Cyclosporine A‑Encapsulated pH/ROS Dual-Responsive Nanoformulations for the Targeted Treatment of Colitis in Mice

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a frequently occurring disease that seriously influences the patient’s quality of life. To decrease adverse effects and improve efficacy of therapeutics, nanomedicines have been widely used to treat IBD. However, how to thoroughly release payloads under an inflammatory microenvironment and synergistic therapy of IBD need to be further investigated. To address this issue, cyclosporine A (CsA)-loaded, folic acid (FA)-modified, pH and reactive oxygen species (ROS) dual-responsive nanoparticles (FA-CsA NPs) were fabricated using pH/ROS-responsive material as carrier. The prepared FA-CsA NPs had spherical shape and uniform size distribution and could smartly release their payloads under acid and/or ROS microenvironment. In vitro experiments demonstrated that FA-CsA NPs can be effectively internalized by activated macrophages, and the internalized NPs could down-regulate the expression of proinflammatory cytokines compared to free drug or nontargeted NPs. In vivo experiments verified that FA-CsA NPs significantly accumulated at inflammatory colon tissues and the accumulated NPs obviously improved the symptoms of colitis in mice without obvious adverse effects. In conclusion, our results provided a candidate for the targeted treatment of IBD

DataSheet_1_Genome-wide identification, expression and function analysis of the MTP gene family in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana).docx

Currently, soil heavy metal contamination is a severe issue, particularly with Cd pollution. The metal tolerance protein (MTP) proteins, as plant divalent cation transporters, play a crucial role in the transport and tolerance of heavy metals in plants. This study conducted comprehensive identification and characterization of the MTP gene family in the tulip. A total of 11 TgMTP genes were identified and phylogenetically classified into three subfamilies. Conserved motif and gene structure analyses unveiled commonalities and variations among subfamily members. Expression profiling demonstrated several TgMTPs were markedly upregulated under Cd exposure, including the TgMTP7.1. Heterologous expression in yeast validated that TgMTP7.1 could ameliorate Cd sensitivity and enhance its tolerance. These results provide primary insights into the MTP gene family in tulip. Phylogenetic relationships and functional analyses establish a framework for elucidating the transporters and molecular mechanisms governing Cd accumulation and distribution in tulip. Key TgMTPs identified, exemplified by TgMTP7.1, may illuminate molecular breeding efforts aimed at developing Cd-tolerant cultivars for the remediation of soil Cd contamination.</p

Influence of Zwitterions on Thermomechanical Properties and Morphology of Acrylic Copolymers: Implications for Electroactive Applications

<i>n</i>-Butyl acrylate-based zwitterionomers and ionomers containing 3-[[2-(methacryloyloxy)ethyl](dimethyl)ammonio]-1-propanesulfonate (SBMA) and 2-[butyl(dimethyl)amino]ethyl methacrylate methanesulfonate (BDMAEMA MS), respectively, were synthesized using conventional free radical polymerization. Size-exclusion chromatography confirmed the molecular weights of the copolymers exceeded the critical molecular weight between entanglements (<i>M</i>_e) for poly(<i>n</i>-butyl acrylate). Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS), and atomic force microscopy (AFM) revealed that zwitterionomers promoted more well-defined microphase separation than cationic analogues. Dynamic mechanical analyses (DMA) of the copolymers showed a rubbery plateau region due to physical cross-links between charges for zwitterionomers only. Since SBMA and BDMAEMA MS have very similar chemical structures, we attributed improved microphase separation and superior elastomeric performance of the zwitterionomers to stronger association between covalently tethered charged pairs

Table_1_Genome-wide identification, expression and function analysis of the MTP gene family in tulip (Tulipa gesneriana).xlsx

