Recent Advances in Antifreeze Peptide Preparation: A Review.

Antifreeze agents play a critical role in various fields including tissue engineering, gene therapy, therapeutic protein production, and transplantation. Commonly used antifreeze agents such as DMSO and other organic substances are known to have cytotoxic effects. Antifreeze proteins sourced from cold-adapted organisms offer a promising solution by inhibiting ice crystal formation; however, their effectiveness is hindered by a dynamic ice-shaping (DIS) effect and thermal hysteresis (TH) properties. In response to these limitations, antifreeze peptides (AFPs) have been developed as alternatives to antifreeze proteins, providing similar antifreeze properties without the associated drawbacks. This review explores the methods for acquiring AFPs, with a particular emphasis on chemical synthesis. It aims to offer valuable insights and practical implications to drive the realm of sub-zero storage.

Emerging Directions for Carbon Capture Technologies: A Synergy of High-Throughput Theoretical Calculations and Machine Learning.

As the world grapples with the challenges of energy transition and industrial decarbonization, the development of carbon capture technologies presents a promising solution. The Scalable Modeling, Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Rapid Theoretical calculations, referred as SMART here, is an interdisciplinary approach that combines high-throughput calculation and data-driven modeling with expertise from chemical, materials, environmental, computer and data science and engineering, leading to the development of advanced capabilities in simulating and optimizing carbon capture processes. This perspective discusses the state-of-the-art material discovery research enabled by high-throughput calculation and data-driven modeling. Further, we propose a framework for material discovery, and illustrate the synergies among deep learning models, pretrained models, and comprehensive data sets, emerging as a robust framework for data-driven design and development in carbon capture. In essence, the adoption of the SMART approach promises a revolutionary impact on efforts in energy transition and industrial decarbonization.

Synthesis of Multisubstituted 1-Naphthoic Acids via Ru-Catalyzed C-H Activation and Double-Alkyne Annulation under Air.

An efficient [2 + 2 + 2] benzannulation of phthalic acids/anhydrides with two alkynes was developed for synthesis of multisubstituted 1-naphthoic acids via Ru-catalyzed C-H activation. The reaction preceded well using atmospheric oxygen as the sole oxidant with high atom/step economies. Facilitated by the free carboxyl group, the products can be easily converted to diverse polycyclic molecules.

Following the transient reactions in lithium-sulfur batteries using an in situ nuclear magnetic resonance technique.

A fundamental understanding of electrochemical reaction pathways is critical to improving the performance of Li-S batteries, but few techniques can be used to directly identify and quantify the reaction species during disharge/charge cycling processes in real time. Here, an in situ (7)Li NMR technique employing a specially designed cylindrical microbattery was used to probe the transient electrochemical and chemical reactions occurring during the cycling of a Li-S system. In situ NMR provides real time, semiquantitative information related to the temporal evolution of lithium polysulfide allotropes during both discharge/charge processes. This technique uniquely reveals that the polysulfide redox reactions involve charged free radicals as intermediate species that are difficult to detect in ex situ NMR studies. Additionally, it also uncovers vital information about the (7)Li chemical environments during the electrochemical and parasitic reactions on the Li metal anode. These new molecular-level insights about transient species and the associated anode failure mechanism are crucial to delineating effective strategies to accelerate the development of Li-S battery technologies.

Stimulation of Nitric Oxide Production Contributes to the Antithrombotic Effect of Stromal Cell-Derived Factor-1α in Preventing Microsurgical Anastomotic Thrombosis.

