Achieving Efficient Solar Hydrogen Production via a Three-Motif Molecular Junction with Spatially Separated Dual Reduction Sites.

Organic semiconductors are very attractive photocatalysts for the production of solar fuels. However, their development is greatly plagued by limited visible light absorption and severe restriction of photoexcited charge carrier separation and transfer caused by the exciton effect resulting from inherent dielectric constraints. Herein, a three-motif molecular junction hydrogen evolution photocatalyst is constructed by linking a donor-acceptor-donor (D-A-D) molecule integrating the photosensitizer unit and the redox unit with holey carbon nitride sheets (HCNS) as a second electron acceptor unit (A) based on the covalent strategy.

Metabolome-Wide Mendelian Randomization Identifies Valine as a Potential Mediator of the Effect of Obesity on Pancreatic Cancer Risk.

Obesity is a well-established risk factor for pancreatic cancer (PC), yet the underlying metabolic mechanisms that link obesity to increased PC risk remain unclear. This study aims to identify the specific metabolites mediating the relationship between obesity and pancreatic cancer. A two-sample two-step Mendelian randomization (MR) approach was used to determine the causal effects of circulating metabolites on PC risk and the causal effects of body mass index (BMI) on potential metabolites.

Assessing the Role of Large Language Models Between ChatGPT and DeepSeek in Asthma Education for Bilingual Individuals: Comparative Study.

Background: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway disease requiring long-term management. Artificial intelligence (AI)-driven tools such as large language models (LLMs) hold potential for enhancing patient education, especially for multilingual populations. However, comparative assessments of LLMs in disease-specific, bilingual health communication are limited.

Broadband imaging spectrometer based on conical diffraction for extreme ultraviolet source.

We demonstrate what we believe to be a novel design of an imaging spectrometer tailored for extreme ultraviolet (EUV) sources, employing uniformly spaced planar gratings. For what appears to be the first time, our approach adopts a grating-toroid-grating configuration for spectral measurements femtosecond high-harmonic EUV lasers. This spectrometer performs superior in point-to-point imaging modes and the resulting experimental setup is very simple.

Inspired by Reinforced-Concrete Structures: High-Strength, Stable, Sustainable Reed-Based Plastics.

Green and sustainable alternatives to petroleum-based plastics can reduce environmental pollution and alleviate the resource crisis. Reed straw (Rs) is a rapidly growing, eco-friendly, low-cost, and natural fiber with great potential as a sustainable resource. However, the development of high-performance plastic substitutes from Rs is challenging owing to its weak interfacial bonding.

sp. nov. and sp. nov., isolated from the seleniferous soil.

Two Gram-stain-negative bacterial strains, designated S5-13 and S5-11, were isolated from seleniferous soil in Enshi, PR China. Both strains demonstrated the ability to tolerate high concentrations of selenite and selenate and efficiently reduced these selenium oxyanions to elemental selenium. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses revealed that strain S5-13 belongs to the genus , while S5-11 is affiliated with the genus .

Haplotype-resolved, gap-free genome assemblies provide insights into the divergence between Asian and European pears.

Pears (Pyrus spp.) are self-incompatible crops with broad genetic diversity. High heterozygosity and technical limitations result in gaps within reference genomes.

Effects of Cardiac Rehabilitation Combined with Enhanced External Counterpulsation on Heart Rate Variability and Autonomic Nervous Function in Chronic Heart Failure.

Heart rate variability and autonomic dysfunction are critical determinants of prognosis in patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Despite advancements in pharmacological interventions, the rates of hospital readmission and the decline in quality of life remain substantial. Therefore, investigating the impact of cardiac rehabilitation in conjunction with enhanced external counterpulsation (EECP) on heart rate variability and autonomic function in patients with chronic heart failure is of considerable clinical significance.

Evolutionary legacy of the "living fossil" genus Parrotia (Hamamelidaceae): genomic insights into species divergence and polygenic adaptation.

