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Abstract Background Sunflower (Helianthus annuus) is one of the most important economic crops in oilseed production worldwide. The different cultivars exhibit variability in their resistance genes. The NAC transcription factor (TF) family plays diverse roles in plant development and stress responses. With the completion of the H. annuus genome sequence, the entire complement of genes coding for NACs has been identified. However, the reference genome of a single individual cannot cover all the genetic information of the species. Results Considering only a single reference genome to study gene families will miss many meaningful genes. A pangenome-wide survey and characterization of the NAC genes in sunflower species were conducted. In total, 139 HaNAC genes are identified, of which 114 are core and 25 are variable. Phylogenetic analysis of sunflower NAC proteins categorizes these proteins into 16 subgroups. 138 HaNACs are randomly distributed on 17 chromosomes. SNP-based haplotype analysis shows haplotype diversity of the HaNAC genes in wild accessions is richer than in landraces and modern cultivars. Ten HaNAC genes in the basal stalk rot (BSR) resistance quantitative trait loci (QTL) are found. A total of 26 HaNAC genes are differentially expressed in response to Sclerotinia head rot (SHR). A total of 137 HaNAC genes are annotated in Gene Ontology (GO) and are classified into 24 functional groups. GO functional enrichment analysis reveals that HaNAC genes are involved in various functions of the biological process. Conclusions We identified NAC genes in H. annuus (HaNAC) on a pangenome-wide scale and analyzed S. sclerotiorum resistance-related NACs. This study provided a theoretical basis for further genomic improvement targeting resistance-related NAC genes in sunflowers.

As education advances with the times, traditional English EFL teaching can no longer fully adapt to the current educational situation. This paper studies the mining of the Civics element in English teaching integrates it into EFL classroom teaching, and constructs the morality cultivation EFL critical thinking ability teaching strategy based on the critical thinking ability model. The effects of applying this teaching strategy are analyzed and compared to the six dimensions of critical thinking ability: interpretation, analysis, evaluation, reasoning, explanation, and self-regulation ability. The exploration of critical thinking ability development and individual teacher factors is conducted. After the teaching experiment, the experimental group improved by 12.08 points, while the control group only improved by 0.46 points, indicating a significant difference between the two groups’ scores. The Sig. The values of the experimental group in the six dimensions are less than 0.05, and the Sig. The values of the control group are greater than 0.05. The teaching strategy of moral cultivation in EFL critical thinking ability has an obvious effect on improving students’ critical thinking abilities. There is a correlation between the development of critical thinking ability and teachers’ education, and teachers with master’s degrees are better than teachers with bachelor’s degrees.

We establish the formulation for quantum current. Given a symmetry group G, let $\mathcal{C}$:=Rep G be its representation category. Physically, symmetry charges are objects of $\mathcal{C}$ and symmetric operators are morphisms in $\mathcal{C}$. The addition of charges is given by the tensor product of representations. For any symmetric operator O crossing two subsystems, the exact symmetry charge transported by O can be extracted. The quantum current is defined as symmetric operators that can transport symmetry charges over an arbitrary long distance. A quantum current exactly corresponds to an object in the Drinfeld center $Z_1(\mathcal{C})$. The condition for quantum currents to be \TL{superconducting} is also specified, which corresponds to condensation of anyons in one higher dimension. To express the local conservation, the internal hom must be used to compute the charge difference, and the framework of enriched category is inevitable. To illustrate these ideas, we develop a rigorous scheme of renormalization in one-dimensional lattice systems and analyse the fixed-point models. It is proved that in the fixed-point models, superconducting quantum currents form a Lagrangian algebra in $Z_1(\mathcal{C})$ and the boundary-bulk correspondence is verified in the enriched setting. Overall, the quantum current provides a natural physical interpretation to the holographic categorical symmetry.

