Biomechanical evaluation of intelligent fluid-solid coupling vaginal dilatation system: Experimental and numerical analysis.

Objectives: Cervical cancer is a serious threat to women's life and health and has a high mortality rate. Colposcopy is an important method for early clinical cervical cancer screening, but the traditional vaginal dilator has problems such as discomfort in use and cumbersome operation. For this reason, this study aims to design an intelligent vaginal dilatation system to automate colposcopy and enhance patient comfort.

GSH and Halides Directed Controllable Synthesis of Chiral Gold Nanostars for Sensitive Diagnosis of Nephritis Types Using SERS and Transformer Neural Network.

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has shown potential for early disease diagnosis via urinary metabolomics, but still faces challenges in achieving stable hot spots and processing complex clinical data. In this study, the preparation of chiral gold nanostars with precisely controllable branch size, number, and sharpness was realized by investigating the effects of l-GSH and CTA ( indicates halides) on site occupancy, reduction rate, and selective adsorption on crystal facets. Raman spectroscopic characterization using rhodamine 6G (R6G) as a reporter molecule revealed that nanoparticles with fewer branches, larger branch bases, and smoother surfaces exhibited excellent SERS activity, with an analytical enhancement factor (AEF) of 5.

Synthesis, Crystal Analyses, and Chiroptical Properties of Coumarin-Containing Helicenes.

Four novel coumarin-containing arenes bearing a [5]/[6]helicene unit (, , , and ) have been readily synthesized and structurally verified by X-ray crystallographic analysis. The chiral resolution of molecules , , and has enabled a detailed investigation of their chiroptical properties and the kinetics of enantiomerization, manifesting that the [6]helicenes and exhibit a more enhanced chiroptical response compared to [5]helicene .

Effects of inoculation timing with lignocellulose-degrading compound microbial inoculum on green waste composting.

The timing of microbial inoculation is a decisive factor influencing both the efficiency and quality of green waste (GW) composting. This study evaluated the effects of applying a self-developed lignocellulose-degrading compound microbial inoculum at different composting phases (mesophilic, thermophilic, and cooling) compared to a commercial Effective Microorganisms agent. Thermophilic-phase inoculation (T2) was most effective by enhancing the complementary metabolic functions between strains, thus establishing an efficient lignocellulose degradation system.

Bioconversion of CO to methane energy by Methanococcus maripaludis in newly-designed bioreactor system: Kinetic characteristics, parameter optimization and grid-quality production.

Carbon dioxide enhanced oil recovery (CO-EOR) is widely used for carbon capture, utilization, and storage in Chinese oilfields, but part of injected CO returns with produced oil, reducing carbon-reduction efficiency. Bioconverting this CO to methane energy by methanogens benefits the technology, yet on-site high-efficiency conversion meeting natural-gas grid standards remains challenging. This study used a newly-designed triple-tank bioreactor to investigate CO-to-methane conversion and methanogenic kinetics of Methanococcus maripaludis.

Deciphering cellular heterogeneity: Breakthroughs and prospects of single-cell-level SERS analysis in precision medicine.

Single-cell surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) has emerged as a powerful tool for precision medicine owing to its label-free detection, ultrasensitivity, and unique molecular fingerprinting. Unlike conventional bulk analysis, it enables detailed characterization of cellular heterogeneity, with particular promise in circulating tumor cell (CTC) identification, tumor microenvironment (TME) metabolic profiling, subcellular imaging, and drug sensitivity assessment. Coupled with microfluidic droplet systems, SERS supports high-throughput single-cell analysis and multiparametric screening, while integration with complementary modalities such as fluorescence microscopy and mass spectrometry enhances temporal and spatial resolution for monitoring live cells.

Microgel-Crosslinked, thermo- and mechano- dual Responsive, Ketoprofen-Loaded hydrogels with high mechanical properties and rapid response.

Smart hydrogels have advanced rapidly in recent years. However, systems responsive to a single stimulus are typically triggered by specific cues, limiting their adaptability in complex and dynamic biological environments. To overcome this limitation, this study developed a dual-responsive hydrogel sensitive to both temperature and mechanical stress.

ALYREF stabilizes CREPT mRNA to accelerate the development of nasopharyngeal carcinoma through dependence on m5C modification.

Background: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a kind of tumor disease with high malignant degree. CREPT expression was elevated abnormally in multi-cancers. However, the role and regulatory mechanism of CREPT in NPC remains unknown.

