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With heightened uncertainties and risks in the fluctuating business environment, existing studies have concentrated on elucidating how service organizations leverage human resource practices to adapt to and survive such unforeseen and disruptive threats. However, how such practices could serve the strategic objective of cultivating a sustainably thriving workforce across different situations is not well understood. Thriving is a core transitional state that fosters positive behaviors, such as creative customer‐related problem‐solving. Applying social information processing theory, we propose and test a model by exploring how organizations that engage in thriving‐oriented human resource management (HRM) encourage employees to take responsibility and promote constructive change, thereby activating their creative problem‐solving behaviors. Specifically, we theorize and develop measures to promote thriving‐oriented HRM in Study 1. In Study 2, we collected multisource and multi‐wave data from 296 frontline service employees and 45 supervisors in China. Our findings reveal that thriving‐oriented HRM is positively related to felt responsibility for change, which ultimately encourages creative problem‐solving. We also show that the threat imposed by a crisis, that is, the COVID‐19 pandemic, strengthens the positive relationship between thriving‐oriented HRM and felt responsibility for change. Our study contributes to the HRM literature, especially on thriving‐oriented HRM and employee perception, and has practical implications for service organizations in the uncertain context. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A key question in insect community ecology is whether parasitoid assemblages are structured by the food plants of their herbivore hosts.Tritrophic communities centred on oak‐feeding cynipid gallwasps are one of the best‐studied tritrophic insect communities. Previous work suggests that host plant identity is a much stronger predictor of oak–cynipid interactions than of cynipid–parasitoid interactions. However, these relationships have not been formally quantified.We reason that the potential for 'bottom‐up' effects should increase with host plant phylogenetic diversity. We, therefore, generated quantified interaction network data for previously unstudied tritrophic cynipid communities in Sichuan, China, where, in addition to Quercus, cynipid host plants include Castanea, Castanopsis and Lithocarpus. We characterise these communities taxonomically and compare the extent to which host plant taxonomy predicts plant–herbivore and plant–parasitoid associations.We sampled 42,620 cynipid galls of 176 morphotypes from 23 host plant species, yielding over 4500 specimens of 64 parasitoid morphospecies. Many parasitoids were identifiable to chalcidoid taxa present in other Holarctic oak cynipid communities, with the addition of Cynipencyrtus (Cynipencyrtidae). As elsewhere, Sichuan parasitoid assemblages were dominated by generalists.Gallwasp–plant interaction networks were significantly more modular than parasitoid–plant association networks. Gallwasps were significantly more specialised to host plants (i.e. had higher mean d' values) than parasitoids. Parasitoid assemblages nevertheless showed significant plant‐associated beta diversity, with a dominant turnover component.We summarise parallels between our study and other Fagaceae‐associated cynipid communities and discuss our findings in light of the processes thought to structure tritrophic interactions centred on endophytic insect herbivores. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Species delimitation remains a challenge worldwide, especially in highly diverse tropical and subtropical regions. Here, we use an integrative approach that combines morphology, phylogenomics, and species distribution modeling (SDM) to clarify the cryptic differentiation within the enigmatic hemiparasitic love vine Cassytha filiformis (Lauraceae) in China and adjacent regions. We generated complete plastid genomes and nuclear ribosomal sequences for diverse samples from across the species range and compared results with previously published plastid data, recovering two well‐supported monophyletic clades. Further, the analysis revealed significant differences in two morphological characters and SDM, indicating distinct environmental factors influencing their distributions. Fossil‐calibrated analyses to estimate the origins and diversification patterns for the cryptic species gave divergence age estimates corresponding to the Oligo‐Miocene; a period of new ecological opportunities associated with the prevailing East Asian monsoon. Multivariate analyses support the conclusion that southern China and adjacent regions have a different, previously unknown, cryptic lineage of C. filiformis. Our study highlights the importance of using multivariate approach to characterize plant species, as well as the significant role that past climatic changes have played in driving speciation in parasitic plants in tropical and subtropical zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Societal Impact Statement: Nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium are essential elements for plant growth and are the primary nutrients in commercial fertilizers. However, the extent to which these nutrients individually limit plant growth is still unclear, as is the influence of their interactions. Using a meta‐analysis approach, plant growth was found to be co‐limited by nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Furthermore, these findings demonstrate that multiple nutrient additions are primarily additive, with the exception of synergistic effects observed with NP additions on plant growth. These findings are important as they provide a timely and valuable reference for assessing the ecosystem‐scale consequences of increasing nutrient deposition caused by human activities. Summary: Numerous field studies and a few meta‐analyses have confirmed that terrestrial primary production is individually or jointly limited by nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P). Meanwhile, a recent synthesis emphasized that potassium (K) limitation in terrestrial ecosystems is more widespread than previously thought. However, it remains unclear whether N, P, and K co‐limit terrestrial production and how their interactions influence plant growth.Therefore, we conducted a globally comprehensive synthesis of a total 2877 observations to explore the individual and interactive effects of N, P, and K additions on plant growth.We found that N, P, K, NP, NK, PK, and NPK additions significantly increased aboveground biomass production (AGP) by 30.8%, 15.3%, 12.3%, 68.4%, 36.5%, 21.1%, and 78.7%, respectively. The combined addition of multiple nutrients resulted in a larger increase in AGP than a single addition of nutrients. These findings suggested that terrestrial production is widely co‐limited by N, P, and K. However, no significant responses of belowground biomass production (BGP) to nutrient additions were observed. Except for synergistic interactions between N and P additions, the responses of AGP to other pairs of nutrient additions were predominantly additive.This meta‐analysis highlights the importance of multiple‐nutrient limitation in regulating terrestrial primary production while pointing out that non‐additive effects (including synergistic and antagonistic) of multiple‐nutrient additions on terrestrial production are relatively rare. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Owing to their consistently emerging applications in modern photonics, highly sensitive and rapid mid‐infrared (MIR) photodetectors, operating at high temperatures, are of great significance. Herein, a novel PbTe/Ge heterostructure is introduced. Notably, the discovery of a 2D electron gas (2DEG) system on the surface of the PbTe layer is experimentally identified for the first time. A high‐performance PbTe/Ge heterostructure MIR photodetector utilizing a plasmonic photovoltaic effect is developed by employing asymmetric electrodes. The photodetecting device demonstrates an exceptionally high detectivity of 1.1 × 1011 Jones along with a short response time of 15 ns at room temperature. Additionally, the proposed plasmonic photovoltaic mechanism of the device is investigated and mainly ascribed to the propagating plasmons, generated by the coupling of the 2DEG with incident MIR photons. Moreover, a linear detector array (LDA) of PbTe/Ge is demonstrated for a thermal imaging application, which exhibits promising high‐quality real‐time imaging via the 2D photodetector arrays on Ge‐based integrated circuits. This work opens up a new way for the development of next‐generation, advanced MIR photonic devices and integrated photonic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Primary amides play a crucial role in organic and pharmaceutical synthesis. Herein, we present a rapid and convenient method for transforming diverse DNA‐conjugated nitriles into primary amides utilizing hydrogen peroxide and potassium