Pb(II) Adsorption Properties of a Three-Dimensional Porous Bacterial Cellulose/Graphene Oxide Composite Hydrogel Subjected to Ultrasonic Treatment.

A three-dimensional porous bacterial cellulose/graphene oxide (BC/GO) composite hydrogel (BC/GO) was synthesized with multi-layer graphene oxide (GO) as the modifier and bacterial cellulose as the skeleton via an ultrasonic shaking process to absorb lead ions effectively. The characteristics of BC/GO were investigated through TEM, SEM, FT-IR, NMR and Zeta potential experiments. Compared to bacterial cellulose, the ultrasonic method and the carboxyl groups stemming from GO helped to enhance the availability of O(3)H of BC, in addition to the looser three-dimensional structure and enriched oxygen-containing groups, leading to a significantly higher adsorption capacity for Pb(II). In this paper, the adsorption behavior of BC/GO is influenced by the GO concentration, adsorption time, and initial concentration. The highest adsorption capacity for Pb(II) on BC/GO found in this study was 224.5 mg/g. The findings implied that the pseudo-second-order model explained the BC/GO adsorption dynamics and that the data of its adsorption isotherm fit the Freundlich model. Because of the looser three-dimensional structure, the complexation of carboxyl groups, and the enhanced availability of O(3)H, bacterial cellulose exhibited a much better adsorption capacity.

Selenium-induced anion vacancy and active site migration stimulating remarkable sulfide Na-Ion storage.

Heterojunctions and controllable anionic vacancies are perceived to be powerful means of ameliorating the performance of sodium-ion batteries assignable to their unique physical and chemical properties. However, the mechanism by which heterojunction and vacancy structures affect sodium-ion battery storage remains to be systemically explored. In this study, the Se doped CoS2@CoS1.035@Carbon (Se-CoS2@CoS1.035@C) heterostructure with anion vacancy was synthesized by a one-step calcination. These heterostructures with lower metal oxidation states and anionic vacancies exhibit exceptional Na+ storage performance (554.3 mA h g-1 after 1500 cycles at 5.0 A g-1). Both electrochemical tests and theoretical calculations demonstrate excellent pseudocapacitive behavior and enhanced Na+ adsorption during discharge because of anionic vacancies and Se doping. Additionally, introducing weaker Co-Se bonds and extending Co-S and Co-Se bonds reduce binding energies, which effectively accelerates the conversion reaction. Our findings provide a feasible way to rationally design and facilely prepare heterostructured anode materials with rich anionic vacancies for sodium-ion batteries.

PBAT/lignin-ZnO composite film for food packaging: Photo-stability, better barrier and antibacterial properties.

When PBAT used as film, stability deteriorates under sunlight exposure, the poor barrier and antibacterial properties are also limiting its application. In this work, lignin-ZnO nanoparticles were prepared by hydrothermal method, as additives to fill the PBAT matrix. In addition, PBAT-lignin-ZnO composite films were successfully prepared by melting and hot-pressing method. It is found that lignin could well dispersed the ZnO when its implantation into PBAT films, and lignin-ZnO not only maintaining tensile strength and thermal stability, but also could prompt PBAT's crystallinity. Especially, P-L-ZnO-2 composite films have good photostability. After 60 h aging, it can still maintain good molecular weight, chemical structure and mechanical properties. Besides, these composite films have improved hydrophobicity, barrier and antibacterial properties, could prevent mildew and significantly reduce the weight loss rate, color difference and hardness changes of strawberries during storage. This work provides a potential film material for outdoor applications and food packaging.

High-Performance Bifunctional Electrocatalysts for Flexible and Rechargeable Zn-Air Batteries: Recent Advances.

