Age-dependent variations of amino acid metabolism in pigs and correlation with gut microbiota.

Background: Understanding the amino acid metabolic characteristics in the intestines and liver of pigs is critically important for nutritional interventions aimed at improving nitrogen utilization efficiency.

Objectives: This study explored age-dependent variations in amino acid metabolism within the liver and intestinal tissues of growing-finishing pigs.

Methods: Fifty boars (Duroc × Landrace × Large White, 36.

Toxoplasma gondii-induced host's high secretion of 25-hydroxycholesterol for immunoprotection.

Background: Toxoplasma gondii, a parasitic protozoan affecting approximately one-third of global population, causes opportunistic toxoplasmosis. It penetrates barriers to immune-privileged sites, causing encephalitis, retinochoroiditis, and fetal damage. The infection may be linked to neurodegenerative and psychiatric disorders.

Cadmium exposure improved the susceptibility of wolf spider Pardosa pseudoannulata to pathogen.

The farmland soil polluted by heavy metals like cadmium (Cd) was widespread around the world. Cd pollution may pose significant challenges to paddy arthropods by compromising their ability to resist infections from parasites and pathogens. This study investigated the impact of Cd exposure on the resistance of the Pardosa pseudoannulata against the pathogenic bacterium Staphylococcus aureus.

Computational identification of potential UNC-51-like kinase 1 inhibitors by an integrated structure-based and molecular dynamics-guided approach.

Serine/threonine kinase UNC-51-like kinase 1 (ULK1) is a key autophagy initiator. It regulates the process of autophagy through multiple signaling pathways and modulates the distribution and utilization of cellular resources, thus helping cells to maintain homeostasis in a constantly changing and complex physiological environment, thus targeting ULK1 to inhibit cellular autophagy would be an effective means of treating cancer. We used an integrated ligand-based and structure-based drug design approach to map the ULK1 pharmacophore model and used it for virtual screening.

Faecalibacterium prausnitzii enhances intestinal IgA response by host-microbe derived inecalcitol in colitis.

Background: Faecalibacterium prausnitzii plays a crucial role in ulcerative colitis (UC) remission, but its action mechanism is unknown. Here, we aimed to explore the potential mechanisms focusing on the interaction of F. prausnitzii with host immune response and its potential modulation on gut microbiome.

Nanoscale Engineering of Ladder-Like Polysilsesquioxane Dielectric Surfaces Enables High-Performance Flexible Electronics.

Achieving high-performance flexible organic thin-film transistors (OTFTs) operating at low voltages is vital for next-generation electronics. Here, we report a novel ladder-like polysilsesquioxane (LPSQ) dielectric with nanoscale functionalities (long alkyl chains and epoxy groups) that simultaneously enhance organic semiconductor (OSC) self-assembly and dielectric performance. Alkyl chains promote chain-on crystallization of C10-DNTT, while epoxy groups boost dielectric polarization and enable UV photopatterning.

Explore the changes of metabolites in feces and serum of acute pancreatitis patients with different etiologies by LC-MS based metabolomics strategy.

Background: Acute pancreatitis (AP) is a common abdominal inflammatory disease, which is mainly caused by gallstones, hyperlipidemia, and so on. Previous studies have explored the changes of serum metabolites in patients with AP. However, whether different etiologies have distinct impacts on the fecal and serum metabolites of the AP patients is still in suspense.

Rag GTPases control lysosomal acidification by regulating v-ATPase assembly in Drosophila.

The Rag GTPases play an important role in sensing amino acids and activating the target of rapamycin complex 1, a master regulator of cell metabolism. Previously, we have shown that GDP-bound RagA stimulates lysosome acidification and autophagic degradation, which are essential for young egg chamber survival under starvation in Drosophila. However, the underlying mechanism is unclear.

An all-natural wood-inspired cellulose nanofiber composite aerogel for superior thermal insulation and flame retardancy.

