Alkali Metalation Enables Natural Anthraquinone Derivatives as Sustainable Cathode Materials for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Organic electrode materials (OEMs) derived from natural quinones can enable sustainable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) if their dissolution-induced capacity fading in organic electrolytes and their conductivity issues are addressed. It is demonstrated that converting natural anthraquinones (AQs) into organic alkali-metalated salts effectively inhibits their dissolution in aprotic electrolytes. For this purpose, a solubility indicator (ΔMPI) is developed, which reliably guides the selection of compatible OEMs and electrolytes.

Lipid-Lowering Potential of Almond Hulls (Quercetin, Baicalein, and Kaempferol): Insights from Network Pharmacology and Molecular Dynamics.

The advancement of modern lifestyles has precipitated excessive consumption of energy-dense foods, driving the escalating global burden of lipid metabolism dysregulation-related pathologies-including obesity, type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), and cardiovascular disorders-which collectively pose a formidable challenge to global public health systems. The almond hull, as a by-product of almond processing, is rich in polyphenolic compounds with demonstrated antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and lipid-lowering potential, though its precise hypo-lipidemic mechanisms remain elusive. In this study, polyphenols were extracted from almond hulls using 50% ethanol with ultrasound-assisted extraction, followed by preliminary purification via solvent partitioning.

Target-Mediated EV-SNA Clustering as an Amplifier for miRNA Imaging in Living Cells.

To overcome the low efficiency of probe delivery and the comprised detection limit due to dispersion of fluorescent molecules, we develop a miRNA detection-amplification system, called the miRDAS, which can be rapidly internalized by cells and amplify miRNA signals within living cells. The miRDAS consists of two types of extracellular vesicle spherical nucleic acid (EV-SNA), named EVsnater and EVsnafier, which are generated by hydrophobic coassembly of natural EVs with cholesterol-modified oligonucleotides and exhibit rapid cellular uptake dynamics. Upon specifically binding to its target miRNA, the EVsnater activates the fluorescence and then self-assembles with EVsnafier to form giant fluorescent clusters, resulting in a brighter and significantly amplified fluorescence signal.

DUXA regulates the early development of porcine cloned embryos.

Abnormal zygotic genome activation (ZGA) during the early development of somatic cell nuclear transfer (SCNT) embryos is one of the main reasons for the low cloning efficiency. The double homeobox (DUX) family, which includes important transcription factors in mammals, has been shown to play an important role in the ZGA process in mice. However, the role of DUXA, a member of the DUX family, in the early development of porcine somatic cloned embryos is unknown.

Global Trajectories of Colorectal Cancer Burden From 1990 to 2021 and Projection to 2040.

Background: There is significant heterogeneity in patterns of colorectal cancer burden, which is still not well understood. This study examines global trajectories in the colorectal cancer burden, explores associated factors, and predicts future trends.

Methods: Data on the colorectal cancer burden for 204 countries and territories from 1990 to 2021 were sourced from the Global Burden of Disease Study.

Development of calcium alginate gel sphere-based SERS substrates for minimally invasive sampling and identification of indigo on the surface of simulated murals and aged imitation cultural relic samples.

Pigments in painted cultural relics serve as critical historical evidence, offering significant research value for understanding historical contexts and cultural development processes. However, the pigments, especially organic pigments (or dyes), have progressively degraded over time, resulting in severe fading that challenges their sensitive identification. To address this issue, we developed an innovative sampling methodology combined with surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) analysis for identifying indigo pigment in painted cultural relics.

CRISPR-Cas13a-based dual-channel AND-logic gated biosensor for the simultaneous assay of APE1 and miRNA-224.

Simultaneous detection of multiple targets is of great significance for the precise diagnosis of diseases. Herein, we report a dual-channel AND-logic gated biosensing platform based on the CRISPR-Cas13a system for the simultaneous detection of APE1 and miRNA-224, which showed superior specificity, sensitivity and potential for practical applications. Our study not only expands the CRISPR toolbox beyond nucleic acid assay but also establishes a new paradigm for multi-analyte diagnostic systems.

AIM2 activation mediated by RIPK1/3-dependent mitochondrial DNA release drives Aβ-Induced retinal pigment epithelium injury.

Background: The retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration and subsequent retinal atrophy are hallmarks of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Amyloid-beta (Aβ), the primary component of amyloid plaques in Alzheimer's disease (AD), is also present within drusen and is considered a critical factor contributing to RPE degeneration in AMD. Recent findings indicate that Aβ-induced inflammation plays a role in RPE degeneration.

Plant Immunity Inducer-Enhanced Volatiles in Rice: Boosting Indirect Defense against Striped Stem Borers Through Parasitoid Attraction.

