bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025 huggingface dataset:
Fictitious but Not Utopian
Authors: Levien Michael
Published: September 2021

This chapter traces the conversion of feudal land tenures into private agricultural property in the immediate post-Independence period, a subsequent phase of agricultural corporatism, and the recent subsumption of agrarian land into the current regime of urban rent-seeking. It clarifies the meaning and defends the utility of Karl Polanyi's conception of land as a fictitious commodity. Drawing on historical and ethnographic research into processes of land commodification and dispossession in rural northwest India, the chapter argues that Polanyi's conception of land as a fictitious commodity helps to explain why state action — including but not limited to dispossession — is an important mechanism for transforming land into a commodity. The chapter then reveals different configurations of state force were required to disembed land, first, from a feudal regime, then from the joint family, and finally from regulated agricultural developmentalism. Underlying each of these transformations were particular narratives of land's social function — as symbol of sovereign power, as grounds for productivist nation building, and ultimately as a source of foreign investment. The chapter employs this historical analysis to offer a sociological reconstruction of Polanyi's concept of fictitiousness, elucidating the unique challenges of commodifying land and the crucial role of extra-economic forces in the process.
The Caring Class
Authors: Schweid Richard
Published: September 2021

The number of elderly and disabled Americans in need of home health care is increasing annually, even as the pool of people — almost always women — willing to do this job gets smaller and smaller. This book takes readers inside the reality of home health care by following the lives of women training and working as home health aides in the South Bronx. The book examines home health care in detail, focusing on the women who tend to our elderly and disabled loved ones and how we fail to value their work. They are paid minimum wage so that we might be absent, getting on with our own lives. The book calls for a rethinking of home health care and explains why changes are urgent: the current system offers neither a good way to live nor a good way to die. By improving the job of home health aide, we can reduce income inequality and create a pool of qualified, competent home health care providers who would contribute to the well-being of us all. The book also serves as a guide into the world of our home health care system. Nearly 50 million US families look after an elderly or disabled loved one. The book explains the issues and choices they face. It explores the narratives, histories, and people behind home health care in the United States, examining how we might improve the lives of both those who receive care and those who provide it.
Meritocracy and Its Discontents
Authors: Howlett Zachary M.
Published: September 2021

This book investigates the wider social, political, religious, and economic dimensions of the Gaokao, China's national college entrance exam, as well as the complications that arise from its existence. Each year, some nine million high-school seniors in China take the Gaokao, which determines college admission and provides a direct but difficult route to an urban lifestyle for China's hundreds of millions of rural residents. But with college graduates struggling to find good jobs, some are questioning the exam's legitimacy — and, by extension, the fairness of Chinese society. Chronicling the experiences of underprivileged youth, the book illuminates how people remain captivated by the exam because they regard it as fateful — an event both consequential and undetermined. The book finds that the exam enables people both to rebel against the social hierarchy and to achieve recognition within it. It contends that the Gaokao serves as a pivotal rite of passage in which people strive to personify cultural virtues such as diligence, composure, filial devotion, and divine favor.
The Power to Divide
Authors: Crawford Timothy W.
Published: September 2021

This book examines the use of wedge strategies, a form of divisive statecraft designed to isolate adversaries from allies and potential supporters to gain key advantages. With a multidimensional argument about the power of accommodation in competition, and a survey of alliance diplomacy around both world wars, the book artfully analyzes the past and future performance of wedge strategy in great power politics. It argues that nations attempting to use wedge strategy do best when they credibly accommodate likely or established allies of their enemies. It also argues that a divider's own alliances can pose obstacles to success and explains the conditions that help dividers overcome them. The book advances these claims in eight focused studies of alliance diplomacy surrounding the world wars. Through those narratives, the book adeptly assesses the record of countries that tried an accommodative wedge strategy, and why ultimately, they succeeded or failed. These calculated actions often became turning points, desired or not, in a nation's established power. For policymakers today facing threats to power from great power competitors, the book argues that a deeper historical and theoretical grasp of the role of these wedge strategies in alliance politics and grand strategy is necessary. The book drives home the contemporary relevance of the analysis with a survey of China's potential to use such strategies to divide India from the United States, and the United States' potential to use them to forestall a China–Russia alliance, and closes with a review of key theoretical insights for policy.
Organic farming practices change the soil bacteria community, improving soil quality and maize crop yields
Authors: Durrer Ademir , Gumiere Thiago , Rumenos Guidetti Zagatto Maurício , Petry Feiler Henrique , Miranda Silva Antonio Marcos , Henriques Longaresi Rodrigo , Homma Sérgio K. , Cardoso Elke J.B.N.
Published: September 2021

Background

The importance of organic farming has increased through the years to promote food security allied with minimal harm to the ecosystem. Besides the environmental benefits, a recurring problem associated with organic management is the unsatisfactory yield. A possible solution may rely on the soil microbiome, which presents a crucial role in the soil system. Here, we aimed to evaluate the soil bacterial community structure and composition under organic and conventional farming, considering the tropical climate and tropical soil.

Methodology

Our organic management treatments were composed by composted poultry manure and green manure with Bokashi. Both organic treatments were based on low nitrogen inputs. We evaluated the soil bacterial community composition by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, soil fertility, and soil enzyme activity in two organic farming systems, one conventional and the last transitional from conventional to organic.

