Search Results (1,377)

Background/Objectives: Metabolic reprogramming is a hallmark of cancer, enabling tumor cells to sustain proliferation, survive under metabolic stress, and develop therapeutic resistance. While oncogenic signaling pathways regulating cancer metabolism have been extensively studied, increasing evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) play essential roles in coordinating metabolic adaptation. This review aims to synthesize current knowledge on long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) and circular RNAs (circRNAs) as important but relatively less characterized regulators of cancer metabolic adaptation and discuss their potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Methods: We analyzed their roles across multiple types of cancer, prioritizing studies that integrate ncRNA profiling with metabolomics and mechanistic investigations, with particular attention to their diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive value. Results: LncRNAs and circRNAs regulate major metabolic pathways, including glycolysis, mitochondrial function, glutaminolysis, lipid metabolism, and redox balance. They act through transcriptional and epigenetic mechanisms, protein scaffolding, peptide encoding, and miRNA sponging, frequently converging on key regulators such as HIF-1α, c-Myc, p53, AMPK, and mTOR. However, many reported associations remain largely correlative, with limited integration of quantitative metabolic flux analyses and insufficient validation in physiologically relevant models. Conclusions: Although lncRNAs and circRNAs constitute an important context-dependent regulatory layer linking oncogenic signaling to metabolic reprogramming, future studies should combine ncRNA perturbation with stable isotope tracing, fluxomics, spatial metabolomics, long-read sequencing, and single-cell approaches to define causal and spatially resolved metabolic functions. Such integrative strategies may improve biomarker development and support ncRNA-informed, metabolism-oriented therapeutic interventions. Full article

Selenium (Se) is a trace element with a narrow margin between beneficial effects and stress from toxic effects. The determinants of the transition from selenium adequacy to toxicity remain unknown. Moreover, the roles of selenoproteins and other adaptive responses also remain unclear. The effects of dynamic and localized redox fluctuations on survival and neurodegeneration also require further investigation. To better understand the underlying mechanisms, several studies utilized the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) as a model. This review systematically addresses pivotal mechanistic controversies. Thioredoxin reductase-1 (TRXR-1) is the only protein in a small amount of the selenoproteome, and it also has a fully conserved selenocysteine insertion mechanism. Moreover, this systematic review also incorporates the current understanding of the molecular factors that determine selenium homeostasis, ranging from neurotoxicological diseases to biosynthetic circumstances. TRXR-1 supports health benefits such as enhance lipid metabolism, longevity, and stress response. During acute selenium toxicity, TRXR-1 is not needed for survival. Instead, cells defend against adverse effects by using the HIF-1 pathway. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) and hydrogen sulfide (H₂S) inhibit the prolyl hydroxylase EGL-9 in high-selenium conditions, stabilizing HIF-1 and initiating a transcriptional detoxification process independent of the selenoprotein mechanism. Finally, this review also discuss selective neurotoxicity, a condition in which degeneration that occurs solely in cholinergic ventral cord motor neurons plays a distinctive and precarious role among trace elements. Full article

Neural progenitor cell (NPC) transplantation is a promising strategy for spinal cord injury repair, as graft-derived neurons can integrate into host circuitry and promote functional recovery. While the brain-regional and dorsoventral identities of NPCs are known to influence graft composition and performance, the importance of axial (rostrocaudal) identity, specifically whether NPCs must be matched to the spinal level of injury, remains poorly understood. To address this, we compared outcomes following transplantation of NPCs isolated from the anterior embryonic spinal cord (A-NPCs) versus the posterior spinal cord (P-NPCs) in a mouse model of C5 cervical dorsal column injury. Following transplantation, NPCs retained their intrinsic molecular axial identities; P-NPC grafts maintained significantly higher expression of the lumbar-associated gene HoxC10 and possessed a higher proportion of Chx10-high V2a neurons compared to A-NPCs. Despite these maintained molecular differences, A-NPC and P-NPC grafts were indistinguishable in neuronal and glial density, axon outgrowth, and their ability to support host axon regeneration, including the corticospinal tract. Long-term behavioral testing and retrograde transsynaptic tracing revealed no significant differences between groups in the recovery of skilled pellet reaching, grip strength, or synaptic integration with host cervical motor circuitry. These findings demonstrate that although transplanted NPCs retain their molecular axial identity in the adult injured environment, this identity is not a primary determinant of anatomical integration or functional outcome. Our findings suggest a degree of plasticity in graft-host interactions and indicate that strict segment-matching is not essential for the efficacy of NPC-based therapies in spinal cord injury. Full article

