Urban soil health improves with green infrastructure and reduced pathogen risks.

Urban land-use change significantly alters soil microbial communities, with consequences for ecosystem functionality and public health. However, the ecological and health-related outcomes of converting cropland into urban green infrastructure remain poorly characterized. In this study, we examined how three land-use types, afforestation, constructed wetlands, and urban infrastructure, affect soil bacterial diversity, community assembly, and pathogen risk over a three-year period (2019-2023).

Enhanced Photo-Fenton Removal of Oxytetracycline Hydrochloride via BP/BiMoO Z-Scheme Heterojunction Photocatalyst.

Fenton oxidation technology utilizing hydrogen peroxide is recognized as an effective method for producing reactive oxygen species (ROS) to facilitate the degradation of antibiotics. However, the requirement for strongly acidic conditions during this process significantly restricts its broader applicability. In this study, we synthesized black phosphorus (BP) nanosheets by exposing the {010} crystal planes and then constructed a 0D/2D BP/BiMoO (PBMO) heterojunction to function as a Fenton catalyst.

Defect-Engineered Elastic CNC/Chitosan-Based Carbon Aerogel with Wideband Microwave Absorption.

The burgeoning electromagnetic pollution from 5G/6G technologies demands lightweight, broadband, and mechanically robust electromagnetic microwave absorbers (EMWAs). Conventional carbon aerogels suffer from structural fragility and inadequate electromagnetic dissipation. Herein, we propose a defect-engineering strategy through precise optimization of the chitosan (CS)/cellulose nanocrystal (CNC) ratio to fabricate elastic boron nitride nanosheet (BNNS)-embedded carbon aerogels.

Study on the Adsorption Characteristics of Kaolin Blended with Different Proportions of NaCl under High-Temperature Conditions.

Zhundong coal is characterized by its high alkali metal content, which can easily lead to slagging and scaling on the heating surfaces of the boiler during combustion. In practical applications, the blending of kaolin is commonly adopted to mitigate these slagging and fouling issues during the combustion of Zhundong coal. This study uses a three-stage, high-temperature drop tube furnace.

Histone demethylase PHF2 regulates inflammatory genes in Alzheimer's disease.

A plethora of factors contribute to cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease (AD), including neuroinflammation, synaptic dysfunction and gene alteration. In search of transcription factors controlling dysregulated genes in AD, we identified that the histone demethylase PHF2 (KDM7C) was a top-ranking candidate. Significant upregulation of PHF2 was found in AD human postmortem tissues, iPSC-derived neurons from AD patients, and a familial AD mouse model (5xFAD).

Stimuli-responsive nanoparticles with tailorable elastin-like polypeptide chains for improved brain tumor targeting and therapy.

Glioblastoma (GBM), the most aggressive brain tumor, poses significant therapeutic challenges due to its infiltrative growth, resistance to conventional therapies, and the impermeable blood-brain barrier (BBB), which restricts drug delivery. To address these limitations, we developed a stimuli-responsive nanoplatform based on elastin-like polypeptides (ELPs)-biocompatible, thermally responsive biopolymers that enable precise drug release. The length-variable ELPs endow nanoparticles with tunable physicochemical characteristics, enabling the optimization of delivery efficiency through length-specific selection.

Chimeric collagen-like proteins with tunable structural heterogeneity for precise control and targeted doxorubicin delivery.

Protein-based drug delivery systems offer advantages such as genetic tunability, structural homogeneity, and high biocompatibility. However, precisely controlling the assembly of protein nanoparticles and establishing correlations between their macroscopic properties and molecular architecture remain significant challenges. Here, inspired by chimeric collagen-like proteins, we rationally designed a series of de novo chimeric proteins comprising an N-terminal globular domain fused to a linear collagen-like domain.

Upcycling waste polyimide foam into efficient adsorbent for deep removal of nickel complex from wastewater.

We report a "treating waste with waste" strategy for the removal of high-concentration nickel tartrate (Ni-TA) complexes from electroplating wastewater. Using waste polyimide foam as the raw material, an amine-sulfhydryl dual-functionalized material (PI-ACS) was prepared through chemical modification. At the optimal molar ratio of sulfhydryl to amine groups (1.

