Development and characterization of protein-rich mixed-protein soft foods for the elderly with swallowing difficulties.

Protein-rich custards were developed for elderly individuals with dysphagia by combining soy protein isolate (SPI) and milk protein concentrate (MPC), with and without transglutaminase (TG). The formulations were designed to resemble the texture, rheology, and swallowability of MPC-only custard. Custards with 1:1 and 1:2 SPI-to-MPC ratios, both with and without 0.

Nitrogen Fertilizer Reduction in Rice-Eel Co-Culture System Improves the Soil Microbial Diversity and Its Functional Stability.

The ecological rice-eel co-culture system is not only beneficial for enhancing productivity and sustainability in agriculture but also plays a crucial role in promoting environmental health. In the present study, based on the long-term positioning trial of the rice-eel co-culture system that began in 2016 and was sampled in 2023, the effects of reduced nitrogen fertilizer application on soil physico-chemical properties and the bacterial community were investigated. Treatments included a conventional regular fertilization treatment (RT), rice-eel co-culture system regular fertilization (IT), and nitrogen-reduction 10%, 30%, and 50% fertilization treatments (IT90, IT70, and IT50).

Integrated untargeted and targeted metabolomics to reveal the mechanisms of herbal medicine HLXLD on Alzheimer's disease.

Huo-Luo-Xiao-Ling-Dan (HLXLD), a Chinese herbal medicine consisting of 11 herbs, has been shown to be effective in alleviating cognitive and memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the underlying mechanisms require further investigation. This study aimed to clarify potential therapeutic mechanisms of HLXLD in the treatment of AD from a metabolic perspective.

Acute Toxicity Effects of Aged Polyethylene and Polylactic Acid Microplastics on Microcystis aeruginosa: Growth and Oxidative Stress Response.

The usage of biodegradable plastics as a substitute for traditional plastics is increasing yearly. However, the toxicity of biodegradable microplastics to freshwater microalgae is still unclear compared to traditional microplastics; In addition, the toxic release effects of different aging methods on biodegradable plastics are also unknown. Taking polyethylene (PE) and polylactic acid (PLA) as the research objects, the acute toxicity (96 h) of Microcystis aeruginosa under high temperature aging (HT) and ultraviolet aging (UV) conditions was investigated.

Regulating the balance between GSDMD-mediated pyroptosis and CHMP4B-dependent cell repair attenuates calcium oxalate kidney stone formation.

An imbalance exists between renal tubular epithelial cells (RTECs) injury and repair in kidney stone disease, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unclear. Here, we found that gasdermin D (GSDMD)-mediated pyroptosis occurred in both patients and mice with calcium oxalate (CaOx) nephrolithiasis, and the expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) and GSDMD were associated with the severity of kidney stones. Deficiency of GSDMD alleviated renal tubule damage and inflammatory response, ultimately inhibiting renal injury and crystal deposition.

The role of adherent-to-suspension transition factors in clear cell renal cell carcinoma progression: a comprehensive analysis.

Recent studies have identified a biological process called adherent-to-suspension transition (AST) as a key factor in promoting metastasis. The involvement of AST in the progression of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) remains largely unexplored. We comprehensively investigated the overall landscape of all 20 AST factors at the pan-cancer level.

Discovery of Dual PD-L1/HDAC3 Inhibitors for Tumor Immunotherapy.

Targeting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway has been considered as one of the most promising strategies for tumor immunotherapy. However, single-target PD-1/PD-L1 inhibitors frequently exhibit limited efficacy, highlighting the urgent need for new therapies. Herein, a series of dual PD-L1/HDAC3 inhibitors were developed through a pharmacophore fusion strategy for the first time.

Discovery of novel Bis-amide analogue ST12 for the treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) by inhibiting NLRP3 inflammasome activation.

Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel bis-amide small molecule anti-inflammatory agents, among them, compound ST12 showed most potent anti-inflammatory activity. ST12 effectively inhibited the production of nitric oxide (NO) (inhibition rate of 52.67 ± 0.

GNE-317 Reverses MSN-Mediated Proneural-to-Mesenchymal Transition and Suppresses Chemoradiotherapy Resistance in Glioblastoma via PI3K/mTOR.

Glioblastoma (GBM) resistance to chemoradiotherapy is a major factor contributing to poor treatment outcomes. This resistance markedly affects the effectiveness of surgery combined with chemoradiotherapy and leads to post-surgical tumor recurrence. Therefore, exploring the mechanisms underlying chemoradiotherapy resistance in GBM is crucial for understanding its progression and improving therapeutic options.

Discovery of Novel Hydrazide-Based HDAC3 Inhibitors as Epigenetic Immunomodulators for Cancer Immunotherapy.

Based on our previous work, a series of imidazole-based small molecules were designed and synthesized as HDAC3 inhibitors. Among them, compound showed selective HDAC3 inhibition activity with an IC of 53 nM (SI = 75 for HDAC3 over HDAC1). Further studies revealed that could dose-dependently induce the expression of PD-L1 in MC38 cells by activating the PD-L1 transcription.

Oxygen-Passivated Sulfur Vacancies in Monolayer MoS for Enhanced Piezoelectricity.

Modern-day applications demand onboard electricity generation that can be achieved using piezoelectric phenomena. Reducing the dimensionality of materials is a pathway to enhancing the piezoelectric properties. Transition-metal dichalcogenides have been shown to exhibit high piezoelectricity.