Results

We observed that both organic systems evaluated in this study, have higher yield than the conventional treatment, even in a year with drought conditions. These yield results are highly correlated with changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activity. The attributes pH, Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase, and β- glucosidase activity are positively correlated with organic systems, while K and Al are correlated with conventional treatment. Also, our results show in the organic systems the changes in the soil bacteria community, being phyla Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Nitrospirae, and Rokubacteria the most abundant. These phyla were correlated with soil biochemical changes in the organic systems, helping to increase crop yields.

Conclusion

Different organic management systems, (the so-called natural and organic management systems, which use distinct organic sources), shift the soil bacterial community composition, implying changes in their functionalities. Also, our results contributed to the identification of target bacterial groups and changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activity in a trophic organic farming system, which may contribute to higher crop yields.
Large-scale differences in diversity and functional adaptations of prokaryotic communities from conserved and anthropogenically impacted mangrove sediments in a tropical estuary
Authors: De Santana Carolina O. , Spealman Pieter , Melo Vania , Gresham David , de Jesus Taise , Oliveira Eddy , Chinalia Fabio Alexandre
Published: September 2021

Mangroves are tropical ecosystems with strategic importance for climate change mitigation on local and global scales. They are also under considerable threat due to fragmentation degradation and urbanization. However, a complete understanding of how anthropogenic actions can affect microbial biodiversity and functional adaptations is still lacking. In this study, we carried out 16S rRNA gene sequencing analysis using sediment samples from two distinct mangrove areas located within the Serinhaém Estuary, Brazil. The first sampling area was located around the urban area of Ituberá, impacted by domestic sewage and urban runoff, while the second was an environmentally conserved site. Our results show significant changes in the structure of the communities between impacted and conserved sites. Biodiversity, along with functional potentials for the cycling of carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus and sulfur, were significantly increased in the urban area. We found that the environmental factors of organic matter, temperature and copper were significantly correlated with the observed shifts in the communities. Contributions of specific taxa to the functional potentials were negatively correlated with biodiversity, such that fewer numbers of taxa in the conserved area contributed to the majority of the metabolic potential. The results suggest that the contamination by urban runoff may have generated a different environment that led to the extinction of some taxa observed at the conserved site. In their place we found that the impacted site is enriched in prokaryotic families that are known human and animal pathogens, a clear negative effect of the urbanization process.
Effectiveness of Weather Based Agromet Advisories on Economics of Farmers in Gaya District of Bihar
Authors: Hussain Mohd Zakir , Kumar Avinash , Singh Rajeev , Kumar Santosh , Sohane R.K. , Kumar Anjani
Published: September 2021

Present study was conducted during Summer and Kharif 2020 across villages of Gaya district under the South Alluvial zone of Bihar to assess the usefulness of Agro-met Advisory Services (AAS) and to quantify the economic gain of farmers through adoption of advisory in their day-to-day farming practices. To achieve this, two groups of farmers were formed namely, a group adopting the agro-met advisories (AAS farmers) and other group not aware of agro-met advisories (non-AAS farmers). A total of 80 farmers (including AAS and Non AAS) were identified. The agro-met advisory were circulated among AAS farmers for Summer and Kharif season of 2020 and care was taken for proper implementation of advisories by this group. Expenditure incurred & crop situation of both the group of farmers were compared at every stage from land preparation to harvest and crop growth and yields were monitored regularly among them. Significant results were reported for crop growth and yield among the AAS farmers compared to non-AAS. AAS farmers have obtained a net income of Rs. 45188 and Rs. 37273 while, non AAS farmers obtained a net income of Rs. 26225 and Rs. 28510 for green gram and rice respectively. The AAS farmers reported 41.96 and 23.5 per cent of additional benefit in green gram and rice, respectively. The gain in additional benefit was due to management of crop according to agro-met advisory bulletins. Therefore, adoption of agro-met advisory bulletin based on past, current and future weather forecast is an effective tool for enhancing the net productivity and income.
Gender and Populism
Authors: McNamara Owen
Published: December 2024

While there is some truth to the public commentary linking populism and aggrieved (white) masculinity, there is much more to the interplay between gender and populism. This entry explores the diversity of ways that gender and populist projects are implicated in one another. Rather than treat populism as a monolithic phenomenon, anthropologists have shown its flexibility, particularly with regard to questions of gender and sexuality. This has included showing the public spaces that women might open for themselves through populist militancy and exploring how populists attempt to garner support among women by recasting the “traditional” gender roles that such movements promote as appealing. Anthropologists have tracked both the gender and sexual conservativism of populist movements and the way that populists distinguish themselves as the (self‐purported) defenders of the rights of women and sexual minorities. For anthropologists, understanding the deeply gendered nature of populism can offer insights regarding the evident appeal that populism has throughout Europe, the Americas, and India.
Bureaucracy and Sex
Authors: Hegarty Benjamin
Published: December 2024