In response to climate change, the proportion of renewable energy penetration is increasing daily. However, there is a lack of flexible energy transfer mechanisms. The optimization effect of low-carbon economic dispatch in a single park is limited. In the context of the sharing economy, this study proposes a research method for multi-park electricity sharing and benefit allocation based on carbon credit trading. Firstly, a framework for multi-park system operation is constructed, and an energy hub model is established for the electrical, cooling, and heating interconnections with various energy conversions. Secondly, a park carbon emission reduction trading model is established based on the carbon credit mechanism, further forming an optimal economic and environmental dispatch strategy for multi-park electricity sharing. Matlab+Gurobi is used for solving. Then, based on asymmetric Nash bargaining, the comprehensive contribution rate of each park is calculated by considering their energy contribution and carbon emission reduction contribution, thereby achieving a fair distribution of cooperation benefits among multiple parks. The results show that the proposed method can effectively reduce the overall operational cost of multiple parks and decrease carbon emissions, and the benefit allocation strategy used is fair and reasonable, effectively motivating the construction of new energy in parks and encouraging active participation in cooperative operations by all parks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Our research intended to explore the association and mediators (perceived social support and sleep quality) between the impact of oral health‐related quality of life (OHRQoL) and depression among Chinese older adults. Methods: A stratified, multi‐stage random sampling approach was used in our study. A total of 3896 older individuals aged 60 years and older were included. Process macro 3.5 for SPSS was utilized for testing mediation hypotheses. Results: The mean score of the OHRQoL of the elderly was 3.26 ± 7.15. The correlation coefficient between OHRQoL and depression was 0.25 (p < 0.001). Perceived social support (β = 0.009, 95% CI = 0.006, 0.012) and sleep quality (β = 0.073, 95% CI = 0.074, 0.093) mediated the relationship between OHRQoL and depression, respectively. The association between OHRQoL and depression was mediated sequentially by perceived social support and sleep quality (β = 0.004, 95% CI = 0.002, 0.006). Conclusions: The participants reported relatively good OHRQoL. OHRQoL and depression showed a significant positive correlation. The relationship between OHRQoL and depression among Chinese seniors was mediated by perceived social support and sleep quality. Both directly and indirectly, OHRQoL can affect depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) infection is a severe threat to global public health because of its high morbidity and mortality among children and infants. Enteric glial cells (EGCs) are involved in host–bacteria communication. However, the mechanisms through which EGCs interact with ETEC remain unclear. We attempted to assess whether γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptor (GABABR) activation participated in EGC autophagy during Escherichia coli K88 (ETECK88) infection. Alterations in autophagy and EGC activity were observed in the intestines of the ETECK88-infected mice, and similar results were obtained from experiments in which the EGCs were directly infected with ETECK88. EGC pretreatment with specific autophagy agonists significantly decreased the inflammatory response and bacterial burden, whereas pretreatment with inhibitors had the opposite effect. Interestingly, in EGCs, GABABR activation notably increased Beclin 1 and LC3 levels and autophagosome and autolysosome numbers, thus promoting autophagy activation and enhancing antimicrobial responses against ETECK88 infection. Furthermore, GABABR defense was mediated via myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) signaling in EGCs, which was proven to be based on the inhibition or overexpression of MyD88. Notably, comparable results of GABABR activation in vivo were observed in response to ETECK88, implicating this as a defense mechanism that reinforced antibacterial activity to alleviate intestinal inflammation in mice. Our study revealed previously unappreciated roles for GABABR in linking EGC antibacterial autophagy to strengthen host defense against ETECK88 infection, thus identifying GABABR as an important target for the treatment of infective enteritis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is an acute, hemorrhagic, highly contagious disease in pigs caused by African swine fever virus (ASFV). Our previous study identified that the ASFV MGF300-2R protein functions as a virulence factor and found that MGF300-2R degrades IKKβ via selective autophagy. However, the E3 ubiquitin ligase responsible for IKKβ ubiquitination during autophagic degradation still remains unknown. In order to solve this problem, we first pulled down 328 proteins interacting with MGF300-2R through immunoprecipitation-mass spectrometry. Next, we analyzed and confirmed the interaction between the E3 ubiquitin ligase TRIM21 and MGF300-2R and demonstrated the catalytic role of TRIM21 in IKKβ ubiquitination. Finally, we indicated that the degradation of IKKβ by MGF300-2R was dependent on TRIM21. In summary, our results indicate TRIM21 is the E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in the degradation of IKKβ by MGF300-2R, thereby augmenting our understanding of the functions of MGF300-2R and offering insights into the rational design of live attenuated vaccines and antiviral strategies against ASF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

