Investigating the potential mechanism of microneedling in alopecia areata mice based on 16S rRNA sequencing and metabolomics.

Background: The present study investigates the relationship between alopecia areata (AA) and intestinal microecology, examining the effect of microneedling on the microecology of alopecia areata.

Methods: An animal model of AA was established using imiquimod-induced C3H/HeJ mice. Halometasone was applied topically every 2 days for 2 weeks after a hand-held dermal microneedling treatment.

TRPV6-mediated store-operated Ca entry participates in pancreatic acinar cell injury during acute pancreatitis.

Background & Aims: Suppressing toxic Ca accumulation in pancreatic acinar cells (PACs) is the central therapeutic strategy of acute pancreatitis (AP). Store-operated Ca entry (SOCE) represents an important mechanism promoting Ca overload, which remains incompletely understood in AP. Transient receptor potential vanilloid 6 (TRPV6) is an ion channel highly selective to Ca, and its role in PACs or AP onset remains largely unknown.

Regulating cell stress responses by nitric oxide to enhance calcium overload-mediated tumor therapy.

Amino acid (AA)-based nanoparticles (NPs) hold promise in cancer therapy due to their excellent biocompatibility and the various therapeutic functions derived from AA monomers. Here, we developed a universal one-step method to synthesize AA-based NPs. We then constructed L-Arginine (L-Arg)/calcium phosphate (CaP) NPs to enhance cancer therapy through synergistic calcium overload to induce apoptosis and immunogenic cell death.

Rhizosphere Microbes From Populus euphratica Conferred Salt Stress Resistance to Populus alba × Populus glandulosa.

The rhizosphere microbiomes of halophytes are crucial for plant adaptation to high-salinity soil conditions, but how to harness rhizosphere microbes to confer salt stress resistance to plants remains obscure. This study aimed to establish a framework (isolate-select-construct) for tailoring simplified salt-tolerant synthetic microbial communities (SynComs) and explore how they confer salt stress resistance to the plant. First, a total of 512 strains were isolated from the high-salt rhizosphere soil of Populus euphratica through high-throughput cultivation.

Aberrant histone acetylation and dysregulated synaptic plasticity in cognitive impairment induced by a high-methionine diet.

Cognitive impairment is a complex neurodegenerative disorder, and increased homocysteine levels are recognized as a major risk factor for this condition. Epigenetic modifications, particularly histone acetylation, have been implicated in the progression of cognitive impairment; however, the mechanisms underlying hyperhomocysteinemia-induced cognitive impairment remain unclear. In this study, we developed an hyperhomocysteinemia-induced cognitive impairment model by feeding mice a high-methionine diet and conducted behavioral and molecular analyses to elucidate the mechanisms involved in cognitive impairment.

From gut to proteomics: the impact of on post-translational modifications in colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) represents a significant global health challenge. Gut microbiota imbalance and abnormal chromatin modifications play critical roles in the progression of CRC. However, the mechanisms by which they exert their influences, particularly the involvement of ()-mediated post-translational modifications (PTMs), remain inadequately understood.

Sulfated Fucooligosaccharides Ameliorated Neuroinflammation in D-Galactose-Induced Aging Model Mice via the Gut-Brain Axis.

This study was aimed to reveal the neuroprotective effect of sulfated fucooligosaccharides (FOS) in an aging mouse model induced by d-galactose. The results showed that FOS treatment ameliorated inflammation, improved behavioral decline in memory and cognition, and exerted neuroprotective effects. FOS reduced microglia activation by decreasing the expression of P38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (P38 MAPK), cyclic-AMP response binding protein (CREB), cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).

Serum TSP-1 is a useful biomarker in severity assessment and the diagnosis of osteoarthritis.

Objective: Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative joint disease characterized by articular cartilage degradation. Thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) is a secreted trimeric glycoprotein with multiple functions. It can bind to various cell-surface receptors and is downregulated in OA chondrocytes.