Nanocellulose aerogels with low thermal conductivity, lightweight, and abundant pore structures are widely used in thermal insulation materials. However, the growing need for environmental protection places new, stringent demands on the sustainability of aerogels. Herein, an all-natural aerogel with an oriented porous structure, excellent flame retardancy, and low thermal conductivity was prepared, which included bamboo cellulose nanofiber (CNF) framework, sodium alginate (SA) cross-linking, and sodium-based montmorillonite (Na-MMT) for thermal insulation and flame retardancy.

A PROTAC-Based Cuproptosis Sensitizer in Lung Cancer Therapy.

As an autonomous form of regulated cell death, cuproptosis depends on copper (Cu) and mitochondrial metabolism. However, the principle metabolic pathway known as glycolysis (Warburg effect) and high glutathione (GSH) levels of tumor cells inevitably lead to suboptimal efficacy in cuproptosis. Hence, depleting the endogenous GSH within tumors and shifting from glycolysis to mitochondrial respiration are crucial factors for augmenting cuproptosis.

Neutrophil extracellular traps in central nervous system disorders: mechanisms, implications, and emerging perspective.

Neutrophil Extracellular Traps (NETs), as a crucial defense mechanism of neutrophils, have garnered increasing attention in recent years for their roles in central nervous system (CNS) disorders. This review comprehensively summarizes the fundamental characteristics and formation mechanisms of NETs, while highlighting the latest research advances regarding their involvement in various CNS diseases. Specific mechanistic insights are discussed, including how NETs exacerbate ischemic stroke through immunothrombosis, promote blood-brain barrier disruption in multiple sclerosis, and contribute to neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease.

Toxic metals and trace elements, markers of inflammation, and hyperandrogenemia in women and testosterone deficiency in men: Associations and potential mediating factors.

There is evidence suggesting that toxic metal and trace element exposure disrupts androgen levels. However, specific effects of such exposure on hyperandrogenemia (HA) in women and testosterone deficiency (TD) in men remain unclear. The study investigated associations between toxic metal and trace element exposure and HA in women and TD in men, utilizing data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted between 2013 and 2016, and included 2205 women and 2621 men.

Polymer Coating Enabling a Durable Conductive Network for Si-Based Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Silicon nanoparticles (SiNPs) have become a promising class of high-capacity silicon-based anodes. However, their large surface area intensifies severe interfacial side reactions, which impair kinetic performance. In this study, a uniform allyltrimethoxysilane-derived polymer (AP) coating is applied to SiNPs, enhancing the durability of the conductive network by strengthening triphasic contact integrity among SiNPs, conductive additives, and binders.

Cation-driven phase transition and anion-enhanced kinetics for high energy efficiency zinc-interhalide complex batteries.

Aqueous Zn-halogen batteries, valued for high safety, large capacity, and low cost, suffer from the polyhalide shuttle effect and chaotic zinc electrodeposition, reducing energy efficiency and lifespan. Here we show a cation-driven positive electrode phase transition to suppress the shuttle effect and achieve uniform zinc electrodeposition, along with an anion kinetic enhancement strategy to improve energy efficiency and lifespan. Taking tetramethylammonium halide (TMAX, X = F, Cl, Br) as a subject, TMA promotes oriented zinc (101) deposition on the negative electrode through electrostatic shielding, significantly extending cycling life.

F-box only protein 10 protects against kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis by inhibiting ACSL4-mediated lipid peroxidation and ferroptosis.

Renal tubular epithelial cell ferroptosis is significantly linked to kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis, a critical pathological condition in chronic kidney disease. F-box only protein 10 (FBXO10), a newly identified ferroptosis-regulating gene, plays a role in various pathological contexts; however, its involvement in kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis is not yet fully understood. This research sought to investigate whether FBXO10 regulates ferroptosis in kidney tubular epithelial cells and its relationship with kidney tubulointerstitial fibrosis in both animal and cellular models.

DExH-Box Helicase 9 Participates in De Novo Nrf2 Protein Translation Under Oxidative Stress.

