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• It emphasizes the critical importance of novel therapeutic approaches. • It is the first to discusses the functions of L-cysteine in the anxiety. • It provides an overview of the basic features of L-cysteine. • It presents potential mechanism of L-cysteine in the treatment of anxiety. • It reviews the pathogenesis and neuroanatomical basis of anxiety disorders. Anxiety disorders are prevalent chronic psychological disease with complex pathogenic mechanisms. Current anxiolytics have limited efficacy and numerous side effects in many anxiety patients, highlighting the urgent need for new therapies. Recent research has been focusing on nutritional supplements, particularly amino acids, as potential therapies for anxiety disorders. Among these, L-Cysteine plays a crucial role in various biological processes. L-Cysteine exhibits antioxidant properties that can enhance the antioxidant functions of the central nervous system (CNS). Furthermore, metabolites of L-cysteine, such as glutathione and hydrogen sulfide have been shown to alleviate anxiety through distinct molecular mechanisms. Long-term administration of L-Cysteine has anxiolytic, antidepressant, and memory-improving effects. L-Cysteine depletion can lead to increased oxidative stress in the brain. This review delves into the potential mechanisms of L-Cysteine and its main products, glutathione (GSH) and hydrogen sulfide (H2S) in the management of anxiety and related diseases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Researchers have reported the benefits of feeding rumen-protected methionine (RPM) during the peripartum on the health parameters of dairy cows. Rumen-protected Met has reportedly improved milk yield, milk components, and liver health, but the literature is scarce on its effects in commercial herds. Therefore, we aimed to determine the effects of feeding RPM (Smartamine M, Adisseo Inc., Antony, France) prepartum (8 g/cow per day) and postpartum (15 g/cow per day) on performance, metabolic profile, and culling rate of Holstein cows in a commercial herd. One hundred sixty-six (n = 166) Holstein cows, 58 nulliparous and 108 parous, were randomly assigned to 1 of 2 dietary treatments, consisting of TMR top-dressed with RPM (RPMet; 2.35% and 2.24% Met of MP for close-up and fresh cows, respectively) or without (control [CON] 2.03% and 1.89% Met of MP for close-up and fresh cows, respectively), fed from 21 ± 6 d prepartum until 16 ± 5 d postpartum. From 17 DIM until dry-off, all cows received RPMet. Daily milk yield was recorded, and milk samples were collected in the first and second weeks after calving to determine their composition. Blood samples were collected before the morning feeding on −14, −7, +1, +7, and +14 d relative to calving. Mortality and morbidity were recorded during the first 60 DIM. Cows supplemented with RPMet had greater milk yield during the first 16 DIM (31.76 vs. 30.37 kg/d; SEM = 1.04, respectively), and had greater milk fat content (4.45 vs. 4.10%; SEM = 0.11, respectively), but not milk total protein (3.47 vs. 3.39%; SEM = 0.04, respectively) and casein contents (2.74 vs. 2.66%; SEM = 0.04, respectively) than CON cows. Cows in RPMet had increased plasma Met concentrations than cows in CON (24.9 vs. 21.0 µmol/L; SEM = 1.2, respectively). Although morbidity was similar between treatments, the culling rate from calving until 60 DIM was lower for RPMet cows than for CON cows (2.4% vs. 12.1%; SEM = 0.02). In conclusion, cows receiving RPMet have greater milk yield, improved milk fat content, and a lower culling rate at 60 DIM than CON cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alternative mRNA splicing promotes the diversity of protein isoforms. Metabolic regulation of mRNA splicing enables cells to adapt their proteome to external stimuli. The interplay between metabolites and alternative mRNA splicing can take place through biochemical and biophysical changes of cellular compartments in which splicing takes place and/or through interactions between metabolites and splicing factors. Central cell signaling pathways that are regulated by metabolites crosstalk with alternative splicing regulators. Alternative mRNA splicing enables the diversification of the proteome from a static genome and confers plasticity and adaptiveness on cells. Although this is often explored in development, where hard-wired programs drive the differentiation and specialization, alternative mRNA splicing also offers a way for cells to react to sudden changes in outside stimuli such as small-molecule metabolites. Fluctuations in metabolite levels and availability in particular convey crucial information to which cells react and adapt. We summarize and highlight findings surrounding the metabolic regulation of mRNA splicing. We discuss the principles underlying the biochemistry and biophysical properties of mRNA splicing, and propose how these could intersect with metabolite levels. Further, we present examples in which metabolites directly influence RNA-binding proteins and splicing factors. We also discuss the interplay between alternative mRNA splicing and metabolite-responsive signaling pathways. We hope to inspire future research to obtain a holistic picture of alternative mRNA splicing in response to metabolic cues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The list of standard abbreviations for JDS is available at adsa.org/jds-abbreviations-24. Nonstandard abbreviations are available in the Notes. Milk protein production is the largest draw on AA supplies for lactating dairy cattle. Prior NRC predictions of milk protein production have been absorbed protein (MP)-based and used a first-limiting nutrient concept to integrate the effects of energy and protein, which yielded poor accuracy and precision (root mean squared error [RMSE] >21%). Using a meta-data set gathered, various alternative equation forms considering MP, absorbed total EAA, absorbed individual EAA, and digested energy (DE) supplies as additive drivers of production were evaluated, and all were found to be superior in statistical performance to the first limitation approach (RMSE = 14%–15%). Inclusion of DE intake and a quadratic term for MP or absorbed EAA supplies were found to be necessary to achieve intercept estimates (nonproductive protein use) that were similar to the factorial estimates of the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (2021). The partial linear slope for MP was found to be 0.409, which is consistent with the observed slope bias of −0.34 g/g when a slope of 0.67 was used for MP efficiency in a first-limiting nutrient system. Replacement of MP with the supplies of individual absorbed EAA expressed in grams per day and a common quadratic across the EAA resulted in unbiased predictions with improved statistical performance as compared with MP-based models. Based on Akaike's information criterion and biological consistency, the best equations included absorbed His, Ile, Lys, Met, Thr, the NEAA, and individual DE intakes from fatty acids, NDF, residual OM, and starch. Several also contained a term for absorbed Leu. These equations generally had RMSE of 14.3% and a concordance correlation of 0.76. Based on the common quadratic and individual linear terms, milk protein response plateaus were predicted at approximately 320 g/d of absorbed His, Ile, and Lys; 395 g/d of absorbed Thr; 550 g/d of absorbed Met; and 70 g/d of absorbed Leu. Therefore, responses to each except Leu are almost linear throughout the normal in vivo range. De-aggregation of the quadratic term and parsing to individual absorbed EAA resulted in nonbiological estimates for several EAA indicating over-parameterization. Expression of the EAA as g/100 g total absorbed EAA or as ratios of DE intake and using linear and quadratic terms for each EAA resulted in similar statistical performance, but the solutions had identifiability problems and several nonbiological parameter estimates. The use of ratios also introduced nonlinearity in the independent variables which violates linear regression assumptions. Further screening of the global model using absorbed EAA expressed as grams per day with a common quadratic using an all-models approach, and exhaustive cross-evaluation indicated the parameter estimates for BW, all 4 DE terms, His, Ile, Lys, Met, and the common quadratic term were stable, whereas estimates for Leu and Thr were known with less certainty. Use of independent and additive terms and a quadratic expression in the equation results in variable efficiencies of conversion. The additivity also provides partial substitution among the nutrients. Both of these prevent establishment of fixed nutrient requirements in support of milk protein production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objectives were to determine the effects of reducing dietary CP concentration on nutrient digestibility, rumen function, N balance, and serum AA concentration for dairy cows in late lactation. At the initiation of the experimental period, we stratified Holstein cows (n = 128; mean ± SD 224 ± 54 DIM) by parity and days pregnant (86 ± 25 d) and assigned them to 1 of 16 pens. For 3 wk, all cows received a covariate diet containing 16.9% CP (DM basis). For the subsequent 12 wk, we assigned pens to 1 of 4 treatments containing 16.2%, 14.4%, 13.4%, or 11.9% CP (DM basis) in a randomized complete block design. Diets were fed as a TMR once daily. To reduce dietary CP, we replaced soybean meal with soybean hulls in the concentrate mix (DM basis). Diet evaluations suggested that several EAA, especially His, limited productivity as dietary CP declined. Digestibility of DM and CP decreased linearly with dietary CP reduction. Digestibility of NDF and potentially digestible NDF tended to respond in a quadratic pattern with the greatest digestibility at intermediate treatments. The reduction in dietary CP did not affect ruminal pH, but ruminal ammonia-N and branched-chain VFA concentrations declined linearly. The concentration of milk urea-N and plasma urea-N, secretion of milk N, and excretions of fecal N, urinary N, urinary urea-N, and unaccounted N decreased linearly with the reduction in dietary CP concentration. Urinary N expressed as a percentage of N intake was unaffected by dietary CP. Serum concentrations of total essential AA and NEAA were unaffected by dietary CP concentration. However, the ratio of essential to NEAA decreased with decreasing dietary CP. Serum 3-methylhistidine concentration increased linearly with decreasing dietary CP concentration, indicating greater skeletal muscle breakdown. Although our trial confirmed that reducing dietary CP decreased absolute excretion of urinary N, diet evaluations suggested that milk protein production decreased as certain essential AA became increasingly limited. Thus, reduced-CP diets have the potential to lessen reactive-N outputs of late-lactation cows, but more research is needed to design diets that minimize deleterious effects on productivity. