Identification and validation of ferroptosis-related prognostic gene signature in patients with cervical cancer.

Background: Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent cell death, which is distinct from the other types of regulated cell death. Considerable studies have demonstrated that ferroptosis is involved in the biological process of various cancers. However, the role of ferroptosis in cervical cancer (CC) remains unclear. This study aims to explore the ferroptosis-related prognostic genes (FRPGs) expression profiles and their prognostic values in CC. Methods: The ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) were obtained from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and FerrDb databases. Core FRGs were determined by the Search Tool for the Retrieval of Interacting Genes (STRING) website. FRPGs were identified using univariate and multivariate Cox regressions, and the ferroptosis-related prognostic model was constructed. FRPGs were verified in clinical specimens. The relationship between FRPGs and tumor infiltrating immune cells were assessed through the CIBERSORT algorithm and the LM22 signature matrix. Bioinformatics functions of FRPGs were explored with the Database for Annotation, Visualization, and Integrated Discovery (DAVID). Results: Thirty-three significantly up-regulated and 28 down-regulated FRGs were screened from databases [P<0.05; false discovery rate (FDR) <0.05; and |log2 fold change (FC)| ≥2]. Twenty-four genes were found closely interacting with each other and regarded as hub genes (degree ≥3). Solute carrier family 2 member 1 (SLC2A1), carbonic anhydrases IX (CA9), and dual oxidase 1 (DUOX1) were identified as independent prognostic signatures for overall survival (OS) in a Cox regression. Time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves showed the predictive ability of the ferroptosis-related prognostic model, especially for 1-year OS [area under the curve (AUC) =0.76]. Consistent with the public data, our experiments demonstrated that the mRNA levels of SLC2A1 and DUOX1, and the protein levels of SLC2A1, DUOX1, and CA9 were significantly higher in the tumor tissues. Further analysis showed that there was a significant difference in the proportion of tumor infiltrating immune cells between the low- and high-risk group based on our prognostic model. The function enrichment of FRPGs was explored by applying Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Conclusions: In this study, the features of FRPGs in CC were pictured. The results implicated that targeting ferroptosis may be a new reliable biomarker and an alternative therapy for CC.

Restoration of cervical lymphatic vessel function in aging rescues cerebrospinal fluid drainage.

Cervical lymphatic vessels (cLVs) have been shown to drain solutes and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) from the brain. However, their hydrodynamical properties have never been evaluated in vivo. Here, we developed two-photon optical imaging with particle tracking in vivo of CSF tracers (2P-OPTIC) in superficial and deep cLVs of mice, characterizing their flow and showing that the major driver is intrinsic pumping by contraction of the lymphatic vessel wall. Moreover, contraction frequency and flow velocity were reduced in aged mice, which coincided with a reduction in smooth muscle actin expression. Slowed flow in aged mice was rescued using topical application of prostaglandin F2α, a prostanoid that increases smooth muscle contractility, which restored lymphatic function in aged mice and enhanced central nervous system clearance. We show that cLVs are important regulators of CSF drainage and that restoring their function is an effective therapy for improving clearance in aging.

Neo-5,10-seco-clerodane diterpenoids from Schnabelia terniflora.

Three new neo-5,10-seco-clerodane diterpenoids (1-3), four previously undescribed ethoxy/methoxy acetal analogues (4-7), one new etherified labdane diterpenoid (8), and seven known diterpenoids (9-15) were isolated from the whole plant of Schnabelia terniflora. Their structures were established on the basis of extensive spectroscopic analysis, single-crystal X-ray diffraction data, calculated electronic circular dichroism (ECD), and Mo2(OAc)4-induced circular dichroism. Compounds 2 and 3 represent the first examples of neo-5,10-seco-clerodane diterpenoids containing a 1H-pyrrole-2,5-dione and a pyrrolidine-2,5-dione moiety, respectively. A plausible biosynthetic pathway for 1-3 is proposed. All diterpenoids were evaluated for their cytotoxic activity against non-small-cell lung cancer lines (A549 and H460) and gastric cancer lines (HGC27 and AGS). Among them, 2 and 14 showed moderate cytotoxicity against four cell lines.

Genetic support for the causal association between 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and atopic dermatitis: A two-sample Mendelian randomization trial.

