Prosapogenin A induces GSDME-dependent pyroptosis of anaplastic thyroid cancer through vacuolar ATPase activation-mediated lysosomal over-acidification.

Anaplastic thyroid cancer (ATC) is among the most aggressive and metastatic malignancies, often resulting in fatal outcomes due to the lack of effective treatments. Prosapogenin A (PA), a bioactive compound prevalent in traditional Chinese herbs, has shown potential as an antineoplastic agent against various human tumors. However, its effects on ATC and the underlying mechanism remain unclear. Here, we demonstrate that PA exhibits significant anti-ATC activity both in vitro and in vivo by inducing GSDME-dependent pyroptosis in ATC cells. Mechanistically, PA promotes lysosomal membrane permeabilization (LMP), leading to the release of cathepsins that activate caspase 8/3 to cleave GSDME. Remarkably, PA significantly upregulates three key functional subunits of V-ATPase-ATP6V1A, ATP6V1B2, and ATP6V0C-resulting in lysosomal over-acidification. This over-acidification exacerbates LMP and subsequent lysosomal damage. Neutralization of lysosomal lumen acidification or inhibition/knockdown of these V-ATPase subunits attenuates PA-induced lysosomal damage, pyroptosis and growth inhibition of ATC cells, highlighting the critical role for lysosomal acidification and LMP in PA's anticancer effects. In summary, our findings uncover a novel link between PA and lysosomal damage-dependent pyroptosis in cancer cells. PA may act as a V-ATPase agonist targeting lysosomal acidification, presenting a new potential therapeutic option for ATC treatment.

Mycobacterial Biofilm: Mechanisms, Clinical Problems, and Treatments.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a threat to human health worldwide. Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) and other nontuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) can form biofilms, and in vitro and animal experiments have shown that biofilms cause serious drug resistance and mycobacterial persistence. Deeper investigations into the mechanisms of mycobacterial biofilm formation and, consequently, the exploration of appropriate antibiofilm treatments to improve the efficiency of current anti-TB drugs will be useful for curing TB. In this review, the genes and molecules that have been recently reported to be involved in mycobacterial biofilm development, such as ABC transporter, Pks1, PpiB, GroEL1, MprB, (p)ppGpp, poly(P), and c-di-GMP, are summarized. Biofilm-induced clinical problems, including biofilm-related infections and enhanced virulence, as well as their possible mechanisms, are also discussed in detail. Moreover, we also illustrate newly synthesized anti-TB agents that target mycobacterial biofilm, as well as some assistant methods with high efficiency in reducing biofilms in hosts, such as the use of nanoparticles.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester derivative exerts remarkable anti-hepatocellular carcinoma effect, non-inferior to sorafenib, in vivo analysis.

Caffeic acid phenethyl ester (CAPE) and its derivatives exhibit considerable effects against hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), with unquestioned safety. Here we investigated CAPE derivative 1' (CAPE 1') monotherapy to HCC, compared with sorafenib. HCC Bel-7402 cells were treated with CAPE 1', the IC50 was detected using CCK-8 analysis, and acute toxicity testing (5 g/kg) was performed to evaluate safety. In vivo, tumor growth after CAPE 1' treatment was evaluated using an subcutaneous tumor xenograft model. Five groups were examined, with group 1 given vehicle solution, groups 2, 3, and 4 given CAPE 1' (20, 50, and 100 mg/kg/day, respectively), and group 5 given sorafenib (30 mg/kg/day). Tumor volume growth and tumor volume-to-weight ratio were calculated and statistically analyzed. An estimated IC50 was 5.6 µM. Acute toxicity tests revealed no animal death or visible adverse effects with dosage up to 5 g/kg. Compared to negative controls, CAPE 1' treatment led to significantly slower increases of tumor volume and tumor volume-to-weight. CAPE 1' and sorafenib exerted similar inhibitory effects on HCC tumors. CAPE 1' was non-inferior to sorafenib for HCC treatment, both in vitro and in vivo. It has great potential as a promising drug for HCC, based on effectiveness and safety profile.

Nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA) ameliorates erectile dysfunction in a rat model of diabetes mellitus via modulation of fibrosis, inflammation and autophagy.

