Rashba effect modulation in two-dimensional ABTe (A = Sb and Bi; B = Si and Ge) materials charge transfer.

Designing two-dimensional (2D) Rashba semiconductors, exploring the underlying mechanism of the Rashba effect, and further proposing efficient and controllable approaches are crucial for the development of spintronics. On the basis of first-principles calculations, we here theoretically designed all possible types (typical, inverse, and composite) of Janus structures and successfully achieved numerous ideal 2D Rashba semiconductors from a series of five atomic-layer ABTe (A = Sb and Bi; B = Si and Ge) materials. Considering the different Rashba constant and its modulation trend under an external electric field, we comprehensively analyzed the intrinsic electric field in terms of work function, electrostatic potential, dipole moment, and inner charge transfer.

Multi-analyte approach combining cfDNA sequencing and protein testing for early ovarian cancer detection.

Non-invasive liquid biopsy is a promising strategy for ovarian cancer (OC) detection. We evaluated the feasibility and efficacy of a multi-analyte approach combining circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) detection with protein biomarkers for early OC detection. At 95% specificity, CA125 and ctDNA alone exhibited an overall sensitivity of 79.

Update on Combination Strategies of PARP Inhibitors.

The application of PARP inhibitors has revolutionized cancer treatment and has achieved significant advancements, particularly with regard to tumors with defects in genes involved in homologous recombination repair (HRR) processes, such as BRCA1 and BRCA2. Despite the promising outcomes of PARP inhibitors, certain limitations and challenges still exist, including acquired drug resistance, severe side effects, and limited therapeutic benefits for patients without homologous recombination deficiency (HRD). Various combinations involving PARP inhibitors have been developed to overcome these limitations.

A Predictive Model for Initial Platinum-Based Chemotherapy Efficacy in Patients with Postoperative Epithelial Ovarian Cancer Using Tissue-Derived Small Extracellular Vesicles.

Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is an often-fatal malignancy marked by the development of resistance to platinum-based chemotherapy. Thus, accurate prediction of platinum drug efficacy is crucial for strategically selecting postoperative interventions to mitigate the risks associated with suboptimal therapeutic outcomes and adverse effects. Tissue-derived extracellular vesicles (tsEVs), in contrast to their plasma counterparts, have emerged as a powerful tool for examining distinctive attributes of EOC tissues.

A double-well potential model for glass transition in a glassy hydrogel undergoing bi-stable interactions with water.

The key mechanisms for achieving ultra-high mechanical properties of glassy hydrogels have not been fully understood, and it is commonly believed that their glass transitions are the crucial reasons due to the existence of significant bi-stable interactions between polymer macromolecules and water molecules. In this study, a double-well potential model is formulated to describe the mechanical properties of glassy hydrogels undergoing glass transition, by combining phase evolution theory and a rubber elasticity model. Bi-stable interactions between polymer macromolecules and water molecules (for both the trapped and free water) have been characterized using this double-well potential model, and various parameters are studied, including depth of well (for elasticity), distance between two wells (for yielding), and energy difference between two wells (for transition probability).

Untangling the mechanics of entanglements in slide-ring gels towards both super-deformability and toughness.

Entanglement plays a critical role in determining the dynamic properties of polymer systems, , resulting in slip links and pulley effects for achieving large deformation and high strength. Although it has been studied for decades, the mechanics of entanglements for stiffness-toughness conflict is not well understood. In this study, topological knot theory incorporating an extended tube model is proposed to understand the entanglements in a slide-ring (SR) gel, which slips over a long distance to achieve large deformation and high toughness the pulley effect.

The low-nanomolar 4-nitrobenzoate-responsive repressor PnbX negatively regulates the actinomycete-derived 4-nitrobenzoate-degrading pnb locus.

Nitroaromatic compounds pose severe threats to public health and environmental safety. Nitro group removal via ammonia release is an important strategy for bacterial detoxification of nitroaromatic compounds, such as the conversion of 4-nitrobenzoate (4-NBA) to protocatechuate by the bacterial pnb operon. In contrast to the LysR-family transcriptional regulator PnbR in proteobacteria, the actinomycete-derived pnb locus (4-NBA degradation structural genes) formed an operon with the TetR-family transcriptional regulator gene pnbX, implying that it has a distinct regulatory mechanism.

Anchoring-mediated topology signature of self-assembled elastomers undergoing mechanochromic coupling/decoupling.

Soft elastomers with their ability to integrate strain-adaptive stiffening and coloration have recently received significant research attention for application in artificial muscle and active camouflage. However, there is a lack of theoretical understanding of their complex molecular dynamics and mechanochromic coupling/decoupling. In this study, a topological dynamics model is proposed to understand the anchoring-mediated topology signature of self-assembled elastomers.

Recent advances in the biodegradation of polychlorinated biphenyls.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are typical lasting organic pollutants. Persistence and recalcitrance to biodegradation of PCBs have hampered the transformation of PCB congeners from the environment. Biological transformation of polychlorinated biphenyls could take place through anaerobic dechlorination, aerobic microbial degradation, and a combination of transformation of anaerobic dechlorination and aerobic degradation.

A plasmid-based genomic screening system for transcriptional regulators of non-adjacent xenobiotic catabolism genes.

Bacteria play an important role in the catabolism of environmental xenobiotics. The study of transcriptional regulation has greatly enhanced our understanding of the molecular mechanisms associated with these processes. However, genes encoding transcription factors (TFs) for xenobiotic catabolism are usually not located in the immediate vicinity of the catabolic genes that they regulate; therefore, functional identification of these TFs is difficult.

Edaphocola flava sp. nov., Isolated from Herbicide Bensulfuron-methyl-Contaminated Soil.

A novel strain, HME-24, was isolated from herbicide bensulfuron-methyl-contaminated soil in Jiangning District, Jiangsu Province, China. Strain HME-24 was a Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, and the colonies on R2A agar are yellow. The strain was non-sporulating, catalase- and oxidase-positive.

Degradation Mechanism of 4-Chlorobiphenyl by Consortium of Pseudomonas sp. Strain CB-3 and Comamonas sp. Strain CD-2.

Polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) are types of lasting environmental pollutants which are widely used in various industries. 4-chlorobiphenyl (4CBP) is a PCB which is harmful to the environment as well as humans. Two strains, CB-3 and CD-2, were isolated from the polluted soil of a chemical factory and could completely degrade 50 mg/L 4CBP within 12 h by co-culture.

Taibaiella helva sp. nov., isolated from farmland soil in China.

A yellow-coloured bacterial strain, designated F-4, was isolated from a farmland soil sample from Qianshan, Anhui province, China. Strain F-4 was Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, oval-shaped, motile (by gliding) and non-spore-forming. Growth occurred at 20-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), at pH 6.

Paenibacillus yanchengensis sp. nov., isolated from farmland soil.

A Gram-variable, short-rod-shaped, motile, spore-forming, strictly aerobic and alkaliresistant bacterium, designed strain J-3, was isolated from farmland soil sampled in Yancheng city, Jiangsu province, China. Optimal growth occurred at 30 °C, pH 7.0-8.