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Motivation Effective drug delivery systems are paramount in enhancing pharmaceutical outcomes, particularly through the use of cell-penetrating peptides (CPPs). These peptides are gaining prominence due to their ability to penetrate eukaryotic cells efficiently without inflicting significant damage to the cellular membrane, thereby ensuring optimal drug delivery. However, the identification and characterization of CPPs remain a challenge due to the laborious and time-consuming nature of conventional methods, despite advances in proteomics. Current computational models, however, are predominantly tailored for balanced datasets, an approach that falls short in real-world applications characterized by a scarcity of known positive CPP instances. Results To navigate this shortfall, we introduce PractiCPP, a novel deep-learning framework tailored for CPP prediction in highly imbalanced data scenarios. Uniquely designed with the integration of hard negative sampling and a sophisticated feature extraction and prediction module, PractiCPP facilitates an intricate understanding and learning from imbalanced data. Our extensive computational validations highlight PractiCPP's exceptional ability to outperform existing state-of-the-art methods, demonstrating remarkable accuracy, even in datasets with an extreme positive-to-negative ratio of 1:1000. Furthermore, through methodical embedding visualizations, we have established that models trained on balanced datasets are not conducive to practical, large-scale CPP identification, as they do not accurately reflect real-world complexities. In summary, PractiCPP potentially offers new perspectives in CPP prediction methodologies. Its design and validation, informed by real-world dataset constraints, suggest its utility as a valuable tool in supporting the acceleration of drug delivery advancements. Availability and implementation The source code of PractiCPP is available on Figshare at https://doi.org/10.6084/m9.figshare.25053878.v1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Associative system has attracted increasing attention for it can store basic information and then infer details to match perception with an efficient self-organization algorithm. However, the implementation of the associative system with the application of real-world data is relatively difficult. To address this issue, we propose a novel biologically inspired auto-associative (BIAA) network to explore the structure, encoding and formation of associative memory as well as to extend the ability to real-world application. Our network is constructed by imitating the organization of the cortical minicolumns where each minicolumn contains plenty of parallel biological spiking neurons. To allow the network to learn and predict one symbol per theta cycle, we incorporate synaptic delay and theta oscillation into the neuron dynamic process. Subsequently, we design a sparse temporal population (STP) coding scheme that allows each input symbol to be represented as stable, unique, and easily recallable sparsely distributed representations. By combining associative learning dynamics with the STP coding, our network realizes efficient storage and inference in an ordered manner. Experimental results indicate that the proposed network successfully performs sequence retrieval from partial text and sequence recovery from distorted information. BIAA network provides new insight into introducing biologically inspired mechanisms into associative system and has enormous potential for hardware and software applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Within Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge (AAB), the pivotal bioactive constituents are identified as Anemarrhena asphodeloides Bunge total saponins (ABS). In traditional pharmacology, ABS has exhibited notable anti-inflammatory, hypoglycemic, and cardioprotective properties. Despite these observed effects, the specific protective mechanisms of ABS against metabolic diseases and improving the endocrine system remain largely uncharted. This work intends to shed light on the effects and intrinsic mechanisms of ABS on metabolic diseases. The characterization of ABS components was achieved through High-Performance Liquid Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (HPLC/MS). To evaluate ABS's anti-inflammatory efficacy, mouse macrophages underwent analysis using the Griess method. Induced differentiation of mouse fibroblasts was assessed through Oil Red O staining. In an obesity model with C57BL/6 N mice, ABS administration prompted measurements of glucose and insulin tolerance. Western blot analysis quantified lipolysis and anti-inflammatory protein expression. Nile red staining gauged body fat content in C. elegans post-ABS treatment. The mechanism of ABS action was elucidated through mRNA sequencing, further validated using RNA interference technology, and nematode mutants. ABS showcased the ability to diminish Nitric Oxide (NO) production in inflammatory macrophages and shrink adipocyte lipid droplets. In mice experiments, ABS was effective in alleviating fat accumulation and affecting serum lipid metabolism in diabetic mice. It enhanced oral glucose tolerance and insulin tolerance while increasing lipolysis-associated protein expression. ABS notably reduced fat content in C. elegans. Mechanistically, ABS downregulated NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 (NLRP3) and monoamine oxidase A (MAOA) expression while enhancing UGT, ilys-2 , and ilys-3. Lipolysis emerged as a pivotal pathway for ABS in the therapeutic intervention of metabolic diseases. Our investigation has revealed that ABS exert a role in combating metabolic diseases by enhancing the body's defense mechanisms. ABS activate the NLRP3-neurotransmitter-visceral adipose pathway in mice, thereby bolstering resistance and diminishing fat accumulation. In C. elegans , ABS downregulated the expression of MAOA, bolstered resistance, and augmented glucuronidase activity, consequently leading to a reduction in fat content. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pleurotus citrinopileatus, a nutritious and palatable edible mushroom, can be used as an appropriate material to prepare high‐grade flavoring agents. Based on this, the current study aimed to investigate the feasibility of a productive protease system from Actinomucor elegans to prepare P. citrinopileatus hydrolysate (PCH). The Actinomucor elegans crude protease (AECP) was prepared from the solid‐state fermentation product of P. citrinopileatus by A. elegans. AECP and four commercial proteases (alcalase, neutrase, papain, and protamex) were applied to acquire five kinds of PCHs. The physical‐chemical properties of PCHs as well as its concentration and composition of nonvolatile compounds were comparatively analyzed. Sensory evaluation and electronic tongue analysis were utilized to evaluate sensory characteristics. AECP was found to be the most effective protease, with the highest hydrolysis degree (35.91%) and protein recovery (81.46%). The result of molecular weight distribution indicated that peptides below 500 Da were the main fraction of AECP hydrolysates, while AECP hydrolysates showed the highest content of monosodium