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This study proposes a new visible near-infrared spectral analysis method by abandoning the traditional feature engineering-based method. It presents a dual-branch convolutional neural network (CNN) with bilinear pooling, combined with synchronous-asynchronous two-dimensional correlation spectroscopy (2D-COS) images, for quantifying pork freshness. 2D-COS images revealed spectral correlations of pork with different freshness at different bands, effectively separating overlapping bands and amplifying spectral differences. A dual-branch CNN using a bilinear pool integrates synchronous and asynchronous features to capture the interactions between features for quantitative analysis. Results demonstrate that the dual-branch CNN achieves high accuracy (R2p=0.9579 and RMSEP=0.8093 mg/100 g) for Total Volatile Basic Nitrogen (TVB-N) content prediction. The mechanism of TVB-N prediction is explained using Gradient-weighted Class Activation Mapping (Grad-CAM), demonstrating the reliability of the proposed method to replace human experience for feature extraction and modeling analysis. In conclusion, this study proposes a new approach for food inspection tasks that is convenient, efficient and human-expertise-independent. • A spectral analysis method based on 2D-COS images and dual-branch CNN is proposed. • 2D-COS can efficiently separate more spectral features for analysis. • Synchronized asynchronous spectral images are fused by a bilinear pooling approach. • Grad-CAM was used to explain the mechanism of the model in TVB-N prediction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Numerous studies have demonstrated that Cryptocaryon irritans can efficiently propagate in golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii), especially under intensive high-density culture, which can lead to large-scale infection, bacterial invasion, and major economic losses. By contrast, Siganus oramin is less susceptible to C. irritans infection. Here, we artificially infected S. oramin and T. blochii with C. irritans. We then used RNA-seq to characterize the expression of genes in the gills of S. oramin and T. blochii at different times after infection, conducted bioinformatics analysis of relevant pathways, and compared the differentially expressed genes in the two species. The aim of this study was to enhance our understanding of host-parasite interactions to aid the development of effective prevention and treatment strategies for C. irritans. Infection with C. irritans induced the differential expression of a large number of genes in the gills of S. oramin , indicating that S. oramin may respond to C. irritans infection by modifying the expression of genes at the transcriptional level. Our research showed that the Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, Antigen processing and presentation, Complement and coagulation cascades, and Cytosolic DNA-sensing pathway are involved in the immune response of S. oramin and T. blochii to C. irritans infection. However, T. blochii has a weak ability to mobilize neutrophils to participate in defense against C. irritans infection and differs from S. oramin in its ability to induce specific immune responses. Because of gill tissue damage during infection, dissolved oxygen intake is reduced, which increases physiological and metabolic stress. The metabolic pathways of S. oramin and T. blochii significantly differed; specifically, the main pathways in S. oramin were related to glucose and lipid metabolism, and the main pathways in T. blochii were related to amino acid metabolism. This may reduce the efficiency of ATP biosynthesis in T. blochii and result in dysfunctional energy metabolism. Therefore, differential immune and metabolic responses underlie differences in the resistance of S. oramin and T. blochii to C. irritans. The figure includes experimental design and basic results, the red indicates the up-regulated, while the blue indicates the down-regulated. [Display omitted] • S. oramin respond infection by adjusting the expression of more genes at the transcriptional level. • T. blochii is weak in mobilizing neutrophils to participate in the fight against infection. • T. blochii and S. oramin differ in inducing specific immune responses. • Gill damage caused by infection may affect major metabolic pathways. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A rapid and nondestructive method for identification of soybean protein in minced chicken meat based on visible-near infrared hyperspectral imaging (HSI) technology and VGG16-SVM model was proposed in this study. The hyperspectral data from 400.89 nm to 1000.19 nm of samples with different soybean protein contents were collected. Spectral data was transformed into spectrograms through Continuous wavelet transform (CWT). Comparing with other methods, the optimum data preprocessing results were obtained for the subsequent research. Then, VGG16-SVM model based on VGG16 network in which fully connected layer was replaced by support vector machine (SVM) was established to identify soybean protein in minced chicken meat. The results showed that VGG16-SVM model with radial basis function (RBF) as kernel function performed best and the classification accuracy reached 98.1%. Meanwhile, the proposed model was superior to the SVM, convolution neural network (CNN) and VGG16 model. It is feasible and effective for combining HSI technology and VGG16-SVM to realize nondestructive identification of soybean protein in minced chicken meat. [Display omitted] • HSI was applied for nondestructive identification of soybean protein in meat. • The CWT was proposed for preprocessing hyperspectral data. • The proposed VGG16-SVM classification model achieved the best performance. