Fast and efficient room-temperature phosphorescence from metal-free organic molecular liquids.

Liquid is the most flexible state of condensed matter and shows promise as a functional soft material. However, these same characteristics make it challenging to achieve efficient room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) from metal-free organic molecular liquids. Herein, we report efficient RTP from liquefied thienyl diketones bearing one or two dimethyloctylsilyl (DMOS) substituents.

Rapid and long-lasting antidepressant-like effects of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor antagonist PA-915 in chronic stress mouse models.

Stress-related disorders, such as depression and anxiety, have been one of the most important medical issues. Accumulating evidence suggests that the activation of the pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide and its receptor PAC1 are involved in the stress axis and the development of stress-related disorders. We recently developed PA-915, a small-molecule, non-peptide, high-affinity PAC1 antagonist, and demonstrated that it significantly suppresses anxiety-like behavior in acute stress-induced mice.

Multi-omics uncovers transcriptional programs of gut-resident memory CD4+ T cells in Crohn's disease.

Tissue-resident memory T cells (TRM) remain in nonlymphatic barrier tissues for extended periods and are deeply involved in immune memory at the site of inflammation. Here, we employed multilayered single-cell analytic approaches including chromatin, gene, and protein profiling to characterize a unique CD4+ TRM subset present in the inflamed gut mucosa of Crohn's disease patients. We identified two key transcription factors, RUNX2 and BHLHE40, as regulators of pathologically relevant CD4+ TRM.

CRISPR/Cas9-Mediated Knockouts of the ALG3 and GNTI in N. benthamiana and Their Application to Pharmaceutical Production.

N-Glycosylation critically influences the efficacy, safety and pharmacokinetic properties of biopharmaceuticals. Plant expression platforms offer multiple advantages for the production of N-glycosylated proteins, but their use is impeded by the presence of plant-specific N-glycan epitopes, which raise concerns of possible immunogenicity to humans. In this study, N-glycoengineered Nicotiana benthamiana plants that produce more homogeneous N-glycans without plant-specific epitopes were generated using multiplex CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing.

Timing of first pembrolizumab infusion and long-term outcomes in non-small cell lung cancer: A retrospective multicenter study.

Background: Circadian rhythms modulate immunity, and a preclinical study suggests that the timing of the first immune checkpoint inhibitor dose affects antitumor efficacy. However, clinical confirmation is scarce. We aimed to evaluate whether the timing of the first pembrolizumab infusion affects outcomes in unresectable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Observation of the crossover from quantum fluxoid to half-quantum fluxoid in a chiral superconducting device.

Topological superconductors are one of the intriguing material groups from the viewpoint of not only condensed matter physics but also industrial applications such as quantum computers based on Majorana fermion. For real applications, developments of thin-film topological superconductors are highly desirable. Bi/Ni bilayer is a possible candidate for thin-film chiral superconductors where the time-reversal symmetry is broken.

Microbial Intervention in the Soaking Step during Tempeh Preparation to Modulate B Vitamin Contents: A Metabolomics Approach.

B vitamins are integral in maintaining human health. Owing to its high B vitamin contents, tempeh serves as an excellent plant-based option to achieve an adequate intake of these nutrients through diet. In order to investigate the metabolomic profile of tempeh and modulate the contents of vitamins B and B in it, we employed microbial interventions using two species of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and various inoculum sizes in the soaking step during tempeh production.

Metabolite and Sensory Profiling of Microwave-Assisted and Ultrasonic-Assisted Alkalized Cocoa Powders.

Microwave (MA)- and ultrasonic-assisted (UA) alkalization were applied to cocoa powders for 5, 10, and 15 min to investigate their effects on metabolite composition, sensory profile, and consumer liking. Widely targeted gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) analysis showed alkalization altered metabolite profiles: Natural cocoa powders contained more amino acids, sugars, and flavonoids, while alkalized samples had elevated organic acids. Compared to conventionally alkalized (CA) samples, only UA15 showed a significant increase in 3,4-dihydroxybenzoic acid.

