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A novel pressure-responsive polymer composite film was developed based on Ag@Au composite nanoplates (NPLs) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) by using Au nanoparticles as concentration reference. The orientation change of Ag@Au NPLs is impelled by the deformation of polymer matrix under pressure, resulting in its localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) intensity change of in-plane dipolar peak. The intensity ratio between plasmon peak of Au nanoparticles and in-plane dipolar peak of Ag@Au NPLs relies on the intensity and duration of pressure. By adjusting the viscosity of the polymer, the orientation change of LSPR may respond to a wide range of stresses. This pressure sensitive film can be utilized to record the magnitude and distribution of pressure between two contacting surfaces via optical information.

Nearly monodispersed Fe/SiO2 yolk/shell nanospheres with an average diameter of about 250 nm were synthesised by hydrogen-thermal reduction of Fe3O4/SiO2 precursor nanospheres. The morphology of products and precursors was characterised in three stages of preparation. Electrical conductivity magnetic properties and electromagnetic properties in the microwave band of Fe/SiO2 yolk/shell nanospheres were investigated. The eddy current effect in Fe/SiO2 yolk/shell nanospheres was effectively suppressed because of separation of ultrafine iron particles by silica shells, indicating that the eddy current effect can be suppressed only by separating iron particles and it is not related to the interface of iron and sillica. A reflection loss of −12.5 dB and an effective absorption band with a bandwith of 3.3 GHz were simultaneously obtained for Fe/SiO2 yolk/shell nanospheres-containing coatings with thickness of 2 mm. Compared with bare Fe particles obtained from Fe3O4 precursor nanospheres, oxidation resistance of Fe/SiO2 yolk/shell nanospheres was improved because of the existence of silica shells.

Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis, particularly in the presence of liver metastases. The mechanisms by which metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD), formerly known as nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), influences PDAC progression and metastasis remain poorly understood. This study investigates the role of MASLD in fostering an immunosuppressive microenvironment conducive to PDAC liver metastases and identifies the macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF)-CD44 axis as a key mediator of this process. Utilizing data from the UK Biobank (450,754 participants, median follow-up 14.5 years), we observed an overall increased risk of PDAC in the MASLD population (HR: 3.48; 95% CI: 2.69–4.50; P < 0.0001). Clinical cohorts confirmed the strong association between MASLD and hepatic metastases (OR: 7.06; 95% CI: 4.62–10.78; P < 0.0001). Experimental mouse models demonstrated that MASLD enhances tumor cell stemness, immune evasion, and focal adhesion in metastatic liver tissues. Mechanistically, MASLD-induced MIF secretion promotes CD44-positive PDAC cell migration, stemness, and adhesion. Targeting MIF, either genetically or pharmacologically using the MIF tautomerase inhibitor IPG1576 significantly attenuated liver metastasis in preclinical models. Validation in patient samples revealed elevated hepatic MIF and CD44 expression in MASLD-associated PDAC liver metastases. This study highlights the MIF-CD44 axis as a promising therapeutic target and underscores the importance of tailoring treatments for PDAC patients with concurrent MASLD.

Nearly monodispersed Fe/SiO 2 yolk/shell nanospheres with an average diameter of about 250 nm were synthesised by hydrogen‐thermal reduction of Fe 3 O 4 /SiO 2 precursor nanospheres. The morphology of products and precursors was characterised in three stages of preparation. Electrical conductivity magnetic properties and electromagnetic properties in the microwave band of Fe/SiO 2 yolk/shell nanospheres were investigated. The eddy current effect in Fe/SiO 2 yolk/shell nanospheres was effectively suppressed because of separation of ultrafine iron particles by silica shells, indicating that the eddy current effect can be suppressed only by separating iron particles and it is not related to the interface of iron and sillica. A reflection loss of −12.5 dB and an effective absorption band with a bandwith of 3.3 GHz were simultaneously obtained for Fe/SiO 2 yolk/shell nanospheres‐containing coatings with thickness of 2 mm. Compared with bare Fe particles obtained from Fe 3 O 4 precursor nanospheres, oxidation resistance of Fe/SiO 2 yolk/shell nanospheres was improved because of the existence of silica shells.

