Copper complexes induce haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX1) and cause apoptotic cell death in pancreatic cancer cells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), the most common pancreatic malignancy, has a dismal 5-year survival rate, making palliative chemotherapy the only treatment option. Targeted therapy has limited efficacy in PDAC, underscoring the need for novel therapeutic approaches. The inducible stress-response protein, haem oxygenase-1 (HMOX1), has been implicated in treatment failure in PDAC.

Chirality induced spin selectivity in electron transport investigated by scanning probe microscopy.

Chirality induced spin selectivity (CISS) effect implies the relationship between chirality and magnetism, attracting extensive attention in the fields of physics, chemistry and biology. Since it was first discovered with photoemission method in 1999, the CISS effect has been investigated and measured by a variety of methods. Among different means of measurements, scanning probe microscopy (SPM) as a powerful tool to explore the CISS effect, can directly measure and present the spin filtering property of chiral molecules in electron transport.

Advances in Drug Delivery Systems for Atopic Dermatitis Treatment.

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic inflammatory skin disorder characterized by pruritus and impaired skin barrier function. Advances in drug delivery systems have transformed AD treatment by enhancing drug stability, bioavailability, and targeted delivery. Drug delivery systems such as liposomes, hydrogels, and microneedles enable deeper skin penetration, prolonged drug retention, and controlled release, reducing side effects and treatment frequency.

Deciphering the N-substituent effects on biodegradation of sulfonamides: Novel insights revealed from molecular biology and computational chemistry approaches.

Elucidating biodegradation mechanisms and predicting pollutant reactivities are essential for advancing the application of biodegradation engineering to address the challenge of thousands of emerging contaminants. Molecular biology and computational chemistry are powerful tools for this purpose, enabling the investigation of biochemical reactions at both the gene and atomic levels. This study employs the biodegradation of ten sulfonamide antibiotics as a case study to demonstrate the integration of genomics and quantum chemistry approaches in exploring the biodegradation behavior of emerging contaminants.

Discovery of the salicylaldehyde-based compound DDO-02267 as a lysine-targeting covalent inhibitor of ALKBH5.

N-methyladenosine (mA) is a crucial mRNA epigenetic modification in eukaryotes, and its methylation regulation is associated with the proliferation and metastasis of diverse tumor cells. ALKBH5 functions as a demethylase for mA and plays a role in the demethylation process, thus influencing tumor cell growth and migration. However, there are limited reports on selective small molecule inhibitors of ALKBH5.

Indoles as promising Therapeutics: A review of recent drug discovery efforts.

Indole, a fundamental heterocyclic core, has emerged as a cornerstone in the medicinal chemistry due to its diverse biological activities and structural versatility. This aromatic compound, present in natural as well as synthetic compounds, offers a versatile platform for the drug discovery. By strategically incorporating functional groups or pharmacophores, researchers can tailor indole-derivatives to target a wide range of diseases.

miRNAome-metabolome wide association study reveals effects of miRNA regulation in eosinophilia and airflow obstruction in childhood asthma.

Background: There are important inter-relationships between miRNAs and metabolites: alterations in miRNA expression can be induced by various metabolic stimuli, and miRNAs play a regulatory role in numerous cellular processes, impacting metabolism. While both specific miRNAs and metabolites have been identified for their role in childhood asthma, there has been no global assessment of the combined effect of miRNAs and the metabolome in childhood asthma.

Methods: We performed miRNAome-metabolome-wide association studies ('miR-metabo-WAS') in two childhood cohorts of asthma to evaluate the contemporaneous and persistent miRNA-metabolite associations: 1) Genetic Epidemiology of Asthma in Costa Rica Study (GACRS) (N = 1121); 2) the Childhood Asthma Management Program (CAMP) (N = 312 and N = 454).

An α7 nicotinic and GABA receptor-mediated pathway controls acetylcholine release in the tripartite neuromuscular junction.

Terminal Schwann cells (TSCs) are capable of regulating acetylcholine (ACh) release at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ). We have identified GABA as a gliotransmitter at mouse NMJs. When ACh activates α7 nicotinic ACh receptor (nAChRs) on TSCs, GABA is released and activates GABA receptors on the nerve terminal that subsequently reduce ACh release.

The Cardioprotective Effect of Ginseng Derived Exosomes via Inhibition of Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Ginsenosides possess potential protective effects against cisplatin (CDDP)-induced toxicity, but the limited bioavailability of ginsenosides hampered their therapeutic application. Ginseng exosomes (G-Exo), which are active ingredients in ginseng, exhibit excellent biocompatibility and low immunogenicity. Here, G-Exo were isolated from ginseng roots through a combination of ultracentrifugation and sucrose gradient centrifugation techniques.

