Triplet-triplet annihilation upconversion in LAPONITE®/PVP nanocomposites: absolute quantum yields of up to 23.8% in the solid state and application to anti-counterfeiting.

The low quantum efficiency in the solid phase and the highly efficient quenching by oxygen are two major weaknesses limiting the practical applications of triplet-triplet annihilation (TTA) upconversion (UC). Herein, we report an organic-inorganic hybrid nanocomposites fabricated by self-assembly of LAPONITE® clay and poly(-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone) (PVP), which serves as excellent matrix for solid-state TTA-UC even in air. In the hybrid hydrogel doped by TTA-UC components, the anionic acceptors are arranged in an ordered manner at the nano-disk edge through electrostatic attraction, which avoids haphazard accumulation of the acceptors and allows for highly efficient inter-acceptor triplet energy migration.

Boron-Cluster Embedded Necklace-Shaped Nanohoops.

The combination of carbon-based nanohoops with other functional organic molecular structures should lead to the design of new molecular configurations with interesting properties. Here, necklace-like nanohoops embedded with carborane were synthesized for the first time. The unique deboronization of o-carborane has led to the facile preparation of ionic nanohoop compounds.

Regulation of chlamydial colonization by IFNγ delivered via distinct cells.

The mouse-adapted pathogen Chlamydia muridarum (CM) induces pathology in the mouse genital tract but fails to do so in the gastrointestinal tract. CM is cleared from both the genital tract and small intestine by IFNγ delivered by antigen-specific CD4 T cells but persists for a long period in the large intestine. The long-lasting colonization of CM in the large intestine is regulated by IFNγ delivered by group 3 innate lymphoid cells (ILC3s).

DDX17 modulates the expression and alternative splicing of genes involved in apoptosis and proliferation in lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Background: The DEAD-box RNA-binding protein (RBP) DDX17 has been found to be involved in the tumorigenesis of many types of cancers. However, the role of DDX17 in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) remains unclear.

Methods: We silenced DDX17 expression in A549 LUAD cells by small interfering RNA (siRNA).

Carbohydrate antigen 125 supplements carbohydrate antigen 19-9 for the prediction of invasive intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms of the pancreas.

Background: Intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasms (IPMNs) are characterized by their abundant mucin production and malignant potential. IPMNs of the pancreas are mainly managed according to their radiographic indications, but this approach lacks accuracy with regard to IPMN grading. Therefore, serological biomarkers such as CA19-9 and CA125 (MUC16) should be employed to assist in predicting the invasiveness of IPMNs.

Noncoding RNome as Enabling Biomarkers for Precision Health.

Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), in the form of structural, catalytic or regulatory RNAs, have emerged to be critical effectors of many biological processes. With the advent of new technologies, we have begun to appreciate how intracellular and circulatory ncRNAs elegantly choreograph the regulation of gene expression and protein function(s) in the cell. Armed with this knowledge, the clinical utility of ncRNAs as biomarkers has been recently tested in a wide range of human diseases.

Structure and dynamics of supercooled water in the hydration layer of poly(ethylene glycol).

The statics and dynamics of supercooled water in the hydration layer of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) were studied by a combination of quasi-elastic neutron scattering (QENS) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Two samples, that is, hydrogenated PEG/deuterated water (h-PEG/DO) and fully deuterated PEG/hydrogenated water (d-PEG/HO) with the same molar ratio of ethylene glycol (EG) monomer to water, 1:1, are compared. The QENS data of h-PEG/DO show the dynamics of PEG, and that of d-PEG/HO reveals the motion of water.

Multiscale characterization reveals oligomerization dependent phase separation of primer-independent RNA polymerase nsp8 from SARS-CoV-2.

RNA replication and transcription machinery is an important drug target for fighting against coronavirus. Non-structure protein nsp8 was proposed harboring primase activity. However, the RNA primer synthesis mechanism of nsp8 is still largely unknown.

Topoisomerase IIA in adult NSCs regulates SVZ neurogenesis by transcriptional activation of Usp37.

Topoisomerase IIA (TOP2a) has traditionally been known as an important nuclear enzyme that resolves entanglements and relieves torsional stress of DNA double strands. However, its function in genomic transcriptional regulation remains largely unknown, especially during adult neurogenesis. Here, we show that TOP2a is preferentially expressed in neurogenic niches in the brain of adult mice, such as the subventricular zone (SVZ).

Rapid detection of rocuronium based on host/guest complex between a pyrene derivative and sugammadex.

Rocuronium is widely used in surgery as a neuromuscular relaxant, but it has been difficult to accurately control its specific dosage in clinical operation. Therefore, the development of fast and instant rocuronium detection methods has important application value for reducing risks and safeguarding health. In this study, N, N, N-trimethyl-4-(pyrene-1-butyl)-ammonium bromide (PyBTA) was designed as a probe to detect rocuronium rapidly.

The association of pericardial fat and peri-aortic fat with severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease.

Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) is associated with central obesity, insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome. However, the association of body-site specific adiposity and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has not been well characterized. We studies 704 consecutive subjects who underwent annual health survey in Taiwan.

Effect of Cultivated Pastures on Soil Bacterial Communities in the Karst Rocky Desertification Area.

Soil bacteria play an important role in regulating the process of vegetation restoration in karst ecosystems. However, the effects of vegetation restoration for different cultivated pastures on soil bacterial communities in the karst rocky desertification regions remain unclear. Therefore, we hypothesized that mixed pasture is the most effective for soil bacterial communities among different vegetation restorations.

Toxoplasma gondii rhoptry protein (TgROP18) enhances the expression of pro-inflammatory factor in LPS/IFN-γ-induced murine BV2 microglia cells via NF-κB signal pathway.

