A NIR dual-channel fluorescent probe for detecting viscosity and ONOO in vitro and vivo.

Aberrant viscosity and excessive levels of peroxynitrite (ONOO) in organism system often result in biological dysfunction and even diseases. Hence, it is crucial to construct near-infrared (NIR) dual-response fluorescent probes for simultaneous detection of viscosity and ONOO. Herein, we fabricated a NIR fluorescent probe (TCPB) with a large emission shift, enabling independent dual-response determination of viscosity and ONOO in living cells.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbon aggravates high-fat diet-induced metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease through disturbing hepatocyte sphingolipid metabolism.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a common chronic liver condition, with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) as a potential risk factor; however, the regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. PAH exposure oxidizes sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) lyase (S1PL) at position 317, reducing lyase activity and increasing S1P levels which is linked to MASLD progression. This study investigates how PAH exposure influences MASLD development and explores the role of S1PL and S1P in this process.

Associations of human milk leptin with maternal obesity and early infant weight trajectories.

Background: To explore changes in adipokines during different stages of lactation, particularly in the context of maternal obesity, and their effect on growth trajectories by age 6 months.

Methods: Mother-infant dyads (n = 303) were enrolled from a birth cohort study. Data concerning maternal pre-pregnancy weight, infants' breastfeeding practices, and anthropometric data were obtained regularly.

Functional sequence variants of intergenic long non-coding RNA on Chromosome 17q21 are associated with asthma.

Background: The genetic and molecular basis of asthma remains unclear and its gene-environment interaction is still enigmatic. In the present study, we aimed to identify asthma-causing genetic variants and their interactions with the environment.

Methods: We performed case-control genome-wide association studies on individuals of Han Chinese descent from the Taiwan biobank (case=4877 and control=(98 218) to identify asthma susceptibility loci, validated in a hospital-based population of subjects (N=2595).

Synthesis of 25-hydroxycholesterol from bisnoralcohol.

25-Hydroxycholesterol not only exhibits various important biological activities but also plays a crucial role in the synthesis of 25-hydroxyvitamin D. To date, researchers have proposed multiple synthetic routes for 25-hydroxycholesterol. Herein, a novel synthetic method for 25-hydroxycholesterol is described, involving a seven-step reaction that starts from economical and commercially available plant-derived bisnoralcohol, with an overall yield of up to 43.

Nitrate Reduction for Deaminative Suzuki-Miyaura Coupling of Anilines.

We present a deaminative Suzuki-Miyaura-type coupling (SMC) of anilines with nitrate as a diazotization reagent, which integrates transition-metal catalysis with nitrate-based diazonium chemistry for the first time. The synergistic reduction of nitrate by bisulfite and boronic acids allows for both oxidative diazotization with low-valent transition metal redox transformations simultaneously. The reaction utilizes low-hazard, readily available starting materials and reagents.

Coordination-assembly of a redox-active PdL cage for aerobic C(sp)-H bond photooxidation of aromatic cyclic ethers.

A redox-active PdL cage with a large lantern-shaped cavity has been synthesized and characterised by NMR, ESI-TOF-MS and X-ray diffraction analysis, which shows exceptional catalytic activity in the selective aerobic C-H photooxidation of aromatic cyclic ethers under mild conditions.

Clinical Correlation of the Severity of Vascular Calcification with Calcium and Phosphorus Metabolism and Microinflammation in Malnourished Uremic Patients.

The research assessed calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P) metabolism and microinflammation in malnourished uremic patients, focusing on the severity of vascular calcification, and examined the relationship between Ca and P metabolism indicators and microinflammation and the severity of vascular calcification. Seventy-eight patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment for ≥6 mo were collected. General information and anthropometric and blood biochemical indices were recorded, including gender, age, body mass index, mid-arm muscle circumference, albumin, intact parathyroid hormone, and Ca and P product (Ca×P).

A label-free aptasensor based on a fluorescent probe containing styrylbenzothiazole for detection of enrofloxacin.

