Rhodiola crenulata extract inhibits cell pyroptosis to ameliorate pulmonary vascular remodeling in rats through the regulation of decadienylcarnitine/NLRP3/GSDMD axis.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Our previous work verified that decadienyl-L-carnitine (C10:2) biosynthesis has therapeutic-target capacity for RCE inhibiting pulmonary vascular remodeling to modulate experimental pulmonary hypertension(PH). However, the profound molecular mechanism remains incompletely elucidated.

Aim Of Study: This study aims to investigate whether C10:2 biosynthesis regulates pulmonary vascular remodeling by activating cell pyroptosis.

The Role and Phagocytic Mechanisms of Alveolar Macrophages in Inflammatory Responses Induced by Diesel Exhaust Particles.

Alveolar macrophages, the most abundant innate immune cells in the distal lung parenchyma, are not only essential for maintaining pulmonary homeostasis but also orchestrate pulmonary and thus systemic responses to ambient particulate matter. However, their specific role in the development of adverse health effects related to ambient fine particulate matter (PM) exposure remains insufficiently understood. In this study, we used both mouse models and cultured cells to document their role in the development of pulmonary inflammation due to exposure to diesel exhaust particles (DEP), the main component of urban PM.

Mechanistic insights into ozone-induced asthma exacerbation: role of oxidative stress and IL-33.

Short-term exposure to ozone is linked to the onset and exacerbation of asthma, yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aims to elucidate the molecular pathways and key mediators involved in ozone-induced asthma exacerbation. In a longitudinal epidemiological study, each 10 µg/m³ increase in ozone is associated with decreases in forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV), and peak expiratory flow (PEF) of 26.

Gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) induces glucose metabolism disorders and ovarian dysfunction in ovarian white follicles of hens.

Energy metabolism is crucial for reproduction, and disturbances in glucose metabolism are closely associated with reproductive disorders. The gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) plays a crucial role in reproduction and glucose homeostasis in both birds and mammals. However, its specific effects on glucose metabolism-associated ovarian dysfunction in hens remain uncharacterized.

Temporary Structural Supports for Chemical Protein Synthesis.

The range of functional proteins that can be prepared by chemical protein synthesis includes those bearing complex modifications and incorporating d-amino acids, and exceeds what can be accessed by biological means, but the technique is still limited by the unfavorable solution behavior of many synthetic protein intermediates in buffer, leading to inefficient ligation, purification, and in vitro folding. One approach to address this limitation is the use of temporary structural supports-chemical modifications, usually solubilizing functionalities such as polyamines or carbohydrates-that are installed on either the backbone or side chains of the synthetic protein intermediates and removed at a later stage of chemical protein synthesis. The basic processes for introducing and removing such temporary structural supports are reminiscent of the canonical protecting groups ubiquitous in organic chemistry.

Electroacupuncture alleviates diesel exhaust particles-induced inflammatory response in lung through dopamine inhibition of NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Fine particulate matter (PM) remains a major environmental problem both in China and worldwide. Extensive researches have indicated that PM exposure can lead to various adverse health effects through pulmonary and systemic inflammation, making it crucial to explore effective individual intervention strategies. Electroacupuncture, an ancient Chinese medical treatment, has been proven safe and effective for treating some diseases, however, its potential in preventing PM-induced toxicity remains unclear.

Superfast Protein Desulfurization Triggered by Low-Energy Visible Light.

The combination of transthioesterification-based ligation of thiol-derived amino acids and the post-ligation desulfurization has greatly expanded the scope of modern chemical protein synthesis. Here, we report a new strategy of low-energy visible light-induced desulfurization (LEnVLD) that enables superfast and clean protein desulfurization (half life = 1.7 s) with improved reaction selectivity compared to the previous methods.

Efficient chemical synthesis of mirror-image DNA polymerase Dpo4 assisted by one-pot multi-segment condensation.

The mirror-image DNA polymerase Dpo4 is a valuable enzymatic tool in biomedical research; however, its chemical synthesis has been hindered by low efficiency. Here, we describe an efficient chemical synthesis of D-Dpo4 using a one-pot multi-segment condensation strategy, which was achieved using Fmoc-masked peptide thioester. By minimizing the need for isolating and handling intermediates through one-pot three- and four-segment ligations, we were able to obtain D-Dpo4 with higher efficiency, achieving an improved overall yield of 9.

