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BACKGROUND: The western flower thrips (WFT), Frankliniella occidentalis (Thysanoptera: Thripidae), is a significant pest in horticulture and ornamental agriculture. While exogenous calcium (Ca) has been shown to confer plant immune responses against thrips, the detailed mechanisms of this interaction remain to be elucidated for improved thrips management strategies. This study aimed to assess the impact of exogenous Ca on WFT feeding behavior and to explore its role in enhancing the defense mechanisms of kidney bean plants against WFT attacks. We compared WFT feeding preferences and efficiency on kidney bean plants treated with H2O or Ca, and examined whether exogenous Ca improves plant defense responses to thrips attack. RESULTS: WFT exhibited less preference for feeding on Ca‐treated plants over H2O‐treated ones. The total duration of WFT's long‐ingestion probes was significantly reduced on Ca‐treated plants, indicating impaired feeding efficiency. Furthermore, WFT infestation activated both jasmonic acid (JA) and salicylic acid (SA) signaling pathways in kidney bean plants, and exogenous Ca application led to elevated levels of endogenous Ca2+ and CaM, up‐regulation of genes associated with JA and SA pathways (LOX, AOS, PAL, and β‐1,3‐glucanase), and increased accumulation of JA, SA, flavonoids, and alkaloids. CONCLUSION: Our findings demonstrate that the application of exogenous Ca enhances endogenous Ca2+, JA, and SA signaling pathways in kidney bean plants. This enhancement results in an up‐regulation of the biosynthesis of flavonoid and alkaloid, thereby equipping the plants with an enhanced defense against WFT infestation. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Chinese giant salamander protein hydrolysates (CGSPH) are beneficial to human health as a result of their high content of amino acids and peptides. However, the formation of bitter peptides in protein hydrolysates (PHs) would hinder their application in food industry. The ultrasound assisted wet‐heating Maillard reaction (MR) is an effective way to improve the flavor of PHs. Thus, the effect of ultrasonic assisted wet‐heating MR on the structure and flavor of CGSPH was investigated in the present study. RESULTS: The results indicated that the ultrasound assisted wet‐heating MR products (MRPs) exhibited a higher degree of graft and more significant changes in the secondary and tertiary structures of CGSPH compared to traditional wet‐heating MRPs. Moreover, ultrasound assisted wet‐heating MR could significantly increase the content of small molecule peptides and reduce the content of free amino acids of CGSPH, which resulted in more significant changes in flavor characteristics. The changed in flavor properties after MR (especially ultrasound assisted wet‐heating MRPs) were mainly manifested by a significant reduction in bitterness, as well as a significant increase in the content of aromatic aldehyde ester compounds such as furan‐2‐carbaldehyde, butanal, benzaldehyde, furfural, etc. CONCLUSIONS: Ultrasound assisted wet‐heating MR between CGSPH and xylose could be a promising way to improve the sensory characteristics of CGSPH. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Geothermal energy, derived from the radioactive decay of elements within the Earth's core, is a renewable and clean energy source. The extraction of geothermal energy primarily depends on ground heat exchangers. To address the issue of incompatibility between corrosion resistance, high thermal conductivity, and mechanical performance in current ground heat exchangers, this study develops composites (PEPOE/SCA@SiC) composed of high‐density polyethylene (HDPE) modified with toughener polyethylene‐octene copolymer elastomer (POE) and silicon carbide (SiC) crystals modified with γ‐aminopropyltriethoxysilane (SCA). HDPE offers excellent corrosion resistance, SiC crystals provide efficient phonon transport, and SCA improves the interface compatibility of the composite. The thermal conductivity of PEPOE/SCA@SiC reaches 3.83 W m−1K−1, with a maximum tensile strength of 20.3 MPa, a tensile elastic modulus of up to 498 MPa, and a maximum bending stress of 22.2 MPa with a bending elastic modulus of 561 MPa. Corrosion resistance tests indicate no signs of corrosion in PEPOE/SCA@SiC when exposed to geothermal simulation fluids at 90 °C for 30 days. This study demonstrates that PEPOE/SCA@SiC composites have substantial potential for application in ground heat exchangers, offering promising prospects for advancing sustainable use of geothermal energy and environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Giant salamander protein peptide is a peptide with rich functional properties. Giant salamander protein peptide KGEYNK (KK‐6) is a peptide with both antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. The antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory mechanisms of KK‐6 are still unclear. When we studied the functional mechanism of KK‐6, we found that the antioxidant property of KK‐6 has a synergistic and promoting effect on anti‐inflammatory properties. RESULTS: KK‐6 enhances cellular resistance to LPS via the MAPK/NF‐κB signaling pathway, leading to increased levels of inflammatory factors: interleukin‐1β (764.81 ng mL−1), interleukin‐6 (1.06 ng mL−1) and tumor necrosis factor‐α (4440.45 ng mL−1). KK‐6 demonstrates potent antioxidant properties by activating the Nrf2 signaling pathway, resulting in elevated levels of antioxidant enzymes (glutathione peroxidase: 0.03 μg mL−1; superoxide dismutase: 0.589 μg mL−1) and a reduction in the concentration of the oxidative product malondialdehyde (967.05 μg mL−1). CONCLUSION: Our findings highlight the great potential of KK‐6, a peptide extracted from giant salamander protein, as a remedy for intestinal inflammation. Through its dual role as an antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory agent, KK‐6 offers a promising avenue for alleviating inflammation‐related damage and oxidative stress. This study lays the foundation for further exploration of giant salamander products and highlights their importance in health and novel food development. © 2024 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dental trauma is highly prevalent in children and adolescents, alongside tooth decay. This condition mainly induces pulp contamination, pulp necrosis, and tooth avulsion in the clinical context. The disturbance to root growth is prone to occur in immature permanent teeth. However, conventional endodontic treatment may not achieve favorable outcomes in these cases, necessitating conducting relevant exploration. Therefore, this study was performed to examine the impact of Annexin A1 (ANXA1) on the vascular repair of dental pulp using human dental pulp stem cells (DPSCs). Specifically, RNA sequencing (RNA‐Seq) and functional clustering analyses were employed to identify key genes involved in pulp regeneration. ANXA1 was detected in DPSCs and may correlate with pulp restoration. However, it remains undefined about the potential of ANXA1 to promote the angiogenetic differentiation of DPSCs. The results of this study revealed that the addition of ANXA1 significantly enhanced the secretion of vascular endothelial growth factor‐A (VEGF‐A) in DPSCs. Moreover, the incubation of DPSCs with ANXA1 resulted in a higher expression level of endothelial markers and promoted vessel formation through the upregulation of the phosphorylated p38 (p‐p38) pathway. The in vivo results corroborated that the ANXA1 group exhibited more blood vessels and an increased ratio of positive