Development Of Innovative Strategies Research Articles

Batf-Dependent Th17 cells act through IL23R pathway to promote prostate adenocarcinoma initiation and progression.

The role of Th17 cells in prostate cancer (PCa) is not fully understood. The transcription factor BATF controls the differentiation of Th17 cells. Mice deficient in Batf do not produce Th17 cells. In this study, we aimed to characterize the role of Batf-dependent Th17 cells in PCa by crossbreeding Batf knockout (Batf-/-) mice with mice conditionally mutant for Pten. We found that Batf-/- mice had changes in the morphology of prostate epithelial cells compared to normal mice, and Batf-/- mice deficient in Pten (named Batf-) had smaller prostate size and developed fewer invasive prostate adenocarcinomas than Pten-deficient mice with Batf expression (named Batf+). The prostate tumors in Batf- mice showed reduced proliferation, increased apoptosis, decreased angiogenesis and inflammatory cell infiltration, and activation of NF-κB signaling. Moreover, Batf- mice showed significantly reduced IL-23/IL-23R signaling. In the prostate stroma of Batf- mice, IL-23R-positive cells were decreased considerably compared to Batf+ mice. Splenocytes and prostate tissues from Batf- mice cultured under Th17 differentiation conditions expressed reduced IL-23/IL-23R than cultured cells from Batf+ mice. Anti-IL23p19 antibody treatment of Pten-deficient mice reduced prostate tumors and angiogenesis compared to control IgG-treated mice. In human prostate tumors, BATF mRNA level was positively correlated with IL23A and IL-23R but not RORC. Our novel findings underscore the crucial role of IL-23/IL23R signaling in mediating the function of Batf-dependent Th17 cells, thereby promoting PCa initiation and progression. This highlights the Batf-IL-23R axis as a promising target for the development of innovative strategies for PCa prevention and treatment.

Current Status of Vaccines for Porcine Reproductive and Respiratory Syndrome: Interferon Response, Immunological Overview, and Future Prospects.

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome (PRRS) remains a formidable challenge for the global pig industry. Caused by PRRS virus (PRRSV), this disease primarily affects porcine reproductive and respiratory systems, undermining effective host interferon and other immune responses, resulting in vaccine ineffectiveness. In the absence of specific antiviral treatments for PRRSV, vaccines play a crucial role in managing the disease. The current market features a range of vaccine technologies, including live, inactivated, subunit, DNA, and vector vaccines, but only modified live virus (MLV) and killed virus (KV) vaccines are commercially available for PRRS control. Live vaccines are promoted for their enhanced protective effectiveness, although their ability to provide cross-protection is modest. On the other hand, inactivated vaccines are emphasized for their safety profile but are limited in their protective efficacy. This review updates the current knowledge on PRRS vaccines' interactions with the host interferon system, and other immunological aspects, to assess their current status and evaluate advents in PRRSV vaccine development. It presents the strengths and weaknesses of both live attenuated and inactivated vaccines in the prevention and management of PRRS, aiming to inspire the development of innovative strategies and technologies for the next generation of PRRS vaccines.

The Role of Alpha-7 Nicotinic Acetylcholine Receptors in Pain: Potential Therapeutic Implications.

Chronic pain represents a prevalent and costly medical challenge globally. Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), one type of ligand-gated ion channels found extensively in both the central and peripheral nervous systems, have emerged as promising therapeutic targets for chronic pain. Although there are currently no FDA-approved analgesics specifically targeting nAChRs, accumulating preclinical and clinical evidence suggest that selective ligands for alpha 7 (α7) nAChRs show potential for treating chronic pain, boasting a reduced incidence of side effects compared with other nicotinic receptor types. The recent structural resolution of human α7 nAChRs has confirmed their negative association with heightened pain, providing a valuable foundation for the development of targeted medications. This review presents a comprehensive overview, encompassing insights into the roles of α7 nAChRs derived from structural and functional studies, recent advancements in pharmacology, and investigations into their involvement in the pathophysiology of chronic pain. Moreover, the review addresses the variability in analgesic effects based on the type of receptor agonist and highlights the current research limitations. As such, this review offers potential therapeutic approaches for the development of innovative strategies for chronic pain management.