Alstoniaschines A‒I, nine undescribed alkaloids from Alstonia scholaris and their potential medicinal effects on diabetic nephropathy.

Alstoniaschines A‒I (1‒9), nine previously alkaloids sharing five different skeletons were obtained from the leaves of Alstonia scholaris. The structures and absolute configurations were established by their extensive spectroscopic data analyses, including NMR, HRESIMS, X-ray crystallography data, and theoretical ECD calculations. Compounds 1, 2, 3, and 9 exerted significant protective effect against oxidative stress and inflammatory damage of podocytes induced by high glucose, manifesting as the increase of superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase, alongside the reductions of malondialdehyde, nitric oxide, lactate dehydrogenase.

Immune cells influence major depression through metabolites: A Mendelian randomization analysis of bidirectional causality and mediating effects.

Objective: Major depressive disorder (MDD) is among the most prevalent and debilitating mental health conditions worldwide. This study aims to investigate the bidirectional causal relationship between immune cells and MDD using Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis and determine whether metabolites mediate this relationship.

Methods: We compiled and analyzed whole-genome data for 731 immune cell traits, 1091 blood metabolites, 309 metabolic ratios, and disease data from 170,756 individuals with MDD and 329,443 controls.

Piezo1 promotes M1 macrophage polarization and impairs osteogenic differentiation in bone infection.

Background: Bone infection induces a strong inflammatory response and leads to impaired bone regeneration, in which macrophages sense mechanistic signals and modulate immune responses in the inflammatory microenvironment through Piezo1. Nonetheless, the regulatory role of Piezo1 in macrophages during bone infection remains elusive.

Methods: Rat models of infected bone defects were established for bulk RNA sequencing and single-cell RNA sequencing.

Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation alleviates radiation-induced brain injury in rats: involving the inhibition of ferroptosis.

Radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI) is a prevalent complication following radiotherapy for head and neck tumors, and its effective therapeutic strategies are lacking. Ferroptosis, an iron-dependent cell death, has recently emerged as an important mechanism of radiation-induced cell death. Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) is a noninvasive neuro-interventional technique with antioxidant and neuroprotective properties.

Effects of chicken manure-derived black soldier fly organic fertilizer on soil carbon and nitrogen cycling: insights from metagenomic and microbial network analysis.

Black soldier fly (BSF) organic fertilizer is known to enhance soil fertility and promote plant growth. However, its effects on soil carbon (C) and nitrogen (N) cycling remains unclear. In this study, we established a BSF chicken manure bioconversion system to produce BSF organic fertilizer and investigate its impacts on soil C and N cycling, as well as microbial ecological networks through metagenomic analysis.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics revealed the effects of Polygonatum Rhizoma polysaccharide on delaying C. elegans senescence and ameliorating Alzheimer's disease.

We explored the role of Polygonatum Rhizoma polysaccharide (PRP) in delaying aging and improving Alzheimer's disease (AD) and revealed its potential molecular mechanism. Through chemical characterizations to clarify the physicochemical properties of PRP, it was found that PRP mainly consists of mannose, glucose, galactose, and arabinose, with molecular weights ranging from 7.4 × 10 to 9.

vtRNA1-1 drives regorafenib resistance by sustaining cancer stemness via impaired autophagy and altered svRNA biogenesis.

While vault RNA1-1 (vtRNA1-1) has been implicated in tumor biology, its specific role in cancer stemness and regorafenib resistance remains unexplored. In this study, we identify vtRNA1-1 as a critical regulator of cancer stemness and chemoresistance in Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). vtRNA1-1 enhances stemness properties by modulating the nuclear accumulation of Nanog, a core transcription factor.

Profiling of Volatile Organic Compounds in Clinical Isolate Cultures and Stools from Children with Clostridioides difficile Infection by HS-SPME-GC-MS.

Bacterial volatile organic compounds (VOCs) have been investigated as non-invasive approaches for the diagnosis of infectious diseases. Here, we aimed to explore potential diagnostic markers by profiling VOCs in cultures of unique clinical Clostridioides difficile (C. difficile) isolates and stool samples from pediatric patients with C.

Phosphorus limitation induces membrane lipid remodeling in aquatic phytoplankton.

