The 7q11.23 Protein DNAJC30 Interacts with ATP Synthase and Links Mitochondria to Brain Development.

Despite the known causality of copy-number variations (CNVs) to human neurodevelopmental disorders, the mechanisms behind each gene's contribution to the constellation of neural phenotypes remain elusive. Here, we investigated the 7q11.23 CNV, whose hemideletion causes Williams syndrome (WS), and uncovered that mitochondrial dysfunction participates in WS pathogenesis. Dysfunction is facilitated in part by the 7q11.23 protein DNAJC30, which interacts with mitochondrial ATP-synthase machinery. Removal of Dnajc30 in mice resulted in hypofunctional mitochondria, diminished morphological features of neocortical pyramidal neurons, and altered behaviors reminiscent of WS. The mitochondrial features are consistent with our observations of decreased integrity of oxidative phosphorylation supercomplexes and ATP-synthase dimers in WS. Thus, we identify DNAJC30 as an auxiliary component of ATP-synthase machinery and reveal mitochondrial maladies as underlying certain defects in brain development and function associated with WS.

Geometric design of antireflective leafhopper brochosomes.

In nature, leafhoppers cover their body surfaces with brochosomes as a protective coating. These leafhopper-produced brochosomes are hollow, buckyball-shaped, nanoscopic spheroids with through-holes distributed across their surfaces, representing a class of deployable optical materials that are rare in nature. Despite their discovery in the 1950s, it remains unknown why the sizes of brochosomes and their through-holes consistently fall within the range of hundreds of nanometers across different leafhopper species. Here, we demonstrate that the hierarchical geometries of brochosomes are engineered within a narrow size range with through-hole architecture to significantly reduce light reflection. By utilizing two-photon polymerization three-dimensional printing to fabricate high-fidelity synthetic brochosomes, we investigated the optical form-to-function relationship of brochosomes. Our results show that the diameters of brochosomes are engineered within a specific size range to maximize broadband light scattering, while the secondary through-holes are designed to function as short-wavelength, low-pass filters, further reducing light reflection. These synergistic effects enable brochosomes to achieve a substantial reduction in specular reflection, by up to approximately 80 to 94%, across a broadband wavelength range. Importantly, brochosomes represent a biological example demonstrating short-wavelength, low-pass filter functionality. Furthermore, our results indicate that the geometries of natural brochosomes may have evolved to effectively reduce reflection from ultraviolet to visible light, thereby enabling leafhoppers to evade predators whose vision spectrum encompasses both ultraviolet and visible light. Our findings offer key design insights into a class of deployable bioinspired optical materials with potential applications in omnidirectional antireflection coatings, optical encryption, and multispectral camouflage.

Cleavage of the syncytial protein of J paramyxovirus is required for its ability to promote cell-cell fusion.

Cell-cell fusion mediated by most paramyxovirus requires fusion protein (F) and attachment protein (H, HN, or G). The F protein is proteolytic cleaved to be fusogenically active. J paramyxovirus (JPV) has a unique feature in the family Paramyxoviridae: It encodes an integral membrane protein, syncytial protein (SP, formerly known as transmembrane protein, TM), which is essential in JPV-promoted cell-cell fusion (i.e., syncytial). In this study, we report that cleavage of SP is essential for its syncytial-promoting activity. We have identified the cleavage site of SP at amino acid residues 172 to 175, LKTG, and deletion of the "LKTG" residues abolished SP protein cleavage and its ability to promote cell-cell fusion. Replacing the cleavage site LKTG with a factor Xa protease cleavage site allows cleavage of the SP with factor Xa protease and restores its ability to promote cell-cell fusion. Furthermore, results from a hemifusion assay indicate that cleavage of SP plays an important role in the progression from the intermediate hemifusion state to a complete fusion. This work indicates that SP has many characteristics of a fusion protein. We propose that SP is likely a cell-cell fusion-promoting protein.

Interpreting chemisorption strength with AutoML-based feature deletion experiments.