Attention to the role of bureaucracy in classifying and governing sex in anthropology has been a topic of diverse interest. The historical role of anthropological theories of kinship and genealogy in establishing systems of classification highlights the lasting influence of racial and colonial legacies on binary sex. In the 1990s, interest in gender as performative resulted in a shift in focus from what sex is to what sex does. Ethnographic studies of sex classification have provided robust concepts for understanding the social, political, and technological processes invested in sex as a bureaucratic object. Anthropologists have investigated these material and semiotic processes, attending to how some jurisdictions expand possibilities for changing legal gender even as others further entrench essentialist definitions of biological sex. Ethnographic investigation of the primacy granted to sex/gender located in the body/mind allows for a fuller evaluation of state efforts to assert a monopoly over powers of recognition.
Paleoanthropology: Decolonizing and Building for the Future
Authors: Ackermann Rebecca , Athreya Sheela , Black Wendy , Humphreys Robyn , Pickering Robyn , Sahle Yonatan , Schroeder Lauren
Published: December 2024

The study of human evolution, also known as palaeoanthropology, focuses on our distant and more recent human past; what shaped us as a lineage, genus, and species; and how we came to be the diverse single species we are today. However, the bulk of this research, knowledge production, and understanding has been driven by the global North to the exclusion of non‐Western scientists, despite the deep and rich fossil record of formerly colonized regions (Africa, Australia, South and Southeast Asia, North/South America), maintaining a neocolonial dynamic to this day. Coloniality manifests itself in paleoanthropology in multiple ways: who conducts research, who gets recognition and reward, whose voices and worldviews get centered in paleoanthropological models, what is considered to constitute scientific knowledge, where fossil/archaeological material is housed and curated, and who controls access to these collections. This entry explores these manifestations of coloniality, offering corrective practices.
Taiwan, Development of Anthropology and Ethnology in
Authors: Huang Shu‐Min
Published: December 2024

The developmental trajectory of anthropology and ethnology in Taiwan is probably very similar to other colonial societies in Asia and Africa, such as India, the Philippines, and Egypt. It was an effort initiated by the colonizing powers who employed the discipline mainly for the purpose of studying and taming the Indigenous peoples in the newly conquered lands. The Japanese colonial legacy in Taiwan includes the initial studies of the Han Chinese and the Aboriginal Austronesian peoples on the island. It was only after the departure of the Japanese after World War II that a genuine anthropological and ethnological discipline was established at university level, along with degree programs and affiliated organizations, such as professional associations, museums, regular scholarly meetings, and academic journals. This entry provides a concise history of this development process in Taiwan since the early twentieth century.
Serbia, Anthropology in
Authors: Nešković Vesna Vučinić
Published: December 2024

The complex historical and contemporary landscape of ethnology and anthropology in Serbia warrants a comprehensive exploration of its transformative sociopolitical events, key intellectual currents, and influential figures and their contributions. Therefore, the initial part of this entry offers a historical overview, tracing the evolution of the discipline from the late nineteenth century through to the early twenty‐first century, and highlights key contemporary institutions, professional societies, and anthropological journals. The latter part focuses on the advancements made at the University of Belgrade's Department of Ethnology and Anthropology, the foundational educational institution for the discipline and the only one combining research and teaching in the country. Examining the contemporary period since the implementation of the Bologna Process reforms in 2006, this part outlines major projects, conferences, and publications, and discusses the wide range of research areas, subdisciplines, and themes to which department members have significantly contributed.
The Combination of Aligned PDA‐Fe@PLCL Conduit with Aligned GelMA Hydrogel Promotes Peripheral Nerve Regeneration
Authors: Wang Penghui , You Jiongming , Liu Guang , Wang Qiming , Zhang Linjie , Lu Xinwu , Qin Jinbao , Dong Zhihui , Yi Bingcheng , Huang Qun
Published: December 2024

Biomaterial‐assisted therapeutic strategies enable precise modulation to direct endogenous cellular responses and harness regenerative capabilities for nerve repair. However, achieving effective cellular engagement during nerve remodeling remains challenging. Herein, a novel composite nerve guidance conduit (NGC), the GelMA/PLys@PDA‐Fe@PLCL conduit is developed by combining aligned poly(l‐lactide‐co‐caprolactone) (PLCL) nanofibers modified with polydopamine (PDA), ferrous iron (Fe3⁺), and polylysine (PLys) with aligned methacrylate‐anhydride gelatin (GelMA) hydrogel nanofibers. PDA films exhibit strong adhesion and metal coordination properties, allowing Fe3⁺ irons to chelate with phenolic hydroxyl groups of dopamine derivatives, forming a metal‐phenolic network on PLCL. PLys molecules are then grafted onto PDA‐Fe3⁺ coating via Schiff base and Michael addition reactions. This multifunctional coating enhances surface roughness and zeta potential of PLCL nanofibers, imparts superhydrophilicity with anisotropic wetting behavior, and maintains wet tensile properties of substrates. In vitro studies show that the PLys@PDA‐Fe coating significantly promotes aligned distribution of Schwann cells, improves cell adhesion and differentiation, and demonstrates notable antioxidant and anti‐inflammatory properties. When implanted into nerve defects in rats, the multifunctional coating conduit combined with aligned GelMA hydrogel effectively accelerates axonal regeneration, remyelination, and angiogenesis, leading to enhanced motor function recovery. Overall, the GelMA/PLys@PDA‐Fe@PLCL conduit presents a promising strategy for advancing peripheral nerve repair.
Ru‐Ph Nanozyme‐Based Hydrogels for Tumor Chemodynamic Therapy by Enhancing Enzyme Catalytic Efficiency Through Multiple Pathways
Authors: Xiao Min , Zhang Yiqun , Xing Jianghao , Qiao Kun , Ba Yuling , Wang Xianwen , Gao Song , Yuan Zhennan
Published: December 2024

