Exploring near-infrared autofluorescence properties in parathyroid tissue: an analysis of fresh and paraffin-embedded thyroidectomy specimens.

Significance: Near-infrared autofluorescence (NIRAF) utilizes the natural autofluorescence of parathyroid glands (PGs) to improve their identification during thyroid surgeries, reducing the risk of inadvertent removal and subsequent complications such as hypoparathyroidism. This study evaluates NIRAF's effectiveness in real-world surgical settings, highlighting its potential to enhance surgical outcomes and patient safety. Aim: We evaluate the effectiveness of NIRAF in detecting PGs during thyroidectomy and central neck dissection and investigate autofluorescence characteristics in both fresh and paraffin-embedded tissues. Approach: We included 101 patients diagnosed with papillary thyroid cancer who underwent surgeries in 2022 and 2023. We assessed NIRAF's ability to locate PGs, confirmed via parathyroid hormone assays, and involved both junior and senior surgeons. We measured the accuracy, speed, and agreement levels of each method and analyzed autofluorescence persistence and variation over 10 years, alongside the expression of calcium-sensing receptor (CaSR) and vitamin D. Results: NIRAF demonstrated a sensitivity of 89.5% and a negative predictive value of 89.1%. However, its specificity and positive predictive value (PPV) were 61.2% and 62.3%, respectively, which are considered lower. The kappa statistic indicated moderate to substantial agreement (kappa = 0.478; P < 0.001 ). Senior surgeons achieved high specificity (86.2%) and PPV (85.3%), with substantial agreement (kappa = 0.847; P < 0.001 ). In contrast, junior surgeons displayed the lowest kappa statistic among the groups, indicating minimal agreement (kappa = 0.381; P < 0.001 ). Common errors in NIRAF included interference from brown fat and eschar. In addition, paraffin-embedded samples retained stable autofluorescence over 10 years, showing no significant correlation with CaSR and vitamin D levels. Conclusions: NIRAF is useful for PG identification in thyroid and neck surgeries, enhancing efficiency and reducing inadvertent PG removals. The stability of autofluorescence in paraffin samples suggests its long-term viability, with false positives providing insights for further improvements in NIRAF technology.

Positive 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid followed by poppy-induced delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy: A case report.

Background: Delayed post-hypoxic leukoencephalopathy (DPHL) is characterized by a biphasic clinical course, with complete recovery from coma to a fully conscious state lasting one to four weeks (lucid interval), followed by abrupt neurological deterioration as an indirect consequence of hypoxic events like carbon monoxide poisoning and narcotic drug overdose. To our best knowledge, there are no documented cases in literature of choreoathetosis and dementia following poppy-induced DPHL with 14-3-3 protein in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Case presentation: We report the case of a 70-year-old female who underwent cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) due to overdose of homemade refined opium poppy paste two weeks prior to presentation. She presented a progressive cognitive decline, along with the development of apraxia and choreic movement affecting her tongue and bilateral upper and lower extremities. During the symptomatic phase, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed bilateral symmetrical hyperintense signals mostly in central frontal, temporal, and parieto-occipital lobes in the diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and fluid-attenuated inversion recovery (FLAIR) sequences which are the characteristic findings of DPHL. CSF routine analysis, as well as toxicology screening, autoimmune and paraneoplastic encephalitis panels were negative, but the presence of 14-3-3 protein in the CSF was detected. With steroid therapy, hyperbaric oxygen therapy and symptomatic treatment, she experienced gradual improvement in cognition, motivation, and psychomotor function. Conclusion: DPHL represents a distinct form of encephalopathy characterized by unique clinical course and imaging features. It is the first report of DPHL with positive 14-3-3 protein in CSF. The potential of 14-3-3 protein as a biomarker for diagnosing DPHL and its ability to predict disease severity and prognosis warrants further research.

Application of MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry for identification of Nocardia species.