Background: Inflammation, fibrosis and autophagy represent closely related factors associated with the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED). In this study, the therapeutic effect of nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA) in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of DMED was evaluated. Methods: Sixty rats were randomly divided into four groups: control, DMED, DMED + Vehicle and DMED + NO2-OA. DMED was induced by intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin in male rats. Blood glucose and body weight were measured every 2 weeks. After 4 weeks of NO2-OA treatment, erectile function was measured by electrical stimulation of cavernous nerve (CN). Western blotting, quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence and Masson's trichrome staining were used to verify the related factors and protein expression levels. Results: We found that NO2-OA could significantly increase erectile pressure in the corpus cavernosum of DMED rats. Results of western blot, confocal immunofluorescence and qRT-PCR assays revealed that NO2-OA significantly reduced inflammatory factors and the expression of nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB). In addition, Masson staining results indicated that NO2-OA significantly reduced the display of fibrotic tissue in the corpus cavernosum. These beneficial effects may be related to reductions in the expression of transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) and the increase in the expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA). Finally, NO2-OA treatment increased the expression of the autophagy marker, LC3, while P62 was decreased, effects suggesting that one of the underlying mechanisms of NO2-OA may involve an activation of the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway to enhance the capacity for autophagy within this tissue. Conclusions: NO2-OA enhances erectile function within a rat model of DMED by inhibiting inflammation and fibrosis along with activating autophagy.

Metabonomics analysis of the flavor characteristics of Wuyi Rock Tea (Rougui) with "rock flavor" and microbial contributions to the flavor.

Wuyi Rock Tea (WRT) has different characteristics of "rock flavor" due to different production areas. In this study, we investigated the flavor characteristics and key components of "rock flavor" and the influence of microorganisms on the substances by combining metabolomics and microbiomics with the Rougui WRTs from the Zhengyan, Banyan, and Waishan production areas. The results showed that Rougui has a strong floral and fruity aroma, which is mainly brought by hotrienol, and the sweet, smooth, and fresh taste is composed of epicatechin gallate, epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin gallate, caffeine, theanine, soluble sugar, and sweet and bitter amino acids. Bacteria Chryseobacterium, Pedobacter, Bosea, Agrobacterium, Stenotrophomonas, and Actinoplanes mainly influence the production of hotrienol, epicatechin gallate, and theanine. Fungi Pestalotiopsis, Fusarium, Elsinoe, Teichospora and Tetracladium mainly influence the production of non-volatile compounds. This study provides a reference for the biological formation mechanism of the characteristic aroma of WRT's "rock falvor".

Single-cell analysis of uterosacral ligament revealed cellular heterogeneity in women with pelvic organ prolapse.

Pelvic organ prolapse (POP) markedly affects the quality of life of women, including significant financial burden. Using single-cell RNA sequencing, we constructed a transcriptional profile of 30,452 single cells of the uterosacral ligament in POP and control samples, which has never been constructed before. We identified 10 major cell types, including smooth muscle cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, neutrophils, macrophages, monocytes, mast cells, T cells, B cells, and dendritic cells. We performed subpopulation analysis and pseudo-time analysis of POP primary cells, and explored differentially expressed genes. We verified previous cell clusters of human neutrophils of uterosacral ligaments. We found a significant reduction in receptor-ligand pairs related to ECM and cell adhesion between fibroblasts and endothelial cells in POP. The transcription factors related to the extracellular matrix, development, and immunity were identified in USL. Here we provide insight into the molecular mechanisms of POP and valuable information for future research directions.

Fluorescent Carbon Dioxide-Based Polycarbonates Probe for Rapid Detection of Aniline in the Environment and Its Biomarkers in Urine.

Aniline compounds, as a class of widely used but highly toxic chemical raw materials, are increasingly being released and accumulated in the environment, posing serious threats to environmental safety and human health. Therefore, developing detection methods for aniline compounds is of particular significance. Herein, we synthesized the fluorescent third monomer cyano-stilbene epoxide M and ternary copolymerized it with carbon dioxide (CO2) and propylene oxide (PO) to synthesize carbon dioxide-based polycarbonate (PPCM) with fluorescence recognition functions, as well as excellent performance, for the first time. The results revealed that the PPCM fluorescent probe exhibited typical aggregation-induced luminescence properties and could be quenched by aniline compounds. The probe presented anti-interference-specific selectivity for aniline compounds, and the detection limit was 1.69 × 10-4 M. Moreover, it was found to be a highly sensitive aniline detection probe. At the same time, the aniline biomarker p-aminophenol in urine could also be detected, which could expand the potential applications of polymers in the fluorescence-sensing field.

Metabolomics analysis of flavor differences in Shuixian (Camellia sinensis) tea from different production regions and their microbial associations.

