Influence of additives on the development, mechanical, functional characteristics and biodegradability of banana starch-based bio plastic films.

Starch-based bioplastics, due to their abundance, recyclability, and biodegradability, offer a promising alternative to conventional petrochemical-based plastics. Additives significantly influence the functionality of bioplastics. This study investigates the effects of polyvinyl alcohol (PVA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) at varying concentrations on banana starch-based bioplastic films, using glycerol as a plasticizer.

AI-assisted Digital Video Analysis Reveals Changes in Gait Among Three-Day Event Horses During Competition.

The value and welfare of a performance horse are closely tie to locomotor behaviors, but we lack objective and quantitative measures for these characteristics, and qualitative approaches for assessing gait do not provide measures suitable for large-scale biomechanical research studies. Digital video analysis utilizing artificial intelligence-based strategies promise to meet the need for an economical, accurate, repeatable and objective technique for field quantification of equine locomotion. Here we describe pilot work using a consumer-level digital video camera to capture high-resolution and high-speed videos of horses moving at the trot during mandatory inspections for international-level eventing competitions.

Characterisation of the HollandPTC R&D proton beamline for physics and radiobiology studies.

HollandPTC is an independent outpatient center for proton therapy, scientific research, and education. Patients with different types of cancer are treated with Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT). Additionally, the HollandPTC R&D consortium conducts scientific research into the added value and improvements of proton therapy.

Cross-center Model Adaptive Tooth segmentation.

Automatic 3-dimensional tooth segmentation on intraoral scans (IOS) plays a pivotal role in computer-aided orthodontic treatments. In practice, deploying existing well-trained models to different medical centers suffers from two main problems: (1) the data distribution shifts between existing and new centers, which causes significant performance degradation. (2) The data in the existing center(s) is usually not permitted to be shared, and annotating additional data in the new center(s) is time-consuming and expensive, thus making re-training or fine-tuning unfeasible.

SEE: A Method for Predicting the Dynamics of Chromatin Conformation Based on Single-Cell Gene Expression.

The dynamics of chromatin conformation involve continuous and reversible changes within the nucleus of a cell, which participate in regulating processes such as gene expression, DNA replication, and damage repair. Here, SEE is introduced, an artificial intelligence (AI) method that utilizes autoencoder and transformer techniques to analyze chromatin dynamics using single-cell RNA sequencing data and a limited number of single-cell Hi-C maps. SEE is employed to investigate chromatin dynamics across different scales, enabling the detection of (i) rearrangements in topologically associating domains (TADs), and (ii) oscillations in chromatin interactions at gene loci.

Ultrafast, Robust, and Reversible Self-Assembled Nanofibers via Thiolactone Chemistry Strategy.

Self-assembly in supramolecular chemistry is crucial for nanostructure creation but faces challenges like slow speeds and lack of reversibility. In this study, a novel comb-like polymer poly(amide sulfide) (PAS) based on thiolactone chemistry is reported, which rapidly self-assemble into stable nanofibers, offering excellent robustness and reversibility in the self-assembled structure. The PAS backbone contains pairs of amide bonds, each linked to an alkyl side chain in a controlled 2:1 ratio.

Discovery of novel flavonoid derivatives containing benzothiazole as potential antifungal agents.

Background: Fungal diseases of plants have a serious impact on the quality and yield of crops, and some traditional pesticides can no longer cope with this problem. Therefore, it is of great significance to develop new pesticides with high efficiency and low toxicity.

Results: A series of flavonoid derivatives containing benzothiazole were designed and synthesized.

Computational Study on the Reaction Mechanism of 5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate Synthase from Nicotiana Tabacum.

5-Enolpyruvylshikimate-3-phosphate synthase (EPSPS) catalyzes the conversion of 5-enolpyruvate (PEP) and shikimic acid phosphate (S3P) to 5-enolpyruvylshikimic acid-3-phosphate (EPSP), releasing inorganic phosphate. This reaction is the sixth step of the shikimate pathway, which is a metabolic pathway used by microorganisms and plants for the biosynthesis of aromatic amino acids and folates but not in mammals. In the present study, the detailed reaction mechanism of EPSPS from Nicotiana tabacum (NtEPSPS) is revealed by quantum chemical calculations with the cluster approach.

