Synergistically Enhanced NiCo(OH)@NiS Heterojunction Catalyst for High-Performance Ethanol Electrooxidation.

Coupling the ethanol electrooxidation reaction (EOR) with the hydrogen evolution reaction is an effective way to obtain green energy. Although Ni-based catalysts have the characteristics of low cost and good stability, meanwhile, the activity needs to be further improved. Here, we report a Ni-based heterojunction EOR catalyst, NiCo(OH)@NiS, composed by two phases of NiS and NiCo(OH).

33 Unresolved Questions in Nanoscience and Nanotechnology.

Significant advances in science and engineering often emerge at the intersections of disciplines. Nanoscience and nanotechnology are inherently interdisciplinary, uniting researchers from chemistry, physics, biology, medicine, materials science, and engineering. This convergence has fostered novel ways of thinking and enabled the development of materials, tools, and technologies that have transformed both basic and applied research, as well as how we address critical societal challenges.

Smartphone dependence and its influence on physical and mental health.

Smartphones have become an integral part of life for an increasing number of people around the world, especially as the range and speed of smartphone functions has expanded. However, excessive use of smartphones can cause not only physical discomfort but also feelings of loneliness, anxiety, and depression. The present review explores the negative effects of excessive smartphone use on physical and mental health.

Light-Signalling Regulators GmSTF3/4 Enhance Soybean Susceptibility to Cyst Nematodes via Activation of Sugar Transporters.

Soybean cyst nematode (SCN; Heterodera glycines Ichinohe) is a plant-parasitic nematode that causes substantial yield losses in soybean production. Light signalling is a critical environmental factor that influences photomorphogenesis and carbohydrate metabolism. However, its transcriptional regulation under pathogen-induced stress remains unclear.

Role of mesenchymal stem cells in modulating cytokine networks and immune checkpoints in gastric cancer therapy.

Gastric cancer (GC) remains a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, driven by a complex tumor microenvironment (TME) that promotes disease progression and therapeutic resistance. This review explores the pivotal roles of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), cytokines, and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in shaping the immunosuppressive GC TME, with emphasis on their interaction and implications for immunotherapy. MSCs secrete cytokines such as IL-6, TGF-β, and IL-10, fostering an immunosuppressive milieu that enables tumor growth, immune evasion, and resistance to ICIs.

Unraveling the Molecular Mechanisms of cSLE Through Integrated Serum Metabolomics, Network Pharmacology, and Molecular Docking Approaches.

Childhood-onset systemic lupus erythematosus (cSLE) is recognized as a chronic, systemic autoimmune disorder that manifests during childhood. Compared to adult-onset SLE, cSLE is characterized by higher disease activity and greater cumulative organ damage, thereby requiring more intensive immunosuppressive therapy. Although early diagnosis remains challenging, it is considered essential for improving clinical outcomes.

DJ-1 counteracts Caveolin-1-mediated necroptosis to inhibit epithelial barrier dysfunction in colitis.

Caveolin-1 (CAV1), a pivotal protein implicated in endothelial cell-mediated angiogenesis, assumes an ambiguous role with elusive underlying mechanisms in the pathogenesis of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). In this investigation, we delineated the involvement of CAV1 in murine models of dextran sulfate sodium (DSS)-induced colitis. CAV1 knockout mice manifested attenuated pathological and inflammatory damage to the epithelium, whereas mice overexpressing CAV1 exhibited contrasting outcomes.

A Conserved FABP5 Macrophage Subset Promotes Fibrosis and Carcinogenesis in Advanced Liver Disease.

Background And Aims: The relationship between chronic liver disease and liver cancer remains poorly understood, and treatment options for advanced liver disease remain limited. This study aims to elucidate the dynamic evolution of cellular and molecular alterations from normal liver to diseased liver.

Methods: Single-cell RNA sequencing was performed to profile the dynamic cellular variations from normal liver to diseased liver.

Hyperglycemia-Reduced Platelet-Derived Growth Factor-BB Expression Impairs Corneal Wound Healing in Diabetic Mice.

Purpose: This study investigates the role and primary mechanisms of platelet-derived growth factor-BB (PDGF-BB) in regulating corneal epithelial injury repair and nerve regeneration under diabetic conditions.