Interface-Engineered High-Performance Self-Powered Solar-Blind Photodetector Based on NiO/ε-GaO Heterojunctions.

Self-powered solar-blind photodetectors based on GaO heterojunctions with high sensitivity and fast response speeds are in high demand for versatile applications. However, the inferior assembly of the heterojunction interface typically results in a significant leakage current and compromised device performance. Herein, we fabricate a NiO/ε-GaO p-n heterojunction solar-blind photodetector for the first time and introduce a high-resistance homogeneous layer at the interface to suppress the leakage current successfully.

Ferroelectric Optoelectronic Memory Based on p-GaN/ZnGaO/BaTiO/n-ITO Heterojunction with Integrated Sensing and Logic Operations.

Ferroelectric optoelectronic memories, capable of integrating sensing, computing, and storage functionalities, hold significant potential in the fields of artificial intelligence and the Internet of Things. In this study, a nonvolatile p-GaN/ZnGaO/BaTiO/n-ITO ferroelectric optoelectronic memory is demonstrated. By combining with wide-bandgap semiconductors ZnGaO and GaN, known for their excellent optoelectronic properties, the device exhibits superior self-powered ultraviolet photodetection performance.

Mechanically Triggered Protein Desulfurization.

The technology of native chemical ligation and postligation desulfurization has greatly expanded the scope of modern chemical protein synthesis. Here, we report that ultrasonic energy can trigger robust and clean protein desulfurization, and we developed an ultrasound-induced desulfurization (USID) strategy that is simple to use and generally applicable to peptides and proteins. The USID strategy involves a simple ultrasonic cleaning bath and an easy-to-use and easy-to-remove sonosensitizer, titanium dioxide.

Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Decoction modulates hypoxia and lipid toxicity to alleviate pulmonary vascular remodeling of pulmonary hypertension in rats.

Background: Pulmonary hypertension (PH) is a severe cardio-pulmonary vascular disease, involves complex molecular mechanism especially during the pathological process of pulmonary vascular remodeling, brings a significant challenge to clinical treatment and thus resulting in high mortality rates. Classic Traditional Chinese medicine formula, Zhishi Xiebai Guizhi Decoction (ZXGD), holds therapeutic potential for PH. In present study, we sought to explore therapeutic potential of ZXGD against PH in rats.

Timing determines programming of energy homeostasis by maternal PM exposure in mouse models.

Maternal exposure to particulate matter with an aerodynamic diameter ≤2.5 μm (PM) is believed to be a risk factor of developmental origins of health and disease (DOHaD), but its effect on offspring's susceptibility to obesity, a common target disease of DOHaD, remains controversial. To pinpoint the effect of maternal PM exposure on offspring's energy homeostasis, female C57BL/6J mice were exposed to filtered air (FA) or concentrated ambient PM (CAP) for 12 weeks and mated with normal male mice to produce offspring.

Changing climate intensifies downstream eutrophication by enhancing nitrogen availability from tropical forests.

The contribution of diffuse nutrient exports from forests to downstream water bodies is significant owing to their extensive spatial distribution across watersheds. However, the intricacies of coupling mechanism between diffuse nutrient exports and meteorological factors driving downstream eutrophication remain poorly understood. Multiple methods involving field sampling, laboratory analysis, and model simulation were utilized to investigate the impact of diffuse nutrient exports from tropical forests on chlorophyll a concentration dynamic in the downstream reservoir.

Gut microbiota mediates ambient PM exposure-induced abnormal glucose metabolism via short-chain fatty acids.

PM exposure has been found to cause gut dysbiosis and impair glucose homeostasis in human and animals, yet their underlying biological connection remain unclear. In the present study, we aim to investigate the biological significance of gut microbiota in PM-induced glucose metabolic abnormalities. Our results showed that microbiota depletion by antibiotics treatment significantly alleviated PM-induced glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, as indicated by the intraperitoneal glucose tolerance test, glucose-induced insulin secretion, insulin tolerance test, insulin-induced phosphorylation levels of Akt and GSK-3β in insulin sensitive tissues.

