A novel MCMDC2 variant causes meiotic arrest and non-obstructive azoospermia in a consanguineous Chinese family.

Non-obstructive azoospermia (NOA) is often associated with genetic variants. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) has emerged as a powerful tool in studying the genetic diagnosis of NOA and to help identify novel causal gene variants. Minichromosome maintenance domain-containing 2 (MCMDC2), an atypical yet conserved MCM protein, plays a key role in meiotic recombination and the maintenance of fertility.

Synergistic association of estimated glucose disposal rate and neutrophil-to-albumin ratio with accelerated biological aging.

Background: Biological age (BA) is a more accurate indicator of aging-related functional decline and disease risk than chronological age (CA). Insulin resistance and chronic inflammation are established hallmarks linked to the aging process; however, their synergistic relationship with biological age acceleration is not yet well understood.

Methods: To evaluate the independent and synergistic associations of estimated glucose disposal rate (eGDR), a marker of insulin sensitivity, and neutrophil-to-albumin ratio (NPAR), a reliable marker of systemic inflammation that also captures its impact on metabolic processes, with biological age acceleration estimated by Klemera-Doubal method biological age (KDM-BA) and PhenoAge.

Longitudinal liquid biopsy identifies an early predictive biomarker of immune checkpoint blockade response in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) has improved outcomes for patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), but predictive biomarkers remain limited. Here, we use a time-resolved, multi-omic approach in a murine HNSCC model to characterize peripheral immune responses to ICB. Single-cell transcriptomics and T/B cell receptor analyses  reveal early on-treatment expansion of effector memory T and B cell repertoires in responders, preceding tumor regression.

Vertical distribution of new and weathered microplastics in the water column: Implications for developing reliable sampling methods.

Microplastics (MPs) exposure to environmental conditions results in weathering, alters their physicochemical properties, and subsequently influences their mobility in aquatic systems. This study aims to investigate the interrelated roles of MP type and weathering conditions on their terminal settling/rise velocities and subsequently distribution in the water column under turbulent flow to further inform sampling methodologies. Low density polyethylene (LDPE), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and ground tire rubber (GTR) were subjected to accelerated photodegradation and sedimentation processes, and biofilm was grown on LDPE and GTR MPs.

Photodynamic-Driven Growth of Aqueous CdSe/ZnSe/ZnS//ZnS Quantum Dots for Inflammatory Factors Multiplexed Detection via a Ratiometric-Fluorescence Immunosensor.

Core/shell quantum dots (QDs) with a low cadmium (Cd) content and an intermediate ZnSe-based shell have attracted significant attention due to their excellent fluorescence properties. However, their poor water and oxygen stability presents a major challenge for transferring QDs to the aqueous phase. Herein, we prepared CdSe/ZnSe/ZnS//ZnS core/shell/shell QDs exhibiting both high fluorescence and good stability through a photodynamically driven mild growth process conducted at low temperatures.

production of CAR T cell: Opportunities and challenges.

Chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR T) cell therapy has achieved remarkable efficacy for patients with hematological malignancies. However, viral vector-mediated production of CAR T cells is time-consuming and expensive and impairs T cell function. On one hand, an elaborate manufacturing process not only impairs the function of CAR T cells but also limits its usage in patients with rapidly progressing diseases.

Transcriptomic analysis reveals the impact of Rutin on the proliferation, barrier function, and transcription of Porcine IPEC-J2.

The gastrointestinal health of livestock is essential for the agricultural sector. Rutin, a natural flavonoid extract from plants, exhibits antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, alongside a protective impact on the intestinal tract of pigs. However its influence on the proliferation, migration, and cellular junctions of IPEC-J2 cells remains unexplored.

Clusterin Regulates the Mechanisms of Neuroinflammation and Neuronal Circuit Impairment in Alzheimer's Disease.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease with a multifaceted pathogenesis, which remains elusive, seriously affecting the quality of life of elderly patients and placing a heavy burden on affected individuals, their families, and society. As third-party synapses in brain networks, astrocytes play an important role in maintaining the normal function of neural networks, which contribute to the abnormal function of networks in AD. In recent years, numerous studies have shown that clusterin, a protein expressed by astrocytes, can participate in the progression of AD.

Enhanced microwave electrometry in weakly interacting Rydberg atoms using a modified formula.