Function Provision to Fe-Porphyrin Complexes for CO Reduction.

CO reduction has recently attracted attention to address environmental and energy issues owing to its ability to convert greenhouse gases into valuable chemical fuels. Fe-porphyrin complexes ([Fe-(P)]-s) have been widely studied as catalysts for CO reduction owing to their high activity, selectivity, and robustness. In this perspective, [Fe-(P)]-s are classified in terms of our original concept, function provision, which serves to provide the function to approach key elements of the reaction.

Current Overview of Multi-omics Analyses in Microscopic Polyangiitis and Granulomatosis with Polyangiitis.

Anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody-associated vasculitis (AAV) is an autoimmune disease characterized by autoantibodies against neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens such as myeloperoxidase (MPO) and proteinase 3 (PR3). AAV affects small blood vessels, leading to systemic inflammation and multiorgan damage. Recent advances in multi-omics analyses, including genomics, epigenomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, have significantly improved our understanding of AAV complex pathophysiology.

Comparison of the number of peripapillary perforating scleral vessels between glaucomatous eyes and healthy eyes.

This study aimed to compare the number of peripapillary perforating scleral vessels (PPSVs) between eyes with and without glaucoma. A retrospective case-control analysis was performed on patients with glaucoma and control participants who underwent swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) at a single institution. The number of PPSVs around the optic disc was counted on deep-learning assisted en face SS-OCT images created from 6 × 6 mm peripapillary volumetric scans.

Engineered hemoproteins containing non-canonical cofactors toward artificial metalloenzymes.

Hemoproteins have emerged as versatile scaffolds for the construction of artificial metalloenzymes. Through directed evolution via random and/or site-saturation mutagenesis, these proteins can be repurposed to catalyze abiological transformations. Their catalytic scope can be further expanded by introducing non-canonical molecular components.

PAX6-dependent differentiation landscape of ocular surface epithelium via single-cell RNA sequencing in hiPSC-derived ocular developmental organoid.

During eye development, surface ectoderm cells that express PAX6 differentiate into corneal, limbal and conjunctival epithelia. However, several aspects of this differentiation process -- such as the developmental origin of the limbal epithelium and the mechanisms that underlie PAX6-mediated lineage specification -- are not properly understood. To explore these issues, we used single-cell RNA sequencing to study ocular surface epithelial cells derived from human induced pluripotent stem cells.

A Rutile-Based Homologous Series Na(PtO) Discovered by Computationally Assisted High-Pressure Synthesis.

Layered transition metal oxides typified by the Ruddlesden-Popper phase have been extensively studied for their applications in high-temperature superconductivity, catalysis, and battery technologies. Despite the remarkable structural diversity and catalytic functionality of platinum oxides, the exploration of layered polymorphs has remained significantly constrained, mainly due to the high inertness of platinum. Here, we discover a new homologous series of layered ternary oxides, Na(PtO), by a combination of highly oxidizing high-pressure methods and density functional theory (DFT) calculations.

Functional Differences Between SIRPα Splice Isoforms.

Signal regulatory protein (SIRP) α, an inhibitory receptor belonging to the immunoglobulin (Ig) superfamily is abundantly expressed in phagocytes such as macrophages. CD47, the ligand for SIRPα, is expressed in most healthy cells, and called "don't eat me" signal because it binds to SIRPα on the surface of macrophages and inhibits phagocytosis. SIRPα has multiple splice isoforms, but most functional analyses have been carried out using long SIRPα, the SIRPα isoform with three extracellular Ig domains.

Younger adult brain utilizes interhemispheric strategy via ipsilateral dorsal premotor cortex for fine control of dexterous finger movements, unlike the aging brain.

Introduction: This study investigated how healthy, right-handed younger adults utilize the typically suppressed ipsilateral sensorimotor cortices [particularly, the dorsal premotor cortex (PMd), primary motor cortex (M1), primary somatosensory cortex (S1), and superior parietal cortex of Area 2] to perform a dexterous finger motor task and its age-related changes.

