CX3CR1 modulates acute disc herniation-induced pain via regulating local inflammation and spinal microglia activation.

Objective: Inflammation is a key driver of disc herniation, a major cause of back pain and disability. Heterogeneous macrophages infiltrated at disc hernia sites, yet their role in disease pathology and pain remains unclear. This study investigates the role of CX3CR1⁺ macrophages and microglia in local inflammation and pain using transgenic mouse models and surgically induced disc herniation model.

Targeting B7-H3 in Cancer-Associated Fibroblasts Using Nanosystems Suppresses Anaplastic Thyroid Carcinoma Progression.

Anaplastic thyroid carcinoma (ATC) represents a rare yet highly malignant histotype of thyroid cancer. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) play a pivotal role in tumor cell invasion, migration, and angiogenesis and present a potential target for cancer treatment. We aimed to investigate the effects of modulating specific subsets of CAFs on the proliferation, invasion, and migration of ATC.

Integrated lithium niobate photonic computing circuit based on efficient and high-speed electro-optic conversion.

The surge in artificial intelligence applications calls for scalable, high-speed, and low-energy computation methods. Computing with photons is promising due to the intrinsic parallelism, high bandwidth, and low latency of photons. However, current photonic computing architectures are limited by the speed and energy consumption associated with electronic-to-optical data transfer, i.

An Ex Vivo Intervertebral Disc Slice Culture Model for Studying Disc Degeneration and Immune Cell Interactions.

Intervertebral disc degeneration is a leading cause of back and leg pain and a major contributor to disability worldwide. Despite its prevalence, treatments remain limited due to incomplete understanding of its pathology. In vivo models pose challenges for controlled conditions, while in vitro cell cultures lack key cell-cell and cell-matrix interactions.

Flavonoids as Signals Mediate Plant-nematode Communication Through Regulating Nematode Perceptual Ability.

Plant root exudates serve as critical mediators of rhizospheric cross-kingdom interactions. Beneficial microorganisms have been demonstrated to promote plant fitness by re-assembling the soil nematode community, yet the mechanisms by which beneficial microorganisms alter the nematode community remain unclear. This study elucidates the fungal-induced nematode recruitment mechanisms through root exudate signaling.

Large-scale protein interactome reveals lineage-specific genes driving plant-parasitic nematode adaptive innovations.

Mounting evidence suggests that lineage-specific genes drive phenotype diversity. Plant-parasitic nematodes (PPNs), among the most destructive plant pathogens, have evolved innovated traits required for plant parasitism, yet the genetic basis remains unclear. Here, we identify PPN lineage-specific genes (PPNLSGs) and analyze the large-scale protein interactome of their encoded proteins (PPNLSPs).

Improving 3D Thin Vessel Segmentation in Brain TOF-MRA via a Dual-space Context-Aware Network.

3D cerebrovascular segmentation poses a significant challenge, akin to locating a line within a vast 3D environment. This complexity can be substantially reduced by projecting the vessels onto a 2D plane, enabling easier segmentation. In this paper, we create a vessel-segmentation-friendly space using a clinical visualization technique called maximum intensity projection (MIP).

Regulatory T cells epigenetically reprogrammed from autoreactive effector T cells mitigate established autoimmunity.

Reprogramming autoreactive CD4 effector T (T) cells into immunosuppressive regulatory T (T) cells represents a promising strategy for treating established autoimmune diseases. However, the stability and function of such reprogrammed T under inflammatory conditions remain unclear. Here, we show that demethylation of core T identity genes in T cells yields lineage-stable Effector T cell Reprogrammed T (ER-T).

Regulatory T cells epigenetically reprogrammed from autoreactive effector T cells mitigate established autoimmunity.

Reprogramming autoreactive CD4⁺ effector T (Teff) cells into immunosuppressive regulatory T (Treg) cells represents a promising strategy for treating established autoimmune diseases. However, the stability and function of such reprogrammed Tregs under inflammatory conditions remain unclear. Here, we show that epigenetic activation of core Treg identity genes in Teff cells yields lineage-stable Effector T cell Reprogrammed Tregs (ER-Tregs).

Comparison of quality characteristics among 20 sweet potato varieties.

