Enhancing human ACE2 expression in mouse models to improve COVID-19 research.

Mice are one of the most common biological models for laboratory use. However, wild-type mice are not susceptible to COVID-19 infection due to the low affinity of mouse ACE2, the entry protein for SARS-CoV-2. Although mice with human ACE2 (hACE2) driven by Ace2 promoter reflect its tissue specificity, these animals exhibit low ACE2 expression, potentially limiting their fidelity in mimicking COVID-19 manifestations and their utility in viral studies.

Lung cancer risk and its potential association with PM in Bagmati province, Nepal-A spatiotemporal study from 2012 to 2021.

Background: Despite examining the role of an association between particulate matter and lung cancer in low-income countries, studies on the association between long-term exposure to particulate matter and lung cancer risk are still contradictory. This study investigates the spatiotemporal distribution patterns of lung cancer incidence and potential association with particulate matter (PM) in Bagmati province, Nepal.

Methods: We performed a spatiotemporal study to analyze the LC - PM association, using LC and annual mean PM concentration data from 2012 to 2021.

Light quality regulates growth and flavonoid content in a widespread forest understorey medicinal species Georgi.

Introduction: Introduction: Light is not only essential for plant photosynthesis and growth, but also acts as a signal to regulate its secondary metabolism. Despite the influence of light quality on the yield and flavonoid compounds in commercial crops is well-documented, its role in regulating wild understorey species, particularly medicine plants whose flavonoid biosynthesis driven by multiple spectral regions of canopy sunlight, is less understood.

Methods: To address it, we conducted a light-quality manipulation experiment on Georgi, a widespread understorey medicinal species, with light-emitting diodes (LED).

Reduced irradiation exposure areas enhanced anti-tumor effect by inducing DNA damage and preserving lymphocytes.

Background: Partial stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT) targeting hypoxic regions of large tumors (SBRT-PATHY) has been shown to enhance the efficacy of tumor radiotherapy by harnessing the radiation-induced immune response. This approach suggests that reducing the irradiation target volume not only achieves effective anti-tumor effects but also minimizes damage to surrounding normal tissues. In this study, we evaluated the antitumor efficacy of reduced-tumour-area radiotherapy (RTRT) , and explored the relationship between tumor control and immune preservation and the molecular mechanisms underlying of them.

ZmL75 is required for colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and for saline-alkali tolerance in maize.

Saline-alkali soil severely reduces the productivity of crops, including maize (Zea mays). Although several genes associated with saline-alkali tolerance have been identified in maize, the underlying regulatory mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report a direct link between colonization by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) and saline-alkali tolerance in maize.

Fuzhisan ameliorates cognitive ability in Alzheimer's disease by p62 and related autophagy regulatory pathways.

Background: Maintaining autophagic homeostasis has been proved to play an important role in Alzheimer's disease.

Object: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of Fuzhisan(FZS) on autophagic function in Alzheimer's disease and to elucidate its potential mechanism through the P62 regulatory pathways.

Methods: FZS was extracted by water extraction-rotary evaporation method.

Real-time detection of gaseous isotopic water molecules via photoinduced associative ionization mass spectrometry: Direct identification realized by distinctive mass spectrum patterns.

The real-time detection of gaseous HO and its typical isotopic molecules, e.g., HO, DO, HDO, and HTO, is highly desirable in many fundamental scientific studies and practical monitoring, such as mechanistic studies of HO-involved chemical reactions and radiation risk warning of abnormal HTO emissions.

A comprehensive investigation of the impact of cross-linker backbone structure on protein dynamics analysis: A case study with Pin1.

Understanding protein structure is essential for elucidating its function. Cross-linking mass spectrometry (XL-MS) has been widely recognized as a powerful tool for analyzing protein complex structures. However, the effect of cross-linker backbone structure on protein dynamic conformation analysis remains less understood.

Tuning the Selectivity in the Nonoxidative Alkane Dehydrogenation Reaction by Potassium-Promoted Zeolite-Encapsulated Pt Catalysts.

The significance of the nonoxidative dehydrogenation of middle-chain alkanes into corresponding alkenes is increasing in the context of the world's declining demands on transportation fuels and the growing demand for chemicals and materials. The middle-chain alkenes derived from the dehydrogenation reaction can be transformed into value-added chemicals in downstream processes. Due to the presence of multiple potential reaction sites, the reaction mechanism of the dehydrogenation of middle-chain alkanes is more complicated than that in the dehydrogenation of light alkanes, and there are few prior studies on elucidating their detailed structure-reactivity relationship.

Structure-Based Design of "Head-to-Tail" Macrocyclic PROTACs.

Macrocyclization is a compelling strategy for conventional drug design for improving biological activity, target specificity, and metabolic stability, but it was rarely applied to the design of PROTACs possibly due to the mechanism and structural complexity. Herein, we report the rational design of the first series of "Head-to-Tail" macrocyclic PROTACs. The resulting molecule exhibited pronounced Brd4 protein degradation with low nM DC values while almost totally dismissing the "hook effect", which is a general character and common concern of a PROTAC, in multiple cancer cell lines.

New findings of (Eugaleaspiformes, Galeaspida) from the Xiaoxi Formation in South China and their biostratigraphic significance.

New discoveries of the late Silurian fossil fish (Eugaleaspidae, Eugaleaspiformes, Galeaspida), sp. nov. and sp.

Reconfigurable Amphiphilic DNA Nanotweezer for Targeted Delivery of Therapeutic Oligonucleotides.

