Prospective Strategy Research Articles

Role of Sphingosine-1-Phosphate Signaling Pathway in Pancreatic Diseases

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a sphingolipid metabolic product produced via the phosphorylation of sphingosine by sphingosine kinases (SPHKs), serving as a powerful modulator of various cellular processes through its interaction with S1P receptors (S1PRs). Currently, this incompletely understood mechanism in pancreatic diseases including pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer, largely limits therapeutic options for these disorders. Recent evidence indicates that S1P significantly contributes to pancreatic diseases by modulating inflammation, promoting pyroptosis in pancreatic acinar cells, regulating the activation of pancreatic stellate cells, and affecting organelle functions in pancreatic cancer cells. Nevertheless, no review has encapsulated these advancements. Thus, this review compiles information about the involvement of S1P signaling in exocrine pancreatic disorders, including acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis, and pancreatic cancer, as well as prospective treatment strategies to target S1P signaling for these conditions. The insights presented here possess the potential to offer valuable guidance for the implementation of therapies targeting S1P signaling in various pancreatic diseases.

Prospective Intervention Strategies Between Skeletal Muscle Health and Mitochondrial Changes During Aging.

Sarcopenia is a geriatric condition characterized by a decrease in skeletal muscle mass and function, significantly impacting both quality of life and overall health. Mitochondria are the main sites of energy production within the cell, and also produce reactive oxygen species (ROS), which maintain mitochondrial homeostasis-mitophagy (clearing damaged mitochondria); mitochondrial dynamics, which involve fusion and fission to regulate mitochondrial morphology; mitochondrial biogenesis, which ensures the functionality and homeostasis of mitochondria. Sarcopenia is linked to mitochondrial dysfunction, suggesting that muscle mitochondrial function therapy should be investigated. Extrinsic therapies are extensively examined to identify new treatments for muscular illnesses including sarcopenia. Changes in muscle physiology and lifestyle interventions, such as pharmacological treatments and exercise, can modulate mitochondrial activity in older adults. This PubMed review encompasses the most significant mitophagy and sarcopenia research from the past five years. Animal models, cellular models, and human samples are well covered. The review will inform the development of novel mitochondria-targeted therapies aimed at combating age-related muscle atrophy.

Submerged and completely open solid–liquid triboelectric nanogenerator for water wave energy harvesting

AbstractTriboelectric nanogenerator (TENG) is an emerging wave energy harvesting technology with excellent potential. However, due to issues with sealing, anchoring, and difficult deployment over large areas, TENG still cannot achieve large‐scale wave energy capture. Here, a submerged and completely open solid–liquid TENG (SOSL‐TENG) is developed for ocean wave energy harvesting. The SOSL‐TENG is adapted to various water environments. Due to its simple structure, it is easy to deploy into various marine engineering facilities in service. Importantly, this not only solves the problem of difficult construction of TENG networks at present, but also effectively utilizes high‐quality wave energy resources. The working mechanism and output performance of the SOSL‐TENG are systematically investigated. With optimal triggering conditions, the transferred charge (Qtr) and short‐circuit current (Isc) of SOSL‐TENG are 2.58 μC and 85.9 μA, respectively. The wave tank experiment is taken for fully demonstrating the superiority of the SOSL‐TENG network in large‐scale collection and conversion of wave energy. Due to the excellent output performance, TENG can harvest wave energy to provide power for various commercial electronic devices such as LED beads, hygrothermograph, and warning lights. Importantly, the SOSL‐TENG networks realizes self‐powered for electrochemical systems, which provides a direction for energy cleanliness in industrial systems. This work provides a prospective strategy for large‐scale deployment of TENG applications, especially for harvesting wave energy in spray splash zones or at the surface of the water.image

MRNA-Based Cancer Vaccines: Advancements and Prospects.