Background Intimal injury plays a critical role in initiating the pathogenesis of thrombosis formation after microsurgical anastomosis. Application of stromal cell-derived factor-1α (SDF-1α) is reported to promote early regeneration of injured intima through migration of endothelial cells and mobilization of endothelial progenitor cells. We therefore hypothesized that local transfer of SDF-1α gene would inhibit microsurgical anastomotic thrombosis. Methods Sixty Sprague-Dawley rats were used and divided randomly into three groups (SDF-1α group, plasmid group, and saline group) in this study. Plasmid DNA encoding SDF-1α, empty plasmid, and saline were injected into the left femoral muscles of rats from each group, respectively. Seven days after injection, peripheral blood samples were obtained to measure the plasma levels of SDF-1α and nitric oxide (NO). The left femoral artery of each rat was crushed, transected, and repaired by end-to-end microsurgical anastomosis. Vascular patency was assessed at 15, 30, and 120 minutes after reperfusion using milk test. Thrombosis formation was assessed with hematoxylin and eosin staining and scanning electron microscopy at 120 minutes postoperatively. Results The plasma levels of SDF-1α and NO in SDF-1α group were significantly higher than those in plasmid group and saline group (p < 0.01). The patency rate in SDF-1α group was significantly higher than that in control groups at 120 minutes after reperfusion (p < 0.05). Treatment of SDF-1α significantly reduced the size of thrombotic occlusion when compared with controls (p < 0.05). All SDF-1α recipients exhibited decreased thrombosis under scanning electron microscopy. Conclusions The current study demonstrated that local transfer of SDF-1α gene increases arterial patency and inhibits microsurgical anastomotic thrombosis in a crush model of femoral artery in rat. The antithrombotic effect of SDF-1α may be mediated through increased production of endogenous NO. These findings provide a novel approach for inhibition of microsurgical anastomotic thrombosis.

Evaluation of the treatment response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in locally advanced breast cancer using combined magnetic resonance vascular maps and apparent diffusion coefficient.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the treatment response of locally advanced breast cancer (LABC) to neoadjuvant chemotherapy using magnetic resonance (MR) vascular maps and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) at 3T. Materials and Methods Thirty-one patients with LABC who underwent breast MR studies before, after the first course, and after completing neoadjuvant chemotherapy were enrolled. Vascular morphology was retrieved via Hessian matrix and the voxels of the vessels and volume of vessels were measured automatically. Whole tumor mean ADC values were calculated. Clinical responders were defined as >50% tumor reduction in the final MR studies. Pathologically complete responders were also recorded. RESULTS: There were 21 clinical responders and 10 nonresponders. Compared to the nonresponders after the first course, the responders were characterized by more vascular reduction of the breast lesion and decreased bilateral vascular discrepancy (voxels and volume), and increments in the ADC value and ADC percentage of the lesions (all P < 0.05). There were three pathological complete responders who showed more apparent early vascular reduction of the lesion breast (voxels and volume) and increments in the ADC value than others (P = 0.02, 0.01 and 0.02, respectively). CONCLUSION: The early changes of MR vascular maps and ADC are associated with the final treatment response of LABC.

Combined Anterolateral Thigh and Anteromedial Thigh Flap for Extensive Extremity Reconstruction: Vascular Anatomy and Clinical Application.

BACKGROUND: The combined anterolateral thigh (ALT) and anteromedial thigh (AMT) flap has been previously reported for use in complicated head and neck reconstruction. However, it has not gained popularity due to the vascular variation. Here, we explore the vascular basis of this combined flap, and report its application in extremity reconstruction. METHODS: This study was divided into two parts: vascular anatomy and clinical application. In the anatomical study, 52 sides of adult thighs were dissected to identity vascular perforators supplying the combined ALT and AMT flap, with focus on sizeable perforators (larger than 0.5 mm) arising from the descending branch of the lateral circumflex femoral artery.Clinically, five male patients were treated by combined ALT and AMT flaps for extensive extremity reconstruction from January 2006 to December 2010. The mean age was 32 years (range, 23-45 years). The combined flap was used for covering large soft-tissue defects in forearm (n = 3) and calf (n = 2). For each patient, esthetic and functional results were recorded. RESULTS: The anatomical study showed that sizeable perforators supplying the ALT flap were present in 50 thighs (96.2%), and the perforators supplying the AMT flap were present in 32 thighs (61.5%). The combined ALT and AMT flaps were available in 30 thighs (57.7%).All five combined flaps survived completely. Skin grafts covering the donor sites healed uneventful. The mean follow-up was 9.6 months (range, 6-12 months). No complications were recorded during the follow-up. CONCLUSION: The combined ALT and AMT flap may be used for extensive extremity reconstruction in selected patients for its great maneuverability and acceptable donor-site morbidity.

