Caseazins R-Y, cytotoxic podocarpane diterpenoids from Casearia kurzii.

In the present study, eight undescribed compounds, namely caseazins R-Y (1-8) were isolated from the twigs and leaves of Casearia kurzii (Flacourtiaceae). Their structures were elucidated by extensive spectroscopic analysis, nuclear magnetic resonance methods, X-ray diffraction analysis, and ECD calculations. Compound 1 was characterized as a rare 2,3-seco podocarpane carbon skeleton.

ResDeepGS: A deep learning-based method for crop phenotype prediction.

Genomic selection (GS) is a breeding technique that utilizes genomic markers to predict the genetic potential of crops and animals. This approach holds significant promise for accelerating the improvement of agronomic traits and addressing food security challenges. While traditional breeding methods based on statistical or machine learning techniques have been useful in predicting traits for some crops, they often fail to capture the complex interactions between genotypes and phenotypes.

Unveiling the Pathogenicity of Allosteric Protein Mutations via Multifaceted Feature Ensembling.

Allosteric proteins play a central role in biological processes and systems. Identifying the biological impact of mutations on allosteric proteins and the phenotypes they influence during disease initiation and progression presents a significant challenge. In theory, computational methods have the potential to facilitate the interpretation of genetic variants in allosteric proteins on a large scale.

Celecoxib blocks AKT/mTOR in AKT/YapS127A-driven intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma, activating p21/p27 for cycle arrest and suppressing Mcl-1 for apoptosis.

Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma (iCCA) is a malignant liver tumor with insidious onset, limited treatments, and poor prognosis. Recent studies show celecoxib exerts marked cytotoxic effects on cholangiocarcinoma cell lines, suggesting its potential as an iCCA therapy. However, the potential molecular and cellular mechanisms that link celecoxib treatment to its toxicological outcomes remain unclear.

NR1I3 inhibits colorectal cancer growth by enhancing PCK1-mediated gluconeogenesis.

There is increasing evidence that nuclear receptor subfamily 1 group I member 3 (NR1I3) plays a significant role in the progression of many malignancies. However, it is unclear whether NR1I3 suppresses colorectal cancer (CRC) growth or alters gluconeogenesis. Western blotting, flow cytometry analysis, cell proliferation, colony formation assays, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‒PCR), gluconeogenesis tests, and animal models were used to examine the functional role of NR1I3 in CRC cells.

Sex Differences in Postoperative Outcomes of Hirschsprung Disease: Propensity Score Matching Analysis.

Purpose: Sex differences in Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) incidence have been well documented, yet little is known about whether the effect of sex on postoperative outcomes. This study aims to investigate the sex differences of postoperative outcomes of HSCR using propensity score matching (PSM) analysis.

Methods: Retrospective review of 304 patients with HSCR who received single-stage laparoscopic transanal pull-through modified Swenson procedure in a single-center was conducted with assessments of clinical data.

Preparation and osteogenic properties of degradable pectin-modified magnesium oxychloride bone cement.

A novel biodegradable bone cement (PSM) was successfully developed through the modification of magnesium oxychloride cement (MOC) with pectin, specifically addressing the inherent limitation of poor water resistance in conventional MOC. Properties of PSM such as washout resistance, setting time, mechanical properties and degradation properties were investigated. Results showed that PSM with 1.

Injectable and tissue adhesive chrysomycin A-laden chitosan hydrogel depot for MRSA-infected wound healing and tumor recurrence prevention.

Tumor surgery often leads to tumor residue, tissue defects, and drug-resistant bacterial infections, resulting in high recurrence rates and chronic wounds. In this study, an injectable hydrogel was synthesized using glycidyl trimethyl ammonium chloride-chitosan (GCh) and formylbenzoic acid-modified chrysomycin A (CA)-loaded F127 micelles (F127FA-CA). The formation of the hydrogel is achieved through Schiff base conjugation, which occurs between the amino groups present in GCh and the aldehyde groups located on the micelle surfaces.

Active chemical fractions with growth promotion activity of humic substances obtained from different animal manure composts.

Humic acid (HA) and fulvic acid (FA) are the most abundant components of the organic matter in the compost. However, the key chemical structures for the bioactivity of HA/FA and how these structures being affected by composting conditions are not fully understood. The changes in chemical compositions between HA and FA were primarily driven by differences in the contents of carboxyl C, aromatic C, O- alkyl C and C/N ratio.

Osteocalcin promotes mineralization in bone microenvironment via regulating hydroxyapatite formation and integration.

Within the bone microenvironment, the intricate interplay and regulation among matrix components form a complex network. Disentangling this network is crucial for uncovering potential therapeutic targets in bone pathology. Osteocalcin (OCN), the most abundant non-collagenous bone protein, is an essential node within this network.

