MSTCRB: Predicting circRNA-RBP interaction by extracting multi-scale features based on transformer and attention mechanism.

CircRNAs play vital roles in biological system mainly through binding RNA-binding protein (RBP), which is essential for regulating physiological processes in vivo and for identifying causal disease variants. Therefore, predicting interactions between circRNA and RBP is a critical step for the discovery of new therapeutic agents. Application of various deep-learning models in bioinformatics has significantly improved prediction and classification performance. However, most of existing prediction models are only applicable to specific type of RNA or RNA with simple characteristics. In this study, we proposed an attractive deep learning model, MSTCRB, based on transformer and attention mechanism for extracting multi-scale features to predict circRNA-RBP interactions. Therein, K-mer and KNF encoding are employed to capture the global sequence features of circRNA, NCP and DPCP encoding are utilized to extract local sequence features, and the CDPfold method is applied to extract structural features. In order to improve prediction performance, optimized transformer framework and attention mechanism were used to integrate these multi-scale features. We compared our model's performance with other five state-of-the-art methods on 37 circRNA datasets and 31 linear RNA datasets. The results show that the average AUC value of MSTCRB reaches 98.45 %, which is better than other comparative methods. All of above datasets are deposited in https://github.com/chy001228/MSTCRB_database.git and source code are available from https://github.com/chy001228/MSTCRB.git.

New triple therapy for the diagnosis of CKD-MBD: a cross-sectional study in Shanxi province.

OBJECTIVES: To seek a triple combination of biomarkers for early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone metabolic disorder and to explore the diagnostic efficacy of ß2-microglobulin, parathyroid hormone and blood urea nitrogen in chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone metabolic disorder. PARTICIPANTS: We collected medical records of 864 patients with chronic kidney disease (without direct contact with patients) and divided them into two groups based on the renal bone disease manifestations of all patients. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: There were 148 and 716 subjects in the Chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone metabolic disorder and the control groups, respectively. The aggregated data included basic information and various clinical laboratory indicators, such as blood lipid profile, antibody and electrolyte levels, along with renal function-related indicators. RESULTS: It was observed that most renal osteopathy occurs in the later stages of chronic kidney disease. In the comparison of two clinical laboratory indicators, 16 factors were selected for curve analysis and compared. We discovered that factors with high diagnostic values were ß2-microglobulin, parathyroid hormone and blood urea nitrogen. CONCLUSIONS: The triple combination of ß2-microglobulin+parathyroid hormone+blood urea nitrogen indicators can play the crucial role of a sensitive indicator for the early diagnosis of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone metabolic disorder and in preventing or delaying the progress of chronic kidney disease-mineral and bone metabolic disorder.

Erratum: DNA Extraction and Comparison Between Old and Fresh Necrophilic Fly Samples.

This corrects the article 10.3791/66737.

Multi-modal triggered-release sonodynamic/chemo/phototherapy synergistic nanocarriers for the treatment of colon cancer.

Most colon cancer patients are diagnosed at an advanced stage, with a grim prognosis. In clinical, various combination therapies have been employed to enhance the efficacy of colon cancer treatment. The essence of combined treatment is the judicious selection and combination of various treatment units. Phototherapy (PT), sonodynamic therapy (SDT), and chemotherapy are treatment modalities that rely on the active molecules to treat tumors, and have been demonstrated to synergistically enhance tumor treatment efficacy. However, the differences in the metabolism of active molecules and hypoxic microenvironment of tumors have limited the synergistic effects of the aforementioned methods. To address this significant issue, in this study, we utilized polydopamine (PDA) as the encapsulated material to form a rigid shell that contains the therapeutic molecules IR-780 and methotrexate (MTX) on the surface of perfluorohexane (PFH) microdroplets through self-assembling method to develop an SDT/chemotherapy/PT combined nanoparticles (SCP NPs). Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) revealed that the nanoparticles exhibited a hollow shell structure, with an average size of approximately 100 nm. SCP NPs have excellent stability and biocompatibility in both in vitro and in vivo. The absorption and emission spectrum of the loaded IR-780 did not exhibit any significant shift, and the photothermal temperature rose to 92°C. Their ultrasonic cavitation effect was good and their cell inhibitory effect of MTX was maintained. SCP NPs can achieve multi-modal triggered release through ultrasound, laser irradiation, and pH, ensuring a simultaneous accumulation of therapeutic molecules in the tumor area and effectively alleviating tumor hypoxia. Additionally, both the near-infrared fluorescence (NIF) signal and the ultrasonic cavitation signal of the nanoparticles can be utilized for tracking and monitoring treatment efficacy. Most notably, SCP NPs exhibited outstanding synergistic treatment effects at low intervention levels, resulting in a 67% cure rate of tumors. These results provide an experimental basis for developing the new clinical treatments for colon cancer.