BACKGROUND: Nocardiosis, despite its rarity and underreporting, is significant due to its severe impact, characterized by high morbidity and mortality rates. The development of a precise, reliable, rapid, and straightforward technique for identifying the pathogenic agent in clinical specimens is crucial to reduce fatality rates and facilitate timely antimicrobial treatment. In this study, we aimed to identify Nocardia spp. in clinical isolates, using MALDI-TOF MS as the primary method, with molecular methods as the gold standard. Clinical Nocardia isolates were identified using 16S rRNA/hsp65/gyrB/secA1/rpoB gene sequencing. Identification performance of the Bruker MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) and MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) for Nocardia identification was evaluated. RESULTS: Seventy-six Nocardia isolates were classified into 12 species through gene sequencing. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) achieved 100% genus-level accuracy and 84.2% species accuracy (64/76). The MBT Compass 4.1 with the BDAL Database (V11.0.0.0_10833) improved species identification to 98.7% (75/76). The updated database enhanced species level identification with scores > 1.7, increasing from 77.6% (59/76) to 94.7% (72/76), a significant improvement (P = 0.001). The new and simplified extraction increased the proportion of strains identified to the species level with scores > 1.7 from 62.0% (18/29) to 86.2% (25/29) (P = 0.016). An in-house library construction ensured accurate species identification for all isolates. CONCLUSIONS: The Bruker mass spectrometer can accurately identify Nocardia species, albeit with some variations observed between different database versions. The MALDI Biotyper 3.1 (V09.0.0.0_8468) has limitations in identifying Nocardia brasiliensis, with some strains only identifiable to the genus level. MBT Compass 4.1 (V11.0.0.0_10833) effectively addresses this shortfall, improving species identification accuracy to 98.7%, and offering quick and reliable identification of Nocardia. Both database versions incorrectly identified the clinically less common Nocardia sputorum as Nocardia araoensis. For laboratories that have not upgraded their databases and are unable to achieve satisfactory identification results for Nocardia, employing the new and simplified extraction method can provide a degree of improvement in identification outcomes.

Outdoor light at night is a modifiable environmental factor for metabolic syndrome: The 33 Communities Chinese Health Study (33CCHS).

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a significant public health problem and presents an escalating clinical challenge globally. To combat this problem effectively, urgent measures including identify some modifiable environmental factors are necessary. Outdoor artificial light at night (LAN) exposure garnered much attention due to its impact on circadian rhythms and metabolic process. However, epidemiological evidence on the association between outdoor LAN exposure and MetS remains limited. To determine the relationship between outdoor LAN exposure and MetS, 15,477 adults participated the 33 Communities Chinese Health Study (33CCHS) in 2009 were evaluated. Annual levels of outdoor LAN exposure at participants' residential addresses were assessed using satellite data from the Defense Meteorological Satellite Program (DMSP) Operational Linescan System (OLS). Generalized linear mixed effect models were utilized to assess the association of LAN exposure with MetS and its components, including elevated waist circumference (WC), triglycerides (TG), blood pressure (BP), fasting blood glucose (FBG), and reduced high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C). Effect modification by various social demographic and behavior factors was also examined. Overall, 4701 (30.37 %) participants were defined as MetS. The LAN exposure ranged from 6.03 to 175.00 nW/cm2/sr. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) of MetS each quartile increment of LAN exposure were 1.43 (95 % CI: 1.21-1.69), 1.44 (95 % CI: 1.19-1.74) and 1.52 (95 % CI: 1.11-2.08), respectively from Q2-Q4. Similar adverse associations were also found for the components of MetS, especially for elevated BP, TG and FBG. Interaction analyses indicated that the above associations were stronger in participants without habitual exercise compared with those with habitual exercise (e.g. OR were 1.52 [95 % CI: 1.28-1.82] vs. 1.27 [95 % CI, 1.04-1.55], P-interaction = 0.042 for MetS). These findings suggest that long-term exposure to LAN can have a significant deleterious effect on MetS, potentially making LAN an important modifiable environmental factor to target in future preventive strategies.

Two 2D spin-crossover coordination polymers constructed by [Pd(SCN)4]2- building blocks.

Two new two-dimensional (2D) coordination polymers, [FeII(L)2{PdII(SCN)4}] (L1 = 2-methoxypyrazine, 1; and L2 = (E)-3-(phenyldiazenyl)pyridine, 2), were successfully constructed by using square-planar [Pd(SCN)4]2- building blocks. Complex 1 exhibits complete and one-step spin-crossover (SCO) behavior, while 2 exhibits incomplete and two-step SCO behavior. Further structural insight into this synergy reveals that the flat/flexing [Fe{Pd(SCN)4}]∞ sheets in 1 and 2 are stabilized by interlayered/intralayered supramolecular interactions.