The success of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines has reinvigorated research and interest in mRNA-based cancer vaccines. Despite promising results in clinical trials, therapeutic mRNA-based cancer vaccines have not yet been approved for human use. These vaccines are designed to trigger tumor regression, establish enduring antitumor memory, and mitigate adverse reactions. However, challenges such as tumor-induced immunosuppression and immunoresistance significantly hinder their application. Here, we provide an overview of the recent advances of neoantigen discovery and delivery systems for mRNA vaccines, focusing on improving clinical efficacy. Additionally, we summarize the recent clinical advances involving mRNA cancer vaccines and discuss prospective strategies for overcoming immuneresistance.

Fabrication of CoTiO3/MgIn2S4 S–scheme heterojunctions with efficient charge separation to enhance the photocatalytic activities of hydrogen generation and formaldehyde removal

The efficient separation of photoinduced charge carriers is a primary factor in the catalytic performance of photocatalysts. Constructing S-scheme heterojunctions is a prospective strategy to efficiently and spatially separate photoinduced charges while retaining strong oxidation and reduction capacities of the catalyst system. Herein, CoTiO3/MgIn2S4 (abbreviated x% CTO/MIS, where x% represents the mass ratio of CTO-to-MIS; x = 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25) heterojunctions were successfully synthesized using a hydrothermal method. These heterojunctions exhibited highly efficient and reusable visible-light photocatalytic properties for hydrogen (H2) generation and formaldehyde (HCHO) degradation. Notably, the 15 % CTO/MIS demonstrated an admirable H2 evolution activity of 631.77 μmol·g−1·h−1, with AQE = 2.25 % at λ = 420 nm, and an HCHO degradation rate of 67.18 %. The intermediate products generated during HCHO removal were identified applying in situ diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy. The exceptional catalytic performance of the synthesized materials was attributed to the boosted light absorption and utilization, rapidly separation, and transfer of photoproduced charge carriers, which resulted from the internal electric field of the S-scheme mechanism. Moreover, the S-scheme electron transfer pathway for the CTO/MIS catalyst system during the photocatalytic process was confirmed using electron spin resonance spectroscopy, free-radical capturing tests, density functional theory calculations, in situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and semiconductor energy band theory. The study offers an innovative perspective for establishing S-scheme heterojunctions with highly efficient and stable photocatalytic activity for H2 generation and HCHO removal.

APMCG-1 attenuates ischemic stroke injury by reducing oxidative stress and apoptosis and promoting angiogenesis via activating PI3K/AKT pathway

Ischemic stroke (IS) is a major cause of mortality and morbidity worldwide. Beyond thrombolysis, strategies targeting anti-oxidative apoptosis and angiogenesis are considered prospective therapeutic strategies. Nevertheless, existing natural and clinical remedies have limited efficacy in the management of IS. Moreover, despite their millennial legacy of IS remediation, natural remedies such as ginseng incur high production costs. The novel glycopeptide APMCG-1, extracted from mountain-cultivated ginseng dregs in our previous study, is a potent therapeutic candidate for IS. This study investigated APMCG-1's remedial mechanisms against IS injury using an H2O2-induced oxidative stress paradigm in human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) emulating ischemic endothelial cells, in a ponatinib-induced zebrafish IS model, and in rat middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) prototypes. Cellular assays confirmed the proficiency of APMCG-1 in preventing oxidative stress and cell death, fostering regeneration, and facilitating neovascularization within the H2O2-stressed HUVECs framework. Moreover, APMCG-1 augmented hemodynamic velocity, oxidative stress mitigation, apoptosis reduction, and motor enhancement in a zebrafish model of IS. In MCAO rats, APMCG-1 ameliorated neurological deficits and cerebral injury, as evidenced by increased neurological scores and diminished infarct dimensions. In cells and animal models, APMCG-1 activated the PI3K/AKT signaling pathway, modulating factors such as Nrf2, Bcl-2, Caspase 3, eNOS, and VEGFA, thereby ameliorating cellular oxidative distress and catalyzing angiogenesis. Collectively, these results demonstrate the potential protective effects of APMCG-1 in IS pharmacotherapy and its prospective utility as an herbal-derived IS treatment modality.

