Deciphering the role of SEMA4A/MAPK signaling in sepsis: insights from Mendelian randomization, transcriptomic, single-cell sequencing analyses, and vitro experiments.

Background: Sepsis is a condition with high mortality and multiple organ dysfunction, undergoing complex pathogenesis and limited treatment options. This study aims to uncover new therapeutic targets for sepsis.

Methods: Three independent transcriptomic datasets from sepsis patients in the GEO database were utilized.

CircTBCD/IGF2BP2 complex stabilizes IGF-1R mRNA in an m6A-dependent manner to promote bone metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Bone metastasis is the leading cause of death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), yet the underlying mechanisms of bone metastasis are unclear. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) play key roles in various physiological processes in tumor cells, however, the role of circRNAs in NPC bone metastasis and the underlying mechanisms remain to be elucidated. We constructed nasopharyngeal carcinoma cell lines with a high propensity for bone metastasis and screened for differentially expressed circRNAs by circRNA-Seq.

Ultrastable germanium oxide induced self-crystallization of CsPbBr@glass for white light-emitting devices and wide color gamut backlight displays.

The GeO additive has a 'network breaking' effect on the network structure of silicate glass, which promotes the nucleation/growth of PNCs in the glass. This effect is beneficial for reducing surface defects, and the prepared CsPbBr@glass has a PLQY of up to 90%.

Cnidii fructus and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix polysaccharides inhibit SARS-CoV-2 entry by interfering with Spike protein-mediated membrane fusion.

Polysaccharides derived from Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) show potential as therapeutic agents in the treatment of viral infections. In this study, seventeen polysaccharides extracted from TCM were screened for their inhibitory effects on SARS-CoV-2 pseudovirus (PsV) infection in ACE2-overexpressing HEK293T cells. The results revealed that Cnidii fructus polysaccharides (CFPs) and Sophorae Flavescentis Radix polysaccharides (SFPs) significantly inhibited PsV entry.

Causal Effects of Valine on Ovarian Cancer: A Bidirectional Mendelian Randomization Analysis.

Background: Ovarian cancer is a lethal female cancer with a rising incidence that is often diagnosed late due to a lack of symptoms, affecting survival and quality of life. Studies suggest that dietary factors, especially the levels of branched-chain amino acids such as valine, may influence its development. While valine is essential for metabolism, its specific role in ovarian cancer remains unclear, necessitating further research.

Virus-Inspired Biodegradable Tetrasulfide-Bridged Mesoporous Organosilica with GSH Depletion for Fluorescence Imaging-Guided Sonodynamic Chemotherapy of Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), a highly prevalent and lethal form of malignant tumor, is typically treated with Temozolomide (TMZ), a chemotherapeutic agent. Nevertheless, the effectiveness of TMZ is hampered by inadequate cell entry, systemic adverse effects, and monotherapy constraints. Previous clinical studies have demonstrated that combination therapy can significantly enhance the therapeutic efficacy.

DCBLD1 Modulates Angiogenesis by Regulation of the VEGFR-2 Endocytosis in Endothelial Cells.

Background: Unwanted angiogenesis is involved in the progression of various malignant tumors and cardiovascular diseases, and the factors that regulate angiogenesis are potential therapeutic targets. We tested the hypothesis that DCBLD1 (discoidin, CUB, and LCCL domain-containing protein 1) is a coreceptor of VEGFR-2 (vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-2) and modulates angiogenesis in endothelial cells.

Methods: A carotid artery ligation model and retinal angiogenesis assay were used to study angiogenesis using globe knockout or endothelial cell-specific conditional knockout mice in vivo.

Rapid release of high-valent silver ions from water-soluble porphyrin complexes to enhance the direct killing of Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus.

The emergence of multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria represented by MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) poses a great challenge to current anti-infection treatment. It is critical to develop efficient MRSA anti-bacteria drugs and explore simple therapeutic strategies with low MDR risk. Herein, we synthesized high-valent (Ag/Ag) water-soluble porphyrins (cationic AgTMPyP and anionic AgTMPPS) and investigated their direct bactericidal property for MRSA without photoactivation in vitro and in vivo.

Associative analysis of sludge microbiota and wastewater degradation efficacy within swine farm sludge systems.

Industrial wastewater management is a significant global challenge. Sludge microbiota from swine farms may play a crucial role in enhancing wastewater treatment processes, thereby reducing water pollution from industrial activities. A deeper understanding of this complex community could lead to innovative approaches for improving wastewater treatment methods.

Structural insight into broadening SARS-CoV-2 neutralization by an antibody cocktail harbouring both NTD and RBD potent antibodies.

The continual emergence of highly pathogenic novel coronaviruses and their variants has underscored the importance of neutralizing monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) as a pivotal therapeutic approach. In the present study, we report the specific neutralizing antibodies 13H7 and 9G11, which target the N-terminal domain (NTD) and receptor-binding domain (RBD) of the SARS-CoV-2, respectively. The comparative analysis observed that 13H7 not only neutralizes early variants of concern (VOCs) but also exhibits neutralizing activity against the Omicron sublineage, including BA.

The mining of thermostable β-glucosidase for tea aroma enhancement under brewing conditions.

The β-glucosidases known to improve tea aroma are all mesothermal enzymes, limiting their use under brewing conditions. Based on the properties analysis and molecular docking, the thermostable β-glucosidase (TPG) from Thermotoga petrophlia showed potential to enhance tea aroma. Treatment by recombinant TPG at 90 °C, the floral, sweet and grassy notes of instant Oolong tea were increased, while the roasted, caramel and woody notes were decreased.

A comparative study of two α-L-rhamnosidases with high sequence identity.