Defective neutrophil-derived exosomes facilitate macrophage activation through miR-122-5p in Behçet's disease.

Behçet's disease (BD) is a life-threatening systemic vasculitis characterized by polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMN) and macrophage activation. However, the interaction of PMN and macrophages remains elusive. To elucidate the potential dysregulation of BD PMN exosomes on macrophage activation, PMN exosomes from both BD patients and healthy controls are isolated, quantified and incubated with macrophages.

Two new species of (Chaetosphaeriaceae, Chaetosphaeriales) from freshwater and terrestrial habitats in China.

During a taxonomic investigation of saprobic fungi in the tropical and subtropical regions of southern China, four hyphomycetous isolates were obtained from freshwater and terrestrial substrates. Phylogenetic analyses, based on combined LSU and ITS rDNA sequence data, coupled with detailed morphological comparisons, revealed that two of the isolates represent previously undescribed species within the genus . The new taxa, and , are introduced herein with comprehensive descriptions and illustrations.

Effect of G83R Mutation on Transthyretin Protein Structural Stability.

Transthyretin (TTR) G83R mutation can cause vitreous amyloidosis and severely impair vision. Further understanding of the effect of G83R mutation on the TTR structure and stability will help to understand its pathogenesis. This study investigated the thermodynamic and dynamic stabilities, as well as fibril formation, of TTR G83R and compared them with those of wild-type TTR and V30 M variants.

Influence of main parameters on the displacement process by spontaneous imbibition based on LBM.

The imbibition of water into the pores of tight oil/gas reservoir can displace the oil/gas out. Thus it is an important method to improve the recovery efficiency of tight shale gas and oil. This paper investigated the influence of four main dimensionless parameters on the spontaneous imbibition based on a pores distribution of a real shale sample.

Robust Interfacial Hydrogen-Bond Network on Positively Charged Ru-N-Ni Dual Sites Boosts Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis.

Ruthenium (Ru)-based dual-site catalysts can efficiently accelerate alkaline hydrogen electrocatalytic kinetics by virtue of the well-balanced competitive adsorptions of multiple reaction intermediates. However, their insufficient mass transfer makes them far away from the applications, largely lying to the challenge of precisely manipulating the interface water structure. Herein, a concept of nitrogen-bridged positively charged dual sites with a robust interfacial hydrogen-bond network is presented for enhancing alkaline hydrogen oxidation and evolution reactions (HOR and HER).

Protective effects of Yiqi Huoxue Huatan formula on atherosclerosis: An in vivo and in vitro study.

Atherosclerosis (AS) is a significant pathological contributor to cardiovascular disease, marked by high rates of death and illness globally. Yiqi Huoxue Huatan formula (YHH), a Chinese traditional decoction, has been clinically validated as effective for patients with AS; however, its underlying mechanisms remain partially unexplained. The goal of this research is to understand the protective effects of YHH against AS and the mechanisms involved.

No evidence for a targeted memory reactivation effect on word-meaning priming.

The subordinate meaning of a homonym becomes temporarily more accessible after it is encountered, an effect termed word-meaning priming. Over the longer-term, word-meaning priming is better maintained across periods of sleep compared with wakefulness. This has been explained as sleep actively consolidating episodic memories related to recent linguistic events (Gaskell et al.

Ammonia-induced dispersion and proliferation of Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae biofilms.

Biofilm is a common status of bacteria persistent inside the host. Its dispersion can cause reactivation of bacteria, leading to disease outbreak. This study investigated ammonia's effects on Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae, an important porcine respiratory pathogen.

Symbiotic bacteria mediate chemical-insecticide resistance but enhance the efficacy of a biological insecticide in diamondback moth.

Insecticide resistance has been a major challenge for pest management worldwide. Here, we investigated how gut symbiotic bacteria in insects might affect resistance to chemical (organophosphate) and biological (Bacillus thuringiensis) insecticides in different ways to create opportunities for strategic pesticide rotations. Using the diamondback moth (Plutella xylostella) as the target pest, we demonstrated that long-term exposure to chlorpyrifos (an organophosphate insecticide) promotes the proliferation of the gut symbiont Enterococcus mundtii in P.

