Oxytocin modulates inhibitory balance in the prelimbic cortex to support social memory consolidation during REM sleep.

The prelimbic cortex (PrL), enriched with oxytocin (OXT) receptors, plays a critical role in memory consolidation. However, the role of OXT in social memory consolidation within the PrL microcircuit remains poorly understood. To examine the role of OXT signaling in social memory consolidation, we used OXT biosensors and loss-of-function approaches, including tetanus toxin-mediated silencing of OXT neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN), optogenetic inhibition of the PVN-PrL pathway during rapid-eye-movement (REM) sleep, and local administration of an OXT receptor antagonist in the PrL.

Interleukin-6: Molecular Mechanisms and Therapeutic Perspectives in Atrial Fibrillation.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a prevalent cardiac arrhythmia with a multifactorial pathophysiology involving electrical, structural, and autonomic remodeling of the atria. AF is closely associated with elevated interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels, which contribute to atrial remodeling and the progression of AF. This review summarizes the mechanisms by which IL-6 promotes AF through inflammatory pathways, atrial fibrosis, electrical remodeling, and calcium mishandling.

Metal-phenolic networks specifically eliminate hypoxic tumors by instigating oxidative and proteotoxic stresses.

Hypoxia, a prevalent characteristic of solid tumors, substantially impairs the efficacy of cancer treatments. However, there are no feasible clinical approaches for treating hypoxic tumors. Here, we develop metal-phenolic networks (CuGI) utilizing the natural glycolysis inhibitor (epigallocatechin gallate) and the essential metal element in the human body (copper ions), specifically targeting and annihilating hypoxic cancer cells.

An Implantable and Degradable Silk Sericin Protein Film Energy Harvester for Next-Generation Cardiovascular Electronic Devices.

Current cardiovascular implantable electronic devices (CIEDs) face a pressing clinical need for the development of battery-free, biodegradable, and biocompatible devices to mitigate the risk of adverse in vivo responses. To address this demand, it is proposed utilizing a natural biomaterial, silk sericin (SS), which exhibits valuable biological activities and contains abundant asymmetric amino acids with adjustable structures, to create an implantable self-powered system based on the piezoelectric principle. The functionalized SS-based (F-SS-based) piezoelectric film demonstrates a high longitudinal piezoelectric tensor (d) of 12 pC N.

Overexpression of hnRNPK and inhibition of cytoplasmic translocation ameliorate lipid disorder in doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy via PINK1/Parkin-mediated mitophagy.

Lipid metabolism has been identified as a potential target for the treatment of doxorubicin-induced cardiomyopathy (DIC). Mitochondria, as a central regulator of energy production and utilization, plays a crucial role in this process, and enhancing mitophagy holds promise in mitigating myocardial damage in DIC. However, the relationship between mitophagy and lipid metabolism remains unclear, and the key molecules mediating this connection remain to be elucidated.

[Clinical phenotyping of acute aortic dissection patients: a latent class analysis based on a multicenter retrospective cohort study].

To investigate the clinical subtypes of acute aortic dissection (AAD) through latent class analysis. This study was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. Patients with AAD admitted to five hospitals, including Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Central China Fuwai Hospital of Zhengzhou University (Fuwai Central China Cardiovascular Hospital), the Third Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University and the Second Affiliated Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, between August 2010 and December 2021 were enrolled.

Identifying critical riparian zones for eco-environmental management of the Yangtze River through pollution mapping.

Riparian zones, which are critical interfaces between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems, are essential for biodiversity, water quality, and landscape stability but are increasingly threatened by anthropogenic activities. The Yangtze River is the longest river in Asia, the riparian zones of which are highly affected by humans, however, they are less studied in terms of pollution change and distribution, which hinders efficient eco-environmental management. This study explored land use and nitrogen and phosphorus non-point source pollution variations in the middle and lower Yangtze River riparian zones from 1995 to 2015 and identified critical risky segments as management priorities.

Epigenetic regulation in coronary artery disease: from mechanisms to emerging therapies.

Atherosclerosis, the primary cause of coronary artery disease (CAD), remains a leading global cause of mortality. It is characterized by the accumulation of cholesterol-rich plaques and inflammation, which narrow the coronary arteries and increase the risk of rupture. To elucidate this complex biological process and improve therapeutic strategies, CAD has been extensively explored from an epigenetic perspective over the past two decades.

Emerging Role of Macrophage-Fibroblast Interactions in Cardiac Homeostasis and Remodeling.

