A solo-LTR insertion in the CreTPS3a promoter enhances γ -terpinene biosynthesis and affects consumer preference for tangerine-like aroma in citrus fruits.

Aroma differentiation is a key trait distinguishing citrus and other horticultural crops from staple crops. However, the mechanisms and sensory features by which distinctive and various citrus-like aroma in citrus remain poorly understood. In this study, we demonstrated that γ-terpinene determines tangerine-like aroma, affects consumer preference, and has pest-repellent properties.

Redefining agroecological zones in China to mitigate climate change impacts on maize production.

This study introduces Multi-Dimensional Environment (MDE) zoning to enhance maize resilience and improve stagnant yields in China amidst climate change. Utilizing comprehensive environmental and yield data, MDE zoning accurately identifies areas for targeted, climate-adaptive breeding. The tool provides a flexible framework for updates using annual variety testing and daily environmental data, optimizing production and resource allocation.

TOX-induced lnc-SUMF2-8 compromises antitumor function and anti-PD-1 response of CD8 T cells via lysosome-dependent degradation of TCF-1.

The reduction of TCF-1 during CD8 T cell exhaustion leads to attenuated antitumor activity and diminished responsiveness to immune checkpoint inhibitors. However, how TCF-1 is downregulated remains unclear. Here, we showed that during CD8 T cell exhaustion, lnc-SUMF2-8, induced by transcription factor TOX, can bind to cytosolic TCF-1, and direct it to the lysosome for degradation.

AAV-mediated delivery of a broadly neutralizing anti-flavivirus antibody protects against dengue and Zika viruses in a mouse model.

Flaviviruses contain many important human pathogens such as dengue virus (DENV) and Zika virus (ZIKV), for which effective and safe vaccines are still lacking, mainly because pre-existing cross-reactive non-neutralizing antibodies may exacerbate subsequent infections with related flaviviruses. To overcome this challenge, we explore Vectored ImmunoProphylaxis (VIP), which involves the passive transfer of protective antibody genes via viral vectors for in vivo expression. We utilized a recombinant adeno-associated virus (rAAV) to express a broad anti-flavivirus neutralizing human monoclonal antibody, bnAb 752-2C8, and tested its protection against four serotypes of DENV and ZIKV.

Complement C4b as a Key Mediator of Synaptic Loss and Cognitive Decline in Brain Aging.

Brain aging is a major risk factor for cognitive decline and neurodegenerative diseases, driven by synaptic loss, reduced synaptic function, and inflammation. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying these dysfunctions remain unclear. Here, we conducted comparative transcriptomic analyses of brain regions (cortex and hippocampus) and kidney tissues, a peripheral organ with documented age-related dysfunction.

Elesclomol-Copper combination synergistically targets mitochondrial metabolism in cancer stem cells to overcome chemoresistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is an aggressive cancer with poor prognosis, partly due to cancer stem cells (CSCs) that drive progression and treatment resistance. We explored the therapeutic potential of inducing cuproptosis, a copper-dependent regulated cell death, in CSC-enriched PDAC models. Using human and murine PDAC models, we evaluated elesclomol, a copper transport enhancer.

Chargeable Hydrogels with Dual Modulatory Effects of Bacterial Killing and Immune Remodeling toward Wound Healing.

Wound infections challenge clinical medicine, and developing novel therapies is critically important in overcoming antimicrobial resistance and an off-balanced immune microenvironment. Electrical stimulation as a biocompatible, easy-to-operate, and controllable technique has great potential in eradicating pathogens and modulating the immune system. However, safe and soft platforms that integrate both bactericidal and immunological modulatory effects of electrical stimulation are rarely reported.

Reduced phenological differences under nitrogen enrichment facilitate invasion by a late-growing plant.

Although invasion success is often attributed to the early phenology of the invader, many late-growing invaders also thrive in resource-enriched environments. However, the mechanism behind this paradox remains poorly understood. Here, we tested how nitrogen (N) enrichment influences competition between the late-growing invader Spartina alterniflora and the early-growing native Phragmites australis in a coastal salt marsh.

On the structural and practical identifiability of multi-echo BBB-ASL tracer kinetic models.

Purpose: Tracer kinetic models are used in arterial spin labeling (ASL); however, deciding which model parameters to fix or fit is not always trivial. The identifiability of the resultant system of equations is useful to consider, since it will likely impact parameter uncertainty. Here, we analyze the identifiability of two-compartment models used in multi-echo (ME) blood-brain-barrier (BBB)-ASL and evaluate the reliability of the fitted water-transfer rate ).

Ligand B-Factor Index: A Metric for Prioritizing Protein-Ligand Complexes in Docking.

Docking is a structure-based cheminformatics tool broadly employed in early drug discovery. Based on the tridimensional structure of the protein target, docking is used to predict the binding interactions between the protein and a ligand, estimate the corresponding binding affinity, or perform virtual screenings (VSs) to identify new active compounds. This study introduces the ligand B-factor index (LBI), a novel computational metric for prioritizing protein-ligand complexes for docking.

New alternatives in photoprotection: Preparation and evaluation of lamellar silicate derivatives and their use as sunscreens.

Objective: The objective of this work is to investigate different sunscreens and Viscogel group organoclays for the preparation of new intercalated sunscreens to improve the effectiveness and safety in photoprotection using new approach methodology (NAMs).

