Chitin nanocrystal-stabilized Pickering emulsion for multimodal sensing.

A Pickering emulsion-templating method is developed for preparing composite hydrogels with improved mechanical properties and ionic conductivity. First, an aqueous system with poly(trimethylolpropane triacrylate) microspheres coated with chitin nanocrystals (ChNCs) is prepared using an oil-in-water emulsion template by means of photo-cross-linking. Thereafter, the system is mixed with poly(vinyl alcohol) (PVA) and borax solutions, followed by freeze-thawing treatments.

Mori fructus-derived extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles regulate dyslipidemia and prevent atherosclerosis progression via miRNAs.

Background: Atherosclerosis, driven majorly by dyslipidemia, is a major risk factor for acute and chronic cardiovascular diseases. Hence, the development of bioactive products that can regulate lipid metabolism and prevent the onset and progression of atherosclerosis is urgently needed.

Purpose: This study aims to investigate the effect of Mori fructus-derived extracellular vesicle-like nanoparticles (MFEVLPs) on lipid abnormality and atherosclerosis progression.

Spin Frustration and Unconventional Surface Spin Canting State in Van der Waals Ferromagnet/Antiferromagnet Heterostructures.

Atomically flat surfaces of van der Waals (vdW) materials pave an avenue for addressing a long-standing fundamental issue of how a compensated antiferromagnet (AFM) surface frustrates a ferromagnetic (FM) overlayer in FM/AFM heterostructures. We investigate FeGeTe/NiPS vdW heterostructures by characterizing AFM and FM spins separately. We find that in-plane zig-zag AFM NiPS develops three equivalent AFM domains, which are robust against external magnetic field and magnetic coupling with FeGeTe.

Analysis of microbial aerosols diversity in cattle farms in Ningxia.

Introduction: Beef cattle farming, a key industry in Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region, has intensified, raising public health concerns due to bioaerosol emissions. However, the distribution characteristics of these bioaerosols remain poorly understood.

Methods: We characterized bacterial communities in bioaerosols from beef cattle pens across five Ningxia regions-Guyuan (G), Yinchuan (Y), Shizuishan (S), Zhongwei (Z), and Wuzhong (W)-and compared two rearing scales: smallholder farms (S) and large-scale farms (L).

miRNA-125b-5p-rich exosomes derived from fibro-adipogenic progenitors promoting muscle regeneration through inducing pro-regenerative macrophages.

It is still unclear the role of exosomes derived from fibro-adipogenic progenitors (FAP) on macrophage polarization and muscle repair. In this study, the effects of exosomes collected from primary FAPs isolated from acute injured muscles at different timepoints on macrophage polarization were compared. We found exosomes derived from FAPs isolated at 10 (days post injury, DPI) can effectively induce M2 macrophage polarization both in vitro and in vivo.

Leveraging Intrinsic Hemicellulose in Cellulose Nanopaper for Enhanced Nanoplastic Collection.

Lignocellulosic materials are ideal collecting materials for biotoxic nanoplastics in purified or drinking water due to their exceptional biocompatibility and programmability. Nature has designed hierarchical and heterogeneous lignocellulose microstructure, which can be harnessed for enhanced interfacial behaviors toward specific applications. Here, we demonstrate the high-efficiency capture of diversified nanoplastics from aqueous environments by nanopaper assembled from cellulose nanofibrils primarily as a result of interfacial adsorption and physical interception, behaviors that are further intensified with the presence of the intrinsic hemicellulose component.

Association between non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol ratio and mortality in US adults: results from the NHANES 2011-2018.

Background: The NHHR, which is the ratio of non-high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (non-HDL-C) to high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), has been suggested to have a link to several metabolic diseases and cardiovascular diseases (CVD). However, its association with CVD mortality and all-cause mortality remains uncertain.

Methods And Results: Analyzing HDL-C and non-HDL-C used to calculate NHHR were sourced from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2011-2018).

Experimental Investigation on Thermal Performance Optimization of NaHPO·12HO-Based Gel Phase Change Materials for Solar Greenhouse.

