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The ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide is a crucial route for producing biodegradable polylactides (PLAs). Developing an efficient catalyst for this process poses significant challenges. Herein, we report the successful incorporation of nickel during the crystallization of ZIF-67, the derivation of the abundant and stable CoO source, to obtain the composite magnetic Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 using the solid-state thermal (SST) method. The characterization of the resulting materials revealed that nickel atoms are well dispersed in the composite CoO@ZIF-67, imparting additional magnetic properties. The composite Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 demonstrated superior performance as a heterogeneous catalyst for the ring-opening polymerization of L-lactide compared to reference materials such as Ni-Hmim, CoO, ZIF-67, and CoO@ZIF-67. Furthermore, the magnetic property of Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 offers practical advantages, enabling easier separation and recycling of the catalyst. Notably, the SST method facilitates the single-step synthesis of composite magnetic Ni@CoO@ZIF-67 under solvent-free conditions, representing a significant advancement in catalyst development. This approach not only simplifies the synthesis process but also inspires further developments of heterogeneous magnetic catalysts for a variety of effective and diverse reactions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article explores the development of predictive biomarkers for radiotherapy outcomes in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC). The study integrates the Radiosensitivity Index (RSI) with the Fudan University Shanghai Cancer Center (FUSCC) TNBC classification to identify a specific TNBC subpopulation that exhibits radioresistance and an increased risk of local recurrence post-radiotherapy. The study identifies the SERPINB5 gene as a potential therapeutic target for radioresistance in high-risk TNBC patients. The research also reveals distinct immunological profiles in TNBC patients with radioresistant tumors, highlighting the importance of immune modulation in radioresistance. The study concludes that the integration of RSI and FUSCC TNBC subtypes can refine recurrence risk assessment and inform personalized radiotherapy approaches for high-risk TNBC patients. [Extracted from the article]

Purpose: Using data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) and employing Controlled Attenuation Parameter (CAP) measures, this study explores the correlation between vitamin E (VE) intake and hepatic steatosis and its impact on different subsets. Materials and methods: We selected 5757 participants with CAP data from the 2017–2020 NHANES dataset. Daily VE intake was assessed by a 24-hour dietary recall. Hepatic fat content was quantified using transient elastography to measure CAP. Stratified multivariable regression analysis investigated relationships in different subsets, and a generalized additive model identified nonlinear relationships and thresholds. Results: After adjusting for confounders, higher VE intake correlated with lower CAP levels. Subgroup analyses and tests for interaction revealed a significantly stronger negative correlation between VE intake and CAP in obese individuals. Further analysis indicated a curvilinear relationship between VE intake and the severity of liver fat degeneration in both the general study population and the obese subgroup, demonstrating a threshold effect. In the general population, VE intake below the threshold (6.58 mg/day) is positively correlated with CAP levels, whereas intake above this threshold shows a negative correlation. For obese individuals, the threshold is set at 7.37 mg/day, above which the negative correlation with CAP is even more pronounced. Conclusion: Our study revealed a negative correlation between VE intake and hepatic fat content, highlighting the potentially crucial role VE plays in obese fatty liver patients. Importantly, we identified threshold effects of VE intake in both general and obese populations. Our results support clinical nutritional interventions, personalized dietary guidance, and the development of drugs to combat fatty liver. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Near‐infrared (NIR)‐triggered shape memory hydrogels with promising mechanical strength hold immense potential in the field of biomedical applications and soft actuators. However, the optical and mechanical properties of currently reported hydrogels usually suffer from limited solubility and dispersion of commonly used photothermal additives in hydrogels, thus restricting their practical implementations. Here,, a set of NIR‐responsive shape memory hydrogels synthesized by polyaddition of diisocyanate‐terminated poly(ethylene glycol), imidazolidinyl urea (IU), and p‐benzoquinone dioxime (BQDO) is reported. The introduction of IU, a hydrogen bond reinforcing factor, significantly enhances the mechanical properties of the hydrogels, allowing for their tunable ranges of the ultimate tensile strength (0.4–2.5 MPa), elongation at break (210–450%), and Young's modulus (190–850 kPa). The unique hydrogels exhibit an intrinsic photothermal effect because of the covalently incorporated photothermal moiety (BQDO), and the photothermal supramolecular hydrogel shows controllable shape memory capabilities characterized by rapid recovery speed and high recovery ratio (>90%). This design provides new possibilities for applying shape memory