Search Results (4,163)

Accurate recognition of human emotions is crucial for human–computer interaction, and speech, as an important external manifestation of emotion, has attracted significant attention. Existing speech emotion recognition (SER) methods are predominantly based on single-task learning, which inadequately model speaker variability and other latent factors in speech, thereby limiting recognition performance. In this paper, a multi-task learning-based SER method leveraging a pre-trained acoustic model is proposed. Speech emotion recognition is treated as the primary task, while speaker recognition, gender recognition, and automatic speech recognition are introduced as auxiliary tasks. A multi-task learning framework based on hard parameter sharing is constructed to guide the model to learn shared acoustic representations that simultaneously encode emotional category characteristics, speaker identity, and other relevant information. Experiments conducted on the IEMOCAP dataset demonstrate that the proposed model achieves weighted accuracy (WA) and unweighted accuracy (UA) of 83.24% and 83.36%, respectively, under five-fold cross-validation, and 83.86% and 84.23%, respectively, under ten-fold cross-validation. In both settings, the proposed method consistently outperforms the baseline models, confirming its effectiveness in improving speech emotion recognition performance. Full article

Gold and silver nanoparticles have attracted extensive attention in SERS detection due to their excellent plasmonic properties. In this study, a high-performance SERS substrate was successfully prepared by a liquid–liquid self-assembly strategy. Driven by the Marangoni effect, Au-Ag nanoparticles spontaneously form a uniform and dense monolayer structure on the silicon wafer, constructing an efficient plasmon ”hotspot” region, which significantly improves the detection sensitivity of the substrate. The performance of the SERS substrate was systematically evaluated using CV and Me B as Raman probe molecules. The results show that the substrate exhibits an excellent enhancement effect and good SERS sensitivity for both probe molecules. The characteristic vibration peak can be clearly identified, and the detection limit (LOD) of crystal violet is 6.76 × 10⁻¹¹ M. The substrate was applied to detect thiram residues in lake water with a LOD of 1.084 × 10⁻⁷ M, achieving highly sensitive detection. This study shows that Au-Ag nanoparticles deposited on silicon wafers by liquid–liquid self-assembly strategy can be used as a high-performance SERS substrate. It can be used for rapid and sensitive detection of thiram pesticide residues in water, and provides an efficient and feasible analysis tool for water environment safety monitoring. Full article

Bacterial infections pose a persistent global threat to public health, driving the demand for rapid, sensitive, and specific detection technologies applicable to disease diagnosis, food safety, and environmental monitoring. Conventional methods like plate culture and polymerase chain reaction are often hampered by lengthy procedures, dependence on complex instrumentation, and requirements for specialized personnel. The emergence of nanozymes and nanomaterials with enzyme-like catalytic activities has introduced a paradigm shift in biosensing, offering superior stability, cost-effectiveness, and tunable functionality compared to their natural counterparts. This review provides a comprehensive and systematic analysis of the latest advancements in nanozyme-mediated bacterial detection. It is structured around the primary signal transduction modalities: colorimetric, fluorescence, electrochemical, and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) analyses. For each approach, we outline the fundamental design principles, which commonly integrate a synergistic cascade of specific recognition, catalytic signal amplification, and signal readout, and present representative applications for detecting key pathogens like Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, and Listeria monocytogenes in complex samples. We evaluate and contrast the advantages, analytical performance, and appropriateness of these different platforms for various practical scenarios. Finally, we address current challenges, including achieving high specificity in complex matrices, precise modulation of nanozyme activity, and method standardization. Perspectives on future research directions aimed at developing next-generation, high-performance, and potentially portable bacterial detection systems are also provided. Full article

