Tuning of MoS Photoluminescence in Heterostructures with CrSBr.

Monolayers of semiconducting transition metal dichalcogenides (TMDCs) are known for their unique excitonic photoluminescence (PL), which can be tuned by interfacing them with other materials. However, integrating TMDCs into van der Waals heterostructures often results in a significant quenching of the PL because of an increased rate of nonradiative recombination processes. We demonstrate a wide-range tuning of the PL intensity of monolayer MoS interfaced with another layered semiconductor, CrSBr.

Precursor direct biosynthesis of odd-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids by oomycete Pythium.

The growing demand for improving the nutritional value of food has driven efforts to enhance the production of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) through microbial cultivation, mainly using low-cost substrates in closed-loop systems. One promising approach is precursor-driven biosynthesis, which enables the controlled production of odd-chain PUFAs. In this study, we cultivated two oomycetes from the genus Pythium (ATCC 38472 M1 and X42) under 20 different conditions in the presence of propionic acid and TWEEN 80 to stimulate the production of odd-chain PUFAs.

Antibacterial properties of silver and gold nanoparticles synthesized using Cannabis sativa waste extract against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.

Aims: The study aimed to explore the sustainable synthesis of metal nanoparticles using a green and eco-friendly resource. Specifically, it investigated the utilization of Cannabis sativa waste extract for the production of gold and silver nanoparticles, focusing on their antimicrobial activity against gram-negative bacteria, particularly Pseudomonas aeruginosa strains, which are significant in nosocomial infections.

Methods: Cannabis sativa waste extract was employed to synthesize gold and silver nanoparticles through a green synthesis approach.

Reproducible Machine Learning-Based Voice Pathology Detection: Introducing the Pitch Difference Feature.

Purpose: We introduce a novel methodology for voice pathology detection using the publicly available Saarbrücken Voice Database and a robust feature set combining commonly used acoustic handcrafted features with two novel ones: pitch difference (relative variation in fundamental frequency) and NaN feature (failed fundamental frequency estimation).

Methods: We evaluate six machine learning (ML) algorithms-support vector machine, k-nearest neighbors, naive Bayes, decision tree, random forest, and AdaBoost-using grid search for feasible hyperparameters and 20 480 different feature subsets. Top 1000 classification models-feature subset combinations for each ML algorithm are validated with repeated stratified cross-validation.

Aryl fucosides: synthesis and evaluation of their binding affinity towards the DC-SIGN receptor.

DC-SIGN, a C-type lectin receptor expressed on antigen presenting cells, is crucial for pathogen recognition and immune modulation. While most glycomimetic DC-SIGN ligands are mannose-based, fucose-based ligands offer enhanced selectivity, potentially reducing off-target effects. This study reports the stereoselective synthesis of aryl α-L-fucosides and their binding affinity for DC-SIGN.

Lignocellulose-derived inhibitors can extend residence of Clostridium beijerinckii in active solventogenic state.

Lignocellulose is a promising renewable resource for producing platform chemicals, such as acetone, butanol, and ethanol, via ABE fermentation by solventogenic clostridia. This study investigates the effects of common lignocellulose derived inhibitory compounds: ferulic acid, coumaric acid, and furfural on Clostridium beijerinckii. Dual-staining with propidium iodide and CFDA, combined with flow cytometry, was employed to assess physiological variability.

Computing photodissociation cross sections and quasi-continuum properties of the NH radical.

Photodissociation cross sections of NH for 250 > λ > 100 nm are studied using (i) the recently reported spectroscopic model of the five lowest electronic states of NH, (ii) a new set of ab initio potential energy, (transition) dipole moment, spin-orbit, and electronic angular momentum curves covering the region up to 100 000 cm-1, and (iii) the recently suggested approach for time-independent calculations of continuum spectra of molecules (Pezzella et al., 2022). Quasi-dissociative properties, including predissociation lifetimes and linewidths, of the c1Π state are studied using four state-of-the-art predissociative methods: stabilization, Airy-boundary conditions within the WKB approximation, phase-amplitude, and complex-scaling approaches.

Reversible transformations of sulfamethoxazole and its submoieties by manganese-oxidizing bacteria and biogenic manganese oxides in the presence of humic substances.

Manganese-oxidizing bacteria (MnOB) and biogenic manganese oxides (BioMnOx) play key roles in the breakdown of organic matter (including pollutants) in water and soil environments. The degradation of some organic compounds (such as sulfonamides selected in this study) by BioMnOx in the presence of active MnOB is poorly understood. Thus far, it has been shown that the transformation of sulfonamides by either BioMnOx or MnOB (but thus far not studied in a binary system) can be modulated using naturally occurring redox mediators, such as humic substances, leading to the formation of coupling products of unknown stability.

