Molecular picture of electric double layers with weakly adsorbed water.

Water adsorption energy, Eads, is a key physical quantity in sustainable chemical technologies such as (photo)electrocatalytic water splitting, water desalination, and water harvesting. In many of these applications, the electrode surface is operated outside the point (potential) of zero charge, which attracts counter-ions to form the electric double layer and controls the surface properties. Here, by applying density functional theory-based finite-field molecular dynamics simulations, we have studied the effect of water adsorption energy Eads on surface acidity and the Helmholtz capacitance of BiVO4 as an example of metal oxide electrodes with weakly chemisorbed water. This allows us to establish the effect of Eads on the coordination number, the H-bond network, and the orientation of chemisorbed water by comparing an oxide series composed of BiVO4, TiO2, and SnO2. In particular, it is found that a positive correlation exists between the degree of asymmetry ΔCH in the Helmholtz capacitance and the strength of Eads. This correlation is verified and extended further to graphene-like systems with physisorbed water, where the electric double layers (EDLs) are controlled by electronic charge rather than proton charge as in the oxide series. Therefore, this work reveals a general relationship between water adsorption energy Eads and EDLs, which is relevant to both electrochemical reactivity and the electrowetting of aqueous interfaces.

Potential of gamma/delta T cells for solid tumor immunotherapy.

Gamma/delta T (γδ T)cells possess a unique mechanism for killing tumors, making them highly promising and distinguished among various cell therapies for tumor treatment. This review focuses on the major histocompatibility complex (MHC)-independent recognition of antigens and the interaction between γδ T cells and solid tumor cells. A comprehensive review is provided regarding the classification of human gamma-delta T cell subtypes, the characteristics and mechanisms underlying their functions, as well as their r545egulatory effects on tumor cells. The involvement of γδ T cells in tumorigenesis and migration was also investigated, encompassing potential therapeutic targets such as apoptosis-related molecules, the TNF receptor superfamily member 6(FAS)/FAS Ligand (FASL) pathways, butyrophilin 3A-butyrophilin 2A1 (BTN3A-BTN2A1) complexes, and interactions with CD4, CD8, and natural killer (NK) cells. Additionally, immune checkpoint inhibitors such as programmed cell death protein 1/Programmed cell death 1 ligand 1 (PD-1/PD-L1) have the potential to augment the cytotoxicity of γδ T cells. Moreover, a review on gamma-delta T cell therapy products and their corresponding clinical trials reveals that chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) gamma-delta T therapy holds promise as an approach with encouraging preclinical outcomes. However, practical issues pertaining to manufacturing and clinical aspects need resolution, and further research is required to investigate the long-term clinical side effects of CAR T cells. In conclusion, more comprehensive studies are necessary to establish standardized treatment protocols aimed at enhancing the quality of life and survival rates among tumor patients utilizing γδ T cell immunotherapy.

Ammonia exposure impairs bone mineralization in zebrafish (Danio rerio) larvae.

Ammonia is a major pollutant of freshwater environments. Previous studies have indicated that ammonia exposure adversely affects the physiology of freshwater fish. However, its effect on bone mineralization in freshwater fish larvae remains unclear. In this study, zebrafish larvae were used as a model to investigate the effects of different ammonia levels (0, 2.5, 5, and 10 mM NH4Cl) on the survival rate, body length, and bone mineralization of fish. The survival rate of zebrafish embryos exposed to different NH4Cl concentrations for 8 days was not affected. In contrast, the body length and bone mineralization of zebrafish larvae at 8 days post fertilization (dpf) were significantly reduced at 5 and 10 mM NH4Cl exposure. Further investigations revealed that ammonia exposure decreased the mRNA expression of osteoblast-related genes and increased that of osteoclast-related genes. Additionally, exposure to 5 mM and 10 mM NH4Cl induced the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). 10 mM-but not 5 mM-NH4Cl exposure reduced the calcium and phosphorus content in 8 dpf zebrafish larvae. In conclusion, ammonia exposure induces bone resorption, while decreasing the calcium and phosphorus content of the whole body and bone formation, resulting in impaired bone mineralization in fish larvae.

