Elevated ascitic interleukin-36 receptor antagonist mediates CD8T cell exhaustion in vitro in liver cirrhotic patients with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis.

Interleukin-36 (IL-36) signaling pathway plays an important regulatory role in inflammatory and infectious diseases. However, the modulatory function of IL-36 in CD8T cells that are involved in liver cirrhosis with spontaneous bacterial peritonitis (SBP) has not been understood. Sixty-five liver cirrhotic patients (42 untainted ascites and 23 SBP patients) and 20 controls were included.

Natural variation in PtobZIP18 confers the trade-off between stem growth and drought tolerance in Populus.

Maintaining the balance between growth and drought tolerance is arguably one of the most prevalent challenges encountered by woody plants. In this study, we performed genome-wide association studies (GWAS) of percentage loss of diameter (PLD) in the stems of 300 Populus tomentosa accessions under drought stress. Our analysis identified the bZIP transcription factor PtobZIP18 as a key regulator of xylem development in response to drought stress.

Carrier-Free Nanocapsule with Dual-Target Capacity for Synergistically Restoring Inflammatory Microenvironment and Microbiota Dysbiosis in Colitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic inflammatory disease with limited therapeutic outcomes. Macrophages are the key gatekeepers of intestinal immune homeostasis and have vital influence on IBD. Hence, macrophages are recognized as attractive targets to develop new therapeutic.

Rolling Bearing Fault Diagnosis Model Based on Multi-Scale Depthwise Separable Convolutional Neural Network Integrated with Spatial Attention Mechanism.

In response to the challenges posed by complex and variable operating conditions of rolling bearings and the limited availability of labeled data, both of which hinder the effective extraction of key fault features and reduce diagnostic accuracy, this study introduces a model that combines a spatial attention (SA) mechanism with a multi-scale depthwise separable convolution module. The proposed approach first employs the Gramian angular difference field (GADF) to convert raw signals. This conversion maps the temporal characteristics of the signal into an image format that intrinsically preserves both temporal dynamics and phase relationships.

Bionic Bovine Achilles Tendon Collagen Composite Membrane Loaded with Anti-Inflammatory Kukoamine B Promotes Skin Wound Healing.

Skin is the first line of defence between the human body and the outside world, and it is constantly exposed to external injuries and wounds for a variety of reasons. Collagen is a structural protein of the extracellular matrix and an important component of the dermis. As a wound dressing, collagen not only provides nutrients to wounds but also enhances the immune response in the pre-healing phase, making it an excellent biomaterial for healing.

Dual-Check CRISPR-SERS strategy for sensitively detecting Monkeypox DNA and its single-base mutated DNA.

This study presents a convenient and efficient dual-check strategy for detecting Monkeypox DNA utilizing the SERS (Surface-enhanced Raman Spectroscopy)-CRISPR (Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats) system. The Monkeypox plasmid DNA (mpDNA) is recognized by the CRISPR RNA (crRNA)-Cas12a protein complex, where crRNA encompasses a targeting complementary sequence. Upon recognition, the trans-cleavage activity of Cas12a is activated and trans-cleaves the probe DNA (Cy3-ssDNA) which is modified on Au nanoparticles (AuNPs).

Summer and nonsummer climatic signals in speleothem δO revealed by loess microcodium δO in East Asia.

Speleothem δO records from central southern China have long been regarded as a key benchmark for Asian summer monsoon intensity. However, the similar δO minima observed among precession minima and their link to seasonal precipitation mixing remains unclear. Here, we present a 400,000-y record of summer precipitation δO from loess microcodium, which captures distinct precession cycles similar to those seen in speleothem δO records, particularly during glacial periods.

Validation on Method of Measuring the Knee Joint Force Sense and Application in Patients With Knee Osteoarthritis.

Force sense reflects the efferent activity capacity of proprioception. Currently, methods for measuring force sense in the knee joint is lack. This study aims to validate a constructed test system and to explore the characteristics of force sense in patients with knee osteoarthritis (KOA).

Micro-Galvanic-Driven Scalable Synthesis of Heterostructured Nanoarrays for Durable Anion Exchange Membrane Water Electrolysis.