Expert consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of macrolide-resistant Mycoplasma pneumoniae pneumonia in children.

BACKGROUND: Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) is a significant contributor to community-acquired pneumonia among children. Since 1968, when a strain of M. pneumoniae resistant to macrolide antibiotics was initially reported in Japan, macrolide-resistant M. pneumoniae (MRMP) has been documented in many countries worldwide, with varying incidence rates. MRMP infections lead to a poor response to macrolide antibiotics, frequently resulting in prolonged fever, extended antibiotic treatment, increased hospitalization, intensive care unit admissions, and a significantly higher proportion of patients receiving glucocorticoids or second-line antibiotics. Since 2000, the global incidence of MRMP has gradually increased, especially in East Asia, which has posed a serious challenge to the treatment of M. pneumoniae infections in children and attracted widespread attention from pediatricians. However, there is still no global consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of MRMP in children. METHODS: We organized 29 Chinese experts majoring in pediatric pulmonology and epidemiology to write the world's first consensus on the diagnosis and treatment of pediatric MRMP pneumonia, based on evidence collection. The evidence searches and reviews were conducted using electronic databases, including PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, CNKI, Medline, and the Cochrane Library. We used variations in terms for "macrolide-resistant", "Mycoplasma pneumoniae", "MP", "M. pneumoniae", "pneumonia", "MRMP", "lower respiratory tract infection", "Mycoplasma pneumoniae infection", "children", and "pediatric". RESULTS: Epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, early identification, laboratory examination, principles of antibiotic use, application of glucocorticoids and intravenous immunoglobulin, and precautions for bronchoscopy are highlighted. Early and rapid identification of gene mutations associated with MRMP is now available by polymerase chain reaction and fluorescent probe techniques in respiratory specimens. Although the resistance rate to macrolide remains high, it is fortunate that M. pneumoniae still maintains good in vitro sensitivity to second-line antibiotics such as tetracyclines and quinolones, making them an effective treatment option for patients with initial treatment failure caused by macrolide antibiotics. CONCLUSIONS: This consensus, based on international and national scientific evidence, provides scientific guidance for the diagnosis and treatment of MRMP in children. Further studies on tetracycline and quinolone drugs in children are urgently needed to evaluate their effects on the growth and development. Additionally, developing an antibiotic rotation treatment strategy is necessary to reduce the prevalence of MRMP strains.

Preliminary study of extracorporeal shock wave alleviating joint capsule fibrosis caused by internal bleeding of knee joint in rats.

PURPOSE: Joint contracture is a common disease in clinical practice, joint bleeding is an important factor affecting the progression of joint contracture. This study aimed to explore the effect of extracorporeal shock wave on alleviating joint capsule fibrosis caused by intra-articular hemorrhage in rats. METHODS: Forty two SD rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Perform simple fixation and fixation after blood injection separately. Measure the range of motion of each group's knee joints and calculate the corresponding degree of contraction. Use HE staining and Masson staining to detect the number of anterior joint capsule cells and collagen deposition. Detection of changes in Wnt1, ß-catenin protein expression in joint capsule using Western blotting. RESULTS: Compared to group C, the degree of knee joint contracture in M1 and M2 groups of rats increased, and collagen deposition, cell number and Wnt1, ß-catenin protein expression also increased accordingly. Compared to M1 and M2 groups, the degree of knee contraction in E1 and E2 groups were reduced, while collagen deposition, cell number and Wnt1, ß-catenin protein expression were decreased, and the degree of joint contracture in NR1 and NR2 groups showed no significant improvement. Compared to NR1 and NR2 groups, the degree of knee contraction in E1 and E2 groups were reduced, while collagen deposition, cell number and Wnt1, ß-catenin protein expression were decreased. CONCLUSIONS: Both rat models of knee joint contracture were successful, and joint bleeding can exacerbate joint contracture. Extracorporeal shock waves alleviate joint capsule fibrosis caused by intra-articular bleeding in rats.

Surface Tension of Simple Molten Salts: Insight from a Charged Hard Sphere Model.