glutamate‐like (20.23 ± 0.16 mg/g) and flavor 5′‐nucleotide (4.30 ± 0.07 mg/g) peptides. In summary, the AECP hydrolysate had superior sensory profiles compared with other hydrolysates. In addition, AECP hydrolysates exhibited favorable kokumi taste in which peptides below 500 Da showed the highest correlation with kokumi by the results of partial least‐squares regression. These results indicated the feasibility of applying PCHs as flavor additives or seasoning in the food industry. AECP might be used as an alternative enzyme choice because of its low cost and high hydrolysis efficiency. Practical Application: Pleurotus citrinopileatus served as a potential raw material for natural seasonings because of its high protein content and appropriate ratio of umami amino acids to total amino acids. Enzymatic hydrolysis was an efficient approach to improve the flavor of P. citrinopileatus, where the choice of enzyme was one of the most critical factors. The research indicated that P. citrinopileatus hydrolysate prepared by A. elegans crude protease (AECP) exhibited an acceptable flavor, which provided theoretical support for the high‐value utilization of P. citrinopileatus as food seasoning. AECP might be applied as an alternative enzyme resource because of its low cost and high hydrolysis efficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, yeast, lactic acid bacteria, and acetic acid bacteria were isolated from traditional Chinese sourdough to enhance the organoleptic quality of whole wheat steamed bread. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus johnsonii, and Acetobacter pasteurianum showed superior fermentability and acid production capacity when compared with other strains from sourdough, which were mixed to produce the compound starter. It was found that the volume of whole wheat steamed bread leavened with compound starter increased by 12.8% when compared with that of the whole wheat steamed bread made by commercial dry yeast (DY-WB). A total of 38 volatile flavors were detected in the whole wheat steamed bread fermented by the compound starter (CS-WB), and the type of volatile flavors increased by 14 species when compared to the bread fermented by the dry yeast. In addition, some unique volatile flavor substances were detected in CS-WB, such as acetoin, 3-hydroxy-butanal, butyraldehyde, cuparene, etc. Moreover, the hardness and the chewiness of CS-WB decreased by 31.1 and 33.7% when compared with DY-WB, respectively, while the springiness increased by 10.8%. Overall, the formulated compound starter showed a desirable improvement in the whole wheat steamed bread and could be exploited as a new ingredient for steamed bread. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Efficient methods and universal DNA elements are eagerly required for the expression of proteins and the production of target chemicals in synthetic biology and metabolic engineering. This paper develops a customized-design approach by utilizing the host-independent T7 expression system (HITES), which facilitates the rational design and rapid construction of T7 expression systems. Firstly, the E i L (Upper-limit value of initial enzyme activity) value is discovered to play a pivotal factor in the successful construction of the T7 expression system, different host strains exhibit varying E i L values, and this study presents a method to measure the E i L values. Secondly, E. coli DH5α is chosen as the host strain, and it demonstrates that various strategies to modulate T7 RNA polymerase activity can efficiently construct the HITES T7 expression system in E. coli DH5α under the guidance of E i L. Lastly, the customized-design of HITES enables the efficient expression of sfGFP and D-MIase proteins across 13 host strains, guided by E i L values. This customized-design method of HITES offers a streamlined pathway for T7 system construction across a broad range of hosts and serves as an enabling tool for synthetic biology, metabolic engineering, and enzyme engineering. • Defined initial enzyme activity (E i) as a critical parameter for HITES construction. • Created a method to quantify host E i L and measured it in typical prokaryotic hosts. • Proposed four strategies to regulate T7 RNAP activity for building effective HITES. • Developed a rapid protocol for HITES construction, applied to 13 prokaryotic hosts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cadmium (Cd) is a toxic non-essential element, while calcium (Ca) is an essential element with high chemical similarity to Cd. Dietary intake is the major Cd exposure pathway for non-smokers. A multi-concentration dietary intervention experiment was designed to explore the optimum concentration of Ca in diet with obvious protective effects against the toxicity of livers and kidneys induced by Cd in mice. The mice were divided into six groups with different concentrations of Cd and Ca in their food: control-group (no Cd or Ca), Ca-group (100 g/kg Ca, without Cd), Cd-group (2 mg/kg Cd, without Ca), CaL+Cd-group (2 mg/kg Cd, 2 g/kg Ca), CaM+Cd-group (2 mg/kg Cd, 20 g/kg Ca) and CaH+Cd-group (2 mg/kg Cd, 100 g/kg Ca). The organ indexes, oxidative stress biomarkers, lesions and Cd concentrations were detected after a 30-day exposure period. Results showed that serum Aspartate Aminotransferase (AST) level in CaH+Cd-group was significantly lower than that in Cd-group, while close to that in control-group. The contents of Serum Blood Urea Nitrogen (BUN) in different groups showed the same trend. Concentrations of all oxidative stress biomarkers (GSH-Px, SOD, CAT, GSH and MDA) in CaH+Cd-group were close to the normal levels of control-group while significantly different from those in Cd-group. The only exception was the Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in kidneys. This study suggests that Ca plays a protective role in relieving the Cd-induced toxicity of livers and kidneys and a concentration of 100 g/kg for Ca in diet showed the best protective effects. These findings could provide a clue for further studies concerning human diet intervention for Cd control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effects of the purified recombinant anabaena lipoxygenase (ana‐rLOX) on the rheological characteristics of whole wheat dough and the quality of bread were investigated. The lightness of whole wheat dough supplemented with ana‐rLOX was improved, which is superior to that of dough treated with benzoyl peroxide. The effect of ana‐rLOX on the strength of dough was analyzed by farinograph, extensograph, and dynamic rheological tests. Compared with the control, the stability time of dough treated with 40 IU/g ana‐rLOX increased by 35.4% and the farinograph quality number increased by 27.4%. In addition, the resistance to extension, as well as the elastic and viscous modulus, was improved by ana‐rLOX in a dose‐dependent manner. The height and specific volume of bread treated with ana‐rLOX increased by 17.3 and 15.2%, respectively, compared with the control, and the lightless, whiteness, and other textural parameters, such as hardness, springiness, chewiness, resilience, and gumminess, were significantly improved. Overall, the results of this study suggest the promising application of ana‐rLOX in enhancing quality of whole wheat flour. