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The study of protein-drug interaction plays a crucial role in understanding drug mechanisms, identifying new drug targets and biomarkers, and facilitating drug development and disease treatment. In recent years, significant progress has been made in various protein-drug interaction research methods due to the rapid development and in-depth application of mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, Raman spectroscopy, and other technologies. The progress has enhanced the sensitivity, precision, accuracy, and applicability of analytical methods, enabling the establishment of drug-protein interaction networks. This review discusses various emerging research methods, such as native mass spectrometry, infrared spectroscopy, nuclear magnetic resonance and spectrum, biosensor technologies employing surface enhanced Raman, electrochemistry, and magneto resistive signals, as well as affinity magnetic levitation and affinity chromatography. The article also delves into the principles, applications, advantages, and limitations of these technologies., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Excellent pretreatments before instrumental analysis are critical for separation and determination of target compounds for discovery of new drugs from herb medicines. We developed a rapid and highly-selective method to separate the bioactive compounds from herbal extract using protein affinity-selection spin column, which was packed with the new sorbent materials from integrating the recombinant β 2 -adrenoceptor (β 2 -AR) directly out of cell lysates onto the surface of microspheres. Protein affinity-selection spin column was placed in a centrifugal tube, where after the non-specific binders were released to the filtrate under the operational centrifugation, the specific binders on the spin column were cleaned with a washing solvent for LC-MS analysis. The known agonists of β 2 -AR were retained/released on protein affinity-selection spin column but not on control column, demonstrating the method with good recovery (79.4∼95.7 %) and high repeatability (RSD < 3.5 %). The adsorption features of three ligands on the spin column were described best by Prism saturation binding model, and the high-affinity binding and the large binding capacity of the spin column make it feasible to trap the trace analytes effectively. It was applied in separating bioactive compounds from Alstoniae Scholaris extract, two of which were identified as picrinine and oleanolic acid in combination with LC-MS and verified as the potential agonists towards β 2 -AR though molecular docking and cell experiments. Our study demonstrated that, the spin column with the immobilized protein sorbents in the centrifugal filter device represents a promising tool, enabling rapid and target-specific affinity separation of the bioactive compounds from herbal extract., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Nanozymes have been developed to overcome the inherent limitations of natural enzymes, such as their low stability and high cost. However, their efficacy has been hindered by their relatively low specificity and activity. Here, we demonstrate the self-assembly of individual copper nanoclusters (CuNCs) via a simple yet fast (10 min) DNA nanosheet (DNS)-templated method, enhancing the peroxidase-like activity and specificity of CuNCs. Furthermore, we demonstrate the successful assembly of CuNCs on different DNA nanostructures by atomic force microscopy (AFM), transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). The resulting micron-scale ultrathin DNA nanosheet-templated CuNCs (DNS@CuNCs) exhibit exceptional catalytic activity, with a specific activity reaching 1.79 × 10 3 U mg -1 . Investigation into the catalytic process reveals that the enhanced activity and specificity arise from disparities in active intermediate content before and after CuNCs assembly. Significantly, the DNS@CuNCs-based biosensor demonstrates remarkable anti-interference capabilities, enabling the detection of H 2 O 2 in undiluted human serum for the first time with a detection limit of 0.99 μM.

Synthesis methods of carbon nanomaterials have been developed vigorously in recent years, among which a simple, green, and mature approach is of more research significance. Carbon nanomaterials have depicted an impact on the growth and development of plants. In this study, a new type of carbon nanomaterial, superhydrophilic carbon aerogel (CA), was synthesized via a hydrothermal process using carbohydrates and water-soluble polymers as raw materials. Characterized by scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, powder X-ray diffraction, and N 2 adsorption analysis, the exemplified CA presented to have porous three-dimensional network structure composed of individual particles with diameters of 25 nm, with reactive surface, single composition, high specific surface area (89.94 m 2 ·g -1 ), and wide range of density variation. The 9 mg·mL -1 CA suspension had a significant positive effect on the root growth of wheat seedlings, with promoted root elongation (about 67.17% longer) and root diameter (about 28.95% thicker) compared with those of the control group. The cytological results suggested that CA treatment triggered the propagation of meristematic cells, and the increased number of meristematic cells (65.79% more than the control group) led to enhanced root growth by upregulated expression of related phytohormone genes in wheat seedlings.

