Screening of Reference Genes for Quantitative Real-Time PCR Analysis in Tissues and during Testis Development, and Application to Analyze the Expression of kifc1 in Hemibarbus labeo (Teleostei, Cypriniformes, Cyprinidae).

The selection of proper reference genes is vital for ensuring precise quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) assays. This study evaluates the stability of the expression of nine candidate reference genes in different tissues and during testicular development in H. labeo. The results show that eef1a is recommended as a reference gene for qPCR analysis in tissues and during testicular development. Furthermore, we evaluated the optimal number of reference genes needed when calculating gene expression levels using the geomean method, revealing that two reference genes are sufficient. Specifically, eef1a and rps27 are recommended for analysis of gene expression in tissues, whereas eef1a and actb are advised for evaluating gene expression during testicular development. In addition, we examined the expression pattern of kifc1, a kinesin involved in the reshaping of spermatids. We detected peak expression levels of kifc1 in testes, with its expression initially increasing before decreasing throughout testicular development. The highest expression of kifc1 was observed in stage IV testes, the active period of spermiogenesis, suggesting a possible role for kifc1 in the regulation of the reshaping of spermatids and hence testicular development. This study represents the first investigation of reference genes for H. labeo, providing a foundation for studying gene expression patterns and investigating gene expression regulation during testicular development.

Beyond Shell-Filling: Strong Enhancement of Electron Affinity of Metal Clusters through a Noninvasive Oriented External Electric Field.

Traditional electron counting rules, like the Jellium model, have long been successfully utilized in designing superhalogens by modifying clusters to have one electron less than a filled electronic shell. However, this shell-filling approach, which involves altering the intrinsic properties of the clusters, can be complex and challenging to control, especially in experiments. In this letter, we theoretically establish that the oriented external electric field (OEEF) can substantially enhance the electron affinity (EA) of diverse aluminum-based metal clusters with varying valence electron configurations, leading to the creation of superhalogen species without altering their shell arrangements. This OEEF approach offers a noninvasive alternative to traditional superatom design strategies, as it does not disrupt the clusters' geometrical structures and superatomic states. These findings contribute a vital piece to the puzzle of constructing superalkalis and superhalogens, extending beyond conventional shell-filling strategies and potentially expanding the range of applications for functional clusters.

Role of the hydrocarbon molecular structure in CNT growth on Fe-Al catalysts.

Upgrading plastic wastes into high-value products via the thermochemical process is one of the most attractive topics. Although carbon nanotubes (CNTs) have been successfully synthesized from plastic pyrolysis gas over Fe-, Co-, or Ni-based catalysts, a deep discussion about the reaction mechanism was seldom mentioned in the literature. Herein, this work was intended to study the growth mechanism of CNTs from hydrocarbons on Fe-Al2O3 catalysts. C5-C7 hydrocarbons were used to synthesize CNTs in a high-temperature fixed-bed reactor, and the carbon products and cracked gas were analyzed in detail. The CNT yield was in the order of cyclohexane, cyclohexene > n-hexane > n-heptane > n-pentane, 1-hexene. It was proposed that CNT growth on Fe-Al2O3 catalysts was mainly determined by the yield and structure of six-membered cyclic species, which was tailored by the carbon chain length, C-C/CC bonds, and linear/cyclic structures of C5-C7 hydrocarbons. Compared with n-hexane, the six-membered rings of cyclohexane and cyclohexene promoted six-membered cyclic species formation, increasing CNT and benzene yields; the seven-membered carbon chain of n-heptane promoted methyl-six-membered cyclic species formation, decreasing CNT and benzene yields while increasing the toluene yield; the five-membered carbon chain of n-pentane and the CC bond of 1-hexene inhibited six-membered cyclic species formation, decreasing CNT and benzene yields. This work revealed the structure-activity relationship between C5-C7 hydrocarbons and CNT growth, which may direct the process design and optimization of CNT synthesis from plastic pyrolysis gas.

Two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoid saponins from the fruit of Citrullus colocynthis.