Endoscopic ultrasound-guided biliary drainage using electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stent for malignant biliary obstruction: A promising procedure.

In this editorial, we comment on the article by Peng et al. Palliative drainage for biliary obstruction resulting from unresectable malignant lesions includes internal and external drainage. The procedures of biliary drainage are usually guided by fluoroscopy or transcutaneous ultrasound, endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), or both. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP) has been primarily recommended for the management of biliary obstruction, while EUS-guided biliary drainage and percutaneous transhepatic biliary drainage (PTBD) are alternative choices for cases where ERCP has failed or is impossible. PTBD is limited by shortcomings of a higher rate of adverse events, more reinterventions, and severe complications. EUS-guided biliary drainage has a lower rate of adverse events than PTBD. EUS-guided biliary drainage with electrocautery-enhanced lumen-apposing metal stent (ECE-LAMS) enables EUS-guided biliary-enteric anastomosis to be performed in a single step and does not require prior bile duct puncture or a guidewire. The present meta-analysis showed that ECE-LAMS has a high efficacy and safety in relieving biliary obstruction in general, although the results of LAMS depending on the site of biliary obstruction. This study has highlighted the latest advances with a larger sample-based comprehensive analysis.

Ratiometric Imaging Detection of Amyloid-ß Fibrils by a Dual-Emissive Tris-Heteroleptic Ruthenium Complex.

Two dual fluorescent/phosphorescent tris-heteroleptic mononuclear Ru(ΙΙ) complexes (2 and 3) were designed and applied in amyloid-ß (Aß) sensing. These complexes have a general formula of [Ru(phen)(dppz)(L)](PF6)2, where L is (2-pyrazinyl)(2-pyridyl)(methyl)amine (H-L) with different substituents (-OMe for 2, -H for 3), phen is 1,10-phenanthroline, and dppz is dipyridophenazine, respectively. Compared with the previously reported ratiometric probe 1 with a di(pyrid-2-yl)(methyl)amine ligand, complex 2 can be employed for not only ratiometric emissive detection of Aß aggregation but also ratiometric imaging detection of Aß fibrils. In ratiometric emissive detection, as the incubation time of the Aß sample (Aß40 and Aß42) was prolonged, a new phosphorescence emission band appeared with gradual enhancement of the emission intensity, while the fluorescence emission was basically unchanged, which could be treated as an intrinsic internal reference signal. In comparison, a larger ratiometric photoluminescence enhancement (I640/I440) was observed for Aß40 aggregation with respect to Aß42. In ratiometric imaging detection, the imaging signals obtained from the phosphorescence emission are much brighter than the fluorescence emission in both Aß40 and Aß42 fibrils. As indicated by molecular docking results, stronger interactions were found between complex 2 with Aß40 fibrils, which included π/π, π/C-H, and π/H interactions between bidentate ligands dppz and phen with amino acid residues. Moreover, computational calculations were carried out to assist the interpretation of these experimental findings.

Extracellular Vesicle-Packaged ACSL4 Induces Hepatocyte Senescence to Promote Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from cancer cells are crucial mediators of intercellular communication during tumor progression. The cargo in tumor-derived EVs that facilitates the establishment of a tumor-supportive microenvironment could serve as a therapeutic target to improve cancer treatment. Here, we demonstrated that hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells secreted the acyl-CoA synthetase ACSL4 in large extracellular vesicles (lEVs) to modulate tumor-microenvironment interactions that promote HCC progression. HCC-derived lEV ACSL4 increased the intracellular abundance of polyunsaturated fatty acid-containing lipids and remodeled the lipid profile to potentiate lipid peroxidation in peritumoral hepatocytes, resulting in hepatocyte senescence accompanied by the senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP). Depletion of senescent hepatocytes by senolytic treatment suppressed tumor progression. In HCC cells, SREBP2-mediated transcriptional activation upregulated ACSL4 expression, and Akt-mediated phosphorylation of ACSL4 induced its packaging into lEVs by augmenting its interaction with Annexin A2. This study identified the critical regulatory function of ACSL4 secreted from HCC cells in inducing lipid remodeling and senescence in hepatocytes to support HCC progression, suggesting that targeting lEV ACSL4 is a potential therapeutic strategy for HCC.

Hierarchical Branched TiO2 Photo/Photoelectrocatalyst with Directed Charge Transfer for Efficient Hydrogen Production from Seawater.