[Mechanism of genuineness of Glycyrrhiza uralensis based on SNP of ß-Amyrin synthase gene].

ß-Amyrin synthase (ß-AS) genes of Glycyrrhiza uralensis from 6 different regions were analyzed by PCR-SSCP and sequenced, then the correlationship between ß-AS SNP and regions of Glycyrrhiza uralensis were determined. According to the 1 coding single nucleotide polymorphism on the first exon of ß-AS gene at 94 bp site, Glycyrrhiza uralensis could be divided into 3 genotypes. In these genotypes, the percentage of 94A type in genuine regions was much higher, and it had significant differences with the percentage in non-genuine regions (P < 0.001). The results of the experiment proved that different ß-AS genotypes at 94 bp site from different regions may be one of the important reasons to result in the genuineness of Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

Enhancing the accumulation of beta-amyrin in Saccharomyces cerevisiae by co-expression of Glycyrrhiza uralensis squalene synthase 1 and beta-amyrin synthase genes.

Glycyrrhiza uralensis Fisch. ex DC is widely used in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM). Among its various active components, glycyrrhizic acid is believed to be the marker component. Squalene synthase (SQS) and beta-amyrin synthase (beta-AS) are key enzymes in the biosynthetic pathway of glycyrrhizic acid in G uralensis. To reveal the effects of co-expression of SQS1 and beta-AS genes on this pathway, 7 yeast expression vectors harboring different SQS1 variants and beta-AS were constructed and expressed in Saccharomyces cerevisiae as fusion proteins. TLC and GC-MS results showed that co-expression of SQS1 and beta-AS enhanced the accumulation of beta-amyrin. The effects of SQS12 were more obvious than the other two SQS1 variants. This study is significant for further investigations concerned with exploring the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizic acid in vitro and strengthening the efficacy of G. uralensis by means of increasing the content of glycyrrhizic acid.

3D Printing Process Research and Performance Tests on Sodium Alginate-Xanthan Gum-Hydroxyapatite Hybridcartilage Regenerative Scaffolds.

Cartilage injury is a common occurrence in the modern world. Compared with traditional treatment methods, bio-3D printing technology features better utility in the field of cartilage repair and regeneration, but still faces great challenges. For example, there is currently no means to generate blood vessels inside the scaffolds, and there remains the question of how to improve the biocompatibility of the generated scaffolds, all of which limit the application of bio-3D printing technology in this area. The main objective of this article was to prepare sodium alginate-xanthan gum-hydroxyapatite (SA-XG-HA) porous cartilage scaffolds that can naturally degrade in the human body and be used to promote cartilage damage repair by 3D printing technology. First, the viscosities of SA and XG were analyzed, and their optimal ratio was determined. Second, a mathematical model of the hybrid slurry was established based on the power-law fluid model, in which the printing pressure, needle movement speed, and fiber spacing were established as important parameters affecting the printing performance of the composite. Third, by performing a finite element simulation of the printing process and combining it with the actual printing process, suitable printing parameters were determined (air pressure of 1 bar, moving speed of 9 mm/s, line spacing of 1.6 mm, and adjacent layers of 0-90°). Fourth, composite scaffolds were prepared and tested for their compressive properties, degradation properties, cytotoxicity, and biocompatibility. The results showed that the novel composite scaffolds prepared in this study possessed good mechanical and biological properties. Young's modulus of the composite scaffolds reached 130 KPa and was able to maintain a low degradation rate in simulated body fluid solution for >1 month. The activity of the C5.18 chondrocytes in the scaffold leach solution exceeded 120%. The cells were also able to proliferate densely on the scaffold surface.

Cascading impacts of nitrogen deposition on soil microbiome and herbivore communities in desert steppes.