The chemisorption energy of reactants on a catalyst surface, [Formula: see text], is among the most informative characteristics of understanding and pinpointing the optimal catalyst. The intrinsic complexity of catalyst surfaces and chemisorption reactions presents significant difficulties in identifying the pivotal physical quantities determining [Formula: see text]. In response to this, the study proposes a methodology, the feature deletion experiment, based on Automatic Machine Learning (AutoML) for knowledge extraction from a high-throughput density functional theory (DFT) database. The study reveals that, for binary alloy surfaces, the local adsorption site geometric information is the primary physical quantity determining [Formula: see text], compared to the electronic and physiochemical properties of the catalyst alloys. By integrating the feature deletion experiment with instance-wise variable selection (INVASE), a neural network-based explainable AI (XAI) tool, we established the best-performing feature set containing 21 intrinsic, non-DFT computed properties, achieving an MAE of 0.23 eV across a periodic table-wide chemical space involving more than 1,600 types of alloys surfaces and 8,400 chemisorption reactions. This study demonstrates the stability, consistency, and potential of AutoML-based feature deletion experiment in developing concise, predictive, and theoretically meaningful models for complex chemical problems with minimal human intervention.

Evaluating the role of DNA methyltransferases in trophoblast fusion and preeclampsia development: Insights from methylation-regulated genes.

The etiology of preeclampsia (PE), a complex and multifactorial condition, remains incompletely understood. DNA methylation, which is primarily regulated by three DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs), DNMT1, DNMT3A, and DNMT3B, plays a vital role in early embryonic development and trophectoderm differentiation. Yet, how DNMTs modulate trophoblast fusion and PE development remains unclear. In this study, we found that the DNMTs expression was downregulated during trophoblast cells fusion. Downregulation of DNMTs was observed during the reconstruction of the denuded syncytiotrophoblast (STB) layer of placental explants. Additionally, overexpression of DNMTs inhibited trophoblast fusion. Conversely, treatment with the DNA methylation inhibitor 5-aza-CdR decreased the expression of DNMTs and promoted trophoblast fusion. A combined analysis of DNA methylation data and gene transcriptome data obtained from the primary cytotrophoblasts (CTBs) fusion process identified 104 potential methylation-regulated differentially expressed genes (MeDEGs) with upregulated expression due to DNA demethylation, including CD59, TNFAIP3, SDC1, and CDK6. The transcription regulation region (TRR) of TNFAIP3 showed a hypomethylation with induction of 5-aza-CdR, which facilitated CREB recruitment and thereby participated in regulating trophoblast fusion. More importantly, clinical correlation analysis of PE showed that the abnormal increase in DNMTs may be involved in the development of PE. This study identified placental DNA methylation-regulated genes that may contribute to PE, offering a novel perspective on the role of epigenetics in trophoblast fusion and its implication in PE development.

Endothelial TGF-ß Signaling Regulates Endothelial-Mesenchymal Transition During Arteriovenous Fistula Remodeling in Mice With Chronic Kidney Disease.

BACKGROUND: Arteriovenous fistulae (AVFs) are the preferred vascular access for hemodialysis in patients with end-stage kidney disease. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with endothelial injury, impaired AVF maturation, and reduced patency, as well as utilization. Because CKD is characterized by multiple pathophysiological processes that induce endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT), we hypothesized that CKD promotes EndMT during venous remodeling and that disruption of endothelial TGF (transforming growth factor)-ß signaling inhibits EndMT to prevent AVF failure even in the end-stage kidney disease environment. METHODS: The mouse 5/6 nephrectomy and aortocaval fistula models were used. CKD was created via 5/6 nephrectomy, with controls of no (0/6) or partial (3/6) nephrectomy in C57BL/6J mice. AVFs were created in mice with knockdown of TGF-ßR1/R2 (TGF-ß receptors type 1/2) in either smooth muscle cells or endothelial cells. AVF diameters and patency were measured and confirmed by serial ultrasound examination. AVF, both murine and human, were examined using Western blot, histology, and immunofluorescence. Human and mouse endothelial cells were used for in vitro experiments. RESULTS: CKD accelerates TGF-ß activation and promotes EndMT that is associated with increased AVF wall thickness and reduced patency in mice. Inhibition of TGF-ß signaling in both endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells decreased smooth muscle cell proliferation in the AVF wall, attenuated EndMT, and was associated with reduced wall thickness, increased outward remodeling, and improved AVF patency. Human AVF also showed increased TGF-ß signaling and EndMT. CONCLUSIONS: CKD promotes EndMT and reduces AVF patency. Inhibition of TGF-ß signaling, especially disruption of endothelial cell-specific TGF-ß signaling, attenuates EndMT and improves AVF patency in mouse AVF. Inhibition of EndMT may be a therapeutic approach of translational significance to improve AVF patency in human patients with CKD.

Spring Viremia of Carp Virus N Protein Negatively Regulates IFN Induction through Autophagy-Lysosome-Dependent Degradation of STING.

Fish possess a powerful IFN system to defend against aquatic virus infections. Nevertheless, spring viremia of carp virus (SVCV) causes large-scale mortality in common carp and significant economic losses to aquaculture. Therefore, it is necessary to investigate the strategies used by SVCV to escape the IFN response. In this study, we show that the SVCV nucleoprotein (N protein) negatively regulates cellular IFN production by degrading stimulator of IFN genes (STING) via the autophagy-lysosome-dependent pathway. First, overexpression of N protein inhibited the IFN promoter activation induced by polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid and STING. Second, the N protein associated with STING and experiments using a dominant-negative STING mutant demonstrated that the N-terminal transmembrane domains of STING were indispensable for this interaction. Then, the N protein degraded STING in a dose-dependent and autophagy-lysosome-dependent manner. Intriguingly, in the absence of STING, individual N proteins could not elicit host autophagic flow. Furthermore, the autophagy factor Beclin1 was found to interact with the N protein to attenuate N protein-mediated STING degradation after beclin1 knockdown. Finally, the N protein remarkably weakened STING-enhanced cellular antiviral responses. These findings reveal that SVCV uses the host autophagic process to achieve immune escape, thus broadening our understanding of aquatic virus pathogenesis.

Realized Record Capacity and Rate Performance of Dual-Carbon Batteries Constructed by Introducing Superhard Nanodiamonds.

Dual-ion batteries (DIBs) are becoming an important technology for energy storage. To overcome the disadvantages of traditional electrodes and electrolytes, here we assemble a dual-carbon DIB with nanodiamond (ND)-modified crimped graphene (DCG) and electrolyte. The DCG anode and cathode realize high capacities of 1121 mA h g-1 and 149 mA h g-1, respectively, at 0.1 A g-1. The corresponding DCG//DCG full cells present a high capacity of 143 mA h g-1 at 1 A g-1 after 3300 cycles, which is superior to most reported results. Achieving these record performances is strongly dependent on the formed DCG electrodes with expanded interlayer spacing and abundant active sites, and NDs dispersed in DCG and electrolytes are very helpful for enhancing the storage of both cations and anions, effectively suppressing the irreversible decomposition of electrolytes. This work breaks through the bottleneck of graphitic-based DIBs, paving the way for realizing high-performance DIBs applied in industry.

Observation of Near-Field Thermal Radiation between Coplanar Nanodevices with Subwavelength Dimensions.

With the continuous advancement of nanotechnology, nanodevices have become crucial components in computing, sensing, and energy conversion applications. The structures of nanodevices typically possess subwavelength dimensions and separations, which pose significant challenges for understanding energy transport phenomena in nanodevices. Here, on the basis of a judiciously designed thermal photonic nanodevice, we report the first measurement of near-field energy transport between two coplanar subwavelength structures over temperature bias up to ∼190 K. Our experimental results demonstrate a 20-fold enhancement in energy transfer beyond blackbody radiation. In contrast with the well-established near-field interactions between two semi-infinite bodies, the subwavelength confinements in nanodevices lead to increased polariton scattering and reduction of supporting photonic modes and, therefore, a lower energy flow at a given separation. Our work unveils exciting opportunities for the rational design of nanodevices, particularly for coplanar near-field energy transport, with important implications for the development of efficient nanodevices for energy harvesting and thermal management.

