Reverse Separation of Carbon Dioxide and Acetylene in Two Isostructural Copper Pyridine-Carboxylate Frameworks

Separating acetylene from carbon dioxide is important but highly challenging due to their similar molecular shapes and physical properties. Adsorptive separation of carbon dioxide from acetylene can directly produce pure acetylene but is hardly realized because of relatively polarizable acetylene binds more strongly. Here, we reverse the CO2 and C2H2 separation by adjusting the pore structures in two isoreticular ultramicroporous metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). Under ambient conditions, copper isonicotinate (Cu(ina)2), with relatively large pore channels shows C2H2-selective adsorption with a C2H2/CO2 selectivity of 3.4, whereas its smaller-pore analogue, copper quinoline-5-carboxylate (Cu(Qc)2) shows an inverse CO2/C2H2 selectivity of 5.6. Cu(Qc)2 shows compact pore space that well matches the optimal orientation of CO2 but is not compatible for C2H2. Neutron powder diffraction experiments confirmed that CO2 molecules adopt preferential orientation along the pore channels during adsorption binding, whereas C2H2 molecules bind in an opposite fashion with distorted configurations due to their opposite quadrupole moments. Dynamic breakthrough experiments have validated the separation performance of Cu(Qc)2 for CO2/C2H2 separation.

Antidepressant potential of total flavonoids from Astragalus in a chronic stress mouse model: Implications for myelination and Wnt/β-catenin/Olig2/Sox10 signaling axis modulation

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE

Radix Astragali, a versatile traditional Chinese medicinal herb, has a rich history dating back to "Sheng Nong's herbal classic". It has been employed in clinical practice to address various ailments, including depression. One of its primary active components, total flavonoids from Astragalus (TFA), remains unexplored in terms of its potential antidepressant properties. This study delves into the antidepressant effects of TFA using a mouse model subjected to chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS).

AIMS OF THE STUDY

The study aimed to scrutinize how TFA influenced depressive behaviors, corticosterone and glutamate levels in the hippocampus, as well as myelin-related protein expression in CUMS mice. Additionally, it sought to explore the involvement of the Wnt/β-catenin/Olig2/Sox10 signaling axis as a potential antidepressant mechanism of TFA.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Male C57BL/6 mice were subjected to CUMS to induce depressive behaviors. TFA were orally administered at two different doses (50 mg/kg and 100 mg/kg). A battery of behavioral tests, biochemical analyses, immunohistochemistry, UPLC-MS/MS, real-time PCR, and Western blotting were employed to evaluate the antidepressant potential of TFA. The role of the Wnt/β-catenin/Olig2/Sox10 signaling axis in the antidepressant mechanism of TFA was validated through MO3.13 cells.

RESULTS

TFA administration significantly alleviated depressive behaviors in CUMS mice, as evidenced by improved sucrose preference, reduced immobility in tail suspension and forced swimming tests, and increased locomotor activity in the open field test. Moreover, TFA effectively reduced hippocampal corticosterone and glutamate levels and promoted myelin formation in the hippocampus of CUMS mice. Then, TFA increased Olig2 and Sox10 expression while inhibiting the Wnt/β-catenin pathway in the hippocampus of CUMS mice. Finally, we further confirmed the role of TFA in promoting myelin regeneration through the Wnt/β-catenin/Olig2/Sox10 signaling axis in MO3.13 cells.

CONCLUSIONS

TFA exhibited promising antidepressant effects in the CUMS mouse model, facilitated by the restoration of myelin sheaths and regulation of corticosterone, glutamate, Olig2, Sox10, and the Wnt/β-catenin pathway. This research provides valuable insights into the potential therapeutic application of TFA in treating depression, although further investigations are required to fully elucidate the underlying molecular mechanisms and clinical relevance.

