Assessment of heavy metal pollution and health risks in urban park soil of Chengdu, China: implications for ecosystem management and public health.

Despite Chengdu's status as China's first 'park city', systematic assessment of heavy metal risks in its urban green spaces remains limited. This research investigates the concentrations and spatial distribution of heavy metals, including Mercury (Hg), Chromium (Cr), Arsenic (As), Cadmium (Cd), Lead (Pb), Copper (Cu), Nickel (Ni) and Zinc (Zn) in the surface soil of urban parks in Chengdu, China. The results indicate significant differences in metal concentrations, with higher median values for Hg, Cd, Ni, and Zn than that in suburban areas (p < 0.

Development and comparative evaluation of LAMP, nested PCR and Real-time PCR assays for detecting Fusarium tricinctum, a fungal pathogen of Zanthoxylum bungeanum.

Background: Zanthoxylum bungeanum is a highly valuable economic tree species in China, widely cultivated for its aromatic peel, medicinal properties, and industrial applications. In recent years, Fusarium tricinctum, a pathogen causing gummosis in Z. bungeanum, has severely impacted production in Sichuan and Gansu provinces.

Improved nitrogen removal from real mariculture effluent by halotolerant bacterial consortium SND223: Preparation, entrapping application, and mechanism.

This study developed a halotolerant composite bio-agent (SND223) containing Acinetobacter B2, B3, and Zobellella sp. MAD-44 (2:2:3) for saline aquaculture wastewater treatment. Optimised at carbon-to-nitrogen (C/N) 10, 150 r/m, and 30 °C, SND223 achieved complete ammonia (100 %) and high nitrate (97.

Microplastic accumulation in endometrial cancer tissues and its metabolic impact.

With increasing global awareness of plastic pollution, microplastics (MPs) have emerged as a potential environmental health hazard. While MPs have been detected in various human tissues, their relevance to gynecological malignancies, particularly endometrial cancer (EC), remains largely unexplored. This study aims to evaluate MP accumulation in EC tissues and investigate its potential impact on tissue metabolic reprogramming.

Tailoring Plasmid Design Based on Chain Expression in Cell Line Development for Enhanced Monoclonal and Bispecific Antibody Production.

The development of robust, high-yielding cell lines represents a critical factor in establishing efficient and cost-effective manufacturing processes within the competitive biopharmaceutical industry. While extensive research has focused on optimizing plasmid design, host cell characteristics, and selection strategies to enhance cell line development, this study specifically investigates strategic expression plasmid design to improve both productivity and product quality of therapeutic proteins in Chinese Hamster Ovary (CHO) cells using transposon technology. Our findings demonstrate that increasing light chain and heavy chain copy numbers while maintaining balanced expression significantly enhances productivity and mitigates purity risks.

Leveraging User-Centered Design and Usability and Skills Testing for a Novel Diabetes Survival Skills Toolkit.

Purpose: With the expansion of telemedicine, patient-centered approaches for delivering diabetes mellitus (DM) self-care education in both in-person and remote settings are needed. A novel Diabetes Survival Skills Toolkit (Kit) (physical toolkit, website, paper guide) was developed, using a user-centered design approach. The aim of this study was to develop a hybrid protocol to assess the perceived usability of the Kit and the skills attainment of its users.

Feasibility and acceptability of the Fit2Thrive mHealth physical activity promotion intervention components in breast cancer survivors.

Background: Most breast cancer survivors (BCS) are insufficiently active. mHealth moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) interventions for BCS are highly scalable, but the feasibility and acceptability of specific intervention components are unknown.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the feasibility and acceptability of the Fit2Thrive MVPA promotion intervention components.

Plant-Derived Bioactive Peptides: Extraction, Isolation, Purification, Pharmacological Activities, Structure-Activity Relationship, and Applications.

Plant-derived bioactive peptides (PDBPs) have become a key research focus owing to their multiple targets and high safety. However, current challenges in this field primarily include the low efficiency of traditional extraction techniques, the complex structure-activity relationships of PDBPs, the scalability of novel technologies, inadequate understanding of multisystem synergistic effects, and the scarcity of human clinical trials. To address these gaps, future research should integrate artificial intelligence to establish an integrated technological system spanning computer-aided design, targeted preparation, and activity verification, while prioritizing efforts to elucidate the mechanisms of multisystem synergism, develop environmentally friendly extraction processes and targeted delivery systems, and facilitate the translation of PDBPs from basic research to functional products.