This study addresses the restrictions imposed by nonlocal van der Waals (vdW) and dipole-dipole (DD) interactions on the microwave electrometry in cold Rydberg atoms driven into the four-level cascade configuration with relatively high excitation densities. Utilizing the mean-field superatom model, we examine, in particular, the effects of vdW and DD interactions on microwave-controlled transmission spectra of a probe field in the regime of electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT). In response to spectral shifts depending on such Rydberg interactions, we propose a modified formula for correctly describing the nonlinear relationship between the microwave electric field and the splitting of two EIT peaks, which could enhance the measurement accuracy.

Manganese-induced lattice oxygen activation of CeO catalysts in liquid-phase low-temperature thermal catalytic: Improvement of catalytic oxidation activity and stability.

Low-temperature thermal catalysis without additional oxidants offers a promising solution to the challenges of pressure and temperature inherent in catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) for water treatment. Bimetallic oxides have demonstrated superior catalytic oxidation activity and stability compared to conventional monometallic oxides. However, research on the effects of bimetallic oxides in liquid-phase low-temperature thermal catalysis is still in its early stages.

Unveiling the impact of muscle fiber composition on taste and aroma compounds in Jinhua pig skeletal muscles.

Muscle fiber types critically influence pork flavor by modulating taste-active and aroma compounds. This study analyzed three muscles in Jinhua pigs-longissimus dorsi (LD, predominantly type IIb fibers), serratus ventralis (SV, mainly type I/IIa), and quadriceps femoris (QF)-revealing distinct flavor profiles. SV exhibited significantly higher free amino acids (FAAs), including umami (Asp, Glu), sweet (Ala, Gly, etc.

Pan-cancer prediction of tumor immune activation and response to immune checkpoint blockade from tumor transcriptomics and histopathology.

Accurately predicting which patients will respond to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) remains a major challenge. Here, we present TIME_ACT, an unsupervised 66-gene transcriptomic signature of tumor immune activation derived from TCGA melanoma data. First, TIME_ACT scores accurately identify tumors with activated immune microenvironments across cancer types.

A potentially pathogenic KDM5C variant in X-linked high myopia.

High myopia is a multifactorial ocular disease that demonstrates high genetic susceptibility and significant family aggregation. It has multiple inheritance patterns, including X-linked inheritance; however, few genetic variants associated with X-linked high myopia have been documented. Using a whole exome sequencing approach, we have identified a novel missense variant (c.

Periodontal disease and chronic kidney disease: mechanistic insights and novel therapeutic perspectives.

Periodontal disease (PD) is one of the most common chronic diseases of the oral cavity, and it usually refers to chronic inflammatory diseases caused by the infection of pathogenic microorganisms in the oral cavity. PD mainly affects the tissues around the teeth, causing inflammation of the gums and periodontium, destroying the alveolar bone, and even leading to tooth loosening. Many studies have shown that PD is not only limited to oral health but is also associated with diseases of multiple systems throughout the body.

Unveiling the Differential Impacts of S-nZVI and nZVI on Microbial Dechlorination of Trichloroethene by .

Sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (S-nZVI) is a promising material for the remediation of chlorinated hydrocarbons (CHCs) in groundwater, offering enhanced reactivity and selectivity over unmodified nanoscale zerovalent iron (nZVI). However, integrating S-nZVI with bioremediation using organohalide-respiring bacteria (OHRB) poses potential cytotoxicity challenges. This study investigated the differential impacts of S-nZVI and nZVI on the dechlorination activity of strain 195 ( 195), a representative OHRB.

Realisation of de Gennes' absolute superconducting switch with a heavy metal interface.

In 1966, Pierre-Gilles de Gennes proposed a non-volatile mechanism for switching superconductivity on and off in a magnetic device. This involved a superconductor (S) sandwiched between ferromagnetic (F) insulators in which the net magnetic exchange field could be controlled through the magnetisation-orientation of the F layers. Because superconducting switches are attractive for a range of applications, extensive studies have been carried out on F/S/F structures.

HgTe Nanocrystal-Gated Infrared Phototransistors With High Sensitivity, Extended Dynamic Range, and In-Sensor Image Processing Capability.