A chromosome-level genome assembly of an avivorous bat species (Nyctalus aviator)

Currently, three carnivorous bat species, namely Ia io, Nyctalus lasiopterus, and Nyctalus aviator, are known to actively prey on seasonal migratory birds (hereinafter referred to as "avivorous bats"). However, the absence of reference genomes impedes a thorough comprehension of the molecular adaptations of avivorous bat species. Herein, we present the high-quality chromosome-scale reference genome of N. aviator based on PacBio subreads, DNBSEQ short-reads and Hi-C sequencing data. The genome assembly size of N. aviator is 1.77 Gb, with a scaffold N50 of 102 Mb, of which 99.8% assembly was anchored into 21 pseudo-chromosomes. After masking 635.1 Mb repetitive sequences, a total of 19,412 protein-coding genes were identified, of which 99.3% were functionally annotated. The genome assembly and gene prediction reached 96.1% and 96.1% completeness of Benchmarking Universal Single-Copy Orthologs (BUSCO), respectively. This chromosome-level reference genome of N. aviator fills a gap in the existing information on the genomes of carnivorous bats, especially avivorous ones, and will be valuable for mechanism of adaptations to dietary niche expansion in bat species.

Disruption of Transmembrane Phosphatidylserine Asymmetry by HIV-1 Incorporated SERINC5 Is Not Responsible for Virus Restriction

Host restriction factor SERINC5 (SER5) incorporates into the HIV-1 membrane and inhibits infectivity by a poorly understood mechanism. Recently, SER5 was found to exhibit scramblase-like activity leading to the externalization of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the viral surface, which has been proposed to be responsible for SER5's antiviral activity. This and other reports that document modulation of HIV-1 infectivity by viral lipid composition prompted us to investigate the role of PS in regulating SER5-mediated HIV-1 restriction. First, we show that the level of SER5 incorporation into virions correlates with an increase in PS levels in the outer leaflet of the viral membrane. We developed an assay to estimate the PS distribution across the viral membrane and found that SER5, but not SER2, which lacks antiviral activity, abrogates PS asymmetry by externalizing this lipid. Second, SER5 incorporation diminished the infectivity of pseudoviruses produced from cells lacking a flippase subunit CDC50a and, therefore, exhibited a higher baseline level of surface-accessible PS. Finally, exogenous manipulation of the viral PS levels utilizing methyl-alpha-cyclodextrin revealed a lack of correlation between external PS and virion infectivity. Taken together, our study implies that the increased PS exposure to SER5-containing virions itself is not directly linked to HIV-1 restriction.

Quercetin ameliorates ulcerative colitis by restoring the balance of M2/M1 and repairing the intestinal barrier via downregulating cGAS‒STING pathway

Macrophage polarization is closely associated with the pathogenesis of ulcerative colitis (UC). Quercetin, a flavonoid, has shown promise as a treatment for inflammatory diseases, but its specific mechanism of action remains unclear. This study investigates whether quercetin can regulate intestinal macrophage polarization and promote intestinal tissue repair via the cGAS-STING pathway for the treatment of UC. In vivo, mice with 3% DSS-induced UC were intraperitoneally injected with quercetin and RU.521 for 7 days, following which their general conditions and corresponding therapeutic effects were assessed. The impact of interferon-stimulated DNA (ISD) and quercetin on macrophage polarization and the cGAS-STING pathway was investigated using RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) in vitro. The results demonstrated that ISD induced M1 macrophage polarization and activated the cGAS-STING pathway in vitro, while quercetin reversed ISD's inflammatory effects. In vivo, quercetin suppressed the cGAS-STING pathway in the intestinal macrophages of DSS-induced UC mice, which reduced M1 macrophage polarization, increased M2 polarization, and facilitated intestinal barrier repair in UC. Taken together, these findings provide new insights into the mechanisms via which quercetin could be used to treat UC.

Transcriptomics Reveals Effect of Pulsatilla Decoction Butanol Extract in Alleviating Vulvovaginal Candidiasis by Inhibiting Neutrophil Chemotaxis and Activation via TLR4 Signaling