The analysis of quality characteristics of sweet potato is an important basis for the selection and utilization of sweet potato varieties. The nutritional indexes (sugar content, drying rate, amylose content, amylopectin content, anthocyanin content), structural indexes (hardness, elasticity, cohesion, adhesibility, chewiness, resilience) and chroma of 20 sweet potato varieties were measured and significant analysis was conducted. The nutritional value, texture quality and processing suitability were evaluated.

JJ100 and LR alleviate liver injury in mice caused by continuous high-dose-alcohol exposure by protecting the intestinal barrier, rebuilding the gut microbiota and regulating AMPK and TLR4/NF-κB signaling pathways.

Alcohol consumption poses a major global public health challenge, with excessive drinkers showing heightened susceptibility to alcoholic liver disease (ALD) - a condition with complex pathogenesis. In this study, we used male BALB/c mice with identical enterotypes to establish a sustained high-dose alcohol-induced liver injury model. The model was created through daily intragastric administration of 52% (v/v) ethanol (10 mL kg) for four consecutive weeks, allowing us to investigate the hepatoprotective effects of probiotic supplementation with and .

Impact of tracheostomy timing on postoperative outcomes following anterior cervical discectomy and fusion for sub-axial cervical fractures: A retrospective analysis.

Aims & Objectives: To evaluate the association between tracheostomy timing after anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF) for sub-axial cervical spine injuries and 90-day postoperative complications.

Materials & Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. Patients aged 18-84 years who had fractures of the sub-axial cervical spine and underwent ACDF were identified using CPT and ICD codes from the PearlDiver database (2010-2022Q2) and stratified into early (0-5 days), intermediate (6-10 days), and late (11-20 days) tracheostomy groups post-ACDF.

Robotic-assisted versus free-hand techniques in adult spinal deformity surgery: a comparative analysis of postoperative outcomes.

Adult spinal deformity (ASD) represents a challenging area in spinal surgery due to its complexity and potential for postoperative complications. While robotic systems have promised enhanced precision for pedicle screw placement, improved alignment, and potentially fewer complications, the comparative efficacy and morbidity of robotic-assisted (RA) versus free-hand (FH) techniques remains underexplored in the context of ASD. This study aims to compare postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing RA techniques versus FH surgery to manage ASD.

Decoding the immune microenvironment of secondary chronic myelomonocytic leukemia due to diffuse large B-cell lymphoma with CD19 CAR-T failure by single-cell RNA-sequencing.

Background: Several studies have demonstrated the occurrence of secondary tumors as a rare but significant complication of chimeric antigen receptor T (CAR-T) cell therapy, underscoring the need for a detailed investigation. Given the limited variety of secondary tumor types reported to date, a comprehensive characterization of the various secondary tumors arising after CAR-T therapy is essential to understand the associated risks and to define the role of the immune microenvironment in malignant transformation. This study aims to characterize the immune microenvironment of a newly identified secondary tumor post-CAR-T therapy, to clarify its pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets.

The Combination of UPLC MS and Derivatization Method for Analysis of Purslane for Ulcerative Colitis In Vivo.

Portulaca oleracea L. (PL) has significant clinical efficacy in treating ulcerative colitis (UC), which significantly affects patients' daily life. However, the absorption and metabolism of PL in vivo remain unclear due to the difficulty in detecting organic acids.

Antibacterial properties of Maillard reaction products: Molecular mechanisms and influencing factors (Review).

The Maillard reaction, a non-enzymatic process involving the interaction between carbonyl and amino groups, has attracted substantial interest in biomedical research due to the antibacterial properties of its products. Maillard reaction products (MRPs) exhibit broad-spectrum activity against both foodborne bacteria and pathogenic strains, including antibiotic-resistant strains. These compounds inhibit microbial growth, regulate virulence and disrupt biofilm formation through mechanisms such as metal chelation, membrane disruption and interference with bacterial metabolism.

Investigating the potential of oxidative stress-related gene as predictive markers in idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

This study investigates genes linking oxidative stress to idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) through multi-omics data integration. We collected oxidative stress-related genes from GeneCards and integrated data for gene expression (eQTLs), DNA methylation (mQTLs), and protein expression (pQTLs). Genome-wide association study (GWAS) data on IPF from Allen et al.

Anomalous Nonlinear Optical Effects by Intensity-Dependent Phase-Variation Compensation in Photonic Crystals Containing Hyperbolic Metamaterials.

