Significantly enhancing human antibody affinity via deep learning and computational biology-guided single-point mutations.

Enhancing antibody affinity is a critical goal in antibody design, as it improves therapeutic efficacy, specificity, and safety while reducing dosage requirements. Traditional methods, such as single-point mutations or combinatorial mutagenesis, are limited by the impracticality of exhaustively exploring the vast mutational space. To address this challenge, we developed a novel computational pipeline that integrates evolutionary constraints, antibody-antigen-specific statistical potentials, molecular dynamics simulations, metadynamics, and a suite of deep learning models to identify affinity-enhancing mutations.

Integrated transcriptomic, metabolomic and lipidomic analyses uncover the crucial roles of lipid metabolism pathways in oat (Avena sativa) responses to heat stress.

Background: Oat (Avena sativa), an economically important cereal crop globally, is highly vulnerable to high-temperature stress, challenging its geographic distribution and grain production. However, the mechanisms underlying oat's response to heat stress remain pooly understood.

Results: A time-course transcriptome revealed significant enrichment in lipid metabolism pathways during heat stress, which was corroborated by metabolomic findings.

Investigating the Effects of Hydraulic Shear on Growth at the Cell Scale Using an Algal-Cell Dynamic Continuous Observation Platform.

Hydraulic shear has been widely accepted as one of the essential factors modulating phytoplankton growth. Previous experimental studies of algal growth have been conducted at the macroscopic level, and direct observation at the cell scale has been lacking. In this study, an algal-cell dynamic continuous observation platform (ACDCOP) is proposed with a parallel-plate flow chamber (PPFC) to capture cellular growth images which are then used as input to a computer vision algorithm featuring a pre-trained backpropagation neural network to quantitatively evaluate the volumes and volumetric growth rates of individual cells.

Natural variation and functional analysis of TaSD6 genes regulating seed dormancy in common wheat.

Background: The bHLH transcription factor SD6 regulates rice seed dormancy. However, sequence variants of wheat SD6 homologs and their roles in seed dormancy remain unknown.

Results: Here, we cloned three wheat homologous genes of SD6 (named TaSD6-7A, TaSD6-7B, and TaSD6-7D), and found that TaSD6-7A had abundant sequence variations, while TaSD6-7B and TaSD6-7D had no variation.

Surgical Treatment of Fingertip Defects Associated With Nail Bed Injuries: A Dual-Flap Reconstruction Protocol.

Purpose: To analyze the aesthetic and functional results of a dual-flap reconstruction protocol for nail expansion by recessing the nail fold to increase the exposed nail matrix after repair of finger pulp defect.

Methods: A total of 18 patients who underwent a dual-flap reconstruction protocol were retrospectively reviewed. We increased nail bed exposure by recessing a Y-V flap of eponychium and reconstructed the pulp with volar V-Y advancement flaps or homodigital island flaps depending on the injury geometry.

CircRNA Profiles Analysis of Neuroblastoma for Identification of Drug Targets.

Neuroblastoma is a prevalent pediatric tumor with a low 5-year survival rate among high-risk patients, and the prognosis remains poor despite available therapeutic interventions. Therefore, identifying novel and effective therapeutic targets is critical for improving outcomes in these patients. In this study, we performed an integrative analysis of two neuroblastoma circRNA sequencing datasets to identify potential drug targets.

Multi-omics-based construction of a palmitoylation-driven prognostic model reveals tumor immune phenotypes in osteosarcoma.

Background: Osteosarcoma (OS), the leading primary malignancy of bone in adolescents, is known for its aggressive metastatic behavior and poor responsiveness to conventional therapies. As a lipid-mediated post-translational modification, protein palmitoylation has gained attention for its pivotal role in modulating oncogenic signaling pathways and facilitating tumor immune escape. However, its prognostic value and functional role in OS remain unclear.

Life Course Adversity, Premature Mortality, and Life Expectancy: Role of Life's Essential 8.

Aims: Life course adversity has been linked to various health outcomes, but the interrelationship between adversity, Life's Essential 8 (LE8), and premature mortality remains unclear. We aimed to examine the associations of childhood and adulthood adversity with premature mortality and life expectancy, and whether LE8 modifies these associations.

Methods: This study included 148,137 participants from the UK Biobank, with LE8 data available for 94,289 individuals.

Single-photon radiation enhancement and far-field regulation based on twist angle defects lattice cavities.