Amphiphilic lipid oligonucleotide conjugates are powerful molecular-engineering materials that have been used for delivery of therapeutic oligonucleotides. However, conventional lipid oligonucleotide conjugates suffer from poor selectivity to target cells due to the nonspecific interaction between lipid tails and cell membranes. Herein, a reconfigurable DNA nanotweezer consisting of a c-Met aptamer and bischolesterol-modified antisense oligonucleotide was designed for c-Met-targeted delivery of therapeutic antisense oligonucleotides.

The New Paradigm of Ligand Substitution-Driven Enhancement of Anisotropy from SO Units in Short-Wavelength Region.

For non-π-conjugated [SO] units, it is challenging to generate sufficient birefringence, owing to the high symmetry of the regular tetrahedron. Unlike the traditional trial-and-error approach, we propose a new paradigm for birefringence engineering to tune the optical properties based on [SO] units. Through the strategy of ligand substitution, we can predict its effect on the band gap and anisotropy.

Achieving Linear α-Macro-olefins in Ethylene Polymerization through Precisely Tuned Bis(imino)pyridylcobalt Precatalysts with Steric and Electronic Parameters.

Synthesis of functional polyethylene from ethylene alone is tricky and heavily dependent on both the type and structure of the precatalyst and the choice of cocatalyst used in the polymerization. In the present study, a series of cobalt precatalysts was prepared and investigated for ethylene polymerization under various conditions. By incorporation of strong electron-withdrawing groups (F and NO) and a steric component (benzhydryl) into the parent bis(imino)pyridine ligand, the catalytic performance of these precatalysts was optimized.

The Big Chip: Challenge, model and architecture.

As Moore's Law comes to an end, the implementation of high-performance chips through transistor scaling has become increasingly challenging. To improve performance, increasing the chip area to integrate more transistors has become an essential approach. However, due to restrictions such as the maximum reticle area, cost, and manufacturing yield, the chip's area cannot be continuously increased, and it encounters what is known as the "area-wall".

Where we are and where we will go to achieve carbon neutrality: A review of quantitative socioeconomic modeling research.

By conducting a bibliometric analysis of 1997 scholarly publications on carbon neutrality and zero carbon emissions from 2019 to 2022, it is found that reviews of quantitative socioeconomic modeling research remain limited. To address this issue, a comprehensive review of carbon neutrality research, specifically, a systematic and synergistic review of the literature from a socioeconomic modeling perspective, is needed. The 20 clustering labels in the four largest clusters are summarized as main research streams, that is, carbon emission reduction, carbon sink and carbon capture and storage according to the definition of carbon neutral.

A single-plasmid-based, easily curable CRISPR/Cas9 system for rapid, iterative genome editing in Pseudomonas putida KT2440.

Background: Pseudomonas putida KT2440, a non-pathogenic soil bacterium, is a key platform strain in synthetic biology and industrial applications due to its robustness and metabolic versatility. Various systems have been developed for genome editing in P. putida, including transposon modules, integrative plasmids, recombineering systems, and CRISPR/Cas systems.

Repair effect analysis of mesenchymal stem cell conditioned media from multiple sources on HUVECs damaged by high glucose.

Background: The therapeutic potential of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) may be partly attributed to their secretion growth factors, cytokines and chemokines. In various preclinical studies, the use of MSC-conditioned media (CM) has demonstrated promising potential for promoting vascular repair.

Methods: To gain a comprehensive understanding of the variations in conditioned media derived from different sources of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) including umbilical cord, adipose and bone marrow, we investigated their reparative effects on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) subjected to damage induced by high glucose.

Carbon sinks associated with biological carbon pump in karst surface waters: progress, challenges, and prospects.

The biological carbon pump (BCP) associated with aquatic photosynthesis in karst surface waters converts dissolved inorganic carbon (DIC) into organic carbon. In the context of global climate change, BCP could be an important carbon sink mechanism, ultimately regulating atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO) and mitigating climate change. Because of the high DIC and pH, and low dissolved CO [CO (aq)], the hydrochemical characteristics of karst surface water bodies cause C limitation in BCP efficiency.

Bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol-related meroterpenoids as potent DRAK2 inhibitors from Hypericum patulum.

As a both edible and medicinal plant, Hypericum patulum (Hypericaceae) is used as a natural herbal tea, scented tea, and folk medicine. In this study, eight undescribed bicyclic polyprenylated acylphloroglucinol-related meroterpenoids named hyperpatins A-H, along with eight known ones, were isolated from this plant. Their structures were elucidated on the basis of spectroscopic techniques, chemical method, X-ray crystallographic experiments, and electronic circular dichroism analyses.

Rostellularia procumbens (L) Nees. extract attenuates adriamycin-induced nephropathy by maintaining mitochondrial dynamics balance via SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway activation.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Rostellularia procumbens (L) Nees. (R. procumbens) is a classical Chinese herbal medicine that has been used for effective treatment of kidney disease for nearly a thousand years in China.

Short-term visual adaptation to body shape induces sustained aftereffect on body size estimation.

Visual adaptation to thin or large bodies was found to shift the subjective body normality towards the adapting body shape. Here we investigated the persistency of such adaptation effect by tracking the timecourse of decay of short-term body size adaptation in young healthy Chinese women. Participants adapted to contracted or expanded body images of unfamiliar female volunteers with a top-up paradigm.

Typical endocrine disrupting chemicals in newborns with congenital hypothyroidism: Concentrations, exposure assessment, and potential risks.

Congenital hypothyroidism (CH) has been reported as a prevalent endocrine disorder in newborns. Endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs) have been widely detected in humans and can influence endocrine function, especially thyroid function, and neonates as a susceptible population may be more prone to suffer from CH through exposure to various EDCs. In this study, the concentrations and composition profiles of several typical EDCs were determined in 266 serum samples collected from newborns with (n = 136) and without CH (n = 130) in Beijing, China from 2018 to 2020.