Discovery of novel saltiness-enhancing peptides from yeast extract and evaluation of their bidirectional saltiness regulation effects.

This study was undertaken to uncover peptides from yeast extract that can enhance the perception of saltiness and to explore their effects on saltiness enhancement. Utilizing nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (nano-LC-MS/MS) analysis, we identified peptides present in yeast extract. Through a virtual screening strategy, we selected fourteen candidate peptides with potential to enhance saltiness, along with two arginyl dipeptides.

Surfactant-Free Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene in Ethanol-Water Mixtures: The Role of Mesostructures in the Formation of Polystyrene.

Although the synthesis of monodisperse polystyrene nanoparticles (MPSPs) in surfactant-free systems has been widely investigated, the role of mesostructures in forming MPSPs is still unclear. Herein, the styrene/ethanol-water (St/EtOH-HO) ternary system with certain mesostructures was employed as a model to investigate the correlation between the mesostructure of systems and the properties of polystyrene products. The mesostructures of the ternary system, including styrene droplets, a sponge-like structure, and water droplets, were investigated by transmission electron microscope (TEM) with negative staining, dynamic light scattering (DLS), and nanoparticle tracking analysis (NTA).

Size Effect and Interfacial Synergy Enhancement of 2D Ultrathin CoZn-MOF/rGO for Boosting Lithium-Sulfur Battery Performance.

Advanced cathode materials are developed to tackle the challenges of the polysulfide shuttle effect and slow sulfur redox kinetics in Li-S batteries. A particularly effective strategy is the creation of nanostructured sulfur-host, which boast high levels of conductivity and catalytic activity. Here, a series of ultrathin cobalt-zinc bimetallic MOFs with varying ratios are synthesized on rGO via a one-pot hydrothermal process.

Emulsion Polymerization of Styrene to Polystyrene Nanoparticles with Self-Emulsifying Nanodroplets as Nucleus.

The mechanism of the emulsion polymerization of styrene to polystyrene nanoparticles (PSNPs) remains a subject of debate. Herein, a series of reaction parameters with different surfactant concentrations, monomer contents, temperatures, and equilibration times were investigated to understand the formation mechanism of PSNPs, which demonstrate a correlation between the properties of PSNPs and the mesostructure of the premix. Cooling the model systems with self-emulsifying nanodroplets (SENDs) in the early reaction stages resulted in the hollow polystyrene spheres (H-PSSs), ruptured PSNPs, and dandelion-like PSNPs, further indicating that the oil nanodroplets are the key sites for the formation of PSNPs.

Fabrication of tetraethyl orthosilicate/ethanol-water surfactant-free microemulsions and their applications in self-templating synthesis of monodispersed silica colloidal spheres.

Surfactant-free microemulsions (SFMEs) composed of tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS), ethanol, and water have been successfully fabricated by visual titration and electrical conductivity methods. Three types of SFMEs, water in TEOS (W/O), bicontinuous (BC) and TEOS in water (O/W), were identified by dynamic light scattering and transmission electron microscopy with negative-staining methods. We demonstrated that there are significant differences in the properties of silica products synthesized with different types of SFMEs, and monodispersed silica colloidal spheres (MSCSs) can only be synthesized in the O/W type SFMEs.

Exploration of compatibility rules and discovery of active ingredients in TCM formulas by network pharmacology.

Network pharmacology is an interdisciplinary field that utilizes computer science, technology, and biological networks to investigate the intricate interplay among compounds/ingredients, targets, and diseases. Within the realm of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), network pharmacology serves as a scientific approach to elucidate the compatibility relationships and underlying mechanisms of action in TCM formulas. It facilitates the identification of potential active ingredients within these formulas, providing a comprehensive understanding of their holistic and systematic nature, which aligns with the holistic principles inherent in TCM theory.

Decoding of novel umami peptides from corn fermented powder and its mechanism via multisensory techniques, virtual screening, and molecular simulation approaches.

This study aimed to identify umami peptides in corn fermented powder (CFP) and investigate their umami enhancing effect. Ultrafiltration and ethanol precipitation was used to separate the umami peptides in CFP. Dynamic sensory evaluations were used to identify the peptide fraction with the intense umami taste, and the peptides in the fraction were identified by nano-liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry.

In silico prediction of drug-induced nephrotoxicity: current progress and pitfalls.

