Unveiling the binding details of berberine mid-chain fatty acid salts on lysozyme: Multi-spectroscopy and molecular docking.

The interactions of three berberine mid-chain fatty acid salts ([BBR][C], n = 6, 7, 8) with lysozyme (Lyz) are investigated in detail using multi-spectroscopic and molecular docking techniques. Steady-state fluorescence and UV-visible absorption experiments suggest that the binding mechanism of [BBR][C] on Lyz is a static quenching with a binding ratio of 1:1. The compound [BBR][C] exhibits a moderate binding affinity toward Lyz.

Viscosity-sensitive fluorescent probes based on the hemicyanine for the organelle-specific visualization during autophagy and ferroptosis.

The dynamic monitoring of cell death processes remains a significant challenge due to the scarcity of highly sensitive molecular tools. In this study, two hemicyanine-based probes (5a-5b) with D-π-A structures were developed for organelle-specific viscosity monitoring. Both probes exhibited correlation with the Förster-Hoffmann viscosity-dependent relationship (R > 0.

Resolve and regulate: Alum nanoplatform coordinating STING availability and agonist delivery for enhanced anti-tumor immunotherapy.

The stimulator of interferon genes (STING) pathway represents a promising target in cancer immunotherapy. However, the clinical translation of cyclic dinucleotide (CDN)-based STING agonists remains hindered by insufficient formation of functional CDN-STING complexes. This critical bottleneck arises from two interdependent barriers: inefficient cytosolic CDN delivery and tumor-specific STING silencing via DNA methyltransferase-mediated promoter hypermethylation.

Asymmetric Fe-O-Ni Pair Sites in Two-Step Dealloyed Prussian Blue Analogue Nanocubes Enrich Linear-Adsorbed Intermediates for Efficient Oxygen Evolution.

Ni-Fe (oxy)hydroxides are among the most active oxygen evolution reaction (OER) catalysts in alkaline media. However, achieving precise control over local asymmetric Fe-O-Ni active sites in Ni-Fe oxyhydroxides for key oxygenated intermediates' adsorption steric configuration regulation of the OER is still challenging. Herein, we report a two-step dealloying strategy to fabricate asymmetric Fe-O-Ni pair sites in the shell of NiOOH@FeOOH/NiOOH heterostructures from NiFe Prussian blue analogue (PBA) nanocubes, involving anion exchange and structure reconstruction.

Photofunctionalization of Light Alkanes by FeO/BCN at 12 °C.

The activation of methane and other gaseous hydrocarbons at low temperature remains a substantial challenge for the chemistry community. Here, we report an anaerobic photosystem based on crystalline borocarbonitride (BCN) supported Fe-O nanoclusters, which can selectively functionalize C-H bonds of methane, ethane, and higher alkanes to value-added organic chemicals at 12 °C. Scanning transmission electron microscopy and X-ray absorption spectroscopy corroborated the ultrafine FeOOH and FeO species in Fe-O clusters, which enhanced the interfacial charge transfer/separation of BCN as well as the chemisorption of methane.

20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 Inhibits Neuroinflammation Induced by Cerebral Ischemia/Reperfusion Injury by Regulating the Toll-Like Receptor 4/Myeloid Differentiation Factor-88/Nuclear Factor Kappa B Signaling Pathway.

20(R)-ginsenoside Rg3 can reduce the effects of oxidative stress and cell death in cerebral ischemia‒reperfusion injury (CIRI). Neuroinflammation is crucial post-CIRI, but how 20(R)-Rg3 affects ischemia‒reperfusion-induced neuroinflammation is unclear. To study 20(R)-Rg3's effects on neuroinflammation and neuronal preservation in stroke models and explore toll-like receptor 4/myeloid differentiation factor-88/nuclear factor kappa B (TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB) pathway mechanisms.

Umbelliferone Alleviates Sleep Deprivation Induced Cognitive Impairment through the Modulation of Gut Microbiota.

Sleep deprivation (SD) is a major contributor to cognitive impairment, often accompanied by central neuroinflammation and gut microbiota dysbiosis. The tryptophan (TRP) pathway, activated via indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO), serves as a critical link between immune activation and neuronal damage. Umbelliferone (UMB), a naturally occurring coumarin compound, possesses anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and microbiota-modulating properties.

Bidirectional Modulation of α-Glucosidase by Steroidal Saponins From Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium: Inhibitory and Activating Effects Align With the Yin-Yang Balance Theory.

Three new steroidal saponins, kingianoside L-N (1-3), whose structures were elucidated through comprehensive spectroscopic analysis, and 15 known compounds (4-18) were isolated from Polygonatum kingianum var. grandifolium, a source of the traditional antihyperglycemic medicine Polygonati rhizome. The effects of compounds 1-13 on α-glucosidase activity were evaluated in vitro.

