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This study examined the impact of leaf removal timing, rootstock, and clone selection on Pinot noir grape composition and subsequent impact on tannin extractability. Results showed that leaf removal increased anthocyanin levels in berries and tannins in stems and seeds, while also raising the mean degree of polymerisation (mDP) of skin tannins. Schwarzman rootstock had lower seed tannins but higher mDP in skin and seed tannins compared to own roots. UCD5 clone exhibited higher mDP in skin tannins than AM10/5 clones in acetone extraction. Tannin extractability was determined by the ratio of model wine-extracted tannins and acetone-extracted tannins. For the first time, this study reported that stems had the highest tannin extractability (64%-78%) compared to skins (37–52%) and seeds (26–34%). Compositional differences in grape tissues from different treatments had no impact on tannin extractability except for grape skins from two treatments. This suggests that tannin extractability is mainly influenced by grape ripeness which largely determines the composition of cell wall materials that can interact with tannins and thus influence tannin extractability. The differences in grape skin tannin extractability observed in this study between treatments were likely due to the significantly different galloylation (G%) levels in the extracted tannins. [Display omitted] • Leaf removal increased anthocyanin and tannin content, and mDP of skin tannin. • Schwarzman rootstock showed higher mDP in skin and seed tannins than own roots. • UCD5 clone showed higher mDP in skin tannins than AM10/5 clone. • Grape stems showed the highest tannin extractability than skins and seeds. • Grape skin tannin extractability seems correlating with the galloylation level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The image rectangling task aims to solve the problem of boundary irregularity in the stitched image without reducing the wide-field-of-view content information of the stitched image. Existing image rectangling methods are either limited by application scenarios, or have a little incomplete phenomenon in the rectangular boundary. To this end, we propose a stepwise deep rectangling model based on the idea of stepwise regression for the general image rectangling task. Considering the influence of factors such as luminosity differences in various regions of the image, we introduce a shallow feature encoder to eliminate the influence of such factors on mesh prediction. At the same time, we embed the mask information into the encoded image to constrain the network to learn a rectangular image with complete boundary. Subsequently, we perform mesh cumulative regression prediction based on the multi-level features extracted by the feature extractor. Experimental results show that the proposed method performs well in a variety of stitched image rectangling scenarios, exhibiting state-of-the-art performance in both qualitative and quantitative comparisons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Duck plague virus (DPV), belonging to herpesviruses, is a linear double-stranded DNA virus. There are many reports about the outbreak of the duck plague in a variety of countries, which caused huge economic losses. Recently, increasing reports revealed that multiple long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) can possess great potential in the regulation of host antiviral immune response. Furthermore, it remains to be determined which specific molecular mechanisms are responsible for the DPV-host interaction in host immunity. Here, lncRNAs and mRNAs in DPV infected duck embryonic fibroblast (DEF) cells were identified by high-throughput RNA-sequencing (RNA-seq). And we predicted target genes of differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and formed a complex regulatory network depending on in-silico analysis and prediction. Result: RNA-seq analysis results showed that 2921 lncRNAs were found at 30 h post-infection (hpi). In our study, 218 DE lncRNAs and 2840 DE mRNAs were obtained in DEF after DPV infection. Among these DEGs and target genes, some have been authenticated as immune-related molecules, such as a Macrophage mannose receptor (MR), Anas platyrhynchos toll-like receptor 2 (TLR2), leukocyte differentiation antigen, interleukin family, and their related regulatory factors. Furthermore, according to the Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) and Gene Ontology (GO) enrichment analysis, we found that the target genes may have important effects on biological development, biosynthesis, signal transduction, cell biological regulation, and cell process. Also, we obtained, the potential targeting relationship existing in DEF cells between host lncRNAs and DPV-encoded miRNAs by software. Conclusions: This study revealed not only expression changes, but also the possible biological regulatory relationship of lncRNAs and mRNAs in DPV infected DEF cells. Together, these data and analyses provide additional insight into the role of lncRNAs and mRNAs in the host's immune response to DPV infection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Duck hepatitis A virus type 1 (DHAV-1) is one of the most serious pathogens endangering the duck industry. However, there are few studies on the regulation of the cell cycle by DHAV-1. Methods: In this study, flow cytometry was applied to analyze the effect of DHAV-1 infection on the cell cycle of duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs). Subsequently, we analyzed the effects of cell cycle phases on DHAV-1 replication by real-time reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR (real-time RT-qPCR). Results: Flow cytometry data analysis found that DEFs in the S phase increased by 25.85% and 54.21% at 24 h and 48 h after DHAV-1 infection, respectively. The levels of viral RNA detected by real-time RT-qPCR were higher in the DEFs with synchronization in the S phase or G0/G1 phase than in the control group. However, there was no difference in viral copy number between the G2/M phase arrest and control groups. In addition, non-structural protein 3D of DHAV-1 significantly increased cells in the S phase, indicating that 3D protein is one of the reasons for the cell cycle arrest in the S phase. Conclusions: In summary, DHAV-1 infection induces the cell cycle arrest of DEFs in the S phase. Both S phase and G0/G1 phase synchronization facilitate the replication of DHAV-1, and 3D protein is one of the reasons for the S phase arrest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The main purpose of this study was to investigate the feasibility of azithromycin (AZI) – Aerosil 200 solid dispersions specifically with high stability under accelerated condition (40 °C/75% RH). Ball milling (BM) and hot-melt extrusion (HME) were used to prepare AZI solid dispersions. The physical properties of solid dispersions were evaluated by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), powder X-ray diffraction (PXRD), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR) and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). For solid dispersions prepared with both methods, no crystalline of AZI was detected (except for AZI: Aerosil 200 = 75:25) by DSC or PXRD, indicating the amorphous state of AZI in solid dispersions. The FT-IR results demonstrated the loss of crystallization water and the formation of hydrogen bonds between Aerosil 200 and AZI during the preparation of solid dispersions. After 4 weeks storage under accelerated condition, the degree of crystallinity of AZI increased in solid dispersions prepared by BM, whereas for solid dispersions containing AZI, Aerosil 200 and glyceryl behenate (GB) prepared by HME, no crystalline of AZI was identified. This high stability can be attributed to the hydrophobic properties of GB and the presence of hydrogen bonds. Based on the above results, it is inferred the protection of hydrogen bonds between AZI and Aerosil 200 formed during preparation process effectively inhibited the recrystallization of AZI and improved the physical stability of amorphous AZI in the presence of Aerosil 200. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, we describe the evaluation of the stability and pharmacokinetics of cabazitaxel-loaded lipid microspheres (CTX-LM) prepared by high-pressure homogenization. Investigation of the physicochemical stability under different homogenization cycles and diverse sterilization times confirmed that 8 cycles at 800 bar and 121°C for 8 min were the optimal technological parameters. The beneficial effect of cholesterol on the physical stability of CTX-LM was confirmed and its mechanism of action was identified. The stability of CTX-LM using an aqueous isotonic glucose solution as a diluting agent was greater compared with using 0.9% NaCl solution as a result of an electric charge effect. CTX-LM are stable under freeze-thaw conditions and should not be exposed to high temperatures and protected from light during storage. Furthermore, all the changes in parameters were within an acceptable range at 4°C within 9 months, which supported the good long-term stability of CTX-LM. Finally, to compare the pharmacokinetics of CTX-LM with cabazitaxel-solution in vivo, a rapid, accurate UPLC-MS/MS method was developed and used to determine cabazitaxel in rat plasma after a single intravenous administration of 4 mg/kg. An obviously larger area under the curve (AUC) of CTX-LM was observed than that of CTX-solution, which will improve the antitumor efficacy of cabazitaxel. Practical applications: As a novel semisynthetic taxane, cabazitaxel has shown antitumour activity in a broad range of cell-lines and tumor models and has been approved in combination with prednisone for the treatment of patients with castration-resistant metastatic prostate cancer. However, serious undesirable effects in humans, such as anaphylactoid hypersensitivity reactions and peripheral neuropathy were produced by the addition of polysorbate 80 to commercial products. In this paper, CTX-LM was prepared by high-pressure homogenization in order to overcome the above drawbacks. The good stability and markedly higher AUC of CTX-LM may hasten their passage from a pre-clinical phase to a clinical trial phase and allow their production on a large scale. In this paper, cabazitaxel lipid microspheres exhibited a great stability and had a higher AUC than cabazitaxel solution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To discuss the inf luence of acupuncture method for relaxing the channels and unblocking the du mai to pain degree and serum pain transmitters of lumbar disc herniation in blood stasis type. Methods: A total of 94 cases of lumbar disc herniation patients in blood stasis type were randomly divided into the study group and the control group. Patients in the control group were treated with Celecoxib. Patients in the study group were treated with acupuncture method for relaxing the channels and unblocking the du mai on the base of control group. After treatment, it should compare the total effective rate between the two groups. Visual analogue scale (VAS score) was applied to evaluate the subjective pain degree of patients. Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores (JOA score) were applied to take lumbar function assessment of patients. The levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), 5 serotonin (5-HT) and substance P (SP) of patients in the two groups were measured before and after treatment. Results: After treatment, total effective rate of the study group was higher than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the subjective pain degree (VAS score) of patients in the two groups decreased significantly. Moreover, the VAS score of patients in the study group was lower than that of the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the lumbar function (JOA scores) of patients in the two groups increased significantly. Moreover, the JOA scores of patients in the study group were higher than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), 5 serotonin (5-HT) and substance P (SP) of patients in the two groups decreased significantly. Moreover, the levels of neuropeptide Y (NPY), 5 serotonin (5-HT) and substance P (SP) of patients in the study group were lower than those of the control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: The acupuncture method for relaxing the channels and unblocking the du mai could clinical curative effect in treating lumbar disc herniation in blood stasis type, reduce the pain degree of patients, improve the lumbar function and regulate the secretion of serum pain transmitters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The current platoon control strategies of connected autonomous vehicles (CAVs) focus on controlling the fixed intervehicle distance, i.e., the string stability of the platoon system. Here, we aimed to design a CAV platoon control strategy based on a constraint-following approach to solve the problem of platoon starting. As the resistance of the vehicle during driving varies with time, this study regarded the CAV platoon system as a changing dynamic system and introduced the Udwadia–Kalaba (U–K) approach to simplify the solution. Apart from adding an equality constraint, unlike most other studies, this study imposed a bilateral inequality constraint on the intervehicle distance between successive CAVs to prevent collisions. Meanwhile, a diffeomorphism method was introduced to transform the bounded state into an unbounded state. The proposed control strategy could render each CAV compliant with both the original imposed bilateral inequality constraint and the equality constraint. The former avoids collisions, and the latter indicates the string stability of the designed CAV platoon system. The effectiveness of the proposed controller was verified by numerical experiments. The gap errors tend to converge to zero, which is not amplified by the propagation of traffic flow. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of dietary supplementation of tussah immunoreactive substances (TIS) and antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) on microbial community and resistance against Vibrio splendidus of Yesso scallop Patinopecten yessoensis. Scallops were fed with the basal diets supplemented with TIS (T group), AMPs (A group), or both of the two (TA group). After the feeding trial, the microbial community changes were evaluated, and the challenge test with V. splendidus was conducted, as well as the immune parameters and digestive enzyme activities were determined. The results revealed that the TA group was more capable of modulating the bacterial community composition of scallops by increasing the potentially beneficial bacteria and suppressing the pathogenic microorganism during the feeding trial. After injection, the cumulative mortality rate in TA group was notably lower than others. In addition, the TA group showed better digestive and immune parameters involved in digestive capacity, phagocyte function, phosphatase-responsiveness, and oxidation resistance. These results collectively confirmed that dietary TIS and AMPs in diet could effectively modulate the microflora structure and improve disease resistance against V. splendidus of scallop, and the positive effects were more obvious when dietary supplementation of them in combination. [Display omitted] • It is the first time to explore the positive effects of TIS and AMPs on scallops. • Dietary TIS and AMPs could optimize the microbial community of scallops. • Dietary TIS and AMPs could improve the disease resistance of scallops. • The positive effects were more obvious by applying TIS and AMPs in combination. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigated the fermentation performances and aroma compositions of synthetic grape juice that was fermented by four indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeast isolates that were obtained from the Shangri-La wine region (China): Meyerozyma guilliermondii (AD-58), Saccharomycopsis vini (BZL-28), Saturnispora diversa (BZL-11), and Wickerhamomyces anomalus (DR-110), in comparison to those of Saccharomyces cerevisiae (EC1118). The four indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeasts showed a lower fermentative capacity and a lower conversion rate of sugar to alcohol, but a higher yield of volatile acidity. W. anomalus (DR-110) had a greater ability to produce numerous esters and short-chain fatty acids and the representative flavors of its fermented medium were fruity and fatty. Sac.vini (BZL-28), interestingly, exhibited great capacity in the formation of many monoterpenes, particularly (Z)-β-ocimene, E-β-ocimene, linalool, citral, and geraniol and its fermented medium was characterized by a strong fruity (citrus-like) and floral flavor. M. guilliermondii (AD-58) and Sat. diversa (BZL-11) only mildly affected the aroma profiles of their resultant fermented media, since the concentrations of most of the volatiles that were produced by these two isolates were much lower than their sensory thresholds. The four indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeasts exhibited distinctive fermentation performances and aroma production behaviors. In particularly, W. anomalus (DR-110) and Sac. vini (BZL-28) have shown good potential in enhancing the aromas and complexity of wine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This work demonstrated that amino-functionalization not only improves the separation efficiency of photogenerated charge as well as the formation of reactive oxygen species of HCPs, but also fine-tunes the system's hydrophobic properties. Therefore, H 6 P-HCPs photocatalyst exhibited outstanding photocatalytic performance, achieving the highest generation rate of H 2 O 2 (29.26 mmol∙g cat -1∙h−1), and stoichiometric amount of benzyl alcohol oxidation products was obtained as 96% benzaldehyde (23.94 mmol∙g cat -1∙h−1) and 4% benzoic acid (5.56 mmol∙g cat -1∙h−1). [Display omitted] • The N-functional groups within the H 6 P-HCPs play a crucial role in modulating the distribution of charges, preventing the recombination of photogenerated charges, enhancing the generation of O 2 •-. • The introduction of L-phenylalanine allows for the fine-tuning of its hydrophobic properties, which contributes to the overall efficiency of the photocatalytic process in a two-phase system. • A high yield of H 2 O 2 (29.26 mmol∙g cat -1∙h−1) was synchronously obtained in photocatalytic aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol, which is superior to most reports. The fusion of photocatalytic hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2) production with the generation of high-value organic compounds carries the potential to optimize the utilization of solar energy. The efficient generation and separation of products constitute indispensable elements in constructing a proficient reaction system. Herein, the photocatalytic production of H 2 O 2 via the aerobic oxidative dehydrogenation of benzyl alcohol (BA) was realized through the application of an amino acid hyper-cross-linked polymer (H 6 P-HCPs) in two-phase system. The outcomes unveiled that the H 6 P-HCPs with 1:6 M ratio of L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) and hexaphenylbenzene (HPB) achieves the highest generation rate of H 2 O 2 (29.26 mmol∙g cat -1∙h-1), stoichiometric amount of benzyl alcohol oxidation products were obtained as 96% benzaldehyde (23.94 mmol∙g cat -1∙h-1) and 4% benzoic acid (5.56 mmol∙g cat -1∙h-1). Time-dependent density functional theory (TDDFT) calculations illuminated that the presence of L-Phe monomers of H 6 P-HCPs not only facilitated electron transfer from L-Phe to HPB, capitalizing on electronegativity differentials, but also instigated the formation of O 2 •- while concurrently adjusting its hydrophobic nature. These factors, in concert, were instrumental in the accomplishment of this highly efficient photocatalytic process. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck plague (DP) is one of the contagious diseases caused by Duck plague virus (DPV), which is a serious threat to the development of duck farming. Us3 is a PKA-like protein kinase in alphaherpesvirus, which can regulate the biological functions of many viral proteins, but whether Us3 regulates pUL48 protein has not been reported. In this paper, Western Blot, qRT-PCR, dual luciferase reporter system and Co-IP were used to investigate the relationship between pUL48 and Us3. The results showed that: 1) pUL48 interacted with Us3 at 138-256aa through its DBD region. 2) Us3 enhanced the protein expression of pUL48 in a dose-dependent manner. 3) Us3 promoted the mRNA level of pUL48 by activating its promoter activity. 4) Us3 inhibited the transcriptional activation function of pUL48. The results can provide scientific data for perfecting and supplementing the function of alpha herpesvirus Us3 and pUL48. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tembusu virus (TMUV), an avian pathogenic flavivirus, has emerged as a significant threat to the duck industry in Southeast Asia, causing substantial economic losses. Due to the antibody-dependent enhancement (ADE) effect of TMUV subneutralizing antibodies, there is a pressing need to further develop new TMUV vaccine target antigens that ensure both safety and efficacy. Here, the TMUV non-structural protein 1 (NS1) as a target for development of effective anti-TMUV vaccines was unveiled. The amino acid sequences of TMUV NS1 exhibit a high degree of conservation across different strains (92.63–100%). To investigate the potential of TMUV NS1 as a vaccine target, the TMUV NS1-based plasmids were constructed and identified the C-terminal 30 amino acids residues of TMUV E (E C30) as an effective signal peptide for promoting NS1 expression and secretion. Subsequently, the plasmid pVAX1-E C30 -NS1 was employed to immunize ducks, resulting in specific anti-NS1 IgG responses being stimulated, while without inducing anti-TMUV neutralizing antibodies. Furthermore, the cellular immune responses triggered by the TMUV NS1 were evaluated, observing a notable increase in lymphocyte proliferation at 4 wk and 6 wk postinjection with the pVAX1-E C30 -NS1. Additionally, there was a significant up-regulation of NS1-specific Il-4 and Ifnγ levels at these time points. Following this, ducks from different groups were challenged with TMUV, and remarkably, those immunized with the NS1 vaccine displayed significantly lower viral copies both at 3 d postinfection (dpi) and 7 dpi (P < 0.05) compared to ducks immunized with the control vector. Notably, the NS1 demonstrated remarkable protection against TMUV challenge without causing severe gross lesions. Collectively, these findings highlighted the impressive immunogenicity and protectivity of the TMUV NS1. Consequently, NS1 holds great promise as a novel antigen target for the development of efficient and safe TMUV vaccines. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In order to explore the dynamic behavior and damage mode of shallow buried tunnel induced by underwater explosions (UWEPs), a fully coupled numerical model of a shallow buried tunnel based on Arbitrary Lagrangian and Eulerian (ALE) method was established. The strain rate effects of concrete and steel bar under explosion load, the explosion wave propagation, the interaction between fluids and solids, and the nonlinear response of the structure were considered. The reliability of the numerical method was verified by comparing the experimental and analytical results. The damage process and damage mechanism of submerged shallow buried tunnel due to UWEPs were investigated. The effects of saturated soil covering, explosive weight, buried depth and water depth on the dynamic behavior and damage mode of the tunnel were discussed. Finally, the dimensional analysis was used to obtain the functional relationship between the peak displacement, charge weight, buried depth and water depth. The results show that the saturated soil covering can effectively reduce the impact of explosion load on the tunnel. Increasing the buried depth can mitigate the blast effects on the structure, and the failure modes switch from local damage to global failure. The response of the tunnel increases with the increasing water depth, but the influence of water depth decreases gradually. The damage modes of shallow buried tunnel can be classified into local punching or spalling damage, global bending failure accompanied by spalling damage, and global bending failure. • Dynamic behavior of shallow buried tunnel subjected to underwater explosions is investigated. • Analytical methodology is validated with two sets of blast tests. • Parametric study on blast resistance of underwater shallow buried tunnel is implemented. • Damage modes of shallow buried tunnel induced by various underwater explosions are summarized. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Assessment of suspension and biofilm microalgae cultivation systems was conducted. • Biofilm system achieved the best performances in environment, energy and economy. • Greenhouse gas emissions were all positive due to the considerable carbon loss. • Biogas yield exhibited the greatest impact on economic benefit. Biogas production via anaerobic digestion is highly attractive for microalgae. The technology of microalgae cultivation has profound impacts on biogas production system as it is the most energy-consuming process. However, a comprehensive evaluation of the environmental and economic benefits of different cultivation systems has yet to be sufficiently conducted. Here, life-cycle and economic assessments of open raceway ponds, photobioreactors and biofilm systems were investigated. Results showed greenhouse gas emissions of all systems were positive because more than two-thirds of carbon in fuel gas was lost and the fixed carbon in product gas and solid fertilizer was less than the emitted carbon during energy input. Particularly, biofilm system achieved the least greenhouse gas emissions (9.3 g CO 2-eq /MJ), net energy ratio (0.7) and levelized cost of energy (0.9 $/kWh), indicating the optimum cultivation system. Open raceway ponds and photobioreactors failed to achieve positive benefits because of low harvesting efficiency and biomass concentration. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sustained load is a common type of load for concrete structures during service. It may affect the pore structure of mortar, thereby affecting the transmission characteristics of water and the durability of concrete. In this paper, the pore structure and transport properties of mortars at low- stress levels were investigated. Non-destructive axial tensile and compressive loads were applied to the mortar to study the permeability and water absorption of the mortar under different loads. In addition, the mortar's pore structure was analyzed under varying sustained loads using the RapidAir 457 pore structure analyzer and micro-CT scans. Results show that within the stress levels of the experimental design, compressive loads tend to reduce the water transmission rate in mortar, whereas tensile loads have a positive effect on water transmission. The pore-size distribution of mortars with different water-cement ratios is affected differently by load. Finally, seepage simulation was carried out using the three-dimensional model established by CT scanning. The results show that the simulated values and experimental test values were consistent with the changing trend of the load. With increasing compressive load, the water seepage path is obstructed, resulting in decreased permeability. Conversely, under tensile loads, the number and density of streamlines increase, facilitating water penetration. • The effect of sustained loading on the pore structure was studied. • The effect of sustained loading on the permeability of mortar was studied. • Three-dimensional pore models of mortar was established based on CT scan results. • Seepage simulation was performed using a three-dimensional model. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Early and late leaf removal enhance berry anthocyanins and reduce stem methoxypyrazines. • Early leaf removal (7 or 30 days after flowering) was more effective in increasing wine colour, polymeric pigments, and tannins. • Leaf removal at 7 days after flowering enhances skin-derived tannin in wine. • Higher skin tannins and anthocyanins, along with lower seed tannins, result in increased wine tannins. • Leaf removal timing affects wine aroma composition without a significant impact on descriptive sensory evaluation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of leaf removal on concentrations of anthocyanin, tannin, and methoxypyrazines (MPs) in Pinot noir grapes and wines. Leaf removal after 7 days (LR7), 30 days (LR30), and 60 days (LR60) of flowering were compared with no leaf removal control (LRC). Grapes and resultant wines were analysed for tannin and aroma composition using liquid chromatography and two-dimensional gas chromatography–mass spectrometry. All leaf removal treatments increased anthocyanin concentration in grapes and reduced MP levels in grape stems compared to LRC, indicating the effectiveness of both early and late leaf removal. Leaf removal after 7 days and 30 days were more effective in enhancing colour density, polymeric pigments, and tannin concentration in wines. Higher grape skin tannin and anthocyanin concentrations, along with lower seed tannin concentration in berries, correlated with higher tannin concentrations in wines. LR7 showed significantly higher skin-originated tannin proportion than LRC, suggesting a useful tool to manage tannin extraction. Aroma composition of resultant wines was influenced by leaf removal, although these differences were not evident in the sensory evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck hepatitis A virus 1 (DHAV‐1) is a highly prevalent pathogen within adult ducks causing acute as well as chronic hepatitis which closely emulates the progression of human hepatitis. However, the underlying mechanisms of DHAV‐1 persistence and the pathogenesis of chronic liver disease are not well defined. The association between hematopoietic reservoirs of virus and persistent infection