DSS1 inhibits autophagy to activate epithelial-mesenchymal transition in a pro-metastatic niche of renal cell carcinoma.

The mechanisms underlying clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) metastasis remain largely unexplored. We demonstrate that Deleted in Split hand/Split foot protein 1 (DSS1), a critical cofactor of BRCA2 in DNA repair, is upregulated in metastatic ccRCC and promotes both tumor growth and distant metastasis. Mechanistically, DSS1 interacts with LC3 and promotes its degradation via TRIM25-mediated Lys63 (K63)-linked polyubiquitination at LC3B-K51.

Characterization of the complete mitochondrial genome of a rare fungal species Penz.

The complete mitochondrial genome of Penz 1899, a rare fungal species of Phallales, was sequenced, assembled and annotated in this study. The mitochondrial genome of was assembled as a circular DNA molecule with a length of 113,076 base pairs (bp). It encodes 47 protein-coding genes and 24 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes.

The impact of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic modifications on Alzheimer's disease: the mysteries of DNA, RNA, and histone methylation.

AD (Alzheimer's disease) is a neurodegenerative disorder of the CNS (Central Nervous System) characterized by progressive memory decline, significantly impairing patients' quality of life and representing the most common cause of dementia. However, the exact etiology of AD remains unclear and is likely influenced by the interplay of genetic, lifestyle, and environmental factors. Therefore, extensive research efforts are urgently needed to unravel the complex mechanisms underlying the onset and progression of AD.

Research progress on extraction, purification, biotransformation, pharmacological effects, toxicity, combined therapy and new dosage forms of saikosaponins.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Within the framework of traditional Chinese medicine, Bupleuri Radix (BR), distinguished by its bitter flavor and slightly cold properties, targets the liver and gallbladder meridians. It is traditionally used for liver soothing, depression alleviation, fever reduction, and the elevation of yang and qi. BR is a key component of traditional formulations such as Xiaochaihu Decoction and Xiaoyao Powder.

Deaths from Acute Respiratory Infections are Linked to High Fasting Blood Glucose and Decreased Levels of Low-Density Lipoprotein/Small Dense Low-Density Lipoprotein.

Purpose: Winter poses a significant threat to acute respiratory infections (ARIs), often leading to severe outcomes including mortality. This study investigated the effect of glucose and lipid metabolism on mortality rates among individuals with ARIs.

Patients And Methods: We collected clinical data including indicators related to glucose and lipid metabolism, liver and kidney function, complete blood count, coagulation function, and other parameters from 1675 hospitalized patients with ARIs who were consecutively admitted during the winter season.

Polystyrene microplastics and 17α-Methyltestosterone induce sphingolipid metabolic disruption, leading to liver and brain damage via the liver-brain axis in zebrafish (Danio rerio).

Globally, approximately 80 % of wastewater is discharged into aquatic environments without proper treatment, introducing hazardous compounds into ecosystems. Pollutant interactions can cause synergistic toxicity in aquatic organisms; however, their combined effects remain poorly understood. Zebrafish (Danio rerio H.

Ambient-Pressure Superconductivity Onset at 10 K and Robust T under High Pressure in TiNbTaN Medium-Entropy Nitride.

Superconductivity has been one of the focal points in medium- and high-entropy alloys (MEAs-HEAs) since the first discovery of the HEA superconductor in 2014. Until now, most HEAs' superconducting transition temperature (T) has not exceeded 10 K. Here, the first observation of superconductivity in a bulk medium-entropy nitride (MEN), TiNbTaN, which shows a T of 10 K at ambient pressure, is reported.

Hybrid Cuprous(I) Iodide Scintillator with Ultra-High Water Resistance for Underwater X-ray Imaging.

Scintillators, the luminescent materials that convert high-energy radiation into photons with lower energy, act widely as the key component in X-ray imaging systems. The scintillators would typically have high light yield, low detection limit, as well as high environmental stability, which enables them to work in outdoor harsh environments. Herein, we report a novel one-dimensional hybrid copper(I) halide, ,,','-tetramethylethylenediamine copper(I) iodide ([TMEDA]CuI).