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a refractory disease that occurs in clinical practice. One of the most common inflammatory skin diseases, its occurrence and development are related to inflammation. Nevertheless, the precise nature of the relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and AD remains uncertain. METHODS: A two-sample MR analysis was performed to determine the causal relationship between the expression of 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and AD by using genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary statistics data from the FinnGen consortia. The robustness of the MR results was assessed by means of sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: The causal relationship between the expression of nine specific circulating inflammatory proteins and AD was corroborated by the inverse variance weighted (IVW) method. The findings indicated that three circulating inflammatory proteins, namely, interleukin-18 receptor 1 [OR (CI) = 1.08 (1.05-1.11); p = 0.000001)], interleukin-8 [OR (CI) = 1.07 (1.00-1.14); p = 0.036244)], and tumor necrosis factor ligand superfamily member 14 [OR (CI) = 1.05 (1.00-1.10); p = 0.036842)], were positively correlated with AD. Additionally, six circulating inflammatory proteins were negatively correlated with AD: the T-cell surface glycoprotein CD5 [OR (CI) = 0.89 (0.84-0.95); p = 0.000191)], macrophage colony-stimulating factor 1 [OR (CI) = 0.93 (0.88-0.99); p = 0.031422)], fractalkine [OR (CI) = 0.91 (0.85-0.97); p = 0.003067)], interleukin-24 [OR (CI) = 0.91 (0.83-0.99); p = 0.031673)], signaling lymphocytic activation molecule [OR(CI) = 0.94 (0.89-1.00); p = 0.039818)], and urokinase-type plasminogen activator [OR(CI) = 0.95 (0.90-1.00); p = 0.037037)]. CONCLUSION: This study confirms the potential causal relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and AD and provides guidance for the clinical diagnosis and treatment of AD.

Race Dialogues and Potential Application in Clinical Environments: A Scoping Review.

BACKGROUND: Race dialogues, conversations about race and racism among individuals holding different racial identities, have been proposed as one component of addressing racism in medicine and improving the experience of racially minoritized patients. Drawing on work from several fields, we aimed to assess the scope of the literature on race dialogues and to describe potential benefits, best practices, and challenges of conducting such dialogues. Ultimately, our goal was to explore the potential role of race dialogues in medical education and clinical practice. METHODS: Our scoping review included articles published prior to June 2, 2022, in the biomedicine, psychology, nursing and allied health, and education literatures. Ultimately, 54 articles were included in analysis, all of which pertained to conversations about race occurring between adults possessing different racial identities. We engaged in an interactive group process to identify key takeaways from each article and synthesize cross-cutting themes. RESULTS: Emergent themes reflected the processes of preparing, leading, and following up race dialogues. Preparing required significant personal introspection, logistical organization, and intentional framing of the conversation. Leading safe and successful race dialogues necessitated trauma-informed practices, addressing microaggressions as they arose, welcoming participation and emotions, and centering the experience of individuals with minoritized identities. Longitudinal experiences and efforts to evaluate the quality of race dialogues were crucial to ensuring meaningful impact. DISCUSSION: Supporting race dialogues within medicine has the potential to promote a more inclusive and justice-oriented workforce, strengthen relationships amongst colleagues, and improve care for patients with racially minoritized identities. Potential levers for supporting race dialogues include high-quality racial justice curricula at every level of medical education and valuation of racial consciousness in admissions and hiring processes. All efforts to support race dialogues must center and uplift those with racially minoritized identities.

Cu(II)-chelated ovalbumin mimicking the active centre of superoxide dismutase: Structure, antioxidant and antibacterial properties for food preservation application.

Enzymatic browning and microbial contamination of food threaten food sensory and safety. With the development of green and healthy concepts, there is a greater need for efficient, low-carbon antioxidant and antimicrobial strategies. In this study, we designed a nano-enzyme with antioxidant activities and biocompatibility. By mimicking the active center of the natural SOD enzyme, copper (Cu) and ovalbumin (OVA) were self-assembled to form Cu-nano-polymerised sheet (Cu-NPS), in which OVA as a scaffold carries cofactors to create the active sites, making the nanoenzymes compatible with the antioxidant activity and antimicrobial properties of Cu, and at the same time possessing good stability and biocompatibility. These properties enable Cu-NPS to have a broader application range, for removing reactive oxygen species (ROS) and broad-spectrum sterilization. Subsequently, Cu-NPS was doped into carrageenan (Carr) to form a nanocomposite film, effectively inhibiting enzymatic browning and microbial contamination. In this work, protein-based mimetic enzymes as artificial nanoenzymes have advantages over natural enzymes, and the Cu-NPS with simple synthesis, high stability, and diverse properties, provides new ideas for the design of functional materials.

