The unique design of low molecular weight hydrogels (LMWH) without carriers has sparked great interest in biomedical applications, yet the construction of binary LMWH remains elusive due to the lack of a theoretical framework linking structure and assembly. Hence, we proposed an innovative theoretical framework, in which a subtle -OH change in parent structures triggers the interconversion of nanoparticles and nanofibers. This framework hinges on a pair of hydrophobic planar small molecules with only one -OH difference, self-assembling into binary LMWH at 1:1 ratio.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIdiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a fatal, irreversible lung disorder with limited treatment options. Pathogenic drivers include fibroblast-to-myofibroblast transition, excessive collagen deposition, and inflammatory infiltration. Elevated circulating insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) levels and dysregulated activation of the IGF-1 receptor (IGF-1R) are implicated in multiple pathological conditions such as cancer, chronic inflammation, and fibrotic diseases.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSpectrochim Acta A Mol Biomol Spectrosc
November 2025
Pesticide contamination in food poses a significant threat to both human well-being and ecological security. In this study, a two-dimensional Zn cluster coordination polymer material, {[Zn(CAP)(OH)(HO)]·NMP·HO} (CP 1), was synthesized and employed as a fluorescence sensor for the detection of organophosphorus pesticides, particularly methyl parathion (PAM) and parathion (PAR). Crystal structure analysis and Hirshfeld surface analysis revealed the abundance of intermolecular hydrogen bonds within CP 1, which facilitated recognition sites for selective interaction with PAM or PAR.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSmall cell carcinoma of the esophagus (SCCE) is an aggressive and rare neuroendocrine malignancy with poor prognosis. Here, we firstly performed single-cell transcriptional profiling derived from 10 SCCE patients, with normal esophageal mucosa, adjacent non-malignant tissue and tumors from esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) as reference. We observed enrichment of activated regulatory T cells and an angiogenesis-induced niche existed in SCCE compared with ESCC, revealing an immune suppressive and vessel-induced tumor microenvironment (TME) in SCCE.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHigh-intensity interval training (HIIT) has potential health benefits in the treatment of many chronic diseases. However, the efficacy of HIIT in patients with metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) remains unclear. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to assess the impact of HIIT on intrahepatic lipids (IHLs) , liver enzymes, and metabolic profiles in individuals with MASLD.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTotal sea ice extent (SIE) across the Southern Ocean increased from 1979-2014, but declined rapidly after 2016. Significant sea ice decline has emerged since the peak of SIE in 2014, coincident with Pacific sub-decadal sea surface temperature (SST) trends resembling a strong La Niña-like cold condition and the negative phase of the interdecadal Pacific oscillation (IPO). Previous studies suggest that the warm subsurface Southern Ocean was an important driver of the low sea ice in spring 2016 and the sustained low sea ice state since.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFEnviron Sci Pollut Res Int
February 2025
Arsenic species were quantified to further explore the biotransformation of arsenic and better explain the potential health risks. In this research, the levels of six arsenic species (AsB, AsC, MMA, DMA, As, and As) were determined in 160 squid samples by HPLC-ICP-MS. AsB was the most predominant speciation in squid tissues.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground And Objective: Gastric cancer (GC) remains a prevalent and preventable disease, yet accurate early diagnostic methods are lacking. Exosome non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs), a type of liquid biopsy, have emerged as promising diagnostic biomarkers for various tumours. This study aimed to identify a serum exosome ncRNA feature for enhancing GC diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe processing of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) is a core theory within TCM, embodying deep philosophical, cultural, and natural scientific wisdom. Among the various techniques, the "synergistic processing of medicinal materials and excipients" has garnered significant attention due to its uniqueness. This study explored the impact of the adjuvant Glycyrrhizae Radix et Rhizoma on the dynamic process of component transformation during the processing of Aconiti Lateralis Radix Praeparata using techniques such as acidic dye colorimetry, UPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS, density functional theory(DFT), and molecular dynamics simulations(MDS).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFInt J Biol Macromol
February 2025
Torreya grandis (T. grandis) nuts are widely consumed as a functional food in China. In this study, we investigated the structural characteristics of T.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColorectal adenomas (CRAs) represent precancerous lesions that precede the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). Regular monitoring of CRAs can hinder the progression into carcinoma. To explore the utility of tissue DNA and circulating cell-free DNA (cfDNA) in early diagnosis of CRC, we retrospectively sequenced paired tissue and plasma samples from 85 patients with conventional CRAs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnited European Gastroenterol J
April 2025
Background: Methylated stool DNA (sDNA) is a reliable noninvasive biomarker for early colorectal cancer (CRC) diagnosis. However, there are barely any diagnostic panels that can achieve both a sensitivity and specificity exceeding 90% simultaneously.
Objective: We aimed to identify a novel methylated sDNA panel and model for the early diagnosis of CRC.
Magnolol (Mag) is a promising natural compound with therapeutic potential for ulcerative colitis (UC). Here we designed and fabricated an oral food-grade whey protein isolate-Tremella fuciformis polysaccharides (WPI-TFPS) stabilized pickering emulsions to encapsulate Mag (Mag-WPI-TFPS) for targeted treatment of UC. With the assistance of the WPI-TFPS, pickering emulsions were well encapsulated and formed stable microparticles with a particle size of approximately 9.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColloids Surf B Biointerfaces
October 2024
We examined the occurrence and levels of 19 legacy and emerging per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 7 species of marine bivalve molluscs collected from four coastal cities of Shandong Province, China. Perfluorooctanoic acid (PFOA) was the most prevalent component, accounting for 68.1 % of total PFASs.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(1) Background: Heterotrophs can affect plant biomass and alter species diversity-productivity relationships. However, these studies were conducted in systems with a low nitrogen (N) availability, and it is unclear how heterotroph removal affects the relationship between plant species diversity and productivity in different N habitats. (2) Methods: Three typical understory herbaceous plants were selected to assemble the plant species diversity (three plant species richness levels (1, 2, and 3) and seven plant species compositions), and the control, insecticide, fungicide, and all removal treatments were performed at each plant species diversity level in systems with or without N addition treatments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFood Addit Contam Part B Surveill
March 2024
In this study 13 heavy metals were analysed in representative livestock meat, poultry meat, livestock offal and poultry offal samples (20 per category) from marketplaces and retail stores in 16 cities in Shandong province, China. The investigated heavy metals were Cu, Cr, V, Ni, As, Se, Sn, Cd, Pb, Sb, Mn, Ba and Hg. Results revealed mean levels of total heavy metals in meat and offal of 1.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPlant species diversity is crucial in greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen removal from constructed wetlands (CWs). However, previous studies have overlooked the impact of benthos on cumulative greenhouse gas emissions during the low-temperature season in CWs. In this study, we established 66 vertical flow CWs with three levels of species richness (1, 2, and 4 species) and eleven species compositions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWe investigated the distribution of 8 per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) in 321 shellfish samples collected from four coastal cities along the Yellow Sea and Bohai Sea of Shandong Province, China. The concentrations of total PFASs (∑PFASs) were in the range of 0.061-178.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFChronic hepatitis B (CHB) and hepatic steatosis (HS) are two prevalent chronic liver diseases in Asia. The incidence of CHB combined with HS is increasing due to the rising obesity rates. However, the impact of HS on CHB remains a topic of debate.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAcupuncture can alleviate depression-like behaviors. However, the neural mechanisms behind the anti-depressive effect remain unknown. Perineuronal net (PNN) abnormalities have been reported in multiple psychiatric disorders.
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