Urchin-like magnetic nanoparticles loaded with type X collagen siRNA and Stattic to treat triple negative breast cancer under rotating magnetic field like an "enchanted micro-scalpel".

Magnetic nanoparticles effectively target drug delivery, contrast agents, biosensors, and more. Urchin-like magnetic nanoparticles (UMN) with abundant spike-like structures exhibit superior magneto-mechanical force to destroy tumor cells compared with other shapes of magnetic nanoparticles. However, when cell contents are released from tumor cells induced by magneto-mechanical force, they can act on surrounding tumor cells to facilitate tumor development.

Certain soil fungi impact the biosynthesis of amylose in maize when manure is used instead of chemical fertilizer at equal levels of nitrogen.

The protracted and immoderate utilization of chemical fertilizers has been detrimental to the composition of fungi in the soil and quality of crops. To ameliorate the adverse effects, a 6-year positioning experiment was undertaken to investigate the impact of substituting 0 % (CF), 25 % (M25), 50 % (M50), 75 % (M75), and 100 % (M100) of 225 kg ha chemical fertilizer nitrogen with manure nitrogen on both soil fungi and maize quality. This study showed that the expansion of Aspergillus heterocaryoticus, Xerochrysium dermatitidis, and Aspergillus penicillioides contributed to heightened levels of amylose and soluble sugars.

Impact of prolonged versus intermittent infusion of meropenem on mortality and clinical outcomes in patients with severe infection: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objectives: To compare the clinical outcomes of patients with severe infection treated with prolonged or intermittent infusion of meropenem.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central databases were searched until July 2023. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) or observational studies comparing prolonged versus intermittent infusion of meropenem were considered eligible.

Insights into the role of dissolved organic matter derived from paddy soils with different parent materials in the environmental behavior of heavy metal adsorbed by ferrihydrite.

The interaction between dissolved organic matter (DOM) and ferrihydrite (Fh) is a crucial process to control the environmental behavior of heavy metals (HMs) in soil environments, with DOM playing a particularly strong role in HMs fate. Since chemical properties of DOM vary based on different soil parent materials, the underlying impact of DOM-Fh associations on HMs binding remains unclear. This study systematically investigated the interactions between DOM from three soil parent materials (fluvial alluvium: FDOM, sand-shale: SDOM and granite: GDOM) and Fh, and meanwhile understand their effects on the environmental behavior of Cd and Pb under various environmental conditions.

Iron oleate containing lipid nanoparticles prepared by gradient solvent diffusion method for oxidative stress dependent antibacterial therapy.

This study was designed to assess the efficacy of iron oleate lipid nanoparticles (IO-LNPs) in inducing Fenton reaction as a therapeutic approach for bacterial infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) and Escherichia coli (E. coli), both of which are common pathogens in skin wound infections.

A New target of ischemic ventricular arrhythmias-ITFG2.

ITFG2 is an intracellular protein known to modulate the immune response of T-cells. Our previous investigation revealed that ITFG2 specifically targets ATP5b to regulate ATP energy metabolism and maintain mitochondrial function, thereby protecting the heart from ischemic injury. However, the role of ITFG2 in ischemic ventricular arrhythmias and its underlying mechanisms have not been previously reported.

Novel tertiary diarylethylamines as functionally selective agonists of the kappa opioid receptor.

Novel kappa opioid receptor (KOR) agonists that preferentially activate G-protein signaling versus β-arrestin-2 recruitment are described. Starting from a literature-reported phenol-containing diphenethylamine KOR agonist, structure-activity relationship (SAR) studies revealed replacement of the phenol with various non-hydroxylated bicyclic heteroaromatics led to tertiary diarylethylamines which retained KOR agonist activity and improved metabolic stability in human liver microsomes. Further optimizations produced compound 39, a potent activator of G-protein signaling (GTPγS EC = 14 nM, 83 % E) that did not elicit a β-arrestin-2 recruitment functional response (E < 10 %).

Electrocatalytic synergy from Ni-enhanced WS for alkaline overall water splitting with tuning electronic structure and crystal phase transformation.

Due to the limited active sites and poor conductivity, the application of tungsten disulfide (WS) in alkaline water electrolysis remains a challenge. Herein, Ni-WS nanosheet arrays were in situ grown on the carbon fiber paper (Ni-WS/CFP) as an electrocatalyst for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in alkaline media, and the introduction degree of Ni can be regulated by adjusting the electrodeposition time. When the electrodeposition time is 3 min, Ni ions are doped into the lattice of WS, and by prolonging the electrodeposition time to 10 min, the nickel disulfide (NiS) crystal phase is generated to form NiS@WS heterojunction.

Efficient luminescent solar concentrators based on solvent polarity induced multiple-colored carbon dots.

