Publications by authors named "Ziming Cao"

Recycling high-value organic solvents is crucial but challenging in various industries. For example, the perovskite solar cell (PSC), a rising star of photovoltaic industry, calls for proper management of solvents like ,-dimethylformamide (DMF). Traditional solvent recovery methods are often less effective, costly, and energy-intensive.

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Carbon-carbon bond cleavage is a transformative strategy in chemical synthesis, particularly for modifying complex molecules. While the cleavage of C(sp²)=C(sp²) π-bonds is relatively straightforward, the selective cleavage of unpolarized C(sp²)-C(sp³) σ-bonds remains a significant challenge. In this study, we present a redox-neutral approach for hydrodealkenylation, enabling the selective cleavage of C(sp²)-C(sp³) σ-bonds in aryl olefins.

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Monocytes are critical in controlling tissue infections and inflammation. Monocyte dysfunction contributes to the inflammatory pathogenesis of cystic fibrosis (CF) caused by CF transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) mutations, making CF a clinically relevant disease model for studying the contribution of monocytes to inflammation. Although CF monocytes exhibited adhesion defects, the precise mechanism is unclear.

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Background: Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocytes in human blood, and their recruitment is essential for innate immunity and inflammatory responses. The initial and critical step of neutrophil recruitment is their adhesion to vascular endothelium, which depends on G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) triggered integrin inside-out signaling that induces β2 integrin activation and clustering on neutrophils. Kindlin-3 and talin-1 are essential regulators for the inside-out signaling induced β2 integrin activation.

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Article Synopsis
  • RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) in the cytoplasm detect viral RNA and kickstart the body's initial antiviral defenses, but their interaction with glucose transporters (GLUTs) in immunity has been unclear.
  • The study reveals that GLUT4, which responds to insulin, can inhibit RLR signaling without needing to uptake glucose, particularly when it is trapped in the Golgi until a viral infection occurs.
  • The findings suggest that GLUT4's relocation affects the immune response to viruses, with implications for conditions like inflammatory myopathies where GLUT4 expression is lower, leading to increased interferon activity.
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Background: The ubiquitin regulatory X (UBX) domain-containing proteins (UBXNs) are putative adaptors for ubiquitin ligases and valosin-containing protein; however, their in vivo physiological functions remain poorly characterised. We recently showed that UBXN3B is essential for activating innate immunity to DNA viruses and controlling DNA/RNA virus infection. Herein, we investigate its role in adaptive immunity.

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The cytoplasmic RIG-I-like receptors (RLRs) recognize viral RNA and initiate innate antiviral immunity. RLR signaling also triggers glycolytic reprogramming through glucose transporters (GLUTs), whose role in antiviral immunity is elusive. Here, we unveil that insulin-responsive GLUT4 inhibits RLR signaling independently of glucose uptake in adipose and muscle tissues.

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This protocol aims to establish a method for identifying small molecular antagonists of β2 integrin activation, utilizing conformational-change-reporting antibodies and high-throughput flow cytometry. The method can also serve as a guide for other antibody-based high-throughput screening methods. β2 integrins are leukocyte-specific adhesion molecules that are crucial in immune responses.

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A complicated storage reaction mechanism will occur during the storage period in fresh-cut apples, and oxalic acid could physiologically modify the flesh tissue to achieve preservation purposes. This study revealed the storage quality regulation mechanism treated with oxalic acid (3 mmol⋅L) in fresh-cut apples through nontarget metabolomics and physiological analyses. It was discovered that oxalic acid could enhance the antioxidant enzymes activities, i.

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Macrophages are central players in systemic inflammation associated with obesity and aging, termed meta-inflammation and inflammaging. Activities of macrophages elicited by the two chronic conditions display shared and distinct patterns mechanistically, resulting in multifaceted actions for their pathogenic roles. Drastically expanded tissue macrophage populations under obesity and aging stress attribute to both enhanced recruitment and local expansion.

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Neutrophils are critical for mediating inflammatory responses. Inhibiting neutrophil recruitment is an attractive approach for preventing inflammatory injuries, including myocardial ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury, which exacerbates cardiomyocyte death after primary percutaneous coronary intervention in acute myocardial infarction. In this study, we found out that a neutrophil exocytosis inhibitor Nexinhib20 inhibits not only exocytosis but also neutrophil adhesion by limiting β integrin activation.

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Neutrophils are the most abundant leukocyte in human blood. They are critical for fighting infections and are involved in inflammatory diseases. Mitochondria are indispensable for eukaryotic cells, as they control the biochemical processes of respiration and energy production.

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Article Synopsis
  • Neutrophils play a crucial role in fighting pathogens, but their migration can also cause tissue damage.
  • Researchers used microRNA overexpression to identify protein-coding genes that influence neutrophil movement, finding that miR-99 reduces chemotaxis in both zebrafish and human neutrophil-like cells.
  • The study highlights that RORα, targeted by miR-99, is vital for neutrophil migration and immune defense, as inhibiting it made zebrafish more vulnerable to bacterial infections.
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Investigation on the long-term thermal response of precast high-strength concrete (PHC) energy pile is relatively rare. This paper combines field experiments and numerical simulations to investigate the long-term thermal properties of a PHC energy pile in a layered foundation. The major findings obtained from the experimental and numerical studies are as follows: First, the thermophysical ground properties gradually produce an influence on the long-term temperature variation.

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