IRIS: Discovery of cancer immunotherapy targets arising from pre-mRNA alternative splicing.

Alternative splicing (AS) is prevalent in cancer, generating an extensive but largely unexplored repertoire of novel immunotherapy targets. We describe Isoform peptides from RNA splicing for Immunotherapy target Screening (IRIS), a computational platform capable of discovering AS-derived tumor antigens (TAs) for T cell receptor (TCR) and chimeric antigen receptor T cell (CAR-T) therapies. IRIS leverages large-scale tumor and normal transcriptome data and incorporates multiple screening approaches to discover AS-derived TAs with tumor-associated or tumor-specific expression. In a proof-of-concept analysis integrating transcriptomics and immunopeptidomics data, we showed that hundreds of IRIS-predicted TCR targets are presented by human leukocyte antigen (HLA) molecules. We applied IRIS to RNA-seq data of neuroendocrine prostate cancer (NEPC). From 2,939 NEPC-associated AS events, IRIS predicted 1,651 epitopes from 808 events as potential TCR targets for two common HLA types (A*02:01 and A*03:01). A more stringent screening test prioritized 48 epitopes from 20 events with "neoantigen-like" NEPC-specific expression. Predicted epitopes are often encoded by microexons of ≤30 nucleotides. To validate the immunogenicity and T cell recognition of IRIS-predicted TCR epitopes, we performed in vitro T cell priming in combination with single-cell TCR sequencing. Seven TCRs transduced into human peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) showed high activity against individual IRIS-predicted epitopes, providing strong evidence of isolated TCRs reactive to AS-derived peptides. One selected TCR showed efficient cytotoxicity against target cells expressing the target peptide. Our study illustrates the contribution of AS to the TA repertoire of cancer cells and demonstrates the utility of IRIS for discovering AS-derived TAs and expanding cancer immunotherapies.

Whole-exome sequencing study identifies four novel gene loci associated with diabetic kidney disease.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is recognized as an important public health challenge. However, its genomic mechanisms are poorly understood. To identify rare variants for DKD, we conducted a whole-exome sequencing (WES) study leveraging large cohorts well-phenotyped for chronic kidney disease and diabetes. Our two-stage WES study included 4372 European and African ancestry participants from the Chronic Renal Insufficiency Cohort and Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities studies (stage 1) and 11 487 multi-ancestry Trans-Omics for Precision Medicine participants (stage 2). Generalized linear mixed models, which accounted for genetic relatedness and adjusted for age, sex and ancestry, were used to test associations between single variants and DKD. Gene-based aggregate rare variant analyses were conducted using an optimized sequence kernel association test implemented within our mixed model framework. We identified four novel exome-wide significant DKD-related loci through initiating diabetes. In single-variant analyses, participants carrying a rare, in-frame insertion in the DIS3L2 gene (rs141560952) exhibited a 193-fold increased odds [95% confidence interval (CI): 33.6, 1105] of DKD compared with noncarriers (P = 3.59 × 10-9). Likewise, each copy of a low-frequency KRT6B splice-site variant (rs425827) conferred a 5.31-fold higher odds (95% CI: 3.06, 9.21) of DKD (P = 2.72 × 10-9). Aggregate gene-based analyses further identified ERAP2 (P = 4.03 × 10-8) and NPEPPS (P = 1.51 × 10-7), which are both expressed in the kidney and implicated in renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system modulated immune response. In the largest WES study of DKD, we identified novel rare variant loci attaining exome-wide significance. These findings provide new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying DKD.

Genomic Innovation in Early Life Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Treatment.