Surface tension of molten salts is rooted in many important phenomena in physical chemistry. We develop an analytical theory for the surface tension of molten salts, where the molten salt is described by a restricted primitive model electrolyte consisting of charged hard spheres, and surface tension is related to the formation of a cavity in the electrolyte. The integral equation theory is applied to the restricted primitive model electrolyte to derive an analytical formula of the cavity formation energy. The scaling relation of the cavity formation energy is further combined with morphological thermodynamics theory to determine the formula for surface tension. According to our formula, surface tension consists of a positive hard sphere contribution and a negative electrostatic contribution. Using the molar mass, interionic distance, density, and temperature as the input, our theory leads to a good prediction of surface tension of more than 16 molten salts at their melting point without introducing any adjustable parameters.

Garlic ameliorates atherosclerosis by regulating ferroptosis pathway: an integrated strategy of network pharmacology, bioinformatic and experimental verification.

Background: Atherosclerosis (AS) is a chronic arterial pathology and a leading cause of vascular disease-related mortality. Fatty streaks in the arterial wall develop into atherosclerosis and characteristic plaques. Clinical interventions typically involve lipid-lowering medications and drugs for stabilizing vulnerable plaques, but no direct therapeutic agent specifically targets atherosclerosis. Garlic, also locally known as DASUAN, is recognized as a widely sold herbal dietary supplement esteemed for its cardiovascular benefits. However, the specific mechanisms of garlic's anti-atherosclerotic effects remain unclear. Aims: This study aims to elucidate the pharmacological mechanisms through which garlic ameliorates atherosclerosis. Methods: The study identified the major active components and targets of garlic by screening the TCMSP, TCM-ID, and, ETCM databases. Atherosclerosis-associated targets were obtained from the DisGeNET, GeneCards, and DiGSeE databases, and garlic intervention targets were determined through intersection. Utilizing the intersected genes, Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using R software. A garlic component-disease target network was constructed using Cytoscape. RNA-seq datasets from the GEO database were utilized to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs) associated with atherosclerosis. The target genes were intersected with DEGs and the FerrDb (ferroptosis database). Molecular docking predicted the binding interactions between active components and the core targets. In vitro and in vivo experiments validated the identified core targets. Results: The integration of garlic drug targets with atherosclerotic disease targets identified 230 target genes. Intersection with RNA-seq DEGs revealed 15 upregulated genes, including 8 target genes related to ferroptosis. Molecular docking indicated favorable affinities between garlic active components [Sobrol A, (+)-L-Alliin, Benzaldoxime, Allicin] and target genes (DPP4, ALOX5, GPX4). Experimental validation showed that GARLIC reduces the expression of ferroptosis-related genes in AS, suggesting its therapeutic potential through the regulation of ferroptosis. Conclusion: Garlic ameliorates atherosclerosis by targeting intra-plaque ferroptosis and reducing lipid peroxidation. These findings provide novel insights into the pharmacological mechanisms underlying the efficacy of garlic in treating AS.

Absence of motor impairments or pathological changes in TMEM230 knockout rats.

Parkinson's disease (PD), which is the second most common neurodegenerative disorder, is characterized by progressive movement impairment and loss of midbrain dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra. Although mutations in TMEM230 are linked to familial PD, the pathogenic mechanism underlying TMEM230-associated PD remains to be elucidated. To explore the effect of TMEM230 depletion in vivo, we created TMEM230 knockout rats using CRISPR-Cas9 technology. TMEM230 knockout rats did not exhibit any core features of PD, including impaired motor function, loss of dopaminergic neurons in the substantia nigra, or altered expression of proteins related to autophagy, the Rab family, or vesicular trafficking. In addition, no glial reactions were observed in TMEM230 knockout rats. These results indicate that depletion of TMEM230 may not lead to dopaminergic neuron degeneration in rats, further supporting that PD-associated TMEM230 mutations lead to dopaminergic neuron death by gain-of-toxic function.

Isocitrate dehydrogenases 2-mediated dysfunctional metabolic reprogramming promotes intestinal cancer progression via regulating HIF-1A signaling pathway.

Changes in isocitrate dehydrogenases (IDH) lead to the production of the cancer-causing metabolite 2-hydroxyglutarate, making them a cause of cancer. However, the specific role of IDH in the progression of colon cancer is still not well understood. Our current study provides evidence that IDH2 is significantly increased in colorectal cancer (CRC) cells and actively promotes cell growth in vitro and the development of tumors in vivo. Inhibiting the activity of IDH2, either through genetic silencing or pharmacological inhibition, results in a significant increase in α-ketoglutarate (α-KG), indicating a decrease in the reductive citric acid cycle. The excessive accumulation of α-KG caused by the inactivation of IDH2 obstructs the generation of ATP in mitochondria and promotes the downregulation of HIF-1A, eventually inhibiting glycolysis. This dual metabolic impact results in a reduction in ATP levels and the suppression of tumor growth. Our study reveals a metabolic trait of colorectal cancer cells, which involves the active utilization of glutamine through reductive citric acid cycle metabolism. The data suggests that IDH2 plays a crucial role in this metabolic process and has the potential to be a valuable target for the advancement of treatments for colorectal cancer.