Construction of carboxylated chitosan/unsaturated polyester resin aerogels with layered porous structures for efficient adsorption of dyes and heavy metals and rapid separation of o/w emulsions.

With the acceleration of global industrialization, a large amount of polluted wastewater is discharged indiscriminately, which both pollutes the environment and threatens human health. In this study, by constructing a binary system of unsaturated polyester resin/carboxychitosan, and improving the inherent defects of carboxychitosan aerogel, we successfully prepared aerogels with high porosity, low density, and laminar porous structure for water remediation by using a combination of the sol-gel method and directional freezing technology. Thanks to the synergistic effect of surface wettability and special pore structure, the aerogel not only adsorbs and separates MB and Pb(II) efficiently with a separation efficiency of more than 99 %, but also has a separation efficiency of 99.

Balanced biocompatibility in high-viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose-based sponge containing nanoconfined silver citrate nanoparticles.

Balancing antibacterial efficacy, mechanical integrity, and biocompatibility remains a critical challenge in drug release systems for wound dressings. Many antimicrobial agents exhibit inherent cytotoxicity, compromising cell viability and tissue compatibility. To address this, an Absorbable Gelatine Sponge was synthetised based on high-viscosity hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC K100M) and loaded with silver citrate nanorods (AgCit), which confine silver nanoparticles to enable controlled ion release.

Porous SiO/ZnO-carboxymethyl cellulose composite hydrogels for enhanced hemostatic efficacy and antibacterial activity.

The development of effective hemostatic and antibacterial dressings remains a critical challenge in wound management. We report the design and fabrication of novel porous composite hydrogels composed of carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC), silica (SiO), and zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO NPs) . The incorporation of SiO and ZnO NPs into the CMC hydrogel matrix resulted in a unique multi-scale porous structure, characterized by interconnected holes of various sizes, which significantly enhanced the hydrogel's liquid absorption capacity and mechanical strength.

Engineering triple-layer gelatin methacryloyl-alginate osteochondral construct with biomimetic curved architecture using a multi-axial, multi-process, multi-material 3D bioprinting system.

Osteochondral defects caused by trauma, obesity, tumors, and degenerative osteoarthropathies severely impair patients' quality of life. Multilayer tissue engineering scaffolds offer promising strategies for osteochondral repair by enhancing structural biomimicry. In this study, a triple-layer GelMA-alginate-based osteochondral scaffold (TCOS) was fabricated using an enhanced multi-axis, multi-process, multi-material 3D bioprinting system (MAPM-BPS).

Targeting the IRS1 macromolecular signaling node by Trienomycin a triggers cytoprotective autophagy in pancreatic adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic adenocarcinoma (PAAD) lacks effective therapies due to complex macromolecular signaling networks. Here, we identified the natural compound Trienomycin A (TA) as a potent binder and degrader of the key signaling adaptor protein Insulin Receptor Substrate 1 (IRS1), disrupting its macromolecular assembly in insulin-like growth pathways. Through integrated biochemical, cellular, and in vivo analyses, we demonstrated that TA directly bound the phosphotyrosine-binding (PTB) domain of IRS1, inducing proteasomal degradation of this critical macromolecular hub mediated by the E3 ubiquitin ligase FBXW8.

Modifying the highland barley gliadin with reducing sugar grafting and enhancing its structural and functional properties.

As the primary storage protein, highland barley gliadin (HBG) exhibits limitations in the processing of highland barley foods, primarily due to its abundant non-polar amino acids. In this study, HBG was utilized to prepare sugar-HBG complexes with pentose (xylose), hexoses (glucose and galactose), and disaccharides (lactose and maltose) in an aqueous system at a pH of 11 and a temperature of 75 °C. Subsequently, the structural and functional characteristics of these complexes were evaluated.

Recent advances in emerging applications and biological activities of tea polysaccharides and their conjugates from leaves and flowers: A review.

Tea (Camellia sinensis) polysaccharides (TPS) and tea polysaccharide conjugates (TPC) are bioactive compounds found in tea leaves and flowers, attracting growing interest for their biological activities and emerging applications in food, pharmaceuticals, and cosmetics. Despite substantial progress in tea polyphenol research, studies focusing on TPS and TPC are still relatively underrepresented. This review fills a gap in the literature by summarizing the latest advancements in the extraction, characterization, and biological effects of TPS and TPC.

Artificial nacre based on polydopamine functionalized graphene oxide nanosheets constrained palladium nanocluster with enhanced mechanical properties and catalytical functionalities.

