Rational Design of Amorphous Carbon-Coated Laminar-Structured Wood for Integrating Repeatable Early Fire Detection and High-Temperature Affordable Flexible Pressure Sensing in One System.

High-temperature affordable flexible polymer-based pressure sensors integrated with repeatable early fire warning service are strongly desired for harsh environmental applications, yet their creation remains challenging. This work proposed an approach for preparing such advanced integrated sensors based on silver nanoparticles and an ammonium polyphosphate (APP)-modified laminar-structured bulk wood sponge (APP/Ag@WS). Such integrated sensors demonstrated excellent fire warning performance, including a short response time (minimum of 0.44 s), a long-lasting alarm time (>750 s), and reliable repeatability. Moreover, it achieved high-temperature affordable flexible pressure sensing that exhibited an almost unimpaired working range of 0-7.5 kPa and a higher sensitivity (in the low-pressure range, maximum to 226.03 kPa-1) after fire. The high stability was attributed to reliable structural elasticity, and the wood-derived amorphous carbon is capable of repeatable fire warnings. Finally, a Ag@APP/WS-based wireless fire alarm system that realized reliable house fire accident detection was demonstrated, showing great promise for smart firefighting application.

Exosomal lncRNA HEIH, an essential communicator for hepatocellular carcinoma cells and macrophage M2 polarization through the miR-98-5p/STAT3 axis.

Part of human long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) has been elucidated to play an essential role in the carcinogenesis and progression of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), a type of malignant tumor with poor outcomes. Tumor-derived exosomes harboring lncRNAs have also been implicated as crucial mediators to orchestrate biological functions among neighbor tumor cells. The recruitment of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) exerting M2-like phenotype usually indicates the poor prognosis. Yet, the precise involvement of tumor-derived lncRNAs in cross-talk with environmental macrophages has not been fully identified. In this study, we reported the aberrantly overexpressed HCC upregulated EZH2-associated lncRNA (HEIH) in tumor tissues and cell lines was positively correlated with poor prognosis, as well as enriched exosomal HEIH levels in blood plasma and cell supernatants. Besides, HCC cell-derived exosomes transported HEIH into macrophages for triggering macrophage M2 polarization, thereby in turn promoting the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HCC cells. Mechanistically, HEIH acted as a miRNA sponge for miR-98-5p to up-regulate STAT3, which was then further verified in the tumor xenograft models. Collectively, our study provides the evidence for recognizing tumor-derived exosomal lncRNA HEIH as a novel regulatory function through targeting miR-98-5p/STAT3 axis in environmental macrophages, which may shed light on the complicated tumor microenvironment among tumor and immune cells for HCC treatment.

Sunitinib resistance in renal cell carcinoma: From molecular mechanisms to predictive biomarkers.

Currently, renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is the most prevalent type of kidney cancer. Targeted therapy has replaced radiation therapy and chemotherapy as the main treatment option for RCC due to the lack of significant efficacy with these conventional therapeutic regimens. Sunitinib, a drug used to treat gastrointestinal tumors and renal cell carcinoma, inhibits the tyrosine kinase activity of a number of receptor tyrosine kinases, including vascular endothelial growth factor receptor (VEGFR), platelet-derived growth factor receptor (PDGFR), c-Kit, rearranged during transfection (RET) and fms-related receptor tyrosine kinase 3 (Flt3). Although sunitinib has been shown to be efficacious in the treatment of patients with advanced RCC, a significant number of patients have primary resistance to sunitinib or acquired drug resistance within the 6-15 months of therapy. Thus, in order to develop more efficacious and long-lasting treatment strategies for patients with advanced RCC, it will be crucial to ascertain how to overcome sunitinib resistance that is produced by various drug resistance mechanisms. In this review, we discuss: 1) molecular mechanisms of sunitinib resistance; 2) strategies to overcome sunitinib resistance and 3) potential predictive biomarkers of sunitinib resistance.

