Critical Assessment of Protein Engineering (CAPE): A Student Challenge on the Cloud.

The success of AlphaFold in protein structure prediction highlights the power of data-driven approaches in scientific research. However, developing machine learning models to design and engineer proteins with desirable functions is hampered by limited access to high-quality data sets and experimental feedback. The Critical Assessment of Protein Engineering (CAPE) challenge addresses these issues through a student-focused competition, utilizing cloud computing and biofoundries to lower barriers to entry.

-induced imbalance in microbiome-derived butyric acid levels promotes the occurrence and development of colorectal cancer.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks among the most prevalent malignant tumors globally. Recent reports suggest that () contributes to the initiation, progression, and prognosis of CRC. Butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid derived from the bacterial fermentation of soluble dietary fiber, is known to inhibit various cancers.

Research hotspots of polycystic ovary syndrome and hyperandrogenism from 2008 to 2022: bibliometric analysis.

Background: Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS) is the most frequent endocrine disorder in female adults, and hyperandrogenism (HA) is the typical endocrine feature of PCOS. This study aims to investigate the trends and hotspots in the study of PCOS and HA.

Methods: Literature on Web of Science Core Collection (WoSCC) from 2008 to 2022 was retrieved, and bibliometric analysis was conducted using VOSviewer and CiteSpace software.

Vanillin, a Newly Discovered Autotoxic Substance in Long-Term Potato Continuous Cropping Soil, Inhibits Plant Growth by Decreasing the Root Auxin Content and Reducing Adventitious Root Numbers.

Phenolic acids are known to reduce root biomass and hinder plant development, but it is unclear how they affect potato root traits. Over a 10 year field experiment, we found a negative correlation between the potato yield and continuous cropping years. The substantial reduction in adventitious root (AR) numbers was found to be primarily inhibited by soil vanillin accumulation.

Scientific Knowledge Graph of Dysmenorrhea: A Bibliometric Analysis from 2001 to 2021.

Purpose: This study aims to help researchers master the most active hotspots and trends quickly through bibliometric analysis in the field of dysmenorrhea.

Methods: We retrieved literature on Web of Science from 2001 to 2021, and bibliometric analysis software CiteSpace was used in combination with VOSviewer.

Results: We finally acquired 944 papers and an upward trend in articles continued in this field overall.

Effects of different altitudes on the structure and properties of potato starch.

The main element influencing the quality of potato starch is the environment. To investigate the effects of different altitude cultivation locations on the molecular structure and physicochemical properties of starch, two potato varieties, Jiusen No.1 B1 and Qingshu No.

A color-change fluorescence sensor for oleanolic acid based on chiral camphanic decorated bis-cyanostilbene.

Although various fluorescent sensors for biomolecules had been extensively reported, the effective fluorescent sensor was seldom reported for detecting oleanolic acid up to now. This work reports the first color-change fluorescence sensor for oleanolic acid based on a bridging bis-cyanostilbene derivative with chiral camphanic groups (C-BCS). C-BCS possessed the chartreuse fluorescence in aqueous media, which transferred to strong blue fluorescence in the presence of oleanolic acid.

Biosynthesis of Hybrid Neutral Lipids with Archaeal and Eukaryotic Characteristics in Engineered Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

Discovery of the Asgard superphylum of archaea provides new evidence supporting the two-domain model of life: eukaryotes originated from an Asgard-related archaeon that engulfed a bacterial endosymbiont. However, how eukaryotes acquired bacterial-like membrane lipids with a sn-glycerol-3-phosphate (G3P) backbone instead of the archaeal-like sn-glycerol-1-phosphate (G1P) backbone remains unknown. In this study, we reconstituted archaeal lipid production in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by expressing unsaturated archaeol-synthesizing enzymes.

Robotic Construction and Screening of Lanthipeptide Variant Libraries in .

Lanthipeptides are a major class of ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) characterized by thioether cross-links called lanthionine (Lan) and methyllanthionine (MeLan). Previously, we developed a method to produce mature lanthipeptides in recombinant , but manual steps hinder large-scale analogue screening. Here we devised an automated workflow for creating and screening variant libraries of haloduracin, a two-component class II lanthipeptide.