Implementing Optogenetic-Controlled Bacterial Systems in Drosophila melanogaster for Alleviation of Heavy Metal Poisoning.

Drosophila melanogaster (fruit fly) is an animal model chassis in biological and genetic research owing to its short life cycle, ease of cultivation, and acceptability to genetic modification. While the D. melanogaster chassis offers valuable insights into drug efficacy, toxicity, and mechanisms, several obvious challenges such as dosage control and drug resistance still limit its utility in pharmacological studies. Our research combines optogenetic control with engineered gut bacteria to facilitate the precise delivery of therapeutic substances in D. melanogaster for biomedical research. We have shown that the engineered bacteria can be orally administered to D. melanogaster to get a stable density of approximately 28,000 CFUs/per fly, leading to no detectable negative effects on the growth of D. melanogaster. In a model of D. melanogaster exposure to heavy metal, these orally administered bacteria uniformly express target genes under green light control to produce MtnB protein for binding and detoxifying lead, which significantly reduces the level of oxidative stress in the intestinal tract of Pb-treated flies. This pioneering study lays the groundwork for using optogenetic-controlled bacteria in the model chassis D. melanogaster to advance biomedical applications.

A cross-sectional study on the understanding and attitudes toward influenza and influenza vaccines among different occupational groups in China.

This study aimed to assess the level of knowledge regarding influenza viruses and vaccines among different professional groups to investigate the reasons for vaccine hesitancy. We collected 2190 questionnaires regarding influenza vaccines in China in 2022. The respondents were categorized into the general population (GP), foreign affairs workforce population (FAWP), and veterinary workforce population (VWP) according to their job positions. Linear regression was used to assess the association between multiple factors and influenza vaccination rates. The association between work and influenza vaccination rates was also assessed by grouping different workforce populations. The vaccination rate of the GP was higher than that of the VWP (odds ratio: 1.342, 95% confidence interval: 1.025-1.853), surpassing the rates reported in previous studies. This may be attributed to heightened concerns about infectious diseases influenced by the ongoing coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic. Despite the VWP's more in-depth knowledge of the VWP on zoonotic diseases and their recognition of their importance, there was no significant difference in influenza knowledge among the three populations. This discrepancy contrasts with the observed differences in vaccination rates. Further investigation revealed that, compared with FAWP, the price of vaccines emerged as a primary influencing factor for vaccination rates (odds ratio:0.398, 95%CI; 0.280-0.564). General concerns regarding the protective effects and side effects of vaccines were also noted.

Artificial design of the genome: from sequences to the 3D structure of chromosomes.

Genome design is the foundation of genome synthesis, which provides a new platform for deepening our understanding of biological systems by exploring the fundamental components and structure of the genome. Artificial genome designs can endow unnatural genomes with desired functions. We provide a comprehensive overview of genome design principles ranging from DNA sequences to the 3D structure of chromosomes. Furthermore, we highlight applications of genome design in gene expression, genome structure, genome function, and biocontainment, and discuss the potential of artificial intelligence (AI) in genome design.

Sequential delivery of photosensitizers and checkpoint inhibitors by engineered bacteria for enhanced cancer photodynamic immunotherapy.