Exogenous Application of dsRNA-Inducing Silencing of the Fusarium oxysporum Tup1 Gene and Reducing Its Virulence.

Fusarium oxysporum is a widespread soil-borne fungal pathogen that can infect various plants, causing wilt and root rot diseases. The root rot disease of Atractylodes macrocephala caused by F. oxysporum is among the most serious diseases associated with continuous cropping, significantly hindering its sustainable development. In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of exogenous application of double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) on silencing the F. oxysporum Tup1 gene to reduce its virulence and to evaluate its potential application in controlling root rot disease in A. macrocephala. The Tup1 gene was amplified from the F. oxysporum genome, and different lengths of Tup1-dsRNA were designed and synthesized. The uptake of dsRNA by the fungus was verified using Tup1-dsRNA labeled with fluorescein, and in vitro dsRNA treatment experiments were conducted to assess its impact on the growth and virulence of F. oxysporum. Additionally, Tup1-dsRNA was applied to the roots of A. macrocephala to evaluate its effectiveness in controlling root rot disease. The experimental results showed that F. oxysporum could effectively uptake exogenously applied Tup1-dsRNA, significantly reducing Tup1 gene expression. All lengths of Tup1-dsRNA inhibited fungal growth and caused morphological changes in the fungal hyphae. Further plant experiments and Reverse Transcription Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) analysis indicated that Tup1-dsRNA treatment significantly reduced the incidence of root rot disease in A. macrocephala, which was supported by the reduction in peroxidase (POD) and catalase (CAT) enzyme activities, malondialdehyde (MDA) content, and proline (Pro) levels in treated root tissues. This study demonstrated that exogenous dsRNA could reduce the virulence of F. oxysporum by silencing the Tup1 gene and effectively mitigate the root rot disease it causes in A. macrocephala. The successful application of Tup1-dsRNA provided strong evidence for the potential of RNA interference (RNAi) technology in plant disease control. Future research could further optimize the design and application of dsRNA to enhance its practical value in agriculture.

Fungal Extracellular Vesicle Proteins with Potential in Biological Interaction.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are vesicle-like structures composed of lipid bilayers, which can be divided into apoptotic bodies, microbubbles and exosomes. They are nanoparticles used for the exchange of information between cells. EVs contains many substances, including protein. With the development of proteomics, we know more about the types and functions of protein in vesicles. The potential functions of proteins in the envelope are mainly discussed, including cell wall construction, fungal virulence transmission, signal transmission and redox reactions, which provides a new perspective for studying the interaction mechanism between fungi and other organisms. The fungal protein markers of EVs are also summarized, which provided an exploration tool for studying the mechanism of vesicles. In addition, the possible role of immune protein in the EVs in the treatment of human diseases is also discussed, which provides new ideas for vaccine development.

Comprehensive modular analyses of scar subtypes illuminate underlying molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets.

Pathological scarring resulting from traumas and wounds, such as hypertrophic scars and keloids, pose significant aesthetic, functional and psychological challenges. This study provides a comprehensive transcriptomic analysis of these conditions, aiming to illuminate underlying molecular mechanisms and potential therapeutic targets. We employed a co-expression and module analysis tool to identify significant gene clusters associated with distinct pathophysiological processes and mechanisms, notably lipid metabolism, sebum production, cellular energy metabolism and skin barrier function. This examination yielded critical insights into several skin conditions including folliculitis, skin fibrosis, fibrosarcoma and congenital ichthyosis. Particular attention was paid to Module Cluster (MCluster) 3, encompassing genes like BLK, TRPV1 and GABRD, all displaying high expression and potential implications in immune modulation. Preliminary immunohistochemistry validation supported these findings, showing elevated expression of these genes in non-fibrotic samples rich in immune activity. The complex interplay of different cell types in scar formation, such as fibroblasts, myofibroblasts, keratinocytes and mast cells, was also explored, revealing promising therapeutic strategies. This study underscores the promise of targeted gene therapy for pathological scars, paving the way for more personalised therapeutic approaches. The results necessitate further research to fully ascertain the roles of these identified genes and pathways in skin disease pathogenesis and potential therapeutics. Nonetheless, our work forms a strong foundation for a new era of personalised medicine for patients suffering from pathological scarring.