The Pulsatilla decoction is a well-known herbal remedy used in clinical settings for treating vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC). However, the specific mechanism that makes it effective is still unclear. Recent studies have shown that in cases of VVC, neutrophils recruited to the vagina, influenced by heparan sulfate (HS), do not successfully engulf Candida albicans (C. albicans). Instead, they release many inflammatory factors that cause damage to the vaginal mucosa. This study aims to understand the molecular mechanism by which the n-butanol extract of Pulsatilla decoction (BEPD) treats VVC through transcriptomics. High-performance liquid chromatography was used to identify the primary active components of BEPD. A VVC mouse model was induced using an estrogen-dependent method and the mice were treated daily with BEPD (20 mg/kg, 40 mg/kg, and 80 mg/kg) for seven days. The vaginal lavage fluid of the mice was analyzed for various experimental indices, including fungal morphology, fungal burden, degree of neutrophil infiltration, and cytokines. Various assessments were then performed on mouse vaginal tissues, including pathological assessment, immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, Western blot (WB), quantitative real-time PCR, and transcriptome assays. Our results showed that BEPD reduced vaginal redness and swelling, decreased white discharge, inhibited C. albicans hyphae formation, reduced neutrophil infiltration and fungal burden, and attenuated vaginal tissue damage compared with the VVC model group. The high-dose BEPD group even restored the damaged vaginal tissue to normal levels. The medium- and high-dose groups of BEPD also significantly reduced the levels of IL-1β, IL-6, TNF-α, and LDH. Additionally, transcriptomic results showed that BEPD regulated several chemokine (CXCL1, CXCL3, and CXCL5) and S100 alarmin (S100A8 and S100A9) genes, suggesting that BEPD may treat VVC by affecting chemokine- and alarmin-mediated neutrophil chemotaxis. Finally, we verified that BEPD protects the vaginal mucosa of VVC mice by inhibiting neutrophil recruitment and chemotaxis in an animal model of VVC via the TLR4/MyD88/NF-κB pathway. This study provides further evidence to elucidate the mechanism of BEPD treatment of VVC.

Tetracyclic homoisoflavanoid (+)-brazilin: a natural product inhibits c-di-AMP-producing enzyme and Streptococcus mutans biofilms

The tenacious biofilms formed by Streptococcus mutans are resistant to conventional antibiotics and current treatments. There is a growing need for novel therapeutics that selectively inhibit S. mutans biofilms while preserving the normal oral microenvironment. Previous studies have shown that increased levels of cyclic di-AMP, an important secondary messenger synthesized by diadenylate cyclase (DAC), favored biofilm formation in S. mutans. Thus, targeting S. mutans DAC is a novel strategy to inhibit S. mutans biofilms. We screened a small NCI library of natural products using a fluorescence detection assay. (+)-Brazilin, a tetracyclic homoisoflavanoid found in the heartwood of Caesalpinia sappan, was identified as one of the 11 "hits," with the greatest reduction (>99%) in fluorescence at 100 µM. The smDAC inhibitory profiles of the 11 "hits" established by a quantitative high-performance liquid chromatography assay revealed that (+)-brazilin had the most enzymatic inhibitory activity (87% at 100 µM) and was further studied to determine its half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50 = 25.1 ± 0.98 µM). (+)-Brazilin non-competitively inhibits smDAC's enzymatic activity (Ki = 140.0 ± 27.13 µM), as determined by a steady-state Michaelis-Menten kinetics assay. In addition, (+)-brazilin's binding profile with smDAC (Kd = 11.87 µM) was illustrated by a tyrosine intrinsic fluorescence quenching assay. Furthermore, at low micromolar concentrations, (+)-brazilin selectively inhibited the biofilm of S. mutans (IC50 = 21.0 ± 0.60 µM) and other oral bacteria. S. mutans biofilms were inhibited by a factor of 105 in colony-forming units when treated with 50 µM (+)-brazilin. In addition, a significant dose-dependent reduction in extracellular DNA and glucan levels was evident by fluorescence microscopy imaging of S. mutans biofilms exposed to different concentrations of (+)-brazilin. Furthermore, colonization of S. mutans on a representative model of enamel using suspended hydroxyapatite discs showed a >90% reduction with 50 µM (+)-brazilin. In summary, we have identified a drug-like natural product inhibitor of S. mutans biofilm that not only binds to smDAC but can also inhibit the function of smDAC. (+)-Brazilin could be a good candidate for further development as a potent therapeutic for the prevention and treatment of dental caries.IMPORTANCEThis study represents a significant advancement in our understanding of potential therapeutic options for combating cariogenic biofilms produced by Streptococcus mutans. The research delves into the use of (+)-brazilin, a natural product, as a potent inhibitor of Streptococcus mutans' diadenylate cyclase (smDAC), an enzyme crucial in the formation of biofilms. The study establishes (+)-brazilin as a non-competitive inhibitor of smDAC while providing initial insights into its binding mechanism. What makes this finding even more promising is that (+)-brazilin does not limit its inhibitory effects to S. mutans alone. Instead, it demonstrates efficacy in hindering biofilms in other oral bacteria as well. The broader spectrum of anti-biofilm activity suggests that (+)-brazilin could potentially serve as a versatile tool in a natural product-based treatment for combating a range of conditions caused by resilient biofilms.

