Exploring the role of VAV2 rare variants in primary open-angle glaucoma: genetic insights and pathophysiological mechanisms.

Primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide, primarily due to the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). In this study, we reported vav guanine nucleotide exchange factor 2 (VAV2) as a POAG-associated gene. Through whole exome sequencing (WES) of 398 Han Chinese POAG patients and 2,010 controls, we discovered nine rare VAV2 variants linked to POAG (P_burden=1.

Understanding of the Carbon Chain Growth in Electroreduction of Carbon Dioxide to Produce C Molecules.

Electrochemical reduction of carbon dioxide to value-added chemical feedstocks and fuels presents a promising strategy for carbon utilization and storage. Although advancements in enhancing the selectivity for C and C products have been witnessed, the research progress for efficient production of C molecules remains slow. Moreover, the mechanism underlying carbon chain growth is still ambiguous.

Potential applications of lipases rational design in the synthesis of medium- and long-chain triglycerides: Current advances and perspectives.

Medium- and long-chain triglycerides (MLCTs) integrate the metabolic advantages of medium-chain fatty acids and long-chain fatty acids, demonstrating significant potential in functional foods and infant nutrition. This review summarizes methods for chemically and enzymatically synthesizing MLCTs, highlighting that enzymatic synthesis has attracted more and more attention due to its mild reaction conditions and environmental friendliness. However, the process often involves adverse factors such as high viscosity and elevated temperatures, which compromise lipase activity, stability.

[18F]F-FAPI PET/CT outperforms [18F]F-FDG PET/CT in predicting treatment response in lupus nephritis.

Purpose: To identify predictors of complete response (CR) following induction therapy in lupus nephritis (LN) and comparatively evaluate the predictive value of baseline [18 F]F-FAPI PET/CT versus [18 F]F-FDG PET/CT for treatment short-term outcomes.

Materials And Methods: Twenty biopsy-proven LN patients were prospectively enrolled and underwent dual-tracer PET/CT imaging, using both [18 F]F-FAPI and [18 F]F-FDG imaging prior to standardized induction therapy. Treatment response was assessed at 6 months, categorizing into CR, partial response (PR), and non-response (NR) groups.

A Semiconductor Nanocluster Platform with Four Structural Configurations: An Ionic Pair with Tunable Chirality.

In chemistry, a cluster refers to an ensemble of a certain number of atoms that exhibit distinct physicochemical properties as a unified entity. Isostructural clusters, with subtle variations in structure or composition, can display opposite charges, behaving like monatomic ions to undergo classical reaction processes like disproportionation. Herein, we report that the semiconductor nanoclusters can be obtained in the form of a co-crystallized ionic pair, [CuS(SAdm)(PP)][S@CuS(SAdm)(PP)] (abbreviated as [S-Cu]·[S@S-Cu] hereafter).

Fundamentals and theories for the design of an arbitrary fractional-order all-optical differentiator based on a microring resonator.

In this paper, we present a complete theory for designing an all-optical time differentiator that enables the realization of arbitrary differentiation orders using the microring resonator (MRR). Based on this theory, a detailed quantitative analysis of the correspondence between the differentiator orders and the microring parameters is provided. All combinations of the amplitude transmission coefficient and single-pass amplitude transmission can be determined for desired orders.

Trichoderma reesei Cellulase in the Monoculture and the Mixed Culture with Aspergillus niger: From Transcripts to Proteins.

The mixed culture of Trichoderma reesei and Aspergillus niger enhanced cellulase production, optimized cellulase composition, and improved enzymatic hydrolysis efficiency. In our multi-omics study, we found that the transcriptional changes in cellulase components in the mixed culture, compared to the monoculture, did not align with the corresponding changes at the protein level. However, the reason why cellulase proteins exhibited different variations from their corresponding transcripts remains unclear.

Integrative analysis of lung adenocarcinoma across diverse ethnicities and exposures.