Research progress on the roles of dopamine and dopamine receptors in digestive system diseases.

Dopamine (DA) is a neurotransmitter synthesized in the human body that acts on multiple organs throughout the body, reaching them through the blood circulation. Neurotransmitters are special molecules that act as messengers by binding to receptors at chemical synapses between neurons. As ligands, they mainly bind to corresponding receptors on central or peripheral tissue cells. Signalling through chemical synapses is involved in regulating the activities of various body systems. Lack of DA or a decrease in DA levels in the brain can lead to serious diseases such as Parkinson's disease, schizophrenia, addiction and attention deficit disorder. It is widely recognized that DA is closely related to neurological diseases. As research on the roles of brain-gut peptides in human physiology and pathology has deepened in recent years, the regulatory role of neurotransmitters in digestive system diseases has gradually attracted researchers' attention, and research on DA has expanded to the field of digestive system diseases. This review mainly elaborates on the research progress on the roles of DA and DRs related to digestive system diseases. Starting from the biochemical and pharmacological properties of DA and DRs, it discusses the therapeutic value of DA- and DR-related drugs for digestive system diseases.

Cathodal bilateral transcranial direct-current stimulation regulates selenium to confer neuroprotection after rat cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion injury.

Non-invasive transcranial direct-current stimulation (tDCS) is a safe ischaemic stroke therapy. Cathodal bilateral tDCS (BtDCS) is a modified tDCS approach established by us recently. Because selenium (Se) plays a crucial role in cerebral ischaemic injury, we investigated whether cathodal BtDCS conferred neuroprotection via regulating Se-dependent signalling in rat cerebral ischaemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. We first showed that the levels of Se and its transport protein selenoprotein P (SEPP1) were reduced in the rat cortical penumbra following I/R, whereas cathodal BtDCS prevented the reduction of Se and SEPP1. Interestingly, direct-current stimulation (DCS) increased SEPP1 level in cultured astrocytes subjected to oxygen-glucose deprivation reoxygenation (OGD/R) but had no effect on SEPP1 level in OGD/R-insulted neurons, indicating that DCS may increase Se in ischaemic neurons by enhancing the synthesis and secretion of SEPP1 in astrocytes. We then revealed that DCS reduced the number of injured mitochondria in OGD/R-insulted neurons cocultured with astrocytes. DCS and BtDCS prevented the reduction of the mitochondrial quality-control signalling, vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) and syntaxin-4 (STX4), in OGD/R-insulted neurons cocultured with astrocytes and the ischaemic brain respectively. Under the same experimental conditions, downregulation of SEPP1 blocked DCS- and BtDCS-induced upregulation of VAMP2 and STX4. Finally, we demonstrated that cathodal BtDCS increased Se to reduce infract volume following I/R. Together, the present study uncovered a molecular mechanism by which cathodal BtDCS confers neuroprotection through increasing SEPP1 in astrocytes and subsequent upregulation of SEPP1/VAMP2/STX4 signalling in ischaemic neurons after rat cerebral I/R injury. KEY POINTS: Cathodal bilateral transcranial direct-current stimulation (BtDCS) prevents the reduction of selenium (Se) and selenoprotein P in the ischaemic penumbra. Se plays a crucial role in cerebral ischaemia injury. Direct-current stimulation reduces mitochondria injury and blocks the reduction of vesicle-associated membrane protein 2 (VAMP2) and syntaxin-4 (STX4) in oxygen-glucose deprivation reoxygenation-insulted neurons following coculturing with astrocytes. Cathodal BtDCS regulates Se/VAMP2/STX4 signalling to confer neuroprotection after ischaemia.

Mutation of phytochrome B promotes resistance to sheath blight and saline-alkaline stress via increasing ammonium uptake in rice.