Peripheral 5-HT Mediates Gonadotropin-Inhibitory Hormone-Induced Feeding Behavior and Energy Metabolism Disorder in Chickens via the 5-HT2C Receptor.

Introduction: Since the discovery of gonadotropin-inhibitory hormone (GnIH), it has been found to play a critical role in reproduction in vertebrates. Recently, a regulatory role of GnIH in appetite and energy metabolism has emerged, although its precise physiological mechanisms remain unknown.

Methods: Thus, the present study evaluated the effects of a single or long-term intraperitoneal GnIH treatment on the food intake, weight, and glucolipid metabolism of chickens, as well as investigating the possible neuroendocrinology factors and mechanisms involved in GnIH-induced obesity and glucolipid metabolism disorder.

The possibly role of GnIH in stress and gut dysfunction in chicken.

Stress is known to disrupt the intestinal barrier and induce intestinal dysfunction. A critical role for gonadotropin inhibitory hormone (GnIH) in stress has emerged. However, whether GnIH mediates stress-induced intestinal dysfunction remains unknown.

An Enzyme-Cleavable Solubilizing-Tag Facilitates the Chemical Synthesis of Mirror-Image Proteins.

Mirror-image proteins (D-proteins) are useful in biomedical research for purposes such as mirror-image screening for D-peptide drug discovery, but the chemical synthesis of many D-proteins is often low yielding due to the poor solubility or aggregation of their constituent peptide segments. Here, we report a Lys-C protease-cleavable solubilizing tag and its use to synthesize difficult-to-obtain D-proteins. Our tag is easily installed onto multiple amino acids such as Lys, Ser, Thr, and/or the N-terminal amino acid of hydrophobic D-peptides, is impervious to various reaction conditions, such as peptide synthesis, ligation, desulfurization, and transition metal-mediated deprotection, and yet can be completely removed by Lys-C protease under denaturing conditions to give the desired D-protein.

L-Glycosidase-Cleavable Natural Glycans Facilitate the Chemical Synthesis of Correctly Folded Disulfide-Bonded D-Proteins.

D-peptide ligands can be screened for therapeutic potency and enzymatic stability using synthetic mirror-image proteins (D-proteins), but efficient acquisition of these D-proteins can be hampered by the need to accomplish their in vitro folding, which often requires the formation of correctly linked disulfide bonds. Here, we report the finding that temporary installation of natural O-linked-β-N-acetyl-D-glucosamine (O-GlcNAc) groups onto selected D-serine or D-threonine residues of the synthetic disulfide-bonded D-proteins can facilitate their folding in vitro, and that the natural glycosyl groups can be completely removed from the folded D-proteins to afford the desired chirally inverted D-protein targets using naturally occurring O-GlcNAcase. This approach enabled the efficient chemical syntheses of several important but difficult-to-fold D-proteins incorporating disulfide bonds including the mirror-image tumor necrosis factor alpha (D-TNFα) homotrimer and the mirror-image receptor-binding domain of the Omicron spike protein (D-RBD).

The bio-distribution, clearance pathways, and toxicity mechanisms of ambient ultrafine particles.

Ambient particles severely threaten human health worldwide. Compared to larger particles, ultrafine particles (UFPs) are highly concentrated in ambient environments, have a larger specific surface area, and are retained for a longer time in the lung. Recent studies have found that they can be transported into various extra-pulmonary organs by crossing the air-blood barrier (ABB).

A Modified Method for Transient Transformation via Pollen Magnetofection in Germplasm.

Lily ( spp.) is a popular ornamental plant. Traditional genetic transformation methods have low efficiency in lily, thus development of a high-efficiency genetic transformation system is important.

Dehydroaromatization of Indolines and Cyclohexanones with Thiol Access to Aryl Sulfides under Basic Conditions.

Aryl sulfides are common and ubiquitous motifs in natural products and pharmaceuticals. Presented herein is the first example of the synthesis of diaryl sulfide derivatives via dehydroaromatization under simple basic conditions. Dehydroaromatization reactions between indolines or cyclohexanones with aryl thiols are performed in an environmentally benign manner by the use of air (molecular oxygen) as the oxidant, with producing water as the only byproduct.