staining for CD31. In conclusion, these findings indicate that ANXA1 enhances the in vivo and in vitro vascularization of DPSCs, and the activation of p‐p38 may play a pivotal role in mediating the differentiation process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A machine‐learning‐assisted approach is employed to search for superconducting hydrides under ambient pressure within an extensive dataset comprising over 150 000 compounds. The investigation yields ≈50 systems with transition temperatures surpassing 20 K, and some even reaching above 70 K. These compounds have very different crystal structures, with different dimensionality, chemical composition, stoichiometry, and arrangement of the hydrogens. Interestingly, most of these systems display slight thermodynamic instability, implying that their synthesis will re quire conditions beyond ambient equilibrium. Moreover, a consistent chemical composition is found in the majority of these systems, which combines alkali or alkali‐earth elements with noble metals. This observation suggests a promising avenue for future experimental investigations into high‐temperature superconductivity within hydrides at ambient pressure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterogeneous catalysis is immensely important in the chemical industry. Understanding the molecular mechanism of heterogeneous catalytic processes is fundamental to the design of high‐performance catalysts and the development of energy conversion technology. Tip‐enhanced Raman spectroscopy (TERS) provides invaluable topographic and chemical information with nanometer‐scale spatial resolution, thus making it a promising tool for the in‐depth characterization of heterogeneous catalytic processes. In this perspective, we first introduce the background of heterogeneous catalysis and TERS, and then we systematically discuss the application of TERS in heterogeneous catalysis. Key insights related to catalyst configurations, catalytically active sites, reacting species, spillover of active species, and structure‐reactivity relationship were summarized. Finally, we discuss the challenges and future development in the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims: Although there are various model‐based approaches to individualized vancomycin (VCM) administration, few have been reported for adult patients with periprosthetic joint infection (PJI). This work attempted to develop a machine learning (ML)‐based model for predicting VCM trough concentration in adult PJI patients. Methods: The dataset of 287 VCM trough concentrations from 130 adult PJI patients was split into a training set (229) and a testing set (58) at a ratio of 8:2, and an independent external 32 concentrations were collected as a validation set. A total of 13 covariates and the target variable (VCM trough concentration) were included in the dataset. A covariate model was respectively constructed by support vector regression, random forest regression and gradient boosted regression trees and interpreted by SHapley Additive exPlanation (SHAP). Results: The SHAP plots visualized the weight of the covariates in the models, with estimated glomerular filtration rate and VCM daily dose as the 2 most important factors, which were adopted for the model construction. Random forest regression was the optimal ML algorithm with a relative accuracy of 82.8% and absolute accuracy of 67.2% (R2 =.61, mean absolute error = 2.4, mean square error = 10.1), and its prediction performance was verified in the validation set. Conclusion: The proposed ML‐based model can satisfactorily predict the VCM trough concentration in adult PJI patients. Its construction can be facilitated with only 2 clinical parameters (estimated glomerular filtration rate and VCM daily dose), and prediction accuracy can be rationalized by SHAP values, which highlights a profound practical value for clinical dosing guidance and timely treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ex vivo red blood cell (RBC) production generates unsatisfactory erythroid cells. A deep exploration into terminally differentiated cells is required to understand the impairments for RBC generation and the underlying mechanisms. Here, we mapped an atlas of terminally differentiated cells from umbilical cord blood mononuclear cells (UCBMN) and pluripotent stem cells (PSC) and observed their dynamic regulation of erythropoiesis at single‐cell resolution. Interestingly, we detected a few progenitor cells and non‐erythroid cells from both origins. In PSC‐derived erythropoiesis (PSCE), the expression of haemoglobin switch regulators (BCL11A and ZBTB7A) were significantly absent, which could be the restraint for its adult globin expression. We also found that PSCE were less active in stress erythropoiesis than in UCBMN‐derived erythropoiesis (UCBE), and explored an agonist of stress erythropoiesis gene, TRIB3, could enhance the expression of adult globin in PSCE. Compared with UCBE, there was a lower expression of epigenetic‐related proteins (e.g., CASPASE 3 and UBE2O) and transcription factors (e.g., FOXO3 and TAL1) in PSCE, which might restrict PSCE's enucleation. Moreover, we characterized a subpopulation with high proliferation capacity marked by CD99high in colony‐forming unit‐erythroid cells. Inhibition of CD99 reduced the proliferation of PSC‐derived cells and facilitated erythroid maturation. Furthermore, CD99–CD99 mediated the interaction between macrophages and erythroid cells, illustrating a mechanism by which macrophages participate in erythropoiesis. This study provided a reference for improving ex vivo RBC generation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spin‐orbit torque resulting from non‐magnetic materials with strong spin‐orbit coupling enables electrically controlled magnetization switching, offering potential applications in ultralow‐power memory and logic devices. However, such switching of perpendicular magnetization usually requires an in‐plane magnetic field along the applied current direction, which limits its use. To address this challenge, an all‐oxide superlattice is designed and fabricated that show both the perpendicular magneto‐crystalline anisotropy and in‐plane magnetic anisotropies induced by interfacial engineering. The results demonstrate that the coexistence of perpendicular and in plane magnetic anisotropy breaks the symmetry and thus enables the pure electrical switching of perpendicular magnetization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Blood supply shortages, especially the shortage of rare blood types, threaten the current medical system. Research on stem cells has shed light on in vitro blood cell manufacturing. The in vitro production of universal red blood cells (RBCs) from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) has become the focus of transfusion medicine. To obtain O‐type Rh D‐negative blood, we developed O‐type Rh D‐negative human (h)iPSCs using homology‐directed repair (HDR)‐based CRISPR/Cas9. HuAiPSCs derived from human umbilical arterial endothelial cells and showing haematopoietic differentiation preferences were selected for gene modification. Guide RNAs (gRNAs) were selected, and a donor template flanked by gRNA‐directed homologous arms was set to introduce a premature stop code to RHD exon 2. CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing has resulted in the successful generation of an RHD knockout cell line. The HuAiPSC‐A1‐RHD−/− cell line was differentiated into haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells and subsequently into erythrocytes in the oxygen concentration‐optimized