VOx Matrix Confinement Approach to Generate Sub-3 nm L10-Pt-Based Intermetallic Catalysts for Fuel Cell Cathode

Pt-based intermetallic compounds (IMCs) are considered as a class of promising fuel cell electrocatalysts, owing to their outstanding intrinsic activity and durability. However, the synthesis of uniformly dispersed IMCs with small sizes presents a formidable challenge during the essential high-temperature annealing process. Herein, a facile and generally applicable VOx matrix confinement strategy is demonstrated for the controllable synthesis of ordered L10-PtM (M = Fe, Co, and Mn) nanoparticles, which not only enhances the dispersion of intermetallic nanocrystals, even at high loading (40 wt%), but also simplifies the oxide removal and acid-washing procedures. Taking intermetallic PtCo as an example, the as-prepared catalyst displays a high-performance oxygen reduction activity (mass activity of 1.52 A mgPt -1) and excellent stability in the membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) (the ECSA has just 7% decay after durability test). This strategy provides an economical and scalable route for the controlled synthesis of Pt-based intermetallic catalysts, which can pave a way for the commercialization of fuel cell technologies.

Synthesis and Evaluation of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn for PET Imaging of Transferrin Receptor 1 Expression in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

As recurrent and metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the most common cause of death among patients with NPC, there is an urgent clinical need for the development of precision diagnosis to guide personalized treatment. Recent emerging evidence substantiates the increased expression of transferrin receptor 1 (also known as cluster of differentiation 71, CD71) within tumor tissues and the inherent targeting capability of natural heavy-chain ferritin (HFn) toward CD71. This study aimed to synthesize and assess a radiotracer ([64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn) designed to target CD71 for positron emission tomography (PET) imaging in an NPC tumor-bearing mouse model. The entire radiolabeling process of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn was completed within 15 min with high yield (>98.5%) and high molar activity (72.96 ± 21.33 GBq/μmol). The in vitro solubility and stability experiments indicated that [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn had a high water solubility (log P = -2.42 ± 0.52, n = 6) and good stability in phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) for up to 48 h. The cell saturation binding assay indicated that [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn had a nanomolar affinity (Kd = 10.9 ± 6.1 nM) for CD71-overexpressing C666-1 cells. To test the target engagement in vivo, prolonged-time PET imaging was performed at 1, 6, 12, 24, and 36 h postinjection (p.i.) of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn to C666-1 NPC tumor-bearing mice. The C666-1 tumors could be visualized by [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn and blocked by nonradiolabeled HFn. PET imaging quantitative analysis demonstrated that the uptake of [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn in C666-1 tumors peaked at 6 h p.i. and the best radioactive tumor-to-muscle ratio was 10.53 ± 3.11 (n = 3). Ex vivo biodistribution assay at 6 h p.i. showed that the tumor uptakes were 1.43 ± 0.23%ID/g in the nonblock group and 0.92 ± 0.2%ID/g in the block group (n = 3, p < 0.05). Immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining confirmed positive expression of CD71 and the uptake of HFn in C666-1 tumor tissues. In conclusion, our experiments demonstrated that [64Cu]Cu-NOTA-HFn possesses a very high target engagement for CD71-positive NPC tumors and provided a fundamental basis for further clinical translation.

Mechanistic Insights into Sc(III)-Catalyzed Asymmetric Homologation of Ketones with Diazo Compounds: How Trans Influence Assists in Controlling Stereochemistry

Asymmetric one-carbon homologation or ring expansion of ketones with formal insertion of carbene intermediate, is a challenging but useful strategy to construct a complex skeleton. Sc(III) and chiral ligands have been employed in this regard. However, due to flexible conformations and a variety of stereo models, the origin of stereochemistry remains ambiguous. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were carried out to explore the interactions that control the stereoselectivity of a Sc(III)-catalyzed asymmetric homologation. The trans influence of counterions was found to affect the coordination mode of ketone to Sc(III), and consequently affect the stereoselectivity.

Photocatalysis Meets Confinement: An Emerging Opportunity for Photoinduced Organic Transformations

The self-assembled metal-organic cages (MOCs) have been evolved as a paradigm of enzyme-mimic catalysts since they are able to synergize multifunctionalities inherent in metal and organic components and constitute microenvironments characteristic of enzymatic spatial confinement and versatile host-guest interactions, thus facilitating unconventional organic transformations via unique driving-forces such as weak noncovalent binding and electron/energy transfer. Recently, MOC-based photoreactors emerged as a burgeoning platform of supramolecular photocatalysis, displaying anomalous reactivities and selectivities distinct from bulk solution. This perspective recaps two decades journey of the photoinduced radical reactions by using photoactive metal-organic cages (PMOCs) as artificial reactors, outlining how the cage-confined photocatalysis was evolved from stoichiometric photoreactions to photocatalytic turnover, from high-energy UV-irradiation to sustainable visible-light photoactivation, and from simple radical reactions to multi-level chemo- and stereoselectivities. We will focus on PMOCs that merge structural and functional biomimicry into a single-cage to behave as multi-role photoreactors, emphasizing their potentials in tackling current challenges in organic transformations through single-electron transfer (SET) or energy transfer (EnT) pathways in a simple, green while feasible manner.

Meta-Lens Particle Image Velocimetry

Fluid flow behavior is visualized through particle image velocimetry (PIV) for understanding and studying experimental fluid dynamics. However, traditional PIV methods require multiple cameras and conventional lens systems for image acquisition to resolve multi-dimensional velocity fields. In turn, it introduces complexity to the entire system. Meta-lenses are advanced flat optical devices composed of artificial nanoantenna arrays. It can manipulate the wavefront of light with the advantages of ultrathin, compact, and no spherical aberration. Meta-lenses offer novel functionalities and promise to replace traditional optical imaging systems. Here, a binocular meta-lens PIV technique is proposed, where a pair of GaN meta-lenses are fabricated on one substrate and integrated with a imaging sensor to form a compact binocular PIV system. The meta-lens weigh only 116 mg, much lighter than commercial lenses. The 3D velocity field can be obtained by the binocular disparity and particle image displacement information of fluid flow. The measurement error of vortex-ring diameter is ≈1.25% experimentally validates via a Reynolds-number (Re) 2000 vortex-ring. This work demonstrates a new development trend for the PIV technique for rejuvenating traditional flow diagnostic tools toward a more compact, easy-to-deploy technique. It enables further miniaturization and low-power systems for portable, field-use, and space-constrained PIV applications.