Fragmentation Patterns of Phenolic C-Glycosides in Mass Spectrometry Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Many phenolic C-glycosides possess nutritional benefits and pharmacological efficacies. However, the MS/MS fragmentation pattern of phenolic C-glycosides analysis is understudied. This paper aims to determine the MS/MS fragmentation patterns of phenolic C-glycosides. METHOD: Ten compounds with different sugar moieties, aglycones, and substitutes were analyzed to determine the impact of these structural features on MS/MS fragmentation using UPLC-QTOF-MS analysis. RESULTS: The results showed that water loss followed by RDA reaction and alpha cleavage in the C-C bonded sugar moieties are the major fragmentation pathways. Additionally, the sugar cleavage was not affected by the skeleton and the substitute of the aglycones. These results suggested that the fragmentation patterns of phenolic C-glycosides differ from those in the O-glycosides, where the O-C glycosidic bond is the most cleavage-liable bond in MS/MS analysis. CONCLUSIONS: These MS/MS fragmentation patterns can be used for the identification of C-glycosides from dietary components and herbal medicine as well as developing robust methods using MRM methods to quantify C-glycosides.

Venetoclax resistance leads to broad resistance to standard-of-care anti-MM agents, but not to immunotherapies.

ABSTACT: To our knowledge, venetoclax is the first example of personalized medicine for multiple myeloma (MM), with meaningful clinical activity as a monotherapy and in combination in patients with myeloma harboring the t(11:14) translocation. However, despite the high response rates and prolonged progression-free survival, a significant proportion of patients eventually relapse. Here, we aim to study adaptive molecular responses after the acquisition of venetoclax resistance in sensitive t(11:14) MM cell models. We therefore generated single-cell venetoclax-resistant t(11:14) MM cell lines and investigated the mechanisms contributing to resistance as well as the cells' sensitivity to other treatments. Our data suggest that acquired resistance to venetoclax is characterized by reduced mitochondrial priming and changes in B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2) family proteins' expression in MM cells, conferring broad resistance to standard-of-care antimyeloma drugs. However, our results show that the resistant cells are still sensitive to immunotherapeutic treatments, highlighting the need to consider appropriate sequencing of these treatments after venetoclax-based regimens.

Unveiling the Roles of Alloyed Boron in Hexavalent Chromium Removal Using Borohydride-Synthesized Nanoscale Zerovalent Iron: Electron Donor and Antipassivator.

Nanoscale zerovalent iron synthesized using borohydride (B-NZVI) has been widely applied in environmental remediation in recent decades. However, the contribution of boron in enhancing the inherent reactivity of B-NZVI and its effectiveness in removing hexavalent chromium [Cr(VI)] have not been well recognized and quantified. To the best of our knowledge, herein, a core-shell structure of B-NZVI featuring an Fe-B alloy shell beneath the iron oxide shell is demonstrated for the first time. Alloyed boron can reduce H+, contributing to more than 35.6% of H2 generation during acid digestion of B-NZVIs. In addition, alloyed B provides electrons for Fe3+ reduction during Cr(VI) removal, preventing in situ passivation of the reactive particle surface. Meanwhile, the amorphous oxide shell of B-NZVI exhibits an increased defect density, promoting the release of Fe2+ outside the shell to reduce Cr(VI), forming layer-structured precipitates and intense Fe-O bonds. Consequently, the surface-area-normalized capacity and surface reaction rate of B-NZVI are 6.5 and 6.9 times higher than those of crystalline NZVI, respectively. This study reveals the importance of alloyed B in Cr(VI) removal using B-NZVI and presents a comprehensive approach for investigating electron pathways and mechanisms involved in B-NZVIs for contaminant removal.

Machine Learning Model for Predicting Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis in Clinically Node Positive Breast Cancer Based on Peritumoral Ultrasound Radiomics and SHAP Feature Analysis.

