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Some institutions have issued blacklists of academic journals in China and use them as a basis for research evaluation. However, due to a lack of transparent formulation criteria, the characteristics of blacklisted journals remain unclear. Using blacklisted academic journals of the East China University of Political Science and Law, this study analyzed differences in characteristics between blacklisted and non-blacklisted journals via web surveys and statistical analyses. Statistically significant differences were detected for article review time, article processing charges (APCs), the number of editorial board members, and the journal impact factor. There was no significant difference in the number of editors. While there is scientific merit in creating and publishing a blacklist of academic journals, the list development process requires more rigorous evaluation and a public process of development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The academic community requires not only responsible research but also responsible academic journals. An exploratory study of Chinese-language academic journals that used mixed methods found Chinese-language academic journals on the humanities and social sciences exhibiting a widespread status bias. Most of them summarily rejected submissions from junior researchers and students without paying due attention to the quality of the research itself. The main reasons for this problem are editorial department resources, the scientific research evaluation system, the editorial department culture, and the wider academic environment. This study recommends that Chinese-language academic journals join the Committee on Publication Ethics, other publishing ethics organizations, and the "Responsible Journals" program as soon as possible. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD) is a prevalent musculoskeletal degenerative disorder worldwide, and ~40% of chronic low back pain cases are associated with IDD. Although the pathogenesis of IDD remains unclear, the reduction in nucleus pulposus cells (NPCs) and degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) are critical factors contributing to IDD. Notochordal cells (NCs), derived from the notochord, which rapidly degrades after birth and is eventually replaced by NPCs, play a crucial role in maintaining ECM homeostasis and preventing NPCs apoptosis. Current treatments for IDD only provide symptomatic relief, while lacking the ability to inhibit or reverse its progression. However, NCs and their secretions possess anti‐inflammatory properties and promote NPCs proliferation, leading to ECM formation. Therefore, in recent years, NCs therapy targeting the underlying cause of IDD has emerged as a novel treatment strategy. This article provides a comprehensive review of the latest research progress on NCs for IDD, covering their biological characteristics, specific markers, possible mechanisms involved in IDD and therapeutic effects. It also highlights significant future directions in this field to facilitate further exploration of the pathogenesis of IDD and the development of new therapies based on NCs strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The endosomal system maintains cellular homeostasis by coordinating multiple vesicular trafficking events, and the retromer complex plays a critical role in endosomal cargo recognition and sorting. Here, we demonstrate an essential role for the small GTPase RAB21 in regulating retromer-mediated recycling of the glucose transporter SLC2A1/GLUT1 and macroautophagy/autophagy. RAB21 depletion mis-sorts SLC2A1 to lysosomes and affects glucose uptake, thereby activating the AMPK-ULK1 pathway to increase autophagic flux. RAB21 depletion also increases lysosome function. Notably, RAB21 depletion does not overtly affect retrograde transport of IGF2R/CI-M6PR or WLS from endosomes to the trans-Golgi network. We speculate that RAB21 regulates fission of retromer-decorated endosomal tubules, as RAB21 depletion causes accumulation of the SNX27-containing retromer complex on enlarged endosomes at the perinuclear region. Functionally, RAB21 depletion sensitizes cancer cells to energy stress and inhibits tumor growth in vivo, suggesting an oncogenic role for RAB21. Overall, our study illuminates the role of RAB21 in regulating endosomal dynamics and maintaining cellular energy homeostasis and suggests RAB21 as a potential metabolic target for cancer therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In China, master's students in humanities and social sciences (HSS) are becoming the main target of Chinese-language predatory journals. Existing research has not paid enough attention to why these students publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals. This research interviewed 30 HSS master's students with different majors using semi-structured interviews and Grounded Theory to analyze the data; it found that research discrimination, research context, self-awareness, and individual demand are the main reasons why students publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals. This study provides the following suggestions in an effort to solve the problem of Chinese-language predatory journals. First, the Chinese government should draw up a blacklist of Chinese-language predatory journals. Second, the research evaluation departments of Chinese universities and research institutions should evaluate the research results of HSS master's students based on this list. Third, Chinese universities or scientific research institutions should strengthen the training of HSS master tutors and increase their awareness of Chinese-language predatory journals. And finally, Chinese HSS master's students should be taught about the hazards of Chinese-language predatory journals in research integrity and ethics courses, and refuse to publish papers in Chinese-language predatory journals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the use of anthracene α-diketone as a source of carbon monoxide (CO) in carbonylation reactions. Photoirradiation by a 5 W blue LED of a diyne in the presence of anthracene α-diketone and a rhodium(I) catalyst resulted in a [2+2+1]-carbonylative cycloaddition of the diyne to CO released from the anthracene α-diketone to give a high yield (up to 99%) of the corresponding cyclopentadienone. This is the first demonstration of a CO-gas-free carbonylation reaction using anthracene α-diketone. Light irradiation was a major factor both in the generation of CO from anthracene α-diketone and in the catalytic activity. A halogen lamp, a fluorescent lamp, or sunlight also served as a light source for this reaction. With this system, there is no need for an additional reagent for generating CO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SLC7A11 plays a pivotal role in tumour development by facilitating cystine import to enhance glutathione synthesis and counteract oxidative stress. Disulphidptosis, an emerging form of cell death observed in cells with high expression of SLC7A11 under glucose deprivation, is regulated through reduction–oxidation reactions and disulphide bond formation. This process leads to contraction and collapse of the F‐actin cytoskeleton from the plasma membrane, ultimately resulting in cellular demise. Compared to other forms of cell death, disulphidptosis exhibits distinctive characteristics and regulatory mechanisms. This mechanism provides novel insights and innovative strategies for cancer treatment while also inspiring potential therapeutic approaches for other diseases. Our review focuses on elucidating the molecular mechanism underlying disulphidptosis and its connection with the actin cytoskeleton, identifying alternative metabolic forms of cell death, as well as offering insights into disulphidptosis‐based cancer therapy. A comprehensive understanding of disulphidptosis will contribute to our knowledge about fundamental cellular homeostasis and facilitate the development of groundbreaking therapies for disease treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]