Flexible rechargeable Zn-air batteries (FZABs) exhibit high energy density, ultra-thin, lightweight, green, and safe features, and are considered as one of the ideal power sources for flexible wearable electronics. However, the slow and high overpotential oxygen reaction at the air cathode has become one of the key factors restricting the development of FZABs. The improvement of activity and stability of bifunctional catalysts has become a top priority. At the same time, FZABs should maintain the battery performance under different bending and twisting conditions, and the design of the overall structure of FZABs is also important. Based on the understanding of the three typical configurations and working principles of FZABs, this work highlights two common strategies for applying bifunctional catalysts to FZABs: 1) powder-based flexible air cathode and 2) flexible self-supported air cathode. It summarizes the recent advances in bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts and explores the various types of catalyst structures as well as the related mechanistic understanding. Based on the latest catalyst research advances, this paper introduces and discusses various structure modulation strategies and expects to guide the synthesis and preparation of efficient bifunctional catalysts. Finally, the current status and challenges of bifunctional catalyst research in FZABs are summarized.

The shell formation mechanism of Turbo argyrostomus based on ultrastructure and transcriptome analysis.

The gold inner shell of Turbo argyrostomus is an important morphological classification characteristic in Gastropoda. However, the gene sets responsible for shell formation in gastropods remain poorly explored. In this study, we investigated the microstructure using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Alcian blue staining-periodic acid-Schiff (AB-PAS) staining. The SEM results illustrated that the T. argyrostomus shell exhibited a special "sandwich" microstructure. The results of histological observation demonstrated two major cell types: adipocytes and mucin cells. A total of 318 differentially expressed genes were identified between edge mantle and central mantle, among which whey acidic protein, N66, and nacre-like proteins, and Lam G and EGF domains may be related to shell microstructure. 22.39% - 25.20% of the mucin genes had biomineralization related domains, which supported for the relationship between mucins and shell formation. Moreover, this study revealed energy distribution differences between the edge mantle and central mantle. These results provide insights for further understanding of the biomineralization mechanism in Gastropoda.

Assessing desertification vulnerability and mitigation strategies in northern Nigeria: A comprehensive approach.

Desertification constitutes a grave threat to the environmental and socio-economic stability of desertification frontline states in Northern Nigeria. From 2003 to 2020, this research comprehensively analyzes desertification vulnerability, integrating parameters such as NDVI, LST, TVDI, MSAVI, and Albedo. Key factors contributing to land degradation are identified, along with the spatial patterns and trends of desertification over the two-decade period. The consequences are profound, with Northern Nigeria's ecosystem experiencing a steady decline in vegetation cover. Agriculture, vital to the region's economy, faces increased aridity and reduced arable land, jeopardizing food security. Diminishing water resources exacerbates scarcity issues, placing additional strain on communities. These environmental changes lead to severe socio-economic implications, including displacement, loss of livelihoods, and heightened vulnerability to climate-related risks. Urgent, comprehensive, and strategic interventions are imperative. Policy recommendations underscore revising and enforcing land use regulations, promoting sustainable agricultural practices, and establishing monitoring systems to guide decision-making. This research contributes practical strategies to enhance the resilience of desertification frontline states, safeguard livelihoods, and align with Nigeria's sustainable development objectives. Findings from the study indicate that only a tiny percentage (6.7 %) of the study area remains unaffected by desertification. Moreover, 13.3 % exhibit light vulnerability, 20 % demonstrate moderate exposure, and 60 % fall into the severe (26.7 %) and compelling (33.3 %) vulnerability categories. These statistics underscore the gravity of desertification in the study area, emphasizing the urgent need for effective mitigation measures to address its impact comprehensively.

Translation and reliability and validity of the Chinese version of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Specific Quality of Life-Short Form.