The directed electron transport channel design in semiconductors, which could promote charge utilization, is attractive but rarely reported. Hierarchical branched titanium dioxide (HB-TiO2), possessing a charge cascade transfer channel, was constructed by assembling titanium-defected TiO2 nanobranches on oxygen-defected TiO2 nanobelts. The interfacial Ti/O vacancies have been detected by X-ray photoelectron and electron paramagnetic resonance spectroscopies, and the vacancies act as the "bridge" of photogenerated carrier transport. This structure maintained high photoactivity in H2 production in different mass fractions of NaCl solutions. The photocurrent density of the HB-TiO2 photoanode in natural seawater is 3.9, 2.1, and 2.6 times that of oxygen-defected TiO2 nanobelts, titanium-defected TiO2 nanobranches, and their mixture, respectively. Besides, the charge transport mechanism from the inner lattice to the TiO2 surface is proposed.

Prognostic factors of patients with human epidermal growth factor receptor 2-positive breast cancer following neoadjuvant therapy: Development and validation of a predictive nomogram.

OBJECTIVE: Human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-positive breast cancer exhibits an aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. The application of neoadjuvant therapy (NAT) in patients with breast cancer can significantly reduce the risks of disease recurrence and improve survival. By integrating different clinicopathological factors, nomograms are valuable tools for prognosis prediction. This study aimed to assess the prognostic value of clinicopathological factors in patients with HER2-positive breast cancer and construct a nomogram for outcome prediction. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinicopathological data from 374 patients with breast cancer admitted to the Fourth Hospital of Hebei Medical University between January 2009 and December 2017, who were diagnosed with invasive breast cancer through preoperative core needle biopsy pathology, underwent surgical resection after NAT, and were HER2-positive. Patients were randomly divided into a training and validation set at a ratio of 7:3. Univariate and multivariate survival analyses were performed using Kaplan-Meier and Cox proportional hazards regression models. Results of the multivariate analysis were used to create nomograms predicting 3-, 5-, and 8-year overall survival (OS) rates. Calibration curves were plotted to test concordance between the predicted and actual risks. Harrell C-index and time-dependent receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were used to evaluate the discriminability of the nomogram prediction model. RESULTS: All included patients were women, with a mean age of 50 ± 10.4 years (range: 26-72 years). In the training set, both univariate and multivariate analyses identified residual cancer burden (RCB) class, tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes(TILs), and clinical stage as independent prognostic factors for OS, and these factors were combined to construct a nomogram. The calibration curves demonstrated good concordance between the predicted and actual risks, and the C-index of the nomogram was 0.882 (95 % CI 0.863-0.901). The 3-, 5-, and 8-year areas under the ROC curve (AUCs) were 0.909, 0.893, and 0.918, respectively, indicating good accuracy of the nomogram. The calibration curves also demonstrated good concordance in the validation set, with a C-index of 0.850 (95 % CI 0.804-0.896) and 3-, 5-, and 8-year AUCs of 0.909, 0.815, and 0.834, respectively, which also indicated good accuracy. CONCLUSION: The nomogram prediction model accurately predicted the prognostic status of post-NAT patients with breast cancer and was more accurate than clinical stage and RCB class. Therefore, it can serve as a reliable guide for selecting clinical treatment measures for breast cancer.

Superconductivity under pressure in a chromium-based kagome metal.

Superconductivity in a highly correlated kagome system has been theoretically proposed for years (refs. 1-5), yet the experimental realization is hard to achieve6,7. The recently discovered vanadium-based kagome materials8, which exhibit both superconductivity9-11 and charge-density-wave orders12-14, are nonmagnetic8,9 and weakly correlated15,16. Thus these materials are unlikely to host the exotic superconductivity theoretically proposed. Here we report the discovery of a chromium-based kagome metal, CsCr3Sb5, which is contrastingly featured with strong electron correlations, frustrated magnetism and characteristic flat bands close to the Fermi level. Under ambient pressure, this kagome metal undergoes a concurrent structural and magnetic phase transition at 55 K, with a stripe-like 4a0 structural modulation. At high pressure, the phase transition evolves into two transitions, possibly associated with charge-density-wave and antiferromagnetic spin-density-wave orderings. These density-wave-like orders are gradually suppressed with pressure and, remarkably, a superconducting dome emerges at 3.65-8.0 GPa. The maximum of the superconducting transition temperature, Tcmax = 6.4 K, appears when the density-wave-like orders are completely suppressed at 4.2 GPa, and the normal state exhibits a non-Fermi-liquid behaviour, reminiscent of unconventional superconductivity and quantum criticality in iron-based superconductors17,18. Our work offers an unprecedented platform for investigating superconductivity in correlated kagome systems.