hydrogels in the field of soft actuators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Infrared transmitting materials (IRTMs) are prone to mechanical and corrosion damage during long‐time exposure to harsh outside environments. However, conventional IRTMs frequently lack self‐repairability that limit their lifespan. To address the limitation, thioctic acid‐based epoxy resins (TAEs) are developed from natural thioctic acid and commercial epoxy monomers. The double ring‐opening polymerization (ROP) reactions of thioctic acid and epoxy groups result in dual dynamic covalent bonds with varying bond energies containing relatively weak disulfide bonds and strong ester bonds. As compared with conventional covalent adaptable networks (CANs) that present rapid creep properties when heated, TAEs maintain their geometric stability during rapid self‐repairing at a mild temperature of 80 °C by enhancing network integrity through stable ester crosslinking points. The feature renders TAEs self‐repairing capability while maintaining precise geometrical dimensions, which is suitable for infrared transmitting devices. On the other hand, TAEs exhibit high near‐infrared transmittance (>80%). Therefore, TAEs with self‐repairability and high infrared transmittance demonstrate they can be used as superior polymeric IRTM. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To observe the effect of curcumin on a C57BL/6J mouse liver cancer model induced by N-nitrosodiethylamine (DEN) combined with carbon tetrachloride (CCl4), and to explore its mechanism. METHODS: Forty young male C57BL/6J mice were intraperitoneally injected with DEN (25 mg/kg) 14 d after birth and randomly divided into the following 4 groups at the 4th week (10 in each group) : model control group and curcumin (100, 200 and 400 mg/ kg) groups. Ten male mice of the same age were used as normal control group. The mice in model group and curcumin groups were gavaged with 10% CCl4 (5 mL/kg) twice a week from the 8th week on. At the same time, the mice in curcumin groups were gavaged with curcumin, and the mice in normal control group were gavaged with the same volume of distilled water once a day for 14 weeks. After administration, the mice were sacrificed, the liver surface was observed, and the number of tumor nodules was compared. The activity of alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) in serum was detected by an automatic biochemical instrument. The pathological changes of liver tissues were observed by HE staining. The mRNA expression levels of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and NAD(P)H-quinone oxidoreductase 1 (NQO1) were detected by RT-qPCR, and the protein expression levels of HO-1, NQO1 and Ki67 were detected by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Compared with normal control group, the body weight of the mice in model group was decreased significantly (P<0. 01), the liver index was increased significantly (P<0. 01), and the serum levels of ALT and AST were increased obviously (P<0. 01). There was no significant difference in the mRNA expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 (P>0. 05), the protein levels of HO-1 and NQO1 were increased distinctly (P<0. 05), and the positive expression rate of Ki67 was increased significantly (P<0. 05). After curcumin treatment, the body weight of the mice was significantly increased (P<0. 01), the liver index was not changed (P>0. 05), and the number of tumor nodules in the liver was decreased significantly (P<0. 05 or P<0. 01). The serum level of AST was decreased significantly (P< 0. 01), the mRNA and protein expression levels of HO-1 and NQO1 were decreased significantly (P<0. 05), and the positive expression rate of Ki67 was decreased significantly (P<0. 05). CONCLUSION: Curcumin significantly protects against liver cancer in a C57BL/6J mouse model induced by DEN combined with CCl4, and its mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HO-1 and NQO1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The chemokine receptor CXCR6 is critical for sustained tumor control mediated by CD8+ cytotoxic T cells (CTLs) in tumors. Previous studies have shown that ionizing radiation induces an inflamed immune contexture by upregulating CXCR6. However, the clinical significance of CXCR6 expression in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) and its correlation with radiotherapy remains unknown. This study aimed to clarify the prognostic value of CXCR6 and its role in the breast tumor microenvironment (TME)., Methods: The messenger RNA and protein expression of CXCR6 in human TNBC and their association with survival were analyzed. The role of CXCR6 in the immune context was investigated using a combination of single-cell RNA sequencing, bulk transcriptome sequencing data, and fluorescence-based multiplex immunohistochemistry (mIHC) techniques., Results: Elevated CXCR6 expression correlated with better clinical outcomes and superior response to adjuvant radiotherapy and immunotherapy in TNBC. CXCR6 fostered an immunostimulatory microenvironment characterized by upregulated cytotoxic markers. We also found that CXCR6 plays a crucial role in regulating the differentiation of CD8+ T cells and the intercellular communication of immune cell subtypes, thus shaping the TME., Conclusions: This study highlights the emerging role of CXCR6 in shaping the TME and targeting CXCR6 may be a promising strategy for improving the effectiveness of radiotherapy and immunotherapy in TNBC., (Copyright © 2024 The Author(s). Published by Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.)