An integrated digital polymerase chain reaction chip for multiplexed meat adulteration detection.

Meat adulteration detection is a common concern of consumers. Here, we proposed a multiplex digital polymerase chain reaction method and a low-cost device for meat adulteration detection. Using a polydimethylsiloxane microfluidic device, polymerase chain reaction reagents could be pump-free loaded into microchambers (40 × 40 chambers) automatically. Due to the independence of multiplex fluorescence channels, deoxyribonucleic acid templates extracted from different animal species could be distinguished by one test. In this paper, we designed primers and probes for four types of meat (beef, chicken, pork, and duck) and labeled each of the four fluorescent markers (hexachlorocyclohexane [HEX], 6-carboxyfluorescein [FAM], X-rhodamine [ROX], and cyanine dyes 5 [CY5]) on the probes. Specific detection and mixed detection experiments were performed on four types of meat, realizing a limit of detection of 3 copies/µL. A mixture of four different species can be detected by four independent fluorescence channels. The quantitative capability of this method is found to meet the requirements of meat adulteration detections. This method has great potential for point-of-care testing together with portable microscopy equipment.

Impact of Prior Cancer on the Prognosis of Patients with Chondrosarcoma: A Population-Based Study of the SEER Database.

Background: Patients with prior cancer are generally exempt from cancer experiments. This research aims to describe the prevalence, clinical features, and effects of past malignancy among patients with chondrosarcoma. Methods: Chondrosarcoma patients diagnosed between 2010 to 2015 were collected from the SEER database. The propensity score matching method was used to reconcile the disparity in baseline attributes. Kaplan-Meier analysis was employed to explore the outcomes of prior cancer on overall survival. The proportional hazards assumption was used to certain whether the covariate matched the Cox regression model. The potential outliers were estimated by deviance residuals type. Results: A total of 1,721 unique individuals were collected, of those 284 (16.50%) patients had a history of cancer, with prostate cancer being commonly documented (n = 49, 17.25%). Approximately half of the previous tumors are diagnosed within 5 years before the diagnosis of chondrosarcoma. Chondrosarcoma patients with prior cancers have a lower survival rate than those without prior malignancy (P < .001). A multivariable Cox analysis reveals that past cancer is a distinct risk factor for lifespan (hazard ratio = 2.489, P < .001). Conclusion: This study initially discovered that chondrosarcoma patients with past cancer have a bad prognosis. Different types of past cancer have varying effects on survival. We urgently propose that cancer trial exclusion criteria be set specifically by cancer classification, rather than accepting the unchangeable criterion for default.

Label-Free Fluorescence Quantitative Detection Platform on Plasmonic Silica Photonic Crystal Microsphere Array.

We have demonstrated the proof-of-concept of a label-free fluorescence quantitative detection platform based on gold nanoparticle (AuNP) enhancement intrinsic fluorescence of protein on the silica photonic crystal microsphere (SPCM) array. The label-free one-step competitive fluorescence immunoassay protocol has been proposed on the surface of the SPCM. Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) as a model molecule was detected by the newly established method. AFB1-bovine serum albumin and monoclonal antibodies (Abs) of anti-AFB1 have been immobilized on the surfaces of SPCMs and AuNPs, respectively. AuNPs remarkably enhanced the intrinsic fluorescence of artificial antigens on the surface of the SPCM at near UV excitation. The simulation of electric field distribution showed that the maximum value of the near-field enhancement |E/E0| of the SPCM with AuNPs could reach 20. The label-free fluorescence enhancement effect comes from the synergistic effects of photonic crystal effect and AuNP plasmon effect. Such a label-free fluorescence detection method can provide a linear detection range from 0.1 to 10 ng/mL with a limit of detection of 0.025 ng/mL and good specificity for AFB1. The recovery rates in the spiked cereal samples were measured in the range of 84.07 ± 5.71%-101.02 ± 5.13%, which were consistent with that of the traditional enzyme linked immunosorbent assay method. The label-free detection platform displays great application potential in biology, medicine, agriculture, food industry, chemical industry, energy source, and environmental protection.