Two new cucurbitane-type triterpenoid saponins, 2,20ß,22ß-trihydroxy-16α,23(R)-epoxycucurbita-1,5,24-triene-3,11-dione 2-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (1), 2,20ß,22α-trihydroxy-16α,23(S)-epoxycucurbita-1,5,11,24-tetraene-3-one 2-O-ß-D-glucopyranoside (2) were isolated from the fruit of Citrullus colocynthis (L.) Schrad. Their structures were elucidated by mass spectrometry, IR, 1D, and 2D NMR spectroscopy, etc. Besides, both of the compounds showed significant hepatoprotective activities at 10 µM against paracetamol-induced HepG2 cell damage.

Histological and Transcriptomic Insights into the Ovary Development of Hemibarbus labeo Injected with Spawn-Inducing Hormones.

Naturally, the ovaries of many farmed fish can only develop to stage IV (mainly including stage IV oocytes, known as full-grown postvitellogenic oocytes). Therefore, spawn-inducing hormone injections are used to promote ovary development and oocyte maturation, facilitating reproduction in the aquaculture industry. The study of spawn-inducing hormones and their underlying neuroendocrine mechanisms has been a recent focus in fish reproductive biology. However, the intra-ovarian regulatory mechanisms of ovary development and oocyte maturation after hormone injection require further investigation. In this study, we explored the histological and transcriptomic map of the ovary of Hemibarbus labeo after hormone injection to reveal changes in the ovary. The gonad index significantly increased after hormone injection for 5.5 h, after which no significant change was observed. Histological analysis showed that the nuclei had moved to one side of the oocytes at 5.5 h after hormone injection. Moreover, the volume of the oocytes increased and their yolk membranes thickened. Oocytes then underwent their first meiotic division at 5.5-11 h after hormone injection. Subsequently, the follicular membrane was ruptured, and ovulation was completed at 11-16.5 h after hormone injection. In addition, we identified 3189 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) on comparing the transcriptomes at different time points after hormone injection. These DEGs were significantly enriched in the GO terms of nervous system process, molecular transducer activity, and extracellular region, and the KEGG pathways of TNF signaling and cytokine-cytokine receptor interaction; these may play important roles in ovary development and oocyte maturation. Within these pathways, genes such as apoe, creb3, jun, junb, il11, and il8 may play important roles in steroid hormone synthesis and ovulation. Conclusively, our results show detailed sequential dynamics of oocyte development and provide new insights into the intra-ovarian regulatory mechanisms of ovarian development and oocyte maturation in H. labeo. These findings may be important for research on improving egg quality and reproduction in aquaculture.

Dual External Field Strategy in Regulating the Superhalogen Characteristics of the Non-Noble Metal Constituted Tantalum Oxide Clusters.

The identification of the non-noble metal constituted TaO cluster as a potential analogue to the noble metal Au is significant for the development of tailored materials. It leverages the superatom concept to engineer properties with precision. However, the impact of incrementally integrating TaO units on the electronic configurations and properties within larger TaO-based clusters remains to be elucidated. By employing the density functional theory calculations, the global minima and low-lying isomers of the TanOn (n = 2-5) clusters were determined, and their structural evolution was disclosed. In the cluster series, Ta5O5 was found to possess the highest electron affinity (EA) with a value of 2.14 eV, based on which a dual external field (DEF) strategy was applied to regulate the electronic property of the cluster. Initially, the electron-withdrawing CO ligand was affixed to Ta5O5, followed by the application of an oriented external electric field (OEEF). The CO ligation was found to be able to enhance the Ta5O5 cluster's electron capture capability by adjusting its electron energy levels, with the EA of Ta5O5(CO)4 peaking at 2.58 eV. Subsequently, the introduction of OEEF further elevated the EA of the CO-ligated cluster. Notably, OEEF, when applied along the +x axis, was observed to sharply increase the EA to 3.26 eV, meeting the criteria for superhalogens. The enhancement of EA in response to OEEF intensity can be quantified as a functional relationship. This finding highlights the advantage of OEEF over conventional methods, demonstrating its capacity for precise and continuous modulation of cluster EAs. Consequently, this research has adeptly transformed tantalum oxide clusters into superhalogen structures, underscoring the effectiveness of the DEF strategy in augmenting cluster EAs and its promise as a viable tool for the creation of superhalogens.

Low vaporization enthalpy of modified chitosan hydrogel for high performance solar evaporator.