A Cellulose/Chitosan Dual Cross-Linked Multifunctional and Resilient Hydrogel for Emergent Open Wound Management

Adhesive hydrogel holds huge potential in biomedical applications, such as hemostasis and emergent wound management during outpatient treatment or surgery. However, most adhesive hydrogels underperform to offer robust adhesions on the wet tissue, increasing the risk of hemorrhage and reducing the fault tolerance of surgery. To address this issue, this work develops a polysaccharide-based bioadhesive hydrogel tape (ACAN) consisting of dual cross-linking of allyl cellulose (AC) and carboxymethyl chitosan (CMCS). The hygroscopicity of AC and CMCS networks enables ACAN to remove interfacial water from the tissue surface and initializes a physical cross-link instantly. Subsequently, covalent cross-links are developed with amine moieties to sustain long-term and robust adhesion. The dual cross-linked ACAN also has good cytocompatibility with controllable mechanical properties matching to the tissue, where the addition of CMCS provides remarkable antibacterial properties and hemostatic capability. Moreover, compared with commercially available 3 M film, ACAN provides an ultrafast wound healing on tissue. The ACAN hybrid hydrogels have advantages such as biocompatibility and antibacterial, hemostatic, and wound healing properties, shedding new light on first-aid tape design and advancing the cellulose-based materials technology for high-performance biomedical applications.

Do nocturnal birds use acoustic and visual cues to avoid predation by bats?

Anti-predation strategies are critical to animal survival and are fundamental to deciphering predator-prey interactions. As an important defense strategy, sensory predator detection (such as through acoustic and visual cues) enables animals to assess predation risk and execute predator-avoidance behavior; however, there are limited studies on the anti-predation behavior of nocturnal animals. The prey of bats provides an excellent representative system for examining the anti-predation behavior of nocturnal animals. Here, we broadcasted different types of echolocation calls of the bird-eating bat Ia io to two wild passerine birds, namely, Zosterops japonicus and Sinosuthora webbiana, that are preyed upon by I. io, and presented the birds with individual bats under different light intensities. The results showed that both bird species were able to perceive the low-frequency audible portion of the bats' echolocation calls; however, they did not exhibit escape responses to the acoustic stimuli. In the dark and under moonlit conditions, both bird species were unable to respond to active bats at close range and the birds only exhibited evasive flight behavior when bats approached or touched them. These results suggest that nocturnal passerine birds may not be able to use acoustic or visual cues to detect bats and adopt evasive maneuvers to avoid predation. This work suggests that bat predation pressure may not elicit primary predator-avoidance responses in nocturnal passerine birds. The results provide new insights into the anti-predation behavior of nocturnal animals.

STAT2 negatively regulates RIG-I in the antiviral innate immunity of black carp

The signal transducer and activator of transcription 2 (STAT2), a downstream factor of type I interferons (IFNs), is a key component of the cellular antiviral immunity response. However, the role of STAT2 in the upstream of IFN signaling, such as the regulation of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), remains unknown. In this study, STAT2 homologue of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) has been cloned and characterized. The open reading frame (ORF) of bcSTAT2 comprises 2523 nucleotides and encodes 841 amino acids, which presents the conserved structure to that of mammalian STAT2. The dual-luciferase reporter assay and the plaque assay showed that bcSTAT2 possessed certain IFN-inducing ability and antiviral ability against both spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) and grass carp reovirus (GCRV). Interestingly, we detected the association between bcSTAT2 and bcRIG-I through co-immunoprecipitation (co-IP) assay. Moreover, when bcSTAT2 was co-expressed with bcRIG-I, bcSTAT2 obviously suppressed bcRIG-I-induced IFN expression and antiviral activity. The subsequent co-IP assay and immunoblotting (IB) assay further demonstrated that bcSTAT2 inhibited K63-linked polyubiquitination but not K48-linked polyubiquitination of bcRIG-I, however, did not affect the oligomerization of bcRIG-I. Thus, our data conclude that black carp STAT2 negatively regulates RIG-I through attenuates its K63-linked ubiquitination, which sheds a new light on the regulation of the antiviral innate immunity cascade in vertebrates.

