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.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFLong segment ureteral reconstruction has always posed a challenge for surgeons. We report the case of a 49 years male patient with a right ureteral obstruction between the ileal orthotopic bladder and the ureter. The patient underwent a 12cm ureteral reconstruction with the prepuce.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFSustainable consumption plays an important role in achieving sustainable development. Eco-labels can help to convey this message to consumers. In China, the new carbon label represents a new kind of sustainable eco-label; as such, the relationship between carbon labeling and consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) a premium is worth studying.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF(), known for its aromatic leaves and rhizomes, is extensively used in traditional medicine to treat digestive issues, inflammation, pain, anxiety, and stress. The petroleum ether extract of isolates specific bioactive compounds using petroleum ether, a nonpolar solvent effective in dissolving nonpolar plant compounds. This extract potentially offers antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and analgesic benefits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFElucidation of post-translational modifications (PTMs), such as lysine acetylation (Kac), is crucial for understanding protein function and regulation. Although traditional experimental methods for identifying Kac sites are accurate, they are time-consuming and costly, leading to incomplete acetylome mapping. Computational approaches, particularly those incorporating machine learning, offer a rapid alternative, but face challenges owing to dataset imbalance, limited feature space, and the need for more effective feature-selection algorithms.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIn our prior research, it was noted that slit guidance ligand 3 (SLIT3), a member of the SLIT-secreted protein family, may play a potential role in tumorigenesis. In addition, our prior work has found that the SLIT3 gene is highly methylated, especially in advanced-stage lung cancer tissues. Herein, we propose the hypothesis that abnormal SLIT3 expression may be linked to lung cancer development.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRapid and accurate detection of Burkholderia gladioli (B. gladioli) and effective sterilization are crucial for ensuring food safety. Hence, a novel "loong frolic pearls" platform based on platinum-based fluorescent nanozymes (Pt-OCDs) and strand exchange amplification (SEA) was reported.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe inability to integrate detection and disinfection hindered building a unified pathogen monitoring platform, risking secondary contamination. Herein, a novel "four - in - one" platform for monitoring foodborne Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) was presented.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThree-dimensional bioprinting leverages computer-aided design to construct tissues and organs with specialized bioinks. A notable biomaterial for this purpose is chitosan, a natural polysaccharide sourced from crustacean exoskeletons. Chitosan's biocompatibility, biodegradability, non-toxicity, and ability to promote cell adhesion and proliferation make it an excellent component for bioinks.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRapid urbanization has highlighted ecological problems in the metropolitan area, with increasing landscape fragmentation and severe threats to ecosystem health (EH). Studying the spatio-temporal coupled relationship between landscape pattern and EH and its response to urbanization in the Fuzhou metropolitan area (FMA) can provide scientific reference for its long-term development planning. We examined the coupled relationship between landscape pattern and EH and its driving mechanism in the FMA at grid and township scales to address the gap.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Syndecan 4 (SDC4), a type I transmembrane proteoglycan, serves as a critical link between chondrocytes and the extracellular matrix.
Objective: This study aimed to explore the role of SDC4 in cartilage degeneration of temporomandibular joint osteoathritis (TMJOA).
Methods: Condylar chondrocytes were stimulated with varying concentrations of recombinant rat interleukin-1β (rrIL-1β) and SDC4 small interfering RNA (si-SDC4).
Enhancers are crucial in gene expression regulation, dictating the specificity and timing of transcriptional activity, which highlights the importance of their identification for unravelling the intricacies of genetic regulation. Therefore, it is critical to identify enhancers and their strengths. Repeated sequences in the genome are repeats of the same or symmetrical fragments.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA general intermolecular polarity-mismatched carboamination reaction of unactivated alkenes with unactivated alkyl halides has been developed. A series of nonactivated alkyl-substituted aziridines were constructed in exclusive regioselectivity. The dual polarity-mismatched mechanism might be involved.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBasic Clin Pharmacol Toxicol
August 2024
The aim of this study was to validate the preventive effects of koumine (KM), a monoterpene indole alkaloid, on gouty arthritis (GA) and to explore its possible mechanisms. C57BL/6 mice were intraperitoneally administered KM (0.8, 2.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: To systematically evaluate the efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on language function in patients with non-fluent aphasia post-stroke.
Methods: We selected randomized clinical trials (RCT) that involved stroke patients with non-fluent aphasia, whose intervention was rTMS vs. no therapy or other therapy.
Catalytic generation of toxic hydroxyl radicals (˙OH) from hydrogen peroxide (HO) is an effective strategy for tumor treatment in chemodynamic therapy (CDT). However, the intrinsic features of the microenvironment in solid tumors, characterized by limited HO and overexpressed glutathione (GSH), severely impede the accumulation of intracellular ˙OH, posing significant challenges. To circumvent these critical issues, in this work, a CaO-based multifunctional nanocomposite with a surface coating of Cu and L-buthionine sulfoximine (BSO) (named CaO@Cu-BSO) is designed for enhanced CDT.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFTumor-associated antigen (TAA)-based diagnosis has gained prominence for early tumor screening, treatment monitoring, prognostic assessment, and minimal residual disease detection. However, limitations such as low sensitivity and difficulty in extracting non-specific binding membrane proteins still exist in traditional detection methods. Upconversion luminescence (UCL) exhibits unique physical and chemical properties under wavelength near-infrared light excitation.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: The lack of safe, effective, and simple short-course regimens (SCRs) for multidrug-resistant/rifampicin-resistant tuberculosis (MDR/RR-TB) treatment has significantly impeded TB control efforts in China.
Methods: This phase 4, randomized, open-label, controlled, non-inferiority trial aims to assess the efficacy and safety of a 9-month all-oral SCR containing bedaquiline (BDQ) versus an all-oral SCR without BDQ for adult MDR-TB patients (18-65 years) in China. The trial design mainly mirrors that of the "Evaluation of a Standardized Treatment Regimen of Anti-Tuberculosis Drugs for Patients with MDR-TB" (STREAM) stage 2 study, while also incorporating programmatic data from South Africa and the 2019 consensus recommendations of Chinese MDR/RR-TB treatment experts.
Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is widely recognized as a globally prevalent malignancy. Immunotherapy is a promising therapy for HCC patients. Increasing evidence suggests that lncRNAs are involved in HCC progression and immunotherapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFN-methylcytosine (4mC) is a DNA modification involving the addition of a methyl group to the fourth nitrogen atom of the cytosine base. This modification may influence gene regulation, providing potential insights into gene control mechanisms. Traditional laboratory methods for detecting 4mC DNA methylation have limitations, but the rise of artificial intelligence has introduced efficient computational strategies for 4mC site prediction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjectives: Anti-HER2 targeted therapy significantly reduces risk of relapse in HER2 + breast cancer. New measures are needed for a precise risk stratification to guide (de-)escalation of anti-HER2 strategy.
Methods: A total of 726 HER2 + cases who received no/single/dual anti-HER2 targeted therapies were split into three respective cohorts.
Collecting ground truth labels for hyperspectral image classification is difficult and time-consuming. Without an adequate number of training samples, hyperspectral image (HSI) classification is a challenging problem. Using generative adversarial networks (GANs) is a promising technique for solving this problem because GANs can learn features from both labeled and unlabeled samples.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFColorectal cancer (CRC), classified as a lethal form of cancer, substantially threatens human well-being. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) reflect subsets for cancerous cells having basic stem-cell type properties, being significantly involved in the development of chemoresistance and tumor relapsing. The aberrant expression in various types of cancer indicates its potential involvement in cancer growth and progression.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF