MiR-126-3p and MiR-195-5p as Novel Therapeutic Attenuators of Liver Fibrosis by Targeting the IRS1/PI3K Signalling Pathway.

Background & Aims: Hepatic fibrosis is a progressive response to chronic liver injury. A key event in the development of hepatic fibrosis is the activation of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs); emerging research indicates that microRNAs play crucial roles in regulating HSCs activation. However, the specific roles of miR-126-3p (miR-126) and miR-195-5p (miR-195) in liver fibrosis remain inadequately understood.

Wettability Regulated Two-Phase Flow of Supercritical CO and Water in Confined Nanochannels.

Supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO) has emerged as a promising agent in enhanced oil recovery (EOR) due to its ability to reduce interfacial tension and enhance oil mobility in reservoirs. Water is ubiquitous in oil reservoirs, yet the underlying mechanisms governing scCO transport in the presence of water within nanoscale channels remain inadequately understood. Using molecular dynamics simulations combined with analytical models, this study explores the two-phase flow behavior of scCO and water in confined nanochannels, emphasizing the effects of water saturation () and channel wettability.

Converting Li-Rich Layered Oxide Cathode into Non-Shrinking Sacrificial Prelithiation Agent.

To improve the energy density of Li-ion batteries, conventional sacrificial prelithiation agents (LiFeO, LiO and LiCO, etc.) are introduced to compensate for active lithium loss, but they undergo serious volumetric shrinkage during decomposition, generating voids that compromise electrode architecture integrity and deteriorate electrochemical performance. Herein, the typical Li-rich layered oxide cathode is converted into Li-rich disordered rocksalt oxide (LRDO) prelithiation agent, achieving 330 mAh g charge capacity and retaining 130 mAh g reversible capacity (contributing 200 mAh g irreversible prelithiation capacity).

DNA Methylation-Activated LaCOMT1 Expression Promotes Cluster Root Formation of White Lupin via a Mechanism Involving the Melatonin Synthesis.

White lupin exhibits remarkable adaptability to phosphorus (P)-deficient soil through the development of cluster roots (CR), thereby enhancing P use sufficiency. Despite its crucial role, the underlying mechanism governing CR formation remains elusive. Here, we reveal an elevated DNA methylation level through whole-genome bisulfite sequencing in CR in response to P deficiency, particularly in gene and flanking regions, suggesting a responsive epigenetic mechanism.

Criteria-calibration approaches to deep learning-based cervical cancer radiation treatment auto-planning.

Background: Knowledge-Based Planning (KBP) pipelines, which integrate machine learning-based models to predict dose distribution, have gained popularity in clinical radiation therapy. However, for patients with specific requirements, the trained models may struggle to rapidly adjust to guide the automatic planning process. Therefore, the aim of this study was to calibrate the dose prediction model to improve the quality and accuracy of automatic planning for cervical cancer radiation therapy.

Characterization of a novel, virulent PRRSV-1 subtype 1 strain with intestinal tropism in China.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes abortions in sows and abnormal respiratory symptoms in piglets. Recently, reports of PRRSV-1 infection in China are growing, however, data on the pathogenicity of PRRSV-1 subtype 1 are limited. In this study, a PRRSV strain, namely GXFS20220129, was isolated from the lung tissues of piglets exhibiting respiratory distress and diarrhea on a pig farm in southern China.

Knockout of TaOTUB1 homoeologs in wheat promotes increased grain yield and earlier flowering.

Flowering and subsequent seed development are not only the most crucial reproductive activities of plants but also key determinants of crop yield. However, the mechanisms and effective strategies for the synergistic regulation of seed size and flowering time in plants remain unclear. Here, we show that TaOTUB1, a deubiquitinase gene with three homoeologs (TaOTUB1-7A, -7B, and -7D), plays a critical role in regulating grain size and flowering time in wheat.

Modulation of consciousness in disorders of consciousness by HD-tDCS targeting frontal and posterior cortical regions.