OBJECTIVE: This study seeks to construct a machine learning model that merges clinical characteristics with ultrasound radiomic analysis-encompassing both the intratumoral and peritumoral-to predict the status of axillary lymph nodes in patients with early-stage breast cancer. METHODS: The study employed retrospective methods, collecting clinical information, ultrasound data, and postoperative pathological results from 321 breast cancer patients (including 224 in the training group and 97 in the validation group). Through correlation analysis, univariate analysis, and Lasso regression analysis, independent risk factors related to axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer were identified from conventional ultrasound and immunohistochemical indicators, and a clinical feature model was constructed. Additionally, features were extracted from ultrasound images of the intratumoral and its 1-5 mm peritumoral to establish a radiomics feature formula. Furthermore, by combining clinical features and ultrasound radiomics features, six machine learning models (Logistic Regression, Decision Tree, Support Vector Machine, Extreme Gradient Boosting, Random Forest, and K-Nearest Neighbors) were compared for diagnostic efficacy, and constructing a joint prediction model based on the optimal ML algorithm. The use of Shapley Additive Explanations (SHAP) enhanced the visualization and interpretability of the model during the diagnostic process. RESULTS: Among the 321 breast cancer patients, 121 had axillary lymph node metastasis, and 200 did not. The clinical feature model had an AUC of 0.779 and 0.777 in the training and validation groups, respectively. Radiomics model analysis showed that the model including the Intratumor +3 mm peritumor area had the best diagnostic performance, with AUCs of 0.847 and 0.844 in the training and validation groups, respectively. The joint prediction model based on the XGBoost algorithm reached AUCs of 0.917 and 0.905 in the training and validation groups, respectively. SHAP analysis indicated that the Rad Score had the highest weight in the prediction model, playing a significant role in predicting axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. CONCLUSION: The predictive model, which integrates clinical features and radiomic characteristics using the XGBoost algorithm, demonstrates significant diagnostic value for axillary lymph node metastasis in breast cancer. This model can provide significant references for preoperative surgical strategy selection and prognosis evaluation for breast cancer patients, helping to reduce postoperative complications and improve long-term survival rates. Additionally, the utilization of SHAP enhancing the global and local interpretability of the model.

Effectiveness and mechanism of the Chinese medicine Weiren Xiaoyou formula in improving palmoplantar warts.

Background: Palmoplantar warts (PWs) are a usual skin disease associated with human papillomavirus (HPV) that can affect patients' quality of life. The traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) Weiren Xiaoyou formula (WRXYF) is a relatively gentle and effective therapy that has achieved good therapeutic effects in clinical practice, but its mechanism has not yet been studied. Methods: A meta-analysis was carried out to identify the potential advantages of topical TCM for PW treatment. Clinical cases suggested that WRXYF was an effective therapeutic agent against PWs. Network pharmacology was utilized to predict potential targets for the main bioactive compound, tanshinone IIA (Tan IIA), in WRXYF. High-performance liquid chromatography with electrospray mass spectrometry (HPLC/ESI-MS) was applied to detect major components. The bioactivity of Tan IIA against PWs was then validated with quantitative polymerase chain reaction (q-PCR), fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH), electron microscopy and Western blotting. Results: A meta-analysis was conducted on 10 randomized clinical trials (RCTs) involving 2260 participants suggested that topical TCM could more effectively treat PWs than conventional medications. Network pharmacology identified Tan IIA as a candidate agent from 17 major compounds assessed by HPLC/ESI-MS because of its stable binding with 10 PW targets. HPV2, HPV27, and HPV57 were the main infectious strains in tissues obtained from PW patients and in HPV-infected HaCaT cells. Tan IIA treatment effectively destroyed viral particles and reduced the viral copy numbers of the three HPV subtypes. The results shown that Tan IIA has the ability to halt the cell cycle of HPV-infected HaCaT cells specifically in the G0/G1 phase. A total of 6 cell cycle-related proteins were regulated after Tan IIA treatment, demonstrating the role of Tan IIA in inhibiting the cell cycle. Conclusion: Tan IIA, the primary bioactive constituent in WRXYF, enhances PWs by halting the cell cycle in the G0/G1 phase via modulation of the p53 signaling pathway.

Blap-6, a Novel Antifungal Peptide from the Chinese Medicinal Beetle Blaps rhynchopetera against Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans (C. neoformans) is a pathogenic fungus that can cause life-threatening meningitis, particularly in individuals with compromised immune systems. The current standard treatment involves the combination of amphotericin B and azole drugs, but this regimen often leads to inevitable toxicity in patients. Therefore, there is an urgent need to develop new antifungal drugs with improved safety profiles. We screened antimicrobial peptides from the hemolymph transcriptome of Blaps rhynchopetera (B. rhynchopetera), a folk Chinese medicine. We found an antimicrobial peptide named blap-6 that exhibited potent activity against bacteria and fungi. Blap-6 is composed of 17 amino acids (KRCRFRIYRWGFPRRRF), and it has excellent antifungal activity against C. neoformans, with a minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of 0.81 µM. Blap-6 exhibits strong antifungal kinetic characteristics. Mechanistic studies revealed that blap-6 exerts its antifungal activity by penetrating and disrupting the integrity of the fungal cell membrane. In addition to its direct antifungal effect, blap-6 showed strong biofilm inhibition and scavenging activity. Notably, the peptide exhibited low hemolytic and cytotoxicity to human cells and may be a potential candidate antimicrobial drug for fungal infection caused by C. neoformans.