The scalable synthesis of alkaline hydrogen evolution (HER) electrocatalysts that integrate high activity with operational durability is essential for advancing practical anion exchange membrane water electrolysis (AEMWE). Herein, vertical Cu-MoNi heterostructures are fabricated via a self-driven galvanic-corrosion-coupled low-temperature reduction strategy, circumventing hydrothermal protocols for scalable electrode fabrication. The catalyst achieves a low overpotential of 276 mV and exceptional stability for up to 2000 h at an ampere-level current density of 1 A cm in 1 m KOH.

Malevolent alliance of MYBL2 cancer stem cell and SPP1+ macrophage confers resistance to neoadjuvant immunotherapy in bladder cancer.

Background: Neoadjuvant immune checkpoint blockade (nICB) has revolutionized cancer treatment, yet the underlying mechanisms of resistance in bladder cancer remain to be explored.

Methods: We conducted single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) on peripheral blood mononuclear cells, tumor tissues, adjacent normal tissues, and metastatic lymph nodes from 2 nICB-naïve and 10 nICB-treated patients with bladder cancer (5 responders and 5 non-responders). Spatial RNA sequencing was performed on tumor slides from two responders and four non-responders.

Coacervate-Based Delivery Systems: Bridging Fundamentals and Applications.

Coacervate-based drug delivery systems, inspired by liquid-liquid phase separation, have emerged as a flexible platform for encapsulating and controlling the release of therapeutic agents such as nucleic acids, proteins, growth factors, and small molecules. Their capacity to react to exogenous and endogenous stimuli, such as pH and temperature, allows for accurate adjustment of the drug release profile and targeted delivery. Nonetheless, despite these advantages, poor stability in biological environments continues to pose a major obstacle, impacting drug retention and the effectiveness of therapies.

Prevalence, risk factors, prediction of robust callus formation and accelerated fracture healing in traumatic brain injury patients: a five-year study.

Background: Traumatic brain injury (TBI) usually induces robust callus formation at early stage and then subsequent acceleration of fracture union, as supported by both clinical and preclinical studies. However, risk factors and predictive tools to identify TBI patients most likely to experience this accelerated healing response are lacking and subject to future development.This study aimed to study the prevalence, risk factors, and develop machine learning (ML) models to predict robust callus formation and healing acceleration of fractures in TBI patients.

Recent advances in bladder cancer stem cells (BCSCs): A descriptive review of emerging therapeutic targets.

Bladder cancer (BC) is the most common malignancy of the urinary system, characterized by high recurrence due to limited specificity and efficacy of current therapies. Bladder cancer stem cells (BCSCs), a distinct subpopulation within BC, exhibit self-renewal, tumorigenicity, and resistance to conventional treatments, playing a critical role in BC initiation, progression, metastasis, and recurrence. This study reviews the origins, biomarkers, and therapeutic potential of BCSCs, emphasizing emerging strategies targeting these cells.

Chip-to-chip photonic quantum teleportation over optical fibers of 12.3 km.

Quantum teleportation is a crucial function in quantum networks. The implementation of photonic quantum teleportation could be highly simplified by quantum photonic circuits. To extend chip-to-chip teleportation distance, more effort is needed on both chip design and system implementation.

A CRP-like protein mediates antibacterial immunity in Pacific white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei.

C-reactive protein (CRP), an evolutionarily conserved short pentraxin, functions as a critical soluble pattern recognition receptor (PRR) in innate immunity and exhibits phylogenetic conservation from arthropods to mammals. In this study, we identified a CRP gene in Litopenaeus vannamei and designated it LvCRP. In vitro studies demonstrated that recombinant LvCRP (rLvCRP) exhibits broad-spectrum pathogen recognition through high-affinity binding to conserved bacterial surface components (LPS, PGN, and PCh), facilitated by its multimeric complex formation.

Development and validation of a machine learning-based clinical prediction model for monitoring liver injury in patients with pan-cancer receiving immunotherapy.

Background: Immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related liver injury poses a considerable clinical challenge for cancer patients. This study aimed to develop and validate an interpretable predictive model employing machine learning (ML) algorithms to accurately identify patients at high risk of acute liver injury within one month of initiating ICI treatment.

