Deep mutational scanning-guided design of a high-affinity helix-loop-helix peptide targeting G-CSF receptor.

At present, mid-sized binding peptides have emerged as a new class of drug modalities. We have de novo designed a helix-loop-helix (HLH) peptide (MW: ∼4,500), constructed phage-displayed libraries, and screened the libraries against a variety of disease-related proteins to successfully obtain molecular-targeting HLH peptides. The next essential step in developing HLH peptides into therapeutics involves affinity engineering to optimize binding affinity and specificity.

Host Responses to Haustorium Invasion of the Stem Parasitic Plant, Cuscuta campestris, Differ from Responses to Wounding.

The parasitic mechanism employed by the stem parasitic plant, Cuscuta campestris, involves degradation of the host epidermis and intrusion of the cortical tissue of the host stem by a specialized organ called the haustorium. In host plants, the mechanical stimuli associated with this degradation and intrusion of host tissues is considered to be comparable to wounding. However, it has not yet been clarified whether parasitic invasion and wounding induce equivalent responses in host plants.

A Component of the Septation Initiation Network Complex, SepL, Participates in the Cellobiose-Responsive Expression of Cellulolytic Enzyme Genes in Aspergillus aculeatus.

The production of cellulolytic enzymes in Aspergillus aculeatus is regulated at transcriptional levels in response to inducers and various physiological signals. In this study, we identified that a component of the septation initiation network complex, SepL, a putative protein kinase, was involved in the expression of carbohydrate-active enzyme (CAZyme) encoding genes. The deletion of sepL (ΔsepL) in A.

Substituting phosphorus and nitrogen in hydroponic fertilizers with a waste derived nutrients solution: pH control strategies to increase substitution ratios.

Hydroponics, despite its potential for efficient crop production, relies heavily on chemical fertilizers derived from nonrenewable resources and thus contributes to environmental burdens and unsustainable use of phosphorus. Integrating hydroponics into a circular phosphorus economy is crucial for mitigating these impacts. This study quantitatively assessed the capacity of filtrates from nitrified biogas digestate (f-NBD), a nutrient solution derived from organic waste, to replace phosphorus and nitrogen in hydroponic chemical nutrient solutions.

Androgens suppress the sialyltransferases ST3GAL1 and ST3GAL4 and modulate mucin 10 glycosylation in the submandibular gland, related to sex differences in commensal microbiota composition in mice.

Sex differences exist in the commensal microbiota that impact on multiple physiological processes in the host. Here, we examined the mechanism by which the sex differences are formed. In addition to the epithelial ductal cell, the acinar cell mass in the submandibular gland was associated with androgen-androgen receptor (AR) signaling.

Evaluation of HO, H, and bubble temperature in the sonolysis of water and aqueous t-butanol solution under Ar: Effects of solution temperatures and inorganic additives of NaCl and KI.

The yields of HO and H formed in the sonolysis of aqueous solution under noble gas are representative indexes for understanding the chemical effects of ultrasonic cavitation bubbles. In this study, the yields of HO and H formed under Ar were evaluated as a function of the concentration of NaCl or KI. When these yields were analyzed by using a normalization technique, it was confirmed that the yields of H were more clearly related to Ar solubility than those of HO suggesting that H is a more real probe to understand the chemical effects of cavitation bubbles in water.

Hydrovoltaic-Photoelectric Coupling Strategy Triggered a Robust Output Signal for High-Performance Self-Powered Electrochemical Sensing.

Hydrovoltaic self-powered electrochemical sensors hold significant potential for constructing wearable, portable, and real-time detection devices, but the low output signal due to the slow phase transition rate of water molecules and the intricate nature of integration limits their applications. In this work, a hydrovoltaic-photovoltaic coupling effect-enhanced self-powered electrochemical sensor was prepared by combining zinc oxide (ZnO) nanowire arrays with cerium-organometallic framework (Ce-MOF) materials, which greatly improved the electrical output of self-powered electrochemical systems and provided a new detection strategy for an efficient self-powered electrochemical sensing system. The heterojunction constructed by ZnO arrays and Ce-MOF could generate a built-in electric field under the action of light irradiation and promote the separation of the photocarriers.

Arabidopsis KNS3 and its two homologs mediate endoplasmic reticulum-to-plasma membrane traffic of boric acid channels.

Membrane proteins targeted to the plasma membrane are first transported from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the Golgi apparatus. This study explored the mechanisms controlling plasma membrane trafficking of the boric acid channel AtNIP5;1 from the ER. Imaging-based screening using transgenic Arabidopsis identified six mutants in which GFP-NIP5;1 was localized in the ER in addition to the plasma membrane.

Campylobacter fetus isolates from both human patients and healthy cattle carry three distinct cytolethal distending toxin (cdt) gene clusters.

Campylobacter fetus is a zoonotic pathogen. Although the precise virulence mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated, cytolethal distending toxin (CDT) is considered as one of the well-characterized virulence factors in Campylobacter. In silico analysis of the genome of C.

Portable self-powered electrochemical aptasensor for ultrasensitive and real-time detection of microcystin-RR based on hydrovoltaic-photothermal coupling effect.

