Predictors of Quality of Life in Myasthenia Gravis Patients from Southwestern China: Validation of Clinical and Socioenvironmental Determinants.

Introduction: Myasthenia gravis (MG) presents a substantial clinical burden, characterized by increased incidence of myasthenic crises, heterogeneity in treatment response, significant functional impairment, and gradually increasing mortality rates with marked geographical heterogeneity across China. While improving quality of life (QOL) is the focus of MG management, multifactorial determinants of QOL impairment remain unclear, especially in socioeconomically underrepresented regions, particularly Southwestern China. This study aimed to explore myasthenia-specific risk factors for QOL and develop a parsimonious prediction model.

NRPStransformer, an Accurate Adenylation Domain Specificity Prediction Algorithm for Genome Mining of Nonribosomal Peptides.

Nonribosomal peptides serve as pivotal sources for drug discovery. Accurate prediction of the substrate specificity of adenylation domains in nonribosomal peptide synthetases is crucial for genome mining of nonribosomal peptides, yet current prediction methods fall short in accuracy. In this work, we analyzed 4,100 adenylation domains from documented nonribosomal peptide synthetases and found that the flavodoxin-like subdomain universally governs substrate specificity in all bacterial adenylation domains and that its phylogenetic analysis can correlate the sequences of adenylation domains and their substrate specificity.

Cobalt-catalyzed diastereo- and enantioselective reductive coupling of cyclobutenes and aldehydes through umpolung reactivity.

Catalytic diastereo- and enantioselective functionalization of cyclobutenes represents a general and modular strategy for the construction of enantioenriched complex cyclobutanes. However, all precedents focused on reactions of cyclobutenes with nucleophilic organometallic intermediates, whereas transformations of cyclobutenes with electrophiles remained unknown. Herein, we report an unprecedented cobalt-catalyzed protocol for diastereo- and enantioselective reductive coupling of unactivated cyclobutenes and aldehydes.

Implementing intelligent nursing interventions to enhance self-efficacy and hospital readiness in parents of preterm infants: a randomised controlled trial protocol.

Introduction: The discharge readiness of preterm infants and parental self-efficacy are crucial for ensuring high-quality postdischarge care and positive health outcomes. However, many parents face significant challenges, including anxiety, lack of confidence and insufficient support. Research indicates that greater discharge readiness and self-efficacy enhance adherence to care plans, parenting confidence and stress management.

Plasticized electrohydraulic robot autopilots in the deep sea.

Soft robots, with their compliant bodies, minimal environmental disturbance, and ability to withstand ambient pressures, offer promising solutions for deep-sea exploration. However, a common challenge of stiffening in soft materials impairs their effective actuation in harsh conditions. In this work, we integrated a liquid dielectric plasticizer within an electrohydraulic soft robot, serving dual critical functions as a softening agent to maintain the softness of the polymer shell and an electrohydraulic fluid for efficient actuation.

A novel mast cell marker gene-related prognostic signature to predict prognosis and reveal the immune landscape in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Background: Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is a highly aggressive and heterogeneous malignant tumor. Mast cells are one of the immune cells widely distributed in the tumor microenvironment (TME), and their immune response with various immune cells is essential in promoting or inhibiting tumor growth and metastasis. However, the role played by mast cells in HNSCC has yet to be fully clarified.

Computational Exploration of Intramolecular Cycloaddition of Cyclobutanone with Alkene Catalyzed by Rhodium Versus Nickel: The Origins of Selectivities.

Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are employed to elucidate the mechanisms behind the rhodium- and nickel-catalyzed intramolecular [4 + 2] cycloaddition of cyclobutanone with alkene, and uncover the origins of various selectivities. The major findings are as follows: (1) the previously proposed cyclometalation pathway for the nickel system is energetically unfavorable due to large bridge ring strain, and low electron density of Ni-center; (2) both catalytic systems follow a similar reaction pathway, including C-C(acyl) bond oxidative addition, C═C bond insertion, and C-C bond reductive elimination, but the insertion mode of C═C bond differs; (3) C═C bond insertion is a regio- and chemoselectivity determination step. Due to spatial configuration of the metal complex and orbital interaction, in the Rh system, the C═C bond undergoes 1,2-insertion into the Rh-C bond to form [3.

[LncRNA SNHG15 promotes proliferation, migration and invasion of lung adenocarcinoma cells by regulating COX6B1 through sponge adsorption of miR-30b-3p].

Objectives: To explore the molecular mechanism by which lncRNA SNHG15 regulates proliferation, invasion and migration of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Methods: The lncRNA microarray chip dataset GSE196584 and LncBase were used to predict the lncRNAs that interact with miR-30b-3p, and their association with patient prognosis were investigated using online databases, after which lncRNA nucleolar RNA host gene 15 (SNHG15) was selected for further analysis. The subcellular localization of lncRNA SNHG15 and its expression levels in normal human lung epithelial cells and lung adenocarcinoma cell lines were detected using fluorescence in situ hybridization and qRT-PCR.