Nearly monodispersed Fe/SiO^sub 2^ yolk/shell nanospheres with an average diameter of about 250 nm were synthesised by hydrogen-thermal reduction of Fe^sub 3^O^sub 4^/SiO^sub 2^ precursor nanospheres. The morphology of products and precursors was characterised in three stages of preparation. Electrical conductivity magnetic properties and electromagnetic properties in the microwave band of Fe/SiO^sub 2^ yolk/shell nanospheres were investigated. The eddy current effect in Fe/SiO^sub 2^ yolk/shell nanospheres was effectively suppressed because of separation of ultrafine iron particles by silica shells, indicating that the eddy current effect can be suppressed only by separating iron particles and it is not related to the interface of iron and sillica. A reflection loss of -12.5 dB and an effective absorption band with a bandwith of 3.3 GHz were simultaneously obtained for Fe/SiO^sub 2^ yolk/shell nanospheres-containing coatings with thickness of 2 mm. Compared with bare Fe particles obtained from Fe^sub 3^O^sub 4^ precursor nanospheres, oxidation resistance of Fe/SiO^sub 2^ yolk/shell nanospheres was improved because of the existence of silica shells. [PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

Nearly monodispersed Fe/SiO sub( 2) yolk/shell nanospheres with an average diameter of about 250 nm were synthesised by hydrogen-thermal reduction of Fe sub( 3)O sub( 4)/SiO sub( 2) precursor nanospheres. The morphology of products and precursors was characterised in three stages of preparation. Electrical conductivity magnetic properties and electromagnetic properties in the microwave band of Fe/SiO sub( 2) yolk/shell nanospheres were investigated. The eddy current effect in Fe/SiO sub( 2) yolk/shell nanospheres was effectively suppressed because of separation of ultrafine iron particles by silica shells, indicating that the eddy current effect can be suppressed only by separating iron particles and it is not related to the interface of iron and sillica. A reflection loss of -12.5 dB and an effective absorption band with a bandwith of 3.3 GHz were simultaneously obtained for Fe/SiO sub( 2) yolk/shell nanospheres-containing coatings with thickness of 2 mm. Compared with bare Fe particles obtained from Fe sub( 3)O sub( 4) precursor nanospheres, oxidation resistance of Fe/SiO sub( 2) yolk/shell nanospheres was improved because of the existence of silica shells.

The aim of the present work was to prepare a well-defined hydrogel of chemically cross-linked and organ-metallic complexed interpenetrating PEG networks. The hydrogel was synthesized via the reaction of copper(I)- catalyzed 1,3-dipolar azide-alkyne cycloaddition (CuAAC) with poly(ethylene glycol)-dopamine (PEG-DA) (“Click Chemistry”) followed by complexation with Fe3+ ions to crosslink the polymeric network. The chemical composition and morphology of the resulting hydrogels were characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), 1H-NMR and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Swelling ratio, mechanical strength, conductivity, and degradation behaviors of the hydrogels were also studied. The effect of the polymer chain length on properties of hydrogels was explored. The compressive strength of hydrogels could reach as high as 13.1 MPa with a conductivity of 2.2 × 10-5 S·cm-1. The hydrogels also exhibited excellent thermal stability even at a temperature of 300 °C, whereas degradation of the hydrogel after 7 weeks was observed under a physiological condition. In addition, the hydrogel exhibited a good biocompatibility based on its in vivo performance through an in vivo subcutaneous implantation model. No inflammation and no obvious abnormality of the surrounding tissue were observed when the hydrogel was subcutaneously implanted for 2 weeks. This work is a step towards creating a new pathway to synthesize hydrogels of interpenetrating networks which could be of important applications in the future research.