The discovery of nanozymes has opened new possibilities for tumor therapy. However, their reliance on the tumor microenvironment and limited catalytic efficiency hinder broader applications. In this study, ruthenium‐phenanthroline nanoparticles (Ru‐Phs) are synthesized by combining ruthenium with phenanthroline and subsequently coloaded with the proton pump inhibitor (PPI) pantoprazole into sodium alginate (ALG) to form a Ru‐Phs‐PPI‐ALG hydrogel for in situ tumor therapy. This hydrogel demonstrates excellent chemodynamic properties, forming a gel within tumor tissues and gradually releasing Ru‐Phs, which generates highly toxic reactive oxygen species (ROS) via peroxidase‐like (POD‐like) activity. The inclusion of PPI reduced the intracellular pH of tumor cells, accelerating the Fenton reaction and ROS accumulation. Additionally, the high photothermal conversion efficiency of Ru‐Phs‐PPI‐ALG enables heat generation under near‐infrared (NIR) irradiation, which not only disrupts tumor cell structures but also further enhances the POD‐like catalytic activity of Ru‐Phs. The hydrogel effectively killed 4T1 cells in vitro, and transcriptomic analysis confirms its potent chemodynamic efficacy. In vivo experiments demonstrate significant tumor ablation and excellent biocompatibility. This multipathway strategy to increase enzyme activity and improve chemodynamic effects provides a promising approach for advancing nanozyme applications in tumor therapy.
Nuclear Control of Mitochondrial Homeostasis and Venetoclax Efficacy in AML via COX4I1
Authors: Zhang Leisi , Zhang Honghai , Wang Ting‐Yu , Li Mingli , Chan Anthony K.N. , Kang Hyunjun , Foong Lai C. , Liu Qiao , Pokharel Sheela Pangeni , Mattson Nicole M. , Singh Priyanka , Elsayed Zeinab , Kuang Benjamin , Wang Xueer , Rosen Steven T. , Chen Jianjun , Yang Lu , Chou Tsui‐Fen , Su Rui , Chen Chun‐Wei David
Published: December 2024

Cell signaling pathways are enriched for biological processes crucial for cellular communication, response to external stimuli, and metabolism. Here, a cell signaling‐focused CRISPR screen identified cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1 (COX4I1) as a novel vulnerability in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Depletion of COX4I1 hindered leukemia cell proliferation and impacted in vivo AML progression. Mechanistically, loss of COX4I1 induced mitochondrial stress and ferroptosis, disrupting mitochondrial ultrastructure and oxidative phosphorylation. CRISPR gene tiling scans, coupled with mitochondrial proteomics, dissected critical regions within COX4I1 essential for leukemia cell survival, providing detailed insights into the mitochondrial Complex IV assembly network. Furthermore, COX4I1 depletion or pharmacological inhibition of Complex IV (using chlorpromazine) synergized with venetoclax, providing a promising avenue for improved leukemia therapy. This study highlights COX4I1, a nuclear encoded mitochondrial protein, as a critical mitochondrial checkpoint, offering insights into its functional significance and potential clinical implications in AML.
Pathophysiology‐Directed Engineering of a Combination Nanoanalgesic for Neuropathic Pain
Authors: Wang Wenkai , Wang Yan , Huang Xinle , Wu Peng , Li Lanlan , Zhang Yang , Chen Yihui , Chen Zhiyu , Li Changqing , Zhou Yue , Zhang Jianxiang
Published: December 2024

Neuropathic pain, one of the most refractory pain diseases, remains a formidable medical challenge. There is still an unmet demand for effective and safe therapies to address this condition. Herein, a rat model of nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain is first established to explore its pathophysiological characteristics. Recognizing the role of neuroinflammation, an inflammation‐resolving amphiphilic conjugate PPT is designed and synthesized by simultaneously conjugating polyethylene glycol, phenylboronic acid pinacol ester, and Tempol onto a cyclic scaffold. PPT can self‐assemble into nanomicelles (termed PPTN). Following intravenous injection, PPTN preferentially accumulates in the injured nerve, ameliorates the neuroinflammatory milieu, and promotes nerve regeneration, thereby shortening neuropathic pain duration in rats. Moreover, the Ca2+ channel α2δ1 subunit is identified as a therapeutic target by RNA‐sequencing analysis of the injured nerve. Based on this target, a mimicking peptide (AD peptide) is screened as an analgesic. By packaging AD peptide into PPTN, a combination nano‐analgesic APTN is developed. Besides potentiated anti‐hyperalgesic effects due to site‐specific delivery and on‐demand release of AD peptide at target sites, APTN simultaneously inhibits neuroinflammation and promotes nerve regeneration by reprogramming macrophages via regulating MAPK/NF‐kB signaling pathways and NLRP3 inflammasome activation, thus affording synergistic efficacies in treating nerve injury‐induced neuropathic pain.
Biomimetic Vascularized iPSC‐Hepatocyte Spheroids for Liver Regeneration
Authors: Wang Jinglin , Huang Danqing , Ren Haozhen , Zhao Yuanjin
Published: December 2024