Six-electron organic redoxmers for aqueous redox flow batteries.

We have developed a novel molecular design that enables six-electron redox activity in fused phenazine-based organic scaffolds. Combined electrochemical and spectroscopic tests successfully confirm the two-step 6e redox mechanism. This work offers an opportunity for achieving energy-dense redox flow batteries, on condition that the solubility and stability issues are addressed.

Affects Cell Apoptosis by Regulating Intestinal Flora and Metabolites to Promote the Development of Colorectal Cancer.

Background/aims: Intestinal flora, especially , can affect the development of colorectal cancer (CRC). In this study, we examined the composition of intestinal flora and their metabolites in the tissues, serum and feces of CRC patients.

Materials And Methods: CRC tissues, adjacent normal colonic tissues, fecal and serum samples were collected from CRC patients who received surgical treatment between January 2018 and January 2020.

Promotes the Progression of Colorectal Cancer Through Cdk5-Activated Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling.

Background/aims: Growing evidence supports the direct link of with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, to date, the underlying mechanism of action remains poorly understood. In this study, we examined the effects of on the progression of CRC and investigated whether cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (Cdk5) is involved in the effect through activating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway.

Fabrication and evaluation of flexible electrowetting display with support pillars.

With the development of portable and wearable devices, flexible displays have attracted extensive interest and have become increasingly important in our daily life. In this study, a flexible electrowetting display (FEWD) was proposed and fabricated. To prevent a short circuit between the top and bottom electrodes, various types of support pillars were fabricated on the top substrates through a photolithography technique.

Transcriptomic responses of the marine cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus to viral lysis products.

Viral infection of marine phytoplankton releases a variety of dissolved organic matter (DOM). The impact of viral DOM (vDOM) on the uninfected co-occurring phytoplankton remains largely unknown. Here, we conducted transcriptomic analyses to study the effects of vDOM on the cyanobacterium Prochlorococcus, which is the most abundant photosynthetic organism on Earth.

F-CphI represents a new homing endonuclease family using the Endo VII catalytic motif.

Background: There are six known families of homing endonucleases, LAGLIDADG, GIY-YIG, HNH, His-Cys box, PD-(D/E)-XK, and EDxHD, which are characterized by their conserved residues. Previously, we discovered a novel homing endonuclease F-CphI encoded by ORF177 of cyanophage S-PM2. F-CphI does not resemble any characterized homing endonucleases.

Picocyanobacteria and deep-ocean fluorescent dissolved organic matter share similar optical properties.

Marine chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) and its related fluorescent components (FDOM), which are widely distributed but highly photobleached in the surface ocean, are critical in regulating light attenuation in the ocean. However, the origins of marine FDOM are still under investigation. Here we show that cultured picocyanobacteria, Synechococcus and Prochlorococcus, release FDOM that closely match the typical fluorescent signals found in oceanic environments.

Preliminary experimental investigation of an X-band Cerenkov-type high power microwave oscillator without guiding magnetic field.

Among high power microwave (HPM) generators without guiding magnetic field, Cerenkov-type oscillator is expected to achieve a relatively high efficiency, which has already been realized in X-band in our previous simulation work. This paper presents the preliminary experimental investigations into an X-band Cerenkov-type HPM oscillator without guiding magnetic field. Based on the previous simulation structure, some modifications regarding diode structure were made.

Development of EST-SSR markers in Barringtonia racemosa (Lecythidaceae) and cross-amplification in related species.

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite markers were identified and characterized to study the genetic diversity and structure of Barringtonia racemosa (Lecythidaceae).

Methods And Results: Based on the transcriptome data of B. racemosa, 30 primer pairs were initially designed and tested, of which 15 were successfully amplified and displayed clear polymorphisms across the 43 individuals from three distant populations tested in the study.

Development and characterization of EST-SSR markers in the invasive weed Mikania micrantha (Asteraceae).

Premise Of The Study: Microsatellite markers were developed for the invasive species Mikania micrantha to investigate its invasion history. Transcriptome sequencing projects offer a potential source for the development of new markers.

Methods And Results: Sixteen polymorphic simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers derived from ESTs were identified and screened in 36 samples of M.