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-efficiency phosphor with excellent luminescence properties and thermal stabilities is essential for phosphor-converted white light-emitting diodes (w-LEDs). Compared with red and green phosphors, near-ultraviolet excited blue phosphors with high efficiency and excellent thermal stability are still scarce, and the development of efficient blue phosphors remains challenging. NaLi 3 SiO 4 : Eu2+ (NLSO: Eu2+) is a promising narrow-band blue phosphor. In this paper, a series of Na 1-y K y Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ (0.05 ≤ y ≤ 0.2) phosphors were successfully synthesized by high-temperature solid-state reaction through co-doping a small amount of K+ ions in the matrix, significantly improving their luminescence property and thermal stability. Because of the weaker electronegativity of K+ ions, the emission peaks of Na 1-y K y Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ were slightly blue-shifted from 467 to 463 nm compared with those of NLSO: Eu2+. With an increase in the number of K+ ions, the luminescence intensity of the phosphors increased. When the content of the K+ ion reached 0.2, the luminescence intensity of the Na 0.8 K 0.2 Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ (NKLSO: 5%Eu2+) phosphor reached its maximum. Compared to the NLSO: 5%Eu2+ phosphor, the luminescence intensity increased by approximately 300 %. At 150 °C, the luminescence intensity of NLSO: 5%Eu2+ phosphor was retained at 75.98 % compared with room temperature, while the NKLSO: 5%Eu2+ phosphor maintained a luminescence intensity of 84.36 % relative to room temperature, demonstrating excellent thermal stability. The enhanced luminescence performance of the NKLSO: Eu2+ phosphor makes it a promising high-efficiency blue phosphor for phosphor-converted w-LEDs. Through co-doping a small amount of K+ ions into the NaLi 3 SiO 4 : Eu2+, significantly improving the luminescence property and thermal stability. [Display omitted] • A series of Na 1-y K y Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ (0.05 ≤ y ≤ 0.2) phosphors were successfully synthesized through co-doping K+ ions in the matrix. The weaker electronegativity of K+ ions makes it easier for Eu3+ to be reduced to Eu2+. • In luminescence properties, when the content of the K+ ion reached 0.2, the luminescence intensity of the Na 0.8 K 0.2 Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ phosphor reached its maximum. Compared to the NaLi 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ phosphor, the luminescence intensity increased by approximately 300 %. • The Na 0.8 K 0.2 Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ exhibited superior thermal stability compared to NaLi 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+. The luminescent intensity of NaLi 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ at 150 °C remains 75.98 % of the room temperature intensity, while the luminescent intensity of Na 0.8 K 0.2 Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ is significantly increased to 84.36 %. • The narrowband blue phosphor Na 0.8 K 0.2 Li 3 SiO 4 : 5%Eu2+ is a potential candidate for n-UV excited w-LEDs applications because of its excellent luminescence properties. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High temperatures and low oxygen in aquatic environments, such as intensive aquaculture or in natural watersheds, inevitably cause stress in fish. Fish are exposed to high temperatures during the summer, which exacerbates hypoxia. Hypoxia (1.2 ± 0.2 mg/L) under 20 °C (20 HG) and 26 °C (26 HG) was simulated to induce stress in largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Related enzymes and genes involved in antioxidant, immune, and apoptotic responses were selected to explore the interactive effects of temperature and hypoxia on largemouth bass. The results showed that malondialdehyde (MDA) levels in plasma, gill, and liver increased in the 26 HG (p < 0.05). Liver superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity increased in the 26 HG. Peak SOD (SOD1, SOD2, SOD3a, and SOD3b), CAT , and GSH-Px mRNA levels in the gill and liver were observed at 12–24 h of stress. The levels of gill and liver total antioxidant capacity, catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) activities and other enzyme activities and genes in the 26 HG were higher than those in the 20 HG (p < 0.05). The gill and liver acid phosphatase and alkaline phosphatase activities increased with time in the 26 HG (p < 0.05), while gill and liver lysozyme activities in the 26 HG were lower than those in the 20 HG (p < 0.05). Tumor necrosis factor-α mRNA level was upregulated in the gill and downregulated in the liver at 24 h in the 26 HG. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL- 8 mRNA levels were upregulated in the gill and liver in the 26 HG at 24 h, whereas IL- 15 mRNA level was downregulated in the 26 HG at 12 h. Transforming growth factor-β1 mRNA level was upregulated in the gill in the 20 HG at 24 h, but downregulated in gill and liver in the 26 HG at 24 h. Similarly, IL-10 , Hepcidin-1 , and Hepcidin-2 showed lower expression levels in the 26 HG. Gill and liver caspase-3 activities were higher in the 26 HG (p < 0.05), and gill caspase-3 activity was higher than that in the liver. The mRNA levels of proapoptotic genes (caspase-3 , caspase-8 , and caspase-9) were higher in the 26 HG. The present study demonstrates the interactive effects of temperature and hypoxia on stress in largemouth bass gill and liver. These results will be helpful to understand the mechanisms of stress induced by temperature and hypoxia in fish and provide a theoretical basis for aquaculture management. • High temperature aggravates oxidative stress in gill and liver under acute hypoxia. • Immune response in gill and liver is inhibited under high temperature and hypoxia. • Combined effect of heat and hypoxia promotes gill and liver cell apoptosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this note, we prove that for a 3-dimensional submanifold in an η -Einstein 5-Sasaki manifold with Einstein constant a ≥ 4 , if the Reeb vector field is tangent to the submanifold and it has parallel mean curvature form, then it is a slant submanifold. Furthermore, if a > 4 , then it is either an invariant submanifold or an anti-invariant submanifold. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lipid oxidation is an important cause of pork quality degradation during freezing. Traditional chemical methods are time-consuming and destructive. In this paper, two hyperspectral imaging (HSI) techniques, including visible near-infrared (vis-NIR HSI) (400–1002 nm) and fluorescence (F-HSI) (400–1002 nm), were tested for non-destructive detection of lipid oxidation in pork. Two types of hyperspectral image data were collected from pork samples with 0–9 freeze-thaw cycles. The model performance based on the two spectra data was then tested by three multivariate analysis methods of partial least squares regression, support vector regression and Gaussian process regression (GPR). It was found that the GPR models using vis-NIR HSI and F-HSI acquired optimal prediction results of R2p = 0.9697, RMSEP = 0.0184 mg/kg and R2p = 0.9726, RMSEP = 0.0182 mg/kg, respectively. The results showed that the two techniques have shown reliable performance in predicting TBARS, and the performance of F-HSI was slightly superior to vis-NIR HSI. A pseudo-color map of TBARS was drawn using the F-HSI model to provide a visual screening method for lipid oxidation in pork. Moreover, another batch of pork with different freeze-thaw cycles (0–5 cycles) was successfully quantified and visualized for TBARS content using the F-HSI model. It demonstrated the feasibility of using F-HSI for quantitative monitoring of lipid oxidation in pork. • F-HSI was used for the first time to assess lipid oxidation of pork. • The detection effect of the F-HSI model was slightly better than that of vis-NIR HSI. • GPR model stressed the possible linear and nonlinear relations between spectra and response value. • Another batch of pork with different freeze-thaw cycles indicated the optimal model was reliable. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Copepods fecal pellets (FPs) are important contributors to carbon export in the ocean, but their role in the carbon export is poorly understood in the eutrophic coastal sea, where copepods biomass is always high. Two cruises were carried out in one of the most eutrophic coastal seas in the world — the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary during spring and summer in 2011, and copepods fecal pellets carbon (FPC) concentration, their production rates and sinking rates were measured, and a potential export flux of copepods FPs was also calculated. The copepods FPC concentration ranged from 0.21 to 1.25 mg C m−3 (mean = 0.58 ± 0.24 mg C m−3) in spring and 0.46–1.53 mg C m−3 (mean = 0.76 ± 0.25 mg C m−3) in summer, which was significantly lower than that of phytoplankton cells, indicating that copepods FPs only accounted for a minor part of the POC pool in this area. Production rates of copepods FPs fell in the range of the reported values, and the high values always appeared at stations with high phytoplankton biomass. Sinking rates of copepods FPs determined in the lab ranged from 17.82 to 223.30 m d−1 (mean = 73.46 ± 47.56 m d−1) in spring and 34.62–262.33 m d−1 (mean = 92.81 ± 56.80 m d−1) in summer, and they were significantly positive correlated with the FPs volume. The density of copepods FPs was also calculated with the determined sinking rate, and it was higher in summer than that in spring due to the variation of phytoplankton diets from spring to summer. The potential copepods FPs export flux ranged from 17.72 to 60.20 mg C m−2 d−1 (mean = 37.13 ± 16.21 mg C m−2 d−1) in spring and 23.80–166.10 mg C m−2 d−1 (mean = 79.44 ± 48.86 mg C m−2 d−1) in summer, and it was at a comparable level with the export flux of phytoplankton cells during both cruises. This study indicated that copepods FPs comprised a substantial fraction of exported carbon in the Changjiang (Yangtze River) estuary, and they should be taken into account when we study the biological pump in other eutrophic coastal seas around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Obesity is associated with a chronic inflammatory response. Interleukin (IL)-38 is a poorly characterized cytokine of the IL-1 family with anti-inflammatory activity. The role of IL-38 in obesity-induced inflammation and insulin resistance remains unknown. In this study, we investigated the effects of IL-38 expression by hydrodynamic-based gene delivery on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice. Transfer of plasmid DNA encoding IL-38 reduced weight gain, liver fat content, adipose tissue weight, and obesity-induced insulin resistance compared with administration of a control plasmid. Moreover, IL-38 gene delivery inhibited the production of inflammatory mediators including IL-1β, IL-6, and monocyte chemotactic protein-1. These results suggest that IL-38 is a potential new target for the treatment of obesity. Highlights • IL-38 inhibits HFD-induced obesity. • IL-38 reduces HFD-induced systemic insulin resistance. • IL-38 inhibits HFD-induced hepatic fat accumulation and liver damage. • IL-38 inhibits HFD induced-hypertrophy in adipocytes. • IL-38 suppresses HFD-induced inflammatory cytokines production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Both Schwann cell-derived exosomes (SC-Exos) and macrophagic sub-phenotypes are closely related to the regeneration and repair after peripheral nerve injury (PNI). However, the crosstalk between them is less clear. We aim to investigate