The content of modified materials in multicomponent gel phase change materials directly affects their performance characteristics. To investigate the influence of different contents of modified materials on the performance features of NaHPO·12HO-based multicomponent Gel Phase Change Materials, four single factors (NaSiO·9HO, CHO, KCl, and nano-α-FeO) and their interactions were selected as influencing factors. Using the Taguchi method with an L(3) orthogonal array, multi-step melt-blending experiments were conducted to prepare a novel multi-component phase change material.

BRD4 Signaling Maintains the Differentiated State of β Cells.

In diabetes, pancreatic β cells degenerate from their mature differentiated state to a dedifferentiated state. BRD4 plays a pivotal role during embryogenesis and cancer development, but its function in modulating β-cell differentiation remains unknown. In this study, multiple models including calorie restriction db/db mouse, long-term and acute conditional knockout mouse, and human islet organoids are adopted to assess BRD4 function in β cells.

Integrated metabolomics and metagenomics reveal plant-microbe interactions driving aroma differentiation in flue-cured tobacco leaves.

Current research on tobacco aroma predominantly focuses on single-omics approaches. In this study, we conducted a comprehensive investigation of the relationships between tobacco metabolite profiles, microbial communities, and aroma characteristics. Untargeted metabolomics and metagenomic analyses were performed on flue-cured upper tobacco leaves to compare light aromatic tobacco (LAT) and strong aromatic tobacco (SAT).

Ampere-level electroreduction of CO and CO.

Electroreduction of carbon dioxide (CORR) and carbon monoxide (CORR) is promising to reduce the global carbon footprint and obtain high-value products. However, both reactions are limited by the intrinsically low activity of catalysts and mass transport of reactants at the catalyst/electrolyte interface. Recent progress has highlighted the need of rational catalyst design and mass transport engineering for improving the reaction kinetics and operating the CORR/CORR at current densities at ampere levels (>500 mA cm).

Disease-resistant watermelon variety against Fusarium wilt by remodeling rhizosphere soil microenvironment.

Background: Rhizosphere microorganisms and their interactions play a critical role in enhancing plant disease resistance. Here, we found that the disease severity of the resistant variety LW025 showed a decreasing trend with the increase in continuous cropping cycles. However, the mechanisms underlying the reduction in disease severity during the continuous cropping of the resistant watermelon variety LW025, particularly its relationship with the rhizosphere microbiome, remain unclear.

Autophagy and exosome dynamics in Radiation-Induced pulmonary fibrosis: the critical role of TRIB3.

Objective: Dysregulated autophagy plays a critical role in the pathogenesis of pulmonary fibrosis. The stress protein TRIB3 has been correlated with abnormal autophagy, but its specific contribution to radiation-induced pulmonary fibrosis (RIPF) remains unclear. This study aimed to elucidate the role of TRIB3 in RIPF progression.

An assessment of the role of buttress roots in the carbon stocks of tropical forests.

Introduction: Assessing carbon stocks in tropical forests is crucial for understanding their role in mitigating climate change. Researchers have previously underestimated key factors contributing to carbon dynamics in tropical forests. This study aims to address this knowledge gap.

The RAE1-STOP1 module regulates ABA sensitivity in early seedlings of Arabidopsis.

The SENSITIVE TO PROTON RHIZOTOXICITY 1 (STOP1) transcription factor plays a pivotal role in maintaining cellular ion balance and governing aluminum tolerance in plants. Abscisic acid (ABA) participates in aluminum tolerance by inducing the expression of several genes that are STOP1 targets. However, the interplay between ABA signaling and STOP1-mediated gene expression remains poorly understood.

Deciphering ERR family genes as prognostic and immunological biomarkers through pan-cancer analysis with validation in gallbladder cancer.

Background: The estrogen-related receptor family genes (ERRs), including ESRRA, ESRRB, and ESRRG, have been implicated in a few tumors, exhibiting distinct roles through diverse mechanisms. The purpose of our research is to explore the commonalities and underlying mechanism of ERRs in malignancies from a pan-cancer perspective and to validate the role and mechanisms of ESRRG in gallbladder cancer (GBC).

Methods: We leveraged public databases such as TCGA and GTEx to systematically investigate the potential functions of ERRs in malignancies.

Combining Network Pharmacological Analysis and Animal Experiments to Explore the Pharmacological Mechanism of Zhangyanming Tablets in Diabetic Retinopathy.