The GH78 α-L-rhamnosidase from Aspergillus tubingensis (AT-Rha) was proved to be a new clade of Aspergillus α-L-rhamnosidases in the previous study. A putative α-L-rhamnosidase from A. kawachii IFO 4308 (AK-Rha) has 92 % identity in amino acid sequence with AT-Rha.

Efficiency enhancement in Aspergillus niger α-L-rhamnosidase reverse hydrolysis by using a tunnel site rational design strategy.

There has been ongoing interest in improving the efficiency of glycoside hydrolase for synthesizing glycoside compounds through protein engineering, given the potential applications of glycoside compounds. In this study, a strategy of modifying the substrate access tunnel was proposed to enhance the efficiency of reverse hydrolysis catalyzed by Aspergillus niger α-L-rhamnosidase. Analysis of the tunnel dynamics identified Tyr299 as a key modifiable residue in the substrate access tunnel.

Impact of molecular weight and gastrointestinal digestion on the immunomodulatory effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides.

In traditional Chinese medicine, Lycium barbarum is of rich medicinal value, and its polysaccharides are particularly interesting due to their significant pharmacological effects and potential health benefits. This study investigated the immunomodulatory effects of Lycium barbarum polysaccharides (LBPs) by examining their interaction with the TLR4/MD-2 complex and the impacts of gastrointestinal digestion on these interactions. We discovered that the affinity binding of LBPs for TLR4/MD-2 and their cytokine induction capability are influenced by molecular weight, with medium-sized LBPs (100-300 kDa) exhibiting stronger binding affinity and induction capability.

DCBLD2 deletion increases hyperglycemia and induces vascular remodeling by inhibiting insulin receptor recycling in endothelial cells.

Discoidin, CUB, LCCL domain-containing 2 (DCBLD2) is a type I transmembrane protein with a similar structure to neuropilin, which acts as a co-receptor for certain receptor tyrosine kinases (RTKs). The insulin receptor is an RTK and plays a critical role in endothelial cell function and glycolysis. However, how and whether DCBLD2 regulates insulin receptor activity in endothelial cells is poorly understood.

Comparative transcriptome analysis provides insights into the resistance regulation mechanism and inhibitory effect of fungicide phenamacril in Fusarium asiaticum.

Fusarium asiaticum is a destructive phytopathogenic fungus that causes Fusarium head blight of wheat (FHB), leading to serious yield and economic losses to cereal crops worldwide. Our previous studies indicated that target-site mutations (K216R/E, S217P/L, or E420K/G/D) of Type I myosin FaMyo5 conferred high resistance to phenamacril. Here, we first constructed one sensitive strain H1S and three point mutation resistant strains HA, HC and H1R.

Use of ultrasound to increase the catalytic activity of α-L-rhamnosidase.

α-L-rhamnosidase (Rha) is ubiquitous in nature and has high feasibility in the food and biotechnology industries. A green and environmentally friendly method was used to improve the activity of Rha. Here, we show that the effects of ultrasound treatment on the Rha.

Platinum Nanoparticles Regulated VC MXene Nanoplatforms with NIR-II Enhanced Nanozyme Effect for Photothermal and Chemodynamic Anti-Infective Therapy.

Given the challenge of multidrug resistance in antibiotics, non-antibiotic-dependent antibacterial strategies show promise for anti-infective therapy. VC MXene-based nanomaterials have demonstrated strong biocompatibility and photothermal conversion efficiency (PCE) for photothermal therapy (PTT). However, the limitation of VC MXene's laser irradiation to the near-infrared region I (NIR-I) restricts tissue penetration, making it difficult to achieve complete bacterial eradication with single-effect therapeutic strategies.

IGF-1R mediates crosstalk between nasopharyngeal carcinoma cells and osteoclasts and promotes tumor bone metastasis.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) poses a significant health burden in specific regions of Asia, and some of NPC patients have bone metastases at the time of initial diagnosis. Bone metastasis can cause pathologic fractures and pain, reducing patients' quality of life, and is associated with worse survival. This study aims to unravel the complex role of insulin-like growth factor 1 receptor (IGF-1R) in NPC bone metastasis, offering insights into potential therapeutic targets.

GSTM3 enhances radiosensitivity of nasopharyngeal carcinoma by promoting radiation-induced ferroptosis through USP14/FASN axis and GPX4.

Background: Radiotherapy is a critical treatment modality for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). However, the mechanisms underlying radiation resistance and tumour recurrence in NPC remain incompletely understood.

Methods: Oxidised lipids were assessed through targeted metabolomics.

[Expression of β-xylosidase -xyl from and characterization of its xylose tolerance].

The hydrolysis of xylo-oligosaccharides catalyzed by β-xylosidase plays an important role in the degradation of lignocellulose. However, the enzyme is easily inhibited by its catalytic product xylose, which severely limits its application. Based on molecular docking, this paper studied the xylose affinity of β-xylosidase -xyl, which was significantly differentially expressed in the fermentation medium of tea stalks, through cloning, expression and characterization.

Self-delivery of a metal-coordinated anti-angiogenic nanodrug with GSH depleting ability for synergistic chemo-phototherapy.

Synergistic chemo-phototherapy has offered tremendous potential in cancer treatment. Nevertheless, nanosystems usually suffer from the complexity of multicomponents (polymeric or inorganic materials), which results in carrier-related toxicity issues. Moreover, the GSH over-expression of tumor cells seriously compromises ROS therapeutic efficiency.

A fast and globally optimal solution for RNA-seq quantification.

Alignment-based RNA-seq quantification methods typically involve a time-consuming alignment process prior to estimating transcript abundances. In contrast, alignment-free RNA-seq quantification methods bypass this step, resulting in significant speed improvements. Existing alignment-free methods rely on the Expectation-Maximization (EM) algorithm for estimating transcript abundances.