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With the increase of the penetration rate of distributed generation (DG), lack of flexibility of distribution network has become increasingly prominent. This paper focuses on electric energy router (EER), and analyzes its impact on the flexibility of distribution network. First, the index of the transfer flexibility of distribution network is proposed to represent one aspect of distribution network flexibility. Then, the linear model of the EER and its related constraints are analyzed, and an optimization model of the transfer flexibility of the active distribution network with the EER model is constructed. Finally, based on the 94-bus alternating current distribution network, different scenarios are designed to analyze and compare the effects of different DG operation control modes and different parameters of EER on the transfer flexibility of distribution network. The effectiveness of EER in improving the transfer flexibility of distribution network is verified.

Chemical synapses are essential for neuronal information storage and relay. The synaptic signal received or sent from spatially distinct subcellular compartments often generates different outcomes due to the distance or physical property difference. Therefore, the final output of postsynaptic neurons is determined not only by the type and intensity of synaptic inputs but also by the synaptic subcellular location. How synaptic subcellular specificity is determined has long been the focus of study in the neurodevelopment field. Genetic studies from invertebrates such as Caenorhabditis elegans (C. elegans) have uncovered important molecular and cellular mechanisms required for subcellular specificity. Interestingly, similar molecular mechanisms were found in the mammalian cerebellum, hippocampus, and cerebral cortex. This review summarizes the comprehensive advances in the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic subcellular specificity, focusing on studies from C. elegans and rodents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: A multitude of microorganisms contribute to the occurrence of bovine mastitis. In addition to familiar pathogenic microorganisms such as Streptococcus, Staphylococcus, and Escherichia coli, Prototheca bovis has attracted more attention in recent years. It is a unicellular, chlorophyll-free, yeast-like algae that thrives in warm, humid environments that are rich in organic matter, resulting in frequent infection of dairy cows. The purpose of this study was to better understand the prevalence of Prototheca bovis infection and its potential effects on dairy cow health and milk production. We investigated the prevalence of Prototheca bovis in a medium-sized dairy farm in central China. Sample collection was extended for 5 months, from August to December 2022. A variety of pathogenic microorganisms were identified, including Prototheca bovis, and its infection rate in raw milk was 50.8–77.5%. Further analysis demonstrated that the infection of Prototheca bovis significantly affected the milk yield, somatic cell count, and protein percentage of raw milk. These results indicated that Prototheca bovis was one of the main factors causing dairy cow mastitis and posed a high threat to the quality of raw milk. This study offers valuable guidance for efficacious prevention of Prototheca bovis infection to dairy farms, such as maintaining a balance between environmental cleaning and humidity, especially during winter seasons. Prototheca bovis (P. bovis), an alga that has attracted considerable attention over the years as a causative microorganism of mastitis in dairy cows, exhibits limited susceptibility to specific aminoglycosides and antifungal agents, and no effective clinical treatment is currently available, thereby posing challenges for both prevention and treatment. To investigate the infection of P. bovis mastitis and its impact on raw milk production, a total of 348 raw milk samples were collected from August to December 2022 from a dairy farm in central China. P. bovis and other bacteria were detected, and the average infection rate of P. bovis in raw milk was 60.34% (210/348). The total number of colonies and the somatic cell count (SCC) of P. bovis positive samples were significantly higher than those of P. bovis negative samples (p < 0.01). The daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, and days to peak milk yield of the P. bovis positive samples were significantly lower than those of P. bovis negative samples (p < 0.01). A correlation analysis showed that P. bovis infection was negatively correlated with daily milk yield, 305-day milk yield, peak milk yield, and days to peak milk yield (p < 0.0001), while being positively correlated with the total number of colonies, SCC, milk loss, and protein percentage (p < 0.0001). These findings may help practitioners in comprehending the occurrence of Prototheca mastitis and developing more effective strategies for the prevention of P. bovis infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemiplegia after stroke has become a major cause of the world's high disabilities, and it