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As a significant biomarker during the apoptosis process, cytochrome c (Cyt c) is considered as a critical component in the inherent apoptotic pathway, but the simple and portable detection still remains challengeable. In this work, a portable and visual sensing platform for Cyt c was developed based upon the fluorescence quenching of graphene quantum dots (GQDs), which could be finished within a few seconds. Herein, the absorption spectrum of Cyt c matched the emission spectrum of GQDs well, which could cause the fluorescence quenching of GQDs via the inner filter effect (IFE) in the range of 1–50 μg/mL with the limit of detection as low as 0.1 μg/mL. Furthermore, the intracellular Cyt c was imaged to observe the apoptosis process of cancer cells induced by staurosporine. To achieve the portable and visual detection of Cyt c, GQDs were deposited on the filter paper to form the solid platform, which displayed a gradual fluorescence quenching when different concentrations of Cyt c were present. Compared to the conventional methods, the proposed assay is low-cost, fast, portable, and visual, which will be useful for the investigation of mitochondrial dysfunction and apoptotic cell death.

Nowadays, mycotoxin contamination in cereals and wastewater exposes a safety hazard to consumer health. This work describes the design of a simple, low-cost, and sensitive origami microfluidic paper-based device using electrochemical detection for zearalenone determination. The microfluidic immunosensor was designed on a paper platform by a wax printing process. The graphitized carbon working electrode modified with carbon nanohorns-decorated nanoporous gold showed a higher surface area, sensitivity, and adequate analytical performance. Electrodes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, energy-dispersive spectroscopy, and cyclic voltammetry. The determination of zearalenone was carried out through a competitive immunoassay using specific antibodies immobilized by a covalent bond on the electrode surface. In the presence of HRP-labeled enzyme conjugate, substrate, and catechol, zearalenone was detected employing the developed immunosensor by applying −0.1 V to the working electrode vs silver as a pseudo-reference electrode. A calibration curve with a linear range between 10 and 1000 µg Kg−1 (R2 = 0.998) was obtained, and the limit of detection and quantification for the electrochemical immunosensor were 4.40 and 14.90 µg Kg−1, respectively. The coefficient of variation for intra- and inter-day assays was less than 5%. The selectivity and specificity of the sensor were evaluated, comparing the response against zearalenone metabolites and other mycotoxins that could affect the corn samples. Therefore, origami is a promising approach for paper-based electrochemical microfluidic sensors coupled to smartphones as a rapid and portable tool for in situ mycotoxins detection in real samples.

The authors make the following corrections to the published paper [...]

The emergence of ChatGPT as one of the most advanced chatbots and its ability to generate diverse data has given room for numerous discussions worldwide regarding its utility, particularly in advancing medical education and research. This study seeks to assess the performance of ChatGPT in medical biochemistry to evaluate its potential as an effective self-learning tool for medical students. This evaluation was carried out using the university examination question papers of both parts 1 and 2 of medical biochemistry which comprised theory and multiple choice questions (MCQs) accounting for a total of 100 in each part. The questions were used to interact with ChatGPT, and three raters independently reviewed and scored the answers to prevent bias in scoring. We conducted the inter-item correlation matrix and the interclass correlation between raters 1, 2, and 3. For MCQs, symmetric measures in the form of kappa value (a measure of agreement) were performed between raters 1, 2, and 3. ChatGPT generated relevant and appropriate answers to all questions along with explanations for MCQs. ChatGPT has "passed" the medical biochemistry university examination with an average score of 117 out of 200 (58%) in both papers. In Paper 1, ChatGPT has secured 60 ± 2.29 and 57 ± 4.36 in Paper 2. The kappa value for all the cross-analysis of Rater 1, Rater 2, and Rater 3 scores in MCQ was 1.000. The evaluation of ChatGPT as a self-learning tool in medical biochemistry has yielded important insights. While it is encouraging that ChatGPT has demonstrated proficiency in this area, the overall score of 58% indicates that there is work to be done. To unlock its full potential as a self-learning tool, ChatGPT must focus on generating not only accurate but also comprehensive and contextually relevant content.

This paper describes a teaching experiment in a Numerical Methods course for Master of Science students. The experiment uses scientific papers to develop modelling studies in the context of wine fermentation microbial interactions. The course involves theoretical and laboratory classes that focus on implementing numerical methods using Matlab for Initial Value Problems and Boundary Value Problems. The students are asked to formalise the mathematical model and build their own experiments using the information provided in the papers. Additionally, a parameter estimation experiment is organised, which involves generating synthetic data and computing noisy data to estimate the natural death rate of sensitive yeast. The results show that data noise significantly affects the parameter estimate and that scaling the data can help reduce the impact of measurement errors. The presented results can be used to investigate other possible assignments, such as how the evaluation of the Jacobian affects the estimation performance and compare different optimisation algorithms.

The authors, a chemistry professor and a librarian, used a qualitative survey to assess student perceptions of a Wikipedia editing assignment that they included in a large upper-level biochemistry course. The assignment was initially intended as a public-facing alternative to a short research paper, emphasizing information literacy and scientific literacy. The goal of the survey was to use the results to enhance the assignment. The results of the survey and research for the literature review inspired a novel approach to the assignment using the perspective of metaliteracy. This approach encourages students to think critically about their role as scholars in a participatory environment.