African swine fever (ASF) is a contagious viral disease affecting pigs and wild boars. It typically presents as a hemorrhagic fever but can also manifest in various forms, ranging from acute to asymptomatic. ASF has spread extensively globally, significantly impacting the swine industry. The complex and highly variable character of the ASFV genome makes vaccine development and disease surveillance extremely difficult. The overall trend in ASFV evolution is towards decreased virulence and increased transmissibility. Factors such as gene mutation, viral recombination, and the strain-specificity of virulence-associated genes facilitate viral variations. This review deeply discusses the influence of these factors on viral immune evasion, pathogenicity, and the ensuing complexities encountered in vaccine development, disease detection, and surveillance. The ultimate goal of this review is to thoroughly explore the genetic evolution patterns and variation mechanisms of ASFV, providing a theoretical foundation for advancement in vaccine and diagnostic technologies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study examined the reciprocal prospective associations between commitment, forgiveness, and different aspects of marital well‐being (marital satisfaction and marital instability) among Chinese newlywed couples and the gender differences in these associations. The Vulnerability‐Stress‐Adaptation (VSA) model posits reciprocal associations between adaptive processes and relationship satisfaction. However, the directionality of the associations between adaptive processes and marital satisfaction may differ from the associations between adaptive processes and marital instability in Chinese societies due to the emphasis on relationship maintenance. Based on three annual waves of data from 268 Chinese newlywed couples (Mage = 29.59, SD = 3.25 for husbands; Mage = 28.08, SD = 2.51 for wives), a cross‐lagged approach was used to examine the reciprocal associations between commitment, forgiveness, and marital satisfaction/instability. We found: (a) reciprocal associations between commitment/forgiveness and marital satisfaction (wives only); (b) reciprocal associations between forgiveness and marital instability (husbands only); and (c) wives' commitment at Wave 2 mediated the association between wives' commitment at Wave 1 and wives' marital satisfaction at Wave 3. Extending the VSA model, findings suggest different reciprocal associations between commitment, forgiveness, and different aspects of marital well‐being among Chinese newlywed couples. Results highlight the important role of culture and gender in marital relationships and clinical practice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Normobaric hyperoxia (NBO) is a potentially promising stroke treatment strategy that could protect the ischemic penumbra and could be administered as an adjunct before vascular recanalization. However, the efficacy and safety of NBO have not been confirmed by randomized controlled trials. The study aims to assess the efficacy and safety of NBO for ischemic stroke due to large artery occlusion (LVO) of acute anterior circulation among patients who had endovascular treatment (EVT) and were randomized within 6 h from symptom onset. Based on the data of the modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score at 90 days from the normobaric hyperoxia combined with EVT for acute ischemic stroke (OPENS: NCT03620370) trial, 284 patients will be included to achieve a 90% power by using Wilcoxon-Mann-Whitney test and the proportional odds model to calculate the sample size. The study is a prospective, multicenter, blinded, randomized controlled trial. The NBO group is administered with mask oxygen therapy of 10 L/min, while the sham NBO group is with that of 1 L/min. The primary outcome is the mRS score at 90 days. Secondary endpoints include cerebral infarct volume at 24–48 h, functional independence (mRS ≤2) at 90 days, and improvement in neurological function at 24 h. Safety outcomes include 90-day mortality, oxygen-related adverse events, and serious adverse events. This study will indicate whether NBO combined with EVT is superior to EVT alone for acute ischemic stroke caused by LVO in subjects randomized within 6 h from symptom onset and will provide some evidence for NBO intervention as an adjunct to thrombectomy for acute stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lead-free inorganic perovskites have attracted intensive attention in the field of photodetectors owing to their high stability, non-toxicity, and remarkable photoelectric characteristics. Herein, we designed and developed a series of thus-far unreported lead-free all inorganic perovskite single crystals, K7Bi3X16 (X = Cl, Br). In particular, we resorted to cooling crystallization and intercalated K+ to inorganic Bi–Br and Bi–Cl frameworks as inorganic A-site cations, obtaining zero-dimensional (0D) K7Bi3X16 (X = Cl, Br) perovskite single crystals, which display suitable bandgaps, excellent electron mobility and low trap-state density, as analysed by experimental characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Accordingly, the vertical structure K7Bi3Br16 photodetector can achieve a fast ON/OFF switch under the irradiation of 395 nm light. When the light intensity is 5 mW cm−2 and the voltage is 3 V, the responsivity is calculated to be 0.052 mA W−1. The above characteristics make K7Bi3Br16 a promising material for fabricating ultraviolet photodetectors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke is a devastating disease leading to neurologic impairment. Compounding the