carbonate. The substrate scope and DEL compatibility of this reaction were thoroughly investigated, revealing a wide range of substrates with moderate‐to‐excellent conversion. This on‐DNA transformation holds significant promise for constructing DNA‐encoded libraries (DELs) and enabling late‐stage functionalization to expand chemical diversity. Our approach not only highlights the versatility of the method but also underscores its potential for broad applications in organic and pharmaceutical synthesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Quercetin has shown potential antihypertensive‐like activities in several studies. The present study aimed to test the effect of quercetin supplementation on kidney damage and long‐term prognosis in hypertensive patients. The data of enrolled hypertensive patients were acquired from the NHANES dataset. The flavanol intake data was extracted from the FNDDS flavonoid database. Information regarding mortality was extracted from the NCHS. A total of 5801 hypertensive patients were included in this study. Preliminary analysis found that the total flavanols intake dosage was the independent influence factor of the kidney damage prevalence in hypertension, and it was found that only the quercetin supplementation was the protective factor for kidney damage after stratification analysis. For every 10 mg/d increase in quercetin intake, the kidney damage prevalence decreased by 8% [OR = 0.92, 95% CI: 0.85–0.99, p = 0.032]. The comprehensive analysis results suggested that hypertensive patients in the quercetin‐high group had a lower kidney damage prevalence and a higher survival probability than those in the quercetin‐low group. The urine microalbumin of hypertensive patients in the quercetin‐high group was significantly lower than that of hypertensive patients in the quercetin‐low group. In addition, at a median follow‐up time of 122 months, the mortality decreased by 9% [HR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.84–0.99, p = 0.031] for every 10 mg/d increase in quercetin intake. The findings suggested that high quercetin intake was associated with low kidney damage prevalence and high survival probability. Based on the existing evidence, promoting quercetin supplementation as a supplementary treatment for hypertensive patients was warranted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Conventional photodetectors overly pursue high light‐to‐electric conversion efficiency under weak light stimulation, while disregarding the saturated absorption‐induced blinding effect upon strong light, and achieving efficient photodetection covering a large power range remains a great challenge. In this work, MoS2/BaTiO3 heterostructures are constructed through a low‐cost exfoliation and transfer method combined with spin‐coating. The photoresponse behaviors before and after assembling the BaTiO3 nanoparticles onto the MoS2 nanoflake are investigated, indicating that the high conductivity of MoS2 and ferroelectricity of BaTiO3 can complement each other to improve the photoresponse of the hetero‐integrated device, acquiring a high photoresponsivity of 17402 A W−1 under 0.2 nW irradiation, and a significant 570 µA photocurrent under 8 mW irradiation, realizing a large linear dynamic range index of 152 dB, which is at the top level among layered semiconductor‐based detectors. Moreover, strong power near‐infrared light can be up‐converted to the visible band through the nonlinear effect of BaTiO3, subsequently absorbed by the MoS2 and contributing to the photocurrent, providing a solution to combat and alleviate the saturated absorption issue in photodetection. This work marks a significant advancement in achieving robust high‐performance photodetection by hetero‐integrating 2D materials with ferroelectrics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving high‐performance perovskite solar cells hinges on the precise management of interfacial properties. However, the current research predominantly concentrates on addressing individual interfaces, often overlooking the potential synergies between the upper and lower interfaces crucial for efficient carrier transfer. Herein, an effective interfacial strategy is introduced, which combines 2‐aminoterephthalic acid (2‐AA) pre‐processing with post‐processing techniques to prepare superior mixed tin‐lead perovskite films suitable for both single‐junction and all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. Incorporating 2‐AA at both the upper and lower interfaces of the perovskite films serves to regulate interfacial defects, alleviate interface residual stress, and improve film crystallinity. In addition, the 2‐AA molecule acts as an interface protective layer, anchoring tin and lead atoms, facilitating band energy alignment, and improving film and device stability. As a result, mixed tin‐lead perovskite solar cells achieved an improved open‐circuit voltage of 0.87 V and PCE of 21.57%. Furthermore, the integration of these optimized tin‐lead perovskite subcells into four‐terminal all‐perovskite tandem solar cells yielded an impressive efficiency of 27.46%. This work thus offers an effective strategy for comprehensive interfacial engineering and stress relief, paving the way for the production of high‐performance perovskite solar cells (PSCs). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The surge in critically ill COVID‐19 patients caused a shortage of intensive care unit (ICU) beds. Some hospitals temporarily transformed general wards into ICUs to meet this pressing health care demand. Aim: This study aims to evaluate and analyse the risk factors in temporary ICU from the perspective of nurses. By identifying these factors, the goal is to provide actionable insights and recommendations for effectively establishing and managing temporary ICUs in similar crisis scenarios in the future. Study Design: The study was conducted in China within a public hospital. Specifically, it focused on examining 62 nurses working in a temporary ICU that was converted from an infectious disease ward. The research utilized the Hazard Vulnerability Analysis (HVA) scoring method to identify potential threats, evaluate their probability, estimate their impact on specific organizations or regions and calculate the relative risk associated with such occurrences. Results: Staff demonstrated the highest risk percentage (32.74%), with Stuff (16.11%), Space (15.19%) and System (11.30%) following suit. The most critical risk factors included insufficient knowledge and decision‐making competence in critical care (56.14%), lacking decision‐making abilities and skills in renal replacement therapy care (55.37%), inadequate decision‐making capacity and relevant skills in respiratory support care (50.64%), limited decision‐making capability in circulatory support care (45.73%) and unfamiliarity with work procedures or systems (42.09%). Conclusions: Urgent implementation of tailored training and support for temporary ICU nurses is paramount. Addressing capability and skill‐related issues among these nurses supersedes resource availability, infrastructure, equipment and system considerations. Essential interventions must target challenges encompassing nurses' inability to perform critical treatment techniques autonomously and ensure standardized care. These measures are designed to heighten patient safety and elevate care quality during emergencies. These findings offer a viable avenue to mitigate potential moral distress, anxiety and depression among nurses, particularly those transitioning from non‐critical care backgrounds. These nurses swiftly assimilate into temporary ICUs, and the study's insights offer practical guidance to alleviate their specific challenges. Relevance to Clinical Practice: The study on risk factors for converting traditional wards into temporary ICU during the COVID‐19 pandemic, especially from the perspective of nurses, provides crucial insights into the challenges and requirements for effectively establishing and managing these emergency settings. The findings highlight several key areas of concern and opportunities for improvement directly related to clinical practice, particularly in situations where there is a rapid need to adapt to increased demands for critical care. By addressing the identified risk factors through enhanced training, support systems, resource management, process improvements and cultivating a culture of adaptability, not only can the quality of care in temporary ICUs be improved, but also can the health care system be better prepared for future emergencies. These actions will help mitigate the risks associated with such conversions, ultimately benefiting patient safety, staff well‐being and the overall effectiveness of health care services in crises. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic solvent reverse osmosis (OSRO) is an emerging and promising technology for the separation of organic mixtures, which is realized by differential transport rates of organics through polymer membranes. However, the solvent transport characteristics and separation mechanism within OSRO systems remain unclear. Herein, we investigate the solvent transport behavior in polymer membranes with intrinsic microporosity by combining nonequilibrium molecular dynamics simulations with solvent permeation examinations. The results indicate that organic molecules permeate through the micropores in a clustered state driven by both pressure and concentration gradients. The selectivity of solvents is co‐determined by their sorption and diffusion in the swollen polymer membranes with a microporous character. The sorption selectivity is predominant in the overall selectivity toward polar ethyl ether/n‐butanol separation, whereas diffusion selectivity is more critical in nonpolar 1,3,5‐triisopropylbenzene/toluene separation. Generally, this work provides valuable insights into the development of next‐generation OSRO membranes for solvent separation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water microdroplets have been demonstrated to exhibit extraordinary chemical behaviors, including the abilities to accelerate chemical reactions by several orders of magnitude and to trigger reactions that cannot occur in bulk water. One of the most striking examples is the spontaneous generation of hydroxyl radical from hydroxide ions. Alcohols and alkoxide ions, being structurally similar to water and hydroxide ions, might exhibit similar behavior on microdroplets. Here, we report the spontaneous generation of alkoxide radicals from alcohols (RCH2OH) in aqueous microdroplets through quantum chemical calculations, quantum mechanical/molecular mechanical (QM/MM) molecular dynamics (MD) simulations, ab initio MD simulations, and mass spectrometry. Our results show that an electric field (EF) on the order of 10−1 V/Å and partial solvation at the air‐water interface jointly promote the dissociation of RCH2OH into RCH2O− and H3O+ ions. QM/MM MD simulations indicate that RCH2O− can be ionized to produce RCH2O⋅ radicals on the microdroplet surface. Furthermore, partial solvation and the EF collaboratively catalyze the isomerization of the RCH2O⋅ radical into a more stable tautomer, R⋅CHOH. This study highlights the molecular mechanisms underlying the widespread generation of radicals at the microdroplet surface and provides insights into the importance of fundamental alcohol chemistry in the atmosphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: In recent years, ephedrine psychoactive substances have attracted much attention due to their prevalence in water bodies and potential threat to aquatic ecosystems. Psychoactive substances have been considered as a new type of environmental pollutant due to their unpredictable potential risks to the behavior and nervous system of non‐target organisms. A rapid, sensitive, selective, and robust method for the quantification of three ephedrine psychoactive substances in sewage is needed. Methods: An ultraperformance liquid chromatography‐tandem mass spectrometry (UPLC‐MS/MS) method was developed for the simultaneous determination of three ephedrine psychoactive substances in water. The optimal processing conditions were determined by optimizing the chromatography—mass spectrometry and solid‐phase extraction (SPE) conditions (e.g., the SPE column, sample pH, washing, and elution), and the treatment conditions were determined; this was achieved via positive ion scanning in multiple reaction monitoring mode. Poly‐Sery MCX was selected as the extraction column, with samples loaded at pH 3. And 4‐mL solution of 2% formic acid (FA) aqueous solution was used as the eluent; the target compounds were eluted with 5 mL of 5% NH4OH in acetonitrile (ACN) solution. The best results were obtained when the residue was resolubulization in ACN after nitrogen evaporation. Results: The developed UPLC‐MS/MS showed a good linear relationship in the range of 0–50.00 μg/L, with determination coefficients (R2) greater than 0.9990. The detection limit and quantitation limit were 0.05–0.10 and 0.20–0.50 μg/L, respectively. Recovery rates of the target compounds in blank sewage at three different concentrations ranged from 92.37% to 106.31%, with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of 0.77%–4.83% (n = 7). Conclusions: This method has been successfully applied to the analysis of surface water and domestic sewage, and the samples were processed stably, indicating that the method is practical for the determination of ephedrine psychoactive drugs in water bodies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin resistance (IR), hyperuricemia (HUA), and recurrent pregnancy loss (RPL) elevate the risk of cardiovascular disease and metabolic disorders, while also impacting reproductive health. The relationship between IR, HUA, and RPL has not been thoroughly investigated. This study investigates the relationship between four IR surrogates and the risk of HUA in RPL patients. Methods: Data from a real‐world study on RPL in China were analyzed using multivariable regression to determine the relationship between HUA and triglyceride and glucose (TyG) index, triglyceride glucose‐body mass index (TyG‐BMI), triglyceride to high‐density lipoprotein cholesterol (TG/HDL‐c) ratio, and metabolic score for insulin resistance (METS‐IR). The predictive ability of these surrogates for detecting HUA in RPL patients was evaluated using the area under the curve and receiver operating characteristic analysis. Sensitivity analysis was performed using bootstrapping resampling. Results: The study included 769 patients with a mean age of 30 ± 4 years old, 8.32% of whom had HUA. Four IR surrogates were closely related to HUA in patients of RPL after adjusting for age, menstrual cycle, creatinine, alanine transaminase, aspartate transaminase, total cholesterol, homocysteine, and low‐density lipoprotein, with area under the curve values of TyG index (OR = 0.693, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.626, 0.759), TyG‐BMI (OR = 0.731 95% CI: 0.657, 0.805), TG/HDL‐C (OR = 0.703, 95% CI: 0.641, 0.764), and METS‐IR (OR = 0.728, 95% CI: 0.655, 0.799). Bootstrap resampling yielded similar results. Conclusions: The TyG index, TyG‐BMI, TG/HDL‐c, and METS‐IR significantly correlated with HUA in patients with RPL. The TyG‐BMI had the highest predictive value of the four IR surrogates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTRACT Objective Design Setting Participants Main Outcome Measures Results Conclusion To assess the prevalence of depression, anxiety, insomnia and somatic symptom disorder (SSD) in chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) patients who were waiting for surgery and to predict these psychiatric disorders using the 22‐item Sinonasal Outcome Test (SNOT‐22).A prospective cross‐sectional study.The rhinology ward at our institution, a tertiary hospital.Adult patients (> 18 years) diagnosed with CRS who were admitted to the rhinology ward for endoscopic sinus surgery and were able to understand and complete the study questionnaires.Patient Health Questionnaire‐9 (PHQ‐9), Generalised Anxiety Disorder‐7 (GAD‐7), Insomnia Severity Index (ISI), Patient Health Questionnaire‐15 (PHQ‐15) and SNOT‐22.Of the 159 participants recruited, 58 were at risk of depression (defined by PHQ‐9 > 4, while 25 with PHQ‐9 > 9), 49 were at risk of anxiety (defined by GAD‐7 > 4, while 25 with GAD‐7 > 9), 81 were at risk of insomnia (defined by ISI > 7, while 51 with ISI > 14) and 69 were at risk of SSD (defined by PHQ‐15 > 4, while 24 with PHQ‐15 > 9). The SNOT‐22 score was closely correlated with the scores of psychometric tests and was an independent predictor of these psychiatric disorders. Patients with a high SNOT‐22 score (> 30) are likely to be affected by comorbid psychiatric disorders and should be further evaluated by otolaryngologists.Depression, anxiety, insomnia and SSD are prevalent in CRS patients. Otolaryngologists should have a low threshold to ask the patient about psychiatric symptoms, especially for patients with an SNOT‐22 score > 30. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The impact of Borrelia miyamotoi on human health, facilitated by the expanding geographical distribution and increasing population of Ixodes ticks, remains obscure in the context of global climate change. We employed multiple models to evaluate the effect of global climate change on the risk of B. miyamotoi worldwide across various scenarios. The habitat suitability index of four primary vector tick species for B. miyamotoi, including Ixodes persulcatus, Ixodes ricinus, Ixodes pacificus and Ixodes scapularis, was projected using a boosted regression tree model, considering multiple shared socio‐economic pathway scenarios over various time periods. The modelling analysis reveals that, apart from I. scapularis, future global warming will result in a northward shift in the other three vector tick species and a gradual reduction in suitable habitats. Random forest models indicate consistent changes in B. miyamotoi and its primary tick species, with potential risk areas shrinking and shifting northward, particularly in the eastern USA, northeastern and northern Europe and northeast Asia. These findings highlight the urgent need for enhanced active surveillance of B. miyamotoi infection in primary vector tick species across projected potential risk areas. The effect of climate change on B. miyamotoi distribution might have significant implications for public health decision‐making regarding tick‐borne pathogens. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving enhanced or blue‐shifted emission from piezochromic materials remains a major challenge. Covalent organic frameworks (COFs) are promising candidates for the development of piezochromic materials owing to their dynamic structures and adjustable optical properties, where the emission behaviors are not solely determined by the functional groups, but are also greatly influenced by the specific geometric arrangement. Nevertheless, this area remains relatively understudied. In this study, a successful synthesis of a series of bicarbazole‐based COFs with varying topologies, dimensions, and linkages was conducted, followed by an investigation of their structural and emission properties under hydrostatic pressure generated by a diamond anvil cell. Consequently, these COFs exhibited distinct piezochromic behaviors, particularly a remarkable pressure‐induced emission enhancement (PIEE) phenomenon with a 16‐fold increase in fluorescence intensity from three‐dimensional COFs, surpassing the performance of CPMs and most organic small molecules with PIEE behavior. On the contrary, three two‐dimensional COFs with flexible structures exhibited rare blue‐shifted emission, whereas the variants with rigid and conjugated structures showed common red‐shifted and reduced emission. Mechanism research further revealed that these different piezochromic behaviors were primarily determined by interlayer distance and interaction. This study represents the first systematic exploration of the structures and emission properties of COFs through pressure‐treated engineering and provides a new perspective on the design of piezochromic materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Vicia sativa ssp. amphicarpa is a unique forage crop capable of simultaneously producing fruits above and below ground, representing a typical amphicarpic plant. In this study, we sequenced and assembled seven pseudo‐chromosomes of the genome of V. sativa ssp. amphicarpa (n = 7) yielding a genome size of 1.59 Gb, with a total annotation of 48 932 protein‐coding genes. Long terminal repeat (LTR) elements constituted 62.28% of the genome, significantly contributing to the expansion of genome size. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the divergence between V. sativa ssp. amphicarpa and V. sativa was around 0.88 million years ago (MYA). Comparative transcriptomic and metabolomic analysis of aerial and subterranean pod shells showed biosynthesis of terpenoids in the subterranean pod shells indicating a correlation between the antimicrobial activity of subterranean pod shells and the biosynthesis of terpenoids. Furthermore, functional validation indicates that overexpression of VsTPS5 and VsTPS16 enhances terpenoid biosynthesis for antibacterial activity. Metabolomic analysis suggests the involvement of terpenoids in the antimicrobial properties of subterranean pod shells. Deciphering the genome of V. sativa ssp. amphicarpa elucidated the molecular mechanisms behind the antimicrobial properties of subterranean fruits in amphicarpic plants, providing valuable insights for the study of amphicarpic plant biology. Significance Statement: This study deciphers the genome of Vicia sativa ssp. amphicarpa, uncovering the molecular basis of its unique amphicarpic nature and antimicrobial properties of subterranean fruits. By revealing the genetic and metabolic mechanisms underpinning terpenoid biosynthesis and its role in antibacterial activity, our findings offer profound insights into the biology of amphicarpic plants, paving the way for innovative agricultural practices and plant‐based antimicrobial strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bacterial conjugation, a commonly used method to horizontally transfer functional genes from donor to recipient strains, plays an important role in the genetic manipulation of bacteria for basic research and industrial production. Successful conjugation depends on the donor‐recipient cell recognition and a tight mating junction formation. However, the efficiency of conjugative transfer is usually very low. In this work, we developed a new technique that employed DNA molecule "glue" to increase the match frequency and the interaction stability between the donor and recipient cells. We used two E. coli strains, ETZ and BL21, as a model system, and modified them with the complementary ssDNA oligonucleotides by click chemistry. The conjugation efficiency of the modified bacteria was improved more than 4 times from 10 %–46 %. This technique is simple and generalizable as it only relies on the active amino groups on the bacterial surface. It is expected to have broad applications in constructing engineered bacteria. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hyperbolic metamaterials (HMMs) are known for their robust light–matter interaction and ability to generate volume plasmon polaritons (VPPs). Au nanoparticles (Au NPs) enable to enhance this interaction through localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR), creating intense local electric fields. However, combining LSPR and VPPs in one device remains unexplored. This study proposes and demonstrates Au NP‐coupled‐HMMs (NPCHMMs), integrating Au NPs with HMMs to enhance random laser action and lower the lasing threshold. NPCHMMs boost emission intensity by ≈6 times compared to pure HMMs, with a ≈47% reduction in lasing threshold. Based on Fermi's golden rule, the calculated transition rate in NPCHMMs surpasses the algebraic sum of the individual transition rates derived from HMMs and Au NPs. It reveals the effect of the coherent coupling between the transition matrix elements of VPP and LSPR. This research indicates that NPCHMMs are a promising platform to create high‐performance optical and optoelectronic devices, such as lasers and phototransistors, for a wide range of application in many fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to its decade‐long progression, colorectal cancer (CRC) is most suitable for population screening to achieve a significant reduction in its incidence and mortality. DNA methylation has emerged as a potential marker for the early detection of CRC. However, the current mainstream methylation detection method represented by bisulfite conversion has issues such as tedious operation, DNA damage, and unsatisfactory sensitivity. Herein, a new high‐performance CRC screening tool based on the promising specific terminal‐mediated polymerase chain reaction (STEM‐PCR) strategy is developed. CRC‐related methylation‐specific candidate CpG sites are first prescreened through The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) databases using self‐developed bioinformatics. Next, 9 homebrew colorectal cancer DNA methylated STEM‒PCR assays (ColoC‐mSTEM) with high sensitivity (0.1%) and high specificity are established to identify candidate sites. The clinical diagnostic performance of these selected methylation sites is confirmed and validated by a case‐control study. The optimized diagnostic model has an overall sensitivity of 94.8% and a specificity of 95.0% for detecting early‐stage CRC. Taken together, ColoC‐mSTEM, based on a single methylation‐specific site, is a promising diagnostic approach for the early detection of CRC which is perfectly suitable for the screening needs of CRC in primary healthcare institutions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Hereditary transthyretin (TTR) amyloidosis (ATTRv) is frequently complicated by polyneuropathy (ATTRv‐PN) and cardiomyopathy (ATTRv‐CM). The long‐term efficacy of diflunisal on both polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy in ATTRv patients, especially those with non‐V30M genotypes, has not been fully investigated and compared with that of tafamidis. Methods: We compared the structural and biochemical characteristics of A97S‐TTR complexed with tafamidis with those of diflunisal, and prospectively followed up and compared the progression of polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy between ATTRv‐PN patients taking diflunisal and those taking tafamidis. Results: Both diflunisal and tafamidis effectively bind to the two thyroxine‐binding sites at the A97S‐TTR dimer–dimer interface and equally and almost sufficiently reduce amyloid fibril formation. Thirty‐five ATTRv‐PN patients receiving diflunisal and 22 patients receiving tafamidis were enrolled. Compared with no treatment, diflunisal treatment significantly delayed the transition of FAP Stage 1 to 2 and Stage 2 to 3 and decreased the deterioration in parameters of the ulnar nerve conduction study (NCS). The progression of FAP stage or NCS parameters did not differ between patients treated with diflunisal and those treated with tafamidis. Both diflunisal and tafamidis