L-Theanine Alleviates High-Fat Diet-Induced Obesity by Enhancing Hepatic Oxidative Phosphorylation and Remodeling Gut Microbiota to Augment Butyrate-Producing.

Obesity represents a significant global health challenge, necessitating innovative therapeutic approaches. L-theanine, a bioactive component in tea, possesses diverse biological activities. This study investigates the anti-obesity mechanisms of L-theanine, focusing on its effects on lipid metabolism, energy expenditure, and gut microbiota using both in vitro and in vivo models.

Anti-inflammatory and osteogenic nanofibrous scaffolds of bioactive glass/carboxymethyl chitosan-reinforced PCL short fibers for alveolar bone regeneration.

Repairing critical alveolar bone defects in inflammatory microenvironments is challenging. To address this, dual-functional nanofibrous scaffolds with anti-inflammatory and osteogenic properties were developed. These scaffolds incorporate polycaprolactone (PCL) short fibers and mesoporous bioactive glass nanoparticles (MBGNs), fabricated through electrospinning and sol-gel processes, respectively.

Inhibitory effects of the flavonoids extracted from Pollen Typhae on palmitic acid-induced NLRP3 inflammasome activation in macrophages involving AMPK-mediated lipid metabolism.

Background: Pollen Typhae (PT), a traditional Chinese medicine herb utilized in diabetes management, exerts anti-inflammatory effects through its flavonoids, yet the active constituents and mechanisms remain unclear.

Methods: PT total flavone (PTF) was extracted from PT and identified the compounds by UHPLC-MS. Network pharmacology and molecular docking were used to predict the underlying targets and anti-inflammatory mechanisms of PTF.

Characteristics of heavy metal element content and health risk assessment in groundwater in Zhaojue area, Sichuan Province, China.

Groundwater serves as the primary drinking water source for residents in the Zhaojue area, located in the hinterland of the Daliang Mountains in Sichuan Province. This study investigated the spatial distribution, pollution characteristics, and health risks of 10 metal elements (As, Cd, Al, Mn, Hg, Co, Cu, Pb, Zn, Ni) through 48 groundwater sampling sites. Comprehensive analysis using single-factor and Nemerow composite pollution index evaluation methods, coupled with multivariate statistics and health risk models, revealed critical findings.

Research Progress on Ultrahigh-Temperature Ceramics Modified C/C Composites.

C/C composites have excellent high-temperature mechanical properties and are one of the most promising high-temperature structural materials. However, poor oxidation and ablation resistance of the C/C composites in high-temperature oxygen-containing environments seriously hinder their practical applications. Ultrahigh-temperature ceramics (UHTCs)-modified C/C composites (C/C-UHTCs) are considered to be the most effective way to improve the oxidation and ablation resistance of C/C composites, demonstrating significant application prospects in aerospace and related fields.

Hijacking the Host Cell for Replication: Pro-Viral Host Factors Involved in EVA71 Infection.

Enterovirus A71 (EVA71) is a major pathogen that causes hand, foot, and mouth disease (HFMD). Although the symptoms of HFMD can be self-limiting, severe meningitis, encephalitis, myocarditis, and acute flaccid paralysis may occur. Upon EVA71 infection, the host cells deploy an intricate network of factors to orchestrate cellular responses and maintain cellular homeostasis.

Excitation-inhibition imbalance in the motor control network: a key factor in post-stroke spasticity.

Spasticity is a recognized motor dysfunction that frequently arises following a stroke and significantly impacts the quality of life of affected patients. It is characterized by involuntary muscle activation resulting from overexcitation of the stretch reflex. Currently, therapeutic options for post-stroke spasticity are limited, and the underlying pathological mechanisms remain inadequately understood.