issue is the very limited array of available interventions. The activation of a γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor (GABAAR) has been reported to produce neuroprotective properties during cerebral ischemia, but its mechanism of action is not yet fully understood. Here, in a rat model of photochemically induced cerebral ischemia, we found that muscimol, a GABAAR agonist, modulated GABAergic signaling, ameliorated anxiety-like behaviors, and attenuated neuronal damage in rats suffering cerebral ischemia. Moreover, GABAAR activation improved brain antioxidant levels, reducing the accumulation of oxidative products, which was closely associated with the NO/NOS pathway. Notably, the inhibition of autophagy markedly relieved the neuronal insult caused by cerebral ischemia. We further established an oxygen–glucose deprivation (OGD)-induced PC12 cell injury model. Both in vivo and in vitro experiments demonstrated that GABAAR activation obviously suppressed autophagy by regulating the AMPK-mTOR pathway. Additionally, GABAAR activation inhibited apoptosis through inhibiting the Bax/Bcl-2 pathway. These data suggest that GABAAR activation exerts neuroprotective effects during cerebral ischemia through improving oxidative stress and inhibiting autophagy and apoptosis. Our findings indicate that GABAAR serves as a target for treating cerebral ischemia and highlight the GABAAR-mediated autophagy signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cisplatin (CDDP) is the first-line chemotherapeutic strategy to treat patients with ovarian cancer (OC). The development of CDDP resistance remains an unsurmountable obstacle in OC treatment and frequently induces tumor recurrence. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are noncoding RNAs with important functions in cancer progression. Whether circRNAs function in CDDP resistance of OC is unclear. Methods: Platinum-resistant circRNAs were screened via circRNA deep sequencing and examined using in situ hybridization (ISH) in OC. The role of circPLPP4 in CDDP resistance was assessed by clone formation and Annexin V assays in vitro, and by OC patient-derived xenografts and intraperitoneal tumor models in vivo. The mechanism underlying circPLPP4-mediated activation of miR-136/PIK3R1 signaling was examined by luciferase reporter assay, RNA pull-down, RIP, MeRIP and ISH. Results: circPLPP4 was remarkably upregulated in platinum resistant OC. circPLPP4 overexpression significantly enhanced, whereas circPLPP4 silencing reduced, OC cell chemoresistance. Mechanistically, circPLPP4 acts as a microRNA sponge to sequester miR-136, thus competitively upregulating PIK3R1 expression and conferring CDDP resistance. The increased circPLPP4 level in CDDP-resistant cells was caused by increased RNA stability, mediated by increased N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification of circPLPP4. In vivo delivery of an antisense oligonucleotide targeting circPLPP4 significantly enhanced CDDP efficacy in a tumor model. Conclusions: Our study reveals a plausible mechanism by which the m6A -induced circPLPP4/ miR-136/ PIK3R1 axis mediated CDDP resistance in OC, suggesting that circPLPP4 may serve as a promising therapeutic target against CDDP resistant OC. A circPLPP4-targeted drug in combination with CDDP might represent a rational regimen in OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Methods Results Conclusions Arg‐gingipain A (RgpA) is the primary virulence factor of Porphyromonas gingivalis and contains hemagglutinin adhesin (HA), which helps bacteria adhere to cells and proteins. Hemagglutinin's functional domains include cleaved adhesin (CA), which acts as a hemagglutination and hemoglobin‐binding actor. Here, we confirmed that the HA and CA genes are immunogenic, and using adjuvant chemokine to target dendritic cells (DCs) enhanced protective autoimmunity against P. gingivalis–induced periodontal disease.C57 mice were immunized prophylactically with pVAX1‐CA, pVAX1‐HA, pVAX1, and phosphate‐buffered saline (PBS) through intramuscular injection every 2 weeks for a total of three administrations before P. gingivalis–induced periodontitis. The DCs were analyzed using flow cytometry and ribonucleic acid sequencing (RNA‐seq) transcriptomic assays following transfection with CA lentivirus. The efficacy of the co‐delivered molecular adjuvant CA DNA vaccine was evaluated in vivo using flow cytometry, immunofluorescence techniques, and micro‐computed tomography.After the immunization, both the pVAX1‐CA and pVAX1‐HA groups exhibited significantly elevated P. gingivalis–specific IgG and IgG1, as well as a reduction in bone loss around periodontitis‐affected teeth, compared to the pVAX1 and PBS groups (p < 0.05). The expression of CA promoted the secretion of HLA, CD86, CD83, and DC‐specific intercellular adhesion molecule‐3‐grabbing non‐integrin (DC‐SIGN) in DCs. Furthermore, the RNA‐seq analysis revealed a significant increase in the chemokine (C–C motif) ligand 19 (p < 0.05). A notable elevation in the quantities of DCs co‐labeled with CD11c and major histocompatibility complex class II, along with an increase in interferon‐gamma (IFN‐γ) cells, was observed in the inguinal lymph nodes of mice subjected to CCL19‐CA immunization. This outcome effectively illustrated the preservation of peri‐implant bone mass in rats afflicted with P. gingivalis–induced peri‐implantitis (p < 0.05).The co‐administration of a CCL19‐conjugated CA DNA vaccine holds promise as an innovative and targeted immunization strategy against P. gingivalis–induced periodontitis and peri‐implantitis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is widely used in the food industry as a