OBJECTIVE: To translate Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis-Specific Quality of Life-Short Form (ALSSQOL-SF) and test its reliability and validity, so that explore feasibility in Chinese mainland and make up the gap of specific tools for measuring quality of life of patients with ALS. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional design. The Brislin translation model was used to translate ALSSQOL-SF, and the Chinese version of ALSSQOL-SF (C-ALSSQOL-SF) was revised through cultural adaptation and pre-test. The convenience sampling method was used to investigate 138 patients with ALS in Tianjin to test the reliability and validity of the C-ALSSQOL-SF. RESULTS: The C-ALSSQOL-SF included 20 items, covering 6 dimensions: physical symptoms, bulbar function, negative emotion, interaction with people and the environment, religiosity and intimacy. The scale-level content validity index (S-CVI) of C-ALSSQOL-SF was 0.964, and the item-level content validity index (I-CVI) was between 0.857 to 1.000. The results of Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA) showed that CMIN/DF = 1.161, RMSEA = 0.034, GFI = 0.892, IFI = 0.976, TLI = 0.969, CFI = 0.975, and the 6-factor model fitted well. The scores of C-ALSSQOL-SF and WHOQOL-BREF were positively correlated (r = 0.745). The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.85, the Cronbach's α coefficient of each dimension was between 0.59 to 0.86, and the split-half reliability was 0.78. CONCLUSION: The Chinese version of ALSSQOL-SF has good reliability and validity, and can be used as a tool to evaluate the quality of life of patients with ALS in Chinese mainland.

Swine Colibacillosis: Analysis of the Gut Bacterial Microbiome.

This study aimed to evaluate the disruption of the swine gut microbiota and histopathological changes caused by infection with enterotoxigenic E. coli. Fecal samples were collected from piglets suffering from diarrhea post-recovery and healthy animals. Intestinal tissues were collected for histopathological changes. The results revealed histopathological changes mainly in the ileum of the infected animals compared to those in the ileum of the control and recovered animals. The operational taxonomic units (OTUs) revealed that the E. coli diarrheal group exhibited the highest bacterial richness. Principal coordinate analysis (PCoA) corroborated the presence of dysbiosis in the gut microbiota following E. coli-induced diarrhea. While the normal control and infected groups displayed slight clustering, the recovery group formed a distinct cluster with a distinct flora. Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, and Fusobacteria were the dominant phyla in both the healthy and recovered piglets and in the diarrheal group. LEfSe and the associated LDA score analysis revealed that the recovered group exhibited dominance of the phyla Euryarchaeota and Bacteroidota, while groups N and I showed dominance of the phyla Firmicutes and Fusobacteriota, respectively. The LDA scores highlighted a significant expression of the Muribaculacea family in group R. The obtained findings will help in understanding the microbiome during swine colibacillosis, which will support control of the outbreaks.

Organo-photoredox catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation of ketone-derived dihydroquinazolinones via C(sp3)-C bond and C(sp3)-F bond cleavage.

An organo-photoredox catalyzed gem-difluoroallylation of both acyclic and cyclic ketone derivatives with α-trifluoromethyl alkenes has been demonstrated, thus giving access to a diverse set of gem-difluoroalkenes in moderate to high yields. Pro-aromatic dihydroquinazolinones can be either pre-formed or in situ generated for ketone activation. This reaction is characterized by readily available starting materials, mild reaction conditions, and broad substrate scope. The feasibility of this reaction has been highlighted by the late-stage modification of several natural products and drug-like molecules as well as the in vitro antifungal activity.

Sirtulin-Ypk1 regulation axis governs the TOR signaling pathway and fungal pathogenicity in Cryptococcus neoformans.