Introduction: Due to its role in absorption and metabolism, the kidney is an important target for drug toxicity. Drug-induced nephrotoxicity (DIN) presents a significant challenge in clinical practice and drug development. Conventional methods for assessing nephrotoxicity have limitations, highlighting the need for innovative approaches.

N, F Co-Doped Carbon Material Self-Supporting Cathode for High-Performance Lithium-Oxygen Batteries.

The Li-O battery has emerged as a promising energy storage system due to its exceptionally high theoretical energy density of 3500 Wh kg. However, the sluggish kinetics associated with the formation and decomposition of discharge product LiO poses several challenges in Li-O batteries, including excessive over-potential, limited rate performance, and reduced actual specific energy. Consequently, the development of cost-effective cathode catalysts with enhanced catalytic activity and long-term stability represents a viable approach to address these challenges.

Guided wave elastography of human skins with a layered model incorporating the effect of muscle state.

In vivo mechanical characterization of skin finds broad applications in understanding skin aging, diagnosis of some skin diseases and assessing the effectiveness of diverse skin care strategies. Skin has a layered structure consisting of the epidermis, dermis and subcutaneous layers. Although much effort has been made towards mechanical characterization of skin, it remains a challenging issue to measure the mechanical properties of an individual layer in vivo.

A polysaccharide PRCP from Rosa cymosa Tratt fruit: Structural characteristics and immunomodulatory effects via MAPK pathway modulation in vitro.

The Rosa cymosa Tratt, an herbal plant from the Rosaceae family, has historically been valued in China for its medicinal and edible properties. In this study, a novel polysaccharide from R. cymosa fruit, termed PRCP (purified R.

Antioxidant Defenses Against Air Humidity Stress in Fruit Bodies of Auricularia heimuer (Agaricomycetes).

Air humidity is an important environmental factor restricting the fruit body growth of Auricularia heimuer. Low air humidity causes the fruit body to desiccate and enter dormancy. However, the survival mechanisms to low air humidity for fruit bodies before dormancy remain poorly understood.

TCMNPAS: a comprehensive analysis platform integrating network formulaology and network pharmacology for exploring traditional Chinese medicine.

The application of network formulaology and network pharmacology has significantly advanced the scientific understanding of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment mechanisms in disease. The field of herbal biology is experiencing a surge in data generation. However, researchers are encountering challenges due to the fragmented nature of the data and the reliance on programming tools for data analysis.

Facile Preparation of Photothermal Superhydrophobic Melamine Sponge Decorated with MXene and Lignin Particles for Efficient Oil/Water Separation, Fast Crude Oil Recovery, and Active Deicing.

Frequent oil spills and the discharge of oily wastewaters have caused a serious threat to the environment, ecosystems, and human beings. Herein, a photothermal and superhydrophobic melamine sponge (MS) decorated with MXene and lignin particles has been prepared for the separation of oil/water mixtures, the recovery of crude oils, and active deicing. The obtained superhydrophobic melamine sponge shows a water contact angle (WCA) of 152.

Porous lignin-based composites for oil/water separation: A review.

Frequent oceanic oil spill incidents and the discharge of industrial oily wastewaters have caused serious threats to environments, food chains and human beings. Lignin wastes with many reactive groups exist as the byproducts from bioethanol and pulping processing industries, and they are either discarded as wastes or directly consumed as a fuel. To make full use of lignin wastes and simultaneously deal with oily wastewaters, porous lignin-based composites have been rationally designed and prepared.

Deep learning-based clinical-radiomics nomogram for preoperative prediction of lymph node metastasis in patients with rectal cancer: a two-center study.

Background: Precise preoperative evaluation of lymph node metastasis (LNM) is crucial for ensuring effective treatment for rectal cancer (RC). This research aims to develop a clinical-radiomics nomogram based on deep learning techniques, preoperative magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and clinical characteristics, enabling the accurate prediction of LNM in RC.

Materials And Methods: Between January 2017 and May 2023, a total of 519 rectal cancer cases confirmed by pathological examination were retrospectively recruited from two tertiary hospitals.

Copper-Catalyzed Synthesis of -Fused Quinolines via C(sp)-H Activation-Radical Addition-Cyclization Cascade.

