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The aim of this study is to explore a novel classification and investigate the clinical significance of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells. We analyzed integrated single-cell RNA sequencing and bulk RNA-seq data obtained from HCC samples. Cell trajectory analysis divided HCC cells into three subgroups with different differentiation states: state 1 was closely related to phosphoric ester hydrolase activity, state 2 was involved in eukaryotic initiation factor 4E binding, translation regulator activity and ribosome, and state 3 was associated with oxidoreductase activity and metabolism. Three molecular classes based on HCC differentiation-related genes (HDRGs) from HCC samples were identified, which revealed immune checkpoint gene expression and overall survival (OS) of HCC patients. Moreover, a prognostic risk scoring (RS) model was generated based on eight HDRGs, and the results showed that the OS of the high-risk group was worse than that of the low-risk group. Further, potential therapeutic drugs were screened out based on eight prognostic RS-HDRGs. This study highlights the importance of HCC cell differentiation in immunotherapy, clinical prognosis, and potential molecular-targeted drugs for HCC patients, and proposes a direction for the development of individualized treatments for HCC.

The preparation of capsid‐like nanoshells and the elucidation of their formation pathways are crucial for the application potential of capsid‐like nanomaterials. In this study, we have prepared biomimetic capsid‐like nanoshells (CLNs) through the solution self‐assembly of poly (β‐phenethyl‐L‐aspartate) homopolypeptide (PPLA). The formation of CLNs is governed by an aggregation‐fusion mechanism. Initially, PPLA molecules self‐assemble into small spherical assemblies as subunits and the initial nuclei are formed through fusing some subunits. Subsequently, additional subunits rapidly fuse onto these nuclei, leading to the growth of full or partial CLNs during the growth phase. Moreover, the suitable condition benefiting CLNs formation is clarified by a morphological phase diagram based on the initial PPLA concentration against water content. Molecular‐level measurements suggest that the molecular flexibility of PPLA is a key factor in the arrangement and fusion of subunits for the formation of CLNs. These findings offer new perspectives for a deeper understanding of the formation pathways of capsid‐like nanoshells derived from synthetic polymers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This investigation aimed to explore the relationship between Chinese elite wrestlers and the polymorphic loci of explosive strength genes, and to further explore the feasibility of its application to athlete selection. The snapshot technique was used to resolve the polymorphic loci of explosive power genes in the wrestler group (59 elite wrestlers) and the control group (180 ordinary college students), and to analyze the genotype frequencies and allele frequencies of each group. A chi-square test was performed on the genotype and allele distribution data of each group to analyze the loci of explosive power genes that were associated with elite wrestlers. The loci that had an association with elite wrestlers were combined with the genotyping data, and the dominance ratios of the genotypes were calculated using the chi-square test to determine the dominant genotypes associated with elite wrestlers. The VDR gene rs2228570 locus exhibited statistically significant differences in genotype and allele distributions between elite wrestlers and the general population (p < 0.01). At the rs2228570 locus of the VDR gene, the difference between the CC genotype and other genotypes was statistically significant (p < 0.05). The rs2228570 locus of the VDR gene was identified as the locus associated with Chinese elite wrestlers. The polymorphism of the VDR gene can be used as a biomarker for Chinese wrestlers, and the CC genotype can be used as a molecular marker for the selection of Chinese elite athletes in this sport. However, expanding the sample size of elite athletes is necessary to further validate the scientific validity and feasibility of these findings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have validated a close association between inflammatory factors and multiple sclerosis (MS), but their causal relationship is not fully profiled yet. This study used Mendelian randomization (MR) to investigate the causal effect of circulating inflammatory proteins on MS. Data from a large-scale genome-wide association study (GWAS) were analyzed using a two-sample MR method to explore the relationship between 91 circulating inflammatory proteins and MS. The inverse-variance-weighted (IVW) analysis was employed as the main method for evaluating exposures and outcomes. Furthermore, series of the methods of MR Egger, weighted median, simple mode, and weighted mode were used to fortify the final results. The results of the IVW