Review on Fatigue of Additive Manufactured Metallic Alloys: Microstructure, Performance, Enhancement, and Assessment Methods

Additive manufacturing (AM), which is a process of building objects in a layer-upon-layer fashion from designed models, has received unprecedented attention from research and industry because it offers outstanding merits of flexibility, customization, reduced buy-to-fly ratio, and cost-effectiveness. However, the fatigue performance of safety-critical industrial components fabricated by AM is still far below that obtained from conventional methods. This review discusses the microstructural heterogeneities, randomly dispersed defects, poor surface quality, and complex residual stress generated during the AM process that can negatively impact the fatigue performance of as-printed parts. The difference in microstructural origin of fatigue failure between conventionally manufactured and printed metals is reviewed with particular attention to the effects of the trans-scale microstructures on AM fatigue failure mechanisms. Various methods for mitigating the fatigue issue, including pre-process, inter-process, and post-process treatments, are illustrated. Empirical, semi-empirical, and microstructure-sensitive models are presented to predict fatigue strength and lifetime. Summary and outlooks for future development of the fatigue performance of AM materials are provided.

Ammonia-Induced FCC Ru Nanocrystals for Efficient Alkaline Hydrogen Electrocatalysis

The urgent development of effective electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution and hydrogen oxidation reaction (HER/HOR) is needed due to the sluggish alkaline hydrogen electrocatalysis. Here, an unusual face-centered cubic (fcc) Ru nanocrystal with favorable HER/HOR performance is offered. Guided by the lower calculated surface energy of fcc Ru than that of hcp Ru in NH3, the carbon-supported fcc Ru electrocatalyst is facilely synthesized in the NH3 reducing atmosphere. The specific HOR kinetic current density of fcc Ru can reach 23.4 mA cmPGM -2, which is around 20 and 21 times greater than that of hexagonal close-packed (hcp) Ru and Pt/C, respectively. Additionally, the HER specific activity is enhanced more than six times in fcc Ru electrocatalyst when compared to Pt/C. Experimental and theoretical analysis indicate that the phase transition from hcp Ru to fcc Ru can negatively shift the d band center, weaken the interaction between catalysts and key intermediates and therefore enhances the HER/HOR kinetics.

Chain-Like Semiconductive Fillers for Dielectric Enhancement and Loss Reduction of Polymer Composites

Dielectric loss is a crucial factor in determining the long-term endurance for security and energy loss of dielectric composites. Here, chain-like semiconductive fibers of titanium oxide, indium, and niobium-doped titanium oxide are used for enhancing the complex dielectric properties of a polymer through composite construction, which involves significant interface enhancements. The chain-like fibers significantly enhance the dielectric constant owing to the special morphology of the fillers and their interfacial polarization, especially at higher temperatures. The dielectric loss and electrical conductivity of the composites are substantially reduced across the entire investigated temperature range, achieved by passivating the fiber surface with an alumina shell using atomic layer deposition. The as-deposited alumina shell transformed from an amorphous to a crystalline phase through thermal annealing results in a porous shell and more effective suppression of the loss tangent and electrical conductivity. A plausible mechanism for loss suppression is associated with carrier movement along the surface of the fibers and bulk, leading to a higher loss tangent. The alumina shell blocks the carrier transport path, particularly at the interfaces, resulting in a reduced interfacial polarization contribution and energy storage loss. This study provides a method for inhibiting dielectric loss by fabricating fillers with special surfaces.

Integrated analysis reveals an aspartate metabolism-related gene signature for predicting the overall survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Deregulating cellular metabolism is one of the prominent hallmarks of malignancy, with a critical role in tumor survival and growth. However, the role of reprogramming aspartate metabolism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are largely unknown.

METHODS

The multi-omics data of HCC patients were downloaded from public databases. Univariate and multivariate stepwise Cox regression were used to establish an aspartate metabolism-related gene signature (AMGS) in HCC. The Kaplan-Meier and receiver operating characteristic curve analyses were performed to evaluate the predictive ability for overall survival (OS) in HCC patients. Gene set enrichment analysis and immune infiltration analysis were operated to determine the potential mechanisms underlying the AMGS. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) data of liver cancer stem cells were visualized by t-SNE algorithm. In vivo and in vitro experiments were implemented to investigate the biological function of CAD in HCC. In addition, a nomogram based on the AMGS and clinicopathologic characteristics was constructed by univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses.

RESULTS

Patients in the high-AMGS subgroup exerted advanced tumor status and poor prognosis. Mechanistically, the high-AMGS subgroup patients had significantly enhanced proliferation and stemness-related pathways, increased infiltration of regulatory T cells and upregulated expression levels of suppressive immune checkpoints in the tumor immune microenvironment. Notably, scRNA-seq data revealed CAD, one of the aspartate metabolism-related gene, is significantly upregulated in liver cancer stem cells. Silencing CAD inhibited proliferative capacity and stemness properties of HCC cells in vitro and in vivo. Finally, a novel nomogram based on the AMGS showed an accurate prediction in HCC patients.

CONCLUSIONS

The AMGS represents a promising prognostic value for HCC patients, providing a perspective for finding novel biomarkers and therapeutic targets for HCC.

