The Liquid Crystal Monomer 3cH2B Affects the Visual System via Neural-Cell-Specific Retinoic Acid Disruption in the Optic Tectum.

As a newly recognized type of emerging contaminant, liquid crystal monomers (LCMs) are widely distributed in the environment and human consumptions and their effects on visual systems and the underlying mechanisms are yet to be elucidated. Therefore, this study investigated the visual-neuro influence of 3cH2B (a frequently detected LCM) under environmentally relevant concentrations in zebrafish. The findings revealed that 40 μg/L 3cH2B induced visual behaviors after 40 days of exposure, which was accompanied by decreased retinoic acid (RA) levels and retinal structural deformation in the eyes.

Polymerase-based DNA reactions for molecularly computing cancerous diagnostic valences of multiple miRNAs.

Conventional miRNA-based diagnostic methods often treat all biomarkers equally, overlooking the fact that each miRNA contributes differently to disease classification. This differential diagnostic importance is captured by the concept of Cancerous Diagnostic Valence (CDV)-a metric that quantifies both the direction (oncogenic or protective) and magnitude of each miRNA's association with cancer. Here, we introduce a polymerase-based DNA molecular computing system that directly encodes and integrates CDVs to perform weighted molecular classification of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Nrf2 controls homeostatic transcriptional signatures and inflammatory responses in a cell-type specific manner in the adult mouse brain.

Nrf2 is a promising therapeutic target for neurological disorders, but its mechanisms of action remain unclear. While often linked to anti-inflammatory effects, this is mostly based on studies involving pharmacological activation. In the brain, Nrf2 is highly expressed in microglia, astrocytes, and endothelial cells.

Assessing barriers and facilitators of attitudes toward seasonal influenza vaccination among pregnant women using the Health Belief Model.

Pregnant women are at elevated risk of severe influenza-related complications and maternal influenza vaccination protects mothers and infants. Nevertheless, the global maternal influenza vaccination rates remain critically low. This cross-sectional survey, conducted in Shanghai during 2023-2024, applied the Health Belief Model (HBM) to evaluate the attitudes and determinants of seasonal influenza vaccination among 3219 pregnant women.

Online monitoring of a high-power CW laser optical mirror based on infrared and visible image features visualization.

In high-power CW (continuous wave) laser systems, laser damage to optical mirrors often occurs, and it is urgent to develop timely and effective monitoring technologies to avoid laser damage or emergency stop at the early damage stage. In this paper, an online monitoring method based on the combination of infrared and visible images is proposed. The proposed method is based on the feature recognition of infrared and visible images.

Ultra-Low Ultraviolet Photon Detection of Diamondene Van der Waals Heterostructure by Interfacial Bonding.

With the increasing demand for high sensitivity, low interference, and micro-size of deep ultraviolet spectral information in the field of photoelectric detection, low-dimensional diamond-based ultraviolet photoelectric detection has attracted great interest. However, although the diamond-based material has a high mobility, its lack of free electrons seriously hinders its conductivity and detection ability. Therefore, improving the free electron level of diamond-based materials has become the primary goal for achieving high-performance applications.

Immunogenicity and safety study of 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine revaccination among elderly individuals aged 60-70 years in Shanghai, China.

Background: To understand the immunogenicity and safety of the 23-valent pneumococcal polysaccharide vaccine in elderly individuals aged 60-70 years in Shanghai after revaccination.

Methods: A total of 330 elderly people aged 60-70 years were recruited to study the immunogenicity and safety of PPSV23 revaccination. The group with a history of PPSV23 vaccination and an interval of 5 years or more was selected as the revaccination group (n=220), and the group without any pneumococcal vaccine was selected as the first vaccination group (n=110).

Study on the dynamics of fruits color related genes and metabolites during the fruit development of Zanthoxylum bungeanum 'Hanyuan'.

Background: Anthocyanins play a crucial role in determining the coloration of plant fruits and are essential for enhancing their economic traits. However, studies on anthocyanin biosynthesis in Zanthoxylum bungeanum 'Hanyuan' fruit have yet to be reported.

Results: In this study, the patterns of anthocyanin synthesis in fruit through phenotypic analysis and total anthocyanin measurements across 13 development stages were traced.

Nomogram and risk-score for predicting overall survival and risk stratification in patients with sarcomatoid non-small cell lung cancer: a multicenter study of 135 patients.