Toxoplasma gondii, an opportunistic pathogenic protozoan, exhibits a strong predilection to infect the brain, causing severe neurological diseases, such as toxoplasmic encephalitis (TE), in immunocompromised patients. Microglia, the resident immune cells in the brain, is reported to play important roles in regulating the neuroinflammation mediated by T. gondii infection.

Protocatechuic acid: A novel detoxication agent of fumonisin B1 for poultry industry.

Fumonisin B1 (FB1) is a major fusarium mycotoxin that largely contaminates feedstuffs and foods, posing a health risk to both animals and humans. This mycotoxin can enter the human body directly through contaminated food consumption or indirectly by toxins and their metabolites. In a prior study, feed-borne FB1 is one of the leading mycotoxins in breeder eggs, leading to reduced hatchability and gizzard ulceration in chicken progenies.

Influence of continuing nursing care team mode on the rehabilitation of patients with pancreatic cancer after postoperative daily chemotherapy.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of continuing nursing care team mode on postoperative outpatient chemotherapy patients with pancreatic cancer.

Methods: One-hundred patients receiving postoperative outpatient chemotherapy for pancreatic cancer between September 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled in this study and divided into two groups, an intervention group and a control group (n = 50 each), by random number table method or coin tossing method. The patients in the intervention group were followed up using continuing nursing care team mode, while those in the control group were followed up using the traditional telephone follow-up mode.

The effects of night-time warming on mortality burden under future climate change scenarios: a modelling study.

Background: The health impacts of climate warming are usually quantified based on daily average temperatures. However, extra health risks might result from hot nights. We project the future mortality burden due to hot nights.

Binding of Dual-Function Hybridized MetalOrganic Capsules to Enzymes for Cascade Catalysis.

The combination of chemo- and biocatalysis for multistep syntheses provides attractive advantages in terms of evolvability, promiscuity, and sustainability striving for desirable catalytic performance. Through the encapsulation of flavin analogues by both NADH and heme mimics codecorated heteroleptic metalorganic capsules, herein, we report a progressive hostguest strategy to imitate cytochrome P450s catalysis for cascade oxidative coupling catalysis. Besides the construction of stable dual-function metalorganic capsules and the modification of cofactor-decorated capsules at the domain of enzymes, this supramolecular strategy involves multistage directional electron flow, affording reactive ferric peroxide species for inducing oxygenation.

Atypical Mucin Expression Predicts Worse Overall Survival in Resectable Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma.

Background: Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) displays a typical mucin expression pattern which is characterized by MUC1 positive, MUC2 negative, and MUC5AC positive. More and more evidences show that mucins are involved in the development of pancreatic diseases. However, the relationship between mucin expression and prognosis of PDAC patients has been controversial in the past decades; therefore, we aim to figure out the association of mucin expression with survival in PDAC patients who underwent radical resection.

MicroRNAs as Potential Biomarkers in the Differential Diagnosis of Lipomatous Tumors and Their Mimics.

Adipocytic tumors are the most common subtype of soft tissue tumors. In current clinical practice, distinguishing benign lipomas from well-differentiated liposarcomas (WDLPS), as well as dedifferentiated liposarcomas (DDLPS) from their morphologic mimics, remains a significant diagnostic challenge. This is especially so when examining small biopsy samples and without the aid of additional ancillary tests.

Study of Antidepressant-Like Effects of Albiflorin and Paeoniflorin Through Metabolomics From the Perspective of Cancer-Related Depression.

Mental health has become a new challenge in cancer treatment, with a high prevalence of depression in patients with cancer. Albiflorin (AF) and paeoniflorinn (PF) are isomers extracted from the root of Alba (Baishao in Chinese), belonging to the monoterpene glycosides, and multiple studies have been conducted on their antidepression and anti-cancer effects. However, the effects of AF and PF on cancer-related depression are unclear.

cis-Regulatory variation affecting gene expression contributes to the improvement of maize kernel size.

cis-Regulatory variations contribute to trait evolution and adaptation during crop domestication and improvement. As the most important harvested organ in maize (Zea mays L.), kernel size has undergone intensive selection for size.

An ALBI- and Ascites-Based Model to Predict Survival for BCLC Stage B Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Background: We aimed to develop a predictive model constituted with the ALBI grade, the ascites, and tumor burden related parameters in patients with BCLC stage B HCC.

Methods: Patients diagnosed as the BCLC stage B HCC were collected from a retrospective database. Construction and validation of the predictive model were performed based on multivariate Cox regression analysis.

NOTCH1 signaling regulates the latent neurogenic program in adult reactive astrocytes after spinal cord injury.

Direct reprogramming of astrocytes into neurons opens up a new avenue for neuroregenerative medicine. However, the poor understanding of the molecular mechanisms underpinning the latent neurogenic program in astrocytes has largely restricted this strategy towards safe and effective clinical therapies. Immunocytochemistry, immunohistochemistry, western blotting, qRT-PCR, gene knockdown and fate-mapping are performed to analyze the role of NOTCH1 signaling in regulation of the latent neurogenic program in reactive astrocytes after spinal cord injury.

The inequality labor loss risk from future urban warming and adaptation strategies.

Heat-induced labor loss is a major economic cost related to climate change. Here, we use hourly heat stress data modeled with a regional climate model to investigate the heat-induced labor loss in 231 Chinese cities. Results indicate that future urban heat stress is projected to cause an increase in labor losses exceeding 0.

A Novel ATM Antisense Transcript ATM-AS Positively Regulates ATM Expression in Normal and Breast Cancer Cells.

Objective: The ataxia telangiectasia mutated (ATM) gene is a master regulator in cellular DNA damage response. The dysregulation of ATM expression is frequent in breast cancer, and is known to be involved in the carcinogenesis and prognosis of cancer. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.