Crystal structures of 40- and 71-substitution variants of hydroxynitrile lyase from rubber tree.

Hydroxynitrile lyase from Hevea brasiliensis (HbHNL) and the esterase SABP2 from Nicotiana tabacum share the α/β-hydrolase fold, a Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad and 44% sequence identity, yet catalyze different reactions. Prior studies showed that three active-site substitutions in HbHNL conferred weak esterase activity. To investigate how regions beyond the active site influence catalytic efficiency and active-site geometry, we engineered HbHNL variants with increasing numbers of substitutions to match SABP2.

Crystal structure of a seven-substitution mutant of hydroxynitrile lyase from rubber tree.

The α/β-hydrolase fold superfamily includes esterases and hydroxynitrile lyases which, despite catalyzing different reactions, share a Ser-His-Asp catalytic triad. We report a 1.99 Å resolution crystal structure of HNL6V, an engineered variant of hydroxynitrile lyase from Hevea brasiliensis (HbHNL) containing seven amino-acid substitutions (T11G, E79H, C81L, H103V, N104A, G176S and K236M).

Impact of chemical oxygen demand-to-sulfate ratio changes on spatial heterogeneity evolution of microbial communities in cathode biofilms and sulfate reduction performance of microbial electrolysis cells.

Microbial electrolysis cells (MEC) supply electrons to sulfate-reducing bacteria (SRB) within cathode biofilms, however, these SRB exhibit heterogeneous spatial distributions due to varying competitiveness for electron utilization, which ultimately impacts sulfate removal efficiency. This study investigates the underlying mechanisms driving the evolution of this spatial heterogeneity within cathode biofilms and its subsequent influence on sulfate reduction performance by modulating the chemical oxygen demand-to-sulfate (C/S) ratio. When the C/S ratio decreased from 5 to 3, the sulfate removal rate increased by nearly 10 %.

Trans-2-pentenal suppresses potato common scab via dual inhibition of thiamine and energy metabolism in Streptomyces scabies.

Background: Potato common scab, a devastating soil-borne disease caused by Streptomyces scabies and other pathogenic Streptomyces species. Resistant cultivar Longshu 27 and susceptible Longshu 20 were used. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs) with direct antibacterial activity in potato tubers were identified and screened through HS-SPME-GC-MS and in vitro antibacterial assays.

Characterization of cis-regulatory elements and functional variants in colorectal cancer using epigenomics and CRISPRi screenings.

Genetic variants associated with colorectal cancer (CRC) are primarily noncoding and reside in cis-regulatory elements (CREs), yet their underlying mechanisms remain elusive. Here we established a dynamic epigenetic atlas using multiomics data from 533 colorectal tissues spanning normal to advanced adenoma to cancer, identifying 7,492 differential CREs linked to 5,490 target genes. High-throughput CRISPR interference screening revealed 265 functional CREs involved in CRC cell proliferation.

On-Site Growth of a TaON Nanoshell on ZrO Particles for Photocatalytic Water Splitting.

Low-dimensional nanostructuring has emerged as a promising approach to enhance the photocatalytic performance of transition metal oxynitrides, a class of widely investigated visible-light-responsive photocatalysts. Despite their potential, the synthesis of nanostructured oxynitride materials remains a great challenge. In this study, we present a novel NHCl-assisted vacuum nitridation method for growth of an ultrathin TaON layer on particulate ZrO, resulting in the formation of TaON@ZrO core@shell nanostructures.

Multiple Loci DNA Methylation Profiling for Rapid Colorectal Cancer Diagnosis Based on a Smartphone-Integrated Microfluidic Biosensing Platform.

Methylation level of circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) is widely recognized as a pivotal biomarker in precision oncology for tumor characterization and risk assessment. However, current point-of-care testing platforms for methylation analysis are constrained in achieving sufficient detection specificity due to their limitations in single-locus detection and their dependence on complex instrumentation. In this study, to overcome the above limitations, a smartphone-integrated, microfluidic chip technology-based biosensing platform was engineered for simultaneous analysis of multiple methylation loci in ctDNA.

Complete genome sequence of strain NK, an acid-tolerant organohalide-respiring bacterium.

strain NK reductively dechlorinates tetrachloroethene to ethene at pH 5.5. The metagenome-assembled strain NK genome is 1.

Epicardial adipose tissue volume is associated with impaired left ventricular strain in patients with metabolic syndrome: the mediating role of myocardial energetic efficiency.

Background: Epicardial adipose tissue volume (EATV) has been linked to cardiac dysfunction in metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the underlying mechanisms remain unclear. The aim of this study was to investigate whether myocardial energetic efficiency partially explains the relationship between EATV and impaired left ventricular (LV) myocardial strain in MetS patients using cardiac magnetic resonance (CMR).

Methods: A total of 225 patients with MetS and 68 age - and sex - matched controls underwent CMR.

Dual-colorimetric amplification biosensor based on GNPs and G-quadruplex/hemin DNAzyme for multiplexed microRNAs.

The abnormal expression of microRNA (miRNA) is closely related to the occurrence and progression of diverse cancers. Accurate diagnosis of early-stage cancers via low-cost Point-of-Care Testing (POCT) remains highly desirable but challenging. Herein, a dual-colorimetric amplification biosensor has been developed for the simultaneous detection of two tumor-associated miRNAs.

Crystal structure of the folded domains of Xrs2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae.

The MRE11-RAD50-NBS1/Xrs2 (MRN/X) protein complex acts as a first responder in DNA double-strand break repair and telomere-length maintenance, yet the structural architecture of the yeast ortholog Xrs2 has remained unresolved. In this study, we present the first structure of the folded N-terminal region of Xrs2 from Saccharomyces cerevisiae, resolved at 2.38 Å using X-ray crystallography.