Aggregation Induced Emission Carbon Dots (AIE-CDs) address the problem of conventional CDs being quenched in the solid-state. However, there are still challenges in comprehending the luminescence mechanism. This work proposed a strategy for preparing green, yellow, and near-infrared CDs by modifying the functional groups on the precursor from hydroxyl and amino to p-methylenediamine, in which electronic supply capacity determined the redshift. Additionally, The CDs' properties transformed from Aggregation-Caused Quenching (ACQ) to AIE was realized by substituting non-rotatable hydroxyl or amino groups with the rotatable p-methylenediamine on the precursor. The resulting CDs were then applied in multifield. C-CDs was used for ratiometric detection of Al 3+ and F - in pure water through three methods including fluorometer, test strip and smartphone. R-CDs was used for imaging cell nucleus and zebrafish. NIR-CDs (λ em  = 676 nm) exhibits dual emission, AIE and phosphorescent characteristics was used for triple anti-counterfeiting and binary information encryption. In summary, our finding presented a strategy for preparing multicolor CDs, proposed a mechanism for the transition of CDs from ACQ to AIE, and explore their multiple applications in anti-counterfeiting, information encapsulation, sensing and imaging., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest There are no conflicts to declare., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Carbon dots (CDs) exhibit great potential in medicinal chemistry due to its excellent optical properties, biocompatibility and scalability, which have attracted significant interest. Based on their specific synthesis and modification, this review provided an overview of the evolution of the synthesis of CDs and reviewed the discovery and development of their optical properties. This review examines recent advances of CDs in medicinal chemistry, with a particular focus on the use of CDs as drugs and carriers for photodynamic and photothermal therapies in the field of neurological disorders, cancer, bacterial, viral, and further in combination with imaging for diagnostic and therapeutic integration. Finally, this review addresses the challenges and limitations of CDs in medicinal chemistry. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the development process of CDs and their applications in various aspects of medicinal chemistry, thereby offers insights to the development of CDs in the field of medicinal chemistry., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mitochondria-derived peptides (MDPs) represent a recently discovered family of peptides encoded by short open reading frames (ORFs) found within mitochondrial genes. This group includes notable members including humanin (HN), mitochondrial ORF of the 12S rDNA type-c (MOTS-c), and small humanin-like peptides 1-6 (SHLP1-6). MDPs assume pivotal roles in the regulation of diverse cellular processes, encompassing apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress, which are all essential for sustaining cellular viability and normal physiological functions. Their emerging significance extends beyond this, prompting a deeper exploration into their multifaceted roles and potential applications., Aim of Review: This review aims to comprehensively explore the biogenesis, various types, and diverse functions of MDPs. It seeks to elucidate the central roles and underlying mechanisms by which MDPs participate in the onset and development of cardiovascular diseases (CVDs), bridging the connections between cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. Furthermore, the review highlights recent advancements in clinical research related to the utilization of MDPs in CVD diagnosis and treatment., Key Scientific Concepts of Review: MDPs levels are diminished with aging and in the presence of CVDs, rendering them potential new indicators for the diagnosis of CVDs. Also, MDPs may represent a novel and promising strategy for CVD therapy. In this review, we delve into the biogenesis, various types, and diverse functions of MDPs. We aim to shed light on the pivotal roles and the underlying mechanisms through which MDPs contribute to the onset and advancement of CVDs connecting cell apoptosis, inflammation, and oxidative stress. We also provide insights into the current advancements in clinical research related to the utilization of MDPs in the treatment of CVDs. This review may provide valuable information with MDPs for CVD diagnosis and treatment., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Production and hosting by Elsevier B.V.)