As major noncardiomyocyte components in cardiac tissues, macrophages and fibroblasts play crucial roles in maintaining cardiac homeostasis, orchestrating reparative responses after cardiac injuries, facilitating adaptive cardiac remodeling, and contributing to adverse cardiac remodeling, owing to their inherent heterogeneity and plasticity. Recent advances in research methods have yielded novel insights into the intricate interactions between macrophages and fibroblasts in the cardiac context. This review aims to comprehensively examine the molecular mechanisms governing macrophage-fibroblast interactions in cardiac homeostasis and remodeling, emphasize recent advancements in the field, and offer an evaluation from a translational standpoint.

Proton-Conducting Hydrogen-Bonded Framework of a Cobalt(II) Single-Ion Magnet Sulfonate.

Diamagnetic metal sulfonates have been widely reported, while paramagnetic species are very rare, especially those that exhibit interesting magnetic and/or proton conduction properties. Herein, we report the synthesis, structure, magnetic, and proton-conducting properties of a hydrogen-bonded cobalt(II) organosulfonate complex. The coordination self-assembly of Co salts and 8-quinolinesulfonic acid ligands affords a mononuclear Co sulfonate featuring both coordinated and noncoordinated sulfonic acid O atoms and axial coordinated water molecules.

Monitoring Dynamic Changes of Cellular Membrane GSH During Stroke via an ESIPT-Based Near-Infrared Fluorescent Probe.

Stroke, primarily ischemic (85%), results from inadequate blood supply and is worsened by ferroptosis, characterized by free radical generation and lipid peroxidation. Monitoring ferroptosis is essential for understanding its mechanisms and developing treatments. Glutathione (GSH) is a key ferroptosis biomarker, but current probes are limited by short excitation/emission wavelengths, small Stokes shifts, and inability to monitor dynamic GSH changes at the cellular membrane, where ferroptosis plays a crucial role.

The effect of proteasome in heart transplantation: From mechanisms to therapeutic potential.

Heart transplantation is a critical treatment for end-stage heart failure. However, its clinical efficacy is hindered by some challenges, such as ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI) and post-transplant rejection. These complications significantly contribute to graft dysfunction and compromise patient survival.

O-GlcNAcylation attenuates ischemia-reperfusion-induced pulmonary epithelial cell ferroptosis via the Nrf2/G6PDH pathway.

Background: Lung ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is a common clinical pathology associated with high mortality. The pathophysiology of lung I/R injury involves ferroptosis and elevated protein O-GlcNAcylation levels, while the effect of O-GlcNAcylation on lung I/R injury remains unclear. This research aimed to explore the effect of O-GlcNAcylation on reducing ferroptosis in pulmonary epithelial cells caused by I/R.

A Case Study Identified a New Mutation in the Gene for Inherited Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy.

Background: Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) is the most common hereditary cardiomyopathy, with variable pathogenesis, clinical presentation, and prognosis. Although mutations in genes encoding sarcomere proteins have been reported to explain the genetic etiology of 40%-60% of HCM patients, the etiology of approximately 1/3 of HCM patients remains unknown. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) is an effective method for identifying the genes that cause genetic diseases.

Rapid synthesis of manganese dioxide nanoparticles for enhanced biocompatibility and theranostic applications.

Manganese dioxide (MnO), lauded for its biocompatibility and distinctive optical and physical characteristics, has become an indispensable material in the biomedical field, showing immense potential in disease detection, treatment, and prevention. Particularly, the ability of MnO nanoparticles to oxidize glutathione (GSH) to its oxidized form has positioned them as pivotal players in GSH sensing. However, conventional preparation methods, whether top-down or bottom-up, often result in nanoparticles that require multi-step processing and modification to achieve good dispersion in physiological conditions, which is both time-consuming and complex.

Super-strong hydrogel reinforced by an interconnected hollow microfiber network via regulating the water-cellulose-copolymer interplay.

The discontinuous fiber reinforced hydrogels are easy to fail due to the fracture of the fiber matrix during load-bearing. Here, we propose a novel strategy based on the synergistic reinforcement of interconnected natural fiber networks at multiple scales to fabricate hydrogels with extraordinary mechanical properties. Specifically, the P(AA-AM)/Cel (P(AA-AM), poly(acrylic acid-acrylamide); Cel, cellulose) hydrogel is synthesized by copolymerizing AA and AM on a substrate of paper with an interconnected hollow cellulose microfiber network.

Erianin alleviates autoimmune myocarditis by suppressing the M1 polarization of macrophages via the NF-κB/NLRP3 signaling pathway.

Background: Myocarditis tends to lead to a poor prognosis, but there are no satisfactory preventive or therapeutic strategies. Erianin, a natural benzene compound, has been found to have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects. However, the effects of erianin on myocarditis remain unclear.

Supramolecular Scale Hydrophilicity Regulation Enabling Efficient Dewatering and Assembly of Nanocellulose into Dense and Strong Bulk Materials as Sustainable Plastic Substitutes.

