Confining Liquid Electrolytes in a Nitrogen-Rich Nanoporous Carbon Sponge for Superior Lithium-Ion Conduction.

Solid-state Li-ion batteries are recognized as highly promising energy storage devices due to their ability to overcome issues related to the inferior cycle life and potential risks of traditional liquid Li-ion batteries. However, developing solid-state electrolytes with fast Li-ion conductivity continues to be a major challenge. In this study, we present a family of quasi-solid-state electrolytes (QSSEs) synthesized by confining liquid electrolytes within a N-rich porous carbon sponge, exhibiting superior Li-ion conduction for solid-state battery applications.

Succinate Nanomaterials Boost Tumor Immunotherapy via Activating Cell Pyroptosis and Enhancing MHC-I Expression.

Despite the promising clinical applications of immunotherapy, its effectiveness is often limited by low immune responses and tumor immune escape. In this study, we introduce a simple and drug-free inorganic nanomaterial, sodium succinate (CHNaO NPs), prepared using a rapid microemulsion method to enhance cancer immunotherapy. The synthesized CHNaO NPs can release high concentrations of Na and succinate ions into tumor cells, leading to an increase in intracellular osmolarity.

Protein Coronation-Induced Cancer Staging-Dependent Multilevel Cytotoxicity: An All-Humanized Study in Blood Vessel Organoids.

The protein corona effect refers to the phenomenon wherein nanomaterials in the bloodstream are coated by serum proteins, yet how protein coronated nanomaterials interact with blood vessels and its toxicity implications remain poorly understood. In this study, we investigated protein corona-related vessel toxicity by using an all-humanized assay integrating blood vessel organoids and patient-derived serum. Initially, we screened various nanomaterials to discern how parameters including size, morphology, hydrophobicity, surface charge, and chirality-dependent protein corona difference influence their uptake by vessel organoids.

An Importin Protein SlIMPA3 Interacts with SlLCD1 and Regulates Tomato Fruit Ripening.

A nuclear-localized cysteine desulfhydrase, LCD1, plays a crucial role in mediating endogenous hydrogen sulfide production in tomatoes. However, the mechanism underlying the nuclear localization of SlLCD1 is not yet fully understood. In this study, it was found that SlLCD1 specifically interacted with nuclear import receptor importin α3 (SlIMPA3).

Mitochondria-Targeted DNA-Based Nanoprobe for In Situ Monitoring of the Activity of the mtDNA Repair Enzyme and Evaluating Tumor Radiosensitivity.

Evaluating tumor radiosensitivity is beneficial for the prediction of treatment efficacy, customization of treatment plans, and minimization of side effects. Tracking the mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) repair process helps to assess tumor radiosensitivity as mtDNA repair determines the fate of the cell under radiation-induced mtDNA damage. However, current probes developed to monitor levels of DNA repair enzymes suffered from complex synthesis, uncontrollable preparation, limited tumor selectivity, and poor organelle-targeting ability.

Metabolic engineering of Bacillus licheniformis DW2 for ectoine production.

Ectoine is a high-value protective agent with extensive applications in the fields of fine chemicals and biopharmaceuticals, and it is naturally synthesized by Halomonas in extreme environment, however, the current production level cannot meet the growing market demand. In this study, we aimed to develop an efficient and environmentally friendly ectoine production process using Bacillus licheniformis as the host organism. Through introducing ectoine synthetase gene cluster ectABC from Halomonas elongate, as well as optimizing ectABC expression by promoter and 5'-UTR optimization, ectoine titer was increased to 0.

Asparagine endopeptidase regulates lysosome homeostasis via modulating endomembrane phosphoinositide composition.

Asparagine endopeptidase (AEP) is ubiquitously expressed in both physiological and pathological contexts, yet its precise role and functional mechanism in breast cancer remain elusive. Here, we identified increased AEP expression in breast cancer tissues, which correlated with poorer survival rates and a propensity for lung metastasis among breast cancer patients. Loss of AEP impaired colony formation by breast cancer cells in vitro and suppressed lung metastasis in mice.