A DNA origami device spatially controls CD95 signalling to induce immune tolerance in rheumatoid arthritis.

DNA origami is capable of spatially organizing molecules into sophisticated geometric patterns with nanometric precision. Here we describe a reconfigurable, two-dimensional DNA origami with geometrically patterned CD95 ligands that regulates immune cell signalling to alleviate rheumatoid arthritis. In response to pH changes, the device reversibly transforms from a closed to an open configuration, displaying a hexagonal pattern of CD95 ligands with ~10 nm intermolecular spacing, precisely mirroring the spatial arrangement of CD95 receptor clusters on the surface of immune cells. In a collagen-induced arthritis mouse model, DNA origami elicits robust and selective activation of CD95 death-inducing signalling in activated immune cells located in inflamed synovial tissues. Such localized immune tolerance ameliorates joint damage with no noticeable side effects. This device allows for the precise spatial control of cellular signalling, expanding our understanding of ligand-receptor interactions and is a promising platform for the development of pharmacological interventions targeting these interactions.

All-aqueous droplets-templated tailorable core-shell alginate microspheres for constructing vascularized intestinal mucosain vitromodels.

Recently,in vitromodels of intestinal mucosa have become important tools for drug screening and studying the physiology and pathology of the intestine. These models enable the examination of cellular behavior in diseased states or in reaction to alterations in the microenvironment, potentially serving as alternatives to animal models. One of the major challenges in constructing physiologically relevantin vitromodels of intestinal mucosa is the creation of three-dimensional microstructures that accurately mimic the integration of intestinal epithelium and vascularized stroma. Here, core-shell alginate (Alg) microspheres were generated to create the compartmentalized extracellular matrix microenvironment needed to simulate the epithelial and vascularized stromal compartments of the intestinal mucosa. We demonstrated that NIH-3T3 and human umbilical vein endothelial cells embedded in the core of the microspheres can proliferate and develop a vascular network, while human colorectal adenocarcinoma cells (Caco-2) can form an epithelial monolayer in the shell. Compared to Caco-2 monolayer encapsulated within the shell, the presence of the vascularized stroma enhances their proliferation and functionality. As such, our core-shell Alg microspheres provide a valuable method for generatingin vitromodels of vascularized intestinal mucosa with epithelial and vascularized stroma arranged in a spatially relevant manner and demonstrating near-physiological functionality.

[Characteristics of drug resistance and biofilm formation in carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii in hospitalized children]. / 住院患儿耐碳青霉烯类鲍曼不动杆菌的耐药及生物膜特征分析.

OBJECTIVES: To study the distribution, drug resistance, and biofilm characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii (CRAB) isolated from hospitalized children, providing a reference for the prevention and treatment of CRAB infections in hospitalized children. METHODS: Forty-eight CRAB strains isolated from January 2019 to December 2022 were classified into epidemic and sporadic strains using repetitive extragenic palindromic sequence-based polymerase chain reaction. The drug resistance, biofilm phenotypes, and gene carriage of these two types of strains were compared. RESULTS: Both the 22 epidemic strains and the 26 sporadic strains were producers of Class D carbapenemases or extended-spectrum ß-lactamases with downregulated outer membrane porins, harboring the VIM, OXA-23, and OXA-51 genes. The biofilm formation capability of the sporadic strains was stronger than that of the epidemic strains (P<0.05). Genes related to biofilm formation, including Bap, bfs, OmpA, CsuE, and intI1, were detected in both epidemic and sporadic strains, with a higher detection rate of the intI1 gene in epidemic strains (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: CRAB strains are colonized in the hospital, with sporadic strains having a stronger ability to form biofilms, suggesting the potential for forming new clonal transmissions in the hospital. Continuous monitoring of the epidemic trends of CRAB and early warning of the distribution of epidemic strains are necessary to reduce the risk of CRAB infections in hospitalized children.

Case Report: A 42-year-old male with IABP developing multiple organ embolism and intestinal necrosis.