Design, Synthesis, and Antimicrobial Evaluation of Novel Thiazolyl-Based Compounds Incorporating Bioactive Amide and Hydrazide Groups.

In recent years, the hydrazide skeleton, as a pivotal class of nitrogen-containing structures, has garnered considerable attention in medicinal chemistry and organic synthesis owing to its unique chemical versatility and broad-spectrum biological activities. In this study, a series of thiazole-containing benzoylhydrazine derivatives -, -, and - with structural divergence from conventional hydrazide-based molecular frameworks were designed, synthesized, and evaluated for their antifungal/antioomycete activities. The antifungal/antioomycete assay showed that some of the targeted compounds exhibited remarkable and broad-spectrum antifungal activities.

The Essence of Nature Can be the Simplest (6)-Lifespan: Determined by Extracellular Fenton Chemistry.

Understanding the determinants of lifespan is a central objective in biology. Lifespan is shaped by dynamic, stage-specific changes in metabolism, energy allocation, and genome integrity. Heart rate serves as a physiological marker that reflects both life stage and metabolic state.

ANASFV: a workflow for African swine fever virus whole-genome analysis.

African swine fever virus (ASFV) is highly transmissible and can cause up to 100% mortality in pigs. The virus has spread across most regions of Asia and Europe, resulting in the deaths of millions of pigs. A deep understanding of the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of ASFV is necessary to effectively manage outbreaks.

Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Pathway Targeting Androgenetic Alopecia: How Far Can We Go Beyond Minoxidil and Finasteride?

The prevalence of AGA is continuously rising, with an earlier age of onset. Currently, only minoxidil and finasteride have received FDA approval for the treatment of AGA, inadequately addressing the pressing clinical needs. Recently, the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway in AGA has attracted increased research interest.

Convergent Paired Electrolysis Enables Electrochemical Halogen-Atom Transfer-Mediated Alkyl Radical Cross-Coupling.

The direct cross-coupling of unactivated alkyl halides with aryl or heteroaryl partners remains a fundamental challenge in synthetic chemistry due to their inertness and propensity for side reactions. Herein, we report a transition-metal-free electrochemical halogen-atom transfer strategy that enables efficient alkyl radical cross-coupling via convergent paired electrolysis. In this system, anodically generated α-aminoalkyl radicals mediate the activation of alkyl iodides, while aryl/heteroaryl aldehydes or nitriles undergo cathodic reduction to afford persistent ketyl radical anions or aryl radical anions.

Electrochemical Trifluoromethylation/1,5-HAT Reaction of -Cyanamide Alkenes: Synthesis of Trifluoromethylated Cyclic Amidines and -Acryloylpyrrolidin-2-one Derivatives.

The electrochemical trifluoromethylation/1,5-HAT of -cyanamide alkenes with CFSONa has been achieved to construct trifluoromethylated cyclic amidines and -acryloylpyrrolidin-2-one derivatives. This transformation was performed with readily available starting materials under mild conditions and required neither oxidants nor transition metal catalysts, exhibiting high atom economy.

Unveiling additive effects on molecular packing and charge transfer in organic solar cells: an AIMD and DFT study.

Additive assisted strategies play a crucial role in optimizing the morphology and improving the performance of organic solar cells (OSCs), yet the molecular-level mechanisms remain unclear. Here, we employ molecular dynamics (AIMD) and density functional theory (DFT) to elucidate the influence of typical additives of 1,8-diiodooctane (DIO) and 3,5-dichlorobromobenzene (DCBB) on molecular packing, electronic structures, and charge transport. It can be observed that both additives can enhance the stacking properties of the donor and acceptor materials, yet they have different effects on the local electrostatic environment.

1p-Enh-regulated CYP4B1 alleviates NNK-induced heart failure and lung cancer via the STAT3 pathway.

Heart failure (HF) and lung cancer (LC) often coexist, yet their shared molecular mechanisms are unclear. We analyzed transcriptome data from the NCBI Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database (GSE141910, GSE57338) to identify 346 HF‑related differentially expressed genes (DEGs), then combined weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) pinpointed 70 hub candidates. Further screening of these 70 hub candidates in TCGA lung cancer cohorts via LASSO, Random Forest, and multivariate Cox regression suggested CYP4B1 as the only independent prognostic marker.

Multi-sphere Cascade DNA Reaction Amplified "On-Super On-Off" PEC Sensor for Sensitive Detection of Pax-5a Gene.

Pax-5a gene, as a nucleic acid biomarker closely associated with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL), holds significant potential for early disease diagnosis. In this study, we developed a highly accurate and efficient "on-super on-off" photoelectrochemical (PEC) biosensor based on a dual-photoelectrode heterojunction system integrated with a multisphere cascade DNA amplification strategy. The designed heterojunction dual-photoelectrode platform, comprising a InO/CdS photoanode (on state) and an in situ-formed MIL-68(In)/InO (MIO) photocathode, effectively extends the electron-hole transport pathway, enhances photogenerated charge separation, and produces high-amplitude signal output (super on state), thereby providing a robust baseline for signal transduction.

sp. nov., a novel halotolerant, flexirubin-type pigment-producing bacterium of the family .