Shuixian is renowned for its "rock flavor". However, the variations in Shuixian flavor are unclear, as the discussion mainly considers regional factors and overlooks the role of microorganisms. Sensory evaluation of Shuixian from three different regions (Zhengyan, Banyan, and Waishan) revealed that each had unique flavor characteristics: a woody aroma with slight acidity, a strong floral and fruity aroma with good freshness, and a distinct sweet aroma and sourness. Metabolomic analyses have revealed that 2-methylpyrazine was a crucial component of the woody aroma, whereas other metabolites contributed to sweet aroma, freshness, and acidity. Moreover, examinations of the relationship between flavor metabolites and microorganisms revealed that fungi had a more pronounced influence on the metabolite content of Shuixian. The study evaluated the role of fermentation microorganisms in shaping the flavor based on Shuixian flavor analyses, contributing to further research into the "rock flavor", as well as potential microbial interventions.

Cellulase Promotes Mycobacterial Biofilm Dispersal in Response to a Decrease in the Bacterial Metabolite Gamma-Aminobutyric Acid.

Biofilm dispersal contributes to bacterial spread and disease transmission. However, its exact mechanism, especially that in the pathogen Mycobacterium tuberculosis, is unclear. In this study, the cellulase activity of the M. tuberculosis Rv0062 protein was characterized, and its effect on mycobacterial biofilm dispersal was analyzed by observation of the structure and components of Rv0062-treated biofilm in vitro. Meanwhile, the metabolite factors that induced cellulase-related biofilm dispersal were also explored with metabolome analysis and further validations. The results showed that Rv0062 protein had a cellulase activity with a similar optimum pH (6.0) and lower optimum temperature (30 °C) compared to the cellulases from other bacteria. It promoted mycobacterial biofilm dispersal by hydrolyzing cellulose, the main component of extracellular polymeric substrates of mycobacterial biofilm. A metabolome analysis revealed that 107 metabolites were significantly altered at different stages of M. smegmatis biofilm development. Among them, a decrease in gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) promoted cellulase-related biofilm dispersal, and this effect was realized with the down-regulation of the bacterial signal molecule c-di-GMP. All these findings suggested that cellulase promotes mycobacterial biofilm dispersal and that this process is closely associated with biofilm metabolite alterations.

Cubic AgBiS2 Powder Prepared Using a Facile Reflux Method for Photocatalytic Degradation of Dyes.

The ternary chalcogenide AgBiS2 has attracted widespread attention in the field of photovoltaic and photoelectric devices due to its excellent properties. In this study, AgBiS2 powders with an average diameter of 200 nm were prepared via a simple and convenient reflux method from silver acetate, bismuth nitrate pentahydrate, and n-dodecyl mercaptan. The adjustment of the ratios of Ag:Bi:S raw materials and of the reaction temperatures were carried out to investigate the significance of the synthesis conditions toward the composition of the as-synthesized AgBiS2. The results of XRD indicated that the powders synthesized at a ratio of 1.05:1:2.1 and a synthesis temperature of 225 °C have the lowest bismuth content and the highest purity. The synthesized AgBiS2 crystallizes in a rock salt type structure with the cubic Fm3¯m space group. Scanning and transmission electron microscopy, thermogravimetric analysis, ultraviolet-visible-near-infrared spectra, and photocatalytic degradation performance were employed to characterize the as-synthesized samples. The results demonstrated that AgBiS2 powders display thermal stability; strong absorption in the ultraviolet, visible, and partial infrared regions; and an optical bandgap of 0.98 eV. The obtained AgBiS2 powders also have a good degradation effect on the methylene blue solution with a degradation efficiency of 58.61% and a rate constant of 0.0034 min-1, indicating that it is an efficient strategy for sewage degradation to reduce water pollution.

Mycobacterium tuberculosis Rv1987 protein attenuates inflammatory response and consequently alters microbiota in mouse lung.