Enrofloxacin (ENR), a third-generation fluoroquinolone antibiotic, poses significant health risks due to potential drug residues in the food chain, necessitating effective monitoring methods. Here, we synthesized a G-quadruplex-targeted fluorescent probe PBTZM containing styrylbenzothiazole. Using this probe, we successfully developed an aptasensor for the detection of ENR by combining it with an ENR aptamer.

A stimuli-responsive dimeric capsule built from an acridine-based metallacycle for ratiometric fluorescence sensing of TNP.

Stimulus-responsive luminescent metal-organic architectures have received a lot of attentions in supramolecular chemistry. Herein, we report the synthesis of an acridine-based metal-organic macrocycle that undergoes reversible interconversion between the monomer and the dimer states in response to variations in the concentration and solvent, resulting in a switch between blue and green fluorescence. X-ray structure analysis reveals that hydrogen bonds between benzimidazole C-H and NO anions, along with π-π interactions between acridines, are the primary driving forces behind this behavior of the assembly.

Early Anti-Drug Antibodies Predict Adalimumab Response in Juvenile Idiopathic Arthritis.

Adalimumab, a TNF-alpha inhibitor, is approved to treat juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), helping control disease activity and reduce flare frequency. This study aims to investigate predictors of treatment response, including anti-drug antibodies. We reviewed 65 JIA patients (mean age 10.

Antagonism of CD28 blocks allergic responses in the ovalbumin-induced asthmatic model mice.

Allergen-reactive T helper (Th) 2 cells play a pivotal role in initiating asthma pathogenesis. The absence or interruption of CD28 signaling causes significant consequences for T-cell activation, leading to reduced cell proliferation and interleukin (IL)-2 production. A novel compound, Cyn-1324, exhibits a higher binding affinity to CD28 than CD80.

Design, synthesis and biological evaluation of bisnoralcohol derivatives as novel IRF4 inhibitors for the treatment of multiple myeloma.

Interferon regulatory factor 4 (IRF4) is specifically overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM) and mediates MM progression and survival, making it an emerging target for MM treatment. However, no chemical entity with a defined structure capable of directly binding to and inhibiting IRF4 has been reported. We screened our small library of steroid analogs and identified bisnoralcohol (BA) derivative 18 as a novel hit compound capable of inhibiting IRF4, with an IC of 13.

Progress of CCL20-CCR6 in the airways: a promising new therapeutic target.

The chemokine CCL20, a small cytokine that belongs to the C-C chemokine family, interacts with its homologous receptor CCR6, which is expressed on wide range of cell types. According to current research, the CCL20-CCR6 has been established as acritical player in a diverse range of inflammatory, oncogenic, and autoimmune diseases. Within the respiratory system, CCL20-CCR6 demonstrates heightened expression in conditions such as allergic asthma, chronic airway inflammation, non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and other respiratory diseases, which is conducive to the inflammatory mediators recruitment and tumor microenvironment remodeling.

Assembly of Dandelion-Like Nanoprobe for Sensitive Detection of N6-Methyladenosine Demethylase by Single-Molecule Counting.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) demethylase is essential for enzymatically removing methyl groups from m6A modifications and is significantly implicated in the pathogenesis and advancement of various cancers, which makes it a promising biomarker for cancer detection and research. As a proof of concept, we select the fat mass and obesity-associated protein (FTO) as the target m6A demethylase and develop a dandelion-like nanoprobe-based sensing platform by employing biobar-code amplification (BCA) for signal amplification. We construct two meticulously designed three-dimensional structures: reporter-loaded gold nanoparticles (Reporter@Au NPs) and substrate-loaded magnetic microparticles (Substrate@MMPs), which can self-assemble to form dandelion-like nanoprobes via complementary base pairing.

GRP78 mediates mitochondrial fusion and fission in cigarette smoke-induced inflammatory responses in airway epithelial cells.

