The OnSPN2 from the nipa palm hispid beetle Octodonta nipae is a multipurpose defense tool against proteases from different peptidase families.

Serpins (serine protease inhibitors) constitute a superfamily of proteins with functional diversity and unusual conformational flexibility. In insects, serpins act as multiple inhibitors, by forming inactive acyl-enzyme complexes, in regulating Spätzles activation, phenoloxidases (POs) activity, and other cytokines. In this study, we present the cloning and characterization of Octodonta nipae serpin2 (OnSPN2), a 415 residues protein homologous to Tenebrio molitor 42Dd-like.

Deciphering transcription activity of mammalian early embryos unveils on/off of zygotic genome activation by protein translation/degradation.

Quantification of transcription activities in mammalian preimplantation embryos is challenging due to a huge amount of maternally stored transcripts and paucity of research materials. Here, we investigate genome-wide transcription activities of mouse and human preimplantation embryos by quantifying elongating RNA polymerase II. Two transcriptional waves are identified in early mouse embryos, with summits at the 2-cell and 8-cell stages.

Ferroelectric/Electric-Double-Layer-Modulated Synaptic Thin Film Transistors toward an Artificial Tactile Perception System.

Tactile sensation and recognition in the human brain are indispensable for interaction between the human body and the surrounding environment. It is quite significant for intelligent robots to simulate human perception and decision-making functions in a more human-like way to perform complex tasks. A combination of tactile piezoelectric sensors with neuromorphic transistors provides an alternative way to achieve perception and cognition functions for intelligent robots in human-machine interaction scenarios.

Nonconventional Full-Color Luminescent Polyurethanes: Luminescence Mechanism at the Molecular Orbital Level.

The study of structure-activity relationships is a top priority in the development of nontraditional luminescent materials. In this work, nonconjugated polyurethanes (PUs) with full-color emission (red, green, and blue) are easily obtained by control of the diol monomer structure and the polymerization conditions. Selected diol monomers introduced single, double, or triple bond repeating units into the main chain of the PUs, in order to understand how unsaturated bonds and H-bonds affect their luminescence from a molecular orbital viewpoint.

Symmetrical and asymmetrical surface structure expansions of silver nanoclusters with atomic precision.

Controlling symmetrical or asymmetrical growth has allowed a series of novel nanomaterials with prominent physicochemical properties to be produced. However, precise and continuous size growth based on a preserved template has long been a challenging pursuit, yet little has been achieved in terms of manipulation at the atomic level. Here, a correlated silver cluster series has been established, enabling atomically precise manipulation of symmetrical and asymmetrical surface structure expansions of metal nanoclusters.

Discovery of anticancer peptides from natural and generated sequences using deep learning.

Anticancer peptides (ACPs) demonstrate significant potential in clinical cancer treatment due to their ability to selectively target and kill cancer cells. In recent years, numerous artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms have been developed. However, many predictive methods lack sufficient wet lab validation, thereby constraining the progress of models and impeding the discovery of novel ACPs.

Single-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy reduced postoperative pain than three-incision laparoscopic cholecystectomy in patients with large gallstone, a retrospective study.

Aim: To compare the short-term outcomes between SILC and TILC depending on gallstone size.

Material And Methods: Data from 114 patients with gallstones who underwent cholecystectomy hospitalized in Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital between June 2022 and October 2023 were collected. The gallstone diameter, the operation time, estimated blood loss, post-operative pain, complications post-operation, and length of hospital stay were all collected and examined.

Microenvironmental G protein-coupled estrogen receptor-mediated glutamine metabolic coupling between cancer-associated fibroblasts and triple-negative breast cancer cells governs tumour progression.

Background: Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a particularly aggressive type of breast cancer, known for its lack of effective treatments and unfavorable prognosis. The G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER), a novel estrogen receptor, is linked to increased malignancy in various cancers. However, its involvement in the metabolic regulation of cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), a key component in the tumour microenvironment, remains largely unexplored.