is increasingly concerning. Here, we explored the ability of lymphoid replication of DHAV‐1 and the effect on immunity. We found that DHAV‐1 was able to infect and replicate productively in the lymphoid organs of model ducks, persisting over 6 months. Moreover, a significant correlation of viral loads between these organs and blood was found, documenting a major contribution of lymphoid replication to DHAV‐1 viraemia. Along with viral replication, the mRNA of PRRs and immune‐related cytokines was up‐regulated in these organs during the early phase of infection, showing tissue‐dependent expression patterns but all inclining towards Th2 responses due to the consistently higher level of IL‐4 than IL‐2 and IFN‐γ. Additionally, the expression of CCL19, CCL21, MHC‐I and MHC‐II, which are involved in T cell homing to the periphery and priming, was dysmodulated. Our data indicate that DHAV‐1 possesses lymphoid tissue tropism, contributing to persistent infection and chronic hepatitis via altering the early endogenous transcription of immune‐related genes and thereby perturbing organic immunity. These results may be useful to develop novel strategies to treat chronic viral hepatitis based on stimulation of the early innate system and regulation of T‐cell trafficking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common chronic liver disease, and it is a liver manifestation of metabolic syndrome, with a histological spectrum from simple steatosis to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). NASH can evolve into progressive liver fibrosis and eventually lead to liver cirrhosis. The pathological mechanism of NASH is multifactorial, involving a series of metabolic disorders and changes that trigger low-level inflammation in the liver and other organs. In the pathogenesis of NASH, the signal transduction pathway involving succinate and the succinate receptor (G-protein-coupled receptor 91, GPR91) regulates inflammatory cell activation and liver fibrosis. This review describes the mechanism of the succinate–GPR91 signalling pathway in NASH and summarizes the drugs that act on this pathway, with the aim of providing a new approach to NASH treatment. [Display omitted] • The key mechanism of NASH pathogenesis is fully elucidated. • The emerging succinate–GPR91 signalling pathway of NASH progression is described. • The succinate–GPR91 signalling pathway is related to liver inflammation and fibrosis. • NASH candidates that could act on the succinate–GPR91 signalling pathway are identified. • Targeting upstream and midstream of succinate–GPR91 may be more effective for NASH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bone milling is a common method in robot orthopedic surgery. However, excessive milling temperature will cause thermal necrosis of bone cells and tissues. It is necessary to carry out further research and analysis on the robot bone milling process considering the lamina milling skills of spinal surgeons and clinical practice to reduce the damage to bone cells and nearby tissues and obtain good cutting surface quality. Considering the randomness of milling parameters during operation, a prediction method of milling temperature model for ball milling cutter considering the doctor's surgical skills was proposed based on response surface method. Because of material anisotropy and microstructure difference between the cortical bone and cancellous bone, this paper would analyze the influencing factors in different bone layers to establish the prediction model of milling temperature in the segments of cortical bone and cancellous bone. Also, the influence and distribution of milling parameters on temperature in three cutting modes such as parallel cutting mode, cross cutting mode, and vertical cutting mode in the cortical bone region were analyzed. The parameter sensitivity of the milling temperature prediction model was analyzed by the Sobol method, and the influence of the input parameters on the output milling temperature was analyzed quantitatively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A new method for mass concrete temperature control is proposed and proved. • Mass concrete temperature change has great effect on the surface layer moisture. • Coupled heat and moisture transfer is considered in control system design. In this paper, a new method for hydraulic mass concrete temperature control to reduce temperature stress is proposed. Based on dam temperature distribution characteristics, an external heating and cooling source is used to make the water circulate in the pre-embedded pipe net in the concrete surface layer to control the concrete temperature. The minimum adverse strain principle is used to design the key parameters of the control system, and the strain caused by temperature and moisture is considered because of the porousness of concrete. The feasibility of the new method is studied via a mass concrete (1 m × 1 m × 1 m) experiment with pre-embedded temperature and moisture sensors under cold environmental conditions. The temperature and moisture evolutions in the control process show that the concrete temperature can be effectively controlled by the new method, but temperature control also has a great effect on the moisture in the surface layer concrete. Considering that the decreasing moisture of surface layer concrete in the temperature control process can also lead to adverse strain, based on the coupled heat and moisture transfer theory, the key parameters of the control system in the experiment are studied and optimized via simulations to reduce adverse strain. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Glyphosate (GLY) frequently detected in various water bodies has imposed a serious risk on fish. Head kidney of fish is an important defense organ, playing a vital part in antagonizing exogenous hazardous matter. The objective of this study was to characterize toxic mechanisms of GLY in head kidney of common carp based on transcriptome profiling. After 45-days exposure of GLY at environmentally relevant concentrations, juvenile common carp were used as experimental subjects to analyze how the head kidney responded to GLY. The transcriptome profiling identified 1381 different expressed genes (DEGs) between the control and exposure groups (5 and 50 mg/L). Functional analysis of DEGs substantiated over-representative pathways mainly involving cellular stress responses, cell proliferation and turnover, apoptosis, lipid metabolism, and innate immune processes in both treated groups compared with the control group. Predicted network of gene regulation indicated that GLY-induced tp53 played a vital role in linking a battery of signals. Furthermore, the expression of 10 candidate genes by qRT-PCR aligned with transcriptional profiling. In addition, western blotting analysis confirmed that GLY-induced apoptosis and cellular proliferation were closely involved in activating MAKP signaling pathway and lipid metabolism pathway in both treated groups. Collectively, these data demonstrate that head kidney of juvenile common carp mainly leverages upregulation of genes related to cell proliferation and turnover, apoptosis, and lipid metabolism to combat sub-chronic exposure of GLY. This study casts new understanding into the risk of GLY in aquatic animals. [Display omitted] • GLY exposure (5 and 50 mg/L for 45 d) increases the generation of ROS and MDA. • Transcriptome analysis identifies 1381 DEGs between the control and treated groups. • GLY-induced tp53 may play a vital role in the linkage of a cascade of signals. • Head kidney mainly leverages upregulation of related genes to combat GLY. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rapid yeast identification is of particular importance in monitoring wine fermentation and assessing strain application in winemaking. We used MALDI-TOF MS analysis supported by 26 S rRNA gene sequence analysis and Saccharomyces- specific PCR testing to differentiate reference and field strains recovered from organic wine production facilities in Waipara, New Zealand, in which Pinot Noir wine was produced by spontaneous fermentations in the vineyard and in the winery. Strains were isolated from each of four key stages of each ferment to evaluate changes in taxonomic diversity. MALDI-TOF MS analysis was confirmed as an excellent yeast identification method, with even closely related Saccharomyces species readily distinguished. A total of 13 indigenous species belonging to eight genera were identified from Pinot Noir ferments, with taxonomic diversity generally reducing as fermentation progressed. However, differences between the taxa recovered were observed between the vineyard and winery ferments, despite the grapes used being from the same batch. Furthermore, some consistent proteomic differences between strains of S. cerevisiae, Hanseniasporum uvarum , Candida californica , Pichia membranifaciens and Starmerella bacillaris correlated with the different fermentation systems used. The high speed, low cost, taxonomic resolution and ability to characterise subtle changes in phenotype that may result from variations in environmental conditions makes MALDI-TOF analysis an attractive tool for further and wider applications in the wine industry. Such applications may include monitoring wine fermentation to actively support the consistency of high-quality wine products, and potentially for the development of such products too. • First known examination of yeast diversity in wine produced in Waipara, New Zealand. • MALDI-TOF utility for identification of winemaking yeast confirmed. • Production systems influence yeast diversity of wild ferments. • Yeast MALDI-TOF profiles may reflect responses to different fermentation conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Previous studies have shown MALDI-TOF MS to be a powerful tool in wine yeast identification and potential prediction of application. However, it is also established that substrate composition influences protein expression, but the degree to which this may affect MALDI-TOF spectra (and analytical results thereof) has not been fully explored. To further