Humans, as natural carriers of (SA), have developed nonprotective immune imprints that can be reactivated by SA antigen vaccination and that contribute to the failure of SA vaccine trials. To test whether an epitope-focused vaccine strategy can overcome this issue, we explored the protective epitope of the notable SA antigen MntC. A surface loop of MntC (Loop101) was found to be essential for SA to absorb manganese(II) ion and survive oxidative stress.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHow SARS-CoV-2 Omicron evolved remains obscure. T492I, an Omicron-specific mutation encountered in SARS-CoV-2 nonstructural protein 4 (NSP4), enhances viral replication and alters nonstructural protein cleavage, inferring potentials to drive evolution. Through evolve-and-resequence experiments of SARS-CoV-2 wild-type (hCoV-19/USA/WA-CDC-02982585-001/2020, A) and Delta strains (B.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis paper emphasizes the need for more integrated research approaches when studying harmful algal blooms (HABs). Single-species research on HAB-forming algae provides important insights but fails to account for the interactions between Multiple species and their surrounding ecosystems, which is critical to understanding HAB dynamics, including HAB mitigation. To enhance our understanding of complex ecological phenomena and management of HABs, we emphasize approaches like multi-species field-based experiments, big data analysis and ecological modelling, and real-time monitoring, complemented by remote sensing that better represent actual natural environmental conditions, drivers, abiotic and biotic interactions.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMitochondrial dysfunction is related to etiopathogenesis and progression of heart failure (HF). The underlying molecular mechanisms are not fully understood. Transcription factor FOXM1 plays an essential role in cardiovascular development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZinc-Selenium (Zn-Se) alloys are promising biodegradable hard-tissue implant materials, particularly due to Se's efficacy in both preventing and treating cancer. However, the difficulty in alloying Zn with Se and the processing softening of Zn alloys seriously hinder the clinical application of Zn-Se alloys. Here, we report on the successful preparation of a Zn-4Cu-2Se alloy using casting and hot rolling, and its extraordinarily effective biocompatibility and antibacterial and anti-tumor capabilities.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMyocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is characterized by oxidative stress, mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and fibrosis, ultimately leading to chronic cardiac dysfunction and heart failure. Current therapeutic strategies that predominantly target single biological pathways exhibit limited long-term efficacy, underscoring the necessity for multi-targeted approaches. In this study, we developed a ROS-responsive hydrogel system, S1&FT/Lipo-QCFT, tailored to deliver drugs for treating various stages of myocardial I/R injury.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiosensors (Basel)
April 2025
Soil and sediment contamination with heavy metals (HMs) is a critical environmental issue, posing significant risks to both ecosystems and human health. Whole-cell bioreporter (WCB) technology offers a promising alternative to traditional detection techniques due to its ability to rapidly assess the bioavailability of pollutants. Specifically, lights-on WCBs quantify pollutant bioavailability by measuring bioluminescence or fluorescence in response to pollutant exposure, demonstrating comparable accuracy to traditional methods for quantitative pollutant detection.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBeta-type Zr-Nb-Ti (ZNT) medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) are receiving increasing research interest as orthopedic implants due to their appropriate mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, improvements in their elastic admissible strain, strength, and ductility are still required to ensure their high performance in clinical applications. In this study, a series of (ZrNbTi)O (x = 0, 0.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBeta-type Ti-Zr-Nb (TZN) medium-entropy alloys (MEAs) are being extensively investigated as orthopedic implants due to their metallic mechanical properties, corrosion resistance, and biocompatibility. However, improvements in elastic admissible strain, strength, and ductility are still needed to ensure their high performance in clinical applications. In this study, we designed a series of negative mixing enthalpy MEAs by adding 0, 3, 5, 7, and 10 at.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFFront Microbiol
February 2025
Type I interferons (IFN-I) are crucial for the initial defense against viral infections. TBK1 serves as a key regulator in the production of IFN-I, with its phosphorylation being essential for the regulation of its activity. However, the regulatory mechanisms governing its activation remain incompletely elucidated.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCurrent evidence indicates that circRNAs are involved in the development of multiple malignancies including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, the specific functions of circRNAs in HCC metabolism and progression and their underlying regulatory mechanisms remain unclear. We have identified a novel circRNA circMFN2, by bioinformatics analysis of circRNA microarray data from the GEO database.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFZinc (Zn)-based alloys and composites are anticipated to emerge as a category of degradable metallic biomaterials with exceptional prospects for bone-implant applications owing to their superior biocompatibility and biofunctionality. Unfortunately, the limited strength of Zn alloys in their as-cast state restricts their use in clinical applications. In this study, we started with pure magnesium (Mg) powders and Zn sheets, and successfully fabricated MgZn/Zn composites using accumulative roll bonding (ARB).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFMater Today Bio
December 2024
Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and deadly cancer, often diagnosed at advanced stages, limiting surgical options. Transcatheter arterial chemoembolization (TACE) is a primary treatment for inoperable and involves the use of drug-eluting microspheres to slowly release chemotherapy drugs. However, patient responses to TACE vary, with some experiencing tumor progression and recurrence.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Cardiac fibrosis, including reactive fibrosis and replacement fibrosis, is a common pathological process in most cardiovascular diseases. The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) plays an important role in the development of fibrosis by mediating the degradation and synthesis of proteins involved in transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β)-dependent and TGF-β-independent fibrous pathways.
Aim Of Review: This review aims to provide an overview of ubiquitinated and deubiquitinated molecules that participating in cardiac fibrosis, with the ultimate purpose to identify promising targets for therapeutic strategies.
Chin J Traumatol
March 2025
Background: The co-application of biochar and wood vinegar has demonstrated the potential to enhance premium crop production. The present study reveals the effects of co-applying rice husk biochar and wood vinegar (both foliar and soil application) on soil properties and the growth of Chinese cabbage (Brassica chinensis L.) in a two-season pot experiment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSince the initial introduction of whole-cell bioreporters (WCBs) nearly 30 years ago, their high sensitivity, selectivity, and suitability for on-site detection have rendered them highly promising for environmental monitoring, medical diagnosis, food safety, biomanufacturing, and other fields. Especially in the environmental field, the technology provides a fast and efficient way to assess the bioavailability of pollutants in the environment. Despite these advantages, the technology has not been commercialized.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSci Total Environ
November 2024
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A
May 2024
() can evade antibiotics and host immune defenses by persisting within infected cells. Here, we demonstrate that in infected host cells, type VII secretion system (T7SS) extracellular protein B (EsxB) interacts with the stimulator of interferon genes (STING) protein and suppresses the inflammatory defense mechanism of macrophages during early infection. The binding of EsxB with STING disrupts the K48-linked ubiquitination of EsxB at lysine 33, thereby preventing EsxB degradation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe carbonization of lignocellulosic biomass with ionic liquids (ILs) are considered as an advantageous approach for the preparation of carbonaceous materials. The commonly used imidazolium and pyridinium based ILs have drawbacks such as toxicity, resistance to biodegradation, high cost and viscosity. These issues can be mitigated by diluting ILs with water, although excessive water content above 1 wt% can reduce the solubility of biomass.
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