bactericide due to its strong oxidizing ability. However, excess H2O2 in food can lead to chronic diseases, making it necessary to develop a rapid monitoring method. An electrochemical electrode based upon a glassy carbon electrode (GCE) modified with combined covalent organic framework (COF) and amino-modified multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWNT-NH2) has been developed. The modifier was prepared by assembling the COF onto the surface of MWNT-NH2. Under optimal conditions, the performance of the modified electrode was evaluated by differential pulse voltammetry (DPV) with a linear range from 20 to 140 μM and a detection limit of 0.14 μM. In addition, the modified electrode had good stability and reproducibility. Good selectivity in presence of potential interferences and the successful application for the determination H2O2 in environmental water and chicken feet suggest its potential for practical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcomes of immediate implantation of single maxillary central incisor and explore factors affecting post-implant bone volume., Methods: Clinical data and imaging records from pre-surgery, the day of surgery, and 6 months post-surgery of 100 patients (100 implants) with non-salvageable maxillary central incisors who underwent immediate implantation were collected. Bone thickness at the cervical, middle, and apical regions of the implant's labial and palatal sides were measured immediately post-surgery and at 6 months, and bone volume changes were observed. A regression analysis model was used to assess predictive factors for labial and palatal bone plate thickness., Results: At 6 months post-surgery, the labial bone thicknesses at the cervical, middle, and apical regions were 2.35, 2.29, and 3.28 mm, respectively, and those of the palatal side were 0.00, 2.40, and 6.05 mm, respectively. The cervical region had the highest alveolar crest collapse rates, with 32.87% on the labial side and 62.20% on the palatal side. The regression model indicated that factors influencing the thickness of bone at the cervical labial side of the implant included initial bone thickness, the implant center to adjacent tooth center angle, implant diameter, and the type of implant closure ( P <0.05). The initial bone thickness on the palatal side was the sole predictor for bone thickness on the palatal side ( P <0.05)., Conclusions: Immediate implantation of single maxillary central incisors yields effective clinical results. The thickness of new bone around the implant is influenced by multiple factors. A comprehensive consideration of these factors in the planning of immediate implantation is necessary to achieve optimal therapeutic outcomes.

Oxidative stress emerges as a prominent factor in the onset and progression of intestinal inflammation, primarily due to its critical role in damaging cells and tissues. GABAergic signaling is important in the occurrence and development of various intestinal disorders, yet its effect on oxidative stress remains unclear. We attempted to assess whether GABAergic signaling participated in the regulation of oxidative stress during enteritis. The results showed that lipopolysaccharide (LPS) significantly decreased γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) levels in the ileal tissues of mice. Interestingly, the application of GABA significantly repressed the shedding of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells and inflammatory cell infiltration, inhibited the expressions of proinflammatory factors, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor, and enhanced the levels of anti-inflammatory cytokines interleukin (IL)-4 and IL-10, indicating that GABA could alleviate enteritis in mice. This observation was further supported by transcriptome sequencing, revealing a total of 271 differentially expressed genes, which exhibited a marked enrichment of inflammatory and immune-related pathways, alongside a prominent enhancement of GABA B receptor (GABA B R) signaling following GABA administration. Effectively, Baclofen pretreatment alleviated intestinal mucosal damage in LPS-induced mice, suppressed proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor alpha expressions, and boosted total antioxidant capacity, superoxide dismutase (SOD), and glutathione (GSH) levels. Moreover, Baclofen notably enhanced the viability of LPS-stimulated IPEC-J2 cells, contracted the proinflammatory secretion factors, and reinforced SOD, GSH, and catalase levels, emphasizing the anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects associated with GABA B R activation. Mechanistically, Baclofen restrained the mRNA and protein levels of toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain, leucine-rich repeat and pyrin domain-containing 3 (NLRP3), and inducible nitric oxide synthase, while elevating nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 and heme oxygenase-1 in both mice and IPEC-J2 cells, indicating that activating GABA B R strengthened antioxidant abilities by interrupting the TLR4/MyD88/NLRP3 pathway. Furthermore, 16S rDNA analysis demonstrated that Baclofen increased the relative abundance of probiotic, particularly Lactobacillus , renowned for its antioxidant properties, while reducing the relative richness of harmful bacteria, predominantly Enterobacteriaceae , suggesting that GABA B R signaling may have contributed to reversing intestinal flora imbalances to relieve oxidative stress in LPS-induced mice. Our study identified previously unappreciated roles for GABA B R signaling in constricting oxidative stress to attenuate enteritis, thus offering novel insights for the treatment of intestinal inflammation.

