Miniatured dual-field microscope for intelligent Marine algae detection, sizing and counting in a microfluidic chip.

On-site and accurately detecting, sizing and counting living algae are greatly needed under International Ballast Water Convention, yet still challenging due to the lack of miniatured device. In this paper, a miniatured microscope that has both blue view field and fluorescence field was developed. Dual-view-field with one exciting light is achieved by using a beam splitter to direct the light into two mini cameras.

Theoretical Study on the Nucleophilic Ring-Opening Reaction between F and Oxirane.

This work investigated the ring-opening reaction mechanism between F and oxirane by combining electronic structure calculations with chemical dynamics simulations. Electronic structure calculations revealed two primary reaction pathways: nucleophilic substitution (S2) and elimination (E2). The S2 pathway was further classified into oxygen-side attack (ret-S2) and backside attack (inv-S2) based on the nucleophilic approach direction.

Robotic micromanipulation for patterned and complex organoid biofabrication.

Organoids have emerged as powerful models for recapitulating tissue physiology and pathology in biomedical research. However, the need for consistent and complex manufacturing of organoids remains a challenge. The absence of standardization and quality control of cells dispersed within extracellular matrices impedes the widespread application of organoids.

Hierarchical Structures of Protein-Fiber-Infused Aminoglycan Hydrogels to Promote Myocardial Repair.

Myocardial infarction (MI) is followed by irreversible damage to the myocardium, which eventually evolves into ventricular remodeling and heart failure. An imbalanced inflammatory response after MI can exacerbate myocardial injury. Current strategies to modulate inflammation and thereby improve myocardial tissue repair are limited.

Cysteine Alleviates the Toxicity of Cadmium Telluride Quantum Dots (CdTe QDs) by Modulating the Antioxidant System and Root Metabolic Pathways in Rice.

Cadmium telluride quantum dots (CdTe QDs) have been increasing in the environment because of their large application in solar panels and biological industries. However, the potential role and bioaccumulation behavior of CdTe QDs in plants are unknown. Herein, the toxicity of CdTe QDs on the growth and the underlying mechanisms were explored in rice.

Microbiota-mediated metabolic alterations reveal bidirectional regulation of the gut-nose axis in mice with allergic rhinitis.

Background: Microbes and their metabolites are implicated in respiratory diseases, including allergic rhinitis (AR); however, the interaction between the gut and respiratory tract and the role of microbes remains unclear. We investigated the gut and nasal microbiota variations between AR and control mice and their role in the bidirectional regulation of the gut-nasal axis.

Methods: We validated the OVA-induced establishment of an AR mouse model based on nasal symptoms and histopathology.

Asymmetric active-site on heterogeneous single-atom alloy metallene boost fenton-like reaction for sustainable water purification.

A precise modulation of heterogeneous catalysts in structural and surface properties promises the development of more sustainable advanced oxidation water purification technologies. However, the poor catalyst stability due to covering of surface-active sites by oxidation intermediates remains a key bottleneck to their practical applications. Herein we propose a simple defect-induced in-situ single-atom anchoring strategy to overcome this challenge by creating unique asymmetric active-sites on the catalyst surface.

Integrated transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of Jinggang honey pomelo yellow spot disease to reveal the disease resistance mechanism.

Jinggangshan honey pomelo is a specialty fruit grown in Jiangxi Province, China. Pomelo yellow spot disease, also known as greasy spot disease, is a fungal pathology primarily affecting pomelo (Citrus maxima) leaves and fruits. The causative agent is the ascomycete fungus Phyllosticta citricarpa, taxonomically classified within the phylum Ascomycota.

Targeting ARPC1B Cancer Stem Cells to Sensitise Pancreatic Cancer to Gemcitabine Treatment.

ARPC1B cancer stem cells (CSCs) in pancreatic cancer are identified as a subpopulation resistant to gemcitabine. In our study, drug repositioning, molecular docking, and surface plasmon resonance (SPR) technique jointly revealed that CK-636 can directly target ARPC1B protein with high affinity. In vitro cytotoxicity, ex vivo organoid cultures, in vivo xenograft and orthotopic gemcitabine-resistant pancreatic cancer model demonstrated that combination therapy of gemcitabine plus CK-636 showed a superior anti-tumor effect compared with gemcitabine monotherapy.

Interaction between airway inflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis caused by high temperatures (40 °C) and traffic-PM in mouse model.

Though epidemiological studies have shown that high temperatures and traffic-PM alone can increase the risk of asthma, there were not clear about their associated impact on asthma. This study investigated the combination effect of high temperatures (40 °C) and traffic-PM on asthma and molecular mechanism. BALB/c mice were treated with high temperature and traffic-PM.

Design and Synthesis of 3‑Amino-4-azidoethoxyfurazan: A Supramolecular Energetic Material with Insensitivity Properties.

High-performance insensitive energetic materials have long been a central focus of energetic materials research. To effectively balance high energy density and insensitivity, a structure-based screening was performed using the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre database. Consequently, a strategy enhancing the stability of energetic compounds through supramolecular assembly based on self-complementary hydrogen bonding was developed.

The Endosperm-Specific Gene Regulates Seed Vigor and Grain Quality.

Seed vigor critically determines sowing performance, while grain quality fundamentally influences commercial value. Elucidating the genetic mechanisms governing these traits is critical for enhancing both seed vigor and grain quality in rice cultivation. Here, we demonstrate that the endosperm-specific gene is highly expressed in germinating seeds and developing seeds at the early filling stage.

Mitigating Shrinkage in Superplasticizer-Free Natural Hydraulic Lime Grouts for Historic Masonry Conservation: Effects of Composition, Curing, and Expansion Agents.