One of the causes of coronary heart disease (CHD) is genetic factors. In this study, we explored the relationship between CYP2D7 and TCF20 gene polymorphisms and the risk of CHD in the Han Chinese population. Three single nucleotide polymorphisms (CYP2D7 rs1800754, CYP2D7 rs2743461, and TCF20 rs760648) were selected and genotyped from 490 cases and 480 controls. The odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were used to assess the association between CYP2D7 and TCF20 polymorphisms and the risk of CHD. The association between clinical indicators and polymorphisms was analyzed using one-way ANOVA and Tukey's HSD. The SNP-SNP interactions were obtained by performing multifactor dimensionality reduction (MDR). CYP2D7 rs1800754 and rs2743461 were closely associated with increased risk of CHD (alleles: p = 0.014, p = 0.031). Stratified analysis showed that CYP2D7 rs1800754 and rs2743461 were associated with an increased risk of CHD in men, age > 60 years, BMI ≥ 24, and smoking. Rs1800754 is also associated with an increased risk of CHD associated with alcohol consumption. In addition, TCF20 rs760648 was associated with a reduced risk of CHD in patients aged ≤ 60 years and with CALs. A significant association was found between CYP2D7 rs1800754 and rs2743461 genotypes and levels of UREA, Cr, and LDL-C; TCF20 rs760648 genotypes and levels of RBC. The MDR analysis showed that the three-locus interaction model was the best in the multi-locus model. In conclusion, CYP2D7 rs1800754 and rs2743461 polymorphisms were associated with CHD risk., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.)

Plants delicately regulate endogenous auxin levels through the coordination of transport, biosynthesis, and inactivation, which is crucial for growth and development. While it is well-established that the actin cytoskeleton can regulate auxin levels by affecting polar transport, its potential role in auxin biosynthesis has remained largely unexplored. Using LC-MS/MS-based methods combined with fluorescent auxin marker detection, we observed a significant increase in root auxin levels upon deletion of the actin bundling proteins AtFIM4 and AtFIM5. Fluorescent observation, immunoblotting analysis, and biochemical approaches revealed that AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 affect the protein abundance of the key auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 in roots. AtFIM4 and AtFIM5 regulate the auxin synthesis enzyme YUC8 at the protein level, with its degradation mediated by the 26S proteasome. This regulation modulates auxin synthesis and endogenous auxin levels in roots, consequently impacting root development. Based on these findings, we propose a molecular pathway centered on the 'actin cytoskeleton-26S proteasome-YUC8-auxin' axis that controls auxin levels. Our findings shed light on a new pathway through which plants regulate auxin synthesis. Moreover, this study illuminates a newfound role of the actin cytoskeleton in regulating plant growth and development, particularly through its involvement in maintaining protein homeostasis via the 26S proteasome., (© 2024 The Author(s). New Phytologist © 2024 New Phytologist Foundation.)

Polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS) is a common endocrine disorder characterized by chronic ovulation dysfunction and overproduction of androgens. Women with PCOS are commonly accompanied by insulin resistance (IR), which can impair insulin sensitivity and elevate blood glucose levels. IR promotes ovarian cysts, ovulatory dysfunction, and menstrual irregularities in women patients, leading to the pathogenesis of PCOS. Secreted frizzled-related protein 4 (SFRP4), a secreted glycoprotein, exhibits significantly elevated expression levels in obese individuals with IR and PCOS. Whereas, whether it plays a role in regulating IR-induced PCOS still has yet to be understood. In this study, we respectively established in vitro IR-induced hyperandrogenism in human ovarian granular cells and in vivo IR-induced PCOS models in mice to investigate the action mechanisms of SFRP4 in modulating IR-induced PCOS. Here, we revealed that SFRP4 expression levels in both mRNA and protein were remarkably upregulated in the IR-induced hyperandrogenism with elevated testosterone in the human ovarian granulosa cell line KGN. Under normal conditions without hyperandrogenism, overexpressing SFRP4 triggered the remarkable elevation of testosterone along with the increased nuclear translocation of β-catenin, cell apoptosis and proinflammatory cytokine IL-6. Furthermore, we found that phytopharmaceutical disruption of SFRP4 by genistein ameliorated IR-induced increase in testosterone in ovarian granular cells, and IR-induced PCOS in high-fat diet obese mice. Our study reveals that SFRP4 contributes to IR-induced PCOS by triggering ovarian granulosa cell hyperandrogenism and apoptosis through the nuclear β-catenin/IL-6 signaling axis. Elucidating the role of SFRP4 in PCOS may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for IR-related PCOS therapy., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest No conflict of interest exists in the submission of this manuscript. All authors have read and approved submission of the manuscript and the manuscript has not been published and is not being considered for publication elsewhere in whole or in part in any language, including publicly accessible Websites or e-print servers., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Fibrosis refers to the progressive tissue lesion process characterized by excessive secretion and deposition of extracellular matrix (ECM). Abnormal fibrous tissue deposition distorts tissue architecture and leads to the progressive loss of organ function. Notably, fibrosis is one of the primary pathological appearances of many end stage illnesses, and is considered as a lethal threat to human health, especially in the elderly with ageing-related diseases. CX3C ligand 1 (CX3CL1) is the only member of chemokine CX3C and binds specifically to CX3C receptor 1 (CX3CR1). Different from other chemokines, CX3CL1 possesses both chemotactic and adhesive activity. CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis involves in various physiological and pathological processes, and exerts a critical role in cells from the immune system, vascular system, and nervous system etc. Notably, increasing evidence has demonstrated that CX3CL1/CX3CR1 signaling pathway is closely related to the pathological process of fibrosis in multiple tissue and organs. We reviewed the crucial role of CX3CL1/CX3CR1 axis in fibrosis and ageing and systematically summarized the underlying mechanism, which offers prospective strategies of targeting CX3C for the therapy of fibrosis and ageing-related diseases., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd.. All rights reserved.)

