Mechanistic insights into circularization via group I intron-based scarless circular RNA.

Circular RNA (circRNA) offers significant advantages in stability, storage, manufacturing, and pharmacokinetics, making it an attractive option for therapeutic applications over linear RNA. However, the commonly used permuted intron-exon (PIE) method for constructing circRNA introduces an exogenous "scar" sequence during splicing initiation, potentially compromising circRNA potency and inducing immunogenicity. Through exploration of the molecular mechanism of the group I intron splicing, we conclude the sequence characterization of splice sites and the recognition rules of IG sequence.

Targeting cholesterol metabolism in tumor and its immune microenvironment: opportunities and challenges.

Cholesterol metabolism provides cell and organelle membrane components, and its precursors and derivatives exert a variety of biological functions. Dysregulated cholesterol metabolism has emerged as a hallmark of tumors. In the tumor microenvironment, cell-intrinsic and cell-extrinsic cues reprogram cholesterol metabolism to drive tumorigenesis and tumor development.

Development and validation of a multimodal automatic interictal epileptiform discharge detection model: a prospective multi-center study.

Background: Visual identification of interictal epileptiform discharge (IED) is expert-biased and time-consuming. Accurate automated IED detection models can facilitate epilepsy diagnosis. This study aims to develop a multimodal IED detection model (vEpiNetV2) and conduct a multi-center validation.

Targeting VCAM-1 with chimeric antigen receptor and regulatory T cell for abdominal aortic aneurysm treatment.

Abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is a life-threatening condition characterized by the dilation of the abdominal aorta, leading to a high risk of rupture. Current treatment options are limited, particularly for patients ineligible for surgical interventions. This study explores a novel immunotherapeutic approach using chimeric antigen receptor Treg cells targeting vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) to mitigate AAA progression.

Combining antibody-drug conjugates with immune checkpoint inhibitors: A new paradigm for breast cancer therapy.

The use of antibody-drug conjugates (ADCs) and immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) has revolutionized the treatment of breast cancer. ADCs deliver cytotoxic payloads to tumor cells via antigen-targeted monoclonal antibodies, triggering direct cytotoxicity and immunomodulatory effects such as immunogenic cell death (ICD), antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity (ADCC), and dendritic cell activation. Preclinical and clinical studies highlight the synergistic effect of combining ADCs with ICIs: ADCs enhance tumor immunogenicity by releasing neoantigens, while ICIs reinvigorate T-cell-mediated antitumor responses by blocking the PD-1/PD-L1 or CTLA-4 pathways.

Systematic evaluation of phenotypic variations induced by prophages in a clinical isolate of .

With the rise of antibiotic resistance, nosocomial infections caused by present a significant challenge to healthcare systems. Prophages integrated into bacterial chromosomes play a key role in generating phenotypic and genotypic diversity, influencing bacterial pathogenicity and complicating antimicrobial treatment strategies. Recent advances in high-throughput sequencing have facilitated the precise localization of prophages within bacterial genomes.

Transition metal-catalysed asymmetric umpolung reactions of electron-deficient π-unsaturated systems.

The umpolung reaction of electrophilic π-unsaturated compounds represents a powerful strategy to reverse inherent polarity, enabling unconventional bond formations. While organic σ-Lewis base catalysts are classically utilised, in this feature article, recent advances in the low valent transition metal-mediated asymmetric umpolung reactions of diverse electron-poor unsaturated systems, usually in a diene form, are reviewed, proceeding through either an oxidative cyclometallation or a π-Lewis base activation mechanism. The contents are organised according to transition metal categories, with emphasis on catalytic mechanisms, regio- and stereoselectivity control, and limitations.

Hydroaminoalkylation of 1,3-dienes by dual photoredox and nickel catalysis.

A dual nickel/photoredox catalyzed hydroaminoalkylation of 1,3-dienes is presented. In this atom-economic and energetic protocol, the bulk industrial raw material isoprene and its derivatives are employed as allylic electrophile surrogates, which undergo a coupling with photoredox-generated α-amino alkyl radical species to produce valuable homoallylic amines efficiently. Preliminary mechanism experiments support the intervention of Ni-hydride species that undergo diene insertion to form Ni-allyl intermediates.