Biomarkers of exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in urine of municipal police officers: impact of inhalation on total exposure.

Polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) are ubiquitous environmental contaminants that adversely affect human health, mainly through their carcinogenic and mutagenic properties. Monitoring the exposure to PAHs of the inhabitants of air polluted regions is important because of the impact of these pollutants on human health. The aim of this study was to assess the exposure to PAHs of municipal police officers (non-smokers) living in three localities in the Czech Republic (strategically selected according to the level of air pollution) and determine how air pollution impacts personal exposure to PAHs via inhalation.

Rhizodegradation of diesel and PAH contaminated soils with Miscanthus × giganteus: Soil, plants, microbes and pollutants interactions after two seasons.

Miscanthus × giganteus, a high-yielding perennial grass, has recently shown promise for phytomanagement of petroleum hydrocarbons (PHC) contaminated sites, however the mechanisms of plant-soil interactions are not clear. This study followed the second growing season of miscanthus cultivation on soil spiked with representatives of the most common PHC pollutants: diesel (dominantly aliphatic hydrocarbons), pyrene + phenanthrene (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons; PAH) and their mixture. Miscanthus demonstrated tolerance to PHC-contaminated soils, although high diesel concentrations significantly reduced biomass, limiting the overall benefits of cultivation.

Dynamics of compartment-specific proteomic landscapes of hepatotoxic and cholestatic models of liver fibrosis.

Accumulation of extracellular matrix (ECM) in liver fibrosis is associated with changes in protein abundance and composition depending upon etiology of the underlying liver disease. Current efforts to unravel etiology-specific mechanisms and pharmacological targets rely on several models of experimental fibrosis. Here, we characterize and compare dynamics of hepatic proteome remodeling during fibrosis development and spontaneous healing in experimental mouse models of hepatotoxic (carbon tetrachloride [CCl] intoxication) and cholestatic (3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydrocollidine [DDC] feeding) injury.

Ultrahigh-Responsivity Near-Infrared Printed Photodetectors Based on Megasonically Processed RuCl Nanosheets.

Electronic structure modification via intercalative electron-doping of α-RuCl, a two-dimensional (2D) transition metal halide, imparts unique optoelectronic properties such as near-infrared (NIR) absorption. While bulk-scale RuCl nanosheet production has been established using conventional liquid phase exfoliation, printed devices compatible with scalable manufacturing remain unexplored. Here, we demonstrate fully aerosol-jet-printed (AJP) NIR photodetectors based on megasonically processed RuCl nanosheets.

A first-in-class non-cytotoxic nanocarrier based on a recombinant human ferritin boosts targeted therapy, chemotherapy and immunotherapy.

To address the challenge of drug accumulation and penetration at the tumor site(s), herein we describe a first-in-class nanocarrier containing 24 copies each of two bioactive peptides (BAPs) genetically fused in frame to the 24 N-termini of a human ferritin H-type construct, named THE-10. The two BAPs are specific for PD-L1 and integrin αVβ3/αVβ5 plus Neuropilin (iRGD) respectively, conferring immune checkpoint blockade and drug-internalization properties. In turn, the THE-10 backbone brings 48 BAPs contiguous for synergism, prolonged blood half-life, and release into the tumor microenvironment upon conditional cleavage of a metalloprotease-sensitive site.

Modeling of mold inactivation via cold atmospheric plasma (CAP).

Unlabelled: During their reproduction cycles, the omnipresent pathogens produce a broad class of mycotoxins responsible for serious health problems in living organisms. To reduce (or even to eradicate) the microorganisms from the invaded system, various conventional methods are applied in practice, sometimes with counterproductive effects. To overcome these challenges, the cold atmospheric plasma (CAP) is applied to terminate mold proliferation within the system.

The potential of exosomes in regenerative medicine and in the diagnosis and therapies of neurodegenerative diseases and cancer.

Exosomes, nanosized extracellular vesicles released by various cell types, are intensively studied for the diagnosis and treatment of cancer and neurodegenerative diseases, and they also display high usability in regenerative medicine. Emphasizing their diagnostic potential, exosomes serve as carriers of disease-specific biomarkers, enabling non-invasive early detection and personalized medicine. The cargo loading of exosomes with therapeutic agents presents an innovative strategy for targeted drug delivery, minimizing off-target effects and optimizing therapeutic interventions.