method were corrected with Bonferroni (bon) and false discovery rate (fdr) for validating the robustness of results and ensuring the absence of heterogeneity and horizontal pleiotropy. The sensitivity analysis was also performed. The results of the forward MR analysis showed that higher levels of CCL25 were found to be associated with an increased risk of MS according to IVW results, OR: 1.085, 95% CI (1.011, 1.165), p = 2.42 × 10−2, adjusted p_adj_bon = 1, p_adj_fdr = 0.307. Similarly, higher levels of CXCL10 were found to be associated with an increased risk of MS, OR: 1.231, 95% CI (1.057, 1.433), p = 7.49 × 10−3, adjusted p_adj_bon = 0.682, p_adj_fdr = 0.227. In contrast, elevated levels of neurturin (NRTN) were associated with a decreased risk of MS, OR: 0.815, 95% CI (0.689, 0.964), p = 1.68 × 10−2, adjusted p_adj_bon = 1, p_adj_fdr = 0.307. Reverse MR analysis showed no causal relationship between MS and the identified circulating inflammatory cytokines. The effects of heterogeneity and level pleiotropy were further excluded by sensitivity analysis. This study provides new insights into the relationship between circulating inflammatory proteins and MS and brings up a new possibility of using these cytokines as potential biomarkers and therapeutic targets. The data in this study show that there are only weak associations between inflammatory molecules and MS risk, which did not survive bon and fdr correction, and the obtained p-values are quite low. Therefore, further studies on larger samples are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal mucosal barrier aging is a major cause of the occurrence and development of many chronic diseases in older adults and is closely associated with gut microbiota. However, it remains unclear whether exogenous supplementation with omega‐3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (ω‐3 PUFAs) can ameliorate aging‐induced intestinal mucosal barrier damage by regulating the gut microbiota. This study was conducted to explore the roles of ω‐3 PUFAs and gut microbiota in the process of maintaining the intestinal mucosal barrier. Senescence‐accelerated mouse prone 8 (SAMP8) mice were used to establish a geriatric animal model and given reasonable doses of eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) supplemented diets for six months to validate the effect of ω‐3 PUFAs. Differences in the composition and function of gut microbiota were analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. This study revealed that aging SAMP8 mice showed increased intestinal permeability and gut microbiota disorder. Long‐term supplementation with ω‐3 PUFAs reduced intestinal mucosal permeability (P < 0.05), regulated gut microbiota, strengthened the microecological interactions, and enhanced enrichment of metabolic pathways producing short‐chain fatty acids (P < 0.05), ultimately ameliorating intestinal mucosal barrier dysfunction. Furthermore, we demonstrated that ω‐3 PUFAs could maintain the aging intestinal mucosal barrier by regulating the relative abundance of eight key characteristic microbial strains to increase the concentration of DHA and EPA in the plasma and colon tissue and reduced intestinal permeability of SAMP8 mice. ω‐3 PUFAs can significantly ameliorate intestinal mucosal barrier function in senescence‐accelerated mice, and this effect is mediated by the gut microbiota. The findings of our study provide a scientific basis for the rational intake of ω‐3 PUFAs in older adults to maintain intestinal mucosal barrier function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interfacial solar‐driven evaporation has attracted much attention due to its high photothermal conversion efficiency. The core technology of photothermal conversion is photothermal materials, biomass photothermal materials are characterized by low cost, large specific surface area, environmental friendliness, and renewability. Discarded tea leaf residue (TLR) is harmful to the environment and has good recycling potential. In this work, a high‐performance, low‐cost, environmentally friendly solar steam generation material is fabricated by combining polyvinyl alcohol hydrogels and biomass photothermal material TLR. TheTLR hydrogel utilizes solar energy as a renewable energy source for desalination. Under 1.0 kW m−2 simulated solar irradiation, the evaporation rate is 1.35 kg m−2 h−1 and the evaporation efficiency is 93.35%. The waste heat generated during solar water evaporation can be effectively used for synergistic water‐electricity cogeneration, thus achieving an evaporation rate and voltage of 0.91 kg m−2 h−1 and 58.8 mV under 1.0 kW m−2 solar irradiation, respectively. The prepared hydrogel can also be used as a good organic dye adsorbent material, which has a broad application prospect in wastewater treatment. This method for preparing solar absorbers reduces manufacturing costs environmentally friendly and guides the potential practical application using discarded waste. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]