The search for neural correlates of consciousness has always been a hot topic in the field of consciousness. Previous studies have shown that high-density transcranial direct current stimulation (HD-tDCS) can promote the recovery of consciousness level in patients with disorders of consciousness (DOC). This study intends to explore the neuromodulatory effects of HD-tDCS at different target from the perspectives of brain spatiotemporal dynamics and directed information flow, thereby clarifying the key brain areas for the origin of consciousness.

Development of cellulose-based dual-network gel electrolyte for flexible zinc-air batteries: Experiments and simulations.

Zinc-air batteries (ZABs) have become an ideal energy storage option for wearable devices due to their high theoretical energy density and low cost. However, the evaporation and leakage of liquid electrolytes limit their long-term stability. In this study, a novel dual-network gel electrolyte (PANa-SiO-CMC) was synthesized through the synergistic effect of sodium polyacrylate (PANa), nano-silica (SiO) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), and it was applied to flexible ZAB.

Reshaping transplantation with AI, emerging technologies and xenotransplantation.

Organ transplantation remains the sole definitive treatment for many forms of end-stage organ failure, yet donor organ shortages impose life-threatening delays for thousands of patients worldwide. Mechanical supports and dialysis provide only temporary respite, while lifelong immunosuppression poses additional risks-including infections, malignancies and considerable healthcare costs. Recent innovations hold promise for overcoming these barriers.

A transposon-based transient transfection system in CHO-K1 cells enables quality prediction of stable cell line proteins.

In biologics drug discovery, transient protein expression is widely used to rapidly produce biologics, thereby accelerating the identification of lead candidates. However, the accuracy and consistency of predicting further product quality in large-scale production needs to be considered, especially with respect to physicochemical properties and posttranslational modifications. With this in mind, a transient expression system utilizing Chinese hamster ovary K1 (CHO-K1) has been established, which integrates high expression capability with quality profiles similar to those of the protein produced by stable cell lines.

Kynurenine monooxygenase : a key regulator of growth, pathogenicity, and disease control in .

Kynurenine monooxygenase, a vital rate-limiting enzyme in the kynurenine pathway metabolic branch, has shown promise as a drug target for treating human neurodegenerative diseases. However, the role of kynurenine monooxygenase in plant pathogens and its potential as a molecular target have received limited attention. In this study, we identified a novel kynurenine monooxygenase gene, , in .

AI-enabled molecular phenotyping and prognostic predictions in lung cancer through multimodal clinical information integration.

Lung cancer remains the leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. The need for cost-effective, non-invasive methods to detect specific gene mutations for targeted therapy and predict patient survival outcomes underscores the importance of advancing diagnostic and prognostic capabilities. Contemporary lung cancer diagnostic models often fail to integrate diverse patient data, leading to incomplete clinical assessments.

Establishment of a latex immunochromatography for detecting bovine early pregnancy-related glycoproteins.

Early pregnancy diagnosis in dairy cows is an important part of the production processes. Accurate early pregnancy diagnosis can help veterinarians identify open cow as soon as possible and carry out the second breeding earlier, which is of great significance for improving reproductive efficiency of dairy cow. In this study, a rapid immunochromatography based on latex microspheres for detecting pregnancy-related glycoprotein (PAG) was established with two monoclonal antibodies.

Co-expression enhances cloning efficiency and protein production in CHO cells.

Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines are widely used in the biopharmaceutical industry, particularly for the production of monoclonal antibodies and recombinant protein drugs. Recombinant cell lines are typically derived from single-cell clones to ensure product consistency and stability. However, the difficult-to-express recombinant proteins may impair single-cell proliferation, thereby significantly reducing cloning efficiency.

Large-scale survey, animal models, and computational modeling identify histological neurodegenerative biomarkers for traumatic optic neuropathy.

BACKGROUNDTraumatic optic neuropathy (TON) is a leading cause of blindness following closed traumatic brain injury, with no effective treatments available. Previous interventional clinical trials were complicated by its low prevalence, variability in neurodegenerative severity, and unavailability of reliable biomarkers.METHODSWe analyzed data from 1,226 patients enrolled in the prospective National Multi-Center Collaborative Clinical Research Program of China (2017-2024) to establish a clinical profile and identify noninvasive biomarkers for neurodegenerative severity.