the roles and underlying mechanisms of exosomes from normoxia-condition Schwann cell (Nor-SC-Exos) and from post-injury oxygen-glucose-deprivation-condition Schwann cell in regulating macrophagic sub-phenotypes and peripheral nerve injury repair. Both Nor-SC-Exos and OGD-SC-Exos were extracted through ultracentrifugation, identified by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), Nanosight tracking analysis (NTA) and western blotting. High-throughput sequencing was performed to explore the differential expression of microRNAs in both SC-Exos. In vitro, RAW264.7 macrophage was treated with two types of SC-Exos, M1 macrophagic markers (IL-10, Arg-1, TGF-β1) and M2 macrophagic markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) were detected by enzyme-linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) or qRT-PCR, and the expression of CD206, iNOS were detected via cellular immunofluorescence (IF) to judge macrophage sub-phenotypes. Dorsal root ganglion neurons (DRGns) were co-cultured with RAW264.7 cells treated with Nor-SC-Exos and OGD-SC-Exos, respectively, to explore their effect on neuron growth. In vivo, we established a sciatic nerve crush injury rat model. Nor-SC-Exos and OGD-SC-Exos were locally injected into the injury site. The mRNA expression of M1 macrophagic markers (IL-10, Arg-1, TGF-β1) and M2 macrophagic markers (IL-6, IL-1β, TNF-α) were detected by qRT-PCR to determine the sub-phenotype of macrophages in the injury site. IF was used to detect the expression of MBP and NF200, reflecting the myelin sheath and axon regeneration, and sciatic nerve function index (SFI) was measured to evaluate function repair. In vitro, Nor-SC-Exos promoted macrophage M2 polarization, increased anti-inflammation factors secretion, and facilitated axon elongation of DRGns. OGD-SC-Exos promoted M1 polarization, increased pro-inflammation factors secretion, and restrained axon elongation of DRGns. High-throughput sequencing and qRT-PCR results found that compared with Nor-SC-Exos, a shift from anti-inflammatory (pro-M2) to pro-inflammatory (pro-M1) of OGD-SC-Exos was closely related to the down-regulation of miR-146a-5p and its decreasing inhibition on TRAF6/NF-κB pathway after OGD injury. In vivo, we found Nor-SC-Exos and miR-146a-5p mimic promoted regeneration of myelin sheath and axon, and facilitated sciatic function repair via targeting TRAF6, while OGD-SC-Exos and miR-146a-5p inhibitor restrained them. Our study confirmed that miR-146a-5p was significantly decreased in SC-Exos under the ischemia-hypoxic microenvironment of the injury site after PNI, which mediated its shift from promoting macrophage M2 polarization (anti-inflammation) to promoting M1 polarization (pro-inflammation), thereby limiting axonal regeneration and functional recovery. [Display omitted] • Nor-SC-Exos mediatesd pro-M2 macrophage polarization but OGD-SC-Exos Pro-M1 after SCI. • Down-regulated miR-146a-5p mediated this different polarization of Nor- and OGD-SC-Exos to imped nerve regeneration. • Diminished inhibition of TARF6/NF-κB pathway by SC-Exo-miR-146a-5p induced M1 polarization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper studies the feasibility of combining hyperspectral imaging (HSI) and electronic nose (E-nose) techniques to improve the prediction performance of moisture content (MC) in frozen-thawed pork. In this experiment, the data of 240 pork samples under different freeze-thaw cycles (0–5 times) were collected using HSI and E-nose technology. Afterward, the spectra and image (color and texture) information were extracted from the HSI sensor, while the odor information was extracted from the E-nose sensor. In this setting, an improved decision fusion method was proposed to fuse this information, thus detecting the MC in pork. Based on single information and its fusion at different fusion levels (pixel, feature, traditional decision fusion, and improved decision fusion), partial least squares regression (PLSR) prediction models were established and compared. The results show that the model of improved decision fusion based on HSI and E-nose fusion technology exhibits the best prediction capability with the determination coefficient of prediction set (R2p) of 0.9533 and root mean square error of prediction set (RMSEP) of 0.3869. This study demonstrates that the proposed method is an effective data fusion method, and the combination of HSI and E-nose technology improves the prediction performance of MC in frozen-thawed pork. • HSI and E-nose were combined to predict moisture content of frozen-thawed pork. • A decision fusion method was proposed to improve the prediction performance. • The performance of PLSR model was enhanced by the decision fusion method. • The optimal features were identified by MI-VIF. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Fast identification of moisture content in tobacco plant leaves plays a key role in the tobacco cultivation industry and benefits the management of tobacco plant in the farm. In order to identify moisture content of tobacco plant leaves in a fast and nondestructive way, a method involving Mahalanobis distance coupled with Monte Carlo cross validation(MD-MCCV) was proposed to eliminate outlier sample in this study. The hyperspectral data of 200 tobacco plant leaf samples of 20 moisture gradients were obtained using FieldSpc ® 3 spectrometer. Savitzky-Golay smoothing(SG), roughness penalty smoothing(RPS), kernel smoothing(KS) and median smoothing(MS) were used to preprocess the raw spectra. In addition, Mahalanobis distance(MD), Monte Carlo cross validation(MCCV) and Mahalanobis distance coupled to Monte Carlo cross validation(MD-MCCV) were applied to select the outlier sample of the raw spectrum and four smoothing preprocessing spectra. Successive projections algorithm (SPA) was used to extract the most influential