[F]FDG PET/CT for predicting neoadjuvant PD-L1 blockade monotherapy treatment response in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: a preliminary study.

Purpose: To investigate the predictive value of 2-[18F]-fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose ([F]FDG) PET/CT for evaluating primary tumor (PT) and lymph node (LN) responses after neoadjuvant programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) blockade monotherapy in patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (LA-ESCC).

Methods: In the single-arm phase 1b NATION-1907 trial (NCT04215471), 23 patients with LA-ESCC received two cycles of neoadjuvant PD-L1 blockade Adebrelimab followed by surgery. Among these, 18 patients underwent [F]FDG PET/CT scans both before immunotherapy and prior to surgery.

Comparison of the Efficacy of Endoscopic Continuous Perfusion Combined With Y-Shaped Incision and Microscopic Retroauricular Incision in the Treatment of Attic Cholesteatoma: A Randomized Prospective Study.

This study aimed to compare the efficacy of continuous perfusion of underwater bone grinding combined with a -shaped incision versus a microscopic posterior ear incision in the treatment of attic cholesteatoma. Clinical trials were prospective studies from the Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital. Adult patients with middle ear cholesteatoma requiring ear surgery agreed to participate between September 2019 and September 2023 (age > 18).

Mitochondrial SO-Activated NIR Photodiagnostic Agent Harnessing Hydroxyl Radicals for Efficient Inflammation Eradication and Tumor Suppression.

At present, some progress has been made in developing NIR light-responsive free radical generators. However, the efficacy of theranostics continues to be hindered by tumor-associated inflammatory reactions. Hence, fulfilling the in situ release of free radicals upon NIR light excitation specifically activated by the inflammation microenvironment would be an ideal strategy for efficient inflammation eradication and tumor suppression but remains a challenge.

Kinetic and Affinity Profiling Rare Earth Metals Using a DNA Aptamer.

Rare earth elements (REEs) are widely used in various high-tech industries. Developing affinity ligands that can detect and distinguish REEs is at the forefront of analytical chemistry. It is also interesting to understand the limits of natural biomolecules for the recognition of REEs.

Global and Regional Patterns in Edentulism (1990-2021) With Predictions to 2040.

Aims: Edentulism's impact on overall well-being is widely recognized, but there is limited information on regional and sex disparities in its global burden. This study aims to fill this gap by providing an updated picture of edentulism's burden by region and sex and predicting its global trend for the next 2 decades.

Methods: This study analyzed and reported Global Burden of Disease (GBD) data on the prevalence, incidence, and disability adjusted life years (DALYs) of edentulism, with a breakdown by sex and sociodemographic index (SDI).

Metal-Ligand Spin-Lock Strategy for Inhibiting Anion Dimerization in Li-Rich Cathode Materials.

Anion dimerization poses a significant challenge for the application of Li-rich cathode materials (LCMs) in high-energy-density Li-ion batteries because of its deleterious effects, including rapid capacity and voltage decay, sluggish reaction kinetics, and large voltage hysteresis. Herein, we propose a metal-ligand spin-lock strategy to inhibit anion dimerization, which involves introducing an Fe-Ni couple having antiferromagnetic superexchange interaction into the LCM to lock the spin orientations of the unpaired electrons in the anions in the same direction. As proof of concept, we applied this strategy to intralayer disordered LiTiS (ID-LTS) to inhibit S-S dimerization.

[Clinical Analysis of 25 Cases of Acquired Hemophilia A in a Single Center].

Objective: To explore the diagnosis and treatment of acquired hemophilia A (AHA) based on the analysis of clinical data.

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical manifestations, laboratory characteristics, treatment, and outcomes of 25 patients diagnosed with AHA who were admitted to the Second Hospital of Hebei Medical University.

Results: Among all patients, 11 cases had secondary factors, including 5 cases of autoimmune diseases, 3 cases of pregnancy-related disease, 1 case of pemphigoid, 1 case of Graves' disease, and 1 case of monoclonal gammaglobulinemia of unknown significance (MGUS).

Insight into the evolution of phosphorous conversion, microbial community and functional gene expression during anaerobic co-digestion of food waste and excess sludge with spicy substances exposure.

Garlic and chili are widely used as food flavoring agents in food cooking, therefore might be accumulated in large amounts in food waste (FW). The effects of garlic and chili on the dissolution, hydrolysis, acidification and methanation in an anaerobic co-digestion system were investigated during the combined co-digestion of FW and excess sludge (ES). Additionally, the transformation of phosphorus form and microbial metabolism changes during the process were analyzed.

A hyaluronic acid nanogels based exosome production factory for tumor photothermal therapy and angiogenesis inhibition.

Exosomes as a unique drug delivery system provide a new choice for tumor therapy. However, the in vitro functionalization of exosomes and the process of circulating drug delivery can easily cause exosome degradation and drug loss, thus reducing the efficiency of drug delivery. In this work, based on the endocyto-fusion-exocytosis pathway of exosome formation, a multifunctional hyaluronic acid nanogel loaded with the antiangiogenic drug vatalanib and the near-infrared photothermal agent indocyanine green (ICG) was designed.

De novo synthesis of hyaluronic acid with tailored molecular weights using a new hyaluronidase SthHL.

Hyaluronic acid (HA) exhibits various biological activities and functions, mainly governed by its molecular weight (M). Traditional HA degradation methods encounter challenges such as environmental pollution and high costs. Thus, developing a safe cell factory with an efficient regulation strategy for one-step production of specific M HA has attracted significant research interest.

The resistance mechanism of B_P225F and B_H272R mutations in succinate dehydrogenase in Botrytis cinerea.

Botrytis cinerea populations resistant to succinate dehydrogenase inhibitors (SDHIs) represent a major problem for the sustainable development of modern agriculture. In the present study, the resistance mechanism of B_P225F and B_H272R mutations in B. cinerea SDH (BcSDH) resistant to SDHIs fungicides, including boscalid (BOS), penflufen (PEN), pydiflumetofen (PYD), fluopyram (FLU), and benzovindiflupyr (BEN), was uncovered.

Antiproliferative and antioxidant properties of protein-free and protein-bound phenolics isolated from purple Rice (Oryza sativa L.).

Purple rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a rich in endogenous phenolics and proteins. The naturally occurring interactions between phenolic compounds and proteins have been shown to have beneficial effects on human health.

Recombinant neurotrophin-3 with the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier: A new strategy against Alzheimer's disease.

This study aims to develop and evaluate a novel therapeutic strategy for Alzheimer's disease (AD) by overcoming the blood-brain barrier (BBB) limitations of Neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). NT-3, a critical neurotrophic factor, plays essential roles in hippocampal neuron growth, survival, and synaptic plasticity, making it a promising candidate for AD treatment. However, its clinical application is hindered by its inability to cross the BBB.

Development of L-Met functionalized cellulose nanofiber for an efficient removal of Pb from aqueous solution: Characterization, adsorption behavior, DFT calculations and physiochemical mechanism.

Lead-containing wastewater has been a significant challenge in the field of wastewater treatment. Cellulose surface has a large number of active sites, which is conducive to load modification. And amino acids have rich functional groups, which is a good choice for cellulose modification.

On-demand release of insulin using glucose-responsive chitosan-based three-compartment microspheres.

Various injectable glucose-responsive insulin release systems, including microspheres, have been developed to achieve insulin release for over a day. However, a major challenge is on-demand release insulin, which is closely related to the degradation rate of the delivery vehicle. Herein, chitosan-based three-compartment microspheres (TCMs) were fabricated using gas-shearing microfluidics.

Mechanism insights into customized 2D nanoconfined catalyst via peroxymonosulfate activation for efficient sulfamethoxazole degradation: Key roles of electronic structure and non-radical pathway.

The technology to solve the problem of the efficient pollutant removal in peroxymonosulfate (PMS) activation was the ultimate goal. There was an urgent need to achieving higher catalytic activity and oxidation efficiency. Herein, we present a MgAl-based layered double hydroxide assembled as a 2D confined catalyst (MgAl-Co-LDH) with Co metal in chelated form (Co-EDTA) for highly efficient PMS activation degrading sulfamethoxazole (SMX).