Despite their long evolutionary history, the genomic basis of adaptation and speciation in "living fossil" plants remain largely unexplored. Parrotia, a Tertiary relict tree genus with two extant species, P. subaequalis and P.

Genomic insights into the demographic history and local adaptation of wild boars across Eurasia.

Wild boars exhibit genetic and phenotypic diversity shaped by migrations and local adaptations. Their expansion across Eurasia, especially in Central Asia, remains underexplored. Here, we present newly sequenced whole-genome data of 47 wild boars from Eastern Asia, Central Asia, and Europe, combined with 49 existing genomes, creating a comprehensive dataset of 96 individuals.

Agricultural biotechnology in China: product development, commercialization, and perspectives.

Meeting the increasing demand for food and industrial products by the growing global population requires targeted efforts to improve crops, livestock, and microorganisms. Modern biotechnology, particularly genetic modification (GM) and genome-editing (GE) technologies, is crucial for food security and environmental sustainability. China, which is at the forefront of global biotechnological innovation and the rapid advancements in GM and GE technologies, has prioritized this field by implementing strategic programs such as the National High-tech Research & Development Program in 1986, the National Genetically Modified Organism New Variety Breeding Program in 2008, and the Biological Breeding-National Science and Technology Major Project in 2022.

Proteomics and cytokine array jointly reveal the role of macrophage proinflammatory shift in liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis.

Background: Changes in macrophage function are crucial contributors to hepatic inflammation and fibrosis. However, the role of macrophages in the development of liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis remains unclear. This study integrated proteomics and cytokine array approach to identify the multifactorial and multicellular interaction effects driving liver fibrosis in dairy cows with ketosis and analyze the mechanism by which the proinflammatory shift in macrophages contributes to liver fibrosis.

Cortical activity during balance and walking tasks in stroke patients: Functional near-infrared spectroscopy neuroimaging research.

Background: Stroke survivors frequently suffer from balance and gait impairments, yet the cortical mechanisms underlying these functions remain unclear. This study addresses this gap by utilizing portable functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS) to map task-specific neuroplasticity.

Objectives: We aimed to (1) compare cortical activation patterns during balance and walking tasks, (2) analyze functional connectivity (FC) and lateralization differences, and (3) explore correlations between neuroimaging metrics and clinical outcomes.

Multi-dimensional annotation of porcine variants using genomic and epigenomic features in pigs.

Background: Investigating the functional impact of genomic variants is essential to uncover the molecular mechanisms behind complex traits. This study compiled a comprehensive dataset of 1,817 whole-genome sequences from diverse pig breeds and populations, capturing the global pig genetic diversity.

Results: Our analyses first revealed 27,167 loss-of-function variants (LoFs), the majority of which also influenced gene expression and splicing, and enriched in genomic regions associated with complex traits in pigs.

Ultra-broadband ptychography for dispersive samples.

X-ray ptychography has emerged as a powerful imaging tool on X-ray synchrotron facilities. Implementation of ptychography on laboratory-scale X-ray sources has largely been hindered by their poor temporal coherence and low flux. Here we propose an ultra-broadband method incorporating structured illumination to enhance the robustness of ptychography to broadband sources.

Transcriptome analysis reveals no obvious unintended effects in the spleen of CRISPR/Cas9-mediated CD163 and pAPN double-knockout pigs.

Gene editing provides powerful tools for farm animal breeding. Our group previously obtained CD163/pAPN double-knockout (DKO) pigs via CRISPR/Cas9 and somatic cell nuclear transfer. These pigs are not only resistant to three infectious viruses but also maintain normal production performance.

Rapidly progressive pulmonary abscess initially misdiagnosed as lung cancer: the role of and .

Pulmonary abscess is a serious infectious disease characterized by localized lung tissue necrosis, primarily caused by anaerobic or facultative anaerobic bacterial infections. While the (SAG) is a well-established pathogen in pulmonary abscess formation, recent findings suggest that strict anaerobes such as and can also contribute to deep-seated infections. However, their role in rapidly progressive pulmonary abscesses has not been previously documented.