is vital to enhance our understanding of post-stroke neuroplasticity to develop efficient rehabilitation programs. This study aimed to explore the brain activation and network reorganization of the motor cortex (MC) with functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS). The MC hemodynamic signals were gained from 22 stroke patients and 14 healthy subjects during a shoulder-touching task with the right hand. The MC activation pattern and network attributes analyzed with the graph theory were compared between the two groups. The results revealed that healthy controls presented dominant activation in the left MC while stroke patients exhibited dominant activation in the bilateral hemispheres MC. The MC networks for the two groups had small-world properties. Compared with healthy controls, patients had higher transitivity and lower global efficiency (GE), mean connectivity, and long connections (LCs) in the left MC. In addition, both MC activation and network attributes were correlated with patient's upper limb motor function. The results showed the stronger compensation of the unaffected motor area, the better recovery of the upper limb motor function for patients. Moreover, the MC network possessed high clustering and relatively sparse inter-regional connections during recovery for patients. Our results promote the understanding of MC reorganization during recovery and indicate that MC activation and network could provide clinical assessment significance in stroke patients. Given the advantages of fNIRS, it shows great application potential in the assessment and rehabilitation of motor function after stroke. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plant hormone ethylene is essential for climacteric fruit ripening, although it is unclear how other phytohormones and their interactions with ethylene might affect fruit ripening. Here, we explored how brassinosteroids (BRs) regulate fruit ripening in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) and how they interact with ethylene. Exogenous BR treatment and increased endogenous BR contents in tomato plants overexpressing the BR biosynthetic gene SlCYP90B3 promoted ethylene production and fruit ripening. Genetic analysis indicated that the BR signaling regulators Brassinazole‐resistant1 (SlBZR1) and BRI1‐EMS‐suppressor1 (SlBES1) act redundantly in fruit softening. Knocking out SlBZR1 inhibited ripening through transcriptome reprogramming at the onset of ripening. Combined transcriptome deep sequencing and chromatin immunoprecipitation followed by sequencing identified 73 SlBZR1‐repressed targets and 203 SlBZR1‐induced targets involving major ripening‐related genes, suggesting that SlBZR1 positively regulates tomato fruit ripening. SlBZR1 directly targeted several ethylene and carotenoid biosynthetic genes to contribute to the ethylene burst and carotenoid accumulation to ensure normal ripening and quality formation. Furthermore, knock‐out of Brassinosteroid‐insensitive2 (SlBIN2), a negative regulator of BR signaling upstream of SlBZR1, promoted fruit ripening and carotenoid accumulation. Taken together, our results highlight the role of SlBZR1 as a master regulator of tomato fruit ripening with potential for tomato quality improvement and carotenoid biofortification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), a degradation product of chitosan, is easily accessible, highly bioactive, non-toxic, and well-soluble in water. The effects of COS on the qualitative attributes of tomato fruits were investigated in the current study. COS was administered to tomato plants (Solanum lycopersicum cv. Ruixinghongniu) by foliar spray and root irrigation in alternate cycles at concentrations of 0.5 g·L−1 and 0.16 g·L−1, respectively. The experimental outcomes revealed that COS treatment promoted the coloring and softening of tomato fruits. Lycopene, vitamin C, fructose, and glucose levels increased by 49.0%, 25.4%, 30.2%, and 33.4%, respectively, in COS-treated ripe fruits compared to controls. The volatile metabolome showed that COS application also increased the release of ten volatiles correlated with consumer preference (1-penten-3-one, (E)-2-pentenal, (E)-3-hexen-1-ol, (E)-2-heptenal, 2-isobutylthiazole, phenylacetaldehyde, 2-phenylethanol, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one, 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-ol, and β-ionone), contributing to an improved tomato flavor. Moreover, increased transcript levels of genes participating in ethylene biosynthesis, perception, and response along with enhanced ethylene production were observed in COS-treated fruits, suggesting that COS may regulate tomato fruit quality via the ethylene pathway. Taken together, our results indicated that the pre-harvest application of COS could improve tomato fruit quality attributes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synaptic connections are essential to build a functional brain. How synapses are formed during development is a fundamental question in neuroscience. Recent studies provided evidence that the gut plays an important role in neuronal development through processing signals derived