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Key Clinical Message: Prurigo nodularis is frequently difficult to manage with conventional therapy. Given the pathogenesis and refractory nature, we demonstrate a case in which inhibition of JAK–STAT signaling may significantly improve prurigo nodularis. Based on the results, we would like to draw a conclusion that abrocitinib as an inhibitor of Jak is a promising choice for the treatment of prurigo nodularis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The [Ca.sup.2+]-sensing receptor (CAR), a G protein-coupled receptor, is expressed in many epithelial tissues including the parathyroid glands, kidney, and GI tract. Although its role in regulating PTH levels and [Ca.sup.2+] metabolism are best characterized, it may also regulate salt and water transport in the kidney as demonstrated by recent reports showing association of potent gain-of-function mutations in the CaR with a Bartter-like, salt-wasting phenotype. To determine whether this receptor interacts with novel proteins that control ion transport, we screened a human adult kidney cDNA library with the COOH-terminal 219 amino acid cytoplasmic tail of the CaR as bait using the yeast two-hybrid system. We identified two independent clones coding for ~125 aa from the COOH terminus of the inwardly rectifying [K.sup.+] channel, Kir4.2. The CaR and Kir4.2 as well as Kir4.1 (another member of Kir4 subfamily) were reciprocally coimmunoprecipitated from HEK-293 cells in which they were expressed, but the receptor did not coimmunoprecipitate with Kir5.1 or Kir1.1. Both Kir4.1 and Kir4.2 were immunoprecipitated from rat kidney extracts with the CaR. In Xenopus laevis oocytes, expression of the CaR with either Kir4.1 or Kir4.2 channels resulted in inactivation of whole cell current as measured by two-electrode voltage clamp, but the nonfunctional CaR mutant Ca[R.sup.R796W], and that does not coimmunoprecipitate with the channels, had no effect. Kir4.1 and the CaR were colocalized in the basolateral membrane of the distal nephron. The CaR interacts directly with Kir4.1 and Kir4.2 and can decrease their currents, which in turn could reduce recycling of [K.sup.+] for the basolateral [Na.sup.+]-[K.sup.+]-ATPase and thereby contribute to inhibition of [Na.sup.+] reabsorption. inwardly rectifying [K.sup.+] channel; HEK 293 cells; yeast two hybrid

The [Ca.sup.2+]-sensing receptor (CAR) couples to multiple G proteins involved in distinct signaling pathways: [G[alpha].sub.i] to inhibit the activity of adenylyl cyclase and activate ERK, [G[alpha].sub.q] to stimulate phospholipase C and phospholipase [A.sub.2], and G[beta][gamma] to stimulate phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase. To determine whether the receptor also couples to [G[alpha].sub.12/13], we investigated the signaling pathway by which the CaR regulates phospholipase D (PLD), a known [G[alpha].sub.12/13] target. We established Madin-Darby canine kidney (MDCK) cell lines that stably overexpress the wild-type CaR (Ca[R.sup.WT]) or the nonfunctional mutant Ca[R.sup.R796W] as a negative control, prelabeled these cells with [[sup.3]H]palmitic acid, and measured CaR-stimulated PLD activity as the formation of [[sup.3]H]phosphatidylethanol (PEt). The formation of [[sup.3]H]PEt increased in a time-dependent manner in the cells that overexpress the Ca[R.sup.WT] but not the Ca[R.sup.R796W]. Treatment of the cells with [C.sub.3] exoenzyme inhibited PLD activity, which indicates that the CaR activates the Rho family of small G proteins, targets of [G[alpha].sub.12/13]. To determine which G protein(s) the CaR couples to in order to activate Rho and PLD, we pretreated the cells with pertussis toxin to inactivate [G[alpha].sub.i] or coexpressed regulators of G protein-signaling (RGS) proteins to attenuate G protein signaling (RGS4 for [G[alpha].sub.i] and [G[alpha].sub.q], and a p115RhoGEF construct containing the RGS domain for [G[alpha].sub.12/13]). Overexpression of p115RhoGEF-RGS in the MDCK cells that overexpress Ca[R.sup.WT] inhibited extracellular [Ca.sup.2+]-stimulated PLD activity, but pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin and overexpression of RGS4 were without effect. The involvement of other signaling components such as protein kinase C, ADP-ribosylation factor, and phosphatidylinositol biphosphate was excluded. These findings demonstrate that the CaR couples to [G[alpha].sub.12/13] to regulate PLD via a Rho-dependent mechanism and does so independently of [G[alpha].sub.i] and [G[alpha].sub.q]. This suggests that the CaR may regulate cytoskeleton via [G[alpha].sub.12/13], Rho, and PLD. calcium-sensing receptor; G proteins; RGS proteins

• Janus electrospun fibers were designed based on all-natural materials. • Multifunctional Janus electrospun fibers were prepared by electrospinning. • Janus electrospun fibers prevent liquid penetration for 17 days. • Multibody dissipative particle dynamics elucidated liquid infiltration mechanism. The liquid barrier is a central component of functional liquid packaging materials and is crucial for encapsulating liquid food. To develop high-performance liquid packaging materials for the long-term storage of liquid food, a strong and stable liquid barrier and the simultaneous integration of diverse functionalities must be realized. In this study, inspired by mussel adhesion proteins, nanoparticles are synthesized through oxidative self-polymerization. Furthermore, electrostatic spinning is used for creating multifunctional electrospun fibers for liquid food packaging, which is inspired by the superhydrophobicity of lotus leaf surface and structures of red blood cells. A unique Janus structure with a thin hydrophilic layer and a thick hydrophobic layer prevents liquid food penetration for 12 (EHN/KN electrospun fibers) and 17 days (KN/EHN electrospun fibers). The liquid infiltration mechanism of Janus electrospun fibers is elucidated using the multibody dissipative particle dynamics method, emphasizing their efficacy in avoiding