Cell-recruited microspheres for OA treatment by dual-modulating inflammatory and chondrocyte metabolism.

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a degenerative disease potentially exacerbated due to inflammation, cartilage degeneration, and increased friction. Both mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) and pro-inflammatory macrophages play important roles in OA. A promising approach to treating OA is to modify multi-functional hydrogel microspheres to target the OA microenvironment and structure. Arginyl-glycyl-aspartic acid (RGD) is a peptide widely used in bioengineering owing to its cell adhesion properties, which can recruit BMSCs and macrophages. We developed TLC-R, a microsphere loaded with TGF-ß1-containing liposomes. The recruitment effect of TLC-R on macrophages and BMSCs was verified by in vitro experiments, along with its function of promoting chondrogenic differentiation of BMSCs. And we evaluated the effect of TLC-R in balancing OA metabolism in vitro and in vivo. When TLC-R was co-cultured with BMSCs and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-treated macrophages, it showed the ability to recruit both cells in substantial numbers. As the microspheres degraded, TGF-ß1 and chondroitin sulfate (ChS) were released to promote chondrogenic differentiation of the recruited BMSCs, modulate chondrocyte metabolism and inhibit inflammation induced by the macrophages. Furthermore, in vivo analysis showed that TLC-R restored the narrowed space, reduced osteophyte volume, and improved cartilage metabolic homeostasis in OA rats. Altogether, TLC-R provides a comprehensive and novel solution for OA treatment by dual-modulating inflammatory and chondrocyte metabolism.

Clinical Characteristics and Molecular Insights of Carbapenem-Resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae Isolates from Patients in Intensive Care Units.

Background: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP), a significant worldwide public health threat, is common in patients in intensive care units. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted over a period of 22 months to assess the risk factors associated with infection caused by CRKP isolates. Strain identification was performed using matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF MS), and antimicrobial sensitivity was assessed using the micro broth dilution method and Kirby-Bauer test. The genes blaKPC, blaOXA-48, blaNDM, blaVIM, and blaGES were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), followed by sequencing of the PCR products. The polymerase hypermucoviscosity phenotype was determined using the string test. Capsular serotypes (K1, K2) and presence of the virulence gene (rmpA) in positive isolates were investigated using phenotypic tests followed by PCR. Results: Length of hospitalization and use of carbapenems were associated with CRKP infection. CRKP isolates exhibited extensive drug resistance, but retained sensitivity to colistin and ceftazidime-avibactam (CZA). The main gene detected in 35 CRKP isolates was blaKPC-2. In addition, 11 strains were positive in the string test, and two of these strains carried rmpA. Conclusions: Prolonged hospitalization and carbapenem exposure increased the risk of CRKP infection in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. The prevalence of CRKP carrying the blaKPC-2 gene was high, and suspected hypervirulent carbapenem-resistant K. pneumoniae isolates were scattered.

Structural basis of tethered agonism and G protein coupling of protease-activated receptors.

Protease-activated receptors (PARs) are a unique group within the G protein-coupled receptor superfamily, orchestrating cellular responses to extracellular proteases via enzymatic cleavage, which triggers intracellular signaling pathways. Protease-activated receptor 1 (PAR1) is a key member of this family and is recognized as a critical pharmacological target for managing thrombotic disorders. In this study, we present cryo-electron microscopy structures of PAR1 in its activated state, induced by its natural tethered agonist (TA), in complex with two distinct downstream proteins, the Gq and Gi heterotrimers, respectively. The TA peptide is positioned within a surface pocket, prompting PAR1 activation through notable conformational shifts. Contrary to the typical receptor activation that involves the outward movement of transmembrane helix 6 (TM6), PAR1 activation is characterized by the simultaneous downward shift of TM6 and TM7, coupled with the rotation of a group of aromatic residues. This results in the displacement of an intracellular anion, creating space for downstream G protein binding. Our findings delineate the TA recognition pattern and highlight a distinct role of the second extracellular loop in forming ß-sheets with TA within the PAR family, a feature not observed in other TA-activated receptors. Moreover, the nuanced differences in the interactions between intracellular loops 2/3 and the Gα subunit of different G proteins are crucial for determining the specificity of G protein coupling. These insights contribute to our understanding of the ligand binding and activation mechanisms of PARs, illuminating the basis for PAR1's versatility in G protein coupling.