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metastasis and recurrence are the main causes of death in post-operative bladder cancer (BC), emphasizing the importance of exploring early-stage diagnostic markers. Serum biomarkers constitute a promising diagnostic approach for asymptomatic stage cancer as they are non-invasive, have high accuracy and low cost. To correlate concentrations of plasma amino acids with BC progression to assess their utility as an early-stage diagnostic. Newly diagnosed BC patients (n = 95) and normal controls (n = 96) were recruited during the period from 1 December 2018 to 30 December 2020. General and food frequency questionnaires established their basic information and dietary intake data. Venous blood samples were collected from fasting subjects and used to detect levels of plasma amino acids by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Verification was performed on the GSE13507 transcriptome gene expression matrix of BC from Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database. Eleven amino acids have been identified as altered in the plasma of newly diagnosed BC patients compared to controls (P < 0.05). Adjusted by gender, education, smoking and other factors, plasma ornithine level (OR = 0.256, 95% CI: 0.104–0.630) is a protective factor for BC, plasma levels of methionine (OR = 3.460, 95% CI: 1.384–8.651), arginine (OR = 3.851, 95% CI: 1.542–9.616), and glutamate (OR = 3.813, 95% CI: 1.543–9.419) are all risk factors for BC. ROC analysis demonstrated that the combination of plasma ornithine, methionine, arginine and glutamate could accurately diagnose BC (AUC = 0.84, 95% CI: 0.747–0.833). In addition, the mRNA level of arginase 1 was decreased (P < 0.05), while the inducible nitric oxide synthase was increased significantly, which may be linked with the disturbance of arginine metabolism in BC patients. Further analysis of GEO database confirmed the role of arginine metabolism. A biomarker panel containing four amino acids may provide a feasible strategy for the early diagnosis of BC. However, further validation is required through prospective studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ca & Fe co-application enhances photosynthesis, growth and berry quality. • Ca & Fe co-application increases berry size, weight and yield. • Balanced Ca & Fe supply enhances sugars, amino acids and flavonoids in grapes. • Ca & Fe co-application offers holistic approach to optimize vineyard management. Iron (Fe) and calcium (Ca) are pivotal elements influencing grape growth and wine quality. However, the combined effects of these fertilizers on grape physiology and berry quality remain elusive. Herein, we established four treatments: no fertilization (CK), foliar Ca fertilization (Ca1Fe0), foliar Fe fertilization (Ca0Fe1), and foliar co-application of Ca and Fe (Ca1Fe1), to unravel their impacts. Ca1Fe1 remarkably enhanced grape leaf photosynthesis, elevated chlorophyll content, and augmented amino acids, flavanols, flavonols, and anthocyanins in berries, culminating in a yield increase of 8.36 %. Correlation analysis revealed that Ca1Fe1 bolstered crop light-use efficiency and secondary metabolism, amplifying berry quality and yield. Principal component analysis underscored the profound synergism of iron and calcium co-application, profoundly enhancing fruit quality and yield. These findings offer vital theoretical underpinnings for future fertilizer strategies aiming to enhance berry and wine quality and nutritional value. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Domestic sewage contained more oxygen-consuming substances than industrial wastewater. • Small molecular amino acids potentially served as high oxygen-consuming substances. • Biological process played an important role in oxygen consumption for domestic sewage. • FED2 calculation was applied to explore the key oxygen-consuming group for amino acids. The dissolved oxygen content in water is an important indicator for assessing the quality of the water environment, and maintaining a certain amount of dissolved oxygen is essential for the healthy development of the ecological environment. When a water body is anoxic, the activity of anaerobic microorganisms increases and organic matter is decomposed to produce a large number of blackening and odorizing substances, resulting in black and odorous water bodies, which is a very common and typical phenomenon in China. Presently, there is still a relatively universal occurrence of illicitly connected stormwater and sewage pipes in the urban drainage pipe network in China, which makes oxygen-consuming substances be directly discharged into rivers through stormwater pipes and consume the dissolved oxygen in the water bodies, resulting in an oxygen deficiency of the water. This induces seasonal or year-round black and stink phenomena in urban rivers. Hence, identifying high oxygen-consuming substances, which lays the foundation for the subsequent removal of oxygen-consuming substances, is essential. Through a series of comparisons of water quality indicators and analysis of organic characteristics, it was found that the oxygen consumption capacity of domestic sewage was higher than that of industrial wastewater in the selected area of this study, and the oxygen-consuming substances of domestic sewage were small molecular amino acids. By comparing 20 conventional free amino acids, it was found that seven of them consumed oxygen easily, and compared with chemical oxygen consumption, biological oxygen consumption was in a leading position. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Cd stress decreased the contents of Glu, Gly and Cys, while incereased the Cd contents of shoots and roots significantly. • Cd stress induced the rapid and active expression of GhPCS gene in leaves, while the relatively stable and cumulative expression in roots. • The improved expression of GhPCS gene increased the accumulation of Cd in plant. • The expression of GhPCS gene had a certain space-time specificity under Cd stress in cotton plant. Cadmium (Cd)-contaminated soil has seriously endangered the agricultural ecological environment, food security and human health. The large biomass, strong capacity of Cd accumulation, and non-edible properties of fiber are the characteristics of cotton, which make it unique in both agricultural production and the remediation of Cd pollution in soil. Phytochelatin synthase (PCS) is a key enzyme that catalyzes the synthesis of phytochelatin, and its gene expression is regulated by tissue development and Cd stress. In this experiment, the morphological and physiological characteristics of cotton seedlings were examined, and the PCS gene was cloned and its expression was analyzed in cotton leaves and roots under Cd stress. The results showed that Cd stress caused a decrease in the biomass of roots, stems and leaves of cotton seedlings, and the plants were slender and severely dehydrated, resulting in a decrease in the contents of glutamic acid (Glu), glycine (Gly) and cysteine (Cys), but a increase in the activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), catalase (CAT), ascorbate peroxidase (APX), glutathione reductase (GR), and the content of malondialdehyde (MDA). The Cd contents of shoots and roots increased significantly, and the contents of Cu, Mn, Mg, K in shoots and Mn, Mg, K in roots decreased under Cd stress, while Cu in roots increased. A 1473 bp GhPCS gene was cloned, which can encode 491 amino acid residues. With the increasing Cd concentration and the extension of treatment time, the expression of GhPCS gene in leaves and roots showed dose and time effects. The expression of the GhPCS gene in cotton leaves increased to the highest at 48 h under 200 μM Cd, and reached a maximum at 24 h under 400 μM Cd, indicating that the GhPCS gene in leaves was rapidly and actively expressed in response to high concentration of Cd. The expression of GhPCS gene in roots was lower than that in leaves under different Cd concentrations, and reached the maximum at 48 h, indicating that the GhPCS gene in roots had relatively stable adaptability to Cd stress. And Cd stress improved the expression of GhPCS gene, especially in roots, which in turn increased the accumulation of Cd in shoots and roots. This study provides a theoretical basis for further research on the functional characteristics of the GhPCS gene and its molecular mechanism in cotton under Cd pollution in soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Water is vital for humans' survival and general health, which is involved in various metabolic activities. Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the variation in urine metabolome and associated metabolic pathways among people with different hydration states. Methods: A metabolomic analysis was conducted using 24-h urine samples collected during a cross-sectional study on fluid intake behavior from December 9 to 11, 2021, in Hebei, China. Subjects were divided into the optimal hydration (OH, ≤500 mOsm/kg, n = 21), middle hydration (500-800 mOsm/kg, n = 33), and hypohydration groups (HH, >800 mOsm/kg, n = 13) based on the 3-d average 24-h urine osmolality. Collected 24-h urine samples from 67 subjects (43 males and 34 females) were analyzed for urine metabolome using liquid chromatography-MS. Results: The untargeted metabolomic analysis yielded 1055 metabolites by peak intensities. Integrating the results of the orthogonal projections to latent structures discriminant analysis and fold change test, 115 differential metabolites between the OH and HH groups, including phospholipids (PLs) and lysophospholipids, were identified. Among the 115 metabolites identified as differential metabolites, 85 were recorded by the Human Metabolome Database and uploaded to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes databases for pathway analysis. Twenty-one metabolic pathways were recognized. Phenylalanine metabolism (0.50, P = 0.007), phenylalanine, tyrosine, and tryptophan biosynthesis (0.50, P = 0.051), glycerophospholipid metabolism (0.31, P < 0.001), sphingolipid metabolism (0.27, P = 0.029), and cysteine and methionine metabolism (0.10, P = 0.066) had the leading pathway impacts. Conclusions: We found variations in the urinary PLs and amino acids among subjects with different hydration states. Pathways associated with these differential metabolites could further impact various physiologic and pathologic functions. A more comprehensive and in-depth investigation of the physiologic and pathologic impact of the hydration state and the underlying mechanisms to elucidate and advocate optimal fluid intake habits is needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Three soil inorganic amendments (SIAs) were used to produce safe rice. • SIA increased the iron plaque on rice root and decreased the transfer of Cd from rice root to grain. • SIA increased contents of total and key amino acids in brown rice. • Key amino acids (KAAs) were closely related to indigestible Cd in brown rice. • A priming effect of KAAs could stimulate to reduce Cd digestibility when Cd in rice reached a certain degree. The digestibility of cadmium (Cd) in brown rice is directly related to amino acid metabolism in rice and human health. In our field study, three kinds of alkaline calcium-rich soil inorganic amendments (SIAs) at three dosages were applied to produce safe rice and improve the quality of rice in Cd-contaminated paddy. With the increased application of SIA, Cd content in iron plaque on rice root significantly increased, the transfer of Cd from rice root to grain significantly decreased, and then Cd content in brown rice decreased synchronously. The vitro digestibility of Cd in brown rice was estimated by a physiologically based extraction test. Results showed that more than 70% of Cd in brown rice could be digested by simulated gastrointestinal juice. Based on the total and digestible Cd contents in brown rice to evaluate the health risk, the application of 2.25 ton SIA/ha could produce safe rice in acidic slightly Cd-contaminated paddy soils. The amino acids (AAs) in brown rice were determined by high-performance liquid chromatography. The contents of 5 key AAs (KAAs) that actively respond to environmental changes increased significantly with the increased application of SIA. The structural equation model indicated that KAAs could be affected by the Cd translocation capacity from rice root to grain, and consequently altered the ratio of indigestible Cd in brown rice. The formation of indigestible KAAs-Cd complexes by combining KAAs (phenylalanine, leucine, histidine, glutamine, and asparagine) with Cd in brown rice could be considered a potential mechanism for reducing the digestibility of Cd. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Spermidine had a positive effect on somatic embryogenesis of Lang Bian ginseng. • The fluctuations of endogenous hormones during somatic embryogenesis were recorded. • Spermidine at 0.1 mM concentration increased the activity of antioxidant enzymes. • AgNPs improved the rhizome formation rate of Lang Bian ginseng. Lang Bian ginseng (Panax vietnamensis var. langbianensis) is a rare and traditional herbal medicine with many pharmacological activities. It was first discovered by Duy et al. (2016) in Lam Dong province, Vietnam. Until now, there has been only one publication on Lang Bian ginseng micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis (Anh et al., 2022). However, this study still had limitations, including the small number of somatic embryos and the time-consuming. This study investigated the effect of spermidine, glutamine, and proline on the enhancement of somatic embryogenesis (SE) of Lang Bian ginseng using thin cell layer culture technology. The results showed that the optimal SE rate and the number of somatic embryos per explant were achieved on MS medium supplemented with 0.01 mM spermidine in leaf explants (93.32 % and 54.20 embryos, respectively) and petiole explants (96.66 % and 68.80 embryos, respectively) and higher compared to these in other treatments, including control, glutamine, and proline treatments. Besides, adding 0.01 mM spermidine to the culture medium also improved the quality of somatic embryos, mainly cotyledonary stage, through an enhanced synthesis of antioxidant enzymes [catalase (CAT) and superoxide dismutase (SOD), and ascorbate peroxidase (APX)]. In addition, the fluctuations of endogenous hormones during initiation and maturation of SE derived from 0.01 mM spermidine treatment were recorded. Endogenous CKs (ZEA, 2iP, KIN, mT), IAA, and GA 3 concentrations were the highest during the induction stage in both explants. Meanwhile, the remaining endogenous hormones (MEL, ABA, and SA) exhibited no inevitable fluctuation trends. In addition, IAA was only detected at the induction stage of SE in both explants. Moreover, cotyledonary somatic embryos derived from 0.01 mM spermidine treatment grew well in MS medium supplemented with 1.2 mg/L AgNPs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Levels of circulating amino acids (AAs) have been suggested to be associated with cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). This study aimed to develop a plasma-free amino acid (PFAA)-based CVD risk-prediction model in a general population. The study participants consisted of 9220 community residents (mean age, 53.2 years; standard deviation, 13.3 years). Circulating levels of 19 PFAAs were measured via high-performance liquid chromatography/electrospray ionization mass spectrometry. The incidence of CVDs was determined by reviewing participants' clinical records. The prediction model was developed using the Cox proportional hazards model with the brute force variable selection and then cross-validated. During the 8.5-year follow-up, 220 CVD events were observed. Six AAs (alanine, citrulline, glycine, histidine, serine, and tyrosine) were identified as components of the prediction model, of which the C-index was 0.72. The association between the fourth quartile of the risk score calculated using the prediction model and the CVD events was independent of conventional risk factors (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.9; 95 % confidence interval, 1.1–3.3). When examining crude relationships between conventional risk factors and the PFAA-based risk score by subgroup analyses, the association was significant for most subpopulations, men [crude HR = 6.4 (2.0–20.2)] and women [crude HR = 4.9 (2.6–9.3)], and individuals with [crude HR = 4.7 (2.5–8.9)] and without [crude HR = 7.2 (2.7–18.9)] lifestyle-related diseases, but not for older (≥70 years) participants [crude HR = 3.3 (0.8–13.5)]. The risk score successfully identified at-risk individuals [HR = 2.1 (1.2–3.5)] from participants who were classified as low risk by a conventional CVD risk score. The PFAA-based risk score predicted CVD events independently of conventional risk factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biosurfactant surfactin has a high market value and broad application prospects in the food industry and various industrial fields. However, its production efficiency limits its suitability for real applications. In this study, a new Bacillus subtilis (sp.) 50499 strain was isolated from crude oil-contaminated soil and used to efficiently produce surfactin. The initial surfactin titer was 2.25 g/L after three days of fermentation. Adding 2 g/L of L-Leu significantly improved the titer to over 5.5 g/L after optimizing the culture medium at 37 ℃. However, adding D-Leu had the opposite effect on surfactin production, and the surfactin titer dropped to below 0.2 g/L. Furthermore, the product of this strain was analyzed to confirm the identity of surfactin. The surfactin obtained in the present study reduced the surface tension of water to 28.6 mN/m at a critical micelle concentration of 20 mg/L. The emulsification index against n-hexane, corn, and crude oil was as high as over 90%. Hence, the present study provides a newly over-producing strain for surfactin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During the development of therapeutic microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs), it is essential to define their pharmacological actions. Rather, miRNA research and therapy mainly use miRNA mimics synthesized in vitro. After experimental screening of unique recombinant miRNAs produced in vivo , three lead antiproliferative miRNAs against human NSCLC cells, miR-22-3p, miR-9-5p, and miR-218-5p, were revealed to target folate metabolism by bioinformatic analyses. Recombinant miR-22-3p, miR-9-5p, and miR-218-5p were shown to regulate key folate metabolic enzymes to inhibit folate metabolism and subsequently alter amino acid metabolome in NSCLC A549 and H1975 cells. Isotope tracing studies further confirmed the disruption of one-carbon transfer from serine to folate metabolites by all three miRNAs, inhibition of glucose uptake by miR-22-3p, and reduction of serine biosynthesis from glucose by miR-9-5p and -218-5p in NSCLC cells. With greater activities to interrupt NSCLC cell respiration, glycolysis, and colony formation than miR-9-5p and -218-5p, recombinant miR-22-3p was effective to reduce tumor growth in two NSCLC patient-derived xenograft mouse models without causing any toxicity. These results establish a common antifolate mechanism and differential actions on glucose uptake and metabolism for three lead anticancer miRNAs as well as antitumor efficacy for miR-22-3p nanomedicine, which shall provide insight into developing antimetabolite RNA therapies. A common action on folate one-carbon metabolism, and differential effects on glucose transport and biotransformation to serine were established for three anticancer recombinant miRNAs. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Organic matter sources in lake sediments are influenced by agricultural crops. • Temperature variations affect organic carbon and amino acids contents. • Organic matter degradation in lake sediments is highest in spring. Degradation of organic matter (OM) in sediments is a key link in nutrient cycling and sedimentation processes in lakes. The aim of this study was to explore the degradation of OM in surface sediments of a shallow lake (Baiyangdian Lake, China) under seasonal temperature variations. For this, we used the amino acid-based degradation index (DI) and the spatiotemporal distribution characteristics and sources of OM. Sediment OM in the lake mainly originated from freshwater aquatic plants and terrestrial C4 plants. The sediment at some sampling sites was affected by surrounding crops. The organic carbon and total nitrogen contents, and the total hydrolyzed amino acid concentrations in the sediments were highest in summer and lowest in winter. The lowest DI occurred in spring, which indicated that the OM in the surface sediment at this time was highly degraded and relatively stable, and the highest DI occurred in winter, which showed that the sediment was fresh. The water temperature was positively correlated with the organic carbon content (p < 0.01) and total hydrolyzed amino acids concentration (p < 0.05). Seasonal variations in the overlying water temperature had a large effect on OM degradation in the lake sediments. Our results will facilitate the management and restoration of lake sediments that suffer from endogenous release of OM in a warming climate. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To provide more acid-base active sites for the conversion of the insect lipid into biodiesel, three bifunctional heterogeneous catalysts (amino acid-PTA/ZIF-8) with different structures were designed and compared by modifying ZIF-8 with amino acid and phosphotungstic acid (PTA) as active species in the current research. The as-prepared amino acid-PTA/ZIF-8 composite catalyst features a large surface area and an increased acidity and basicity, thus combining the merits of acid and base with the heterogeneous microenvironment of ZIF-8. Meanwhile, various methods were used to investigate the physicochemical properties of the synthesized composite catalyst. Furthermore, the effects of reaction conditions on the esterification and transesterification of the acid model lipids were used to assess the best catalytic activity process. The optimum conditions (molar ratio of Arginine/PTA = 2:1, weight ratio of Arg 2 PTA/ZIF-8 = 3:1, reaction temperature = 60 °C, catalyst loading = 3 wt%, methanol/lipid molar ratio = 9:1, and stirring rate = 500 rpm) resulted in a maximum lipid conversion to biodiesel of 94.15%. In addition, the stability and reusability of the prepared catalysts with different structures during four reaction cycles were also demonstrated. Finally, the physicochemical properties of the biodiesel studied were measured and compared to the ASTM standard. Hence, this work provides great potential for acid-base functionalization of porous materials for future biodiesel production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The permeability of drug and their modifications was investigated in the presence of a rotating magnetic field. • The rotating magnetic field may increase the permeability of ibuprofen. • Structural modifications of ibuprofen increase the permeability of the active substance. • In the presence of a magnetic field, the isopropyl ester ibuprofenates penetrate at a similar level as ibuprofen compared to the non-field control. A method of increasing the permeability of ibuprofen through the skin using a rotating magnetic field (RMF) is presented. This study evaluated whether 50 Hz RMF modifies ibuprofen's permeability through the skin. Ibuprofen and its structural modifications in the form of ibuprofenates of isopropyl esters of L-amino acids such as L-valine, L-phenylalanine, L-proline, and L-aspartic acid were used in the research. To this end, Franz cells with skin as membrane were exposed to 50 Hz RMF with 5% ibuprofen and its derivatives in an ethanol solution for 48 h. Following the exposures, the amount of penetrated compound was analysed. Regardless of the compound tested, a significant increase in drug transport through the skin was observed. The differences in the first 30 min of permeation are particularly noticeable. Furthermore, it was shown that using RMF increases the permeability of ibuprofen from 4 to 244 times compared to the test without the RMF. The greatest differences were observed for unmodified ibuprofen. However, it is noteworthy that the largest amounts of the active substance were obtained with selected modifications and exposure to RMF. The RMF may be an innovative and interesting technology that increases the penetration of anti-inflammatory and anti-ache drugs through the skin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Femtosecond laser direct write (fs-LDW) is a promising technology for three-dimensional (3D) printing due to its high resolution, flexibility, and versatility. A protein solution can be used as a precursor to fabricate 3D proteinaceous microstructures that retain the protein's native function. The large diversity of protein molecules with different native functions allows diverse applications of this technology. However, our limited understanding of the mechanism of the printing process restricts the design and generation of 3D microstructures for biomedical applications. Therefore, we used eight commercially available homopeptides as precursors for fs-LDW of 3D structures. Our experimental results show that tyrosine, histidine, glutamic acid, and lysine contribute more to the fabrication process than do proline, threonine, phenylalanine, and alanine. In particular, we show that tyrosine is highly beneficial in the fabrication process. The beneficial effect of the charged amino acids glutamic acid and lysine suggests that the printing mechanism involves ions in addition to the previously proposed radical mechanism. Our results further suggest that the uneven electron density over larger amino acid molecules is key in aiding fs-LDW. The findings presented here will help generate more desired 3D proteinaceous microstructures by modifying protein precursors with beneficial amino acids. Femtosecond laser direct write (fs-LDW) offers a three-dimensional (3D) printing capability for creating well-defined micro-and nanostructures. Applying this technology to proteins enables the manufacture of complex biomimetic 3D micro-and nanoarchitectures with retention of their original protein functions. To our knowledge, homopeptides themselves have never been used as precursor for fs-LDW so far. Our study gains several new insights into the 3D printing mechanism of pure protein for the first time. We believe that the experimental evidence presented greatly benefits the community of 3D printing of protein in particular and the biomaterial science community in general. With the gained insight, we aspire to expand the possibilities of biomaterial and biomedical applications of this technique. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ti 3 C 2 T x -based modified separation materials are widely used in the field of wastewater separation, but most of them have poor fluxes. Here, grafting of l -cysteine and l -histidine onto polydopamine-pretreated Ti 3 C 2 T x surface was used to obtain amino acid-modified Ti 3 C 2 T x (L-CPT and L-HPT), respectively, by covalent and non-covalent bonds under mild conditions, enriching variety and number of hydrophilic groups on the Ti 3 C 2 T x surface. Polyurethane sponge (PU) coated with L-CPT and L-HPT (L-CPTPU and L-HPTPU) exhibit excellent underwater oleophobicity and show impressive separation efficiency (>99.4%) for various oil-water mixtures. Especially, L-CPTPU and L-HPTPU achieved high-throughput separation for cyclohexane-water mixtures with maximum permeation fluxes of 220,319 and 222,197 L m-2 h-1, respectively, and had excellent resistance to corrosive media. Besides, polyamide membranes modified with L-CPT and L-HPT (L-CPTPA and L-HPTPA) form abundant permeation channels, achieving high-efficiency separation for toluene in water emulsion with separation efficiency greater than 99.1%. In addition, L-CPTPA and L-HPTPA exhibited remarkable rejection (>99.1%) and high permeability (>1100 L m-2 h-1 bar-1) for 20 mg L-1 malachite green solution. Therefore, the amino acid-modified Ti 3 C 2 T x can functionally modify PU and PA substrates toseparate oily wastewater and dye wastewater, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adsorption reactions of amino acids (AAs) on TiO 2 nanoparticles (NPs) play an important role in the available nutrients in soils and sediments. The pH effects on glycine adsorption have been studied, but little is known about its coadsorption with Ca2+ at the molecular level. Combined attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared (ATR-FTIR) flow-cell measurements and density functional theory (DFT) calculations were used to determine the surface complex and corresponding dynamic adsorption/desorption processes. The structures of glycine adsorbed onto TiO 2 were closely associated with its dissolved species in the solution phase. The presence of Ca2+ exerted different influences on glycine adsorption within pH 4−11, thus affecting its migration rate in soils and sediments. The mononuclear bidentate complex at pH 4−7, involving the COO− moiety of zwitterionic glycine, remained unchanged in the absence and presence of Ca2+. At pH 11, the mononuclear bidentate complex with deprotonated NH 2 can be removed from the TiO 2 surface upon coadsorption with Ca2+. The bonding strength of glycine on TiO 2 was much weaker than that of the Ca-bridged ternary surface complexation. Glycine adsorption was inhibited at pH 4 but was enhanced at pH 7 and 11. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hot water and acid extracts of two different Ryugu samples collected by the Hayabusa2 mission were analyzed for the presence of aliphatic amines and amino acids. The abundances and relative distributions of both classes of molecules were determined, as well as the enantiomeric compositions of the chiral amino acids. The Ryugu samples studied here were recovered from sample chambers A and C, which were composed of surface material, and a combination of surface and possible subsurface material, respectively. A total of thirteen amino acids were detected and quantitated in these samples, with an additional five amino acids that were tentatively identified but not quantitated. The abundances of four aliphatic amines identified in the Ryugu samples were also determined in the current work. Amino acids were observed in the acid hydrolyzed and unhydrolyzed hot water extracts of asteroid Ryugu regolith using liquid chromatography with UV fluorescence detection and high-resolution mass spectrometry. Conversely, aliphatic amines were only analyzed in the unhydrolyzed hot water Ryugu extracts. Two- to six-carbon (C 2 -C 6) amino acids with individual abundances ranging from 0.02 to 15.8 nmol g−1, and one- to three-carbon (C 1 -C 3) aliphatic amines with individual abundances from 0.05 to 34.14 nmol g−1, were found in the hot water extracts. Several non-protein amino acids that are rare in biology, including β-amino- n -butyric acid (β-ABA) and β-aminoisobuytric acid (β-AIB), were racemic or very nearly racemic, thus indicating their likely abiotic origins. Trace amounts of select protein amino acids that were enriched in the l- enantiomer may indicate low levels of terrestrial amino acid contamination in the samples. However, the presence of elevated abundances of free and racemic alanine, a common protein amino acid in terrestrial biology, and elevated abundances of the predominately free and racemic non-protein amino acids, β-ABA and β-AIB, indicate that many of the amino acids detected in the Ryugu water extracts were indigenous to the samples. Although the Ryugu samples have been found to be chemically similar to CI type carbonaceous chondrites, the measured concentrations and relative distributions of amino acids and aliphatic amines in Ryugu samples were notably different from those previously observed for the CI1.1 carbonaceous chondrite, Orgueil. This discrepancy could be the result of differences in the original chemical compositions of the parent bodies and/or alteration conditions, such as space weathering. In addition to α-amino acids that could have been formed by Strecker cyanohydrin synthesis during a low temperature aqueous alteration phase, β-, γ-, and δ-amino acids, including C 3 – C 5 straight-chain n -ω-amino acids that are not formed by Strecker synthesis, were also observed in the Ryugu extracts. The suite of amino acids measured in the Ryugu samples indicates that multiple amino acid formation mechanisms were active on the Ryugu parent body. The analytical techniques used here are well-suited to search for similar analytes in asteroid Bennu material collected by the NASA OSIRIS-REx mission scheduled for Earth return in September 2023. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment was conducted to determine the effects of feeding rumen-protected lysine (RPL; AjiPro-L Generation 3, Ajinomoto Health and Nutrition North America Inc.) from −26 ± 4.6 d prepartum (0.54% RPL of dietary dry matter intake) to 28 d postpartum (0.39% RPL of dietary dry matter intake) on immunometabolic status and liver composition in dairy cows. Seventy-five multiparous Holstein cows, blocked by parity, previous 305-d mature-equivalent milk production, expected calving date, and body condition score during the far-off dry period were assigned to 1 of 4 dietary treatments in a randomized, complete block design with a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement of treatments. Treatments prepartum consisted of total mixed ration top dressed with RPL (PRE-L) or without RPL (PRE-C), and postpartum treatments consisted of total mixed ration top dressed PRE-L prepartum and postpartum, PRE-L prepartum and PRE-C postpartum, PRE-C prepartum and PRE-L postpartum, and PRE-C prepartum and postpartum in 300 g of molasses. Blood samples were taken on −7 ± 0.5, 0 ± 0.5, 7 ± 0.9, 14 ± 0.9, and 28 ± 0.5 d relative to calving. Whole blood samples were taken on −14 ± 0.5, −7 ± 0.5, 7 ± 0.9, and 14 ± 0.9 d relative to calving for oxidative burst and phagocytic capacity of monocytes and neutrophils. Liver samples were collected via a biopsy on −12 ± 4.95 and 13 ± 2.62 d relative to calving and analyzed for liver composition (triacylglyceride and carnitine concentrations), mRNA expression of hepatic genes, and protein abundance. Protein abundance was calculated by normalizing intensity bands for a specific protein with glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase. Concentrations of haptoglobin and glutathione peroxidase activity in plasma were lower at d 0 for cows in PRE-L (102 µg/mL and 339 nmol/min per mL, respectively) compared with cows in PRE-C (165 µg/mL and 405 nmol/min per mL, respectively). Oxidative burst capacity in monocytes tended to be greater on d 7 postpartum for cows in PRE-L (65.6%) than cows in PRE-C (57.5%). Additionally, feeding RPL altered the mRNA expression in liver tissue prepartum [decreased INSR (insulin receptor), CPT1A (carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1A), and IL1B (interleukin 1 β)] and postpartum [increased IL8 (interleukin 8), EHMT2 (euchromatic histone lysine methyltransferase 2), TSPO (translocator protein), and SLC3A2 (solute carrier family 3 member 2); and decreased SLC7A1 (solute carrier family 7 member 1), SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), and SAA3 (serum amyloid A 3)] compared with cows not consuming RPL]. Additionally, cows in the PRE-C prepartum and PRE-L postpartum treatment tended to have greater protein abundance of mTOR postpartum compared with the PRE-C prepartum and postpartum treatment. Protein abundance of SLC7A7 (solute carrier family 7 member 7) pre- and postpartum tended to be greater and BBOX1 (gamma-butyrobetaine dioxygenase 1) tended to be less when RPL was consumed prepartum. In conclusion, cows that consumed RPL during the transition period had molecular changes related to liver composition, enhanced liver function indicated by greater total protein and albumin concentrations in plasma, and improved immune status indicated by decreased haptoglobin, glutathione peroxidase activity, and immune related mRNA expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The sustainable development of carbon dioxide (CO 2) resource requires the realization of green and efficient capture for the fossil fuel CO 2. However, the high operation costs and biological toxicity have hampered the application. Natural deep eutectic solvents (NADESs) are efficient and green CO 2 absorbent. In this manuscript, kinds of amino acid-based NADESs were prepared successfully to improve the absorption efficiency of CO 2 capture solvent. The chemical structure of NADESs was characterized, and the thermal stability was also measured. The CO 2 capture behavior of amino acid-based NADESs was investigated. With multi-reactive sites, unstable stage and more accessibility of alkyl structure on HBA (alkyl amino acids and aromatic amino acids, especial L -Ary), and less electronegativity on HBD (EG), L -Arg/EG NADESs had lower solvation effect (β value, 1.286) and reduced viscosity (48.33 mpa.s at 60 ºC). It behaved better absorption capacity. The optimized conditions by single-factor analysis and Response surface methodology were