Two homeobox transcription factors CgrHtf1 and CgrAfh1 hierarchically regulate asexual sporulation and appressorium formation in the maize anthracnose fungus Colletotrichum graminicola.

Maize anthracnose, caused by the fungal pathogen Colletotrichum graminicola, is among the most devastating diseases affecting maize production. Homeobox transcription factors (HTFs) regulate key developmental and physiological processes in eukaryotes, including fungal pathogenesis. In this study, we identified two HTFs, CgrHtf1 and CgrAfh1, in C.

Progress on the synthesis of bioengineered heparin as an alternative to animal-derived heparin active pharmaceutical ingredient.

Heparin, a clinically essential anticoagulant, has long been derived from animal sources, posing risks of contamination and supply chain instability. Bioengineered heparin, synthesized via microbial fermentation and enzymatic modification, offers a promising alternative with enhanced safety, homogeneity, and scalability. This review highlights recent advances in heparosan biosynthesis, enzymatic sulfation strategies, and analytical characterization for bioengineered heparin.

A functional and applied perspective of Vitreoscilla hemoglobin: from oxygen carriage to biotechnological innovation.

Vitreoscilla hemoglobin (VHb), a homodimeric bacterial hemoglobin, exhibits distinct oxygen-binding properties that enhance cellular respiration and metabolic activity, particularly under hypoxic conditions. This review presents an updated and comprehensive synthesis of VHb-related research, encompassing its molecular structure, redox biochemistry, and transcriptional regulation. Compared with previous reviews, this work integrates recent mechanistic insights-especially those concerning transcription factor interactions, redox-coupled electron transfer, and structural-function relationships elucidated via targeted mutagenesis.

Insulin resistance as a determinant of fertilization efficiency in polycystic ovary syndrome patients undergoing IVF/ICSI: a retrospective cohort study.

Background: This retrospective cohort study aimed to evaluate the impact of insulin resistance (IR) on clinical outcomes in polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) patients undergoing in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) treatment.

Methods: A total of 1,768 PCOS patients undergoing IVF/ICSI cycles at Shenzhen Zhongshan Obstetrics & Gynecology Hospital between October 2010 and November 2024 were stratified into two cohorts: non-IR group (HOMA index < 2.69, n = 867) and IR group (HOMA index ≥ 2.

Plasma non-targeted metabolomics unravels the metabolic features of normal trans-right heart.

Introduction: Right heart (RH), as a junction between the venous system and pulmonary circulation, gains great emphasis on exploring the relevant pathological mechanism of many cardiopulmonary diseases. Although these pathogensis researches centering on RH-related diseases advance, the physiological mechanism research of the RH is scarce.

Objectives: This study aimed to accurately unravel the metabolic features of normal trans-RH through non-targeted metabolomics.

[Exploration and practice of teaching reform in Synthetic Biology].

Synthetic biology is a crucial tool for the development of the bio-industry and bio-economy, representing a significant aspect of new quality productive forces. As a core course for graduate students in bioengineering, Synthetic Biology plays a vital role in ensuring the supply of essential talents for the development of the bio-industry in the new era. To better serve regional economic development and provide high-level talents for China's progress in the bio-industry, we analyzed typical issues encountered in the past teaching activities, set up a multi-disciplinary teaching team, optimized the course contents, adjusted the teaching mode, and mobilized students' learning interest.

Identification of histidine decarboxylase and its multi-enzyme cascade system for cost-efficient biosynthesis of carcinine.

Unlabelled: Carcinine, a bioactive compound with antioxidant and anti-glycation properties, holds significant promise for applications in pharmaceuticals and cosmetics. This study demonstrates a novel strategy for the direct biosynthesis of carcinine from low-cost L-histidine and β-alanine using a multi-enzyme cascade system. A highly efficient histidine decarboxylase (PphHDC) was identified.

Feasibility study of LYSO-SiPM in-beam TOF-PET for dose monitoring in carbon-ion radiotherapy.