Efficient and versatile single-photon sources are crucial components for practical quantum communication. The weak coupling of micro-nano photonic structures with quantum dots significantly enhances single-photon performance by accelerating the photon radiation rate, regulating the far-field distribution, and enhancing photon collection efficiency. We propose a novel defect design, twist angle defects (TADs), which greatly improve far-field radiation patterns based on the band-folding principle.

PIPKIγ promotes non-homologous end joining through LIG4 to enhance radiotherapy resistance in triple-negative breast cancer.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is an aggressive subtype of breast cancer with poor prognosis and limited therapeutic options. DNA damage-based radiotherapy plays a significant role in the treatment of TNBC. However, radioresistance continues to pose a significant challenge, often resulting in the unsuccessful outcome of radiation therapy for patients with TNBC.

Clinical efficacy comparison of Mazor X robot-assisted and traditional freehand techniques in the treatment of atlantoaxial fracture and dislocation.

Background: The optimal treatment strategy for atlantoaxial fracture-dislocation remains a focal point of clinical research and a subject of ongoing debate, with a paucity of definitive comparative clinical studies.

Objective: With the increasing application of robot-assisted (RA) technology in spinal surgery, the present study aims to compare the clinical efficacy of traditional fluoroscopy-assisted freehand screw placement (FA) and robot-assisted screw placement in the treatment of atlantoaxial fracture-dislocation, providing a reference for clinical practice.

Methods: This retrospective study analyzed the clinical data of 59 patients with atlantoaxial fracture-dislocation who underwent surgical treatment at Honghui Hospital in Xi'an from May 2023 to August 2024.

Associations between lipid parameters and depression with the moderating role of inflammation: Network analyses of 87,636 UK Biobank participants.

Background: Studies investigating lipid-depression associations have reported inconsistent findings, and few have considered the interrelationships among lipid parameters. Additionally, the moderating role of inflammation in these associations remains unclear. This study aims to (1) assess lipid-depression associations after controlling for other lipid parameters, and (2) explore the moderating effect of inflammation.

Cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic syndrome, systemic inflammation, and incident dementia: evidence from 400,740 UK Biobank participants.

Background: Although some studies examined the association of individual risk factors for cardiovascular-kidney-metabolic (CKM) syndrome (diabetes, chronic kidney disease, and stroke) with the risk of incident dementia, little is known about the impact of overall CKM health on dementia risk. This study investigated (1) the association between CKM syndrome and risk of incident dementia in 400,740 UK Biobank participants and (2) whether systemic inflammation mediated this association.

Methods: The association between CKM syndrome and the risk of dementia was assessed using Cox proportional hazards models.

Genome-wide characterization of monoacylglycerol lipase (MAGL) gene family in soybean and functional analysis of GmMAGLs in storage lipid metabolism and drought resistance.

Background: Monoglyceride lipase (MAGL) catalyzes the final step of triacylglycerol (TAG) hydrolysis, converting monoacylglycerol (MAG) into glycerol and free fatty acids. Although MAGL is critical for TAG metabolism, its physiological roles in plants remain poorly understood, compared to its functions in mammals.

Results: Eighteen GmMAGL genes were identified from the genome of soybean (Glycine max), a major food and oil crop worldwide, with them being classified into 8 distinct subfamilies.

Unlocking bioavailability: Hydroxyl radical oxidation boosts digestibility and antioxidant capacity in silver carp myofibrillar protein gels.

In this study, the effects of oxidized protein on the physicochemical and digestive properties of myofibrillar protein gels were investigated by constructing a fenton oxidation system and simulating an in vitro dynamic digestion model. The results showed that moderate oxidation (≤ 0.5 mM HO) enhanced the whiteness, gel strength, and water-holding properties of MP gels.

Gene Localization and Functional Validation of in Soybean Against Cyst Nematode Race 4.

To identify the key genes conferring resistance to soybean cyst nematode race 4 (SCN4, ), this study utilized 280 recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from the resistant cultivar Huipizhiheidou (HPD) and the susceptible cultivar Jindou23 (JD23). Through phenotypic characterization and a genome-wide association study (GWAS), a genomic region (Gm18:1,223,546-1,782,241) on chromosome 18 was mapped, yielding 14 candidate genes. was validated as a critical resistance gene using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and Kompetitive Allele Specific PCR (KASP) marker M0526.

Synergistic Nitric Oxide Therapy and Phototherapy Using a Novel Bacteria Scavenger for Treatment of Acute Rhinosinusitis.

