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Abstract The swimming crab (Portunus trituberculatus , Portunus) can tolerate low salinity, but the mechanism of its varied salinity adaptation at the molecular level remains unclear. In this study, we prepared four mRNA and microRNA (miRNA) libraries using the gills collected from four salinity groups and performed RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) to identify the genes related to the low salinity. We set 25 ppt as the control group. A total of 659 genes were differentially expressed in at least one of the six comparison groups (25 ppt vs. 20 ppt, 25 ppt vs. 15 ppt, 25 ppt vs. 10 ppt, 20 ppt vs. 15 ppt, 20 ppt vs. 10 ppt and 15 ppt vs. 10 ppt). A total of 15 and 9 unigenes were downregulated and upregulated under low salinity compared with that in 25 ppt, respectively. Six genes, namely, aminopeptidase , centromere protein , cytochrome b5 reductase , bone morphogenetic protein , and two carbonic anhydrases , were selected for verification through quantitative real-time PCR. The results were consistent with the RNA-Seq results. Furthermore, 95 conserved miRNAs and 16 novel miRNAs were differentially expressed in at least one of the six comparison groups. Analysis of the miRNA–mRNA interaction showed that miR-2 and miR-317 regulated >50 mRNA targets. In addition, let-7c was downregulated in all groups under low salinity compared with that in the control group. This study helped elucidate the adaptation mechanism of the swimming crab in low-saline environments. Graphical abstract Unlabelled Image [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Facile one-pot co-precipitation synthesis of hierarchical Fe 3 O 4 /Co-MOF. • Incorporation of Co-MOF aids in homogeneous distribution of hollow Fe 3 O 4. • Combination of Fe 3 O 4 and Co-MOF produces magnetic-dielectric synergistic effect. • Minimum reflection loss of –56.1 dB over a qualified bandwidth (7.9 GHz) at 2.0 mm. • Radar wave scattering is effectively suppressed using Fe 3 O 4 /Co-MOF. Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with intrinsic porosity and high specific surface area have aroused broad interests as a promising electromagnetic (EM) absorbing material. However, the introduction of magnetic components in MOFs has remained as a formidable obstacle for subsequent development. Herein, Fe 3 O 4 /Co-MOF composites were fabricated via a facile and scalable co-precipitation process. The microstructure and morphology of the composites were characterized and the combination of hollow Fe 3 O 4 and Co-MOFs was found to contribute towards the dissipation of incident waves due to the magnetic-dielectric synergistic effect. Impressive microwave absorption ability was obtained with a minimum reflection loss of –56.1 dB over a qualified bandwidth (7.9 GHz) at 2.0 mm. Moreover, the radar cross section simulation further confirmed the effective suppression of radar wave scattering using Fe 3 O 4 /Co-MOF composites. This study provides a versatile strategy for designing magnetic-dielectric composites based on MOFs as effective and broadband microwave absorbers. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] EPS produced by Sinorhizobium meliloti CCNWSX0020 restricts uptake of Cu2+. [•] We focused on the EPS, which is divided into three main parts. [•] LB-EPS played a more important role than S-EPS and TB-EPS in Cu2+ immobilization. [•] Proteins and carbohydrates were the main extracellular compounds which had functional groups such as carboxyl ( COOH), hydroxyl ( OH), and amide (N H), primarily involved in metal ion binding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Circ_0025033 and LSM4 are upregulated in OC tissues and cells. • Circ_0025033 or LSM4 knockdown inhibits colony formation, migration, invasion and glycolysis metabolism in OC cells. • Circ_0025033 targets miR-184 to activate LSM4, thus regulating OC progression. • Circ_0025033 knockdown inhibits tumor growth in vivo. Ovarian cancer (OC) is the leading disorder to threaten women's lives. Numerous circular RNAs (circRNAs) were identified in cancers with dysregulation and involved in the pathogenesis of cancer. This study investigated the function and regulatory mechanism of circ_0025033 in OC development, aiming to provide a potential strategy for OC treatment. For expression analysis, the expression levels of circ_0025033, LSM4 mRNA and miR-184 were detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), and the protein level of LSM4 expression was detected by western blot. For functional analysis, the capacities of colony formation, migration/invasion and glycolysis metabolism were assessed by colony formation assay, transwell assay and the levels of glucose consumption and lactate production. The interaction between miR-184 and circ_0025033 or LSM4 was predicted by the bioinformatics tool and validated by dual-luciferase reporter assay. Xenograft models were established to determine the role of circ_0025033 in vivo. The expression of circ_0025033 and LSM4 was promoted in OC tissues and cells. Circ_0025033 knockdown or LSM4 knockdown blocked the ability of colony formation, migration/invasion and glycolysis metabolism in OC cells. In mechanism, circ_0025033 functioned as a "competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA)" to modulate LSM4 expression by targeting miR-184. LSM4 overexpression recovered the inhibitory effects on colony formation, migration/invasion and glycolysis metabolism caused by circ_0025033 knockdown. Moreover, circ_0025033 knockdown also inhibited tumor growth in vivo by regulating LSM4 and targeting miR-184. Circ_0025033 promotes the progression of OC by regulating LSM4 expression via targeting miR-184, which provided a new strategy to treat OC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Two-dimensional materials have a larger specific surface area and more active sites and are widely used in the design of hydrogen storage media. In this article, the hydrogen-storage properties of Li-decorated g-C 6 N 7 monolayer are investigated by the density functional theory. It is found that the g-C 6 N 7 monolayer possesses the thermodynamic and dynamic stability and the Li-decorated g-C 6 N 7 monolayer is also thermodynamically stable under 500 K. The calculation of the electronic structure reveals that covalent bonds are formed between C and N atoms and there are not only orbital interactions but also ionic bonds between Li atoms and the g-C 6 N 7 sheet. The hydrogen storage performance for the Li-doped g-C 6 N 7 sheet indicates that the storage capacity of hydrogen reaches 11.94 wt%, and the average adsorption energy of H 2 molecule is −0.145 ∼ −0.196 eV, which is attributed to electrostatic attraction, weak orbital interactions and van der Waals interaction. The value of the adsorption energy of H 2 molecule and the capacity of hydrogen storage reveal that the g-C 6 N 7 monolayer modified by Li atoms can be used as a reversible and promising hydrogen storage medium. [Display omitted] • The Li-doped C 6 N 7 is thermodynamically and kinetically stable due to the strong chemical bond. • The average adsorption energy is −0.145 ∼ −0.196 eV and the storage density reaches to 11.94 wt%. • The adsorption mechanism is attibuted to electrostatic, weak orbital and van der Waals interaction. • The Li decorated g-C 6 N 7 monolayer is a potential reversible hydrogen-storage material. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cisplatin resistance remains a persistent challenge in cervical cancer (CC) treatment. Molecular biomarkers have garnered attention for their association with cisplatin resistance in various diseases. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) exert significant influence on CC development. This study explores the role of LOC644656 in regulating cisplatin resistance in CC. Parental and cisplatin-resistant CC cells underwent cisplatin treatment. Functional assays assessed cell proliferation and apoptosis under different conditions. RNA pull-down with mass spectrometry, along with literature review, elucidated the interaction between LOC644656, ZNF143, and E6-AP. Mechanistic assays analyzed the relationship between different factors. RT-qPCR and western blot quantified RNA and protein levels, respectively. In vivo models validated E6-AP's function. Results revealed LOC644656 overexpression in cisplatin-resistant CC cells, exacerbating cell growth. LOC644656 recruited ZNF143 to activate E6-AP transcription, promoting cisplatin resistance in CC. In conclusion, LOC644656 positively modulates E6-AP expression via ZNF143-mediated transcriptional activation, contributing to cisplatin resistance in CC. • Cisplatin-resistant CC cells exhibit enhanced proliferative capacity and reduced apoptotic potential. • E6-AP promotes the growth of cisplatin-resistant CC cells. • E6-AP promotes the growth of cisplatin-resistant CC cells in vivo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Multilayered structures with abundant interfaces are highly desired for reducing the thickness and improving electromagnetic (EM) attenuation ability. Herein, elaborately designed laminar Fe 3 O 4 /MXene nanosheets exhibit great potential as high-efficiency and lightweight absorbers due to heterogeneous structure coupled with intensive magnetic-dielectric synergistic effect. The MXene nanosheets with metallic conductivity not only serve as a supporter to carry the magnetic Fe 3 O 4 , but also provide massive interfaces to facilitate the transport of charge carriers. Hollow Fe 3 O 4 microspheres were evenly dispersed without apparent agglomeration on the MXene surface, giving rise to largely enhanced consumption ability of –42.7 dB over a broad qualified bandwidth (5.7 GHz) at 2.5 mm. Besides, static density functional theory (DFT) method was introduced to shed light on the absorption mechanism by portraying the interaction between the Fe 3 O 4 and MXene. This study provides a crucial strategy for designing magnetic-supported composites by means of a large family of MXenes as thin and lightweight EM absorbers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Expanded graphite (EG) is often used to encase phase change materials (PCMs) and improve their thermal performance. However, EG's effectiveness when used with disodium hydrogen phosphate dodecahydrate (DHPD) as a hydrated salt is diminished, due to its hydrophobic property. This study proposes modifying the hydrophobic surface of EG with highly hydrophilic nanoparticles, such as SiO 2 and TiO 2 , to address this