differentiation scheme. HuAiPSC‐A1‐RHD−/− derived erythrocytes remained positive for the RBC markers CD71 and CD235a. These erythrocytes did not express D antigen and did not agglutinate in the presence of anti‐Rh D reagents. In conclusion, taking the priority of haematopoietic preference hiPSCs, the HDR‐based CRISPR/Cas9 system and optimizing the erythroid‐lineage differentiation protocol, we first generated O‐type Rh D‐negative universal erythrocytes from RHD knockout HuAiPSCs. Its production is highly efficient and shows great potential for clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An α‐difluoroalkylation of benzyl amines with trifluoromethylarenes is disclosed herein. This protocol is characterized by its operational simplicity, excellent chemoselectivity and broad scope—even with advanced synthetic intermediates—, thus offering a new entry point to medicinally‐relevant α‐difluoroalkylated amines from simple, yet readily accessible, precursors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Achieving high thermal conductivity and exceptional interfacial adhesion simultaneously in thermosensitive tactile recognition sensors poses a significant challenge. A copolymer, poly([[(butylamino)carbonyl]oxy]ethyl‐ester)‐co‐polydimethylsiloxane (referred to as PP), is synthesized and subsequently complexed with alumina particles coated with liquid metal (LMAl2O3) to prepare a composite material called PP/LMAl2O3 with high thermal conductivity and strong interfacial adhesion to address this challenge. The best thermal conductivity (4.43 W m−1 K−1), electrical insulation (10−6–10−7 S m−1), and adhesion properties derived from hydrogen bonding (1316 N m−2) are obtained by adjusting the volume fraction of PP and LMAl2O3 in PP/LMAl2O3. PP/LMAl2O3 with high thermal conductivity and high interface adhesion can efficiently transfer heat between thermal flux sensors and the objects being sensed, reliably detecting small thermal flux variations and ensuring accurate thermal flux measurements. In this study, PP/LMAl2O3 is used to make up thermosensitive tactile sensor. Surprisingly, PP/LMAl2O3 demonstrates high thermal signal sensitivity for tactile recognition applications, allowing the smart thermosensitive tactile sensor system to distinguish unknown rock materials even in the dark. Overall, PP/LMAl2O3 may function as a fundamental material in thermosensitive tactile sensors for lithology identification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) is an economical marine fish consumed in China. Theaflavins have antibacterial and antioxidant properties. However, there is a lack of research into their application in large yellow croakers during refrigerated storage. This study investigated the effect of theaflavins on the quality of large yellow croaker (Larimichthys crocea) during 12 days of storage at 4 °C. RESULTS: The results showed that theaflavin treatment was able to inhibit microbial growth and reduce the production of total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB‐N). Meanwhile, theaflavins were beneficial in reducing the unfolding of myofibrillar proteins, decreasing the degree of protein aggregation, and improving the stability of protein structure. The degree of protein oxidation was lower in a theaflavin‐treated group compared with an untreated group. Theaflavin treatment effectively inhibited increases in acid value (AV), peroxide value (PV), and malonaldehyde (MDA) content. The effect of theaflavin was positively correlated with an increase in concentration under refrigeration conditions. This study therefore suggests that the use of theaflavins is a viable method for extending the period for which refrigerated large yellow croaker can be preserved. CONCLUSIONS: Adding theaflavins to large yellow croaker can be an effective method for preserving quality during refrigerated storage. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article investigates how religious coping, religiosity, and perceived social support relate to caregiver burden and depression among dementia caregivers in Malaysia. Negative religious coping was found to partially mediate the link between caregiver burden and depression, while religiosity and perceived social support did not show a significant mediating effect.

Prenatal alcohol exposure‐induced fetal alcohol syndrome (FAS) can lead to serious maldevelopment in many organ systems, including the eyes. In the present study, the effects of alcohol exposure on early development of the human retina and the therapeutic effects of resveratrol on alcohol‐induced neural retinal damage were observed for the first time in an in vitro retinal organoid model. We report that the number of proliferating and apoptotic cells decreased and increased, respectively, following ethanol treatment. In addition, the number of PAX6+ cells and migrating TUJ1+ cells decreased after ethanol exposure. However, pretreatment with resveratrol prevented all of these negative effects. Using RNA sequencing and immunofluorescence, we identified activation of the PI3K‐AKT signalling pathway as the possible mechanism through which resveratrol protects the retina from alcohol‐induced damage. These results suggest that while ethanol exposure can restrict the growth of the human retina and impede the development of specific retinal cells, pretreatment with resveratrol may be a feasible method for preventing these effects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Harpadon nehereus is a high‐protein marine fish. A valuable way to add value to H. nehereus is to convert it into protein hydrolysate. The Maillard reaction is an effective way to improve the functional properties of peptides and proteins, which are affected by many factors such as reactant concentration, water activity, pH, temperature, and heating time. However, the traditional Maillard reaction method is inefficient. The purpose of this study was therefore to explore the effect of the ultrasound‐assisted wet heating method on the Maillard reaction of H. nehereus protein hydrolysate (HNPH) in a new‐type green solvent – a natural hypereutectic solvent (NADES). Results: Harpadon nehereus protein hydrolysate‐xylose (Xy) conjugates were prepared via a Maillard reaction in a NADES system using an ultrasound‐assisted wet heating method. The effects of different treatment conditions on the Maillard reaction were studied. The optimized glycation degree (DG) of HNPH‐Xy conjugates was obtained with a water content of 10%, a reaction temperature of 80 °C, a reaction time of 35 min, and an ultrasonic power level of 300 W. Compared with HNPH, the structure of HNPH‐Xy conjugates were significantly changed. Moreover, the functional properties and antioxidant activity of HNPH‐Xy were all superior to the HNPH. Conclusions: An ultrasound‐assisted wet‐heating Maillard reaction between HNPH and Xy in the NADES system could be a promising way to improve the functional properties of HNPH. © 2023 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: The production of Russian sturgeon is expanding rapidly in China but it is necessary to adopt measures to extend the shelf life of sturgeon meat. Previous studies found that sous vide cooking (SVC) at 60 °C increased the protein and lipid oxidation. The addition of antioxidant substances reduced the acceptance of the product. The effect of combination SVC and ultrasound pretreatment was therefore investigated. RESULTS: Results showed that SVC at 50 °C combined with ultrasound effectively restrained the growth of total viable counts (TVC) in samples. Meanwhile, the main dominant genera changed from Pseudomonas to Carnobacterium and the number of microbial species decreased. The odor profile of Russian sturgeon meat was more stable and the lipoxygenase (LOX) activity decreased more rapidly after treating with SVC and ultrasound. Importantly, more stable protein aggregates were formed in samples treated by SVC 50 °C together with ultrasound pretreatment, so the protein and lipid oxidation were slowed during storage. Higher springiness values were obtained and the color of sturgeon meat was lighter under these conditions. CONCLUSION: The combination of SVC 50 °C and ultrasound pretreatment effectively inhibited the microbial growth of Russian sturgeon meat at lower oxidation levels. These findings theoretically support the preservation and development of sturgeon meat, and the application of SVC technology. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cerebral hemorrhage is a fatal disease that causes severe damage to local nerve function. The purpose of this research is to analyze the effect of kurarinone on hemin‐induced neuroinflammation and neurotoxicity. In our study, according to the results of bioinformatics analysis, we hypothesized that kurarinone might modulate cerebral hemorrhage advancement via the insulin‐like growth factor 1/phosphoinositide 3‐kinase/protein kinase B (IGF1/PI3K/Akt) signaling. Kurarinone promoted M2 microglia polarization, and curbed M1 polarization and inflammation in human microglial cells (HMC3) cells with hemin treatment. Besides, kurarinone upregulated IGF1 expression and activated the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in hemin‐treated HMC3 cells. In addition, downregulation of IGF1 or inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling weakened the effects of kurarinone on microglia polarization and inflammation in HMC3 cells with hemin treatment. Kurarinone alleviated apoptosis and oxidative damage of SH‐SY5Y cells co‐cultured with hemin‐treated HMC3 cells. In conclusion, kurarinone lessened hemin‐induced neuroinflammation and microglia‐mediated neurotoxicity by regulating microglial polarization through modulating the IGF1/PI3K/Akt signaling. These results delivered a new prospective therapeutic drug for the treatment of cerebral hemorrhage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aims to analyze the flavor differences of freeze‐dried sea cucumber powder, processed for different time intervals, under vibration mill‐assisted complex enzyme hydrolysis using electronic nose (E‐nose) and gas chromatography‐ion mobility spectrometry (GC‐IMS). The results of principal component analysis by E‐nose showed distinction among the four groups of freeze‐dried sea cucumber powder (papain‐neutral protease (PN) and flavorzyme‐neutral protease (FN), processed for 60 and 80 min). The GC‐IMS revealed 35 volatile compounds. Subsequently, based on the fingerprint and heat map results, the flavor differences among the samples were clearly distinguished. When compared to the other three groups, the 60‐FN group exhibited a greater variety and quantity of volatile compounds such as octanal, heptanal, hexanal, (E, Z)‐2,6‐nonadienal, and nonanal. The 80‐PN group exhibited high amounts of 2‐propanone, ethylbenzene, ethyl acetate, and 2,5‐dimethylpyrazine. In addition, the vibration mill technique was considered to be a mild enzyme‐assisted method. Practical applications: This study found that different enzyme types and physical technology operation time can affect the different volatile flavor compounds of freeze‐dried sea cucumber powder, which can be quickly and effectively be identified by E‐nose and GC‐IMS technology to improve the flavor and quality of the product, while facilitating the rapid adjustment and development of the industry. Meanwhile, the results of the study could provide a reference for the deep processing and flavor improvement of the sea cucumber industry and make an important contribution to the related literature. In addition, this could also promote the development and application of non‐thermal processing technologies such as vibratory mill in the freeze‐dried sea cucumber powder industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) are heterogeneous populations with broad application prospects in cell therapy, and using specific subpopulations of MSCs can enhance their particular capability under certain conditions and achieve better therapeutic effects. However, no studies have reported how to obtain high‐quality specific MSC subpopulations in vitro culture. Here, for the first time, we established a general operation process for obtaining high‐quality clinical‐grade cell subpopulations from human umbilical cord MSCs (hUC‐MSCs) based on particular markers. We used the MSC‐CD106+ subpopulations, whose biological function has been well documented, as an example to explore and optimize the crucial links of primary preparation, pre‐treatment, antibody incubation, flow sorting, quality and function test. After comprehensively evaluating the quality and function of the acquired MSC‐CD106+ subpopulations, including in vitro cell viability, apoptosis, proliferation, marker stability, adhesion ability, migration ability, tubule formation ability, immunomodulatory function and in vivo wound healing ability and proangiogenic activity, we defined an important pre‐treatment scheme which might effectively improve the therapeutic efficiency of MSC‐CD106+ subpopulations in two critical clinical application scenarios—direct injection after cell sorting and post‐culture injection into bodies. Based on the above, we tried to establish a general five‐step operation procedure for acquiring high‐quality clinical‐grade MSC subpopulations based on specific markers, which cannot only improve their enrichment efficiency and the reliability of preclinical studies, but also provide valuable methodological guidance for the rapid clinical transformation of specific MSC subpopulations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND: Sturgeon is one of the most precious fish resources worldwide. Low temperature vacuum heating (LTVH) has been confirmed as a good way of maintaining food quality. However, there is a lack of in‐depth studies assessing the impact of LTVH on lipid oxidation and flavor formation. RESULTS: The present study compared the effect of LTVH and traditional cooking on lipid oxidation and flavor of sturgeon fillets. In total, 13 fatty acids were detected, of which polyunsaturated fatty acids content was the highest (P < 0.05). LTVH prevented the formation of conjugated diene and thiobarbituric acid reactive substances (P < 0.05), as manifested by an increased signal intensity of free radicals of electron spin resonance. The characteristic peaks intensity of lipid by Raman at 970 cm−1, 1080 cm−1 and 1655 cm−1 were reduced, whereas peaks at 1068 cm−1 and 1125 cm−1 displayed the opposite trend. Confocal fluorescence microscopy showed that the lipids particles were reduced and distributed more evenly with an increase in heating temperature. Principal component analysis of electronic nose cannot effectively separate all groups; however, gas chromatography‐ion migration spectrometry showed that the volatile flavor compounds were relatively stable during LTVH. Correlation analysis of all the above lipid oxidation indices and characteristic flavor substances showed that each treatment group was located in different quadrants and demonstrated great differentiation. CONCLUSION: Overall, the results of the present study support the view that LTVH is a healthier way of cooking. © 2022 Society of Chemical Industry [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) are