Background: Zhangyanming Tablets (ZYMT) is a proprietary Chinese medicine containing a variety of traditional Chinese medicines, which can be used to treat a wide range of eye diseases, but its exact effect on diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the specific mechanism are still unclear. This study aims to investigate the ameliorative effects and specific mechanisms of ZYMT on DR.

Methods: Key regulatory genes and potential therapeutic targets of ZYMT for DR were evaluated using network pharmacological analysis.

Targeting microglial NAAA-regulated PEA signaling counters inflammatory damage and symptom progression of post-stroke anxiety.

Post-stroke anxiety (PSA) manifests as anxiety symptoms after stroke, with unclear mechanisms and limited treatment strategies. Endocannabinoids, reported to mitigate fear, anxiety, and stress, undergo dynamic alterations after stroke linked to prognosis intricately. However, endocannabinoid metabolism in ischemic microenvironment and their associations with post-stroke anxiety-like behavior remain largely uncovered.

YX-112, a novel celastrol-derived PROTAC, inhibits the development of triple-negative breast cancer by targeting the degradation of multiple proteins.

Background: Celastrol is an effective component of the plant Tripterygium wilfordii Hook. f., which has a high inhibitory effect on triple-negative breast cancer.

Profiling the full-length transcriptome of plasma cell mastitis via nanopore sequencing.

Introduction: In this study, we aimed to determine the transcriptomic profile of plasma cell mastitis (PCM) and elucidate its underlying mechanisms using nanopore sequencing technology (ONT).

Methods And Results: Through comparisons and analyses of redundantly removed transcripts with known reference genome annotations, we identified 39,408 novel transcripts and 20,980 genes. By exploring full-length transcriptome data, we characterized selective splicing, selective polyadenylation events, and simple sequence repeat (SSR) site information, which enhanced our understanding of genome annotation and gene structure in plasma cell mastitis.

Development a nomogram for predicting HELLP syndrome in women complicated with gestational hypertension.

Objectives: The unpredictability of HELLP syndrome and the severe adverse outcomes for both mother and children make it especially important for us to seek predictive model. This study aimed to develop a clinically accessible prediction model for assessing the risk of HELLP syndrome progression in patients with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP) and find effective factors that may predict the progression of HELLP within 3 days.

Methods: We used electronic data from Women's Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, between January 1,2014 and December 31,2023.

The bZIP20 transcription factor enhances thermotolerance in Dimocarpus longan by maintaining ROS homeostasis and involving the MeJA pathway.

The basic-leucine zipper (bZIP) transcription factor (TF), which is abundant and highly conserved in eukaryotes, mainly participates in plant growth, development and adverse stress processes. However, the regulatory mechanisms of bZIP TFs under heat stress in Dimocarpus longan remain unclear. In this study, we reported a nuclear-localized bZIP TF, DlbZIP20, which was confirmed to be a positive regulator of thermotolerance in D.

Bile-Liver phenotype: Exploring the microbiota landscape in bile and intratumor of cholangiocarcinoma.

Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) arises within the peritumoral bile microenvironment, yet microbial translocation from bile to intracholangiocarcinoma (IntraCCA) tissues remains poorly understood. Previous studies on bile microbiota alterations from biliary benign disease (BBD) to CCA have yielded inconsistent results, highlighting the need for cross-study analysis. We presented a comprehensive analysis of five cohorts (N = 266), including our newly established 16S rRNA gene profiling (n = 42), to elucidate these microbiota transitions.

Interlayer Expanded MXene Film Cathodes with Rich Defects for Flexible 2-Electron Oxalate-Based Li-CO Batteries: A New Path to Enhanced Energy Efficiency and Durability.

Aprotic Li-CO batteries have garnered significant attention owing to their high theoretical energy density and potential in zero-carbon technology. However, their practical application remains hindered by sluggish CO reduction/evolution reaction (CRR/CER) kinetics and limited flexibility. While 2D graphene-like materials are commonly employed to settle these issues, their four-electron pathway limits efficiency and reversibility.

Effects of long-term continuous cropping on microbial community structure and function in tobacco rhizosphere soil.

As is well known, continuous cropping can lead to a decrease in crop yield and quality. Despite this, continuous cropping remains prevalent in practical agricultural production, particularly in the case of tobacco cultivation, owing to its high economic value. The samples for this study were collected from a flue-cured tobacco planting base located in Huili County, Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province, China.