treatments significantly decreased radiotracer uptake on 99mTc‐PYP SPECT and stabilized cardiac wall thickness and blood pro‐B‐type natriuretic peptide levels. No significant adverse events occurred during diflunisal or tafamidis treatment. Interpretations: The binding patterns of both tafamidis and diflunisal to A97S‐TTR closely resembled those observed in the wild type. Diflunisal can effectively delay the progression of polyneuropathy and cardiomyopathy with similar efficacy to tafamidis and may become a cost‐effective alternative treatment for late‐onset ATTRv‐PN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intestinal metaplasia (IM) is a premalignant condition that increases the risk for subsequent gastric cancer (GC). Traditional Chinese medicine generally plays a role in the treatment of IM, and the phytochemical naringenin used in Chinese herbal medicine has shown therapeutic potential for the treatment of gastric diseases. However, naringenin's specific effect on IM is not yet clearly understood. Therefore, this study identified potential gene targets for the treatment of IM through bioinformatics analysis and experiment validation. Two genes (MTTP and APOB) were selected as potential targets after a comparison of RNA‐seq results of clinical samples, the GEO dataset (GSE78523), and naringenin‐related genes from the GeneCards database. The results of both cell and animal experiments suggested that naringenin can improve the changes in the intestinal epithelial metaplasia model via MTTP/APOB expression. In summary, naringenin likely inhibits the MTTP/APOB axis and therefore inhibits IM progression. These results support the development of naringenin as an anti‐IM agent and may contribute to the discovery of novel IM therapeutic targets. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: Estuarine vegetation routinely experiences natural tidal fluctuations and is highly vulnerable to extreme events such as heavy rainfall, leading to changes in plant population structure and adaptability. Genetic and epigenetic modifications are widely considered to be mechanisms of phenotypic variation, triggered in plants responding to extreme changing environments. However, understanding on correlations among genetic, epigenetic, and phenotypic variation of wild plant populations is still limited. Location: China. Methods: In this study, populations of the typical wetland clonal species Phragmites australis were selected from four estuaries along various latitudes in China. Genetic and epigenetic diversity and phenotypic variation of these populations were analysed. Results: Phenotypic variation of P. australis populations was the highest at Yellow River Estuary and the lowest at Min River Estuary. Across all estuaries, Genetic and epigenetic diversity was strongly linear‐correlated. Genetic diversity had significant correlations with variation in reproductive traits, whereas epigenetic diversity had significant correlations with variation in growth traits. Climatic factors of mean annual temperature and precipitation, as well as soil nitrogen and phosphorus, were negatively correlated with variation in genetic diversity, epigenetic diversity, and variation in reproductive traits of P. australis populations along latitudes. Variation in growth traits was negatively correlated with soil salinity, reflecting the limiting effect of salinity on plant growth. Main Conclusion: Our findings found that genetic and epigenetic variations may play different roles in phenotypic variation of P. australis populations along latitudes, the variation becomes greater when the climatic and edaphic conditions deteriorate. The findings shed new light on the adaptation and evolution of wetland plant populations along a large latitudinal scale, and may contribute to the revegetation of estuary wetlands. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The high‐temperature fretting fatigue damage characteristics of dovetail specimens strengthened by nanosecond laser (NL) and nanosecond combined femtosecond laser (F‐NL) were investigated. The results show that the fretting fatigue life of the NL strengthened sample (NL sample) is improved by 211.2% compared to the base metal samples (BM sample). The lifetime of the nanosecond combined femtosecond strengthened sample (F‐NL sample) was increased by 319.6%. It was attributed to the strengthening introducing hardened layers, residual compressive stress field, and high density of dislocations. The combined strengthening process reduces the surface roughness of the NL strengthened surfaces, while the strengthening influence layer is further increased. The fracture morphology shows that the crack source of the strengthened specimen has changed from multi‐source sprouting to single‐source sprouting, and the crack source sprouted on the subsurface. The fatigue strip morphology similarly confirms that a reduction in the crack propagation rate occurs. Highlights: Dovetail specimens were subjected to fretting fatigue testing at 500°C.Composite laser peening reduces surface roughness and stress concentrations.Mechanism of fatigue property enhancement after combined laser peening revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The light absorption enhancement (Eabs) of black carbon (BC) coated with non‐BC materials is crucial in the assessment of radiative forcing, yet its evolution during photochemical aging of plumes from biomass burning, the globe's largest source of BC, remains poorly understood. In this study, plumes from open burning of corn straw were introduced into a smog chamber to explore the evolution of Eabs during photochemical aging. The light absorption of BC was measured with and without coating materials by using a thermodenuder, while the size distributions of aerosols and composition of BC coating materials were also monitored. Eabs was found to increase initially, and then decrease with an overall downward trend. The lensing effect dominated in Eabs at 520 nm, with an estimated contribution percentages of 47.5%–94.5%, which is far greater than light absorption of coated brown carbon (BrC). The effects of thickening and chemical composition changes of the coating materials on Eabs were evaluated through comparing measured Eabs with that calculated by the Mie theory. After OH exposure of 1 × 1010 molecules cm−3 s, the thickening of coating materials led to an Eabs increase by 3.2% ± 1.6%, while the chemical composition changes or photobleaching induced an Eabs decrease by 4.7% ± 0.6%. Simple forcing estimates indicate that coated BC aerosols exhibit warming effects that were reduced after aging. The oxidation of light‐absorbing CxHy compounds, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), to CxHyO and CxHyO>1 compounds in coating materials may be responsible for the photobleaching of coated BrC. Plain Language Summary: Understanding how black carbon (BC) coated with non‐BC materials affects light absorption is crucial for assessing its impact on the Earth's climate. However, there is limited knowledge about how this process changes when BC, particularly from biomass burning, is exposed to light. Biomass burning is a significant global source of BC. This study investigated the changes in light absorption of BC from burning corn straw as it aged in a controlled environment. We measured the light absorption of BC with and without its coating materials. Our results showed that the main cause of increased light absorption was the lensing effect of the coating materials, which was more significant than the light absorption by the coating materials themselves. We also discovered that as the coating materials thickened, BC absorbed more light. However, changes in the chemical composition of the coating materials led to a decrease in total absorption. These findings suggest that while coated BC initially has a warming effect on the climate, this effect diminished as the BC ages. The decrease is likely due to the breakdown of light‐absorbing compounds in the coating materials, such as polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Key Points: Photochemical evolution of light absorption enhancement (Eabs) of black carbon from corn straw burning was studied in a chamberAfter an initial increase Eabs decreased and then remained unchanged during photochemical agingThe photobleaching impacted more on Eabs than the thickening of coating aerosols during photochemical aging [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite the widespread investigations on the M‐N‐C type single atom catalysts (SACs) for oxygen evolution reaction (OER), an internal conflict between its intrinsic thermodynamically structural instability and apparent catalytic steadiness has long been ignored. Clearly unfolding this contradiction is necessary and meaningful for understanding the real structure‐property relation of SACs. Herein, by using the well‐designed pH‐dependent metal leaching experiments and X‐ray absorption spectroscopy, an unconventional structure reconstruction of M‐N‐C catalyst during OER process was observed. Combining with density functional theory calculations, the