Relative Binding Free Energy Methods Based on the Alchemical Transformation Framework: An Effective Strategy for Predicting the Umami Recognition Threshold of Umami Peptide Derivatives.

Umami peptides integrating both flavor and nutritional properties possess numerous derivatives that pose challenges for prediction using absolute free energy prediction tools and peptide classification models. While relative binding free energy (RBFE) methods based on the alchemical transformation framework have demonstrated excellent performance in drug activity prediction, their application in taste activity prediction remains unexplored. Through scientific literature analysis, 611 umami peptides and derivatives were systematically organized and cataloged with their structures and recognition thresholds then clustered into eight clusters.

Umami_IP: An integrated model and explanatory analysis for quantitative prediction of Umami recognition threshold.

Umami peptides have gained considerable attention due to high nutritional value and distinct flavor. However, because of experimental complexity and time cost, the identification of umami peptides encounters obstacles. Based on the recognition threshold documented in TastePeptidesDB (http://tastepeptides-meta.

Phase Diagram Mapping of a Moiré System Using Surface Acoustic Waves.

Taking advantage of interfacial electron-phonon interactions, surface acoustic waves (SAWs) have emerged as a sensitive and contact-free technique for investigating low-dimensional materials. This noninvasive technique proves especially valuable for probing low-conductivity states and provides crucial radio-frequency conductivity information. In this work, for the first time, we extend SAW measurements to moiré systems to explore the correlated quantum phases.

METTL13 is essential for the survival of acute myeloid leukemia cells by regulating MYC.

Recently, some methyltransferase-like (METTL) proteins have been found to play crucial roles in the development of acute myeloid leukemia (AML) through mediating RNA modifications, such as METTL3/14/16 mediated N-methyladenosine (mA) and METTL1 mediated N-methylguanosine (mG). However, the roles of other METTL proteins in AML progression remain unknown. Here, we examined the expression levels of all METTL members in AML samples and showed that METTL13 was increased in AML and positively correlated with poor prognosis.

Serum uric acid levels as a causal factor in hypertension: Insights from Mendelian randomization analysis.

Background: Hyperuricemia and hypertension are prevalent chronic diseases that often co-occur. While numerous observational studies suggest an association between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and hypertension, the causal nature of this relationship remains unresolved due to confounding and reverse causation. This study systematically investigates the causal association between SUA levels and hypertension risk using Mendelian randomization (MR) methodologies.

HBO1 determines epithelial-mesenchymal transition and promotes immunotherapy resistance in ovarian cancer cells.

Purpose: Epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) plays critical roles in tumor progress and treatment resistance of ovarian cancer (OC), resulting in the most deadly gynecological cancer in women. However, the cell-intrinsic mechanism underlying EMT in OC remains less illuminated.

Method: SKOV3, the OC cell line, was treated with TGF-β to induce EMT or with SB431542, an inhibitor of the TGF-β signaling pathway, to reduce migration.

TastePeptides-Meta: A One-Stop Platform for Taste Peptides and Their Structural Derivatives, Including Taste Properties, Interactions, and Prediction Models.

Taste peptides have nutritional and sensory properties, and their structural derivatives show unique taste modulation effects. The increasing number of taste peptide candidates requires a fast and accurate screening methodology using advanced detection tools. Notably, existing platforms lack integrated bioinformatics solutions to provide accurate retrieval and prediction capabilities.

Human induced pluripotent stem cells derived neutrophils display strong anti-microbial potencies.

Neutrophils are essential innate immune cells with unusual anti-microbial properties while dysfunctions of neutrophils lead to severe health problems such as lethal infections. Generation of neutrophils from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) is highly promising to produce off-the-shelf neutrophils for transfusion therapies. However, the anti-microbial potencies of hiPSCs derived neutrophils (iNEUs) remain less documented.

Unexpected Large Electrostatic Gating by Pyroelectric Charge Accumulation.

Pyroelectricity refers to the accumulation of charges due to changes in the spontaneous polarization of ferroelectric materials when subjected to temperature variations. Typically, these pyroelectric charges are considered unstable and dissipate quickly through interactions with the external environment. Consequently, the pyroelectric effect has been largely overlooked in ferroelectric field-effect transistors.

Associations between self-reported sleep duration and incident cardiovascular diseases in a nationwide prospective cohort study of Chinese middle-aged and older adults.

Purpose: This study explores the correlation between sleep duration and cardiovascular disease (CVD) among middle-aged and older adults in China. Furthermore, we aim to investigate the association between sleep duration and incident CVD in this population, while assessing potential variations across different age and gender subgroups.

Methods: Utilizing data from the nationwide prospective survey of the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS) conducted in 2011, 2013, 2015, and 2018, involving 17,596 participants aged 45 years and above, we employed Cox proportional hazards regression models.

