Plumbagin improves myocardial fibrosis after myocardial infarction by inhibiting the AKT/mTOR pathway to upregulate autophagy levels.

Cardiac fibrosis is a chronic inflammatory response that considerably impacts cardiac function following myocardial infarction (MI). Although Plumbagin, a natural compound, has been shown to have anti-fibrotic effects by suppresses the ROS and NF-κB pathways in liver fibrosis, its role in regulating cardiac function and cardiac fibrosis post-MI remains unknown. In this study, we demonstrate that Plumbagin effectively inhibits TGF-β1-induced myocardial fibroblast fibrosis and promotes autophagy activation by suppressing the AKT/mTOR pathway.

Diatomic "catalytic/co-catalytic" Fe/Mo catalysts promote Fenton-like reaction to treat organic wastewater through special interfacial reaction enhancement mechanism.

The full utilization of active sites and the effective Fe/Fecycling are the key problems that expand the application of iron-based Fenton-like reaction in water purification. In this paper, a novel diatomic Fe/Mo catalyst (Fe/Mo-DACs) was used to enhance the interfacial reaction mechanism with oxidant to achieve more stronger selective degradation of electron-donating organic pollutants. The availability of Fe sites during the activation of peroxymonosulfate (PMS) was enhanced by the adjacent atomic Mo sites, and the resulting special interfacial complex (Fe/Mo-DACs-PMS*) possessed higher activity, stability and selectivity (especially for electron-donating organics).

Wearable Temperature Sensor Enhanced Volatilomics Technique for Swift and Convenient Detection of Latrogenic Botulism.

Accurately assessing potential side effects following botulinum neurotoxin (BoNT) injection remains a formidable challenge. To address this issue, an innovative approach is developed that combines a wearable temperature sensor with a sophisticated volatilomics technique, aimed at facilitating the rapid and convenient prediction of potential physical discomfort related to latrogenic botulism. The investigation identifies five volatile organic compounds (VOCs)-acetone, styrene, ethanol, 2-pentanone, and n-butano-as promising markers indicative of BoNT poisoning.

Solid-State Gas Sensors with Ni-Based Sensing Materials for Highly Selective Detecting NOx.

Precise monitoring of NO concentrations in nitric oxide delivery systems is crucial to ensure the safety and well-being of patients undergoing inhaled nitric oxide (iNO) therapy for pulmonary arterial hypertension. Currently, NO sensing in commercialized iNO instruments predominantly relies on chemiluminescence sensors, which not only drives up costs but also limits their portability. Herein, we developed solid-state gas sensors utilizing Ni-based sensing materials for effectively tracking the levels of NO and NO in the NO delivery system.

The impact of glutamine synthetase PbgsA on the growth, conidiation and mycophenolic acid production of Penicillium brevicompactum.

Glutamine synthetase (GS) is a critical enzyme in nitrogen metabolism regulation and plays an essential role in the metabolic pathways involved in microbial growth and development. Penicillium brevicompactum, known for its rich repertoire of secondary metabolites, including mycophenolic acid (MPA), lacks research on the regulatory mechanisms of GS within this species. This study aimed to investigate the influence of GS on the growth, sporulation, and secondary metabolism of P.

RuSiNPs@N,S-GQDs as self-enhanced anodic electrochemiluminescent immunobeacons for the highly sensitive quantitation of okadaic acid in shellfish.

A competitive electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor is proposed to accurately and rapidly assess okadaic acid (OA) levels in shellfish using a novel self-reinforced solid-state ECL marker, which is essential for ensuring seafood safety. Graphene quantum dots doped with nitrogen and sulfur (N,S-GQDs) were synthesized, for the first time, through the electrolysis of graphite in 3-(N-morpholine) propane sulfonic acid solution. Intriguingly, these N,S-GQDs exhibited exceptional co-reactant properties, significantly enhancing the anodic ECL performance of Ru(bpy) in a phosphate-buffered saline solution.

Toward 95.5% Efficient Red Emissive Carbon Dots: Oxidation State Enhancing Radiative Electron-Transition of Indole Fluorophore.