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microneedle array systems loaded with responsive nanoparticles have received increasing attention due to the advantages of good drug stability, targeting ability, controlled release of drugs, high bioavailability, painlessness, and good patient compliance. Compared with oral drug delivery, microneedle transdermal drug delivery eliminates the need to pass through the gastrointestinal tract and liver, reducing the metabolic consumption of drugs by first‐pass effect. While compared with intravenous drug delivery, microneedle transdermal drug delivery reduces patient discomfort and does not require professional administration. However, there are few review articles on microneedles loaded with responsive nanoparticles. Herein, the current researches on microneedles loaded with specific responsive nanoparticles such as glucose‐responsive, pH‐responsive, enzyme‐responsive, light‐responsive, magnetic‐responsive, ultrasound‐responsive, and multiresponsive, and the biomedical application of these microneedle array systems are summarized. In addition, the challenges and prospects of microneedle strategies loaded with responsive nanoparticles are briefly discussed, which will facilitate the development of such versatile drug‐delivery strategy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we explored the role of necroptosis in the pathogenesis of ocular surface injury caused by airborne particulate matter (PM). Human corneal epithelial (HCE) cells and mouse ocular surface were treated with PM exposure and compared with non-exposed groups. The expression of necroptosis-related proteins was measured by immunoblotting in HCE cell groups. Cell damages were detected using CCK-8, flow cytometry, and immunofluorescence staining. In the mouse model, hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining and corneal fluorescein sodium staining were assessed. In addition, the expression of inflammatory cytokines and mucin were examined via Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunofluorescence staining and/or quantitative RT -PCR (qRT-PCR), both in vitro and in vivo. Our research showed that PM exposure may trigger HCE cell damage via necroptosis. Necrostatin-1(Nec-1), one of the specific inhibitors of necroptosis, can markedly reduce PM-induced HCE cell damage. HCE cell damage markers included decreased cell viability, increased intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and loss of mitochondrial membrane potential. At the same time, Nec-1 inhibited the increased inflammatory cytokines and the decreased mucin expression caused by PM exposure in HCE cells. Nec-1 also reduced corneal inflammation and mucin underproduction in mouse ocular surface after PM exposure. Our study demonstrated that necroptosis is involved in the pathogenesis of PM exposure-related ocular surface injury, including inflammation and insufficient mucin production in the cornea, which can be rescued by inhibitor Nec-1. This suggests Nec-1 could be a novel therapeutic target for ocular surface disorders, especially dry eye disease, which is caused by the exacerbation of airborne PM pollution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Neurotropic factors, crucial for neural cell maturation and proliferation, hold great therapeutic potential for treating neurodegenerative diseases but face challenges in brain delivery. This study introduces a novel membrane budding‐inspired lipoprotein biomimetic nanocarrier for efficient packaging and precise brain delivery of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). The nanocarrier is created by mixing protein‐loaded biomimetic gel with liposomes composed of lipids prone to forming liquid‐disordered and liquid‐ordered phases. This interaction triggers phase separation and lipid membrane rearrangement, enabling effective protein encapsulation. To enhance blood‐brain barrier permeability and target damaged cerebral vasculature in Alzheimer's Disease, the nanocarrier (RAP‐BHP‐rHDL) is functionalized with Apolipoprotein E3 and αRAP peptides. The obtained RAP‐BHP‐rHDL alleviates neuronal damage, promotes neurogenesis, normalizes the cerebral microvasculature, improves the function of neurovascular units, and restores memory function in 5 × FAD mice. This innovative packaging approach and biomimetic nanocarrier design offer a promising strategy for delivering neurotropic factors to the central nervous system, potentially advancing the management of neurodegenerative diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To study the effect of the establishment of a Chest Pain Center (CPC) on the treatment delay of ST-elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) patients and the influencing factors of treatment delay in a large hospital in China.Methods: The study subjects are 318 STEMI patients admitted between August 2016 and July 2019 to a large general hospital in Henan, China. Data were extracted from the electronic medical records after removing personal identifiable information. The interrupted time series regression was used to analyze the treatment delay of patients before and after the CPC establishment.Results: After the CPC establishment, the patients' pre-hospital and in-hospital treatment delays were significantly reduced. SO-to-FMC (Symptom Onset to First Medical Contact time) decreased by 49.237 min and D-to-B (Door to Balloon time) decreased by 21.931 min immediately after the CPC establishment. In addition, SO-to-FMC delay is significantly correlated with age, occupation, nocturnal onset, and the way to hospital. D-to-B delay is significantly associated with time from initial diagnosis to informed consent of percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), catheterization lab activation time, and time for PCI informed consent.Conclusion: The CPC significantly reduced the treatment delay of STEMI patients undergoing PCI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is of great significance to develop an efficient and stable photocatalyst for the photocatalytic decomposition of water to produce hydrogen. Within this paper, an effective and simple strategy was adopted to introduce pyrazine ring into graphite-like carbon nitride framework to realize efficient and stable hydrogen production process. After evaluation, the hydrogen production efficiency of the modified semiconductor material is 3.05 folds higher than the unmodified graphite-like phase carbon nitride, and an excellent stability performance was also achieved. It is proved that the light absorption ability of doped semiconductor composite nanomaterials was enhanced markedly by introducing 2-aminopyrazine into the carbon nitride structure. Meanwhile, the segregation efficiency of photo-induced carriers was obviously accelerated because the amino groups can work as hole trapping agents. Additionally, the introduced amino groups own Lewis alkalinity, which is in favour of the photoreduction. This work expands a new perspective of stable photocatalysts in the water split to produce hydrogen. • A new strategy to modify the graphite phase carbon nitride via the copolymerization of urea and 2-aminopyrazine was proposed. • The modified g-C 3 N 4 nanomaterials perform excellent H 2 evolution activity (1556.5 μmol h−1 g−1) and