Background: The Persian walnut (Juglans regia), an economically vital species within the Juglandaceae family, has seen its mitochondrial genome sequenced and assembled in the current study using advanced Illumina and Nanopore sequencing technology., Results: The 1,007,576 bp mitogenome of J. regia consisted of three circular chromosomes with a 44.52% GC content encoding 39 PCGs, 47 tRNA, and five rRNA genes. Extensive repetitive sequences, including 320 SSRs, 512 interspersed, and 83 tandem repeats, were identified, contributing to genomic complexity. The protein-coding sequences (PCGs) favored A/T-ending codons, and the codon usage bias was primarily shaped by selective pressure. Intracellular gene transfer occurred among the mitogenome, chloroplast, and nuclear genomes. Comparative genomic analysis unveiled abundant structure and sequence variation among J. regia and related species. The results of selective pressure analysis indicated that most PCGs underwent purifying selection, whereas the atp4 and ccmB genes had experienced positive selection between many species pairs. In addition, the phylogenetic examination, grounded in mitochondrial genome data, precisely delineated the evolutionary and taxonomic relationships of J. regia and its relatives. We identified a total of 539 RNA editing sites, among which 288 were corroborated by transcriptome sequencing data. Furthermore, expression profiling under temperature stress highlighted the complex regulation pattern of 28 differently expressed PCGs, wherein NADH dehydrogenase and ATP synthase genes might be critical in the mitochondria response to cold stress., Conclusions: Our results provided valuable molecular resources for understanding the genetic characteristics of J. regia and offered novel perspectives for population genetics and evolutionary studies in Juglans and related woody species., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Leaf area to sapwood area ratio (A L /A S ) influences carbon sequestration, community composition, and ecosystem functioning in terrestrial vegetation and is closely related to leaf economics and hydraulics. However, critical predictors of A L /A S are not well understood. We compiled an A L /A S data set with 1612 species-site combinations (1137 species from 285 sites worldwide) from our field experiments and published literature. We found the global mean A L /A S to be 0.63 m 2  cm -2 , with its variation largely driven by growing-season precipitation (P gs ), which accounted for 18% of the variation in A L /A S . Species in tropical rainforests exhibited the highest A L /A S (0.82 m 2  cm -2 ), whereas desert species showed the lowest A L /A S (0.16 m 2  cm -2 ). Soil factors such as soil nitrogen and soil organic carbon exhibited positive effects on A L /A S , whereas soil pH was negatively correlated with A L /A S . Tree density accounted for 7% of the variation in A L /A S . All biotic and abiotic predictors collectively explained up to 45% of the variation in A L /A S . Additionally, A L /A S was positively correlated to the net primary productivity (NPP) of the ecosystem. Our study provides insights into the driving factors of A L /A S at the global scale and highlights the importance of A L /A S in ecosystem productivity. Given that P gs is the most critical driver of A L /A S , alterations in global precipitation belts, particularly seasonal precipitation, may induce changes in plant leaf area on the branches., (© 2024 John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

