Search Results (263)

The complex microenvironment of wounds, along with challenges such as microbial infections, tissue damage, and inflammatory responses during the healing process, renders wound repair a complex medical issue. Owing to their ease of administration, effective outcomes, and painless application, biomacromolecule-based wound dressings have become a focal point in current clinical research. In recent years, hydrogels, microneedles, and electrospun nanofibers have emerged as three novel types of wound dressings. By influencing various stages of healing, they have notably enhanced chronic wound healing outcomes and hold considerable potential for wound repair applications. This review describes the preparation methods, classification, and applications of hydrogels, microneedles, and electrospun nanofibers around the various stages of wound healing, clarifying the healing-promoting mechanisms and characteristics of the three methods in different stages of wound healing. Building upon this foundation, we further introduce smart responsiveness, highlighting the application of stimuli-responsive wound dressings in dynamic wound management, aiming to provide insights for future research. Full article

This article presents a review of several non-exclusive pathways for the sequestration of soil organic carbon, which can be classified into two large classical groups: the modification of plant and microbial macromolecules and the abiotic and microbial neoformation of humic substances. Classical studies have established a causal relationship between aromatic structures and the stability of soil humus (traditional hypotheses regarding lignin and aromatic microbial metabolites as primary precursors for soil organic matter). However, further evidence has emerged that underscores the significance of humification mechanisms based solely on aliphatics. The precursors may be carbohydrates, which may be transformed by the effects of fire or catalytic dehydration reactions in soil. Furthermore, humic-type structures may be formed through the condensation of unsaturated fatty acids or the alteration of aliphatic biomacromolecules, such as cutins, suberins, and non-hydrolysable plant polyesters. In addition to the intrinsic value of understanding the potential for carbon sequestration in diverse soil types, biogeochemical models of the carbon cycle necessitate the assessment of the total quantity, nature, provenance, and resilience of the sequestered organic matter. This emphasises the necessity of applying specific techniques to gain insights into their molecular structures. The application of appropriate analytical techniques to soil organic matter, including sequential chemolysis or thermal degradation combined with isotopic analysis and high-resolution mass spectrometry, derivative spectroscopy (visible and infrared), or ¹³C magnetic resonance after selective degradation, enables the simultaneous assessment of the concurrent biophysicochemical stabilisation mechanisms of C in soils. Full article

In this paper, titanium oxide nanoparticles (TiO₂-NPs) with complex surface topologies were obtained for the first time using simple procedures applied in laser sintering. Based on the obtained nanoparticles and polymethyl methacrylate-like photopolymer resin, a composite material (MPR/TiO₂-NPs) for 3D printing was created using the MSLA technology. Products made of the material containing from 0.001 to 0.1% wt. TiO₂-NPs didn’t contain internal defects and were less brittle than the resin without nanoparticles. Products made of the MPR/TiO₂-NPs material were well polished; after polishing, areas with a variation in the surface profile height of less than 10 nm were found on the surfaces. Nanoparticles in the volume of products made of the material are apparently unevenly distributed; there are alternating areas of micrometer sizes with slightly higher and slightly lower concentrations of nanoparticles. Spectroscopy showed that adding the developed nanoparticles promoted better polymerization of the MPR resin. The addition of nanoparticles to the material slightly increased its ability to generate active forms of oxygen and damage biomacromolecules. At the same time, the resulting material exhibits significant antibacterial properties and doen’t affect the growth and reproduction of animal cells. The created material can be a very effective basis for the additive manufacturing of products with improved physical and chemical properties and balanced biological activity. Full article

Intrinsically disordered regions (IDRs), defined as protein segments lacking stable tertiary structures, are ubiquitously present in the human proteome and enriched with disease-associated mutations. IDRs harbor molecular recognition features (MoRFs) and post-translational modification sites (e.g., phosphorylation), enabling dynamic intermolecular interactions through conformational plasticity. Furthermore, IDRs drive liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) of biomacromolecules via multivalent interactions such as electrostatic attraction and pi–pi interactions, generating biomolecular condensates that are essential throughout the cellular lifecycle. These condensates separate intracellular space, forming a physical barrier to avoid interference between other molecules, thereby improving reaction specificity and efficiency. As a dynamically equilibrated process, LLPS formation and maintenance are regulated by multiple factors, endowing the condensates with rapid responsiveness to environmental cues and functional versatility in modulating diverse signaling cascades. Consequently, disruption of LLPS homeostasis can derail its associated biological processes, ultimately contributing to disease pathogenesis. Moreover, precisely because liquid–liquid phase separation (LLPS) is co-regulated by multiple factors, it may provide novel insights into the pathogenic mechanisms of disorders such as autism spectrum disorder (ASD), which result from the cumulative effects of multiple etiological factors. Full article

