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The remarkable success of mRNA‐based coronavirus 2019 (COVID‐19) vaccines has propelled the advancement of nanomedicine, specifically in the realm of RNA technology and nanomaterial delivery systems. Notably, significant strides have been made in the development of RNA‐based in vivo chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) therapy. In comparison to the conventional ex vivo CAR therapy, in vivo CAR therapy offers several benefits including simplified preparation, reduced costs, broad applicability and decreased potential for carcinogenic effects. This review summarises the RNA‐based CAR constructs in in vivo CAR therapy, discusses the current applications of in vivo delivery vectors and outlines the immune cells edited with CAR molecules. We aim for the conveyed messages to contribute towards the advancement of in vivo CAR application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background In recent years, triglyceride glucose (TyG) index, as a popular metabolic index, has been proposed as an alternative index of insulin resistance, and it has been proved to be associated with many cardiovascular diseases, but the relationship between it and aortic valve calcification is still unknown. Methods A total of 450 aortic valve disease patients were enrolled in this study, including 361 patients with aortic valve calcification (AVC) (calcification group) and 89 patients without (control group). According to the severity of AVC, patients with AVC included severe calcification, moderate calcification and low calcification. The TyG index was calculated based on fasting triglyceride and fasting blood glucose levels. Results The TyG index in the calcification group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P  < .05), and with the increase of the degree of calcification, the TyG index showed an increasing trend. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed TyG index has a high predictive value for the presence of AVC (OR (95% CI): 1.743 (1.036–2.933)) and severe AVC (OR (95% CI): 1.608 (1.143–2.262)). In assessing the predictive value of the TyG index distribution width for AVC, with the first quartile as a reference, the last quartile of the TyG index had significant predictive value for the presence of AVC and severe AVC. Conclusions TyG index was significantly associated with the presence and severity of AVC, suggesting that TyG index may be a valid predictor of AVC. Key messages What is already known on this topic. Triglyceride glucose (TyG) index is a reliable and specific index of insulin sensitivity in vivo. TyG index is closely related to various traditional risk factors for cardiovascular disease. What this study adds. TyG index was significantly associated with the presence and severity of AVC. How this study might affect research, practice or policy. This study lays the groundwork for investigating the mechanism underlying the association between the TyG index and AVC, and proposes the potential of attenuating the progression of AVC by judiciously reducing the TyG index in patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, conventional immunotherapies for the treatment of non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) have low response rates and benefit only a minority of patients, particularly those with advanced disease, so novel therapeutic strategies are urgent deeded. Therapeutic cancer vaccines, a form of active immunotherapy, harness potential to activate the adaptive immune system against tumor cells via antigen cross‐presentation. Cancer vaccines can establish enduring immune memory and guard against recurrences. Vaccine‐induced tumor cell death prompts antigen epitope spreading, activating functional T cells and thereby sustaining a cancer‐immunity cycle. The success of vaccines against severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2) has rendered cancer vaccines a promising avenue, especially when combined with immunotherapy or chemoradiotherapy for NSCLC. This review delves into the intricate antitumor immune mechanisms underlying therapeutic cancer vaccines, enumerates the tumor antigen spectrum of NSCLC, discusses different cancer vaccines progress and summarizes relevant clinical trials. Additionally, we analyze the combination strategies, current limitations, and future prospects of cancer vaccines in NSCLC treatment, aiming to