Molecular characterization of Zea mays ZmDnaJ3: A key protein positively regulating heat and drought stress adaptation.

Maize (Zea mays L.), a globally significant monocotyledonous plant and cereal crop, faces substantial challenges in terms of yield and quality sustainability owing to increasing heat and drought stress resulting from global warming. As molecular chaperones, DnaJ proteins play crucial roles in maintaining proteostasis under stress conditions.

Global epidemiological trends and burden of cervical and subcervical spinal cord injuries, 1990-2021: a multidimensional analysis using global burden of disease data.

Background: Cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) and subcervical spinal cord injury (SSCI) cause substantial motor, sensory, and autonomic dysfunction, with traumatic and non-traumatic etiologies. CSCI (C1-C8) and SSCI (T1-L1) impose severe individual and societal burdens. This study assessed global trends in SCI incidence, prevalence, and years lived with disability (YLDs) from 1990 to 2021.

Redox regulation for sustainable water purification and risk management.

Sustainable detoxification and advanced treatment of toxic organic pollutants (TOPs) in wastewater are essential for water reclamation and ecosystem security. Although biological treatment is a low-carbon and eco-friendly approach for TOPs degradation, its effectiveness is often limited by the high toxicity and recalcitrance of TOPs. Oxidative and reductive reactions can degrade TOPs according to their intrinsic redox potentials.

Foliar Application of Nanoselenium: A Novel Strategy to Enhance Tuber Quality, Yield, and Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Potato.

Excessive nitrogen application reduces nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and exacerbates environmental risks. Nanoselenium (nano-Se) has been shown to enhance plant nitrogen uptake efficiency. This study investigated nano-Se influences potato ( L.

Regulating community redox metabolism for systematic mitigation of antibiotic chemical and biological risks.

The evolution of antimicrobial resistance (AMR) during antibiotic biological treatment is an unavoidable focus. However, little is known about how to regulate the systematic mitigation pathways for antibiotic chemical and biological risks. Here, we explore micro-aeration coupled with electrostimulation to regulate community redox metabolism, ultimately enhancing both the biodegradation of sulfamethoxazole (SMX) and the mitigation of antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs).

Machine learning developed an immune evasion signature for predicting prognosis and immunotherapy benefits in lung adenocarcinoma.

Background: Lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD) is one of the most common cancers worldwide and a major cause of cancer-related deaths. The advancement of immunotherapy has expanded the treatment options for LUAD. However, the clinical outcomes of LUAD patients have not been as anticipated, potentially due to immune escape mechanisms.

The adverse effects of metabolic disorder on left ventricular myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency and dysfunction in ischemic cardiomyopathy: insight from a cardiac MRI study.

Purpose: Metabolic risk factors (MetF) have emerged as the leading drivers of ischemic cardiomyopathy (ICM) worldwide. However, in patients who have already experienced myocardial ischemia/infarction, whether and in what pattern the MetF act on the heart needs to be further elucidated. This study aims to determine the adverse effects of MetF on left ventricular (LV) indexed myocardial mechano-energetic efficiency (MEEi) and dysfunction in patients with ICM, and further clarify which MetF classification is more clinically significant.

Draft genomes of strain J1 and strain J2 from a tetrachloroethene-dechlorinating consortium.

Two metagenome-assembled genomes were recovered from an anaerobic consortium capable of complete reductive dechlorination of tetrachloroethene to ethene. The draft genomes, assigned to strain J1 and strain J2, are 1.37 and 3.

Gamma irradiation induced structure changes of corn starch: a combined effects of amylose and moisture contents.

Background: Gamma irradiation is a common physical method used for starch modification to alter its physiochemical properties. Most studies have focused on the effects of moisture or amylose content independently on the gamma irradiation of starches. However, the hydration of starch granule was significantly influenced by the amylose content and its location.

A Home-Based Self-Powered Rehabilitation System With Variable Stiffness Mechanism.

Home-based rehabilitation with robot assistance may significantly reduce therapist workload and facilitate post-stroke patient training. However, the lack of real-time therapist supervision requires higher safety, ease of use, and training efficiency of the rehabilitation system. Therefore, active robot rehabilitation systems may not be particularly ideal for home use due to high costs, large footprints, safety concerns, and the potential for motor slacking.

Complete genome sequence of sp. strain TCA, a sulfate-reducing bacterium isolated from river sediment.

A new member affiliated with the genus , designated as strain TCA, was isolated from a dechlorinating enrichment culture originating from a freshwater river sediment. Its genome includes a 3.5 Mb chromosome with a G + C content of 66.

Efficacy and Safety of Fuzheng Jiedu Xiaoji Formula Combined with Conventional Western Therapy in Advanced HBV-HCC: A Single-Center, Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: To evaluate whether adding Fuzheng Jiedu Xiaoji (FZJDXJ) therapy improves survival in advanced hepatitis B virus-related HCC (HBV-HCC) patients.

Methods: This prospective, randomized controlled study was performed at a major academic medical center in Beijing, China from October 2020 to October 2022. Eligible patients with advanced HBV-HCC were randomly divided equally (1:1) to receive either the combination of FZJDXJ and conventional Western medical therapy (63 cases, FZJDXJ group) or solely Western medicine (66 cases, control group).

Water-Induced Structural Instability in Zinc Coordination Polymers for Dual-Channel Fluorescent Sensing of Cu and Cysteine.

Coordination polymers (CPs) have gained significant attention due to their unique structural tunability and broad application prospects. However, their instability in water remains a key challenge for practical applications. This study presents a dual-channel fluorescent sensor based on water-unstable zinc coordination polymers (Zn-CPs) for the sensitive detection of copper ions (Cu) in water and cysteine (Cys) in serum.