Most acute ischemic stroke patients with large vessel occlusion require stent implantation for complete recanalization. Yet, due to ischemia-reperfusion injury, over half of these patients still experience poor prognoses. Thus, neuroprotective treatment is imperative to alleviate the ischemic brain injury, and a proof-of-concept study was conducted on "biodegradable neuroprotective stent". This concept is premised on the hypothesis that locally released Mg 2+ /H 2 from Mg metal within the bloodstream could offer synergistic neuroprotection against reperfusion injury in distant cerebral ischemic tissues. Initially, the study evaluated pure Mg's neuroactive potential using oxygen-glucose deprivation/reoxygenation (OGD/R) injured neuron cells. Subsequently, a pure Mg wire was implanted into the common carotid artery of the transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) rat model to simulate human brain ischemia/reperfusion injury. In vitro analyses revealed that pure Mg extract aided mouse hippocampal neuronal cell (HT-22) in defending against OGD/R injury. Additionally, the protective effects of the Mg wire on behavioral abnormalities, neural injury, blood-brain barrier disruption, and cerebral blood flow reduction in MCAO rats were verified. Conclusively, Mg-based biodegradable neuroprotective implants could serve as an effective local Mg 2+ /H 2 delivery system for treating distant cerebral ischemic diseases., Competing Interests: Yufeng Zheng is the editor-in-chief for Bioactive Materials and was not involved in the editorial review or the decision to publish this article. All authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Authors.)

Selective autophagy is a protein clearance mechanism mediated by evolutionarily conserved selective autophagy receptors (SARs), which specifically degrades misfolded, misassembled, or metabolically regulated proteins. SARs help the host to suppress viral infections by degrading viral proteins. However, viruses have evolved sophisticated mechanisms to counteract, evade, or co-opt autophagic processes, thereby facilitating viral replication. Therefore, this review aims to summarize the complex mechanisms of SARs involved in viral infections, specifically focusing on how viruses exploit strategies to regulate selective autophagy. We present an updated understanding of the various critical roles of SARs in viral pathogenesis. Furthermore, newly discovered evasion strategies employed by viruses are discussed and the ubiquitination-autophagy-innate immune regulatory axis is proposed to be a crucial pathway to control viral infections. This review highlights the remarkable flexibility and plasticity of SARs in viral infections.

Background: To explore the correlation between short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the peri-implant sulcular fluid (PISF) and peri-implant diseases., Methods: PISF samples were obtained from implants that have been placed for at least 5 years, and peri-implant clinical parameters were examined. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry and high-performance liquid chromatography were used to detect SCFAs in PISF. The correlation between SCFAs and clinical parameters was analyzed by Spearman's correlation. SCFAs related to peri-implant disease were identified by logistic regression and ranked by random forest analysis., Results: Eighty-six implants were divided into a peri-implant health group (PIH-group, 35 implants), peri-implant mucositis group (PIM-group, 25 implants), and peri-implantitis group (PI-group, 26 implants) according to clinical and radiographic examination results. The PIM-group had significantly lower formic acid detection rate than the other two groups (p < 0.001). The PIM-group had significantly higher levels of acetic, propionic, and isovaleric acids than the PIH-group (p < 0.05). The PI-group had significantly higher levels of propionic, butyric, isobutyric, valeric, and isovaleric acids than the PIH-group (p < 0.05). The PI-group had significantly higher levels of butyric, isobutyric, and isovaleric acids than the PIM-group (p < 0.05). SCFAs (apart from hexanoic and succinic acids) were significantly and positively correlated with clinical parameters (p < 0.05). SCFAs related to peri-implant disease were ranked as follows: butyric, isovaleric, isobutyric, propionic, acetic, formic, and lactic acids., Conclusions: Elevated specific SCFAs are correlated with peri-implant disease. Recognition of this correlation may help in early identification of peri-implant disease and guide further clinical interventions., (© 2024 American Academy of Periodontology.)

Organic small molecules are proven to be capable of passivating the bulk/interfacial defects in inorganic perovskite solar cells. Considering the burdensome situation to screen the functional small molecules, we employ a modified machine learning (ML) strategy to guide screening suitable small molecules toward efficient solar cells through three modified ML algorithms to construct the prediction model: (i) random forest algorithm (RF), (ii) support vector machine algorithm (SVR), and (iii) XGBoost. Among them, the XGBoost algorithm displays a better overall predictive performance, whereby the R 2 index reaches 0.939. Accordingly, eight small molecules are selected to modify the interface of perovskite films, and both the theoretical and experimental results certify that the difluorobenzylamine with additional fluorine atoms has a better interface modification effect among the small molecules containing functional groups, e.g., the benzene ring and amino group. The high accuracy of the modified machine learning model enables us to simplify the small-molecule screening process and form an important step for ongoing developments in perovskite solar cells and other optoelectronic devices.