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is a leading cause of morbidity and mortality globally. Although CVD events do not typically manifest until older adulthood, CVD develops gradually across the life-course, beginning with the elevation of risk factors observed as early as childhood or adolescence and the emergence of subclinical disease that can occur in young adulthood or midlife. Genomic background, which is determined at zygote formation, is among the earliest risk factors for CVD. With major advances in molecular technology, including the emergence of gene-editing techniques, along with deep whole-genome sequencing and high-throughput array-based genotyping, scientists now have the opportunity to not only discover genomic mechanisms underlying CVD but use this knowledge for the life-course prevention and treatment of these conditions. The current review focuses on innovations in the field of genomics and their applications to monogenic and polygenic CVD prevention and treatment. With respect to monogenic CVD, we discuss how the emergence of whole-genome sequencing technology has accelerated the discovery of disease-causing variants, allowing comprehensive screening and early, aggressive CVD mitigation strategies in patients and their families. We further describe advances in gene editing technology, which might soon make possible cures for CVD conditions once thought untreatable. In relation to polygenic CVD, we focus on recent innovations that leverage findings of genome-wide association studies to identify druggable gene targets and develop predictive genomic models of disease, which are already facilitating breakthroughs in the life-course treatment and prevention of CVD. Gaps in current research and future directions of genomics studies are also discussed. In aggregate, we hope to underline the value of leveraging genomics and broader multiomics information for characterizing CVD conditions, work which promises to expand precision approaches for the life-course prevention and treatment of CVD.

Tas2R activation relaxes airway smooth muscle by release of Gαt targeting on AChR signaling.

Both chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and asthma are severe respiratory diseases. Bitter receptor-mediated bronchodilation is a potential therapy for asthma, but the mechanism underlying the agonistic relaxation of airway smooth muscle (ASM) is not well defined. By exploring the ASM relaxation mechanism of bitter substances, we observed that pretreatment with the bitter substances nearly abolished the methacholine (MCh)-induced increase in the ASM cell (ASMC) calcium concentration, thereby suppressing the calcium-induced contraction release. The ASM relaxation was significantly inhibited by simultaneous deletion of three Gαt proteins, suggesting an interaction between Tas2R and AChR signaling cascades in the relaxation process. Biochemically, the Gαt released by Tas2R activation complexes with AChR and blocks the Gαq cycling of AChR signal transduction. More importantly, a bitter substance, kudinoside A, not only attenuates airway constriction but also significantly inhibits pulmonary inflammation and tissue remodeling in COPD rats, indicating its modulation of additional Gαq-associated pathological processes. Thus, our results suggest that Tas2R activation may be an ideal strategy for halting multiple pathological processes of COPD.

Excitatory Projections from the Prefrontal Cortex to Nucleus Accumbens Core D1-MSNs and κ Opioid Receptor Modulate Itch-Related Scratching Behaviors.

Itch is an uncomfortable and complex sensation that elicits the desire to scratch. The nucleus accumbens (NAc) activity is important in driving sensation, motivation, and emotion. Excitatory afferents from the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), amygdala, and hippocampus are crucial in tuning the activity of dopamine receptor D1-expressing and D2-expressing medium spiny neurons (Drd1-MSN and Drd2-MSN) in the NAc. However, a cell-type and neural circuity-based mechanism of the NAc underlying acute itch remains unclear. We found that acute itch induced by compound 48/80 (C48/80) decreased the intrinsic membrane excitability in Drd1-MSNs, but not in Drd2-MSNs, in the NAc core of male mice. Chemogenetic activation of Drd1-MSNs alleviated C48/80-induced scratching behaviors but not itch-related anxiety-like behaviors. In addition, C48/80 enhanced the frequency of spontaneous EPSCs (sEPSCs) and reduced the paired-pulse ratio (PPR) of electrical stimulation-evoked EPSCs in Drd1-MSNs. Furthermore, C48/80 increased excitatory synaptic afferents to Drd1-MSNs from the mPFC, not from the basolateral amygdala (BLA) or ventral hippocampus (vHipp). Consistently, the intrinsic excitability of mPFC-NAc projecting pyramidal neurons was increased after C48/80 treatment. Chemogenetic inhibition of mPFC-NAc excitatory synaptic afferents relieved the scratching behaviors. Moreover, pharmacological activation of κ opioid receptor (KOR) in the NAc core suppressed C48/80-induced scratching behaviors, and the modulation of KOR activity in the NAc resulted in the changes of presynaptic excitatory inputs to Drd1-MSNs in C48/80-treated mice. Together, these results reveal the neural plasticity in synapses of NAc Drd1-MSNs from the mPFC underlying acute itch and indicate the modulatory role of the KOR in itch-related scratching behaviors.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Itch stimuli cause strongly scratching desire and anxiety in patients. However, the related neural mechanisms remain largely unclear. In the present study, we demonstrated that the pruritogen compound 48/80 (C48/80) shapes the excitability of dopamine receptor D1-expressing medium spiny neurons (Drd1-MSNs) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) core and the glutamatergic synaptic afferents from medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) to these neurons. Chemogenetic activation of Drd1-MSNs or inhibition of mPFC-NAc excitatory synaptic afferents relieves the scratching behaviors. In addition, pharmacological activation of κ opioid receptor (KOR) in the NAc core alleviates C48/80-induced itch. Thus, targeting mPFC-NAc Drd1-MSNs or KOR may provide effective treatments for itch.