Engineered bacteria-based cancer therapy has increasingly been considered to be a promising therapeutic strategy due to the development of synthetic biology. Wherein, engineering bacteria-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT)-immunotherapy shows greater advantages and potential in treatment efficiency than monotherapy. However, the unsustainable regeneration of photosensitizers (PSs) and weak immune responses limit the therapeutic efficiency. Herein, we developed an engineered bacteria-based delivery system for sequential delivery of PSs and checkpoint inhibitors in cancer PDT-immunotherapy. The biosynthetic pathway of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA) was introduced into Escherichia coli, yielding a supernatant concentration of 172.19 mg/L after 10 h of growth. And another strain was endowed with the light-controllable releasement of anti-programmed cell death-ligand 1 nanobodies (anti-PD-L1). This system exhibited a collaborative effect, where PDT initiated tumor cell death and the released tumor cell fragments stimulated immunity, followed by the elimination of residual tumor cells. The tumor inhibition rate reached 74.97%, and the portion of activated T cells and inflammatory cytokines were reinforced. The results demonstrated that the engineered bacteria-based collaborative system could sequentially deliver therapeutic substance and checkpoint inhibitors, and achieve good therapeutic therapy. This paper will provide a new perspective for the cancer PDT-immunotherapy.

Anoectochilus roxburghii Extract Extends the Lifespan of Caenorhabditis elegans through Activating the daf-16/FoxO Pathway.

As a significant global issue, aging is prompting people's interest in the potential anti-aging properties of Anoectochilus roxburghii (A. roxburghii), a plant traditionally utilized in various Asian countries for its purported benefits in treating diabetes and combating aging. However, the specific anti-aging components and mechanisms of A. roxburghii remain unclear. This study aims to investigate the anti-aging effects and mechanisms of A. roxburghii extract E (ARE). Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) were exposed to media containing different concentrations of ARE whose superior in vitro radical scavenging capacity was thus identified. Lifespan assays, stress resistance tests, and RT-qPCR analyses were conducted to evaluate anti-aging efficacy, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, antioxidant enzyme activity, and daf-16, sod-3, and gst-4 levels. Additionally, transcriptomic and metabolomic analyses were performed to elucidate the potential anti-aging mechanisms of ARE. Fluorescence protein assays and gene knockout experiments were employed to validate the impacts of ARE on anti-aging mechanisms. Our results revealed that ARE not only prolonged the lifespan of C. elegans but also mitigated ROS and lipofuscin accumulation, and boosted resistance to UV and heat stress. Furthermore, ARE modulated the expression of pivotal anti-aging genes including daf-16, sod-3, and gst-4, facilitating the nuclear translocation of DAF-16. Significantly, ARE failed to extend the lifespan of daf-16-deficient C. elegans (CF1038), indicating its dependency on the daf-16/FoxO signaling pathway. These results underscored the effectiveness of ARE as a natural agent for enhancing longevity and stress resilience to C. elegans, potentially to human.

Ambient ultrafine particles exacerbate oxygen desaturation during sleep in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: New insights into the effect spectrum of ultrafine particles on susceptible populations.

The health effects of ultrafine particles (UFPs) are of growing global concern, but the epidemiological evidence remains limited. Sleep-disordered breathing (SDB) characterized by hypoxemia is a prevalent condition linked to many debilitating chronic diseases. However, the role of UFPs in the development of SDB is lacking. Therefore, this prospective panel study was performed to specifically investigate the association of short-term exposure to UFPs with SDB parameters in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Ninety-one COPD patients completed 226 clinical visits in Beijing, China. Personal exposure to ambient UFPs of 0-7 days was estimated based on infiltration factor and time-activity pattern. Real-time monitoring of sleep oxygen saturation, spirometry, respiratory questionnaires and airway inflammation detection were performed at each clinical visit. Generalized estimating equation was used to estimate the effects of UFPs. Exposure to UFPs was significantly associated with increased oxygen desaturation index (ODI) and percent of the time with oxygen saturation below 90 % (T90), with estimates of 21.50 % (95%CI: 6.38 %, 38.76 %) and 18.75 % (95%CI: 2.83 %, 37.14 %), respectively, per 3442 particles/cm3 increment of UFPs at lag 0-3 h. Particularly, UFPs' exposure within 0-7 days was positively associated with the concentration of alveolar nitric oxide (CaNO), and alveolar eosinophilic inflammation measured by CaNO exceeding 5 ppb was associated with 29.63 % and 33.48 % increases in ODI and T90, respectively. In addition, amplified effects on oxygen desaturation were observed in current smokers. Notably, individuals with better lung function and activity tolerance were more affected by ambient UFPs due to longer time spent outdoors. To our knowledge, this is the first study to link UFPs to hypoxemia during sleep and uncover the key role of alveolar eosinophilic inflammation. Our findings provide new insights into the effect spectrum of UFPs and potential environmental and behavioral intervention strategies to protect susceptible populations.

