Gold nanocages coated with polyoxazoline: A NIR-triggered strategy for dual antibacterial and osteogenic enhancement.

Orthopedic-associated infections remain a significant challenge in orthopedic surgery, often leading to bacterial infections and impaired bone healing. Addressing these complications requires innovative strategies that simultaneously combat infections and enhance bone regeneration. In this study, we developed gold nanocages coated with polyoxazoline (AuNCs@PEtOx) via surface carboxylation, designed for dual-functional antibacterial and osteogenic applications under near-infrared (NIR) irradiation.

Studying the Synthesis of Silver Nanocubes and Their Structural Evolution under Controlled Galvanic Reactions.

Galvanic replacement reaction (GRR) with or without a reducing agent is the most commonly used strategy to transform Ag nanocubes (AgNCs) into nanocages, and under this approach, some limited control over the nanocages' morphology and composition has been previously demonstrated. However, there is a lack of systematic study of GRR using other factors beyond a reducing agent to finely tailor the morphology and composition (mono- or bimetallic) of the nanocage formation. In addition, most previous work synthesizes AgNCs using the polyol process method, which has a number of drawbacks.

Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance in Single-Atom AuCu Alloy Promotes Asymmetrical C─C Coupling for CO Photoreduction to Ethanol.

The photocatalytic conversion of CO and pure HO to ethanol has been challenged by low light utilization and sluggish C─C coupling kinetics. Here, single-atom AuCu alloys are synthesized with enhanced localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) effects. A strong chemical interaction is probed as electron transfer from the atomic Au site to the adjacent Cu host, giving rise to electron rearrangement and an upshift of the d band center toward the Fermi level of Cu nanoparticles.

In situ stabilization of Cu for CO Electroreduction via Environmental-molecules-induced ZnO shield.

Electrochemical CO-to-ethanol conversion is challenged by sluggish C-C coupling kinetics and wide products distribution. Although Cu has been demonstrated to enhance multi-carbon (C) formation, the stabilization of Cu under reduction conditions is difficult. Here, we report a hydrogen-ethanol pretreatment strategy to obtain Cu nanoparticles covered by highly dispersed and disordered ZnO clusters.

Strong Interaction between Two-Unit-Cell Heterostructure Layers Realigns Defect Energy Level for Methanol Photosynthesis.

The photocatalytic conversions of CO and HO offer a sustainable approach to provide methanol as a fuel and life-essential O. However, the reaction efficiency is challenged by charge recombination and sluggish reaction kinetics. This work synthesizes single-unit-cell MoS and organomanganese complex (MnBO) layers.

Genome-wide identification of novel alternative splicing events and related isoforms linked to cotton domestication and fiber domestication.

Alternative splicing (AS) plays a crucial role in plant co-/post-transcriptional regulation and proteome diversification, thereby affecting plant growth and development, and environmental adaptation. Despite the significant contribution of AS to plant regulation, the extent of AS diversity and complexity remains largely underestimated owing to their evolutionary intricacies. In this study, we used single-molecule real-time isoform sequencing to comprehensively analyze full-length transcripts from the composite organs and tissues of the leaves, flowers, and fibers of Gossypium hirsutum, with a specific focus on novel AS events and their corresponding isoforms.

MafB regulates hair follicle stem cell activation and hair regeneration through NFATc1 signaling pathway.

Alopecia, a prevalent condition driven by abnormal hair follicle cycling and stem cell (HFSCs) dysregulation, underscores the need to elucidate molecular mechanisms governing HFSCs activation. While the nuclear factor of activated T cells c1 (NFATc1) is known to maintain HFSCs quiescence by suppressing cyclin-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4), the upstream regulators of this pathway remain unclear. Here, we identify MafB as a key modulator of HFSCs dynamics through NFATc1 signaling.

The synergistic effects of humic acid, chitosan and on tomato growth and against plant diseases.

Understanding the effects of bio-antimicrobial materials on plant growth and against diseases and the relevant mechanisms are highly important for sustainable soil use and plant safety production. This study explored the impacts and corresponding mechanisms of the combined utilization of humic acid, chitosan, and () on tomato growth and diseases occurrence through a greenhouse pot experiment. The plant height, fresh weight, disease index, rhizosphere microbial community, and root exudates composition of tomatoes were determined.

