A light-cured injectable composite hydrogel based on chitosan and decellularized matrix modulates stem cell aggregation behavior for accelerating cartilage defect repair.

Cartilage repair remains a formidable challenge because of its limited regenerative capacity. Construction of a biomimetic hydrogel matrix that can induce cell aggregation is a promising therapeutic option. Cell aggregates are more beneficial than dissociated cells for improving survival and chondrogenic differentiation, thereby facilitating cartilage repair.

Promoted expression of a lipase for its application in EPA/DHA enrichment and mechanistic insights into its substrate specificity.

Expanding toolkits of EPA/DHA enrichment from natural sources is essential for better satisfying increasing demands for them. Lipase K80, from Proteus vulgaris K80, showed an application potential in EPA/DHA enrichment, whereas no desired heterologous expression in generally regarded as safe (GRAS) hosts restricted its relevant applications. In this study, expression of lipase K80 in a well-reputed GRAS host, Pichia pastoris, was achieved and further enhanced via combining disruption of its C-terminal KKL motif with co-expression of N-Acetyltransferase Mpr1, with a cumulative increment of nearly 200 % in the secretion level and the volumetric activity.

Association between dietary intake estimated levels of PCDD/Fs and human sperm quality.

This study aimed to investigate the association between estimated dietary intake of polychlorinated dibenzo-p-dioxins (PCDDs) and polychlorinated dibenzofurans (PCDFs) and human sperm quality. This study cross-sectionally assessed the associations between estimated dietary intake of PCDD/Fs and sperm quality parameters in 200 participants aged 18-40 years from the Led-Fertyl study. Linear regression models, accounting for potential confounding variables, were employed to evaluate the relationships.

Pollution characteristics and potential sources of Peroxyacetyl Nitrate in a petrochemical industrialized City, Northwest China.

Peroxyacetyl Nitrate (CHC(O)ONO, PAN), a typical secondary product of photochemical reactions, is well known to be a better photochemical indicator due to the only secondary photochemical source in the troposphere. Studies on PAN pollution are sparse in northwest China, resulting in a limited understanding of photochemical pollution in recent years. Herein, the measurement of PAN, O, volatile organic compounds (VOCs), NO, other related species, and meteorological parameters were conducted from May 1 to August 31, 2022, at an urban site in Lanzhou.

Associations between Exposure to Sodium/Iodide Symporter Inhibitors and Markers of Thyroid Function: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

Background: Perchlorate, nitrate, and thiocyanate are well-known sodium/iodide symporter (NIS) inhibitors that disturb iodide uptake at the thyroid, affecting thyroid function. However, the associations between NIS inhibitor exposure and thyroid function are not well summarized in humans.

Objective: We aimed to summarize associations between NIS inhibitor exposure and thyroid function markers and to identify key information gaps for future studies.

The role of 15 mA and 77.5 Hz transcranial alternating current stimulation in blood pressure regulation: A post hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) at 77.5 Hz and 15 mA, targeting the forehead and mastoid areas, has proven efficacious in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) by simultaneously stimulating multiple brain nuclei and regions, many of which are critical for blood pressure regulation. This post hoc analysis aimed to assess the potential blood pressure-lowering effects of 77.

An engineered adeno-associated virus mediates efficient blood-brain barrier penetration with enhanced neurotropism and reduced hepatotropism.

The blood-brain barrier (BBB) is a formidable barrier that restricts the entry of substances into the brain, complicating the study of brain function and the treatment of neurological conditions. Traditional methods of delivering genes from the periphery to the central nervous system (CNS) using adeno-associated viruses (AAVs) often require high doses, which can trigger immune responses and hepatotoxicity. Here, we developed a new AAV variant named AAVhu.

Baicalin ameliorates neuroinflammation by targeting TLR4/MD2 complex on microglia via PI3K/AKT/NF-κB signaling pathway.

This study aims to elucidate the target and mechanism of baicalin, a clinically utilized drug, in the treatment of neuroinflammatory diseases. Neuroinflammation, characterized by the activation of glial cells and the release of various pro-inflammatory cytokines, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of various diseases, including spinal cord injury (SCI). The remission of such diseases is significantly dependent on the improvement of inflammatory microenvironment.

Late-gadolinium enhancement predicts appropriate device therapies in non-ischemic recipients of primary prevention implantable cardioverter-defibrillators.