New materials for additive manufacturing are currently being actively studied, which both have the necessary physicochemical properties and are safe for the environment and living organisms. We have proposed a simple process for the production of composite materials based on a transparent polymethyl methacrylate-like photopolymer resin modified with metallic titanium nanoparticles. Standardized plate samples were printed from the obtained modified photopolymer resins using mask stereolithography with an LED light source array (MSLA), and their mechanical properties were evaluated. Plates were also printed, for which the surface topology, distribution of nanoparticles in the polymer matrix, chemical structure, optical properties, chemical structure, and optical properties were characterized. In the context of the impact on biological systems, the ability of materials to enhance the formation of ROS and affect the main biomacromolecules was demonstrated. At the same time, the developed composite materials inhibit the growth of E. coli bacterial cells, and the bactericidal effect of the surfaces of the obtained materials was shown. Despite the significant antibacterial properties of the synthesized materials, no negative impact on the growth and development of adhesive cultures of eukaryotic cells in vitro was detected. Full article

Scoring functions are key elements in docking protocols as they approximate the binding affinity of a ligand (usually a small bioactive molecule) by calculating its interaction energy with a biomacromolecule (usually a protein). In this study, we present a pairwise comparison of scoring functions applying a multi-criterion decision-making approach based on InterCriteria analysis (ICrA). As criteria, the five scoring functions implemented in MOE (Molecular Operating Environment) software were selected, and their performance on a set of protein–ligand complexes from the PDBbind database was compared. The following docking outputs were used: the best docking score, the lowest root mean square deviation (RMSD) between the predicted poses and the co-crystallized ligand, the RMSD between the best docking score pose and the co-crystallized ligand, and the docking score of the pose with the lowest RMSD to the co-crystallized ligand. The impact of ICrA thresholds on the relations between the scoring functions was investigated. A correlation analysis was also performed and juxtaposed with the ICrA. Our results reveal the lowest RMSD as the best-performing docking output and two scoring functions (Alpha HB and London dG) as having the highest comparability. The proposed approach can be applied to any other scoring functions and protein–ligand complexes of interest. Full article

Xenorhabdus nematophila has excellent potential for application in both medicine and agriculture due to its various active secondary metabolites. The transcriptional regulator OmpR negatively regulates Xenocoumacin 1 (Xcn1), which has wide antimicrobial activity. Here, we expressed and purified OmpR and verified its binding activities to promoters via an electrophoretic mobility shift assay. RNA sequencing was used to analyze the relevance and difference of differentially expressed genes between X. nematophila and its mutant ΔompR. Compared with the WT, 1127 differentially expressed genes were found in ΔompR, while 4150 co-expressed genes were detected. RT-qPCR data validated the RNA-seq results with 20 randomly selected genes. OmpR positively regulates the process of porphyrin metabolism, quorum sensing, β-Lactam resistance and glyoxylate and dicarboxylate metabolism, while negatively regulating the phosphotransferase system, two-component system and bacterial chemotaxis. OmpR indirectly regulates the biosynthesis of Xcn1 by positively regulating the process of glyoxylate metabolism, which consumes energy and precursors, and negatively regulates biomacromolecules biosynthesis, which provides energy and precursors. Overall, this work revealed the indirect effects of OmpR on the biosynthesis of Xcn1, serving as a foundation for future research into the intricate regulatory network of X. nematophila. Full article

Solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance (ssNMR) spectroscopy enables studying complex macromolecules with low solubility. Compared to solution NMR, few tools exist for biomacromolecule ssNMR data analysis. A key challenge is assigning spin systems due to low peak dispersion. Broad peaks from large dipolar couplings and shift anisotropy cause significant overlap and missing peaks. To address this, we introduce ssPINE-POKY, a user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI) integrated into the POKY suite. ssPINE-POKY streamlines the automation of spin system recognition and chemical shift assignment in multidimensional ssNMR spectra by integrating the ssPINE algorithm within an intuitive interface. The platform allows easy and fast job submission, real-time result visualization, and enhanced analysis through additional built-in tools, significantly improving the efficiency of ssNMR data interpretation. Full article