Multimodal Biosensing of Foodborne Pathogens.

Microbial foodborne pathogens present significant challenges to public health and the food industry, requiring rapid and accurate detection methods to prevent infections and ensure food safety. Conventional single biosensing techniques often exhibit limitations in terms of sensitivity, specificity, and rapidity. In response, there has been a growing interest in multimodal biosensing approaches that combine multiple sensing techniques to enhance the efficacy, accuracy, and precision in detecting these pathogens. This review investigates the current state of multimodal biosensing technologies and their potential applications within the food industry. Various multimodal biosensing platforms, such as opto-electrochemical, optical nanomaterial, multiple nanomaterial-based systems, hybrid biosensing microfluidics, and microfabrication techniques are discussed. The review provides an in-depth analysis of the advantages, challenges, and future prospects of multimodal biosensing for foodborne pathogens, emphasizing its transformative potential for food safety and public health. This comprehensive analysis aims to contribute to the development of innovative strategies for combating foodborne infections and ensuring the reliability of the global food supply chain.

Advances in ex vivo expansion of hematopoietic stem and progenitor cells for clinical applications

As caretakers of the hematopoietic system, hematopoietic stem cells assure a lifelong supply of differentiated populations that are responsible for critical bodily functions, including oxygen transport, immunological protection and coagulation. Due to the far-reaching influence of the hematopoietic system, hematological disorders typically have a significant impact on the lives of individuals, even becoming fatal. Hematopoietic cell transplantation was the first effective therapeutic avenue to treat such hematological diseases. Since then, key use and manipulation of hematopoietic stem cells for treatments has been aspired to fully take advantage of such an important cell population. Limited knowledge on hematopoietic stem cell behavior has motivated in-depth research into their biology. Efforts were able to uncover their native environment and characteristics during development and adult stages. Several signaling pathways at a cellular level have been mapped, providing insight into their machinery. Important dynamics of hematopoietic stem cell maintenance were begun to be understood with improved comprehension of their metabolism and progressive aging. These advances have provided a solid platform for the development of innovative strategies for the manipulation of hematopoietic stem cells. Specifically, expansion of the hematopoietic stem cell pool has triggered immense interest, gaining momentum. A wide range of approaches have sprouted, leading to a variety of expansion systems, from simpler small molecule-based strategies to complex biomimetic scaffolds. The recent approval of Omisirge, the first expanded hematopoietic stem and progenitor cell product, whose expansion platform is one of the earliest, is predictive of further successes that might arise soon. In order to guarantee the quality of these ex vivo manipulated cells, robust assays that measure cell function or potency need to be developed. Whether targeting hematopoietic engraftment, immunological differentiation potential or malignancy clearance, hematopoietic stem cells and their derivatives need efficient scaling of their therapeutic potency. In this review, we comprehensively view hematopoietic stem cells as therapeutic assets, going from fundamental to translational.

Право, информационное общество, цифровой суверенитет

Introduction. The rapid development of digital technologies has led to significant changes in various spheres of public life. The species classification of the modern world is based on the fact that the era of the information society is coming. Its characteristics were defined in the Okinawa Charter of the Global Information Society. Empirical analysis. The author presents an overview of the strategies for innovative technological development adopted in the Russian Federation under the influence of the development of digital technologies. The relevance of the formation of the concept of digital sovereignty is shown. The researcher conducted a comparative legal study which indicated that digital sovereignty was originally presented in the legal systems of the European Union countries. Foreign approaches to the formation of a new legal order, conditioned by the development of digitalization, are outlined. The article highlights the features of the German concept “Industry 4.0”, the Japanese concept “Society 5.0”, and the Chinese concept “Made in China 2025”. Theoretical analysis. The main trend of digitalization is decentralization, which affects not only the economies of countries, but also the public administration system. Its general consequences are highlighted: the emergence of competition between states (which leads to the expansion of axiology, and not just technology); a change in the concept of public administration in the context of growing horizontal connections (the emergence of the concept of “the state as a platform”); priority of data (in electronic form) as a condition for the economic, political and social development of the state. Results. The acceleration of the technological process has an impact on the socio-political sphere. The law does not have time to react to changes; the formed reality itself dictates those rules that are formed outside of political instruments. This also leads to the transformation of traditional state institutions, which forces us to rethink the very understanding of the modern state.