Enlarged Data Sets and Innovative Applicability Domain Characterization Empower ML Models to Reliably Bridge hERG Binding Data Gaps in Diverse Chemicals.

Chemicals may cause cardiotoxicity by binding to the K channel encoded by the human -related gene (hERG). Given the ever-increasing number of chemicals, developing models to efficiently fill the hERG binding affinity data gap is more desirable than conducting time-consuming experimental tests. However, previous data sets with limited chemical space hindered the development of models with high prediction accuracy and broad applicability domains (ADs).

Unveiling the relationship between counterion size and spin crossover dynamics in hexadentate Schiff-base manganese(III) complexes.

Understanding the relationship between molecular packing/interaction and the spin crossover property is essential for advancing solid-state molecular memory devices. In this work, a series of hexadentate Schiff-base manganese(III) complexes ([Mn(4F-sal323)]X, X = ClO (1); X = AsF (2); X = PF (3); X = ReO (4) and X = NO (5)) were synthesized and characterized. Magnetic studies showed that complex 1 exhibited an abrupt spin transition at 90 K with a 10 K wide thermal hysteresis, while complexes 2-5 exhibited gradual and incomplete spin transition with no hysteresis.

Novel hollow carbon nanorings with biconcave structure for advanced potassium ion batteries.

Using g-CN nanorings as a self-sacrificial template and nitrogen source, and polydopamine as a carbon source, novel nitrogen-doped carbon nanorings (N-CNRs) with a hollow structure and biconcave morphology are created by a confined pyrolysis strategy, which can be used for enhanced potassium storage.

FSS in CTE triggers neuronal apoptosis through Piezo1-induced Ca homeostasis disruption.

The altered cerebrospinal fluid dynamics induced by strenuous competitive sports result in repeated exposure of neurons to abnormal fluid shear stress (FSS). Although the stress intensity did not result in diffuse axonal injury, prolonged stimulation still induced chronic traumatic encephalopathy (CTE), characterized by neuronal dysfunction and apoptosis. However, the mechanism underlying the effects of elevated FSS in axon-intact cells remains unclear.

The pyruvate dehydrogenase complex in concert with the DNA/RNA-binding protein YBX1 regulates cell senescence and tumorigenesis.

The activation of oncogenes is often accompanied by metabolic adaptations. The DNA/RNA-binding protein, Y-box binding protein 1 (YBX1), a well-known oncogene, is hyperactivated in nearly all cancer types. However, the metabolic hallmarks associated with YBX1 and the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood.

Enhancing humification and digestate maturity in high-solids anaerobic digestion of agricultural wastes using biochar.

The formation of humic substances in anaerobic digestion is limited by the absence of an oxidative condition, which is required for humification. Recent studies have found that the formation of humic substances in anaerobic environments may rely on non-covalent interactions such as hydrogen bonding, π-π stacking, and hydrophobic interaction, but these have not been confirmed yet. The role of adding biochar in humification and methane production in the anaerobic digestion was studied in this work.

Interlayer Sliding Induced Triferroic Coupling in 2D Bilayer NbSiN.

Interlayer sliding symmetry breaking presents a powerful technique for achieving intrinsic multiferroic coupling among magnetism, ferroelectricity, and valley polarization, thereby establishing a new paradigm for the design of multifunctional devices. First-principles calculations unveil multiferroic coupling in 2D NbSiN. The monolayer exhibits a ferromagnetic ground state, where valley polarization is tuned by magnetic moment reversal.

Triple-Enhanced Absorption Anisotropy in Arrayed Core-Shell Nanowire Design.

One-dimensional semiconductor nanowires (NWs) are natural polarization photodetectors, thanks to their optical absorption anisotropy and efficient electrical transport channels. However, ultrathin NWs beyond practical fabrication capabilities are often required to achieve the desired polarization sensitivity. Here, we demonstrate a configuration of planar arrayed core-shell NW architectures with substantially enhanced absorption dichroism for linearly polarized light.