Advances in functional photonic crystal materials for the analysis of chemical hazards in food.

Chemical contaminants in food generally include natural toxins (mycotoxins, animal toxins, and phytotoxins), pesticides, veterinary drugs, environmental pollutants, heavy metals, and illegal additives. Developing a low-cost, simple, and rapid detection technology for harmful substances in food is urgently needed. Analytical methods based on different advanced materials have been developed into rapid detection methods for food samples. In particular, photonic crystal (PC) materials have a unique surface periodic structure, structural color, a large surface area, easy integration with photoelectronic and magnetic devices which have great advantages in the development of rapid, low-cost, and highly sensitive analytical methods. This review focuses on the PC materials in the view of their fabrication processes, functionalized recognition components for the specific recognition of hazardous substances, and applications in the separation, enrichment, and detection of chemical hazards in real samples. Suspension array based on three-dimensional PC microspheres by droplet-based microfluidic assembly is a great promising and powerful platform for food safety detection fields. For the PCs selective analysis, biological antibodies, aptamers, and molecularly imprinted polymers (MIPs) could be modified for specific recognition of target substances, particularly MIPs because of their low-cost and easy mass production. Based on these functional PCs, various toxic and hazardous substances can be selectively enriched or recognized in real samples and further quantified in combination of liquid chromatography method or optical detection methods including fluorescence, chemiluminescence, and Raman spectroscopy.

[Protective effect of ß-asarone on AD rat model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1₋42 combined 2-VO and its mechanism].

This study was aimed to investigate the protective effect and mechanism of ß-asarone on the animal model of Alzheimer's disease(AD) which was induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1₋42 combined cerebral ischemia. One hundred and five rats were randomly divided into seven groups including sham-operated group, AD model group, ß-asarone 10 mg•kg⁻¹ group, ß-asarone 20 mg•kg⁻¹ group, ß-asarone 30 mg•kg⁻¹ group, donepezil group(0.75 mg•kg⁻¹) and Ginkgo biloba extract group(24 mg•kg⁻¹). Rats' learning and memory abilities, cerebric regional blood flow, pathological changes in hippocampal CA1 region, the expression level of HIF-1α and serum CAT, SOD and MDA level were detected 4 weeks later. The results showed that the application of intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1₋42 joint 2-VO could lead to rats' dysfunction of learning and memory, decrease in regional cerebral blood flow. Neurons in CA1 region were arranged in disorder, and amyloid deposition was increased. The number of cerebral cortical cells expressing HIF-1α was increased as well. The level of serum CAT and SOD decreased, while level of serum MDA increased. However these symptoms were improved by 20 mg•kg⁻¹ and 30 mg•kg⁻¹ ß-asarone. The results indicated that ß-asarone could effectively relieve the symptoms of the AD model induced by intracerebroventricular injection of Aß1₋42 combined cerebral ischemia, and the potential mechanism might be that it could attenuate damage of MDA to the body by improving the level of CAT and SOD, meanwhile the level of HIF-1α decreased as the decline of hyperoxide which might attenuate its damage to neuron, so it finally achieved alleviating Alzheimer's disease.

Metabolomics Study of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and the AntiDiabetic Effect of Berberine in Zucker Diabetic Fatty Rats Using Uplc-ESI-Hdms.