Methods: This longitudinal cohort study included pan-cancer patients who received their first ICI treatment between March 2019 and September 2022 at Zhongshan Hospital.

Specific changes in the levels of circulating cell-free mitochondrial DNA in the serum of patients with diabetic microangiopathy.

Introduction: Diabetic microangiopathy (DMAP) is a common chronic complication of diabetes. This study aimed to explore the early diagnostic value of the copy number and methylation level of cell-free mitochondrial DNA in the serum of patients with DMAP.

Methods: A total of 40 patients with simple diabetes (diabetes group) and 50 patients with DMAP (40 with diabetic nephropathy [DN group] and 10 with diabetic retinopathy [DR group]) were included in the study.

Microcella aerolata GA224 exhibits preventive potential against Streptococcus pneumoniae infection via the gut-lung axis.

Antibiotics and vaccines have long been major key interventions against Streptococcus pneumoniae (Spn) infection. However, alternative therapies are urgently needed with the original therapies becoming suboptimal efficacy. A beneficial bacterium, Microcella aerolata strain GA224, with protective potential against Spn infection was isolated in previous study.

Application of Machine Learning in the Prediction of the Acute Aortic Dissection Risk Complicated by Mesenteric Malperfusion Based on Initial Laboratory Results.

Background: Mesenteric malperfusion (MMP) represents a severe complication of acute aortic dissection (AAD). Research on risk identification models for MMP is currently limited.

Methods: Based on a retrospective study of medical records from the Beijing Anzhen Hospital spanning from January 2016 to June 2022, we included 435 patients with AAD and allocated their data to training and testing sets at a ratio of 7:3.

Healthy Plant-Based Diet Is Associated With a Reduced Risk of Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Large-Scale Prospective Analysis.

Current studies indicated a potential inverse association between plant-based diets (PBD) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Large-scale research is needed to confirm the protective role of PBD in IBD risk. This study evaluated the associations between PBD and IBD risk and explored potential mediators.

Potassium Isotopes in Huguangyan Maar Lake Sediments: Catchment Erosion versus Anthropogenic Activity since 1900 C.E.

Potassium (K), an essential element for life, is released in large quantities through anthropogenic activities, altering the geochemical K cycle. K isotopes, therefore, have the potential to trace anthropogenic processes. Huguangyan Maar Lake (HML), a hydrologically enclosed lake, provides an ideal setting to preserve the historical records of anthropogenic activities.

Clear aligners and open gingival embrasures: Retrospective study of epidemiology and risk factors.

Background: To investigate the epidemiology and risk factors of open gingival embrasures (OGE) in adult patients after clear aligner therapy (CAT).

Methods: A total of 518 adult patients were recruited to evaluate the prevalence and severity of OGE between central incisors through intraoral photographs; 281 patients with complete lateral cephalometric radiographs and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) were selected above to investigate mainly mesiodistal anatomical indicators regarding the occurrence and severity of OGE; and 186 non-extraction (NE) patients were selected from 281 patients to further investigate the relationship between tooth movement or labial-palatal/lingual anatomical indicators with OGE.

Results: The prevalence of OGE was relatively high and significantly associated with tooth extraction.

Health benefits of anthocyanins against age-related diseases.

Anthocyanins, a class of polyphenol flavonoids widely present in various fruits and vegetables, have attracted significant attention due to their potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-aging properties. Recent studies indicate that anthocyanins may play important roles in extending life and preventing or treating age-related diseases. This review systematically summarizes the chemical characteristics of anthocyanins and their potential roles in age-related diseases, including lifespan extension, neurodegenerative diseases, skeletal diseases, cardiovascular diseases, cancer, and metabolic syndrome.

The haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere genome and OMICS analyses reveal genetic responses to tapping in rubber tree.

Rubber tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is the primary source of natural rubber and economically important. We present the haplotype-resolved, telomere-to-telomere, gap-free genome assembly of the cultivar CATAS 7-33-97, with both haplotypes containing complete telomeric and centromeric regions. Structural variations, including a 32.