Nonlinear dynamics of multi-omics profiles during human aging.

Aging is a complex process associated with nearly all diseases. Understanding the molecular changes underlying aging and identifying therapeutic targets for aging-related diseases are crucial for increasing healthspan. Although many studies have explored linear changes during aging, the prevalence of aging-related diseases and mortality risk accelerates after specific time points, indicating the importance of studying nonlinear molecular changes. In this study, we performed comprehensive multi-omics profiling on a longitudinal human cohort of 108 participants, aged between 25 years and 75 years. The participants resided in California, United States, and were tracked for a median period of 1.7 years, with a maximum follow-up duration of 6.8 years. The analysis revealed consistent nonlinear patterns in molecular markers of aging, with substantial dysregulation occurring at two major periods occurring at approximately 44 years and 60 years of chronological age. Distinct molecules and functional pathways associated with these periods were also identified, such as immune regulation and carbohydrate metabolism that shifted during the 60-year transition and cardiovascular disease, lipid and alcohol metabolism changes at the 40-year transition. Overall, this research demonstrates that functions and risks of aging-related diseases change nonlinearly across the human lifespan and provides insights into the molecular and biological pathways involved in these changes.

[Assessment and Source Analysis of Heavy Metal Pollution in Farmland Soil Around Tin Mine].

Studying the status and source analysis of heavy metal pollution in farmland in typical mining and processing areas is an important prerequisite for promoting farmland soil ecological restoration and farmland protection in concentrated mining areas. In this study, the heavy metal content of farmland soil around a mining area in southwest China was detected, and the pollution status, distribution law, health risks, and sources of heavy metals were studied by using the land accumulation index method, comprehensive pollution index method, kriging interpolation method, health risk assessment method, and PMF receptor model on the sampling data. The results showed that the mean values of eight heavy metals in farmland soil except Ni exceeded the local soil background values, and the results of the ground accumulation index evaluation showed that Cd and Hg were extremely polluted； Pb and As showed medium pollution-heavy pollution； and Cr, Zn, Ni, and Cu were lightly polluted. In the health risk assessment, oral ingestion was the main exposure route posing a health risk to the human body； the main element that constituted non-carcinogenic health risks was As, and the carcinogenic risks were from As and Cd. PMF model analysis showed that the contribution rate of weathering natural sources of iron-bearing ore was 28.02%, and the main factors were Ca and Fe. The contribution rate of agricultural sources was 3.02%, and the main factors were Pb and As. The contribution rate of industrial and atmospheric deposition composite sources was 33.09%, and the main factor was Hg. The contribution rate of the parent material source was 17.27%, and the main factor was Ca. The contribution rate of mining activities such as mining and smelting was 18.60%, and the main factors were Zn and Cd.

EviD-GAN: Improving GAN With an Infinite Set of Discriminators at Negligible Cost.

Ensemble learning improves the capability of convolutional neural network (CNN)-based discriminators, whose performance is crucial to the quality of generated samples in generative adversarial network (GAN). However, this learning strategy results in a significant increase in the number of parameters along with computational overhead. Meanwhile, the suitable number of discriminators required to enhance GAN performance is still being investigated. To mitigate these issues, we propose an evidential discriminator for GAN (EviD-GAN)-code is available at https://github.com/Tohokantche/EviD-GAN-to learn both the model (epistemic) and data (aleatoric) uncertainties. Specifically, by analyzing three GAN models, the relation between the distribution of discriminator's output and the generator performance has been discovered yielding a general formulation of GAN framework. With the above analysis, the evidential discriminator learns the degree of aleatoric and epistemic uncertainties via imposing a higher order distribution constraint over the likelihood as expressed in the discriminator's output. This constraint can learn an ensemble of likelihood functions corresponding to an infinite set of discriminators. Thus, EviD-GAN aggregates knowledge through the ensemble learning of discriminator that allows the generator to benefit from an informative gradient flow at a negligible computational cost. Furthermore, inspired by the gradient direction in maximum mean discrepancy (MMD)-repulsive GAN, we design an asymmetric regularization scheme for EviD-GAN. Unlike MMD-repulsive GAN that performs at the distribution level, our regularization scheme is based on a pairwise loss function, performs at the sample level, and is characterized by an asymmetric behavior during the training of generator and discriminator. Experimental results show that the proposed evidential discriminator is cost-effective, consistently improves GAN in terms of Frechet inception distance (FID) and inception score (IS), and performs better than other competing models that use multiple discriminators.