Lineage 1 PRRSVs infection induces hemorrhagic injury in intestines of piglets: Effects on complement and coagulation cascades

Porcine reproductive and respiratory syndrome virus (PRRSV) causes a highly transmissible disease of significant concern in the pig industry. Previous studies have demonstrated that the XM-2020 strain (a lineage 1.8 PRRSV IA/2012/NADC30) can induce special hemorrhagic injury in the small intestines. However, the specific mechanism underlying this injurious effect remains incompletely understood. In this study, we examined the pathogenic properties of XM-2020 and YC-2020 strains (a lineage 1.5 PRRSV IA/2014/NADC34) in piglets. Animal pathogenic tests revealed that with either Lineage 1 PRRSVs strains XM-2020 or YC-2020 demonstrated pronounced intestinal hemorrhage and suppression of peripheral immunological organs, comparing to JXA1 infection. Transcriptome analysis of diseased small intestines unveiled that PRRSV infection stimulated oxidative and inflammatory reactions. Remarkably, we also observed activation of the complement system alongside a notable down-regulation of complement and coagulation cascade pathways in the Lineage 1 PRRSVs infection group. Based on these findings, we propose that the primary mechanism driving the hemorrhagic injury of the small intestine caused by Lineage 1 PRRSVs is the suppression of complement and coagulation cascades resulting from immunosuppression. This discovery deepens our understanding of the pathogenicity of PRRSV in the small intestine and provides promising ways out for the development of innovative strategies aimed at controlling PRRSV.

Cancer cell membrane cloaked fluorescent liposomes loaded with metal-phenolic complex nanoparticles for combinatorial therapy against breast cancer

The development of innovative strategies for effective cancer treatment remains a critical research focus. In this study, we present a novel approach by designing cancer cell membrane-cloaked fluorescent liposomes loaded with metal-phenolic complex nanoparticles for combinatorial therapy against breast cancer. This multifaceted therapeutic system leverages the unique properties of cancer cell membranes, fluorescent liposomes, and metal-phenolic complexes to create a highly targeted and versatile treatment platform. Cancer cell membranes serve as natural camouflage, allowing these nanoparticles to evade the immune system and specifically target breast cancer cells. The inclusion of fluorescent liposomes not only aids in real-time imaging of treatment progress but also enhances the therapeutic effect by providing photodynamic therapy. Metal-phenolic complexes provide a multifunctional payload, offering both thermally assisted cytotoxicity and the ability to modulate cellular pathways critical in cancer progression. The enhanced internalization found in 4T1 cell lines demonstrates the targeted efficiency of our nanosystem. We also observed a significant increase in intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS), increased cell death, and a significant decrease in colony formation treated with the synthesized nanoparticles. Alteration in mitochondrial membrane potential indicated the onset of cellular apoptosis, which eventually resulted in cell death. The biomimetic CSpFeTA NPs exhibited remarkable deep tumor tissue penetration and apoptotic cell death assisted by NIR irradiation. The development of such a sophisticated nanosystem represents a significant advancement in cancer therapy, opening new avenues for personalized and effective breast cancer treatment.

A Virus-Inspired Inhalable Liponanogel Induces Potent Antitumor Immunity and Regression in Metastatic Lung Tumors.