Plants employ both direct and indirect defense mechanisms to combat herbivorous insects, with volatile emissions playing a critical role in attracting natural enemies of pests. This study investigates the effects of Atailing, a plant immunity inducer, on rice () defenses against the striped stem borer (, SSB). Behavioral assays revealed that Atailing-treated rice plants significantly enhanced (the major egg parasitoid of ) attraction, increasing oviposition parasitism rates (direct, 94.

The association between metal exposure in follicular fluid and PCOS risk in reproductive-aged women: Mediating Roles of LH/FSH ratio and androgens.

The associations between trace elements levels and the risk of polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), particularly main contributor and their joint effect, are limited and elusive. In this case-control study, we involved 388 women with PCOS and 465 controls. We measured eighteen (aluminum, titanium, vanadium, chromium, manganese, iron, cobalt, copper, zinc, selenium, arsenic, cadmium, barium, mercury, lead, strontium, stannum, thallium) in follicular fluid through inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry (ICP-MS).

Pathological Glucose Levels Enhance Entry Factor Expression and Hepatic SARS-CoV-2 Infection.

Accumulating clinical evidence suggests an intricate relationship between severe COVID-19 and preexisting metabolic complications, which share some metabolic dysregulations, including hyperglycaemia, hyperinsulinaemia and hyperlipidaemia. However, the potential role of these metabolic risk factors in SARS-CoV-2 infection and entry factor expression remains unknown. Here we report the implication of hyperglycaemia in SARS-CoV-2 infection and therapy.

MiR-133a-5p Facilitates Cuproptosis in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Through Targeting of ATP7B.

Purpose: We explored the effects of miR-133a-5p and ATP7B on cuproptosis in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Methods: Initially, we assessed the impact of miR-133a-5p on hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) using CCK-8 assays, cell scratch assays, and flow cytometry. Subsequently, we utilized elesclomol in combination with copper ions to induce cuproptosis in the HCC cell lines PLC/PRF/5 and Huh-7.

Disrupted host-microbiota crosstalk promotes nonalcoholic fatty liver disease progression by impaired mitophagy.

The intricate interplay between host genes and intrahepatic microbes is vital in shaping the hepatic microenvironment. This study aims to elucidate how host-microbiota interactions contribute to the progression of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Hepatic gene and microbial profiles were analyzed from 570 samples across five cohorts, including 72 control, 124 nonalcoholic fatty liver (NAFL), 143 Borderline, and 231 nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) samples.

A coumarin-based fluorescent probe for sequential recognition of zinc ion and nitric oxide, and its applications in real water sample, fluorescence anti-counterfeiting and bioimaging in vivo.

Zinc (Zn), as an essential trace element in organisms, plays an indispensable role in a series of physiological processes. Similarly, nitric oxide (NO) is an important signaling molecule that is involved in many biological processes. The imbalance of Zn and NO levels in organisms could give rise to various related diseases, so it is very significant for the detection of Zn and NO.

Chronic liver injury decreases levels of cerebral carnitine and acetylcarnitine in rats partly due to the downregulation of organic cation transporters OCT1/2 and OCTN2 at the blood-brain barrier.

Liver failure often causes hepatic encephalopathy, partly due to dysregulation in cerebral energy metabolism. Carnitine and acetylcarnitine play essential roles in energy metabolism by transporting fatty acids from the cytosol into mitochondria, whose transport across the blood-brain barrier (BBB) is primarily mediated by organic cation transporters (OCTs) and organic cation/carnitine transporters (OCTNs). This study aimed to investigate whether liver injury alters the expression of OCTs and OCTNs at the BBB, leading to decreased cerebral carnitine and acetylcarnitine levels and impaired energy metabolism using thioacetamide-induced chronic liver injury (CLI) in rats.

Cisplatin-induced acute kidney injury increased brain 5-hydroxytryptamine levels partly due to the hippuric acid-induced upregulation of CYP2D4 expression and function in the brain of rats.

Patients with acute kidney injury (AKI) are often associated with uremic encephalopathy, but its underlying mechanisms remain unclear. This study aimed to investigate how AKI induced neuropsychiatric disorders through cerebral 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) dysregulation in cisplatin-induced AKI rats. Our findings demonstrated that AKI induced anxiety-like behaviors and increased cerebral 5-HT levels, which may be attributed to the upregulated CYP2D4 expression and activity.

Buffer gas enhancing of power conversion efficiency of a continuous-wave acetylene-filled fiber gas laser at the 3 μm wavelength.

In this paper, we report the use of ammonia as the buffer gas in the acetylene-filled hollow-core fiber gas laser (A-HCFGL) in which the power conversion efficiency of continuous-wave (CW) operation reaches a record of 35.74%, the highest reported so far to the best of our knowledge. The intermolecular collision with ammonia assists the depopulation of lower laser levels of acetylene, which otherwise relies on the non-radiation relaxation by collision with the fiber core only.