from gut microbes or nutrients. Defects in gut–brain communication can lead to various neurological disorders. Although the roles of the gut in communicating signals from its internal environment to the brain are well known, it remains unclear whether the gut plays a genetically encoded role in neuronal development. Using C. elegans as a model, we uncover that a Wnt‐endocrine signaling pathway in the gut regulates synaptic development in the brain. A canonical Wnt signaling pathway promotes synapse formation through regulating the expression of the neuropeptides encoding gene nlp‐40 in the gut, which functions through the neuronally expressed GPCR/AEX‐2 receptor during development. Wnt‐NLP‐40‐AEX‐2 signaling likely acts to modulate neuronal activity. Our study reveals a genetic role of the gut in synaptic development and identifies a novel contribution of the gut–brain axis. Synopsis: Wnt‐induced neuropeptide expression in the gut promotes synaptic assembly in the nerve ring of C. elegans. Canonical Wnt signaling in the gut promotes synaptic assembly in the C. elegans brain.Wnt signaling promotes the synaptic assembly by upregulating the expression of the neuropeptide NLP‐40 in the gut.NLP‐40 promotes synaptic assembly through the neuronally‐expressed GPCR receptor AEX‐2.The gut Wnt‐neuroendocrine signaling promotes synaptic formation likely through modulating neuronal activity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF) transcription factors implement essential changes in gene expression that enable animals to adapt to low oxygen (hypoxia). The stability of the C. elegans HIF-1 protein is controlled by the evolutionarily conserved EGL-9/VHL-1 pathway for oxygen-dependent degradation. Here, we describe vhl-1-independent pathways that attenuate HIF-1 transcriptional activity in C. elegans. First, the expression of HIF-1 target genes is markedly higher in egl-9 mutants than in vhl-1 mutants. We show that HIF-1 protein levels are similar in animals carrying strong loss-of-function mutations in either egl-9 or vhl-1. We conclude that EGL-9 inhibits HIF-1 activity, as well as HIF-1 stability. Second, we identify the rhy-1 gene and show that it acts in a novel negative feedback loop to inhibit expression of HIF-1 target genes, rhy-1 encodes a multi-pass transmembrane protein. Although loss-of-function mutations in rhy-1 cause relatively modest increases in hif-1 mRNA and HIF-1 protein expression, some HIF-1 target genes are expressed at higher levels in rhy-1 mutants than in vhl-1 mutants. Animals lacking both vhl-1 and rhy-1 function have a more severe phenotype than either single mutant. Collectively, these data support models in which RHY-1 and EGL-9 function in VHL-1-independent pathway(s) to repress HIF-1 transcriptional activity.

Arctigenin (ACT) is a novel anti‐inflammatory lignan extracted from Arctium lappa L, a herb commonly used in traditional Chinese herbal medicine. In this study, we investigated the molecular mechanism whereby ACT inhibits PCV2 infection‐induced proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. We observed that in PCV2 infection+ACT treated PK‐15 cells, proinflammatory cytokine production was significantly reduced, compared to the PCV2‐infected cells. The transfection and luciferase reporter assay confirmed that ACT suppressed NF‐κB signalling pathway activation following PCV2 infection in PK‐15 cells. Furthermore, western blotting demonstrated that ACT suppressed the NF‐κB signal pathway in PCV2 infection‐stimulated PK‐15 cells by inhibiting the translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and IκBα phosphorylation. BALB/c mice were used as a model to evaluate the anti‐inflammatory effect of ACT in vivo. We found that the BALB/c mice inoculated with PCV2 infection + ACT treated showed a significant reduction of proinflammatory cytokine production in serum, lung and spleen tissue, compared to the PCV2‐infected mice. Western blotting confirmed that ACT suppressed the NF‐κB signal pathway in PCV2‐infected mice by inhibiting the translocation of p65 from the cytoplasm to the nucleus and IκBα phosphorylation in lung tissue. Our studies first demonstrate that ACT inhibits PCV2 infection‐induced proinflammatory cytokine production by suppressing the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB in vitro and in vivo. These results will help further develop ACT as a Traditional Chinese herbal medicine remedy in the treatment of porcine circovirus‐associated diseases. This study investigates the molecular mechanism of ACT inhibits PCV2 infection‐induced proinflammatory cytokine production in vitro and in vivo. The results demonstrate that ACT could inhibit PCV2 infection‐induced proinflammatory cytokine production by suppressing the phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of NF‐κB. This study will help further develop ACT as a Traditional Chinese herbal medicine remedy in the treatment of PCVADs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

