OsSPT38 encodes a novel SUMO E3 ligase that enhances rice stress resilience and grain yield.

Abiotic stresses severely threaten global food security, underscoring the need for resilient crop varieties. We identified OsSPT38, a previously uncharacterized SUMO E3 ligase in rice, and discovered a rare gain-of-function mutation (Gly212Asp) that enhances both stress resilience and yield. This phenotype was validated in 18 additional independent mutants and by base editing in the elite indica cultivar Huanghuazhan.

Core-Shell Structure of NiW@W Induced High Intrinsic Activity and Stability for Alkaline Hydrogen Oxidation.

Hydrogen energy has attracted considerable attention due to its zero emissions and high conversion efficiency. However, the sluggish anodic kinetics in anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs) necessitate the use of high-load platinum-group metal (PGM) catalysts, significantly increasing system cost. Herein, a nickel-based electrocatalyst of NiW@W with a unique core-shell structure is reported, which exhibits outstanding intrinsic activity with an electrochemical surface area-normalized exchange current density of 0.

Identification of childhood-onset lupus nephritis through integrative bioinformatics: otoferlin as a novel biomarker.

Background: Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) exhibits a higher incidence of lupus nephritis (LN) compared to adult-onset SLE (aSLE). However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain elusive.

Methods: Gene expression datasets from childhood-onset (GSE65391) and adult-onset (GSE72798) LN patients were obtained.

Diagnostic and inclusion criteria in Alzheimer's disease clinical trials: A systematic review of the past decade.

Background: Dementia, mainly caused by Alzheimer's disease (AD), is a leading cause of mortality and disability in the elderly. However, inconsistencies in diagnostic and inclusion criteria challenge the design and comparability of AD clinical trials.

Objective: To review recent AD clinical trials, focusing on diagnostic methods and inclusion criteria, and identify trends and gaps to inform future research.

High-Efficiency Hydrogen Oxidation for Hydroxide Exchange Membrane Fuel Cells Catalyzed by Fivefold-Twinned Nickel Nanoparticles.

The independent regulation of multiple intermediates is critically important for optimizing the electronic structure of nickel (Ni), thereby improving its catalytic performance in the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR). However, conventional regulation strategies based on the Hammer-Nørskov d-band model often change the hydrogen binding energy (HBE) and hydroxyl binding energy (OHBE) in a synchronized manner. Herein, we find that a catalyst consisting of fivefold-twinned ultrasmall Ni nanoparticles could tune HBE and OHBE individually via the strain effect.

Deciphering the translocation of cadmium in indica rice under high-cadmium soil conditions.

The migration and translocation dynamics of cadmium (Cd) across the growth spectrum of indica rice, including two conventional (C1, C2) and two hybrid (H1, H2) cultivars, were deciphered through a field experiment at a high Cd-contaminated site for the first time. It was determined that the phloem was the most important transport route for Cd in the grains for both conventional and hybrid cultivars under high Cd conditions. This is supported by the evidence that the translocation factor TF exhibited highly significant positive correlations with the Cd concentration in brown rice for C1, C2 and H2 (p < 0.

New mechanistic understanding of FXR agonist Vonafexor: inducing sublethal damage of HBV-positive liver cancer cells via promoting anti-tumor immunity.

Background: In hepatitis B virus (HBV)-infected patients, there's an increase in exhausted T and NK cells, as well as myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs) in liver, suggesting that boosting immune responses is beneficial. While Vonafexor inhibits HBV transcriptional activity, its effects on the immune microenvironment of HBV-positive hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) and the mechanisms of immune clearance of these infected cells are not well understood.

Methods: In this study, tumor tissues from HBV-positive HCC patients were orthotopically transplanted into the livers of Hu-SRC mice to replicate the tumor microenvironment of the patients.

The Influence of Drinking Water Intake on Pollutant Levels in the Human Body: Evidence from NHANES Data.

Most studies have focused on the levels of pollutants in drinking water and the health risks they pose. However, no studies have reported the effects of drinking water intake on pollutant levels in the human body. Therefore, this study collected data from National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey database to provide statistical evidence for the relationship between water intake and human pollutant levels.