Red fluorescence carbon dots (CDs) are promising for diverse applications and have attracted tremendous research interest. However, it is still challenging to achieve red fluorescence CDs with high fluorescence quantum yields (QYs > 50%). Herein, three kinds of red fluorescence CDs with QYs of 53.

An electrochemiluminescent dual-signal immunosensor based on a Ru(bpy)-doped silica nanoparticle/copper nanocluster composite for okadaic acid detection.

In this study, a sensitive dual-signal electrochemiluminescence (ECL) immunosensor was developed for okadaic acid (OA) detection utilizing copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) and Ru(bpy)-doped silica nanoparticles (RuSiNPs). Interestingly, the CuNCs could simultaneously enhance both cathodic (-0.95 V) and anodic (+1.

Humidity-tolerant and highly sensitive gas sensor for hydrogen sulfide based on WO nanocubes modified with CeO.

The influence of ambient humidity on the gas-sensing characteristics of metal oxide semiconductors has been one of the greatest obstacles for gas-sensing applications. In this paper, the pure WO and CeO-modified WO nanocubes were prepared by a simple hydrothermal method, and their gas-sensing characteristics in dry and humid atmospheres were investigated. The results show that CeO/WO demonstrated excellent gas-sensing properties toward HS with high sensitivity and high selectivity at 115 °C.

hUC-MSCs therapy for Crohn's disease: efficacy in TNBS-induced colitis in rats and pilot clinical study.

Background: The use of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) has recently emerged as a promising new therapeutic strategy for many diseases including perianal fistulizing Crohn's disease (CD). Whether hUC-MSCs can promote the healing of luminal ulcer in CD has not been studied so far.

Methods: The model of TNBS-induced colitis in rats was used to confirm the efficacy of hUC-MSCs in the treatment of CD.

A high-performance room-temperature NH gas sensor based on WO/TiO nanocrystals decorated with Pt NPs.

In this work, a high-performance room-temperature ammonia (NH) gas sensor based on Pt-modified WO-TiO nanocrystals was synthesized a two-step hydrothermal method. The structural properties were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy. The 10 at% Pt@WO-TiO nanocrystals present the highest NH sensing performance at room temperature.

Research advances of tissue-derived extracellular vesicles in cancers.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) can mediate cell-to-cell communication and affect various physiological and pathological processes in both parent and recipient cells. Currently, extensive research has focused on the EVs derived from cell cultures and various body fluids. However, insufficient attention has been paid to the EVs derived from tissues.

Computer-aided rational design strategy based on protein surface charge to improve the thermal stability of a novel esterase from Geobacillus jurassicus.

Objectives: Although Geobacillus are significant thermophilic bacteria source, there are no reports of thermostable esterase gene in Geobacillus jurassicus or rational design strategies to increase the thermal stability of esterases.

Results: Gene gju768 showed a highest similarity of 15.20% to esterases from Geobacillus sp.

Deep-learning assisted zwitterionic magnetic immunochromatographic assays for multiplex diagnosis of biomarkers.

Magnetic nanoparticle (MNP)-based immunochromatographic tests (ICTs) display long-term stability and an enhanced capability for multiplex biomarker detection, surpassing conventional gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and fluorescence-based ICTs. In this study, we innovatively developed zwitterionic silica-coated MNPs (MNP@Si-Zwit/COOH) with outstanding antifouling capabilities and effectively utilised them for the simultaneous identification of the nucleocapsid protein (N protein) of the severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) and influenza A/B. The carboxyl-functionalised MNPs with 10% zwitterionic ligands (MNP@Si-Zwit 10/COOH) exhibited a wide linear dynamic detection range and the most pronounced signal-to-noise ratio when used as probes in the ICT.

Enhanced Thermostability of α-Amylase by Rational Design of Disulfide Bond and Application in Corn Starch Liquefaction and Bread Quality Improvement.

α-Amylase (EC 3.2.1.

Enhanced visible-light activation of persulfate for the removal of RhB by supported nano-(C,N,B)-tridoped TiO/copper foam mixed-crystals.