Synonymous mutations in TLR2 and TLR9 genes decrease COPD susceptibility in the Chinese Han population

INTRODUCTION

Previous studies have found associations between polymorphisms in some candidate genes and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) risk. However, the association between TLR2 and TLR9 polymorphisms and COPD risk remains uncertain.

METHODS

Four variants (rs352140, rs3804099, rs3804100, and rs5743705) of the TLR2 and TLR9 genes in 540 COPD patients and 507 healthy controls were genotyped using the Agena MassARRAY system. Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were calculated to assess the association of TLR2 and TLR9 polymorphisms with COPD risk by logistic regression analysis.

RESULTS

TLR9-rs352140, TLR2-rs3804100, and TLR2-rs5743705 were related to a lower risk of COPD among Chinese people and the significance still existed after Bonferroni correction. Additionally, rs3804099, rs3804100, and rs352140 were found to be associated with COPD development in different subgroups (males, age ≤ 68 years, smokers, BMI < 24 kg/m2, and acute exacerbation).

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings indicated that TLR9 and TLR2 polymorphisms had protective effects on the development of COPD among Chinese people.

Black carp ATG16L1 negatively regulates STING-mediated antiviral innate immune response

The precise control of interferon (IFN) production is indispensable for the host to eliminate invading viruses and maintain a homeostatic state. In mammals, stimulator of interferon genes (STING) is a prominent adaptor involved in antiviral immune signaling pathways. However, the regulatory mechanism of piscine STING has not been thoroughly investigated. Here, we report that autophagy related 16 like 1 (bcATG16L1) of black carp (Mylopharyngodon piceus) is a negative regulator in black carp STING (bcSTING)-mediated signaling pathway. Initially, we substantiated that knockdown of bcATG16L1 increased the transcription of IFN and ISGs and enhanced the antiviral activity of the host cells. Subsequently, we identified that bcATG16L1 inhibited the bcSTING-mediated IFN promoter activation and proved that bcATG16L1 suppressed bcSTING-mediated antiviral ability. Furthermore, we revealed that bcATG16L1 interacted with bcSTING and the two proteins shared a similar subcellular distribution. Mechanically, we found that bcATG16L1 attenuated the oligomerization of bcSTING, which was a key step for bcSTING activation. Taken together, our results indicate that bcATG16L1 interacts with bcSTING, dampens the oligomerization of bcSTING, and negatively regulates bcSTING-mediated antiviral activity.

Theabrownin from Qingzhuan tea prevents high-fat diet-induced MASLD via regulating intestinal microbiota

The aim of this study was to investigate whether the therapeutic effect of theabrownin extracted from Qingzhuan tea (QTB) on metabolic dysfunction-associated steatosis liver disease (MASLD) is related to the regulation of intestinal microbiota and its metabolite short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Mice were divided into four groups and received normal diet (ND), high-fat diet (HFD) and HFD+QTB (180, 360 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. The results showed that QTB significantly reduced the body weight of HFD mice, ameliorated liver lipid and dyslipidemia, and increased the level of intestinal SCFAs in HFD mice. The results of 16 S rRNA showed that the relative abundance of Bacteroides, Blautia and Lachnoclostridium and their main metabolites acetate and propionate were significantly increased after QTB intervention. The relative abundance of Colidextribacter, Faecalibaculum and Lactobacillus was significantly reduced. QTB can also significantly up-regulate the expression of ATGL, PPARα, FFAR2 and FFAR3, and inhibit the expression of LXRα, SREBP-1c, FAS and HMGCR genes. This makes it possible to act as a prebiotic to prevent MASLD.

A review of cellulose-based catechol-containing functional materials for advanced applications

With the increment in global energy consumption and severe environmental pollution, it is urgently needed to explore green and sustainable materials. Inspired by nature, catechol groups in mussel adhesion proteins have been successively understood and utilized as novel biomimetic materials. In parallel, cellulose presents a wide class of functional materials rating from macro-scale to nano-scale components. The cross-over among both research fields alters the introduction of impressive materials with potential engineering properties, where catechol-containing materials supply a general stage for the functionalization of cellulose or cellulose derivatives. In this review, the role of catechol groups in the modification of cellulose and cellulose derivatives is discussed. A broad variety of advanced applications of cellulose-based catechol-containing materials, including adhesives, hydrogels, aerogels, membranes, textiles, pulp and papermaking, composites, are presented. Furthermore, some critical remaining challenges and opportunities are studied to mount the way toward the rational purpose and applications of cellulose-based catechol-containing materials.