Pulmonary delivery of immunostimulatory agents such as poly(I:C) to activate double-stranded RNA sensors MDA5 and RIG-I within lung-resident antigen-presenting cells is a potential strategy to enhance antitumor immunity by promoting type I interferon secretion. Nevertheless, following pulmonary delivery, poly(I:C) suffers from rapid degradation and poor endosomal escape, thus limiting its potency. Inspired by the structure of a virus that utilizes internal viral proteins to tune the loading and cytosolic delivery of viral nucleic acids, we developed a liponanogel (LNG)-based platform to overcome the delivery challenges of poly(I:C). The LNG comprised an anionic polymer hyaluronic acid-based nanogel core coated by a lipid shell, which served as a protective layer to stabilize the nanogel core in the lungs. The nanogel core was protonated within acidic endosomes to enhance the endosomal membrane permeability and cytosolic delivery of poly(I:C). After pulmonary delivery, LNG-poly(I:C) induced 13.7-fold more IFNβ than poly(I:C) alone and two-fold more than poly(I:C) loaded in the state-of-art lipid nanoparticles [LNP-poly(I:C)]. Additionally, LNG-poly(I:C) induced more potent CD8+ T-cell immunity and stronger therapeutic effects than LNP-poly(I:C). The combination of LNG-poly(I:C) and PD-L1 targeting led to regression of established lung metastases. Due to the ease of manufacturing and the high biocompatibility of LNG, pulmonary delivery of LNG may be broadly applicable to the treatment of different lung tumors and may spur the development of innovative strategies for cancer immunotherapy. Significance: Pulmonary delivery of poly(I:C) with a virus-inspired inhalable liponanogel strongly activates cytosolic MDA5 and RIG-I and stimulates antitumor immunity, representing a promising strategy for safe and effective treatment of metastatic lung tumors.

Revealing the urban heat Island: Investigating spatiotemporal surface temperature dynamics, modeling, and interactions with controllable and non-controllable factors

The unchecked growth of urban populations has spurred rapid and unsustainable urban expansion, exacerbating environmental degradation both locally and globally. This research offers a comprehensive analysis of the Urban Heat Island (UHI) phenomenon in Bangalore and Hyderabad, India, focusing on its spatial and temporal distribution and its correlation with air pollutants. Conducted over the course of summer and winter seasons from 2001 to 2021, this study advances our understanding of UHI dynamics in rapidly urbanizing regions, shedding light on the complex interplay between urbanization, climate, and air quality. The primary objective of this study is to assess and compare the predictive performance of baseline Random Forest (RF) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost) models for forecasting Land Surface Temperature (LST) in Hyderabad, India, while examining the impact of integrating spatial information into these models. Incorporating an extensive array of input variables, ranging from spectral indices to terrain features, land use/land cover (LULC) data, atmospheric parameters, and spatial data, the analysis reveals significant relationships between LST and various factors. Notably, Aerosol Optical Depth (AOD) and Normalized Difference Built-up Index (NDBI) exhibit strong positive correlations with LST, while Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI) demonstrates a pronounced negative correlation. Similarly, Modified Normalized Difference Water Index (MNDWI) displays the strongest positive correlation with LST (r = 0.49), whereas EVI exhibits the most notable negative correlation (r = −0.67). Additionally, Modified Bare Soil Index (MBI) demonstrates a noteworthy negative correlation (r = −0.48) with LST for Bangalore. Atmospheric components such as CO, NO2, and O3 also show significant positive correlations with LST, with NO2 displaying the highest correlation during winter in urban areas. XGBoost emerges as the superior model, achieving high R2 values of 0.84 for Bangalore and 0.88 for Hyderabad. Integration of spatial information consistently enhances the performance of both RF and XGBoost models, resulting in reduced Mean Squared Error (MSE) and Root Mean Squared Error (RMSE) values. However, predictions over water bodies tend to be underestimated. The study underscores the importance of incorporating spatial data for accurate LST prediction, with implications for environmental monitoring and management. Despite the advancements made, further research is needed to elucidate the specific mechanisms through which spatial information improves model performance, suggesting avenues for future investigation and refinement of modeling methodologies. At the intersection of rapid urban growth and environmental conservation, these findings are poised to inform policymakers, urban planners, and researchers, guiding them towards innovative and sustainable urban development strategies aimed at mitigating the adverse impacts of rapid urban expansion while promoting ecosystem well-being. The study contributes to spatial modeling strategies and refines LST prediction methodologies, offering valuable insights for addressing the challenges posed by urbanization and climate change in rapidly urbanizing regions.

Effect of senior executives' overseas experience on corporate green innovation.