SMYD4 monomethylates PRMT5 and forms a positive feedback loop to promote hepatocellular carcinoma progression

Both lysine and arginine methyltransferases are thought to be promising therapeutic targets for malignant tumors, yet how these methyltransferases function in malignant tumors, especially hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), has not been fully elucidated. Here, we reported that SMYD4, a lysine methyltransferase, acts as an oncogene in HCC. SMYD4 was highly upregulated in HCC and promoted HCC cell proliferation and metastasis. Mechanistically, PRMT5, a well-known arginine methyltransferase, was identified as a SMYD4-binding protein. SMYD4 monomethylated PRMT5 and enhanced the interaction between PRMT5 and MEP50, thereby promoting the symmetrical dimethylation of H3R2 and H4R3 on the PRMT5 target gene promoter and subsequently activating DVL3 expression and inhibiting expression of E-cadherin, RBL2, and miR-29b-1-5p. Moreover, miR-29b-1-5p was found to inversely regulate SMYD4 expression in HCC cells, thus forming a positive feedback loop. Furthermore, we found that the oncogenic effect of SMYD4 could be effectively suppressed by PRMT5 inhibitor in vitro and in vivo. Clinically, high coexpression of SMYD4 and PRMT5 was associated with poor prognosis of HCC patients. In summary, our study provides a model of crosstalk between lysine and arginine methyltransferases in HCC and highlights the SMYD4-PRMT5 axis as a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of HCC.

Climate-resilient crops: Lessons from xerophytes

Developing climate-resilient crops is critical for future food security and sustainable agriculture under current climate scenarios. Of specific importance are drought and soil salinity. Tolerance traits to these stresses are highly complex, and the progress in improving crop tolerance is too slow to cope with the growing demand in food production unless a major paradigm shift in crop breeding occurs. In this work, we combined bioinformatics and physiological approaches to compare some of the key traits that may differentiate between xerophytes (naturally drought-tolerant plants) and mesophytes (to which the majority of the crops belong). We show that both xerophytes and salt-tolerant mesophytes have a much larger number of copies in key gene families conferring some of the key traits related to plant osmotic adjustment, abscisic acid (ABA) sensing and signalling, and stomata development. We show that drought and salt-tolerant species have (i) higher reliance on Na for osmotic adjustment via more diversified and efficient operation of Na+ /H+ tonoplast exchangers (NHXs) and vacuolar H+ - pyrophosphatase (VPPases); (ii) fewer and faster stomata; (iii) intrinsically lower ABA content; (iv) altered structure of pyrabactin resistance/pyrabactin resistance-like (PYR/PYL) ABA receptors; and (v) higher number of gene copies for protein phosphatase 2C (PP2C) and sucrose non-fermenting 1 (SNF1)-related protein kinase 2/open stomata 1 (SnRK2/OST1) ABA signalling components. We also show that the past trends in crop breeding for Na+ exclusion to improve salinity stress tolerance are counterproductive and compromise their drought tolerance. Incorporating these genetic insights into breeding practices could pave the way for more drought-tolerant and salt-resistant crops, securing agricultural yields in an era of climate unpredictability.

CP-AFM Molecular Tunnel Junctions with Alkyl Backbones Anchored Using Alkynyl and Thiol Groups: Microscopically Different Despite Phenomenological Similarity

In this paper, we report results on the electronic structure and transport properties of molecular junctions fabricated via conducting probe atomic force microscopy (CP-AFM) using self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of n-alkyl chains anchored with acetylene groups (CnA; n = 8, 9, 10, and 12) on Ag, Au, and Pt electrodes. We found that the current-voltage (I-V) characteristics of CnA CP-AFM junctions can be very accurately reproduced by the same off-resonant single-level model (orSLM) successfully utilized previously for many other junctions. We demonstrate that important insight into the energy-level alignment can be gained from experimental data of transport (processed via the orSLM) and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy combined with ab initio quantum chemical information based on the many-body outer valence Green's function method. Measured conductance GAg < GAu < GPt is found to follow the same ordering as the metal work function ΦAu < ΦAu < ΦPt, a fact that points toward a transport mediated by an occupied molecular orbital (MO). Still, careful data analysis surprisingly revealed that transport is not dominated by the ubiquitous HOMO but rather by the HOMO-1. This is an important difference from other molecular tunnel junctions with p-type HOMO-mediated conduction investigated in the past, including the alkyl thiols (CnT) to which we refer in view of some similarities. Furthermore, unlike in CnT and other junctions anchored with thiol groups investigated in the past, the AFM tip causes in CnA an additional MO shift, whose independence of size (n) rules out significant image charge effects. Along with the prevalence of the HOMO-1 over the HOMO, the impact of the "second" (tip) electrode on the energy level alignment is another important finding that makes the CnA and CnT junctions different. What ultimately makes CnA unique at the microscopic level is a salient difference never reported previously, namely, that CnA's alkyne functional group gives rise to two energetically close (HOMO and HOMO-1) orbitals. This distinguishes the present CnA from the CnT, whose HOMO stemming from its thiol group is well separated energetically from the other MOs.

Iodinated Electron Acceptor with Significantly Extended Exciton Diffusion Length for Efficient Organic Photovoltaic Cells

Iodination has unlocked new potentials in organic photovoltaics (OPVs). A newly designed and synthesized iodinated non-fullerene acceptor, BO-4I, showcases exceptional excitation delocalization property with the exciton diffusion length increased to 80 nm. The enhanced electron delocalization property is attributed to the larger atomic radius and electron orbit of the iodine atom, which facilitates the formation of intra-moiety excitations in the acceptor phase. This effectively circumvents the charge transfer state-related recombination mechanisms, leading to a substantial reduction in non-radiative energy loss (ΔEnr ). As a result, OPV cell based on PBDB-TF : BO-4I achieves an impressive efficiency of 18.9 % with a notable ΔEnr of 0.189 eV, markedly surpassing their fluorinated counterparts. This contribution highlights the pivotal role of iodination in reducing energy loss, thereby affirming its potential as a key strategy in the development of advanced next-generation OPV cells.