Introduction: Healthy lung microbiota plays an important role in preventing Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) infections by activating immune cells and stimulating production of T-helper cell type 1 cytokines. The dynamic stability of lung microbiota relies mostly on lung homeostasis. In our previous studies, we found that Mtb virulence factor, Rv1987 protein, can mediate host immune response and enhance mycobacterial survival in host lung. However, the alteration of lung microbiota and the contribution of lung microbiota dysbiosis to mycobacterial evasion in this process are not clear so far. Methods: M. smegmatis which does not contain the ortholog of Rv1987 protein was selected as a model strain to study the effects of Rv1987 on host lung microbiota. The lung microbiota, immune state and metabolites of mice infected by M. smegmatis overexpressing Rv1987 protein (MS1987) were detected and analyzed. Results: The results showed that Rv1987 inhibited inflammatory response in mouse lung and anaerobic bacteria and Proteobacteria, Bacteroidota, Actinobacteriota and Acidobacteriota bacteria were enriched in the lung tissues correspondingly. The immune alterations and microbiota dysbiosis affected host metabolic profiles, and some of significantly altered bacteria in MS1987-infected mouse lung, such as Delftia acidovorans, Ralstonia pickettii and Escherichia coli, led to anti-inflammatory responses in mouse lung. The secretory metabolites of these altered bacteria also influenced mycobacterial growth and biofilm formation directly. Conclusion: All these results suggested that Rv1987 can attenuate inflammatory response and alter microbiota in the lung, which in turn facilitates mycobacterial survival in the host.

Demographics and Clinical Characteristics Assessment of Severe Acute Toxic Ingestions in Pediatric Patients: A Single-Center Study in Jilin Province of China.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to describe the demographic and clinical characteristics of severe acute toxic ingestions in children in Jilin Province and provide a reference for seeking effective measures to prevent poisoning accidents. METHODS: The clinical data of patients diagnosed with acute toxic ingestions and who presented with severe life-threatening symptoms or organ dysfunction at the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit of the First Hospital of Jilin University were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with incomplete clinical medical records, unclear toxic substance, and loss to follow-up within 6 months of discharge are excluded. We sorted out these children's demographic characteristics, types of poisoning, clinical manifestations, treatment process, and follow-up, etc. RESULTS: This study enrolled 141 cases with no significant differences in sex and region; adolescents accounted for 44.68%. The most common poisons were pesticides and insecticides for rural areas and internal medication for urban areas. With poisoning details as a grouping variable, there was no statistical difference between sex groupings (χ2 = 6.018, P = 0.198) and no difference between region groups (χ2 = 3.775, P = 0.289). However, there were statistical differences between age groups (χ2 = 28.22, P = 0.001). In this research, patients younger than 6 years are mainly unintentionally poisoned, whereas the suicide rate of the urban group (P < 0.05), adolescents (P < 0.01), and girls (P < 0.01) has increased significantly; moreover, the suicide group is more likely to take more overdose medication or pesticides and insecticides (P < 0.01). In addition, there was a statistical difference between suicide and length of intensive care unit stay (r = 0.268, P < 0.01). A total of 90.78% of the patients were successfully discharged after comprehensive treatment. Children aged younger than 12 years had good psychological and intellectual development during the follow-up period, whereas adolescents diagnosed with depression often required long-term psychological and medication intervention. CONCLUSIONS: This study identified poisoning details in different ages, regions, and sex of acute severe oral poisoning in children from Jilin Province. The results presentation of different prevention priorities should vary among children of different ages and emphasize adolescent suicide being a reality in Jilin Province. There is an urgent need for further culture-specific research in this area.

Regulation on air temperature by residential area morphology: A case study in Xuzhou City, China.

Due to woodlands and farmlands being replaced by residential areas in cities, continuous urbanization resulting in frequent urban heat island effects, especially in summer when high temperature seriously threaten health and lives of citizens. Although scientists realized that reasonable residential area morphology could effectively regulate air temperature and improve microclimate, it is lack of air temperature regulation-oriented specifications and requirements on morphology of residential areas. In this study, we used three types of morphological parameters of 15 residential areas in Xuzhou City and air temperature data via field investigation to analyze air temperature regulation caused by residential area morphology. The results showed that key morphological parameters of residential areas were different in morning and afternoon. In morning, independent effects of mean building height, street aspect ratio, and complete aspect ratio contributed 15.4%, 7.3%, and 6.8%, while those of building density, sky view factor, and the ratio of building surface area to floor area were 21.1%, 23.1%, and 6.9% in afternoon, respectively. Threshold values of efficiency of morphological parameters of residential areas were different between morning and afternoon. There were significant correlations between some morphological parameters of residential area. The results could provide data support and methodological reference for residential areas design in Xuzhou and surrounding cities.

Nitro-oleic acid ameliorates erectile dysfunction in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes by inhibiting oxidative stress and apoptosis and activating the NO/cGMP pathway.