Cracking is the most prevalent deterioration issue in historic masonry, and grouting represents one of the most effective intervention techniques. Superplasticizer-free Natural Hydraulic Lime (NHL) grout is recommended for heritage conservation due to its simple composition and compatibility with historic masonry in terms of strength, porosity, and other properties. However, grout shrinkage is frequently observed in practice, often leading to suboptimal reinforcement outcomes.

Mendel randomization confirmed gastroesophageal reflux disease may increase the risk of mental disorders.

Background: The potential causal relationship between gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) and mental disorder was analyzed using the mendelian randomization (MR) method.

Methods: Data are derived from genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary data, using gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) as the exposure factor. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) significantly associated with GERD were selected as instrumental variables (IVs), and mental disorders (bipolar disorder, major depression, Alzheimer's disease, anorexia nervosa, anxiety, and obsessive-compulsive disorder) were used as outcome variables.

A study on the correlation between pregnancy risk factors and birth outcomes.

Adverse birth outcomes-including low birth weight (LBW, < 2500 g), preterm birth (PTB, < 37 weeks), and intrauterine growth abnormalities-remain major global public health challenges, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Although maternal body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) are established risk factors in Western populations, their interactions with metabolic and sociodemographic factors in Asian cohorts, particularly within China's rapidly urbanizing populations, warrant further investigation. This prospective cohort study analyzed 1,026,294 singleton pregnancies (2012-2018) from the Liaoning Maternal and Child Health Information System.

Systemic immune-inflammation index as a versatile biomarker in autoimmune disorders: insights from rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, and spondyloarthritis.

Autoimmune diseases, such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), rheumatoid arthritis (RA), systemic vasculitis, spondyloarthritis (SpA), including ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and psoriatic arthritis (PsA), are characterized by chronic immune activation and systemic inflammation. The systemic immune-inflammation index (SII), computed as platelet count × neutrophil count/lymphocyte count, is a promising biomarker that reflects both inflammatory burden and immune dysregulation. In RA, elevation of SII is correlated with disease activity score, response to TNF-α inhibitors, and reduced serum Klotho levels.

The uric acid-to-HDL ratio as a predictive biomarker for depression risk in adult women.

Background: Depression disproportionately affects women, yet biomarkers for early risk stratification remain limited. This study examines the uric acid-to-HDL cholesterol ratio (UHR), a novel inflammatory and metabolic marker, as a potential predictor of depression in women.

Objective: To evaluate the association between UHR and depression risk in adult women.

ADSC-EVs Activate Autophagy Via the AKT/FOXO1 Pathway to Inhibit Tendon Fibrosis.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) from adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) play an important role in tendon healing and regeneration. However, the role of EVs in regulating tendon fibrosis during autophagy has not previously been reported.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of EVs from ADSCs (ADSC-EVs) on the autophagy-mediated regulation of tendon fibrosis.

Multicomponent Protection at Metal/Oxide Interfaces: Electron-Atomic Scale Mechanism of TT-LYK Inhibitor in Cobalt Chemical Mechanical Polishing.

In the chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) of cobalt (Co), surface planarization is critically influenced by the selective adsorption of inhibitor molecules at the metal/oxide interface. Existing studies have confirmed the presence of CoO and Co(OH) on cobalt surfaces; however, there has been no investigation into the adsorption behavior of inhibitors on these oxide and hydroxide surfaces. This area remains largely unexplored in the current theoretical research landscape.

Potential ecological risk and accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s in soils of Macao in China as a non-industrial and tourist City.

With rapid industrialization, the accumulation and contamination of heavy metal(loid)s in soil often has occurred. However, the accumulation of heavy metal(loid)s in soil in non-industrial and tourist cities with high population densities is not well known. Therefore, the Macao Special Administrative Region (Macao SAR) was taken as an example to investigate the spatial and temporal changes in the characteristics of soil heavy metal(loid)s in non-industrial and tourist cities.

Prediction of the efficacy of first transarterial chemoembolization for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma a clinical-radiomics model.

Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common tumor with a poor prognosis. Early intervention is essential; thus, good prognostic markers to identify patients who benefit from first transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) are needed.

Aim: To investigate the efficacy of computed tomography (CT) radiomics in predicting the success of the first TACE in patients with advanced HCC and to develop an early prediction model based on clinical radiomics features.

Biofunctional and Interface-Engineered Hydrogels for Advanced Tissue Engineering.

Hydrogels are recognized as promising biomaterials in tissue engineering, playing key roles as adhesives, patches, dressings, and scaffolds for tissue repair. Their interactions with tissues, from the cellular to the entire tissue interface level, have made bioinspired surface modification a significant research focus. This review systematically examines the progress in hydrogel-based tissue engineering, emphasizing the benefits of interface modifications.

Phylogenomic incongruence in Castanopsis (Fagaceae) is primarily caused by gene flow rather than incomplete lineage sorting.

Reticulate evolution complicates phylogenetic reconstruction and obscures species delimitation. Investigating gene flow and its evolutionary consequences across the phylogenetic breadth of the genus provides critical insights into the mechanisms causing diversification within this lineage. By utilizing RAD-seq data from 39 Castanopsis species, we reconstructed phylogenetic relationships through both concatenation- and coalescent-based methods.

Color-faithful differentiable Fourier ptychographic microscopy.

Fourier ptychographic microscopy (FPM) enhances the spatial-bandwidth product of imaging systems, but its extension to color imaging remains challenging. Existing channel-split methods incur long acquisition times, while multiplexed-illumination approaches suffer from color leakage and require complex post-processing. In this work, we introduce a novel, to the best of our knowledge, color-faithful FPM framework under multiplexed illumination by integrating a physically interpretable color constraint into a differentiable FPM model.