wavelengths. Multiple Linear Regression (MLR) was applied to build the prediction models based on preprocessed spectra feature in characteristic wavelengths. The results showed that the preferably four prediction model were MD-MCCV-SG ( R p 2 = 0.8401 and RMSEP = 0.1355), MD-MCCV-RPS ( R p 2 = 0.8030 and RMSEP = 0.1274), MD-MCCV-KS ( R p 2 = 0.8117 and RMSEP = 0.1433), MD-MCCV-MS ( R p 2 = 0.9132 and RMSEP = 0.1162). MD-MCCV algorithm performed best among MD algorithm, MCCV algorithm and the method without sample pretreatment algorithm in the eliminating outlier sample from 20 different moisture gradients of tobacco plant leaves and MD-MCCV can be used to eliminate outlier sample in the spectral preprocessing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we give another variational characterization of J M -holomorphic curves in Kähler manifolds, generalizing our results in [1] . We prove that if the functional L p has a critical point or a stable point in the fixed Kähler class, then the immersion is J M -holomorphic or Lagrangian. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There is an urgent need for the development of a protein emulsifier with antioxidant and emulsifying properties. In this study, caffeic acid (CF), chlorogenic acid (CA) with a C3–C6 structure, epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG), catechin (CT), and quercetin (QE) with a C6–C3–C6 structure were conjugated to egg white protein (EWP) by using an ultrasound-assisted free radical method to create a dual-function emulsifier. Results indicated that ultrasound accelerated the interaction between EWP and CA, CT, CF, EGCG, or QE by strengthening the generation of hydroxyl free radicals and dispersion of EWP and polyphenols. The antioxidant activities of EWP were significantly improved after being induced by ultrasound-assisted CA, CF, EGCG, CT, or QE conjugation (p < 0.05), particularly modified by EGCG and QE with a C6–C3–C6 structure. The emulsifying properties of EWP were significantly improved after being induced by ultrasound-assisted CA, CF, EGCG, CT, or QE conjugation (p < 0.05), particularly modified by CF with a C6–C3 structure, it might be due to an increase in surface hydrophobicity, and this structural transformation has further improved the in vitro digestion efficiency of EWP. Therefore, the dual-function EWP emulsifier can be fabricated by the conjugation of polyphenols to EWP using an ultrasound-assisted free radical method. • Ultrasound accelerated the interaction between EWP and CA, CT, CF, EGCG, or QE. • Sonochemical of ultrasound can strengthen the generation of hydroxyl free radicals. • The antioxidant activities of EWP were improved, particularly modified by EGCG and QE. • The emulsifying properties of EWP were improved, particularly modified by CF. • Ultrasound-assisted free radical method was efficient for production of dual-function EWP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate whether dysregulation of NR2F1-AS1 is associated with the T2D onset and DR progression. A total of 269 individuals diagnosed with T2D were recruited in this study, including 111 individuals with uncomplicated T2D and 158 individuals with nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR). A total of 48 among the NPDR individuals developed into proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR), excepting that 6 individuals were dropped out. RT-qPCR was used to determine the expression of NR2F1-AS1 level in blood. The correlations between NR2F1-AS1 expression and other parameters were tested by Pearson correlation. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were plotted for evaluating the diagnostic value of NR2F1-AS1 as a biochemical indicator detecting T2D and PDR. Kaplan-Meier method and Cox multivariable analysis was used to evaluate the predictive power of NR2F1-AS1 for incidence of PDR. A significant increase in blood NR2F1-AS1 in uncomplicated T2D, NPDR, and PDR patients was found when compared to healthy subjects. Significant correlations between NR2F1-AS1 expression and the level of fasting glucose, 2-h postprandial blood glucose, and HbA1c were revealed. Furthermore, NR2F1-AS1 represented distinguishing ability in T2D individuals from healthy subjects and PDR individuals from NPDR individuals. NR2F1-AS1 also showed strong predictive ability for PDR. The examination of blood NR2F1-AS1 may be used as a noninvasive biomarker for screening of T2D and early diagnosis of DR. NR2F1-AS1 may also be used as a promising novel biomarker for prediction PDR. NR2F1-AS1 may play a role in the progression of DR by moderating EndMT. • NR2F1-AS1 was highly expressed in T2D and DR patients. • NR2F1-AS1 is a potential marker for T2D and a predictor for PDR. • NR2F1-AS1 may participate in the development of DR patients by promoting the EndMT of retinal endothelial cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) is a multifunctional cytokine that acts as a mediator of obesity-linked insulin resistance (IR). It is commonly accepted that macrophage-derived TNF-α acts in a paracrine manner on adjacent adipocytes, induces lipolysis, which contributes to obesity-linked hyperglycemia. Several studies suggested that G0/G1 switch gene 2 (g0s2) was up-regulated during adipogenesis, and its protein could be degraded in response to TNF-α stimulation. The aim of the present work was to investigate the transcriptional regulation of g0s2 by TNF-α stimulation. In this study, 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes were differentiated, and treated with TNF-α for 24h. The effects of TNF-α on lipolysis and lipase expression were then examined. Our results revealed that TNF-α exerted dose- and time-dependent lipolytic effects, which could be partially reversed by overexpression of g0s2 and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-γ (ppar-γ). In addition, TNF-α treatment significantly reduced the expression of adiponectin, ppar-γ, hormone-sensitive Lipase (hsl), adipose triglyceride lipase (atgl) as well as ATGL co-factors. Interestingly, TNF-α significantly decreased adiponectin and PPAR-γ protein levels, while treatment with the proteasomal inhibitor MG-132 maintained PPAR-γ levels. Degradation of PPAR-γ almost completely abolished the binding of PPAR-γ to the g0s2 promoter in adipocytes treated with TNF-α. We propose that proteasomal degradation of PPAR-γ and the reduction of g0s2 content are permissive for prolonged TNF-α induced lipolysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Despite the advantages of easy moulding and excellent mechanical properties, there are still some shortcomings with polypropylene (PP) such as high flammability and poor ultra-violet (UV) resistance. In this work, modified zinc oxide (mZnO) was prepared by reacting zinc oxide nanoparticles (ZnO) with polysiloxanes, and the effect of mZnO on the effectiveness of intumescent flame-retardant and on the UV aging resistance of polypropylene were investigated. By introducing 16 wt% (intumescent flame-retardant /mZnO) and 0.3 wt% maleic anhydride-grafted PP (MAH-g-PP), the limiting oxygen index increased to 32.7 %, and passed UL-94V-0 rating. In comparison to the controls, the peak heat release rate and the peak smoke release rate were 88.5 % and 80 % lower, respectively. In addition, PP samples showed improved mechanical properties, with a 5 % increase in tensile properties compared to the pure PP sample. After 100 h of UV irradiation, the surface of the samples was relatively flat and smooth, and the carbonyl index decreased from 81.1 of neat PP to 26.7. PP composites with 100 h aging treatment still had excellent flame retardancy and mechanical properties. The results showed that mZnO was effective in improving the flame retardancy, mechanical properties and light aging tolerance of PP. This study provides a novel approach to fabricate long-life flame-retardant PP composites with low additive content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, we proved the Alexandrov-Fenchel inequalities for embedded, closed, connected and convex C 2 -hypersurfaces in S n + 1 : A k ≥ ξ k , k − 2 (A k − 2) for any 1 ≤ k ≤ n − 1 , where A k is the quermassintegral (see Definition 1.1) and ξ k , k − 2 is the unique positive function such that the equality holds when M is a geodesic sphere. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of tea polyphenol (TP) treatment on the emulsifying, antioxidant and structural properties of egg white protein (EWP) at acidic (pH 3.8) and neutral (pH 7.0) pH conditions were completely evaluated. The emulsifying activity of EWP was significantly improved after TP treated at pH 7.0 (p < 0.05), but it is negatively correlated with TP concentration. TP treatment at pH 7.0 and 3.8 could significantly improve the antioxidant activity of EWP (p < 0.05). TP treated at pH 3.8 could significantly increase the average particle sizes of EWP aggregates, especially at higher TP concentration, thus impair to the emulsifying behavior. The affinity of EWP with TP at pH 7.0 was stronger than that at pH 3.8, thereby reducing the surface hydrophobicity and isoelectric point. In conclusion, the results of this work could provide a theoretical basis for the development of bifunctional nutrients with both antioxidant and emulsifying properties. • Tea polyphenols treated EWP at pH 7.0 have improved emulsifying behavior. • Tea polyphenols treated EWP at pH 7.0 and 3.8 have excellent antioxidant activity. • Tea polyphenols treatments destroyed EWP flexibility thus bad to emulsifying activity. • Tea polyphenols treated EWP have high electrostatic interaction forces in neutral pH. • The affinity of tea polyphenols EWP at pH 7.0 is stronger than that at pH 3.8. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A dual reporter cell assay (DRCA) that allows real-time detection of herpes simplex virus (HSV) infection was developed. This was achieved by stable transfection of cells with an expression cassette that contains the dual reporter genes, secreted alkaline phosphatase (SEAP) and enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP), under the control of an HSV early gene promoter. Baby hamster kidney (BHK) and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell lines were used as parental cell lines because the former is permissive for both HSV serotypes, HSV-1 and HSV-2, whereas the latter is susceptible to infection only by HSV-2. The DRCA permitted differential detection of HSV-1 and HSV-2 by observation of EGFP-positive cells, as substantiated by screening a total of 35 samples. The BHK-based cell line is sensitive to a viral titer as low as a single plaque-forming unit with a robust assay window as measured by a chemiluminescent assay. Evaluations of the DRCA with representative acyclovir-sensitive and acyclovir-resistant HSV strains demonstrated that their drug susceptibilities were accurately determined by a 48-h format. In summary, this novel DRCA is a useful means for serotyping of HSV in real time as well as a rapid screening method for determining anti-HSV susceptibilities. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Molecular Biology makes it possible to express foreign genes in microorganism, plants and animals. To improve the heterologous expression, it is important that the codon usage of sequence be optimized to make it adaptive to host organism. In this paper, a novel method based on Quantum-behaved Particle Swarm Optimization (QPSO) algorithm is developed to optimize the codon usage of synthetic gene. Compared to the existing probability methods, QPSO is able to generate better results when DNA/RNA sequence length is less than 6Kb which is the commonly used range. While the software or web service based on probability method may not exclude all defined restriction sites when there are many undesired sites in the sequence, our proposed method can remove the undesired site efficiently during the optimization process. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Gas flows in the continuum-transition regime often occur in micro-electro-mechanical systems. The relaxation time Monte Carlo (RTMC) method was modified by using an ellipsoid statistical model and a multiple translational temperature model in the BGK model equation to simulate continuum-transition gas flows. The modified RTMC method uses a simplified form of the generalized relaxation time, which is related to the macro velocity and the local Knudsen number. The results for Couette flow and Poiseuille flow in microchannels predicted using the modified RTMC and the DSMC are in good agreement with the modified RTMC being much faster than the DSMC for continuum-transition gas flow simulations. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Subtle specific interference with language function has been suspected in benign rolandic epilepsy (BRE) because of the location of the seizure focus. The aim of this study was to investigate the language and speech problems in BRE and the changes after medication with carbamazepine. Benign rolandic epilepsy patients (n =11) who met ILAE criteria were assessed for standardized full articulation. Speech problems were present in BRE patients and worsened after medication. The error pattern of laryngeal articulation in BRE was exclusively the substitution of stop consonants, and these errors increased after medication (6% vs 13%). In this study, the variation in acoustic parameters after carbamazepine was similar to the hypokinetic pattern of articulation abnormalities. Our findings suggest that BRE patients treated with carbamazepine should be monitored for language and speech problems. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The biochemical measure of success in assisted cartilage repair is normally judged by repair tissue cell density, mRNA and protein expression, and accumulation of extracellular matrix molecules. Existing methods to solubilize cartilage matrix proteoglycans and cellular DNA for quantification, such as papain digestion, often destroy one or more species of the above-named parameters, in order to render others measurable. We have therefore developed a methodology to measure specific levels of mRNA, protein, DNA, glycosaminoglycan, and collagen content on single pulverized 10-mg samples of cartilage, or tissue-engineered cartilage, using successive extractions in concentrated guanidine hydrochloride (GuCl) and guanidine thiocyanate (GITC) solutions. Conditions were developed to solubilize most cellular proteins, DNA, proteoglycans, and some matrix proteins with an initial GuCl extraction step. A subsequent extraction with GITC was essential to solubilize the majority of the cellular RNA. Guanidine-insoluble material was rendered soluble by papain digestion, to enable quantification of collagen, residual glycosaminoglycan, and residual unextracted DNA in individual samples. In general, total collagen, GAG, and DNA content measured in multivalent-extracted samples was similar to that obtained with samples digested directly with papain. Moreover, we were able to reliably detect, in these same multivalent extracts, expressed mRNA as well as specific cellular and extracellular matrix proteins. This multivalent assay could be applied to a variety of cells cultured in biopolymers and to tissues from which biochemical components may be otherwise difficult to extract. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Human satellite cells (HuSCs) have been deemed to be the potential cure to treat muscular atrophy diseases such as Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, the clinical trials of HuSCs were restricted to the inadequacy of donors because of that freshly isolated HuSCs quickly lost the Pax7 expression and myogenesis capacity in vivo after a few days of culture. Here we found that oleanic acid, a kind of triterpenoid endowed with diverse biological functions with treatment potential, could efficiently promote HuSCs proliferation. The HuSCs cultured in the medium supplement with oleanic acid could maintain a high expression level of Pax7 and retain the ability to differentiate into myotubes as well as facilitate muscle regeneration in injured muscles of recipient mice. We further revealed that Tenascin-C acts as the core mechanism to activate the EGFR signaling pathway followed by HuSCs proliferation. Taken together, our data provide an efficient method to expand functional HuSCs and a novel mechanism that controls HuSCs proliferation, which sheds light on the HuSCs-based therapy to treat muscle diseases. [Display omitted] • Oleanic acid could efficiently promote HuSCs proliferation. • Oleanic acid-cultured HuSCs retain the ability to differentiate into functional myotubes. • Oleanic acid induces Tenascin-C and EGFR signaling pathway followed by HuSCs proliferation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Lithium-sulfur batteries (LSBs) have become highly promising next-generation secondary lithium batteries owing to their high theoretical energy density and abundance of sulfur. Nevertheless, the large-scale application of LSBs is still restricted by the shuttle effect of lithium polysulfide (LiPSs) and the potential fire hazard caused by flammable electrolytes. Herein, three electrolyte-insoluble brominated flame retardants (BFRs) are selected and coated on both sides of commercial polypropylene separators by a facile slurry coating method. The effects of the three BFRs on the safety and electrochemical properties of LSBs are characterized and compared. The coating modification separators