Oxidative stress-related biomarkers in thyroid eye disease: evidence from bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation.

Background: Oxidative stress is a key contributor to the pathogenesis of the autoimmune condition thyroid eye disease (TED). However, its precise molecular mechanisms and reliable biomarkers remain unclear. Bioinformatics enables the identification of differentially expressed genes through transcriptomic analysis.

Effects of red and blue light on photosynthetic carbon assimilation and growth-development in plants: A review.

Red and blue light are the primary spectra absorbed by photosynthetic pigments in plants. Through the signal pathways mediated by phytochromes (PHY) and cryptochromes (CRY)/phototropins (PHOT), they coope-ratively regulate photosynthetic carbon assimilation, and plant growth and development. We reviewed the regulatory mechanisms of red and blue light on photosynthetic characteristics and plant growth and development.

MicroRNA-93-5p alleviates uric acid-induced fibrosis in renal tubular epithelial cells by regulating the SMAD5/Id2 signaling pathway.

Hyperuricemia (HUA) is a prevalent metabolic disorder that contributes significantly to renal injury and may lead to the development of chronic kidney disease. Although previous studies have explored this condition, the molecular mechanisms underlying HUA-induced renal damage, particularly the role of small RNAs, remain inadequately understood. This study aimed to investigate the potential role of microRNA-93-5p (miR-93-5p) in HUA-associated renal injury.

Unraveling the Far-Field Coupling of Multilayered Chiral Metamaterials for CMOS-Enabled Midinfrared Imaging.

Three-dimensional (3D) chiral metamaterials are structures with broken out-of-plane symmetry. With intrinsic chirality, they present larger circular dichroism (CD) signals than the 2D chiral metamaterials. Among all types of 3D metamaterials, multilayer-stacked metamaterials stand out, as they have the potential for large-scale fabrication.

Theoretical analysis of atomic electronegativity effects on excited state behaviors for HBT-PhCz derivatives.

Context: The excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) reaction of 9-phenyl-9H-carbazole substituted 2-hydroxyphenyl benzothiazole (HBT-PhCz) derivatives is studied based on TDDFT/B3LYP/TZVP theoretical level. To provide direct information on the effect of atomic electronegativity on the ESIPT reactions, the geometric parameters, infrared (IR) vibrational spectra, core-valence bifurcation (CVB) index coupling with predicting the hydrogen bonding energy (E), vertical excitation behaviors, frontier molecular orbitals (MOs), and potential energy curves have been calculated for chalcogen-substituted HBT-PhCz derivatives (HBT-PhCz-O, HBT-PhCz-S, and HBT-PhCz-Se). The charge recombination caused by photoexcitation and energy gap between HOMO and LUMO orbitals further reveal the ESIPT trend.

Inhibition of Sirtuin 2 enhances autophagy and restores neuronal function in aged hippocampal neurons.

Age-related cognitive decline is linked to impaired autophagy and hippocampal dysfunction. This study investigates the role of Sirtuin 2 (SIRT2) in age-related cognitive decline, focusing on its impact on autophagy and hippocampal function. Quantitative proteomic analysis revealed 67 significantly dysregulated proteins in the hippocampus of naturally aged male mice, including upregulated SIRT2 and impaired autophagy.

VEGF ameliorates acute kidney injury by suppressing ferroptosis through activation of the ERK1/2-NRF2 pathway.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) plays a crucial role in maintaining renal homeostasis. However, the precise impact of VEGF on ferroptosis in acute kidney injury (AKI) remains incompletely understood. This study aims to investigate the effects of VEGF on ferroptosis in the model of AKI and to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Nitrogen-Modulated Reaction Pathways for Densified Carbon Architectures with Enhanced Volumetric Capacity.

Volumetric performance is critical due to space constraints in practical applications. However, although conventional high-surface-area porous carbons show high gravimetric capacity, their low density limits volumetric energy density. Herein, a compact carbon material was constructed through nitrogen chemical engineering, achieving a high area-specific capacity (1.

Advances in MEMS, Optical MEMS, and Nanophotonics Technologies for Volatile Organic Compound Detection and Applications.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are a class of organic compounds with high vapor pressure and low boiling points, widely present in both natural environments and human activities. VOCs released from various sources not only contribute to environmental pollution but also pose threats to ecosystems and human health. Moreover, some VOCs are considered biomarkers in exhaled breath and can be utilized to identify various diseases.