reported to play essential roles in chemoresistance and metastasis. Pathways regulating CSC self‐renewal and proliferation, such as Hedgehog, Notch, Wnt/β‐catenin, TGF‐β, and Myc, may be potential therapeutic targets. Here, a functional screening from the focused library with 365 compounds is performed by a step‐by‐step strategy. Among these candidate molecules, phenyl‐2‐pyrimidinyl ketone 4‐allyl‐3‐amino selenourea (CU27) is chosen for further identification because it proves to be the most effective compound over others on CSC inhibition. Through ingenuity pathway analysis, it is shown CU27 may inhibit CSC through a well‐known stemness‐related transcription factor c‐Myc. Gene set enrichment analysis, dual‐luciferase reporter assays, expression levels of typical c‐Myc targets, molecular docking, surface plasmon resonance, immunoprecipitation, and chromatin immunoprecipitation are conducted. These results together suggest CU27 binds c‐Myc bHLH/LZ domains, inhibits c‐Myc‐Max complex formation, and prevents its occupancy on target gene promoters. In mouse models, CU27 significantly sensitizes sorafenib‐resistant tumor to sorafenib, reduces the primary tumor size, and inhibits CSC generation, showing a dramatic anti‐metastasis potential. Taken together, CU27 exerts inhibitory effects on CSC and CSC‐associated traits in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) via c‐Myc transcription activity inhibition. CU27 may be a promising therapeutic to treat sorafenib‐resistant HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tungsten‐doped diamond‐like carbon (W‐DLC) films were prepared by magnetron sputtering, followed by annealing in the temperature range of 100–500°C. The effects of the annealing treatment on the chemical compositions, mechanical properties and tribological behaviours of annealed W‐DLC films with a base oil were tested by scanning electron microscopy, atomic force microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, x‐ray diffraction and nanoindenter tests. The results indicated that increasing the annealing temperature led to a decrease in the thicknesses and hardness values of the W‐DLC films due to the graphitization and oxidation of the film surfaces. However, the structures of the W‐DLC films annealed at 500°C were destroyed. Under poly‐alpha olefin lubrication, when the annealing temperature was lower than 300°C, the tribological properties of the W‐DLC films were stable. This occurred because the graphitization of the sample surface was conducive to the removal of abrasive particles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Squid ink is rich in abundant natural proteins, lipids, and minerals. The aim of this study was to investigate the influences of different types and contents of modified starch with different processes on the stability and fluidity of squid ink sauces. Results of scanning electron microscopy demonstrated that the adsorption quantities of acetylated distarch phosphate (ADSP) were significantly higher than acetylated distarch adipate and hydroxypropyl distarch phosphate. Results of rheological properties and textural characteristics showed that squid ink sauce treated with ADSP had the highest dynamic viscoelasticity and adhesiveness, respectively. Meanwhile, overall quality of squid ink sauce with addition of 150% ADSP showed the highest scores. In addition, squid ink sauce treated with wet process (WP) showed higher stability and smaller particle size than dry process. The effects of processes on the volatile compounds of squid ink sauces were relatively small. In summary, the combination of 150% ADSP and squid ink treated with WP could improve the uniformity and gelling of squid ink sauce. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

'Requirements for human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells' is the first set of guidelines on human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells in China, jointly drafted and agreed upon by experts from the Chinese Society for Stem Cell Research. This standard specifies the technical requirements, inspection methods, inspection rules, instructions for usage, labelling requirements, packaging requirements, storage requirements and transportation requirements for human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells, which is applicable to the quality control for human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells. We hope that publication of these guidelines will promote institutional establishment, acceptance and execution of proper protocols, and accelerate the international standardization of human haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells for applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The presence of high crystallographic symmetry and nanoscale defects are favorable for thermoelectrics. With proper electronic structures, a highly symmetric crystal tends to possess multiple carrier channels and promote electrical conductivity without sacrificing Seebeck coefficient. In addition, nanoscale defects can effectively scatter acoustic phonons to suppress thermal conductivity. Here, it is reported that the triple doping of Cu2SnSe3 leads to a high ZT value of 1.6 at 823 K for Cu1.85Ag0.15(Sn0.88Ga0.1Na0.02)Se3, and a decent average ZT (ZTave) value of 0.7 is also achieved for Cu1.85Ag0.15(Sn0.93Mg0.06Na0.01)Se3 from 475 to 823 K. This study reveals: 1) Ag doping on Cu sites generates numerous point defects and greatly decreases lattice thermal conductivity. 2) Doping Mg or Ga converts the monoclinic Cu2SnSe3 into a cubic structure. This symmetry enhancing leads to an increase in the effective mass from 0.8 me to 2.6 me (me, free electron mass) and the power factor from 4.3 µW cm−1 K−2 for Cu2SnSe3 to 11.6 µW cm−1 K−2. 3) Na doping creates dense dislocation arrays and nanoprecipitates, which strengthens the phonon scattering. 4) Pair distribution function analysis shows localized symmetry breakdown in the cubic Cu1.85Ag0.15(Sn0.88Ga0.1Na0.02)Se3. This work provides a standpoint to design promising thermoelectric materials by synergistically manipulating crystal symmetry and nanoscale defects. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate protective effects of Taiwanese green propolis (TGP) against high glucose‐induced inflammatory responses in human gingival fibroblasts (HGFs) through NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Background: NLRP3 inflammasome has been implicated in the progression of both diabetes mellitus and periodontitis, suggesting a common potential therapeutic target for these diseases. Propolis is renowned for various biological activities, particularly anti‐inflammation and antioxidant, representing a promising therapy for many conditions. However, underlying mechanisms remain unclear. Methods: The cytotoxicity of TGP was evaluated by cell viability assay. The mRNA levels and protein expression or secretion of various inflammatory molecules and NLRP3 inflammasome‐related molecules in high glucose‐exposed HGFs with or without pretreatment of TGP (5 μg/ml) were determined by real‐time PCR and western blot or specific kits, respectively. Intracellular and mitochondrial ROS measurements, NADPH oxidase activity determination, and subcellular fractions were performed to assess ROS generation. The transcriptional activity of NF‐κB was measured by luciferase reporter kit. The signaling components were further differentiated using pharmacological inhibitors of ROS and small interfering RNAs of TLR2, TLR4, or NF‐κB. Results: High glucose could induce IL‐1β‐driven inflammatory