Artificial intelligence-derived retinal age gap as a marker for reproductive aging in women.

Reproductive aging impacts women's health through fertility decline, disease susceptibility, and systemic aging. This study explores the retinal age gap-the difference between predicted retinal age and chronological age-as a novel biomarker for reproductive aging. By developing a Swin-Transformer-based dual-channel transfer learning model with data from 1294 healthy women, we examined associations between the retinal age gap and Anti-Müllerian Hormone (AMH), a key marker of ovarian reserve.

All-Dielectric Ultra-Broadband Microwave Absorbing Aerogel with Optimized Dielectric Dispersion via Dielectric Relaxation Time Regulation.

The limited conceptual understanding and lack of effective techniques for optimizing dielectric dispersion continue to hinder the development of all-dielectric broadband microwave-absorbing materials (MAMs) with minimal thickness. In this study, a strong theoretical correlation between dielectric relaxation time and dielectric dispersion behavior is established by applying the ideal dielectric dispersion law in conjunction with Debye theory. This led to a strategic approach aimed at extending the relaxation time to optimize dielectric dispersion and achieve broadband microwave absorption without incorporating magnetic components.

PlantDeepMeth: A Deep Learning Model for Predicting DNA Methylation States in Plants.

Cytosine DNA methylation (5mCs) is an important epigenetic modification in genomic research. However, the methylation states of some cytosine sites are not available due to the limitations of different studies, and there are few tools developed to deal with this problem, especially in plants, which have more methylation types than animals. Here, we report PlantDeepMeth, a novel deep learning model that utilizes deep learning to predict DNA methylation states in plants.

Internal Medicine Residency Point-of-Care Ultrasound (POCUS) Consensus Recommendations for Core Indications and Applications.

Background: Bedside point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS) is quickly becoming a routine part of internal medicine practice and training. The optimal POCUS training venue for internists is at the graduate medical education or residency stage of their career. Despite increased training, clinical use, and broad internal medicine society endorsement in the United States, no internal medicine POCUS consensus curricula exist.

Acquired resistance to immunotherapy by physical barriers with cancer cell-expressing collagens in non-small cell lung cancer.

Immunotherapy has become the standard treatment for many types of cancers, but an increasing number of patients who initially respond to these treatments develop acquired immunotherapy resistance (AIR). Here, we recapitulated the entire process of immunotherapy from response to AIR in mice with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). With implanted tumor organoids derived from these models and serial transplants, we demonstrated that tumor cell-intrinsic mechanisms contributed significantly to AIR.

Genetic analysis of gene in Chinese patients with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis: a single-center study and systematic review of published literature.

Background: Rare variants have been implicated in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), but their prevalence and clinical significance remain poorly understood, particularly across different ethnic populations.

Methods: We performed genetic screening of in 1627 Chinese ALS patients using whole-exome sequencing. A systematic review and meta-analysis of the published literature were conducted to evaluate the global frequency of variants and their clinical correlations.

Cytoplasmic Histone Is a Marker of Pro-Inflammatory CD4 T Cells.

Although extranuclear histones have been identified for a long time, their role in lymphocytes, particularly cytoplasmic histones, remains elusive. In this study, we conducted a visual and quantitative analysis of cytoplasmic histones in CD4 T cells and discovered that effector CD4 T cells contain higher levels of cytoplasmic histones compared to naïve T cells. We observed a significant increase in cytoplasmic histones following T cell receptor (TCR) activation, with further elevation during the differentiation of Th1 and Th17 cells.

Kynureninase from Botrytis cinerea regulates the growth, development, pathogenicity, and stress response of B. cinerea through the kynurenine pathway.

The kynurenine pathway was first identified in mammals. It is the main pathway for tryptophan catabolism, participates in many important biological processes, and is a target for the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases. However, this pathway and its function have not been reported in Botrytis cinerea.