Cryptococcus neoformans is a life-threatening fungal pathogen that is a causative agent for pulmonary infection and meningoencephalitis in both immunocompetent and immunodeficient individuals. Recent studies have elucidated the important function of the target of rapamycin (TOR) signaling pathway in the modulation of C. neoformans virulence factor production and pathogenicity in animal infection models. Herein, we discovered that Ypk1, a critical component of the TOR signaling pathway, acts as a critical modulator in fungal pathogenicity through post-translational modifications (PTMs). Mass spectrometry analysis revealed that Ypk1 is subject to protein acetylation at lysines 315 and 502, and both sites are located within kinase functional domains. Inhibition of the C. neoformans TOR pathway by rapamycin activates the deacetylation process for Ypk1. The YPK1Q strain, a hyper-acetylation of Ypk1, exhibited increased sensitivity to rapamycin, decreased capsule formation ability, reduced starvation tolerance, and diminished fungal pathogenicity, indicating that deacetylation of Ypk1 is crucial for responding to stress. Deacetylase inhibition assays have shown that sirtuin family proteins are critical to the Ypk1 deacetylation mechanism. After screening deacetylase mutants, we found that Dac1 and Dac7 directly interact with Ypk1 to facilitate the deacetylation modification process via a protein-protein interaction. These findings provide new insights into the molecular basis for regulating the TORC-Ypk1 axis and demonstrate an important function of protein acetylation in modulating fungal pathogenicity. IMPORTANCE: Cryptococcus neoformans is an important opportunistic fungal pathogen in humans. While there are currently few effective antifungal treatments, the absence of novel molecular targets in fungal pathogenicity hinders the development of new drugs. There is increasing evidence that protein post-translational modifications (PTMs) can modulate the pathogenicity of fungi. In this study, we discovered that the pathogenicity of C. neoformans was significantly impacted by the dynamic acetylation changes of Ypk1, the immediate downstream target of the TOR complex. We discovered that Ypk1 is acetylated at lysines 315 and 502, both of which are within kinase functional domains. Deacetylation of Ypk1 is necessary for formation of the capsule structure, the response to the TOR pathway inhibitor rapamycin, nutrient utilization, and host infection. We also demonstrate that the sirtuin protein family is involved in the Ypk1 deacetylation mechanism. We anticipate that the sirtuin-Ypk1 regulation axis could be used as a potential target for the development of antifungal medications.

Research on the visual location method for strawberry picking points under complex conditions based on composite models.

BACKGROUND: Strawberry, being an important economic crop, requires a large amount of human labor for harvesting operations. Efficient and non-destructive harvesting by strawberry harvesting robots requires the precise location of the picking points. Current algorithms for locating picking points encounter significant issues with location errors and minimal effective information in complex situations. RESULTS: To improve the accuracy of the location of picking points, this study proposes a visual location method based on composite models. This method employs object detection and instance segmentation models to detect fruits and segment peduncles sequentially, thereby enabling the identification of picking points and inclination on the peduncle. Different object detection algorithms and instance segmentation models were validated to explore the optimal model combination, and the Convolutional Block Attention Module (CBAM) was integrated into YOLOv8s-seg to construct YOLOv8s-seg-CBAM. Test results show that the composite model built with YOLOv8s and YOLOv8s-seg-CBAM achieved a peduncle detection accuracy of 86.2%, with an inference time of 30.6 ms per image. CONCLUSION: The picking point visual location method based on YOLOv8s and YOLOv8s-seg-CBAM composite models can better balance accuracy and efficiency and can provide more accurate guidance for automated harvesting. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry.

Softness-Aided Mild Hyperthermia Boosts Stiff Nanomedicine by Regulating Tumor Mechanics.

Aberrant tumor mechanical microenvironment (TMME), featured with overactivated cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and excessive extracellular matrix (ECM), severely restricts penetration and accumulation of cancer nanomedicines, while mild-hyperthermia photothermal therapy (mild-PTT) has been developed to modulate TMME. However, photothermal agents also encounter the barriers established by TMME, manifesting in limited penetration and heterogeneous distribution across tumor tissues and ending with attenuated efficiency in TMME regulation. Herein, it is leveraged indocyanine green (ICG)-loaded soft nanogels with outstanding deformability, for efficient tumor penetration and uniform distribution, in combination with mild-PTT to achieve potent TMME regulation by inhibiting CAFs and degrading ECM. As a result, doxorubicin (DOX)-loaded stiff nanogels gain greater benefits in tumor penetration and antitumor efficacy than soft counterparts from softness-mediated mild-PTT. This study reveals the crucial role of nanomedicine mechanical properties in tumor distribution and provides a novel strategy for overcoming the barriers of solid tumors with soft deformable nanogels.

sRNA expression profile of KPC-2-producing carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae: Functional role of sRNA51.

