Inducers of Autophagy and Cell Death: Focus on Copper Metabolism.

Copper is an essential trace element in biological systems, playing a key role in various physiological functions, including redox reactions and energy metabolism. However, an imbalance in copper homeostasis can induce oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, and inhibition of the ubiquitin-proteasome system, ultimately leading to significant cytotoxicity and cell death. According to recent research, copper can bind to lipoylation sites on proteins involved in the tricarboxylic acid cycle, causing aggregation of lipoylated proteins, the loss of Fe-S cluster proteins, proteotoxic stress, and ultimately, cell death.

Mitochondrial Mayhem: How cigarette smoke induces placental dysfunction through MMS19 degradation.

Cigarette smoke (CS) has detrimental effects on placental growth and embryo development, but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the impact of CS on trophoblast cell proliferation and regulated cell death (RCD) by examining its interference with iron-sulfur cluster (ISC) proteins and the CIA pathway. Exposure to CS disrupted the cytosolic ISC assembly (CIA) pathway, downregulated ISC proteins, and decreased ISC maturation in the placenta of rats exposed to passive smoking.

Modular Synthesis of Planar-Chiral Cyclononenes via -Retentive Trapping of π-Allyl-Pd Dipoles.

-cycloalkenes are abundant in bioactive natural products and have been used as powerful tools in chemical biology and drug discovery. However, strategies for the modular synthesis of -cycloalkenes, especially planar-chiral medium-sized ones, with high efficiency and selectivity, still remain elusive. Herein, we report a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric [7 + 2] cyclization strategy to address this challenge.

Unveiling the Werner-Type Cluster Chemistry of Heterometallic 4f/Post-Transition Metals: A {DyBi} Complex Exhibiting Quantum Tunneling Steps in the Hysteresis Loops and its 1-D Congener.

A new [DyBiOCl(saph)] () Werner-type cluster has been prepared, which is the first Dy/Bi polynuclear compound with no metal-metal bond and one of the very few Ln-Bi (Ln = lanthanide) heterometallic complexes reported to date. The molecular compound has been deliberately transformed to its 1-D analogue [DyBiO(N)(saph)] () via the replacement of the terminal Cl ions by end-to-end bridging N groups. The overall metallic skeleton of (and ) can be described as consisting of a diamagnetic {Bi} unit with an elongated trigonal bipyramidal topology, surrounded by a magnetic {Dy} equilateral triangle, which does not contain μ-oxo/hydroxo/alkoxo groups.

Exploration and verification of the therapeutic mechanism of shenfu injection in sepsis-induced myocardial injury.

Background: Shenfu injection (SFI), derived from a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) prescription, is an effective drug for the treatment of sepsis-induced myocardial injury (SIMI) with good efficacy, but its exact therapeutic mechanism remains unclear.

Methods: SwissTargetPrediction and GeneCards database were used to obtain relevant targets for SFI and SIMI. STRING 11.

FBXW7 metabolic reprogramming inhibits the development of colon cancer by down-regulating the activity of arginine/mToR pathways.

FBXW7 is a tumor suppressor gene that regulates metabolism and is associated with the onset and progression of colorectal cancer (CRC)), however, the precise mechanism whereby FBXW7 participates in the metabolic reprogramming of CRC remains unclear. Here, the research aims to reveal the association between the expression of FBXW7 and clinical variables and to investigate the molecular mechanism by which FBXW7 plays a critical role in the development of CRC. The clinical importance of FBXW7 in CRC was determined by immunohistochemistry.

Bimodal In Situ Analyzer for Circular RNA in Extracellular Vesicles Combined with Machine Learning for Accurate Gastric Cancer Detection.

Circular RNAs in extracellular vesicles (EV-circRNAs) are gaining recognition as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis of gastric cancer (GC). Most current research is focused on identifying new biomarkers and their functional significance in disease regulation. However, the practical application of EV-circRNAs in the early diagnosis of GC is yet to be thoroughly explored due to the low accuracy of EV-circRNAs analysis.

Bonding Features of Period 3 and Period 1 Two-Dimensional Superatoms.

Despite being studied for almost two centuries, aromaticity has always been a controversial concept. We previously proposed a unified aromatic rule for π-conjugated systems by two-dimensional (2D) superatomic-molecule theory, where benzenoid rings are treated as period 2 2D superatoms (3π-N, 4π-O, 5π-F, 6π-Ne) and, further, bond to form 2D superatomic molecules. Herein, to build a 2D periodic table, we further extend the theory to period 3 (7π-P, 8π-S, 9π-Cl, 10π-Ar) and period 1 (1π-H, 2π-He) elements.