Oxidative stress-induced damage to biomolecules such as proteins, lipids, and DNA is closely related to chronic diseases. Developing efficient, low-toxicity, and multi-target natural antioxidants has become an important research direction in food and medicine. This study established a detection method for oleanolic acid (OA) content in Boschnikia rossica extract (BRE). It systematically evaluated the in vitro antioxidant activity and protective effect of Boschnikia rossica extract on oxidative damage of biomolecules. Firstly, the detection method based on RP-HPLC has improved the problem of low separation efficiency and high interference in detecting OA in Boschnikia rossica. The optimal analysis conditions were obtained by optimizing the chromatographic conditions: the chromatographic column was Agilent TC-C₁₈ (250 mm × 4.6 mm, 5 μm); the mobile phase was methanol/0.4% phosphoric acid aqueous solution (85/15, v/v), pH 2.14; the column temperature was 20 °C; the flow rate was 1.2 mL/min; and the detection wavelength was 220 nm. Under these conditions, the linear relationship of OA was good within the concentration range of 100–800 mg/L, with a recovery rate of 98.88–101.46% and RSD less than 2%. The content of OA was 0.358 mg/g. Next, the in vitro antioxidant effect of BRE was tested, and it was found that BRE had reasonable scavenging rates against ABTS, DPPH, and hydroxyl radicals, with IC₅₀ values of 224.32 mg/L, 58.43 mg/L, and 432.21 mg/L, respectively. In addition, BRE had significant inhibitory effects on protein oxidative degradation, carbonylation modification, lipid oxidation, and DNA oxidative damage induced by different free radicals. Finally, BRE can be a natural alternative to synthetic antioxidants and has important application value in delaying food oxidation and developing anti-aging functional foods. Full article

Proteins are structurally and functionally diverse biomacromolecules that serve a variety of essential activities to ensure complex biological homeostasis. The desire to elucidate and enhance these biological functions has been at the forefront of research for many decades. However, generating active proteins via recombinant expression or through chemical total synthesis each has limitations in terms of yield and functionality. Nature has provided a solution to this problem through evolving protein ligases that catalyze the formation of amide bonds between peptides/proteins, which can be exploited by protein engineers to develop robust functional proteins. Here, we summarize the biochemical mechanisms and applications of multiple cysteine-based protein ligases, especially focusing on how they have been utilized for protein therapeutics and engineering, as well as how they inspired chemists to develop efficient methodologies for protein synthesis (e.g., native chemical ligation). Full article

Serial crystallography is a rapidly advancing experimental technology that has seen significant development in recent years. This technique enables the continuous delivery of a series of protein crystal samples to the X-ray beam, allowing for the collection of diffraction data from a large number of crystals at ambient temperature. Despite its advancements, serial crystallography still possesses considerable potential for further development within synchrotron radiation platforms. Currently, several challenges hinder the progress of this technology, including the preparation of numerous microcrystal samples, methods for sample delivery, data acquisition efficiency, and data processing techniques. The device introduced in this paper is designed to facilitate serial crystallographic experiments at the synchrotron radiation station, employing electrospinning in the vacuum cavity to reduce the average flux, mitigate the effects of air ionization on the Taylor cone, and enhance the stability of Taylor cone during the data acquisition process. The diffraction pattern of lysozyme crystals was successfully acquired with this device at the beamlines of the Shanghai Synchrotron Radiation Facility (SSRF). Full article

Poorly designed devices can cause flow maldistribution, leading to subpar performance during macromolecule separation. Analyzing the fluid flow in intricate membrane channel structures is challenging. In this study, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was employed to investigate the effects of the channel tortuosity, size, and connectivity on flow distribution and chromatography performance. Sodium chloride (NaCl) and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were used as tracers. The results showed that the peaks from the NaCl and BSA were sharper as the tortuosity and size heterogeneity decreased to 0, revealing that both the tortuosity and size heterogeneity are critical factors that affect the flow distribution uniformity and thereby the membrane performance during biomacromolecule separation. These findings underscore the importance of optimizing the channel tortuosity and size to enhance membrane performance, offering practical insights for the design of next-generation purification systems. These insights pave the way for optimizing membrane design in future biopharmaceutical applications. Full article

