Explainable deep learning and virtual evolution identifies antimicrobial peptides with activity against multidrug-resistant human pathogens.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is a promising approach to identify new antimicrobial compounds in diverse microbial species. Here we developed an AI-based, explainable deep learning model, EvoGradient, that predicts the potency of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) and virtually modifies peptide sequences to produce more potent AMPs, akin to in silico directed evolution. We applied this model to peptides encoded in low-abundance human oral bacteria, resulting in the virtual evolution of 32 peptides into potent AMPs.

Aflatoxin B1 impairs the growth and development of chicken PGCs through oxidative stress and mitochondrial dysfunction.

Aflatoxins harm the reproductive system and gamete development in animals. Primordial germ cells (PGCs) in chickens, as ancestral cells of gametes, are essential for genetic transmission, yet the impact and mechanisms of aflatoxins on them remain elusive. This study systematically investigated the effects of aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) on chicken PGCs and their potential mechanisms using an in vitro culture model.

Getting closer to the coronary arteries: A bibliometric analysis of CT-based adipose tissue imaging in coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CT-based adipose tissue imaging related to coronary artery disease (CAD) to investigate the dynamic development of this field. Web of Science Core Collection was used as our data source to identify relevant documents limited to articles or review articles and written in English with no time restrictions. Then we analyzed the whole trend of publications and utilized VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to conduct a bibliometric analysis including citations, keywords, countries, institutions, authors as well as co-citation analyses of cited references and sources.

Engineered Bacteria for Disease Diagnosis and Treatment Using Synthetic Biology.

Using synthetic biology techniques, bacteria have been engineered to serve as microrobots for diagnosing diseases and delivering treatments. These engineered bacteria can be used individually or in combination as microbial consortia. The components within these consortia complement each other, enhancing diagnostic accuracy and providing synergistic effects that improve treatment efficacy.

Induced Pluripotent Stem Cells in Birds: Opportunities and Challenges for Science and Agriculture.

The only cells in an organism that could do any other sort of cell until 2006 (except sperm or egg) were known as embryonic stem cells, ESC [...

Boosting neuronal activity-driven mitochondrial DNA transcription improves cognition in aged mice.

Deciphering the complex interplay between neuronal activity and mitochondrial function is pivotal in understanding brain aging, a multifaceted process marked by declines in synaptic function and mitochondrial performance. Here, we identified an age-dependent coupling between neuronal and synaptic excitation and mitochondrial DNA transcription (E-TC), which operates differently compared to classic excitation-transcription coupling in the nucleus (E-TC). We demonstrated that E-TC repurposes molecules traditionally associated with E-TC to regulate mitochondrial DNA expression in areas closely linked to synaptic activation.

A multiple targeting rapamycin and SS31 conjugate enhances ischemic stroke therapy.

Background: The identification of drugs targeting multiple pathways is essential for comprehensive protection against cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Research Design And Methods: This study aimed to develop RS31, a multi-target cytoprotectant composed of SS31 (an oxidative stress mitigator) and rapamycin (Rapa), contributes anti-inflammatory and blood-brain barrier protection. RS31 was synthesized using click chemistry, and its ability to scavenge reactive oxygen species (ROS) and reduce inflammation was tested in HO-injured PC12 cells and LPS-stimulated BV2 cells.

Extending visual range of bacteria with upconversion nanoparticles and constructing NIR-responsive bio-microrobots.

The motility of bacteria is crucial for navigating competitive environments and is closely linked to physiological activities essential for their survival, such as biofilm development. Precise regulation of bacterial motility enhances our understanding of these complex processes. While optogenetic tools have been used to control and investigate bacterial motility, the excitation light in most existing systems are limited to the visible light spectrum.

A Microrobotic System Based on Engineered Bacteria for Targeted Self-Driven Photodynamic Therapy.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been used clinically to treat superficial tumors for decades. However, its effectiveness against deep-seated tumors has been limited by the inefficient delivery of the key components -light, photosensitizer, and oxygen- required for the photochemical reactions in PDT. Here, we present a novel platform that enables the photochemical reaction to occur in a self-driven manner, eliminating the need for external delivery of these components and instead orchestrating their endogenous generation within tumors.

Assessment of Large Language Models in Cataract Care Information Provision: A Quantitative Comparison.

Introduction: Cataracts are a significant cause of blindness. While individuals frequently turn to the Internet for medical advice, distinguishing reliable information can be challenging. Large language models (LLMs) have attracted attention for generating accurate, human-like responses that may be used for medical consultation.

Unveiling the functions of the Lim-domain binding protein MaPtaB in Metarhizium acridum.

Background: The Lim-domain binding protein PtaB, a homolog of Mfg1, governs conidiation and biofilm formation in several fungi. PtaB includes a conserved Lim-binding domain and two predicted nuclear localization sequences at its C terminus, and is co-regulated with the transcription factor Som1 downstream of the cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase A (cAMP/PKA) pathway. However, the function of PtaB in entomopathogenic fungi remain poorly understood.

The full-length transcriptional of the multiple spatiotemporal embryo-gonad tissues in chicken (Gallus gallus).

Objectives: Chicken (Gallus gallus), as the most economically important poultry, is a classical and ideal model for studying the mechanism of vertebrate developmental biology and embryology. However, the sex determination and differentiation in chicken is still elusive, which limited the application and slowed down many basic studies in chicken.

Data Description: We applied PacBio Iso-seq to multiple spatiotemporal embryo-gonad tissues in the male and female chicken, which contain the blastoderm (E0, un-differentiation stage), genital ridge (E3.

Synchronous primary gastric diffuse large B-cell lymphoma and multiple lung primary adenocarcinoma with pulmonary cryptococosis: a case report and literature review.

Background: The coexistence of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma of the stomach and multiple primary lung adenocarcinomas with pulmonary cryptococcosis has rarely been reported.

Case Presentation: We herein present a 75-year-old man who was admitted to our hospital due to hematemesis. Gastroscopy and imaging revealed extensive stomach wall thickening and multiple lung lesions, including nodules and cavernous lesion.

Assessment of climatic and anthropogenic influences on vegetation dynamics in China: a consideration of climate time-lag and cumulative effects.

Determining the factors that drive vegetation variation is complicated by the intricate interactions between climatic and anthropogenic influences. Neglecting the short-term time-lag and cumulative effects of climate on vegetation growth (i.e.

CHIR99021 and Brdu Are Critical in Chicken iPSC Reprogramming via Small-Molecule Screening.

Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) reprogrammed from somatic cells into cells with most of the ESC (embryonic stem cell) characteristics show promise toward solving ethical problems currently facing stem cell research and eventually yield clinical grade pluripotent stem cells for therapies and regenerative medicine. In recent years, an increasing body of research suggests that the chemical induction of pluripotency (CIP) method can yield iPSCs in vitro, yet its application in avian species remains unreported. Herein, we successfully obtained stably growing chicken embryonic fibroblasts (CEFs) using the tissue block adherence method and employed 12 small-molecule compounds to induce chicken iPSC formation.

MaEng1, an endo-1,3-glucanase, contributes to the conidiation pattern shift through changing the cell wall structure in Metarhizium acridum.

Microcycle conidiation has displayed the greater potential than normal conidiation in large-scale production of mycopesticides. Fungi require partial hydrolysis of the cell wall to achieve the necessary plasticity during their morphological changes. Therefore, various cell wall-associated hydrolases are crucial for fungal morphogenesis.