shortcoming and boost its hydrophilicity. Herein, the nanoparticles were synthesized by the sol-gel technique and mixed with EG to construct a modified EG (MEG). The microstructure, morphology, and adsorption ability of MEG were analyzed. Additionally, the thermal properties, as well as the thermal stability of form-stable composite PCMs, were investigated. The results revealed that by varying the mass ratio of SiO 2 @TiO 2 in MEG, the supercooling degree of the form-stable composite PCMs decreased by 77.36%–78.49%. With 9% SiO 2 @TiO 2 in MEG, the water contact angle of MEG was optimal, and the form-stable composite PCMs prepared (DSMEG3) exhibited a phase change temperature and latent heat of 32.88 °C and 142.13 J/g, respectively. This experimental latent heat was slightly lower than the calculated latent heat by 0.12 J/g. Meanwhile, the supercooling degree decreased to 3.01 °C, and the thermal conductivity increased to 1.23 W/(m ∙ K), which was 1.73 times than that of DHPD. Moreover, DSMEG3 also showed good shape stability, preventing leakage. Therefore, the form-stable composite PCMs, as prepared, are a great potential candidate for the energy storage applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The major pathological mechanisms of osteoarthritis (OA) progression include inflammation, autophagy, and apoptosis, etc. Moderate mechanical strain and exercise effectively improve chondrocyte degeneration by reducing these adverse factors. Mitofusin 2 (MFN2) is a crucial regulatory factor associated with inflammation, autophagy and apoptosis, and its expression is regulated by exercise. This study aims to elucidate the effects of moderate mechanical strain and exercise on MFN2 expression and its influence on OA progression. Destabilization of the medial meniscus (DMM) surgery was performed on rats to induce an OA rat model. Subsequently, adeno-associated virus (overexpression/knockdown) intra-articular injection or moderate treadmill exercise was administered to evaluate the effects of these treatments on MFN2 expression and OA progression. Overexpressed plasmids and siRNA vectors were used to regulate MFN2 expression in chondrocytes. An inflammatory degeneration cell model was generated by IL-1β stimulation. Moderate mechanical strain was applied to MFN2-overexpressing cells to explore their interactions. MFN2 overexpression aggravated inflammation by activating the NF-κB and P38 pathways and induced excessive autophagy by inhibiting the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, thereby causing chondrocyte apoptosis and metabolic disorder. Moderate mechanical strain partially reversed these adverse effects. In the DMM rat model, MFN2 overexpression in articular cartilage exacerbated OA progression, whereas MFN2 knockdown and treadmill exercise alleviated cartilage degeneration, inflammation, and mechanical pain. MFN2 is a critical factor mediating the association between inflammation and excessive autophagy in OA progression. Moderate mechanical strain and treadmill exercise may improve OA through downregulating MFN2 expression. This study may provide a theoretical basis for exercise therapy in OA treatment. [Display omitted] • MFN2 is a critical factor in mediating the association between inflammation and excessive autophagy in OA progression. • Moderate treadmill exercise effectively improves OA progression by downregulating MFN2 in the cartilage. • Moderate mechanical strain relieves inflammation by inhibiting the NF-kB and P38 pathways. • Moderate mechanical strain alleviates excessive autophagy by restoring the PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aerosol delivery is a route which is advantageous to the therapy of pulmonary diseases, such as lung cancer. The pharmacokinetics and tissue distribution after aerosol delivery of carboxylate form of hydroxycamptothecin (C-HCPT) were investigated. The concentrations of the three different types (lactone, carboxylate and the total of both forms) of HCPT were measured by HPLC analysis. The initial experiment showed no evident difference between lactone and carboxylate in the lungs during the aerosol treatment, compared with the HCPT content in plasma. The AUCinf value of lactone in the lungs was higher than that of carboxylate, which was 138,176.00minngg−1 and 128,460.00minngg−1, respectively. Meanwhile, AUCinf in the plasma during the entire treatment indicated that the lactone content was always at a lower level, and the carboxylate form tended to predominate, as shown by the lactone/carboxylate (L/C) equilibrium. The tissue distribution results showed that the lactone proportion in the liver increased up to the maximum value of 69.69% after aerosol administration, whereas the mean L/C equilibrium index for the liver was 2.07±1.06, and the Cmax and AUC0–∞ values of the total HCPT were highest in the tissues. Based on these results we speculated that the initial wholly carboxylate form of the HCPT atomized liquid did not influence the transformation to lactone form. Moreover, the deposition of the total HCPT and lactone was higher in the lungs and other tissues than in the plasma after the aerosol treatment. This study will be beneficial to the therapy of pulmonary carcinoma. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]