Human induced pluripotent stem cell derived hepatocytes (hiPSC‐heps) hold promising value for acute liver failure (ALF) treatment, while their therapeutic efficacy is usually limited by low cell bioactivity and untargeted in vivo accumulation. Here, inspired by vascularity supporting cellular architectures in the tissues and organs, a novel vascularized hiPSC‐heps spheroid based on microfluidic microcapsules is presented for liver repair via orthotopic transplantation. The microcapsules are comprised of aqueous cores that facilitate hiPSC‐hep aggregating into spheroids, and hybrid hydrogel shells of sodium alginate and hyaluronic acid methacryloyl (HAMA). By selectively degrading the alginate, the microcapsules are imparted with porous HAMA shells, which not only allowed human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) to attach and form vascularized networks, but also facilitated communication between HUVECs and hiPSC‐heps. The specific spatial distributions of these cells in the vascularized hiPSC‐hep spheroids can provide nutrition support, promote the hepatic functions, and avoid immune cell attacks. Based on these features, it is illustrated that the vascularized hiPSC‐hep spheroids can repair the acute failing liver more effectively, indicating their practical values in clinical liver repair.
Halbach Array Induced Magnetic Field Alignment in Boron Nitride Nanocomposites
Authors: Ghai Viney , Mishra Ases Akas , Huang Enling , Ngaloy Roselle , Dash Saroj P. , Matic Aleksandar , Kádár Roland
Published: December 2024

Thermal conductivity enhancement in polymers is vital for advanced applications. This study introduces a novel method to align hexagonal boron nitride (hBN) nanosheets within polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) matrices using a Halbach array to create a highly uniform magnetic field. This technique achieves significant improvements in thermal conductivity by effectively aligning hBN nanosheets. This research shows that hBN nanosheets, when aligned, can drastically enhance thermal conductivity in PDMS composites. Specifically, 10 wt.% vertically aligned hBN nanosheets in a rotating magnetic field achieve a thermal conductivity of 3.58 W mK−1, an impressive 1950% increase over pure PDMS. Additionally, the study explores the effects of orientation on dielectric properties, finding that the orientation of hBN nanosheets also improves electrical insulation and increases the dielectric constant while maintaining extremely low dielectric losses. For a vertically oriented sample, the dielectric constant reaches ≈14, and dielectric losses are as low as 0.0049 at 100 Hz, highlighting their potential for energy storage capacitors. This approach not only enhances thermal management but also maintains or improves electrical insulation, offering promising advances for polymer composites in various technological applications.
Metabolic Reprogramming of Macrophages by Biomimetic Melatonin‐Loaded Liposomes Effectively Attenuates Acute Gouty Arthritis in a Mouse Model
Authors: Ma Chuchu , Jiang Yuyu , Xiang Yan , Li Chang , Xie Xiaoying , Zhang Yunkai , You Yang , Xie Laozhi , Gong Jianing , Sun Yinzhe , Tong Shiqiang , Song Qingxiang , Chen Jun , Xiao Wenze
Published: December 2024

Gouty arthritis is characterized by an acute inflammatory response triggered by monosodium urate (MSU) crystals deposited in the joints and periarticular tissues. Current treatments bring little effects owing to serious side effects, necessitating the exploration of new and safer therapeutic options. Macrophages play a critical role in the initiation, progression, and resolution of acute gout, with the cellular profiles closely linked to their activation and polarization. This suggests that metabolic regulation can be of significance in managing gouty inflammation. In this study, it is demonstrated that melatonin, a natural hormone, modulates the metabolic remodeling of inflammatory macrophages by shifting their metabolism from glycolysis to oxidative phosphorylation, further altering functions of the pathogenic macrophage. To improve melatonin delivery to the inflamed sites, macrophage membrane‐coated melatonin‐loaded liposomes (MLT‐MLP) are developed. Benefiting from the inflammation‐homing characteristic of macrophage membrane, such engineered liposomes effectively target the inflamed site and demonstrate potent anti‐inflammatory effects, achieving an enhanced amelioration of acute gouty arthritis. In conclusion, this study proposes a novel strategy aimed at metabolic reprogramming of macrophages to attenuate the pathological injuries in acute gout, providing a potential therapeutic strategy of gout‐associated diseases, especially gouty arthritis.
SENP6‐Mediated deSUMOylation of Nrf2 Exacerbates Neuronal Oxidative Stress Following Cerebral Ischemia and Reperfusion Injury
Authors: Xia Qian , Que Mengxin , Zhan Gaofeng , Zhang Longqing , Zhang Xue , Zhao Yilin , Zhou Huijuan , Zheng Lu , Mao Meng , Li Xing
Published: December 2024