Human activities in the last century have intensified global nitrogen deposition, resulting in the degradation of ecosystem function and loss of biodiversity worldwide. Nitrogen addition is a crucial method for examining the effects of atmospheric nitrogen deposition on species composition and structure of soil microbiome and biotic community, as exogenous nitrogen inputs can trigger cascading effects on ecosystem functions. In a 6-year experiment, we evaluated the impact of nitrogen addition on soil microbial-plant-insect systems in desert steppes. Our results show that nitrogen addition significantly altered soil microbial composition and ecological function, leading to a decrease in nitrogen-fixing bacteria and an increase in saprophytic fungi. High levels of nitrogen addition increased total plant biomass while decreasing species diversity. Additionally, high nitrogen addition levels suppressed below-ground biomass of gramineae and legumes compared to low nitrogen addition. Nitrogen addition also increased herbivore abundance by altering insect community structure, particularly benefiting chewing pests over sucking pests, thus heightening the risk of biological disasters through trophic cascading effects. Consequently, excessive nitrogen addition may destabilize desert steppe ecosystems by disturbing soil microbial-plant-insect interactions, hindering the maintenance of biotic community diversity and steppe productivity.

Ultrahigh humidity-resistance ppb-level formaldehyde sensing at room temperature induced by fluorinated dipole based "umbrella" and "bridge".

Formaldehyde (HCHO) is a major indoor pollutant that is extremely harmful to human health even at ppb-level. Meanwhile, ppb-level HCHO is also a potential disease marker in the exhalation of patients with respiratory diseases. Higher humidity resistance and lower practical limit of detection (pLOD) both have to be pursued for practical HCHO sensors. In this work, by assembling indium oxide (In2O3) and fluorinated dipole modified reduced graphene oxide (rGO), we prepared a high-performance room temperature HCHO sensor (In2O3 @ATQ-rGO). Excellent sensing properties toward HCHO under visible illumination have been achieved, including ultra-low pLOD of 3 ppb and high humidity-resistance. By control experiments and density functional theory calculation, it is indicated that the introduced fluorinated dipoles act as not only an "umbrella" to improve the humidity resistance of the composite, but also a "bridge" to accelerate the electron transport, improving the sensitivity of the material. The significant practicality and reliability of the obtained sensors were verified by in-situ simulation experiments using a 3 m3 test chamber with a humidity control system and by detection of the simulated lung disease patient's exhalation. This work provides an effective strategy of simultaneously achieving high humidity-resistance and low pLOD of room temperature formaldehyde sensing materials.

Acceleration of uterine 3D T2-weighted imaging by compressed SENSE-a multicentre study.

OBJECTIVES: To find the optimal acceleration factor (AF) of the compressed SENSE (CS) technique for uterine isotropic high-resolution 3D T2-weighted imaging (3D-ISO-T2WI). METHODS: A total of 91 female volunteers from the First Affiliated Hospital of Dalian Medical University, Chu Hsien-I Memorial Hospital and Tianjin Institute of Endocrinology, and The Fourth Hospital of Harbin were recruited. A total of 44 volunteers received uterus sagittal 3D-ISO-T2WI scans on 3.0T MRI device with different CS AFs (including SENSE3, CS3, CS4, CS5, CS6, and CS7), 51 received 3D-ISO-T2WI scans with different degrees of fat suppression (none, light, moderate, and severe), while 4 volunteers received both series of scans. Image quality was subjectively evaluated with a 3-point scoring system. Junction zone signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), and myometrial SNR were also calculated. Intraclass correlation coefficients were used to analyse the consistency of the measurement results by 2 observers. Analysis of variance test or Friedman rank sum test was used to compare the differences in subjective scores, SNR, and CNR under different AFs/different degrees of fat suppression. RESULTS: Images by AFs of CS3, CS4, and CS5 had the highest SNR and CNR. Among them, CS5 had the shortest scan time. CS5 also had one of the highest subjective scores. There was no significant difference in SNR and CNR among images acquired with different degrees of fat suppression. Also, images with moderate fat suppression had the highest subjective scores. CONCLUSION: The CS5 combined with moderate fat suppression is recommended for routine female pelvic 3D-ISO-T2WI scan. ADVANCES IN KNOWLEDGE: The CS5 has the highest image quality and has the shortest scan time, which is the best AF. Moderate fat suppression has the highest subjective scores. The CS5 and moderate fat suppression are the best combination for a female pelvic 3D-ISO-T2WI scan.

Cloning and characterization of a cDNA coding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary CoA reductase involved in glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis.