The high vaporization enthalpy of water attributed to the strong hydrogen bonds between water molecules is limiting the performance of solar evaporators. This work demonstrates a deliberate attempt to significantly reduce the vaporization enthalpy of water through the introduction of weak water-amine hydrogen bond interactions in hydrogel evaporators. In this article, bio-based chitosan-agarose/multiwalled carbon nanotube hydrogel film evaporators (CAMFEs) exhibit larger vaporization enthalpy reduction with the presence of primary amine groups in chitosan. An interplay between vaporization enthalpy reduction and water diffusivity leads to an optimal ratio of chitosan to agarose = 7:1 (CAMFE7) showing an impressive evaporation rate of 4.13 kg m-2 h-1 under 1 sun irradiation. CAMFE7 also exhibits excellent salt resistance, with a stable water evaporation rate, using brine water of up to 10 % salinity under continuous 1 sun irradiation. The high mechanical robustness together with its scalability makes CAMFE7 a highly promising material for practical drinking water production.

CMKLR1 senses chemerin/resolvin E1 to control adipose thermogenesis and modulate metabolic homeostasis.

Induction of beige fat for thermogenesis is a potential therapy to improve homeostasis against obesity. ß3-adrenoceptor (ß3-AR), a type of G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR), is believed to mediate the thermogenesis of brown fat in mice. However, ß3-AR has low expression in human adipose tissue, precluding its activation as a standalone clinical modality. This study aimed at identifying a potential GPCR target to induce beige fat. We found that chemerin chemokine-like receptor 1 (CMKLR1), one of the novel GPCRs, mediated the development of beige fat via its two ligands, chemerin and resolvin E1 (RvE1). The RvE1 levels were decreased in the obese mice, and RvE1 treatment led to a substantial improvement in obese features and augmented beige fat markers. Inversely, despite sharing the same receptor as RvE1, the chemerin levels were increased in obesogenic conditions, and chemerin treatment led to an augmented obese phenotype and a decline of beige fat markers. Moreover, RvE1 and chemerin induced or restrained the development of beige fat, respectively, via the mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 (mTORC1) signaling pathway. We further showed that RvE1 and chemerin regulated mTORC1 signaling differentially by forming hydrogen bonds with different binding sites of CMKLR1. In conclusion, our study showed that RvE1 and chemerin affected metabolic homeostasis differentially, suggesting that selectively modulating CMKLR1 may be a potential therapeutic target for restoring metabolic homeostasis.

The First Identification of Homomorphic XY Sex Chromosomes by Integrating Cytogenetic and Transcriptomic Approaches in Plestiodon elegans (Scincidae).

The sex chromosomes of skinks are usually poorly differentiated and hardly distinguished by cytogenetic methods. Therefore, identifying sex chromosomes in species lacking easily recognizable heteromorphic sex chromosomes is necessary to fully understand sex chromosome diversity. In this paper, we employed cytogenetics, sex quantification of genes, and transcriptomic approaches to characterize the sex chromosomes in Plestiodon elegans. Cytogenetic examination of metaphases revealed a diploid number of 2n = 26, consisting of 12 macrochromosomes and 14 microchromosomes, with no significant heteromorphic chromosome pairs, speculating that the sex chromosomes may be homomorphic or poorly differentiated. The results of the sex quantification of genes showed that Calumenin (calu), COPI coat complex subunit γ 2 (copg2), and Smoothened (smo) were at half the dose in males as in females, suggesting that they are on the X chromosome. Transcriptomic data analysis from the gonads yielded the excess expression male-specific genes (n = 16), in which five PCR molecular markers were developed. Restricting the observed heterozygosity to males suggests the presence of homomorphic sex chromosomes in P. elegans, XX/XY. This is the first breakthrough in the study of the sex chromosomes of Plestiodon.

Aerobic exercise suppresses CCN2 secretion from senescent muscle stem cells and boosts muscle regeneration in aged mice.