Cellulose nanofibers (CNFs) are ideal building blocks for creating lightweight and strong bulk structural materials due to their unique supramolecular structure and exceptional mechanical properties within the crystalline regions. However, assembling CNFs into dense bulk structural materials with customizable shape and functionalities remains a great challenge, hindering their practical applications. Here, the dewatering issue of aqueous CNF dispersions is addressed by regulating supramolecular scale hydrophilicity using lactic acid, combined with hot-press molding.

Preparation of sulfur-doped porous carbon from polyphenylene sulfide waste for photothermal conversion materials to achieve solar-driven water evaporation.

In recent years, solar-driven photothermal water evaporation technology for seawater desalination and wastewater treatment has developed rapidly, which is of great significance for addressing the issue of freshwater scarcity. However, due to the high costs associated with the manufacturing, maintenance, and operation of such devices, their application remains challenging in remote and resource-scarce regions. Due to its excellent light absorption capability in the near-infrared region, high hydrophilicity, and stable chemical properties, coupled with the low cost of recycling waste carbonized polyphenylene sulfide, this material is an excellent choice as a photothermal material for solar-driven water evaporation devices.

Preparation of Molecularly Imprinted Electrochemical Sensors and Analysis of the Doping of Epinephrine in Equine Blood.

In this paper, a novel molecularly imprinted polymer membrane modified glassy carbon electrode for electrochemical sensors (MIP-OH-MWCNTs-GCE) for epinephrine (EP) was successfully prepared by a gel-sol method using an optimized functional monomer oligosilsesquioxane-AlO sol-ITO composite sol (ITO-POSS-AlO). Hydroxylated multi-walled carbon nanotubes (OH-MWCNTs) were introduced during the modification of the electrodes, and the electrochemical behavior of EP on the molecularly imprinted electrochemical sensors was probed by the differential pulse velocity (DPV) method. The experimental conditions were optimized.

Compressible, anti-fatigue, extreme environment adaptable, and biocompatible supramolecular organohydrogel enabled by lignosulfonate triggered noncovalent network.

Achieving a synergy of biocompatibility and extreme environmental adaptability with excellent mechanical property remains challenging in the development of synthetic materials. Herein, a "bottom-up" solution-interface-induced self-assembly strategy is adopted to develop a compressible, anti-fatigue, extreme environment adaptable, biocompatible, and recyclable organohydrogel composed of chitosan-lignosulfonate-gelatin by constructing noncovalent bonded conjoined network. The ethylene glycol/water solvent induced lignosulfonate nanoparticles function as bridge in chitosan/gelation network, forming multiple interfacial interactions that can effectively dissipate energy.

A Smart Semi-Implantable Device Integrating Microchannel-Enhanced Sampling and Multiplex Biochemical Testing for Deep Wound Monitoring and Pathogen Identification.

Monitoring deep wounds is challenging but necessary for high-quality medical treatment. Current methodologies for deep wound monitoring are typically limited to indirect clinical symptoms or costly non-real-time imaging diagnosis. Herein, a smart system is proposed that enables in situ monitoring of deep wounds' status through a semi-implantable device composed of 2 seamlessly connected functional components: 1) the well-designed, microchannel-structured sampling needles that efficiently and conveniently collect samples from deep wound anatomical locations, and 2) the multiplex biochemical testing compartment that facilitates the immediate and persistent detection of multiple biochemical indicators based on a color image processing software accessible to a conventional smartphone.

Targeting Metabolic Adaptation of Colorectal Cancer with Vanadium-Doped Nanosystem to Enhance Chemotherapy and Immunotherapy.

The anti-tumor efficacy of current pharmacotherapy is severely hampered due to the adaptive evolution of tumors, urgently needing effective therapeutic strategies capable of breaking such adaptability. Metabolic reprogramming, as an adaptive survival mechanism, is closely related to therapy resistance of tumors. Colorectal cancer (CRC) cells exhibit a high energy dependency that is sustained by an adaptive metabolic conversion between glucose and glutamine, helping tumor cells to withstand nutrient-deficient microenvironments and various treatments.

The role of tumor types in immune-related adverse events.

Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) are monoclonal antibodies that block inhibitors of T cell activation and function. With the widespread use of ICIs in cancer therapy, immune-related adverse events (irAEs) have gradually emerged as urgent clinical issues. Tumors not only exhibit high heterogeneity, and their response to ICIs varies, with "hot" tumors showing better anti-tumor effects but also a higher susceptibility to irAEs.

Thymic stromal lymphopoietin modulates T cell response and improves cardiac repair post-myocardial infarction.

Background: The inflammatory response is associated with cardiac repair and ventricular remodeling after myocardial infarction (MI). The key inflammation regulatory factor thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP) plays a critical role in various diseases. However, its role in cardiac repair after MI remains uncertain.