Imidazole dipeptides (IDPs), including carnosine, anserine, and balenine, are functional food ingredients found in meats. They have been reported to exhibit high antioxidant activity. 2-Oxo-imidazole dipeptides (2-oxo-IDPs) are present in trace amounts in various tissues and show notably higher antioxidant activity compared with IDPs. Trace amounts of 2-oxo-IDPs are also present in commercial IDP reagents, suggesting that they affect the antioxidant activity of IDPs. Trace amounts of 2-oxo-IDPs were detected in IDP reagents from various manufacturers by HPLC. Some reagents with trace amounts of 2-oxo-IDPs exhibited higher antioxidant activity in a DPPH radical-scavenging assay compared with high-purity IDP reagents devoid of 2-oxo-IDPs. Therefore, it is important to use highly purified IDP reagents to measure antioxidant activity accurately. The antioxidant activity of highly purified IDPs and 2-oxocarnosine (2-oxo-Car) was evaluated through their ability to protect protein and DNA from ROS. 2-Oxo-Car markedly inhibited the protein and DNA degradation by ClO⁻ and ONOO⁻ compared with IDPs. Moreover, 2-oxo-Car was not cytotoxic, even at high concentrations, and suppressed pyocyanin-induced ROS generation in C2C12 cells compared with IDPs and glutathione. Overall, 2-oxo-IDPs are effective antioxidants and are equivalent or superior to known water-soluble antioxidants, such as glutathione and vitamin C. Full article

The mechanisms underlying meningeal lymphatic vessel (mLV)-mediated immune cell clearance after stroke remain unclear. Using a mouse middle cerebral artery occlusion model, we performed single-cell RNA sequencing to analyze post-ischemic meningeal macrophages. In vitro co-culture and CCR2 inhibition (RS504393) validated the CCL2-CCR2 axis between lymphatic endothelial cells and macrophages. Macrophage trafficking to mLVs and cervical lymph nodes was assessed by Evans Blue tracing and F4/80 immunofluorescence. We utilized VEGF-C to enhance meningeal lymphatic vessel function and concomitantly evaluated neurological deficits, brain edema, and neuroinflammation. Ischemia expanded meningeal macrophages, whose crosstalk with lymphatic endothelial cells relied on CCL2-CCR2 axis. CCR2 inhibition impaired macrophage trafficking to mLVs and cervical lymph nodes, worsening edema, motor deficits, and inflammation, whereas VEGF-C enhanced mLV drainage and improved outcomes. We identify a novel mechanism where in mLVs recruit macrophages via CCL2 for perivascular clearance post-ischemia. Combining VEGF-C with modulation of the CCL2-CCR2 axis presents a promising synergistic therapeutic strategy for stroke. Full article

Natural medicines with neuroprotective, antioxidative, and anti-inflammatory characteristics may act as promising neuroprotective agents against neurodegenerative disorders. This study aims to determine the essential components of the methanolic extract of Cornulaca monacantha, and to explore their neuroprotection against lipopolysaccharides (LPS)-induced neuroinflammation in Neuro-2a mouse neuroblastoma cells, and also to investigate the possible underlying molecular mechanism through tracing the nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathway. LC-ESI-TOF-MS/MS was conducted for metabolomic profiling, together with the determination of bioactive compounds. The MTT assay was performed to select an appropriate cytoprotective dose for further analyses. Then, the cells were divided into three groups: control, LPS, and LPS + C. monacantha extract. Inflammatory cytokines, gene expression of Nrf2-related genes, and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha (PGC-1α)-mediated mitochondrial adaptation were also detected. Protein–protein interaction (PPI) network analysis and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis based on biological process were also performed. C. monacantha crude extract showed meaningful contents of flavonoids and phenolic compounds, together with other 49 additional hits detected by LC-ESI-TOF-MS/MS. It also showed a significant antioxidant capacity by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl hydrate (DPPH) and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) assays. The extract also exhibited a significant decline in the level of inflammatory biomarkers, along with modulation of the Nrf2 signaling pathway. C. monacantha showed beneficial phytochemical composition, which may be responsible for the neuroprotective effect that might be mediated through modulation of Nrf2 expression and related genes, together with the anti-inflammatory capability. Other molecular pathways were found to be interconnected with the Nrf2 pathway, as revealed by PPI and GO, which may act as further molecular targets in neuroinflammation. Full article