Tumor microenvironment-activated polypeptide nanoparticles for oncolytic immunotherapy

Cationic oncolytic polypeptides have gained increasing attention owing to their ability to directly lyse cancer cells and activate potent antitumor immunity. However, the low tumor cell selectivity and inherent toxicity induced by positive charges of oncolytic polypeptides hinder their systemic application. Herein, a tumor microenvironment-responsive nanoparticle (DNP) is developed by the self-assembly of a cationic oncolytic polypeptide (PLP) with a pH-sensitive anionic polypeptide via electrostatic interactions. After the formation of DNP, the positive charges of PLP are shielded. DNPs can keep stable in physiological conditions (pH 7.4) but respond to acidic tumor microenvironment (pH 6.8) to release oncolytic PLP. As a result, DNPs evoke potent immunogenic cell death by disrupting cell membranes, damaging mitochondria and increasing intracellular levels of reactive oxygen species. In vivo results indicate that DNPs significantly improve the biocompatibility of PLP, and inhibit tumor growth, recurrence and metastasis by direct oncolysis and activation of antitumor immune responses. In summary, these results indicate that pH-sensitive DNPs represent a prospective strategy to improve the tumor selectivity and biosafety of cationic polymers for oncolytic immunotherapy.

Neurobiological Insights Into Cerebral Palsy: A Review of the Mechanisms and Therapeutic Strategies.

Cerebral palsy (CP) is a common neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impaired mobility and posture caused by brain injury or abnormal development. CP relates to a variety of neurological mechanisms and pathways that impact the type and severity of motor disability, as well as comorbidities. The heterogeneity in clinical phenotype, pathogenesis, and etiology poses significant challenges for effective therapeutic intervention. The review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis of the neurobiological mechanisms underlying CP and evaluate current and prospective therapeutic strategies, highlighting the necessity for targeted interventions to address the disorder's multifaceted nature. A thorough literature review was conducted, focusing on studies published in peer-reviewed journals that explore the pathophysiological mechanisms, clinical interventions, and therapeutic strategies for CP. The pathogenesis of CP involves a complex interplay of genetic, environmental, and perinatal factors leading to brain injury. Inflammatory processes, oxidative stress, and excitotoxicity are critical in CP development. Current therapeutic approaches primarily focus on symptom management through physical and occupational therapy, as well as pharmacological interventions. Emerging therapies, including anti-inflammatory agents, antioxidants, and neuroprotective and neurotrophic agents, show potential but require further validation. Notably, although steroids provide anti-inflammatory benefits, their use in pediatric patients raises concerns regarding long-term adverse effects such as osteoporosis. Despite advances in understanding CP's neurobiological underpinnings, effective therapeutic targets remain elusive. A comprehensive approach addressing CP's heterogeneity is essential. Future research should emphasize in-depth evaluations of the efficacy and safety of therapeutic agents, particularly in pediatric populations, to develop targeted and effective treatments for CP.

Global Marine Ranching Research: Progress and Trends through Bibliometric Analysis

With the increasing prominence of pollution issues in offshore waters, marine ranching plays a crucial role in restoring marine ecosystems and ensuring the sustainable use of fishery resources. This paper provides a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of global marine ranching research. The study indicates that policy is the primary driver of the industry's development. It also reveals that the low level of interconnectivity between China and other major developing countries, as well as cooperation between governmental and research institutions in the area of marine ranching. In light of these considerations, prospective strategies for the future evolution of marine ranching can be formulated with a view to optimising and enhancing the seedling production system, and to forecasting changes in marine ranching in conjunction with the application of modern computing techniques and the field of remote sensing.