inform assay optimisation, the influence on MALDI-TOF spectra was determined using eight Saccharomyces strains of diverse origins cultivated on grape juices from Pinot Noir and Chardonnay varieties, synthetic grape juice, and laboratory-grade artificial culture media (YPD broth and agar). Our results demonstrated significant influences of culture media on strain MALDI-TOF spectra. Yeast culture on YPD agar is recommended for taxonomic studies, with YPD broth culture of S. cerevisiae offering improved intra-subspecific differentiation Furthermore, our data supported a correlation between MALDI spectra and the potential industrial application of individual yeast strains. • Effect of growth media on MALDI-TOF profiles of winemaking yeast examined for the first time. • Natural and synthetic juices generally unsuited for yielding good quality spectra for analysis. • Culture on YPD agar recommended for MALDI-TOF characterisation of strains to species level. • Culture in YPD broth may yield improved differentiation of S. cerevisiae at strain level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vehicle platooning is a perspective technique for intelligent transportation systems (ITS). Connected and automated vehicles (CAVs) use dedicated short-range communication (DSRC) to form a convoy, in which the following vehicles can receive the information from their preceding vehicles to achieve safe automated driving and maintain a short headway. Consequently, a vehicle platoon can improve traffic safety and efficiency, further reducing fuel consumption. However, emergency braking inevitably occurs when the platoon meets an accident or a sudden mechanical failure. It is more critical when the wireless communication got delays. Therefore, "how to predefine a minimum safe distance (MSD) considering communication delay" is a challenging issue. To this end, a series of field tests were carried out to measure the communication delay of IEEE 802.11p that is the underlying protocol of DSRC. Subsequently, MSD is modeled and analyzed when the platoon travels at accelerating, cruising, and decelerating states. More importantly, the results of field tests are applied in the models to investigate the impact of communication delay on MSD in practice. The simulation results verify that the proposed model can effectively maintain the platooning vehicles' safety even if emergency braking happens with certain communication delays. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Shangri-La is a wine region that has the highest altitude vineyards in China. This is the first study investigated the biodiversity of non-Saccharomyces yeasts associated with spontaneous fermentation of Cabernet Sauvignon wines produced from two sub-regions (Lancang River and Jinsha River) of Shangri-La. The culturable yeasts were preliminarily classified based on their colonial morphology on the Wallerstein Laboratory nutrient agar plates. Yeast species were identified by the sequencing of the 26S rRNA D1/D2 region and the 5.8S rRNA ITS region. Twenty-five non-Saccharomyces yeast species belonging to sixteen genera were isolated and identified in Shangri-La wine region. Candida, Hanseniaspora, Pichia, and Starmerella were found in both sub-regions, but the Lancang River showed more diverse yeast species than the Jinsha River. Shangri-La not only exhibited high diversity of non-Saccharomyces yeasts, and furthermore, seven species of non-Saccharomyces yeasts were exclusively found in this region, including B. bruxellensis, D. hansenii, M. guilliermondii, S. vini, S. diversa, T. delbrueckii and W. anomalus, which might play an important role in distinctive regional wine characteristics. This study provide a relatively comprehensive analysis of indigenous non-Saccharomyces yeasts associated with Cabernet Sauvignon from Shangri-La, and has significance for exploring 'microbial terroir' of wine regions in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effect of flow velocity on the corrosion behavior of X100 steel in CO2-saturated produced water (CO2-SPW) was studied. Potentiodynamic polarization (PDP) and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy (EIS) were used to study the corrosion behavior of X100 steel. X-ray diffraction (XRD), a metallurgical microscope, and a scanning electron microscope (SEM) were used to analyze corrosion product composition and morphology, respectively. The results show that the corrosion current density increases and impedance value decreases with the increase of the flow rate. The corrosion products are mainly FeCO3 and Fe3C. The corrosion degree of the bend segment is more serious than that of the straight segment. COMSOL simulation proposed the correlation between X100 corrosion behavior and material concentration and flow field distribution. A corrosion model was proposed, where the corrosion mechanism of X100 under simulated working condition was explained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is increasingly realized that homoploid hybrid speciation (HHS), which involves no change in chromosome number, is an important mechanism of speciation. HHS will likely increase in frequency as ecological and geographical barriers between species are continuing to be disrupted by human activities. HHS requires the establishment of reproductive isolation between a hybrid and its parents, but the underlying genes and genetic mechanisms remain largely unknown. In this study, we reveal by integrated approaches that reproductive isolation originates in one homoploid hybrid plant species through the inheritance of alternate alleles at genes that determine parental premating isolation. The parent species of this hybrid species are reproductively isolated by differences in flowering time and survivorship on soils containing high concentrations of iron. We found that the hybrid species inherits alleles of parental isolating major genes related to flowering time from one parent and alleles of major genes related to iron tolerance from the other parent. In this way, it became reproductively isolated from one parent by the difference in flowering time and from the other by habitat adaptation (iron tolerance). These findings and further modeling results suggest that HHS may occur relatively easily via the inheritance of alternate parental premating isolating genes and barriers. Using integrated approaches, the authors reveal that reproductive isolation originated in one homoploid hybrid plant species (Ostryopsis intermedia) through the inheritance of alternate alleles at genes that determine parental premating isolation (flowering time and habitat adaptation, i.e., iron tolerance). Their findings and further modeling results suggest that homoploid hybrid speciation can occur easily via the inheritance of alternate, pre-existing, parental reproductive isolations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Self-assembly of SubPc-Br/MoS 2 enhances photocatalysis by eliminating useless charge pathways. • SubPc-Br/MoS 2 exhibits significantly higher degradation rates for antibiotics compared to MoS 2 alone. • UV–Vis, PXRD, SEM, and TEM techniques used to analyze SubPc-Br/MoS 2 nanocomposites. • Efficient separation and transfer enabled by the S-Scheme mechanism confirmed through multiple techniques. Developing a simple, low-cost, high-yield, and controllable strategy for preparing various functionalized MoS 2 -based composite materials remains a challenge. This study innovatively utilizes boron subphthalocyanine bromide (SubPc-Br) as a photosensitizer, which self-assembles on MoS 2 via intermolecular π-π stacking, creating a SubPc-Br/MoS 2 organic–inorganic semiconductor system. This addresses a research gap, employing subphthalocyanines as MoS 2 sensitizers. The SubPc-Br/MoS 2 heterojunction exhibited excellent photocatalytic activity for the degradation of antibiotics in water under solar irradiation. The rate constants for the photocatalytic degradation of CTC and CIP by SubPc-Br/MoS 2 were 4.66 and 5.93 times higher than those of pristine MoS 2 , respectively. The significant improvement in photocatalytic performance is attributed to the efficient charge separation and transfer induced by the unique S-Scheme charge transfer mechanism, which has been verified by different theoretical and experimental results. We demonstrate that the photochemical activity of O 2 molecules adsorbed on MoS 2 (1 0 0) is site-sensitive, with O 2 preferentially adsorbing on the Mid-site location with higher electron transport capability. This study provides a new perspective for enhancing photocatalytic performance by constructing an artificial photosynthetic system with an S-scheme heterojunction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tigecycline is considered one of the "last resort antibiotics" for treating complex infections caused by multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria, especially for combating clinical resistant strains that produce carbapenemases. However, the tet (X4) gene, which carried by different plasmids can mediate high levels of bacterial resistance to tigecycline, was first reported in 2019. Here, we report the emergence of the plasmid-mediated tet (X4) in avian environment of Sichuan Province. A total of 21 tet (X4)-positive Escherichia coli ( E. coli ) strains were isolated and identified from avian samples in selected regions, with an isolation rate of 1.6% (21/1,286), and all of them were MDR strains. Multilocus Sequence Typing (MLST) method was used to classify the 21 tet (X4)-positive E. coli into the ST206, ST761, ST155, ST1638, ST542, and ST767 types, which also belong to the 3 phylogenetic subgroups A, B1, and C. Tet (X4) is located on mobile plasmids that can be efficiently and stably propagated. The results of fitness cost experiments showed that tet (X4)-positive plasmids may incur some fitness cost to host bacteria, but different tet (X4)-positive plasmids bring about differential fitness costs. Whole-genome sequencing further confirmed the tet (X4) gene can be located on IncX1-type plasmids and the core genetic structures are IS Vsa3 -rdmc- tet (X4) or