The present study aimed to evaluate the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and the anti-diabetic effect of berberine in Zucker diabetic fatty (ZDF) rats. A urinary metabolomics analysis was performed with ultra-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization synapt high-definition mass spectrometry. Pattern recognition approaches were integrated to discover differentiating metabolites. We identified 29 ions (13 in negative mode and 16 in positive mode) as 'differentiating metabolites' with this metabolomic approach. A functional pathway analysis revealed that the alterations were mainly associated with glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions and sphingolipid metabolism. These results indicated that the dysfunctions of glycometabolism and lipometabolism are involved in the pathological process of T2DM. Berberine could decrease the serum levels of glycosylated hemoglobin, total cholesterol and triglyceride and increase the secretion of insulin. The urinary metabolomics analysis showed that berberine could reduce the concentrations of citric acid, tetrahydrocortisol, ribothymidine and sphinganine to a near-normal state. These results suggested that the anti-diabetic effect of berberine occurred mainly via its regulation of glycometabolism and lipometabolism and activation of adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase. Our work not only provides a better understanding of the anti-diabetic effect of berberine in ZDF rats but also supplies a useful database for further study in humans and for investigating the pharmacological actions of drugs. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Highly sensitive SERS detection of melamine based on 3D Ag@porous silicon photonic crystal.

The stability, reproducibility and engineering of SERS substrate faces a great challenge in melamine SERS assay. In this work, a simple, highly sensitive, stable and cost-efficient SERS detection platform for melamine was established based on its Raman fingerprints spectrum. The Ag@ porous silicon photonic crystal (Ag@PPC) was prepared as the 3D SERS substrate by electrochemical etching and magnetron sputter technology. The main influence factors for the preparation of SERS substrate were investigated in detail. The analytical enhancement factor of the 3D SERS substrate can reach to 2.6 × 108. The 3D SERS detection platform showed a wide linear detection range of 10-4∼10 mg L-1 and a low limit of detection of 0.1 µg L-1 for melamine. Moreover, such detection platform showed good stability, high reproducibility and high recovery rates for melamine. The 3D Ag@PPC SERS substrate can be easily prepared and engineered, displaying a great potential application in food safety field.

Cross-Kingdom RNA Transport Based on Extracellular Vesicles Provides Innovative Tools for Plant Protection.

RNA interference (RNAi) shows great potential in plant defense against pathogens through RNA-mediated sequence-specific gene silencing. Among RNAi-based plant protection strategies, spray-induced gene silencing (SIGS) is considered a more promising approach because it utilizes the transfer of exogenous RNA between plants and microbes to silence target pathogen genes. The application of nanovesicles significantly enhances RNA stability and delivery efficiency, thereby improving the effectiveness of SIGS and further enhancing plant resistance to diseases and pathogens. This review explores the role of RNAi in plant protection, focusing on the cross-kingdom transport of small RNAs (sRNAs) via extracellular vesicles. It also explores the potential of nanotechnology to further optimize RNA-based plant protection, offering innovative tools and methods in modern plant biotechnology.

Atractylenolide II combined with Interferon-γ synergistically ameliorates colorectal cancer progression in vivo and in vitro by blocking the NF-kB p65/PD-L1 pathway.