VIRMA promotes nasopharyngeal carcinoma, tumorigenesis, and metastasis by upregulation of E2F7 in an m6A-dependent manner.

The N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification possesses new and essential roles in tumor initiation and progression by regulating mRNA biology. However, the role of aberrant m6A regulation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. Here, through comprehensive analyses of NPC cohorts from the GEO database and our internal cohort, we identified that VIRMA, an m6A writer, is significantly upregulated in NPC and plays an essential role in tumorigenesis and metastasis of NPC, both in vitro and in vivo. High VIRMA expression served as a prognostic biomarker and was associated with poor outcomes in patients with NPC. Mechanistically, VIRMA mediated the m6A methylation of E2F7 3'-UTR, then IGF2BP2 bound, and maintained the stability of E2F7 mRNA. An integrative high-throughput sequencing approach revealed that E2F7 drives a unique transcriptome distinct from the classical E2F family in NPC, which functioned as an oncogenic transcriptional activator. E2F7 cooperated with CBFB-recruited RUNX1 in a non-canonical manner to transactivate ITGA2, ITGA5, and NTRK1, strengthening Akt signaling-induced tumor-promoting effect.

Visualization of the Active Sites of Zinc-Chromium Oxides and the CO/H2 Activation Mechanism in Direct Syngas Conversion.

Despite wide studies demonstrating the versatility of the metal oxide-zeolite (OXZEO) catalyst concept to tackle the selectivity challenge in syngas chemistry, the active sites of metal oxides and the mechanism of CO/H2 activation remain to be elucidated. Herein, we demonstrate experimentally the role of Cr in zinc-chromium oxides and unveil visually, for the first time, the active sites for CO activation employing scanning transmission electron microscopy-electron energy loss spectroscopy using the volumetric density of surface carbon species as a descriptor. The ZnCr2O4 spinel surface with atomic ZnOx overlayer is the most active site for C-O bond dissociation, particularly at the narrow ZnCr2O4(110) facets constrained between the (311) and (111) facets, followed by the Cr-doped wurtzite ZnO surface. In comparison, the surfaces of ZnCr2O4 with aggregated ZnOx overlayers, pure ZnO, and the stoichiometric ZnCr2O4 exhibit a significantly lower activity. In situ synchrotron-based vacuum ultraviolet photoionization mass spectrometric study on different temperature programmed surface reactions with isotopes of C18O, 13CO, and D2 validates direct CO dissociation over ZnCrn oxides in CO, forming CH2 and further to hydrocarbons if H2 is present and CH2CO intermediates in syngas. The activity of CO dissociation and hydrogenation over ZnCrn oxides correlates well with the syngas-to-light-olefins activity of ZnCrn-SAPO-18 composite catalysts as a function of the Cr/Zn ratio.