Against the background of increasingly severe environmental problems, green development has gained widespread attention, and green innovation has thus become crucial for enterprises. This study used 2007-2019 data from listed A-share companies in China to evaluate the effect of senior executives' overseas experience on corporate green innovation. The results showed that senior executives' overseas experience could promote green innovation in companies. This positive effect was more significant for private enterprises and high-tech enterprises, especially in eastern China. The CEO pay regulation have a significant negative moderating effect on this positive effect. This study enriches upper echelons theory and provides theoretical support for government agencies to accelerate innovative green development strategies. The results can also provide a decision-making basis for governments to formulate policies to promote enterprises' green development.

Creative usage of Vivli’s Antimicrobial Resistance Surveillance Open Data through the Re-Use Data Challenge

The escalation of infections caused by drug-resistant bacteria worldwide poses a formidable challenge to global health, necessitating innovative approaches to combat this issue. In 2022, Vivli launched the Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR) Register, a platform that consolidates antimicrobial susceptibility data from pharmaceutical industry surveillance programs. This register provides a freely available and fully searchable user-friendly repository to facilitate scientific understanding of resistance patterns and support development of innovative strategies to address AMR globally. To promote the register’s utility, raise AMR awareness and encourage further re-use of the available data, Wellcome funded the Vivli AMR Surveillance Open Data Re-Use Data Challenge in 2023. This data challenge successfully fostered diverse, impactful, and innovative solutions that leveraged the AMR Register data to contribute to resolving the AMR crisis. The outcomes of the initiative underscore the importance of access to open data in stimulating collaboration and innovation in the public health domain, particularly in combatting the growing threat of drug-resistant infections.

Open ECU EPS System, preliminary design using a Hardware-in-the-loop approach

The introduction of mechatronic systems in vehicles opens the possibility to a wide range of vehicle functionality. These systems allow active control of vehicle enabling a new level of driving comfort and safety. The development of these complex technological systems, however, requires a long time to integrate mechanical, electrical and software components. Innovative development strategies and devices are hence crucial to accelerate the integration and deployment of these mechatronic systems.In order to fulfil these needs, this paper presents the process to size a development electronic power steering which aims to support vehicle industry during testing and validation of innovative steering-based control strategies, including autonomous driving, steer-by-wire and all-wheel steering applications. Using an hardware-in-the-loop test bench for a wide range of vehicle maneuvers a stock power steering unit has been characterized taking into account both driver and assistance motor torque contributions.

Strategic CO2 management in the energy and petroleum sector for the production of low-carbon LNG: A Qatar Case Study

The imperative to mitigate industrial CO2 emissions amidst global climate change has led to the development of innovative strategies that align economic growth with environmental sustainability. This study introduces a comprehensive CO2 allocation and utilisation framework, designed to reduce the environmental impact on the production of Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG). Demploying a multi-objective Linear Programming (LP) approach, the study introduces a system that dynamically allocates CO2 from a major source to several sinks, each with unique characteristics and requirements. Focusing on the State of Qatar, a major player in the global LNG market, advanced simulation tools, such as Aspen HYSYS and QASR Simulator are utilised to define the parameters of these sinks, ensuring precise and efficient CO2 allocation. An integral component of the model is the incorporation of a carbon tax, considered for both the source and the sinks. The results demonstrate that the profit maximisation objective generated a $23.6 billion annual profit, although with high emissions of 23.37 Mt/year. In contrast, the emission minimisation objective curbed emissions to 19.01 Mt/year at a profit of $1.4 billion. The multi-objective approach garnered $18.6 billion annually with emissions at 22.37 Mt/year. The CO2/LNG metric was used to gauge LNG's environmental footprint. Objective 1 yielded a ratio of 0.3033, while objective 2 achieved the best score at 0.2463. The multi-objective approach balanced both, with a ratio of 0.2905. These findings illuminate the feasibility of optimising industrial practices for producing low-carbon LNG through deliberate CO2 allocation and within a circular economy framework.