Traditional doubanjiang was investigated to identify endogenous peptides that may contribute to taste maintenance under salt-reduction conditions. Peptidomics identified 1230 peptides at −10logP ≥ 15. UMPred-FRL predicted 161 potential umami peptides, and molecular docking showed that 141 of these peptides could enter the binding site of the T1R1/T1R3 receptor. The successfully docked sequences were mainly short oligopeptides containing three to five amino acid residues. Based on docking scores, six representative candidate peptides were screened, namely EESP, SCPH, SSSGF, PDTE, SYH, and DYDS. Docking and MM-GBSA analyses suggested that these peptides mainly bound within the VFT cavity of T1R1/T1R3, and the interacting residues were dominated by polar residues such as Ser, Asn, Gln, and His and hydrophobic residues such as Tyr, Ile, Leu, and Val. MM-GBSA further suggested that vdW was the major favorable contributor, while Lipo supported complex stability. The umami thresholds of the six peptides ranged from 0.14 to 1.09 mmol/L. Experimental validation by threshold determination and sensory addition showed that all six peptides significantly increased saltiness, whereas their effects on umami differed. PDTE showed the strongest umami-enhancing effect, while SSSGF, SYH, and SCPH exhibited more pronounced saltiness synergy. These results suggest that the screened peptides do not necessarily amplify umami in complex food systems, but may contribute to taste maintenance under salt-reduction conditions through umami support, saltiness synergy, and taste-structure remodeling. Full article

Surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) has evolved from a fundamental optical phenomenon to a powerful, molecule-specific analytical technique capable of detecting ultra-trace-level species across biomedicine, catalysis, environmental monitoring, and national security applications. In this review, we summarize recent advances in SERS probe design and fabrication along three major directions: (i) engineering plasmonic hotspots with enhanced field confinement to achieve stronger and more uniform signals; (ii) analyte-directed strategies that precisely position and retain target molecules via tailored surface chemistries, nanoscale confinement, and on-surface reactions for single hotspot SERS; and (iii) hybrid architectures integrating plasmonic metals with functional materials, including high entropy materials, semiconductors, and graphene and other 2D materials, to synergistically couple electromagnetic and chemical enhancement mechanisms. Despite significant progress, key challenges remain for practical applications outside laboratories, including substrate reproducibility and stability, diverse analyte compatibility, unknown molecule identification and standardized quantitative performance in complex environments. We highlight emerging solutions, such as large-area nanomanufacturing for controlled nanoscale gaps, high-resolution Raman mapping for spatial–temporal characterization, density-functional-theory-guided molecular interpretation, and machine-learning-enabled spectral analysis. Advances in foundational AI models and data-driven discovery are positioning SERS to become an increasingly versatile platform, from decoding unknown molecular structures to analyzing complicated multi-component systems for environmental, biomedical, and national security applications with high sensitivity and selectivity. Full article

Unpasteurized fruit juices in developing countries pose significant public health risks due to potential contamination with foodborne pathogens, particularly in rural areas where reliable energy for thermal processing is lacking. This study evaluates the natural acidity of passion fruit juice as a non-thermal strategy to inactivate Salmonella ser. Typhimurium, Escherichia coli O157:H7, and Listeria monocytogenes. Pathogens were inoculated into passion fruit juice at pH 2.9, 3.4, and 3.9, and their survival was monitored at 25 °C (room temperature) and 5 °C (refrigerated). Log-linear and Weibull models were used to predict inactivation kinetics, targeting a 5-log reduction in accordance with FDA requirements. At pH 2.9 and 5 °C, S. Typhimurium and E. coli achieved a 5-log reduction within 8 h, while L. monocytogenes required 24 h to achieve the same reduction level. The Weibull model provided a superior fit (R² > 0.94) at pH 2.9 and 3.4, accurately capturing the nonlinear inactivation dynamics. Increasing pH to 3.9 significantly slowed inactivation, underscoring the critical role of low pH. These findings suggest that the inherent acidity of passion fruit juice provides a practical, energy-independent method for controlling pathogenic bacteria in developing regions, preserving nutritional quality without thermal processing. Full article