Isoindoline-based fluorogenic probes bearing a self-immolative linker for the sensitive and selective detection of O-GlcNAcase activity.

O-GlcNAcase (OGA) is implicated in several important biological and disease-relevant processes. Here, we synthesized fluorogenic probes for OGA by grafting GlcNAc directly or using a self-immolative linker to the hydroxyl position of 4-hydroxylisoindoline (BHID), a typical excited-state intramolecular proton transfer (ESIPT) probe. The probe was used for a fluorogenic assay to determine the half maximal inhibitory concentration of a known OGA inhibitor and differentiate between OGA and hexosaminidase when GlcNAc is replaced by GlcNPr, where a propionyl group is used instead of an acetyl group.

The generation of sulfate species on Ir-based catalysts for boosting NO reduction with CO under the coexistence of O2 and SO2 atmosphere.

Generally, sulfur poisoning is considered to be one of the main factors contributing to the deactivation of selective catalytic reduction of NOx by CO (CO-SCR) catalysts, while the promotional effect of SO2 on NO reduction over Ir/SiO2 is observed which is an interesting scientific phenomenon. After the introduction of 20 ppm SO2, NOx conversion increased from âˆ¼ 40 % to âˆ¼ 90 % at 275 °C, and N2 selectivity increased from âˆ¼ 80 % to 100 % at 200 âˆ¼ 300 °C. Furthermore, the promoting effect could remain unchanged after 24 h of continuous reaction. However, the temperature point for achieving complete conversion of CO increased from 225 °C to 275 °C after the introduction of SO2. Experimental characterization and theoretical calculation jointly proved that the inhibition of CO oxidation by the generation of sulfate was the main reason for promoting NO reduction. Under the coexistence of O2 and SO2, SO2 was firstly oxidized to SO3 on the iridium surface and generated sulfate species on surface hydroxyl groups of SiO2. Some active sites for O2 adsorption were covered by the generated surface sulfate, and adsorbed CO was hard to react with adsorbed O2, resulting in Langmuir-Hinshelwood (L-H) reaction pathways for CO oxidation being inhibited. Therefore, unoxidized CO reacted with NO adsorbed species and generated N2O to generate N2 and CO2, improving NO reduction. This new insight has implications for understanding the promotional effect of SO2 on NO reduction with CO in the presence of O2.

Removing Artifacts in Transcranial Photoacoustic Imaging With Polarized Self-Attention Dense-UNet.

OBJECTIVE: Photoacoustic imaging (PAI) is a promising transcranial imaging technique. However, the distortion of photoacoustic signals induced by the skull significantly influences its imaging quality. We aimed to use deep learning for removing artifacts in PAI. METHODS: In this study, we propose a polarized self-attention dense U-Net, termed PSAD-UNet, to correct the distortion and accurately recover imaged objects beneath bone plates. To evaluate the performance of the proposed method, a series of experiments was performed using a custom-built PAI system. RESULTS: The experimental results showed that the proposed PSAD-UNet method could effectively implement transcranial PAI through a one- or two-layer bone plate. Compared with the conventional delay-and-sum and classical U-Net methods, PSAD-UNet can diminish the influence of bone plates and provide high-quality PAI results in terms of structural similarity and peak signal-to-noise ratio. The 3-D experimental results further confirm the feasibility of PSAD-UNet in 3-D transcranial imaging. CONCLUSION: PSAD-UNet paves the way for implementing transcranial PAI with high imaging accuracy, which reveals broad application prospects in preclinical and clinical fields.