initial Ni−N coordination is easily broken in the presence of adsorbed OH*, leading to favorable formation of Ni−O coordination. The formed Ni−O works stably as the real active center for OER catalysis in alkaline media but unstably in acid, which clearly explains the existing conflict. Unveiling the internal contradiction between structural instability and catalytic steadiness provides valuable insights for rational design of single atom OER catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The advent of big data and the Internet of Things has created urgent demands for in‐sensor computing hardware with multimodal perception that can effectively resolve the inefficiency, high latency, and excessive energy consumption challenges faced by conventional sensory systems. Here, a simple‐structured optoelectronic synaptic device of In2O3·SnO2/Nb:SrTiO3 (ITO/NSTO) heterostructure is proposed, which vividly demonstrates in‐sensor computing and multimodal perception capabilities. First, with the ingenious synaptic responses of the device under both optical and electrical stimuli, a multimodal in‐sensor neuromorphic computing system capable of concurrently perceiving and processing visual and auditory information is constructed. Using this multimodal system to perform a human emotion recognition task, the misjudgment arising from single‐modal cognition can thereby be effectively avoided. Second, utilizing the integrated sensing and processing functions, along with the dynamic memories of the device array, a neuromorphic vision system is implemented for real‐time monitoring of moving vehicles, which displays high recognition efficiency and accuracy. This research not only provides an optoelectronic synaptic device that is low‐cost and easy to mass‐produce, but also paves the way for next‐generation in‐sensor computing that can efficiently process multimodal signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Carotenoids are indispensable to plants and critical components of the human diet. The carotenoid metabolic pathway is conserved across plant species, but our understanding of the genetic basis of carotenoid variation remains limited for the seeds of most cereal crops. To address this issue, we systematically performed linkage and association mapping for eight carotenoid traits using six recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations. Single linkage mapping (SLM) and joint linkage mapping (JLM) identified 77 unique additive QTLs and 104 pairs of epistatic QTLs. Among these QTLs, we identified 22 overlapping hotspots of additive and epistatic loci, highlighting the important contributions of some QTLs to carotenoid levels through additive or epistatic mechanisms. A genome‐wide association study based on all RILs detected 244 candidate genes significantly associated with carotenoid traits, 23 of which were annotated as carotenoid pathway genes. Effect comparisons suggested that a small number of loci linked to pathway genes have substantial effects on carotenoid variation in our tested populations, but many loci not associated with pathway genes also make important contributions to carotenoid variation. We identified ZmPTOX as the causal gene for a QTL hotspot (Q10/JLM10/GWAS019); this gene encodes a putative plastid terminal oxidase that produces plastoquinone‐9 used by two enzymes in the carotenoid pathway. Natural variants in the promoter and second exon of ZmPTOX were found to alter carotenoid levels. This comprehensive assessment of the genetic mechanisms underlying carotenoid variation establishes a foundation for rewiring carotenoid metabolism and accumulation for efficient carotenoid biofortification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The demand for cost‐effective and rapid processing of large‐area thin films in the photovoltaic industry has recently driven significant research interest. In this context, among the various approaches explored, printing devices, particularly perovskite solar cells (PSCs), have garnered considerable attention due to their potential for scalability and cost efficiency. Besides, solution printing is widely recognized as an appealing strategy for large‐area, cost‐effective, and high‐throughput production of PSCs. However, while substantial progress has been made in this process, challenges related to stability, uniformity, and scalability remain to be addressed. This review critically examines the key printing techniques and substrates employed in PSC fabrication. Then, given the significance of ambient air printing for industrial applications, fundamental challenges associated with achieving ambient air production of PSCs are discussed in detail. Moreover, the formulation strategies of perovskite ink in printing technologies are thoroughly explored, considering its crucial role in determining the performance and stability of printed PSCs. Finally, the printing process for various components of PSCs, including the perovskite absorber layer, charge transport layers (CTLs), and electrodes, is meticulously analyzed, highlighting current achievements and remaining hurdles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melatonin (MT) has been implicated in the plant response to phosphorus (P) stress; however, the precise molecular mechanisms involved remain unclear. This study investigated whether MT controls internal P distribution and root cell wall P remobilization in rice. Rice was treated with varying MT and P levels and analyzed using biochemical and molecular techniques to study phosphorus utilization. The results demonstrated that low P levels lead to a rapid increase in endogenous MT levels in rice roots. Furthermore, the exogenous application of MT significantly improved rice tolerance to P deficiency, as evidenced by the increased biomass and reduced proportion of roots to shoots under P‐deficient conditions. MT application also mitigated the decrease in P content regardless in both the roots and shoots. Mechanistically, MT accelerated the reutilization of P, particularly in the root pectin fraction, leading to increased soluble P liberation. In addition, MT enhanced the expression of OsPT8, a gene involved in root‐to‐shoot P translocation. Furthermore, we observed that MT induced the production of nitric oxide (NO) in P‐deficient rice roots and that the mitigating effect of MT on P deficiency was compromised in the presence of the NO inhibitor, c‐PTIO, implying that NO is involved in the MT‐facilitated mitigation of P deficiency in rice. Overall, our findings highlight the potential of MT as a promising strategy for enhancing rice tolerance to P deficiency and improving P use efficiency in agricultural practices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By employing metal oxides as oxygen carriers, chemical looping demonstrates its effectiveness in transferring oxygen between reduction and oxidation environments to partially oxidize fuels into syngas and convert CO2 into CO. Generally, NiFe2O4 oxygen carriers have demonstrated remarkable efficiency in chemical looping CO2 conversion. Nevertheless, the intricate process of atomic migration and evolution within the internal structure of bimetallic oxygen carriers during continuous high‐temperature redox cycling remains unclear. Consequently, the lack of a fundamental understanding of the complex ionic migration and oxygen transfer associated with energy conversion processes hampers the design of high‐performance oxygen carriers. Thus, in this study, we employed in situ characterization techniques and theoretical calculations to investigate the ion migration behavior and structural evolution in the bulk of NiFe2O4 oxygen carriers during H2 reduction and CO2/lab air oxidation cycles. We discovered that during the H2 reduction step, lattice oxygen rapidly migrates to vacancy layers to replenish consumed active oxygen species, while Ni leaches from the material and migrates to the surface. During the CO2 splitting step, Ni migrates toward the core of the bimetallic oxygen carrier, forming Fe–Ni alloys. During the air oxidation step, Fe–Ni migrates outward, creating a hollow structure owing to the Kirkendall effect triggered by the swift transfer of lattice oxygen. The metal atom migration paths depend on the oxygen transfer rates. These discoveries highlight the significance of regulating the release–recovery rate of lattice oxygen to uphold the structures and reactivity of oxygen carriers. This work offers a comprehensive understanding of the oxidation/reduction‐driven atomic interdiffusion behavior of bimetallic oxygen carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed tin–lead (Sn–Pb) perovskites often face a daunting challenge: rapid and uncontrollable crystallization, leading to a plethora of defects and significant stress. This issue is particularly exacerbated during the blade‐coating preparation of scalable Sn–Pb perovskite films. In this study, a facile strategy involving the addition of ammonium citrate (AC) to narrow‐bandgap mixed Sn–Pb perovskite precursors is introduced. AC, armed with its arsenal of multiple carboxyl and amino