Background: To explore the clinical data and CT findings associated with outcomes prognosis of patients with sarcomatoid non-small cell lung cancer (s-NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: In this retrospective study, s-NSCLC patients who underwent contrast-enhanced thoracic CT from January 2013 to June 2023 at three centers were enrolled. Clinicoradiological data, including sex, age, smoking status, tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) classification, tumor size, tumor location, calcification, vacuole/cavity, hydrothorax, low-attenuation area (LAA) ratio and peritumoral ground-glass opacity (GGO) or nodules were calculated.

ZFHX3 silencing alleviates ischemic stroke by suppressing pericyte contraction and calcium influx through inhibiting WNK3 expression.

Zinc finger homeobox 3 (ZFHX3), a zinc finger homeodomain transcription factor, has been implicated in various brain disorders. However, its molecular mechanism in ischemic stroke remains unknown. In this study, we employed a transient middle cerebral artery occlusion/reperfusion (tMCAO/R) model in C57BL/6 mice and subjected mouse primary pericytes to oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) treatment.

Signatures of miRNA 5-methylcytosine modification profile and potential immune-related target gene regulation in diabetic kidney disease.

Background: Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a major microvascular complication of diabetes, with microRNAs (miRNAs) playing a role in its pathogenesis through methylation modifications. Preliminary experiments indicated an association between 5-methylcytosine (m5C) modification and miRNA dysregulation in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) of DKD patients.

Methods: We employed Arraystar's small RNA modification chip to detect m5C modifications in miRNAs from PBMCs of DKD patients and predicted target genes.

Endothelial cell Nrf2 controls neuroinflammation following a systemic insult.

Systemic inflammation can lead to neuroinflammation with acute consequences such as delirium and long-lasting deleterious effects including cognitive decline and the exacerbation of neurodegenerative disease progression. Here, we show that transcription factor Nrf2 controls brain endothelial cell homeostasis and barrier strength. We found that peripheral inflammation caused infiltration of macrophages, microglial activation, and inflammatory reactive astrogliosis, all of which could be prevented by RTA-404, an activator of the transcription factor Nrf2 and close structural relative of the recently FDA-approved Nrf2 activator RTA-408 (omaveloxolone).

Burden of Breast Cancer Disease Among Older Adults in Asian Countries From 1990 to 2021.

Purpose: This study used the latest data of Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 to comprehensively analyze the burden of breast cancer among older adults (age >65 years) in Asian countries.

Methods: Our focus was on breast cancer metrics in Asia, specifically incidence, prevalence, deaths, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) using GBD 2021. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were used to quantify the trends of age-standardized rates (ASRs).

Microclimate-driven strategies for thermally comfortable university open spaces in cold regions of China.

University open spaces are predominantly utilized by students, with outdoor thermal comfort on campus significantly enhancing their physical and mental well-being. This study investigates the thermal perceptions (sensation, comfort, and acceptability) of students at a university in Xi'an, China, employing meteorological measurements, questionnaires, and activity logs. The Physiological Equivalent Temperature (PET) was utilized to establish a thermal baseline.

The first complete mitochondrial genome of Eucommia ulmoides: a multi-chromosomal architecture and controversial phylogenetic relationship in asterids.

Background: Eucommia ulmoides (E. ulmoides) is the sole representative of the Eucommiaceae family, exhibiting abundant medical application as traditional Chinese medicine and high commercial application as a hardy rubber tree. Although some high-quality nuclear genomes and plastid genomes (plastome) have been reported, a comprehensive analysis of its complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) remains lacking.

Proteomic insights into COPD pathogenesis and therapeutic targets: a causal analysis of circulating proteins.

Background: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a preventable and treatable condition, yet current therapies do not halt disease progression, highlighting the need for novel treatments. Using an integrated approach combining proteome-wide Mendelian randomization and Bayesian colocalization analysis, this study identifies novel therapeutic targets for COPD. This study explores causal links between circulating proteins and COPD, identifies potential drug targets, and examines the role of lifestyle factors.

Proteomic Insights into IgA Nephropathy: A Comprehensive Analysis of Differentially Expressed Proteins in the Kidney.