Genotoxicity assessments of N-nitrosoethylisopropylamine (NEIPA) and N-nitrosodiisopropylamine (NDIPA) in the C57BL/6J mouse

N-Nitrosamines, known as drug impurities and suspected carcinogens, have drawn significant public concern. In response to drug regulatory needs, the European Medicines Agency (EMA) has previously proposed a carcinogenic potency categorization approach based on the N-nitrosamine α-hydroxylation hypothesis, i.e., that N-nitrosamine mutagenicity increases with the number of α-hydrogen atoms. However, this structure-activity relationship has not been fully tested in vivo. NEIPA (N-nitrosoethylisopropylamine) and NDIPA (N-nitrosodiisopropylamine) are small N-Nitrosamines with similar structures, differing in that the former compound has an additional α-hydrogen atom. In this study, NEIPA and NEIPA doses, 25-100 mg/kg, were administered orally to C57BL/6 J mice for seven consecutive days, and their mutation and DNA damage effects were compared. Compared with NDIPA, the mutagenicity and DNA damage potencies of NEIPA (which contains one more α-hydrogen) were much greater. These differences may be related to their distinct metabolic pathways and target organs. This case study confirms the role of α-hydroxyl modification in the mutagenicity of nitrosamines, with oxidation at the α-hydrogen being a crucial step in the formation of mutagens from N-Nitrosamines, and can inform mutagenicity risk assessment and the formulation of regulatory standards for N-nitrosamine impurities.

Prognostic significance of alterations in fibrinogen level and fibrinogen-to-lymphocyte ratio after radiotherapy on survival outcomes in glioblastoma

Background

Fibrinogen (FIB) plays an important role in tumor initiation, progression, and metastasis, but its clinical significance in glioblastoma has not been studied. We intend to explore the prognostic value by retrospectively analyzing the changes in FIB and fibrinogen-to-lymphocyte ratio (FLR) in glioblastoma patients before and after radiotherapy, and study the impact of radiotherapy on them.

Methods

This study retrospectively included 104 patients who were newly diagnosed with glioblastoma between February 2017 and February 2022 and analysed their clinical data from before to after radiotherapy. The cut-off values for FLR and FIB were calculated using a receiver operating characteristic curve. For inter-group comparisons, the Mann-Whitney U or t-test was applied. The prognostic importance of FIB and FLR was evaluated using the Kaplan-Meier curve and the Cox regression model. Spearman correlation coefficients were calculated to evaluate the association of FIB and FLR with radiotherapy-related dose-volume parameters.

Results

The mean progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) of the high FIB and high FLR groups were significantly lower than those of the low FIB and low FLR groups (P<0.05). Larger planning target volume (PTV), mean brain dose, and mean brainstem dose were independent prognostic factors for poor PFS and OS in patients with glioblastoma.

Conclusions

FLR was a unique and very accurate predictor for the prognosis of glioblastoma, and FIB rise after radiation was a predictive sign of poor survival. Both PTV volume and dose volume for involved organs could significantly affect the FIB and FLR values in patients with glioblastoma.

Picosecond Spin Current Generation from Vicinal Metal-Antiferromagnetic Insulator Interfaces

We report the picosecond spin current generation from the interface between a heavy metal and a vicinal antiferromagnet insulator Cr_{2}O_{3} by laser pulses at room temperature and zero magnetic field. It is converted into a detectable terahertz emission in the heavy metal via the inverse spin Hall effect. The vicinal interfaces are apparently the source of the picosecond spin current, as evidenced by the proportional terahertz signals to the vicinal angle. We attribute the origin of the spin current to the transient magnetic moment generated by an interfacial nonlinear magnetic-dipole difference-frequency generation. We propose a model based on the in-plane inversion symmetry breaking to quantitatively explain the terahertz intensity with respect to the angles of the laser polarization and the film azimuth. Our work opens new opportunities in antiferromagnetic and ultrafast spintronics by considering symmetry breaking.

