In-situ remediation efficiency and mechanism of tylosin contaminated soil with biochar immobilized degrading enzyme.

Residues of veterinary antibiotics such as tylosin in soils can induce selective pressure on indigenous soil microbes and increase the dissemination risk of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) by horizontal gene transfer (HGT), which poses a serious threat to both soil and public health. While conventional bioremediation methods face challenges in efficiency and stability, enzyme-based approaches offer promising alternatives. This study developed a novel biochar-immobilized tylosin-degrading enzyme (BIE) system to simultaneously address tylosin contamination and antibiotic resistance gene (ARG) proliferation in agricultural soils.

Comparative neurotoxic effects and mechanism of cadmium chloride and cadmium sulfate in neuronal cells.

Cadmium (Cd), a known food pollutant, has been demonstrated in numerous studies to induce neurological damage. The pathogenic mechanisms of cadmium chloride (CdCl) and cadmium sulfate (CdSO) are generally attributed to the induction of oxidative stress and apoptosis. Nevertheless, the extent to which these two cadmium compounds exhibit differential concentration-dependent neurotoxic effects, as well as the specific underlying mechanisms involved, remain to be elucidated.

Pollution characteristics, pollution sources and driving factors of hexavalent chromium in groundwater: A case study in Xianyang region, China.

Hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI)) is a recognized carcinogen that poses significant risks to public health. The Xianyang area in China is characterized by groundwater Cr(VI) pollution. In this study, a coupled framework was developed by incorporating hydrochemical method, geo-statistical analysis, correlation analysis, principal component analysis (PCA), positive matrix factorization (PMF) and the geo-detector model to identify pollution characteristics, pollution sources and associated driving factor of Cr(VI) in groundwater.

Association of Albuminuria With 1-Year Risk of Heart Failure and Other Adverse Outcomes in Atrial Fibrillation.

Background: Albuminuria is associated with increased stroke risk in atrial fibrillation (AF), but its relationship with heart failure (HF) and other adverse outcomes in AF is less well understood.

Methods: Using linked administrative databases, we conducted a retrospective cohort study of individuals aged ≥66 years who were newly diagnosed with AF between April 2009 and March 2019 in Ontario, Canada. Albuminuria was assessed using (1) urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR, mg/g) and (2) dipstick proteinuria (negative, trace, 1+, 2+, ≥3+).

Metabolic and hepatic biomarkers associated with MASLD in the Chinese population.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) has become the most prevalent chronic liver disease globally, imposing significant economic burdens. In this study, we analyzed serum indicators-including ALT, AST, De-Ritis ratio, fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profiles, and blood pressure-among 162,699 Chinese individuals from Ping An Healthcare Diagnostics Center, stratified by gender, age, and weight. Comparative analysis revealed significant differences in these biomarkers between MASLD and Normal groups, enabling the identification of markers associated with MASLD subhealth.

Social Connection and Chronic Pain: A Cohort Study to Explore the Association of Social Isolation and Loneliness with Chronic Pain Among Older Adults in China.

Background: As societies worldwide experience rapid aging, social isolation and loneliness are as prevalent and impactful on health outcomes of older adults as other well-recognized risk factors. This study investigates the association of social isolation and loneliness on the prevalence of chronic pain among Chinese older adults.

Methods: Participants from waves of the Chinese Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) with no chronic pain in baseline 2011, and their conditions of chronic pain in wave 2018, were analyzed.

Conductive Microneedles Loaded With Polyphenol-Engineered Exosomes Reshape Diabetic Neurovascular Niches for Chronic Wound Healing.

Diabetic wound healing remains a major clinical challenge due to the accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs), reactive oxygen species (ROS), and proinflammatory cytokines under hyperglycemic conditions, which collectively impair neurovascular regeneration. Here, a biological-electrical therapeutic platform is reported by synergizing polyphenol-engineered Saccharina japonica exosomes (CA@Exos)-derived biological signals with electroconductive microneedles (pCNTs-ASA MNs)-delivered electrical cues, achieving a dual-pathway to reshape neurovascular niches during the diabetic wound healing process. CA@Exos serve as bioactive cargo to suppress AGE formation, scavenge ROS, and reverse the inflammatory microenvironment, while their intrinsic bioactivities in modulating angiogenesis and neurotrophic signaling enhanced Schwann cell-vascular endothelial cell crosstalk.