A Comparison of Postoperative Outcomes Based on Muscle versus Fasciocutaneous Flaps in Scalp Reconstruction: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Scalp reconstruction in plastic and reconstructive surgery often necessitates the transfer of soft-tissue flaps to restore form and function. The critical decision lies in choosing between muscle-containing (MC) and fasciocutaneous (FC) flaps for scalp reconstruction, and while both variants have their merits, flap composition remains a subject of ongoing debate. This scientific discussion aims to explore this contentious issue through a comprehensive meta-analysis, shedding light on the rationale behind the choice of these flaps and the potential impact on clinical outcomes. A comprehensive systematic review was conducted following PRISMA-P guidelines, encompassing six prominent databases up to the year 2023. Data were collected from studies assessing outcomes of MC and FC flaps for scalp reconstruction. Quality evaluation was performed using ASPS criteria and the ROBINS-I tool. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics, meta-analysis, sensitivity analysis, and assessment of bias using STATA software. The meta-analysis included 28 nonrandomized studies, totaling 594 flaps (MC: 380, FC: 214). MC flaps were significantly larger than FC flaps. There were no significant differences in flap loss, flap necrosis, or wound dehiscence between the two flap types. However, the incidence of venous congestion was significantly higher in FC flaps. Sensitivity analysis confirmed the robustness of results, and publication bias assessment showed no significant evidence of bias. While both MC and FC flaps offer viable options for scalp reconstruction, the choice should be tailored to individual patient characteristics and defect size. FC flaps may provide advantages such as shorter operative times and reduced morbidity, whereas MC flaps could be preferred for addressing larger defects. Future research should focus on prospective studies and strategies to mitigate venous congestion in FC flaps, enhancing their safety and efficacy in scalp reconstruction.

Peroxyredoxin 6 Protects RIN-M5F Pancreatic Beta Cells Against Streptozotocin-Induced Senescence.

There are evidences that a decrease in the functional activity of pancreatic β-cells under type 2 diabetes conditions may be associated with their senescence, therefore, senotherapy may be a prospective strategy for the diabetes treatment. The senotherapeutic potential of peroxiredoxin 6 (PRDX6) was studied in RIN-m5F pancreatic β-cells with streptozotocin-induced senescence by measuring markers, associated with senescence. Exposure to streptozotocin (STZ) resulted in the senescence of the β-cells. The addition of PRDX6 to the culture medium of RIN-m5F β-cells before treatment with STZ decreased the levels of the following senescence markers: the percentage of SA-β-Gal-positive cells, the phosphorylation of histone H2AX and p21 proteins, and the secretion of the proinflammatory cytokine IL-6 but not the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10. These effects were accompanied by a decrease in the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the restoration of impaired NF-κB activation. In addition, PRDX6 altered the production of the heat shock protein HSP90: the production of the constitutive form of HSP90-beta decreased, while the level of inducible HSP90-alpha increased. PRDX6 prevented the senescence of RIN-m5F cells in response to the DNA damage-inducing agent streptozotocin, indicating a potential protective role of PRDX6 in type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Melatonin Induces Analgesic Effects through MT2 Receptor-Mediated Neuroimmune Modulation in the Mice Anterior Cingulate Cortex.

Neuropathic pain (NP) represents a considerable clinical challenge, profoundly impacting patients' quality of life. Presently, pharmacotherapy serves as a primary approach for NP alleviation, yet its efficacy often remains suboptimal. Melatonin (MLT), a biologically active compound secreted by the pineal gland, has long been associated with promoting and maintaining sleep. Although recent studies suggest analgesic effects of MLT, the underlying mechanism remains largely unknown, particularly its impact on the cortex. In this study, we induced an NP model in mice through spared nerve injury (SNI) and observed a considerable, dose-dependent alleviation in NP symptoms following intraperitoneal or anterior cingulate cortex (ACC) administration of MLT. Our findings further indicated that the NP management of MLT is selectively mediated by MLT-related receptor 2 (MT2R), rather than MT1R, on neurons and microglia within the ACC. Transcriptome sequencing, complemented by bioinformatics analysis, implicated MLT in the modulation of Gα(i) and immune-inflammatory signals. Specifically, MLT inhibited the excitability level of pyramidal cells in the ACC by activating the Gα(i) signaling pathway. Simultaneously, MLT attenuated M1 polarization and promoted M2 polarization of microglia, thereby mitigating the inflammatory response and type II interferon response within the ACC. These findings unveil a hitherto unrecognized molecular mechanism: an MLT-mediated neuroimmune modulation pathway in the ACC mediated by MT2R. This elucidation sheds light on the regulatory character of MLT in chronic nociceptive pain conditions, offering a prospective therapeutic strategy for NP management.