groups, acts as a virtuoso conductor, orchestrating controlled crystal growth by harmonizing with Pb2+ and Sn2+ ions. This addition significantly boosts the crystallinity of the perovskite films, alleviates interface stress, inhibits Sn2+ oxidation, and mitigates interfacial defects. Consequently, The blade‐coated AC‐incorporated mixed Sn–Pb perovskite solar cells achieve a high photovoltaic conversion efficiency of nearly 21%. Furthermore, extending this strategy to two‐terminal all‐perovskite tandem solar cells yielded a remarkable maximum efficiency of 27.20%. This work presents an effective strategy for producing efficient blade‐coated mixed Sn–Pb perovskite solar cells, heralding a pathway toward scalable fabrication of all‐perovskite tandem solar cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Symbiotic nitrogen fixation is an energy‐intensive process, to maintain the balance between growth and nitrogen fixation, high concentrations of nitrate inhibit root nodulation. However, the precise mechanism underlying the nitrate inhibition of nodulation in soybean remains elusive. In this study, CRISPR‐Cas9‐mediated knockout of GmNLP1 and GmNLP4 unveiled a notable nitrate‐tolerant nodulation phenotype. GmNLP1b and GmNLP4a play a significant role in the nitrate‐triggered inhibition of nodulation, as the expression of nitrate‐responsive genes was largely suppressed in Gmnlp1b and Gmnlp4a mutants. Furthermore, we demonstrated that GmNLP1b and GmNLP4a can bind to the promoters of GmNIC1a and GmNIC1b and activate their expression. Manipulations targeting GmNIC1a and GmNIC1b through knockdown or overexpression strategies resulted in either increased or decreased nodule number in response to nitrate. Additionally, transgenic roots that constitutively express GmNIC1a or GmNIC1b rely on both NARK and hydroxyproline O‐arabinosyltransferase RDN1 to prevent the inhibitory effects imposed by nitrate on nodulation. In conclusion, this study highlights the crucial role of the GmNLP1/4‐GmNIC1a/b module in mediating high nitrate‐induced inhibition of nodulation. Significance Statement: This study highlights the crucial role of the GmNLP1/4‐GmNIC1a/b module in mediating high nitrate‐induced inhibition of nodulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Deep eutectic solvent (DES)‐based eutectogels, known for their superior ionic conductivity, non‐volatility, biocompatibility, and cost‐effectiveness, have emerged as promising materials for flexible devices. However, the development of tough and stretchable eutectogels remains a significant challenge. Herein, we introduce a one‐step in‐situ phase separation strategy to fabricate tough and stretchable P(MAA‐co‐AAm)/TEAC‐EG copolymer eutectogels through random copolymerization of methacrylic acid (MAA) and acrylamide (AAm) in a tetraethylammonium chloride‐ethylene glycol (TEAC‐EG) DES. The poor compatibility of PAAm segments with TEAC‐EG DES results in the formation of a polymer‐rich phase, leading to energy dissipation during loading. Simultaneously, PMAA segments exhibiting good compatibility with DES, form a solvent‐rich phase that distributes stress and facilitates ion migration. The synergy between these two phases imparts ultratoughness and excellent conductivity to the copolymer eutectogel. The resultant copolymer eutectogel exhibits high strength (2.40 MPa), toughness (22.90 MJ m−3), and remarkable stretchability of 1340%, while demonstrating excellent self‐recovery, self‐healing abilities, and adhesive performance. Notably, its ionic conductivity reaches 1.07 mS cm−1 at 20°C, rendering these eutectogels well‐suited for applications as strain sensors in human motion detection. This study presents a facile approach to tune eutectogel microstructure and properties, thereby expanding their potential applications in high‐performance flexible electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The engineering of ferroic orders, which involves the evolution of atomic structure and local ferroic configuration in the development of next‐generation electronic devices. Until now, diverse polarization structures and topological domains are obtained in ferroelectric thin films or heterostructures, and the polarization switching and subsequent domain nucleation are found to be more conducive to building energy‐efficient and multifunctional polarization structures. In this work, a continuous and periodic strain in a flexible freestanding BaTiO3 membrane to achieve a zigzag morphology is introduced. The polar head/tail boundaries and vortex/anti‐vortex domains are constructed by a compressive strain as low as ≈0.5%, which is extremely lower than that used in epitaxial rigid ferroelectrics. Overall, this study c efficient polarization structures, which is of both theoretical value and practical significance for the development of next‐generation flexible multifunctional devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the differential metabolites after rheumatoid arthritis (RA) rats were treated with Jinteng Qingbi granules. Collagen‐induced arthritis rats were divided into three groups, namely normal group, model group, and Jinteng Qingbi granules group. Serum compounds were identified, annotated, and classified using metabolomics to explain the physicochemical properties and biological functions. The metabolites were screened using univariate and multivariate statistical analyses. There were differences in serum metabolites between RA and normal rats; Jinteng Qingbi granules improved RA and recovered the metabolite levels to normal. Compared to the normal group, 51 differential ions were screened, and 108 ions were changed in the Jinteng Qingbi granules group compared to the RA model. Eight metabolites were upregulated in the RA model group compared to the normal group, whereas 10 metabolites were downregulated. Treatment with Jinteng Qingbi granules increased the levels of 12 metabolites such as cinnamate and decreased the levels of 16 metabolites such as allamandin in the RA model. Differential ion enrichment was mainly related to the histidine metabolic pathway in amino acid metabolism. Jinteng Qingbi granules resulted in improvements in the RA model, which were mainly associated with lipids and lipid‐like molecules, organic acids, and derivatives, providing a new possibility and basis for screening biomarkers for the diagnosis and treatment of RA. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Customizable and number‐tunable enzyme delivery nanocarriers will be useful in tumor therapy. Herein, a phage vehicle, T4‐Lox‐DNA‐Fe (TLDF), which adeptly modulates enzyme numbers using phage display technology to remodel the tumor microenvironment (TME) is presented. Regarding the demand for lactic acid in tumors, each phage is engineered to display 720 lactate oxidase (Lox), contributing to the depletion of lactic acid to restructure the tumor's energy metabolism. The phage vehicle incorporated dextran iron (Fe) with Fenton reaction capabilities. H2O2 is generated through the Lox catalytic reaction, amplifying the H2O2 supply for dextran iron‐based chemodynamic therapy (CDT). Drawing inspiration from the erythropoietin (EPO) biosynthetic process, an EPO enhancer is constructed to impart the EPO‐Keap1 plasmid (DNA) with tumor hypoxia‐activated functionality, disrupting the redox homeostasis of the TME. Lox consumes local oxygen, and positive feedback between the Lox and the plasmid promotes the expression of kelch ECH Associated Protein 1 (Keap1). Consequently, the downregulation of the antioxidant transcription factor Nrf2, in synergy with CDT, amplifies the oxidative killing effect, leading to tumor suppression of up to 78%. This study seamlessly integrates adaptable T4 phage vehicles with bio‐intelligent plasmids, presenting a promising approach for tumor therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms but is also highly toxic in excess. Cellular homoeostasis of Cu is maintained by various transporters and metallochaperones. Here, we investigated the biological function of OsCOPT7, a member of the copper transporters (COPT) family, in Cu homoeostasis in rice. OsCOPT7 was mainly expressed in the roots and the expression was upregulated by Cu deficiency. OsCOPT7 was localized at the tonoplast and the endoplasmic reticulum. Knockout of OsCOPT7 increased Cu accumulation in the roots but decreased Cu concentrations in the shoots and grain. The knockout mutants contained higher concentrations of Cu in the roots cell sap but markedly lower concentrations of Cu in the xylem sap than wild‐type plants. Seed setting and grain yield were reduced significantly in the knockout mutants grown in a low Cu soil. Knockout mutants were more tolerant to Cu toxicity. Yeast two‐hybrid and bimolecular fluorescence complementation assays showed that OsCOPT7 interacts physically with the rice Cu chaperone antioxidant protein 1 (OsATX1). Taken together, our results indicate that OsCOPT7 is a specific Cu transporter functioning to export Cu from the vacuoles and the ER and plays an important role in controlling the root‐to‐shoot Cu translocation in rice. Summary