Association Between Hemoglobin, Albumin, Lymphocyte, and Platelet Score and Diabetic Foot Ulcer: A Cross-Sectional Study.

BackgroundDiabetic foot ulcer (DFU) is a common and serious complication of diabetes mellitus, with high rates of disability and mortality. Early diagnosis and prevention can effectively reduce its incidence. The relationship between hemoglobin, albumin, lymphocyte count, and platelet (HALP) score, which are biomarkers reflecting the inflammatory and nutritional status of the body, and DFU has not been investigated.

One-step strategy for fabricating icariin-encapsulated biomimetic Scaffold: Orchestrating immune, angiogenic, and osteogenic cascade for enhanced bone regeneration.

The repair of bone defects relies on the intricate coordination of inflammation, angiogenesis, and osteogenesis. However, scaffolds capable of integrating osteo-immunomodulation and vascular-bone coupling to cascade-activate these processes remain a challenge. Here, a biomimetic scaffold (CHP@IC) with PLGA@icariin (PLGA@IC) microspheres encapsulation was successfully fabricated using a one-step emulsification and polymerization strategy.

Online risk scores for pre- and postoperative prediction of early recurrence in hepatocellular carcinoma patients undergoing conversion liver resection after tyrosine kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors therapy.

Background: Conversion therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) offers the potential for curative resection in unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, early recurrence (≤2 years) after conversion liver resection remains a major concern. This study aimed to develop and validate online preoperative and postoperative risk scores to predict early recurrence in patients undergoing conversion liver resection.

Native Defect Elimination and Lattice Framework Reinforcement Toward Ultra-Stable Sodium-Ion Layered Cathodes.

Structural and performance degradation in layered transition metal oxide (TMO) cathode materials is often attributed to phase transition induction during sodium de-embedding, while the significance of native defects during complex synthesis is frequently overlooked. Here, the role of native surface remodeling in progressive capacity degradation in P2-type Na2/3Ni1/3Mn2/3O2 is emphasized, where lattice mismatches and elemental distortions are found on the surface of the particles and result in the accumulation of low-valent TMs. Interestingly, the accumulation gradually became the center of cathodic degradation rather than phase transition induction.

Tryptophan-producing bacteria to mitigate osteoporosis and intestinal dysfunction.

The relationship between gut microbiota and host health and disease is intricate, with microbiota-derived metabolites playing a crucial role in the gut-organ axis. In this study, we observe significantly decreased levels of microbial metabolites, particularly tryptophan derivatives in osteoporosis mice. Loss of tryptophan induced intestinal epithelial barrier dysfunction which compromised intestinal barrier integrity, leading to bone inflammatory responses and pathological osteoporosis.

HLA-DR⁺ Tumor Cells Show an Association with a Distinct Immune Microenvironment and CD8⁺ T-Cell Exhaustion in HBV-Associated Hepatocellular Carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, with hepatitis B virus (HBV) as a major driver. Despite the pivotal role of viral infections in shaping the tumor microenvironment (TME), the mechanistic differences among HBV-, hepatitis C virus (HCV)-, and non-B non-C (NBNC)-associated HCC remain poorly understood. By integrating the largest publicly available single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) dataset of HCC (160 samples from 124 patients) with multi-scale protein-level validation using multiplex immunofluorescence and tissue microarrays (198 HCC specimens), HLA-DR⁺ tumor cells are identified as a distinctive feature of HBVHCC.

A novel NKG2A alpaca nanobody targeting immune checkpoint blockade for the treatment of malignant melanoma.

Alpacas belong to the Camelidae family. Antibodies produced through alpaca immunization are called nanoantibodies. Compared to traditional antibodies, nanoantibodies have several characteristics, including smaller molecular weight, stable structure, high homology with human antibodies, and suitability for prokaryotic expression.

Integrative plasmonics: optical multi-effects and acousto-electric-thermal fusion for biosensing, energy conversion, and photonic circuits.