Luminescent solar concentrators (LSCs) are large scale sunlight collector and can be used for building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV). Achieving high-performance LSCs requires fluorophores with broad absorption, high quantum yield and a large Stokes shift. Nevertheless, conventional high-efficiency LSCs typically rely on heavy metal-based quantum dots as fluorophores.

Targeting Wnt signaling pathway with small-molecule therapeutics for treating osteoporosis.

Small molecules are emerging as potential candidates for treating osteoporosis by activating canonical Wnt signaling. These candidates work either by inhibiting DKK-1, sclerostin, SFRP-1, NOTUM, and S1P lyase or by preventing β-catenin degradation through inhibition of GSK-3β, or by targeting Dvl-CXXC5 and axin/β-catenin interactions. While many of these anti-osteoporotic small molecules are in preclinical development, the paucity of FDA-approved small molecules, or promising candidates, that have progressed to clinical trials for treating bone disorders through this mechanism poses a challenge.

Nivolumab and hypofractionated radiotherapy in patients with advanced melanoma: A phase 2 trial.

Background: Radiotherapy is thought to enhance anti-tumor immunity, particularly when delivered in a hypofractionated and multisite manner. Therefore, we investigated the effects of combining radiotherapy with nivolumab in patients with advanced melanoma.

Methods: This was a multicenter, non-randomized, phase 2 trial that enrolled patients with treatment-naïve metastatic melanoma.

CD47 is a tumor cell-derived exosomal signature and regulates tumor immune microenvironment and immunotherapy responses.

Background: The pathogenesis of ovarian cancer (OvCa) involves a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and hormonal factors. With the in-depth exploration of tumor ecosystem, exosomes can mediate the immunological status of tumor microenvironment (TME). Therefore, we aimed to recognize the tumor-derived exosomes (TEXs) which can distinguish the immune-hot and cold tumors and reflect the immunotherapeutic responses.

Female agency and probable depression in the perinatal period and beyond: Longitudinal findings from rural Pakistan.

In Pakistan, a setting with high gender inequality, the relationship between female agency and mental health has not been studied longitudinally or beyond a defined life stage like pregnancy. Using data from the Bachpan cohort of mother-infant dyads in Pakistan, we investigated female agency and depression at two life stages: perinatal (third trimester to 6-months postpartum; n = 1154) and beyond (3- to 4-years postpartum). Modified Poisson models estimated adjusted prevalence ratios (PR) for probable depression (PHQ-9) associated with female agency (freedom of movement and participation in household decision-making) at the two life stages.

Utilizing ultrasound for the extraction of polysaccharides from the tuber of Typhonium giganteum Engl.: Extraction conditions, structural characterization and bioactivities.

Polysaccharides from the dried tuber of Typhonium giganteum Engl. (TGEPs) were obtained by utilizing ultrasonic-assisted extraction (UAE) as the extraction method. The determination of optimal process parameters for the UAE of TGEPs (TGEP-U) was accomplished through the application of response surface methodology (RSM).

Variations of renal Doppler indices during the initial 24-hour predict acute kidney injury in patients with sepsis: A single-center observational case-control clinical study.

Background And Objective: The aim of this retrospective observational case-control study was to examine the significance of different renal Doppler marker variations within the initial 24-hour period as potential predictors of Acute Kidney Injury (AKI) in patients with sepsis.

Methods: A total of 198 sepsis patients were enrolled and categorized into two groups: the AKI group (n = 136) and the non-AKI group (n = 62). Three renal Doppler indices, Renal Resistive Index (RRI), Power Doppler Ultrasound (PDU) score and Renal Venous Stasis Index (RVSI), were measured within 6h (T0) and at 24h (T1) after ICU admission.

Heterogeneity of OAS family expression in tuberculosis and the impact of different sample selection: a comprehensive analysis.

The 2'-5' oligoadenylate synthetase (OAS)family, comprising OAS1, OAS2, OAS3, and OASL, has been shown to participate in the host immune response against Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb). However, their expression profiles in tuberculosis (TB) remain inconsistent. In two TB-related datasets, the OAS family exhibits contrasting expression trends.

Inducing resistance of postharvest fruits and vegetables through acibenzolar-S-methyl application: A review of implications and mechanisms.

Significant losses of vegetables and fruits occur at multiple stages, including harvest, sorting, storage, and transportation, primarily due to mechanical damage, pathogen invasion, and the natural process of senescence. To mitigate postharvest decay and maintain superior quality of produce, conventional techniques such as low temperature storage and synthetic fungicide treatment are widely employed. Acibenzolar-S-methyl (ASM), an effective plant resistance inducers, has demonstrated its efficacy in protecting against a diverse range of fungal and bacterial pathogens.