Oxidative stress is believed to play critical pathophysiological roles in ischemic brain injury, and the nuclear factor erythroid 2‐related factor 2 (Nrf2) signaling pathway is recognized as the most crucial endogenous antioxidant stress damage route. Some research have demonstrated that Nrf2 play critical roles in oxidative stress after ischemic stroke, but the underlying mechanism are not fully elucidated. This study reveals that Nrf2 is modified by SUMOylation and identifies Sentrin/SUMO‐specific protease 6 (SENP6) as a negative regulator of Nrf2 SUMOylation. Notably, SENP6 binds to and mediates the deSUMOylation of Nrf2, which in turn inhibits antioxidant response by enhancing ubiquitination‐dependent degradation of Nrf2, thereby reducing its transcriptional activity, inducing oxidative stress and aggravating neuronal apoptosis after ischemic stroke. Additionally, blocking the interaction between SENP6 and Nrf2 with a cell membrane‐permeable peptide (Tat‐Nrf2) preserves the SUMOylation of Nrf2, effectively attenuates oxidative stress, and rescues neurological functions in mice subjected to ischemic stroke. Furthermore, no toxicity is observed when high doses Tat‐Nrf2 are injected into nonischemic mice. Collectively, this study uncovers a previously unidentified mechanism whereby SUMOylation of Nrf2 regulates oxidative stress and strongly indicates that interventions targeting SENP6 or its interaction with Nrf2 may provide therapeutic benefits for ischemic stroke.
In Vivo Neurodynamics Mapping via High‐Speed Two‐Photon Fluorescence Lifetime Volumetric Projection Microscopy
Authors: Li Yanping , Xu Xiangcong , Zhang Chao , Sun Xuefeng , Zhou Sisi , Li Xuan , Guo Jiaqing , Hu Rui , Qu Junle , Liu Liwei
Published: December 2024

Monitoring the morphological and biochemical information of neurons and glial cells at high temporal resolution in three‐dimensional (3D) volumes of in vivo is pivotal for understanding their structure and function, and quantifying the brain microenvironment. Conventional two‐photon fluorescence lifetime volumetric imaging speed faces the acquisition speed challenges of slow serial focal tomographic scanning, complex post‐processing procedures for lifetime images, and inherent trade‐offs among contrast, signal‐to‐noise ratio, and speed. This study presents a two‐photon fluorescence lifetime volumetric projection microscopy using an axially elongated Bessel focus and instant frequency‐domain fluorescence lifetime technique, and integrating with a convolutional network to enhance the imaging speed for in vivo neurodynamics mapping. The proposed method is validated by monitoring intracellular Ca2+ concentration throughout whole volume, tracking microglia movement and microenvironmental changes following thermal injury in the zebrafish brain, analyzing structural and functional variations of gap junctions in astrocyte networks, and measuring the Ca2+ concentration in neurons in mouse brains. This innovative methodology enables quantitative in vivo visualization of neurodynamics and the cellular processes and interactions in the brain.
Microphysiological System‐Generated Physiological Shear Forces Reduce TNF‐α‐Mediated Cartilage Damage in a 3D Model of Arthritis
Authors: Damerau Alexandra , Nguyen Duc Ha Do , Lubahn Christina , Renggli Kasper , Pfeiffenberger Moritz , Krönke Gerhard , Herrmann Matthias , Leeuw Thomas , Buttgereit Frank , Gaber Timo
Published: December 2024

Osteoarthritis (OA) is a leading cause of disability, often resulting from overuse or injury, but inactivity can also contribute to cartilage degeneration. Conventional in vivo models struggle to isolate and study the specific effects of mechanical stress on cartilage health. To address this limitation, a microphysiological system (MPS) is established to examine how varying levels of shear stress impact cartilage homeostasis. The system allows for the cultivation of 3D chondrogenic microconstructs (CMCs) derived from human mesenchymal stromal cells, simulating both physiological and pathophysiological shear stress. Inflammation is induced via TNF‐α or activated peripheral blood mononuclear cells to model cartilage damage, enabling the evaluation of therapeutic interventions. The study demonstrates the development of an arthritis‐like phenotype and successful restoration of cartilage conditions through a JAK inhibitor under physiological shear stress. Physiological shear stress is identified as a critical factor in maintaining cartilage integrity. This MPS offers a standardized method to study shear stress, replicate cytokine‐induced cartilage damage, and simulate key features of arthritis, providing a valuable alternative to animal models.
Real‐Time Monitoring of Volatile Organic Compound‐Mediated Plant Intercommunication Using Surface‐Enhanced Raman Scattering Nanosensor
Authors: Choi Yun Sik , Son Won Ki , Kwak Hyuna , Park Jiyeun , Choi Sumin , Sim Daeseob , Kim Min Gyeong , Kimm Hyungsuk , Son Hokyoung , Jeong Dae Hong , Kwak Seon‐Yeong
Published: December 2024

Plants communicate through volatile organic compounds (VOCs), but real‐time monitoring of VOCs for plant intercommunication is not practically possible yet. A nanobionic VOC sensor plant is created to study VOC‐mediated plant intercommunication by incorporating surface‐enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) nanosensors into a living plant. This sensor allows real‐time monitoring of VOC with a sensitivity down to the parts per trillion level. A quantitative VOC diffusion model in plants is proposed to describe this extreme sensitivity. The sensor plant is paired with a customized portable Raman device, demonstrating its ability to detect multiple VOCs on‐field. The sensor demonstrated that plants collect VOCs emitted from neighboring plants and hazardous volatile chemicals in the air at a certain distance. As a feasibility study, this nanobionic VOC sensor plant successfully monitored the early stages of fungal infection in strawberry fruits. This result suggests that interfacing nanosensors with plants offers an innovative approach to studying interplant communication and can be used as a compelling tool for monitoring VOC occurrence.
Interface‐Driven Catalytic Enhancements in Nitrogen‐Doped Carbon Immobilized CoNi2S4@ReS2/CC Heterostructures for Optimized Hydrogen and Oxygen Evolution in Alkaline Seawater‐Splitting
Authors: Lu Yanhui , Zhao Zhengqiang , Liu Xiaotong , Yu Xu , Li Wenqiang , Pei Chengang , Park Ho Seok , Kim Jung Kyu , Pang Huan
Published: December 2024