We theoretically investigated two types of nonlinear optical effects of photonic band edges (PBEs) in photonic crystals containing hyperbolic metamaterial (HMM) based on the intensity-dependent phase-variation compensation, where the HMM is composed of alternating the noble metal Ag with large-nonlinear-coefficient and dielectric material. Considering nonlinear conditions, the local field strength variation in nonlinear materials with the increase in the incident angle will lead to the movement of the PBE, resulting in two anomalous optical nonlinear effects. When the PBE is angle-independent under the linear condition, the PCs have angle-sensitive optical bistability and the critical threshold intensity always increases.

DEAD-box protein SMA1 activates immunity likely through the formation of nuclear condensates with EDS1 in Arabidopsis.

Plants have developed an elaborate immune system to effectively combat diverse pathogens, mainly through intricate signaling pathways. However, more studies will be required to have a better understanding of the activation mechanism of plant immune responses. Here, we report the biological function of SMA1, a nuclear-localized DEAD-box RNA helicase, in plant disease immunity.

Biomimetic extracellular vesicles derived from chimeric antigen receptor monocytes to treat glioblastoma: An efficient and safe intranasal drug delivery nanoplatform.

Background: Extracellular vesicles (EVs) have emerged as a promising pharmacotherapeutic modality for glioblastoma (GBM) drug delivery. However, the clinical translation of EVs remains restricted due to their low yield and demanding extraction steps. Therefore, extracellular vesicle mimetics (EVMs), as alternatives to EVs, have received much attention.

Beyond Fusion: Assessing the Horizon of 3-level Cervical Disk Arthroplasty Outcomes.

Study Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Objective: To investigate postoperative medical and surgical outcomes of 3-level cervical disk arthroplasty (CDA) in comparison to 3-level anterior cervical discectomy and fusion (ACDF).

Summary Of Background Data: Cervical disk arthroplasty has emerged as a noninferior alternative to anterior cervical discectomy and fusion.

Electroless plating engineering triggered shielding effect enables stable nickel-rich cathode for high-energy-density lithium-ion batteries.

Surface coatings have long been recognized as a pivotal strategy for enhancing the performance of LiNiCoMnO (NCM) cathode materials. However, conventional solid-phase techniques often fail to achieve uniform and effective coverage across the cathode surface, resulting in incomplete protection of the material during extended cycling or under extreme conditions. To address this limitation, we introduce the LiNiO (LNO) coating.

L4-S1 ALIF restores and maintains lordosis while minimizing adjacent segment disease compared to L4-S1 TLIF.

Background Context: The L4-S1 region contributes the most to lumbar lordosis, and adjacent segment disease (ASD) is a common complication following lumbar interbody fusion. To date, no study has directly compared sagittal alignment parameters and incidence of ASD between ALIF and TLIF for the treatment of L4-S1 degenerative disc disease.

Purpose: This study aims to evaluate and compare the efficacy of anterior lumbar interbody fusion (ALIF) versus transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion (TLIF) in restoring L4-S1 lordosis and the impact on the development of ASD.

Ultrafast Cointercalation Chemistry for Low-Temperature Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Sodium-ion batteries (SIBs) offer a sustainable and promising solution for large-scale energy storage because of their low cost and abundant element resources, especially in cold environments, where traditional batteries struggle. The cointercalation chemistry for graphite anode presents a potential avenue due to its fast intercalation kinetics, but it faces significant challenges at low temperatures. Herein, we first unravel a previously overlooked desolvation behavior in the cointercalation system, a key factor in performance decay under low temperatures.

Orchestrated Cu-coordinated tetracycline-porphyrin self-assembly remodels tumor microenvironment for photo-enhanced immuno-chemodynamic therapy.

Unlabelled: Reactive oxygen species (ROS)-based nanodynamic therapy is emerging as a promising approach for tumor treatment, particularly in eliciting immune responses for tumor immunotherapy. Nevertheless, the complex tumor microenvironment (TME) and the constraints of current sensitizers substantially compromise therapeutic efficacy. To address these challenges, we developed a rationally designed nanoplatform (LP/CuTT) through lipoic acid-modified orchestrated Cu²⁺-coordinated tetracycline-porphyrin self-assembly, to precisely remodel the immunosuppressive TME while potentiating antitumor immunotherapy via a novel photo-enhanced chemodynamic therapy (CDT) strategy.