L -Arg/EG at the mole ratio of 1:5, 30 °C and 200 mL/min, and the absorption could reach 0.81 molCO 2 /kgNADESs. Additionally, an insight into the reaction mechanism was investigated. It was found that hydrogen-bond structure played an important role in CO 2 capture. The broken of H-O···H-N formed by amino acids and ethylene glycol promoted the formation of new bonds of -(O=)C···NHR between L -Arg/EG and CO 2 , thus achieved higher CO 2 capture. The investigated proved that the green solvent amino acid-based NADESs could be efficient absorbents for CO 2 capture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In simple processes, this study used natural amino acids to remove and recover toxic Congo red (CR) dye from different aqueous environments. Various biophysical methods have been used to confirm and estimate the removal of CR. CR was removed efficiently by selective amino acids, namely aspartic acid, glutamic acid, phenylalanine, and tryptophan. All these amino acids removed 95–97% of CR from an aqueous solution at room temperature. Irrespective of pH, CR could be removed easily and effectively (95–97%) by phenylalanine, tryptophan, and glutamic acid, while aspartic acid is effective at acidic pH, and efficiency was concentration dependent. Importantly, amino acids removed CR selectively from the dye solution mixture, and the effluent of leather processing (after the dying process) spiked with CR. The removal of the CR process was a simple two-step process without involving any equipment or hazardous chemicals and a tedious step. CR recovery from the amino acid-CR mixture was achieved (97%) by adding methanol, where CR got solubilized in methanol while amino acids remained solid. Since amino acids are biocompatible, biodegradable, and commercially viable, we firmly believe that amino acids could be a potential biomolecule for removing and recovering CR from colourant industrial wastewater in adopting simple processes. [Display omitted] • Selective amino acids remove and recover toxic congo red dye efficiently. • The process of removal and recovery is simple one step process. • Interaction between congo red and amino acids are through physical adsorption. • Both amino acids and congo red can be reused i.e amino acid offers recyclability. • Amino acids are commercially available, non-toxic and eco-friendly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Amino acid disorders (AADs) are a large group of inherited metabolic conditions that are individually rare, yet collectively affect more than one in 6500 live births. In several instances, dietary modification has had profound benefits to patient outcomes; however, most AADs lack an effective treatment. Model organisms have traditionally provided insights into disease mechanisms rather than for exploring diets of potential clinical application, because custom diets have been unavailable. The fruit fly Drosophila is well established for modelling human disease and has a fully customisable diet available, making it ideal for nutrigenomics studies. Amino acid disorders (AADs) are a large group of rare inherited conditions that collectively impact one in 6500 live births, often resulting in rapid neurological decline and death during infancy. For several AADs, including phenylketonuria, dietary modification prevents physiological deterioration and ameliorates symptoms. Despite this remarkable potential for treatment success, dietary therapy for most AADs remains largely unexplored. Although animal models have provided novel insights into AAD mechanisms, few have been used for therapeutic diet discovery. Here, we find that of all the animal models, Drosophila is particularly well suited for nutrigenomic disease modelling, having amino acid pathways conserved with humans, exceptional genetic tractability, and the unique availability of a synthetic customisable diet. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This experiment aimed to investigate the effects of foliar application of organic matter and microelements on the biochemical properties and mineral element content in the Shahani date fruit for two successive years. This was done in the form of randomized complete blocks with 14 treatments in three replications on 42 palms in Jahrom city. Treatments included control (spraying distilled water; amino acids at three concentrations of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 gL-1; Seaweed at three concentrations of 0.25, 0.5, and 0.75 gL-1; microelements at three concentrations of 0.1, 1.5, and 2.0 gL-1; four combined treatments obtained from different concentrations of amino acids, seaweed, and microelements. The treatments were applied in two stages (beginning and end of the Kimri stage) on the fruits. The results showed that the treatments had a significant effect on all studied traits except magnesium content in the fruits. The highest copper content in the fruit was observed for the treatment of microelements (2 gL-1) (1.63 mgkg−1), and the maximum levels of reducing sugar and total carbohydrates (59.60 and 61.84, respectively) were related to the seaweed treatment (0.75), and no significant difference was found with the combined treatment of amino acid + seaweed + microelements (T14), which was in the highest statistical class in the other traits. In general, this combined treatment with the lowest soluble tannin content (26.96) compared to the control (29.40) and other treatments and based on other biochemical traits and the mineral element content in the fruit was the most effective treatment, and its use is recommended to be achieve more desirable results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is a green and environment-friendly strategy to use biomass to assist the synthesis of catalysts and use the prepared catalysts for biomass utilization. In this study, aluminum-rich silicon-phosphorus-aluminum nanosheet (Al-SPAN) was synthesized with biomass amino acids as additives for catalytic transfer hydrogenation of ethyl levulinate to γ-valerolactone. Compared with commercial Al 2 O 3 , Al-SPAN showed greatly improved catalytic performance for the reaction. The conversion of ethyl levulinate was increased by 47 % and the yield of γ-valerolactone was increased by 52 %. The effects of different alcohol on the reaction properties were investigated, with isopropanol used as a safe and efficient hydrogen source. The catalyst has good stability with little change in reaction performance after five cycles. [Display omitted] • Biomass amino acids were used to assist in the synthesis of catalysts. • The Al-rich nanosheets show good performance in the conversion of ethyl levulinate. • The aluminum site is efficient for catalytic transfer hydrogenation reaction. • Isopropanol could be used as a safe and efficient hydrogen source. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lactation diets dependent on rumen undegradable protein (RUP) sources derived from soybean meal (SBM) products are generally high in Lys and poor in Met. We conducted an experiment to evaluate the effects of increasing dietary RUP and altering digestible AA supply by inclusion of heat-treated soybean meal (HTSBM) or high-protein corn dried distillers grains with soluble (DDGS) on performance in mid-lactation dairy cows. Twenty-four Holstein cows (200 ± 40 d in milk and 30.0 ± 3.92 kg/d of milk yield) blocked according to parity, milk yield, and days in milk were used in a 3 × 3 Latin square design experiment with 21-d periods. Treatments were (1) control (CON), a diet with 6.0% RUP containing 15.9% SBM as the main protein source; (2) HTSBM, a diet with 6.7% RUP containing 4.4% HTSBM partially replacing SBM; and (3) high-protein DDGS (FP; FlexyPro, SJC Bioenergia), a diet with 6.9% RUP containing 5.34% FP partially replacing SBM and ground corn. Diets had similar crude protein (16.9%) and net energy of lactation. Data were submitted to ANOVA using the mixed procedure of SAS software (SAS Institute Inc.). Treatment differences were evaluated using orthogonal contrasts: (1) increasing RUP (SBM vs. HTSBM + FP) and (2) altering digestible AA supply (HTSBM vs. FP). Cows fed HTSBM and FP had greater intake (values in parentheses represent treatment means of CON, HTSBM, and FP, respectively) of neutral detergent fiber (7.14, 7.35, and 7.69 kg/d), crude protein (4.27, 4.37, and 4.51 kg/d), and ether extract (0.942, 0.968, and 1.04 kg/d) compared with cows fed CON. Feeding FP resulted in greater intake of neutral detergent fiber and ether extract compared with HTSBM. Cows fed HTSBM and FP had lower sorting index for feed particles <4 mm than cows fed CON (1.029, 1.008, and 1.022). Feeding FP resulted in greater intake of feed particles <4 mm compared with HTSBM. Treatments containing HTSBM or FP tended to decrease organic matter digestibility (72.4, 71.2, and 71.1%), but no other effects were detected in digestibility of neutral detergent fiber, crude protein, or ether extract. No evidence for differences among treatments was detected in excretion of purine derivatives in milk and urine. Milk yield was greater in cows fed HTSBM or FP than in cows fed CON (28.0, 28.9, and 28.8 kg/d, respectively). Cows fed HTSBM or FP tended to have greater energy-corrected milk and protein yield compared with those fed CON. Milk protein concentration was greater in DDGS cows than those in the HTSBM group (3.45 and 3.40%, respectively). No differences were detected in milk fat yield and concentration, milk urea nitrogen, feed efficiency, or serum concentrations of urea and glucose. Overall, increasing dietary RUP by feeding HTSBM or FP improved intake of nutrients and milk yield without affecting feed efficiency. Altering digestible AA supply while maintaining similar dietary RUP had negligible effects on performance of cows. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bio-endogenous peptide molecules are ideal components for fabrication of biocompatible and environmentally friendly semiconductors materials. However, to date, their applications have been limited due to the difficulty in obtaining stable, high-performance devices. Herein, simple amino acid derivatives fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-leucine (Fmoc-L) and fluorenylmethoxycarbonyl-tryptophan (Fmoc-W) are utilized to form long-range ordered supramolecular nanostructures by tight aromatic stacking and extensive hydrogen bonding with mechanical, electrical and optical properties. For the first time, without addition of any photosensitizers, pure Fmoc-L microbelts and Fmoc-W microwires exhibit Young's modulus up to 28.79 and 26.96 GPa, and unprecedently high values of photocurrent responses up to 2.2 and 2.3 μA/cm2, respectively. Meanwhile, Fmoc-W microwires with stable blue fluorescent emission under continuous excitation are successfully used as LED phosphors. Mechanism analysis shows that these two amino acids derivatives firstly formed dimers to reduce the bandgap, then further assemble into bioinspired semiconductor materials using the dimers as the building blocks. In this process, aromatic residues of amino acids are more conducive to the formation of semiconducting characteristics than fluorenyl groups. Long-range ordered amino acid derivative assemblies with mechanical, electrical and optical properties were fabricated by a green and facile biomimetic strategy. These amino acid assemblies have Young's modulus comparable to that of concrete and exhibit typical semiconducting characteristics. Even without the addition of any photosensitizer, pure amino acid assemblies can still produce a strong photocurrent response and an unusually stable photoluminescence. The results suggest that amino acid structures with hydrophilic C-terminal and aromatic residues are more conducive to the formation of semiconducting characteristics. This work unlocks the potential for amino acid molecules to self-assemble into high-performance bioinspired semiconductors, providing a reference for customized development of biocompatible and environmentally friendly semiconductor materials through rational molecular design. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The use of siRNA therapeutics to treat cancer is a very promising approach. However, specific delivery of siRNAs to tumors remains a major challenge. The recent success of siRNA delivery to the liver has incentivized the development of biomaterials for siRNA delivery into tumors. Here, we report a new class of amino acid-modified lipids for siRNA delivery to cancer cells. Eight lipids were developed by headgroup modification with histidine and lysine. The lipids were screened in PC3-luciferase stable cells for gene silencing and cellular cytotoxicity study. The best lipid LHHK shows a pKa of 6.08, which is within the optimal pKa range of lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) for siRNA delivery. The LHHK LNP protects siRNA from serum degradation for up to 24 h and shows higher endosomal release and better cellular uptake compared to other lysine-modified lipids in PC3 cells. The LHHK LNP exhibits significant silencing activity of IKKα and IKBKE in prostate cancer and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Moreover, the LHHK LNP encapsulating IKBKE siRNA inhibits cell proliferation of pancreatic cancer cells and suppresses the tumor progression in a pancreatic cancer mouse model. Lipid nanoparticle (LNP) is a promising platform for siRNA delivery. However, LNP is generally associated with high systemic toxicity. As a result, efficient and biodegradable lipids are highly needed for siRNA-based cancer therapy. Herein, we develop amino acid-modified biodegradable lipids. These lipids show very low cellular toxicity and high transfection efficiency. The best lipid LHHK shows a pKa of 6.08, which is within the optimal pKa range of LNPs for siRNA delivery. The LHHK LNP efficiently silences IKKα and IKBKE in prostate and pancreatic cancer, respectively. Moreover, the LHHK LNP encapsulating IKBKE siRNA inhibits cell proliferation and suppresses tumor growth of pancreatic cancer in vivo. These results suggest that amino acid-modified lipids possess a great potential for siRNA delivery in cancer therapy. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recently, the frequent salinity fluctuation has become a growing threat to fishes. However, the dynamic patterns of gene expression in response to salinity changes remain largely unexplored. In the present study, 18 RNA-Seq datasets were generated from gills of rainbow trout at different salinities, including 0 ‰, 6 ‰, 12 ‰, 18 ‰, 24 ‰ and 30 ‰. Based on the strict thresholds, we have identified 63, 1411, 2096, 1031 and 1041 differentially expressed genes in gills of rainbow trout through pairwise comparisons. Additionally, weighted gene co-expression network analysis was performed to construct 18 independent modules with distinct expression patterns. Of them, green and tan modules were found to be tightly related to salinity changes, several hub genes of which are known as the important regulators in taurine and glutamine metabolism. To further investigate their potential roles in response to salinity changes, taurine, glutamine, and their metabolism-related glutamic acid and α-ketoglutaric acid were accurately quantitated using liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry analysis. Results clearly showed that their concentrations were closely associated with salinity changes. These findings suggested that taurine and glutamine play important roles in response to salinity changes in gills of rainbow trout, providing new insights into the molecular mechanism of fishes in salinity adaptation. • Salinity dramatically changed gene expression patterns in gills of rainbow trout. • There were 18 independent modules with distinct expression patterns. • 7 hub genes are known as important regulators of taurine and glutamine metabolism. • Concentrations of taurine and glutamine in gills were affected by salinity changes. • Taurine and glutamine play important roles in salinity adaptation in rainbow trout. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of heat treatment (toasting) and particle size alterations (grinding; rolling) on nutrient utilization, ruminal fermentation, and supply of metabolizable protein (MP), and to study the interaction between processing conditions of fava beans and forage type. Six Danish Holstein dairy cows fitted with ruminal, duodenal, and ileal cannulas were used in a 6 × 4 incomplete Latin square design with 4 periods of 21-d duration. Cows were fed ad libitum with 6 experimental diets: diets high in either grass-clover silage or corn silage were combined with ground untoasted, ground toasted, or rolled untoasted fava beans. Samples of ruminal fluid, digesta from duodenum and ileum, and feces were collected, and nutrient digestibility was estimated using Cr 2 O 3 and TiO 2 as flow markers. Diets high in corn silage resulted in higher ruminal pH and higher proportion of propionate in ruminal volatile fatty acids compared with diets high in grass-clover silage. Diets high in corn silage resulted in higher apparent total-tract digestibility of crude protein and starch but lower apparent ruminal and total-tract digestibility of neutral detergent fiber compared with diets high in grass-clover silage. Rolling of fava beans decreased the in situ small intestinal disappearance of rumen-undegradable protein corrected for particle losses. Compared with grinding, rolling of fava beans reduced apparent ruminal digestibility of starch, true ruminal digestibility of organic matter, crude protein, and AA, and small intestinal digestibility of AA and starch. Grinding of fava beans increased apparent ruminal digestibility of neutral detergent fiber and reduced the proportion of propionate in ruminal volatile fatty acids compared with rolling of fava beans. In addition, rolling of fava beans had no effect on MP supply. Toasting of fava beans had no effect on in vivo nutrient digestibility except for an interaction with forage source on apparent ruminal dry matter and organic matter digestibility. Toasting of fava beans did not affect small intestinal digestion of individual and total AA, and therefore failed to increase MP supply. In conclusion, neither replacing grass-clover silage with corn silage, nor toasting nor rolling of fava beans had an effect on supply of MP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Human industrial activities have caused environmental uranium (U) pollution, resulting in uranium(VI) had radiotoxicity and chemical toxicity. Here, a cellulase-producing Penicillium fungus was screened and characterized by X-ray fluorescence (XRF), and Fourier transform infrared reflection (FT-IR), as well as by GC/MS metabolomics analysis, to study the response to uranium(VI) stress. The biomass of Penicillium decreased after exposure to 100 mg/L U. Uranium combined with carboxyl groups, amino groups, and phosphate groups to form uranium mineralized deposits on the surface of this fungal strain. The α-activity concentration of uranium in the strain was 2.57×106 Bq/kg, and the β-activity concentration was 2.27×105 Bq/kg. Metabolomics analysis identified 118 different metabolites, as well as metabolic disruption of organic acids and derivatives. Further analysis showed that uranium significantly affected the metabolism of 9 amino acids in Penicillium. These amino acids were related to the TCA cycle and ABC transporter. At the same time, uranium exhibited nucleotide metabolism toxicity to Penicillium. This study provides an in-depth understanding of the uranium tolerance mechanism of Penicillium and provides a theoretical basis for Penicillium to degrade hyper-enriched plants. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitrogen (N) metabolism in plants is facilitated by a series of enzymes participating in converting inorganic N into amino acids, however, poplar N Assimilation Genes (PtNAGs) have not been systematically identified in poplar so far. Here, twenty-six PtNAGs were identified in poplar as they encode major N assimilation enzymes. Variations in protein chemical characteristics, gene and protein structures, and cis -elements were analyzed for the PtNAG gene families. Syntenic analysis revealed that gene duplication events played crucial roles in expanding the PtNAG gene families. Numerous predicted cis -elements implicated in plant growth and development, stress response, and phytohormone response were detected in the promoter regions of PtNAGs. Transcriptomic data revealed that most PtNAGs were significantly downregulated under diverse environmental stresses, but a few PtNAGs were strongly induced under adverse stress conditions. Reverse Transcription Quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) analysis showed that gene expression patterns of most PtNAGs were induced by low N supplies, whereas their expression levels were downexpressed by high N conditions. The PtNAGs -centered gene network showed that the co-regulation of several PtNAGs as well as the tight links between carbon and N metabolism. These results suggest that PtNAGs play crucial roles in regulating N assimilation and in adapting to environmental stresses in poplar. • Total of 26 PtNAGs were identified in the poplar genome. • Gene duplication events played roles in expanding PtNAGs. • PtASN1 and PtASN2 were highly induced by drought stress. • Expression patterns of PtNAGS were evaluated in response to N levels. • Co-expression analysis revealed the links between C and N metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new chiral membrane based on GO and hydroxypropyl-maltodextrin (HP-MD) was prepared. • This membrane demonstrated outstanding enantioseparation performance for amino acids. • The performance of HP-MD based membrane was compared with MD based membrane. • The enantiomeric excess values achieved were between 46.33 % and 76.97 % for amino acids. • The water flux of proposed membrane reached 37.1 L/m2 h, and BSA rejection was 90.0 %. The separation of enantiomers using chiral membranes has garnered much research interest. In this study, the enantioseparation of amino acids using chiral membranes, namely graphene oxide-ethylenediamine-maltodextrin (GO-EDA-MD) and GO-EDA-hydroxypropyl-MD (GO-EDA-HP-MD), was evaluated. HP-MD and MD were investigated as chiral selectors due to their inherent chirality. Various characterization techniques, including atomic force microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectrometry, field emission scanning electron microscopy, water contact angle analysis, tensile properties, and thermal gravimetric analysis were employed to analyze the membrane structures. The evaluation of enantioseparation performance was conducted by employing tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine enantiomers. Optimal conditions for enantiomer separation were achived using a GO-EDA-HP-MD chiral composite (1.75 wt%), a feed concentration of 10 mg/L for each enantiomer, a separation time of 15 min, and a membrane effective surface area of 1.0 cm2. Also, the bovine serum albumin rejection was 90.0 %, and the water flux reached 37.1 L m−2 h−1. The highest enantiomeric excess (ee.%) values were 46.33 %, 76.97 %, and 73.04 % for tryptophan, phenylalanine, and tyrosine, respectively. The impact of voltage on ee.% and substance flux was also explored. This membrane was able to separate enantiomers successfully. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) are known to alter methylmercury (MeHg) production in paddy soil, but the effect of SRB on MeHg dynamics in rhizosphere and rice plants remains to be fully elucidated. The present study investigated the impact of SRB on MeHg levels in unsterilized and γ-sterilized mercury-polluted paddy soils, with the aim to close this knowledge gap. Results showed that the presence of SRB reduced MeHg production by ∼22 % and ∼17 % in the two soils, but elevated MeHg contents by approximately 55 % and 99 % in rice grains, respectively. Similar trend at smaller scales were seen in roots and shoots. SRB inoculation exerted the most profound impact on amino acid metabolism in roots, with the relative response of L-arginine positively linking to MeHg concentrations in rhizosphere. The SRB-induced enrichment of MeHg in rice plants may be interpreted by the stronger presence of endophytic nitrogen-related microbes (e.g. Methylocaldum , Hyphomicrobium and Methylocystis) and TGA transcription factors interacting with glutathione metabolism and calmodulin. Our study provides valuable insights into the complex effects of SRB inoculation on MeHg dynamics in rice ecosystems, and may help to develop strategies to effectively control MeHg accumulation in rice grains. [Display omitted] • SRB inoculation mitigated MeHg production in rhizosphere soil. • SRB inoculation facilitated MeHg enrichment in rice. • Endophytic nitrogen-related microbes could promote MeHg accumulation in rice. • TGA transcription factor could boost MeHg accumulation in rice. • L-arginine can be deemed as the indicator for soil MeHg concentrations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • N-doped CDs with bright blue fluorescence were applied in PG detection. • The fluorescence of CDs was quenched by PG due to the hydrogen bond. • The LOD of PG is 12 nM which is lower than those of other methods. • PG was successfully measured in lake water and tap water samples. Nitrogen doped carbon dots (CDs) were successfully applied in the detection of phloroglucinol. CDs were hydrothermally synthesized from L-phenylalanine (L-phe) and L-leucine (L-leu) in alkaline aqueous solution. The morphology, size and functional groups of CDs were characterized by transmission electron microscope (TEM), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The average size of CDs was 4.26 ± 1.77 nm. The main elements of CDs were C, N, O and functional groups were carboxyl, hydroxyl, pyridine and amino groups. CDs showed bright blue fluorescence with the quantum yield (QY) at 12.82 % (λ ex = 337 nm and λ em = 437 nm). In the presence of phloroglucinol (PG), however, the fluorescence of CDs was quenched significantly. It could be ascribed from hydrogen bonds formed between PG and functional groups on the surface of CDs. There was a good linear response between the fluorescence quenching of CDs and the concentration of PG in the range of 0.5–150 μM with the limit of detection (LOD) at 12 nM. The strategy can be used to detect PG qualitatively and quantitatively with the advantages of low cost, high sensitivity, fast response and high specificity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Three ONO -tridentate enamine Pd(II) complexes were synthesized. • All complexes were characterized using the standard spectroscopic techniques. • The molecular structures of two complexes were determined by a single X-ray diffraction technique. • The catalytic activities of the complexes were explored for the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction. Three palladium(II) complexes with an ONO -tridentate enamine ligand were synthesized by reacting the glycine derivative ligand with palladium(II) acetate in the presence of selected ancillary ligands. The structures of the Pd(II) complexes were determined through melting point, C, H, N elemental analysis, ATR-FTIR, and NMR. Additionally, the molecular structures of two complexes were confirmed using single-crystal X-ray crystallography studies, revealing that the ligand coordinates to palladium(II) via ONO -chelation, resulting in a square planar geometry around the metal center. Catalytic activities of these compounds were assessed in the Suzuki-Miyaura cross-coupling reaction of phenylboronic acid with the different aryl halides. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Sulfide-tolerant Methane-oxidizing bacteria and consortia were obtained. • Single cell protein (SCP) production from raw biogas was practicable. • Compared to pure culture, consortia showed significant production advantages. • Na 2 S influenced the amino acid composition to some extent. Methane-oxidizing bacteria (MOB) have tremendous potential in utilizing biogas to produce single cell protein (SCP). However, the raw biogas contains H 2 S, which could affect the growth of MOB. This study aimed to screen sulfide-tolerant MOB or sulfide-tolerant MOB consortia to produce single cell protein from raw biogas. Firstly, four sulfide-tolerant MOB consortia were enriched from paddy soil by addition of different concentrations of Na 2 S (the highest equivalent 2973 ppmv H 2 S). Microbial community analysis revealed that the highest abundance in different groups was dominated by the same species of MOB- Methylocystis parvus OBBP. Experiments used the pure culture of M. parvus OBBP indicated that this strain had a certain tolerance to Na 2 S. However, MOB consortia performed better for SCP production: the maximum biomass of the MOB consortia was 1.516 (±0.187) g/L, with protein content of 56.10 % (±10.99 %), while the maximum biomass of the pure culture was only 0.818 (±0.106) g/L, with protein content of 37.12 % (±7.40 %). Network analysis displayed that Ciceribacter , Pseudoxanthomonas , Edaphobaculum , Prosthecobacter, Allorhizobium-Neorhizobium-Pararhizobium-Rhizobium showed positive correlation with M. parvus OBBP, indicating they might be the most important partners of M. parvus OBBP. This study provides a promising way for the direct utilization of raw biogas to produce SCP, which also provides references for artificially construction of MOB consortia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Chelating amino acids improve the inertness of Zeise's salt derivatives against S-donors. • Isomerism at the platinum center leads to different reactivities towards biological nucleophiles. • A penta-coordinate species was observed when the O- trans complex reacted with DMSO. • The results highlight complex 4 as promising lead compound, exhibiting enhanced aqueous stability, reduced reactivity with S-donors, and increased in vitro cytotoxic activity compared to complex 5. The interactions of sulfur-containing peptides and proteins with platinum-based anticancer agents are of significant interest in the field of bioinorganic chemistry. We previously modified the lead compound potassium {trichlorido[ η 2-(but -3- en -1- yl)-2- acetoxybenzoate ]platinate(II)} (Pt-butene-ASA) by exchanging two chlorido ligands for an amino acid chelating ligand to improve its stability in aqueous solutions. In the current study, we demonstrate how this amino acid ligand strengthens the inertness of this class of complexes against sulfur-containing compounds. We incubated four complexes, each bearing an amino acid chelating ligand, with various sulfur-containing compounds of biological interest, such as DMSO, methionine, glutathione, and substance P. The reactions were monitored using NMR spectroscopy and mass spectrometry, allowing the identification by combination with IR ion spectroscopy of exotic pentacoordinate platinum(II) complexes as reaction intermediates. The results indicated that the reactivity of complexes 1 – 4 ((ethene, N -trans)(l -alaninato-N,O)chlorido(η2-ethene)platinate(II), (ethene,O-trans)(β-alaninato-N,O)chlorido(η2-ethene)platinate(II), (l -histidinato-N,N)chlorido(η2-ethene)platinate(II), and (olefin, N -trans)(l -alaninato-N,O)chlorido(η2-(but-3-en-1-yl)-2-acetoxy benzoate)platinate(II), respectively) is determined by the inner coordination sphere, and the addition of an amino acid ligand significantly reduces the rate of nucleophilic substitutions by sulfur-containing nucleophiles. In particular, the N,ethylene- trans isomers reacted only to a low extent with the free thiol in glutathione, while the O,ethylene- trans isomer was completely consumed within 2 h. Complex 4 , the new lead compound, showed low reactivity towards S-nucleophiles in general, which confirms the concept of using amino acids as biocompatible bidentate ligands to adjust the reactivity and stability of this kind of metallodrugs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Compound-specific isotope analysis of amino acids is an exponentially growing field. • CSIA-AA method use relates more to analyst geography than experimental application. • Optimizing laboratory and instrument methods alike can increase overall data quality. • Method standardization will enhance data accuracy, precision, and reproducibility. Compound specific stable isotope analysis of amino acids (CSIA-AA) is a practice that allows for in-depth studies of many different physiological, ecological, and environmental phenomena. The vast information obtainable through CSIA-AA has driven the exponential growth of this field since its mainstream introduction in the early 1990s. This growth, however, has been accompanied by the development of several distinct analytical approaches. Throughout this review, we outline the full CSIA-AA process and identify areas of its workflow with the highest potential to introduce measurement error. Through a meta-analysis of CSIA-AA publications, we found that rather than experimental application, the primary determinant of methodology lies in the geographic location of the analyst, likely reflective of the academic lineages of CSIA-AA practitioners as opposed to application specific method development. The relative nascency of amino acid isotope analysis gives it incredible expansion potential, but such expansion would greatly benefit from comprehensive experimentation optimizing every portion of the analytical process. While such optimization will require expertise across many areas (i.e., chemistry, mass spectrometry, and data science), uniform guidelines can ensure the highest achievable accuracy and precision for intra- and interlaboratory analyses, alike. The goal of this review is to improve data comparability and adopt standardized methodologies to uniformly generate highly accurate, precise, and reproducible data. In doing so, we make recommendations for areas that would benefit from further investigation (e.g., procedure optimization, error mitigation, and data handling methods). The creation and implementation of guidelines for optimal approaches to CSIA-AA – as has been done for applications like forensic science – can help realize the full potential of this rapidly growing field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Development of bioadhesives that can be facilely delivered by endoscope and exhibit instant and robust adhesion with gastric tissues to promote gastric ulcer healing remains challenging. In this study, an advanced bioadhesive is prepared through free radical polymerization of ionized N-acryloyl phenylalanine (iAPA) and N-[tris (hydroxymethyl) methyl] acrylamide (THMA). The precursory polymer solution exhibits low viscosity with the capability for endoscope delivery, and the hydrophilic-hydrophobic transition of iAPA upon exposure to gastric acid can trigger gelation through phenyl groups assisted multiple hydrogen bonds formation and repel water molecules on tissue surface to establish favorable environment for interfacial interactions between THMA and functional groups on tissues. The in-situ formed hydrogel features excellent stability in acid environment (14 days) and exhibits firm wet adhesion to gastric tissue (33.4 kPa), which can efficiently protect the wound from the stimulation of gastric acid and pepsin. In vivo studies reveal that the bioadhesive can accelerate the healing of ulcers by inhibiting inflammation and promoting capillary formation in the acetic acid-induced gastric ulcer model in rats. Our work may provide an effective solution for the treatment of gastric ulcers clinically. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary CP reductions in broilers can result in increased FCR when 6 or 7 feed-grade amino acids are allowed to enter formulation, and a partial explanation may be a dietary limitation of His. Histidine requirement data are sparce in the current body of literature, especially beyond 3 wk post-hatch. Therefore, a His dose-response experiment (expressed as a percentage of Lys) was conducted with male Cobb 500 broilers from 15 to 35 d post-hatch. A His deficient test diet was formulated to contain a digestible His to digestible Lys (dHis:dLys) ratio of 28.0%. Graded increments of L-His were added to the test diet to produce additional diets containing dHis:dLys ratios of 30.5, 33.0, 35.5, 38.0, 40.5, and 43.0%. A positive control (PC) diet was formulated to contain a dHis:dLys ratio of 38.0% met solely with intact protein. The PC diet outperformed the test diet in all live performance parameters and had a reduced peritoneal cavity fat yield. Linear responses to His were observed for final BW, BW gain, and FCR. In addition, a linear His response was observed for carcass yield and both linear and quadratic responses were observed for breast filet and tender yields. The 95% quadratic max method was used to derive the optimal dHis:dLys ratios of 39 and 37% for breast filet and tender yields, respectively. To accurately estimate quadratic asymptotes for live performance parameters, future His dose-response experiments may need to incorporate dHis:dLys ratios higher than 43%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Melanoma treatment with BRAF inhibitors causes metabolic reprogramming. • This metabolic reprogramming can be characterized in core metabolic pathways. • Adaptive shifts in core metabolic pathways represent targetable vulnerabilities. • Clinical trials targeting metabolic adaptations may improve melanoma treatment. Melanoma metabolism can be reprogrammed by activating BRAF mutations. These mutations are present in up to 50% of cutaneous melanomas, with the most common being V600E. BRAF mutations augment glycolysis to promote macromolecular synthesis and proliferation. Prior to the development of targeted anti-BRAF therapies, these mutations were associated with accelerated clinical disease in the metastatic setting. Combination BRAF and MEK inhibition is a first line treatment option for locally advanced or metastatic melanoma harboring targetable BRAF mutations. This therapy shows excellent response rates but these responses are not durable, with almost all patients developing resistance. When BRAF mutated melanoma cells are inhibited with targeted therapies the metabolism of those cells also changes. These cells rely less on glycolysis for energy production, and instead shift to a mitochondrial phenotype with upregulated TCA cycle activity and oxidative phosphorylation. An increased dependence on glutamine utilization is exhibited to support TCA cycle substrates in this metabolic rewiring of BRAF mutated melanoma. Herein we describe the relevant core metabolic pathways modulated by BRAF inhibition. These adaptive pathways represent vulnerabilities that could be targeted to overcome resistance to BRAF inhibitors. This review evaluates current and future therapeutic strategies that target metabolic reprogramming in melanoma cells, particularly in response to BRAF inhibition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The nature of non-covalent interaction between the water and amino acids such as alanine, arginine, asparagine and glutamine is analysed. • Non-covalent interactions were interpreted using the RDG plot and NCI plots. • The electron delocalization between the water molecule and the amino acids is analysed using the NBO analysis. • QTAIM analysis was used to find the binding energy between the solvent water, and the amino acids. • CVB index is used to find out the strength of hydrogen bonding between the water molecule and amino acids. The interplay of solvents is important in biological systems. This study examines the interaction between the water molecule and the amino acids viz, alanine, arginine, asparagine, and glutamine. The primary cause of the interaction is the hydrogen bond that forms between the oxygen atom in the water molecule and the hydrogen of the amino acid's –OH group of the –COOH. The DFT approach was used to analyse the non-covalent interaction in gas phase. The NBO analysis is used to investigate the electron delocalisation between the amino acid and the water molecule. Binding energy is calculated using the QTAIM analysis and found that the asparagine – water system has more binding energy compared to the other four amino acid under consideration. RDG plots and NCI plots were used to analyse the non-covalent interaction between the moieties. DLPNO-CCSD(T) energy is decomposed into various components using the local energy decomposition method and the binding strength is analysed. AIMD analysis further confirms the stability of the interaction of water at the –COOH group of the amino acid. The hydrogen bonding strength is determined from the CVB index and the strong hydrogen bonding among the four amino acid is found in the asparagine – water system. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Amino acids' pKa was estimated using QSPR with 4 models: GA-MLR, PSO-SVM, FFNN, DT. • GA-MLR identified the best descriptors to predict amino group pKa in amino acids. • Machine learning comparison: PSO-SVM> FFNN> DT> GA-MLR in pKa prediction accuracy. • Model validation showed consistency in R 2 values for test/train sets (20/80 ratio). • The best model predicts amino group pKa with a 1.18 % mean absolute percent error. Amino acids are one of the main building blocks of proteins, and because of this connection and their main role in biochemistry, they are of great interest in pharmaceutical industries today. In nature, there are approximately 300 amino acids, out of which 20 are present in the human body and are responsible for protein synthesis. As a result, amino acids are widely used in various fields such as biological sciences, chemistry, medicine, and various industries. This research focuses on estimating the acid dissociation constant (pKa) of the amino group related to 52 amino acids using the quantitative structure–property relationship (QSPR) method, employing four different regression models: Genetic Algorithm-Multivariable Linear Regression (GA-MLR), Particle Swarm Optimization-Support Vector Machine (PSO-SVM), Feed Forward Neural Network (FFNN), and Decision Tree (DT). Using the GA-MLR, the optimal number of descriptors for estimating pKa was determined to be 9. By comparing different machine learning models, it can be observed that the coefficient of determination (R 2 ) follows the trend R 2 PSO-SVM = 0.9681 > R 2 FFNN = 0.9539 > R 2 DT = 0.9329 > R 2 GA-MLR = 0.9231. Therefore, the PSO-SVM model provided the best prediction, while the FFNN, DT, and GA-MLR models ranked next in terms of precision in predicting the pKa of amino acids. By dividing the data into test/train sets in a ratio of approximately 20/80, the model's validity was confirmed due to the nearness of the R 2 values between the training and testing sets. Ultimately, the best model is capable of predicting the pKa value of the amino group in amino acids with a mean absolute percent error of 1.18 %. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the aging of the population, the prevalence of osteoporosis (OP) is rising rapidly, making it an important public health concern. Early screening and effective treatment of OP are the primary challenges facing the management of OP today. Quanduzhong capsule (QDZ) is a single preparation composed of Eucommia ulmoides Oliv., which is included in the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China. It is used to treat OP in clinical practice, but its mechanisms are unclear. This study involved 30 patients with OP, 30 healthy controls (HC), and 28 OP patients treated with QDZ to identify potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of OP and to investigate the potential mechanism of QDZ in treating OP. The serum samples were analyzed using targeted amino acid metabolomics. Significant differences in amino acid metabolism were identified between the OP cohort and the HC group, as well as between OP patients before and after QDZ treatment. Compared with HC, the serum levels of 14 amino acids in OP patients changed significantly. Kynurenine, arginine, citrulline, methionine, and their combinations are expected to be potential biomarkers for OP diagnosis. Notably, QDZ reversed the changes in levels of 10 amino acids in the serum of OP patients and significantly impacted numerous metabolic pathways during the treatment of OP. This study focuses on screening potential biomarkers for the early detection of OP, which offers a new insight into the mechanism study of QDZ in treating OP. • Osteoporosis patients had dysfunctions in amino acid metabolic profiles. • The combination of four potential biomarkers is potential as diagnostic biomarkers. • Quanduzhong capsules reversed the clinical symptoms of osteoporosis. • Quanduzhong capsules reversed the changes in the amino acid profile of osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to allergenic concerns, only pea, potato, and wheat proteins have been approved as alternatives for replacing animal-based fining agents in wines. In pursuit of other substitutes, this work aimed to determine the fining ability of amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L.) proteins (AP) in red wine, compared to quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) (QP) and a commercial pea protein. Phenolic and volatile composition, as well as color characteristics, were analyzed. AP was as effective as QP at decreasing condensed tannins, with AP at 50 g/hL being the most effective treatment (25.6% reduction). QP and AP produced a minor or no statistical change in the total anthocyanins and wine color intensity. They reduced the total ester concentration, but the total alcohols remained unchanged. The outcomes of AP and QP were similar, and sometimes better than the pea proteins, thus suggesting that they could be promising options for the development of novel fining agents. • Amaranth and quinoa are interesting protein sources for novel wine-fining agents. • Amaranth and quinoa proteins selectively remove phenolics of high molecular weight. • The chemical impact of these extracts is similar to that of commercial pea proteins. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The quality and flavor of chicken are affected by muscle metabolites and related regulatory genes, and the molecular regulation mechanism of meat quality is different among different breeds of chicken. In this study, 40 one-day-old Daweishan mini chicken (DM) and Cobb broiler (CB) were selected from each group, with 4 replicates and 10 chickens in each replicate. The chickens were reared until 90 d of age under the same management conditions. Then, metabolomics and transcriptomics data of 90-day-old DM (n = 4) and CB (n = 4) were integrated to analyze metabolites affecting breast muscle quality and flavor, and to explore the important genes regulating meat quality and flavor related metabolites. The results showed that a total of 38 significantly different metabolites (SDMs) and 420 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were detected in the breast muscle of the 2 breeds. Amino acid and lipid metabolism may be the cause of meat quality and flavor difference between DM and CB chickens, involving metabolites such as L-methionine, betaine, N6, N6, N6-Trimethyl-L-lysine, L-anserine, glutathione, glutathione disulfide, L-threonine, N-Acetyl-L-aspartic acid, succinate, choline, DOPC, SOPC, alpha-linolenic acid, L-palmitoylcarnitine, etc. Important regulatory genes with high correlation with flavor amino acids (GATM, GSTO1) and lipids (PPARG, LPL, PLIN1, SCD, ANGPTL4, FABP7, GK, B4GALT6, UGT8, PLPP4) were identified by correlation analysis, and the gene-metabolite interaction network of breast muscle mass and flavor formation in DM chicken was constructed. This study showed that there were significant differences in breast metabolites between DM and CB chickens, mainly in amino acid and lipid metabolites. These 2 kinds of substances may be the main reasons for the difference in breast muscle quality and flavor between the 2 breeds. In general, this study could provide a theoretical basis for further research on the molecular regulatory mechanism of the formation of breast muscle quality and flavor differences between DM and CB chickens, and provide a reference for the development, utilization and genetic breeding of high-quality meat chicken breeds. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]