Purpose: Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz is a widely used classical traditional Chinese herbal medicine, that has shown remarkable efficacy in cancers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common malignant tumor globally. Interferon (IFN)-γ, a prominent cytokine involved in anti-tumor immunity that has cytostatic, pro-apoptotic, and immune-stimulatory properties for the detection and removal of transformed cells. Atractylenolides-II (AT-II) belongs to the lactone compound that is derived from Atractylodes macrocephala Koidz with anti-cancer activity. However, whether AT-II combined with IFN-γ modulates CRC progression and the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The present study aimed to elucidate the efficacy and pharmaceutical mechanism of action of AT-II combined with IFN-γ synergistically against CRC by regulating the NF-kB p65/PD-L1 signaling pathway. Methods: HT29 and HCT15 cells were treated with AT-II and IFN-γ alone or in combination and cell viability, migration, and invasion were then analyzed using Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) and Transwell assays, respectively. Furthermore, the underlying mechanism was investigated through western blot assay. The role of AT-II combined with IFN-γ on tumor growth and lung metastases was estimated in vivo. Finally, the population of lymphocytes in tumor tissues of lung metastatic C57BL/6 mice and the plasma cytokine levels were confirmed by flow cytometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: AT-II or the combination IFN-γ significantly inhibited the growth and migration abilities of CRC cells in vitro and in vivo. The biological mechanisms behind the beneficial effects of AT-II combined with IFN-γ were also measured and inhibition of p38 MAPK, FAK, Wnt/ß-catenin, Smad, and NF-kB p65/PD-L1 pathways was observed. Moreover, AT-II combined with IFN-γ significantly inhibited HCT15 xenograft tumor growth and lung metastases in C57BL/6 mice, which was accompanied by lymphocyte infiltration into the tumor tissues and inflammatory response inactivation. Conclusions: The results showed that the AT-II in combination with IFN-γ could be used as a potential strategy for tumor immunotherapy in CRC. More importantly, the mechanism by which AT-II suppressed CRC progressions was by inhibiting the NF-kB p65/PD-L1 signal pathway.

Analyzing the defense response mechanism of Atractylodes macrocephala to Fusarium oxysporum through small RNA and degradome sequencing.

Introduction: Fusarium oxysporum is a significant soil-borne fungal pathogen that affects over 100 plant species, including crucial crops like tomatoes, bananas, cotton, cucumbers, and watermelons, leading to wilting, yellowing, growth inhibition, and ultimately plant death. The root rot disease of A. macrocephala, caused by F. oxysporum, is one of the most serious diseases in continuous cropping, which seriously affects its sustainable development. Methods: In this study, we explored the interaction between A. macrocephala and F. oxysporum through integrated small RNA (sRNA) and degradome sequencing to uncover the microRNA (miRNA)-mediated defense mechanisms. Results: We identified colonization of F. oxysporum in A. macrocephala roots on day 6. Nine sRNA samples were sequenced to examine the dynamic changes in miRNA expression in A. macrocephala infected by F. oxysporum at 0, 6, and 12 days after inoculation. Furthermore, we using degradome sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), validated four miRNA/target regulatory units involved in A. macrocephala-F. oxysporum interactions. Discussion: This study provides new insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying A. macrocephala's early defense against F. oxysporum infection, suggesting directions for enhancing resistance against this pathogen.

Periodic changes of cyclin D1 mRNA stability are regulated by PC4 modifications in the cell cycle.

The cell cycle is a highly regulated process in which proteins involved in cell cycle progression exhibit periodic expression patterns, controlled by specific mechanisms such as transcription, translation, and degradation. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the oscillations of mRNA levels in cell cycle regulators are not fully understood. In this study, we observed that the stability of cyclin D1 (CCND1) mRNA fluctuates during the cell cycle, with increased stability during interphase and decreased stability during the M phase. Additionally, we identified a key RNA binding protein, positive coactivator 4 (PC4), which plays a crucial role in stabilizing CCND1 mRNA and regulating its periodic expression. Moreover, the binding affinity of PC4 to CCND1 mRNA is modulated by two cell cycle-specific posttranslational modifications: ubiquitination of K68 enhances binding and stabilizes the CCND1 transcript during interphase, while phosphorylation of S17 inhibits binding during the M phase, leading to degradation of CCND1 mRNA. Remarkably, PC4 promotes the transition from G1 to S phase in the cell cycle, and depletion of PC4 enhances the efficacy of CDK4/6 inhibitors in hepatocellular carcinoma, suggesting that PC4 could serve as a potential therapeutic target. These findings provide valuable insights into the intricate regulation of cell cycle dynamics.

Blocking of FGFR4 signaling by F30 inhibits hepatocellular carcinoma cell proliferation through HMOX1-dependent ferroptosis pathway.