High-Rate and Selective C2H6-to-C2H4 Photodehydrogenation Enabled by Partially Oxidized Pdδ+ Species Anchored on ZnO Nanosheets under Mild Conditions.

Photocatalytic C2H6-to-C2H4 conversion is very promising, yet it remains a long-lasting challenge due to the high C-H bond dissociation energy of 420 kJ mol-1. Herein, partially oxidized Pdδ+ species anchored on ZnO nanosheets are designed to weaken the C-H bond by the electron interaction between Pdδ+ species and H atoms, with efforts to achieve high-rate and selective C2H6-to-C2H4 conversion. X-ray photoelectron spectra, Bader charge calculations, and electronic localization function demonstrate the presence of partially oxidized Pdδ+ sites, while quasi-in situ X-ray photoelectron spectra disclose the Pdδ+ sites initially adopt and then donate the photoexcited electrons for C2H6 dehydrogenation. In situ electron paramagnetic resonance spectra, in situ Fourier transform infrared spectra, and trapping agent experiments verify C2H6 initially converts to CH3CH2OH via ·OH radicals, then dehydroxylates to CH3CH2· and finally to C2H4, accompanied by H2 production. Density-functional theory calculations elucidate that loading Pd site can lengthen the C-H bond of C2H6 from 1.10 to 1.12 Å, which favors the C-H bond breakage, affirmed by a lowered energy barrier of 0.04 eV. As a result, the optimized 5.87% Pd-ZnO nanosheets achieve a high C2H4 yield of 16.32 mmol g-1 with a 94.83% selectivity as well as a H2 yield of 14.49 mmol g-1 from C2H6 dehydrogenation in 4 h, outperforming all the previously reported photocatalysts under similar conditions.

Breaking the Activity-Selectivity Trade-off for CH4-to-C2H6 Photoconversion.

Photocatalytic conversion of methane (CH4) to ethane (C2H6) has attracted extensive attention from academia and industry. Typically, the traditional oxidative coupling of CH4 (OCM) reaches a high C2H6 productivity, yet the inevitable overoxidation limits the target product selectivity. Although the traditional nonoxidative coupling of CH4 (NOCM) can improve the product selectivity, it still encounters unsatisfied activity, arising from being thermodynamically unfavorable. To break the activity-selectivity trade-off, we propose a conceptually new mechanism of H2O2-triggered CH4 coupling, where the H2O2-derived ·OH radicals are rapidly consumed for activating CH4 into ·CH3 radicals exothermically, which bypasses the endothermic steps of the direct CH4 activation by photoholes and the interaction between ·CH3 and ·OH radicals, affirmed by in situ characterization techniques, femtosecond transient absorption spectroscopy, and density-functional theory calculation. By this pathway, the designed Au-WO3 nanosheets achieve unprecedented C2H6 productivity of 76.3 mol molAu-1 h-1 with 95.2% selectivity, and TON of 1542.7 (TOF = 77.1 h-1) in a self-designed flow reactor, outperforming previously reported photocatalysts regardless of OCM and NOCM pathways. Also, under outdoor natural sunlight irradiation, the Au-WO3 nanosheets exhibit similar activity and selectivity toward C2H6 production, showing the possibility for practical applications. Interestingly, this strategy can be applied to other various photocatalysts (Au-WO3, Au-TiO2, Au-CeO2, Pd-WO3, and Ag-WO3), showing a certain universality. It is expected that the proposed mechanism adds another layer to our understanding of CH4-to-C2H6 conversion.

Methanetriol─Formation of an Impossible Molecule.