The impacts of noise and air pollution on breast cancer risk in European and East Asian populations: Insights from genetic evidence.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported associations of noise and air pollution with breast cancer (BC) risk, but the causality remains unclear. This study aimed to explore the effects of noise and air pollution on BC from a genetic perspective.

Study Design: Genetic association study.

Pharmacodynamics (PD), Pharmacokinetics (PK) and PK-PD Modeling of NRF2 Activating Dietary Phytochemicals in Cancer Prevention and in Health.

Purpose Of Review: Dietary phytochemicals, bioactive compounds derived from plants, have gained increasing attention for their potential role in cancer prevention. Among these, NRF2 (nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2) activating dietary phytochemicals such as curcumin, sulforaphane, ursolic acid, and cyanidin have demonstrated significant antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, making them promising agents in chemoprevention. This review examines the pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) profiles of these dietary phytochemicals, with a focus on their NRF2-mediated effects in cancer prevention.

Free vibration of nanobeams with surface and dynamic flexoelectric effects.

In this paper, the free vibration of piezoelectric nanobeams considering static flexoelectric, dynamic flexoelectric, and surface effects is studied. Based on the theories of the Timoshenko beam and Euler-Bernoulli beam, a theoretical model of flexoelectric nanobeams is established and the governing equations and boundary conditions of this model are derived using the variational principle. Then, the analytical solution of the frequency equation is obtained by using the Navier method.

Transcriptomic era of cancers in females: new epigenetic perspectives and therapeutic prospects.

In the era of transcriptomics, the role of epigenetics in the study of cancers in females has gained increasing recognition. This article explores the impact of epigenetic modifications, such as DNA methylation, histone modification, and non-coding RNA, on cancers in females, including breast, cervical, and ovarian cancers (1). Our findings suggest that these epigenetic markers not only influence tumor onset, progression, and metastasis but also present novel targets for therapeutic intervention.

Research trends, hotspots and future directions of tertiary lymphoid structures in cancer: a comprehensive informatics analysis and visualization study.

Many studies have reported the presence of tertiary lymphoid structures (TLSs) in cancer, but the research progress of TLSs in cancer has not been systematically analyzed. Therefore, we analyzed the global scientific knowledge in the field using informatics methods. The results showed that TLSs in cancer have received increasing attention since the 21st century, with an annual publication growth rate of 27.

Direct Evidence of Breakdown of Spin Statistics in Ion-Atom Charge Exchange Collisions.

Recent experimental studies have questioned the validity of spin statistics assumptions, particularly in charge exchange processes occurring in atomic MeV collisions. Here, we study spin-resolved single electron capture processes in collisions between C^{3+} ions and helium within an energy range of 1.25-400  keV/u.

Cyproheptadine inhibits in vitro and in vivo lung metastasis and drives metabolic rewiring.

Background: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounts for 81% of lung cancer cases, among which over 47% presented with distant metastasis at the time of diagnosis. Despite the introduction of targeted therapy and immunotherapy, enhancing the survival rate and overcoming the development of resistance remain a big challenge. Thus, it is crucial to find potential new therapeutics and targets that can mitigate lung metastasis and investigate its effects on biomarkers, such as cellular metabolomics.

Characterization of the enzyme for 5-hydroxymethyluridine production and its role in silencing transposable elements in dinoflagellates.

Dinoflagellate chromosomes are extraordinary, as their organization is independent of architectural nucleosomes unlike typical eukaryotes and shows a cholesteric liquid crystal state. 5-hydroxymethyluridine (5hmU) is present at unusually high levels and its function remains an enigma in dinoflagellates chromosomal DNA for several decades. Here, we demonstrate that 5hmU contents vary among different dinoflagellates and are generated through thymidine hydroxylation.

Screening of metal-modified biochars for practical phosphorus recovery.

The utilization of metal-modified biochars (MBCs) for practical phosphorus recovery has attracted significant research interest recently. However, the optimal choice of metals and modification methods for MBCs remains unclear. This study addresses this gap by comparing the phosphate adsorption capabilities of various MBCs using real municipal wastewater.