The roots of Glycyrrhiza uralensis are widely used in Chinese medicine for their action of clearing heat, detoxicating, relieving cough, dispelling sputum and tonifying spleen and stomach. The reason why Glycyrrhiza uralensis has potent and significant actions is that it contains various active secondary metabolites, especially glycyrrhizic acid. In the present study, we cloned the cDNA coding 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary CoA reductase (HMGR) involved in glycyrrhizic acid biosynthesis in Glycyrrhiza uralensis. The corresponding cDNA was expressed in Escherichia coli as fusion proteins. Recombinant HMGR exhibited catalysis activity in reduction of HMG-CoA to mevalonic acid (MVA) just as HMGR isolated from other species. Because HMGR gene is very important in the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizic acid in Glycyrrhiza uralensis, this work is significant for further studies concerned with strengthening the efficacy of Glycyrrhiza uralensis by means of increasing glycyrrhizic acid content and exploring the biosynthesis of glycyrrhizic acid in vitro.

Advances in the study of aerobic glycolytic effects in resistance to radiotherapy in malignant tumors.

Aerobic glycolysis is a metabolic mode of tumor cells different from normal cells that plays an important role in tumor proliferation and distant metastasis. Radiotherapy has now become a routine and effective treatment for many malignancies, however, resistance to radiotherapy remains a major challenge in the treatment of malignant tumors. Recent studies have found that the abnormal activity of the aerobic glycolysis process in tumor cells is most likely involved in regulating chemoresistance and radiation therapy resistance in malignant tumors. However, research on the functions and mechanisms of aerobic glycolysis in the molecular mechanisms of resistance to radiotherapy in malignant tumors is still in its early stages. This review collects recent studies on the effects of aerobic glycolysis and radiation therapy resistance in malignant tumors, to further understand the progress in this area. This research may more effectively guide the clinical development of more powerful treatment plans for radiation therapy resistant subtypes of cancer patients, and take an important step to improve the disease control rate of radiation therapy resistant subtypes of cancer patients.

AI for Nanomaterials Development in Clean Energy and Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS).

Zero-carbon energy and negative emission technologies are crucial for achieving a carbon neutral future, and nanomaterials have played critical roles in advancing such technologies. More recently, due to the explosive growth in data, the adoption and exploitation of artificial intelligence (AI) as part of the materials research framework have had a tremendous impact on the development of nanomaterials. AI has enabled revolutionary next-generation paradigms to significantly accelerate all stages of material discovery and facilitate the exploration of the enormous design space. In this review, we summarize recent advancements of AI applications in nanomaterials discovery, with a special emphasis on the selected applications of AI and nanotechnology for the net-zero emission future including the development of solar cells, hydrogen energy, battery materials for renewable energy, and CO2 capture and conversion materials for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) technologies. In addition, we discuss the limitations and challenges of current AI applications in this area by identifying the gaps that exist in current development. Finally, we present the prospect for future research directions in order to facilitate the large-scale applications of artificial intelligence for advancements in nanomaterials.

3D Printing and Performance Study of Porous Artificial Bone Based on HA-ZrO2-PVA Composites.

An ideal artificial bone implant should have similar mechanical properties and biocompatibility to natural bone, as well as an internal structure that facilitates stomatal penetration. In this work, 3D printing was used to fabricate and investigate artificial bone composites based on HA-ZrO2-PVA. The composites were proportionally configured using zirconia (ZrO2), hydroxyapatite (HA) and polyvinyl alcohol (PVA), where the ZrO2 played a toughening role and PVA solution served as a binder. In order to obtain the optimal 3D printing process parameters for the composites, a theoretical model of the extrusion process of the composites was first established, followed by the optimization of various parameters including the spray head internal diameter, extrusion pressure, extrusion speed, and extrusion line width. The results showed that, at the optimum parameters of a spray head diameter of 0.2 mm, extrusion pressure values ranging from 1-3 bar, a line spacing of 0.8-1.5 mm, and a spray head displacement range of 8-10 mm/s, a better structure of biological bone scaffolds could be obtained. The mechanical tests performed on the scaffolds showed that the elastic modulus of the artificial bone scaffolds reached about 174 MPa, which fulfilled the biomechanical requirements of human bone. According to scanning electron microscope observation of the scaffold sample, the porosity of the scaffold sample was close to 65%, which can well promote the growth of chondrocytes and angiogenesis. In addition, c5.18 chondrocytes were used to verify the biocompatibility of the composite materials, and the cell proliferation was increased by 100% when compared with that of the control group. The results showed that the composite has good biocompatibility.