BACKGROUND: Aging negatively impacts tissue repair, particularly in skeletal muscle, where the regenerative capacity of muscle stem cells (MuSCs) diminishes with age. Although aerobic exercise is known to attenuate skeletal muscle atrophy, its specific impact on the regenerative and repair capacity of MuSCs remains unclear. METHODS: Mice underwent moderate-intensity continuous training (MICT) from 9 months (aged + Ex-9M) or 20 months (aged + Ex-20M) to 25 months, with age-matched (aged) and adult controls. Histological examinations and MuSC transplantation assays assessed aerobic exercise effects on MuSC function and muscle regeneration. CCN2/connective tissue growth factor modulation (overexpression and knockdown) in MuSCs and AICAR supplementation effects were explored. RESULTS: Aged mice displayed significantly reduced running duration (65.33 ± 4.32 vs. 161.9 ± 1.29 min, mean ± SD, P < 0.001) and distance (659.17 ± 103.64 vs. 3058.28 ± 46.26 m, P < 0.001) compared with adults. This reduction was accompanied by skeletal muscle weight loss and decreased myofiber cross-sectional area (CSA). However, MICT initiated at 9 or 20 months led to a marked increase in running duration (142.75 ± 3.14 and 133.86 ± 20.47 min, respectively, P < 0.001 compared with aged mice) and distance (2347.58 ± 145.11 and 2263 ± 643.87 m, respectively, P < 0.001). Additionally, MICT resulted in increased skeletal muscle weight and enhanced CSA. In a muscle injury model, aged mice exhibited fewer central nuclear fibres (CNFs; 266.35 ± 68.66/mm2), while adult, aged + Ex-9M and aged + Ex-20M groups showed significantly higher CNF counts (610.82 ± 46.76, 513.42 ± 47.19 and 548.29 ± 71.82/mm2, respectively; P < 0.001 compared with aged mice). MuSCs isolated from aged mice displayed increased CCN2 expression, which was effectively suppressed by MICT. Transplantation of MuSCs overexpressing CCN2 (Lenti-CCN2, Lenti-CON as control) into injured tibialis anterior muscle compromised regeneration capacity, resulting in significantly fewer CNFs in the Lenti-CCN2 group compared with Lenti-CON (488.07 ± 27.63 vs. 173.99 ± 14.28/mm2, P < 0.001) at 7 days post-injury (dpi). Conversely, knockdown of CCN2 (Lenti-CCN2shR, Lenti-NegsiR as control) in aged MuSCs improved regeneration capacity, significantly increasing the CNF count from 254.5 ± 26.36 to 560.39 ± 48.71/mm2. Lenti-CCN2 MuSCs also increased fibroblast proliferation and exacerbated skeletal muscle fibrosis, while knockdown of CCN2 in aged MuSCs mitigated this pattern. AICAR supplementation, mimicking exercise, replicated the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise by mitigating muscle weight decline, enhancing satellite cell activity and reducing fibrosis. CONCLUSIONS: Aerobic exercise effectively reverses the decline in endurance capacity and mitigates muscle atrophy in aged mice. It inhibits CCN2 secretion from senescent MuSCs, thereby enhancing skeletal muscle regeneration and preventing fibrosis in aged mice. AICAR supplementation mimics the beneficial effects of aerobic exercise.

EDIL3/Del-1 prevents aortic dissection through enhancing internalization and degradation of apoptotic vascular smooth muscle cells.

Thoracic aortic dissection (TAD) is a severe disease, characterized by numerous apoptotic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs). EDIL3/Del-1 is a secreted protein involved in macrophage efferocytosis in acute inflammation. Here, we aimed to investigate whether EDIL3 promoted the internalization and degradation of apoptotic VSMCs during TAD. The levels of EDIL3 were decreased in the serum and aortic tissue from TAD mice. Global edil3 knockout (edil3-/-) mice and edil3-/- bone marrow chimeric mice exhibited a considerable exacerbation in ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate (BAPN)-induced TAD, accompanied with increased apoptotic VSMCs accumulating in the damaged aortic tissue. Two types of phagocytes, RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDMs) were used for in vitro efferocytosis assay. edil3-deficient phagocytes exhibited inefficient internalization and degradation of apoptotic VSMCs. Instead, EDIL3 promoted the internalization phase through interacting with phosphatidylserine (PtdSer) on apoptotic VSMCs and binding to the macrophage ITGAV/αv-ITGB3/ß3 integrin. In addition, EDIL3 accelerated the degradation phase through activating LC3-associated phagocytosis (LAP). Mechanically, following the engulfment, EDIL3 enhanced the activity of SMPD1/acid sphingomyelinase in the phagosome through blocking ITGAV-ITGB3 integrin, which facilitates phagosomal reactive oxygen species (ROS) production by NAPDH oxidase CYBB/NOX2. Furthermore, exogenous EDIL3 supplementation alleviated BAPN-induced TAD and promoted apoptotic cell clearance. EDIL3 may be a novel factor for the prevention and treatment of TAD.Abbreviations: BAPN: ß-aminopropionitrile monofumarate; BMDM: bone marrow-derived macrophage; C12FDG: 5-dodecanoylaminofluorescein-di-ß-D-galactopyranoside; CTRL: control; CYBB/NOX2: cytochrome b-245, beta polypeptide; DCFH-DA: 2',7'-dichlorofluorescin diacetate; EDIL3/Del-1: EGF-like repeats and discoidin I-like domains 3; EdU: 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine; EVG: elastic van Gieson; H&E: hematoxylin and eosin; IL: interleukin; LAP: LC3-associated phagocytosis; MAP1LC3/LC3: microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3; NAC: N-acetylcysteine; PtdSer: phosphatidylserine; rEDIL3: recombinant EDIL3; ROS: reactive oxygen species; SMPD1: sphingomyelin phosphodiesterase 1; TAD: thoracic aortic dissection; TEM: transmission electron microscopy; VSMC: vascular smooth muscle cell; WT: wild-type.