Currently, soil heavy metal contamination is a severe issue, particularly with Cd pollution. The metal tolerance protein (MTP) proteins, as plant divalent cation transporters, play a crucial role in the transport and tolerance of heavy metals in plants. This study conducted comprehensive identification and characterization of the MTP gene family in the tulip. A total of 11 TgMTP genes were identified and phylogenetically classified into three subfamilies. Conserved motif and gene structure analyses unveiled commonalities and variations among subfamily members. Expression profiling demonstrated several TgMTPs were markedly upregulated under Cd exposure, including the TgMTP7.1. Heterologous expression in yeast validated that TgMTP7.1 could ameliorate Cd sensitivity and enhance its tolerance. These results provide primary insights into the MTP gene family in tulip. Phylogenetic relationships and functional analyses establish a framework for elucidating the transporters and molecular mechanisms governing Cd accumulation and distribution in tulip. Key TgMTPs identified, exemplified by TgMTP7.1, may illuminate molecular breeding efforts aimed at developing Cd-tolerant cultivars for the remediation of soil Cd contamination.</p

RAFT Synthesis of ABA Triblock Copolymers as Ionic Liquid-Containing Electroactive Membranes

2-(Dimethylamino)­ethyl acrylate (DMAEA) imparts versatile functionality to poly­[Sty-<i>b</i>-(<i>n</i>BA-<i>co</i>-DMAEA)-<i>b</i>-Sty] ABA triblock copolymers. A controlled synthetic strategy minimized chain transfer reactions and enabled the preparation of high-molecular-weight ABA triblock copolymers with relatively narrow PDIs between 1.39 and 1.44 using reversible addition–fragmentation chain transfer (RAFT) polymerization. The presence of tertiary amine functionality and their zwitterionic derivatives in the central blocks of the triblock copolymers afforded tunable polarity toward ionic liquids. Gravimetric measurements determined the swelling capacity of the triblock copolymers for ionic liquids (IL) 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium trifluoromethanesulfonate (EMIm TfO) and 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium ethylsulfate (EMIm ES). A correlation of differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), dynamic mechanical analysis (DMA), and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) results revealed the impact of ionic liquid incorporation on the thermal transitions, thermomechanical properties, and morphologies of the triblock copolymers. IL-containing membranes of DMAEA-derived triblock copolymers and EMIm TfO exhibited desirable rubbery plateau moduli of ∼100 MPa and electromechanical actuation to a 4 V electrical stimulus. Maintaining the mechanical ductility of polymer matrices while increasing their ion-conductivity is paramount for future electroactive devices

Locus validated for association with AD risk by GWAS.

Locus validated for association with AD risk by GWAS.</p

The knowledge map of active authors and co-cited authors on GWAS in AD.

The knowledge map of active authors and co-cited authors on GWAS in AD.</p

Top 10 institutions contributing to publications on GWAS in AD.

Top 10 institutions contributing to publications on GWAS in AD.</p

The clusters of keywords.

ObjectivesAlzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by a progressive decline in cognitive and behavioral function. Studies have shown that genetic factors are one of the main causes of AD risk. genome-wide association study (GWAS), as a novel and effective tool for studying the genetic risk of diseases, has attracted attention from researchers in recent years and a large number of studies have been conducted. This study aims to summarize the literature on GWAS in AD by bibliometric methods, analyze the current status, research hotspots and future trends in this field.MethodsWe retrieved articles on GWAS in AD published between 2002 and 2022 from Web of Science. CiteSpace and VOSviewer software were applied to analyze the articles for the number of articles published, countries/regions and institutions of publication, authors and cited authors, highly cited literature, and research hotspots.ResultsWe retrieved a total of 2,751 articles. The United States had the highest number of publications in this field, and Columbia University was the institution with the most published articles. The identification of AD-related susceptibility genes and their effects on AD is one of the current research hotspots. Numerous risk genes have been identified, among which APOE, CLU, CD2AP, CD33, EPHA1, PICALM, CR1, ABCA7 and TREM2 are the current genes of interest. In addition, risk prediction for AD and research on other related diseases are also popular research directions in this field.ConclusionThis study conducted a comprehensive analysis of GWAS in AD and identified the current research hotspots and research trends. In addition, we also pointed out the shortcomings of current research and suggested future research directions. This study can provide researchers with information about the knowledge structure and emerging trends in the field of GWAS in AD and provide guidance for future research.</div

The knowledge map of co-citation reference on GWAS in AD.

The knowledge map of co-citation reference on GWAS in AD.</p