Streptococcus pneumoniae (S. pneumoniae) is a leading cause of pneumonia, meningitis, and sepsis worldwide, posing a major threat to young children and older adults. In China, it is a key pathogen responsible for life-threatening invasive pneumococcal disease (IPD)—including pneumonia, bacteremia, and meningitis—and contributes substantially to hospitalizations and deaths each year. The high disease burden, together with rising antibiotic resistance, underscores the urgent need for more effective strategies for prevention and control. Currently, the most established pneumococcal vaccines include polysaccharide vaccines (e.g., PPV23) and polysaccharide conjugate vaccines (e.g., PCV13), both of which provide effective protection against pneumococcal infections. However, challenges remain, such as the T-cell-independent nature of polysaccharide antigens and inadequate coverage against prevalent strains, which hinder to improve their overall effectiveness. In this review, we trace the progression from pneumococcal pathogenesis to vaccine development. We first outline the mechanisms of colonization, invasion, and key virulence factors, and then critically summarize historical and current vaccine strategies. A systematic literature search was conducted in PubMed and Web of Science (2010–present) using relevant keyword and MeSH combinations. A total of 10,273 articles were identified from PubMed; after removal of duplicates and non-full-text records, 260 research articles were included in the final analysis. Based on this body of evidence, we evaluate emerging approaches toward broadly protective, serotype-independent vaccines and discuss how advances in antigen design, delivery systems, and adjuvants may further optimize next-generation pneumococcal vaccines. Full article

Olfaction is crucial for ducks, influencing essential behaviors such as foraging and mating. However, the molecular basis of sex-associated variation in duck olfactory tissues remains poorly understood. Here, we performed bulk RNA-seq on turbinate tissue from male and female Tianfu Nonghua Mottled Ducks (Anas platyrhynchos domesticus Linnaeus, 1758; Anatidae) to characterize sex-biased transcriptional programs. Our results suggest strong global transcriptomic separation between males and females, with 1906 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) identified. These DEGs were enriched in pathways related to neuronal signaling, cell adhesion, and extracellular matrix organization, suggesting coordinated sex-associated differences in signaling and tissue-organization programs. While olfactory receptor (OR) and trace amine-associated receptor (TAAR) genes showed limited sex-biased expression in bulk tissue, two neuromodulatory GPCRs, TACR2 and DRD4, were prioritized as hub genes within sex-biased co-expression networks. Notably, both genes also showed relatively high expression in turbinate tissue and neuroendocrine centers in an integrated multi-tissue transcriptomic dataset, nominating them as candidate targets for future functional and cell-type-resolved investigations. Overall, our study provides a descriptive molecular profile of sex-biased transcription in duck turbinate tissue, laying a foundation for follow-up studies and potential applications in poultry breeding and management. Full article