Melatonin as a Treatment Option for Bacterial Meningitis – A Comprehensive Review

Bacterial meningitis (BM) is a global acute infectious central nervous system (CNS) illness that leaves 50% of survivors with long-term significant consequences. Acute bacterial meningitis is more common in low-resource areas than in high-resource areas. Bacterial survival and multiplication in the circulation, increased permeability of the blood brain barrier (BBB), oxidative stress, and an overactive inflammatory response in the CNS are all involved in the pathogenesis of BM. Because drug-resistant bacteria make treatment for meningitis more difficult, the vaccination has been confined to a few serotypes, and the BM morbidity rate remains high. With recent advances in neurology, there is hope for medication supplements that can successfully prevent and cure BM. Several in vivo and in vitro researches have been conducted to better understand how melatonin affects BM. Melatonin is primarily produced in the pineal gland and has the ability to cross the BBB. Melatonin and its metabolite have been found to be efficient antioxidants and anti-inflammatories, suggesting that they might be used to prevent and treat BM. Melatonin can protect the brain against bacterial meningitis through a variety of mechanisms, including immunological response, antibacterial capabilities, BBB integrity protection, free radical scavenging, anti-inflammation, signalling pathways, and gut microbiota. This paper highlights melatonin's primary neuroprotective processes and investigates prospective preventative and therapy strategies for BM nerve damage. Keywords: Bacterial Meningitis, Neuron Injury, Melatonin, Neuroprotection

Polysaccharides from Lanzhou Lily Attenuate Induced Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Modifying the Gut Microbiota and Metabolite Profile.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is closely related to gut microbiota due to the hepatic portal system, and utilizing natural polysaccharides as prebiotics has become a prospective strategy for treating NAFLD. However, the therapeutic effects and potential molecular mechanisms of Lanzhou Lily polysaccharides (LLP) on NAFLD remains unclear.Therefore, the alleviating effects of LLPon NAFLD induced by high-fat diet(HFD) were investigated. LLP treatment greatly ameliorated NAFLD by significantly reducing lipid accumulation and the levels of liver function markers in HFD-induced NAFLD mice, as evidenced by decreased serum levels of TG, TC, HDL-C and LDL-C. Furthermore, LLPadministration reduced hepatic steatosis, as shown by H&E and Oil red O staining.LLP also inhibited the TNF-α and IL-1βexpression, thereby reducing levels of hepatic proinflammatory cytokines.Furthermore, LLP restored gut microbiota dysbiosis, and regulatedmicrobial metabolic pathways such as primary bile acid biosynthesis and amino acid metabolism. In addition, the resultes of Spearman's correlation analysisfound that some key metabolites in these metabolic pathwayswere associated with intestinal microorganisms such as Desulfobacterota, Prevotellaceae-UCG-001, Colidextribacterand Alistipes.Therefore, our study suggests that LLP may has potential applications in the treatment of NAFLD by regulating gut microbiotaand its metabolite profile.

Immunotherapy in liver cancer: overcoming the tolerogenic liver microenvironment.

Liver cancer is a major global health concern, ranking among the top causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. Despite advances in medical research, the prognosis for liver cancer remains poor, largely due to the inherent limitations of current therapies. Traditional treatments like surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy often fail to provide long-term remission and are associated with significant side effects. Immunotherapy has emerged as a promising avenue for cancer treatment, leveraging the body's immune system to target and destroy cancer cells. However, its application in liver cancer has been limited. One of the primary challenges is the liver's unique immune microenvironment, which can inhibit the effectiveness of immunotherapeutic agents. This immune microenvironment creates a barrier, leading to drug resistance and reducing the overall efficacy of treatment. Recent studies have focused on understanding the immunological landscape of liver cancer to develop strategies that can overcome these obstacles. By identifying the specific factors within the liver that contribute to immune suppression and drug resistance, researchers aim to enhance the effectiveness of immunotherapy. Prospective strategies include combining immunotherapy with other treatments, using targeted therapies to modulate the immune microenvironment, and developing new agents that can bypass or counteract the inhibitory mechanisms in the liver. These advancements hold promise for improving outcomes in liver cancer treatment.

