A research team from Jiangnan University has developed an engineered Escherichia coli strain capable of producing orotic acid at unprecedented levels using an innovative antibiotic-free plasmid stabilization system. The study reports a final titer of 150.48 g/L with a yield of 0.63 g/g glucose in fed-batch fermentation.

A new mechanism based on Murraya exotica L. extract to ameliorate rheumatoid arthritis by simultaneously inhibiting the NF-κB and AP-1 signaling pathways to suppress synovial hyperplasia, inflammation, and oxidative stress is provided, and a new strategy for multi-targeted phytotherapy of rheumatoid arthritis is opened.

A new mechanism based on Silibinin meglumine (SM) to ameliorate hepatic encephalopathy (HE) by directly targeting uncoupling protein 2 (UCP2) to inhibit oxidative stress and suppress excessive mitophagy-mediated mitochondrial dysfunction is provided, and a new strategy for HE therapy is opened.

A new mechanism based on Yangxinshi Tablet and its core active ingredients (senkyunolide H, apigenin, astragaloside IV, and astragaloside VII) to ameliorate post-myocardial infarction heart failure with reduced ejection fraction by inhibiting the FOXO1/PDK4 signaling pathway to improve the tricarboxylic acid cycle and restore energy homeostasis is provided, and a new strategy for metabolic targeted therapy of heart failure is opened.

A new mechanism based on a novel natural BH3 mimetic nobiletin combined with an HDAC inhibitor to synergistically regulate apoptosis and autophagy in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by down-regulating TRKC expression is provided, and a new strategy for NSCLC therapy is opened.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) affects an estimated 18 million people worldwide, and current anti-TNF biologics, such as adalimumab, require injections every two weeks, often for years or decades, frequently losing efficacy as anti-drug antibodies accumulate. Researchers at Tsinghua University have now engineered a novel class of CAR-T cells that specifically capture and degrade soluble tumor necrosis factor (TNF) through receptor-mediated endocytosis. By incorporating the TNFR1 ectodomain as the antigen-binding domain and applying CRISPR-mediated knockout of BCOR and ZC3H12A, the resulting TNFR1T_IF cells expanded robustly and persisted for over one year in immunocompetent mice without any lymphodepleting preconditioning. A single infusion reduced serum human TNF to near wild-type levels and conferred long-term remission in a mouse model of RA, matching the efficacy of repeated high-dose adalimumab. This work establishes a host-machinery-independent, durable cellular targeted protein degradation platform for chronic inflammatory disease.

In a paper published in Mycology, a study of fungal diversity in the Gaoligong Mountains of southwestern China discovered ten new species of Inocybe and reported one species as a new record for China. Based on detailed morphological observations and combined ITS-LSU-rpb2 phylogenetic analyses, the study resolved the systematic positions of these taxa and recognized six major lineages within the genus. As an ecologically important ectomycorrhizal group, Inocybe plays a key role in forest ecosystems, while many species also contain toxic compounds that may cause poisoning in humans or animals. This work provides important taxonomic evidence for understanding the species diversity of Inocybe in China and highlights the Gaoligong Mountains as an underexplored hotspot of fungal diversity.