A nonhuman primate model with Alzheimer's disease-like pathology induced by hippocampal overexpression of human tau

BACKGROUND

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most burdening diseases of the century with no disease-modifying treatment at this time. Nonhuman primates (NHPs) share genetic, anatomical, and physiological similarities with humans, making them ideal model animals for investigating the pathogenesis of AD and potential therapies. However, the use of NHPs in AD research has been hindered by the paucity of AD monkey models due to their long generation time, ethical considerations, and technical challenges in genetically modifying monkeys.

METHODS

Here, we developed an AD-like NHP model by overexpressing human tau in the bilateral hippocampi of adult rhesus macaque monkeys. We evaluated the pathological features of these monkeys with immunostaining, Nissl staining, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and behavioural tests.

RESULTS

We demonstrated that after hippocampal overexpression of tau protein, these monkeys displayed multiple pathological features of AD, including 3-repeat (3R)/4-repeat (4R) tau accumulation, tau hyperphosphorylation, tau propagation, neuronal loss, hippocampal atrophy, neuroinflammation, Aβ clearance deficits, blood vessel damage, and cognitive decline. More interestingly, the accumulation of both 3R and 4R tau is specific to NHPs but not found in adult rodents.

CONCLUSIONS

This work establishes a tau-induced AD-like NHP model with many key pathological and behavioural features of AD. In addition, our model may potentially become one of the AD NHP models adopted by researchers worldwide since it can be generated within 2 ~ 3 months through a single injection of AAVs into the monkey brains. Hence, our model NHPs may facilitate mechanistic studies and therapeutic treatments for AD.

Lactate dehydrogenase A promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma progression through the TAK1/NF-κB Axis

BACKGROUND

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor that originates in the nasopharyngeal mucosa and is common in China and Southeast Asian countries. Cancer cells reprogram glycolytic metabolism to promote their growth, survival and metastasis. Glycolysis plays an important role in NPC development, but the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely elucidated. Lactate dehydrogenase A (LDHA) is a crucial glycolytic enzyme, catalyzing the last step of glycolysis. This study aims to investigate the exact role of LDHA, which catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate into lactate, in NPC development.

METHODS AND RESULTS

The western blot and immunohistochemical (IHC) results indicated that LDHA was significantly upregulated in NPC cells and clinical samples. LDHA knockdown by shRNA significantly inhibited NPC cell proliferation and invasion. Further knockdown of LDHA dramatically weakened the tumorigenicity of NPC cells in vivo. Mechanistic studies showed that LDHA activated TGF-β-activated kinase 1 (TAK1) and subsequent nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) signaling to promote NPC cell proliferation and invasion. Exogenous lactate supplementation restored NPC cell proliferation and invasion inhibited by LDHA knockdown, and this restorative effect was reversed by NF-κB inhibitor (BAY 11-7082) or TAK1 inhibitor (5Z-7-oxozeaenol) treatment. Moreover, clinical sample analyses showed that LDHA expression was positively correlated with TAK1 Thr187 phosphorylation and poor prognosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that LDHA and its major metabolite lactate drive NPC progression by regulating TAK1 and its downstream NF-κB signaling, which could become a therapeutic target in NPC.

Dynamic Stereochemistry of M8 Pd6 Supramolecular Cages Based on Metal-Center Lability for Differential Chiral Induction, Resolution, and Recognition

A series of isostructural supramolecular cages with a rhombic dodecahedron shape have been assembled with distinct metal-coordination lability (M8 Pd6 -MOC-16, M=Ru2+ , Fe2+ , Ni2+ , Zn2+ ). The chirality transfer between metal centers generally imposes homochirality on individual cages to enable solvent-dependent spontaneous resolution of Δ8 /Λ8 -M8 Pd6 enantiomers; however, their distinguishable stereochemical dynamics manifests differential chiral phenomena governed by the cage stability following the order Ru8 Pd6 >Ni8 Pd6 >Fe8 Pd6 >Zn8 Pd6 . The highly labile Zn centers endow the Zn8 Pd6 cage with conformational flexibility and deformation, enabling intrigue chiral-Δ8 /Λ8 -Zn8 Pd6 to meso-Δ4 Λ4 -Zn8 Pd6 transition induced by anions. The cage stabilization effect differs from inert Ru2+ , metastable Fe2+ /Ni2+ , and labile Zn2+ , resulting in different chiral-guest induction. Strikingly, solvent-mediated host-guest interactions have been revealed for Δ8 /Λ8 -(Ru/Ni/Fe)8 Pd6 cages to discriminate the chiral recognition of the guests with opposite chirality. These results demonstrate a versatile procedure to control the stereochemistry of metal-organic cages based on the dynamic metal centers, thus providing guidance to maneuver cage chirality at a supramolecular level by virtue of the solvent, anion, and guest to benefit practical applications.

Comparing biofilm reactors inoculated with Shewanella for decolorization of Reactive Black 5 using different carrier materials

This study assessed the performance of biofilm reactors inoculated with azo dye degrading Shewanella for the decolorization of Reactive Black 5 (RB5), using three different carrier materials, namely almond shell biochar, moving bed biofilm reactor (MBBR), and polypropylene carrier (PPC). The reactors were fed with low-nutrient artificial wastewater containing RB5, and all three carriers showed good RB5 decolorization performance, with varying efficiencies. Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry analysis revealed distinct RB5 degradation pathways associated with each carrier, influenced by carrier materials and microbial communities. The MBBR carrier exhibited good stability due to its rough surface and microbial aggregates. Sequencing results highlighted differences in the microbial community structures among the carriers. Shewanella predominated the functional bacteria in the MBBR and PPC carriers, while the biochar carrier fostered highly efficient degrading microbial communities. The physicochemical properties of carrier materials significantly influenced the microbial community and RB5 degradation efficiency. These findings provide valuable insights for optimizing biofilm reactors for dye-containing wastewater treatment.