In-beam positron emission tomography (PET) is a promising approach for dose monitoring in carbon-ion radiotherapy (CIRT). This study evaluated the feasibility of a dual-head PET system using lutetium-yttrium oxyorthosilicate (LYSO) scintillators and silicon photomultiplier (SiPM) detectors incorporating time-of-flight (TOF) technology to monitor carbon-ion beam dose distribution.The dual-head PET system includes four modules per head, each comprising a 12 × 12 array of LYSO crystals (4.

Machine learning-based construction of Immunogenic cell death-related score for improving prognosis and personalized treatment in glioma.

Immunogenic cell death (ICD) is capable of activating both innate and adaptive immune responses. In this study, we aimed to develop an ICD-related signature in glioma patients and facilitate the assessment of their prognosis and drug sensitivity. Consensus clustering and non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) were performed to classify patients into subgroups.

Correct understanding of the definition and management strategies for refractory hydrocephalus.

Hydrocephalus refers to the abnormal accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the central nervous system, typically resulting from an imbalance between CSF production and absorption. Traditional classifications of hydrocephalus do not incorporate management strategies (not classified according to the degree of difficulty of treatment). Clinically, hydrocephalus that is challenging to treat is often categorized as refractory hydrocephalus (RH).

Dysbiotic gut fungi exacerbate Klebsiella peumoniae lung infection via Dectin-1-mediated alveolar macrophage hyperactivation.

Escalating antibiotic resistance of Klebsiella pneumoniae underscores the urgent need for therapeutic strategies. Whereas gut bacterial dysbiosis exacerbates pulmonary infections, the role of gut fungi in modulating lung immunity remains understudied. Here, we demonstrate that antibiotic-induced gut fungal expansion aggravates pneumonia by enhancing alveolar macrophage-driven inflammation via Dectin-1 signaling.

Diamond-Inspired DNA Hydrogel Based on Tetrahedral Framework Nucleic Acids for Burn Wound Healing.

Burn wounds frequently pose high risks of a prolonged healing process and even death due to the persistent reactive oxygen species (ROS)-mediated inflammatory cascade. There is an urgent requirement for advanced dressings modulating the immune microenvironment surrounding the wound. DNA hydrogels have been preliminarily investigated in tissue regeneration due to their excellent permeability, editability, and biocompatibility.

Heterologous integration-assisted metabolic engineering in Escherichia coli for elevated D-pantothenic acid production.

D-pantothenic acid (D-PA) is a vital water-soluble vitamin with diverse industrial applications, driving the demand for efficient microbial production. Here, we rationally engineered an Escherichia coli strain to enhance D-PA production through metabolic engineering. First, to enhance carbon utilization efficiency, competing byproduct pathways were deleted and the pentose phosphate pathway was downregulated.

Recovery of polarization information in scattering scenes based on Monte Carlo algorithm.

We propose a Monte Carlo-based method for recovering polarization information in scattering scenes. This approach introduces a backscattering model to characterize polarization state variations within scattering media. Specifically, the Monte Carlo algorithm is employed to construct a computational model for simulating and analyzing the backscattering process of incident light within the scattering medium.

The DRP1 inhibitory peptide P110 provides neuroprotection after subarachnoid hemorrhage by suppressing neuronal apoptosis and stabilizing the blood-brain barrier.

Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and mitochondrial dysfunction are key pathological features of early brain injury (EBI) following subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Increasing evidence highlights mitochondria-associated ER membranes (MAMs) as central regulators of ER proteostasis and mitochondrial quality control. Given the dual role of dynamin-related protein 1 (DRP1) in modulating MAMs integrity and mitochondrial dynamics, we hypothesized that pharmacological inhibition of DRP1 would exert neuroprotective effects in SAH by preserving inter-organelle communication and restoring mitochondrial bioenergetics.

Identification of a novel D-amino acid oxidase and its application in deracemization of D, L-phosphinothricin.

DAAO is applied as a potential catalyst in the biosynthesis of L-PPT. However, its low solubility expression constrains its broader industrial application. Herein, a novel DAAO derived from Cladophialophora carrionii (CcDAAO) was identified, which demonstrated superior catalytic performance toward D-Ala (specific activity: 106.

Dehydroxylation/hydroxylation: a novel mechanism for D-allulose 3-epimerase-catalyzed ketohexose epimerization was discovered and validated.