Excessive activation of FGF19/fibroblast growth factor receptor 4 (FGFR4) signaling is associated with poor survival of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). FGFR4 inhibitors show promise for HCC treatment. F30, an indazole derivative designed through computer-aided drug design targeting FGFR4, demonstrated anti-HCC activity as described in our previous studies. However, the precise molecular mechanisms underlying F30's anticancer effects remain largely unexplored. We report here that F30 could effectively induce ferroptosis in HCC cells. The concentrations of cellular ferrous iron, the peroxidation of cell membranes and the homeostasis of reduced glutathione (GSH)/oxidized glutathione disulfide (GSSG) were dysregulated by F30, thereby affecting cellular redox status. Induction of ferroptosis in HCC by F30 was inhibited by specific ferroptosis inhibitor ferrostatin-1. F30 upregulates various ferroptosis-related genes, including the heme oxygenase enzymes 1 (HMOX1), a key mediator of redox regulation. Surprisingly, F30-induced ferroptosis in HCC is dependent on HMOX1. The dysregulation of cellular ferrous iron concentrations and cell membrane peroxidation was rescued when knocking down HMOX1 with specific small interfering RNA. These findings shed light on the molecular mechanisms underlying FGFR4-targeting F30's anti-HCC effects and suggest that FGFR4 inactivation could be beneficial for HCC treatment involving ferroptosis.

Sulfur vacancy defects mediated CdZnTeS@BC heterojunction: Artificial intelligence-assisted self-enhanced electrochemiluminescence molecularly imprinted sensing of CTC.

Environmental pollution caused by tetracycline antibiotics is a major concern of global public health. Here, a novel and portable molecularly imprinted electrochemiluminescence (MIECL) sensor based on smartphones for highly sensitive detection of chlortetracycline (CTC) has been successfully established. The high-performance ECL emitter of biomass carbon (BC) encapsulated CdZnTeS (CdZnTeS@BC) was successfully synthesized by hydrothermal. The enhanced ECL performance was ascribed to the introduction of the BC and increased the overall electrical conductivity of the nanoemitter, as well as increased the number of sulfur vacancies and doping on the surface of the emitter based on density functional theory calculations. An aniline-CTC molecular imprinted polymer was synthesized on the surface of the CdZnTeS@BC modified electrode by in-situ electropolymerization. The decrease in MIECL signal was attributed to the increase in impedance effect. The MIECL nanoplatform enabled a wide linear relationship in the range of 0.05-100 µmol/L with a detection limit of 0.029 µmol/L for spectrometer sensors. Interestingly, the light emitted during the MIECL reaction can be captured by a smartphone. Thus, machine learning was used to screen the photos that were taken, and color analysis was carried out on the screened photos by self-developed software, thus achieving a portable, convenient, and intelligent sensing mode. Finally, the sensor obtains satisfactory results in the detection of actual samples, with no significant differences from those of liquid chromatography.

Chemoenzymatic Synthesis of DNP-Functionalized FGFR1-Binding Peptides as Novel Peptidomimetic Immunotherapeutics for Treating Lung Cancer.

Receptor-binding peptides are promising candidates for tumor target therapy. However, the inability to occupy "hot spots" on the PPI interface and rapid metabolic instability are significant limitations to their clinical application. We investigated a new strategy in which an FGFR1-binding peptide (Pep1) was site-specifically functionalized with the dinitrophenyl (DNP) hapten at the C-terminus. The resulting Pep1-DNP conjugates retained FGFR1 binding affinity and exhibited a similar potency in inhibiting FGF2-dependent cell proliferation, comparable to that of native Pep1 in vitro. In addition, three conjugates could recruit anti-DNP antibodies onto the surface of cancer cells, thereby mediating the CDC efficacy. In vivo pharmacokinetic studies and antitumor studies demonstrated that optimal conjugate 9 exhibited significantly prolonged half-lives and improved antitumor efficacy without prominent toxicity compared to those of native Pep1. This is a general and cost-effective approach for generating peptidomimetic immunotherapeutics with multiple antitumor mechanisms that may have broad applications in cancer therapy.