Sustainable Materials Enabled Terahertz Functional Devices.

Terahertz (THz) devices, owing to their distinctive optical properties, have achieved myriad applications in diverse domains including wireless communication, medical imaging therapy, hazardous substance detection, and environmental governance. Concurrently, to mitigate the environmental impact of electronic waste generated by traditional materials, sustainable materials-based THz functional devices are being explored for further research by taking advantages of their eco-friendliness, cost-effective, enhanced safety, robust biodegradability and biocompatibility. This review focuses on the origins and distinctive biological structures of sustainable materials as well as succinctly elucidates the latest applications in THz functional device fabrication, including wireless communication devices, macromolecule detection sensors, environment monitoring sensors, and biomedical therapeutic devices.

Genome-wide identification of WOX family members in rose and functional analysis of RcWUS1 in embryogenic transformation.

WUSCHEL-related homeobox (WOX) is a class of plant-specific transcription factors and plays vital roles in plant development and evolution. Here, we analyzed WOX family genes of three Rosa species and explored their potential functions in Rosa. A total of 351 WOX genes were identified from Rosa chinensis 'Old Blush' (208), Rosa wichuraiana 'Basye's Thornless' (21) and Rosa rugosa (122).

Personalized nutrition: perspectives on challenges, opportunities, and guiding principles for data use and fusion.

Personalized nutrition (PN) delivers tailored dietary guidance by integrating health, lifestyle, and behavioral data to improve individual health outcomes. Recent technological advances have enhanced access to diverse data sources, yet challenges remain in collecting, integrating, and analyzing complex datasets. To address these, the Personalized Nutrition Initiative at Illinois organized a workshop titled "Personalized Nutrition Data: Challenges & Opportunities," which gathered experts to explore three essential data domains in PN: 1) health and biological, 2) social, behavioral, and environmental, and 3) consumer purchasing data.

Metal Ion and Antibiotic Co-loaded Nanoparticles for Combating Methicillin-Rresistant -Induced Osteomyelitis.

Methicillin-resistant (MRSA) causes osteomyelitis (OM), which seriously threatens public health due to its antimicrobial resistance. To increase the sensitivity of antibiotics and eradicate intracellular bacteria, a Zn and vancomycin (Van) codelivered nanotherapeutic (named Man-Zn/Van NPs) was fabricated and characterized via mannose (Man) modification. Man-Zn/Van NPs exhibit significant inhibitory activity against extra- and intracellular MRSA and obviously decrease the minimum inhibitory concentration of Van.

Identification and characteristics of differentially expressed genes under UV-B stress in .

Objective: This study aimed to screen the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) of under UV-B stress and identify the significant pathways based on gene enrichment analysis results.

Methods: In this study, the allotetraploid crop was used to examine changes in various physiological indexes under UV-B stress, and screened out all DEGs under UV-B stress (16 kJ m d) based on six leaf transcriptomes. The main enrichment pathways of DEGs were analyzed according to gene annotation.

A-D-A type fluorescent probe with dual quaternary-ammonium-salt anchors for turn on detection of HSA in wide emission gamut.

Human serum albumin (HSA) is a key protein implicates in various physiological and pathological conditions such as renal injury, diabetes mellitus. Herein, we report an AIE-active fluorescent probe (DNI-4) for detection of HSA with a "turn on" response covering visible and near-infrared region (500 - 800 nm). Combining with a triphenylamine and two 1,8-naphthalimide moieties, the chromophore segment of DNI-4 forms a "A-D-A" type molecular architecture with the twisted intramolecular charge transfer property.

Tellurium nanoparticles and Fucoidan-loaded dissolvable microneedles for combined photothermal therapy and anti-angiogenesis in melanoma treatment.

Melanoma, an aggressive skin tumor, is prone to metastasis, significantly reducing patient survival rates once it occurs. Tumor microvascularity is a key factor in metastasis, making the inhibition of microvascular formation crucial. Emerging photothermal therapy (PTT) and microneedles (MNs) have garnered attention due to their non-invasive and controllable nature.