Orthocarboxylic acids─organic molecules carrying three hydroxyl groups at the same carbon atom─have been distinguished as vital reactive intermediates by the atmospheric science and physical (organic) chemistry communities as transients in the atmospheric aerosol cycle. Predicted short lifetimes and their tendency to dehydrate to a carboxylic acid, free orthocarboxylic acids, signify one of the most elusive classes of organic reactive intermediates, with even the simplest representative methanetriol (CH(OH)3)─historically known as orthoformic acid─not previously been detected experimentally. Here, we report the first synthesis of the previously elusive methanetriol molecule in low-temperature mixed methanol (CH3OH) and molecular oxygen (O2) ices subjected to energetic irradiation. Supported by electronic structure calculations, methanetriol was identified in the gas phase upon sublimation via isomer-selective photoionization reflectron time-of-flight mass spectrometry combined with isotopic substitution studies and the detection of photoionization fragments. The first synthesis and detection of methanetriol (CH(OH)3) reveals its gas-phase stability as supported by a significant barrier hindering unimolecular decomposition. These findings progress our fundamental understanding of the chemistry and chemical bonding of methanetriol, hydroxyperoxymethane (CH3OOOH), and hydroxyperoxymethanol (CH2(OH)OOH), which are all prototype molecules in the oxidation chemistry of the atmosphere.

Dynamic cerebellar and sensorimotor network compensation in tremor-dominated Parkinson's disease.

AIM: Parkinson's disease (PD) tremor is associated with dysfunction in the basal ganglia (BG), cerebellum (CB), and sensorimotor networks (SMN). We investigated tremor-related static functional network connectivity (SFNC) and dynamic functional network connectivity (DFNC) in PD patients. METHODS: We analyzed the resting-state functional MRI data of 21 tremor-dominant Parkinson's disease (TDPD) patients and 29 healthy controls. We compared DFNC and SFNC between the three networks and assessed their associations with tremor severity. RESULTS: TDPD patients exhibited increased SFNC between the SMN and BG networks. In addition, they spent more mean dwell time (MDT) in state 2, characterized by sparse connections, and less MDT in state 4, indicating stronger connections. Furthermore, enhanced DFNC between the CB and SMN was observed in state 2. Notably, the MDT of state 2 was positively associated with tremor scores. CONCLUSION: The enhanced dynamic connectivity between the CB and SMN in TDPD patients suggests a potential compensatory mechanism. However, the tendency to remain in a state of sparse connectivity may contribute to the severity of tremor symptoms.

The association between several serum micronutrients and benign prostatic hyperplasia: Results from NHANES 2003-2006.

BACKGROUND: Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition that affects the quality of life of older men. Specific micronutrients, including retinol, retinyl esters, carotenoids, vitamin E, and vitamin C, have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. However, the correlation between serum concentrations of these micronutrients and BPH is unclear. METHODS: We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which included 2067 representative US men. BPH was assessed using the self-reported questionnaire. This association was explored by adjusting for confounders using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: After fully adjusting for confounders, for every 0.01 µmol/L increase in serum retinyl esters, the risk of BPH increased by 2% (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.03; p = 0.006). Based on the Bonferroni-corrected p-value, we found this correlation to be significant. One µmol/L increase in total carotenoids was associated with a 22% increase in BPH risk (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 1.03-1.46; p = 0.025). By analyzing the correlation between different types of carotenoids and BPH, we also found that ß-carotenoids (OR = 1.43; 95% CI: 1.03-1.99; p = 0.036) was also positively correlated with BPH. The subgroup analysis revealed a positive correlation between serum vitamin E (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.00-1.04; p = 0.018) and BPH in men under 60 years of age. Serum retinyl ester (OR = 1.02; 95% CI: 1.01-1.04; p = 0.008) and carotenoid (OR = 1.52; 95% CI: 1.22-1.87; p < 0.001) concentrations were positively correlated with BPH in men over 60 years of age. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests that excessive serum retinyl esters, total carotenoids, and especially ß-carotenoids are potential risk factors for BPH, and this association should be further investigated.

Characterisation of SARS-CoV-2 variants in Beijing during 2022: an epidemiological and phylogenetic analysis.