Tunable topologically protected transmissive structural colors in layered film structures with high purity and brightness.

Structural colors from the interaction of light with well-designed nanostructures are highly promising for achieving long-term colors with high purity and brightness compared with traditional dyes and pigments. However, further improvement of the brightness and purity of colors originating from optical interference or nanophotonic resonances remains challenging due to inevitable losses and sidebands in such a design. Here, we show that in-band gap topologically protected state colors (TPSCs) that reside at the interface between layered thin films in the extended model with different Zak phases are ideal candidates for high-brightness transmissive colors due to the low loss characteristic from topology.

To MRAs treatment or not? evidence from a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials of different MRAs on cardiovascular health in heart failure.

Background: Mineralocorticoid receptor antagonists (MRAs) are pivotal in heart failure (HF) management.

Objectives: This study evaluates their impact on adverse cardiovascular events and left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) in HF patients.

Methods: A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, Web of Science, and ClinicalTrials databases, with a cutoff date of September 30, 2024.

Exploring the Importance of ZBP1 in Sepsis: A Mini Review on It's Mechanisms and Progress.

Sepsis is defined as a severe systemic inflammation, often triggered by an infection, resulting in organ dysfunction and mortality. In recent years, ZBP1 (Z-DNA binding protein 1) has garnered significant attention as a critical immune regulatory factor in the pathogenesis of sepsis. This article aims to comprehensively explore the mechanisms by which ZBP1 operates in sepsis and summarize the relevant research progress.

Integrating network pharmacology and multi-omics in a systems approach: a mechanism study of Jinhong tablets against chronic superficial gastritis.

Background: Chronic gastritis (CG) significantly impacts patients' quality of life and can progress to more severe gastric conditions. In China, Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has been widely applied for its holistic efficacy in treating chronic superficial gastritis (CSG), including formulas like Jinhong Tablets (JHT), known for their anti-inflammatory effects. However, the mechanism of action of JHT in treating CSG still requires further clarification.

Core effective components identifying strategy of Xingbei Zhike granule: integrating multi-component quantification, tissue distribution, oral bioavailability, and antitussive effect.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Xingbei Zhike granule (XBZK), a widely used Chinese patent medicine consisting of nine herbal medicines, is clinically used to clear lung qi, relieve cough, and reduce phlegm and is commonly prescribed for cough associated the syndromes of external cold and internal heat. However, its core effective components remain unclear.

Aim Of Study: This study aims to develop a new strategy, integrating content proportion, tissue targeting, bioavailability, and pharmacodynamic contribution, to explore the core effective components for precise quality control of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), using Xingbei Zhike granule (XBZK) as a model.

Naringenin exerts antiarrhythmic action in septic cardiomyopathy by downregulating the CaMKⅡ/Drp1/Bcl-2 pathway.

Background: Septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) is associated with sepsis and is often accompanied by progressive arrhythmia. Naringenin (Nar) is a natural dihydroflavonoid compound that plays a protective role in various cardiovascular diseases. Calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is a key therapeutic target in cardiac arrhythmias.

Gut microbial metabolite trimethylamine N-oxide as a novel predictor for adverse cardiovascular events after PCI: a systematic review and dose-response meta-analysis.

Background: Cardiovascular diseases are the leading cause of mortality worldwide, with acute coronary syndrome (ACS) being particularly fatal. Percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is a key treatment for ACS; however, major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE) frequently occur postoperatively. Trimethylamine N-oxide (TMAO), a gut microbiota-derived metabolite, has been proposed as an emerging risk factor for cardiovascular disease.

ZnO nanoparticles induce acute arrhythmia and heart failure in mice by disturbing cardiac ion channels.

Background: The widespread use of zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) has raised safety concerns on human health. However, the effects and underlying mechanisms of ZnO NPs exposure on the heart, especially during acute exposure, have yet to be elucidated.

Methods: Two different sizes of ZnO NPs (40 nm and 100 nm) were selected and their in vivo effects on mouse heart were evaluated by echocardiography and electrocardiograms.

Litter percolate nitrogen promotes saprophytic and mycorrhizal fungi to contribute more soil carbon in mixed Masson pine plantations.