Phytochrome B (PhyB), a red-light receptor, plays important roles in diverse biological processes in plants; however, its function in NH4 + uptake and stress responses of plants is unclear. Here, we observed that mutation in indeterminate domain 10 (IDD10), which encodes a key transcription factor in NH4 + signaling, led to NH4 + -sensitive root growth in light but not in the dark. Genetic combinations of idd10 and phy mutants demonstrated that phyB, but not phyA or phyC, suppressed NH4 + -sensitive root growth of idd10. PhyB mutants and PhyB overexpressors (PhyB OXs) accumulated more and less NH4 + , respectively, compared with wild-type plants. Real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) revealed that PhyB negatively regulated NH4 + -mediated induction of Ammonium transporter 1;2 (AMT1;2). AMT1 RNAi plants with suppressed AMT1;1, AMT1;2, and AMT1;3 expression exhibited shorter primary roots under NH4 + conditions. This suggested that NH4 + uptake might be positively associated with root growth. Further, PhyB interacted with and inhibited IDD10 and brassinazole-resistant 1 (BZR1). IDD10 interacted with BZR1 to activate AMT1;2. NH4 + uptake is known to promote resistance of rice (Oryza sativa) to sheath blight (ShB) and saline-alkaline stress. Inoculation of Rhizoctonia solani demonstrated that PhyB and IDD10 negatively regulated and AMT1 and BZR1 positively regulated resistance of rice to ShB. In addition, PhyB negatively regulated and IDD10 and AMT1 positively regulated resistance of rice to saline-alkaline stress. This suggested that PhyB-IDD10-AMT1;2 signaling regulates the saline-alkaline response, whereas the PhyB-BZR1-AMT1;2 pathway modulates ShB resistance. Collectively, these data prove that mutation in the PhyB gene enhances the resistance of rice to ShB and saline-alkaline stress by increasing NH4 + uptake.

Enamine Acylation Enabled Desymmetrization of Malonic Esters.

Asymmetric enamine alkylation represents a powerful tool for stereoselective C-C bond formation; in contrast, the development of enantioselective enamine acylation remains elusive. Here, we report that a chiral phosphoric acid can render an in-situ-formed enamine to undergo a stereoselective intramolecular α-carbon acylation, providing an alternative approach for the synthesis of useful pyrrolinones and indolinones bearing tetrasubstituted stereocenters. Utilizing an effective integration of the desymmetrization strategy and bifunctional organocatalysis, the first example of enantioselective enamine acylation is achieved by employing readily available aminomalonic esters and cyclic ketones. Instead of reactive and moisture-sensitive acyl chlorides, common esters with low electrophilicity were successfully used as efficient acylating reagents via hydrogen bonding interactions. The utility is demonstrated in the concise and enantioselective synthesis of (+)-LipidGreen I and II. Experimental studies and DFT calculations establish the reaction pathway and the origin of stereocontrol.

Disturbed flow in the juxta-anastomotic area of an arteriovenous fistula correlates with endothelial loss, acute thrombus formation, and neointimal hyperplasia.

Clinical failure of arteriovenous neointimal hyperplasia (NIH) fistulae (AVF) is frequently due to juxta-anastomotic NIH (JANIH). Although the mouse AVF model recapitulates human AVF maturation, previous studies focused on the outflow vein distal to the anastomosis. We hypothesized that the juxta-anastomotic area (JAA) has increased NIH compared with the outflow vein. AVF was created in C57BL/6 mice without or with chronic kidney disease (CKD). Temporal and spatial changes of the JAA were examined using histology and immunofluorescence. Computational techniques were used to model the AVF. RNA-seq and bioinformatic analyses were performed to compare the JAA with the outflow vein. The jugular vein to carotid artery AVF model was created in Wistar rats. The neointima in the JAA shows increased volume compared with the outflow vein. Computational modeling shows an increased volume of disturbed flow at the JAA compared with the outflow vein. Endothelial cells are immediately lost from the wall contralateral to the fistula exit, followed by thrombus formation and JANIH. Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis of the 1,862 differentially expressed genes (DEG) between the JANIH and the outflow vein identified 525 overexpressed genes. The rat jugular vein to carotid artery AVF showed changes similar to the mouse AVF. Disturbed flow through the JAA correlates with rapid endothelial cell loss, thrombus formation, and JANIH; late endothelialization of the JAA channel correlates with late AVF patency. Early thrombus formation in the JAA may influence the later development of JANIH.NEW & NOTEWORTHY Disturbed flow and focal endothelial cell loss in the juxta-anastomotic area of the mouse AVF colocalizes with acute thrombus formation followed by late neointimal hyperplasia. Differential flow patterns between the juxta-anastomotic area and the outflow vein correlate with differential expression of genes regulating coagulation, proliferation, collagen metabolism, and the immune response. The rat jugular vein to carotid artery AVF model shows changes similar to the mouse AVF model.