Rapidly achieving clinical remission in ulcerative colitis indicates better endoscopic and histological outcomes

BACKGROUND

Clinical remission (CR) is the principal short-term treatment target in patients with ulcerative colitis (UC). However, whether rapidly achieving CR indicates better outcomes remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

We aimed to explore the associations between the timing of CR and therapeutic outcomes in UC.

METHODS

This study included UC patients from the UNIFI trial. Week-2 CR and time to CR were the major variables of interest. Endoscopic remission (ER) at week 52 was the primary outcome. Multivariate logistic regression was performed to evaluate the association between variables and outcomes.

RESULTS

Week-2 CR was associated with ER (aOR: 2.37 [95% CI: 1.28, 4.37], p = 0.006) and Histological remission (HR) (aOR: 2.87 [95% CI: 1.42, 5.72], p = 0.003) at week 52. Moreover, C-reactive protein (CRP) remission could further stratify patients without CR and predict week-52 outcomes. Patients with clinical activity + CRP remission (aOR: 0.49 [95% CI: 0.26, 0.93], p = 0.039) and clinical activity + CRP activity (aOR: 0.24 [95% CI: 0.11, 0.52], p < 0.001) had gradually decreased likelihood of achieving ER, when compared to those with CR. For time to CR, we found that the earlier to CR, the better endoscopic and histological outcomes patients would attain. Patients achieving CR at weeks 2, 4/8, 12/16 and >16 had gradually reduced proportions of ER (51.9% vs. 40.8% vs. 31.6% vs. 8.8%, p < 0.001) and HR (37.0% vs. 19.8% vs. 17.1% vs. 6.1%, p < 0.001) at week 52. Compared with week 2, achieving CR at weeks 4/8, 12/16 and >16 had 39%, 55% and 92% lower likelihoods of week-52 ER, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Week-2 CR indicates better outcomes in UC patients receiving ustekinumab. Moreover, achieving CR more rapidly is associated with higher probability of ER and HR.

mRNA-based Vaccines Targeting the T-cell Epitope-rich Domain of Epstein Barr Virus Latent Proteins Elicit Robust Anti-Tumor Immunity in Mice

Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) is associated with various malignancies and infects >90% of the global population. EBV latent proteins are expressed in numerous EBV-associated cancers and contribute to carcinogenesis, making them critical therapeutic targets for these cancers. Thus, this study aims to develop mRNA-based therapeutic vaccines that express the T-cell-epitope-rich domain of truncated latent proteins of EBV, including truncatedlatent membrane protein 2A (Trunc-LMP2A), truncated EBV nuclear antigen 1 (Trunc-EBNA1), and Trunc-EBNA3A. The vaccines effectively activate both cellular and humoral immunity in mice and show promising results in suppressing tumor progression and improving survival time in tumor-bearing mice. Furthermore, it is observed that the truncated forms of the antigens, Trunc-LMP2A, Trunc-EBNA1, and Trunc-EBNA3A, are more effective than full-length antigens in activating antigen-specific immune responses. In summary, the findings demonstrate the effectiveness of mRNA-based therapeutic vaccines targeting the T-cell-epitope-rich domain of EBV latent proteins and providing new treatment options for EBV-associated cancers.

Comparison of five retinoids for anti-photoaging therapy: Evaluation of anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidative activities in vitro and therapeutic efficacy in vivo

Over the past decades, increasing evidences have demonstrated that five retinoids, including retinol (ROL), retinol acetate (RAc), retinol propionate (RP), retinol palmitate (RPalm), and hydroxypinacolone retinoate (HPR), can be potential therapeutic agents for skin photoaging. However, therapeutic efficacies and biosafety have never been compared to these compounds. This study aimed to determine the optimal retinoid type(s) for anti-photoaging therapy both in vitro and in vivo. Our data demonstrated that four retinoids (RPalm, RP, HPR and ROL) but not RAc were effective for anti-photoaging treatment at 5 μg/mL in vitro, with action mechanisms associated with antioxidative, anti-inflammatory and anti-skin ECM degradation activities. Notably, both RPalm and RP appeared superior to HPR and ROL for those activities. Importantly, both RPalm and RP were shown to be optimal for anti-photoaging therapy when topically applied at 5 mg/kg in a UVB-induced mice model of photoaging, which is consistent with their high anti-photoaging activities in vitro. Additionally, topical application of these five retinoids showed satisfactory biosafety without causing significant apoptosis in animal organs, although RP application led to a slight decline in animal body weights. Collectively, these data have laid a good foundation for the next development of the clinical application of these retinoids for skin healthcare.

Simultaneously enhancing the planarity and electron-donating capability of donors for through-space charge transfer TADF towards deep-red emission

Through-space charge transfer (TSCT) has been proven effective for designing thermally activated delayed fluorescence (TADF) emitters due to the separation of the frontier molecular orbitals. Although tuning of the interaction between the donor and acceptor by controlling the conformation is known to be crucial for the photophysical properties of TSCT excited states, it remains a challenge to realize efficient red and deep-red emissions. Herein, we designed two TSCT molecules, namely TPXZ-QX and TPXZ-2QX, by using oxygen-bridged triphenylamine (TPXZ) as the electron donor with enhanced planarity and electron-donating capability. With a face-to-face orientation of the donor and acceptor segments and close π-π contacts, the new emitters have strong intramolecular noncovalent donor-acceptor interactions. The emissions of TPXZ-QX and TPXZ-2QX in doped thin films lie in the red (λmax = 632 nm) to deep-red (λmax = 665 nm) region. The photoluminescence quantum yields are 41% and 32% for TPXZ-QX and TPXZ-2QX, respectively. Organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) based on TPXZ-QX and TPXZ-2QX show external quantum efficiencies (EQEs) of up to 13.8% and 11.4%, respectively. This work indicates that the modulation of TSCT excited states based on strong intramolecular cofacial π-stacking interactions is a viable choice for the development of high-efficiency long-wavelength TADF emitters.