The carbon contribution of soil fungi in mixed forests is considerably influenced by variations in litter nutrients, but the comprehension of this impact is fraught with discrepancies and ambiguities. Furthermore, litter percolate, a vital way in which litter nutrients impact soil, has gotten less attention. These considerably limit our understanding of fungi's roles in carbon storage in mixed forests.

Amplified emission and lasing enabled by high-Q quasi-bound states in asymmetric dielectric metasurfaces via eigenfield perturbation.

Symmetry-protected bound states in the continuum represent a distinct class of nonradiative modes in continuous media. By introducing asymmetric parameters into a symmetric metasurface, the inherent symmetry can be broken, transforming BICs-originally decoupled from external radiation channels-into high-Q quasi-BICs with controlled radiation capabilities. However, manufacturing constraints pose a significant challenge in fabricating nanostructures with ultra-small asymmetric parameters, thereby limiting the achievable Q-factor.

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Wild Ancient in Pu'an, Guizhou, China.

Pu'an County, located in southwestern Guizhou Province, China, is one of the original habitats for wild tea plants. It is renowned not only as the "Home of Ancient Tea Trees in China" but also as the "Core Production Area for High-Quality Early Tea in China". The wild ancient tea trees are considered "living fossil".

Cognitive and Synaptic Impairment Induced by Deficiency of Autism Risk Gene and its Rescue by Histone Deacetylase Inhibition.

, which encodes BAF170, a core subunit of chromatin remodeling BAF complex, is one of the top-ranking risk genes for autism spectrum disorder (ASD). However, the mechanisms linking haploinsufficiency to ASD remain poorly understood. Genome-wide RNA-seq analysis revealed that was significantly diminished in iPSC-derived neurons from idiopathic ASD patients.

Mechanism and Multilayer Perceptron prediction model of the removal of -terpineol, terpinen-4-ol and carvone from pasteurized citrus juices by -cyclodextrin encapsulation.

This study revealed the mechanism of improvement in sensory evaluation of citrus juices after pasteurization by the natural cyclodextrin (-CD), and developed a prediction model for encapsulation based on conventional physicochemical indicators. The results of gas chromatography-mass spectrometry indicated that the off-flavor in citrus juice after pasteurization were mainly caused by -terpineol, terpinen-4-ol and carvone, and the addition of -CD could effectively reduce the content of these compounds. The inclusion complexes of -CD and off-flavor compounds were characterized by formation constants, scanning electron microscope, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, and thermogravimetric analyses, followed by molecular docking to show the possible conformations of -CD and off-flavor compounds to form 1:1 inclusion complex by hydrophobic interaction, van der Waals forces and hydrogen bonding.

Effects of Omega-3 Fatty Acids Intake on Lipid Metabolism and Plaque Volume in Patients With Coronary Heart Disease: A Systematic Review and Dose-Response Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials.

This systematic review and meta-analysis of 23 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) encompassed an overall sample size of 2061 patients diagnosed with coronary heart disease. The objective was to assess the impact of omega-3 fatty acids intake on lipid profiles and arterial plaque volume. Omega-3 fatty acids supplementation significantly reduced circulating levels of triglycerides (TGs) (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.

[Processing technology of calcined Magnetitum based on concept of QbD and its XRD characteristic spectra].

Guided by the concept of quality by design(QbD), this study optimizes the calcination and quenching process of calcined Magnetitum and establishes the XRD characteristic spectra of calcined Magnetitum, providing a scientific basis for the formulation of quality standards. Based on the processing methods and quality requirements of Magnetitum in the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, the critical process parameters(CPPs) identified were calcination temperature, calcination time, particle size, laying thickness, and the number of vinegar quenching cycles. The critical quality attributes(CQAs) included Fe mass fraction, Fe~(2+) dissolution, and surface color.

Cryogels with controllable physico-chemical properties as advanced delivery systems for biomedical applications.

Enhancing the spatiotemporal control of drug delivery holds significant potential for improving drug bioavailability, minimizing adverse reactions and toxicity, and advancing precision medicine. Traditional hydrogels have been widely recognized for their significance in substance delivery, attributed to their outstanding biocompatibility. Nevertheless, they exhibit certain limitations in the areas of controlled release and cell delivery.