Molecular Ferroelectrics for Highly Sensitive Detection Toward Low-Frequency Sound Recognition.

Human hearing cannot sensitively detect sounds below 100 Hz, which can affect the physical well-being and lead to dizziness, headaches, and nausea. Piezoelectric acoustic sensors still lack sensitivity to low-frequency sounds owing to the low piezoelectric coefficient or high elastic modulus of materials. The low elastic modulus and substantial piezoelectric coefficient of molecular ferroelectric materials make them excellent candidates for acoustic sensors.

Rapid Determination of Crocin-I in Gardenia Fruits (Gardenia jasminoides Ellis) by Combining Spectral and Image Data Through Hyperspectral Imaging.

Introduction: Crocin-I, a water-soluble carotenoid pigment, is an important coloring constituent in gardenia fruit. It has wide application in various industries such as food, medicine, chemical industry, and so on. So the content of crocin-I plays a key role in evaluating the quality of gardenia.

NLR-mediated antiviral immunity in plants.

Plant viruses cause substantial agricultural devastation and economic losses worldwide. Plant nucleotide-binding domain leucine-rich repeat receptors (NLRs) play a pivotal role in detecting viral infection and activating robust immune responses. Recent advances, including the elucidation of the interaction mechanisms between NLRs and pathogen effectors, the discovery of helper NLRs, and the resolution of the ZAR1 resistosome structure, have significantly deepened our understanding of NLR-mediated immune responses, marking a new era in NLR research.

Biomimetic Cerium-Assisted Supra-Carbon Dots Assembly for Reactive Oxygen Species-Activated Atherosclerosis Theranostic.

Theranostic applications in atherosclerosis plaque microenvironment-triggered nanoplatforms are significantly compromised by the complex synthesis procedure, non-specific distribution, and limited therapeutic function. Therefore, development of a facile and feasible method to construct a pathology-based stimuli-responsive nanoplatform with satisfactory theranostic performance remains a demanding and highly anticipated goal. Herein, a novel class of multifunctional supra-carbon dots (CDs), denoted as MM@Ce-CDs NPs, by a simple nanoassembly and a subsequent coating with macrophage membrane (MM), is developed for the targeted reactive oxygen species-trigged theranostic and positive regulation of the pathological plaque microenvironment in AS.

Multicomponent Polymerization toward Poly(BODIPY-sulfonamide)s as Unique SO2 Generators for Sonodynamic and Gas Combination Therapy.

In this work, a multicomponent polymerization (MCP) approach involving bipyrroles, sulfonyl azides, and diynes was developed to afford a library of poly(bipyrrole-sulfonylimide)s (PPSIs) in high yields and molecular weights, which were further modified to form unique sulfur dioxide (SO2) generators. Bipyrroles served as carbon-based nucleophiles to undergo Cu-catalyzed C-C coupling during the MCP. Upon post-MCP modification by transforming the bipyrrole unit to boron dipyrromethene (BODIPY) and the sulfonylimide moiety to sulfonamide, poly(BODIPY-sulfonamide)s (PBSAs) were obtained as potent anticancer therapeutic agents.

Is there an association between birth characteristics and fractures in young adults? The HUNT Study, Norway.

Unlabelled: This population study investigated the association between birth characteristics and fracture risk in 11,099 young adults (aged 19-54 years). Our findings indicate that birth weight, gestational age, and birth weight for gestational age were not associated with fractures in the wrist, humerus, hip, and spine in this population.

Purpose: Skeletal development starts during fetal life, and it is estimated that most bone formation occurs in the 3rd trimester.

Montreal cognitive assessment as a cognitive outcome measure in progressive supranuclear palsy.

Background: The Montreal Cognitive assessment (MoCA) is a well-validated global cognitive screening instrument. Its validity in progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) has not been assessed.

Objectives: To evaluate the MoCA as an outcome measure in PSP clinical trials.

Paired nerve stimulation with selective compensation effect.