Effective pathogen detection is essential for plant disease control. However, plant sample preparation for downstream assays, such as quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), is challenging to perform outside of a laboratory. This paper reports two sample preparation methods featuring chemical and mechanical lysis and nucleic acid extraction using a micro-homogenizer, followed by serial dilution or nucleic acid purification with a paper disk before assay. Five minutes of lysis and extraction resulted in DNA and RNA yields of up to 76.5% and 63.3%, respectively, compared to mortar and pestle controls. Crude lysates were unsuitable for direct use in qPCR assays; however, serial dilution or quick wash using chromatography paper rendered samples ready for such assays. Additionally, the nucleic acids stored on paper disks under various storage conditions remained stable for one month. These methods can facilitate the in-field preparation of citrus samples and allow for both onsite and mail-in diagnostics for growers.

Teaching chemistry and biology students about biologics design remains challenging despite its increasing importance in pharmaceutical development. Monoclonal antibodies, commonly called mAbs, are the most popular biologics. They have been developed into drugs to treat various diseases in the past decades. Multiple challenges exist for designing proper formulations to stabilize mAbs, such as preventing aggregation and mitigating viscosity. Molecular modeling and simulations can improve pharmaceutical products by examining the interactions between mAbs and other compounds, such as excipients. To introduce students to biopharmaceuticals, eight students at the Stevens Institute of Technology participated in a semester-long course to learn the challenges of pharmaceutical development and different computational skills to study biologics design. The students started with a limited background in this field. Throughout one semester, they were introduced to various literature and software tools for modeling antibodies and studying their interactions with excipients. This paper aims to develop a course structure to be replicated at other universities and institutions to teach biopharmaceutical development to students.

Providing hands-on practical education without access to laboratories during the COVID-19 pandemic has required creativity and innovation. In this paper, co-authored by academic staff and students, we describe an at-home mobile phone-based 'spectrophotometer' experiment used in an introductory undergraduate biology course. Using colour picker apps, a smartphone can be used to quantify concentration, which was used to compare the strengths of different brands of tea. The protocol is designed to be low-cost and safe to perform outside of a laboratory. Students used the methods to learn important biochemical methods such as preparing dilutions, constructing calibration curves, normalising data and testing a hypothesis. We reflect on the experience of developing and using the protocol from a staff and student perspective, which highlights the advantages of this approach in terms of student independence and inclusivity. We also suggest alternative experiments that could be performed using the protocol. We encourage biology educators to think creatively about the possibilities for using mobile phones or at-home experiments in their teaching. Our experience suggests that at-home experiments like this protocol will have value even after the pandemic is over, particularly in terms of inclusivity.

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a shift in thinking regarding the safe delivery of wet laboratory courses. While we were fortunate to have the capacity to continue delivering wet laboratory experiments with physical distancing and other measures in place, modifications to the mechanisms of delivery within courses were necessary to minimize risk to students and teaching staff. One such modification was introduced in BCH370H, an introductory biochemistry laboratory course, where a OneNote Class Notebook (ONCN) was used as an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) in place of the traditional hardbound paper laboratory notebook (PLN) used prior to the pandemic. The initial reasoning for switching to an ELN was around safety - allowing course staff and students to maintain physical distancing whenever possible and eliminating the need for teaching assistants to handle student notebooks; however, the benefits of the ONCN proved to be significantly more. OneNote acted not only as a place for students to record notes but the Class Notebook's unique features allowed easy integration of other important aspects of the course, including delivery of laboratory manuals, posting of student results, notetaking feedback, sharing of instructional materials with teaching assistants, and more. Student and teacher experiences with the ONCN as used within a fully in person biochemistry laboratory course, as well as learned best practices, are reviewed.

An integrated and projected-based laboratory course was described, integrating interconnected knowledge points and biochemistry and molecular biology techniques on a research project-based system. The program, which served as an essential extension of theoretical courses to practice, was conducted with a sophomore of basic medical science who had completed the course in medical biochemistry and molecular biology. This course engaged students in learning "genetic manipulation" and "recombinant DNA technology" to understand the target gene's role in disease mechanics, thus altering evaluation and treatment for clinical disease. Students could master applied and advanced techniques, such as cell culture, transfection, inducing exogenous fusion protein expression, purifying protein and its concentration assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western bot analysis. This laboratory exercise links laboratory practices with the methods of current basic research. Students need to complete the experimental design report and laboratory report, which could be advantageous for improving their ability to write lab summaries and scientific papers in the future. The reliability and validity analyses were conducted on the questionnaire, and we examined students' satisfaction with the course and their gains from the course. The student feedback was generally positive, indicating that the exercise helped consolidate theoretical knowledge, increase scientific research enthusiasm, and provide a powerful tool to be a better person and make informed decisions.