liquid penetration. Moreover, multifunctional KN/EHN electrospun fibers exhibit remarkable characteristics such as water resistance (water contact angle > 150°), UV-blocking (∼100 %), degradability (70 days in soil), biosafety (∼100 %), antioxidation (> 90 %), antimicrobial (∼100 %), grapes and meat freshness retention properties. Thus, this study provides insights into sustainable, high-performance liquid food packaging for enhanced preservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The evolution of modern society demands sustainable rechargeable lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) with higher capacity and improved safety standards. High voltage Ni-rich layered transition metal oxides (i.e., LiNi 1-x-y Co x Mn y O 2 , NCM) have emerged as one of the most promising cathode materials in meeting this demand. However, the instability of Ni-rich NCMs cathodes presents challenges in large-scale commercialization. This review examines the energy storage mechanism, e.g., possible (electro)chemical reactions, occurring at the bulk and surface and degradation mechanism of the Ni-rich NCMs cathode materials. To address the challenging instability issue, we highlight recent advances and strategies for bulk and surface engineering of Ni-rich NCMs, including lattice, composition, and microstructure engineering, and electrolyte and materials interfacial engineering. By addressing degradation mechanisms and improving overall stability, this work sheds lights on the potential avenues on the commercialization of Ni-rich cathode-based high-performance LIBs. [Display omitted] • Presenting the historical development and (electro)chemical properties of high-voltage Ni-rich NCM. • Unfolding the degradation mechanism of Ni-rich NCM occurring on bulk and surface. • Proposing modification strategies in bulk and surface chemistry toward stable and high-performance Ni-rich NCM cathode materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vibration analysis of vehicle-bridge coupled systems has received considerable attentions over the past two decades. This work is dedicated to the stochastic dynamic analysis of vehicle-bridge coupled systems with nonlinear Hertz wheel-rail contacts subjected to random track irregularities. An explicit time-domain method (ETDM) is proposed for efficient nonlinear dynamic analysis of vehicle-bridge coupled systems with a dimension-reduced iteration scheme focusing on the nonlinear wheel-rail contact forces. The high-efficient ETDM is further utilised to implement the numerous nonlinear dynamic analyses required in the Monte-Carlo simulation (MCS) for obtaining the response statistics of the vehicle-bridge coupled systems. A numerical example involving a single-wheel vehicle traversing a simply-supported beam with nonlinear Hertz wheel-rail contacts considering random track irregularities is presented to demonstrate the computational accuracy and efficiency of the proposed method, and an engineering application involving a four-wheel vehicle moving across the Egongyan suspension bridge is further analysed to indicate the effectiveness of the proposed method for large-scale engineering problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lithium metal is considered as an ideal substitute to low‐capacity carbon anodes for rechargeable lithium‐ion batteries (LIBs) given its ultra‐high theoretical specific capacity of 3860 mAh g−1 and the lowest electrochemical potential. However, safety issues stem from the uncontrollable formation and growth of lithium dendrites, which severely plague the practical application of the Li anode. Here, a multi‐functional protection layer, prepared by a one‐step spin‐coating of CuCl2N‐Methyl‐2‐Pyrrolidone (NMP) solution on a lithium metal surface is constructed. The as‐prepared protective layer has a variable porous morphology that consists of a conductive lithium‐copper alloy and electrochemically active CuCl, which proactively facilitates the homogeneous diffusion of Li‐ions, the elimination of random dendrite nuclei, and even distribution of charge at the Li anode surface, and subsequently the uniform deposition of Li+ ions. Under such a dynamic protection mechanism, the proposed CuCl2 modified Li electrode can stably cycle more than 1500 h at a current density of 1 mA cm−2 paired with lithium foil. Moreover, the assembled full battery achieves capacity retention of 85.6% even after 2000 cycles at a high rate of 5 C with a LiFePO4 cathode. This as‐proposed dynamic protection mechanism via the incorporation of the electrochemically active component could provide new guidance in the preparation of the safe and high‐performance lithium metal anodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron (B) deficiency influences sugar beet development and productivity. A hydroponic set up of experiment was conducted by utilizing different B concentrations to study the impact of different morphological and physiological responses of sugar beet seedlings under B deficiency. The results showed that B deficiency (14 days of stress) inhibited the growth of different plant parts of sugar beet. The B deficiency significantly increased the leaf specific weight (SLW) and the root-shoot ratio of sugar beet seedlings. The activities of peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), and superoxide dismutase (SOD) showed a decreasing tendency under B deficiency, while the contents of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) and superoxide (O2−) increased with B concentration. Malonaldehyde (MDA) and proline contents were induced at B deficiency. In conclusion, B deficiency significantly reduced dry weight and leaf area, resulting in stunted sugar beet seedlings. It was manifested by a significant decrease in antioxidant enzyme activities and accumulation of ROS in the plant cells, inducing oxidative stress. The current study revealed that B deficiency affects plant growth and various morpho-physiological processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]