Amidation-Reaction Strategy Constructs Versatile Mixed Matrix Composite Membranes towards Efficient Volatile Organic Compounds Adsorption and CO2 Separation.

Mixed matrix composite membranes (MMCMs) have shown advantages in reducing VOCs and CO2 emissions. Suitable composite layer, substrate, and good compatibility between the filler and the matrix in the composite layer are critical issues in designing MMCMs. This work develops a high-performance UiO-66-NA@PDMS/MCE for VOCs adsorption and CO2 permea-selectivity, based on a simple and facile fabrication of composite layer using amidation-reaction approach on the substrate. The composite layer shows a continuous morphological appearance without interface voids. This outstanding compatibility interaction between UiO-66-NH2 and PDMS is confirmed by molecular simulations. The Si─O functional group and UiO-66-NH2 in the layer leads to improved VOCs adsorption via active sites, skeleton interaction, electrostatic interaction, and van der Waals force. The layer and ─CONH─ also facilitate CO2 transport. The MMCMs show strong four VOCs adsorption and high CO2 permeance of 276.5 GPU with a selectivity of 36.2. The existence of VOCs in UiO-66-NA@PDMS/MCE increases the polarity and fine-tunes the pore size of UiO-66-NH2, improving the affinity towards CO2 and thus promoting the permea-selectivity for CO2, which is further verified by GCMC and EMD methods. This work is expected to offer a facile composite layer manufacturing method for MMCMs with high VOC adsorption and CO2 permea-selectivity.

A Sunlight-Driven Self-Cleaning CuCo-MOF Composite Membrane for Highly Efficient Emulsion Separation and Water Purification.

The fouling phenomenon of membranes has hindered the rapid development of separation technology in wastewater treatment. The integration of materials into membranes with both excellent separation performance and self-cleaning properties still pose challenges. Here, a self-assembled composite membrane with solar-driven self-cleaning performance is reported for the treatment of complex oil-water emulsions. The mechanical robustness of the composite membrane is enhanced by the electrostatic attraction between chitosan and metal-organic frameworks (MOF) CuCo-HHTP as well as the crosslinking effect of glutaraldehyde. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations also revealed the hydrogen bonding interaction between chitosan and CuCo-HHTP. The composite membrane of CuCo-HHTP-5@CS/MPVDF exhibits a high flux ranging from 700.6 to 2350.6 L∙m-2∙h-1∙bar-1 and excellent separation efficiency (>99.0%) for various oil-water emulsions, including crude oil, kerosene, and other light oils. The addition of CuCo-HHTP shows remarkable photothermal effects, thus demonstrating excellent solar-driven self-cleaning capability and antibacterial performance (with an efficiency of ≈100%). Furthermore, CuCo-HHTP-5@CS/MPVDF can activate peroxomonosulfate (PMS) under sunlight, quickly removing oil-fouling and dyes. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations indicate that the bimetallic sites of Cu and Co in CuCo-HHTP effectively promoted the activation of PMS. This study provides distinctive insights into the multifaceted applications of MOFs-derived photothermal anti-fouling composite membranes.

Enhanced Charge Transfer via S-Scheme Heterojunction Interface Engineering of Supramolecular SubPc-Br/UiO-66 Arrays for Efficient Photocatalytic Oxidation.