Inulin Hydrogel Loaded with Self-Assembled Nanoparticles of Curcumin and Glycyrrhizic Acid for Inflammatory Bowel Disease Treatment via Anti-Inflammation, Antioxidation, and Microbiota Modulation.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) management remains challenging due to the inadequate efficacy and systemic toxicity of conventional therapies. Herein, we developed an inulin hydrogel loaded with self-assembled nanoparticles of curcumin and glycyrrhizic acid (CURG@IN) for IBD treatment. CURG@IN exhibited remarkable gel characteristics and enzyme-responsive drug release behavior.

Role of NTRK Fusion Genes in the Tumor Immune Microenvironment of HPV (+/-) Cervical Cancer.

Cervical cancer, a prevalent gynecological malignancy, is primarily associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) infection. However, some cases display distinct molecular alterations beyond HPV, significantly impacting the tumor immune microenvironment (TIME) and posing therapeutic challenges. Among these molecular changes, NTRK gene fusions have emerged as critical drivers of tumor progression, invasiveness, and poor prognosis.

Bulliform Cell-Induced Leaf Curling Contributes to Water Loss and Water Potential Regulation of Bamboos During Dry Season.

A balanced water supply and demand is critical for plant growth and survival. Despite the ecological importance of bamboos in tropical ecosystems, the water regulation mechanisms across bamboo species remain poorly understood. This study quantified the relative contributions of soil water-uptake depth, leaf water storage and retention capacity, and related anatomical traits to daytime and seasonal variations in leaf water potential across nine co-occurring bamboo species.

IL2RG knockout mitigates polycystic ovary syndrome pathogenesis by transitioning pyroptosis to apoptosis through the GSDME pathway.

Background: Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder with significant impacts on women’s reproductive health. Interleukin (IL)-2 receptor subunit gamma (IL2RG), a common receptor for IL-2, IL-4, IL-7, IL-9, IL-15 and IL-21, has been shown to interrupt estrous cycle, yet its role in PCOS remains unclear.

Results: The evaluated expression levels of IL2RG in human granulosa cells (GCs) and IL2RG-dependent cytokines (IL-2, IL-4, IL-15) in follicular fluid were demonstrated in 18 PCOS patients and 22 control subjects.

Screening of compounds in ginseng that activate CYP19A1 enzyme promoters for the treatment of postmenopausal osteoporosis using molecular docking and affinity ultrafiltration technology.

The primary etiology of postmenopausal osteoporosis is estrogen deficiency. The enzyme aromatase (CYP19A1) serves as the key rate-limiting enzyme in the conversion of androgens to estrogens. In this study, ginseng was selected as the subject of investigation.

Superconductivity in Sr-doped LaNiO thin films.

Recent studies have demonstrated ambient pressure superconductivity in compressively strained LaNiO thin films, yet the phase diagram of heterovalent doping-critical for advancing the field-remains underexplored. Here we report superconductivity in Sr-doped LaSrNiO films. The superconducting transition temperature (T) follows an incomplete dome-like profile, maintaining similar T values across a wide doping range (0 ≤ x ≤ 0.

Hydrodynamic activities and lifestyle preferences synergistically drive prokaryotic community assembly processes in the dual fronts system of the Yangtze River Estuary.

The dual fronts system of the Yangtze River Estuary plays a critical role in the hydrodynamic-biological coupling mechanisms, whose frontal effects stimulate marine microorganisms to adapt to environmental fluctuation. However, the synergistic mechanisms driving prokaryotic community assembly in the dual fronts system remain poorly conceptualized, particularly regarding lifestyle preferences (free-living vs. particle-associated).

Hierarchical FeO@C@MnO nanozymes: bridging structural engineering to on-site biosensing of tannic acid.

Manganese dioxide (MnO)-based heterogeneous catalysts have gained significant attention in nanozyme research due to their exceptional oxidase-mimicking capabilities. This work reports the rational design of MnO functionalized magnetic carbon nanotubes (FeO@C@MnO) through a multistep synthesis strategy. The magnetic N-doped hollow carbon substrate (FeO@C) was first synthesized via controlled pyrolysis of FeOOH-coated polydopamine precursors.

Predicting the Uniaxial Compressive Strength of Cement Paste: A Theoretical and Experimental Study.

This study presents a progressive strength prediction model for cement paste based on the hypothesis that compressive strength is governed by the microstructural compactness of hydration products. A three-stage modeling framework was developed: (1) a semi-empirical model for pure cement paste incorporating water-to-cement ratio and paste density; (2) a density-corrected effective water-cement ratio w/ceff that accounts for the physical effects of mineral additives including fly ash, slag, and limestone powder; and (3) a hydration-informed strength model incorporating curing age and temperature through an equivalent hydration degree αte. Experimental validation using over 60 cement paste mixes demonstrated high predictive accuracy, with coefficients of determination up to 0.