The study of an integrated diabetes prediction model based on user-defined risk decision making strategy.

Diabetes, as a typical chronic disease, seriously affects the quality of life and economic burden of patients and their families. If the early and accurate prediction of diabetes can be realized according to patients' health-data, the development of diabetes would be effectively prevented or mitigated. The existing diabetes prediction models have achieved better prediction results.

Danggui Buxue Decoction Combined with Borneol Improves Cyclophosphamide-Induced Myelosuppression by Inhibiting CDK2.

This study explored the effective components and molecular targets of Danggui Buxue decoction (DBD) combined with borneol (DBD&Bor) in alleviating myelosuppression. A network pharmacology strategy was used to identify the active components and key targets of DBD&Bor in the context of myelosuppression. , the effects of the DBD&Bor and its effective components on cyclophosphamide (CTX)-induced myelosuppression in rats were evaluated through immunohematological analysis, histopathological analysis, and organ index analysis.

CRISPR/Cas12a-assisted electrochemiluminescent detection of ochratoxin A based on COF@Ru coupled with a DNA tetrahedral scaffold.

To sensitively detect ochratoxin A (OTA), a CRISPR/Cas12a-assisted electrochemiluminescence (ECL) aptasensor based on COF@Ru coupled with a DNA tetrahedral scaffold (DTS) was successfully fabricated. The covalent organic framework (COF) acted as a confined micro-reactor for the tris(2,2'-bipyridyl)ruthenium(II)/tri--propylamine (Ru(bpy)/TPrA) system and hence, evidently enhanced ECL signals. Au nanoparticles (AuNPs) coupled with DTS caused more ferrocene (Fc)-modified quenching DNA probe molecules to be attached to the surface of the sensing electrode, which could reduce the detection background.

Two haplotype-resolved telomere-to-telomere genome assemblies of Xanthoceras sorbifolium.

Yellowhorn (Xanthoceras sorbifolium) is widely used in northern China for landscaping, desertification control, and oil production. However, the lack of high-quality genomes has hindered breeding and evolutionary studies. Here, we present the first haplotype-resolved, telomere-to-telomere (T2T) yellowhorn genomes of PBN-43 (white single-flowered) and PBN-126 (white double-flowered) using PacBio HiFi and Hi-C data.

Integrating large-scale meta-GWAS and PigGTEx resources to decipher the genetic basis of 232 complex traits in pigs.

Understanding the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying complex traits in pigs is crucial for enhancing genetic gain via artificial selection and utilizing pigs as models for human disease and biology. Here, we conducted comprehensive genome-wide association studies (GWAS) followed by a cross-breed meta-analysis for 232 complex traits and a within-breed meta-analysis for 12 traits, using 28.3 million imputed sequence variants in 70 328 animals across 14 pig breeds.

Forearm bone mineral density predicts subsidence of titanium mesh cage after anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion in patients with cervical spondylosis.

Background: Subsidence of the titanium mesh cage (TMC) is a frequent and difficult adverse effect following anterior cervical corpectomy and fusion (ACCF). Since low bone mineral density (BMD) has also been identified as an independent risk factor for TMC, forearm BMD measurement has gained more interest recently because of its accuracy and convenience. Systematic research on the precise correlation between titanium mesh subsidence risk following ACCF surgery and forearm bone mineral density is, however, insufficient.

A Tough Temperature-Responsive Composite for Switchable Microwave Absorption.

Smart microwave absorption (MA) materials that respond to environmental stimuli are highly sought after for advanced electromagnetic interference protection, particularly those with superior mechanical properties. In this study, we present a temperature-responsive composite material composed of poly(-isopropylacrylamide) (PNIPAAm) and a polyurethane (PU) sponge loaded with graphene oxide (PU@GO), referred to as PGPC. This composite exhibits switchable MA behavior below and above its lower critical solution temperature (LCST).