offer fresh insights for their clinical application in managing NSCLC. Overall, cancer vaccines offer promising potential for NSCLC treatment, particularly combining with chemoradiotherapy or immunotherapy could further improve survival in advanced patients. Exploring inhaled vaccines or prophylactic vaccines represents a crucial research avenue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Palladium (Pd)‐based catalysts are considered compelling alternatives to platinum (Pt)‐based counterparts in various electrocatalytic reactions. Recently, Pd metallene‐based nanomaterials have emerged as innovative materials for electrocatalysis, demonstrating unique functional properties and exceptional catalytic activity. This review aims to discuss recent research progress on Pd metallene‐based electrocatalysts for energy conversion applications, providing an overview of their design strategies and pivotal advantages. Seven pivotal construction strategies for Pd metallene‐based electrocatalysts, including defect engineering, interface engineering, strain effect, phase engineering, alloying effect, and doping effect, are meticulously introduced and comprehensively discussed, highlighting their critical roles in modulating the electronic structure and coordination environment. Finally, the current challenges and perspectives on the future directions of Pd metallene‐based electrocatalysts are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Man‐made ceramics generally undergo harsh manufacturing conditions (e.g., high‐temperature sintering). In contrast, mineral structures with superior mechanical strength are generated in organisms under mild biocompatible conditions. Herein, it is reported that ceramic objects can be directly produced and strengthened by drying purely inorganic gels (PIGs), mimicking the biological tactic of fabricating continuous monoliths from hydrated amorphous precursors. The overall process is easy and biocompatible in that solutions of common iron and molybdate salts are mixed to generate a PIG, consisting of 80 wt% liquid water and amorphous mineral nanoparticles (hydrated iron molybdate: FeMo2H7O11), which, upon drying under mild temperature, turns into a residual stress‐strengthened ceramic block that displays a high mechanical performance (with a hardness/elastic modulus of 1.7/17.5 GPa). Analogous to the well‐known Prince Rupert's drop reinforced by residual stress upon quenching, the uneven volume shrinkage from the outside inwards during dehydration builds up residual stress that enables amorphous mineral fusion (with the assistance of hydration water) and strengthening. Furthermore, a dramatic bandgap reduction is achieved in the dried objects due to local structural changes of the Fe atoms under residual stress. This PIG‐dehydration approach holds promise for green ceramic manufacturing and offers insights into biomineralization puzzles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A copper–bismuth composite coating was fabricated by a facile co-sputtering strategy to enhance the sodiophilicity and structural stability of the substrate. The composite coating with lower bismuth content can maintain the sodiophilicity and form a thin and dense SEI during cycling, thus improving the reversibility of the anode-less sodium metal batteries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With a fast-growing population of immigrant and international students entering English medium higher education in Canada, it is critical to understand the nature of academic experiences for these students and what contributes to their academic acculturation and postsecondary success. As such, a literature review was carried out to identify emerging themes related to students using English as an additional language in post-secondary settings. This article is based on a literature review of 87 empirical studies, conducted between 2008 and 2018, related to the academic acculturation journey of international students using English as an additional language in English medium higher education setting. Three major themes--academic engagement, academic socialization, and social integration in relation to English language ability--emerged from the literature among a multitude of influential factors. The findings of this literature review point to the importance of supporting students using English as an additional language as they navigate a new academic culture.