Anion-mediated approach to overcome oxidation in ether electrolytes for high-voltage sodium-ion batteries.

The ether-based electrolytes are acknowledged for their compatibility with a diverse array of sodium-ion battery anodes, as well as their capability to enable efficient and reversible electrochemical reactions. However, they encounter a challenge of oxidation at high voltages. We find that a standard diglyme-based electrolyte starts to oxidize and break down at voltages exceeding 3.

STAT1 mediates the pro-inflammatory role of GBP5 in colitis.

Previous studies establish guanylate binding protein 5 (GBP5) as a driver in the development of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). Here, we aim to elucidate the mechanism underlying the pro-inflammatory role of GBP5. We observe that loss of Gbp5 causes reduced colonic inflammation and decreased numbers of innate lymphoid cells (ILCs) in colitis mice.

Multimodal metagenomic analysis reveals microbial InDels as superior biomarkers for pediatric Crohn's disease.

Background And Aims: The gut microbiome is closely associated with pediatric Crohn's disease (CD), while the multidimensional microbial signature and their capabilities for distinguishing pediatric CD are underexplored. This study aims to characterize the microbial alterations in pediatric CD and develop a robust classification model.

Methods: A total of 1175 fecal metagenomic sequencing samples, predominantly from 3 cohorts of pediatric CD patients, were re-analyzed from raw sequencing data using uniform process pipelines to obtain multidimensional microbial alterations in pediatric CD, including taxonomic profiles, functional profiles, and multi-type genetic variants.

Robust Peptide-Functionalized Gold Nanoparticles via Ethynyl Bonding for High-Fidelity Bioanalytical Applications.

While Au-S bonds have been widely applied in preparing gold nanoparticle (AuNP) bioconjugates for biosensing, cell imaging, and biomedical research, biothiols in complex biological environments can seriously interfere with the stability of the conjugates due to ligand exchange. Herein, we communicate a robust and fast strategy for constructing peptide-functionalized AuNP conjugates (PFCs) using the Au-C≡C bond, which can be completed within two minutes. The resulting Au-C≡C PFCs exhibited better stability and resistance to biothiols than the corresponding Au-S PFCs, and also demonstrated excellent stability in high salt concentration, a wide range of pH values, and varying temperatures.

Rubiadin Mediates the Upregulation of Hepatic Hepcidin and Alleviates Iron Overload via BMP6/SMAD1/5/9-Signaling Pathway.

Iron overload disease is characterized by the excessive accumulation of iron in the body. To better alleviate iron overload, there is an urgent need for safe and effective small molecule compounds. Rubiadin, the active ingredient derived from the Chinese herb Prismatomeris tetrandra, possesses notable anti-inflammatory and hepatoprotective properties.

Differential Regulation of miRNA and Protein Profiles in Human Plasma-Derived Extracellular Vesicles via Continuous Aerobic and High-Intensity Interval Training.

Both continuous aerobic training (CAT) and high-intensity interval training (HIIT) are recommended to promote health and prevent diseases. Exercise-induced circulating extracellular vesicles (EX-EVs) have been suggested to play essential roles in mediating organ crosstalk, but corresponding molecular mechanisms remain unclear. To assess and compare the systemic effects of CAT and HIIT, five healthy male volunteers were assigned to HIIT and CAT, with a 7-day interval between sessions.

Multi-omics reveals immune response and metabolic profiles during high-altitude mountaineering.

The physiological perturbations induced by high-altitude exposure in mountain climbers, manifesting as immunological and metabolic deviations, have been previously reported but are not fully understood. In this study, we obtain multi-omic profiles of climbers' blood samples, including single-cell transcriptomic analysis of 375,722 immune cells, and plasma metabolomics and lipidomics. Longitudinal analysis reveals dynamic immune response profiles, during the acclimatization period, characterized by the downregulation of inflammatory responses in myeloid cell subsets and by the enhancement of immune effector processes in cytotoxic CD8 T, γδT, and CD16 natural killer cells.

Shared Genes and Pathways in Ulcerative Colitis and Ankylosing Spondylitis: Functional Validation and Implications for Diagnosis.

Background: Associations between ulcerative colitis (UC) and ankylosing spondylitis (AS) have been reported in multiple studies, but the common etiologies of UC and AS remain unknown. Thus, in the current study, we aimed to investigate the shared genes and relevant mechanisms in UC and AS.

Methods: Using datasets for UC (GSE113079) and AS (GSE1797879), we initially identified differentially expressed genes (DEGs) through differential expression analysis.