rdmc- tet (X4)-IS Vsa3 , the former is a 7 copies tandem repeat structure. In this study, we isolated and identified tet (X4)-positive E. coli from the avian origin in Sichuan, analyzed the mobility of the tet (X4) by conjugational transfer and S1-PFGE, and evaluated the biological characteristics of the tet (X4)-positive plasmid using the results of conjugational frequency, plasmid stability, and fitness costs. Finally, combined with the third-generation whole-genome sequencing analysis, the molecular transmission characteristics of the tet (X4) were preliminarily clarified, providing a scientific basis for guiding veterinary clinical use in this area, as well as risk assessment and prevention of the transfer and spread of tigecycline resistant strains or genes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Polychromic up/down-conversion emissions in carbon dots (CDs) system play a key role in advanced information encryption and security. However, it is difficult to simultaneously achieve tunable up/down-conversion emissions in CDs system owing to the difficulty in preparation of red down-conversion emission and the poor absorption of CDs to near-infrared excitation sources. Herein, red fluorescence (FL) and room-temperature phosphorescence (RTP) emissions are obtained by establishing energy transfer processes from blue CDs to the Eu3+/Mn2+. Color-tunable upconversion luminescence (UCL) is achieved by in situ preparation process of rare-earth (Er3+/Yb3+, Tm3+/Yb3+, and Tm3+/Er3+) co-doped YF 3 upconversion nanoparticles on CDs/boric acid composites. Based on the mold-filling, deposition, handwriting and screen-printing methods, various stable security patterns and characters composed of multicolor emissions of FL, UCL and RTP by switching excitation wavelength and external thermal stimulation, showing great potential for information encryption and security. This work paves the way for the color conversion of FL, RTP and UCL in CDs system and the construction of advanced information encryption and security technologies. Stable security patterns with polychromic up/down-conversion emissions induced by energy transfer processes reveal great potential in information encryption and security. [Display omitted] • The energy transfer processes from carbon dots (CDs) to Eu3+/Mn2+ were constructed for achieving tunable emissions. • Multiple luminous categories were realized by in situ grown YF 3 -based upconversion luminescence materials on CDs/boric acid composites. • The designing security patterns exhibited excellent anti-counterfeiting performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 3 (TRAF3) is a key signaling molecule in the retinoic acid-inducible gene I (RIG-I) signaling pathway and plays an important role in host innate immune regulation. The function of TRAF3 has been extensively studied in mammals, however, the role of TRAF3 in ducks remains unclear. In order to reveal the function of duck TRAF3 (duTRAF3) in the innate immune response induced by virus infection, the TRAF3 homologue of mallard (Anas platyrhynchos) has been cloned and the function of duTRAF3 is investigated in this study. We sequenced duTRAF3 and found that the open reading frame (ORF) region of duTRAF3 is 1704 bp long and encodes 567 amino acids (aa), which has a similar functional domain to the mammalian gene. Analysis of tissue distribution of duTRAF3 in 7-day-old ducks showed that the expression of duTRAF3 was highest in harderian gland, followed by heart and lung. Subsequently, duck Tembusu virus (DTMUV) has been shown to enhance duTRAF3 expression, and overexpression of duTRAF3 inhibits DTMUV replication in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, duTRAF3 activates the transcriptional activity of IFN-α and its downstream interferon-stimulating genes (ISGs) induced after DTMUV infection. In this process, DTMUV non-structural (NS) protein 5 resists this innate immune process by interacting with TRAF3 and inhibiting TRAF3 expression. These data support the conclusion that duTRAF3 is an antiviral protein that plays a key role in the defense against DTMUV invasion. These results lay a theoretical foundation for developing new anti-DTMUV strategies. • DuTRAF3 was cloned and identified. • DuTRAF3 inhibits proliferation of DTMUV. • DuTRAF3 promotes DTMUV-induced innate immune signaling factors. • DTMUV NS5 interacts with and inhibits duTRAF3 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studying pyrolysis behavior of saturate component is significant to understand the pyrolysis behaviors of coal, as the component can produce volatile matters. The combined utilization of TG-FTIR and Py-GC/MS provides a feasible strategy for investigating pyrolysis behaviors of saturate component. The results of TG-FTIR show that the pyrolysis of saturate component contains one stage. The yield of coal-char at different heating rates is quite low (0.04–0.50 wt%) and the values are close to each other, which indicates that the pyrolysis of saturate component has almost no coal-char and the saturate component mainly consists of volatile substances. Furthermore, the change in absorbance of typical compounds in FTIR indirectly reflects the variety in the content of compounds. The detailed information of pyrolysis products is analyzed by Py-GC/MS, which shows that alkanes and alkenes are dominant. Moreover, the change in the content of alkanes and alkenes is opposite. The pyrolysis mechanism of saturate component belongs to free radical reaction. The possible pyrolysis pathway of saturate component is presented and the appearance of hexane and hexene is also verified. This research provides a methodological model for exploring other group components and reveals more specific details for the pyrolysis of coal. • The pyrolysis of saturate component contains one stage and almost no coke is formed. • The delayed effect of heating rate on characteristic temperature weakens. • The releasing characteristics of volatiles is consistent with pyrolysis behavior. • Alkanes and alkenes are the main pyrolysis products of saturate component. • The pyrolysis mechanism of saturate component is free radical mechanism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Riemerella anatipestifer is a major pathogenic microorganism in poultry causing serositis with significant mortality. Serotype 1 and 2 were most pathogenic, prevalent, and liable over the world. In this study, the intracellular metabolites in R. anatipestifer strains RA-CH-1 (serotype 1) and RA-CH-2 (serotype 2) were identified by gas chromatography-mass spectrometer (GC–MS). The metabolic profiles were performed using hierarchical clustering and partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA). The results of hierarchical cluster analysis showed that the amounts of the detected metabolites were more abundant in RA-CH-2. RA-CH-1 and RA-CH-2 were separated by the PLS-DA model. 24 potential biomarkers participated in nine metabolisms were contributed predominantly to the separation. Based on the complete genome sequence database and metabolite data, the first large-scale metabolic models of iJL463 (RA-CH-1) and iDZ470 (RA-CH-2) were reconstructed. In addition, we explained the change of purine metabolism combined with the transcriptome and metabolomics data. The study showed that it is possible to detect and differentiate between these two organisms based on their intracellular metabolites using GC–MS. The present research fills a gap in the metabolomics characteristics of R. anatipestifer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aquaculture of the Echiura worm Urechis unicinctus has developed rapidly in recent years. However, the artificial cultivation technology remains to be perfected. In this study, the effects of stocking density on the growth performance, physiological responses and intestinal microbiota of U. unicinctus juveniles were evaluated. Juvenile worms were randomly stocked at densities of 200 U (U. unicinctus/m3), 500 U, 1,000 U and 2,000 U, in aquariums. The results indicated that the contents of triglycerides, glucose, total cholesterol, lactic acid, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and aspartate transaminase in the coelomic fluid of U. unicinctus juveniles were significantly enhanced with increasing stocking density. The digestive enzyme activities increased with increasing stocking density from 200 U to 1,000 U, before exhibiting a significant decrease in the 2,000 U group. In contrast, the antioxidant capacity of U. unicinctus juveniles was suppressed under high stocking density conditions. In case of the intestinal microbiota of U. unicinctus juveniles, Actinobacteria were more abundant in the 200 U group; SJA15, Gluconobacter and OP81 were higher in the 1,000 U group; Burkholderiales and Limnohabitans were enriched in the 2,000 U group. The highest and lowest survival rates of the U. unicinctus juveniles were recorded in the 500 U and 200 U groups respectively, and high stocking densities negatively affected the individual growth performance. In summary, due to the highest survival rate and appropriate growth performance and physiological responses, 500 U was considered to be the optimal stocking density for the cultivation of U. unicinctus juveniles. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three-dimensional (3D) finite element analysis is used to investigate the vertical and horizontal bearing capacity of internal skirted foundations in normally consolidated uniform clay under undrained condition. The vertical and horizontal bearing capacity analysis has taken the effects of embedment ratio, foundation–soil interface roughness and soil strength heterogeneity into account. In this paper, new equations have been proposed for calculating vertical and horizontal bearing capacities based on the results of the finite element analyses. In the proposed equations, the vertical capacity consists of an end-bear resistance and a skin friction resistance, whereas the horizontal capacity consists of a normal resistance, a radial shear resistance and a base shear resistance. By comparing the numerical results, it shows that the proposed equations properly predicted the bearing capacities of the internal skirted foundations in uniform or non-uniform clay under undrained condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims Thioredoxin 1 (Trx1) is an evolutionarily conserved oxidoreductase that cleaves disulphide bonds in oxidized substrate proteins such as mechanistic target of rapamycin (mTOR) and maintains nuclear-encoded mitochondrial gene expression. The cardioprotective effect of Trx1 has been demonstrated via cardiac-specific overexpression of Trx1 and dominant negative Trx1. However, the pathophysiological role of endogenous Trx1 has not been defined with a loss-of-function model. To address this, we have generated cardiac-specific Trx1 knockout (Trx1cKO) mice. Methods and results Trx1cKO mice were viable but died with a median survival age of 25.5 days. They developed heart failure, evidenced by contractile dysfunction, hypertrophy, and increased fibrosis and apoptotic cell death. Multiple markers consistently indicated increased oxidative stress and RNA-sequencing revealed downregulation of genes involved in energy production in Trx1cKO mice. Mitochondrial morphological abnormality was evident in these mice. Although heterozygous Trx1cKO mice did not show any significant baseline phenotype, pressure-overload-induced cardiac dysfunction, and downregulation of metabolic genes were exacerbated in these mice. mTOR was more oxidized and phosphorylation of mTOR substrates such as S6K and 4EBP1 was impaired in Trx1cKO mice. In cultured cardiomyocytes, Trx1 knockdown inhibited mitochondrial respiration and metabolic gene promoter activity, suggesting that Trx1 maintains mitochondrial function in a cell autonomous manner. Importantly, mTOR-C1483F, an oxidation-resistant mutation, prevented Trx1 knockdown-induced mTOR oxidation and inhibition and attenuated suppression of metabolic gene promoter activity. Conclusion Endogenous Trx1 is essential for maintaining cardiac function and metabolism, partly through mTOR regulation via Cys1483. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Multiple lines of evidence have suggested that genetic factors may contribute to steroid-induced osteonecrosis of the femoral head (SONFH). Complement receptor 2 (CR2), constituting a family of regulators of complement activation, has been recently reported to be associated with osteonecrosis of the femoral head (ONFH) in Koreans. The aim of this study was to evaluate the relationships between polymorphisms of the CR2 gene and susceptibility to SONFH in the male Han Chinese population. Materials and Methods: A total of 468 SONFH patients and 1224 healthy controls were recruited for this study. Ten tag single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) located within the CR2 gene were genotyped. Genetic association analyses, including SNP and haplotypic analyses, were performed for the 10 SNPs. Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses were conducted to examine the functional consequences of SNPs shown to be significantly associated with SONFH. Results: An intronic SNP, rs311306, was identified to be significantly associated with the risk of SONFH (p = 0.0008, odds ratio = 1.44). Allelic analyses showed that the C allele of this SNP significantly elevated the risk of SONFH, which was replicated in genotypic association analyses. Moreover, a 3-SNP haplotype was significantly associated with SONFH (rs311306–rs17044576–rs3767933, p = 7.49 × 10−8). Furthermore, bioinformatic analyses indicated limited functional consequences of SNP rs311306, but a complex interaction network was constructed for the protein encoded by the SLC44A2 gene and proteins encoded by the CD19, CD81, and C3 genes. Conclusion: Our findings shed new light on the link between the CR2 gene and SONFH in Han Chinese males, providing clues as to the nature of the mechanisms involved in the etiology of ONFH. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mesenchymal stem cells sheets have been verified as a promising non-scaffold strategy for bone regeneration. Alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, derived from neural crest, have the character of easily obtained and strong multi-differential potential. However, the bone regenerative features of alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells sheets in the craniofacial region remain unclear. The purpose of the present study was to compare the osteogenic differentiation and bone defect repairment characteristics of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells sheets derived from alveolar bone (alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) and iliac bone (Lon-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells) in vitro and in vivo. Histology character, osteogenic differentiation, and osteogenic gene expression of human alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells and Lon-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells were compared in vitro. The cell sheets were implanted in rabbit calvarial defects to evaluate tissue regeneration characteristics. Integrated bioinformatics analysis was used to reveal the specific gene and pathways expression profile of alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Our results showed that alveolar bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells had higher osteogenic differentiation than Lon-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells. Although no obvious differences were found in the histological structure, fibronectin and integrin β1 expression between them, alveolar-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells sheet exhibited higher mineral deposition and expression levels of osteogenic marker genes. After being transplanted in the rabbit calvarial defects area, the results showed that greater bone volume and trabecular thickness regeneration were found in bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells sheet group compared to Lon-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells group at both 4 weeks and 8 weeks. Finally, datasets of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells versus Lon-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells, and periodontal ligament mesenchymal stem cells (another neural crest derived mesenchymal stem cells) versus umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells were analyzed. Total 71 differential genes were identified by overlap between the 2 datasets. Homeobox genes, such as LHX8, MKX, PAX9, MSX, and HOX, were identified as the most significantly changed and would be potential specific genes in neural crest mesenchymal stem cells. In conclusion, the Al-bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells sheet-based tissue regeneration appears to be a promising strategy for craniofacial defect repair in future clinical applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The eight biogenic amines (BA), which are histamine (HIS), tryptamine, putrescine, 2‐phenylethylamine, cadaverine, tyramine, spermidine, and spermine, were determined in Chub Mackerel under different storage conditions after being freshly caught. The storage time and temperature were varied and the guts either present or removed. This study describes a reverse‐phase high‐performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a fluorescence detector following precolumn derivation with dansyl chloride method for the determination of BA in in Chub Mackerel samples. HIS represented the highest content of BA regardless of the storage temperature and time. During a 24‐hr period, the content of HIS reached its highest level of 6,466.63 mg/kg at the storage temperature of 30 °C, whereas it only reached 28.73 mg/kg in 24 hr when the storage temperature was 0 °C, which is way below the standard acceptable threshold level (400 mg/kg). The storage times for the content of HIS to exceed the standard threshold level for HIS at different storage temperatures of 0, 4, 10, 15, 20, and 25 °C were 12, 5, 4 days, 48, 36, 15, and 14 hr, respectively. However, these times were significantly shortened when the viscera was removed from freshly‐caught fish before storage. This study not only provides data for monitoring the content of BA, especially HIS, to ensure the safe storage and consumption of freshly‐caught Chub Mackerel, but also presents a cost‐effective method to extend the storage time of freshly‐caught Chub Mackerel. Practical Application: This study not only provides data for monitoring the content of BA, especially HIS, to ensure the safe storage and consumption of freshly‐caught Chub Mackerel, but also presents a cost‐effective method, which is gut‐removal during storage, to extend the storage time of freshly‐caught Chub Mackerel. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck enteritis virus (DEV) can successfully evade the host innate immune responses and establish a lifelong latent infection in the infected host. However, the study about how DEV escapes host innate immunity is still deficient up to now. In this study, for the first time, we identified a viral protein VP16 by which DEV can obviously downregulate the production of IFN-β in duck embryo fibroblast (DEF). Our results showed that ectopic expression of VP16 decreased duck IFN-β (duIFN-β) promoter activation and significantly inhibited the mRNA transcription of IFN-β. Further study showed that VP16 can also obviously inhibit the mRNA transcription of interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs), such as myxovirus resistance protein (Mx) and interferon-induced oligoadenylate synthetase-like (OASL). Furthermore, we found that this anti-interferon activity of VP16 depended on its N-terminus (aa1-200). Coexpression analysis revealed that VP16 selectively blocked duIFN-β promoter activity at the duIRF7 level rather than duIRF1. Based on the results of coimmunoprecipitation analysis (co-IP) and indirect immunofluorescence assay (IFA), VP16 was able to bind to duck IRF7 (duIRF7) directly, but did not interact with duck IRF1 (duIRF1) in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV) causes a serious viral disease that can significantly reduce grain yield in winter wheat worldwide. Using resistant cultivars is the only feasible strategy to reduce the losses caused by SBWMV. To fine map the resistance gene Sbwm1, 205 wheat accessions was genotyped using wheat Infinium iSelect Beadchips with 90 K SNPs. Association analysis identified 35 SNPs in 12 wheat genes and one intergenic SNP in the Sbwm1 region that showed a significant association with SBWMV resistance. Those SNPs were converted into Kompetitive Allele-Specific Polymerase assays (KASP) and analyzed in two F6-derived recombinant inbred line (RIL) populations derived from the crosses between two resistant cultivars 'Wesley' and 'Deliver' and a susceptible line 'OK03825-5403-6'. Linkage analysis mapped this gene on chromosome 5D at intervals of 5.1 cM and 3.4 cM in the two populations, respectively. The two flanking markers in both populations delimited the gene to a 620 kb region where 19 genes were annotated. Comparative analysis identified a syntenic region of 660 kb in Ae. tauschii with 18 annotated genes and a syntenic region in chromosome 1 of B. distachyon. The candidate region includes several disease resistance related genes and we identified a PTI1-like tyrosine-protein kinase 1 gene as a putative candidate gene for Sbwm1. The two flanking SNPs for Sbwm1 can effectively separate the resistant and susceptible lines in a new diversity panel of 159 wheat germplasm. The results from this study lay a solid foundation for the cloning, functional characterization and marker-assisted selection of Sbwm1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Tembusu virus (TMUV), a newly emerging pathogenic flavivirus, spreads rapidly between ducks, causing massive economic losses in the Chinese duck industry. Vaccination is the most effective method to prevent TMUV. Therefore, it is urgent to look for an effective vaccine strategy against TMUV. Heterologous prime-boost regimens priming with vaccines and boosting with recombinant adenovirus vaccines have been proven to be successful strategies for protecting against viruses in experimental animal models. Methods: In this study, heterologous and homologous prime-boost strategies using an attenuated salmonella vaccine and a recombinant adenovirus vaccine expressing prM-E or the E gene of TMUV were evaluated to protect ducks against TMUV infection for the first time, including priming and boosting with the attenuated salmonella vaccine, priming and boosting with the recombinant adenovirus vaccine, and priming with the attenuated salmonella vaccine and boosting with the recombinant adenovirus vaccine. Humoral and cellular immune responses were detected and evaluated. We then challenged the ducks with TMUV at 12 days after boosting to assay for clinical symptoms, mortality, viral loads and histopathological lesions after these different strategies. Results: Compared with the homologous prime-boost strategies, the heterologous prime-boost regimen produced higher levels of neutralizing antibodies and IgG antibodies against TMUV. Additionally, it could induce higher levels of IFN-γ than homologous prime-boost strategies in the later stage. Interestingly, the heterologous prime-boost strategy induced higher levels of IL-4 in the early stage, but the IL-4 levels gradually decreased and were even lower than those induced by the homologous prime-boost strategy in the later stage. Moreover, the heterologous prime-boost strategy could efficiently protect ducks, with low viral titres, no clinical symptoms and histopathological lesions in this experiment after challenge with TMUV, while slight clinical symptoms and histopathological lesions were observed with the homologous prime-boost strategies. Conclusions: Our results indicated that the heterologous prime-boost strategy induced higher levels of humoral and cellular immune responses and better protection against TMUV infection in ducks than the homologous prime-boost strategies, suggesting that the heterologous prime-boost strategy is an important candidate for the design of a novel vaccine strategy against TMUV. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The printed electronic technology, a simple, low‐cost, and high‐throughput method, exhibits great potential applications in various fields, particularly in intelligent and tamper‐evident packaging. In this study, an all‐printed flexible sensor is prepared for sensing tamper‐evident packaging by screen printing the water‐based silver nanowires (Ag NWs) conductive ink onto a polyethylene terephthalate substrate. This bendable sensor shows a corresponding variation relationship between the resistance of the Ag NWs layer and bending angles. In addition, it presents a stable resistance sensitivity at the bending angles of 45°, 90°, and 135°. The mechanisms of different printed structures on the sensitivity of the sensor have been discussed. The results show that the straight‐line sensor with a linewidth of 2.0 mm has the best sensitive performance (the gauge factors at bending angles of 45°, 90°, and 135° are 37.1, 39.3, and 39, respectively). Moreover, the sensor exhibits a long‐term mechanical cyclic stability (no apparent decay after 1000 bending cycles) and excellent adhesion performance (no distinct increase in resistance after 20 times). Because of the excellent sensing performance, the Ag NWs‐based flexible sensor can accurately detect the opening status of the packaging, showing promising potential for practical tamper‐evident applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The duck plague virus (DPV) US3 protein, a homolog of the herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) US3 protein that is reported to be critical for viral replication, has been minimally studied. Therefore, to investigate the function of the DPV US3 protein, we used scarless Red recombination technology based on an infectious bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the DPV Chinese virulent strain (CHv) genome and successfully constructed and rescued a US3-deleted mutant and the corresponding revertant virus (BAC-CHv-ΔUS3 and BAC-CHv-ΔUS3R, respectively). For viral growth characteristics, compared to the parental and revertant viruses, the US3-deleted mutant showed an approximately 100-fold reduction in viral titers but no significant reduction in genome copies, indicating that the US3-deleted mutant exhibited decreased viral replication but not decreased viral DNA generation. In addition, the US3-deleted mutant formed viral plaques that were 33% smaller on average than those formed by the parental and revertant viruses, demonstrating that US3 protein affected the viral cell-to-cell spread of DPV. Finally, the results of electron microscopy showed that the deletion of US3 resulted in a large number of virions accumulating in the nucleus and perinuclear space, thus blocking virion nuclear egress. In this study, we found that the DPV US3 protein played pivotal roles in viral replication by promoting viral cell-to-cell spread and virion nuclear egress, which may provide some references for research on the function of the DPV US3 protein. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We have synthesized a simple Golgi-targeting H2S fluorescent probe which can detect endogenous and exogenous H2S in cells and zebrafish. In addition, this probe provides a new chemical tool for the detailed study of generation pathways of H2S under Golgi stress response. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Duck plague virus (DPV), a member of the alphaherpesviruses subfamily, causes massive ducks death and results in a devastating hit to duck industries in China. It is of great significance for us to analyze the functions of DPV genes for controlling the outbreak of duck plague. Thus, glycoproteins E (gE) of DPV, which requires viral cell-to-cell spreading and the final envelopment in herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) and pseudorabies virus (PRV), was chosen herein. The gE mutant virus BAC-CHv-ΔgE was constructed by using a markerless two-step Red recombination system implemented on the DPV genome cloned into a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC). Viral plaques on duck embryo fibroblast (DEF) cells of BAC-CHv-ΔgE were on average approximately 60% smaller than those produced by BAC-CHv virus. Viral replication kinetics showed that BAC-CHv-ΔgE grew to lower titers than BAC-CHv virus did in DEF cells. Electron microscopy confirmed that deleting of DPV gE resulted in a large number of capsids accumulating around vesicles and very few of them could bud into vesicles. The drastic inhibition of virion formation in the absence of the DPV gE indicated that it played an important role in virion morphogenesis before the final envelopment of intracytoplasmic nucleocapsids. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: pUL21 is a conserved protein of Alphaherpesvirinae that performs multiple important functions. The C-terminus of pUL21 in other members of this subfamily has RNA-binding ability; this domain contributes to pseudorabies virus (PRV) retrograde axonal transport in vitro and in vivo and participates in newly replicated viral DNA packaging and intracellular virus transport. However, knowledge regarding duck enteritis virus (DEV) pUL21 is limited. Results: We verified that DEV UL21 is a γ2 gene that encodes a structural protein. Moreover, we observed that pUL21 localized to the nucleus and cytoplasm. DEV pUL21 interacted with pUL16 and formed a complex in transfected human embryonic kidney (HEK) 293 T cells and DEV-infected duck embryo fibroblasts (DEFs). These results were further confirmed by CO-IP assays. Conclusions: The DEV UL21 gene is a late gene, and pUL21 localizes to the nucleus and cytoplasm. DEV UL21 is a virion component. In addition, pUL21 can interact with pUL16. These findings provide insight into the characteristics of UL21 and the interaction between pUL21 and its binding partner pUL16. Our study enhances the understanding of DEV pUL21. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]