Gold nanoparticles offer a versatile platform for cancer theranostics because their high atomic number can enhance X-ray energy deposition, their plasmonic properties support photothermal and photoacoustic applications, and their surfaces allow drug loading and molecular targeting. However, therapeutic benefit remains heterogeneous because tumor uptake, intratumoral coverage, and subcellular localization determine whether deposited gold can be converted into biologically effective damage. Redox context further shapes this conversion by determining whether AuNP-triggered physical or catalytic events can overcome local buffering and propagate into durable injury. During radiotherapy, AuNPs increase local secondary electron release and ROS formation, which can intensify DNA damage when GSH-dependent peroxide detoxification, thioredoxin-related buffering, and KEAP1-NRF2-regulated antioxidant responses are insufficient to contain the redox burden. In catalytic systems, Au-containing nanozymes can convert endogenous H₂O₂ into highly reactive radicals and may simultaneously deplete glutathione, thereby amplifying mitochondrial dysfunction and lipid peroxidation. During photoactivation, plasmonic heating and photosensitizer coupling further reshape ROS generation in a time-dependent and location-dependent manner. On the diagnostic side, CT or spectral CT can quantify tumor gold burden and coverage, whereas ROS-responsive photoacoustic, SERS, or fluorescence probes can report treatment-related oxidants and verify whether redox activation has occurred within the tumor. Clinical translation will therefore depend on quantification-guided dosing, definition of spatial coverage and activation timing, standardized redox-response readouts, and long-term safety evaluation. Full article

Phosphorus Starvation Tolerance 1 in rice (OsPSTOL1, known as Phosphorus uptake 1, Pup1) is a receptor-like cytoplasmic protein kinase that confers tolerance to phosphorus deficiency. The OsPSTOL1 gene possesses a Ser/Thr kinase and shows high amino-acid sequence similarity with the leaf rust receptor-like kinase (OsLrK10). We hypothesise that the putative wheat genes TaPSTOL1 and TaLrK10 have a common ancestral origin and that putative TaPSTOL1 diverged recently, acquiring new structural modifications and biological functions in the process. In this study, we identified all putative TaPSTOL1 homeologs and examined the evolutionary relationship between TaPSTOL1 and TaLrK10 in Triticum species. Our results indicate that the putative TaPSTOL1 diverged recently without possessing the amino-terminal domain, which is a typical characteristic of TaLrK10. We observed numerous conversion tracts between these two genes, and the substitution pattern of randomly selected amino acids indicates that dynamic selection pressures acted on both genes. The putative TaPSTOL1 shows high nucleotide diversity compared to TaLrK10 within Triticum species. Further, a multiple-sequence analysis reveals that the third exon of TaLrK10 appears to have been duplicated and diverged as a putative single-exon-based TaPSTOL1 in bread wheat. Overall, our comparative analysis indicates that both TaPSTOL1 and TaLrK10 appear to have diverged from a common ancestor, acquiring distinct structural organisations and biological functions. Full article

Noble metal nanostructures based on localized surface plasmon resonance (LSPR) can induce metal-enhanced fluorescence (MEF) and surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS), significantly improving trace detection sensitivity for biomedical and chemical analysis. While self-assembly of noble metal nanoparticles offers simplicity and low equipment dependence, achieving large-area, uniform, and controllable nanostructures remains challenging. In this study, angle-dependent dip coating (ADDC) technology was employed to achieve efficient, controllable self-assembly of silver nanoparticles (AgNPs) on glass slides, establishing a fabrication process for MEF/SERS dual-functional substrates. A stable AgNPs-anhydrous ethanol suspension was prepared and extracted from an inclined substrate reservoir using a microfluidic syringe pump, enabling large-area uniform nanostructure assembly. Systematic investigation revealed that substrate inclination angle provides better morphology and fluorescence enhancement control than withdrawal flow rate. The silver nanostructured surface fabricated under a withdrawal flow rate of 16 mL/h and a substrate inclination angle of 30° exhibited a Cy3 detection limit as low as ${10}^{-1}$ nM, with an enhancement factor ranging from 19.14 to 28.66, as well as an R6G SERS detection limit of ${10}^{-10}$ M with an enhancement factor of 4.07 × ${10}^8$. This study confirms that ADDC technology enables simple, efficient, large-area uniform AgNPs self-assembly for superior dual-function enhancement substrates, offering a cost-effective and efficient strategy for highly sensitive trace detection. Full article

