaches pose a significant burden on children and adolescents, highlighting the need for effective non-pharmacological interventions. Transcutaneous auricular vagus nerve stimulation (taVNS) is a non-invasive modality that has demonstrated efficacy in adult populations with primary headaches and has shown safety in adolescents with mental health disorders. However, its effectiveness in managing acute headache episodes and preventing recurrences in paediatric populations remains underexplored.

Global Incidence, Risk Factors, and Temporal Trends of Adrenal Cancer: a systematic analysis of cancer registries.

Objectives: Adrenal gland cancer (AGC) is a rare cancer with a poor prognosis. Studies on this cancer have been limited. This study, for the first time, aims to analyse the global disease burden and trends of adrenal gland cancer in country level and examine lifestyle and socioeconomic risk factors to generate hypotheses.

Resveratrol reduces RVLM neuron activity via activating the AMPK/Sirt3 pathway in stress-induced hypertension.

Neuronal hyperexcitability in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM), driven by oxidative stress, plays a crucial role in stress-induced hypertension (SIH). While resveratrol (RSV) is known for its antioxidant properties, its effects on RVLM neurons in SIH remain unclear. We investigated this using an SIH rat model exposed to electric foot shocks and noise stimulation for 15 days.

Associations between fine particulate matter and its constituents and intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy.

Few studies have reported an association between intrahepatic cholestasis of pregnancy (ICP) and preconception exposure to PM and sunlight duration, but there has been no in-depth analysis of the correlation between ICP and different constituents of PM. Thus, we performed this retrospective analysis among 160,544 pregnant women who delivered between 2014 and 2020, to further estimate the impact of different constituents of PM, as well as the duration of sunlight, on ICP via generalized linear models. During the three months prior to conception, the adjusted odds ratios (aORs) for ICP were 1.

TGFβ-activated Asporin interacts with STMN1 to promote prostate cancer docetaxel chemoresistance and metastasis by upregulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Aims: Prostate cancer (PCa) remains a significant challenge in oncology due to high rates of drug resistance following standard treatment with docetaxel-based chemotherapy. Asporin (ASPN) has been regarded as an oncogene and its upregulation is closely associated with malignant behavior and poor prognosis in multiple cancers. Studies indicated that abnormal activation of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway is prevalent in PCa.

Structurally diverse sesquiterpenes with anti-leukemia activity from the rare medicinal plant Liriodendron chinense.

A further phytochemical investigation on the branches and leaves of Liriodendron chinense, a rare medicinal and ornamental plant endemic to China, yielded thirty-four sesquiterpenes with diverse skeletons. The isolated compounds comprise 12 new naturally occurring sesquiterpenoids (1-12) and 22 known analogues (13-34). The new structures were elucidated by spectroscopic data analyses, and their absolute configurations (except for 10) were determined by electronic circular dichroism spectra, quantum-chemical calculations, and X-ray crystallography.

Worldwide Innovative Network (WIN) Consortium in Personalized Cancer Medicine: Bringing next-generation precision oncology to patients.

The human genome project ushered in a genomic medicine era that was largely unimaginable three decades ago. Discoveries of druggable cancer drivers enabled biomarker-driven gene- and immune-targeted therapy and transformed cancer treatment. Minimizing treatment not expected to benefit, and toxicity-including financial and time-are important goals of modern oncology.

CAD manipulates tumor intrinsic DHO/UBE4B/NF-κB pathway and fuels macrophage cross-talk, promoting hepatocellular carcinoma metastasis.

Background And Aims: Portal vein tumor thrombosis (PVTT), an indicator of clinical metastasis, significantly shortens hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients' lifespan, and no effective treatment has been established. We aimed to illustrate mechanisms underlying PVTT formation and tumor metastasis, and identified potential targets for clinical intervention.

Approach And Results: Multi-omics data of 159 HCC patients (including 37 cases with PVTT) was analyzed to identify contributors to PVTT formation and tumor metastasis.

Clinical significance of positron emission tomography-computed tomography in the classification of thymic tumors.

Objectives: This study aimed to explore the possibility of positron emission tomography/computed tomography (PET-CT) in identifying histological classification of thymic tumors.

Methods: Patients diagnosed as thymic tumors and accepted PET-CT scans were included. Thymic tumors were classified into three subgroups: low risk thymoma (A, AB and B1), high risk thymoma (B2, B3) and thymic carcinoma (TC).

Direct Cytosolic Delivery of siRNA Conjugates: A Paradigm in Antiangiogenic Therapy for Choroidal Neovascularization.

Small interfering RNA (siRNA) has garnered tremendous interest as a potential therapeutic tool because of its intriguing gene-silencing ability. Toward the success in the manufacture of siRNA therapeutics for the potential treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV), siRNA conjugated with dual functional units of membrane-penetrating heptafluoropropyl and age-related macular degeneration-targeting cyclic Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) peptide was attempted for transcellular transportation into the cell interiors. Of note, cyclic RGD allowed selective affinities toward the angiogenic endothelial cells in the pathological CNV.

sPLA2-IB and PLA2R Mediate Aberrant Glucose Metabolism in Podocytes via Hyperactivation of the mTOR/HIF-1α Pathway.

Secretory phospholipase A2 group IB (sPLA2-IB) and M-type phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) are closely related to proteinuria and idiopathic membranous nephropathy (IMN). Podocytes are important components of the glomerular filtration barrier and glucose metabolism, including glycolysis and tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, is crucial for maintaining podocyte physiological function. Aberrant energy metabolism has been reported in proteinuria diseases, including diabetic nephropathy.

MAP4K4 aggravates microvascular anomalies in diabetic retinopathy in a YTHDF2-dependent manner.

Aims/hypothesis: Signalling pathways that regulate endothelial cell (EC) dysfunction, ischaemia and inflammation play a crucial role in retinal microangiopathy such as diabetic retinopathy. MAP4K4 is highly expressed in ECs. However, the involvement of MAP4K4 in retinal vasculopathy of diabetic retinopathy remains unclear.