Iron and Steel Industry Emissions: A Global Analysis of Trends and Drivers

The iron and steel industry (ISI) is important for socio-economic progress but emits greenhouse gases and air pollutants detrimental to climate and human health. Understanding its historical emission trends and drivers is crucial for future warming and pollution interventions. Here, we offer an exhaustive analysis of global ISI emissions over the past 60 years, forecasting up to 2050. We evaluate emissions of carbon dioxide and conventional and unconventional air pollutants, including heavy metals and polychlorinated dibenzodioxins and dibenzofurans. Based on this newly established inventory, we dissect the determinants of past emission trends and future trajectories. Results show varied trends for different pollutants. Specifically, PM2.5 emissions decreased consistently during the period 1970 to 2000, attributed to adoption of advanced production technologies. Conversely, NOx and SO2 began declining recently due to stringent controls in major contributors such as China, a trend expected to persist. Currently, end-of-pipe abatement technologies are key to PM2.5 reduction, whereas process modifications are central to CO2 mitigation. Projections suggest that by 2050, developing nations (excluding China) will contribute 52-54% of global ISI PM2.5 emissions, a rise from 29% in 2019. Long-term emission curtailment will necessitate the innovation and widespread adoption of new production and abatement technologies in emerging economies worldwide.

Multimaterial 3D and 4D Bioprinting of Heterogenous Constructs for Tissue Engineering

Additive manufacturing (AM), which is based on the principle of layer-by-layer shaping and stacking of discrete materials, has shown significant benefits in the fabrication of complicated implants for tissue engineering (TE). However, many native tissues exhibit anisotropic heterogenous constructs with diverse components and functions. Consequently, the replication of complicated biomimetic constructs using conventional AM processes based on a single material is challenging. Multimaterial 3D and 4D bioprinting (with time as the fourth dimension) has emerged as a promising solution for constructing multifunctional implants with heterogenous constructs that can mimic the host microenvironment better than single-material alternatives. Notably, 4D-printed multimaterial implants with biomimetic heterogenous architectures can provide a time-dependent programmable dynamic microenvironment that can promote cell activity and tissue regeneration in response to external stimuli. This paper first presents the typical design strategies of biomimetic heterogenous constructs in TE applications. Subsequently, the latest processes in the multimaterial 3D and 4D bioprinting of heterogenous tissue constructs are discussed, along with their advantages and challenges. In particular, the potential of multimaterial 4D bioprinting of smart multifunctional tissue constructs is highlighted. Furthermore, this review provides insights into how multimaterial 3D and 4D bioprinting can facilitate the realization of next-generation TE applications.

Short-Term Prediction of Multi-Energy Loads Based on Copula Correlation Analysis and Model Fusions

To improve the accuracy of short-term multi-energy load prediction models for integrated energy systems, the historical development law of the multi-energy loads must be considered. Moreover, understanding the complex coupling correlation of the different loads in the multi-energy systems, and accounting for other load-influencing factors such as weather, may further improve the forecasting performance of such models. In this study, a two-stage fuzzy optimization method is proposed for the feature selection and identification of the multi-energy loads. To enrich the information content of the prediction input feature, we introduced a copula correlation feature analysis in the proposed framework, which extracts the complex dynamic coupling correlation of multi-energy loads and applies Akaike information criterion (AIC) to evaluate the adaptability of the different copula models presented. Furthermore, we combined a NARX neural network with Bayesian optimization and an extreme learning machine model optimized using a genetic algorithm (GA) to effectively improve the feature fusion performances of the proposed multi-energy load prediction model. The effectiveness of the proposed short-term prediction model was confirmed by the experimental results obtained using the multi-energy load time-series data of an actual integrated energy system.

Ultrathin Co-N-C Layer Modified Pt-Co Intermetallic Nanoparticles Leading to a High-Performance Electrocatalyst toward Oxygen Reduction and Methanol Oxidation

The development of low platinum-based alloy electrocatalysts is crucial to accelerate the commercialization of fuel cells, yet remains a synthetic challenge and an incompatibility between activity and stability. Herein, a facile procedure to fabricate a high-performance composite that comprises Pt-Co intermetallic nanoparticles (IMNs) and Co, N co-doped carbon (Co-N-C) electrocatalyst is proposed. It is prepared by direct annealing of homemade carbon black-supported Pt nanoparticles (Pt/KB) covered with a Co-phenanthroline complex. During this process, most of Co atoms in the complex are alloyed with Pt to form ordered Pt-Co IMNs, while some Co atoms are atomically dispersed and doped in the framework of superthin carbon layer derived from phenanthroline, which is coordinated with N to form Co-Nx moieties. Moreover, the Co-N-C film obtained from complex is observed to cover the surface of Pt-Co IMNs, which prevent the dissolution and agglomeration of nanoparticles. The composite catalyst exhibits high activity and stability toward oxygen reduction reactions (ORR) and methanol oxidation reactions (MOR), delivering outstanding mass activities of 1.96 and 2.92 A mgPt -1 for ORR and MOR respectively, owing to the synergistic effect of Pt-Co IMNs and Co-N-C film. This study may provide a promising strategy to improve the electrocatalytic performance of Pt-based catalysts.

Single-cell and spatial transcriptome analysis reveals the cellular heterogeneity of liver metastatic colorectal cancer

In this study, we comprehensively charted the cellular landscape of colorectal cancer (CRC) and well-matched liver metastatic CRC using single-cell and spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing. We generated 41,892 CD45- nonimmune cells and 196,473 CD45+ immune cells from 27 samples of six CRC patients, and found that CD8_CXCL13 and CD4_CXCL13 subsets increased significantly in liver metastatic samples that exhibited high proliferation ability and tumor-activating characterization, contributing to better prognosis of patients. Distinct fibroblast profiles were observed in primary and liver metastatic tumors. F3+ fibroblasts enriched in primary tumors contributed to worse overall survival by expressing protumor factors. However, MCAM+ fibroblasts enriched in liver metastatic tumors might promote generation of CD8_CXCL13 cells through Notch signaling. In summary, we extensively analyzed the transcriptional differences of cell atlas between primary and liver metastatic tumors of CRC by single-cell and spatial transcriptome RNA sequencing, providing different dimensions of the development of liver metastasis in CRC.