Formaldehyde (H₂CO) is a hazardous volatile organic compound widely present in indoor and industrial environments, and its real-time, highly sensitive detection is essential for environmental safety. However, existing detection techniques often face challenges in simultaneously achieving high sensitivity and long-term stability, and many conventional photoacoustic spectroscopy (PAS) systems rely strongly on low gas flow rates to suppress flow-induced noise, which limits their applicability for continuous online monitoring. In this work, an ultraviolet photoacoustic spectroscopy (UV-PAS)-based H₂CO detection system operating in a nitrogen (N₂) background is developed. The system integrates a compact differential photoacoustic cell (PAC) with a 320 nm ultraviolet laser source, in which the resonator length and buffer configuration are carefully optimized to enhance acoustic resonance and effectively suppress flow-related disturbances. Notably, a key innovation of this study is that the system maintains a stable photoacoustic response even under relatively high gas flow conditions. Experimental results demonstrate that at a flow rate of 250 sccm, the photoacoustic signal amplitude remains stable, and the noise level is well controlled, significantly reducing the dependence of conventional PAS systems on low-flow operation. The photoacoustic cell exhibits a resonant frequency of 1767 Hz and a quality factor of 46. Calibration using a 47.31 ppm H₂CO:N₂ gas mixture shows a good linear response with a correlation coefficient of R² = 0.98844. The minimum detection limit reaches 2.50 ppm at a 1 s integration time and is further improved to 88.1 ppb at an integration time of 2202 s based on Allan–Werle deviation analysis. These results demonstrate that the proposed UV-PAS system provides a sensitive, stable, and cost-effective solution for real-time trace H₂CO detection while retaining robust performance at elevated gas flow rates, highlighting its strong potential for practical applications. Full article

The commercialization of proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells is constrained by the limitations of perfluorosulfonic acid membranes like Nafion, which suffer from high methanol crossover, humidity-dependent conductivity, high cost, and poor environmental sustainability. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of aquaporin-inspired chitosan/cellulose (AQP-CS) composite membranes as a transformative, bio-inspired alternative. The central design paradigm integrates a sustainable chitosan/cellulose matrix—which offers inherent mechanical stability, tunable proton conduction, and excellent fuel barrier properties—with biomimetic water channels engineered for selective hydration transport. This synergistic architecture aims to fundamentally decouple water management from proton conduction, directly addressing the core performance flaw of conventional membranes. The review is structured to explicitly trace the logical pathway from the foundational material properties of chitosan and cellulose to the functional requirements for integrating synthetic aquaporin-mimetic components. Experimental evidence from advanced chitosan composites, demonstrating proton conductivities up to 0.131 S cm⁻¹ alongside drastically reduced methanol permeability, validates the potential of this approach. Consequently, AQP-CS composites establish a novel framework for developing next-generation fuel cell membranes that combine high performance with ecological design. However, key challenges in the stable integration of biomimetic channels, long-term operational durability, and scalable manufacturing must be resolved to enable practical deployment and mark a significant leap toward sustainable energy conversion technologies. Full article

Trace amounts of CO in H₂-rich gas can poison Pt electrodes in proton-exchange-membrane fuel cells, necessitating selective CO removal. Preferential oxidation of CO (PROX) offers an efficient route to oxidize CO while preserving H₂. Although noble-metal-based catalysts are widely used, their high cost has driven interest in non-precious alternatives. Co₃O₄–CeO₂ catalysts have emerged as particularly promising due to their high activity and stability. Two series of Co–Ce/SiO₂ catalysts were prepared via impregnation: in the first, Ce was introduced and calcined prior to Co deposition; in the second, Co and Ce nitrates were co-deposited from a mixed aqueous solution. The latter method enhances the interaction between Co₃O₄ and CeO₂, increasing the availability of surface oxygen species. Stability tests on the most active sample demonstrated remarkable durability, maintaining near-complete CO conversion over 100 h on dry stream. Full article

Sm₂TM₁₇ sintered magnets, (where TM = Co, Fe, Cu, Zr), are typically utilised in high temperature magnetic applications due to their magnetic properties being very stable at 200–350 °C. Sm and Co are critical materials and need to be recycled to reduce reliance on virgin material supply chains. This work explored HD processing of Sm₂TM₁₇ sintered magnet production scrap as a potential recycling technique. Sintered magnet scrap was initially analysed compositionally, microstructurally and magnetically to determine issues with magnet quality. Scrap material was then HD processed at 18 bar and 2 bar at temperatures between 25–300 °C. The resultant material was characterised in terms of hydrogen content, particle size, degassing behaviour and unit cell expansion. Production scrap magnets exhibited irregular demagnetisation traces with poor domain wall pinning behaviour. Non-magnetic ZrC inclusions likely prevented cell structure formation locally and hence were poor domain wall pinning sites. Scrap material processed at 18 bar and 2 bar required temperatures of 100 °C to allow for the greatest extent of HD reaction, reaching 0.299 Wt.% and 0.323 Wt.% hydrogen respectively. The HD behaviour of production scrap material was comparable to commercial grade magnets. Therefore, HD is a potentially viable technique for recycling Sm₂TM₁₇ sintered magnet production scrap. Full article