Methods: Functional magnetic resonance imaging was used to measure brain activity in healthy, right-handed younger and older adults during a simple button-press task with the right index finger and a dexterous stick-rotation task involving fine control and coordination of individual right finger movements. The individual performance capacity in stick rotation (the personal trait of finger dexterity) was assessed outside the scanner.

Metabolic Engineering of the 5-Aminolevulinate Biosynthetic Pathway in E. coli Improves Efficiency of Hemoprotein-Based Biocatalysis.

Biocatalysis using heme-dependent enzymes provides a powerful synthetic platform to facilitate a variety of chemical transformations required for organic synthesis. Despite recent advances in biocatalysis, recombinant expression systems for hemoproteins leave much room for improvement due to the strict regulation of heme biosynthesis in the host organism. To develop an efficient cofactor supplementation system for the expression of active holohemoproteins, we describe metabolic engineering of the heme biosynthetic pathway in E.

APJ regulates the balance between self-renewal and differentiation of vascular endothelial stem cells.

Background: CD157 marks a population of tissue-resident vascular endothelial stem cells (VESCs) in mice known for their critical role in homeostatic endothelial cell (EC) turnover and the rapid response to vascular damage in the liver by regeneration. Nevertheless, the mechanism underlying the maintenance and differentiation of postnatal VESCs under both physiological and pathological conditions remains unclear.

Methods: APJ knockout (KO) mice were utilized to explore the role of apelin/APJ signaling in VESC functionality.

The crucial role of intercellular calcium wave propagation triggered by influenza A virus in promoting infection.

Background: Influenza A viruses (IAVs) initially infect a few host cells before spreading to neighboring cells. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying this dissemination remain unclear. We have previously demonstrated that intracellular Ca plays a crucial role in facilitating IAV infection.

Metabolites and nutritional variations of phenotypic diversity in Kopyor coconut (Cocos nucifera L. var. Kopyor).

Kopyor (Cocos nucifera L. var. Kopyor) is a distinct coconut variant resulting from a genetic mutation that alters the endosperm.

Structural Analysis and Molecular Dynamics Simulations of Urease From Ureaplasma parvum.

Ureaplasma is one of the smallest pathogenic bacteria, generating approximately 95% of its adenosine triphosphate (ATP) solely through urease. Studies on Ureaplasma parvum, a species of Ureaplasma, have confirmed that adding urease inhibitors inhibits bacterial growth. The K and V of the urease-mediated reaction were estimated to be 4.

Initial Response After Switching to Aflibercept 8 mg for Neovascular Age-Related Macular Degeneration.

: This study aimed to assess the initial anatomical and functional outcomes of switching to aflibercept 8 mg in patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) previously treated with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy. : Patients with nAMD previously treated with anti-VEGF drugs were switched to aflibercept 8 mg. Patients with any exudative changes (subretinal fluid [SRF], intraretinal fluid [IRF] or serous pigment epithelial detachment [sPED]) at the time of the first aflibercept 8 mg injection and whose dosing interval before and after switching did not differ by more than ±7 days were included.

Deciphering state-dependent immune features from multi-layer omics data at single-cell resolution.

Current molecular quantitative trait locus catalogs are mostly at bulk resolution and centered on Europeans. Here, we constructed an immune cell atlas with single-cell transcriptomics of >1.5 million peripheral blood mononuclear cells, host genetics, plasma proteomics and gut metagenomics from 235 Japanese persons, including patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) and healthy individuals.

A Conversational Robot for Cognitively Impaired Older People Who Live Alone: An Exploratory Feasibility Study.

Background: Social isolation and loneliness are significant risk factors for poor mental health in older adults, particularly those living alone with cognitive impairment. Socially assistive robots (SARs) offer a promising approach to enhance social connection and emotional well-being in this population. This study aimed to examine the feasibility, acceptability and potential psychosocial impact of a 16-week, home-based use of a conversational SAR in cognitively impaired older adults living alone.