Previous studies indicate that memantine, a low-affinity N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor antagonist, exerted acute protective effects against amyloid-β protein-induced neurotoxicity. In the present study, the chronic effects and mechanisms of memantine were investigated further using electrophysiological methods. The results showed that 7-day intraperitoneal application of memantine, at doses of 5 mg/kg or 20 mg/kg, did not alter hippocampal long-term potentiation induction in rats, while 40 mg/kg memantine presented potent long-term potentiation inhibition. Then further in vitro studys were carried out in 5 mg/kg and 20 mg/kg memantine treated rats. We found that 20 mg/kg memantine attenuated the potent long-term potentiation inhibition caused by exposure to amyloid-β protein in the dentate gyrus in vitro. These findings are the first to demonstrate the antagonizing effect of long-term systematic treatment of memantine against amyloid-β protein triggered long-term potentiation inhibition to improve synaptic plasticity.

The growth of yield outputs is dwindling after the first green revolution, which cannot meet the demand for the projected population increase by the mid-century, especially with the constant threat from extreme climates. Cereal yield requires carbon (C) assimilation in the source for subsequent allocation and utilization in the sink. However, whether the source or sink limits yield improvement, a crucial question for strategic orientation in future breeding and cultivation, is still under debate. To narrow the knowledge gap and capture the progress, we focus on maize, rice, and wheat by briefly reviewing recent advances in yield improvement by modulation of i) leaf photosynthesis; ii) primary C allocation, phloem loading, and unloading; iii) C utilization and grain storage; and iv) systemic sugar signals (e.g., trehalose 6-phosphate). We highlight strategies for optimizing C allocation and utilization to coordinate the source–sink relationships and promote yields. Finally, based on the understanding of these physiological mechanisms, we envisage a future scenery of “smart crop” consisting of flexible coordination of plant C economy, with the goal of yield improvement and resilience in the field population of cereals crops.

Background Microglial polarization with M1/M2 phenotype shifts and the subsequent neuroinflammatory responses are vital contributing factors for spinal cord injury (SCI)-induced secondary injury. Nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) is considered the central transcription factor of inflammatory mediators, which plays a crucial role in microglial activation. Lysine acetylation of STAT1 seems necessary for NF-kB pathway activity, as it is regulated by histone deacetylases (HDACs). There have been no studies that have explained if HDAC inhibition by valproic acid (VPA) affects the NF-κB pathway via acetylation of STAT1 dependent of HDAC activity in the microglia-mediated central inflammation following SCI. We investigated the potential molecular mechanisms that focus on the phenotypic transition of microglia and the STAT1-mediated NF-κB acetylation after a VPA treatment. Methods The Basso-Beattie-Bresnahan locomotion scale, the inclined plane test, the blood-spinal cord barrier, and Nissl staining were employed to determine the neuroprotective effects of VPA treatment after SCI. Assessment of microglia polarization and pro-inflammatory markers, such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, and interferon (INF)-γ was used to evaluate the neuroinflammatory responses and the anti-inflammatory effects of VPA treatment. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analysis were used to detect HDAC3 nuclear translocation, activity, and NF-κB signaling pathway activation to evaluate the effects of VPA treatment. The impact of STAT1 acetylation on NF-kB pathway and the interaction between STAT1 and NF-kB were assessed to evaluate anti-inflammation effects of VPA treatment and also whether these effects were dependent on a STAT1/NF-κB pathway to gain further insight into the mechanisms underlying the development of the neuroinflammatory response after SCI. Results The results showed that the VPA treatment promoted the phenotypic shift of microglia from M1 to M2 phenotype and inhibited microglial activation, thus reducing the SCI-induced inflammatory factors. The VPA treatment upregulation of the acetylation of STAT1/NF-κB pathway was likely caused by the HDAC3 translocation to the nucleus and activity. These results indicated that the treatment with the VPA suppressed the expression and the activity of HDAC3 and enhanced STAT1, as well as NF-κB p65 acetylation following a SCI. The acetylation status of NF-kB p65 and the complex with NF-κB p65 and STAT1 inhibited the NF-kB p65 transcriptional activity and attenuated the microglia-mediated central inflammatory response following SCI. Conclusions These results suggested that the VPA treatment attenuated the inflammatory response by modulating microglia polarization through STAT1-mediated acetylation of the NF-κB pathway, dependent of HDAC3 activity. These effects led to neuroprotective effects following SCI.