Dual-perspective decoupling network for kidney tumor segmentation on CT images.

The key challenges in kidney tumor segmentation include unpredictable location, high similarity among objects, and variability in boundaries. Existing approaches mostly handle these challenges from an object-agnostic perspective or a single decoupling perspective, which limits their ability to address all the aforementioned challenges. To tackle these problems, we propose a Dual-perspective Decoupling Network (DDNet), which consists of the Dual-perspective Decoupling Module (DDM) and the Edge Refinement Module (ERM).

Imaging hypoxia for head and neck cancer: current status, challenges, and prospects.

Hypoxia can substantially impact clinical outcomes in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) by promoting tumor invasion, metastasis, immune escape, and therapy resistance. Given the growing interest in targeting hypoxia for cancer therapy, noninvasive methods are needed to accurately detect hypoxia and evaluate the tumor response to treatment. This review summarizes recent advances in hypoxia-targeted probes and imaging techniques, emphasizing their imaging mechanisms, strengths, and limitations.

The SWI/SNF complex subunit CgSwi1 is indispensable for host-derived ROS scavenging and infectious growth in .

The SWI/SNF chromatin-remodelling complex in eukaryotic organisms plays a critical role in manipulating DNA transcription. The key subunit of the SWI/SNF complex, Swi1, participates in a range of chromatin-associated events, such as transcriptional regulation, DNA damage repair, and homologous recombination. However, the role of Swi1 in regulating the virulence of phytopathogenic fungi remains unclear.

Strong Interactions between Flash Subnanometer Carbide Nanowires and Single-Walled Carbon Nanotubes for Catalysis.

The synthesis of transition metal carbides with precise control over their dimension, morphology, and crystallinity at a subnanometer scale presents a significant challenge. Addressing this, a kinetics-controlled confined flash Joule heating method has been developed, characterized by superfast heating (>2000 K ms) and cooling (>30 K ms) rates, enabling the millisecond-scale production of subnanometer molybdenum carbide nanowires. These one-dimensional structures are synthesized through a carbothermic reduction of encapsulated polymolybdate cluster arrays, a process that eschews the need for solvents, catalysts, or special gases, utilizing single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) as both thermal conductors and structural templates.

Thermoresponsive ether-based electrolyte for wide temperature operating lithium metal batteries.

Safe electrolytes operable over a wide temperature range are essential for lithium metal batteries, offering high redox interfacial stability, fast ion transport kinetics, and inherent safety. However, conventional electrolytes rarely achieve these characteristics simultaneously, typically sacrificing one to improve another. In this work, an ether-based thermoresponsive electrolyte is developed, in which the Li solvation structure varies with temperature and facilitates the formation of a polycrystalline electrode/electrolyte interface, enabling the desired properties under conventional salt concentrations.

Exploring the role of intestinal pathogenic bacteria in metronidazole-induced bone loss: focus on Klebsiella variicola.

Antibiotic use is known to contribute to the development of osteoporosis, although the exact mechanisms remain poorly understood. Metronidazole (MET), a commonly prescribed antibiotic for treating anaerobic infections, has been linked to alterations in the gut microbiota (GM), which in turn are associated with various adverse side effects in the host. Recent studies have shown that the GM plays a key role in regulating bone homeostasis, though the underlying mechanisms remain under investigation.

Ångstrom-scale silver particle-infused hydrogels eliminate orthopedic implant infections and support fracture healing.

Orthopedic implant-associated infections pose a significant clinical challenge, often requiring surgical intervention along with systemic antibiotic treatments. To address this issue, we developed a novel approach using Ångstrom-scale silver particles (AgÅPs) with broad-spectrum antibacterial properties. Specifically, we formulated a polyethylene glycol hydrogel infused with AgÅPs (Gel-AgÅPs) designed for treating fracture fixation infections.

TLR7/8 signaling activation enhances the potency of human pluripotent stem cell-derived eosinophils in cancer immunotherapy for solid tumors.