During development, homeostasis, and disease, organisms must balance responses that allow adaptation to low oxygen (hypoxia) with those that protect cells from oxidative stress. The evolutionarily conserved hypoxia-inducible factors are central to these processes, as they orchestrate transcriptional responses to oxygen deprivation. Here, we employ genetic strategies in C. elegans to identify stress-responsive genes and pathways that modulate the HIF-1 hypoxia-inducible factor and facilitate oxygen homeostasis. Through a genome-wide RNAi screen, we show that RNAi-mediated mitochondrial or proteasomal dysfunction increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP in C. elegans. Interestingly, only a subset of these effects requires hif-1. Of particular importance, we found that skn-1 RNAi increases the expression of hypoxia-responsive reporter Pnhr-57::GFP and elevates HIF-1 protein levels. The SKN-1/NRF transcription factor has been shown to promote oxidative stress resistance. We present evidence that the crosstalk between HIF-1 and SKN-1 is mediated by EGL-9, the prolyl hydroxylase that targets HIF-1 for oxygen-dependent degradation. Treatment that induces SKN-1, such as heat or gsk-3 RNAi, increases expression of a Pegl-9::GFP reporter, and this effect requires skn-1 function and a putative SKN-1 binding site in egl-9 regulatory sequences. Collectively, these data support a model in which SKN-1 promotes egl-9 transcription, thereby inhibiting HIF-1. We propose that this interaction enables animals to adapt quickly to changes in cellular oxygenation and to better survive accompanying oxidative stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Environmental factors such as temperature affect neuronal activity and development. However, it remains unknown whether and how they affect synaptic subcellular specificity. Here, using the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans AIY interneurons as a model, we found that high cultivation temperature robustly induces defects in synaptic subcellular specificity through glutamatergic neurotransmission. Furthermore, we determined that the functional glutamate is mainly released by the ASH sensory neurons and sensed by two conserved inhibitory glutamate-gated chloride channels GLC-3 and GLC-4 in AIY. Our work not only presents a novel neurotransmission-dependent mechanism underlying the synaptic subcellular specificity, but also provides a potential mechanistic insight into high-temperature-induced neurological defects. Author summary: Environmental temperature affects neuronal development and functions. However, it is largely unknown whether and how the temperature affects the neurodevelopment, specifically at the level of synaptic specificity. In this study, we found that high cultivation temperature results in the deficits in synaptic specificity. The high temperature induced synaptic defect requires the conserved vesicular glutamate transporter EAT-4 and the inhibitory glutamate gated chloride channels GLC-3 and GLC-4 receptors. These findings uncover a critical role of glutamatergic transmission in regulating synaptic specificity, and provide potential pathological insights into the high temperature related neurological disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Integrated fractionation process based on autohydrolysis (H) and subsequent formic acid delignification (FAD) has been considered as an effective strategy to separate the main lignocellulosic components in view of the biorefinery. For the better understanding of the structural changes of the lignin during the integrated process, the fractionated aspen lignins were thoroughly characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FT IR), 13C, two-dimensional heteronuclear single quantum coherence (2D-HSQC) and 31P nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, gel permeation chromatography (GPC), and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Compared to the milled wood lignin (MWL), the fractionated lignins had higher amounts of phenolic OH groups as due to the cleavage of β-O-4 linkages and less alcoholic OH groups mainly due to the esterification of the aliphatic OH groups by formic acid. Demethylation action of the lignin was not significant during the FAD process. More syringyl-propane (S) units were extracted during the H-FAD process than guaiacyl-propane (G) units resulting in a higher S/G ratio and more OCH 3 in the fractionated lignins. Furthermore, autohydrolysis of aspen at higher temperature led to more condensation of the fractionated lignins which exhibited higher molecular weight and more β-5 and β-β linkages. The fractionated lignins exhibited high purities due to the breakage of the lignin-carbohydrate bonds. • Lignin with high phenolic OH and OCH 3 and high purity was obtained. • Aliphatic OH group was highly esterified by formic acid. • β-O-4 cleavage accompanied by formation of condensed aromatic structure • Autohydrolysis led to higher molecular weight and less formate ester in lignin [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Artificial antioxidants are synthesized from fossil sources and are now widely used in the polymer, food, and cosmetics industries. The gradual depletion of fossil resources makes it practically significant and necessary to produce green antioxidants from