The emergence of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has significant challenges to human health and clinical treatment, with KPC-2-producing CRKP being the predominant epidemic strain. Therefore, there is an urgent need to identify new therapeutic targets and strategies. Non-coding small RNA (sRNA) is a post-transcriptional regulator of genes involved in important biological processes in bacteria and represents an emerging therapeutic strategy for antibiotic-resistant bacteria. In this study, we analyzed the transcription profile of KPC-2-producing CRKP using RNA-seq. Of the 4693 known genes detected, the expression of 307 genes was significantly different from that of carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP), including 133 up-regulated and 174 down-regulated genes. Both the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment and Gene Ontology (GO) analysis showed that these differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were mainly related to metabolism. In addition, we identified the sRNA expression profile of KPC-2-producing CRKP for the first time and detected 115 sRNAs, including 112 newly discovered sRNAs. Compared to CSKP, 43 sRNAs were differentially expressed in KPC-2-producing CRKP, including 39 up-regulated and 4 down-regulated sRNAs. We chose sRNA51, the most significantly differentially expressed sRNA in KPC-2-producing CRKP, as our research subject. By constructing sRNA51-overexpressing KPC-2-producing CRKP strains, we found that sRNA51 overexpression down-regulated the expression of acrA and alleviated resistance to meropenem and ertapenem in KPC-2-producing CRKP, while overexpression of acrA in sRNA51-overexpressing strains restored the reduction of resistance. Therefore, we speculated that sRNA51 could affect the resistance of KPC-2-producing CRKP by inhibiting acrA expression and affecting the formation of efflux pumps. This provides a new approach for developing antibiotic adjuvants to restore the sensitivity of CRKP.

Molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of Klebsiella pneumoniae isolates from hospitalized patients in different regions of China.

Introduction: The increasing incidence of Klebsiella pneumoniae and carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae (CRKP) has posed great challenges for the clinical anti-infective treatment. Here, we describe the molecular epidemiology and antimicrobial resistance profiles of K. pneumoniae and CRKP isolates from hospitalized patients in different regions of China. Methods: A total of 219 K. pneumoniae isolates from 26 hospitals in 19 provinces of China were collected during 2019-2020. Antimicrobial susceptibility tests, multilocus sequence typing were performed, antimicrobial resistance genes were detected by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Antimicrobial resistance profiles were compared between different groups. Results: The resistance rates of K. pneumoniae isolates to imipenem, meropenem, and ertapenem were 20.1%, 20.1%, and 22.4%, respectively. A total of 45 CRKP isolates were identified. There was a significant difference in antimicrobial resistance between 45 CRKP and 174 carbapenem-sensitive Klebsiella pneumoniae (CSKP) strains, and the CRKP isolates were characterized by the multiple-drug resistance phenotype.There were regional differences among antimicrobial resistance rates of K. pneumoniae to cefazolin, chloramphenicol, and sulfamethoxazole,which were lower in the northwest than those in north and south of China.The mostcommon sequence type (ST) was ST11 (66.7% of the strains). In addition, we detected 13 other STs. There were differences between ST11 and non-ST11 isolates in the resistance rate to amikacin, gentamicin, latamoxef, ciprofloxacin, levofloxacin, aztreonam, nitrofurantoin, fosfomycin, and ceftazidime/avibactam. In terms of molecular resistance mechanisms, the majority of the CRKP strains (71.1%, 32/45) harbored blaKPC-2, followed by blaNDM (22.2%, 10/45). Strains harboring blaKPC or blaNDM genes showed different sensitivities to some antibiotics. Conclusion: Our analysis emphasizes the importance of surveilling carbapenem-resistant determinants and analyzing their molecular characteristics for better management of antimicrobial agents in clinical use.

Biodiversity increases resistance of grasslands against plant invasions under multiple environmental changes.