Nrf2 transcript factor plays an important role in cellular defense against oxidative stress due to its control for expression of antioxidant and detoxification genes. We have found that Nrf2 gene undergoes de novo protein translation when mammalian cells encounter oxidative stress. Here, we report the discovery of DExH-box helicase-9 (DHX9), also known as RNA helicase A, as a binding protein for Nrf2 mRNA at 5'UTR.

ATG16L1 restrains macrophage NLRP3 activation and alveolar epithelial cell injury during septic lung injury.

Background: The lung is the organ most commonly affected by sepsis. Additionally, acute lung injury (ALI) resulting from sepsis is a major cause of death in intensive care units. Macrophages are essential for maintaining normal lung physiological functions and are implicated in various pulmonary diseases.

Inhibition of PINK1 senses ROS signaling to facilitate neuroblastoma cell pyroptosis.

Mitochondria serve as the primary source of intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), which play a critical role in orchestrating cell death pathways such as pyroptosis in various types of cancers. PINK1-mediated mitophagy effectively removes damaged mitochondria and reduces detrimental ROS levels, thereby promoting cell survival. However, the regulation of pyroptosis by PINK1 and ROS in neuroblastoma remains unclear.

Nudging Clinicians to Promote Serious Illness Communication for Critically Ill Patients: A Pragmatic Cluster Randomized Trial.

Importance: Guidelines recommend that intensive care unit (ICU) clinicians consider prognosis and offer a comfort-focused treatment alternative to patients with limited prognoses to promote preference-sensitive treatment decisions.

Objective: To determine whether nudging ICU clinicians to adhere to communication guidelines improves outcomes among critically ill patients at high risk of death or severe functional impairment.

Design, Setting, And Participants: This 4-arm pragmatic, stepped-wedge, cluster randomized trial (conducted February 1, 2018-October 31, 2020, follow-up through April 29, 2021, and analyses December 2023-January 2024) involved 3500 encounters of adults with chronic serious illness receiving mechanical ventilation for at least 48 hours at 10 hospitals comprising 17 medical, surgical, specialty, or mixed ICUs in community, rural, and urban settings.

Epstein-Barr Virus and Human Papillomavirus Infection in Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma: A Correlation Study.

Introduction: This study explores the presence and clinical significance of Epstein- Barr Virus (EBV) and Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC). EBV and HPV are known to contribute to various cancers, but their roles in thyroid cancer development are debated.

Method: Paraffin-embedded tissue blocks from PTC patients (n=255) who underwent thyroid surgery between 2020 and 2021 were analyzed for EBV and HPV DNA using PCR-based methods.

Probing Multiscale Dynamics of Energy-Dense Batteries by Operando Imaging.

With the increasing development of electric cars and portable electronic devices, the demand for advanced batteries with high energy density, long cycling lifespan, and enhanced safety is growing rapidly. In closed battery systems, a number of complex dynamic behaviors occur during cycling processes, such as chemical and structural changes of electrode particles, formation of solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), evolution of conducting electrode networks and distribution of electrolytes, all of which collectively impact the battery performance markedly. Conventional postcycling and bulk-level, ensemble-averaged electrochemical characterization techniques encounter challenges in establishing clear relationships between the micro/mesoscale structures of battery materials and the overall macroscopic device performance.

Unraveling the role of OsSCL26 in transcriptional regulation in rice: Insights into grain shape, heading date, and carbohydrates.

Grain shape, heading date, and amylase content are pivotal traits influencing rice yield, quality, distribution, and regional adaptability. Through our investigation, we identified a mutant, characterized by slender grains, elevated amylose content, and early heading date. Histocytologic scrutiny unveiled heightened cell proliferation in the spikelet hull contributing to the slender grain morphology.

Octreotide attenuates experimental severe acute pancreatitis through inhibiting pyroptosis and modulating intestinal homeostasis.

Severe acute pancreatitis (SAP) is a common clinical condition characterized by acute abdominal symptoms. Octreotide (OCT) is a commonly prescribed treatment for acute pancreatitis (AP). Recent research shows that pyroptosis and intestinal homeostasis significantly contribute to the progression of AP.