Understanding the molecular characteristics of triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and developing more tailored treatment approaches is crucial. Circular RNAs (circRNAs), as potential therapeutic targets, remain largely unexplored in TNBC. This study utilized circRNA microarray analysis to determine the expression of circRNAs in TNBC, analyzing nine patient specimens. The characteristics of circBRAF were examined using divergent PCR primers, Sanger sequencing, fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) analysis, and the application of RNase and actinomycin D. The biological function of circBRAF in TNBC was further investigated through colony formation, tube formation, and transwell assays. Crucially, the mechanisms underlying the effects of circBRAF on TNBC progression were explored via RNA immunoprecipitation sequencing (RIP-seq) data, MS2 pulldown, RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) analysis, circBRAF knockdown, histone H3K9me3 modification, and Chromatin Isolation by RNA Purification (ChIRP) tests followed by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). We focused particularly on hsa&#95;circ&#95;0007178, produced from exons 4-13 of the oncogene BRAF. Functional experiments revealed that circBRAF is crucial for the development of TNBC, with its knockdown preventing angiogenesis, metastasis, and cell division in vitro . Mechanistically, circBRAF interacts with KDM4B and IGF2BP3, promoting TNBC growth. Interaction of circBRAF with IGF2BP3 increased the expression of VCAN, FN1, CDCA3, or B4GALT3 by controlling mRNA stability through RNA N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification. Furthermore, circBRAF upregulated the expression of ADAMTS14 and MMP9 through recruitment of KDM4B to enhance respective H3K9me3 modification. Furthermore, overexpression of circBRAF was able to overcome the inhibitory effects of siKDM4B and siIGF2BP3 on cell migration and invasion. Our findings suggest that circBRAF may act as an oncogene in TNBC through its specific interactions with KDM4B and IGF2BP3, implying that circBRAF could serve as a potentially effective novel therapeutic target for TNBC., Competing Interests: None., (AJCR Copyright © 2024.)

Neuropeptide substance P (SP) belongs to a family of bioactive peptides and regulates many human diseases. This study aims to investigate the role and underlying mechanisms of SP in colitis. Here, activated SP-positive neurons and increased SP expression were observed in dextran sodium sulfate (DSS)-induced colitis lesions in mice. Administration of exogenous SP efficiently ameliorated the clinical symptoms, impaired intestinal barrier function, and inflammatory response. Mechanistically, SP protected mitochondria from damage caused by DSS or TNF-α exposure, preventing mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) leakage into the cytoplasm, thereby inhibiting the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase-stimulator of interferon genes (cGAS-STING) pathway. SP can also directly prevent STING phosphorylation through the neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R), thereby inhibiting the activation of the TBK1-IRF3 signaling pathway. Further studies revealed that SP alleviated the DSS or TNF-α-induced ferroptosis process, which was associated with repressing the cGAS-STING signaling pathway. Notably, we identified that the NK1R inhibition reversed the effects of SP on inflammation and ferroptosis via the cGAS-STING pathway. Collectively, we unveil that SP attenuates inflammation and ferroptosis via suppressing the mtDNA-cGAS-STING or directly acting on the STING pathway, contributing to improving colitis in an NK1R-dependent manner. These findings provide a novel mechanism of SP regulating ulcerative colitis (UC) disease., Competing Interests: Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interest exists., (© The author(s).)

Lead-free inorganic perovskites have attracted intensive attention in the field of photodetectors owing to their high stability, non-toxicity, and remarkable photoelectric characteristics. Herein, we designed and developed a series of thus-far unreported lead-free all inorganic perovskite single crystals, K 7 Bi 3 X 16 (X = Cl, Br). In particular, we resorted to cooling crystallization and intercalated K + to inorganic Bi-Br and Bi-Cl frameworks as inorganic A-site cations, obtaining zero-dimensional (0D) K 7 Bi 3 X 16 (X = Cl, Br) perovskite single crystals, which display suitable bandgaps, excellent electron mobility and low trap-state density, as analysed by experimental characterization and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. Accordingly, the vertical structure K 7 Bi 3 Br 16 photodetector can achieve a fast ON/OFF switch under the irradiation of 395 nm light. When the light intensity is 5 mW cm -2 and the voltage is 3 V, the responsivity is calculated to be 0.052 mA W -1 . The above characteristics make K 7 Bi 3 Br 16 a promising material for fabricating ultraviolet photodetectors.