The major vascular complications associated with diabetes make the management of diabetic mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED) a challenging endeavor. Notable factors contributing to DMED include oxidative stress, nitric oxide (NO)/cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) pathway activation, and apoptosis, while nitro-oleic acid (NO2-OA) has been shown to be beneficial in treating these aspects of this condition. We, herein, investigated the effects and possible mechanisms of NO2-OA on erectile function as assessed in a streptozotocin-induced rat model of diabetes. Our results revealed that the erectile function of DMED rats was significantly impaired compared with that of the control group. However, in response to 4 weeks of NO2-OA treatment, there was an improvement in erectile function. The expression of oxidative stress-related indicators was significantly increased and the NO/cGMP pathway was impaired in the DMED group. The expression of proapoptotic factors was increased, while that of antiapoptotic factors was decreased in the DMED group. Moreover, the cell morphology in the cavernous tissue of the DMED group also changed adversely. NO2-OA treatment significantly reversed all these changes observed in the DMED group. In conclusion, NO2-OA treatment partially improved erectile function in DMED rats through mechanisms that included inhibition of oxidative stress, activation of the NO/cGMP pathway, and a reduction in apoptosis.

Activation of TRPA1 in Bladder Suburothelial Myofibroblasts Counteracts TGF-ß1-Induced Fibrotic Changes.

The activation of the transient receptor potential ankyrin 1 (TRPA1) channel has anti-fibrotic effects in the lung and intestine. Suburothelial myofibroblasts (subu-MyoFBs), a specialized subset of fibroblasts in the bladder, are known to express TRPA1. However, the role of the TRPA1 in the development of bladder fibrosis remains elusive. In this study, we use the transforming growth factor-ß1 (TGF-ß1) to induce fibrotic changes in subu-MyoFBs and assess the consequences of TRPA1 activation utilizing RT-qPCR, western blotting, and immunocytochemistry. TGF-ß1 stimulation increased α-SMA, collagen type I alpha 1 chain(col1A1), collagen type III (col III), and fibronectin expression, while simultaneously suppressing TRPA1 in cultured human subu-MyoFBs. The activation of TRPA1, with its specific agonist allylisothiocyanate (AITC), inhibited TGF-ß1-induced fibrotic changes, and part of these inhibition effects could be reversed by the TRPA1 antagonist, HC030031, or by reducing TRPA1 expression via RNA interference. Furthermore, AITC reduced spinal cord injury-induced fibrotic bladder changes in a rat model. The increased expression of TGF-ß1, α-SMA, col1A1 and col III, and fibronectin, and the downregulation of TRPA1, were also detected in the mucosa of fibrotic human bladders. These findings suggest that TRPA1 plays a pivotal role in bladder fibrosis, and the negative cross talk between TRPA1 and TGF-ß1 signaling may represent one of the mechanisms underlying fibrotic bladder lesions.

Mesenchymal stem cell-based therapy for female stress urinary incontinence.

Stress urinary incontinence (SUI) adversely affects the quality of life of patients, while the currently available surgical and non-surgical therapies are not effective in all patients. Application of mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) for regaining the ability to control urination has attracted interest. Herein, we reviewed the literature and analyzed recent studies on MSC-based therapies for SUI, summarized recent treatment strategies and their underlying mechanisms of action, while assessing their safety, effectiveness, and prospects. In addition, we traced and sorted the root literature and, from an experimental design perspective, divided the obtained results into four categories namely single MSC type therapy for SUI, MSC-based combination therapy for SUI, treatment of SUI with the MSC secretome, and other factors influencing MSC therapy. Although evidence demonstrates that the treatment strategies are safe and effective, the underlying mechanisms of action remain nebulous, hence more clinical trials are warranted. Therefore, future studies should focus on designing clinical trials of MSC-based therapies to determine the indications for treatment, cell dosage, appropriate surgical strategies, and optimal cell sources, and develop clinically relevant animal models to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying stem cell therapies improvement of SUI.

Measurements, emission characteristics, and control methods of fire effluents generated from tunnel asphalt pavement during fire: a review.

Tunnels are widely used in high-grade roads, particularly in mountainous areas; however, tunnel fires often result in severe economic losses and casualties. The fire effluents produced from asphalt pavement have attracted significant research attention. The main objective of this study is to assimilate information on various aspects of bituminous mixture emissions during fires. In this study, the fume emissions of bitumen and bituminous mixtures during combustion are comprehensively reviewed and summarized. First, the test methods for fire effluents produced by bitumen and bituminous mixtures after combustion are summarized. Second, the factors influencing the fume concentration and composition are determined. In addition, different methods to reduce the emission of fire effluents are compared, particularly for the suppression of toxic gas emissions. Then, reasonable suggestions are proposed to reduce the damage caused by hazardous gases to humans and the environment. This review is beneficial for comprehensively understanding the fume emission behaviour and future research on the smoke suppression of highway tunnel asphalt pavements during fires.