The SEPALLATA3 genes regulate several aspects of plant development. This study identified four distinct splicing isoforms of the SEPALLATA3 gene in Isatis indigotica (I. indigotica). IiSEP3-1 and IiSEP3-2 have eight exons and were named as IiSEP3-2/1. However, IiSEP3-3 and IiSEP3-4 with the missing sixth exon were labeled IiSEP3ΔK3. Furthermore, the IiSEP3-1 and IiSEP3-4 amino acids sequences lack the V90. IiSEP3 splicing variants were primarily expressed in floral organs, with petals showing the highest expression. Ectopic expression of IiSEP3-2 or IiSEP3-3 may cause early flowering and reduce the number of sepals, petals, and stamens. The ectopic expression of IiSEP3-2 resulted in cauline leaves and sepals converting to carpelloid structures. In contrast, the four floral whorls prematurely wilted, and the entire flower displayed an abortive state when IiSEP3-3 was expressed ectopically. Silencing the IiSEP3 gene of I. indigotica employing VIGS (tobacco rattle virus-mediated virus-induced gene silencing) technology using the TRV-IiSEP3-2/1 vector delayed flowering time and reduced the number of petals and stamens. Plants silenced with TRV-IiSEP3ΔK3 also exhibited similar phenotypes, including fewer sepals. The transcriptome analysis of silenced plants (TRV-IiSEP3-2/1 treatment group) indicated significant alterations in 1861 genes, with 1035 upregulated and 826 downregulated. TRV-IiSEP3ΔK3 treatment altered the expression of 2063 genes in plants, with 1289 genes upregulated and 774 genes transcription inhibited. Y2H and BIFC experiments revealed that IiSEP3-2 and IiSEP3-3 had distinct interacting proteins. Thus, we can conclude that IiSEP3-2 and IiSEP3-3 interact with different proteins, affecting floral transition and organ development in I. indigotica., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Masson SAS. All rights reserved.)

Climbing plants are important components of tropical and many temperate forest ecosystems. Current studies regard climbing plants as a single ecological plant type and ignore the ecological differences resulting from their climbing mechanisms, which may lead to a misrepresentation of the role of climbing plants in forest dynamics. Based on behavioral traits and economic traits of climbing plants, we test the hypothesis that tendril climbers and stem twiners are characterized by different resource acquisition strategies. We quantified and compared 4 behavioral traits and 7 economic traits of four stem twining vines and four tendril vines in a temperate oak forest and further tested their differences in resource acquisition strategy. Our study found that tendril vines were scattered in a group distinct from stem twining vines along the first axes of the principal component analysis using four behavioral traits and seven economic traits, being located at the more acquisitive end with more hosts, a larger distance to length ratio of stem, higher leaf and root nitrogen concentrations, and lower leaf carbon content, while stem twining vines showed the opposite trends. These results indicate that tendril vines have a more acquisitive strategy than stem twining vines. The findings suggest a functional variability among the different climbing mechanisms, and which should be accounted for in future studies., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (© 2024 The Author(s). Ecology and Evolution published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd.)

Bacterial infections claim millions of lives every year, with the escalating menace of microbial antibiotic resistance compounding this global crisis. Nanozymes, poised as prospective substitutes for antibiotics, present a significant frontier in antibacterial therapy, yet their precise enzymatic origins remain elusive. With the continuous development of nanozymes, the applications of elemental N-modulated nanozymes have spanned multiple fields, including sensing and detection, infection therapy, cancer treatment, and pollutant degradation. The introduction of nitrogen into nanozymes not only broadens their application range but also holds significant importance for the design of catalysts in biomedical research. The synergistic interplay between W and N induces pivotal alterations in electronic configurations, endowing tungsten nitride (WN) with a peroxidase-like functionality. Furthermore, the introduction of N vacancies augments the nanozyme activity, thus amplifying the catalytic potential of WN nanostructures. Rigorous theoretical modeling and empirical validation corroborate the genesis of the enzyme activity. The meticulously engineered WN nanoflower architecture exhibits an exceptional ability in traversing bacterial surfaces, exerting potent bactericidal effects through direct physical interactions. Additionally, the topological intricacies of these nanostructures facilitate precise targeting of generated radicals on bacterial surfaces, culminating in exceptional bactericidal efficacy against both Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacterial strains along with notable inhibition of bacterial biofilm formation. Importantly, assessments using a skin infection model underscore the proficiency of WN nanoflowers in effectively clearing bacterial infections and fostering wound healing. This pioneering research illuminates the realm of pseudoenzyme activity and bacterial capture-killing strategies, promising a fertile ground for the development of innovative, high-performance artificial peroxidases.