Background/objectives: Alpha-synuclein (aSyn) is best known for its role in Parkinson’s disease. Increasing evidence suggests a bidirectional relationship between diabetes mellitus and synuclein pathology. Carboxymethyllysine (CML), an advanced glycation end-product, serves as a marker of cumulative glycation stress and tissue damage in diabetes. Our study aimed to evaluate epidermal phosphorylated alpha-synuclein at Ser129 (p-aSyn) immunoreactivity in relation to CML accumulation in epidermis. Methods: Skin punch biopsies were obtained from seven diabetic patients with long-standing type 2 diabetes (T2DM), and from seven healthy volunteers. Tissue samples were processed and analyzed by immunohistochemical DAB-staining for p-aSyn and CML. Quantitative analysis was performed by measuring the percentage area of positive staining using Fiji/ImageJ2. Integrated density was also assessed as a complementary threshold-limited measure of staining signal intensity. Statistical analysis and data visualization were conducted using GraphPad Prism. Comparisons between groups were performed using the exact two-tailed Mann–Whitney U test. Results: Area-fraction analysis showed significantly greater CML-positive staining in diabetic epidermis than in controls (median 10.18 vs. 8.955, p = 0.0262), whereas p-aSyn-positive area fraction did not differ significantly between groups (13.53 vs. 14.64, p = 0.8048). In the complementary integrated density analysis, p-aSyn signal was significantly higher in diabetic epidermis than in controls (21,365 vs. 10,960, p = 0.0023), whereas the increase in CML integrated density did not reach statistical significance (14,165 vs. 6585, p = 0.1282). In diabetic epidermis, both markers showed a more widespread distribution, involving basal keratinocyte cytoplasm and extension into suprabasal layers. Control samples showed staining largely restricted to basal cell contours. In serial sections, p-aSyn and CML showed a similar topographic distribution in diabetic skin. Conclusions: These preliminary observations suggest that chronic diabetic skin changes are associated with increased epidermal CML burden when assessed by area fraction and with higher p-aSyn signal intensity when assessed by integrated density. However, because the study was small and based on semiquantitative DAB immunohistochemistry, the findings should be interpreted cautiously and require validation in larger multimodal studies. Full article

Nanocomposite materials combine diverse material properties to form multifunctional structures, enhancing the efficiency of conventional applications. Particularly in environmental monitoring, such as water analysis, nanocomposites significantly improve sensitivity and lower costs associated with standard analysis methods. The SERS method is gaining popularity due to its operational simplicity, on-site applicability, and rapid results delivery. This study focused on the development of a multifunctional metal-chitosan-based nanocomposite utilizing an economical, eco-friendly approach as an SERS substrate. The resulting composite exhibits considerable preconcentration capabilities and will provide low detection limits (LOD) for future SERS applications. Specifically, magnetic nanoparticles (MNPs) were electrostatically combined with chitosan-coated silver nanoparticles (Chi-Ag NPs) to synthesize the MNPs@Chi-Ag NPs nanocomposite. CoFe₂O₄ NPs were prepared as MNPs. The resulting nanocomposite, which demonstrated colloidal stability after optimization, was characterized using various techniques, including UV-VIS and FTIR spectroscopy, XRD, TEM, SEM, and DLS. As a SERS substrate, the MNP@Chi-Ag NPs exhibited considerable analytical enhancement factors of (1.5 ± 0.4) × 10⁶, (7.0 ± 0.3) × 10⁶, and (1.2 ± 0.5) × 10⁶ for the detection of water contaminants BCB, CV, and MP, respectively. It was demonstrated that the substrate enhances precision and exhibits preconcentration. Finally, the MNPs@Chi-Ag NP nanocomposite demonstrates remarkable antibacterial activity, with larger inhibition zones observed at higher nanocomposite concentrations, indicating a concentration-dependent effect. Full article