Discovery of novel thiophene[3,2-d]pyrimidine-based tubulin inhibitors with enhanced antitumor efficacy for combined use with anti-pd-l1 immunotherapy in melanoma.

Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel 2-methylthieno [3,2-d]pyrimidine analogues as tubulin inhibitors with antiproliferative activities at low nanomolar levels. Among them, compound DPP-21 displayed the most potent anti-proliferative activity against six cancer cell lines with an average IC of ∼6.23 nM, better than that of colchicine (IC = 9.

Environmental Influence on Stripe Formation at the Graphite-Water Interface.

Understanding the characteristics of graphite-water interfaces is of scientific significance and practical importance. Ordered stripe structures have been observed at this interface, with their origins debated between condensed gas molecules and airborne hydrocarbons. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies have revealed variations in the morphology, formation and growth of these ordered structures.

Identification of high-functioning autism spectrum disorders based on gray-white matter functional network connectivity.

In the field of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), research on functional connectivity between gray matter and white matter remains under-researched. To address this gap, this study innovatively introduced a nested cross-validation method that integrates gray-white matter functional connectivity with an F-Score algorithm. This method calculates the correlation based on signals extracted from functional magnetic resonance imaging data using gray matter and white matter brain region templates.

Discovery of Novel HDAC3 Inhibitors with PD-L1 Downregulating/Degrading and Antitumor Immune Effects.

Targeting the programmed cell death-1/ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) pathway is one of the most promising cancer treatment strategies. Studies have shown that HDAC inhibitors can enhance the antitumor immune response by modulating the expression of PD-L1. Herein, we designed and synthesized a series of novel hydrazide-based small molecule HDAC inhibitors; among them, compound showed selective HDAC3 inhibition (IC = 89 nM) and remarkable PD-L1-degrading activity (DC = 5.

Combining untargeted and targeted metabolomics to reveal the mechanisms of herb pair Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge and Phellodendron chinense C. K. Schneid on benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (Ane) and Phellodendron chinense C. K. Schneid (Phe) is classical herb pair in traditional Chinese medicine, commonly used to ameliorate the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).

Integrated network pharmacology and serum metabonomics analysis to explore the potential mechanism of Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge-Phellodendron chinense Schneid herb pair in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge-Phellodendron chinense Schneid (AAPC) is one of the most widely accepted herb pairs in Chinese medicine prescription for treating benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). However, the mechanisms underlying the combination of the two herbs for anti-BPH are still not completely clear. To uncover the potential mechanism of the AAPC herb pair in the treatment of BPH, chemical profiling, network pharmacology, serum metabonomics and experimental validation were integrated.

CVD-Grown Monolayer MoS and GaN Thin Film Heterostructure for a Self-Powered and Bidirectional Photodetector with an Extended Active Spectrum.

Photodetector technology has evolved significantly over the years with the emergence of new active materials. However, there remain trade-offs between spectral sensitivity, operating energy, and, more recently, an ability to harbor additional features such as persistent photoconductivity and bidirectional photocurrents for new emerging application areas such as switchable light imaging and filter-less color discrimination. Here, we demonstrate a self-powered bidirectional photodetector based on molybdenum disulfide/gallium nitride (MoS/GaN) epitaxial heterostructure.

Leaching behaviour of Ra from uranium tailings and adsorption behaviour in geotechnical medias.

The leaching process of uranium tailings is a typical water-rock interaction. The release of Ra from uranium tailings depends on the nuclides outside the intrinsic properties of uranium tailings on the one hand, and is influenced by the water medium on the other. In this paper, a uranium tailings repository in southern China was used as a research object, and uranium tailings at different depths were collected by drilling samples and mixed to analyze the Ra occurrence states.

MMPs-related risk model identification and SAA1 promotes clear cell renal cell carcinoma migration via ERK-AP1-MMPs axis.

Matrix Metalloproteinases (MMPs) have been demonstrated to be essential in facilitating the migration and metastasis of clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC). However, the ability of the MMP family to predict clinical outcomes and guide optimal therapeutic strategies for ccRCC patients remains incompletely understood. In this investigation, we initially conducted a thorough examination of the MMP family in pan-cancer.

Discovery of 4-phenyl-1H-indazole derivatives as novel small-molecule inhibitors targeting the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction.

The inhibition of the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1)/programmed cell death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) pathway with small molecules is a promising approach for cancer immunotherapy. Herein, novel small molecules compounds bearing various scaffolds including thiophene, thiazole, tetrahydroquinoline, benzimidazole and indazole were designed, synthesized and evaluated for their inhibitory activity against the PD-1/PD-L1 interaction. Among them, compound Z13 exhibited the most potent activity with IC of 189.

Luminescence thermometry driven by a support vector machine: a strategy toward precise thermal sensing.

Luminescence thermometry is a promising non-contact temperature measurement technique, but improving the precision and reliability of this method remains a challenge. Herein, we propose a thermal sensing strategy based on a machine learning. By using GdGaO: Er-Yb as the sensing medium, a support vector machine (SVM) is preliminarily adopted to establish the relationship between temperature and upconversion emission spectra, and the sensing properties are discussed through the comparison with luminescence intensity ratio (LIR) and multiple linear regression (MLR) methods.