Inspired by "the composition of catechol and amine groups in the adhesive proteins" of marine mussel and "brick-and-mortar" structure of nacre, we use polydopamine (PDA) as "mortar", graphene oxides (GO) nanosheets as "brick", and Pd ions as interfacial reinforcer, to fabricate nacre-like Pd enhanced PDA functionalized GO membranes (Pd@PDA/GO) with vacuum filtration-assisted assembly method. Meanwhile, in situ reduced Pd nanoclusters by PDA chains were well constrained within the resultant Pd@PDA/GO artificial nacre composites. Good interfacial adhesion with dense packing of the GO nanosheets was further confirmed with sub-nano level microstructure characterization by positron annihilation lifetime spectroscopy.

Oral pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution of a homogeneous polysaccharide from Auricularia auricula-judae: dual-method validation of absorption and distribution.

Polysaccharides encounter significant challenges in vivo pharmacokinetic studies because of their complex structures and the limitations of current detection methods, thereby impeding their development and biomedical applications. This study systematically investigated the oral absorption characteristics and tissue distribution of ME-2, a homogeneous polysaccharide from Auricularia auricula-judae, using a dual-labeling pharmacokinetic approach. First, a fluorescein-5-thiosemicarbazide (FTSC)-based quantitative method was established to analyze plasma pharmacokinetics and tissue concentrations of ME-2, demonstrating robust methodological stability (intra-/inter-day RSD < 15 %) and accuracy (recovery rate 95-103 %).

Photothermal/GSH-dual-responsive organic quantum dots enabling traceable DNA delivery.

Quantum dots, with their superior intrinsic fluorescence and photostability, are emerging as a promising option for cancer gene therapy, diagnosis, and imaging. However, low gene delivery efficiency, insufficient targeting, and responsiveness remain challenges. To address these issues, PEI-based carbon quantum dots (CPNCs) were constructed by crosslinking polyethylenimine quantum dots (PQDs) with carbon quantum dots (CQDs) via disulfide bonds.

Preparation of high-performance phenolic resin adhesives using demethylated lignin as substitutes for phenol.

Traditional phenolic resin adhesives involve the use of petrochemical-based phenol, raising environmental and health concerns. In this study, lignin was demethylated to substitute for phenol and prepare a high-lignin-content adhesive with perfect shear strength performance. The hydroxyl content of demethylated lignin can reach up to 6.

Reducing allergenicity of Trachinotus ovatus parvalbumin: Insights into digestibility and IgE-binding ability after dense phase CO₂ treatment.

Parvalbumin (PV), a thermostable and digestion-resistant fish allergen, has been shown to retain its allergenic potential following traditional treatments, thus posing a persistent allergic risk. The study investigated the digestive kinetics and IgE immunoreactivity of Trachinotus ovatus PV, a major fish allergen, under different treatments (untreated; DPCD treatment-15 MPa, 30 min, 50 °C; heat treatment), to evaluate its allergenic potential alterations. The analysis was conducted using a combination of techniques to assess the proteolytic stability and IgE-binding capacity of PV, including Tris-Tricine-SDS-PAGE, Western blot (WB), indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and free amino group quantification.

Bio-based cellulose aerogels with liquid absorption and retention capability for sustainable personal hygiene applications.

Efficient water-absorbing and water-holding materials have shown notable promise in various applications, including hygiene products, agriculture, and drug delivery systems. Opposed to traditional absorbents prepared using synthetic polymers, bio-based, environmentally friendly efficient absorbents have attracted more attention from both academia and the industry. Herein, the aerogel absorbents from functional sodium carboxymethyl cellulose (CMCNa), citric acid (CA) crosslinker, and cellulose nanofibers (CNF) have been developed via freeze-drying and cross-linking process.

Neonatal Liver-Derived FTH1-Enriched Extracellular Vesicles Attenuate Ferroptosis and Ameliorate MASLD Pathogenesis.

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), a leading cause of chronic liver pathology, lacks effective therapies. This study identifies ferroptosis-a lipid peroxidation-driven, iron-dependent form of cell death-as a central pathogenic mechanism in MASLD. Integrative proteomic and histopathological analyses of human and murine MASLD livers revealed marked ferroptosis activation, characterized by dysregulated iron metabolism (reduced FTH1 and GPX4; elevated ACSL4) and oxidative stress.

Loss of hepatic ME1 ameliorates MASLD by Suppressing peroxisomal β-Oxidation and Activating Lipophagy/Lipolysis.

Introduction: Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) represents an increasing global health problem in association with obesity and insulin resistance without approved pharmacotherapy. Previous studies revealed malic enzyme 1 (ME1) as a susceptibility gene for metabolic disorders in humans. However, the role and mechanisms of ME1 in regulating hepatic lipid metabolism remain largely unclear.