Background: Efficient tumor T-cell infiltration is crucial for the effectiveness of T-cell-based therapies against solid tumors. Eosinophils play crucial roles in recruiting T cells in solid tumors. Our group has previously generated induced eosinophils (iEOs) from human pluripotent stem cells and exhibited synergistic efficacy with CAR-T cells in solid tumor inhibition.

Competitive adsorption and strain modulation induced by low electronegative elements to improve phosphate tolerance in HT-PEMFC.

The cathode Pt-based electrocatalyst, a core component of high-temperature proton exchange membrane fuel cells (HT-PEMFCs), significantly influences fuel cell efficiency. At high temperatures and strongly acidic pH, phosphoric acid tends to adsorb onto the Pt surface by forming PtO bonds, covering the catalyst's active sites. Phosphoric acid anions' toxicity towards Pt significantly impairs the oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) kinetics, posing a major obstacle to the commercial viability of this technology.

"All-U-Want" Strand Displacement Amplification: A Versatile Signal Amplification Method for Nucleic Acid Biosensing.

Strand displacement amplification (SDA) is an isothermal DNA amplification technique. Herein, we developed a novel SDA system, designated All-U-Want SDA (AUW-SDA), which was used as a signal amplification strategy for the construction of nucleic acid detection biosensors. AUW-SDA is capable of target turnover and can be utilized for detection of nucleic acid sequences without available 3'-ends.

Inverse Electron Demand Diels-Alder Reaction on MN@C (M=Lu, Sc): Reactivity and Reversibility Enable Chemical Separation of Metallofullerenes.

Endohedral metallofullerenes are chemically more inert compared to empty fullerenes, primarily due to their intramolecular electron transfer. In this work, we report an inverse electron demand Diels-Alder (IEDDA) reaction on MN@C (M=Lu, Sc), where they show significantly higher reactivity than empty fullerenes. The molecular structures of the [4+2] cycloadducts were unambiguously characterized.

Akkermansia muciniphila-derived extracellular vesicles mitigate smoking-induced prostate inflammation and fibrosis.

Background: Cigarette smoking (CS) is a well-known risk factor for inducing prostate inflammation and fibrosis, presenting significant threats to male reproductive health. Recent research has highlighted the significant role of gut microbiota (GM) in regulating extra-intestinal organs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of Akk and its extracellular vesicles (EVs) on CS-induced prostate inflammation and fibrosis.

Confined Flash Pt/WC inside Carbon Nanotubes for Efficient and Durable Electrocatalysis.

Exploiting cost-effective hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) catalysts is crucial for sustainable hydrogen production. However, currently reported nanocatalysts usually cannot simultaneously sustain high catalytic activity and long-term durability. Here, we report the efficient synthesis and activity tailoring of a chainmail catalyst, isolated platinum atom anchored tungsten carbide nanocrystals encapsulated inside carbon nanotubes (Pt/WC@CNTs), by confined flash Joule heating technique.

Differences in cerebral structure among patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment and patients with Alzheimer's disease.

Background: Brain has been shown to undergo progressive atrophy in patients with Alzheimer's disease (AD); however, more evidence is needed to elucidate how the brain structure changes during the progression to AD. Here, we observed differences in the cerebral structure among patients with amnestic mild cognitive impairment (aMCI) and patients with AD.

Methods: A total of 46 participants were selected and divided into AD, aMCI, and healthy control (HC) groups.

Partial thermal atomization of residual Ni NPs in single-walled carbon nanotubes for efficient CO electroreduction.

CO electroreduction (CORR) is an important solution for converting inert CO into high value-added fuels and chemicals under mild conditions. The decisive factor lies in the rational design and preparation of cost-effective and high-performance electrocatalysts. Herein, we first prepare a novel f-SWNTs-650 catalyst a facile partial thermal atomization strategy, where the residual Ni particles in single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are partially converted into atomically dispersed NiN species.

Substituent effect in determining the total structure of an all-alkynyl-protected Ag nanocluster for methanol tolerant oxygen reduction reaction.