Lung adenocarcinomas (LUAD) are a pressing global health problem with enduring lethality and rapidly shifting epidemiology. Proteogenomic studies integrating proteomics and post-translational modifications with genomics can identify clinical strata and oncogenic mechanisms, but have been underpowered to examine effects of ethnicity, smoking and environmental exposures, or sex on this heterogeneous disease. This comprehensive proteogenomic analysis of LUAD tumors and matched normal adjacent tissues from 406 patients across diverse geographic and demographic backgrounds explores the impact of understudied driver mutations, prognostic role of chromosomal instability, patterns of immune signaling, differential and sex-specific effects of endogenous mutagens and environmental carcinogens, and pathobiology of early-stage tumors with "late-like" characteristics.

Dynamics of neutralizing antibodies against COVID-19 Omicron subvariants following breakthrough infection in southwest China between December 2022 and April 2024.

From December 2022 to January 2023, the SARS-CoV-2 Omicron BA.5/BF.7 variant significantly impacted mainland China.

Recent Advances in Metabolic Engineering Strategies for the Production of Human Milk Oligosaccharides in Microbial Hosts.

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs) are the third most abundant solid component in human breast milk, playing vital roles in promoting infant growth, supporting immune system development, and preventing infections. Due to these benefits, HMOs are increasingly being incorporated into infant formula, making their low-cost, large-scale production a pressing need. Recent advances in biosynthesis have focused on developing efficient production methods, particularly using genetically engineered and other microbial hosts.

The influence of physical activity on the mental health of high school students: the chain mediating effects of social support and self-esteem.

Mental health issues among high school students have become increasingly prominent. While physical activity is recognized for its ability to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression, the underlying psychological mechanisms of this effect remain unclear. Social support and self-esteem, as key psychological resources, may mediate the relationship between physical activity and mental health.

A Covalent Self-Reporting Peptide Degrader Enables Real-Time Monitoring of Targeted Protein Degradation In Vivo.

Peptides have demonstrated great potential in drug development. However, their broader application in modalities such as proteolysis-targeting chimeras (PROTACs) remains limited by the lack of real-time efficacy feedback and poor pharmacokinetic stability. Herein, we develop a covalent self-reporting peptide degrader (Co-SPeD) by integrating a fluorine-substituted aryl fluorosulfate warhead and a rotor fluorophore derived from stilbene derivatives, which allows for covalent binding to target proteins via sulfur(VI) fluoride exchange chemistry and emitting activatable fluorescence.

Emission Inequality of Antimony-Containing Nanoparticles in China.

Antimony (Sb) is a globally concerning pollutant. Sb-containing nanoparticles (Sb NPs) are increasingly being recognized for their human health risks. They can impair erythropoiesis and exhibit potential oxidative stress, neurotoxicity, and ferroptosis.

Identification of potential drug targets for achalasia from genetic insights: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: Achalasia (AC) is an esophageal dyskinetic disorder characterized by loss of function of ganglion cells of the intermuscular plexus of the distal esophagus and lower esophageal sphincter. Although there have been some advances in its diagnosis and treatment, the maintenance of pharmacologic therapy is very short-lived, the indications for surgical treatment are more limited, and postoperative complications have not been resolved. Therefore, targeted prediction of drugs for better treatment of AC is of great clinical interest.

Prognostic Significance of Neutrophil-to-Lymphocyte Ratio in Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) has emerged as a potential prognostic biomarker in melanoma, yet its clinical validity remains incompletely characterized. This study aimed to thoroughly assess the relationship between NLR and clinical outcomes in melanoma patients. We performed a comprehensive literature search in Embase, PubMed, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science from inception until August 14, 2024.

Exogenous M2 Macrophage-Loaded Scaffolds Promote Early Periodontal Regeneration by Improving Osteogenic Differentiation, Cell Homing, and Angiogenesis.