Solid-Liquid Metal Single-Atom Clusters for Ultrafast Kinetics in Fast-Charging Na-Ion Batteries.

Na desolvation and diffusion rates are determining steps that restrict fast charging in sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). Although desolvation and diffusion rates can be improved by the optimization of the solid electrolyte interphase (SEI), no existing architecture has achieved simultaneous rapid ion transport across the bulk phase, interphase, and solvent phase while maintaining 100% initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE). Specifically, we report an atomic-level strategy derived from recyclable materials that uniformly coordinates diverse single-atom alloying reactions to enable the assembly of solid-liquid single-atom channels for rapid ion transport across multiphase systems.

Silanol Nest Engineering Facilitates Migration-Driven Trapping of Strong Lewis Acid Sites in Self-Pillared Zeolites.

Self-pillared pentasil (SPP) zeolites show great promise for sustainable catalysis but face challenges in stabilizing strong Lewis acid (L-acid) sites due to weak metal-surface interactions. This study develops an "energy-driven migration" strategy to construct confined Zr-Lewis acid sites through defect engineering of boron-containing SPP precursors. By combining controlled Zr grafting with subsequent nitric acid treatment, we achieved selective deboronation to generate tailored silanol nests, directing the migration of surface Zr species into framework-confined sites.

Microscale Flow Simulation of Resin in RTM Process for Optical Fiber-Embedded Composites.

By embedding optical fiber sensors into fiber preforms and utilizing liquid molding processes such as resin transfer molding (RTM), intelligent composite materials with self-sensing capabilities can be fabricated. In the liquid molding process of these intelligent composites, the quality of the final product is highly dependent on the resin flow and impregnation effects. The embedding of optical fibers can affect the microscopic flow and impregnation behavior of the resin; therefore, it is necessary to investigate the specific impact of optical fiber embedding on the resin flow and impregnation of fiber bundles.

Integration of Multi-Modal Biosensing Approaches for Depression: Current Status, Challenges, and Future Perspectives.

Depression represents one of the most prevalent mental health disorders globally, significantly impacting quality of life and posing substantial healthcare challenges. Traditional diagnostic methods rely on subjective assessments and clinical interviews, often leading to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and suboptimal outcomes. Recent advances in biosensing technologies offer promising avenues for objective depression assessment through detection of relevant biomarkers and physiological parameters.

An End-to-End Particle Gradation Detection Method for Earth-Rockfill Dams from Images Using an Enhanced YOLOv8-Seg Model.

Rockfill particle gradation significantly influences mechanical performance in earth-rockfill dam construction, yet on-site screening is often time-consuming, labor-intensive, and structurally invasive. This study proposes a rapid and non-destructive detection method using mobile-based photography and an end-to-end image segmentation approach. An enhanced YOLOv8-seg model with an integrated dual-attention mechanism was pre-trained on laboratory images to accurately segment densely stacked particles.

Contact Load Measurement and Validation for Tapered Rollers in Wind Turbine Main Bearing.

Addressing the need for contact load detection in wind turbine main bearings during service, a roller contact load measurement method is proposed. An analytical model characterizes the contact load-to-inner bore strain mapping relationship. To overcome the inherent low sensitivity of direct bore strain measurement, bore-to-measurement-point sensitivity analysis was optimized.

A Method for Evaluating the Performance of Main Bearings of TBM Based on Entropy Weight-Grey Correlation Degree.

The main bearing of a tunnel boring machine (TBM) is a critical component of the main driving system that enables continuous excavation, and its performance is crucial for ensuring the safe operation of the TBM. Currently, there are few testing technologies for TBM main bearings, and a comprehensive testing and evaluation system has yet to be established. This study presents an experimental investigation using a self-developed, full-scale TBM main bearing test bench.

Generalized Hierarchical Co-Saliency Learning for Label-Efficient Tracking.

Visual object tracking is one of the core techniques in human-centered artificial intelligence, which is very useful for human-machine interaction. State-of-the-art tracking methods have shown their robustness and accuracy on many challenges. However, a large amount of videos with precisely dense annotations are required for fully supervised training of their models.