Metal nanoclusters (NCs) with atomically precise structures are desirable models for truly understanding their structure-property relationship. This study reports the synthesis and structural anatomy of a Ag NC protected solely by an alkynyl ligand, 2-(trifluoromethyl)phenylacetylene (2-CFPhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH), which features a -CF substituent at the position (-CF). 2-CFPhC[triple bond, length as m-dash]CH ligands are so exquisitely arranged on the surface of Ag that the steric hindrance caused by -CF is minimized but its function as a hydrogen-bond (H-bond) acceptor (H⋯F) is maximized.

Dynamics of alternative polyadenylation in single root cells of .

Introduction: Single-cell RNA-seq (scRNA-seq) technologies have been widely used to reveal the diversity and complexity of cells, and pioneering studies on scRNA-seq in plants began to emerge since 2019. However, existing studies on plants utilized scRNA-seq focused only on the gene expression regulation. As an essential post-transcriptional mechanism for regulating gene expression, alternative polyadenylation (APA) generates diverse mRNA isoforms with distinct 3' ends through the selective use of different polyadenylation sites in a gene.

Cr dopant mediates hydroxyl spillover on RuO for high-efficiency proton exchange membrane electrolysis.

Simultaneously improving the activity and stability of catalysts for anodic oxygen evolution reaction (OER) in proton exchange membrane water electrolysis (PEMWE) remains a notable challenge. Here, we report a chromium-doped ruthenium dioxide with oxygen vacancies, termed CrRuO, that drives OER with an overpotential of 170 mV at 10 mA cm and operates stably over 2000 h in acidic media. Experimental and theoretical studies show that the synergy of Cr dopant and oxygen vacancy induces an unconventional dopant-mediated hydroxyl spillover mechanism.

Exploring the relationship between pyroptosis and inflammatory bone loss: Evidence from a cigarette smoke-induced osteoporosis mouse model.

Smoking is by far one of the greatest public health threats and is recognized as an important predisposing factor for osteoporosis. Exposure to cigarette smoke (CS) has been reported to be associated with inflammation-associated diseases through the induction of pyroptosis. Nevertheless, the correlation between pyroptosis and bone loss induced by CS remains uninvestigated.

High-Electrochemical-Activity Composite Cathode Enabled by Fast Segmental Relaxation for Solid-State Lithium-Sulfur Batteries.

Solid-state lithium-sulfur batteries (SSLSBs) have attracted a great deal of attention because of their high theoretical energy density and intrinsic safety. However, their practical applications are severely impeded by slow redox kinetics and poor cycling stability. Herein, we revealed the detrimental effect of aggregation of lithium polysulfides (LiPSs) on the redox kinetics and reversibility of SSLSBs.

The jacktree genome and population genomics provides insights for the mechanisms of the germination obstacle and the conservation of endangered ornamental plants.

Hu represents the first woody genus described by Chinese botanists, with all species classified as endangered ornamental plants endemic to China. Their characteristic spindle-shaped fruits confer high ornamental value to the plants, making them favored in gardens and parks. Nevertheless, the fruits likely pose a germination obstacle, contributing to the endangered status of this lineage.

Unveiling Atomic-Scaled Local Chemical Order of High-Entropy Intermetallic Catalyst for Alkyl-Substitution-Dependent Alkyne Semihydrogenation.

High-entropy intermetallic (HEI) nanocrystals, composed of multiple elements with an ordered structure, are of immense interest in heterogeneous catalysis due to their unique geometric and electronic structures and the cocktail effect. Despite tremendous efforts dedicated to regulating the metal composition and structures with advanced synthetic methodologies to improve the performance, the surface structure, and local chemical order of HEI and their correlation with activity at the atomic level remain obscure yet challenging. Herein, by determining the three-dimensional (3D) atomic structure of quinary PdFeCoNiCu (PdM) HEI using atomic-resolution electron tomography, we reveal that the local chemical order of HEI regulates the surface electronic structures, which further mediates the alkyl-substitution-dependent alkyne semihydrogenation.