Feline panleukopenia virus (FPLV) is the primary causative agent of a highly contagious and often fatal disease affecting domestic cats and other felids. The increasing isolation of species-specific FPLV variants from multiple host species has garnered considerable attention, highlighting the need to investigate their genetic diversity. In this study, three FPLV isolates were obtained and phylogenetically classified into two distinct FPLV-China groups within separate clusters. Compared to the prototype FPLV (M38246.1), these isolates exhibited seven amino acid substitutions in the NS1 (n = 6) and VP2 (n = 1) proteins. Further analysis of 157 NS1 sequences and 947 VP2 sequences retrieved from the NCBI database revealed 113 and 479 synonymous substitutions and 71 and 279 non-synonymous substitutions, respectively. Notably, the majority of these substitutions occurred as single events (57% in NS1, 40/71; 55% in VP2, 153/279) or were present in no more than five FPLV sequences (23% in NS1, 16/71; 32% in VP2, 89/279). However, three non-synonymous substitutions in the NS1 protein (Ile443Val, His595Gln, and Val596Leu) were detected in more than half of the 157 sequences analyzed. In the VP2 protein, six non-synonymous substitutions (Ala91Ser, Thr101Ile, Val232Ile, Lys93Asn, Asp323Asn, and Val562Leu) were each found in 20 to 40 FPLV sequences. Furthermore, ten sites in the NS protein and 224 sites in the VP2 protein exhibited both synonymous and non-synonymous substitutions simultaneously. Additionally, 75 sites in VP2 harbored multiple non-synonymous substitutions. These findings provide valuable insights for future research on the genetic determinants and vaccine development of FPLV. Full article

Background/Objectives: Nobiletin, one of the main components of citrus peel, exhibits potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and metabolic regulatory properties. However, its effect on obesity-associated vasculopathay remains unknown. We aim to investigate the effect of nobiletin in ameliorating oxidative stress and endothelial dysfunction induced by a high-fat diet (HFD). Methods: Male C57BL/6J mice were fed a HFD (60 kcal% fat) or normal chow for four months and orally administered with vehicle or nobiletin (50 mg/kg/day) for 8 weeks. Vasoreactivity in aortas was measured on a wire myograph. Primary rat aortic endothelial cells (RAECs) were isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats for in vitro study. Protein expressions were detected by Western blot. Superoxide production was determined by fluorescence imaging. Results: Exposure to high glucose increased the phosphorylation of JNK (Tyr185) and decreased the protein expressions of Nrf2 and HO-1, as well as downregulated the phosphorylation of AMPK and eNOS (Ser1177) in RAECs. This led to reduced nitric oxide (NO) generation and elevation of oxidative stress. High glucose induction also impaired the endothelium-dependent relaxations (EDRs) in murine aortas. These high glucose-induced impairments were restored by co-treatment of nobiletin (1 μM or 10 μM) whereas effects of nobiletin were abolished by AMPK inhibitor Compound C. The DIO-induced diabetic animal model showed increased body weight and blood pressure, imbalance of glucolipid metabolism, impaired EDRs, and elevated oxidative stress in aortas. AMPK/eNOS and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways were downregulated in aortas from DIO mice. Oral administration of nobiletin could at least partially reverse the above damage. Conclusions: Nobiletin ameliorates endothelial dysfunction by reducing oxidative stress and enhancing NO bioavailability upon activation of AMPK/eNOS and Nrf2/HO-1 pathways in obese diabetic mice. Full article