One-Pot Method Synthesis of Bimetallic MgCu-MOF-74 and Its CO2 Adsorption under Visible Light.

A magnesium-based metal-organic framework (Mg-MOF-74) exhibits excellent CO2 adsorption under ambient conditions. However, the photostability of Mg-MOF-74 for CO2 adsorption is poor. In this study, Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74 was synthesized by using a facile "one-pot" method. Furthermore, the effects of synthesis conditions on the CO2 adsorption capacity were investigated comprehensively. X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared, scanning electron microscopy, thermo gravimetric analysis, inductively coupled plasma atomic emission spectroscopy, ultraviolet-visible spectroscopy and photoluminescence spectroscopy, and CO2 static adsorption-desorption techniques were used to characterize the structures, morphology, and physicochemical properties of Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74. CO2 uptake of Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74 under visible light illumination was measured by the CO2 static adsorption test combined with the Xe lamp. The results revealed that Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74 exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity. Furthermore, the CO2 adsorption capacity of Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74 was excellent at a synthesis temperature and time of 398 K and 24 h in dimethylformamide (DMF)-EtOH-MeOH mixing solvents, respectively. Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74 retained a crystal structure similar to that of the corresponding monometallic MOF-74, and its CO2 uptake under visible light was superior to that of the corresponding monometallic MOF-74. Particularly, the CO2 uptake of Mg0.4Cu0.6-MOF-74 under Xe lamp illumination for 24 h was the highest, up to 3.52 mmol·g-1, which was 1.18 and 2.09 times higher than that of Mg- and Cu-MOF-74, respectively. The yield of the photocatalytic reduction of CO2 to CO was 49.44 µmol·gcat -1 over Mg0.4Cu0.6-MOF-74 under visible light for 8 h. Mg2+ and Cu2+ functioned as open alkali metal that could adsorb and activate CO2. The synergistic effect between Mg and Cu metal strengthened Mg x Cu1-x -MOF-74 photostability for CO2 adsorption and broadened the scope of its photocatalytic application. The "bimetallic" strategy exhibits considerable potential for use in MOF-based semiconductor composites and provides a feasible method for catalyst design with remarkable CO2 adsorption capacity and photocatalytic activity.

Tango of dual nanoparticles: Interplays between exosomes and nanomedicine.

Exosomes are lipid bilayer vesicles released from cells as a mechanism of intracellular communication. Containing information molecules of their parental cells and inclining to fuse with targeted cells, exosomes are valuable in disease diagnosis and drug delivery. The realization of their clinic applications still faces difficulties, such as lacking technologies for fast purification and functional reading. The advancement of nanotechnology in recent decades makes it promising to overcome these difficulties. In this article, we summarized recent progress in utilizing the physiochemical properties of nanoparticles (NPs) to enhance exosome purification and detection sensitivity or to derive novel technologies. We also discussed the valuable applications of exosomes in NPs-based drug delivery. Till now most studies in these fields are still at the laboratory research stage. Translation of these bench works into clinic applications still has a long way to go.

N-acetylcysteine improves diabetic associated erectile dysfunction in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice by inhibiting oxidative stress.

Oxidative stress appears to play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes mellitus erectile dysfunction (DMED). This study aimed to investigate the effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on DMED in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice and to explore potential mechanisms. In the present study, we show that an erectile dysfunction is present in the streptozotocin-induced mouse model of diabetes as indicated by decreases in intracavernous pressure responses to electro-stimulation as well as from results of the apomorphine test of erectile function. After treatment of NAC, the intracavernous pressure was increased. In these DMED mice, oxidative stress and inflammatory responses were significantly reduced within the cavernous microenvironment, while activity of antioxidant enzymes in this cavernous tissue was enhanced after NAC treatment. These changes protected mitochondrial stress damage and a significant decreased in apoptosis within the cavernous tissue of DMED mice. This appears to involve activation of the nuclear factor erythroid 2-like-2 (Nrf2) signalling pathway, as well as suppression of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) p38/ NF-κB pathway within cavernous tissue. In conclusion, NAC can improve erectile function through inhibiting oxidative stress via activating Nrf2 pathways and reducing apoptosis in streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. NAC might provide a promising therapeutic strategy for individuals with DMED.