responses in HGFs via the activation of NLRP3 inflammasome regulated by TLR2/TLR4 coupled ROS in NF‐κB‐dependent manner. TGP had no adverse impact on the cell viability of HGFs at concentrations no greater than 10 μg/ml, and could exert inhibitory effects on high glucose‐induced inflammatory responses via the interruption of NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway. Conclusion: Taiwanese green propolis could elicit protective effects against IL‐1β‐driven inflammation in high glucose‐exposed HGFs through TLR2/TLR4 combined ROS/NF‐κB/NLRP3 inflammasome pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biological scaffolds based stem cell delivery methods have emerged as a promising approach for tissue repair and regeneration. Here we developed a hydrogel biological scaffold from human decellularized adipose matrix (hDAM) for human adipose‐derived stem cells (hASCs) delivery to accelerate chronic wound healing. The hDAM hydrogel was prepared by pepsin mediated digestion and pH controlled neutralization. The morphology, survival, proliferation, and angiogenic paracrine activity of hASCs cultured in the hydrogel were assessed. Moreover, the therapeutic efficacy of the hASCs‐hydrogel composite for impaired wound healing was evaluated by using a full‐thickness wound model on diabetic mouse. The developed hDAM hydrogel was a thermosensitive hydrogel, presented the biochemical complexity of native extracellular matrix and formed a porous nanofiber structure after gelation. The hydrogel can support hASCs adhesion, survival, and proliferation. Compared to standard culture condition, hASCs cultured in the hydrogel exhibited enhanced paracrine activity with increased secretion of hepatocyte growth factor. In the diabetic mice model with excisional full‐thickness skin wounds, mice treated with the hASCs‐hydrogel composite displayed accelerated wound closure and increased neovascularization. Our results suggested that the developed hDAM hydrogel can provide a favorable microenvironment for hASCs with augmented regeneration potential to accelerate chronic wound healing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An investigational wearable injector (WI), the BD Libertas Wearable Injector (BD Libertas is a trademark of Becton, Dickinson and Company), was evaluated in an early feasibility clinical study for functional performance, tissue effects, subject tolerability, and acceptability of 5 mL, non‐Newtonian ~ 8 cP subcutaneous placebo injections in 52 healthy adult subjects of 2 age groups (18–64 years and ≥ 65 years). Randomized WI subcutaneous injections (n = 208, 4/subject) were delivered to the right and left abdomen and thigh of each subject, 50% (1 thigh and 1 abdomen) with a defined movement sequence during injection. Injector functional performance was documented. Deposition was qualified and quantified with ultrasound. Tissue effects and tolerability (pain) were monitored through 24 hours with corresponding acceptability questionnaires administered through 72 hours. WI (n = 205) automatically inserted the needle, delivered 5 mL ± 5% in 5.42 minutes (SD 0.74) and retracted. Depots were entirely (93.2%) or predominantly (5.4%) localized within the target subcutaneous tissue. Slight to moderate wheals (63.9%) and erythema (75.1%) were observed with ≥ 50% resolution within 30–60 minutes. Subject pain (100 mm Visual Analog Scale) peaked mid‐injection (mean 9.1 mm, SD 13.4) and rapidly resolved within 30 minutes (mean 0.4 mm, SD 2.6). Subjects' peak pain (≥ 90.2%), injection site appearance (≥ 92.2%) and injector wear, size, and removal (≥ 92.1%) were acceptable (Likert responses) with 100% likely to use the injector if prescribed. Injection site preference was divided between none (46%), abdomen (25%), or thigh (26.9%). The investigational WI successfully delivered 5 mL viscous subcutaneous injections. Tissue effects and pain were transient, well‐tolerated and acceptable. Neither injection site, movement or subject age affected injector functional performance or subject pain and acceptability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on data for Chinese manufacturing firms from 1999 to 2007, this study explores the dynamic evolution of aggregate total factor productivity (TFP) from the perspective of firmsʼ entry and exit. It also quantifies how government subsidies influence the aggregate productivity growth. By decomposing aggregate productivity growth into components, including technological progress, reallocation, entry, and exit effects, we found that aggregate TFP growth in Chinese manufacturingfollows an upward trend during the sample period. This tendency originates from the contribution of technological progress, reallocation, and exit effects. Moreover, the effects of these four components on aggregate TFP growth of different industries, regions, and ownership types are different. Furthermore, technological progress, reallocation, and exit effects are important pathways for government subsidies to promote aggregate TFP growth in Chinese manufacturing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: Ex vivo engineered production of megakaryocytes (MKs) and platelets (PLTs) from human pluripotent stem cells is an alternative approach to solve shortage of donor‐donated PLTs in clinics and to provide induced PLTs for transfusion. However, low production yields are observed and the generation of clinically applicable MKs and PLTs from human pluripotent stem cells without genetic modifications still needs to be improved. Materials and Methods: We defined an optimal, stepwise and completely xeno‐free culture protocol for the generation of MKs from human embryonic stem cells (hESCs). To generate MKs from hESCs on a large scale, we improved the monolayer induction manner to define three‐dimensional (3D) and sphere‐like differentiation systems for MKs by using a special polystyrene CellSTACK culture chamber. Results: The 3D manufacturing system could efficiently generate large numbers of MKs from hESCs within 16‐18 days of continuous culturing. Each CellSTACK culture chamber could collect on an average 3.4 × 108 CD41+ MKs after a three‐stage orderly induction process. MKs obtained from hESCs via 3D induction showed significant secretion of IL‐8, thrombospondin‐1 and MMP9. The induced cells derived from hESCs in our culture system were shown to have the characteristics of MKs as well as the function to form proPLTs and release PLTs. Furthermore, we generated clinically applicable MKs from clinical‐grade hESC lines and confirmed the biosafety of these cells. Conclusions: We developed a simple, stepwise, 3D and completely xeno‐free/feeder‐free/transgene‐free induction system for the generation of MKs from hESCs. hESC‐derived MKs were shown to have typical MK characteristics and PLT formation ability. This study further enhances the clinical applications of MKs or PLTs derived from pluripotent stem cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A vinylogous aldol‐type reaction of allylazaarenes and aldehydes is disclosed that affords a series of chiral γ‐hydroxyl‐α,β‐unsaturated azaarenes in moderate to excellent yields with high to excellent regio‐ and enantioselectivities. With (R,RP)‐TANIAPHOS and (R,R)‐QUINOXP* as the ligand, the carbon‐carbon double bond in the products is generated in (E)‐form. With (R)‐DTBM‐SEGPHOS as the ligand, (Z)‐form carbon‐carbon double bond is formed in the major product. In this vinylogous reaction, aromatic, α,β‐unsaturated, and aliphatic aldehydes are competent substrates. Moreover, a variety of azaarenes, such as pyrimidine, pyridine, pyrazine, quinoline, quinoxaline, quinazoline, and