Neurotransmitters are essential chemical messengers required for proper brain function, and any changes in their concentrations can lead to neuronal diseases. Therefore, sensitive and selective detection is crucial. This study presents a fast and simple colorimetric method for dopamine detection using three reagent solutions: AgNP and MPA, Ag/Au nanocomposite, and mercaptophenylacetic acid. TEM images showed a narrow distribution of Ag and Au nanoparticles with average sizes of 20 nm and 13 nm, respectively, with gold nanoparticles bound to the edges of silver nanoparticles. A paper-based biosensor was created using manual wax printing for the colorimetric detection of dopamine. Visual detection onsite showed color changes with both the silver nanoparticles and mercaptophenylacetic acid mixture and the silver–gold nanoparticle composite. Electrochemical detection using a glassy carbon electrode modified with 8 mM mercaptophenylacetic acid demonstrated high selectivity and sensitivity towards dopamine, with a peak in the range of 0.7–0.9 V. Interferences were minimized, ensuring high sensitivity and selective detection of dopamine.

The article discusses the historical significance and ongoing relevance of platelet physiology and biochemistry in the field of thrombosis and hemostasis. It highlights the early discoveries of platelets as distinct blood cells involved in clotting and describes the development of various methods to study platelet function. The article also emphasizes the recent understanding of platelets' role beyond thrombosis and hemostasis, including their involvement in immune responses, tumor promotion, and metastasis. The importance of incorporating new technologies, such as -omics approaches, for studying platelet biology is also mentioned. The article concludes by noting the continued interest in platelet physiology, as evidenced by the popularity of recent papers on the topic. [Extracted from the article]

The document is a contents list of the journal "Dalton Transactions: An International Journal of Inorganic Chemistry," which covers various topics related to inorganic chemistry. It includes articles on metal complexes, electrocatalysts, nanocrystals, and organic synthesis. The journal aims to provide original research and perspectives to contribute to scientific progress in the field of chemistry. One article discussed in the document is about the synthesis and characterization of copper complexes that can be used in the degradation of organic dyes using visible light. Another article focuses on the synthesis and characterization of palladium complexes for use in focused electron beam induced deposition. [Extracted from the article]

In this paper, three different Zn(II) complexes with (E)-2-(2-(1-(6-bromopyridin-2-yl)ethylidene)hydrazinyl)-N,N,N-trimethyl-2-oxoethan-1-aminium chloride (HLCl) have been synthesized and characterized by single crystal X-ray diffraction, elemental analysis, IR and NMR spectroscopy. All complexes are mononuclear, with the ligand (L) coordinated in a deprotonated formally neutral zwitterionic form via NNO donor set atoms. Complex 1 forms an octahedral geometry with the composition [ZnL2](BF4)2, while complexes 2 [ZnL(NCO)2] and 3 [ZnL(N3)2] form penta-coordinated geometry. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations were performed to enhance our understanding of the structures of the synthesized complexes and the cytotoxic activity of the complexes was tested against five human cancer cell lines (HeLa, A549, MDA-MB-231, K562, LS 174T) and normal human fibroblasts MRC-5. Additionally, antibacterial and antifungal activity of these complexes was tested against a panel of Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria, two fungal strains, and a yeast strain. It is noteworthy that all three complexes show selective antifungal activity comparable to that of amphotericin B. Molecular docking analysis predicted that geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate synthase, an enzyme essential for sterol biosynthesis, is the most likely target for inhibition by the tested complexes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solubility of pigments is of significant importance for the successful coloring of various products in the food industry. In this work, the solubility of anthocyanins and chlorophylls was analyzed by thin-layer chromatography. Plant pigments were applied to filter paper and placed in mixtures of hydrophilic, ethanol, methanol, hydrophobic solvents, heptane, chloroform, and petroleum ether. In addition, solutions of different pH were used to examine how pH changes the color of the plant pigments. By adding small amounts of a strong acid (hydrochloric acid), a strong base (sodium hydroxide), weak acids (citric acid and acetic acid), and salts (sodium hydrogen carbonate and sodium hypochlorite) to the pigment extracts, a palette of various colors in the pigments was observed. Based on the solubility data and the results of the color change in the pigments, anthocyanins were successfully used as a food color in a food product with acidic pH, lemonade, and a food product with basic pH, cookies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This document is an editorial for a special issue of the journal Microorganisms titled "Yeasts Biochemistry and Biotechnology." The editorial highlights the importance of yeasts, including both Saccharomyces and non-conventional strains, in various biotechnological processes and systems biology research. The special issue features ten papers, including two reviews and eight research papers, covering topics such as the role of yeasts in cancer research, the impact of non-Saccharomyces yeasts on wine fermentation, the use of yeasts in beer fermentation, the production of recombinant proteins and carotenoids, and waste valorization. The editorial concludes by emphasizing the ongoing research and potential for further exploration and improvement in these areas. [Extracted from the article]