Effects of Fermentation with Kombucha Symbiotic Culture of Bacteria and Yeasts on Antioxidant Activities, Bioactive Compounds and Sensory Indicators of Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza Beverages.

Kombucha is a well-known fermented beverage traditionally made from black tea infusion. Recent studies have focused on finding alternative materials to create novel kombucha beverages with various health benefits. In this study, we prepared and evaluated two novel kombucha beverages using Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza as materials. The effects of fermentation with the residue of these plants on the kombucha were also investigated. The antioxidant activities, total phenolic contents, and concentrations of the bioactive compounds of the kombucha beverages were determined by the Trolox equivalent antioxidant capacity test, ferric-reducing antioxidant power test, Folin-Ciocalteu method, and high-performance liquid chromatography, respectively. The results revealed that the kombucha beverages made with Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza had strong antioxidant capacities and abundant phenolic contents. Additionally, the kombucha fermented with Rhodiola rosea residue had higher FRAP, TEAC and TPC values than that fermented without residue. On the other hand, the Salvia miltiorrhiza kombucha fermented with residue had similar FRAP and TEAC values but lower TPC values compared to that fermented without residue. The correlation analysis showed that gallic acid, salidroside, and tyrosol were responsible for the antioxidant abilities and total phenolic contents of the Rhodiola rosea kombucha, and salvianolic acid A and salvianolic acid B contributed to the antioxidant abilities of the Salvia miltiorrhiza kombucha. Furthermore, the kombucha fermented with Rhodiola rosea residue had the highest sensory scores among the kombucha beverages studied. These findings suggest that Rhodiola rosea and Salvia miltiorrhiza are suitable for making novel kombucha beverages with strong antioxidant abilities and abundant phenolic contents, which can be used in preventing and managing oxidative stress-related diseases.

Integrating Polyoxometalate into Dy(III)-based Single-molecule Magnets with Pentagonal Bipyramidal Symmetry.

Polyoxometalates (POMs) with various coordination fashions are versatile ligands for constructing single-ion magnets (SIMs), but enforcing POM-SIMs with a specific geometry remains a synthetic challenge. Herein, we synthesized a POM-cocrystallized DyIII-SIM [Dy(OPPh3)4(H2O)3][PW12O40]·4EtOH (1Dy) and a POM-ligated DyIII-SIM [{Dy(OPPh3)3(H2O)3}{PW12O40}]·Ph3PO·H2O (2Dy) with pentagonal bipyramidal local coordination geometry. Magnetic measurements indicate that 1Dy displays field-induced single-molecule magnet (SMM) behavior and the relaxation is dominated by under-barrier processes. 2Dy exhibits spin-lattice relaxation at a broader temperature region with a reversal barrier over 300 K. Magneto-structural analysis reveals that the enhancement of SMM behavior originated from the equatorial replacement of Ph3PO by POM, which strengthens the axial anisotropy in 2Dy. Luminescent experiments indicate that the characteristic DyIII emissions of 1Dy are covered up by the strong π-π* emission of Ph3PO at low-temperature regions. As for 2Dy, partial DyIII emission persists thanks to the antenna effect between DyIII and POM.

Specialized Metabolites From the Husks of Rice Oryza sativa L. and Their Biological Activities.

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) husk harbors a substantial proportion of biological metabolites, as one of the most plentiful agriculture by-products in rice milling process, rice husk remains poorly utilized. As a continuing search for potential bioactive molecules from the husk of rice, a totally of twelve conponents (1-12), including six sterol ferulates (1-6), one flavonoid (7), one dipeptide (8), and four phenylpropanoid derivatives (9-12) were obtained. All the chemical structures were elucidated based on comprehensive spectroscopic data. Wherein, compounds 1 and 2 were yield as previous undescribed metabolites, and the comprehensive NMR data for compounds 3 and 4 were first presented in its entirety. Motivated by the similarity of the structural motifs of components 1-6 to that of reported sterol ferulates, the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory effects for compounds 1-6 were evaluated in vitro. Among them, compounds 5/6 had a significant antioxidant activity compare to that of vitamin E in both DPPH and reducing power assay up to the concentration 40 µg/ml; while compounds 1 and 2 exhibited weak suppressive effect on the production of nitric oxide, with the IC50 values of 53.27 ± 1.37 µM.