Cyclin-dependent kinase 1 (CDK1) is frequently upregulated in multiple cancers and plays a central role in cell cycle progression and tumorigenesis. However, whether CDK1 directly regulates the histone acetyltransferase KAT8 (also known as MOF) in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) remains unclear. Here, we identify CDK1 as a kinase that directly interacts with and phosphorylates KAT8 at serine 348 (S348) and threonine 418 (T418). Mechanistically, CDK1-mediated phosphorylation, particularly at S348, enhances the interaction between KAT8 and MSL1, thereby stabilizing the MSL complex and promoting KAT8-dependent acetylation of histone H4 at lysine 16 (H4K16). Functionally, the phosphorylation-deficient mutant KAT8-S348A exhibits impaired MSL complex assembly, reduced H4K16 acetylation, and decreased NSCLC cell proliferation both in vitro and in vivo. Pharmacological inhibition of CDK1 using RO-3306 suppresses KAT8 phosphorylation and H4K16 acetylation, leading to significant tumor growth inhibition. Notably, this effect is partially rescued by re-expression of wild-type KAT8 but not by the S348A mutant, supporting a phosphorylation-dependent mechanism. Collectively, these findings define a CDK1–KAT8 signaling axis that promotes NSCLC proliferation through epigenetic regulation and suggest that targeting CDK1-dependent KAT8 phosphorylation may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for lung cancer. Full article

Under grazing conditions, it is difficult for lactating Yili mares to meet their nutritional requirements and those of their suckling foals solely through the consumption of natural pasture. Furthermore, seasonal variations and rainfall significantly influence the quality and nutrient content of forage, which severely constrains the healthy breeding of Yili horses and the industrial development of mare milk resources. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the effects of concentrate supplementation on lactation performance and milk concentrations of amino acids, fatty acids, and mineral elements in Yili horses under grazing conditions. Twenty-two healthy Yili mares in early lactation, with similar ages (3–4 years), foaling dates, and body weights (391.5 ± 13.74 kg), were randomly assigned to either a grazing group (G, n = 11) or a grazing + supplementation group (GS, n = 11). Mares in group G grazed naturally on pasture, while those in group GS received 1 kg of concentrate supplement twice daily (totaling 2 kg/day) in addition to grazing. The experimental period lasted for 100 days, including a 10-day adaptation period and a 90-day formal experimental period. The results showed that: (1) In terms of lactation performance, the GS group exhibited highly significant increases in milk yield and lactose yield (p < 0.01), as well as significant increases in milk protein and milk fat yields (p < 0.05), with an extended duration of the peak lactation period. (2) Regarding the amino acid profile, the concentrations of threonine (Thr), serine (Ser), glycine (Gly), and alanine (Ala) in the milk of the GS group were significantly higher than those in the G group (p < 0.05), whereas the proline (Pro) content was significantly lower (p < 0.01); supplementation improved the uptake of certain functional amino acids by the mammary gland. (3) Concerning the fatty acid profile, the concentrations of polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and alpha-linolenic acid in the milk of the G group were significantly or highly significantly higher than those in the GS group (p < 0.05 or p < 0.01). (4) For mineral elements, concentrate supplementation highly significantly decreased the potassium (K) content and the K/Na ratio in horse milk (p < 0.01), highly significantly increased the levels of iron (Fe) and cobalt (Co) (p < 0.01), and significantly enhanced the chromium (Cr) content (p < 0.05). In conclusion, concentrate supplementation during grazing improved lactation performance in Yili mares, primarily by increasing milk yield and extending the peak lactation period. However, grazing alone was more favorable for maintaining higher PUFA and α-linolenic acid proportions in milk. Therefore, concentrate supplementation should be regarded as a nutritional strategy that increases milk output and modifies amino acid and mineral element composition, but may involve a trade-off with some beneficial fatty acids. Full article