An Intermediate-Aided Perovskite Phase Purification for High-Performance Solar Cells.

In recent years, perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have garnered considerable attention as a prime candidate for next-generation photovoltaic technology. Ensuring the structural stability of perovskites is crucial to the operational reliability of these devices. However, the nonphotoactive yellow phase (δ-FAPbI) of formamidine (FA)-based perovskites is more favorable in thermodynamics, making it challenging to achieve pure α phase in crystallization.

A Doped Surface Ionization Method for Ion Mobility Spectrometry.

Rationale: Exhaled breath can be used for early warning of disease, with organic nitrogen compounds, including triethylamine (TEA), being linked to various medical conditions. Surface ionization ion mobility spectrometry (SI-IMS) facilitates the direct detection of TEA in exhaled breath. However, the presence of multiple ionization products of TEA poses challenges for both quantitative and qualitative analyses.

Reticulating Crystalline Porous Materials for Asymmetric Heterogeneous Catalysis.

Asymmetric catalysis is essential for addressing the increasing demand for enantiopure compounds. Recent advances in reticular chemistry have demonstrated that metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) and covalent organic frameworks (COFs) possess highly regular porous architectures, exceptional tunability, and the ability to incorporate chiral functionalities through their open channels or cavities. These characteristics make them highly effective and enantioselective catalysts for a wide range of asymmetric transformations.

The Critical Isomerization Effect of Core Bromination on Nonfullerene Acceptors in Achieving High-Performance Organic Solar Cells with Low Energy Loss.

Highly efficient nonfullerene acceptors (NFAs) for organic solar cells (OSCs) with low energy loss (E) and favorable morphology are critical for breaking the efficiency bottleneck and achieving commercial applications of OSCs. In this work, quinoxaline-based NFAs are designed and synthesized using a synergistic isomerization and bromination approach. The π-expanded quinoxaline-fused core exhibits different bromination sites for isomeric NFAs, namely AQx-21 and AQx-22.

Electro- and Photo- Dual Responsive Chromatic Devices for High-Contrast Dimmers.

Electrochromism stands out as a highly promising technology for applications including variable optical attenuators, optical switches, transparent displays, and dynamic windows. The pursuit of high-contrast tunability in electrochromic devices remains a challenging goal. Here, the first photochromic hydrogel electrolyte is reported for electro- and photo-dual responsive chromatic devices that yield a high transmittance contrast at 633 nm (ΔT = 83.

N-Doping Fe-C@NbCT MXenes with High Stability and Strong Activity for Sodium-Ion Storage and Overall Water Splitting.

The development of highly stable and strongly active electrode materials for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) and overall water splitting (OWS) is critical in sustainable energy storage and conversion systems. Here, a new electrode material N-Fe-C@NbCT is introduced, with a layered sandwich structure consisting of N-doping Fe-MOF derived-nanorods (Fe-C) and NbCT MXenes. Specifically, NbCT obtained by etching NbAlC with HF acid is used as the main body to construct the layered sandwich structure with Fe-C as the filler.

Large Dipole Moment Enhanced CO Adsorption on Copper Surface: Achieving 68.9% Catalytic Ethylene Faradaic Efficiency at 1.0 A cm.

The electrochemical conversion of carbon dioxide (CO) into hydrocarbon products emerges as a pivotal sustainable strategy for carbon utilization. Cu-based catalysts are currently prioritized as the most effective means for this process, yet it remains a long-term goal to achieve high product selectivity at elevated current densities. This study delved into exploring the influence of a topological poly(2-aminoazulene) with a substantial dipole moment on modulating the Cu surface dipole field to augment the catalytic activity involved in CO reduction.

Efficient and Sensitive Detection of Organophosphate Pesticides in Orange Juice Using Dispersed Solid-Phase Extraction Based on Amorphous UiO-66.

Organophosphate pesticides can cause long-term neurological damage to humans. There is an urgent need to develop a more sensitive and efficient method for detecting trace amounts of organophosphorus pesticides in orange juice, particularly in the presence of interfering substances. This study developed a dispersive solid-phase extraction (DSPE) method using amorphous UiO-66 (aUiO-66) as an adsorbent for the detection of four organophosphate pesticides (fenthion, profenofos, fensulfothion, and chlorpyrifos) in orange juice.