Background: Myocardial infarction (MI) is a critical cardiovascular event with multifaceted etiology, involving several genetic and environmental factors. It is essential to understand the function of plasma metabolites in the development of MI and unravel its complex pathogenesis., Methods: This study employed a bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) approach to investigate the causal relationships between plasma metabolites and MI risk. We used genetic instruments as proxies for plasma metabolites and MI and conducted MR analyses in both directions to assess the impact of metabolites on MI risk and vice versa. In addition, the large-scale genome-wide association studies datasets was used to identify genetic variants associated with plasma metabolite (1400 metabolites) and MI (20,917 individuals with MI and 440,906 individuals without MI) susceptibility. Inverse variance weighted was the primary method for estimating causal effects. MR estimates are expressed as beta coefficients or odds ratio (OR) with 95% CI., Results: We identified 14 plasma metabolites associated with the occurrence of MI ( P < 0.05), among which 8 plasma metabolites [propionylglycine levels (OR = 0.922, 95% CI: 0.881-0.965, P < 0.001), gamma-glutamylglycine levels (OR = 0.903, 95% CI: 0.861-0.948, P < 0.001), hexadecanedioate (C16-DC) levels (OR = 0.941, 95% CI: 0.911-0.973, P < 0.001), pentose acid levels (OR = 0.923, 95% CI: 0.877-0.972, P = 0.002), X-24546 levels (OR = 0.936, 95% CI: 0.902-0.971, P < 0.001), glycine levels (OR = 0.936, 95% CI: 0.909-0.964, P < 0.001), glycine to serine ratio (OR = 0.930, 95% CI: 0.888-0.974, P = 0.002), and mannose to trans-4-hydroxyproline ratio (OR = 0.912, 95% CI: 0.869-0.958, P < 0.001)] were correlated with a decreased risk of MI, whereas the remaining 6 plasma metabolites [1-palmitoyl-2-arachidonoyl-GPE (16:0/20:4) levels (OR = 1.051, 95% CI: 1.018-1.084, P = 0.002), behenoyl dihydrosphingomyelin (d18:0/22:0) levels (OR = 1.076, 95% CI: 1.027-1.128, P = 0.002), 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-GPE (18:0/22:6) levels (OR = 1.067, 95% CI: 1.027-1.109, P = 0.001), alpha-ketobutyrate levels (OR = 1.108, 95% CI: 1.041-1.180, P = 0.001), 5-acetylamino-6-formylamino-3-methyluracil levels (OR = 1.047, 95% CI: 1.019-1.076, P < 0.001), and N-acetylputrescine to (N (1) + N (8))-acetylspermidine ratio (OR = 1.045, 95% CI: 1.018-1.073, P < 0.001)] were associated with an increased risk of MI. Furthermore, we also observed that the mentioned relationships were unaffected by horizontal pleiotropy ( P > 0.05). On the contrary, MI did not lead to significant alterations in the levels of the aforementioned 14 plasma metabolites ( P > 0.05 for each comparison)., Conclusions: Our bidirectional MR study identified 14 plasma metabolites associated with the occurrence of MI, among which 13 plasma metabolites have not been reported previously. These findings provide valuable insights for the early diagnosis of MI and potential therapeutic targets., (© 2024 JGC All rights reserved; www.jgc301.com.)

Background: Arg-gingipain A ( rgpA ) and Arg-gingipain B ( rgpB ) are crucial virulence factors associated with Porphyromonas gingivalis ( P. gingivalis ) and have been recognized as promising targets for antibacterial vaccines. Although vaccines containing rgpA have shown efficacy, the incorporation of rgpB , which lacks the haemagglutinin adhesin ( HA ) domain, diminishes the vaccine's effectiveness. This study aims to assess the immunogenicity of the functional HA domain of rgpA in mouse periodontitis models., Methods: A total of 24 mice were randomly divided into four groups, each receiving different immune injections: group A received phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) as an empty control; group B received pVAX1 as a negative control (NC); group C received pVAX1- HA ; and group D received pVAX1- rgpA . The mice were subjected to intramuscular injections every two weeks for a total of three administrations. Prior to each immunization, blood samples were collected for antibody detection under isoflurane anesthesia. Following the final immunization, periodontitis was induced two weeks later by using sutures soaked in a P. gingivalis solution. The mice were euthanized after an additional two-week period. To assess the safety of the procedure, major organs were examined through hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Subsequently, the levels of IgG, IgG1, and IgG2a in the serum were quantified via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Additionally, the expression of inflammatory factors in the gingiva, including interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), was determined using quantitative real-time reverse transcript PCR (qRT-PCR). The extent of bone loss in periodontal tissues was evaluated using micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) and HE staining., Results: HE staining of the organs confirmed the absence of vaccine-induced toxicity in vivo . After the second immunization, both the rgpA and HA groups displayed significantly higher specific IgG titers in comparison to the NC and PBS groups ( p < 0.05). Furthermore, the rgpA and HA groups exhibited a noteworthy predominance of IgG1 antibodies after three immunization doses, while there was a noticeable reduction in IgG2a levels observed following ligation with P. gingivalis sutures, as opposed to the NC and PBS groups ( p < 0.05). Additionally, both the HA and rgpA groups showed a significant decrease in the expression of inflammatory factors such as IL-6, IL-1β, and TNF-α, as well as a reduction in bone loss around periodontitis-affected teeth, when compared to the NC and PBS groups ( p < 0.05)., Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrate that the rgpA -engineered/functionalized HA gene vaccine is capable of eliciting a potent prophylactic immune response against P. gingivalis -induced periodontitis, effectively serving as an immunogenic and protective agent in vivo .