Psoriasis is an immune-related disorder that is marked by abnormal thickening of the skin, the rapid multiplication of keratinocytes, and complex interactions between immune cells and the affected areas. Although psoriasis cannot currently be cured, drugs can alleviate symptoms by regulating immune homeostasis and preventing comorbidities. There are many types of drugs to treat psoriasis: small-molecule drugs, including corticosteroids; retinoids; vitamin D analogs; and immunosuppressants, such as glucocorticoid ointment, tretinoin cream, methotrexate tablets, etc. Macromolecular biological drugs, such as Certolizumab, Secukinumab, Guselkumab, etc., include monoclonal antibodies that target various inflammatory signaling pathways. Compared with traditional small-molecule drugs, biological therapies offer better targeting and lower systemic side effects, but their high costs and invasive administration modes constrict their widespread use. Spesolimab is the latest biological agent used to target the interleukin-36 receptor (IL-36R) to be approved for market use, which significantly reduces the risk of general pustular psoriasis (GPP) flare by 84%. Additionally, there are several biological agents used to target the interleukin-23/T helper 17 cell pathway that have already entered Phase II and III clinical trials. At present, the first-line therapeutic strategy for mild psoriasis is topical administration. Systemic therapy and phototherapy are preferred for treating moderate to severe types. However, the current therapeutic drugs for psoriasis cannot completely meet the clinical needs. More advanced drug delivery systems with optimized target effects and better bioavailability are required. Nanocarriers are emerging for the delivery of proteins, nucleic acids, and cell-based therapies. In this review, we analyze the current status of psoriasis therapeutics and discuss novel delivery systems for diverse psoriasis drugs, as well as emerging cell-based therapies. We also summarize the therapeutic effectiveness of different delivery strategies. Full article

Iron-based metal–organic frameworks (Fe-MOFs) are widely used for agricultural chemical delivery due to their high loading capacity, and they also have the potential to provide essential iron for plant growth. Therefore, they hold significant promise for agricultural applications. Evaluating the plant biotoxicity of Fe-MOFs is crucial for optimizing their use in agriculture. In this study, we used the natural biomacromolecule carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) to encapsulate the Fe-MOF NH₂-MIL-101 (Fe) (MIL). Through hydroponic experiments, we investigated the biotoxic effects of Fe-MOFs on rice before and after CMC modification. The results show that the accumulation of iron in rice is dependent on the dose and the exposure concentration of Fe-MOFs. CMC modification (MIL@CMC) can reduce the release rate of Fe ions from Fe-MOFs in aqueous solutions with different pH values (5 and 7). Furthermore, MIL@CMC treatment significantly increases the absorption of iron by both the aboveground and root parts of rice. MIL@CMC significantly alleviated the growth inhibition of rice seedlings and increased the aboveground biomass of rice under medium- to high-exposure conditions. Specifically, in rice roots, MIL induced a more intense oxidative stress response, with significant increases in the activities of related antioxidant enzymes (CAT, POD, and SOD) and MDA content. Our results demonstrated that the encapsulation of NH₂-MIL-101(Fe) using CMC effectively alleviated oxidative damage and promoted the uptake and growth of iron in rice. These findings suggest that rational modification can have a positive effect on reducing the potential phytotoxicity of MOFs and improving their biosafety in agricultural applications. Full article

Metabolic diseases like obesity and diabetes are on the rise, and therapies with biomacromolecules (such as proteins, peptides, antibodies, and oligonucleotides) play a crucial role in their treatment. However, these drugs are traditionally injected. For patients with chronic diseases (e.g., metabolic diseases), long-term injections are accompanied by inconvenience and low compliance. Oral administration is preferred, but the delivery of biomacromolecules is challenging due to gastrointestinal barriers. In this article, we introduce the available biomacromolecule drugs for the treatment of metabolic diseases. The gastrointestinal barriers to oral drug delivery and strategies to overcome these barriers are also explored. We then discuss strategies for alleviating metabolic defects, including glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and energy metabolism, with oral biomacromolecules such as insulin, glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 inhibitors, fibroblast growth factor 21 analogues, and peptide YY analogues. Full article