Surface plasmons, a unique optical phenomenon arising at the interface between metals and dielectrics, have garnered significant interest across fields such as biochemistry, materials science, energy, optics, and nanotechnology. Recently, plasmonics is evolving from a focus on "classical plasmonics," which emphasizes fundamental effects and applications, to "integrative plasmonics," which explores the integration of plasmonics with multidisciplinary technologies. This review explores this evolution, summarizing key developments in this technological shift and offering a timely discussion on the fusion mechanisms, strategies, and applications.

Non-allergenic mixed T cell epitope peptides for preventing Scy p 9 allergic reactions.

Filamin c is an allergen with strong IgE-binding activity of Scylla paramamosain (named Scy p 9). In this study, the T cell epitopes of Scy p 9 were identified using the CD4T lymphocyte proliferation assay in the mononuclear cells of the spleen allergic mice. Nine of the thirteen T cell epitope peptides that have been found have the ability to trigger the production of the Th1 cytokine (IFN-γ) and TGF-β.

Using Machine Learning to Predict Cognitive Decline in Older Adults From the Chinese Longitudinal Healthy Longevity Survey: Model Development and Validation Study.

Background: Cognitive impairment, indicative of Alzheimer disease and other forms of dementia, significantly deteriorates the quality of life of older adult populations and imposes considerable burdens on families and health care systems worldwide. The early identification of individuals at risk for cognitive impairment through a convenient and rapid method is crucial for the timely implementation of interventions.

Objective: The objective of this study was to explore the application of machine learning (ML) to integrate blood biomarkers, life behaviors, and disease history to predict the decline in cognitive function.

An MRI-based fusion model for preoperative prediction of perineural invasion status in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma.

Background: To develop and validate an MRI-based fusion model for preoperative prediction of perineural invasion (PNI) status in patients with intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (ICC).

Methods: A retrospective collection of 192 ICC patients from three medical centers (training set: n = 147; external test set: n = 45) was performed. Patients were classified into the PNI-positive and PNI-negative groups based on postoperative pathological results.

Identification and Expression Profiling of the Cytokinin Synthesis Gene Family in Maize.

Isopentyltransferase () is a key rate-limiting enzyme in cytokinin synthesis, playing a crucial role in plant growth, development, and response to adverse conditions. Although the IPT gene family has been studied in various plants, comprehensive identification and functional characterization of genes in maize () remain underexplored. In this study, ten gene family members (-) were identified in the maize genome, and their gene structure, physicochemical properties, evolutionary relationships, expression patterns, and stress response characteristics were systematically analyzed.

Prognostic Analysis of Elderly Patients with Hepatocellular Carcinoma: an Exploration and Machine Learning Model Prediction Based on Age Stratification and Surgical Approach.

Purpose: As the global population ages, precise prognostic tools are needed to optimize postoperative care for elderly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) patients. This study established a machine learning-driven predictive model to identify key prognostic determinants and evaluate age/surgical approach impacts, overcoming limitations of traditional statistical methods.

Methods: This retrospective study included 252 postoperative HCC patients aged ≥65 years (mean age 69.

Rhizoma Drynariae-derived EV-like particles alleviate osteoporosis by promoting osteogenic differentiation in BMSCs through the activation of the hsa_circ_0001275/miR-422a pathway.

Background: Osteoporosis (OP) is the most prevailing primary bone disease caused by the imbalance between bone resorption and formation. Rhizoma Drynariae-derived EV-like particles (RD-EVLP) perform the anti-osteoporosis effect by promoting the osteogenic differentiation of human bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (h-BMSCs) which may be regulated by circular RNAs (circRNAs) and microRNAs (miRNAs). This study aimed to reveal the functional roles and mechanisms of the RD-EVLP regulating osteogenic differentiation of osteoporosis through the activation of hsa_circ_0001275 sponging miR-422a.

Bacteria-responsive cytoderm drug delivery systems.

Signs of bacterial activities have been reported in a variety of disease models. Here, we extracted plant cytoderm ghosts (PCGs) from plant cells, acting as bacteria-responsive drug delivery systems (DDSs) that release drugs specifically in response to the presence or activity of bacteria. Cellulose, which is one of the main components of PCGs, can be degraded in the presence of specialized bacteria that secrete enzymes to convert the cellulose into simpler sugars, thus breaking down the structure of PCGs to release the loaded drugs.