Calycosin-7-O-β-D-Glucoside Ameliorates Palmitate-Induced Lipid Accumulation in HT22 Cells.

Background: The pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) is complex. Recent research suggests that AD patients have early disorders in brain cholesterol metabolism. Cholesterol and its derivatives accumulate in neurons, leading to p-Tau overproduction and synaptic dysfunction, initiating AD progression.

Acousto-Drag Photovoltaic Effect by Piezoelectric Integration of Two-Dimensional Semiconductors.

Light-to-electricity conversion is crucial for energy harvesting and photodetection, requiring efficient electron-hole pair separation to prevent recombination. Traditional junction-based mechanisms using built-in electric fields fail in nonbarrier regions. Homogeneous material harvesting under a photovoltaic effect is appealing but is only realized in noncentrosymmetric systems via a bulk photovoltaic effect.

ASF1A-dependent P300-mediated histone H3 lysine 18 lactylation promotes atherosclerosis by regulating EndMT.

Endothelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EndMT) is a key driver of atherosclerosis. Aerobic glycolysis is increased in the endothelium of atheroprone areas, accompanied by elevated lactate levels. Histone lactylation, mediated by lactate, can regulate gene expression and participate in disease regulation.

Memristive switching in the surface of a charge-density-wave topological semimetal.

Owing to the outstanding properties provided by nontrivial band topology, topological phases of matter are considered as a promising platform towards low-dissipation electronics, efficient spin-charge conversion, and topological quantum computation. Achieving ferroelectricity in topological materials enables the non-volatile control of the quantum states, which could greatly facilitate topological electronic research. However, ferroelectricity is generally incompatible with systems featuring metallicity due to the screening effect of free carriers.

Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells combined with porcine small intestinal submucosa promote the healing of full-thickness skin injury in SD rats.

To assess the therapeutic potential of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs) combined with porcine small intestinal submucosa (SIS) on full-thickness skin injuries in rats. We established full-thickness skin injury models in Sprague-Dawley rats, dividing them into blank control, SIS, hUCMSCs and hUCMSCs combined with SIS. We monitored wound healing, scores and area, and analyzed inflammatory cells, microvessel density and collagen fibers after 12 days.

Gate-Tunable Quantum Acoustoelectric Transport in Graphene.

Transport probes the motion of quasi-particles in response to external excitations. Apart from the well-known electric and thermoelectric transport, acoustoelectric transport induced by traveling acoustic waves has rarely been explored. Here, by adopting hybrid nanodevices integrated with piezoelectric substrates, we establish a simple design of acoustoelectric transport with gate tunability.

Whole transcriptome scanning and validation of negatively related genes in UC-MSCs.

Background: Human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (UC-MSCs) are one of the most extensively researched stem cell types due to their potential for multi-lineage differentiation, secretion of regenerative factors, modulations of immunological activities, and the release of regenerative substances and influence immunological processes. Since UC-MSCs must be cultivated on a large scale for clinical use, selecting the appropriate storing passage, such as the usage-based passage of UC-MSCs, is critical for long-term autologous or allogeneic usage. Long-term cultivation of stem cells, on the other hand, causes them to lose their pluripotent differentiation capacity.

Noteworthy Consensus Effects of D/E Residues in Umami Peptides Used for Designing the Novel Umami Peptides.

Aspartic acid (D) and glutamic acid (E) play vital roles in the umami peptides. To understand their exact mechanism of action, umami peptides were collected and cut into 1/2/3/4 fragments. Connecting D/E to the N/C-termini of the fragments formed D/E consensus effect groups (DEEGs), and all fragments containing DEEG were summarized according to the ratio and ranking obtained in the above four situations.

Autophagy is essential for human myelopoiesis.

Emergency myelopoiesis (EM) is essential in immune defense against pathogens for rapid replenishing of mature myeloid cells. During the EM process, a rapid cell-cycle switch from the quiescent hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) to highly proliferative myeloid progenitors (MPs) is critical. How the rapid proliferation of MPs during EM is regulated remains poorly understood.

Non-canonical STING-PERK pathway dependent epigenetic regulation of vascular endothelial dysfunction integrating IRF3 and NF-B in inflammatory response.

Inflammation-driven endothelial dysfunction is the major initiating factor in atherosclerosis, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that the non-canonical stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was significantly activated in both human and mice atherosclerotic arteries. Typically, STING activation leads to the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-B)/p65, thereby facilitating signals and inflammation.

lncRNA JPX-Enriched Chromatin Microenvironment Mediates Vascular Smooth Muscle Cell Senescence and Promotes Atherosclerosis.

Background: Senescence is a series of degenerative changes in the structure and physiological function of an organism. Whether JPX (just proximal to XIST)-a newly identified age-related noncoding RNA by us-is associated with atherosclerosis is still unknown. Our study was to investigate the role of JPX and provide insights into potential therapies targeting atherosclerosis.