benzo[d]imidazole are well‐tolerated. At last, the chiral vinylogous product is demonstrated as a suitable Michael acceptor towards CuI‐catalyzed nucleophilic addition with organomagnesium reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Transition‐metal oxide (TMO) heterostructures provide fertile grounds for creating and manipulating intriguing properties and functionalities. At the interface of TMO heterostructures, electronic reconstructions generally occur via charge transfer and lead to an extraordinary spectrum of emergent phenomena but unattainable in their bulk constituents. However, the basic mechanism of charge transfer at the interface is not fully determined or even understood in heterostructures, which may hide the underlying mechanisms and intriguing physics. Herein, an intrinsic charge transfer and resultant exotic ferromagnetism are unambiguously observed in the heterostructures between the nonmagnetic LaCoO3 (LCO) and SrTiO3 (STO). Combining element‐specific X‐ray absorption spectroscopy and atomic multiplet fitting, direct evidence of charge transfer‐induced multivalence of cobalt ions, interactions of which would contribute to the novel magnetism beyond the intuition, in concert with first‐principles density‐functional‐theory calculations, is demonstrated. Beyond LCO/STO system, a more broadly applicable principle for the heterostructures between 3d TMO and STO where charge transfer and resultant multivalence or conducting interfaces are coexistent is establish. This study represents an advance that the electronic reconstruction and the multiple electron configurations of 3d transition metal ions will constitute a powerful tool for the designs of functional materials and creations of unconventional physical properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the most common liver cancer with high mortality. Here, we found that hnRNPU is overexpressed in HCC tissues and is correlated with the poor prognosis of HCC patients. Besides, hnRNPU is of high significance in regulating the proliferation, apoptosis, self‐renewal, and tumorigenic potential of HCC cells. Mechanismly, c‐Myc regulates hnRNPU expression at the transcriptional level, and meanwhile, hnRNPU stabilizes the mRNA of c‐MYC. We found that the hnRNPU and c‐Myc regulatory loop exerts a synergistic effect on the proliferation and self‐renewal of HCC, and promotes the HCC progression. Taken together, hnRNPU functions as a novel transcriptional target of c‐Myc and promotes HCC progression, which may become a promising target for the treatment of c‐Myc‐driven HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Salting is important to maintain the food quality. This study aimed to evaluate the physicochemical properties and microstructure of Russian sturgeon fillets under vacuum impregnation and find out appropriate salting conditions. The treatments varied in salt concentration (5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%) and time (1, 2, 3, 4, and 5 hr); samples treated under atmospheric pressure with 10% were included as controls. In our study, vacuum impregnation improved the salting efficiency and helped to maintain a complete microstructure to enhance the water‐holding capacity, especially after salting for 2 hr, the maximum value was 32.4%. Moreover, it increased the values of hardness and springiness and reduced L* and a*. In addition, the fillets under vacuum impregnation had lower TVB‐N and Carbonyl content, which were 15.91 mg/100 g and 311.38 nmol/L after salting for 5 hr, respectively. Consequently, vacuum impregnation was a better way of salting for its higher salting efficiency and better physicochemical properties. Practical applications: The results of this study provide information to food industry about the effects of different salt concentration and time under vacuum impregnation on the Russian sturgeon fillets. It can be seen from the results that vacuum impregnation can improve the salting efficiency and protect the original organizational structure as completely as possible. As a result, vacuum impregnation is a better way of salting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Boron nanoclusters and few‐layer borophenes have received considerable attention in recent years due to their unique structural and bonding patterns. Based on extensive global searches and density‐functional theory calculations, we present herein the possibility of a new series of bilayer medium‐sized boron clusters including C2 B54 (I), C2h B60 (II), and C1 B62 (III) in a universal structural pattern, with one, two, and three B6 hexagonal windows on the waist around a B38 bilayer hexagonal prism at the center, respectively. Detailed orbital and bonding analyses indicate that these three‐dimensional aromatic bilayer clusters follow the σ + π double delocalization bonding pattern, with three or four effective interlayer B–B σ‐bonds formed to further stabilize the system. The IR, Raman, and UV/Vis spectra of the bilayer species are theoretically simulated to facilitate their future spectral characterizations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Stem cells have emerged as a potential therapy for a range of neural insults, but their application in Alzheimer's disease (AD) is still limited and the mechanisms underlying the cognitive benefits of stem cells remain to be elucidated. Here, the effects of clinical‐grade human umbilical cord‐derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC‐MSCs) on the recovery of cognitive ability in SAMP8 mice, a senescence‐accelerated mouse model of AD is explored. A functional assay identifies that the core functional factor hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) secreted from hUC‐MSCs plays critical roles in hUC‐MSC‐modulated recovery of damaged neural cells by down‐regulating hyperphosphorylated tau, reversing spine loss, and promoting synaptic plasticity in an AD cell model. Mechanistically, structural and functional recovery, as well as cognitive enhancements elicited by exposure to hUC‐MSCs, are at least partially mediated by HGF in the AD hippocampus through the activation of the cMet‐AKT‐GSK3β signaling pathway. Taken together, these data strongly implicate HGF in mediating hUC‐MSC‐induced improvements in functional recovery in AD models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MHC-II on alveolar type-II (AT-II) cells is associated with immune tolerance in an inflammatory microenvironment. Recently, we found TNF-α upregulated MHC-II in AT-II in vitro. In this study, we explored whether TNF-α-mediated inflammation upregulates MHC-II on AT-II cells to trigger Treg expansion in inflammation-driven lung adenocarcinoma (IDLA). Using urethane-induced mice IDLA model, we found that IDLA cells mainly arise from AT-II cells, which are the major source of MHC-II. Blocking urethane-induced inflammation by TNF-α neutralization inhibited tumorigenesis and reversed MHC-II upregulation on tumor cells of AT-II cellular origin in IDLA. MHC-II-dependent AT-II cells were isolated from IDLA-induced Treg expansion. In human LA samples, we found high expression of MHC-II in tumor cells of AT-II cellular origin, which was correlated with increased Foxp3+ T cells infiltration as well as CXCR-2 expression. CXCR-2 and MHC-II colocalization was observed in inflamed lung tissue and IDLA cells of AT-II cellular origin. Furthermore, at the pro-IDLA inflammatory stage, TNF-α-neutralization or CXCR-2 deficiency inhibited the upregulation of MHC-II on AT-II cells in inflamed lung tissue. Thus, tumor cells of AT-II cellular origin contribute to Treg expansion in an MHC-II-dependent manner in TNF-α-mediated IDLA. At the pro-tumor inflammatory stage, TNF-α-dependent lung inflammation plays an important role in MHC-II upregulation on AT-II cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Liver cancer stem cells (L‐CSCs) are considered to be an important therapeutic target for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study provides a new in vitro long‐term culture model for a specific subpopulation of L‐CSCs enriched by cell surface markers. We combined CD13, CD133 and EpCAM to selectively enrich L‐CSCs, which we then cultured in modified chemically defined medium. The enriched L‐CSCs exhibited enhanced proliferation, self‐renewal and long‐term clonal maintenance ability as compared with non‐CSCs. Compared with wild‐type hepatocellular carcinoma, the expression of stemness surface markers, oncogenes, drug resistance and tumorigenicity in enriched L‐CSCs was significantly increased. In summary, the subpopulation of L‐CSCs still maintains cancer stem cell‐related phenotypes after 14 days of culture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