IgA nephropathy represents a significant challenge in nephrology research, and an understanding of its underlying molecular mechanisms is crucial. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive proteomic investigation of IgA nephropathy utilizing microdissection techniques combined with data-independent acquisition technology. Our analysis focused on differentially expressed proteins in the glomeruli, interstitium, and tubules of the kidney.

Dual-stabilized selenium nanoparticles with chitosan and SS31 peptide: Resolving instability for enhancing ROS elimination, suppressing inflammation, and combating bacterial infections.

Selenium nanoparticles (SeNPs) hold significant promise for managing inflammatory microenvironments due to their anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and tissue-regenerative properties. However, their poor stability limits practical applications. To address this, we developed a novel nanocomposite by co-stabilizing SeNPs with chitosan and the mitochondria-targeting peptide SS31 (CS/SS31-SeNPs) via a redox synthesis method.

Predicting clinical outcome in posterior circulation large-vessel occlusion patients with endovascular recanalisation: the GNC score.

Background And Purpose: Acute ischaemic strokes caused by posterior circulation large-vessel occlusions (pc-LVOs) are associated with particularly poor prognoses, including significant disability and mortality rates. This study sought to develop and validate a novel scoring system for predicting functional outcomes in pc-LVO cases following successful endovascular recanalisation.

Methods: We derived a predictive model from the DETECT-China cohort and externally validated it using the DETECT2-China dataset.

Colloidal quantum dots: surface and interface engineering for light-driven hydrogen production.

Solar energy is the most abundant and clean energy resource for the production of hydrogen, which is inexpensive but requires robust semiconductors. Colloidal quantum dots (CQDs) are considered an ideal semiconductor for hydrogen production. Although light-driven hydrogen production systems have been explored for multifarious CQD-based materials and devices, a comprehensive summary on surface and interface engineering has been rarely reported.

Metal-polydopamine coordinated coatings on titanium surface: enhancing corrosion resistance and biological property.

Previous studies on polydopamine (PDA)-modified titanium implants have primarily focused on single-metal-ion systems (, Ag, Cu, or Zn), while overlooking the interplay between corrosion resistance, antioxidant retention, and antimicrobial efficacy under clinically relevant oxidative conditions. Here, we present a comparative analysis of Ag-, Cu-, and Zn-integrated PDA coatings fabricated a two-step coordination strategy, addressing these limitations through systematic multi-parameter evaluation. Unlike prior studies, this study reveals distinct metal-PDA interaction mechanisms: XPS/EDS analyses confirm Zn and Cu form coordination complexes with PDA's catechol groups, whereas Ag undergoes reduction to metallic nanoparticles (Ag), leading to divergent ion-release profiles (Zn > Cu > Ag) and biofunctional outcomes.

Bioactive deproteinized bovine bone mineral based on self-assembled albumin nanoparticles promoted bone regeneration via activation of Wnt/β-catenin pathway.

One of the major problems faced with pre-implant bone reconstruction therapy is that large bone defects do not heal over time. Artificial bone graft materials, such as deproteinized bovine bone mineral, are commonly used in clinics. However, the lack of osteoinductive capacity and risk of post-implantation infections remain key limitations.

The potential of earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi to enhance phytoremediation in heavy metal-contaminated soils: a review.

Earthworms and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) are two different organisms playing crucial role in soil mechanisms. The integration of earthworms and AMF in phytoremediation strategies leverages their combined ability to improve soil structure, nutrient availability, and microbial activity while modulating metal bioavailability. These entities promote soil-plant interactions and enhance the phytoremediation process of heavy metals-contaminated soil.

Research on soybean leaf disease recognition in natural environment based on improved Yolov8.

The rapid and accurate identification of soybean diseases is critical for optimizing both yield and quality. Traditional image recognition techniques face notable limitations in terms of generalization and accuracy, particularly when tasked with identifying small-scale targets or distinguishing diseases with similar characteristics in large, heterogeneous, and complex environments. To address these challenges, this study proposes the YOLOv8-DML model for soybean leaf disease recognition.

A comprehensive review of computational methods for Protein-DNA binding site prediction.

Accurately identifying protein-DNA binding sites is essential for understanding the molecular mechanisms underlying biological processes, which in turn facilitates advancements in drug discovery and design. While biochemical experiments provide the most accurate way to locate DNA-binding sites, they are generally time-consuming, resource-intensive, and expensive. There is a pressing need to develop computational methods that are both efficient and accurate for DNA-binding site prediction.