The rational design of multicomponent heterostructure is an effective strategy to enhance the catalytic activity of electrocatalysts for water and seawater electrolysis in alkaline conditions. Herein, MOF‐derived nitrogen‐doped carbon/nickel‐cobalt sulfides coupled vertically aligned Rhenium disulfide (ReS2) on carbon cloth (NC‐CoNi2S4@ReS2/CC) are constructed via hydrothermal and activation approaches. Experimental and theoretical analysis demonstrates that the strong interactions between multiple interfaces promote electron redistribution and facilitate water dissociation, thereby optimizing *H adsorption energy for the hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Meanwhile, the adsorption energies of oxygenated intermediates are balanced to reduce the thermodynamic barrier for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER). Consequently, NC‐CoNi2S4@ReS2/CC shows smaller overpotentials of 87 and 253 mV for HER and OER at 10 mA cm−2, with a lower Tafel slope and Rct than control samples. Superior catalytic stability is confirmed by cyclic voltammetry (CV) for 1000 cycles and CA test for 56 h. Furthermore, NC‐CoNi2S4@ReS2/CC presents exceptional electrocatalytic activity in both alkaline water/seawater electrolytes. Stability assessments reveal that NC‐CoNi2S4@ReS2/CC maintains a highly catalytic activity in both water and seawater, owing to the corrosion‐resistant properties of the sulfur species at the interface. These findings highlight the importance of designing heterostructure electrocatalysts for clean hydrogen production.
FGF19‐Activated Hepatic Stellate Cells Release ANGPTL4 that Promotes Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastasis
Authors: Fan Xueying , Li Baoting , Zhang Fan , Liu Meng , Kwan Hiu‐Yee , Liu Zhongqiu , Su Tao
Published: December 2024

Liver and lung are the most common metastatic sites in colorectal cancer (CRC), where the tumor microenvironment (TME) plays a crucial role in the progression and metastasis of CRC. Understanding the interactions between various types of cells in the TME can suggest innovative therapeutic strategies. Using single‐cell RNA sequencing (scRNA‐Seq) and clinical samples, fibroblast growth factor‐19 (FGF19, rodent FGF15) is found to mediate a significant interaction between CRC cells and cancer‐associated fibroblasts (CAFs), activating the hepatic stellate cells (HSCs)‐to‐CAFs differentiation. In various CRC metastatic mouse models, it is shown that FGF15 has a more pronounced effect on liver metastasis compared to pulmonary metastasis. More importantly, the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) are also identified from the RNA‐Seq dataset upon the activation of HSCs by FGF19 and compared the DEGs in matched primary and metastatic mRNA samples from patients with CRC liver metastasis (CRCLM), it is found that the ANGPTL4 gene is significantly associated with HSCs activation. Different mouse models also demonstrated the impact of the FGF19/ANGPTL4 axis on the severity of CRCLM. Importantly, disruption of this axis significantly inhibits CRCLM in vivo. This study is among the first to demonstrate the impact of the FGF19/ANGPTL4 axis on CRCLM, offering a novel therapeutic strategy.
Triple‐Combination Therapy with a Multifunctional Yolk–Shell Nanozyme Au@CeO2 Loaded with Dimethyl Fumarate for Periodontitis
Authors: Li Tiancheng , Shu Mengmeng , Zhu Cheng , Liu Qicheng , Li Yixin , Wang Ruike , Chen Lihan , Shi Wenxiao , Sun Zhaoxuan , Hou Zhiyao , Fang Bing , Xia Lunguo
Published: December 2024

Periodontitis, a chronic inflammatory disease, is the leading cause of tooth loss in adults and is one of the most prevalent and complex oral conditions. Oxidative stress induced by the excessive generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) leads to periodontitis, which is closely associated with pathological processes, including mitochondrial dysfunction of periodontal cells and local immune dysregulation. However, current treatment modalities that target single pathological processes have limited long‐term therapeutic effects. Herein, a multifunctional Yolk–Shell nanozyme, Au@CeO2‐dimethyl fumarate (DMF), which comprehensively addresses the oxidative stress‐induced pathophysiological processes of periodontitis through antioxidant activity, mitochondrial maintenance, and immune modulation mechanisms, is described. For material design logic, functionally complementary Au and CeO2 formed an excellent photothermally regulated high‐efficiency nanozyme, which also provided an ideal drug carrier for DMF. As for the therapeutic logic, Au@CeO2‐DMF restores mitochondrial dysfunction and immune dysregulation, which also contributes to endogenous ROS elimination, thereby achieving long‐term stable therapeutic effects. In a rat model, local Au@CeO2‐DMF photothermal therapy effectively alleviated ROS‐induced tissue damage and restored periodontal homeostasis. Altogether, this study presents a novel antioxidant nanozyme for managing alveolar bone loss under prolonged oxidative stress and demonstrates the importance of comprehensive intervention in key pathological processes in periodontitis treatment design.
Stable and Lead‐Free Perovskite Hemispherical Photodetector for Vivid Fourier Imaging
Authors: Li Chenglong , Li Weijun , Qu Wei , Hu Haijing , Zong Jia , Wei Haotong
Published: December 2024