statement: Copper (Cu) is an essential micronutrient for all living organisms but is also highly toxic in excess. Cellular homoeostasis of Cu is maintained by various transporters and metallochaperones. We show that OsCOPT7 is a Cu transporter functioning to export Cu from the vacuoles and the endoplasmic reticulum and plays an important role in controlling the root‐to‐shoot Cu translocation in rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: It was evidenced that cetylpyridinium‐chloride (CPC) mouthwash could inhibit SARS‐COV‐2 activity and reduce salivary viral load, thus reducing SARS‐CoV‐2 transmission. However, due to insufficient residence time in the oral cavity, CPC‐containing mouthwashes have no prolonged antiviral effect. The duration of action of the CPC buccal tablet is expected to be longer than that of the mouthwash. However, there are currently no reports on the salivary drug concentration of CPC buccal tablets. Objective: The study aimed to investigate the salivary drug concentration of CPC buccal tablets and the antiviral effect of CPC on SARS‐CoV‐2 in vitro. Trial design: This is a single‐dose, single‐arm clinical trial, involving 10 Chinese healthy subjects who received 2‐mg CPC buccal tablet to collect saliva samples and to detect saliva concentration at different timepoints within 2 h (Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT05802628, Registration Date: April 6, 2023). Materials and methods: CPC concentration in saliva was detected by liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrometry (LC–MS/MS), and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated based on the non‐compartmental model. With an in vitro antiviral experiment, the activity of CPC buccal tablets against SARS‐CoV‐2 and its cellular toxicity was tested. Results: Drug concentrations in saliva at 15 min, 30 min, 1 h, 1.5 h, and 2 h after administration were 8008.33 (1042.25, 41081.11), 2093.34 (373.15, 5759.83), 1016.58 (378.66, 3480.68), 891.77 (375.66, 6322.07), and 717.43 (197.87, 2152.71) ng/mL. PK parameters of saliva concentration: Cmax = 8008.33 (1042.25, 41081.11) ng/mL, AUC0‐t = 4172.37 (904.42, 13912.61) ng/mL * h, AUC0‐∞ = 6712.85 (1856.77, 19971.12) ng/mL * h, T1/2 = 1.22 (0.59, 2.83) h, Tmax = 0.25 (0.25, 0.25) h. As determined in in vitro experiment, CPC was active on SARS‐CoV‐2 with cytotoxic and inhibitory activity of CC50 = 35.75 μM (≈12155 ng/mL) and EC50 = 7.39 μM (≈2512.6 ng/mL). Conclusions: The comparison between the salivary CPC concentration and EC50/CC50 values from in vitro antiviral experiments suggests that CPC buccal tablets may inhibit SARS‐CoV‐2 activity, and the inhibition may last for approximately 30 min without cytotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor cell metastasis is the key cause of death in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MiR‐2110 was cloned and identified in Epstein–Barr virus (EBV)‐positive NPC, but its role is unclear in NPC. In this study, we investigated the effect of miR‐2110 on NPC metastasis and its related molecular basis. In addition, we also explored whether miR‐2110 can be regulated by cinobufotalin (CB) and participate in the inhibition of CB on NPC metastasis. Bioinformatics, RT‐PCR, and in situ hybridization were used to observe the expression of miR‐2110 in NPC tissues and cells. Scratch, Boyden, and tail vein metastasis model of nude mouse were used to detect the effect of miR‐2110 on NPC metastasis. Western blot, Co‐IP, luciferase activity, colocalization of micro confocal and ubiquitination assays were used to identify the molecular mechanism of miR‐2110 affecting NPC metastasis. Finally, miR‐2110 induced by CB participates in CB‐stimulated inhibition of NPC metastasis was explored. The data showed that increased miR‐2110 significantly suppresses NPC cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. Suppressing miR‐2110 markedly restored NPC cell migration and invasion. Mechanistically, miR‐2110 directly targeted FGFR1 and reduced its protein expression. Decreased FGFR1 attenuated its recruitment of NEDD4, which downregulated NEDD4‐induced phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) ubiquitination and degradation and further increased PTEN protein stability, thereby inactivating PI3K/AKT‐stimulated epithelial–mesenchymal transition signaling and ultimately suppressing NPC metastasis. Interestingly, CB, a potential new inhibitory drug for NPC metastasis, significantly induced miR‐2110 expression by suppressing PI3K/AKT/c‐Jun‐mediated transcription inhibition. Suppression of miR‐2110 significantly restored cell migration and invasion in CB‐treated NPC cells. Finally, a clinical sample assay indicated that reduced miR‐2110 was negatively correlated with NPC lymph node metastasis and positively related to NPC patient survival prognosis. In summary, miR‐2110 is a metastatic suppressor involving in CB‐induced suppression of NPC metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Emerging evidence indicates the critical roles of circular RNAs in the development of multiple cancers, containing hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Herein, our present research reported the biological function and mechanism of circ_0027791 in HCC progression. Circ_0027791, microRNA‐496 (miR‐496), programmed cell death ligand 1 (PDL1), and methyltransferase‐like 3 (METTL3) levels were detected by real‐time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT‐qPCR). Cell viability, proliferation, invasion, and sphere formation ability were detected using 3‐(4,5‐dimethyl‐2‐thiazolyl)‐2,5‐diphenyl‐2‐H‐tetrazolium bromide, 5‐ethynyl‐2′‐deoxyuridine, transwell, and sphere formation assays. Macrophage polarization was detected using flow cytometry assay. To understand the role of circ_0027791 during the immune escape, HCC cells were cocultured with peripheral blood mononuclear cells or cytokine‐induced killer (CIK) cells in vitro. A xenograft mouse model was applied to assess the function of circ_0027791 in vivo. After prediction using circinteractome and miRDB, the binding between miR‐496 and circ_0027791 or PDL1 was validated based on a dual‐luciferase reporter assay. Interaction between METTL3 and circ_0027791 was determined using methylated RNA immunoprecipitation (MeRIP)‐qPCR, RIP‐qPCR, and RNA pull‐down assays. Circ_0027791, PDL1, and METTL3 expression were upregulated, and miR‐496 was decreased in HCC patients and cells. Moreover, circ_0027791 knockdown might repress proliferation, invasion, sphere formation, M2 macrophage polarization, and antitumor immune response. Circ_0027791 knockdown repressed HCC tumor growth in vivo. In mechanism, circ_0027791 functioned as a sponge for miR‐496 to increase PDL1 expression. In addition, METTL3 mediated the m6A methylation of circ_0027791 and stabilized its expression. METTL3‐induced circ_0027791 facilitated HCC cell progression partly regulating the miR‐496/PDL1 axis, which provided a new prognostic and therapeutic marker for HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Left ventricular global function index (LVGFI) integrates LV volumetric and functional parameters. In patients with end‐stage renal disease (ESRD), cardiac injury manifests as LV hypertrophy and dysfunction. However, the prognostic value of LVGFI in this population remains unclear. Purpose: To investigate the association of LVGFI with major adverse cardiac events (MACE) in patients with ESRD. Study Type: Prospective. Population: One hundred fifty‐eight ESRD patients (mean age: 54.1 ± 14.4 years; 105 male) on maintenance dialysis. Filed Strength/Sequence: 3.0 T, balanced steady‐state free precession (bSSFP) cine and modified Look‐Locker inversion recovery (MOLLI) sequences. Assessment: LV volumetric and functional parameters were determined from bSSFP images. LVGFI was calculated as the ratio of stroke volume to global volume and native T1 was determined from MOLLI T1 maps. MACE was recorded on follow up. Models were developed to predict MACE from conventional risk factors combined with LVGFI, GLS, native T1, and LV mass index (LVMI), respectively. Subgroup analyses were further performed in participants with LVEF above median. Statistical Tests: Cox proportional hazard regression and log‐rank test were used to investigate the association between LVGFI and MACE. The predictive models were evaluated and compared using Harrell's C‐statistics and DeLong tests. A P value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Thirty‐four MACE occurred during the median follow‐up period of 26 months. The hazard of MACE increased by 114% for each 10% decrease in LVGFI in univariable analysis. The predictive model consisting of LVGFI (C‐statistic: 0.724) had significantly better predictive performance than the others (all P < 0.001). These results were consistent in patients (N = 79) with LVEF > median (63.54%). Data Conclusion: LVGFI is a novel marker for MACE risk stratification in patients with ESRD and was better able to predict MACE than native T1 mapping and GLS. Evidence Level: 2 Technical Efficacy: Stage 3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]