Optimizing of nanofilm based on polycaprolactone modified with silver vanadate/ turmeric for wound dressing usage

In recent times, wound healing has emerged as a multifaceted biological process, necessitating the development of innovative strategies for designing wound dressing materials with improved properties. These materials should exhibit high antibacterial activity and biocompatibility. The aim is to create wound dressings that possess ideal properties, addressing the diverse requirements of effective wound management. This study involves the fabrication of a special biodegradable scaffold made of polycaprolactone (PCL) using a straightforward and environmentally friendly process called polymer casting. The scaffold is then enhanced with hydroxyapatite (HAP) and Ag3VO4 NPs and turmeric (Tur). As illustrated in cell viability, The fabricated HAP/Ag3VO4/Tur@PCL scaffold reached a significantly high value of viable cells (109 % ± 3 %) using human fibroblast cell line, which is reflecting its great biocompatibility. Furthermore, its (TGA) analysis shows high thermal stability with a weight loss (88.5 %) at 460 ◦C, The UV–vis spectra of the HAP/Ag3VO4/Tur@PCL demonstrated that the scaffold has an extended absorption range reached (427 nm) with a narrow band gap compared to the other samples. Thus, this innovative method of modifying composites based on PCL takes into account intelligent biomedical scaffolds wound healing procedures, featuring uncomplicated designs and improved capabilities.

Unveiling the anti-echinococcal efficacy of amide-based compounds: An in-silico and in-vitro study

Cystic echinococcosis (CE) is a significant global public health concern, particularly in regions where livestock rearing is prevalent. Despite its impact on morbidity and mortality, CE has received insufficient attention compared to other neglected tropical diseases. The complexities in CE management arise from challenges in early detection, effective treatment, and parasite eradication. The present study addresses this gap by exploring innovative therapeutic approaches using amide-based compounds. In recent years, computational approaches and in-vitro studies have become prominent in neglected tropical disease drug discovery. Leveraging insights from previous studies on amide-based compounds with anti-parasitic potential, this study systematically designed, synthesized, and characterized a library of 30 amide compounds. The research integrated in-silico screening, molecular docking, and in-vitro experimentation to assess the anti-echinococcal potential of these compounds. The study identified five promising amide compounds, namely 3,5-dinitro-N-p-tolylbenzamide, N-p-tolyl-1-naphthamide, N-p-tolyl-4-(trifluoromethoxy)benzamide, 4-pentyl-N-p-tolylbenzamide, and 2,3,4,5,6-pentafluoro-N-p-tolylbenzamide, based on their docking scores. These compounds were synthesized and characterized through various spectroscopic techniques, confirming their structural integrity. The in-vitro cytotoxicity assay on HepG2 cell lines revealed varying degrees of cytotoxicity for the synthesized compounds. Notably, 4-pentyl-N-p-tolylbenzamide demonstrated the least cytotoxicity. Subsequent scolicidal activity assessments on E. granulosus protoscoleces demonstrated the potent protoscolicidal activity of N-p-tolyl-1-naphthamide, indicating its potential as an effective anti-echinococcal agent. Overall, this study presents a comprehensive exploration of amide-based compounds as potential therapeutic agents against CE. The findings contribute to the development of innovative strategies for CE treatment, addressing the urgent need for effective and safe drugs in managing this neglected tropical disease.

The Influence of Innovation Strategy on Sustainable Competitive Advantage

This study examines the influence of innovation strategy on sustainable competitive advantage through a functional innovation approach, innovation process, and innovation system. This research utilized survey data conducted on MSMEs in Yogyakarta with a total sample of 95 respondents. In order to answer the research hypothesis, this study employed the Partial Least Square Structural Equation Modeling (PLS-SEM) analysis tool using SmartPLS tools. The results of the study indicate that there is an influence of innovation strategy on the innovation process and system, as well as the influence of the innovation process and system on sustainable competitive advantage. This research has contributed to the development of innovation strategies in building sustainable competitive advantage in MSMEs.