Objective: Skeletal muscle catabolism supports multiple organs and systems during severe trauma and infection, but its role in COVID‐19 remains unclear. This study investigates the interactions between skeletal muscle and COVID‐19. Methods: The PubMed, EMbase, and The Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched from January 2020 to August 2023 for cohort studies focusing on the impact of skeletal muscle on COVID‐19 prevalence and outcomes, and longitudinal studies examining skeletal muscle changes caused by COVID‐19. Skeletal muscle quantity (SMQN) and quality (SMQL) were assessed separately. The random‐effect model was predominantly utilized for statistical analysis. Results: Seventy studies with moderate to high quality were included. Low SMQN/SMQL was associated with an increased risk of COVID‐19 infection (OR = 1.62, p < 0.001). Both the low SMQN and SMQL predicted COVID‐19‐related mortality (OR = 1.53, p = 0.016; OR = 2.18, p = 0.001, respectively). Mortality risk decreased with increasing SMQN (OR = 0.979, p = 0.009) and SMQL (OR = 0.972, p = 0.034). Low SMQN and SMQL were also linked to the need for intensive care unit/mechanical ventilation, increased COVID‐19 severity, and longer hospital stays. Significant skeletal muscle wasting, characterized by reduced volume and strength, was observed during COVID‐19 infection and the pandemic. Conclusions: This study reveals a detrimental vicious circle between skeletal muscle and COVID‐19. Effective management of skeletal muscle could be beneficial for treating COVID‐19 infections and addressing the broader pandemic. These findings have important implications for the management of future virus pandemics. Systematic review registration: PROSPERO CRD42023395476. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) planting density is the most effective production management method for increasing yields; however, excessive crop populations under high planting densities may experience elevated risk of stem lodging. We conducted this study to assess the relationship between reduced lodging and increased yield, investigate the effects of planting density on wheat population structure, stem strength, and material transport, and provide a basis for rationale planting densities. The experiments were carried out using a split-plot design with three replicates. The main plots contained two wheat varieties: Bainong 5819 (BN5819) and Bainong 4199 (BN4199), and the sub-plots contained four planting density treatments: 90 × 104 plants/ha (D1), 180 × 104 plants/ha (D2), 270 × 104 plants/ha (D3), and 360 × 104 plants/ha (D4). A two-year field trial was conducted in 2021–2023. The relationships between population structure characteristics, changes in stem strength, activation, and retransport of stem material after anthesis, and achievement of high and stable yields were investigated at the different planting densities. When the planting density of wheat increased from D1 to D4 treatment, the activity of fructan hydrolase was significantly increased. Compared with D1 treatment, the highest activity of fructan hydrolase was increased by 457.47 μg/h/g under D4 treatment. At the same time, the increase of density also increased the contribution rate of dry matter accumulation (CDMA) to grain after anthesis increased, with the highest increase in CDMA at 33.67%, which significantly reduced stem strength. Correlation analysis revealed a significant negative association between CDMA and stem strength. Specifically, CDMA levels were significantly lower with the D3 treatment than the D4 treatment, while stem strength remained higher after anthesis as an adaptive response to mitigate lodging risk. Stem storage compounds can promote grain filling and a weight increase in inferior grains. The number of spikes per unit area increased significantly with increasing planting density, but the number of grains per spike and 1000-grain weight decreased significantly. In two years, the number of spikes in D3 treatment increased by a maximum of 211.67 × 104 ha−1 and 99.17 × 104 ha−1, respectively, compared to D1 and D2 treatments. The number of grains per spike was significantly higher than that of D4 treatment, the highest being 3.68 grains. Therefore, in the North China Plain with suitable water, fertilizer, and temperature, the sowing density of 270 × 104 plants/ha established population structure, significantly reduced CDMA, maintained post-anthesis stem strength, enhanced resilience of stems against post-anthesis lodging, and resulted in high yields by stabilizing the number of grains per spike and increasing the number of wheat spikes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article discusses a study that explores a new strategy for constructing circular RNA (circRNA) called NeoAna, which enhances the sensitivity of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) to the drug Osimertinib. The researchers successfully designed and synthesized circRNAs without scar sequences, and they observed the formation of circRNA and successful protein translation in cells. They also restored the expression of the tumor suppressor PTEN using the NeoAna system, which increased sensitivity to Osimertinib and induced apoptosis in Osimertinib-resistant cells. The researchers further demonstrated the efficacy of the NeoAna system in animal models. Overall, this study suggests that engineered circRNA can enhance the effectiveness of Osimertinib in treating NSCLC. The article also discusses the potential mechanisms of PTEN in enhancing the sensitivity of Osimertinib, a drug used to treat NSCLC. The study used RNA-seq to identify common genes between Osimertinib-resistant cells and cells with restored PTEN expression, and found that AKR1C2, a gene involved in drug resistance, was in line with the RNA-seq results. The study also explored the use of a circRNA platform called NeoAna to restore PTEN expression and overcome Osimertinib resistance, suggesting that this platform could be a promising strategy for RNA-based therapeutics. [Extracted from the article]