Photocatalytic persulfate activation by TiO and its application in sewage treatment have aroused great interest because of its high decontamination ability and strong adaptability, but the low light energy utilization rate and poor recycling of TiO limited its practical application. Herein, by using C-, N-, and B-modified TiO and immobilizing it on copper foam, we prepared a new and efficient (C,N,B)-TiO/copper foam photocatalyst with enhanced visible-light activation performance of persulfate for the removal of RhB. It almost completely degraded RhB within 15 min of UV-vis light photocatalysis-assisted persulfate oxidation reaction with TOC removal of 53.

New method for measuring the pore sizes and pore size distributions of filter membranes-the fluorescence probe method.

A novel, simple, and rapid method is demonstrated for measuring the pore size and pore size distribution of filtration membranes (FMs) used in aqueous applications with fluorescence probes. Because the selected fluorescent probes are mixable and have strong signals, combined with the operation of dead-end filtration, this method only requires small amounts of reagents; additionally, it is time-efficient by avoiding multiple rounds of filtration. This method detects the size of a FM pore throat (i.

Construction of RNA silencing system of Penicillium brevicompactum and genetic manipulation of the regulator pbpcz in mycophenolic acid production.

Penicillium brevicompactum is a critical industrial strain for the production of mycophenolic acid (MPA). However, the genetic background of Penicillium brevicompactum is unclear, and there are few tools available for genetic manipulation. To investigate its gene function, we first verified the feasibility of a pair of citrate synthase promoter (Pcit) and terminator (Tcit) from P.

Integrated Smart Gas Tracking Device with Artificially Tailored Selectivity for Real-Time Monitoring Food Freshness.

The real-time monitoring of food freshness in refrigerators is of significant importance in detecting potential food spoiling and preventing serious health issues. One method that is commonly reported and has received substantial attention is the discrimination of food freshness via the tracking of volatile molecules. Nevertheless, the ambient environment of low temperature (normally below 4 °C) and high humidity (90% R.

Artificial intelligence in theranostics of gastric cancer, a review.

Gastric cancer (GC) is one of the commonest cancers with high morbidity and mortality in the world. How to realize precise diagnosis and therapy of GC owns great clinical requirement. In recent years, artificial intelligence (AI) has been actively explored to apply to early diagnosis and treatment and prognosis of gastric carcinoma.

Developing an efficient MGCR microneedle nanovaccine patch for eliciting Th 1 cellular response against the SARS-CoV-2 infection.

e Novel vaccine R&D is essential to interrupt the COVID-19 pandemic and other epidemics in the future. Subunit vaccines have received tremendous attention for their low cost and safety. To improve the immunogenicity of subunit vaccines, we developed a novel vaccine adjuvant system.

Identification, Characterization, and Computer-Aided Rational Design of a Novel Thermophilic Esterase from Geobacillus subterraneus, and Application in the Synthesis of Cinnamyl Acetate.

Investigation of a novel thermophilic esterase gene from Geobacillus subterraneus DSMZ 13552 indicated a high amino acid sequence similarity of 25.9% to a reported esterase from Geobacillus sp. A strategy that integrated computer-aided rational design tools was developed to select mutation sites.

Exosomal GPT2 derived from triple-negative breast cancer cells promotes metastasis by activating BTRC.

Background: There have been reports of increased glutamate pyruvate transaminase 2 (GPT2) expression in certain cancers including breast cancer. Although the role of GPT2 as a metabolic enzyme is well understood in breast cancer progression, little is known about the other roles of GPT2, especially exosomal GPT2.

Methods: BT549 and BT474 Cells were cultured and their exosomes were isolated by using ultracentrifugation.

All-Tunicate Cellulose Film with Good Light Management Properties for High-Efficiency Organic Solar Cells.

Tunicate nanocellulose with its unique properties, such as excellent mechanical strength, high crystallinity, and good biodegradability, has potential to be used for the preparation of light management film with tunable transmittance and haze. Herein, we prepared a whole tunicate cellulose film with tunable haze levels, by mixing tunicate microfibrillated cellulose (MFC) and tunicate cellulose nanofibrils (CNF). Then, the obtained whole tunicate cellulose film with updated light management was used to modify the organic solar cell (OSC) substrate, aiming to improve the light utilization efficiency of OSC.