Commercial markups on pediatric oncology drugs at 340B pediatric hospitals.

Eligible pediatric hospitals can purchase clinician-administered drugs at discounted rates through the 340B Drug Pricing Program and charge payers prices exceeding drug acquisition costs, but the magnitude of these markups is not known. In a study of newly approved oncology drugs at pediatric 340B hospitals, median negotiated prices ranged from 102% (interquartile range [IQR]: 91%-156%) of average sales price (ASP) at Phoenix Children's Hospital to 630% (IQR: 526%-630%) at Driscoll Children's Hospital. Pediatric hospitals participating in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program can extract steep payments on new drugs from commercial insurers, though with wide variation between and within hospitals.

Novel Dynamic Event-Triggered Consensus Control of Multiagent Systems With Markovian Switching Topologies Under DoS Attacks.

This article focuses on the issue of novel dynamic event-triggered consensus control of multiagent systems (MASs) with denial-of-service (DoS) attacks. Different from the conventional Markovian switching topologies, the generally uncertain semi-Markovian (GUSM) switching topologies with partially unknown elements and time-dependent uncertainties are constructed for the leader-following MASs by considering the equipment performance and external uncertain environment influence. To save communication resources, the novel dynamic memory event-triggered strategy (DMETS) is presented to decrease the frequency of communication between agents. Some secure consensus control criteria are established for the MASs with GUSM switching topologies and DoS attacks due to the potential system communication disruption caused by attackers. Finally, two physical system examples are designed to prove the effectiveness of the presented method.

GhSBI1, a CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2 homologue, modulates branch internode elongation in cotton.

Branch length is an important plant architecture trait in cotton (Gossypium) breeding. Development of cultivars with short branch has been proposed as a main object to enhance cotton yield potential, because they are suitable for high planting density. Here, we report the molecular cloning and characterization of a semi-dominant quantitative trait locus, Short Branch Internode 1(GhSBI1), which encodes a NAC transcription factor homologous to CUP-SHAPED COTYLEDON 2 (CUC2) and is regulated by microRNA ghr-miR164. We demonstrate that a point mutation found in sbi1 mutants perturbs ghr-miR164-directed regulation of GhSBI1, resulting in an increased expression level of GhSBI1. The sbi1 mutant was sensitive to exogenous gibberellic acid (GA) treatments. Overexpression of GhSBI1 inhibited branch internode elongation and led to the decreased levels of bioactive GAs. In addition, gene knockout analysis showed that GhSBI1 is required for the maintenance of the boundaries of multiple tissues in cotton. Transcriptome analysis revealed that overexpression of GhSBI1 affects the expression of plant hormone signalling-, axillary meristems initiation-, and abiotic stress response-related genes. GhSBI1 interacted with GAIs, the DELLA repressors of GA signalling. GhSBI1 represses expression of GA signalling- and cell elongation-related genes by directly targeting their promoters. Our work thus provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms for branch length and paves the way for the development of elite cultivars with suitable plant architecture in cotton.

Surface Plasmon Resonance Sensor Based on Fe2O3/Au for Alcohol Concentration Detection.

Hematite (α-Fe2O3) is widely used in sensor sensitization due to its excellent optical properties. In this study, we present a sensitivity-enhanced surface plasmon resonance alcohol sensor based on Fe2O3/Au. We describe the fabrication process of the sensor and characterize its structure. We conduct performance testing on sensors coated multiple times and use solutions with the same gradient of refractive indices as the sensing medium. Within the refractive index range of 1.3335-1.3635, the sensor that was coated twice achieved the highest sensitivity, reaching 2933.2 nm/RIU. This represents a 30.26% enhancement in sensitivity compared to a sensor with a pure gold monolayer film structure. Additionally, we demonstrated the application of this sensor in alcohol concentration detection by testing the alcohol content of common beverages, showing excellent agreement with theoretical values and highlighting the sensor's potential in food testing.

