H2B.W2, a spermatocyte-specific histone variant, disrupts nucleosome stability, and reduces chromatin compaction.

Spermatogenesis is a highly regulated process that requires precise chromatin remodeling, which includes the incorporation of testis-specific histone variants. While several of these variants have been characterized, the role of H2B.W2, a member of the H2BW family, remains largely unclear.

Symbiosis with and mimicry of corals were facilitated by immune gene loss and body remodeling in the pygmy seahorse.

A remarkable example of symbiosis involves the pygmy seahorse (). It lives obligatorily on gorgonian corals, mimicking their polyps with pink coloration and skin protuberances. Unique for seahorses, pygmy seahorses retain juvenile paedomorphic stunted snouts, resembling the coral's polyps.

Bioengineering Living Biohybrid Therapeutics for Synergistic HS Gaseous-Photothermal Cancer Eradication.

Hydrogen sulfide (HS)-mediated gaseous therapies feature high therapeutic efficacy and biosafety in cancer treatment, but conventional HS delivery protocols suffer from poor tumor specificity and uncontrollable release. Here, a living therapeutic biohybrid is developed that integrates engineered microbes for in situ HS production with self-mineralized copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles, enabling synergistic HS gaseous-photothermal cancer treatment. These engineered facultative anaerobic bacteria Vibrio natriegens continuously produce HS and synthesize CuS nanoparticles, forming Bac@CuS living biohybrids that inhibit the mitochondrial electron transport chain through HS production, leading to increased reactive oxygen species production and subsequent apoptosis of cancer cells.

CUMS stress facilitates hippocampal neural mitophagy through FIS1/MFF-mediated mitochondrial fragmentation.

The chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) paradigm influences the neuronal count in the dentate gyrus (DG) region of the hippocampus, potentially linking to mitophagy induced by mitochondrial fragmentation. Fission mitochondrial 1 (FIS1)/mitochondrial fission factor (MFF) represents one of the mechanisms regulating mitochondrial fission and autophagy. Herein, we investigated the effects of CUMS on mitophagy and mitochondrial fragmentation in hippocampal DG neurons, along with their modulation of the mitochondrial fission pathway governed by FIS1/MFF.

Dual Roles of Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1 in Acute Lung Injury: Tissue-Specific Mechanisms and Therapeutic Modulation.

Acute lung injury (ALI), a life-threatening clinical syndrome with multifactorial origins, is characterized by uncontrolled pulmonary inflammation and disrupted alveolar-capillary barrier integrity, leading to progressive hypoxemia and respiratory failure. In this hypoxic setting, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1 is activated, acting as a central regulator of the inflammatory response and reparative processes in injured lung tissue during ALI. The role of HIF-1 is distinctly dualistic; it promotes both anti-inflammatory and reparative mechanisms to a certain extent, while potentially exacerbating inflammation, thus having a complex impact on disease progression.

Screening licorice for H2 receptor-binding anti-ulcer components using affinity chromatography.

Recent studies have confirmed the significant potential of the histamine H2 receptor (H2R) as a therapeutic target for multiple diseases, creating an urgent demand for efficient drug screening methodologies. To address this need, we developed an innovative technique utilizing immobilized H2R for the rapid identification and characterization of bioactive compounds from complex matrices. Compared with the previous screening methods, this approach can detect the binding mode of ligands on the basis of screening.

Application of corn stalk waste in direct reduction of vanadium titanium magnetite: Phase composition, microstructure evolution, reduction behavior and mechanism analyses.

In order to facilitate low-carbon and green development in the steel industry and the resource utilization of agricultural waste, this study explored the possibility of biomass stalk recycling instead of fossil fuels in coal-based reduction of vanadium-titanium magnetite (VTM). The corn stalk hydrochar (CSH) was selected as the reducing agent and mixed with vanadium-titanium magnetite to fabricate pellets. The evolution behavior of slag in initial pellets was simulated by Factsage7.

Bionic Perception of Surface Adhesion via a Magnetized Spring-like Sensor with Axial Stretchability.

Perception of surface adhesion is one essential capability of a human fingertip, which is normally realized by touching the target surface with subsequent skin vibrations. However, such functionality is difficult to realize in flexible sensors and robotic systems due to the challenges in axial stretchability with reliable electrical feedback. In this study, we developed a bionic three-dimensional flexible magnetized spring (3D-FMS) that can quantitatively recognize surface adhesion based on electromagnetic induction.