excellent stability. • Higher electron transfer efficiency and stronger light absorption capacity are obtained for enhancing hydrogen production performance of the modified materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The bonding performance of carbon fiber–reinforced polymer (CFRP)–concrete interface is an important research area, with adhesives serving as mediators for the transfer of interface stresses. However, there is significant variation in the mechanical properties of adhesives available in the market, and currently there is limited research on the patterns of how adhesive mechanical properties affect interfaces. First, dynamic thermomechanical analysis was used to investigate the glass transition temperature of the adhesive, Tg. Following this, tensile tests were conducted to assess the mechanical properties of the adhesive at various temperatures. Finally, the effects of the adhesive on the interface bonding properties of CFRP-concrete were studied by single shear tests at different ambient temperatures. The test results indicated that when the ambient temperature is lower than the glass transition temperature (Tg), as the temperature increases, although the mechanical properties of the adhesive decreased, the effective bonded length of interface increased significantly, leading to a gradual increase in interface load-bearing capacity. Furthermore, the interface constitutive model was modified by finite-element model inversion. The modified parameters K and τmax exhibited a linear increase relationship with the elastic modulus of the adhesive, and the modified parameter Gf showed a negative exponential power function relationship with the elastic modulus of the adhesive. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) is a globally prevalent and extensively cultivated vegetable whose yield is significantly influenced by various abiotic stresses, including drought, heat, and salinity. Transcription factors, such as zinc finger-homeodomain proteins (ZHDs), a plant-specific subgroup of Homeobox, play a crucial regulatory role in stress resistance. In this study, we identified 13 CsZHDs distributed across all six cucumber chromosomes except chromosome 7. Phylogenetic analysis classified these genes into five clades (ZHDI-IV and MIF) with different gene structures but similar conserved motifs. Collinearity analysis revealed that members of clades ZHD III, IV, and MIF experienced amplification through segmental duplication events. Additionally, a closer evolutionary relationship was observed between the ZHDs in Cucumis sativus (C. sativus) and Arabidopsis thaliana (A. thaliana) compared to Oryza sativa (O. sativa). Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis demonstrated the general expression of CsZHD genes across all tissues, with notable expression in leaf and flower buds. Moreover, most of the CsZHDs, particularly CsZHD9-11, exhibited varying responses to drought, heat, and salt stresses. Virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS) experiments highlighted the potential functions of CsZHD9 and CsZHD10, suggesting their positive regulation of stomatal movement and responsiveness to drought stress. In summary, these findings provide a valuable resource for future analysis of potential mechanisms underlying CsZHD genes in response to stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mutation of DOMAIN OF UNKNOWN FUNCTION 679 MEMBRANE PROTEIN in cucumber induces in vivo maternal haploids and suggests prospects for cucurbit breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The hydrogel effectively prevents postoperative tumor recurrence and wound infection. • The design of polyphenol endows the system with tissue adhesion and biocompatibility. • Pluronic® F127 component contributes to the thermo-responsiveness and injectability. • The "plug and play" property of the hydrogel enhances the efficiency of surgery. Currently, clinical tumor resection is faced with two options: open and minimally invasive surgery. Open surgery is easy to completely remove the lesion but is prone to infection, while minimally invasive surgery recovers faster but may cause tumor recurrence. To fill the shortcomings of the two surgical modes and make the choice for tumor resection more effortlessly, we developed a postoperative black phosphorus-Ag nanocomposites-loaded dopamine-modified hyaluronic acid-Pluronic® F127 (BP-Ag@HA-DA-Plu) hydrogel implantation system that can prevent tumor recurrence and wound infection simultaneously. Experiments have shown that the hydrogel system combined with 808 nm near-infrared (NIR) irradiation has excellent anti-tumor, antibacterial, and wound healing abilities. Additionally, unlike existing surgical hydrogel products that require inconvenient in-situ cross-linking, the BP-Ag@HA-DA-Plu hydrogel system offers "plug-and-play" functionality during surgery due to its thermo-responsiveness, injectability, and adhesion, thereby greatly improving the efficiency of surgery. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glandular trichomes (GTs), specialized structures formed by the differentiation of plant epidermal cells, are known to play important roles in the resistance of plants to external biotic and abiotic stresses. These structures are capable of storing and secreting secondary metabolites, which often have important agricultural and medicinal values. In order to better understand the molecular developmental mechanisms of GTs, studies have been conducted in a variety of crops, including tomato (Solanum lycopersicum), sweetworm (Artemisia annua), and cotton (Gossypium hirsutum). The MYC transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor family has been found to play an important role in GT development. In this study, a total of 13 cucumber MYC transcription factors were identified in the cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) genome. After performing phylogenetic analyses and conserved motifs on the 13 CsMYCs in comparison to previously reported MYC transcription factors that regulate trichome development, seven candidate MYC transcription factors were selected. Through virus-induced gene silencing (VIGS), CsMYC2 is found to negatively regulate GT formation while CsMYC4, CsMYC5, CsMYC6, CsMYC7, and CsMYC8 are found to positively regulate GT formation. Furthermore, the two master effector genes, CsMYC2 and CsMYC7, are observed to have similar expression patterns indicating that they co-regulate the balance of GT development in an antagonistic way. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Surface modification of nanodiamond (ND) with poly(2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine) [poly(MPC)] has been achieved by using metal free surface initiated atom transfer radical polymerization (SI-ATRP). The ATRP initiator was first immobilized on the surface of ND through direct esterification reaction between hydroxyl group of ND and 2-bromoisobutyryl bromide. The initiator could be employed to obtain ND-poly(MPC) nanocomposites through SI-ATRP using an organic catalyst. The final functional materials were characterized by 1 H nuclear magnetic resonance, transmission electron microscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy and thermo gravimetric analysis in detailed. All of these characterization results demonstrated that ND-poly(MPC) have been successfully obtained via metal free photo-initiated SI-ATRP. The ND-poly(MPC) nanocomposites shown enhanced dispersibility in various solvents as well as excellent biocompatibility. As compared with traditional ATRP, the metal free ATRP is rather simple and effective. More importantly, this preparation method avoided the negative influence of metal catalysts. Therefore, the method described in this work should be a promising strategy for fabrication of polymeric nanocomposites with great potential for different applications especially in biomedical fields. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