Anti-Xa Activity Test Is Needed but Is Not Enough for Monitoring Fondaparinux Therapy Among Critically Ill Patients.

CONTEXT.­: Fondaparinux monitoring is not required among noncritically ill patients due to a predictable dose-response effect. However, this is debatable among critically ill patients, because fondaparinux bioavailability can be influenced by complicated medical conditions. OBJECTIVE.­: To investigate fondaparinux monitoring among the critically ill. DESIGN.­: Retrospective analysis of patients admitted in intensive care unit from February 2021 to December 2021, who received prophylactic fondaparinux and had anti-Xa activity tests. RESULTS.­: Of 156 anti-Xa values, 86 (55.1%) were within 0.10-0.50 µg/mL (the recommended prophylactic range), 38 (24.4%) were less than 0.10 µg/mL, 32 (20.5%) were greater than 0.50 µg/mL, demonstrating an unpredictable dose-response effect. Among 70 patients, thrombotic tendency was controlled in 32 (45.7%), thrombosis progressed in 22 (31.4%), bleeding events occurred in 16 (22.9%). Patients with progressed thrombosis had 17 of 54 (31.5%) anti-Xa less than 0.10 µg/mL, even though this proportion was greater than that of patients with controlled thrombotic tendency (11 of 72, 15.3%), it was similar to that of patients with bleeding (10 of 30, 33.3%), indicating a weak practicability of anti-Xa for monitoring fondaparinux efficacy. Thrombin-antithrombin complex showed a gradual decline among patients with controlled thrombotic tendency, but a bounce-back effect among patients with progressed thrombosis. Thrombelastography R value above the upper reference value occurred more frequently among patients with bleeding (4 of 6, 66.7%) compared to patients without bleeding (4 of 22, 18.2%) (P = .01). CONCLUSIONS.­: The fondaparinux dose-response effect was unpredictable among the critically ill; anti-Xa activity combined with thrombin-antithrombin complex and thrombelastography can be helpful to guide a precise fondaparinux therapy in this population.

Resolution of inflammation, an active process to restore the immune microenvironment balance: A novel drug target for treating arterial hypertension.

The resolution of inflammation, the other side of the inflammatory response, is defined as an active and highly coordinated process that promotes the restoration of immune microenvironment balance and tissue repair. Inflammation resolution involves several key processes, including dampening proinflammatory signaling, specialized proresolving lipid mediator (SPM) production, nonlipid proresolving mediator production, efferocytosis and regulatory T-cell (Treg) induction. In recent years, increasing attention has been given to the effects of inflammation resolution on hypertension. Furthermore, our previous studies reported the antihypertensive effects of SPMs. Therefore, in this review, we aim to summarize and discuss the detailed association between arterial hypertension and inflammation resolution. Additional, the association between gut microbe-mediated immune and hypertension is discussed. This findings suggested that accelerating the resolution of inflammation can have beneficial effects on hypertension and its related organ damage. Exploring novel drug targets by focusing on various pathways involved in accelerating inflammation resolution will contribute to the treatment and control of hypertensive diseases in the future.

Achieving pure room temperature phosphorescence (RTP) in phenoselenazine-based organic emitters through synergism among heavy atom effect, enhanced n → π* transitions and magnified electron coupling by the A-D-A molecular configuration.