Constructing heterojunction of supramolecular arrays self-assembled on metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with elaborate charge transfer mechanisms is a promising strategy for the photocatalytic oxidation of organic pollutants. Herein, H12 SubPcB-Br (SubPc-Br) and UiO-66 are used to obtain the step-scheme (S-scheme) heterojunction SubPc-Br/UiO-66 for the first time, which is then applied in the photocatalytic oxidation of minocycline. Atomic-level B-O-Zr charge-transfer channels and van der Waals force connections synergistically accelerated the charge transfer at the interface of the SubPc-Br/UiO-66 heterojunction, while the establishment of the B-O-Zr bonds also led to the directional transfer of charge from SubPc-Br to UiO-66. The synergy is the key to improving the photocatalytic activity and stability of SubPc-Br/UiO-66, which is also verified by various characterization methods and theoretical calculations. The minocycline degradation efficiency of supramolecular SubPc-Br/UiO-66 arrays reach 90.9% within 30 min under visible light irradiation. The molecular dynamics simulations indicate that B-O-Zr bonds and van der Waals force contribute significantly to the stability of the SubPc-Br/UiO-66 heterojunction. This work reveals an approach for the rational design of semiconducting MOF-based heterojunctions with improved properties.

Skin-Integrated Electrodes Based on Room-Temperature Curable, Highly Conductive Silver/Polydimethylsiloxane Composites.

The quality of electrophysiological (EP) signals heavily relies on the electrode's contact with the skin. However, motion or exposure to water can easily destabilize this connection. In contrast to traditional methods of attaching electrodes to the skin surface, this study introduces a skin-integration strategy inspired by the skin's intergrown structure. A highly conductive and room-temperature curable composite composed of silver microflakes and polydimethylsiloxane (Ag/PDMS) is applied to the skin. Before curing, the PDMS oil partially diffuse into the stratum corneum (SC) layer of the skin. Upon curing, the composite solidifies into an electrode that seamlessly integrated with the skin, resembling a natural extension. This skin-integration strategy offers several advantages. It minimizes motion artifacts resulting from relative electrode-skin displacement, significantly reduces interface impedance (67% of commercial Ag/AgCl gel electrodes at 100 Hz) and withstands water flushes due to its hydrophobic nature. These advantages pave the way for promising advancements in EP signal recording, particularly during motion and underwater conditions.

HMGB1 regulates autophagy of placental trophoblast through ERK signaling pathway†.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study is to investigate the role of high mobility group protein B1 (HMGB1) in placental development and fetal growth. METHODS: We employed the Cre-loxP recombination system to establish a placenta-specific HMGB1 knockout mouse model. Breeding HMGB1flox/flox mice with Elf5-Cre mice facilitated the knockout, leveraging Elf5 expression in extra-embryonic ectoderm, ectoplacental cone, and trophoblast giant cells at 12.5 days of embryonic development. The primary goal of this model was to elucidate the molecular mechanism of HMGB1 in placental development, assessing parameters such as placental weight, fetal weight, and bone development. Additionally, we utilized lentiviral interference and overexpression of HMGB1 in human trophoblast cells to further investigate HMGB1's functional role. RESULTS: Our findings indicate that the HMGB1flox/floxElf5cre/+ mouse displays fetal growth restriction, characterized by decreased placental and fetal weight and impaired bone development. The absence of HMGB1 inhibits autophagosome formation, impairs lysosomal degradation, and disrupts autophagic flux. Depletion of HMGB1 in human trophoblast cells also suppresses cell viability, proliferation, migration, and invasion by inhibiting the ERK signaling pathway. Overexpression of HMGB1 observed the opposite phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS: HMGB1 participates in the regulation of autophagy through the ERK signaling pathway and affects placental development.

Zebrafish TMEM47 is an effective blocker of IFN production during RNA and DNA virus infection.

IMPORTANCE: Mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS) and stimulator of interferon (IFN) genes (STING) are key adaptor proteins required for innate immune responses to RNA and DNA virus infection. Here, we show that zebrafish transmembrane protein 47 (TMEM47) plays a critical role in regulating MAVS- and STING-triggered IFN production in a negative feedback manner. TMEM47 interacted with MAVS and STING for autophagic degradation, and ATG5 was essential for this process. These findings suggest the inhibitory function of TMEM47 on MAVS- and STING-mediated signaling responses during RNA and DNA virus infection.