BACKGROUND: Due to the national dynamic zero-COVID strategy in China, there were no persistent local transmissions of SARS-CoV-2 in Beijing before December, 2022. However, imported cases have been frequently detected over the past 3 years. With soaring growth in the number of COVID-19 cases in China recently, there are concerns that there might be an emergence of novel SARS-CoV-2 variants. Routine surveillance of viral genomes has been carried out in Beijing over the last 3 years. Spatiotemporal analyses of recent viral genome sequences compared with that of global pooled and local data are crucial for the global response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: We routinely collected respiratory samples covering both imported and local cases in Beijing for the last 3 years (of which the present study pertains to samples collected between January and December, 2022), and then randomly selected samples for analysis. Next-generation sequencing was used to generate the SARS-CoV-2 genomes. Phylogenetic and population dynamic analyses were performed using high-quality complete sequences in this study. FINDINGS: We obtained a total of 2994 complete SARS-CoV-2 genome sequences in this study, among which 2881 were high quality and were used for further analysis. From Nov 14 to Dec 20, we sequenced 413 new samples, including 350 local cases and 63 imported cases. All of these genomes belong to the existing 123 Pango lineages, showing there are no persistently dominant variants or novel lineages. Nevertheless, BA.5.2 and BF.7 are currently dominant in Beijing, accounting for 90% of local cases since Nov 14 (315 of 350 local cases sequenced in this study). The effective population size for both BA.5.2 and BF.7 in Beijing increased after Nov 14, 2022. INTERPRETATION: The co-circulation of BF.7 and BA.5.2 has been present in the current outbreak since Nov 14, 2022 in Beijing, and there is no evidence that novel variants emerged. Although our data were only from Beijing, the results could be considered a snapshot of China, due to the frequent population exchange and the presence of circulating strains with high transmissibility. FUNDING: National Key Research and Development Program of China and Strategic Priority Research Program of the Chinese Academy of Sciences. TRANSLATION: For the Chinese translation of the abstract see Supplementary Materials section.

Development of Transmission Ambient Pressure Laser Desorption Ionization/Postphotoionization Mass Spectrometry Imaging.

Laser-based high-resolution mass spectrometry imaging at ambient conditions has promising applications in life science. However, the ion yield during laser desorption/ablation is poor. Here, transmission atmospheric pressure laser desorption ionization combined with a compact postphotoionization (t-AP-LDI/PI) assembly with a krypton discharge lamp was developed for the untargeted imaging of various biomolecules. The spatial distributions of numerous lipid classes, fatty acids, neurotransmitters, and amino acids in the subregions of mouse cerebellum tissue were obtained. Compared with single laser ablation, the sensitivities for most analytes were increased by 1 to 3 orders of magnitude by dopant-assisted postphotoionization. After careful optimization, a spatial resolution of 4 µm could be achieved for the metabolites in mouse hippocampus tissue. Finally, the melanoma tissue slices were analyzed using t-AP-LDI/PI MSI, which revealed the metabolic heterogeneity of the melanoma microenvironment and exhibited the phenomenon of abnormal proliferation and invasion trends in tumor cells.

Gestational diabetes mellitus is associated with greater incidence of dementia during long-term post-partum follow-up.