The weak spin-orbit coupling (SOC) in metal-free organic molecules poses a challenge in achieving phosphorescence emission. To attain pure phosphorescence in RTP organic emitters, a promising molecular design concept has been proposed. This involves incorporating n → π* transitions and leveraging the heavy atomic effect within the spin-orbit charge transfer-induced intersystem crossing (SOCT-ISC) mechanism of bipolar molecules. Following this design concept, two bipolar metal-free organic molecules (PhSeB and PhSeDB) with donor-acceptor (D-A) and acceptor-donor-acceptor (A-D-A) configurations have been synthesized. When the molecular configuration changes from D-A to A-D-A, PhSeDB exhibits stronger electron coupling and n → π* transitions, which can further enhance the spin-orbit coupling (SOC) together with the heave atom effect from the selenium atom. By the advanced synergism among enhanced n → π* transitions, heavy atom effect and magnified electron coupling to efficiently promote phosphorescence emission, PhSeDB can achieve pure RTP emission in both the solution and doped solid film. Thanks to the higher spin-orbit coupling matrix elements (SOCMEs) for T1 ↔ S0, PhSeDB attains the highest phosphorescence quantum yield (ca. 0.78) among all the RTP organic emitters reported. Consequently, the purely organic phosphorescent light-emitting diodes (POPLEDs) based on PhSeDB achieve the highest external quantum efficiencies of 18.2% and luminance of 3000 cd m-2. These encouraging results underscore the significant potential of this innovative molecular design concept for highly efficient POPLEDs.

Functional insights of digestion, absorption, and immunity in different segments of the intestine in Hemibarbus labeo from transcriptomic analysis.

The intestine is an important organ for food digestion and absorption and body immunity in fish. In this study, we investigated the abundance of transcripts from different segments of the intestinal tract using transcriptome sequencing technology in Hemibarbus labeo, to provide functional insights into digestion, absorption, and immunity in the anterior intestine (AI), middle intestine (MI), and posterior intestine (PI). We found 5646 differentially expressed genes (DEGs), which were significantly enriched to GO terms of carbohydrate metabolic process, transmembrane transport, iron ion binding, lipid metabolic process, and KEGG pathway of fat digestion and absorption, mineral absorption, protein digestion and absorption, vitamin digestion and absorption, indicating that the digestion and absorption function of food is different in AI, MI, and PI. In practice, most genes, enriched in the KEGG pathway for digestion and absorption of nutrients, are upregulated in AI and MI, indicating stronger roles for food digestion and absorption in these segments. Furthermore, we found that genes involved in the KEGG pathway of lysosome and endocytosis pathway are upregulated in PI, suggesting stronger antigen-presenting capabilities in PI. However, some cytokine receptor genes, including ccr4, cxcr2, tnfrsf9, il6r, csf3r, and cxcr4, are highly expressed in AI, reflecting the regional immune specialization in different segments. This study provides functional insights into digestion, absorption, and immunity in different segments of the intestine and supports the regional functional specialization within different segments of the intestine in H. labeo.

A Bibliometric Analysis of the Spatial Transcriptomics Literature from 2006 to 2023.

In recent years, spatial transcriptomics (ST) research has become a popular field of study and has shown great potential in medicine. However, there are few bibliometric analyses in this field. Thus, in this study, we aimed to find and analyze the frontiers and trends of this medical research field based on the available literature. A computerized search was applied to the WoSCC (Web of Science Core Collection) Database for literature published from 2006 to 2023. Complete records of all literature and cited references were extracted and screened. The bibliometric analysis and visualization were performed using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, Bibliometrix R Package software, and Scimago Graphica. A total of 1467 papers and reviews were included. The analysis revealed that the ST publication and citation results have shown a rapid upward trend over the last 3 years. Nature Communications and Nature were the most productive and most co-cited journals, respectively. In the comprehensive global collaborative network, the United States is the country with the most organizations and publications, followed closely by China and the United Kingdom. The author Joakim Lundeberg published the most cited paper, while Patrik L. Ståhl ranked first among co-cited authors. The hot topics in ST are tissue recognition, cancer, heterogeneity, immunotherapy, differentiation, and models. ST technologies have greatly contributed to in-depth research in medical fields such as oncology and neuroscience, opening up new possibilities for the diagnosis and treatment of diseases. Moreover, artificial intelligence and big data drive additional development in ST fields.