Methods: Type 1 diabetes was induced in C57BL/6 mice via streptozotocin injection. Platelet depletion was achieved using an anti-mouse GPIbα antibody.

Dynamic Changes of Distinct Compartmental LV Remodeling Following Septal Myectomy in Hypertrophic Obstructive Cardiomyopathy.

Background: In hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy, left ventricular mass index (LVMi) regresses following septal myectomy, but the specific dynamics, mechanisms (involving cellular and extracellular compartments), and related factors remain unclear.

Methods: This prospective study included hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy patients who underwent septal myectomy. Cardiac magnetic resonance imaging was performed preoperatively and at 6, 12, and 24 months postoperatively.

Modulation of senescence-related genes by the transcription factor PlPLATZ5 prolongs the lifespan of Paeonia lactiflora petals.

Four PLATZ family members were identified in the petals of herbaceous peony (Paeonia lactiflora), all of which contained two typical domains, BBOX and PLATZ. Notably, PlPLATZ5 was up-regulated during the transition from flowering to senescence, exhibited high expression in floral organs, and was localized to the nucleus, as revealed by subcellular localization analysis. Transient overexpression of PlPLATZ5 in P.

Gut microbiota-regulated unconjugated bilirubin metabolism drives renal calcium oxalate crystal deposition.

Gut microbial dysbiosis and the resultant metabolic disorder are intimately associated with calcium oxalate (CaOx) stone formation. Renal CaOx crystal deposition is one of the primary initiating factors of CaOx formation; however, the critical signaling metabolites communicating along the gut-kidney axis, and their regulation on renal CaOx crystal deposition remain unclear. Here, we investigate the role of gut microbiota-associated unconjugated bilirubin (UCB) metabolism in renal CaOx crystalline pathogenesis.

Emerging research insights and future perspectives on the advancement of eccDNA: A comprehensive review.

Extrachromosomal circular DNA (eccDNA) is a class of chromosome-independent circular DNA molecules found in diverse organisms, including plants, animals, and microorganisms. Recent research has highlighted its roles in gene regulation, genome stability, and disease pathogenesis, with growing recognition of eccDNA as a valuable biomarker for cancer diagnosis, prognosis, and monitoring in precision medicine. Studies have also linked eccDNA to non-neoplastic diseases and normal tissue biology, broadening its biological significance beyond malignancies.

Comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of the hypothalamic-pituitary-ovarian axis reveals the role of Aurora Kinase B in regulating follicular granulosa cell development and steroid hormone synthesis in Wuding chickens.

Wuding chicken, an indigenous avian breed native to China, is known for its high-quality meat and eggs. However, it has a low egg production rate, poor reproductive traits, and strong broody behavior. Ovarian follicle development is essential for egg production and reproduction, being regulated by the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovary (HPO) axis.

Lower serum GPX4 and GSH/GSSG ratio are associated with poor prognosis in severe community-acquired pneumonia.

Objectives: Disruption of redox homeostasis and ferroptosis have been increasingly implicated in the pathogenesis of inflammatory lung injury. Glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4) and the ratio of reduced to oxidized glutathione (GSH/GSSG) are key regulators in this process. However, the clinical significance of ferroptotic factors in severe community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is still lacking.

MACC1-AS1: An Emerging Star in The Field of Tumor Biology with Bright Futures in Medicine.

Long non-coding RNAs act as modulators, with significant influence on a wide array of biological functions. They form an extensive communication network between genes and contribute to the pathophysiology of various human diseases, especially cancer. A growing body of research has demonstrated that LncRNAs, acting either as promoters or inhibitors of oncogenesis, are intricately linked to the initiation and progression of cancer.

Early-Life Exposure to Bisphenol A Damaged Pancreas That May Increase Offspring Sensitivity to High-Fat Diets.

Previous studies have identified early life as a sensitive window for BPA exposure that may increase the risk of metabolic disease in adulthood. However, less attention has been paid to the effects of early-life BPA exposure on the pancreas and its relationship to the development of metabolic diseases. In this study, we exposed females to 50 μg/kg/d BPA in drinking water from 6 days of gestation to weaning of offspring mice and administered a high-fat diet after weaning of offspring mice.

Research progress of circular RNA and N6-methyladenosine modification in colorectal cancer.