Twenty years of mining salt tolerance genes in soybean

Current combined challenges of rising food demand, climate change and farmland degradation exert enormous pressure on agricultural production. Worldwide soil salinization, in particular, necessitates the development of salt-tolerant crops. Soybean, being a globally important produce, has its genetic resources increasingly examined to facilitate crop improvement based on functional genomics. In response to the multifaceted physiological challenge that salt stress imposes, soybean has evolved an array of defences against salinity. These include maintaining cell homeostasis by ion transportation, osmoregulation, and restoring oxidative balance. Other adaptations include cell wall alterations, transcriptomic reprogramming, and efficient signal transduction for detecting and responding to salt stress. Here, we reviewed functionally verified genes that underly different salt tolerance mechanisms employed by soybean in the past two decades, and discussed the strategy in selecting salt tolerance genes for crop improvement. Future studies could adopt an integrated multi-omic approach in characterizing soybean salt tolerance adaptations and put our existing knowledge into practice via omic-assisted breeding and gene editing. This review serves as a guide and inspiration for crop developers in enhancing soybean tolerance against abiotic stresses, thereby fulfilling the role of science in solving real-life problems.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s11032-023-01383-3.

Preparation of Specific Nanobodies and Their Application in the Rapid Detection of Nodularin-R in Water Samples

Nanobodies have several advantages, including great stability, sensibility, and ease of production; therefore, they have become important tools in immunoassays for chemical contaminants. In this manuscript, nanobodies for the detection of the toxin Nodularin-r (NOD-R), a secondary metabolite of cyanobacteria that could cause a safety risk for drinks and food for its strong hepatotoxicity, were for the first time selected from an immunized Bactrian camel VHH phage display library. Then, a sensitive indirect competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ic-ELISA) for NOD-R, based on the nanobody N56 with great thermostability and organic solvent tolerance, was established under optimized conditions. The results showed that the limit of detection for NOD-R was 0.67 µg/L, and the average spike recovery rate was between 84.0 and 118.3%. Moreover, the ic-ELISA method was validated with spiked water sample and confirmed by UPLC-MS/MS, which indicated that the ic-ELISA established in this work is a reproducible detection assay for nodularin residues in water samples.

LUNAR :Drug Screening for Novel Coronavirus Based on Representation Learning Graph Convolutional Network

An outbreak of COVID-19 that began in late 2019 was caused by a novel coronavirus(SARS-CoV-2). It has become a global pandemic. As of June 9, 2020, it has infected nearly 7 million people and killed more than 400,000, but there is no specific drug. Therefore, there is an urgent need to find or develop more drugs to suppress the virus. Here, we propose a new nonlinear end-to-end model called LUNAR. It uses graph convolutional neural networks to automatically learn the neighborhood information of complex heterogeneous relational networks and combines the attention mechanism to reflect the importance of the sum of different types of neighborhood information to obtain the representation characteristics of each node. Finally, through the topology reconstruction process, the feature representations of drugs and targets are forcibly extracted to match the observed network as much as possible. Through this reconstruction process, we obtain the strength of the relationship between different nodes and predict drug candidates that may affect the treatment of COVID-19 based on the known targets of COVID-19. These selected candidate drugs can be used as a reference for experimental scientists and accelerate the speed of drug development. LUNAR can well integrate various topological structure information in heterogeneous networks, and skillfully combine attention mechanisms to reflect the importance of neighborhood information of different types of nodes, improving the interpretability of the model. The area under the curve(AUC) of the model is 0.949 and the accurate recall curve (AUPR) is 0.866 using 10-fold cross-validation. These two performance indexes show that the model has superior predictive performance. Besides, some of the drugs screened out by our model have appeared in some clinical studies to further illustrate the effectiveness of the model.

FGFR/RACK1 interacts with MDM2, promotes P53 degradation, and inhibits cell senescence in lung squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE

FGFR is considered an important driver gene of lung squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC). Thus, identification of the biological events downstream of FGFR is important for the treatment of this malignancy. Our previous study has shown that the FGFR/RACK1 complex interacts with PKM2 and consequently promotes glycolysis in LSCC cells. However, the biological functions of the FGFR/RACK1 complex remain poorly understood.

METHODS

Anchorage-independent assays and in vivo tumorigenesis assays were performed to evaluate cancer cell malignancy. Distant seeding assays were performed to evaluate cancer cell metastasis. β-gal staining was used to examine cell senescence, and immunoprecipitation assays were performed to examine the interactions among FGFR, RACK1, and MDM2.

RESULTS

FGFR/RACK1 was found to regulate the senescence of LSCC cells. Treatment with PD166866, an inhibitor of FGFR, or knockdown of RACK1 induced senescence in LSCC cells (P < 0.01). A molecular mechanistic study showed that FGFR/RACK1/MDM2 form a complex that promotes the degradation of p53 and thus inhibits cell senescence. PD166866 and RG7112, an MDM2/p53 inhibitor, cooperatively inhibited the colony formation and distal seeding of LSCC cells (P < 0.01), and upregulated the expression of p53 and p21.

CONCLUSIONS

Together, our findings revealed the regulatory roles and mechanisms of FGFR/RACK1 in cell senescence. This understanding should be important in the treatment of LSCC.

