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The inclusive development of agricultural and food systems is crucial for realizing rural revitalization and Chinese path to modernization considering China’s basic national condition of being a large country with small farmers, and it is also an important aspect of common prosperity and global sustainable development. This study explores the implications and characteristics of inclusive development of the agricultural and food systems and identifies four prominent problems existing in promoting the effective connection between small farmers and agricultural modernization, improving the food demand and public service support systems for vulnerable groups, enhancing the resilience of agricultural industrial and supply chains, and establishing a fair, shared, and sustainable public-service system necessary for the agricultural and food systems. Moreover, four key systems are proposed aimed at overcoming scientific and technological challenges critical to the agricultural system, developing food science and technology while improving the food supply chain, promoting the inclusive development of agricultural and food systems, and establishing an inclusive agricultural and food system. Furthermore, the following suggestions are proposed: (1) ensuring food security to guarantee the inclusive development of vulnerable groups, (2) forming a large-scale grain security pattern while adhering to an all-encompassing approach to food, (3) optimizing the circulation and distribution systems using digital technologies, (4) establishing a shared and inclusive agricultural and food system through regional coordination, and (5) unblocking the entire chain channels of agricultural and food systems.

Personalized therapeutic vaccines against immune desert tumors are an increasingly important field in current cancer immunotherapy. However, limitations in neoantigen recognition, impotent immune cells, and a lack of intratumoral infiltrated lymphocytes pose challenges for the cancer vaccines. Resected tumors contain various of patient-specific tumor autoantigens (TA), and its derived photonanovaccines have unique competency to overcome abovementioned barriers. We constructed a novel personalized photonanovaccine (B@TA-R848) with surgically sourced TA modified on two-dimensional boron nanosheets (BNSs) via polydopamine coating and loaded with immune adjuvant R848. B@TA-R848 has good properties of drug delivery and release, photoacoustic imaging, photothermal effect, and biocompatibility. In a mouse triple-negative breast cancer model, B@TA-R848-based photonanovaccine induced effective systemic antitumor immune responses, altered the local tumor microenvironment, and increased the intratumoral infiltration of immune cells. The combined photo immunotherapy could significantly inhibit tumor growth, recurrence, and metastasis. This work develops a novel photonanovaccine for low immunogenicity and high metastatic potential tumors, which is of great significance for exploring the clinical development of personalized tumor vaccines against immune desert tumors.

Background: Cyprodinil is a widely used fungicide with broad‐spectrum activity, but it has been associated with cardiac abnormalities. (−)‐Epicatechin gallate (ECG), a natural polyphenolic compound, has been shown to possess protective properties in cardiac development. Methods: In this study, we investigated whether ECG could mitigate cyprodinil‐induced heart defects using zebrafish embryos as a model. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to cyprodinil with or without ECG. Results: Our results demonstrated that ECG significantly improved the survival rate, embryo movement, and hatching delay induced by cyprodinil. Furthermore, ECG effectively ameliorated cyprodinil‐induced cardiac developmental toxicity, including pericardial anomaly and impairment of cardiac function. Mechanistically, ECG attenuated the cyprodinil‐induced alterations in mRNA expression related to cardiac development, such as amhc, vmhc, tbx5, and gata4, as well as calcium ion channels, such as ncx1h, atp2a2a, and cdh2. Additionally, ECG was found to inhibit the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathways induced by cyprodinil. Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings provide evidence for the protective effects of ECG against cyprodinil‐induced cardiac developmental toxicity, mediated through the inhibition of AhR activity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and safe utilization of pesticide, such as cyprodinil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The role of human papillomavirus 16 (HPV 16) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remains uncertain. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HPV 16 in patients with ESCC and its impact on theirprognosis. HPV 16 was detected using FISH, and TP53 status was evaluated via immunohistochemistry. The factors influencing prognosis were ananalyzed using the Log‐rank test and Cox regression analyses. Among 178 patients with ESCC, 105 and 73 patients were categorized into concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) and postoperative chemoradiotherapy (POCRT) cohorts, respectively. Among 178 patients, 87 (48.87%) tested positive for HPV 16. Log‐rank tests revealed that the overall survival (OS) of patients with ESCC who were HPV 16‐positive was longer than that of those who were HPV 16‐negative (median OS: 57 months vs. 27 months, p < 0.01**). HPV 16 infection and TP53 mutation status were identified as independent events. The OS of patients with mutant TP53 who were HPV 16‐positive was longer than that of those who were HPV 16‐negative in both CCRT and POCRT cohorts (p = 0.002** for CCRT cohorts and p = 0.0023** for POCRT cohorts). Conversely, HPV 16 infection had no effect on OS in the wild‐type TP53 subgroup (p = 0.13 and 0.052 for CCRT and POCRT cohorts, respectively). As a conclusion, the positive rate of HPV 16 in ESCC in this study was 48.87% (87/178). Among the patients with ESCC who had TP53 mutation, those who were HPV 16‐positive exhibited a better prognosis than those who were HPV 16‐negative. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Background We previously showed that co-immunization with a protein antigen and a DNA vaccine coding for the same antigen induces CD40low IL-10high tolerogenic DCs, which in turn stimulates the expansion of antigen-specific CD4+CD25-Foxp3+ regulatory T cells (CD25- iTreg). However, it was unclear how to choose the antigen sequence to maximize tolerogenic antigen presentation and, consequently, CD25- iTreg induction. Results In the present study, we demonstrated the requirement of highly antigenic epitopes for CD25- iTreg induction. Firstly, we showed that the induction of CD25- iTreg by tolerogenic DC can be blocked by anti-MHC-II antibody. Next, both the number and the suppressive activity of CD25- iTreg correlated positively with the overt antigenicity of an epitope to activate T cells. Finally, in a mouse model of dermatitis, highly antigenic epitopes derived from a flea allergen not only induced more CD25- iTreg, but also more effectively prevented allergenic reaction to the allergen than did weakly antigenic epitopes. Conclusions Our data thus indicate that efficient induction of CD25- iTreg requires highly antigenic peptide epitopes. This finding suggests that highly antigenic epitopes should be used for efficient induction of CD25- iTreg for clinical applications such as flea allergic dermatitis.

Polyarylene ether nitrile sulfone (PENS) random copolymers consisting of polyarylene ether nitrile (PEN) and polyarylene ether sulfone (PES) were prepared from bisphenol A, bis(4-chlorophenyl)sulfone, and 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile by the nucleophilic aromatic substitution polymerization. The structure of the PENS random copolymers was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectrometer and 1H nuclear magnetic resonance, and the properties of the PENS copolymers were investigated by thermal analysis (differential scanning calorimetry and thermogravimetric analysis), inherent viscosity measurements, mechanical tests, and dielectric tests. The samples showed excellent thermal stability, with the 5% weight loss temperature (T 5%) greater than 480°C under nitrogen and glass transition temperature (T g) greater than 180°C. The tensile strength, tensile modulus, and elongation at break of the PENS copolymers were improved with the increase of the PEN content, indicating the better mechanical property of PEN than that of PES. The dielectric constant and dielectric strength of the PENS random copolymers were also enhanced with the increase of the PEN content. As a result, PENS100 showed the highest energy storage density, which is 0.68 J/cm3. PES showed better thermal properties while worse mechanical and dielectric properties compared with PEN. PENS copolymers combined the excellent properties of PEN and PES due to the compatibility between them. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly(arylene ether nitrile) (PEN) copolymers (HQ/RS-PEN) containing different proportions of hydroquinone (HQ-PEN) block and resorcinol (RS-PEN) block were synthesized, and their crystalline, mechanical, and dielectric properties were investigated. Three HQ/RS-PEN copolymers with 10%, 20%, and 30% of RS-PEN blocks were prepared via condensation polymerization of HQ and RS with 2,6-dichlorobenzonitrile. The PEN copolymers were characterized and confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, intrinsic viscosity, and thermal analyses. With the addition of RS-PEN block, the flexibility of PEN copolymers was increased. In addition, even though the high loading content of RS-PEN block was incorporated, the PEN copolymers still exhibited relatively high dielectric constant, whereas the dielectric loss decreased. Furthermore, to investigate the effect of treatment time and temperature on the physical properties of crystalline PEN copolymers, HQ/RS-PEN20 was isothermally treated at different temperatures (280°C, 300°C, 310°C, 320°C, and 330°C) for a constant time and at a constant time for different hours (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 h). After the optimization of the crystallization of HQ/RS-PEN polymer, excellent mechanical and dielectric properties of copolymers were obtained. The results showed that when isothermally treated at 320°C for 2 h, the HQ/RS-PEN20 showed optimal properties of tensile strength of 117.6 MPa and dielectric constant of 4.07 at 1 kHz. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fabrication of luminescent soft nanostructures using non-conjugated polymers is still regarded as being a great challenge. In this work, we have synthesized, for the first time, a range of amphiphilic block copolymers of polyarylene ether nitrile (amPEN) containing pendent carboxylic and sulfonic groups in the hydrophilic segments, which were further self-assembled into nanospheres in an oil-in-water (O/W) microemulsion system. The size, as well as the morphology, of the generated nanospheres can be easily modulated by using the chemical structures of the amPEN. Interestingly, we have discovered that the initial amorphous amphiphilic aromatic block copolymer can be transformed into semi-crystallized polymeric nanospheres with obviously enhanced fluorescence emission when Pb2+ is introduced into the emulsion self-assembling process. On the basis of X-ray diffractometry, transmission electron microscopy, differential scanning calorimetry and fluorescence spectroscopy characterizations, we have confirmed that the enhanced emission of the semi-crystallized nanospheres can be attributed to the rigidification of macromolecular chains via the combination of the intermolecular hydrophobic interactions and the coordination of Pb2+ with the pendent carboxylic/sulfonic groups, which favors the radiative decay of the excited aromatic structures. Considering the facile synthesis, reliable self-assembly features and the enhanced fluorescence emission, the present work could open a pathway for the design of highly luminescent robust polymeric nanostructures using members of the non-conjugated polyarylene ethers family. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) relies heavily on neoangiogenesis for its progression, making early detection crucial. Here, LTZi-MHI148 (Letrozole inhibitor bonding with MHI-148 dye), a near-infrared (NIR) fluorescent agent is developed, to target RhoJ (Ras Homolog Family Member J), a protein expressed in neonatal vasculature, for both imaging and therapy of early PDAC. This agent is synthesized by conjugating Letrozole with MHI-148, exhibiting excellent NIR characteristics and photostability. In vitro studies showed that LTZi-MHI148 selectively accumulated within pancreatic cancer cells through Organic Anion Transporting Polypeptide (OATP) transporters and bound to cytoplasmic RhoJ. In vivo, the probe effectively targeted neoangiogenesis and Pancreatic Intraepithelial Neoplasias (PanINs) in various PDAC models, including the orthotopic, ectopic, spontaneous, and tamoxifen-induced tumors. Notably, LTZi-MHI148 detected preneoplastic PanIN lesions with Overexpressed RhoJ and active neoangiogenesis in both spontaneous and tamoxifen-induced PDAC murine models. Longitudinal imaging studies revealed that RhoJ-targeted neoangiogenesis tracks lesion progression, highlighting LTZi-MHI148's utility in monitoring disease progression. Furthermore, multiple LTZi-MHI148 administrations attenuated PanINs to PDAC progression, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic intervention. These findings underscore the translational potential of LTZi-MHI148 for the early detection and targeted therapy of PDAC, utilizing NIR-I/II imaging to monitor RhoJ overexpression in precancerous ductal neoplasia associated with neoangiogenesis., (© 2024 Wiley‐VCH GmbH.)

Background: Cyprodinil is a widely used fungicide with broad-spectrum activity, but it has been associated with cardiac abnormalities. (-)-Epicatechin gallate (ECG), a natural polyphenolic compound, has been shown to possess protective properties in cardiac development., Methods: In this study, we investigated whether ECG could mitigate cyprodinil-induced heart defects using zebrafish embryos as a model. Zebrafish embryos were exposed to cyprodinil with or without ECG., Results: Our results demonstrated that ECG significantly improved the survival rate, embryo movement, and hatching delay induced by cyprodinil. Furthermore, ECG effectively ameliorated cyprodinil-induced cardiac developmental toxicity, including pericardial anomaly and impairment of cardiac function. Mechanistically, ECG attenuated the cyprodinil-induced alterations in mRNA expression related to cardiac development, such as amhc, vmhc, tbx5, and gata4, as well as calcium ion channels, such as ncx1h, atp2a2a, and cdh2. Additionally, ECG was found to inhibit the activity of the aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) signaling pathways induced by cyprodinil., Conclusions: In conclusion, our findings provide evidence for the protective effects of ECG against cyprodinil-induced cardiac developmental toxicity, mediated through the inhibition of AhR activity. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the regulatory mechanisms and safe utilization of pesticide, such as cyprodinil., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)