Background: Better risk stratification is needed to evaluate patients with non-ischemic cardiomyopathy (NICM) for prophylactic implantable cardioverter-defibrillators (ICD). Growing evidence suggests cardiac magnetic resonance imaging (CMR) may be useful in this regard.

Objective: We aimed to determine if late-gadolinium enhancement (LGE) seen on CMR (dichotomized as none/minimal <2% vs significant ≥2%) predicts appropriate ICD therapies (primary endpoint) and/or all-cause mortality/transplant/left-ventricular assist device (LVAD) implantation (secondary endpoint) in NICM patients.

Discovering the compatibility of Coptidis Rhizoma and Gardeniae Fructus in attenuating hepatotoxicity through the association rules analysis of related formula.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Gardenia jasminoides J. Ellis (Gardeniae Fructus, GF) is a widely used herbal medicine in many prescriptions. However, inappropriate application of GF may induce hepatotoxicity, which greatly challenges its clinical application.

Lignan Intake and Mortality Among Adults with Incident Type 2 Diabetes-Prospective Cohort Studies.

Background: Lignans are polyphenolic compounds abundant in plant-based foods such as seeds, whole grains, and certain fruits and vegetables and may lead to favorable metabolic health. It remains to be elucidated regarding the role of lignan consumption in the etiology of premature deaths among individuals with diabetes.

Objectives: To prospectively examine the association between post-diagnosis lignan intake and mortality among individuals with type 2 diabetes (T2D).

Associations of maternal per- and polyfluoroalkyl substance plasma concentrations during pregnancy with offspring polycystic ovary syndrome and related characteristics in Project Viva.

Background: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) may impact ovarian folliculogenesis and steroidogenesis, but whether prenatal exposure may impact offspring reproductive health is unknown. This study examines the extent to which maternal PFAS plasma concentrations during pregnancy are associated with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) and related characteristics in female offspring.

Methods: We studied 322 mother-daughter pairs in Project Viva, a Boston-area longitudinal pre-birth cohort enrolled 1999-2002.

Enhancing anammox granular sludge for mainstream anammox process by adding iron-loaded diatomite: performance and intrinsic mechanism.

Iron-loaded diatomite (Fe-DE) was developed as the innovative material to enhance anammox granular sludge (AnGS) and mainstream anammox performance. By adding Fe-DE with the Fe:DE ratio of 1:20 and the dosage of 3 g/L, the start-up period of mainstream anammox process was shortened from 29 d to 17 d and its nitrogen removal rate was increased from 0.234 kg N/(m·d) to 0.

Preparation and Application of Nature-inspired High-performance Mechanical Materials.

Natural materials are valued for their lightweight properties, high strength, impact resistance, and fracture toughness, often outperforming human-made materials. This paper reviews recent research on biomimetic composites, focusing on how composition, microstructure, and interfacial characteristics affect mechanical properties like strength, stiffness, and toughness. It explores biological structures such as mollusk shells, bones, and insect exoskeletons that inspire lightweight designs, including honeycomb structures for weight reduction and impact resistance.

Suture Anchor Fixation of the Pediatric Posteromedial and Posterolateral Menisco-Tibial Ligament Complex Matches or Exceeds Native Tissue Strength: A Cadaveric Study.

Objectives: To compare the biomechanical strength and stiffness of the native posteromedial and posterolateral meniscotibial ligament complex (MTLC) to suture anchor repair of the MTLC.

Methods: Biomechanical testing was performed on 24 fresh-frozen pediatric human knees. Four conditions were tested: native posteromedial MTLC (n=14), native posterolateral MTLC (n=14), posteromedial MTLC repair (n=5), and posterolateral MTLC repair (n=5).

The effectiveness of two doses of recombinant hepatitis E vaccine in response to an outbreak in Bentiu, South Sudan: a case-control and bias indicator study.

Background: Hepatitis E virus (HEV) is a leading cause of acute viral hepatitis, particularly in Asia and Africa, where HEV genotypes 1 and 2 are prevalent. Although a recombinant vaccine, Hecolin, is available, it has not been used to control outbreaks. The licensed three-dose regimen might pose challenges for it to be an impactful outbreak control tool.