BACKGROUND: The impact of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) on incident dementia is unknown. Our aim was to evaluate the relationship between GDM and all-cause dementia and the mediating effects of chronic diseases on this relationship. METHODS: This prospective cohort study included women from the UK Biobank who were grouped based on GDM history. Multivariate Cox proportional hazard models were used to explore the associations between GDM and dementia. We further analysed the mediating effects of chronic diseases on this relationship and the interactions of covariates. RESULTS: A total of 1292 women with and 204,171 women without a history of GDM were included. During a median follow-up period of 45 years after first birth, 2921 women were diagnosed with dementia. Women with a GDM history had a 67% increased risk of incident dementia (hazard ratio 1.67, 95% confidence interval: 1.03-2.69) compared with those without a GDM history. According to mediation analyses, type 2 diabetes, coronary heart disease, chronic kidney disease and comorbidities (diagnosed with any two of the three diseases) explained 34.5%, 8.4%, 5.2% and 18.8% of the mediating effect on the relationship. Subgroup analyses revealed that physical activity modified the association between GDM history and dementia (p for interaction = 0.030). Among physically inactive women, GDM was significantly associated with incident dementia; however, this association was not observed among physically active women. CONCLUSIONS: A history of GDM was associated with a greater risk of incident dementia. Type 2 diabetes partially mediated this relationship. Strategies for dementia prevention might be considered for women with a history of GDM.

Amorphous Modulation of Atomic Nb-O/N Clusters with Asymmetric Coordination in Carbon Shells for Advanced Sodium-Ion Hybrid Capacitors.

Anode materials with excellent properties have become the key to develop sodium-ion hybrid capacitors (SIHCs) that combine the advantages of both batteries and capacitors. Amorphous modulation is an effective strategy to realize high energy/power density in SIHCs. Herein, atomically amorphous Nb-O/N clusters with asymmetric coordination are in situ created in N-doped hollow carbon shells (Nb-O/N@C). The amorphous clusters with asymmetric Nb-O3/N1 configurations have abundant charge density and low diffusion energy barriers, which effectively modulate the charge transport paths and improve the reaction kinetics. The clusters are also enriched with unsaturated vacancy defects and isotropic ion-transport channels, and their atomic disordering exhibits high structural stress buffering, which are strong impetuses for realizing bulk-phase-indifferent ion storage and enhancing the storage properties of the composite. Based on these features, Nb-O/N@C achieves notably improved sodium-ion storage properties (reversible capacity of 240.1 mAh g-1 at 10.0 A g-1 after 8000 cycles), and has great potential for SIHCs (230 Wh Kg-1 at 4001.5 W Kg-1). This study sheds new light on developing high-performance electrodes for sodium-ion batteries and SIHCs by designing amorphous clusters and asymmetric coordination.

Characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with asthenozoospermia: a Chinese pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Identification of intestinal flora composition is significant for exploring the cause and pathogenic mechanisms of the gut-testis axis and clarifying the relationship between microbiota and infertility. Our study aimed to examine the alternation in gut microbiota composition and identify potential microbes associated with development of Asthenozoospermia (AS). METHOD: A total of 580 males were recruited in the outpatient department of Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between September 2021 and March 2023. Sperm parameters were analyzed according to the WHO laboratory manual. The 16 S rRNA gene high-throughput sequencing was performed to detect the gut microbiota composition in fecal samples. LEfSe analysis was used to screen key microbiota. PICRUSt2 software was utilized to predict relevant pathways. RESULTS: After rigorous screening, 60 isolated AS patients (AS group) and 48 healthy men (NC group) were enrolled. No significant differences were observed in demographic characteristics (p > 0.05), semen volume (p = 0.718), sperm concentration (p = 0.109), or total sperm count (p = 0.200). Sperm total motility and progressive motility were significantly decreased in the AS group (p < 0.001). AS patients had significantly lower alpha diversity indices (Chao1, observed OTUs, and PD Whole-tree; p < 0.05). The beta-diversity of gut microbiota in AS patients significantly differed from NC men (PCoA analysis, p = 0.001). Firmicutes, Bacteroidota, Proteobacteria, and Actinobacteria were the primary phyla, with the dominant genera including Bacteroides, Prevotella, and Blautia. Eleven key genera such as Escherichia_Shigella and Prevotellaceae_UCG_001 were identified by LEfSe analysis. Most of these genera were negatively correlated with sperm mobility. Eighty-eight KEGG pathways, including steroid biosynthesis and meiosis, were significantly enriched between the two groups. CONCLUSIONS: It appears that gut microbiota composition in AS patients significantly differed from that in healthy men, and the development of AS might be associated with intestinal flora dysbiosis.