C, H, and O elements are the three important elements that make up matter, following the conservation of matter and energy, and they form common molecules such as water, hydrogen, oxygen, and carbon dioxide through chemical bonds. At present, mankind is facing the double challenges of energy shortage and environmental damage, and it is the common development goal of all mankind to use the continuous flow of solar energy to achieve energy saving and carbon reduction in the fields of energy and environmental protection, until energy freedom and carbon neutrality. This paper lists the latest research progress of photocatalytic technology in four frontier areas, namely hydrogen (H 2) production, carbon dioxide (CO 2) reduction, organics degradation and hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) production, and recognizes its important role in energy and environmental fields from the perspective of the recombination of C, H, and O elements. The basic reaction mechanisms, catalyst types and structures, and performance enhancement strategies of each technology are summarized, and the future development trends and prospects of these technologies are outlined. [Display omitted] • A detailed review of methods to improve the efficiency of photocatalytic hydrogen production is presented. • The structural and optical properties of catalysts for photocatalytic reduction of carbon dioxide are summarized. • Ways to improve the photocatalytic activity for the degradation of organic pollutants are discussed in detail. • Types of hydrogen peroxide production catalysts and strategies for improving the photocatalytic production efficiency are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To convert this underutilized P. citrinopileatus which is well known for its savory taste into the high value-added food ingredients, the influence of different sulfur-containing compounds, including l -cysteine (Cys), l -methionine (Met) and thiamine (Thi) on the structure, sensory profiles and antioxidant activities of Maillard Reaction products (MRPs) obtained from P. citrinopileatus was evaluated and compared. Sulfur-containing substances significantly enhanced the Maillard reaction progress and antioxidant activities of MRPs. Cys-MRPs showed the strongest fluorescence intensity and the lowest particle size. Partial least squares regression (PLSR) analysis showed that thiols and Maillard peptides formed in Cys-MRPs exhibited meat-like aroma, kokumi and umami taste, while Met-MRPs exhibited caramel-like aroma attributed to the formation of furans. Therefore, the improvement of MRPs obtained from P. citrinopileatus with various sulfur-containing substances could increase their industrial potential as flavor enhancers with higher antioxidant activities. • Effects of sulfur-containing compounds on properties of P. citrinopileatus protein MRPs were evaluated. • Cys-MRPs had the strongest fluorescence intensity and the lowest particle size. • The balance of sulfur compounds of MRPs dominated the intensity of meaty and Kokumi taste. • Cys-MRPs exhibited relatively high antioxidant activity. • PCH/xylose/cysteine model system would be a good flavor enhancer precursor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The early response to concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) is closely correlated with prognosis. In this study, we aimed to predict early response using a combined model that combines sub-regional radiomics features from multi-sequence MRI with clinically relevant factors. A total of 104 patients with LA-NPC were randomly divided into training and test cohorts at a ratio of 3:1. Radiomic features were extracted from subregions within the tumor area using the K-means clustering method, and feature selection was performed using LASSO regression. Four models were established: a radiomics model, a clinical model, an Intratumor Heterogeneity (ITH) score-based model and a combined model that integrates the ITH score with clinical factors. The predictive performance of these models was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Among the models, the combined model incorporating the ITH score and clinical factors exhibited the highest predictive performance in the test cohort (AUC=0.838). Additionally, the models based on ITH score showed superior prognostic value in both the training cohort (AUC=0.888) and the test cohort (AUC=0.833). The combined model that integrates the ITH score with clinical factors exhibited superior performance in predicting early response following concurrent chemoradiotherapy in patients with LA-NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) and graphene (G)-modified iron oxides (Fe2O3-PVP-G) are prepared by a simple hydrothermal reaction. Their morphology and structure were examined and proved by transmission electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and ultraviolet–visible diffuse reflectance spectroscopy. P-nitrophenol (p-NP) is a usual organic pollutant, which is highly toxic and difficult to decompose. Electrochemical reduction of p-NP is a widely used treatment, but the reduction products are still toxic. In this work, the electrochemical catalytic oxidation of p-NP was achieved on Fe2O3-PVP-G modified electrodes. Compared to pure Fe2O3, Fe2O3-PVP-G shows better catalytic performance, with a current density 10.4 times larger than that from Fe2O3. Electrochemical results verify that the improvement comes from the promotion of its activity and the favorable enrichment of p-NP with the help of the doped PVP and G. pH experiments indicate that p-NP is oxidized to aliphatic acid, which is non-toxic and environmentally friendly. Due to the protection of organic molecules, Fe2O3-PVP-G exhibits long-term stabilities on electrochemical oxidation on p-NP with the retention of 88.5% for 15 days. Our results also provide another perspective for studying electrocatalytic performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An efficient and catalyst-free protocol for the synthesis of a series of indole substituted or spiroxindole-consisted dihydropyrido[2,3-d]pyrimidine derivatives by one-pot three-component reaction of 2,6-diaminopyrimidin-4-one, various aryl aldehydes or isatins, and 3-cyanoacetyl indoles under microwave irradiation was investigated. The advantages of this methodology include high yields of products, short reaction time, easy work-up procedure and broad substrate scope. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Atypical benign epilepsy with centro-temporal spikes (BECTS) have less favorable outcomes than typical BECTS, and thus should be accurately identified for adequate treatment. We aimed to investigate the glucose metabolic differences between typical and atypical BECTS using 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography ([18F]FDG PET) imaging, and explore whether these differences can help distinguish. Methods: Forty-six patients with typical BECTS, 31 patients with atypical BECTS and 23 controls who underwent [18F]FDG PET examination were retrospectively involved. Absolute asymmetry index (|AI|) was applied to evaluate the severity of metabolic abnormality. Glucose metabolic differences were investigated among typical BECTS, atypical BECTS, and controls by using statistical parametric mapping (SPM). Logistic regression analyses were performed based on clinical, PET, and hybrid features. Results: The |AI| was found significantly higher in atypical BECTS than in typical BECTS (p = 0.040). Atypical BECTS showed more hypo-metabolism regions than typical BECTS, mainly located in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortex. The PET model had significantly higher area under the curve (AUC) than the clinical model (0.91 vs. 0.70, p = 0.006). The hybrid model had the highest sensitivity (0.90), specificity (0.85), and accuracy (0.87) of all three models. Conclusions: Atypical BECTS showed more widespread and severe hypo-metabolism than typical BECTS, depending on which the two groups can be well distinguished. The combination of metabolic characteristics and clinical variables has the potential to be used clinically to distinguish between typical and atypical BECTS. Key Points: • Distinguishing between typical and atypical BECTS is very important for the formulation of treatment regimens in clinical practice. • Atypical BECTS showed more widespread and severe hypo-metabolism than typical BECTS, mainly located in the fronto-temporo-parietal cortex. • The logistic regression model based on PET outperformed that based on clinical characteristics in classification of typical and atypical BECTS, and the hybrid model achieved the best classification performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Currently, nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) stands as a significant cancer posing a threat to human health, with approximately three-quarters of cases being diagnosed at the locally advanced stage. • While multiple treatment options exist for locally advanced NPC, the determination of the most clinically beneficial and cost-effective approach remains unclear. • The objective of this study is to construct Network Meta-Analysis (NMA) and Cost-Effectiveness Analysis (CEA) models to assess which treatment strategy yields the maximum benefit. • Our research team specializes in clinical diagnosis, treatment, and efficacy prediction for NPC, with notable achievements in pharmacoeconomics. • Through this study, we aim to provide a therapeutic guidance for clinical practitioners by evaluating the comparative benefits of different treatment modalities. The ultimate goal is to contribute valuable insights for healthcare professionals in the field. The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy and cost-effectiveness of various induction chemotherapy (IC) regimens as first-line treatment for Locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC), aiming to provide clinicians and patients with informed insights to aid in treatment decision-making. We conducted a network meta -analysis (NMA) and cost-effectiveness analysis (CEA) based on data from 10 clinical trials investigating IC regimens for the treatment of LA-NPC. A Bayesian NMA was performed, with the primary outcomes being hazard ratios (HRs) for disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS). To model the disease progression of LA-NPC, we developed a dynamic partitioned survival model consisting of three disease states: progression-free survival (PFS), progression disease (PD), and death. The model was run on a 3-week cycle for a research period of 10 years, with quality-adjusted life-years (QALYs) and incremental cost-effectiveness ratios (ICERs) serving as outcome measures. According to the surface under the cumulative ranking curve (SUCRA) estimates derived from the NMA, TPC and TP, as IC regimens, appear to exhibit superior efficacy compared to other treatment modalities. In terms of CEA, concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT), TPF + CCRT, and GP + CCRT were found to be dominated (more costs and less QALYs). Comparatively, TPC + CCRT emerged as a cost-effective option with an ICER of $1260.57/QALY when compared to PF + CCRT. However, TP + CCRT demonstrated even greater cost-effectiveness than TPC + CCRT, with an associated increase in costs of $3300.83 and an increment of 0.1578 QALYs per patient compared to TPC + CCRT, resulting in an ICER of $20917.62/QALY. Based on considerations of efficacy and cost-effectiveness, the TP + CCRT treatment regimen may emerge as the most favorable first-line therapeutic approach for patients with LA-NPC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Epilepsy is one of the most disabling neurological disorders, which affects all age groups and often results in severe consequences. Since misdiagnoses are common, many pediatric patients fail to receive the correct treatment. Recently, 18F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography (18F-FDG PET) imaging has been used for the evaluation of pediatric epilepsy. However, the epileptic focus is very difficult to be identified by visual assessment since it may present either hypo- or hyper-metabolic abnormality with unclear boundary. This study aimed to develop a novel symmetricity-driven deep learning framework of PET imaging for the identification of epileptic foci in pediatric patients with temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE). Methods: We retrospectively included 201 pediatric patients with TLE and 24 age-matched controls who underwent 18F-FDG PET-CT studies. 18F-FDG PET images were quantitatively investigated using 386 symmetricity features, and a pair-of-cube (PoC)-based Siamese convolutional neural network (CNN) was proposed for precise localization of epileptic focus, and then metabolic abnormality level of the predicted focus was calculated automatically by asymmetric index (AI). Performances of the proposed framework were compared with visual assessment, statistical parametric mapping (SPM) software, and Jensen-Shannon divergence-based logistic regression (JS-LR) analysis. Results: The proposed deep learning framework could detect the epileptic foci accurately with the dice coefficient of 0.51, which was significantly higher than that of SPM (0.24, P < 0.01) and significantly (or marginally) higher than that of visual assessment (0.31–0.44, P = 0.005–0.27). The area under the curve (AUC) of the PoC classification was higher than that of the JS-LR (0.93 vs. 0.72). The metabolic level detection accuracy of the proposed method was significantly higher than that of visual assessment blinded or unblinded to clinical information (90% vs. 56% or 68%, P < 0.01). Conclusion: The proposed deep learning framework for 18F-FDG PET imaging could identify epileptic foci accurately and efficiently, which might be applied as a