Analysis of factors influencing poor neurological outcomes in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Objective: There is a gap in understanding how post-stroke fatigue influences neurological function, motor skills, and the overall quality of life in different regions. This study aimed to investigate the association between post-stroke fatigue and poor prognosis of neurological function in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS).

Methods: This study conducted a retrospective investigation.

Exosomes as immunomodulators in autoimmune inflammation: implications for primary Sjögren's disease.

Primary Sjögren's disease (pSD) is a systemic autoimmune disorder characterized by exocrine gland dysfunction and lymphocytic infiltration, leading to dry mouth and eyes. Increasing evidence implicates extracellular vesicles, particularly exosomes, as critical mediators of immune regulation in pSD. This review outlines the biogenesis, molecular composition, and immunomodulatory functions of exosomes, and summarizes their emerging roles in the pathogenesis, diagnosis, and potential treatment of pSD.

Polypyrrole-decorated Vulcan XC-72R support enables a low platinum content PtRu catalyst toward alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction.

PtRu alloys are promising catalysts for the hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) in alkaline hydroxide exchange membrane fuel cells (HEMFCs) for commercial application. However, there is a need to lower the loading of platinum while simultaneously increasing its activity. Herein, we successfully prepared a PtRu alloy catalyst featuring a precisely controlled Pt-to-Ru atomic ratio of 1:5, which is typically 1:1 or 1:3, supported on polypyrrole (Ppy) decorated Vulcan XC-72R (XC).

Short-term starvation inhibits CD36 N-glycosylation and downregulates USP7 UFMylation to alleviate RBPJ-maintained T cell exhaustion in liver cancer.

Short-term starvation (STS) has been shown to enhance the sensitivity of tumors to chemotherapy while concurrently safeguarding normal cells from its detrimental side effects. Nonetheless, the extent to which STS relies on the anti-tumor immune response to impede the progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains uncertain. In this study, we employed mass cytometry, flow cytometry, immunoprecipitation, immunoblotting, CUT&Tag, RT-qPCR, and DNA pull-down assays to evaluate the relationship between STS and T-cell antitumor immunity in HCC.

Comparative efficacy and safety of pegylated interferon-alpha monotherapy vs combination therapies with entecavir or tenofovir in chronic hepatitis B patients.

Unlabelled: Current treatments for chronic hepatitis B (CHB) virus involve nucleos(t)ide analogs and pegylated interferon-alpha (PEG-IFNα). This study compares the efficacy and safety of PEG-IFNα monotherapy with its combinations with entecavir (ETV) and tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) in managing CHB. We included 147 treatment-naïve patients divided into three groups: Group A (PEG-IFNα-2b with ETV), Group B (PEG-IFNα-2b with TDF), and Group C (PEG-IFNα-2b monotherapy).

Identification of as a Key Biomarker Linking Iron Metabolism and Dendritic Cell Activation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Through Bioinformatics and Experimental Validation.

Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is characterized by aberrant immune activation and disrupted iron metabolism, yet the molecular mediators that govern both processes remain unclear. This study aims to identify pivotal genes that modulate immune responses and iron metabolism, and to delineate their contributions to SLE pathogenesis.

Methods: Differentially expressed genes related to iron metabolism (IM-DEGs) were identified using datasets (GSE72326, GSE110169, GSE126307, and GSE50772) from the GEO database and the MSigDB.

Anti-inflammatory effects of immunotherapy in clinical treatment and its potential mechanism in alleviating sleeping disorders: A systematic bibliometric study.

Sleeping disorders negatively affect cancer patient management, quality of life, and recovery. Immunotherapy, a rising cancer treatment, shows potential to improve sleep quality by reducing inflammation. This study analyzed 255 publications (2000-2024) from the Web of Science Core Collection using bibliometric methods.

Triptolide Treatment for Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the LncRNA-MSTRG.24214.1/MiRNA-939-5p/LCN2 Axis.

Background: Although triptolide has demonstrated efficacy in treating oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), its precise molecular mechanism remains unclear. This study investigated the mechanism underlying triptolide's action in lncRNA-mediated competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulation.