Photonic jet generated by a silicon nitride spherical particle with shaped beam illumination.

Photonic jets (PJs) are generated by the interaction between beams and dielectric particles, resulting in narrow, high-intensity beams produced behind the medium. Silicon nitride exhibits excellent optical properties; we aim to explore the potential of silicon nitride in PJ applications. In this paper, the beam is expanded by spherical vector wave functions with the framework of the generalized Lorenz-Mie theory (GLMT).

Transforming Human Amniotic Membrane into Nanoparticles: An Approach for Cardiac Delivery Systems.

Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of death worldwide, with heart failure due to irreversible damage to heart muscle cells posing a major therapeutic challenge. Although current surgical and pharmacological interventions offer some benefits, there is an urgent need for innovative strategies to promote cardiac repair and regeneration. Recent efforts have focused on developing cost-effective, minimally invasive therapies that use controlled delivery systems to precisely target therapeutic agents, such as drugs, genes, or cells, while enhancing efficacy and minimizing side effects.

Impact of Tregs on tumor regression in locally advanced G/GEJ cancer patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy.

Neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy has transformed the treatment of locally advanced gastric or gastroesophageal junction (G/GEJ) cancer. However, identifying reliable predictive markers for treatment efficacy remains challenging. We conducted a retrospective analysis to evaluate the prognostic value of peripheral blood regulatory T (Treg) cells in patients with G/GEJ cancer undergoing neoadjuvant chemoimmunotherapy followed by curative resection.

Strontium and Tannic Acid-Modified Eggshell-Derived Nanoparticles Promote Wound Healing in Poly(Lactic Acid)/Gelatin-Based Nanofibrous Dressings.

Wound healing may be impaired by excessive bleeding, bacterial colonization, slower angiogenesis, and poor cell proliferation, which necessitate the advent of innovative hemostatic, antibacterial, and pro-angiogenic dressings. The objective of this research is to synthesize strontium-substituted tannic acid-modified eggshell-based nanoparticles (ECa-TA-Sr NPs) and exploit them to endow multifunctionality to poly(lactic acid)/gelatin (PG) fibers. Physical and chemical properties of unmodified and modified NPs, as well as dressings, are evaluated with different types of assays in vitro.

Lipid Nanoparticle-Encapsulated mRNAs Encoding Tumor-Specific Toxin Proteins Selectively Target Cancer Cells and Stimulate T Cell Infiltration.

Treatment with mRNA-based therapeutics represents a potential strategy for improving outcomes of diverse diseases. Tumor-specific toxins might represent ideal candidates for mRNA-based cancer therapeutics. Here, we investigated the anti-tumor potential of lipid nanoparticle (LNP)-encapsulated mRNA encoding the tumor-specific toxin protein neutrophil elastase (ELANE or PPE).

Surface-engineered hydrophobic hydrogels via cholesterol micelle rearrangement for robust wet adhesion and oral mucositis therapy.

Oral mucositis (OM), a prevalent and debilitating complication in patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy, is characterized by persistent neuropathic pain and impaired food intake. Conventional treatments are often limited by poor mucosal adhesion in the dynamic, saliva-rich oral environment. To address this challenge, we developed a mussel-inspired robust wet adhesive hydrogel via cholesterol micelle rearrangement, in which negatively charged catechol-functionalized hyaluronic acid (HD) forms a polyelectrolyte network with positively charged polyethyleneimine (PEI), triggering cholesterol-micelle chain rearrangement and directional surface micelle aggregation to achieve hydrophobic hydrogel surface.

Species-specific inhibition of human and rat aromatase by mycotoxins: Integrated enzyme assays, docking, and structure-activity relationship analysis.

In placental tissue, human and rat aromatases convert testosterone to estradiol, which was prioritized for investigation over others due to its susceptibility to endocrine disruption by mycotoxins, yet their effects remain unclear. The objective of this study is to investigate the effects of mycotoxins on human and rat aromatase, including inhibition strength, mechanism, and structural-activity relationships (SAR). Screening was conducted to evaluate mycotoxin inhibition using placental microsomes by HPLC-MS/MS.

FBP1 as a key regulator of focal adhesion kinase-mediated hepatic stellate cell activation: Multi-omics and experimental validation.

Background: Inhibiting hepatic stellate cell (HSC) activation is a key therapeutic strategy in liver fibrosis (LF). During activation, aerobic glycolysis is upregulated to meet increased energy demands. Although focal adhesion kinase (FAK) has been implicated in regulating HSC glycolysis, its precise role in activation remains unclear.