Surgery-related factors for pancreatic fistula after pancreatectomy: an umbrella review.

Background: Multiple risk or protective factors for postoperative pancreatic fistula (POPF) have been suggested in the literature of surgical specialities. We aimed to map existing evidence regarding the risk factors for POPF to help guide future clinical treatment.

Methods: We performed an umbrella review by searching the Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases until June 19, 2023.

Effective separation and recovery of valuable metals from copper slag: A comprehensive review.

Copper slag, a secondary product generated from the copper refining process, which contains an extensive amount of valuable metals and harmful elements such as Fe, Cu, Zn, Co, Ni, Pb, As, etc. The massive accumulation and limited value-added utilization of copper slag have caused serious environmental pollution and resource waste. In order to realize the resourceful and high-value comprehensive utilization of copper slag, the efficient separation and recovery of valued metals from copper slag has garnered significant attention.

The Nuclear Localization of ACLY Guards Early Embryo Development Through Recruiting P300 and HAT1 to Promote Histone Acetylation and Transcription.

Metabolic processes and epigenetic reprogramming are intricately interconnected; however, their mechanistic interplay remains unclear. This study elucidates the role of ATP-citrate lyase (ACLY), an essential enzyme in acetyl-CoA production that uniquely localizes to the nucleus in oocytes and early embryos. Maternal Acly deletion in oocytes preserves fertility due to the compensatory upregulation of Acetyl-CoA Synthetase 2 (ACSS2), whereas zygotic Acly knockout causes developmental arrest at the pre-blastocyst stage without ACSS2 induction.

Case Report: A novel variant of the TTN gene and two other rare variants in a Chinese patient with dilated cardiomyopathy.

Genetic factors are estimated to cause approximately 30%-50% of dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) cases, with Titin (TTN) being the most commonly implicated gene, accounting for 20%-25% of genetic causes. Many DCM-causing TTN mutations are heterozygous truncating variants, including frameshift, non-sense, and essential splice site mutations. SCN5A mutations are associated with arrhythmias, while pathogenic variants in the low-density lipoprotein receptor (LDLR) gene are associated with familial hypercholesterolemia.

Cockroach Microbiome Disrupts Indoor Environmental Microbial Ecology with Potential Public Health Implications.

Cockroaches pose a significant global public health concern. However, besides the well-recognized cockroach-induced allergy, the potential impact of the cockroach microbiome on human health through various means is not yet fully elucidated. This study aimed to clarify the health impacts of cockroaches by investigating the microbial interactions among cockroaches, the indoor environment, and humans.

Direct detection of 3-nitrotyrosine reveals the nitration of proteins in laboratory exposure and ambient aerosols.

Tyrosine residues in proteins can be nitrated to form 3-nitrotyrosine (3-NT) under the influence of ozone (O) and nitrogen dioxide (NO) in the air, which may introduce health impacts. A selective and sensitive enzyme-linked-immunoassay (ELISA) method was developed to determine 3-NT in modified model protein (bovine serum albumin, BSA) and ambient aerosol samples. The nitration degrees (NDs) of BSA in the exposure experiments with different durations were detected by both the ELISA and spectrophotometric methods (i.

Associations Between the Atherogenic Index of Plasma and Triglyceride-Glucose Index With Coronary Microvascular Dysfunction in Hypertensive Patients.

Background: The triglyceride-glucose (TyG) index is a reliable marker of insulin resistance, and the atherogenic index of plasma (AIP) reflects atherosclerosis. However, the relationship between these biomarkers-particularly AIP-and coronary microvascular dysfunction (CMD) in hypertensive patients has not been systematically studied. This study investigates the association between TyG, AIP, and CMD in hypertensive individuals.

DNA bending mediated by ORC is essential for replication licensing in budding yeast.

In eukaryotes, the origin recognition complex (ORC) promotes the assembly of minichromosome maintenance 2 to 7 complexes into a head-to-head double hexamer at origin DNA in a process known as replication licensing. In this study, we present a series of cryoelectron microscopy structures of yeast ORC mutants in complex with origin DNA. We show that Orc6, the smallest subunit of ORC, utilizes its transcription factor II B-B domain to orchestrate the sequential binding of ORC to origin DNA.