Research Progress on bioactive peptides from animal sources: A comprehensive review.

Bioactive peptides derived from animals have antitumor, antibacterial, antioxidant and other beneficial activities for human health. Successful application in preclinical models demonstrates the potential of animal-derived bioactive peptides to be developed into health foods and functional foods for the treatment of disease. The authors' prior studies have extensively investigated bioactive peptides, establishing a robust preparation and purification system.

USP4-mediated deubiquitination of SRC-1 regulates macrophage polarization and asthma inflammation.

Asthma, the most common chronic respiratory disorder affecting individuals of all ages, is driven by inflammation that leads to airway hyperresponsiveness, airway wall remodeling, and mucus production. While inhaled corticosteroids remain the primary treatment despite their limitations, further research into the molecular mechanisms of asthma is needed to identify new therapeutic targets. A mouse model of asthma was created by treating mice with OVA.

Novel CT-based vertebral three-dimensional Hounsfield unit for assessment of bone mineral density.

Purpose: This study aimed to establish a novel index, three-dimensional Hounsfield unit (3D-HU), to assess bone density, and evaluated its correlation with dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) scores.

Methods: This study reviewed the electronic medical records of patients who underwent lumbar spine computed tomography (CT) and DXA at our hospital within one week. Patients were divided into osteoporotic and non-osteoporotic groups according to T-score.

Effects of a Physical Activity mHealth Intervention (Fit2Thrive) on WCRF/AICR Cancer Prevention Recommendations among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Secondary Data Analysis.

Background: Interventions targeting moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) may be a catalyst for improving other lifestyle behaviors in breast cancer survivors (BCS). We examined whether Fit2Thrive, an mHealth MVPA intervention, influenced adherence to cancer prevention recommendations.

Methods: BCSs (N = 269; age, mean = 52.

The effect of Effort-Reward imbalance on job performance among primary healthcare professionals: the mediating roles of social support and resilience.

In light of the ERI exacerbated by health emergencies, stabilizing the working conditions of primary healthcare professionals and ensuring the consistent operation of the public health system has become a focal point of research. This study was designed to investigate the mechanisms by which ERI affects job performance among primary healthcare professionals in the context of health emergencies, as well as the mediating role of perceived social support and resilience. Participants were recruited from 54 primary healthcare institutions, with a total of 1,050 primary healthcare professionals included in the study.

Occupational aluminum exposure in northern China's large-scale plants: Unveiling dual-pathway mediation of fasting blood glucose and systolic blood pressure in cognitive impairment among workers.

Introduction: The relationship between aluminium exposure and cognitive impairment remains to be fully elucidated. Furthermore, studies examining potential mediating mechanisms are limited.

Objectives: The study investigated the relationship between plasma aluminium (P-Al) levels and cognitive impairment (was defined as a Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) score < 26 (i.

Oxidative balance score and menopausal status: insights from epidemiological analysis and machine learning models.

Background: Unhealthy lifestyle habits, such as smoking, can impact oxidative stress. During oxidative stress, unnaturalized free radicals can damage DNA, proteins, and lipids, leading to cellular damage and death. A comprehensive measurement of various pro-oxidative and antioxidative exposures can reflect an individual's oxidative stress burden.

Utilizing plasma biochemical indicators to improve prediction of economic traits in crossbred duck population.

Plasma biochemical indicators are commonly considered as direct indicators of metabolism and health in both animals and humans. However, genomic predictions for biochemical traits and their downstream utility in predicting economic traits remain unclear. This study explores the genetic parameters of 18 plasma biochemical indicators in a population of 1,059 ducks and evaluates their potential to enhance genomic predictions for 53 economic traits.

Sleep Matters: Exploring the Link Between Sleep Disturbances and Fatigue in Rheumatoid Arthritis.

Objective: Fatigue is a prevalent and debilitating symptom for patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). While patients and rheumatologists often attribute fatigue to inflammation, other factors such as sleep disturbances are frequently overlooked. This study aims to explore the relationship between subjective (self-reported) and objective (actigraphy-based) sleep parameters and self-reported fatigue in patients with RA.