Biodiversity often helps communities resist invasion. However, it is unclear whether this diversity-invasion relationship holds true under environmental changes. Here, we conduct a meta-analysis of 1010 observations from 25 grassland studies in which plant species richness is manipulated together with one or more environmental change factors to test invasibility (measured by biomass or cover of invaders). We find that biodiversity increases resistance to invaders across various environmental conditions. However, the positive biodiversity effect on invasion resistance is strengthened under experimental warming, whereas it is weakened under experimentally imposed drought. When multiple factors are imposed simultaneously, the positive biodiversity effect is strengthened. Overall, we show that biodiversity helps grassland communities resist plant invasions under multiple environmental changes. Therefore, investment in the protection and restoration of native biodiversity is not only important for prevention of invasions under current conditions but also under continued global environmental change.

A step-scheme-based Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite quantum dots@mesoporous Nb2O5 photocatalyst with boosted charge separation and CO2 reduction.

Solar-energy-powered CO2 reduction into valuable chemical fuels represents a highly promising strategy to address the currently energy and environmental issues. Owing to the nontoxicity and robust reduction capability, lead-free Cs3Bi2Br9 perovskite quantum dots (PQDs) are regarded as an attractive material for CO2 photoreduction. Nevertheless, the potential of their applications in this field has been restricted by the severe charge recombination, resulting in unsatisfactory photocatalytic performance. Herein, a step-scheme-based Cs3Bi2Br9@Nb2O5 (CBB@Nb2O5) nanocomposite was fabricated by embedding the CBB PQDs into mesoporous Nb2O5. Experimental studies, along with theoretical calculations, revealed that the charge migration route in the CBB@Nb2O5 nanocomposite conformed to the step-scheme (S-scheme) mode, enabling effective charge separation and strong redox ability preservation. Profiting from the promoted charge separation, as well as the improved CO2 adsorption contributed by mesoporous Nb2O5, the CBB@Nb2O5 nanocomposite unveiled superior CO2 photoreduction performance, with CO evolution rate reaching 143.63 µmol g-1h-1. The present study provides a potential strategy to manufacture highly-efficient perovskite-based photocatalysts for achieving carbon neutrality.

Changes in gastrocnemius MTU stiffness and their correlation with plantar pressure in patients with knee osteoarthritis.

Background: Abnormal, excessive, and repetitive knee load is a critical risk factor for osteoarthritis (OA). The gastrocnemius muscle-tendon unit (MTU) interacts with foot biomechanics and is vital in cushioning the knee load. Abnormal gastrocnemius activation and plantar pressure during walking in patients with knee OA may negatively affect gastrocnemius MTU stiffness, increasing knee load. Few studies investigated the relationship between gastrocnemius MTU stiffness and plantar pressure. This study aimed to evaluate the changes in gastrocnemius MTU stiffness in patients with knee OA and their correlations with plantar pressure and clinical symptoms. Methods: Thirty women patients with unilateral knee OA and 30 healthy women participants were recruited. Shear wave elastography was used to quantify gastrocnemius MTU stiffness in ankle resting and anatomical 0° positions, defined as natural and neutral positions in this study. A plantar pressure analysis system was used to collect the plantar pressure parameters on the symptomatic side in patients with knee OA. The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) scores were used to measure the severity of clinical symptoms. Results: Medial and lateral gastrocnemius (MG and LG) stiffness on both the asymptomatic and symptomatic sides in patients with knee OA was increased compared with that in healthy participants. The MG and LG optimal cutoff stiffness in the natural position was 15.73 kPa and 14.25 kPa, respectively. The optimal cutoff stiffness in the neutral position was 36.32 kPa and 25.43 kPa, respectively, with excellent sensitivity and specificity. The MG and LG stiffness were positively correlated with the percentages of anterior and medial plantar pressure and negatively correlated with the length of pressure center path. The LG and MG were significantly correlated with WOMAC and VAS scores. Conclusion: Patients with knee OA have increased gastrocnemius muscle stiffness, closely related to plantar pressure and clinical symptoms. Monitoring the gastrocnemius muscle in patients with knee OA can provide an essential basis for its prevention and treatment.