The filterless single‐pixel imaging technology is anticipated to hold tremendous competitiveness in diverse imaging applications. Nevertheless, achieving single‐pixel color imaging without a filter remains a formidable challenge. Here a lead‐free perovskite hemispherical photodetector is reported for filterless single‐pixel color imaging. Through passivating the active vacancy and antisite defects with functional chemical groups, the trap density of the perovskite film can be dramatically reduced to half of the pristine one, which results in a stable device with 0.69 nA standard deviation (SD) of the current fluctuations for over 10 000 s. The exceptional stability and remarkable low light response capability of passivated lead‐free perovskite devices ensure reliable and repeated distinguishment to high‐frequency color information of Fourier patterns. High‐resolution color imaging with 256 × 256 pixels can be achieved by integrating the Bayer template with Fourier patterns and designing a corresponding color restoration algorithm. Notably, its imaging quality surpasses commercial silicon photomultiplier tubes (SiPMs) under low light intensities or high‐temperature conditions as demonstrated by the larger signal‐to‐noise ratio (SNR). This work presents a novel approach for applying perovskite photodetectors in single‐pixel color imaging, propelling the advancement of filterless color imaging technology.
Nerve Growth Factor Signaling Promotes Nuclear Translocation of TRAF4 to Enhance Tumor Stemness and Metastatic Dormancy Via C‐Jun‐mediated IL‐8 Autocrine
Authors: Zhao Kai , Sun Tifan , Sun Qiruo , Chen Zhenzhong , Wang Tiepeng , Yang Jinming , Li Lei , Zhu Yanan , Liu Xinye , Yang Dawei , Lin Binyan , Lu Na
Published: December 2024

Tumor necrosis factor receptor‐associated factor 4 (TRAF4), an E3 ubiquitin ligase, is frequently overexpressed in tumors. Although its cytoplasmic role in tumor progression is well‐documented, the precise mechanisms underlying its nuclear localization and functional contributions in tumor cells remain elusive. This study demonstrated a positive correlation between the expression of nuclear TRAF4 and both tumor grades and stemness signatures in human cancer tissues. Notably, reduced nuclear TRAF4 led to decreased stemness properties and metastatic dormancy of tumor cells. Conversely, restoring nuclear TRAF4 in TRAF4‐knockout (TRAF4‐KO) cells augmented these cellular capabilities. Within the nucleus, the TRAF domain of TRAF4 interacted with c‐Jun, thereby stimulating its transcriptional activity. This interaction subsequently led to an enhancement of the promoter activity of interleukin‐8 (IL‐8), which is identified as a mediator of nuclear TRAF4‐induced tumor dormancy. Additionally, activation of AKT signaling by nerve growth factor facilitated TRAF4 phosphorylation at Ser242, enhancing its interaction with 14‐3‐3θ and promoting its nuclear translocation. Importantly, pharmacological modulation of TRAF4 nuclear translocation is found to suppress tumor tumorigenicity and metastasis in tumor models. This study highlights the critical role of nuclear TRAF4 in regulating tumor stemness and dormancy, positioning it as a potential therapeutic target for metastatic and refractory cancers.
Novel Quantification Method for Lithium Ion Battery Electrolyte Solvents in Aqueous Recycling Samples Using Solid‐Phase Extraction/Gas Chromatography‐Flame Ionization Detection
Authors: Buchmann Julius , Song Yixin , Wiemers‐Meyer Simon , Winter Martin , Nowak Sascha
Published: December 2024

Efficient recycling processes of lithium ion batteries are critical for advancing the sustainability of this technology. Yet, the quantitative analysis of potential electrolyte residues in wastewaters generated in the recycling process can be challenging. This study introduces a robust method that combines solid‐phase extraction with gas chromatography‐flame ionization detection for quantifying organic carbonate electrolyte solvents and their degradation products in aqueous samples. A quantitative extraction of all target analytes is achieved using the polystyrene‐divinylbenzene‐based stationary phase LiChrolut EN. Method optimization and limitations are evaluated by varying mass loading, load and elution volume, enabling preconcentration factors >250 for linear and oligomeric carbonates. More hydrophilic cyclic carbonates exhibit lower preconcentration potential due to reduced retention on the cartridge. However, limits of quantification in the water sample in a range of a few hundred ppb are achieved for cyclic carbonates (186 ppb for ethylene carbonate, 119 ppb for vinylene carbonate) and down to the single‐digit ppb range for linear and oligomeric carbonates. Additionally, effective matrix elimination is demonstrated through the removal of ionic compounds, such as conductive salts, while the extraction efficiency is independent of the matrix. In conclusion, a robust quantification method is developed, suitable for monitoring wastewater treatment processes and environmental samples.