Guava polysaccharides attenuate high fat and STZ-induced hyperglycemia by regulating gut microbiota and arachidonic acid metabolism.

This study investigated the hypoglycemic mechanism of guava polysaccharides (GP) through the gut microbiota (GM) and related metabolites. Our findings demonstrated that GP significantly mitigated high-fat diet- and streptozotocin-induced hyperglycemia, insulin resistance, hyperlipidemia, elevated alanine aminotransferase, high hepatic inflammation levels, and prevented pancreatic atrophy and hepatomegaly. Interestingly, the benefits of GP were attributed to alterations in the GM. GP decreased the ratio of Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes, significantly inhibiting deleterious bacteria, including Uncultured_f_Desulfovibrionaceae, Bilophila, and Desulfovibrio, while promoting the proliferation of probiotic Bifidobacterium and Bacteroides. In addition, GP promoted the generation of short-chain fatty acids. Notably, the arachidonic acid (AA) metabolism pathway was enriched in liver metabolites. GP significantly elevated hepatic AA and 15-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid, while reducing prostaglandin E2 and 5- and 12-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid. This modulation is accompanied by the downregulation of hepatic cyclooxygenase-1, 12-lipoxygenase, P38, and c-Jun N-terminal kinase mRNA expression, and the upregulation of cytochrome P4502J5 and insulin receptor substrate 1/2 mRNA expression. However, GP antibiotic treatment did not induce significant alterations in FBG and AA levels or gene expression. Overall, our findings suggest that the hypoglycemic effect of GP may be intricately linked to alterations in AA metabolism, which depends on the GM.

From Traditional to Intelligent, A Review of Application and Progress of Sensory Analysis in Alcoholic Beverage Industry.

Sensory analysis is an interdisciplinary field that combines multiple disciplines to analyze food qualitatively and quantitatively. At present, this analysis method has been widely used in product development, quality control, marketing, flavor analysis, safety supervision and inspection of alcoholic beverages. Due to the changing needs of analysis, new and more optimized methods are still emerging. Thereinto, intelligent and biometric technologies with growing attention have also been applied to sensory analysis. This work summarized the sensory analysis methods from three aspects, including traditional artificial sensory analysis, intelligent sensory technology, and innovative technologies. Meanwhile, the application sensory analysis in alcoholic beverages and its industrial production was scientifically emphasized. Moreover, the future tendency of sensory analysis in the alcoholic beverage industry is also highlights.

A Reverse Suture Anchor Technique for Arthroscopic Medial Meniscus Root Repair.

Injuries of the posterior root of the medial meniscus can be accompanied by damage to the anterior cruciate ligament or often occur independently in cases of degenerative meniscal injury in older individuals. Anchor suture repair can achieve favorable biomechanical effects and clinical outcomes. However, anchor placement is technically challenging and requires a posterior medial approach, which increases the risk of iatrogenic injury. To address these issues, we have utilized the reverse anchor technique to repair the posterior root of the medial meniscus. This technique offers advantages such as reduced surgical time, simplified operation, and reduced risk of the "bungee effect" and iatrogenic injury.

Hybridization of short-range and long-range charge transfer boosts room-temperature phosphorescence performance.

At present, mainstream room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) emission relies on organic materials with long-range charge-transfer effects; therefore, exploring new forms of charge transfer to generate RTP is worth studying. In this work, indole-carbazole was used as the core to ensure the narrowband fluorescence emission of the material based on its characteristic short-range charge-transfer effect. In addition, halogenated carbazoles were introduced into the periphery to construct long-range charge transfer, resulting in VTCzNL-Cl and VTCzNL-Br. By encapsulating these phosphors into a robust host (TPP), two host-guest crystalline systems were further developed, achieving efficient RTP performance with phosphorescence quantum yields of 26% and phosphorescence lifetimes of 3.2 and 39.2 ms, respectively.