Methods: For this study, we examined Diethylamino hydroxybenzoyl hexyl benzoate (DHHB), octyl methoxycinnamate (OMC), Bemotrizinol (BEMT) and Viscogel S4®, S7®, and B8® using a set of Saccharomyces cerevisiae mutant strains that are sensitive to UVA, UVB and Solar Simulated Light (SSL) to evaluate their photoprotective and mutagenic potential. Additionally, we developed delaminated nanocomposites by chemical intercalation reactions followed by ultrasonic treatment to enhance clay exfoliation.

Alternating Magnetic Fields Remove Biofilms but Damage Cells on Implant Models Also with Negligible Bulk Heating.

Implant-associated infections caused by bacterial biofilms remain a major clinical challenge, with high morbidity, often necessitating prolonged antibiotic therapy or implant revision surgery. To address the need for noninvasive alternatives, we investigated the use of alternating magnetic fields (AMFs) as a localized treatment modality for eradicating biofilms on titanium implant model surfaces. We demonstrate that AMF exposure effectively removes biofilms and kills bacteria at moderately elevated temperatures on the implant.

Field Driven Solid-State Defect Control of Bilayer Switching Devices: Ionic Transport Kinetics within Layers and across the Interfaces.

Nanoionic devices, crucial for neuromorphic computing and ionically enabled functional actuators, are often kinetically limited. In bilayer configurations, experimentally deconvoluting ion transport within individual layers from the kinetics of transfer across solid-solid interfaces, however, remains a challenge, hindering rational device optimization. Here, we extend the dynamic current-voltage (-) technique to a PrCeO/LaCeCuO (PCO/LCCO) bilayer system, enabling the isolation and quantification of distinct ion transport processes.

Potent Inducers of Paraptosis through Electronic Tuning of Hemicyanine Electrophiles.

Paraptosis is a distinct form of programmed cell death characterized by cytoplasmic vacuolization, mitochondrial swelling, and endoplasmic reticulum (ER) dilation, offering an alternative to apoptosis for therapeutic applications. In this study, we identified a hemicyanine derivative that is a potent paraptosis inducer in two cancer cell lines. This compound triggers hallmark paraptotic features, including ER swelling, mitochondrial morphological changes, increased superoxide production, and caspase-independent cell death.

Asymmetrically Coordinated CoN Sites with Enhanced Oxidase-like Activity for Dual-Mode Colorimetric Sensing of Nitrite.

The design of efficient and user-friendly methods for nitrite detection is of great significance owing to its critical role in food safety and environmental protection. Herein, we report a novel cobalt single-atom nanozyme (CoN SA) featuring a highly asymmetric CoN coordination environment. This structural configuration stabilizes high-spin Co species and significantly enhances the oxidase-like activity.

A Reaction-Diffusion-Coupled Strategy for Ampere-Level Electrocatalytic Nitrate Reduction to Ammonia.

Ampere-level electrocatalytic nitrate reduction to ammonia (eNRA) offers a carbon-neutral alternative to the Haber-Bosch process. However, its energy efficiency is critically hampered by the inherent conflict between the reaction and diffusion. Herein, we propose a reaction-diffusion-coupled strategy implemented on a well-tailored CuCoNiRuPt high-entropy alloy aerogel (HEAA) to simultaneously realize energy barrier homogenization and accelerate mass transport, endowing ampere-level eNRA with a high energy efficiency.

Design, Synthesis, Insecticidal Activities, and Structure-Activity Relationship of Phenylpyrazole Derivatives Incorporating 1,2,4-Oxadiazole Moiety.

The ryanodine receptors (RyRs) represent an optimal target for insecticide development. To explore novel structures of RyRs agonists, a series of compounds containing 1,2,4-oxadiazole were designed and synthesized based on the RyRs structure. The compounds were confirmed by H and C nuclear magnetic resonance as well as high-resolution mass spectrometry.

Quantifying the Environmental and Food Biodiversity Impacts of Ultra-Processed Foods - Evidence from the EPIC Study.

Objective: While associations of ultra-processed food (UPF) consumption with adverse health outcomes are accruing, its environmental and food biodiversity impacts remain underexplored. This study examines associations between UPF consumption and dietary greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe), land use, and food biodiversity.

Design: Prospective cohort study.

Latest developments in small molecule analgesics: heterocyclic scaffolds II.

In this review, the primary aim is to examine non-azole ring systems that have analgesic activity and, where applicable, to establish structure - activity relationships (SARs) with the nine major pathways, prostaglandin synthesis inhibition, opioid receptor modulation, sodium channel blockade, enhancement of serotonin and norepinephrine levels, cannabinoid receptor (CBR) binding, N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor antagonism, transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1) antagonism, and P2X purinergic receptor blockade, have been described for pain relief. Analgesic effects have been observed in compounds containing ring systems such as piperidine, piperazine, pyridine, pyridazine, pyrazine, morpholine, thiomorpholine, pyran, thiopyran, indane, benzofuran, benzothiophene, quinoline, quinazoline, and chromene. These ring systems were classified in the whole study, first according to their molecular weights and then by bioisosteric similarity as same as first part.

Effective Computation of Coupling Force Constants: Metal Carbonyls as a Test Case.

An automated protocol enabling the efficient computation of unique potential coupling constants is presented. Several modern density functional (DFT) methods are tested against coupled cluster theory (CCSD(T)) in order to evaluate their quality in producing reliable compliance matrix off-diagonal elements. While force coupling constants could serve as descriptors of electron delocalization in general, we tested the ability of coupling compliance constants as descriptors of the Dewar-Chatt-Duncanson model in VCO, CrCO, MnCO, FeCO, NiCO, CuCO, FeCO and the isoelectronic hexacarbonyls of the 3d and 5d series from Ti to Co, and Hf to Ir, respectively.