Pd-catalyzed asymmetric (6+2) dipolar cyclization for medium-sized spirooxindoles.

Chiral spirooxindoles are privileged scaffolds in bioactive molecules, yet efficient strategies for their functionalization-especially for medium-sized spirocycles-remain scarce. We report a Pd-catalyzed asymmetric (6+2) dipolar cyclization between vinyloxetanes and 3-diazoquinoline-2,4-diones, which allows the synthesis of enantioenriched spirooxindoles with eight-membered lactones under mild conditions. This method provides 22 examples with high yields and enantioselectivities (up to 90% yield and 98% ee), facilitated by a tailored chiral phosphine ligand and photogenerated ketene dipolarophiles.

Pathway-divergent coupling of alkynes and cyclobutenes through enantioselective cobalt catalysis.

Development of catalytic enantioselective transformations through divergent pathways from a single set of starting materials provides one of the most straightforward and efficient strategies for rapid establishment of a library of molecules in chemical synthesis and drug discovery. Catalytic reactions that generate enantioenriched cyclobutenes and cyclobutanes which are not only important units in medicinal chemistry, natural products and material science, but also useful intermediates in organic synthesis are of importance in the field of catalysis. Here we report a cobalt-catalyzed protocol for pathway-divergent enantioselective coupling of alkynes and cyclobutenes.

The E3 ubiquitin ligase SMURF2 protects against atherosclerosis by inhibiting endothelial inflammation.

Endothelial dysfunction is a key driver of sustained and chronic vascular inflammation, which plays a critical role in the progression of atherosclerotic disease. Despite its significance, the molecular mechanisms underlying vascular endothelial inflammation remain poorly understood. Ubiquitination, a widespread post-translational modification, regulates a wide range of biological processes and is essential for maintaining cellular homeostasis in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Nonclassical Heat Transfer and Recent Progress.

Heat transfer in solids has traditionally been described by Fourier's law, which assumes local equilibrium and a diffusive transport regime. However, advancements in nanotechnology and the development of novel materials have revealed non-classical heat transfer phenomena that extend beyond this traditional framework. These phenomena, which can be broadly categorized into those governed by kinetic theory and those extending beyond it, include ballistic transport, phonon hydrodynamics, coherent phonon transport, Anderson localization, and glass-like heat transfer.

Single-atom cobalt anchored biochar/PVDF membrane for antibiotic removal via coupling membrane filtration and sulfate-based advanced oxidation processes.

Currently, the treatment of antibiotic-contaminated wastewater remains a serious challenge. In this study, a novel catalytic membrane, PVDF-CG@5%Co, combining polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF), coffee grounds derived biochar (CG), and single-atom cobalt was developed for the effective removal of antibiotics from wastewater. The catalytic membranes were fabricated by phase inversion method, integrating sulfate radical-based advanced oxidation processes (SR-AOPs) with membrane filtration to address the limitations of traditional treatment methods.

Comparative transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of hypoxia response in wild and cultivated tomato roots.

Background: Hypoxia significantly impairs tomato productivity and yield. Although cultivated tomato varieties (Solanum lycopersicum) are generally sensitive to low-oxygen conditions, their wild relatives (Solanum habrochaites) display substantially lower sensitivity. To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying these contrasting phenotypes, as well as the impact of positive selection and protein-protein interactions of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and proteins (DEPs), we conducted transcriptomic and proteomic analyses of root samples from a wild tomato accession, T178 (S.

Chemical imaging for biological systems: techniques, AI-driven processing, and applications.

Visualizing the chemical compositions of biological samples is pivotal to advancing biological sciences, with the past two decades witnessing the emergence of innovative chemical imaging platforms such as single-molecule imaging, coherent Raman scattering microscopy, transient absorption microscopy, photothermal microscopy, ambient ionization mass spectrometry, electrochemical microscopy, and advanced chemical probes. These technologies have enabled significant breakthroughs in diagnosing pathological transitions, designing targeted therapies, and understanding drug resistance mechanisms. Recent advancements in resolution, contrast, sensitivity, and speed have transformed the field, with techniques like fluorescence, infrared absorption, and Raman scattering being widely applied across diverse biological domains.

Advancing Thermal Management Technology for Power Semiconductors through Materials and Interface Engineering.

Power semiconductors and chips are essential in modern electronics, driving applications from personal devices and data centers to energy technologies, vehicles, and Internet infrastructure. However, efficient heat dissipation remains a critical challenge, directly affecting their performance, reliability, and lifespan. High-power electronics based on wide- and ultrawide-bandgap semiconductors can exhibit power densities exceeding 10 kW/cm, hundreds of times higher than digital electronics, posing significant thermal management challenges.

Nanotechnology-driven advances in intranasal vaccine delivery systems against infectious diseases.

Outbreaks of emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases have consistently threatened human health. Since vaccinations are a powerful tool for preventing infectious illnesses, developing new vaccines is essential. Compared to traditional injectable vaccines, mucosal vaccines have the potential to offer more effective immune protection at mucosal sites.