An integrated and projected-based laboratory course was described, integrating interconnected knowledge points and biochemistry and molecular biology techniques on a research project-based system. The program, which served as an essential extension of theoretical courses to practice, was conducted with a sophomore of basic medical science who had completed the course in medical biochemistry and molecular biology. This course engaged students in learning "genetic manipulation" and "recombinant DNA technology" to understand the target gene's role in disease mechanics, thus altering evaluation and treatment for clinical disease. Students could master applied and advanced techniques, such as cell culture, transfection, inducing exogenous fusion protein expression, purifying protein and its concentration assay, quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and western bot analysis. This laboratory exercise links laboratory practices with the methods of current basic research. Students need to complete the experimental design report and laboratory report, which could be advantageous for improving their ability to write lab summaries and scientific papers in the future. The reliability and validity analyses were conducted on the questionnaire, and we examined students' satisfaction with the course and their gains from the course. The student feedback was generally positive, indicating that the exercise helped consolidate theoretical knowledge, increase scientific research enthusiasm, and provide a powerful tool to be a better person and make informed decisions., (© 2024 International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced a shift in thinking regarding the safe delivery of wet laboratory courses. While we were fortunate to have the capacity to continue delivering wet laboratory experiments with physical distancing and other measures in place, modifications to the mechanisms of delivery within courses were necessary to minimize risk to students and teaching staff. One such modification was introduced in BCH370H, an introductory biochemistry laboratory course, where a OneNote Class Notebook (ONCN) was used as an electronic laboratory notebook (ELN) in place of the traditional hardbound paper laboratory notebook (PLN) used prior to the pandemic. The initial reasoning for switching to an ELN was around safety-allowing course staff and students to maintain physical distancing whenever possible and eliminating the need for teaching assistants to handle student notebooks; however, the benefits of the ONCN proved to be significantly more. OneNote acted not only as a place for students to record notes but the Class Notebook's unique features allowed easy integration of other important aspects of the course, including delivery of laboratory manuals, posting of student results, notetaking feedback, sharing of instructional materials with teaching assistants, and more. Student and teacher experiences with the ONCN as used within a fully in person biochemistry laboratory course, as well as learned best practices, are reviewed., (© 2024 The Authors. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.)