Mapping functional elements of the DNA damage response through base editor screens.

Maintaining genomic stability is vital for cellular equilibrium. In this study, we combined CRISPR-mediated base editing with pooled screening technologies to identify numerous mutations in lysine residues and protein-coding genes. The loss of these lysine residues and genes resulted in either sensitivity or resistance to DNA-damaging agents.

Synergistic NIR and ultrasound-responsive tellurium nanorods for enhanced antibacterial and osteogenic activity.

Bacterial infections and deficient osteogenic activity are the primary factors contributing to the failure of orthopedic implants. In recent years, light- and sound-based external stimulus-responsive therapies have emerged as highly effective in killing drug-resistant bacteria. In this study, we successfully synthesized tellurium nanorods coated with bovine serum albumin (Te@BSA).

Regulating Electron Acceptor Unit to Construct Conjugated Polymer Probe for Raman Imaging of Tumor and Sentinel Lymph Nodes.

Donor-acceptor (D-A) conjugated polymers have large Stokes shifts, high photostability, and good biocompatibility and thus are ideal for use as Raman probes . However, few D-A conjugated polymers are used as Raman probes for Raman imaging due to their weak Raman signal intensity and intrinsic fluorescence interference. Here, we developed a D-A conjugated polymer probe (CDT-TT) containing alternating cyclopentadithiophene-thienothiophene units for Raman imaging of tumor and sentinel lymph nodes (SLNs).

Protocol for high-throughput screening of functional lysine residues in cell fitness.

Amino acid residues are crucial to protein structure and function and have links to various human diseases. Here, we present a protocol for screening functional lysine residues across the human genome. We describe steps for designing lysine codon-targeting single-guide RNAs (sgRNAs), constructing an sgRNA library, conducting cell fitness screenings, and acquiring screening results.

Applying Machine Learning and SERS for Precise Typing of DNA Secondary Structures.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has been demonstrated as an effective method for elucidating secondary structural characteristics of DNA. However, the inherent complexity of the DNA conformation and the lack of SERS samples pose challenges for identifying numerous secondary structures. To address these issues, a synergistic method integrating machine learning with SERS was proposed so as to analyze the SERS spectra of 54 well-defined conformational oligonucleotides, namely, G-quadruplex (G4), i-motif (iM), double-strand (DS), and single-strand (SS) configurations.

NWD1 influences the extension of neuronal axons by regulating microtubule stability.

Proteins belonging to the STAND (signal transduction ATPases with numerous domains) family have been implicated in crucial functions across various signal transduction pathways, encompassing both apoptosis and innate immune responses. In this study, we have identified NWD1, a member of the STAND superfamily, as a gene that regulates neurite outgrowth. This was confirmed by siRNA knockdown assay in E18 neurons.

Research Progress on Heat Stress Response Mechanism and Control Measures in Medicinal Plants.

Medicinal plants play a pivotal role in traditional medicine and modern pharmacology due to their various bioactive compounds. However, heat stress caused by climate change will seriously affect the survival and quality of medicinal plants. In this review, we update our understanding of the research progress on medicinal plants' response mechanisms and control measures under heat stress over the last decade.

Demographic and lifestyle factors associated with dry eye disease in China: A cross-sectional multi-center study.

Purpose: Associations were assessed between demographic/lifestyle factors and tear film breakup time (TBUT) defined dry eye disease (DED) in China.

Methods: The cross-sectional study involved 50,280 subjects (54 ± 17 y) in 217 clinics (25 provinces). Data included sleep disorders; digital screen exposure; and use of cosmetics, contact lenses, and eye drops (for asthenopia).

Integrated omics analysis reveals the differentiation of intestinal microbiota and metabolites between Pekin ducks and Shaoxing ducks.

Pekin ducks and Shaoxing ducks are 2 Chinese local duck breeds, both domesticated from mallard, but after domestication and long-term artificial selection, the body weight of Pekin ducks is significantly higher than that of Shaoxing ducks. It is no debate that genetic factors are the main factors responsible for this difference, but whether intestinal microbiota contribute to this difference is yet unknown. Thus, we performed comparative intestinal metagenomics and metabolomics analysis between Pekin ducks and Shaoxing ducks.