Hyperbaric Oxygen Boosts Antitumor Efficacy of Copper-Diethyldithiocarbamate Nanoparticles against Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma by Regulating Cancer Stem Cell Metabolism.

Cuproptosis-based cancer nanomedicine has received widespread attention recently. However, cuproptosis nanomedicine against pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is severely limited by cancer stem cells (CSCs), which reside in the hypoxic stroma and adopt glycolysis metabolism accordingly to resist cuproptosis-induced mitochondria damage. Here, we leverage hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) to regulate CSC metabolism by overcoming tumor hypoxia and to augment CSC elimination efficacy of polydopamine and hydroxyethyl starch stabilized copper-diethyldithiocarbamate nanoparticles (CuET@PH NPs). Mechanistically, while HBO and CuET@PH NPs inhibit glycolysis and oxidative phosphorylation, respectively, the combination of HBO and CuET@PH NPs potently suppresses energy metabolism of CSCs, thereby achieving robust tumor inhibition of PDAC and elongating mice survival importantly. This study reveals novel insights into the effects of cuproptosis nanomedicine on PDAC CSC metabolism and suggests that the combination of HBO with cuproptosis nanomedicine holds significant clinical translation potential for PDAC patients.

Targeting the crosstalk between estrogen receptors and membrane growth factor receptors in breast cancer treatment: Advances and opportunities.

Estrogens play a critical role in the initiation and progression of breast cancer. Estrogen receptor (ER)α, ERß, and G protein-coupled estrogen receptor are the primary receptors for estrogen in breast cancer. These receptors are mainly activated by binding with estrogens. The crosstalk between ERs and membrane growth factor receptors creates additional pathways that amplify the effects of their ligands and promote tumor growth. This crosstalk may cause endocrine therapy resistance in ERα-positive breast cancer. Furthermore, this may explain the resistance to anti-human epidermal growth factor receptor-2 (HER2) treatment in ERα-/HER2-positive breast cancer and chemotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer. Accordingly, it is necessary to understand the complex crosstalk between ERs and growth factor receptors. In this review, we delineate the crosstalk between ERs and membrane growth factor receptors in breast cancer. Moreover, this review highlights the current progress in clinical treatment and discusses how pharmaceuticals target the crosstalk. Lastly, we discuss the current challenges and propose potential solutions regarding the implications of targeting crosstalk via pharmacological inhibition. Overall, the present review provides a landscape of the crosstalk between ERs and membrane growth factor receptors in breast cancer, along with valuable insights for future studies and clinical treatments using a chemotherapy-sparing regimen to improve patient quality of life.

Expansion and transmission dynamics of high risk carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae subclones in China: An epidemiological, spatial, genomic analysis.

AIMS: Carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumonia (CRKP) is a global threat that varies by region. The global distribution, evolution, and clinical implications of the ST11 CRKP clone remain obscure. METHODS: We conducted a multicenter molecular epidemiological survey using isolates obtained from 28 provinces and municipalities across China between 2011 and 2021. We integrated sequences from public databases and performed genetic epidemiology analysis of ST11 CRKP. RESULTS: Among ST11 CRKP, KL64 serotypes exhibited considerable expansion, increasing from 1.54% to 46.08% between 2011 and 2021. Combining our data with public databases, the phylogenetic and phylogeography analyses indicated that ST11 CRKP appeared in the Americas in 1996 and spread worldwide, with key clones progressing from China's southeastern coast to the inland by 2010. Global phylogenetic analysis showed that ST11 KL64 CRKP has evolved to a virulent, resistant clade with notable regional spread. Single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) analysis identified BMPPS (bmr3, mltC, pyrB, ppsC, and sdaC) as a key marker for this clade. The BMPPS SNP clade is associated with high mortality and has strong anti-phagocytic and competitive traits in vitro. CONCLUSIONS: The high-risk ST11 KL64 CRKP subclone showed strong expansion potential and survival advantages, probably owing to genetic factors.