Magnetic-guided nanocarriers for ionizing/non-ionizing radiation synergistic treatment against triple-negative breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer with the worst prognosis. Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the core modalities for the disease; however, the ionizing radiation of RT has severe side effects. The consistent development direction of RT is to achieve better therapeutic effect with lower radiation dose. Studies have demonstrated that synergistic effects can be achieved by combining RT with non-ionizing radiation therapies such as light and magnetic therapy, thereby achieving the goal of dose reduction and efficacy enhancement. METHODS: In this study, we applied FeCo NPs with magneto thermal function and phototherapeutic agent IR-780 to construct an ionizing and non-ionizing radiation synergistic nanoparticle (INS NPs). INS NPs are first subjected to morphology, size, colloidal stability, loading capacity, and photothermal conversion tests. Subsequently, the cell inhibitory and cellular internalization were evaluated using cell lines in vitro. Following comprehensive assessment of the NPs' in vivo biocompatibility, tumor-bearing mouse model was established to evaluate their distribution, targeted delivery, and anti-tumor effects in vivo. RESULTS: INS NPs have a saturation magnetization exceeding 72 emu/g, a hydrodynamic particle size of approximately 40 nm, a negatively charged surface, and good colloidal stability and encapsulation properties. INS NPs maintain the spectral characteristics of IR-780 at 808 nm. Under laser irradiation, the maximum temperature was 92 °C, INS NPs also achieved the effective heat temperature in vivo. Both in vivo and in vitro tests have proven that INS NPs have good biocompatibility. INS NPs remained effective for more than a week after one injection in vivo, and can also be guided and accumulated in tumors through permanent magnets. Later, the results exhibited that under low-dose RT and laser irradiation, the combined intervention group showed significant synergetic effects, and the ROS production rate was much higher than that of the RT and phototherapy-treated groups. In the mice model, 60% of the tumors were completely eradicated. CONCLUSIONS: INS NPs effectively overcome many shortcomings of RT for TNBC and provide experimental basis for the development of novel clinical treatment methods for TNBC.

Sirt1 Deficiency Promotes Age-Related AF Through Enhancing Atrial Necroptosis by Activation of RIPK1 Acetylation.

BACKGROUND: Aging is one of the most potent risk determinants for the onset of atrial fibrillation (AF). Sirts (sirtuins) have been implicated in the pathogenesis of cardiovascular disease, and their expression declines with aging. However, whether Sirts involved in age-related AF and its underlying mechanisms remain unknown. The present study aims to explore the role of Sirts in age-related AF and delineate the underlying molecular mechanisms. METHODS: Sirt1 levels in the atria of both elderly individuals and aging rats were evaluated using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blot analysis. Mice were engineered to specifically knockout Sirt1 in the atria and right ventricle (Sirt1mef2c/mef2c). Various techniques, such as echocardiography, atrial electrophysiology, and protein acetylation modification omics were employed. Additionally, coimmunoprecipitation was utilized to substantiate the interaction between Sirt1 and RIPK1 (receptor-interacting protein kinase 1). RESULTS: We discerned that among the diverse subtypes of sirtuin proteins, only Sirt1 expression was significantly diminished in the atria of elderly people and aged rats. The Sirt1mef2c/mef2c mice exhibited an enlarged atrial diameter and heightened vulnerability to AF. Acetylated proteomics and cell experiments identified that Sirt1 deficiency activated atrial necroptosis through increasing RIPK1 acetylation and subsequent pseudokinase MLKL (mixed lineage kinase domain-like protein) phosphorylation. Consistently, necroptotic inhibitor necrosulfonamide mitigated atrial necroptosis and diminished both the atrial diameter and AF susceptibility of Sirt1mef2c/mef2c mice. Resveratrol prevented age-related AF in rats by activating atrial Sirt1 and inhibiting necroptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings first demonstrated that Sirt1 exerts significant efficacy in countering age-related AF by impeding atrial necroptosis through regulation of RIPK1 acetylation, highlighting that the activation of Sirt1 or the inhibition of necroptosis could potentially serve as a therapeutic strategy for age-related AF.