renewable lignocellulosic resources. Herein, short‐time hydrothermal (STH) treatment was developed for production of lignin‐derived polyphenol antioxidants (LPAs) from poplar wood under conditions of high temperature and high pressure. LPA yields from 21.5 to 37.6 % on the basis of lignin in untreated wood were obtained by STH treatments as result of lignin depolymerization at 190–200 °C and 10 MPa in 5–8 min. Depolymerization reactions were confirmed by the much lower molecular weight of LPA (1076 g mol−1) than that of native lignin (4094 g mol−1). NMR spectroscopy revealed the structural features of lignin in the isolated LPA, namely syringyl and guaiacyl units with well‐preserved interunit linkages. A Folin–Ciocalteu assay indicated that each LPA molecule contained 5.4 phenolic hydroxyl groups on average, much more than other technical lignins. The remarkable antioxidant ability of LPA was verified by the radical‐scavenging index of 53.5–67.3, much higher than 0.2–11.1 of the commercial antioxidants butylated hydroxytoluene (BHT) and butylated hydroxyanisole (BHA). STH treatment only requires water and heat for production of high‐value antioxidant, which provides a green and sustainable method for the utilization of lignocelluloses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Fumonisin B1 (FB1) and Alternaria alternate f. sp. lycopersici (AAL)‐toxin are classified as sphinganine analog mycotoxins (SAMTs), which induce programmed cell death (PCD) in plants and pose health threat to humans who consume the contaminated crop products. Herein, Fumonisin B1 Resistant41 (FBR41), a dominant mutant allele, was identified by map‐based cloning of Arabidopsis FB1‐resistant mutant fbr41, then ectopically expressed in AAL‐toxin sensitive tomato (Solanum lycopersicum) cultivar. FBR41‐overexpressing tomato plants exhibited less severe cell death phenotype upon AAL‐toxin treatment. Analysis of free sphingoid bases showed that both fbr41 and FBR41‐overexpressing tomato plants accumulated less sphinganine and phytosphingosine upon FB1 and AAL‐toxin treatment, respectively. Alternaria stem canker is a disease caused by AAL and responsible for severe economic losses in tomato production, and FBR41‐overexpressing tomato plants exhibited enhanced resistance to AAL with decreased fungal biomass and less cell death, which was accompanied by attenuated accumulation of free sphingoid bases and jasmonate (JA). Taken together, our results indicate that FBR41 is potential in inhibiting SAMT‐induced PCD and controlling Alternaria stem canker in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We reported on the direct observation of oriented attachment (OA) type edge-attachment processes during single-layer graphene flake (GF) merging using a Cs-corrected transmission electron microscope. Such a process was accompanied by e-beam induced graphene edge re-connection and was realized to be energetically favored. Details of the seamless OA processes including the in-plane rotation and alignment of GFs as well as the local structure reconstruction were revealed. It is suggested that such a mechanism may work in a self-initiated mode and induce the continuous in-plane graphene growth. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Carotenoids serve diverse functions in vastly different organisms that both produce and consume them. Enhanced carotenoid accumulation is of great importance in the visual and functional properties of fruits and vegetables. Significant progress has been achieved in recent years in our understanding of carotenoid biosynthesis in tomato ( Solanum lycopersicum ) using biochemical and genetics approaches. The carotenoid metabolic network is temporally and spatially controlled, and plants have evolved strategic tactics to regulate carotenoid metabolism in response to various developmental and environmental factors. In this review, we summarize the current status of studies on transcription factors and phytohormones that regulate carotenoid biosynthesis, catabolism, and storage capacity in plastids, as well as the responses of carotenoid metabolism to environmental cues in tomato fruits. Transcription factors function either in cooperation with or independently of phytohormone signaling to regulate carotenoid metabolism, providing novel approaches for metabolic engineering of carotenoid composition and content in tomato. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Effect of chitosan oligosaccharide (COS), a natural product of low-cost and non-toxic with high biological activities, on quality attributes of tomato during post-harvest storage was investigated. Mature green tomato fruit were treated with 0.5 g L−1 COS and stored under room temperature. The results showed that COS was effective in improving fruit quality as revealed by redder color skin, higher content of nutrients such as carotenoids (lycopene and β-carotene) and vitamin C, and increased emissionb of flavor-associated volatiles (1-penten-3-one, heptanal, (E)-2-heptenal, 2-phenylacetaldehyde, 2-phenylethanol, 2-isobutylthiazole and β-ionone). The increased content of carotenoids upon COS treatment was correlated with the