computer-assisted approach for the future diagnosis of epilepsy patients. Trial registration: NCT04169581. Registered November 13, 2019 Public site: https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04169581 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We conducted a cross-sectional study with 395 school-aged children in eastern China. • Several demographic factors had significant impacts on the children's Blood lead levels (BPbs). • There are dose-response relationships between BPbs and erythrocyte parameters. • A significant adverse effect was from the increased BPbs on school performances. We conducted a cross-sectional study with 395 completely matched student samples enrolled from a public primary school in Nanjing of eastern China, including questionnaires, blood samples, growth indexes and school performances, all of which were used for the analysis of variance (ANOVA) and general linear model (GLM). The results showed that factors, such as gender, age, parents' education, residential passive smoking and picky eaters, had significant impacts on the blood lead levels (BPbs). As for the linear and non-linear dose-response relationship between BPbs and erythrocyte parameters, we found a positive association between BPbs and red blood cell count (RBC count) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) but a negative association between BPbs and hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH). When BPbs increased by 10 μg/L, the RBC count increased by 0.18 × 1012/L, while HGB and HCT decreased by 1.19 g/L and 0.41% for boys, respectively. As for girls, corresponding increases in RBC count was 0.05 × 1012/L, while HGB and HCT decreased by 0.82 g/L and 0.23%. Meanwhile, for both boys and girls, MCHC increased by 2.55 g/L, while MCV and MCH levels decreased by 0.41 fL and 0.12 pg each. Furthermore, a remarkable adverse effect (p < 0.05) was observed on children's school performances as a result of increased BPbs. As BPbs increased by 10 μg/L, children's scores for Chinese, Math and English decreased by 0.42 points, 0.39 points and 0.87 points, respectively. In summary, our study indicated that lead exposure can have adverse health effects on children's erythrocyte parameters, BMI, and school performances. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Wheat bran is the main by-product during wheat flour processing. Although wheat bran is rich in the bioactive compounds and antioxidant capacity, it is not widely utilized in its natural state. To improve the antioxidant and nutritional properties of wheat bran, a dominant strain, Enterococcus faecalis M2, was screened from lactic acid bacteria (LAB) isolated from various foods. Following solid state fermentation, the soluble dietary fiber content of wheat bran nearly quadrupled compared to the raw material. Total proportion of phenols, flavonoids, alkylresorcinols, along with the antioxidant capacity and free radical scavenging rate were significantly improved, particularly the ferulic acid content increased by 5.5 times. Additionally, the free amino acid content increased with degradation of wheat bran protein, whereas the level of anti-nutrient phytic acid decreased. The results of this study could provide an effective method for biological modification of wheat bran, which further enhance the health benefit and utilization of bran. Image 1 • Screening of lactic acid bacteria for improving antioxidant ability of wheat bran. • Effects of solid state fermentation on physical and chemical properties of wheat bran. • Solid state fermentation improved the antioxidant properties of wheat bran. • Changes of active compounds of wheat bran before and after solid state fermentation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we investigated the lipid metabolism regulatory activity of a novel metformin derivative (MD568) and its potential mechanism of action in obese rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Previous gene chip analysis of 3T3‐L1 cells have shown that MD568 regulates the transcription of genes involved in the peroxisome proliferator‐activated receptor (PPAR) signalling pathway, fatty acid metabolism, and glycerolipid metabolism. In this study, obese T2DM rats were treated with MD568 (200 mg/kg) for 8 weeks. Results showed that MD568 significantly reduced the body weight gain, plasma glucose, insulin, total cholesterol, triglyceride, and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol levels. MD568 treatment also improved the insulin resistance of obese T2DM model rats. In particular, in white adipose tissue, MD568 inhibited the excessive volume increment of adipose cells by down‐regulating the protein levels of CCAAT/enhancer‐binding protein‐α (C/EBP‐α) and PPAR‐γ, as well as the transcription of their target lipid metabolism‐related genes. In the liver, MD568 inhibited hepatic fatty lesions and interfered with hepatic gluconeogenesis by regulating the expression of lipid metabolism‐related genes and glycogen‐related kinases. In conclusion, our results suggest that the newly synthesized MD568 affects the maintenance of lipid homeostasis in obese type 2 diabetic rats. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Umami peptides can enhance the overall flavor of food, because of resource limitations and higher expenses, low-cost and resourceful plant peptides are required to replace some animal peptides as raw materials for the production of composite flavorings. In this study, the umami flavor components in chicken peptides (Pc) and soybean peptides (Pb) were isolated and characterized. The highest peptide content was found in the range of 196–500 Da. The sourness, salty, umami and umami-enhancing effects of Pb-3 and Pc-3 were positively correlated with malic, lactic, and succinic acid contents. Cytidylic acid (CMP), Guanylate (GMP), inosinc acid (IMP) and adenylic acid (AMP) were present in both Pb-3 and Pc-3, and their increased content improved the savory, umami and flavor of the samples. Histidine (His), tyrosine (Tyr), and isoleucine (Ile) had umami and umami-enhancing effects on Pc nanofiltration products; Tyr and Ile had umami and umami-enhancing effects on Pb nanofiltration isolates. Two peptides from chicken peptides, DPSNIK and RTEELEEA, and three peptides from soybean peptides, VTVE, LEKD and WER, were identified by UPLC-MS/MS. This finding lays the foundation for using plant-sourced peptides as potential replacements for animal-sourced peptides in the production of natural compound condiments. [Display omitted] • Flavor peptides were extracted from soy and chicken peptides were examined. • The optimal umami components were analyzed by E-tongue and sensory evaluation. • Peptide fraction Kc-2 and Kb-2 elicited umami taste. • DPSNIK、RTEELEEA、VTVE、LEKD、WER might play an important role in the umami release. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Different freezing treatment temperatures (−5, −20, −40 and −80 ℃) lead to changes in the secondary and tertiary structures as well as the micromorphology of SPI proteins. • Emulsification properties of soy protein isolate by freeze treatment was investigated. • Decrease in soy protein isolate emulsification properties was explained by the protein structure change. • The freezing treatment at −80 ℃ can induce aggregation of soy protein isolate. Different freezing temperatures (−5, −20, −40 and −80 ℃) could change soy protein isolate (SPI) structure and emulsion properties. After freezing at −5 ℃ and −20 ℃, the structure of the SPI loosened, the fluorescence intensity was red shifted, and the proportion of Phe, Tyr and Trp exposed increased. With decreasing temperature, the surface hydrophobicity (H 0 × 100), the number of sulfhydryl groups and the number of disulfide bonds all rose, then fell (−40 ℃), and rose again (−80 ℃). The β-sheet content in the protein secondary structure increased from 32.71% (control) to 50.66% (−40 ℃) and then decreased to 37.05% (−80 ℃), while the β-turn and random coil contents showed the opposite pattern, which also confirmed aggregation. The emulsification performance of SPI after freezing treatment was decreased. The results of this study provide theoretical support for future production of frozen foods with added SPI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, molecularly imprinting technology and stir bar absorption technology were combined to develop a microextraction approach based on a molecularly imprinted polymeric stir bar. The molecularly imprinted polymer stir bar has a high performance, is specific, economical, and simple to prepare. The obtained naftopidil-imprinted polymer-coated bars could simultaneously agitate and adsorb naftopidil in the sample solution. The ratio of template/monomer/cross-linker and conditions of template removal were optimized to prepare a stir bar with highly efficient adsorption. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, selectivity, and extraction capacity experiments showed that the molecularly imprinted polymer stir bar was prepared successfully. To utilize the molecularly imprinted polymer stir bar for the determination of naftopidil in complex body fluid matrices, the extraction time, stirring speed, eluent, and elution time were optimized. The limits of detection of naftopidil in plasma and urine sample were 7.5 and 4.0 ng/mL, respectively, and the recoveries were in the range of 90-112%. The within-run precision and between-run precision were acceptable (relative standard deviation <7%). These data demonstrated that the molecularly imprinted polymeric stir bar based microextraction with high-performance liquid chromatography was a convenient, rapid, efficient, and specific method for the precise determination of trace naftopidil in clinical analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cirrhosis, or liver fibrosis, which is mainly triggered by cirrhosis fat-storing cells (CFSCs) activation, has traditionally been considered an irreversible disease. However, recent observations indicate that even advanced fibrosis is still reversible by removing the causative agents. Anti-fibrotic effects of bone marrow-derived stromal cells (BMSCs) have been demonstrated by inhibiting CFSCs via cytokines secretion; however, the mechanisms are still unclear. Aims: The purpose of this study was to explore the underlying mechanisms by which BMSCs modulate the function of activated CFSCs. Methods: After the co-culture of CFSCs with BMSCs supernatants with or without the addition of recombinant rat adrenomedullin (AM)/AM-specific siRNA, western blot analysis was mainly used to detect the differences of relative protein expression on CFSCs. Results: BMSC-secreted adrenomedullin (AM) effectively inhibited the proliferation and activation of CFSCs by suppressing the expression of Ang II and its binding receptor, AT1, which resulted in a reduction of p47-phox formation. Conclusions: Our data suggested that BMSCs inhibited CFSC activation in vitro via the AM-Ang II-p47-phox signaling pathway, and since CFSC activation is an essential part of hepatic fibrosis process, this inhibition by BMSCs implies us new insights into the potential treatment of hepatic fibrosis via BMSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Self-assembling prodrug nanotherapeutics have emerged as a promising nanoplatform for anticancer drug delivery. The specific and efficient activation of prodrug nanotherapeutics inside tumor cells is vital for the antitumor efficacy and security. Herein, a triple-activable prodrug polymer (TAP) is synthesized by conjugating polyethylene glycol-poly-(caprolactone)-paclitaxel (PTX) polymer with two tumor-responsive bonds, disulfide and acetal. TAP could self-assemble into nanotherapeutics (TAP NTs) free of surfactant with a high drug loading (32.6%). In blood circulation, TAP NTs could remain intact to efficiently accumulate in tumor sites. Thereafter, tumor cells would internalize TAP NTs through multiple endocytosis pathways. Inside tumor cells, TAP NTs could be activated to release PTX and induce tumor cell apoptosis in triple pathways: (i) lysosomal acidity rapid activation; (ii) ROS-acidity tandem activation and (iii) GSH-acidity tandem activation. Compared with Taxol and non-activable control, TAP NTs significantly potentiate the antitumor efficacy and security of PTX against solid tumors including breast cancer and colon cancer. [Display omitted] • A triple-activable prodrug polymer is synthesized with two tumor-responsive bonds. • TAP could self-assemble into nanotherapeutics free of surfactant. • Tumor cells would internalize TAP NTs through multiple endocytosis pathways. • TAP NTs could be activated inside tumor cells to release PTX and induce apoptosis. • TAP NTs potentiate the antitumor efficacy and security of PTX against solid tumors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• KPNA4 has a relative high expression in lens. • Cataract phenotype appeared in kpna4 knockout zebrafish. • Lens cell morphology in kpna4 knockout zebrafish is similar with cataract patients. • The first evidence between KPNA4 and cataract. KPNA4 (also called importin-α3) belongs to the importin α adaptor proteins family, which orchestrates classical nuclear transport processes, importin-α/importin-β1 pathway, and involves in cellular homeostasis. Disruption of balanced transport pathways may result in ectopic nuclear proteins and eventually cause diseases, mainly under the situation of cellular stress, such as oxidative stress. Little evidence is available on its cellular functions for high specific expression in lens. We firstly studied the role of KPNA4 in cataract formation. Lens defects were observed at an early age in kpna4 gene knockout zebrafish, generated by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Those phenotype, including cloudy center part of the lens, via bright field microscopy, and the thinning of the LE layer, wider space between the adjacent LE and LF cells, irregular cells morphology and the increased number of holes inside the LE cells, which were detected by transmission electron microscopy, recapitulate the clinical features of cataract patients. As the p53-specific adaptor of the nuclear import, KPNA4 upregulated with the same pattern of p53 in hydrogen peroxide-induced apoptosis in human lens epithelia cells. Furthermore, the loss of Kpna4 resulted in the accumulation of p53 in the center of lens. Taken together, we showed that KPNA4 was involved in the formation of cataract, likely by mediating p53 nuclear transport. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]