A Series of Lanthanide Coordination Polymers as Luminescent Sensors for Selective Detection of Inorganic Ions and Nitrobenzene.

Seven new lanthanide coordination polymers, namely [Ln(cpt)3H2O)]n(Ln = La (1), Pr (2), Sm (3), Eu (4), Gd (5), Dy (6), and Er (7)), which were synthesized under hydrothermal conditions using 4'-(4-(4-carboxyphenyloxy)phenyl)-4,2':6',4'-tripyridine (Hcpt) as the ligand. The crystal structures of these seven complexes were determined using single-crystal X-ray diffraction, and they were found to be isostructural, crystallizing in the triclinic P1- space group. The Ln(III) ions were nine-coordinated with tricapped trigonal prism coordination geometry. The Ln(III) cations were coordinated by carboxylic and pyridine groups from (cpt)- ligands, forming one-dimensional ring-chain structures. Furthermore, the luminescent properties of complexes 1-7 were investigated using fluorescent spectra in the solid state. The fluorescence sensing experiments demonstrated that complex 4 exhibits high selectivity and sensitivity for detecting Co2+, Cu2+ ions, and nitrobenzene. Moreover, complex 3 shows good capability for detecting Cu2+ ions and nitrobenzene. Additionally, the sensing mechanism was also thoroughly examined through theoretical calculations.

A conserved GRAS-domain transcriptional regulator links meristem indeterminacy to sex determination in Ceratopteris gametophytes.

Most land plants alternate between generations of sexual gametophytes and asexual sporophytes. Unlike seed plants, fern gametophytes are free living and grow independently of their sporophytes. In homosporous ferns such as Ceratopteris, gametophytes derived from genetically identical spores exhibit sexual dimorphism, developing as either males or hermaphrodites. Males lack meristems and promote cell differentiation into sperm-producing antheridia. In contrast, hermaphrodites initiate multicellular meristems that stay undifferentiated, sustain cell division and prothallus expansion, and drive the formation of egg-producing archegonia. Once initiating the meristem, hermaphrodites secrete the pheromone antheridiogen, which triggers neighboring slower-growing gametophytes to develop as males, while the hermaphrodites themselves remain insensitive to antheridiogen. This strategy promotes outcrossing and prevents all individuals in the colony from becoming males. This study reveals that an evolutionarily conserved GRAS-domain transcriptional regulator (CrHAM), directly repressed by Ceratopteris microRNA171 (CrmiR171), promotes meristem development in Ceratopteris gametophytes and determines the male-to-hermaphrodite ratio in the colony. CrHAM preferentially accumulates within the meristems of hermaphrodites but is excluded from differentiated antheridia. CrHAM sustains meristem proliferation and cell division through conserved hormone pathways. In the meantime, CrHAM inhibits the antheridiogen-induced conversion of hermaphrodites to males by suppressing the male program expression and preventing meristem cells from differentiating into sperm-producing antheridia. This finding establishes a connection between meristem indeterminacy and sex determination in ferns, suggesting both conserved and diversified roles of meristem regulators in land plants.

In-Plane Mesoporous 3D Flower-Like Mo2Ti2C3Clx MXene Anodes for Li-Ion Batteries: From Structure to Performance.

MXenes are known for their exceptional electrical conductivity and surface functionality, gaining interest as promising anode materials for Li-ion batteries. However, conventional 2D multilayered MXenes often exhibit limited electrochemical applicability due to slow ion transport kinetics and low structural stability. Addressing these challenges, this study develops a 3D flower-type double transition metal MXene, Mo2Ti2C3Clx, with precisely engineered in-plane mesoporosity using HF-free Lewis acid-assisted molten salt method, coupled with intercalation and freeze-drying. The molar ratio of Lewis acid to eutectic salts is meticulously controlled to create the mesoporosity, which is preserved through freeze-drying. Molecular dynamics (MD) simulations assess the impact of in-plane pore size on the structure and transport dynamics of electrolyte components. Density functional theory (DFT) shows that chlorine surface functional groups significantly reduce Li-ion diffusion barriers, thereby enhancing ion transport and battery performance. Electrochemical evaluations reveal that small-sized (2-5 nm) mesoporous Mo2Ti2C3Clx achieves a specific capacity of 324 mAh g-1 at 0.2 A g-1 and maintains 97% capacity after 500 cycles at 0.5 A g-1, outperforming larger-pored (10 nm) and non-porous variants. This research highlights a scalable strategy for designing mesoporous materials that optimize ion transport and structural stability, essential for advancing next-generation high-performance energy storage solutions.