Background: In this study we investigate the selective compensation of paired peripheral nerves in healthy humans, focusing on distinct axonal conduction velocities in different fibre types. Using paired associative stimulation (PAS) with adjustable parameters, we aimed to modulate and compensate for neuronal activity along the median nerve.

Methods: Six healthy volunteers (3 male, 3 female, aged: 22-49) participated in the current study.

Direct observation of the interface reaction dynamics of the NdCeFeB phase annealing & quenching STEM.

Although the Rare Earth (RE)FeB type magnets were invented in the 1980s and are widely used worldwide. Yet, the phase formation and dissolution mechanisms are still not crystal clear. The reaction dynamics between rare earth elements (REE) and the iron-enriched matrix are essential to understanding the formation of hard magnetic REE-Fe-B phase or, conversely, phase dissociation and performance degeneration.

Integrating natural product research laboratory with artificial intelligence: Advancements and breakthroughs in traditional medicine.

The Natural Product Research Laboratory (NPRL) of China Medical University Hospital (CMUH) was established in collaboration with CMUH and Professor Kuo-Hsiung Lee from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. The laboratory collection features over 6000 natural products worldwide, including pure compounds and semi-synthetic derivatives. This is the most comprehensive and fully operational natural product database in Taiwan.

Visualization of Hg Stress on Plant Health at the Subcellular Level Revealed by a Highly Sensitive Fluorescent Sensor.

The presence of Hg causes substantial stress to plants, adversely affecting growth and health by disrupting cell cycle divisions, photosynthesis, and ionic homeostasis. Accurate visualization of the spatiotemporal distribution of Hg in plant tissues is crucial for the management of Hg pollution; however, the related research is still at its early stage. Herein, a small-molecule amphiphilic fluorescent probe (termed ) was developed for the specific detection of Hg with a high sensitivity (~16 nM).

Contralateral Neurovascular Coupling in Patients with Ischemic Stroke After Endovascular Thrombectomy.

Background: Neurovascular coupling (NVC) refers to the process of aligning cerebral blood flow with neuronal metabolic demand. This study explores the potential of contralateral NVC-linking neural electrical activity on the stroke side with cerebral blood flow velocity (CBFV) on the contralesional side-as a marker of physiological function of the brain. Our aim was to examine the association between contralateral NVC and neurological outcomes in patients with ischemic stroke following endovascular thrombectomy.

Strategy of employing plug-and-play vectors and LC-MS screening to facilitate the discovery of natural products using Aspergillus oryzae.

Aspergillus oryzae is a widely used host for heterologous expression of fungal natural products. However, the vectors previously developed are not convenient for use and screening positive transformants by PCR and fermentation is time- and effort-consuming. Hence, three plug-and-play vectors were developed here for multi-gene expression and liquid chromatography mass spectrometry detection was introduced to screen positive transformants.

Optimising Luteinising Hormone Levels on Trigger Day for Improved Ovarian Response and Pregnancy Outcomes in Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone Antagonist Protocols: A Retrospective Cohort Study.

Objective: To determine the optimal luteinising hormone (LH) level on the trigger day and its impact on pregnancy outcomes in gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) antagonist protocols using a data-driven approach.

Design: Retrospective cohort study.

Setting: Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University.

Pharmacokinetics, mass balance, and metabolism of [C]PLB1004, a selective and irreversible EGFR-TKI in humans.

Purpose: PLB1004, developed by Beijing Avistone Biotechnology Co., Ltd., is a safe, highly selective, and efficient irreversible epidermal growth factor receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor (EGFR-TKI) employed in treating non-small-cell-lung-cancer (NSCLC).

Remote carbon monoxide spillover improves tandem urea electrosynthesis.

Electrocatalytic urea synthesis from carbon dioxide (CO2) and nitrate (NO3-) offers a promising alternative to traditional industrial methods. However, current catalysts face limitations in the supplies of CO* and Nrelated* intermediates, and their coupling, resulting in unsatisfactory urea production efficiency and energy consumption. To overcome these challenges, we carried out tandem electrosynthesis approach using ruthenium dioxide-supported palladium-gold alloys (Pd2Au1/RuO2).