Amplifying endogenous stem cell migration for in situ bone tissue formation: Substance P analog and BMP mimetic peptide-loaded click-crosslinked hyaluronic acid hydrogel

Endogenous stem cell-driven in situ bone tissue formation has recently garnered increasing attention. Therefore, our study sought to refine methods to enhance the migration and subsequent osteogenic differentiation of these cells. Our innovative approach involves using an injectable hydrogel that combines click cross-linking sites and a BMP-2 mimetic peptide (BP) with hyaluronic acid (HA). This injectable formulation, hereinafter referred to as SPa + Cx-HA-BP, incorporates a substance P analog peptide (SPa) with Cx-HA-BP, proving versatile for in vitro and in vivo applications without cytotoxicity. The controlled release of SPa creates a gradient that guides endogenous stem cells towards the Cx-HA scaffold from specific tissue niches. Both Cx-HA and SPa+Cx-HA induced minimal changes in the expression of genes associated with osteogenic differentiation. In contrast, these genes were robustly induced by both SPa + Cx-HA+BP and SPa + Cx-HA-BP, in which BP was respectively integrated via physical and chemical methods. Remarkably, chemically incorporating BP (Cx-HA-BP) resulted in 4–9 times higher osteogenic gene expression than physically mixed BP in Cx-HA+BP. This study validates the role of SPa role in guiding endogenous stem cells toward the hydrogel and underscores the substantial impact of sustained BP presence within the hydrogel. Collectively, our findings offer valuable insights for the development of innovative strategies to promote endogenous stem cell-based tissue regeneration. The developed hydrogel effectively guides stem cells from their natural locations and facilitates sustained osteogenic differentiation, thus holding great promise for applications in regenerative medicine.

Green innovation and corporate financial performance: Insights from operating risks

Green innovation endeavors are of utmost importance for China's green transformation, and the precondition for corporations to undertake green innovation is whether it can enhance their financial performance. Additionally, corporations must utilize leverage to stabilize funding for green innovation. However, it is uncertain how financial leverage affects the relationship between green innovation and corporate financial performance. This study examines the impact mechanism of green innovation on corporate financial performance, as well as its interaction with leverage ratio, using data from listed companies with green patents in the Shanghai and Shenzhen A-share markets spanning the period from 2000 to 2020. Employing a nonlinear panel data model, the findings reveal a U-shaped relationship between green innovation and corporate financial performance. Furthermore, the impact of green strategic innovation and green substantive innovation on corporate financial performance exhibits heterogeneity. The study also highlights the negative impact of the risk accumulation effect resulting from the combination of leverage ratio and green innovation on corporate financial performance. Conversely, the interaction between deleveraging measures and green innovation proves beneficial in promoting corporate financial performance. Therefore, decision-makers in corporations and governments should make rational use of financial leverage when formulating green innovation development strategies.

Potential Anti-Infectious Activity of Essential Oil Chemotypes of Lippia origanoides Kunth on Antibiotic-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus Strains.

Staphylococcus aureus infections are prevalent in healthcare and community environments. Methicillin-resistant S. aureus is catalogued as a superbug of high priority among the pathogens. This Gram-positive coccus can form biofilms and produce toxins, leading to persistent infection and antibiotic resistance. Limited effective antibiotics have encouraged the development of innovative strategies, with a particular emphasis on resistance mechanisms and/or virulence factors. Medicinal aromatic plants have emerged as promising alternative sources. This study investigated the antimicrobial, antibiofilm, and antihemolysis properties of three different chemotypes of Lippia origanoides essential oil (EO) against susceptible and drug-resistant S. aureus strains. The chemical composition of the EO was analyzed using GC-MS, revealing high monoterpene concentrations, with carvacrol and thymol as the major components in two of the chemotypes. The third chemotype consisted mainly of the sesquiterpene β-caryophyllene. The MIC values for the two monoterpene chemotypes ranged from 62.5 to 500 µg/mL for all strains, whereas the sesquiterpene chemotype showed activity against seven strains at concentrations of 125-500 µg/mL, which is the first report of its anti-S. aureus activity. The phenolic chemotypes inhibited biofilm formation in seven S. aureus strains, whereas the sesquiterpene chemotype only inhibited biofilm formation in four strains. In addition, phenolic chemotypes displayed antihemolysis activity, with IC50 values ranging from 58.9 ± 3.8 to 128.3 ± 9.2 µg/mL. Our study highlights the importance of L. origanoides EO from the Yucatan Peninsula, which has the potential for the development of anti-S. aureus agents.