DHX33 Recruits Gadd45a To Cause DNA Demethylation and Regulates a Subset of Gene Transcription

RNA helicase DHX33 was found to regulate the transcription of multiple genes involved in cancer development. But the underlying molecular mechanism remains unclear. Here, we found DHX33 associated extensively with gene promoters at CG-rich region. Its deficiency reduced the loading of active RNA polymerase II at gene promoters. Furthermore, we observed a functional interaction between DHX33, AP-2β, and DNA demethylation protein Gadd45a (growth arrest and DNA damage inductile protein 45a) at specific gene promoters. DHX33 is required to recruit GADD45a, thereby causing local DNA demethylation through further recruiting ten-eleven-translocation (Tet) methylcytosine dioxygenase enzyme, as manifested by reduced 5-hydroxymethyl cytosine levels for a subset of genes after DHX33 deficiency. This process might involve R-loop formation in GC skew as a guidance signal at promoter sites. Our report provides for the first time, to our knowledge, original evidence that DHX33 alters epigenetic marks and regulates specific gene transcription through interaction with Gadd45a.

Origami and 4D printing of elastomer-derived ceramic structures

Four-dimensional (4D) printing involves conventional 3D printing followed by a shape-morphing step. It enables more complex shapes to be created than is possible with conventional 3D printing. However, 3D-printed ceramic precursors are usually difficult to be deformed, hindering the development of 4D printing for ceramics. To overcome this limitation, we developed elastomeric poly(dimethylsiloxane) matrix nanocomposites (NCs) that can be printed, deformed, and then transformed into silicon oxycarbide matrix NCs, making the growth of complex ceramic origami and 4D-printed ceramic structures possible. In addition, the printed ceramic precursors are soft and can be stretched beyond three times their initial length. Hierarchical elastomer-derived ceramics (EDCs) could be achieved with programmable architectures spanning three orders of magnitude, from 200 μm to 10 cm. A compressive strength of 547 MPa is achieved on the microlattice at 1.6 g cm^-3. This work starts a new chapter of printing high-resolution complex and mechanically robust ceramics, and this origami and 4D printing of ceramics is cost-efficient in terms of time due to geometrical flexibility of precursors. With the versatile shape-morphing capability of elastomers, this work on origami and 4D printing of EDCs could lead to structural applications of autonomous morphing structures, aerospace propulsion components, space exploration, electronic devices, and high-temperature microelectromechanical systems.

Comparison of calf muscle architecture between Asian children with spastic cerebral palsy and typically developing peers

OBJECTIVE

To compare the muscle thickness, fascicle length, and pennation angle of the gastrocnemius, soleus, and tibialis anterior between Asian children with spastic cerebral palsy (CP) and typically developing (TD) peers.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study involved a total of 72 children with hemiplegic CP (n = 24), and diplegic CP (n = 24) and their TD peers (n = 24). Muscle architecture was measured at rest using ultrasound. Clinical measures included gross motor function and a modified Ashworth scale.

RESULTS

The thicknesses of the tibialis anterior and medial gastrocnemius muscles were smaller in the affected calf of children with CP (p<0.05) than in those of their TD peers. Additionally, the lengths of the lateral gastrocnemius and soleus fascicle were shorter (p<0.05) in children with diplegic CP than in their TD peers. The fascicle length was shorter in the affected calf of children with CP (p<0.05) than in the calves of their TD peers or the unaffected calf of children with hemiplegic CP. However, the length of the lateral gastrocnemius fascicle was similar between the two legs of children with hemiplegic CP. The pennation angles of the medial gastrocnemius and soleus muscles were larger (p<0.05) in the affected calf in children with hemiplegic CP than in the calves of their TD peers. The fascicle length of the lateral gastrocnemius and the thickness of the soleus muscle were positively correlated with gross motor function scores in children with CP (p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Muscle thickness and fascicle length were lower in the affected tibialis anterior, gastrocnemius, and soleus in children with spastic CP. These changes may limit the ability to stand and walk, and indicate a need to strengthen the affected muscle.

First complete genome sequence of parainfluenza virus 5 isolated from lesser panda

Parainfluenza virus 5 (PIV5) is widespread in mammals and humans. Up to now, there is little information about PIV5 infection in lesser pandas. In this study, a PIV5 variant (named ZJQ-221) was isolated from a lesser panda with respiratory disease in Guangzhou zoo in Guangdong province, southern China. The full-length genome of ZJQ-221 was found to be 15,246 nucleotides and consisted of seven non-overlapping genes encoding eight proteins (i.e., NP, V, P, M, F, SH, HN and L). Sequence alignment and genetic analysis revealed that ZJQ-221 shared a close relationship with a PIV5 strain of canine-origin (1168-1) from South Korea. The findings of this study confirm the presence of PIV5 in lesser panda and indicate this mammal as a possible natural reservoir. Furthermore they highlight the urgent need to strengthen viral surveillance and control of PIV5 in zoo animals.

Evaluation of a New Entomopathogenic Strain of Beauveria bassiana and a New Field Delivery Method against Solenopsis invicta

Solenopsis invicta Buren is one of the most important pests in China, and control measures are mainly based on the use of synthetic pesticides, which may be inadequate and unsustainable. Hence, there is a growing interest in developing biological control alternatives for managing S. invicta, such as the use of entomopathogenic fungi. To facilitate the commercialization of entomopathogenic fungi against S. invicta, 10 Beauveria bassiana isolates originating from different hosts were tested for virulence in laboratory bioassays, and the most pathogenic strain, ZGNKY-5, was tested in field studies using an improved pathogen delivery system. The cumulative mortality rate reached 93.40% at 1×10⁸ mL^-1 conidia after 504 h. The germination and invasion of the spores were observed under a scanning electron microscope, and several conidia adhered to the cuticle of S. invicta after 2 h. Furthermore, the germ tubes of the conidia oriented toward the cuticle after 48 h, and the mycelium colonized the entire body after 96 h. Based on the efficacy observed in the laboratory trials, further experiments were performed with ZGNKY-5 strain to evaluate its utility in an injection control technology against S. invicta in the field. We found that three dosage treatments of ZGNKY-5 strain (500 mL, 750 mL, and 1,000 mL per nest) had significant control effects. Our results show that this strain of Beauveria bassiana and our control method were effective against S. invicta in both laboratory and field settings.