Identification and Characterization of Chemical Compounds in Compound Shougong Powder by UHPLC-Q-TOF/MS Combined With Multiple Data Processing Techniques.

Compound Shougong Powder (CSP) is a traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) preparation recognized for its efficacy in reducing swelling and relieving pain. It is primarily used clinically for the treatment of malignant tumors. However, research on the chemical compounds present in CSP remains limited.

Characterization of Active Compounds in Sanhuang Shu'ai Decoction for the Management of Ulcerative Colitis: A UHPLC-MS Study.

Objective: The effectiveness of Sanhuang Shu'ai decoction (SSD), a traditional Chinese medicine used to treat diarrhea and colitis, especially ulcerative colitis (UC), is not well understood regarding how its chemical components work.

Methods: This research used ultra-high-performance liquid chromatography (UHPLC)-tandem mass spectrometry (MS), network pharmacology, and molecular docking to understand the active substances and potential mechanisms of SSD in treating UC.

Results: UHPLC and MS analyses identified 710 active components in SSD extracts (ZYTQY) and 387 in SSD-containing serum (HYXQ), with 35 active compounds found in both ZYTQY and HYXQ and 67 active compounds from SSDD (SSD compound obtained directly from the database), along with 6 metabolites that may be key components in its function.

Deciphering the Role of SLFN12: A Novel Biomarker for Predicting Immunotherapy Outcomes in Glioma Patients Through Artificial Intelligence.

Gliomas are the most prevalent form of primary brain tumours. Recently, targeting the PD-1 pathway with immunotherapies has shown promise as a novel glioma treatment. However, not all patients experience long-lasting benefits, underscoring the necessity to discover reliable biomarkers for predicting treatment outcomes.

Comprehensive Optimization of Packing Parameters for Hydraulic-Packed Capillary Columns.

Rationale: The performance of the capillary column directly impacts the separation efficiency of complex sample in liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry-based proteomics studies. The hydraulic packing system offers an effective solution by reducing packing time and expediting the preparation process of column preparation. However, its operational complexity and strict parameter regulation requirements hinder efficient application.

Optoelectronic Properties and Fluorescence Lifetime Imaging Application of Donor-Acceptor Dyads Derived From 2,6-DicarboxyBODIPY.

Donor-acceptor BODIPY dyads, functionalized at the 2 and 6 positions with benzyl ester (BDP-DE) or carboxylic acid (BDP-DA) groups, were synthesized and characterized for their optoelectronic properties. The introduction of carbonyl groups increased the reduction potential of the BODIPY core by 0.15-0.

Immune Cell Profiling Reveals a Common Pattern in Premetastatic Niche Formation Across Various Cancer Types.

Background: Metastasis is the major cause of cancer-related mortality. The premetastatic niche is a promising target for its prevention. However, the generality and cellular dynamics in premetastatic niche formation have remained unclear.

Magnetic Assisted DNA Logic Gate Nanomachine Based on CRISPR/Cas12a for Recognition of Dual miRNAs.

The anomalous expression of microRNA poses a serious threat to human life and health safety, and serves as an important biomarker for cancer detection. In this study, a novel magnetic-assisted DNA logic gate nanomachine triggered by miRNA-21 and miRNA-155 was designed based on the trans-cleavage activity of CRISPR/Cas12a activated by a split DNA activator, using only a single crRNA and signal probe, which simplified the detection procedure and complex nucleic acid amplification. The presence of target molecules, miRNA-21 and miRNA-155, can stimulate the DNA walker machine assembled on magnetic beads, which releases activator under the action of DNAzyme.

A New Empirical Equation to Take Into Account the Influence of Ionic Strength on Electrophoretic Mobility and Determination of Binding Constants of Ester Betulin Derivatives With Sulfated β-Cyclodextrin by Affinity Capillary Electrophoresis.

An empirical equation relating electrophoretic mobility and ionic strength was proposed. The equation includes a number of parameters that are found using the mobilities of reference ions: two coefficients in the numerator describing the linear relationship of the multiplier in front of the square root of the ionic strength with the product of the ion mobility in the background electrolyte (BGE) without additives by the modulus of the charge number, raised to a certain power, and also the multiplier in the denominator before the square root of the ionic strength. The proposed equation was tested using the mobilities measured in BGEs with the addition of sodium chloride to adjust ionic strength and sulfated β-cyclodextrin (S-β-CD) for 11 anions with charge numbers from -1 to -4.