In response to the disputed dehydrogenation/hydrogenation mechanism of D-allulose 3-epimerase (DAE), this study reveals a dehydroxylation/hydroxylation mechanism O/H isotopic labeling in mass spectrometry and DFT calculations, demonstrating metal-coordinated C3-O3 bond cleavage and providing a basis for the rational modification of DAE in rare sugar biosynthesis.

Targeting PDCD4 in cancer and atrial fibrillation: mechanistic insights from integrated multi-omics and single-cell analysis.

Background: Atrial fibrillation (AF) is a complicated and varied cardiovascular disorder with inadequate understanding of its molecular underpinnings. While Programmed cell death factor 4 (PDCD4) has been associated in several illnesses, its particular significance in AF remains unknown. This work seeks to discover PDCD4-associated critical genes and clarify their regulation processes.

Endocannabinoids inhibit contextual fear memory generalization via hippocampal GABAergic synaptic transmission.

Memory generalization allows an organism to adapt to new conditions, but overgeneralization of fear or traumatic experiences can be detrimental to survival and contributes to the development of various mental disorders. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying fear memory generalization, especially in the hippocampus, remain largely unknown. In this study, utilizing a well-established mouse model of fear memory generalization, we investigated the role of endocannabinoids (eCBs)-mediated GABAergic synaptic inputs to hippocampal pyramidal neurons in regulating contextual fear memory generalization.

Application value of serum miR-363 combined with arterial blood gas analysis parameters and lung ultrasound score in neonatal respiratory distress syndrome.

Neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (NRDS) is caused by a deficiency of alveolar surface-active substances. The aim of this study was to investigate the value of miR-363 combined with arterial blood gas analysis parameters and lung ultrasound (LUS) score for diagnosis and prognostic assessment in NRDS. In this study, 104 neonates with NRDS and 76 healthy were included as subjects.

Genetic diversity and stress resistance evaluation of Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) genetic resources in the Yangtze River estuary.

The Chinese mitten crab (Eriocheir sinensis) is a typical migratory aquatic species. However, due to overfishing, habitat destruction (e.g.

Combinatorial Strategy of Modular Metabolic Engineering and Fermentation Optimization Jointly Improved Gibberellic Acid Production in Fusarium fujikuroi.

Gibberellic acid 3 (GA), a diterpenoid phytohormone industrially biosynthesized by Fusarium fujikuroi, serves as a pivotal plant growth regulator with extensive agricultural applications. Currently, industrial GA production predominantly relies on prolonged submerged microbial fermentation with F. fujikuroi as the main production strain, valued for its native biosynthetic capacity.

MKRN1 degrades AGC1 to trigger chemotherapy resistance of colorectal Cancer.

Unlabelled: Oxaliplatin (Oxa) has been extensively employed in treatment of colorectal cancer (CRC), yet frequent occurrence of chemoresistance poses a significant obstacle to achieving long-term disease-free survival for CRC patients. In this study, we employed a CRISPR/Cas9 sgRNA library targeting 1,117 human ubiquitination-related genes to screen key regulators of sensitivity to Oxa and identified the Makorin Ring Finger Protein 1 (MKRN1), an E3 ligase, as an Oxa-resistant gene of CRC cells. Clinically, MKRN1 is highly expressed in CRC tissues compared with the adjacent normal tissue, and its upregulation is correlated with poor therapeutic response, disease progression, and worse overall survival of CRC patients treated with Oxa-based regimens.

Characterization of the G protein-coupled receptor FfGpr1-Gα-AC signal transduction in Fusarium fujikuroi and its role in gibberellin biosynthesis.

Aims: This study aimed to characterize the G protein-coupled receptor FfGpr1-Gα-AC transduction pathway and its role in regulating gibberellin (GA) metabolism in Fusarium fujikuroi.

Methods And Results: By constructing Ffgpr1 deletion and constitutively activated FfG2Q204 L mutants, we found that glucose-induced cAMP (cyclic Adenosine MonoPhosphate) synthesis was abolished in Ffgpr1Δ. Bimolecular fluorescence complementation confirmed membrane-localized FfGpr1-FfG2 and FfG2-AC interactions, with intensified fluorescence at septa.