Traumatic brain injury: Bridging pathophysiological insights and precision treatment strategies.

Blood-brain barrier disruption and the neuroinflammatory response are significant pathological features that critically influence disease progression and treatment outcomes. This review systematically analyzes the current understanding of the bidirectional relationship between blood-brain barrier disruption and neuroinflammation in traumatic brain injury, along with emerging combination therapeutic strategies. Literature review indicates that blood-brain barrier disruption and neuroinflammatory responses are key pathological features following traumatic brain injury.

Ozone and nitrogen dioxide mediated protein multiphase reactions under ultraviolet radiation conditions.

Proteins in aerosols can undergo multiphase reactions when exposed to air pollutants like ozone (O) and nitrogen dioxide (NO), posing adverse impacts on the environment and human health. The influence of radiation on the reactions has not been thoroughly studied and the reaction mechanism remains unclear. We coated bovine serum albumin (BSA) in a flow tube and exposed it to different combinations of O and NO under dark and ultraviolet (UV) radiation conditions.

Genetic Diversity and Environmental Adaptation Signatures of the Great Seahorse () in the Coastal Regions of the Indo-Pacific as Revealed by Whole-Genome Re-Sequencing.

The great seahorse () is one of the larger species within the seahorse group and is widely distributed in coastal areas of the Indo-Pacific. However, the natural resources of this species continue to decrease, rendering it a vulnerable species that faces a high risk of extinction. Therefore, there is an urgent need to conduct research on the genetic diversity of this species to protect its genetic resources.

Three-dimensional cellulose acetate nanofiber aerogels: A novel platform for ratiometric fluorescence sensing of volatile amines in aquatic products.

This study presents the development of cellulose acetate nanofiber aerogels (CA NFAs) as a novel solid-phase carrier for ratiometric fluorescence sensors, designed for detecting volatile amines, which is critical for monitoring the freshness of aquatic products. The sensors were functionalized with fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) as an indicator and protoporphyrin IX (PPIX) as an internal reference, which were covalently attached to the cellulose backbone. The FITC/PPIX-CA NFAs were fabricated using electrospinning and freeze-drying techniques, resulting in a 3D porous structure that significantly enhanced the mass transfer of target gas molecules and their interaction with probe molecules.

PATL2 mutations affect human oocyte maternal mRNA homeostasis and protein interactions in cell cycle regulation.

Background: Oocyte maturation defect (OMD) and early embryonic arrest result in female infertility. Previous studies have linked biallelic mutations in the PATL2 gene to OMD, yet the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown.

Results: This study uncovers three novel mutations (c.

Radiotherapy-resistant prostate cancer cells escape immune checkpoint blockade through the senescence-related ataxia telangiectasia and Rad3-related protein.

Background: The majority of patients with prostate cancer (PCa) exhibit intrinsic resistance to immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) following radiotherapy (RT). This resistance is generally attributed to the limited antigen presentation of heterogeneous cells within tumors. Here, we aimed to isolate and characterize these diverse subgroups of tumor post-RT to understand the molecular mechanisms of their resistance to ICB.

Prevalence and Associated Factors of Self-Reported Coronary Heart Disease: A Population-Based Cross-Sectional Survey in Tianjin.

Objective: To describe the prevalence of self-reported coronary heart disease (CHD) and assess the influence of varied risk factors on it in Tianjin.

Methods: This study included a total of 102,576 individuals aged 35 to 75 from 13 community health centers and grassroots hospitals in Tianjin. Basic information, questionnaire responses, physical examinations, and laboratory tests of each participant were researched, and documented.

Bioinformatics insights into the role of GFPT1 in breast invasive carcinoma: implications for tumor prognosis, immune modulation, and therapeutic applications.

Background: Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, including alterations in the hexosamine biosynthesis pathway (HBP). Glutamine-fructose-6-phosphate transaminase 1 (GFPT1) is the key regulatory enzyme in the HBP; however, its role in invasive breast carcinoma remains underexplored.

Methods: This study utilized integrated data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) to assess GFPT1 expression in breast cancer (BRCA) patients.