Acute rhinosinusitis is one of the most prevalent diseases seriously affecting the well-being and quality of life. To address this condition, a novel intelligent liposome nanoparticle (BHL@IR780@LNP) was constructed by coloading the photosensitizer IR780 and a nitric oxide donor (l-arginine-loaded biguanide chitosan-hyaluronic acid composite nanoparticles, BHL) onto liposome nanoparticles composed of cholesterol and soybean phospholipids. Under irradiation with an 808 nm near-infrared laser, BHL@IR780@LNP was able to generate heat and reactive oxygen species, resulting in the precise release of nitric oxide, which effectively killed 97.

Amyloid-β protein precursor fragments in urine: Potential biomarkers for the early detection of mild cognitive impairment and dementia.

BackgroundCurrent diagnostic methods have limitations in early prediction of dementia.ObjectiveDevelop an early screening tool to identify persons at high risk of dementia for early intervention.MethodsWe examined amyloid-β protein precursor (AβPP) and its fragments in urine from cognitively normal controls (CNs) and patients with mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or Alzheimer's disease (AD)-dementia using western blotting with different antibodies and developed a colloidal gold lateral flow-based qualitative strip.

Graph_RG: Dominating CASP16's Small Molecule Affinity Prediction Subcategory-A Pose-Free Framework for Billion-Scale Virtual Screening.

Protein-ligand interaction prediction is pivotal in early-stage drug development, enabling large-scale virtual screening, drug optimization, and reverse target searching. In this work, we present Graph_RG, our top-performing model in the CASP16 small molecule track's protein-ligand affinity prediction category, achieving a N-weighted Kendall's Tau of 0.42-significantly outperforming other submissions (second-best: 0.

Mental Health Issues and 24-Hour Movement Guidelines-Based Intervention Strategies for University Students With High-Risk Social Network Addiction: Cross-Sectional Study Using a Machine Learning Approach.

Background: The exponential growth of digital technologies and the ubiquity of social media platforms have led to unprecedented mental health challenges among college students, highlighting the critical need for effective intervention approaches.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between meeting the 24-hour movement guidelines (24-HMG) health behavior combinations and the risk of social network addiction (SNA) as well as mental health issues among university students. It further sought to compare differences in mental health indicators and SNA levels across various risk groups and adherence patterns, and to identify the optimal 24-HMG health behavior intervention strategies for students at high risk of SNA.

Biological Age Acceleration Associated with the Progression Trajectory of Cardio-Renal-Metabolic Multimorbidity: A Prospective Cohort Study.

Objectives: Previous studies have confirmed that biological age (BA) acceleration is associated with single cardio-renal-metabolic diseases (CRMDs), typically including type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, and chronic kidney disease. However, its association with progression to cardio-renal-metabolic multimorbidity (CRMM, coexistence of ≥2 CRMDs) and subsequent mortality remains unexplored.

Methods: Using the multi-state model, we analyzed 278,927 UK Biobank participants free of CRMDs at baseline to investigate the association between BA acceleration-measured by phenotypic age (PhenoAge) and Klemera-Doubal method age (KDMAge)-and CRMM progression trajectory, from health to the first CRMD and then to CRMM and death.

Synergistic Bio-Organic Fertilization Enhances Tobacco Antioxidative Defense and Soil Health for Sustainable Agriculture.

The extensive use of chemical/inorganic fertilizer application over the past few decades has significantly enhanced global food production potentials. However, the excessive application of these fertilizers has resulted in environmental issues, soil nutrient imbalances, and poor quality of food. The study aimed to evaluate the impact of various blends of bio-organic fertilizer, farm manure, and compound fertilizer on soil health, focusing on soil nutrient content, soil enzymatic parameters, physio-biochemical attributes, and quality traits of tobacco.

The ethylene responsive factor TaERF-2 A activates gibberellin 2-oxidase gene TaGA2ox2-3B expression to enhance seed dormancy in wheat.

The plant hormone gibberellin (GA) plays a key role in breaking seed dormancy, but the underlying regulatory mechanism is not fully understood. Here, we reported TraesCS3B02G166100 (named TaGA2ox2-3B), encoding a GA metabolism enzyme GA2ox family member, to be differentially expressed in strong- and weak-dormancy wheat seeds during germination. We confirmed that the ERF transcription factor TaERF-2 A directly bound to the TaGA2ox2-3B promoter and enhanced its transcription.