An advanced approach combining solid-state NMR with powder diffraction applied to newly synthesized iso-thio-uronium salts.

The focus here is on the structural study of iso-thio-uronium salts and the application of intermolecular distances obtained by solid-state NMR (ssNMR) in determining crystal structures from powder diffraction data. The synthesis of three new tetra-fluoro-borate salts and two bromide salts of iso-thio-uronium compounds is presented first, followed by structural and spectroscopic studies. The tetra-fluoro-borates were further analysed using advanced ssNMR techniques to obtain a set of intermolecular F⋯C, B⋯B, H⋯H and C⋯H distances with an estimation of their precision.

UV Absorption Spectra of TAMRA and TAMRA Labeled Peptides: A Combined Density Functional Theory and Classical Molecular Dynamics Study.

This study explores the structural and electronic factors affecting the absorption spectra of 5-carboxy-tetramethylrhodamine (TAMRA) in water, a widely used fluorophore in imaging and molecular labeling in biophysical studies. Through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations and density functional theory (DFT) calculations, we examine TAMRA UV absorption spectra together with TAMRA-labeled peptides (Arg, Arg, Lys). We found that DFT calculations with different functionals underestimate TAMRA maximum UV absorption peak by ~100 nm, resulting in the maximum at ca.

Proof-of-concept MALDI-TOF-MS assay for the detection of Toxin B enzymatic activity in infection.

Unlabelled: Matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF) mass spectrometers have become an integral part of all modern clinical microbiology laboratories. They serve as the key tool for pathogen identification and antibiotic resistance determination. However, certain limiting conditions must be fulfilled.

Cellular mechanisms of medium-chain chlorinated paraffins toxicity: the effect of cellular lipid content.

Research on chlorinated paraffins (CPs) is growing, with accumulating evidence of CPs being present in biological matrices and animal tissues. However, their cellular-level impacts remain underexplored. This study investigates the effects of medium-chain CPs on adipose and liver cell models.

Nontargeted Metabolomics of Sourced from Thailand Reveals the Presence of Bioactive Metabolites.

Actinobacteria are widely recognized as prolific producers of bioactive metabolites with diverse biological properties, yet they remain largely unexplored. In this study, we investigated the antimicrobial potential and chemical diversity of crude extracts from actinobacterial strains isolated from mangrove sediments collected in Chonburi and Chachoengsao provinces of Thailand. Taxonomic identification confirmed that these isolates belong to the genus .

Generate what you can make: achieving in-house synthesizability with readily available resources in de novo drug design.

Computer-Aided Synthesis Planning (CASP) and CASP-based approximated synthesizability scores have rarely been used as generation objectives in Computer-Aided Drug Design despite facilitating the in-silico generation of synthesizable molecules. However, these synthesizability approaches are disconnected from the reality of small laboratory drug design, where building block resources are limited, thus making the notion of in-house synthesizability with already available resources highly desirable. In this work, we show a successful in-house de novo drug design workflow generating active and in-house synthesizable ligands of monoglyceride lipase (MGLL).

Liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry analysis of peptides labelled with ClickZip mass tags.

Lipidated anorexigenic peptides are highly promising compounds for the treatment of obesity and related diseases. However, their exact mechanism of action still remains unknown. We labelled a lipidated analogue of an anorexigenic prolactin-releasing peptide (palm-PrRP31) with an extremely stable ClickZip lanthanide tag, facilitating tracking of the peptide within the organism.

Nanofabrication for Nanophotonics.

Nanofabrication, a pivotal technology at the intersection of nanoscale engineering and high-resolution patterning, has substantially advanced over recent decades. This technology enables the creation of nanopatterns on substrates crucial for developing nanophotonic devices and other applications in diverse fields including electronics and biosciences. Here, this mega-review comprehensively explores various facets of nanofabrication focusing on its application in nanophotonics.

Design and Synthesis of 2-substituted [1,2,4]Triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidines Tethered with Umbelliferone as Selective Carbonic Anhydrase IX and XII Inhibitors.

Objective: This study presents the design and synthesis of a new series of human carbonic anhydrase (hCA) inhibitors based on a 5-methyl/phenyl-7-(7'-oxycoumarin)-[1,2,4]triazolo[1,5-a]pyrimidine scaffold.

Methods: The chemical structures of novel coumarin-based triazolopyrimidines 3a-u were confirmed after using NMR and MS analyses. Their inhibitory profiles were evaluated against a panel of five hCA isoforms.