We designed and synthesized a series of sulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) (SPES) with different hydrophilic or hydrophobic oligomer ratios using poly-condensation strategy. Afterward, we fabricated the corresponding membranes via a solution-casting approach. We verified the SPES membrane chemical structure using nuclear magnetic resonance (¹H NMR) and confirmed the resulting oligomer ratio. Field-emission scanning electron microscope (FE-SEM) and atomic force microscope (AFM) results revealed that we effectively attained phase separation of the SPES membrane along with an increased hydrophilic oligomer ratio. Thermal stability, glass transition temperature (T_g) and membrane elongation increased with the ratio of hydrophilic oligomers. SPES membranes with higher hydrophilic oligomer ratios exhibited superior water uptake, ion-exchange capacity, contact angle and water sorption, while retaining reasonable swelling degree. The proton conductivity results showed that SPES containing higher amounts of hydrophilic oligomers provided a 74.7 mS cm⁻¹ proton conductivity at 90 °C, which is better than other SPES membranes, but slightly lower than that of Nafion-117 membrane. When integrating SPES membranes with proton-exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) at 60 °C and 80% relative humidity (RH), the PEMFC power density exhibited a similar increment-pattern like proton conductivity pattern.

Quantum dots have diverse biomedical applications, from constructing biological infrastructures like medical imaging to advancing pharmaceutical research. However, concerns about human health arise due to the toxic potential of quantum dots based on heavy metals. Therefore, research on quantum dots has predominantly focused on oxidative stress, cell death, and other broader bodily toxicities. This study investigated the toxicity and cellular responses of mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) and mouse adult stem cells (mASCs) to nitrogen-doped carbon quantum dots (NCQDs) made of non-metallic materials. Cells were exposed to NCQDs, and we utilized a fluorescent ubiquitination-based cell system to verify whether NCQDs induce cytotoxicity. Furthermore, we validated the differentiation-inducing impact of NCQDs by utilizing embryonic stem cells equipped with the Oct4 enhancer-GFP reporter system. By analyzing gene expression including Crebzf, Chop, and ATF6, we also observed that NCQDs robustly elicited endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. We confirmed that NCQDs induced cytotoxicity and abnormal differentiation. Interestingly, we also confirmed that low concentrations of NCQDs stimulated cell proliferation in both mESCs and mASCs. In conclusion, NCQDs modulate cell death, proliferation, and differentiation in a concentration-dependent manner. Indiscriminate biological applications of NCQDs have the potential to cause cancer development by affecting normal cell division or to fail to induce normal differentiation by affecting embryonic development during pregnancy. Therefore, we propose that future biomedical applications of NCQDs necessitate comprehensive and diverse biological studies.

The skin, recognized as the largest organ in the human body, serves a vital function in safeguarding against external threats. Severe damage to the skin can pose significant risks to human health. There is an urgent requirement for safe and effective therapies for wound healing. While phytotherapy has been widely utilized for various health conditions, the potential of Quercus glauca in promoting wound healing has not been thoroughly explored. Q. glauca is a cultivated crop known for its abundance of bioactive compounds. This study examined the wound-healing properties of Quercus glauca acorn seed coat water extract (QGASE). The findings from the study suggest that QGASE promotes wound closure in HF cells by upregulating essential markers related to the wound-healing process. Additionally, QGASE demonstrates antioxidant effects, mitigating oxidative stress and aiding in recovery from injuries induced by H₂O₂. In vivo experiments provide additional substantiation supporting the efficacy of QGASE in enhancing wound healing. The collective results indicate that QGASE may be a promising candidate for the development of innovative therapeutic strategies aimed at enhancing skin wound repair.

Tumor cells in hypoxic conditions control cancer metabolism and angiogenesis by expressing HIF-1α. Tanshinone is a traditional Chinese medicine that has been shown to possess antitumor properties and exerts a therapeutic impact on angiogenesis. However, the precise molecular mechanism responsible for the antitumor activity of 3-Hydroxytanshinone (3-HT), a type of tanshinone, has not been fully understood. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the mechanism by which 3-HT regulates the expression of HIF-1α. Our findings demonstrate that 3-HT inhibits HIF-1α activity and expression under hypoxic conditions. Additionally, 3-HT inhibits hypoxia-induced angiogenesis by suppressing the expression of VEGF. Moreover, 3-HT was found to directly bind to α-enolase, an enzyme associated with glycolysis, resulting in the suppression of its activity. This inhibition of α-enolase activity by 3-HT leads to the blockade of the glycolytic pathway and a decrease in glycolysis products, ultimately altering HIF1-α expression. Furthermore, 3-HT negatively regulates the expression of HIF-1α by altering the phosphorylation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK). Our study’s findings elucidate the mechanism by which 3-HT regulates HIF-1α through the inhibition of the glycolytic enzyme α-enolase and the phosphorylation of AMPK. These results suggest that 3-HT holds promise as a potential therapeutic agent for hypoxia-related angiogenesis and tumorigenesis.

Background/Objectives: Obesity, defined by the excessive accumulation of adipose tissue, is associated with an increased risk of type 2 diabetes and metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). Obesity treatments based on natural products are receiving increasing attention as viable alternatives to conventional treatments. Methods: To investigate the anti-obesity effects of Paliurus ramosissimus leaf extract (PRLE) in vitro and in vivo, we conducted studies using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes. The in vivo studies used high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. PRLE effects were assessed through Oil Red O staining, RT-qPCR, Western blot, and morphological analysis of adipose tissue. Results: PRLE significantly reduced lipid accumulation in 3T3-L1 cells without cytotoxicity. PRLE treatment decreased mRNA expression of adipogenic genes (PPARγ, C/EBPα, FABP4, and leptin) and protein levels of adipogenesis-related markers. In HFD-fed mice, PRLE administration significantly reduced body weight gain (p < 0.001), decreased adipose tissue mass, and diminished the weight and size of white adipose tissue. Conclusions: PRLE exhibits anti-obesity effects both in vitro and in vivo, suggesting its potential as a therapeutic agent for obesity prevention.

Background/Objectives: Wound repair-associated processes and the antioxidant properties of natural products play critical roles in skin wound healing and barrier restoration. Wound healing is a complex process characterized by a series of interconnected events that facilitate the self-repair of the skin following injury. Methods: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of Quercus acuta acorn bran extract (QAABE) on wound healing using human dermal fibroblast (HDF) cell cultures treated with QAABE. Additionally, in vivo experiments were conducted using a mouse model of skin injury to assess the wound-healing potential of the extract. Results: The results indicated that QAABE enhanced wound healing in vitro by upregulating extracellular matrix-related markers, including vimentin, Col1a1, Col3a1, endothelin, fibronectin, and VEGF at the mRNA level, and increasing the protein expression of vimentin, COL1A1, endothelin, and α-SMA. QAABE also exhibited reactive oxygen species (ROS)-scavenging activity. In the mouse skin injury model, QAABE treatment accelerated wound closure and was associated with reduced inflammatory responses. Conclusions: These findings suggest that QAABE may promote wound-healing-related responses in both in vitro and in vivo models, supporting its potential as a candidate for further investigation in wound-healing research.