Selective CO2 Photoreduction Enabled by Water-stable Cu-based Metal-organic Framework Nanoribbons.

The goal of photocatalytic CO2 reduction system is to achieve near 100 % selectivity for the desirable product with reasonably high yield and stability. Here, two-dimensional metal-organic frameworks are constructed with abundant and uniform monometallic active sites, aiming to be an emerged platform for efficient and selective CO2 reduction. As an example, water-stable Cu-based metal-organic framework nanoribbons with coordinatively unsaturated single CuII sites are first fabricated, evidenced by X-ray diffraction patterns and X-ray absorption spectroscopy. In situ Fourier-transform infrared spectra and Gibbs free energy calculations unravel the formation of the key intermediate COOH* and CO* is an exothermic and spontaneous process, whereas the competitive hydrogen evolution reaction is endothermic and non-spontaneous, which accounts for the selective CO2 reduction. As a result, in an aqueous solution containing 1 mol L-1 KHCO3 and without any sacrifice reagent, the water-stable Cu-based metal-organic framework nanoribbons exhibited an average CO yield of 82 µmol g-1 h-1 with the selectivity up to 97 % during 72 h cycling test, which is comparable to other reported photocatalysts under similar conditions.

Integrated analysis of differentially m6A modified and expressed lncRNAs for biomarker identification in coronary artery disease.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) is the most prevalent internal RNA modification in mammals. However, limited research has been conducted on the role of m6A in coronary artery disease (CAD). We conducted methylated RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing and RNA sequencing to obtain a genome-wide profile of m6A-modified long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) in human coronary artery smooth muscle cells either exposed to oxidized low-density lipoprotein treatment or not, and the characteristics of the expression profiles were explored using Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analyses. The predictive effects of seven selected lncRNAs on CAD were evaluated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). The differentially m6A-modified and expressed lncRNAs related genes were predominantly enriched in small GTPase-mediated signal transduction, ErbB signaling, and Rap1 signaling. Additionally, the expression levels of uc003pes.1, ENST00000422847, and NR_110155 were significantly associated with CAD, with uc003pes.1 identified as an independent risk factor and NR_110155 as an independent protective factor for CAD. NR_110155 and uc003pes.1 in PBMCs have the potential to serve as biomarkers for predicting CAD.

Imaging and quantification of neuropeptides in mouse pituitary tissue by atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization mass spectrometry.

RATIONALE: Atmospheric pressure matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization (AP-MALDI) mass spectrometry has enabled the untargeted analysis and imaging of neuropeptides and proteins in biological tissues under ambient conditions. Sensitivity in AP-MALDI can be improved by using sample-specific preparation methods. METHODS: A comprehensive and detailed optimization strategy including instrument parameters, matrix spraying and sample tissue washing pretreatment was implemented to enhance the sensitivity and coverage of neuropeptides in mouse pituitary tissues by commercial AP-MALDI mass spectrometry imaging (MSI). RESULTS: The sensitivity of a commercial AP-MALDI system for endogenous neuropeptides in mouse pituitary was enhanced by up to 15.2-fold by shortening the transmission gap from the sample plate to the inlet, attaching copper adhesive tape to an indium tin oxide-coated glass slide, optimizing the matrix spray solvent and using sample tissue washing pretreatment. Following careful optimization, the distributions of nine endogenous neuropeptides were successfully visualized in the pituitary. Furthermore, the quantitative capability of AP-MALDI for neuropeptides was evaluated and the concentrations of neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin in the pituitary posterior lobe were increased approximately twofold under hypertonic saline stress. CONCLUSION: Mouse pituitary neuropeptides have emerged as important signaling molecules due to their role in stress response. This work indicates the potential of modified AP-MALDI as a promising AP MSI method for in situ visualization and quantification of neuropeptides in complex biological tissues.