Circular RNA (circRNA) and N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation modification have attracted much attention in the field of cancer research. CircRNAs represent a class of covalently closed-loop non-coding RNA (ncRNA) that are abundantly expressed in the cytoplasm. These molecules exhibit remarkable evolutionary conservation and exceptional stability, making them ideal candidates for regulatory functions.

Distinct immune microenvironment of venous tumor thrombus in hepatocellular carcinoma at single-cell resolution.

Background And Aims: Portal vein tumor thrombus (PVTT) worsens the prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma by increasing intrahepatic dissemination and inducing portal vein hypertension. However, the immune characteristics of PVTT remain unclear. Therefore, this study aims to explore the immune microenvironment in PVTT.

Principle and Application of Novel Negative Air (Oxygen) Ion Storage and Release Products.

Negative air ions (NAI) are ions present in the air that enhance blood oxygen absorption and utilization, stimulate metabolism, and modulate mood and nervous system activity. However, the application of NAI has been limited by storage challenges and low concentrations due to the conditions under which they are produced and the nature of the ions themselves. In order to overcome these limitations and develop NAI as a viable method of treatment, we have introduced a novel, highly concentrated NAI prodrug that incorporates NAI into flaxseed oil.

Fluorinated Pseudo-Halide Anion Enables >19% Efficiency and Durable Perovskite Quantum Dot Solar Cells.

Metal halide perovskite quantum dots (PQDs), like formamidinium lead triiodide (FAPbI), hold significant promise for next-generation photovoltaics. Surface manipulation of PQDs has been extensively reported to be crucial to their photovoltaic performance due to the dynamic binding of capping long-chain ligands. In this work, an efficient surface engineering strategy employing a multifunctional fluorinated pseudo-halide anion ligand, hexafluorophosphate (PF ) is reported for achieving efficient FAPbI PQD solar cells.

Associations between per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) exposure via infant feeding and the gut microbiota of preterm infants: A study of mother-preterm infant dyads.

Infants are exposed to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) via feeding, yet the influence of PFAS on their gut microbiota remains poorly understood. In this study, 73 mother-preterm infant dyads were recruited in Shenzhen. We measured concentrations of 13 PFAS (PFBA, PFPeA, PFHxA, PFHpA, PFOA, PFNA, PFBS, PFHxS, PFOS, HFPO-DA, ADONA, 6:2 Cl-PFESA, and 8:2 Cl-PFESA) in the feeding substances (breast milk or formula) at the fourth week postpartum.

Organic-Inorganic Nanocomposite Hydrogels Remarkably Enhance Skin Regeneration in Burn Wound Healing by Targeting Neurovascular Network Reconstruction.

Severe burn injuries pose a critical challenge due to the destruction of neurovascular networks, which are indispensable for skin regeneration and often lead to incomplete healing and functional deficits. This study introduces an organic-inorganic nanocomposite hydrogel that orchestrates neurovascular network reconstruction to achieve full-thickness skin regeneration in burn wounds. Composed of gelatin-based matrices embedding mineralized metal-phenolic nanoparticles (MMF) and stem cell-derived exosomes (EXO), this "dual-engine" system synergizes MMF's ion-releasing (Zn, SiO, tannic acid) and EXO's bioactive signaling to overcome regeneration barriers.

A robust approach for analyzing and mapping hierarchical brain connectome towards laminar-specific neural networks.

Probing neuronal activity and functional connectivity at cortical layer and sub-cortical nucleus level provides opportunities for mapping local and remote neural circuits and resting-state networks (RSN) critical for understanding cognition and behaviors. However, conventional resting-state fMRI (rs-fMRI) has been applied predominantly at relatively low spatial resolution and macroscopic level, unable to obtain laminar-specific information and neural circuits across the cortex at mesoscopic level. In addition, it is lack of sophisticated processing pipeline to deal with small laminar structures in rodent brains.

Schistosoma japonicum-Derived Peptide SJMHE1 Attenuates Osteoarthritis by Promoting Synovial M2 Macrophage Polarisation.

Osteoarthritis (OA), a degenerative condition, severely impacts the quality of life in elderly individuals. Current clinical treatment options for OA remain limited. The polarisation of synovial macrophages plays a pivotal role in OA progression.