Josep Rizo is a Professor of Biophysics, Biochemistry and Pharmacology at the University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, where he is Virginia Lazenby O'Hara Chair in Biochemistry. He is particularly interested in the study of the mechanisms of neurotransmitter release and intracellular membrane fusion using structural biology, a variety of biophysical techniques and reconstitution approaches. Jose has been a part of the FEBS Open Bio Editorial Board since 2021. In this interview, he shares his insights into developments in the field of neurotransmitter release, describes his move from Spain to the United States, and discusses how sometimes you need to use both logic and scientific hunches. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The liver is a crucial organ in the regulation of metabolism, signaling, and homeostasis. Using recent advanced sequencing technologies, several mutations of genes in major metabolic and signaling pathways have been discovered in the pathogenesis of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). These gene signatures alter expression and ultimately affect biochemical pathways by modifying enzyme/protein levels, resulting in numerous clinical outcomes related to HCC. It comes with varying forms of genetic and biochemical alterations, associated with carbohydrate, lipid, nucleic acid, and amino acid metabolism, as well as signaling pathways linked to tumorigenesis. Here, we aim to summarize the main components and mechanisms involved in the progression of HCC with a special focus on the metabolic regulation of key effectors of tumorigenesis, through the crosstalk between genetics and biochemistry. This paper provides an overview of hepatocellular carcinoma, underlying the fundamental effect of gene variations on metabolic and signaling pathways. Since there is still an unmet need for biomarkers and novel therapeutic targets, some of these signature genes or proteins can be used as novel biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and novel potential therapeutic targets for the treatment of HCC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To analyze the research status and development trend of ionic liquids toxicology, VOSviewer and HistCite software were used to visually analyze the countries, institutions, authors, keywords, etc. of 1 178 ionic liquids toxicology related to literatures in the Web of Science core database from 2000 to 2021. The results show that: the number of literatures in the field of ionic liquids toxicology is increasing year by year, and China is far ahead of other countries in both the number of papers published and the total citation score. At present, the paper is mainly based on team cooperation within institutions, with strong independence. Although Chinese institutions and authors rank higher in the number of papers published, their total local citation score is not outstanding. The main focus of research in ionic liquids toxicology is imidazolium. The research focuses on the evaluation of lethality and composition changes in organisms, and the construction of structure-activity relationship models between ionic liquids and organisms. The mechanism of ionic liquids toxicity and combined pollution may be the focus of future research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochemical sensors have important applications in biology, chemistry, and medicine. Nevertheless, many biochemical sensors are hampered by intricate techniques, cumbersome procedures, and the need for labeling. In the past two decades, it has been discovered that liquid crystals can be used to achieve the optical amplification of biological interactions. By modifying recognition molecules, a variety of label-free biochemical sensors can be created. Consequently, biochemical sensors based on the amplification of liquid crystals have become one of the most promising sensors. This paper describes in detail the optical sensing principle of liquid crystals, sensing devices, and optical detection technologies. Meanwhile, the latest research findings are elucidated. Finally, the challenges and future research directions are discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The ability to study chemical dynamics on ultrafast timescales has greatly advanced with the introduction of X-ray free electron lasers (XFELs) providing short pulses of intense X-rays tailored to probe atomic structure and electronic configuration. Fully exploiting the full potential of XFELs requires specialized experimental endstations along with the development of techniques and methods to successfully carry out experiments. The liquid jet endstation (LJE) at the Linac Coherent Light Source (LCLS) has been developed to study photochemistry and biochemistry in solution systems using a combination of X-ray solution scattering (XSS), X-ray absorption spectroscopy (XAS), and X-ray emission spectroscopy (XES). The pump–probe setup utilizes an optical laser to excite the sample, which is subsequently probed by a hard X-ray pulse to resolve structural and electronic dynamics at their intrinsic femtosecond timescales. The LJE ensures reliable sample delivery to the X-ray interaction point via various liquid jets, enabling rapid replenishment of thin samples with millimolar concentrations and low sample volumes at the 120 Hz repetition rate of the LCLS beam. This paper provides a detailed description of the LJE design and of the techniques it enables, with an emphasis on the diagnostics required for real-time monitoring of the liquid jet and on the spatiotemporal overlap methods used to optimize the signal. Additionally, various scientific examples are discussed, highlighting the versatility of the LJE. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The emergence of ChatGPT as one of the most advanced chatbots and its ability to generate diverse data has given room for numerous discussions worldwide regarding its utility, particularly in advancing medical education and research. This study seeks to assess the performance of ChatGPT in medical biochemistry to evaluate its potential as an effective self‐learning tool for medical students. This evaluation was carried out using the university examination question papers of both parts 1 and 2 of medical biochemistry which comprised theory and multiple choice questions (MCQs) accounting for a total of 100 in each part. The questions were used to interact with ChatGPT, and three raters independently reviewed and scored the answers to prevent bias in scoring. We conducted the inter‐item correlation matrix and the interclass correlation between raters 1, 2, and 3. For MCQs, symmetric measures in the form of kappa value (a measure of agreement) were performed between raters 1, 2, and 3. ChatGPT generated relevant and appropriate answers to all questions along with explanations for MCQs. ChatGPT has "passed" the medical biochemistry university examination with an average score of 117 out of 200 (58%) in both papers. In Paper 1, ChatGPT has secured 60 ± 2.29 and 57 ± 4.36 in Paper 2. The kappa value for all the cross‐analysis of Rater 1, Rater 2, and Rater 3 scores in MCQ was 1.000. The evaluation of ChatGPT as a self‐learning tool in medical biochemistry has yielded important insights. While it is encouraging that ChatGPT has demonstrated proficiency in this area, the overall score of 58% indicates that there is work to be done. To unlock its full potential as a self‐learning tool, ChatGPT must focus on generating not only accurate but also comprehensive and contextually relevant content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Legumes being a major source of protein have a wide range of economic importance. But the major constraints in growing legumes are poor germination, seedling emergence, non uniform stand establishment and crop mortality leading to lower pulse productivity. Thus, pre-sowing seed treatments are critical parameters which attribute to efficient plant growth and high yield. Uniform seed germination, seedling growth and uniform establishment are the critical stages during the growth of crops. Seed priming is a very promising presowing treatment employed to improve seed germination, better crop establishment, enhance the seed quality and induces tolerance against biotic and abiotic stresses in plants thereby providing a balanced healthy diet to the citizens. Priming is a cost effective and feasible strategy involving controlled hydration of seeds followed by drying to stimulate the pre-germinative metabolic activities to occur promoting rapid germination of seedlings, break dormancy and enhance crop yield. Enzymatic, metabolic and biochemical processes of the primed seeds attributes to rapid and uniform seedling emergence. Seed priming methods comprises of conventional methods including hydro priming, osmopriming, biopriming, chemical priming and the advanced methods including nano priming and priming with physical agents. In this review paper, the underlying physiological, biochemical and molecular aspects of priming in pulses were discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Penile cancer is a rare and aggressive disease. Current treatment options when the cancer is locally advanced are suboptimal and potentially mutilating. Insight into the immune dysregulation necessary for the emergence of penile cancer could suggest innovative ways to manipulate the immune system which have already demonstrated efficacy in other, more common malignancies. In this paper, we use multiplex immunofluorescence, a novel technology, to investigate the immune microenvironment of penile cancer for the first time. We describe a pattern of immune exhaustion as cancer becomes more advanced and identify tumor-associated macrophages as a potential key player in regulating this process. Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare and deadly malignancy. Therapeutic advances have been stifled by a poor understanding of disease biology. Specifically, the immune microenvironment is an underexplored component in PSCC and the activity of immune checkpoint inhibitors observed in a subset of patients suggests immune escape may play an important role in tumorigenesis. Herein, we explored for the first time the immune microenvironment of 57 men with PSCC and how it varies with the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) infection and across tumor stages using multiplex immunofluorescence of key immune cell markers. We observed an increase in the density of immune effector cells in node-negative tumors and a progressive rise in inhibitory immune players such as type 2 macrophages and upregulation of the PD-L1 checkpoint in men with N1 and N2-3 disease. There were no differences in immune cell densities with HPV status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The combination of chemotherapy and photothermal therapy shows great potential in cancer treatment, and the carbon nanomaterials have been attracted great attention in biomedical technology. However, it is still a great challenge to design stimuli‐responsive nano‐carbon‐based drug release systems with integrated functions. In this paper, rod‐like carbon nanomaterials (RCNs) were prepared by the soft template hydrothermal method with glucose as raw materials, which were proved to have high photothermal efficiency (∼23.7%), as well as good biocompatibility and excellent drug‐loading capacity. After that, RCNs were used to load doxorubicin (DOX) as DOX@RCNs for integrated photothermal/chemotherapy towards cancer, which demonstrated 52.2% higher cancer cell killing efficiency than that of RCNs under near infrared (NIR) irradiation in vitro. The authors' approach provided a novel NIR‐responsive nano platform for combined photothermal/chemotherapy towards cancer, which was considered to be of great potential in anticancer applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fetal alcohol spectrum disorder (FASD) is commonly misdiagnosed because of the complexity of presentation and multiple diagnostic criteria. FASD includes four categorical entities (fetal alcohol syndrome, partial fetal alcohol syndrome, alcohol related neurodevelopmental disorder, and alcohol related birth defects). The four FASD diagnostic criteria are facial dysmorphology, growth deficiency, central nervous system dysfunction, and prenatal alcohol exposure. Sensory processing disorders (SPDs) are common in FASD and are observed as inappropriate behavioral responses to environmental stimuli. These can be either a sensory-based motor disorder, sensory discrimination disorder, or sensory modulation disorder. A child with SPD may experience challenges with their fine motor coordination, gross motor coordination, organizational challenges, or behavioral regulation impairments. FASD requires a multidimensional approach to intervention. Although FASD cannot be cured, symptoms can be managed with sleep-based therapies, sensory integration, and cognitive therapies. This paper reviews SPDs in FASD and the interventions that can be used by practitioners to help improve their therapeutic management, although it is unlikely that any single intervention will be the right choice for all patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymes are protein molecules that play a crucial role in various biological processes in living organisms. They function as catalysts in biological reactions such as digestion, metabolism, DNA replication and other physiological processes. Furthermore, enzymes are widely used in food production, pharmaceuticals and biofuel production. In these industries, they accelerate desired chemical reactions as biocatalysts. Therefore, applying computational methods and data-driven algorithms to predict enzyme properties is essential. Over the past decade, deep learning has made remarkable advancements in science and technology. Deep learning is a subset of machine learning algorithms that rely on artificial neural networks. These algorithms can be employed for supervised, semi-supervised and unsupervised learning. Here, to provide an update on the current literature, we provide an overview of various deep learning algorithms and recent advancements in their application to enzyme science. These applications can generally be categorized into diverse subjects: function prediction, enzyme kinetic parameters prediction, enzyme-substrate identification, condition optimization, thermophilic property prediction, enzyme catalytic site prediction and enzyme design. In conclusion, we discuss the convergence of enzyme science and deep learning, highlighting the potential opportunities and challenges. Artificial intelligence algorithms have diverse applications in enzyme science. In this review paper, we focus on deep learning algorithms and their implications on various tasks, such as enzyme design, kinetic parameters prediction, etc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The regulation of the cell cycle is essential for maintaining normal cellular function, especially in the development of diseases such as lung cancer. The cell cycle consists of four major phases (G1, S, G2 and M phases), which are characterized by a series of precise molecular events to ensure proper cell proliferation and division. In lung cancer cells, cell cycle dysregulation can lead to disordered proliferation and increased invasiveness of cancer cells. G2 and S-phase expressed 1 (GTSE1) is a regulatory protein found in the cytoplasm of the cell, which plays a key role in the cell cycle distribution of a wide range of cancer cells and is involved in life processes such as cell proliferation and apoptosis. GTSE1 affects cell cycle progression by interacting with cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor 1A (p21) and maintaining the stability of p21, which in turn inhibits the activity of cyclin-dependent kinase 1/2 (CDK1/2). In addition, GTSE1 is also involved in the regulation of tumor protein 53 (p53) signaling pathway. With the assistance of mouse double minute 2 homolog (MDM2), GTSE1 is able to transport p53 from the nucleus to the cytoplasm and promote its ubiquitination and degradation, thus affecting cell cycle and cell deathrelated signaling pathways. This paper reviews the expression of GTSE1 in lung cancer cells and its effects on lung cancer, as well as its potential mechanisms involved in cell cycle regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Mitochondria, responsible for cellular energy synthesis and signal transduction, intricately regulate diverse metabolic processes, mediating fundamental biological phenomena such as cell growth, aging, and apoptosis. Tumor invasion and metastasis, key characteristics of malignancies, significantly impact patient prognosis. Tumor cells frequently exhibit metabolic abnormalities in mitochondria, including alterations in metabolic dynamics and changes in the expression of relevant metabolic genes and associated signal transduction pathways. Recent investigations unveil further insights into mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities, revealing their active involvement in tumor cell proliferation, resistance to chemotherapy, and a crucial role in tumor cell invasion and metastasis. This paper comprehensively outlines the latest research advancements in mitochondrial structure and metabolic function. Emphasis is placed on summarizing the role of mitochondrial metabolic abnormalities in tumor invasion and metastasis, including alterations in the mitochondrial genome (mutations), activation of mitochondrial-to-nuclear signaling, and dynamics within the mitochondria, all intricately linked to the processes of tumor invasion and metastasis. In conclusion, the paper discusses unresolved scientific questions in this field, aiming to provide a theoretical foundation and novel perspectives for developing innovative strategies targeting tumor invasion and metastasis based on mitochondrial biology. Graphical Abstract