[Researches on influence of squalene synthase gene polymorphism on catalytic efficiency of its encode enzyme in Glycyrrhiza uralensis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the polymorphism of squalene synthase gene and reveal the influence of squalene synthase (SQS) gene polymorphism on the catalytic efficiency of its encode enzyme in Glycyrrhiza uralensi. METHOD: The total RNA was extracted. PCR was used to amplify the coding sequences of squalene synthase gene, which were sequenced and analysed. The expression vectors containing different SQS gene sequences, including SQS1C, SQS1F, SQS2A, SQS2B, were constructed and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. The fusion protein was induced to express by IPTG, then was isolated, purified and used to carry out the enzymatic reaction in vitro. GC-MS was used to analyse the production. RESULT: There were three kinds of gene polymorphism existing in SQS1 gene of G. uralensis, including single nucleotide polymorphism (SNPs), insertion/deletion length polymorphism (InDels) and level of amino acid, the proportion of conservative replace of SQS1 was 53.94%, and there were 2 mutational sites in structural domains. The proportion of conservative replace of SQS2 was 60%, and there was 1 mutational site in structural domains. The production squalene could be detected by GC-MS in all the 4 kinds of enzymatic reactions. The capacity of accumulating squalene of SQS1F was higher than other SQS genes. CONCLUSION: The polymorphism of SQS gene was quite abundant in G. uralensis, which maybe the molecular foundation of the formation of high-quality liquorice.

[Researches on the influence of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-coenzyme A reductase gene polymorphism on catalytic efficiency of its encode enzyme in Glycyrrhiza uralensis].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the effect of expression proteins containing different escherichia coli of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-coenzyme A reductase(HMGR) genic mutation on the conversion efficiency of MVA with GC-MS method, in order to lay a foundation for revealing the function of HMGR gene polymorphism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis in the production of high-quality G. uralensis medicines. METHOD: The expression carrier was established from four HMGR genic mutation types cloned from G. uralensis and transformed into Escherichia coli BL21. The protein was induced to express, detected and purified. The purified protein was adopted for in vitro enzymatic reaction. TLC and GC-MS were used for qualitative and quantitative analysis on reaction products. RESULT: The catalytic activity of L/V genotype(-HSL and -HSV) was similar, and so was the catalytic activity of the genotype with GA insertion (GALLV and GALSV), but the catalytic activity of the latter was around 2 times higher than that of the former. CONCLUSION: The functional gene polymorphism of G. uralensis may be the molecular foundation for the production of high-quality G. uralensi medicines.

[Analysis on correlation between 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-coenzyme A reductase gene polymorphism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis and content of glycyrrhizic acid].

OBJECTIVE: To reveal the 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutary-coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) gene polymorphism of Glycyrrhiza uralensis, and the correlation between HMGR gene polymorphism and the content of glycyrrhizic acid. METHOD: Liquorice plants containing different content of glycyrrhizic acid were used as materials. RT-PCR was used to amplify their HMGR gene sequences, which were connected with vector pMD19-T for clone sequencing. Multiple alignments were performed to analyse HMGR gene polymorphism of G. uralensis. Then the correlation between HMGR gene polymorphism and the content of glycyrrhizic acid was revealed. RESULT: HMGR gene sequences polymorphism included codon mutation, base substitution mutation, copy number polymorphism and allele heterozygosity. There were 4 types of mutations in HMGR gene coding amino acid sequences, namely -HSL, -HSV, GALLV, GALSV. Among them, -HSV type was common in liquorice plants, -HSL type only existed in liquorice plants with low content of glycyrrhizic acid, and GALSV type only existed in liquorice plants with high content of glycyrrhizic acid. CONCLUSION: HMGR gene sequences of G. uralensis are highly polymorphic and related to the content of glycyrrhizic acid.