This study presents a comparative analysis of cylindrical lithium-ion cell architectures, tracing the evolution from the conventional tabbed design (18650/21700) to the large-format 4680 cell with its tabless current collectors. This architectural shift is driven by the imperative to minimise internal ohmic resistance and enhance thermal management in high-power automotive battery applications. Forensic investigation reveals that the 4680 design replaces localised, high-resistance tab connections with a distributed, low-impedance interface, necessitating the adoption of advanced manufacturing techniques, including long ultrasonic torsional welding and highly controlled high-power density laser welding. Crucially, the welding of external aluminium busbars to the cell relies on sophisticated microstructural engineering, particularly for the challenging dissimilar Aluminium-Steel (Al-Steel) anode weld. This weld format employs a spiral laser path to limit the formation of brittle aluminium-iron (Al-Fe) intermetallic compounds (IMCs), leveraging the steel cell casing’s nickel plating to promote a more ductile Al-Fe-Ni phase for improved joint reliability. Furthermore, the 4680 cell incorporates a significantly thicker casing (≈0.54 to 0.7 mm) for enhanced mechanical strength. In conclusion, the 4680 cell achieves superior performance through robust mechanical design and advanced welding processes that prioritise microstructurally sound, low-resistance interfaces. Full article

Sea turtles are increasingly being used as bioindicators of marine pollution, yet baseline data on trace elements in the blood are still limited. This study quantified magnesium (Mg), iron (Fe), zinc (Zn), copper (Cu), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) in green turtles (Chelonia mydas) (55 plasma samples and 71 cell concentrate samples) and olive ridleys (Lepidochelys olivacea) (101 plasma samples and 65 cell concentrate samples) sampled off the Caribbean (Tortuguero) and Pacific (Ostional) coasts of Costa Rica in 2003–2004. The metals were measured using atomic absorption spectroscopy; whole-blood concentrations were derived from the plasma and the erythrocyte values. The present results were compared with published datasets to evaluate the spatial and temporal patterns of metal exposure over the past two decades. The essential elements showed matrix-specific distributions, with Mg and Cu higher in the plasma, and Fe and Zn higher in the cell concentrates in both species (p < 0.001). C. mydas generally exhibited higher Cu, Fe and Zn levels in the plasma (p < 0.001), whereas L. olivacea showed markedly higher Cd levels (p < 0.001). Overall, the Pb levels were low as compared with many other rookeries worldwide. These data provide one of the earliest, large-sample baselines for trace elements in sea turtle blood in the Eastern Tropical Pacific and Western Caribbean and underscore the value of blood-fraction analysis for long-term ecotoxicological monitoring. Full article

A tunable diode laser absorption spectroscopy (TDLAS) sensor with a highly sensitive dual-component for methane (CH₄) and acetylene (C₂H₂) detection is reported in this paper for the first time. A multi-pass cell (MPC) design model was established employing a vector-based ray-tracing method. A dual-channel MPC with an interlaced dual hexagonal star pattern was designed to improve gas absorption and realize real-time synchronous detection of CH₄ and C₂H₂. During the simultaneous continuous monitoring of CH₄ and C₂H₂, the sensor exhibited an excellent linear response to concentration variations. The minimum detection limit (MDL) for CH₄ reached 132.08 ppb, improving to 77.32 ppb when the average time was increased to 300 s. In the case of C₂H₂, the MDL was measured at 20.19 ppb and further reduced to 3.50 ppb under the same extended average time. Full article