Coupling different energy harvesting technologies to obtain an excellent output signal is essential for the development of high-performance self-powered electrochemical sensors. Herein, a novel hydrovoltaic-photothermal coupling self-powered electrochemical aptasensing platform was designed for sensitive detection of microcystin (MC-RR) with a digital multimeter as a direct visual readout strategy. The straightforward ultrasonic method was employed to synthesize polyaniline (PANI) and bismuth oxybromide (BiOBr) nanosheets, which were then integrated as active components in a hydrovoltaic device.

Dual-Mechanism Quenching Electrochemiluminescence System by Coupling Energy Transfer with Electron Transfer for Sensitive Competitive Aptamer-Based Detection of Furanyl Fentanyl in Food.

Resonance energy transfer (RET) quenching is significantly important for developing electrochemiluminescence (ECL) sensors, but RET platforms face challenges like interference from other fluorescent substances and reliance on energy transfer efficiency. This study used Zn-PTC, formed by zinc ions coordinated with perylene-3,4,9,10-tetracarboxylate, as a dual-mechanism quencher to reduce the ECL intensity of carbon nitride nanosheets (Tg-CNNSs). CoO/NiCoO acts as a coreaction promoter, enhancing and stabilizing the luminescence of Tg-CNNSs.

β-Caryophyllene, a dietary phytocannabinoid, alleviates high-fat diet-induced hepatic steatosis in mice via AMPK activation.

β-Caryophyllene (BCP), a dietary phytocannabinoid, significantly suppresses palmitate-induced lipid accumulation in human HepG2 hepatocytes via activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK) signaling. The objective of the preset research was to assess whether oral administration of BCP alleviates obesity-induced hepatic steatosis in mice through AMPK activation. We examined the protective action of supplementation of 0.

Poly(vinyl alcohol)-Incorporated Core-Shell Polymer Nanogels Functionalized by Block Copolymer Installation for Cisplatin Delivery.

The functionalization approach for nanomaterials is of great importance for their application in drug delivery systems. Herein, an approach based on block copolymer installation into polymer nanogels was newly developed. Poly(vinyl alcohol)-incorporated polymer nanogels were prepared by a two-step dispersion/precipitation polymerization.

Rapid Vacuolar Sorting of the Borate Transporter BOR1 Requires the Adaptor Protein Complex AP-4 in Arabidopsis.

Plants maintain nutrient homeostasis by controlling the activities and abundance of nutrient transporters. In Arabidopsis thaliana, the borate (B) transporter BOR1 plays a role in the efficient translocation of B under low-B conditions. BOR1 undergoes polyubiquitination in the presence of sufficient B and is then transported to the vacuole via multivesicular bodies (MVBs) to prevent B accumulation in tissues at a toxic level.

Synthesis, Photoluminescence, and Electroluminescence of Phosphorescent Dipyrido[3,2-;2'3'-]phenazine-Platinum(II) Complexes Bearing Hole-Transporting Acetylide Ligands.

In this study, novel phosphorescent dipyrido[3,2-;2'3'-]phenazine (dppz)-platinum(II)-phenylacetylide complexes were developed to fabricate non-doped organic light-emitting diodes (OLED) by solution-processing. To facilitate the charge carrier injection into the emitting layer (EML), 3,6-di--butylcarbazole-functinalized phenylacetylides were employed. As for the dppz ligand, 9,9-dihexylfluoren-2-yl and 4-hexylthiophen-2-yl side-arms were introduced to the 2,7-positions, which led to reddish orange and red photoluminescence (PL), respectively, in solution and film states (PL wavelength: ca.

Localization of the MTP4 transporter to trans-Golgi network in pollen tubes of Arabidopsis thaliana.

Zinc (Zn) is an essential element for plants. Numerous proteins in different cellular compartments require Zn for their structure and function. Zn can be toxic when it accumulates in high levels in the cytoplasm.

Proposal of Gaze Analysis to Visualize Tacit Knowledge of Nursing Expert Skills.

This study was conducted to develop nursing skills learning support system, particularly addressing a "blood drawing technique," among other nursing skills. It analyzes tacit knowledge associated with skilled nurses' (hereinafter "experts"') movements when executing a blood drawing technique, devoting attention to their gaze. Overall, positive correlation was found between the ladder level and the success rate.

Examination of reliability and validity of the Self-Assessment Burden Scale-Motor for community-dwelling older adults in Japan: a validation study.

Background: The aging society in Japan is progressing rapidly compared with that in the United States and European countries. Aging limits activities of daily living (ADL) in older adults, declining their lives and functions at home. Therefore, improving their ADL to effectively support their functioning at home for as long as possible is vital.

Effects of the Internet-based rehabilitation information sharing program on psychological stress of family caregivers of inpatients: A non-randomized controlled study.

The psychological impact of Internet-based rehabilitation information provision on family caregivers of inpatients has not yet been investigated. This study investigated the impact of the Internet-based rehabilitation information sharing program on anxiety and depression among family caregivers of inpatients. Participants were patients admitted to a rehabilitation hospital and their families.

Robust design against frequency variation for amplitude death in delay-coupled oscillators.

Amplitude death has the potential to suppress unwanted oscillations in various engineering applications. However, in some engineering applications, such as dc microgrids, airfoil systems, and thermoacoustic systems, oscillation frequency is highly susceptible to external influences, leading to considerable variations. To maintain amplitude death amidst these frequency variations, we propose a design procedure that is robust against frequency variation for inducing amplitude death in delay-coupled oscillators.