The brassinosteroid receptor StBRI1 promotes tuber development by enhancing plasma membrane H+-ATPase activity in potato.

The brassinosteroid (BR) receptor BRASSINOSTEROID-INSENSITIVE 1 (BRI1) plays a critical role in plant growth and development. Although much is known about how BR signaling regulates growth and development in many crop species, the role of StBRI1 in regulating potato (Solanum tuberosum) tuber development is not well understood. To address this question, a series of comprehensive genetic and biochemical methods were applied in this investigation. It was determined that StBRI1 and Solanum tuberosum PLASMA MEMBRANE (PM) PROTON ATPASE2 (PHA2), a PM-localized proton ATPase, play important roles in potato tuber development. The individual overexpression of StBRI1 and PHA2 led to a 22% and 25% increase in tuber yield per plant, respectively. Consistent with the genetic evidence, in vivo interaction analysis using double transgenic lines and PM H+-ATPase activity assays indicated that StBRI1 interacts with the C-terminus of PHA2, which restrains the intramolecular interaction of the PHA2 C-terminus with the PHA2 central loop to attenuate autoinhibition of PM H+-ATPase activity, resulting in increased PHA2 activity. Furthermore, the extent of PM H+-ATPase autoinhibition involving phosphorylation-dependent mechanisms corresponds to phosphorylation of the penultimate Thr residue (Thr-951) in PHA2. These results suggest that StBRI1 phosphorylates PHA2 and enhances its activity, which subsequently promotes tuber development. Altogether, our results uncover a BR-StBRI1-PHA2 module that regulates tuber development and suggest a prospective strategy for improving tuberous crop growth and increasing yield via the cell surface-based BR signaling pathway.

Design of Epidemic Model For Covid-19 Disease Prediction Using Deep Learning

Promising technologies are available in the developing field of Public Health Surveillance (PHS) to help public health authorities make decisions more quickly by expediting the process of monitoring, analysing, and using unofficial sources. The cornerstone of public health practice is public health surveillance. Influencing policy decisions, spearheading new program initiatives, improving public relations, and helping organisations assess their research expenditures all depend on surveillance data. Public health experts may find that mathematical models are an effective tool in controlling epidemics, which might result in a significant drop in the number of cases and deaths. Moreover, decision-makers can optimise prospective control strategies, including as vaccination campaigns, lockdowns, and containment measures, by using mathematical models to produce long- and short-term forecasts. This work suggests the evolution of epidemics.

Bimetallic Fe, Co-Modified TiO2 Derived from NH2-MIL-125(Ti) as an Efficient Photocatalyst for N2 Fixation

The conversion of nitrogen (N2) and water (H2O) into NH3 by photocatalysis under ambient conditions has been considered an environmentally friendly strategy. However, developing effective catalysts for N2 fixation is still challenging. Herein, we report a bimetallic JH Fe, Co/TiO2 derived from NH2-MIL-125(Ti) by the fast Joule heating (FJH) method for visible–light–driven catalytic N2 fixation. It was found that the photocatalytic N2 reduction efficiency of bimetallic FC@TiO2-JH was improved, enabling an NH3 yield rate of 110.14 µmol g−1 h−1 without any sacrificial agents. Furthermore, the rate was higher than those of Fe@TiO2-JH and Co@TiO2-JH, suggesting that the synergistic effect between Fe and Co broke the electronic equilibrium and increased the center of its d-band, enhancing electronic feedback to the antibonding π* orbitals of N2 while weakening the bonding energy of N≡N. Meanwhile, the rate was about 2.75 times higher than that of FC@TiO2-TF, which was calcined in a tube furnace. It is assumed that FJH might lead to the formation of lattice defects, leading to localized charge deficiency, enhanced carrier separation, and transport. Thus, doping of Fe and Co synergistically interacted with the defects produced from FJH, facilitating the photocatalytic reduction process. As detected, it had a greater ability to separate hole–electron pairs and transferred electrons to adsorbed N2 at faster rates. Our work demonstrates a prospective strategy for designing bimetallic catalysts derived from NH2-MIL-125(Ti) for N2 fixation.

Combined miR-181a-5p and Ag Nanoparticles are Effective Against Oral Cancer in a Mouse Model.

Oral squamous cell carcinoma is the most common type of malignant tumor in the head and neck region. Despite advancements, metastasis and recurrence rates remain high, and patient survival has not significantly improved. Although miRNA therapies are promising for cancer gene therapy, their applications in treating oral cancer are limited. Targeted medication delivery systems based on nanotechnology offer an efficient way to enhance oral cancer treatment efficacy. We synthesized nanosilver (AgNPs) and loaded them with the tumor suppressor miR-181a-5p. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the inhibitory effects of AgNPs and their composites on the malignant behavior of oral cancer cell lines. The xenograft experiment was utilized to examine their effects on tumorigenesis and the potential molecular mechanisms involved. The nanosilver exhibited a spherical morphology with a size distribution ranging from 50 to 100 nm. They exhibited a distinct absorption peak at 330 nm and could be excited to emit green fluorescence. The biocompatible AgNPs effectively shielded miRNA from degradation by RNase and serum. The nanocomposites significantly inhibited the proliferation, invasion, migration, and colony formation of oral cancer cell lines. Notably, treatment with the nanocomposites resulted in substantial tumor growth suppression in the xenograft model. Mechanistically, these composites directly targeted BCL2 and exerted their antitumor effects by suppressing the β-catenin signaling pathway and other downstream genes without inducing acute toxicity. Collectively, the findings demonstrate that the miR-181a-5p/AgNPs combination significantly impedes the growth and progression of oral cancer both in vitro and in vivo, highlighting a pivotal role for the β-catenin signaling pathway. This multifaceted approach holds promise as a prospective therapeutic strategy for oral cancer management in the future.

A low-temperature co-treatment of diethylhexyl phthalate-rich polyvinyl chloride and waste copper catalyst by subcritical water (hydrothermal treatment): Dechlorination, recovery of diethylhexyl phthalate and copper

As one of the most widespread plastics in the world, the recycling of diethylhexyl phthalate-rich polyvinyl chloride (DEHP-rich PVC) faces great challenges because of the high levels of Cl and plasticizers. On the other hand, waste copper catalyst (WCC) discharged from various industrial processes is not effectively recycled. In this study, a significant synergistic effect between the DEHP-rich PVC and WCC was found in a subcritical water (SubCW) medium, and a co-treatment of the DEHP-rich PVC and WCC was developed by the SubCW process. The introduction of WCC significantly improved the dechlorination efficiency of the DEHP-rich PVC to 96.03 % at a low temperature of 250 °C. Under the optimal conditions, the leaching of copper from WCC reached a maximum of 81.08 %. Oil products included DEHP (55.7 %, GC peak area%), 3-methyl-3-heptene (37.3 %, GC peak area%), and 2-ethyl-1-hexanol (7.0 %, GC peak area%). The dechlorination pathways of the DEHP-rich PVC included hydroxyl substitution and direct dechlorination. HCl released from the DEHP-rich PVC led to a decrease in the pH of the system and significant copper leaching from the WCC. DEHP was decomposed by hydrolysis, dehydration, and rearrangement reaction by the SubCW co-treatment process. The enhancement mechanism of the WCC for the dechlorination of the DEHP-rich PVC was based on that the conversion of copper species in the SubCW promoted the formation of hydroxyl radicals and the hydroxyl substitution for chlorine in PVC molecular chain. The proposed SubCW low-temperature co-treatment could be a prospective strategy for the low-energy and synchronous recovery of the two different wastes of the DEHP-rich PVC and WCC.