A novel copper-catalyzed cyclization reaction for the synthesis of pyrazolo[1,5-]quinoline, triazolo[1,5-]quinoline, and pyrrolo[1,2-]quinoline derivatives is described. The process is initiated by di--butyl peroxide-mediated C(sp)-H activation to generate the α-functionalized radical, which supervenes a cascade radical addition/cyclization sequence to access the -fused quinolines in good yields with broad functional group tolerance.

Guided wave elastography of jugular veins: Theory, method and in vivo experiment.

Testing the mechanical properties of veins is important for diagnosing some cardiovascular diseases such as deep venous thrombosis. Additionally, it plays a crucial role in designing body protective products such as head protective gear, where simulations are necessary to predict the mechanical responses of bridging veins during head impacts. The data on venous mechanical properties reported in the literature have mainly been obtained from ex vivo experiments, and inferring the material parameters of veins in vivo is challenging.

Investigation of polyethylene glycol (PEG) assisted solvothermal synthesis of CuCoO nanosheets for efficient oxygen evolution reaction.

Water splitting to produce hydrogen is known as an effective way to alleviate the energy crisis, but the slow kinetics of the oxygen evolution reaction (OER) has been seriously restricting the development of water splitting technology. Therefore, low cost and high efficiency OER electrocatalysts have become substitutes for traditional noble metal-based catalysts. In this work, CuCoO nanosheets (denoted by CCO2) were successfully synthesized under the regulation of surfactants and a solvent polyethylene glycol (PEG) by a solvothermal route using Cu-BTC and Co(NO)·6HO as reactants.

A Tb ion encapsulated anionic indium-organic framework as logical probe for distinguishing quenching Fe and Cu ions.

We successfully synthesized a stable anionic microporous metal-organic framework (MOF) HDU-1 ([MeNH]In[(TATAB)(DMF)](DMF)(HO)) and constructed a fluorescent probe Tb@HDU-1 by an exchange strategy. Because of its suspension distinct fluorescent response of Tb(III) characteristic transition and ligand emission, the Tb@HDU-1 can be used as fluorescent probe for sensing towards Fe and Cu ions. It is surprising that Tb@HDU-1 is used as a ratiometric fluorescent probe for Cu ions while only single peak detection for Fe ions, which describes a particular rare example of a sensor based on Ln-MOFs to distinguish quenching Fe and Cu ions.

Changes in soil stoichiometry, soil organic carbon mineralization and bacterial community assembly processes across soil profiles.

Soil organic carbon (SOC) mineralization is essential to biogeochemical recycling in terrestrial ecosystem. However, the microbial mechanisms underlying the nutrient-induced SOC mineralization remain uncertain. Here, we investigated how SOC mineralization was linked to microbial assembly processes as well as soil nutrient availability and stoichiometric ratio in a paddy rice ecosystem at four soil profile levels.

Gram-scale solvothermal synthesis of Fe-doped CuCoO nanosheets and improvement of the oxygen evolution reaction performance.

In this work, we used Cu-BTC-IPA and Co(NO)·6HO as precursors to synthesize CuCoO (CCO) nanocrystals with a suitable crystal phase, morphology and high yield by changing the process parameters, such as reactant concentration, reactant ratio, mineralizer dosage, and the type of polyvinylpyrrolidone surfactant. In addition, the effects of different concentrations (1 at%, 3 at%, 5 at%) of Fe doping on the crystal structure and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) performance of CCO were studied. The experimental results show that Fe ions are uniformly doped into the lattice to replace the A-site (Cu) position, which not only reduces the grain size of CCO, but also increases its specific surface area.

An Anionic Porous Indium-Organic Framework with Nitrogen-Rich Linker for Efficient and Selective Removal of Trace Cationic Dyes.

Metal-organic frameworks (MOFs) with porosity and functional adjustability have great potential for the removal of organic dyes in the wastewater. Herein, an anionic porous metal-organic framework (MOFs) [MeNH]In[(TATAB)(DMF)]·(DMF)(HO) (HDU-1) was synthesized, which is constructed from a [In(OOC)] cluster and a nitrogen-rich linker HTATAB (4,4',4″--triazine-1,3,5-triyltri--aminobenzoic acid). The negatively charged [In(OOC)] cluster and uncoordinated -COOH on the linker result in one unit cell of HDU-1 having 8 negative sites.