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated 14752, was isolated from a saline lake in Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, China. The strain was subjected to a taxonomic study using a polyphasic approach. Strain 14752 was able to grow at 4-40 ℃ (optimum 28 ℃), pH 6.

Molecular engineering for bitterness masking of natural products: from decoding structure-taste relationships to structure-driven bitterness suppression.

Natural products have emerged as a vital source of active ingredients in medicine, food, and cosmetics due to their unique biological activities, safety profiles, and sustainability. However, most bioactive compounds in natural products are intensely bitter, limiting their use in pharmaceuticals and foods. The bitter taste attributes vary markedly among different compound classes, predominantly due to their structural characteristics.

Strategic Design of Aptamer-Guided Aggregation-Induced Emission Nanoparticles for Targeted Photodynamic Therapy in Breast Cancer.

Breast cancer (BC), characterized by its heterogeneity and diverse subtypes, necessitates personalized treatment strategies. This study presents MF3Ec-TBPP nanoparticles (NPs) as a promising approach, integrating an aggregation-induced emission (AIE)-based photosensitizer, TBPP, with the MF3Ec aptamer to enhance targeted photodynamic therapy (PDT) for Luminal A subtype BC cells. The nanoparticles also feature a 1, 2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-poly(ethylene glycol) shell and dipalmitoyl phosphatidylcholine (DPPC), which stabilize the structure and inhibit singlet oxygen generation, effectively reducing off-target effects and protecting healthy tissues.

Preparation, Characterization and Drug Release Properties of 5-(p-Carboxyphenoxy) valeric Anhydride Microspheres Loaded with Nimodipine.

Nimodipine (NMP), a poorly water-soluble small-molecule agent, demonstrates notable therapeutic limitations in addressing cerebral vasospasm secondary to subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Owing to its inherent physicochemical properties characterized by low oral bioavailability, rapid elimination half-life, and extensive first-pass metabolism, conventional formulations necessitate frequent dosing regimens to sustain therapeutic plasma concentrations. These pharmacological challenges collectively result in suboptimal patient adherence, marked plasma concentration fluctuations, and recurrent vascular irritation.

Ultrasmall MoC-MoO Heterojunction Coupled with Nitrogen-Doped Reduced Graphene for Boosting the Deep Oxidative Desulfurization of Fuel Oils.

In this study, a MoC-MoO@NCrGO-900 composite catalyst comprising two-dimensional nitrogen-doped reduced graphene oxide (NCrGO) and ultrasmall molybdenum carbide-molybdenum dioxide (MoC-MoO) heterojunctions was synthesized. The optimized catalyst exhibited an outstanding oxidative desulfurization (ODS) performance. Specifically, a model oil containing 4000 ppm sulfur was completely desulfurized within 30 min, with a desulfurization efficiency of 98.

Nanoimprinting Pattern on Responsive Microwrinkles for Dynamic Optical Diffraction and Reflection.

Dynamic micro/nano-structured surfaces play pivotal roles in biological systems and engineering applications. Despite considerable progress has been made in fabricating precisely ordered architectures, achieving controlled motion in top-down fabricated structures remain a formidable challenge. Here, we introduce an advanced dynamic micron-nano optical platform featuring hierarchical microscale wrinkles integrated with ordered nanoscale arrays.

Effect of knee joint position on soleus muscle function during isokinetic plantarflexion.

Purpose: Contribution of the gastrocnemii muscles to ankle moment is influenced by the knee joint position because they span the knee and the ankle joint as well. However, limited information is available on the effect of knee joint position on soleus activation under dynamic plantarflexion, hence the aim of this study was to investigate if soleus have a compensatory strategy in fascicle behavior or EMG activity during knee flexed plantarflexion in order to reduce the magnitude of the decrement in ankle moment.

Equipment And Methods: Isokinetic dynamometry with EMG and ultrasound measurements was used to estimate medial gastrocnemius and soleus behavior during knee flexed and extended plantarflexions using three angular velocities.

YOLOv12 Algorithm-Aided Detection and Classification of Lateral Malleolar Avulsion Fracture and Subfibular Ossicle Based on CT Images: A Multicenter Study.

Background: Lateral malleolar avulsion fracture (LMAF) and subfibular ossicle (SFO) are distinct entities that both present as small bone fragments near the lateral malleolus on imaging, yet require different treatment strategies. Clinical and radiological differentiation is challenging, which can impede timely and precise management. On imaging, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is the diagnostic gold standard for differentiating LMAF from SFO, whereas radiological differentiation on computed tomography (CT) alone is challenging in routine practice.