Functional Semi-Interpenetrating Polymer Networks.

Semi-interpenetrating polymer networks (SIPNs) have garnered significant interest due to their potential applications in self-healing materials, drug delivery systems, electrolytes, functional membranes, smart gels and, toughing. SIPNs combine the characteristics of physical cross-linking with advantageous chemical properties, offering broad application prospects in materials science and engineering. This perspective introduces the history of semi-interpenetrating polymer networks and their diverse applications. Additionally, the ongoing challenges associated with traditional semi-interpenetrating polymer materials are discussed and provide an outlook on future advancements in novel functional SIPNs.

Hepatoprotective effects of Xiaoyao San formula on hepatic steatosis and inflammation via regulating the sex hormones metabolism.

BACKGROUND: The modified Xiaoyao San (MXS) formula is an adjuvant drug recommended by the National Health Commission of China for the treatment of liver cancer, which has the effect of preventing postoperative recurrence and metastasis of hepatocellular carcinoma and prolonging patient survival. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying that remain unclear. AIM: To investigate the role and mechanisms of MXS in ameliorating hepatic injury, steatosis and inflammation. METHODS: A choline-deficient/high-fat diet-induced rat nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) model was used to examine the effects of MXS on lipid accumulation in primary hepatocytes. Liver tissues were collected for western blotting and immunohistochemistry (IHC) assays. Lipid accumulation and hepatic fibrosis were detected using oil red staining and Sirius red staining. The serum samples were collected for biochemical assays and NMR-based metabonomics analysis. The inflammation/lipid metabolism-related signaling and regulators in liver tissues were also detected to reveal the molecular mechanisms of MXS against NASH. RESULTS: MXS showed a significant decrease in lipid accumulation and inflammatory response in hepatocytes under metabolic stress. The western blotting and IHC results indicated that MXS activated AMPK pathway but inhibited the expression of key regulators related to lipid accumulation, inflammation and hepatic fibrosis in the pathogenesis of NASH. The metabonomics analysis systemically indicated that the arachidonic acid metabolism and steroid hormone synthesis are the two main target metabolic pathways for MXS to ameliorate liver inflammation and hepatic steatosis. Mechanistically, we found that MXS protected against NASH by attenuating the sex hormone-related metabolism, especially the metabolism of male hormones. CONCLUSION: MXS ameliorates inflammation and hepatic steatosis of NASH by inhibiting the metabolism of male hormones. Targeting male hormone related metabolic pathways may be the potential therapeutic approach for NASH.

Fucoxanthin Inhibits the Proliferation and Metastasis of Human Pharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR Signaling Pathway.

Human pharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (HPSCC) is the most common malignancy in the head and neck region, characterized by high mortality and a propensity for metastasis. Fucoxanthin, a carotenoid isolated from brown algae, exhibits pharmacological properties associated with the suppression of tumor proliferation and metastasis. Nevertheless, its potential to inhibit HPSCC proliferation and metastasis has not been fully elucidated. This study represents the first exploration of the inhibitory effects of fucoxanthin on two human pharyngeal squamous carcinoma cell lines (FaDu and Detroit 562), as well as the mechanisms underlying those effects. The results showed dose-dependent decreases in the proliferation, migration, and invasion of HPSCC cells after fucoxanthin treatment. Further studies indicated that fucoxanthin caused a significant reduction in the expression levels of proteins in the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) pathway, as well as the downstream proteins matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-2 and MMP-9. Specific activators of PI3K/AKT reversed the effects of fucoxanthin on these proteins, as well as on cell proliferation and metastasis, in FaDu and Detroit 562 cells. Molecular docking assays confirmed that fucoxanthin strongly interacted with PI3K, AKT, mTOR, MMP-2, and MMP-9. Overall, fucoxanthin, a functional food component, is a potential therapeutic agent for HPSCC.