Manipulating the immune microenvironment (including the macrophage phenotype) by tissue implants is an important direction in the field of tissue regeneration. This study reports a macrophage-loaded hybrid scaffold construction to improve the response efficiency of implant-macrophage-tissue regeneration axis and precisely polarize macrophages toward the pro-regenerative M2 phenotype in vitro, and constructed an M2 macrophage-loaded hybrid scaffold. The feasibility of using a macrophage-loaded hybrid scaffold for immune-mediated periodontal regeneration is studied in vivo and in vitro.

Effects of different doses of remimazolam besylate on postoperative sedation, pain, and adverse reactions in patients undergoing hysteroscopic surgery.

Background: Hysteroscopy, a minimally invasive gynecological procedure, requires effective sedation for patient comfort and surgical success. Remimazolam Besylate, a new ultra-short-acting benzodiazepine, offers potential for safe sedation, but the optimal dose for postoperative outcomes is unclear. This study evaluated the effects of different doses of Remimazolam Besylate on postoperative sedation, pain, and adverse reactions in hysteroscopic surgery patients.

Bifunctional competitive antigen enhanced DLS Immunosensor for the ultrasensitive detection of furosemide in slimming products.

A bifunctional competitive antigen-enhanced dynamic light scattering (BCA-DLS) immunosensor was developed for the ultrasensitive detection of furosemide in slimming products. The bifunctional competitive antigen (Furo@BSA@GA) was synthesized by co-labeling furosemide and gallic acid with a cis-diol structure on bovine serum albumin (BSA). This innovative BCA-DLS immunosensor employs monoclonal antibody-coated magnetic nanoparticles (MNP@mAbs) as DLS probes to competitively bind the furosemide with bifunctional competitive antigen.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A Ameliorates Ischemic Stroke by Inhibiting NLRP3, AIM2, and Pyrin Inflammasome-Mediated Pyroptosis.

Hydroxysafflor Yellow A (HSYA), a water-soluble compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Carthamus tinctorius L., is known for its protective effects against cerebral ischemia/reperfusion(I/R) injury, though its mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the effect of HSYA on cerebral I/R injury and its potential relation to pyroptosis.

Enhancing Chemotherapy-Related Immune Responses via Bioorthogonal Metabolic Engineering-Driven Tumor Exosomes Elimination.

Tumor cell-driven exosomes (TExo) have exhibited several major drawbacks that hinder antitumor therapy. A representative immunosuppressive mechanism is the depletion of CD8+ cytotoxic T cells with the help of exosomal PD-L1. Another common mechanism is to promote tumor metastasis by promoting the seeding and growth of metastatic cancer cells in distant organs.

The key players of inflammasomes and pyroptosis in sepsis-induced pathogenesis and organ dysfunction.

Pyroptosis is an inflammatory form of cell death involving caspase-1 or caspase-4/5/11, initiated by inflammasomes or cytoplasmic endotoxins as part of the immune defense. It is specifically characterized by Gasdermin-mediated pore formation leading to cell lysis, pyroptosis also entails the release of pro-inflammatory cytokines. As a natural mechanism of the immune system, it activates in response to harmful stimuli to eliminate threats and facilitate tissue repair.

Primary Clean Cell Renal Carcinoma Metastasis to the Gallbladder: A Case Report.

Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) metastasis to the gallbladder is exceedingly rare. A 60-year-old man with a history of RCC underwent cholecystectomy for incidental gallbladder polyps. Pathology confirmed metastatic RCC via immunohistochemistry staining.

UBG: An Unreal BattleGround Benchmark With Object-Aware Hierarchical Proximal Policy Optimization.

The deep reinforcement learning (DRL) has made significant progress in various simulation environments. However, applying DRL methods to real-world scenarios poses certain challenges due to limitations in visual fidelity, scene complexity, and task diversity within existing environments. To address limitations and explore the potential ability of DRL, we developed a 3-D open-world first-person shooter (FPS) game called Unreal BattleGround (UBG) using the unreal engine (UE).