Screening for immunodominant epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 based on CD8 T cell responses from individuals with HLA-A homozygous alleles.

Purpose: SARS-CoV-2-specific CD8 cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are crucial in viral clearance, disease progression, and reinfection control. However, numerous SARS-CoV-2 immunodominant CTL epitopes theoretically are still unidentified due to the genetic polymorphism of human leukocyte antigen class I (HLA-I) molecules.

Methods: The CTL epitopes of SARS-CoV-2 were predicted by the epitope affinity and immunogenicity prediction platforms: the NetMHCpan and the PromPPD.

High expression of SERPINE1 and CTSL in keratinocytes in pressure injury caused by ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Introduction: Pressure Injury (PI) is a complex disease process which is influenced by multiple factors, among which ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is closely related to the progression of PI. But its biomarkers are still unclearly. Understanding its physiological mechanisms and related molecular biomarkers is a key to developing effective prevention and therapeutic strategies.

Deep eutectic solvent induced silver-gel as a flexible SERS substrate for sensitive detection of antibiotics under low temperature conditions.

Antibiotic residues pose a significant threat to global health. Traditional detection methods for antibiotics are cumbersome, time-consuming and often incapable of achieving non-destructive detection at low temperatures. This research introduces a groundbreaking innovation in antibiotic detection: a flexible Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering substrate based on a silver composite deep eutectic solvent (DES) gel, specifically engineered for low-temperature antibiotic detection.

Chemiluminescence of silver and nitrogen doped carbon dots induced by potassium ferricyanide/hydrogen peroxide and its analytical application.

In this study, carbon dots doped with silver and nitrogen (Ag,N-CDs) were synthesized and their application in chemiluminescence (CL) was investigated using the potassium ferricyanide/hydrogen peroxide (KFe(CN)/HO) reaction. Theoretical calculations reveal that Ag doping facilitates a lower excitation energy. The experimental conditions influencing the CL reaction were examined and optimized.

Colorimetric and fluorescent probe assisted by smartphone app for monitoring fish freshness.

In this study, a novel "OFF-ON" fluorescent probe MPZ ((E)-5-((10-ethyl-2-methoxy-10H-phenothiazin-3-yl)methylene)thiazolidine-2,4-dione) based on phenothiazine is synthesized, which can rapidly (7 s) detect biogenic amines (BAs) through deprotonation, utilizing both colorimetric and fluorescent dual channels. An app for visual portable detection of fish freshness, named "Visual Evaluation", is independently developed. This app integrates several functions, including image capture, editable scanning of red, green, and blue (RGB) values, data analysis fitting, data storage, and verification.

Disturbed hierarchy and mediation in reward-related circuits in depression.

Backgrounds/objective: Deep brain stimulation (DBS) has proved the viability of alleviating depression symptoms by stimulating deep reward-related nuclei. This study aims to investigate the abnormal connectivity profiles among superficial, intermediate, and deep brain regions within the reward circuit in major depressive disorder (MDD) and therefore provides references for identifying potential superficial cortical targets for non-invasive neuromodulation.

Methods: Resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data were collected from a cohort of depression patients (N = 52) and demographically matched healthy controls (N = 60).

Green process for xylo-oligosaccharide production from acetic acid hydrolysis of sugarcane bagasse by an integrated membrane technology and activated carbon adsorption.

Xylooligosaccharides (XOS), consisting 2-6 xylose residues, are a new type of prebiotic and functional oligosaccharides, and can usually be produced from the xylan-riched lignocellulosic biomass by acetic acid (HAc) hydrolysis, while the waste HAc was a problem to the environment. In this study, the main aim was to recover and reuse the waste HAc in XOS production. First, it was found that a temperature of 190 °C and a hydrolysis time of 60 min were favorable for XOS production by HAc hydrolysis, and the by-products xylose and furfural were the main inhibitors, hindering the reuse of the waste HAc.

One-step in-situ growth of histidine-modified ZIF-90 on natural eggshell membrane for efficient extraction of p-nitrophenol and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol in human urine and environmental water.

Monitoring of p-nitrophenol (PNP) and 3-methyl-4-nitrophenol (PNMC) in human urine and environmental water is of great importance for human health assessment and environmental protection, as they are both urinary metabolites of some poisonous pesticides and priority environmental pollutants. However, efficient extraction of trace levels of PNP and PNMC from complex matrices remains challenging. This study presented the synthesis of histidine-modified ZIF-90 on natural eggshell membrane (ESM@His-ZIF-90) via a facile one-step in-situ growth strategy, and its application as an adsorbent for dispersive membrane extraction (DME) of PNP and PNMC in human urine and environmental water.