Phosphorus (P) is a critical limiting nutrient for phytoplankton growth in aquatic ecosystems. Under P-limitation, phytoplankton adapt by remodeling membrane lipids, replacing phospholipids (PLs) with non-P lipids such as sulfolipid sulfoquinovosyldiacylglycerol (SQDG) and betaine lipids (BLs). This mechanism is essential for reevaluating the relationship between phosphate (PO) concentrations and primary productivity.

Environmental investment and green innovation in polluting enterprises: Evidence from heavily polluting listed firms in China.

This study explores the impact of environmental investment on green innovation in heavily polluting enterprises using data from Chinese listed firms (2010-2022). Theoretical analysis based on the neoclassical growth model suggests that environmental investment fosters green innovation. Empirical results confirm this positive effect, although its strength varies with internal and external factors.

Dual-synergistic molybdenum disulfide and molybdenum carbide cocatalyst integrated with graphitic carbon nitride for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production.

Heterojunctions have garnered significant attention in the field of photocatalysis due to their exceptional ability to facilitate the separation of photogenerated charge carriers and their high efficiency in hydrogen reaction. However, their overall photocatalytic performance is often constrained by electron transport rates and suboptimal hydrogen adsorption/desorption kinetics. To address these challenges, this study develops a g-CN/MoS@MoC dual-effect synergistic solid-state Z-type heterojunction, synthesized through the in-situ sulfurization of MoC combined with ultrasonic self-assembly technique.

Metal organic frameworks derived Fe-CoF/MXene composites as efficient Electrocatalysts for the overall water splitting.

Transition metal fluorides because of the high electronegativity of fluorine may enhance the local electron density of the metal sites and promote water molecule dissociation and charge transfer. However, enhancing the intrinsic activity of fluorides to improve material stability remains a challenge. Herein, we develop an innovative four-step synthetic strategy (electrochemical deposition → co-precipitation → ligand exchange → in situ fluorination) to engineer three-dimensional porous Fe-doped CoF nanocubes vertically anchored on MXene (Fe-CoF/MXene/NF).

Rational design of Pt-integrated SnNbO/BiMoO monolayer S-scheme heterojunction for efficient ethylene removal toward fresh produce preservation.

Effective removal of ethylene (CH) during fruit and vegetables storage and transport remains a critical challenge for post-harvest preservation. Although S-scheme heterojunctions can improve charge separation and redox capacity for ethylene degradation, their efficiency is still restricted by limited carrier transfer and sluggish oxygen activation. Here, we rationally designed a novel 2D/2D SnNbO/BiMoO monolayer S-scheme heterojunction integrated with Pt co-catalyst to address these limitations.

Preparation, characterization, and antioxidant activity of bovine bone peptide-calcium chelate against oxidative stress-induced injury in Caco-2 cells.

In this study, bovine peptide‑calcium chelates (BBP-Ca) were prepared via enzymatic hydrolysis to generate peptides and fermentation to obtain soluble calcium ions, which were then chelated together. The structural characteristics of BBP-Ca were comprehensively analyzed using FTIR, SEM, and UV spectroscopy. Additionally, its antioxidant capacity was evaluated by examining its protective effects against oxidative stress-induced damage in Caco-2 cells.

Transcriptomics and metabolomics provide insights into the mechanisms of softening in Agaricus bisporus due to infestation by Trichoderma harzianum.

Postharvest softening of Agaricus bisporus (A. bisporus) is a major factor in its quality deterioration. However, the physiological changes involved in softening of A.

Tumor-associated neutrophils promote breast cancer progression via RLN2/RXFP1-C6orf99-STAT3 axis.

Tumor-associated neutrophils (TANs) play a critical role in breast cancer progression. This study demonstrated that high CD66b TANs infiltration correlated with poor disease-free survival (DFS) and promoted proliferation, migration, and invasion of breast cancer cells in vitro. Conversely, the immune-related long non-coding RNA C6orf99 was downregulated in breast cancer and associated with favorable DFS.

In-situ extrusion 3D printing with tea polyphenol crosslinking for Hyaluronic acid sodium salt -based composite hydrogel scaffolds.

High-performance hydrogel biomaterials hold considerable promise for advanced wound care. However, the suboptimal mechanical properties of conventional hydrogel materials limit their practical application. In this study, Hyaluronic acid sodium salt (HA), xanthan gum (XG), and N-acryloyl-glycinamide (NAGA) hydrogels with porous structures were successfully fabricated using in-situ extrusion 3D printing technology, and a functionalization strategy involving tea polyphenol (TP) immersion was proposed to enhance material properties through additional hydrogen bonding.