Objective: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is characterized by persistent airway inflammation, with cigarette smoke being a major contributor to epithelial injury. Recent studies have shown that abnormal mitochondrial function is closely linked to the onset and progression of airway inflammation. This study aims to explore the role and underlying molecular mechanisms of mitochondrial dynamics in cigarette smoke-induced airway inflammation.

A colorimetric-aptamer-based assay for the determination of enrofloxacin through triggering the aggregation of gold nanoparticles.

Although enrofloxacin (ENR) is a widely used broad-spectrum antibiotic in veterinary medicine, its residues in animals can pose a risk to human health. Thus, we developed a new method for detecting ENR based on aptamers and AuNPs. In the absence of ENR, the aptamers attached to the surface of the AuNPs electrostatic interactions to protect the AuNPs from NaCl, and the solution remained red.

Early postnatal and concurrent exposure to metals and neurobehavioral outcomes at 5 years: Associations with individual environmental exposures and mixtures.

Background: Little is known about the effect of postnatal exposure to heavy metals on children's behavior problems. This study aimed to investigate the association between metal exposure during different stages of postnatal life and neurobehavioral outcomes in preschool children.

Methods: Urinary concentrations of six metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, lead, manganese, and vanadium) were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry in 220 participants at two time points: before 1 year and at 5 years of age.

A preliminary study of the effectiveness of video visitation on depression and stress in mothers with preterm infants during the pandemic.

Background And Purpose: Parents of preterm infants experience anxiety and stress in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Visitation restrictions due to COVID-19 have increased maternal pressure and limited bonding opportunities. Little research exists in Taiwan on using video conferencing as a solution.

Clinical features and lymphocyte immunophenotyping analysis in primary immunodeficiency patients with non-transplant lymphoproliferative disorders.

Lymphoproliferative disorders (LPD) comprise a heterogeneous group and are originally classified into the "Disease of immune dysregulation" category. Of 96 Taiwanese patients during 2003-2022, 31 (median 66, range 0.03-675 months) developed LPD, mainly including palpable lymphadenopathy (in 10 patients), intestinal lymphadenopathy associated with refractory inflammatory bowel disease (IBD in 8) and hepatosplenomegaly (in 7) during long-term follow-up (median 144, range 3-252 months).

Research on the mechanism of Guanyu Zhixie Granule in intervening gastric ulcers in rats based on network pharmacology and multi-omics.

Objective: Guanyu Zhixie Granule (GYZXG) is a traditional Chinese medicine compound with definite efficacy in intervening in gastric ulcers (GUs). However, the effect mechanisms on GU are still unclear. This study aimed to explore its mechanism against GU based on amalgamated strategies.

Ruthenium Phenoxo Complexes: An Isolobal Ligand to Cp with Improved Properties.

Catalytic π-arene activation is based on catalysts that allow for arene exchange. To date, cyclopentadiene (Cp)-derived catalysts are the most commonly used in π-arene activation despite their low arene exchange rates. Herein, we report the synthesis, analysis, and catalytic application of Ru(II) complexes supported by phenoxo ligands, which are isolobal alternatives to Cp.

[Improving the Rate of Palliative Care Completion in NICU Nurses].

Background: Critically ill neonates receive care in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Unfortunately, some neonates pass away in the NICU. Providing comprehensive neonatal palliative care and hospice services is crucial in supporting parents through the loss of their offspring.

The intramolecular self-assembly of bidesmosidic kalopanaxsaponins.

The phenomena of intramolecular self-assembly of bidesmosidic kalopanaxsaponins was identified for the first time in this paper. NMR (H-NMR, NOESY), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and molecular dynamics (MD) simulation techniques were used to compare the spatial structures of bidesmosidic kalopanaxsaponins and monodesmosidic kalopanaxsaponins. The results showed that the bidesmosidic kalopanaxsaponins formed a clustered and twisted structure in space, whereas the monodesmosidic kalopanaxsaponins were in an extended state.