elevated expression levels of carotenogenic genes such as SlDXS , SlGGPS , SlPSY1 , SlPDS , SlZDS , and SlLCY-B2. Moreover, COS-treated fruit exhibited accelerated occurrence of climacteric ethylene peak, enhanced ethylene production, and elevated expression of genes involved in ethylene biosynthesis (SlACS2 , SlACS4 , and SlACO1), perception (SlETR3), and response (E4 and E8), implying that COS might regulate fruit ripening and quality by enhancing ethylene biosynthesis and signaling. These findings help to extend our understanding of the function of COS in fruit ripening and provide a new strategy to improve tomato fruit quality during room temperature storage. • COS treatment improved carotenoid content of tomato fruit. • The expression of carotenoid biosynthetic genes was enhanced by COS treatment. • COS treatment attributed to increased level of vitamin C in ripen tomatoes. • COS treatment promoted the emission of flavor-associated volatiles. • COS treatment enhanced ethylene production and signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Correct circuit connectivity requires both specific partner recognition and proper synaptic assembly. [•] Synaptic specificity is directed through cell-surface, secreted, and intracellular factors. [•] Similar mechanisms direct both laminar and subcellular specificity. [•] Cytoskeletal dynamics underpin synapse formation downstream of specificity factors. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Summary: Synaptic contacts are largely established during embryogenesis and are then maintained during growth. To identify molecules involved in this process, we conducted a forward genetic screen in C. elegans and identified cima-1. In cima-1 mutants, synaptic contacts are correctly established during embryogenesis, but ectopic synapses emerge during postdevelopmental growth. cima-1 encodes a solute carrier in the SLC17 family of transporters that includes sialin, a protein that when mutated in humans results in neurological disorders. cima-1 does not function in neurons but rather functions in the nearby epidermal cells to correctly position glia during postlarval growth. Our findings indicate that CIMA-1 antagonizes the FGF receptor (FGFR), and does so most likely by inhibiting FGFR’s role in epidermal-glia adhesion rather than signaling. Our data suggest that epidermal-glia crosstalk, in this case mediated by a transporter and the FGF receptor, is vital to preserve embryonically derived circuit architecture during postdevelopmental growth. PaperFlick: Display Omitted [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Oxygen influences behaviour in many organisms, with low levels (hypoxia) having devastating consequences for neuron survival. How neurons respond physiologically to counter the effects of hypoxia is not fully understood. Here, we show that hypoxia regulates the trafficking of the glutamate receptor GLR-1 in C. elegans neurons. Either hypoxia or mutations in egl-9, a prolyl hydroxylase cellular oxygen sensor, result in the internalization of GLR-1, the reduction of glutamate-activated currents, and the depression of GLR-1-mediated behaviours. Surprisingly, hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1, the canonical substrate of EGL-9, is not required for this effect. Instead, EGL-9 interacts with the Mint orthologue LIN-10, a mediator of GLR-1 membrane recycling, to promote LIN-10 subcellular localization in an oxygen-dependent manner. The observed effects of hypoxia and egl-9 mutations require the activity of the proline-directed CDK-5 kinase and the CDK-5 phosphorylation sites on LIN-10, suggesting that EGL-9 and CDK-5 compete in an oxygen-dependent manner to regulate LIN-10 activity and thus GLR-1 trafficking. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which neurons sense and respond to hypoxia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The 16,937-nuceotide sequence of the linear mitochondrial DNA (mt-DNA) molecule of the moon jelly Aurelia aurita (Cnidaria, Scyphozoa) – the first mtDNA sequence from the class Scypozoa and the first sequence of a linear mtDNA from Metazoa – has been determined. This sequence contains genes for 13 energy pathway proteins, small and large subunit rRNAs, and methionine and tryptophan tRNAs. In addition, two open reading frames of 324 and 969 base pairs in length have been found. The deduced amino-acid sequence of one of them, ORF969, displays extensive sequence similarity with the polymerase [but not the exonuclease] domain of family B DNA polymerases, and this ORF has been tentatively identified as dnab. This is the first report of dnab in animal mtDNA. The genes in A. aurita mtDNA are arranged in two clusters with opposite transcriptional polarities; transcription proceeding toward the ends of the molecule. The determined sequences at the ends of the molecule are nearly identical but inverted and lack any obvious potential secondary structures or telomere-like repeat elements. The acquisition of mitochondrial genomic data for the second class of Cnidaria allows us to reconstruct characteristic features of mitochondrial evolution in this animal phylum. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A green and efficient flow-through reactor was designed for a robust and cost-competitive biomass fractionation. Aqueous formic acid was used as a solvent at mild temperatures. The established model provided a good description of the delignification process. [Display omitted] • Flow-through formic acid enables fast delignification of wheat straw within 20 min. • The established model provided a good description of the delignification process. • Fractionated lignin shows structural integrity and remarkable yield. • Hemicelluloses were obtained synchronously without degradation. Viable biorefinery requires a robust and cost-competitive method of biomass fractionation. Here, we design green and efficient flow-through reactor for biomass fractionation. Aqueous formic acid was used as a solvent at mild temperatures. The time course study verified a rapid flow-through fractionation of wheat straw in 20 min at 130 °C involving synergetic actions of acid hydrolysis of hemicellulose and lignin dissolution. The obtained fractionation attained 76.3 % of lignin yield and 69.8 % of sugars yield without measurable degradation of hemicelluloses. More importantly, lignin fractionation showed well-preserved inter-unit linkages as indicated by the 76.4 % retention of aryl ether bond. The exponential model was established and well described the relationships between fractionation conditions and kinetics of lignin solubilization. This rapid flow-through reactor/fractionation promises to be a very practical equipment/strategy for biomass fractionation with competitive products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Synapses are fundamental to the normal function of the nervous system. Glia play a pivotal role in regulating synaptic formation. However, how presynaptic neurons assemble synaptic structure in response to the glial signals remains largely unexplored. To address this question, we use cima-1 mutant C. elegans as an in vivo model, in which the astrocyte-like VCSC glial processes ectopically reach an asynaptic neurite region and promote presynaptic formation there. Through an RNAi screen, we find that the Rho GTPase CDC-42 and IQGAP PES-7 are required in presynaptic neurons for VCSC glia-induced presynaptic formation. In addition, we find that cdc-42 and pes-7 are also required for normal synaptogenesis during postembryonic developmental stages. PES-7 activated by CDC-42 promotes presynaptic formation, most likely through regulating F-actin assembly. Given the evolutionary conservation of CDC-42 and IQGAPs, we speculate that our findings in C. elegans apply to vertebrates. • CDC-42 and IQGAP PES-7 are required for glia-mediated synaptogenesis • PES-7 acts downstream of CDC-42 to promote synaptic formation • CHD and GRD domains of PES-7 are required for synaptogenesis • PES-7 promotes synaptogenesis, most likely through F-actin Dong et al. reveal a role of the conserved CDC-42 and IQGAP/PES-7 in glia-mediated synaptogenesis during postembryonic development. At the glia-neurite contact sites, PES-7 activated by CDC-42 promotes presynaptic formation, possibly through regulating the F-actin assembly, providing insight into the neuronal responses to pro-synaptic signaling from glia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tomato is one of the most important vegetables as well as a main dietary source of carotenoids. As a diverse kind of phytochemicals and main sources of natural pigments, carotenoids and carotenoid-derived volatile compounds are associated with the sensory, nutritional and flavor quality of tomato products. The current review summarizes the biosynthetic and catabolic pathways of carotenoids, as well as carotenoid biofortification in tomato products throughout the whole agro-food chain, including breeding/selection for suitable tomato varieties, pre-harvest managements, harvesting, and postharvest handlings. We recommend the integrative and sustainable management of tomato industry along the whole agro-food chain to fight carotenoid deficiency worldwide starting from breeding/selection carotenoids-biofortified tomato cultivars either via classic hybrid, molecular mark assisted breeding, or genetic engineering and genome editing approach, followed by suitable cultivation methods such as deficit irrigation, control of environmental conditions in pre-harvest production period. Meanwhile, harvesting at the proper stage of maturity and appropriate postharvest handlings including chemical regulation, optimum storage conditions, and processing methods during postharvest period can also maximize carotenoid retention. Considering that both fresh and processed tomatoes serve as major dietary sources of carotenoid, effective carotenoid biofortification in tomato products along the whole agro-food chain is essential in providing consumers carotenoid-enriched tomato on the eve of a new era in food fortification, contributing to sustainable tomato industry as well as human nutrition and potential health benefits. • Carotenoids are a diverse group of isoprenoids with potential health benefits. • Tomato is one of the main dietary sources of