We report a 42-year-old male patient who was diagnosed with acute myocardial infarction (AMI), and subsequently underwent percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) for revascularization. The patient was transferred to the cardiac intensive care unit for intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) due to frequent malignant arrhythmia after PCI. Then the patient experienced the most severe complications of IABP, including multiple organ embolism and intestinal necrosis. This report highlights the rare serious complications of IABP and the challenges encountered in handling this complex case.

Optimized rat models better mimic patients with irinotecan-induced severe diarrhea.

Irinotecan-induced severe diarrhea (IISD) not only limits irinotecan's application but also significantly affects patients' quality of life. However, existing animal models often inadequately represent the dynamics of IISD development, progression, and resolution across multiple chemotherapy cycles, yielding non-reproducible and highly variable response with limited clinical translation. Our studies aim to establish a reproducible and validated IISD model that better mimics the pathophysiology progression observed in patients, enhancing translational potential. We investigated the impact of dosing regimens (including different dose, infusion time, and two cycles of irinotecan administration), sex, age, tumor-bearing conditions, and irinotecan formulation on the IISD incidence and severity in mice and rats. Lastly, we investigated above factors' impact on pharmacokinetics of irinotecan, intestinal injury, and carboxylesterase activities. In summary, we successfully established a standard model establishment procedure for an optimized IISD model with highly reproducible severe diarrhea incidence rate (100%) and a low mortality rate (11%) in F344 rats. Additionally, the rats tolerated at least two cycles of irinotecan chemotherapy treatment. In contrast, the mouse model exhibited suboptimal IISD incidence rates (60%) and an extremely high mortality rate (100%). Notably, dosing regimen, age and tumor-bearing conditions of animals emerged as critical factors in IISD model establishment. In conclusion, our rat IISD model proves superior in mimicking pathophysiology progression and characteristics of IISD in patients, which stands as an effective tool for mechanism and efficacy studies in future chemotherapy-induced gut toxicity research.

Decreased snow depth inhibits litter decomposition via changes in litter microbial biomass and enzyme activity.

Decreased snow depth resulting from global warming has the potential to significantly impact biogeochemical cycles in cold forests. However, the specific mechanisms of how snow reduction affects litter decomposition and the underlying microbial processes remain unclear, this knowledge gap limits our ability to precisely predict ecological processes within cold forest ecosystems under climate change. Hence, a field experiment was conducted in a subalpine forest in southwestern China, involving a gradient of snow reduction levels (control, 50 %, 100 %) to investigate the effects of decreased snow on litter decomposition, as well as microbial biomass and activity, specifically focused on two common species: red birch (Betula albosinensis) and masters larch (Larix mastersiana). After one year of incubation, the decomposition rate (k-value) of the two types of litter ranged from 0.12 to 0.24 across three snow treatments. A significant lower litter mass loss, microbial biomass and enzyme activity were observed under decreased snow depth in winter. Furthermore, a hysteresis inhibitory effect of snow reduction on hydrolase activity was observed in the following growing season. Additionally, the high initial quality (lower C/N ratio) of red birch litter facilitated the colonization by a greater quantity of microorganisms, making it more susceptible to snow reduction compared to the low-quality masters larch litter. Structural equation models indicated that decreased snow depth hindered litter decomposition by altering the biological characterization of litter (e.g., microbial biomass and enzyme activity) and environmental variables (e.g., mean temperature and moisture content). The findings suggest that the potential decline in snow depth could inhibit litter decomposition by reducing microbial biomass and activity, implying that the future climate change may alter the material cycling processes in subalpine forest ecosystems.

Clinically Approved Ferric Maltol: A Potent Nanozyme with Added Effect for High-Efficient Catalytic Disinfection.

Nanozyme has been proven to be an attractive and promising candidate to alleviate the current pressing medical problems. However, the unknown clinical safety and limited function beyond the catalysis of the most reported nanozymes cannot promise an ideal therapeutic outcome in further clinical application. Herein, we find that ferric maltol (FM), a clinically approved iron supplement synthesized through a facile scalable method, exhibits excellent peroxidase-like activity than natural horseradish peroxidase-like (HRP) and commonly reported Fe-based nanozymes, and also shows high antibacterial performance for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) elimination (100%) and wound disinfection. In addition, with added effects inherited from contained maltol, FM can accelerate skin barrier recovery. Therefore, the exploration of FM as a safe and desired nanozyme provides a timely alternative to current antibiotic therapy against drug-resistant bacteria.