Background: The majority of anti-programmed cell-death 1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) use S 228 P mutation IgG4 as the structural basis to avoid the activation of immune cells or complement. However, little attention has been paid to the Fc-Fc interactions between IgG4 and other IgG Fc fragments that could result in adverse effects. Fc-null IgG1 framework is a potential safer alternative to avoid the undesirable Fc-Fc interactions and Fc receptor binding derived effects observed with IgG4. This study provides a comprehensive evaluation of anti-PD-1 mAbs of these two frameworks., Methods: Trastuzumab and rituximab (both IgG1), wildtype IgG1 and IgG4 were immobilized on nitrocellulose membranes, coated to microplates and biosensor chips, and bound to tumor cells as targets for Fc-Fc interactions. Wildtype IgG1 and IgG4, anti-PD-1 mAb nivolumab (IgG4 S 228 P), penpulimab (Fc-null IgG1), and tislelizumab (Fc-null IgG4 S 228 P-R 409 K) were assessed for their binding reactions to the immobilized IgG proteins and quantitative kinetic data were obtained. To evaluate the effects of the two anti-PD-1 mAbs on immune responses mediated by trastuzumab and rituximab in the context of combination therapy, we employed classic immune models for antibody-dependent cellular cytotoxicity, antibody-dependent cellular phagocytosis, and complement dependent cytotoxicity. Tumor-bearing mouse models, both wildtype and humanized, were used for in vivo investigation. Furthermore, we also examined the effects of IgG1 and IgG4 on diverse immune cell populations RESULTS: Experiments demonstrated that wildtype IgG4 and nivolumab bound to immobilized IgG through Fc-Fc interactions, diminishing antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity and phagocytosis reactions. Quantitative analysis of kinetic parameters suggests that nivolumab and wildtype IgG4 exhibit comparable binding affinities to immobilized IgG1 in both non-denatured and denatured states. IgG4 exerted inhibitory effects on various immune cell types. Wildtype IgG4 and nivolumab both promoted tumor growth in wildtype mouse models. Conversely, wildtype IgG1, penpulimab, and tislelizumab did not show similar adverse effects., Conclusions: Fc-null IgG1 represents a safer choice for anti-PD-1 immunotherapies by avoiding both the adverse Fc-Fc interactions and Fc-related immune inhibitory effects of IgG4. Fc-null IgG4 S 228 P-R 409 K and Fc-null IgG1 displayed similar structural properties and benefits. This study contributes to the understanding of immunotherapy resistance and the advancement of safer immune therapies for cancer., Competing Interests: Competing interests: TZ is an employee of Chia Tai Tianqing Pharmaceutical Group and YX and BL are employees of Akeso Biopharma., (© Author(s) (or their employer(s)) 2024. Re-use permitted under CC BY-NC. No commercial re-use. See rights and permissions. Published by BMJ.)

Purpose: Dietary factors play a crucial role in the development and management of chronic constipation, yet the relationship between dietary protein intake and constipation remains underexplored. This study aims to investigate the association between dietary protein intake and the prevalence of constipation among American adults, with a focus on potential gender differences, using large-scale national data., Materials and Methods: Data from 14,048 participants aged 20 and above (7,072 men and 6,976 women) from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 2005-2010 were analyzed. The Bristol Stool Form Scale's types 1 (separate hard lumps, resembling nuts) and 2 (sausage-shaped, but lumpy) were used to define constipation. A 24-h dietary recall technique was used to measure dietary protein intake. After controlling for covariates, the association between protein consumption and constipation risk was examined using multivariable logistic regression, smooth curve fitting, and testing for gender interaction effects. We then further determined the threshold effect between dietary protein intake and constipation risk., Results: Constipation was present in 7.49% of people overall, with a higher proportion among women (10.19%) than among males (4.82%). In men, higher protein intake was significantly associated with a lower rate of constipation. However, in women, higher protein intake correlated with an increased risk of constipation, and the interaction between gender was significant ( P for interaction = 0.0298). These results were corroborated by smooth curve fits, which also demonstrated a dose-response effect. Further threshold effect analysis showed that the turning points of dietary protein intake differed between male and female participants (119.42 gm/day for men; 40.79 gm/day for women)., Conclusion: The association between dietary protein intake and constipation was different in different genders with threshold effect. For men, moderately increasing protein intake could be beneficial, while for women, exceeding a certain level may increase the risk of constipation. These insights are crucial for guiding dietary protein recommendations for different genders and have significant clinical implications., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Hong, Shen, Chen and Li.)

Therapeutic resistance represents a bottleneck to treatment in advanced gastric cancer (GC). Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of non-apoptotic cell death and is associated with anti-cancer therapeutic efficacy. Further investigations are required to clarify the underlying mechanisms. Ferroptosis-resistant GC cell lines are constructed. Dysregulated mRNAs between ferroptosis-resistant and parental cell lines are identified. The expression of SOX13/SCAF1 is manipulated in GC cell lines where relevant biological and molecular analyses are performed. Molecular docking and computational screening are performed to screen potential inhibitors of SOX13. We show that SOX13 boosts protein remodeling of electron transport chain (ETC) complexes by directly transactivating SCAF1. This leads to increased supercomplexes (SCs) assembly, mitochondrial respiration, mitochondrial energetics and chemo- and immune-resistance. Zanamivir, reverts the ferroptosis-resistant phenotype via directly targeting SOX13 and promoting TRIM25-mediated ubiquitination and degradation of SOX13. Here we show, SOX13/SCAF1 are important in ferroptosis-resistance, and targeting SOX13 with zanamivir has therapeutic potential., (© 2024. The Author(s).)