carotenoids. • Carotenoid metabolism is associated with visual, nutrition and flavor quality of tomato products. • Carotenoid biofortification along whole agro-food chain is a sustainable strategy for carotenoid-improved tomato industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethanol extraction of lignocellulosic biomass under mild conditions has re-attracted considerable attention since a light-colored lignin with low molecular weight can be obtained. Unfortunately, the yield of isolated lignin for the ethanol extraction process is very limited. To enhance the extraction efficiency of lignin from poplar, ultrasound was used to assist the ethanol extraction and the isolated lignin was analyzed in terms of structure features and functional properties. As expected, increasing the ultrasonic power and ultrasonic time led to higher lignin yields during the ultrasound-assisted ethanol extraction (UAEE) process. The chemical structure of the isolated lignin (UAE-L) was almost completely retained, the C-O (mainly β-O-4) linkages in the lignin only exhibited a slight decrease, while the C-C (β-β, β-5, and β-1) linkages were nearly unchanged. The UAE-L was light in color and had more phenolic hydroxyl groups, less carbohydrate impurities, lower molecular weight and narrower polydispersity as compared to the poplar MWL. The UAE-L could scavenge more 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radicals (DPPH·), displaying a stronger antioxidant activity. Moreover, the UAE-L showed good UV-absorbing properties in both UVA and UVB regions. These results indicated that the UAE-L has great potential for replacing the commercial synthesized antioxidant and anti-UV ingredients. The overall scheme of the isolation process of lignin from poplar by ultrasonic-assisted ethanol extraction (UAEE). [Display omitted] • Ultrasound was employed to enhance ethanol extract of lignin. • Light-colored lignin with abundant phenolic -OH and low molecular weight was obtained. • Lignin unit with less ortho- methoxy substitutions was preferentially released. • UAE-L showed good antioxidant activity and broad-spectrum UV-absorption capacity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Ethanol treatment influenced the softening of cherry tomato fruits. • Ethanol treatment improved ascorbic acid content in cherry tomato. • Ethanol treatment enhanced sucrose, fructose and favorable volatiles in cherry tomato. • Selected consumers showed a preference to ethanol-treated cherry tomato fruits. The effects of ethanol treatment on quality characteristics of cherry tomatoes were investigated over 11 days of storage at room temperature (25 °C). Results showed that sensory quality was improved after ethanol treatment, with redder, softer fruits at the edible stage (11 days) compared with control fruit. In addition, the contents of ascorbic acid, sucrose and fructose were elevated after ethanol treatment as well as the concentration of 6-methyl-5-hepten-2-one. Conversely, decreased levels of methyl salicylate (MeSA), guaiacol, (Z)-3-hexenal and (E)-2-hexenal were observed. Selected consumers showed a preference for ethanol-treated cherry tomato fruits compared with controls. Taken together, 0.1% ethanol application has the potential to improve the quality characteristics of cherry tomatoes stored at room temperature. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) combined with pharmacotherapy is a promising treatment method for depression. However, its treatment mechanism needs further research., Methods: This study recruited 38 healthy individuals (HC) and 52 patients with severe depression (MDD) and divided patients into two treatment groups: the rTMS combined antidepressant (rTMS+ADP) group and the single antidepressant (ADP) group. We used functional magnetic resonance imaging to calculate the fractional amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (fALFF) in the left dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) to investigate the functional change after treatment., Result: The fALFF in the left DLPFC was significantly lower in the MDD group than that in the HC group (p < 0.05). In addition, fALFF values of the left DLPFC negatively correlated with HAMD-24 scores (r = -0.294, p = 0.005). After treatment, both MDD groups showed a significant decrease in HAMD-24 scores, with a response rate of 88.89 % and a remission rate of 62.96 % in the rTMS+ADP group, compared to 64 % response and 56 % remission rates in the ADP group. The fALFF values in patients' left DLPFC significantly reduced in the rTMS+ADP group (p < 0.05), but not in the ADP group., Limitations: Our study only focused on the treatment effect in the left DLPFC, without exploring the other brain regions or networks., Conclusions: This study emphasizes the significance of the left DLPFC in MDD treatment. However, combined left DLPFC rTMS with ADP causes deviation from the normal resting brain function of the left DLPFC, indicating that future research should explore targeted treatment methods to normalize the left DLPFC., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare no conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)