Abstract Background Intervertebral disc degeneration (IVDD) is one of the etiologic factors of degenerative spinal diseases, which can lead to a variety of pathological spinal conditions such as disc herniation, spinal stenosis, and scoliosis. IVDD is a leading cause of lower back pain, the prevalence of which increases with age. Recently, Sirtuins/SIRTs and their related activators have received attention for their activity in the treatment of IVDD. In this paper, a comprehensive systematic review of the literature on the role of SIRTs and their activators on IVDD in recent years is presented. The molecular pathways involved in the regulation of IVDD by SIRTs are summarized, and the effects of SIRTs on senescence, inflammatory responses, oxidative stress, and mitochondrial dysfunction in myeloid cells are discussed with a view to suggesting possible solutions for the current treatment of IVDD. Purpose This paper focuses on the molecular mechanisms by which SIRTs and their activators act on IVDD. Methods A literature search was conducted in Pubmed and Web of Science databases over a 13-year period from 2011 to 2024 for the terms “SIRT”, “Sirtuin”, “IVDD”, “IDD”, “IVD”, “NP”, “Intervertebral disc degeneration”, “Intervertebral disc” and “Nucleus pulposus”. Results According to the results, SIRTs and a large number of activators showed positive effects against IVDD.SIRTs modulate autophagy, myeloid apoptosis, oxidative stress and extracellular matrix degradation. In addition, they attenuate inflammatory factor-induced disc damage and maintain homeostasis during disc degeneration. Several clinical studies have reported the protective effects of some SIRTs activators (e.g., resveratrol, melatonin, honokiol, and 1,4-dihydropyridine) against IVDD. Conclusion The fact that SIRTs and their activators play a hundred different roles in IVDD helps to better understand their potential to develop further treatments for IVDD. Novelty This review summarizes current information on the mechanisms of action of SIRTs in IVDD and the challenges and limitations of translating their basic research into therapy.