Towards Understanding and Identification of Human Viral Co-Infections

Viral co-infections, in which a host is infected with multiple viruses simultaneously, are common in the human population. Human viral co-infections can lead to complex interactions between the viruses and the host immune system, affecting the clinical outcome and posing challenges for treatment. Understanding the types, mechanisms, impacts, and identification methods of human viral co-infections is crucial for the prevention and control of viral diseases. In this review, we first introduce the significance of studying human viral co-infections and summarize the current research progress and gaps in this field. We then classify human viral co-infections into four types based on the pathogenic properties and species of the viruses involved. Next, we discuss the molecular mechanisms of viral co-infections, focusing on virus-virus interactions, host immune responses, and clinical manifestations. We also summarize the experimental and computational methods for the identification of viral co-infections, emphasizing the latest advances in high-throughput sequencing and bioinformatics approaches. Finally, we highlight the challenges and future directions in human viral co-infection research, aiming to provide new insights and strategies for the prevention, control, diagnosis, and treatment of viral diseases. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the current knowledge and future perspectives on human viral co-infections and underscores the need for interdisciplinary collaboration to address this complex and important topic.

Aptamer-Based Nongenetic Reprogramming of CARs Enables Flexible Modulation of T Cell-Mediated Tumor Immunotherapy

Innovating the design of chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) beyond conventional structures would be necessary to address the challenges of efficacy, safety, and applicability in T cell-based cancer therapy, whereas excessive genetic modification might complicate CAR design and manufacturing, and increase gene editing risks. In this work, we used aptamers as the antigen-recognition unit to develop a nongenetic CAR engineering strategy for programming the antitumor activity and specificity of CAR T cells. Our results demonstrated that aptamer-functionalized CAR (Apt-CAR) T cells could be directly activated by recognizing target antigens on cancer cells, and then impart a cytotoxic effect for cancer elimination in vitro and in vivo. The designable antigen recognition capability of Apt-CAR T cells allows for easy modulation of their efficacy and specificity. Additionally, multiple features, e.g., tunable antigen-binding avidity and the tumor microenvironment responsiveness, could be readily integrated into Apt-CAR design without T cell re-engineering, offering a new paradigm for developing adaptable immunotherapeutics.

Phage defence system CBASS is regulated by a prokaryotic E2 enzyme that imitates the ubiquitin pathway

The cyclic-oligonucleotide-based anti-phage signalling system (CBASS) is a type of innate prokaryotic immune system. Composed of a cyclic GMP-AMP synthase (cGAS) and CBASS-associated proteins, CBASS uses cyclic oligonucleotides to activate antiviral immunity. One major class of CBASS contains a homologue of eukaryotic ubiquitin-conjugating enzymes, which is either an E1-E2 fusion or a single E2. However, the functions of single E2s in CBASS remain elusive. Here, using biochemical, genetic, cryo-electron microscopy and mass spectrometry investigations, we discover that the E2 enzyme from Serratia marcescens regulates cGAS by imitating the ubiquitination cascade. This includes the processing of the cGAS C terminus, conjugation of cGAS to a cysteine residue, ligation of cGAS to a lysine residue, cleavage of the isopeptide bond and poly-cGASylation. The poly-cGASylation activates cGAS to produce cGAMP, which acts as an antiviral signal and leads to cell death. Thus, our findings reveal a unique regulatory role of E2 in CBASS.

Development and validation of a nomogram for predicting sever cancer-related fatigue in patients with cervical cancer

OBJECTIVE

Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has been considered the biggest influencing factor for cancer patients after surgery. This study aimed to develop and validate a nomogram for severe cancer-related fatigue (CRF) patients with cervical cancer (CC).

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted to develop and validate a nomogram (building set = 196; validation set = 88) in the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology of a Class III hospital in Shenyang, Liaoning Province. We adopted the questionnaire method, including the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), Medical Uncertainty in Illness Scale (MUIS), Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and Sense of Coherence-13 (SOC-13). Binary logistic regression was used to test the risk factors of CRF. The R4.1.2 software was used to develop and validate the nomogram, including Bootstrap resampling method, the ability of Area Under Curve (AUC), Concordance Index (C-Index), Hosmer Lemeshow goodness of fit test, Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) curve, Calibration calibration curve, and Decision Curve Analysis curve (DCA).