Mercury telluride (HgTe) nanocrystals (NCs) offer adjustable absorption and solution-processable fabrication, making them promising materials for low-cost, high-resolution imaging across a wide infrared (IR) spectrum. However, photodetectors based on HgTe NCs often suffer from high dark current, elevated noise arising from trap states and interface defects, and limited structural tunability, which constrain their sensitivity, dynamic range, and applicability in intelligent vision applications. Here, it is reported a dual-gate carbon nanotubes (CNTs) field-effect transistor incorporating an HgTe NC-based PIN heterojunction as the top gate, which converts incident IR light into a photovoltage that functions as a dynamic optical gate, while an independently addressable local bottom gate adjusts the carrier concentration in the CNT channel.

Elucidation of the pathway for Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide-regulated differential acetic acid production by Bifidobacterium longum F2.

Background: Bifidobacterium longum subsp. longum, as a probiotic, has been annotated to be added to food. Our previous study found that Dictyophora indusiata polysaccharide (DIP) promoted the proliferation of B.

Single-cell-guided identification of logic-gated antigen combinations for designing effective and safe CAR therapy.

Unlabelled: Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy has revolutionized the treatment of hematological malignancies. However, its application in solid tumors remains limited because single targets are unlikely to suffice due to tumor antigen heterogeneity and off-tumor toxicities. To overcome these obstacles, we developed , a computational approach that utilizes single-cell transcriptomics data from patient tumors to systematically identify the cancer-specific antigen circuits with logic gates ("AND," "OR," and "NOT") that target the majority of cancer cells in a tumor while sparing normal cells and tissues as much as possible.

Dynamic 3D-Network Coating Composite Enables Global Isolation of Phosphopeptides, Stepwise Separation of Mono- and Multi-Phosphopeptides, and Phosphoproteomics of Human Lung Cells.

Protein phosphorylation is one of the most common and important post-translational modifications (PTMs) and is highly involved in various biological processes. Ideal adsorbents with high sensitivity and specificity toward phosphopeptides with large coverage are therefore essential for enrichment and mass spectroscopy-based phosphoproteomics analysis. In this study, a newly designed IMAC adsorbent composite was constructed on the graphene matrix coated with mesoporous silica.

PathoSift Pro: A novel size-based bioaerosol sampler for effectively detecting infectious airborne influenza virus.

Understanding the dynamics of airborne virus transmission requires precise tools for collecting and analyzing infectious aerosols. We present PathoSift Pro, a novel bioaerosol sampler engineered to efficiently collect and preserve viable airborne pathogens. Operating at a flow rate of 25 L/min, PathoSift Pro minimizes dehydration and re-aerosolization, overcoming the limitations of conventional samplers like the Andersen impactor.

Enhancing anatomy education with virtual reality: integrating three-dimensional models for improved learning efficiency and student satisfaction.

Traditional anatomy education, which primarily relies on two-dimensional imagery, often struggles to effectively convey the complex spatial relationships of human anatomy. Virtual reality and three-dimensional (3D) anatomy models present a promising solution to these limitations. This study investigates the impact of integrating 3D anatomy models into a blended learning framework across pre-class, in-class, and post-class phases.

Synthesis of Benzo[]carbazoles via Palladium-Catalyzed Tandem Cyclization of Diarylalkynes with Isocyanides.

Herein, we reveal a novel method for the synthesis of benzo[]carbazoles via palladium-catalyzed annulation between diarylalkynes and isocyanides. This method features excellent regioselectivity and chemoselectivity, mild reaction conditions, experimental simplicity, and good functional group tolerance. Further mechanistic investigations suggest that intramolecular 1,5-acyl migration is mainly involved in this reaction system.

In situ structure of the mouse sperm central apparatus reveals mechanistic insights into asthenozoospermia.

The central apparatus (CA) within the sperm axoneme is vital for sperm motility, yet its molecular architecture and functional mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Combining cryo-electron tomography and AlphaFold2, we resolved the in-cell structure of mouse sperm CA at a subnanometer resolution and built a near-complete atomic model. Our analysis identified 39 CA-associated proteins, including eight previously unreported components.

MDMA-Assisted Treatment for PTSD, Anxiety, and Depression: A Visualized Literature Analysis over 30 Years.

Background: The incidence of psychiatric disorders, such as post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety, and depression, has been steadily increasing, while current treatment approaches remain limited in efficacy. As a result, there is an urgent need to explore more effective therapeutic interventions. In recent years, MDMA (3,4- methylenedioxymethamphetamine)-assisted therapy (MDMA-AT) has emerged as a promising and innovative approach, demonstrating favorable clinical potential in the treatment of these disorders.