The global narrative around domestic energy security is dominated by the paradigm of import-dependent countries, and as a result the interactions of energy export activities with domestic energy systems are not generally considered. In this paper, we apply a systems approach to establish two potential blind spots in evaluating the whole-of-system energy security of energy resource exporters (actual primary energy self-sufficiency and export exposure of the domestic energy system), and examine some case studies, primarily in the Australian context, to validate the existence of these blind spots. The commencement of LNG exports from the state of Queensland is examined in detail. Furthermore, we propose two novel quantitative indicators to mitigate the blind spots established. First, a revised method is proposed to calculate energy self-sufficiency, showing for the exporters studied a less secure position than shown by the traditional method. Second, an indicator is proposed to quantify the extent of exposure of the domestic energy system to international markets through export linkages, which we have applied to Australia’s domestic energy system, showing the extent of the increase in international exposure since LNG exports from Queensland commenced in 2015–2016. Conclusions of this paper include the realization that domestic energy security for energy exporters, such as Australia and the other countries examined, is more complex and, in the cases examined, less secure than importer-oriented energy security frameworks have previously recognized. A further conclusion is established that the decoupling of energy resource exports from the domestic energy system through transition to a zero-carbon energy system based on domestic renewable energy sources can be an effective means of improving Australia’s energy security.

Selective recognition of fructosyl amino acids in water by arylboronic acid-based receptors is a central field of modern supramolecular chemistry that impacts biological and medicinal chemistry. Fructosyl valine (FV) and fructosyl glycyl histidine (FGH) occur as N-terminal moieties of human glycated hemoglobin; therefore, the molecular design of biomimetic receptors is an attractive, but very challenging goal. Herein, we report three novel cationic Zn-terpyridine complexes bearing a fluorescent N-quinolinium nucleus covalently linked to three different isomers of strongly acidified phenylboronic acids (ortho-, 2Zn; meta-, 3Zn and para-, 4Zn) for the optical recognition of FV, FGH and comparative analytes (D -fructose, Gly, Val and His) in pure water at physiological pH. The complexes were designed to act as fluorescent receptors using a cooperative action of boric acid and a metal chelate. Complex 3Zn was found to display the most acidic –B(OH)2 group (pKa = 6.98) and exceptionally tight affinity for FV (K = 1.43 × 105 M−1) with a strong quenching analytical response in the micromolar concentration range. The addition of fructose and the other amino acids only induced moderate optical changes. On the basis of several spectroscopic tools (1H, 11B NMR, UV-Vis, and fluorescence titrations), ESI mass spectrometry, X-ray crystal structure, and DFT calculations, the interaction mode between 3Zn and FV is proposed in a 1 : 1 model through a cooperative two-point recognition involving a sp3 boronate–diol esterification with simultaneous coordination bonding of the carboxylate group of Val to the Zn atom. Fluorescence quenching is attributed to a static complexation photoinduced electron transfer mechanism as evidenced by lifetime experiments. The addition of FGH to 3Zn notably enhanced its emission intensity with micromolar affinity, but with a lower apparent binding constant than that observed for FV. FGH interacts with 3Zn through boronate–diol complexation and coordination of the imidazole ring of His. DFT-optimized structures of complexes 3Zn–FV and 3Zn–FGH show a picture of binding which shows that the Zn-complex has a suitable (B⋯Zn) distance to the two-point recognition with these analytes. Molecular recognition of fructosyl amino acids by transition-metal-based receptors has not been explored until now. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background Positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABAB receptor constitute a new class of GABAB-receptor ligands. GABAB PAMs reproduce several pharmacological effects of the orthosteric GABAB receptor agonist, baclofen, although displaying a better safety profile. Aims This paper reviews the reducing or, frequently, even suppressing effects of all GABAB PAMs tested to date on multiple alcohol-related behaviours in laboratory rodents exposed to validated experimental models of human alcohol use disorder. Results Acute or repeated treatment with CGP7930, GS39783, BHF177, rac -BHFF, ADX71441, CMPPE, COR659, ASP8062, KK-92A, and ORM-27669 reduced excessive alcohol drinking, relapse- and binge-like drinking, operant alcohol self-administration, reinstatement of alcohol seeking, and alcohol-induced conditioned place preference in rats and mice. Conclusions These effects closely mirrored those of baclofen; notably, they were associated to remarkably lower levels of tolerance and toxicity. The recent transition of ASP8062 to clinical testing will soon prove whether these highly consistent preclinical data translate to AUD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Providing hands-on practical education without access to laboratories during the Covid-19 pandemic has required creativity and innovation. In this paper, co-authored by academic staff and students, we describe an at-home mobile phone-based 'spectrophotometer' experiment used in an introductory undergraduate biology course. Using colour picker apps, a smartphone can be used to quantify concentration, which was used to compare the strengths of different brands of tea. The protocol is designed to be low-cost and safe to perform outside of a laboratory. Students used the methods to learn important biochemical methods such as preparing dilutions, constructing calibration curves, normalising data and testing a hypothesis. We reflect on the experience of developing and using the protocol from a staff and student perspective, which highlights the advantages of this approach in terms of student independence and inclusivity. We also suggest alternative experiments that could be performed using the protocol. We encourage biology educators to think creatively about the possibilities for using mobile phones or at-home experiments in their teaching. Our experience suggests that at-home experiments like this protocol will have value even after the pandemic is over, particularly in terms of inclusivity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The authors, a chemistry professor and a librarian, used a qualitative survey to assess student perceptions of a Wikipedia editing assignment that they included in a large upper-level biochemistry course. The assignment was initially intended as a public-facing alternative to a short research paper, emphasizing information literacy and scientific literacy. The goal of the survey was to use the results to enhance the assignment. The results of the survey and research for the literature review inspired a novel approach to the assignment using the perspective of metaliteracy. This approach encourages students to think critically about their role as scholars in a participatory environment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