Exploring potential drug targets for SLE through Mendelian randomization and network pharmacology.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex and incurable autoimmune disease, so several drug remission for SLE symptoms have been developed and used at present. However, treatment varies by patient and disease activity, and existing medications for SLE were far from satisfactory. Novel drug targets to be found for SLE therapy are still needed.

CircDNA2-Educated YTHDF2 Phase Separation Promotes PM-Induced Malignant Transformation Through the Blunting of GADD45A Expression.

Substantial epidemiological evidence suggests a significant correlation between particulate matter 2.5 (PM) and lung cancer. However, the mechanism underlying this association needs to be further elucidated.

Effects of antioxidant nutrients on muscle mass, strength and function in COPD patients: A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Aim: To comprehensively investigate the effects of antioxidant nutrients on muscle mass, strength and function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients.

Methods: PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were comprehensively searched from the inception to January 3, 2024. The quality of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was measured using the Jadad scale.

Intratumoral Collagen Deposition Supports Angiogenesis Suggesting Anti-angiogenic Therapy in Armored and Cold Tumors.

A previous study classifies solid tumors based on collagen deposition and immune infiltration abundance, identifying a refractory subtype termed armored & cold tumors, characterized by elevated collagen deposition and diminished immune infiltration. Beyond its impact on immune infiltration, collagen deposition also influences tumor angiogenesis. This study systematically analyzes the association between immuno-collagenic subtypes and angiogenesis across diverse cancer types.

Integrative phylogenetic analysis of the genus Episoriculus (Mammalia: Eulipotyphla: Soricidae).

Shrews in the genus Episoriculus are among the least-known mammals in China, where representatives occur mainly in the Himalayan and Hengduan mountains. We sequence one mitochondrial and three nuclear genes from 77 individuals referable to this genus, collect morphometric data for five shape and 11 skull measurements from 56 specimens, and use museum collections and GenBank sequences to analyze phylogenetic relationships between this and related genera in an integrated molecular and morphometric approach. Whereas historically anywhere from two to eight species have been recognized in this genus, we conclude that six (Episoriculus baileyi, E.

-Loaded Easily Injectable Hydrogel Promotes Endometrial Repair via Long-Term Retention and Microenvironment Modulation.

Regeneration of the injured endometrium, particularly the functional layer, is crucial for the prevention of uterine infertility. At present, clinical treatment using sodium hyaluronate hydrogel injection is limited by its relatively low fluidity, short-term retention, and insufficient bioactive ingredients, so it is necessary to develop an advanced healing-promoting hydrogel. The modulation of the microenvironment by presents a bioactive component that can facilitate the regeneration of the functional layer.

Synthesis of Unprotected Racemic Tryptophan Derivatives Using Gramine via Nickel(II) Complex.

A chemical method for the preparation of nonprotected tryptophan via nickel(II) complexes under simple operating conditions was established. The carefully designed nickel(II) glycinates are inexpensive and can be quantitatively recovered releasing the target tryptophans in high yield. The method has a wide range of synthesis generality, allowing the preparation of various substituted tryptophans.

Oral iron sulfide prevents acute alcohol intoxication by initiating the endogenous multienzymatic antioxidant defense system.

Acute alcohol intoxication could cause multiorgan damage, including nervous, digestive, and cardiovascular systems, and in particular, irreversible damage to the brain and liver. Emerging studies have revealed that the endogenous multienzymatic antioxidant defense system (MEAODS) plays a central role in preventing oxidative stress and other toxicological compounds produced by alcohol. However, few available drugs could quickly regulate MEAODS.

Biomimetic wrinkled prebiotic microspheres with enhanced intestinal retention for hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification.

It is urgent for patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) to develop a robust and facile therapy for effective control of serum phosphate and reasonable regulation of gut microbiota, which are aiming to prevent cardiovascular calcification and reduce cardiovascular complications. Here, bioinspired by intestinal microstructures, we developed biomimetic wrinkled prebiotic-containing microspheres with enhanced intestinal retention and absorption for reducing hyperphosphatemia and vascular calcification of CKD model rats. The resultant CSM@5 microspheres exhibited favorable phosphate binding capacity in vitro and could effectively reduce serum concentration of phosphorous in vivo.