Tyrosine kinase inhibitors induce cardiotoxicity by causing Ca overload through the inhibition of phosphoinositide 3-kinase activity.

Background: Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) are commonly used in cancer treatment, but their off-target effects can lead to serious cardiotoxicity. Our previous studies have revealed that upregulation of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K) confers considerable protection against calcium (Ca) disorders and cardiac dysfunction induced by sunitinib. However, the involvement of PI3K inhibition in the prevention of cardiomyocyte contraction induced by other TKIs remains unclear.

Unlocking Epoxide Radical Anion Reactivity for Asymmetric Cross-Coupling by Copper Metallaphotoredox.

The ability to tame radical anions that feature both an unpaired spin and a charge is critical for synthetic chemistry, enabling the construction of diverse chemical bonds via unique reaction pathways and promoting advances in the area of synthesis. In this regard, C(sp)-rich epoxide radical anions are particularly attractive but often elusive, highly reactive intermediates. Classic methods to access epoxide radical anions exploit single-electron chemistry by using dissolving alkali, sacrificial electrodes, or redox metals.

Development and validation of a prognostic model for patients with cT1-4N1-3M1 esophageal squamous cell carcinoma: based on the SEER database and the Chinese cohort study.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the impact of clinicopathological factors on the overall survival (OS) of advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) patients with both lymph node and distant metastasis and build a nomogram for OS prediction.

Method: We selected 621 ESCC patients with cT1-4N1-3M1 stage without surgical treatment from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database and randomized (in a 7:3 ratio) to the training cohort and internal validation cohort. Another 159 patients were enrolled from the Cancer Hospital of Shantou University Medical College as the external validation cohort.

Metabolic characteristics of benign and malignant pulmonary nodules and establishment of invasive lung adenocarcinoma model by high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Background: Increasing pulmonary nodule presentations in lung adenocarcinoma patients reveal diagnostic limitations of CT-based invasiveness assessment. The critical unmet need lies in developing non-invasive biomarkers differentiating invasive adenocarcinoma from premalignant lesions and benign nodules, while characterizing metabolic trajectory from health to metastatic disease.

Methods: Untargeted metabolomics analyzed plasma samples from 102 subjects stratified into four cohorts: confirmed adenocarcinoma (n = 35), benign nodules (n = 22), precursor lesions (n = 24), and healthy controls (n = 21).

Chitosan and polyvinyl alcohol-based bilayer electrospun nanofibrous membrane incorporated with astaxanthin promotes diabetic wound healing by addressing multiple factors.

Delayed diabetic wound regeneration can be attributed to multiple underlying factors, including bacterial infection, endogenous reactive oxygen species (ROS), impaired angiogenesis and exaggerated inflammatory response. Here, a bilayer electrospun nanofibrous membrane (ENM) was fabricated through sequential electrospinning to accelerate diabetic wound healing by addressing aforementioned challenges. For the purpose, nano Zinc Oxide was mixed into chitosan as the bottom layer of ENM (CS/ZnO NPs), while astaxanthin (AST) was encapsulated in a composite nanofibrous membrane of polyvinyl alcohol, chitosan and TiCT MXene (PVA/CS/MXene) as the upper layer, thus preparing the bilayer CZ/PCM@AST ENM, which reflected the therapeutic properties of spatial structure distribution and time series on diabetic wounds.

Construction of planar chiral [2,2]paracyclophanes via photoinduced cobalt-catalyzed desymmetric addition.

Planar chiral [2,2]paracyclophanes (PCPs) are widely used in materials science and asymmetric syntheses. Therefore, synthetic and material chemists have focused on the efficient and selective construction of planar chiral PCPs for decades. Herein, we present a photoinduced cobalt-catalyzed desymmetric addition of pseudo-para-diformyl and pseudo-gem-diformyl PCP, enabling the synthesis of planar chiral PCP alcohols with both planar and central chiralities.

Mechanically Strong Nanocolloidal Supramolecular Plastics Assembled from Carbonized Polymer Dots with Photoactivated Room-Temperature Phosphorescence.

The innovative development of supramolecular plastics (SPs) is recognized as one of the global efforts to address the environmental pollution caused by petroleum-based plastics. Traditional SPs usually show weak mechanical strength because of relatively weak noncovalent bonds and a lack of appropriate functions for practical applications. To overcome these limitations, we herein report nanocolloidal supramolecular plastics (NSPs) assembled from newly emerging nanoparticles, namely, carbonized polymer dots (CPDs) modified with ureido pyrimidinone groups.

Electronically Mismatched α-Addition of Electron-Deficient Alkenes via Photoinduced Polarity Transduction.

Conjugate addition reactions are among the most important transformations in organic synthesis. Electron matching requirements normally restrict the site-selective β-addition of nucleophiles to conjugate acceptors, while regio-reversed α-additions have remained largely elusive. Here we describe a photoinduced polarity transduction strategy that overcomes electronic and steric limitations and enables the exclusively umpolung α-addition of diverse nitrogen nucleophiles to electron-deficient and -neutral alkenes under mild and base-free conditions.