A novel interleukin-10 antibody graft to treat inflammatory bowel disease.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) consists of chronic conditions that severely impact a patient's health and quality of life. Interleukin-10 (IL-10), a potent anti-inflammatory cytokine has strong genetic links to IBD susceptibility and has shown strong efficacy in IBD rodent models, suggesting it has great therapeutic potential. However, when tested in clinical trials for IBD, recombinant human IL-10 (rhIL-10) showed weak and inconsistent efficacy due to its short half-life and pro-inflammatory properties that counteract the anti-inflammatory efficacy.

Intestinal Akkermansia muciniphila complements the efficacy of PD1 therapy in MAFLD-related hepatocellular carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors are not effective for metabolic dysfunction-associated fatty liver disease (MAFLD)-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients, and identifying the key gut microbiota that contributes to immune resistance in these patients is crucial. Analysis using 16S rRNA sequencing reveals a decrease in Akkermansia muciniphila (Akk) during MAFLD-promoted HCC development. Administration of Akk ameliorates liver steatosis and effectively attenuates the tumor growth in orthotopic MAFLD-HCC mouse models.

Mechanistic basis of temperature adaptation in microtubule dynamics across frog species.

Cellular processes are remarkably effective across diverse temperature ranges, even with highly conserved proteins. In the context of the microtubule cytoskeleton, which is critically involved in a wide range of cellular activities, this is particularly striking, as tubulin is one of the most conserved proteins while microtubule dynamic instability is highly temperature sensitive. Here, we leverage the diversity of natural tubulin variants from three closely related frog species that live at different temperatures.

Sequential recruitment of F-BAR proteins controls cytoskeletal crosstalk at the yeast bud neck.

In vivo functions of the septin and actin cytoskeletons are closely intertwined, yet the mechanisms underlying septin-actin crosstalk have remained poorly understood. Here, we show that the yeast-bud-neck-associated Fes/CIP4 homology Bar-amphiphysin-Rvs (F-BAR) protein suppressor of yeast profilin 1 (Syp1)/FCHo uses its intrinsically disordered region (IDR) to directly bind and bundle filamentous actin (F-actin) and to physically link septins and F-actin. Interestingly, the only other F-BAR protein found at the neck during bud development, Hof1, has related activities and also potently inhibits the bud-neck-associated formin Bnr1.

Joint Associations of Sedentary Time and Intensity-Specific Physical Activity With Cancer Mortality: A Device-Based Cohort Study of 72,458 UK Adults.

Background: There are no studies examining the prospective joint association of device-based measures of sedentary time and physical activity (PA) with cancer mortality. We examined the joint associations of sedentary time and intensity-specific PA with cancer mortality in 72,458 adults from UK Biobank.

Methods: Participants wore an Axivity AX3 accelerometer on their dominant wrist for at least 3 days (with at least 1 weekend day).

Clinical advances of mRNA vaccines for cancer immunotherapy.

The development of mRNA vaccines represents a significant advancement in cancer treatment, with more than 120 clinical trials to date demonstrating their potential across various malignancies, including lung, breast, prostate, melanoma, and more challenging cancers such as pancreatic and brain tumors. These vaccines work by encoding tumor-specific antigens and immune-stimulating molecules, effectively activating the immune system to target and eliminate cancer cells. Despite these promising advancements, significant challenges remain, particularly in achieving efficient delivery and precise regulation of the immune response.

The effects of corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortins on the serotonin (hydroxytryptamine, 5HT) released from the raphe nuclei (RN).

Corticotropin-releasing factor (CRF) and urocortins (UCN1, UCN2 and UCN3) belong to the same CRF family of neuropeptides. They regulate the neuroendocrine, autonomic and behavioral responses to stress via two CRF receptors (CRF1 and CRF2). Stress, anxiety and depression affects the activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and the serotoninergic neurotransmission, both being regulated by CRF and CRF-related peptides.

Leveraging almost hydrophobic PVDF membrane and in-situ ozonation in O/UF/BAC system for superior anti-fouling and rejection performance in drinking water treatment.

The almost hydrophobic PVDF membrane (PVDF matrix) commonly exhibited excellent performance in pollutant rejection but with poor anti-fouling performance. This study intended to develop the rejection performance and enhance anti-fouling of the PVDF membrane in an O/UF/BAC system for high quality water production through leveraging the advantages of in-situ ozonation and the nature of the PVDF membrane. Reduced density gradient (RDG) analysis demonstrated that the PVDF membrane exhibited excellent ozone resistance by reducing hydrogen bonds and electrostatic interactions between the membrane surface and ozone.