Vibron Softening of Solid Hydrogen under Nanoconfinement.

The vibron behavior of hydrogen bears significant importance for understanding the phases of solid hydrogen under high pressure. In this work, we reveal an unusual high-pressure behavior of hydrogen confined within nanopores through a combination of experimental measurements and theoretical calculations. The nanoconfined hydrogen molecules retain an hcp lattice up to 170 GPa, yet significant deviations from the vibrational characteristics of bulk hydrogen are observed in the primary vibrons of both Raman and infrared spectra.

Multidimensional Resonance Controlled by Critical Size in Printed Binary Colloidal Crystals for High-Contrast Imaging.

Colloidal crystal engineering enables the precise construction of structures with remarkable properties. However, the flexible and synergistic regulation of multiple properties of colloidal crystals remains a significant challenge. Here, we inspire from Brazilian opals to self-assemble polymer nanoparticles in the gaps of a single-layer opal substrate to fabricate large-scale binary colloidal crystals (BCCs).

Deciphering transcription activity of mammalian early embryos unveils on/off of zygotic genome activation by protein translation/degradation.

Quantification of transcription activities in mammalian preimplantation embryos is challenging due to a huge amount of maternally stored transcripts and paucity of research materials. Here, we investigate genome-wide transcription activities of mouse and human preimplantation embryos by quantifying elongating RNA polymerase II. Two transcriptional waves are identified in early mouse embryos, with summits at the 2-cell and 8-cell stages.

Estimated pulse wave velocity associated with cognitive phenotypes in a rural older population in China: A cohort study.

Introduction: To examine the longitudinal association between estimated pulse wave velocity (ePWV) and cognitive phenotypes in a rural Chinese older population.

Methods: This population-based study included 1857 dementia-free participants (age ≥60 years) who were examined in 2014 and followed in 2018. ePWV was calculated using age and mean blood pressure (MBP).

A Paper-Based Sensor for the Detection of Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease Utilizing a Cleavable Fluorescent Polymer.

Nowadays, gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) has emerged as one of the major hazards to the health of the upper gastrointestinal tract, and there is an urgent need for a low-cost, user-friendly, and non-invasive detection method. Herein, a paper-based sensor (CP sensor) for the non-invasive screening of GERD is proposed. The sensor is structured as a specially shaped cellulose paper strip embedded with fluorescent colloids, which are self-assembled from a cleavable synthetic fluorescent polymer (P4).

Nerve-Derived Extracellular Matrix Promotes Neural Differentiation of Bone Marrow Stromal Cells and Enhances Interleukin-4 Efficacy for Advanced Nerve Regeneration.

Facilitating neuronal differentiation of stem cells and microenvironment remodeling are the key challenges in cell-based transplantation strategies for central nervous system regeneration. Herein, the study harnesses the intrinsic pro-neural differentiation potential of nerve-derived extracellular matrix (NDEM) and its specific affinity for cytokines to develop an NDEM-gelatin methacryloyl(gelMA)-based bifunctional hydrogel delivery system for stem cells and cytokines. This system promotes the neural differentiation of bone marrow stromal cells (BMSCs) and optimizes the therapeutic index of Interleukin-4 (IL-4) for spinal cord injury (SCI) treatment.

Low-Impedance Hybrid Carbon Structures on SiO: A Sequential Gas-Phase Coating Approach.

Carbon coating on SiO surface is crucial for enhancing initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and cycling performance in batteries, while also buffering volume expansion. Despite its market prevalence, the effects of the carbon layer's quality and structure on the electrochemical properties of SiO remain underexplored. This study compares carbon layers produced via gas-phase and solid-phase coating methods, introducing an innovative technique that sequentially uses two gases to develop a low-impedance hybrid carbon structure.

Comparative investigation on the adsorption behavior of bromate in aqueous solutions using Zn/Ni/Al-LDH and Ni/Al-LDH: optimization, equilibrium analysis, and mechanistic insights.

Unlabelled: The presence of bromate in water poses a significant health risk. In order to effectively eliminate bromate from water, this study synthesized a series of ternary Zn-Ni-Al layered double hydroxides with varying Zn/Ni/Al atomic ratios using a co-precipitation method. The adsorbents were characterized using various techniques including XRD, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and N adsorption-desorption isotherms.