Gut dysbiosis contributes to SCFAs reduction-associated adipose tissue macrophage polarization in gestational diabetes mellitus.

AIMS: The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has spurred investigations into various interconnected factors, among which gut dysbiosis is notably prominent. Although gut dysbiosis is strongly associated with GDM, the specific role of the gut microbiome in the pathogenesis of GDM remains unknown. This study aims to explore the pathogenesis of GDM from gut microbiota. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our study, we constructed two GDM mice models: one induced by a high-fat diet (HFD) and the other through fecal microbiota transplantation (FMT) from GDM patients. In vitro, we used a co-culture system of RAW264.7 and 3T3-L1 adipocytes. KEY FINDINGS: We induced a GDM-like state in pregnant mice by FMT from GDM patients, which was consistent with the HFD model. A potential mechanism identified involves the diminished abundance of SCFA-producing microbiota, which reduces SCFAs, particularly propionic acid and butyric acid. In vitro, butyric and propionic acids were observed to alleviate LPS-induced TLR4-NF-κB activation, thereby reducing inflammation levels and inhibiting adipose insulin resistance via the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway. This reduction appears to trigger the polarization of adipose tissue macrophages toward M1 and promote insulin resistance in adipose tissue. SIGNIFICANCE: Our study fills this knowledge gap by finding that alterations in gut microbiota have an independent impact on hyperglycemia and insulin resistance in the GDM state. In vivo and in vitro, gut dysbiosis is linked to adipose tissue inflammation and insulin resistance via the bacterial product SCFAs in the GDM state, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of GDM.

Nardosinone relieves metabolic-associated fatty liver disease and promotes energy metabolism through targeting CYP2D6.

BACKGROUND: Nardosinone, a major extract of Rhizoma nardostachyos, plays a vital role in sedation, neural stem cell proliferation, and protection of the heart muscle. However, the huge potential of nardosinone in regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota has not been reported, and its potential mechanism has not been studied. PURPOSE: To explore the regulation of nardosinone on liver lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. METHODS: In this study, the role of nardosinone in lipid metabolism was investigated in vitro and in vivo by adding it to mouse feed and HepG2 cell culture medium. And 16S rRNA gene sequencing was used to explore its regulatory effect on gut microbiota. RESULTS: Results showed that nardosinone could improve HFD-induced liver injury and abnormal lipid metabolism by promoting mitochondrial energy metabolism in hepatocytes, alleviating oxidative stress damage, and regulating the composition of the gut microbiota. Mechanistically, combined with network pharmacology and reverse docking analysis, it was predicted that CYP2D6 was the target of nardosinone, and the binding was verified by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA). CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights a novel mechanism function of nardosinone in regulating lipid metabolism and gut microbiota. It also predicts and validates CYP2D6 as a previously unknown regulatory target, which provides new possibilities for the application of nardosinone and the treatment of metabolic-associated fatty liver disease.

Engineering Carbon Nanotube Yarns with Polyaniline Coating toward Enhanced Thermoelectric Performance.

The growing demand for wearable electronics has driven the development of flexible thermoelectric (TE) generators which can harvest waste body heat as a renewable power source. Despite carbon nanotube (CNT) yarns have attracted significant attention as a promising candidate for TE materials, challenges still exist in improving their TE efficiency for commercial applications. Herein, we developed high performance CNT/polyaniline (PANI) yarns by engineering the coating of polyaniline emeraldine base (PANIeb), in which CNT yarns were firstly coated by PANIeb layer and further doped by HCl vapor treatment. With the incorporation of PANIeb, σ and S were simultaneously increased to 1796 S cm-1 and 74.8 µV K-1 for CNT/PANIeb 4-2d fibers, respectively. Further HCl vapor treatment induced greatly increased σ to 3194 S cm-1, but maintained be 83 % value before doping, giving rise to the highest power factor of 1224 µW m-1K-2, higher than pristine CNT yarns of 576 µW m-1K-2. Combining outstanding high TE performance and bending durability, a flexible TE generator was constructed to deliver high out power of 187 nW with temperature gradients of about 30 K. These results demonstrate the potential promise of high-performance CNT/PANI-HCl yarns to harvest waste body heat for sustainable power supply.