W. Cai

Super-Enhancer Driven ZFP36L1 Promotes PD-L1 Expression in Infiltrative Gastric Cancer

This study identifies ZFP36L1, driven by a super-enhancer, as a key regulator of PD-L1 expression in infiltrative gastric cancer, contributing to immune escape.

Does bumblebee preference of continuous over interrupted strings in string-pulling tasks indicate means-end comprehension?

This study investigates whether bumblebees use means-end comprehension in string-pulling tasks and finds they rely on visual matching and associative learning instead.

Global invasion history and genomic signatures of adaptation of a highly invasive lace bug

This study investigates the genomic basis of invasion in the sycamore lace bug, identifying adaptation signatures and invasion routes through genomic analysis.

Rate Dependent Cochlear Outer Hair Cell Force Generation: Models and Parameter Estimation

This paper develops a theoretical model of outer hair cells incorporating rate dependence and viscoelasticity, and describes experiments to estimate their mechanical properties.

Assembly processes inferred from eDNA surveys of a pond metacommunity are consistent with known species ecologies

The paper uses eDNA surveys to infer metacommunity assembly processes in ponds and finds environmental factors and species interactions shape community composition.

hURAT1 Transgenic Mouse Model for Evaluating Targeted Urate-Lowering Agents

This paper develops a human URAT1 transgenic mouse model to evaluate urate-lowering agents and study URAT1-related pathogenesis in gout.

Von Willebrand Factor Synergizes with Tumor-Derived Extracellular Vesicles to Promote Gastric Cancer Metastasis

This study shows that von Willebrand factor (VWF) and gastric cancer-derived extracellular vesicles (gcEVs) work together to promote metastasis by disrupting endothelial integrity and facilitating cancer cell migration.

Trapped DNA fragments in marine sponge specimens unveil north Atlantic deep-sea fish diversity

This study uses DNA from marine sponges to reconstruct fish communities and assess biodiversity in the North Atlantic.

Two haplotype-resolved genomes of highly heterozygous AAB allotriploid bananas provide insights into subgenome asymmetric evolution and banana wilt control

This study presents haplotype-resolved genomes of triploid bananas, revealing subgenome asymmetric evolution and resistance mechanisms against banana wilt.

A unifying principle for global greenness patterns and trends

The paper presents a simple model that explains global greenness patterns and trends using two parameters, matching the accuracy of complex vegetation models.

Discovery of RNA polymerase α-subunit protein as a novel quorum sensing reprograming factor in Pseudomonas aeruginosa

The paper identifies RpoA, an RNA polymerase α-subunit, as a novel factor enabling quorum sensing reprogramming in Pseudomonas aeruginosa LasR-null mutants.

Porous microneedle patch with sustained exosome delivery repairs severe spinal cord injury

This study develops a microneedle patch that delivers mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes to treat spinal cord injury, showing improved tissue recovery and functional outcomes in rats.

Injectable hydrogel embedded with mesenchymal stem cells repairs severe spinal cord injury

This study develops an injectable hydrogel with homogenous mesenchymal stem cells to treat severe spinal cord injury in rats, showing improved functional recovery compared to intrathecal delivery.

Precision Discovery of Novel Inhibitors of Human Cancer Target HsMetAP1 from Vast Unexplored Metagenomic Diversity

The paper discovers novel inhibitors of HsMetAP1 from metagenomic data using computational and synthetic biology methods.

Environmental DNA persistence and fish detection in captive sponges

This study examines eDNA persistence in sponges and compares their effectiveness to water samples for detecting fish in controlled aquarium settings.

WDR5 promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis via KMT2-independent translation regulation

This study identifies WDR5 as an epigenetic regulator that promotes breast cancer growth and metastasis through KMT2-independent translation regulation, suggesting therapeutic strategies targeting WDR5.

Minor differences in peptide presentation between chicken MHC class I molecules can explain differences in disease susceptibility

The paper shows that differences in peptide binding between chicken MHC class I alleles BF2*1901 and BF2*1501 explain their differing susceptibility to Mareks disease.

The 24-chain core-shell nanostructure of wood cellulose microfibrils in seed plants

The paper resolves controversies about wood cellulose microfibril (CMF) nanostructure by showing most CMFs contain 24 chains, remain segregated, and do not fuse, overturning the 18-chain fusion hypothesis.

Reg4 defenses the intestine against Salmonella infection via binding the flagellin

This study identifies Reg4 as an antimicrobial peptide that combats Salmonella Typhimurium by binding flagellin and inhibiting bacterial motility, adhesion, and invasion.

Total Biosynthesis of Triacsin Featuring an N-hydroxytriazene Pharmacophore

This study identifies the enzymes responsible for biosynthesizing the N-hydroxytriazene pharmacophore in triacsins, revealing two ATP-dependent enzymes involved in consecutive N-N bond formation.

Machine-Perception Nanosensor Platform to Detect Cancer Biomarkers

This paper develops a machine-perception nanosensor platform using optical arrays and machine learning to detect cancer biomarkers in biofluids, achieving high F1-scores in uterine lavage samples.

Climate-induced forest dieback drives compositional change in insect communities that is concentrated amongst rare species

The paper investigates the impact of climate-induced forest dieback on insect communities, finding compositional changes driven by rare species rather than salvage logging.

A bacterial "shield and sword": A previously uncharacterized two-component system protects uropathogenic Escherichia coli from host-derived oxidative insults and promotes hemolysin-mediated host cell pyroptosis

This study identifies a two-component system in UPEC that enhances bacterial survival under oxidative stress and promotes host cell pyroptosis via hemolysin.

Phagocytic 'teeth' and myosin-II 'jaw' power target constriction during phagocytosis

The paper uses microscopy and force measurement techniques to show how localized actin and myosin forces drive target constriction during phagocytosis, revealing a distinct mechanism from 2D cell motility.

Environment-Dependent Switch between Two Immune Systems against Ralstonia solanacearum Infections in Pepper

This study shows pepper activates two different immune systems against Ralstonia solanacearum under high temperature and humidity, regulated by CaWRKY40 and cytokinins.

Activated Expression of Master Regulator MYB31 and of Capsaicinoid Biosynthesis Genes Results in Capsaicinoid Biosynthesis and Accumulation in the Pericarp of the Extremely Pungent Capsicum chinense

The paper shows that MYB31 activation and CBG expression in the pericarp of C. chinense leads to high capsaicinoid accumulation, explaining the extreme pungency of these peppers.

Spatially expandable fiber-based probes as a multifunctional deep brain interface

This paper introduces spatially expandable fiber-based probes for deep brain interface, enabling three-dimensional recording and stimulation of neural activity with high resolution and minimal tissue damage.

Discovery and biosynthesis of clostyrylpyrones from the obligate anaerobe Clostridium roseum

The paper discovers a new family of natural products, clostyrylpyrones, from Clostridium roseum and proposes their polyketide synthase-based biosynthesis mechanism.

Tumor-stromal IL1β/ NFκB / ESE3 Signal Axis Drives Pancreatic Cancer Fibrosis, Chemoresistance, Prognosis

This study identifies an IL1β/NFκB/ESE3 signaling axis in pancreatic stellate cells that drives fibrosis, chemoresistance, and poor prognosis in pancreatic cancer.

Biodiversity Soup II: A bulk-sample metabarcoding pipeline emphasizing error reduction

This paper introduces a metabarcoding pipeline to reduce errors in bulk-sample sequencing, showing reduced false positives and biases but no recovery of relative-abundance information.