The permeability of blood vessels plays a crucial role in the spread of cancer cells, facilitating their metastasis at distant sites. Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) are known to contribute to the metastasis of various cancers by crossing the blood vessel wall. However, the role of abnormal glycoconjugates on sEVs in tumor blood vessels remains unclear. Our study found elevated levels of fucosyltransferase VII (FUT7) and its product sialyl Lewis X (sLeX) in muscle-invasive bladder cancer (BLCA), with high levels of sLeX promoting the growth and invasion of BLCA cells. Further investigation revealed that sLeX was enriched in sEVs derived from BLCA. sLeX-decorated sEVs increased blood vessel permeability by disrupting the tight junctions of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Using the glycoproteomics approach, we identified integrin α3 (ITGA3) as a sLeX-bearing glycoprotein in BLCA cells and their sEVs. Mechanically, sLeX modification stabilized ITGA3 by preventing its degradation in lysosomes. sEVs carrying sLeX-modified ITGA3 can be effectively internalized by HUVECs, leading to a decrease in the expression of tight junction protein. Conversely, silencing ITGA3 in sLeX-decorated sEVs restored tight junction proteins and reduced blood vessel permeability by inhibiting the MAPK pathway. Moreover, sLeX-modification of ITGA3 at Asn 265 in HUVECs promoted occludin dephosphorylation at Ser/Thr residues, followed by inducing its importin α1-mediated nuclear translocation, which resulted in the disruption of tight junctions. Our findings suggest a potential strategy for disrupting the formation of a metastatic microenvironment and preventing the spread of malignant bladder cancer., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a prevalent primary liver cancer often associated with chronic hepatitis B virus infection (CHB) and liver cirrhosis (LC), underscoring the critical need for biomarker discovery to improve patient outcomes. Emerging as a promising avenue for biomarker development, proteomic technology leveraging liquid biopsy from small extracellular vesicles (sEV) offers new insights. Here, we evaluated various methods for sEV isolation and identified polysaccharide chitosan (CS) as an optimal approach. Subsequently, we employed optimized CS-based magnetic beads (Mag-CS) for sEV separation from serum samples of healthy controls, CHB, LC, and HBV-HCC patients. Leveraging data-independent acquisition mass spectrometry coupled with machine learning, we uncovered potential vesicular protein biomarker signatures (KNG1, F11, KLKB1, CAPNS1, CDH1, CPN2, NME2) capable of distinguishing HBV-HCC from CHB, LC, and non-HCC conditions. Collectively, our findings highlight the utility of Mag-CS-based sEV isolation for identifying early detection biomarkers in HBV-HCC., (© 2024 The Author(s). Journal of Extracellular Vesicles published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of International Society for Extracellular Vesicles.)

Humic acids (HAs) are organic macromolecules that play an important role in improving soil properties, plant growth and agronomic parameters. However, the feature of relatively complex aromatic structure makes it difficult to be degraded, which restricts the promotion to the crop growth. Thus, exploring microorganisms capable of degrading HAs may be a potential solution. Here, a HAs-degrading strain, Streptomyces rochei L1, and its potential for biodegradation was studied by genomics, transcriptomics, and targeted metabolomics analytical approaches. The results showed that the high molecular weight HAs were cleaved to low molecular aliphatic and aromatic compounds and their derivatives. This cleavage may be associated with the laccase (KatE). In addition, the polysaccharide deacetylase (PdgA) catalyzes the removal of acetyl groups from specific sites on the HAs molecule, resulting in structural changes. The field experiment showed that the degraded HAs significantly promote the growth of corn seedlings and increase the corn yield by 3.6 %. The HAs-degrading products, including aromatic and low molecular weight aliphatic substances as well as secondary metabolites from S. rochei L1, might be the key components responsible for the corn promotion. Our findings will advance the application of HAs as soil nutrients for the green and sustainable agriculture., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier GmbH. All rights reserved.)