End of life care in dementia is important to avoid patients receiving unnecessary investigations and treatments. In this paper, the authors discuss the final stage of dementia, illustrating this with a case example reflecting what is frequently encountered in hospital practice. The distinction is drawn between 'terminal inanition' of dementia and the more protracted cachexia, sarcopenia and progressive frailty that accompanies advancing dementia, with best practice clinical care considerations for palliative care outlined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A large number of medical experiments have confirmed that the features of drugs have a close correlation with their molecular structure. Drug properties can be obtained by studying the molecular structure of corresponding drugs. The calculation of the topological index of a drug structure enables scientists to have a better understanding of the physical chemistry and biological characteristics of drugs. In this paper, we obtain the exact formulas by virtue of the edge-partition method for m S O α (G) and K A (α , β) 1 (G). By the appropriate choice of parameters α and β , several new/old inequalities that reveal relationships between various topological indices are obtained. Our results remedy the lack of medicine experiments, thus providing a theoretical basis for pharmaceutical engineering. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Licorice (Glycyrrhiza) is a medicinal and food homologue of perennial plants derived from the dried roots and rhizomes of the genus Glycyrrhiza in the legume family. In recent years, the comprehensive utilization of licorice resources has attracted people's attention. It is widely utilized to treat diseases, health food products, food production, and other industrial applications. Furthermore, numerous bioactive components of licorice are found using advanced extraction processes, which mainly include polyphenols (flavonoids, dihydrostilbenes, benzofurans, and coumarin), triterpenoids, polysaccharides, alkaloids, and volatile oils, all of which have been reported to possess a variety of pharmacological characteristics, including anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, antiviral, anticancer, neuroprotective, antidepressive, antidiabetic, antiparasitic, antisex hormone, skin effects, anticariogenic, antitussive, and expectorant activities. Thereby, all of these compounds promote the development of novel and more effective licorice-derived products. This paper reviews the progress of research on extraction techniques, chemical composition, bioactivities, and applications of licorice to provide a reference for further development and application of licorice in different areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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We have identified a HRP enzyme with microcrystalline cellulose activity, which has not yet been explored. The current study investigated the effect of HRP pretreatment on the microcrystalline cellulose substrates, Avicel and filter paper. SEM findings showed that HRP pretreatment catalysed the para-microcrystalline regions of Avicel, cracking and opening the pores on the surface. On filter paper, HRP removed the para-microcrystalline regions exposing fibres. Crystallinity index (CrI) analysis confirmed that HRP increased the CrI of Avicel from 49 % to 54.19 % and filter paper from 42 % to 47 %. The cellulose crystallite sizes increased from 45 to 47 nm at the 002 lattices in Avicel, suggesting a reduction of crystalline cellulose. In addition, endoglucanase displayed 1.15-fold increased activity on HRP-pretreated Avicel, confirming reduced crystalline cellulose. These findings showed that HRP pretreatment changed the structural and chemical properties of Avicel, i.e., loosening crystalline cellulose to make the substrate accessible to enzymes during hydrolysis. Finally, these findings were supported by rooibos microcrystalline cellulose modification post-HRP pretreatment, resulting in a 95 % yield of soluble sugars at 25 mg enzyme cocktail/g biomass.