RESULTS

The regression equation was Logit(P) = 1.276-0.947 Monthly income + 0.989 Long-term passive smoking - 0.952 Physical exercise + 1.512 Diagnosis type + 1.040 Coping style - 0.726 Perceived Social Support - 2.350 Sense of Coherence. The C-Index of the nomogram was 0.921 (95% CI: 0.877∼0.958). The ROC curve showed the sensitivity of the nomogram was 0.821, the specificity was 0.900, and the accuracy was 0.857. AUC was 0.916 (95% CI: 0.876∼0.957). The calibration showed that the predicted probability of the nomogram fitted well with the actual probability. The DCA curve showed when the prediction probability was greater than about 10%, the benefit of the nomogram was positive. The results in the validation group were similar.

CONCLUSION

This nomogram had good identifiability, accuracy and clinical practicality, and could be used as a prediction and evaluation tool for severe cases of clinical patients with CC.

Plasmalogen, a glycerophospholipid crucial for Streptococcus mutans acid tolerance and colonization

Plasmalogen is a specific glycerophospholipid present in both animal and bacterial organisms. It plays a crucial function in eukaryotic cellular processes and is closely related to several human diseases, including neurological disorders and cancers. Nonetheless, the precise biological role of plasmalogen in bacteria is not well understood. In this study, we identified SMU_438c as the enzyme responsible for plasmalogen production in Streptococcus mutans under anaerobic conditions. The heterologous expression of SMU_438c in a plasmalogen-negative strain, Streptococcus sanguinis, resulted in the production of plasmalogen, indicating that this enzyme is sufficient for plasmalogen production. Additionally, the plasmalogen-deficient S. mutans exhibited significantly lower acid tolerance and diminished its colonization in Drosophila flies compared to the wild-type strain and complemented strain. In summary, our data suggest that plasmalogen plays a vital role in bacterial stress tolerance and in vivo colonization.

IMPORTANCE

This study sheds light on the biological role of plasmalogen, a specific glycerophospholipid, in bacteria, particularly in Streptococcus mutans. Plasmalogens are known for their significant roles in eukaryotic cells and have been linked to human diseases like neurological disorders and cancers. The enzyme SMU_438c, identified as essential for plasmalogen production under anaerobic conditions, was crucial for acid tolerance and in vivo colonization in Drosophila by S. mutans, underscoring its importance in bacterial stress response and colonization. These findings bridge the knowledge gap in bacterial physiology, highlighting plasmalogen's role in microbial survival and offering potential insights into microbial pathogenesis and host-microbe interactions.

Compound sophora decoction alleviates ulcerative colitis by regulating macrophage polarization through cGAS inhibition: network pharmacology and experimental validation

INTRODUCTION

Ulcerative colitis (UC) is a refractory disease with complex pathogenesis, and its pathogenesis is not clear. The present study aimed to investigate the potential target and related mechanism of Compound Sophora Decoction (CSD) in treating UC.

METHODS

A network pharmacology approach predicted the components and targets of CSD to treat UC, and cell and animal experiments confirmed the findings of the approach and a new target for CSD treatment of UC.

RESULTS

A total of 155 potential targets were identified for CSD treatment of UC, with some related to macrophage polarization, such as nitric oxide synthase (NOS2), also known as inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS). GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that oxidative stress response and multiple inflammatory signaling pathways such as TNF-α may play a significant role. In vitro experiments revealed that Interferon-stimulated DNA (ISD) interference can cause polarization imbalances in Raw 264.7 and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs). Flow cytometry demonstrated that polarization of macrophages in the intestine, spleen, and lymph nodes in vivo was also unbalanced after dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) modeling with pathological intestinal injury. Both in vitro and in vivo studies indicated that after inducing inflammation, the levels of macrophage polarization-related markers (iNOS and Arg1) and inflammation-related factors (CCL17, IL10, TNF-α, and CXCL10) changed, accompanied by increased expression of cGAS. However, CSD treatment based on inflammation can inhibit the expression of cGAS protein and mRNA, lower the level of inflammatory factors, promote the expression of anti-inflammatory factors, and regulate macrophage polarization.

CONCLUSION

We concluded that CSD alleviated DSS-induced UC by inhibiting cGAS, thus regulating macrophage polarization.