BACKGROUND Sturgeon is popular for its nutritious value and its taste. However, sturgeon fillets are traditionally heated in 100 °C boiling water, resulting in unfavorable taste and with a negative effect on the quality. This study considered the effect of combinations of vacuum and low‐temperature treatments (LTVH groups) on sturgeon fillets compared with the traditional heat treatment (TC groups). RESULTS: The results show that the LTVH groups had lower cooking‐loss rates. All LTVH fillets were changed to a white color, and appeared 'done', as did the TC fillets. The LTVH and TC methods gave rise to significant differences in texture: the springiness of the LTVH groups decreased with heating time, and decreased rapidly in the TC groups (P < 0.05); hardness and chewiness increased with time and temperature in the LTVH groups, but decreased in the TC groups. More compact and denser gaps were observed in LTVH70 groups and TC groups. Less protein and lipid oxidation was evident in LTVH groups, including more myofibril protein solubility; there was less protein aggregation, fewer thiobarbituric acid reactive substance, and Schiff base. CONCLUSION: Vacuum and low‐temperature treated sturgeon fillets can be served as a good alternative. This treatment caused slight tissue damage and less proteolysis and lipid oxidation, which is beneficial for the quality of aquatic products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Immunotherapy has been demonstrated as a promising strategy in controlling head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSC). The AID/APOBEC family is well characterized as DNA mutator and considered to play critical roles in immune responses in HNSC. However, the expression pattern and deamination-dependent demethylation roles of AID/APOBECs in HNSC are unclear. In this study, the RNA-seq and DNA methylation profiles of HNSC from TCGA database and cell-based experiments were applied to analyze the relationships between AID/APOBEC expression levels, patients' clinical outcomes, methylation alterations, and immune responses. Here, we found that APOBEC3H was abnormally upregulated in HNSC patients. HPV+ patients tended to have higher APOBEC3H levels than HPV- patients. Remarkably, patients with high APOBEC3H levels showed a favorable overall survival. Furthermore, tumors with high APOBEC3H levels exhibited a genome-wide DNA hypomethylation pattern. APOBEC3H was identified to demethylate and upregulate CXCL10 and improve CD8+ T cell tumor infiltration in the tumor microenvironment. Collectively, APOBEC3H plays critical roles in CD8+ T cell immune infiltration and activation in HNSC, which may be a potential biomarker for oncoimmunotherapy in HNSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reactive oxygen species (ROS) depletion and low ROS production that result from the intratumoral redox metabolism equilibrium and low energy conversion efficiency from ultrasound mechanical energy to ROS‐represented chemical energy, respectively, are two vital inhibitory factors of sonodynamic therapy (SDT). To address the two concerns, a tumor metabolism‐engineered composite nanoplatform capable of intervening intratumoral ROS metabolism, breaking the redox equilibrium, and reshaping the tumor microenvironment is constructed to reinforce SDT against tumors. In this metabolism‐engineered nanoplatform, Nb2C nanosheets serve as the scaffold to accommodate TiO2 sonosensitizers and l‐buthionine‐sulfoximine. Systematic experiments show that such nanoplatforms can reduce ROS depletion via suppressing glutathione synthesis and simultaneously improving ROS production via the Nb2C‐enhanced production and separation of electron–hole pairs. Contributed by the combined effect, net ROS content can be significantly elevated, which results in the highly efficient anti‐tumor outcomes in vivo and in vitro. Moreover, the combined design principles, that is, tumor metabolism modulation for reducing ROS depletion and electron–hole pair separation for facilitating ROS production, can be extended to other ROS‐dependent therapeutic systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A protein Pascal triangle has been constructed as new type of supramolecular architecture by using the inducing ligand strategy that we previously developed for protein assemblies. Although mathematical studies on this famous geometry have a long history, no work on such Pascal triangles fabricated from native proteins has been reported so far due to their structural complexity. In this work, by carefully tuning the specific interactions between the native protein building block WGA and the inducing ligand R‐SL, a 2D Pascal‐triangle lattice with three types of triangular voids has been assembled. Moreover, a 3D crystal structure was obtained based on the 2D Pascal triangles. The distinctive carbohydrate binding sites of WGA and the intralayer as well as interlayer dimerization of RhB was the key to facilitate nanofabrication in solution. This strategy may be applied to prepare and explore various sophisticated assemblies based on native proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

1,2‐Bisphosphines have been identified as one class of important and powerful chiral ligands in asymmetric catalysis with transition metals. Herein, a copper(I)‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrophosphination of α,β‐unsaturated phosphine sulfides was developed with the assistance of "soft–soft" interaction between copper(I)‐catalyst and the phosphine sulfide moiety, which afforded 1,2‐bisphosphine derivatives with diversified electronic nature and steric hindrance in high to excellent yields with high to excellent enantioselectivity. Moreover, the challenging catalytic asymmetric hydrophosphination/protonation reaction was achieved with excellent enantioselectivity. Strikingly, the dynamic kinetic resolution of racemic diarylphosphines was also successfully carried out with high to excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. Interestingly, the nucleophilic copper(I)‐diphenylphosphide species was characterized by 31P NMR spectrum and mass spectrum. At last, three products were transformed to chiral 1,2‐bisphosphines, which were employed as ligands in Rh‐catalyzed asymmetric hydrogenation of α‐amino‐α,β‐unsaturated ester. The α‐amino acid derivative was produced in high enantioselectivity, which demonstrated the utility of the present methodology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]