Methods: The impact of triptolide on OSCC in vivo was validated using a xenograft tumor model.

Current Status and Future Directions of Ferroptosis Research in Breast Cancer: Bibliometric Analysis.

Background: Ferroptosis, as a novel modality of cell death, holds significant potential in elucidating the pathogenesis and advancing therapeutic strategies for breast cancer.

Objective: This study aims to comprehensively analyze current ferroptosis research and future trends, guiding breast cancer research advancements and innovative treatment strategies.

Methods: This research used the R package Bibliometrix (Department of Economic and Statistical Sciences at the University of Naples Federico II), VOSviewer (Centre for Science and Technology Studies at Leiden University), and CiteSpace (Drexel University's College of Information Science and Technology), to conduct a bibliometric analysis of 387 papers on breast cancer and ferroptosis from the Web of Science Core Collection.

Charge Transfer at the Interface of Iridium and Atomically Dispersed Mn-O Clusters Induced Full-Potential Hydrogen Oxidation.

Hydrogen has long been an important energy source for sustainable development, and platinum group metals (PGMs) are the prominent anode catalysts for anion exchange membrane fuel cells (AEMFCs). However, among the PGM catalysts used in alkaline hydrogen oxidation reaction (HOR) for the AEMFC anode, the activity of iridium decreases sharply when the reaction potential exceeds 0.2 V vs reversible hydrogen electrode (RHE) due to the reduction of hydrogen adsorption (H), which is caused by the overadsorption of OH.

Exposure to Volatile Organic Compounds in Relation to Visceral Adiposity Index and Lipid Accumulation Product Among U.S. Adults: NHANES 2011-2018.

Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) are associated with obesity health risks, while the association of mixed VOCs with visceral adiposity indicators remains unclear. In this study, a total of 2015 adults from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) were included. Weighted generalized linear models, restricted cubic spline (RCS), weighted quantile sum (WQS), and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) were adopted to assess the association of VOC metabolites (mVOCs) with the visceral adiposity index (VAI) and lipid accumulation product (LAP).

Bio-Inspired Core-Shell Structured Electrode Particles with Protective Mechanisms for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Lithium-ion batteries (LIBs), as predominant energy storage devices, are applied to electric vehicles, which is an effective way to achieve carbon neutrality. However, the major obstructions to their applications are two dilemmas: enhanced cyclic life and thermal stability. Taking advantage of bio-inspired core-shell structures to optimize the self-protective mechanisms of the mercantile electrode particles, LIBs can improve electrochemical performance and thermal stability simultaneously.

A holistic field experimental inquiry into cadmium's migration and translocation dynamics across the entire growth spectrum of five Japonica rice cultivars.

The contamination of farmland soils with cadmium (Cd) poses a substantial threat to agricultural productivity, food security and safety, and ultimately human health. However, little research has been done on the Cd transport mechanisms in highly Cd polluted soil via field experiment. This study, from a field-scale perspective, examines the migration and transformation features of Cd throughout the growth cycle of five (C1, C2, C3, C4, H1) Japonica rice cultivars in Jiangsu Province, China.

Loss of OsMATE6 Function Enhances Drought Resistance Without Yield Penalty by Regulating Stomatal Closure in Rice.

Drought is one of the most severe environmental factors limiting plant growth and crop yield, necessitating the identification of genes that enhance drought resistance for crop improvement. Through screening an ethyl methyl sulfonate-mutagenized rice mutant library, we isolated the PEG tolerance mutant 97-1 (ptm97-1), which displays enhanced resistance to osmotic and drought stress, and increased yield under drought conditions. A point mutation in OsMATE6 was identified as being associated with the drought-resistant phenotype of ptm97-1.

A Rapid Method for Screening Pathogen-Associated Molecular Pattern-Triggered Immunity-Intensifying Microbes.

PAMP-triggered immunity (PTI) is the first layer of plant defense response that occurs on the plant plasma membrane. Recently, the application of a rhizobacterium, strain PMB05, has been demonstrated to enhance flg22- or harpin-triggered PTI response such as callose deposition. This PTI intensification by PMB05 further contributes to plant disease resistance to different bacterial diseases.