greatly improves the flame retardancy of LSBs through radical elimination mechanism. The self-extinguishing time of the electrolyte is reduced from 0.66 s/mg to 0.20 s/mg. Moreover, it is demonstrated that the oxygen (O)-containing BFRs exert a significant adsorption capacity and are more advantageous than O-free BFRs in LSBs. In addition, octabromoether (BDDP) coated separator is more effective in trapping LiPSs than decabromodiphenyl ether (DBDPO) due to higher O content, which can mitigate the shuttle effect and enhance the cycle and rate performance of LSBs. This simple coating strategy for separators with BFRs offers a strongly competitive option for the large-scale production of high-safety LSBs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • Two algorithms (RDPSO and QPSO) are used to solve molecular docking problems. • A fast, exact hybrid algorithm (LRDPSO) specialized for docking highly flexible ligands is proposed. • A thorough experiment result with statistical assessment is presented. • Specific instances are analyzed in detail to compare algorithms. Abstract Molecular docking has emerged as an important tool in drug design and development. Currently, there is a relatively large and ever-increasing number of molecular docking programs. However, despite the great advances in the docking technique over the last decade, most methods cannot be used to dock highly flexible ligands successfully. In this study, based on the Autodock software, a new search algorithm, hybrid algorithm of Random Drift Particle Swarm Optimisation and local search (LRDPSO), that focuses on protein-ligand applications was presented. In our approach, we considered the ligand flexibility and strategies that aimed to improve binding affinity prediction in the context of a docking-based investigation. The experimental results revealed that our approach led to a substantially lower docking energy and higher docking precision in comparison to the LGA, PSO and QPSO algorithms. The LRDPSO algorithm was able to identify the correct binding mode of 83.6% of the complexes. In comparison, the accuracy of QPSO, PSO and LGA is 73.1%, 68.7% and 68.7%, respectively. For LRDPSO docking, satisfactory docking results can be obtained when relatively big ligands with many rotatable bonds are docked against protein binding pockets in which flexibility does play an important role. Thus, the novel LRDPSO algorithm predictions for highly flexible ligands are more reliable, and would increase the predictive power and widen the applications of this important computational tool. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Photosynthesis by picophytoplankton provides energy for higher organisms and is essential in the food chain and global carbon cycle. In 2020 and 2021, we investigated the spatial distribution and vertical changes of picophytoplankton in the euphotic layer of the Eastern Indian Ocean (EIO) and estimated their carbon biomass contributions through two cruise surveys. The abundance of picophytoplankton was composed of Prochlorococcus (69.94%), Synechococcus (22.21%) and picoeukaryotes (7.85%). Synechococcus was mainly found in the surface layer, while Prochlorococcus and picoeukaryotes had high abundances in the subsurface layer. The surface picophytoplankton community was greatly affected by fluorescence, the middle layer was significantly regulated by temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration, and the lower layer was dominated by nutrients and apparent oxygen utilization (AOU). Aggregated boosted tree (ABT) and Generalized Additive models (GAM) indicated that temperature, salinity, AOU, and fluorescence were strong influencing factors of picophytoplankton communities in EIO. The mean carbon biomass contribution of picophytoplankton in the surveyed area was 0.565 μg C/L, which was contributed by Prochlorococcus (39.32%), Synechococcus (38.88%) and picoeukaryotes (21.80%). These findings contribute to our understanding of the effects of different environmental factors on picophytoplankton communities and the influence of picophytoplankton contributions to the carbon pools of the oligotrophic ocean. • The distribution and composition of picophytoplankton are characterized by strong spatial and vertical variation. • The relationship between picophytoplankton and environmental factors was analyzed using ABT and GAMs models. • The carbon biomass contribution of picophytoplankton is determined by both abundance and volume. • Temperature, fluorescence and oxygen are key environmental factors affecting picophytoplankton in the Eastern Indian Ocean. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of the current study was to assess the influences of valproate (VPA) on the language functions in newly diagnosed pediatric patients with epilepsy. We reviewed medical records of 53 newly diagnosed patients with epilepsy, who were being treated with VPA monotherapy (n = 53; 22 male patients and 31 female patients). The subjects underwent standardized language tests, at least twice, before and after the initiation of VPA. The standardized language tests used were The Test of Language Problem Solving Abilities , a Korean version of The Expressive / Receptive Language Function Test , and the Urimal Test of Articulation and Phonology . Since all the patients analyzed spoke Korean as their first language, we used Korean language tests to reduce the bias within the data. All the language parameters of the Test of Language Problem Solving Abilities slightly improved after the initiation of VPA in the 53 pediatric patients with epilepsy (mean age: 11.6 ± 3.2 years), but only “prediction” was statistically significant (determining cause, 14.9 ± 5.1 to 15.5 ± 4.3; making inference, 16.1 ± 5.8 to 16.9 ± 5.6; prediction, 11.1 ± 4.9 to 11.9 ± 4.2; total score of TOPS, 42.0 ± 14.4 to 44.2 ± 12.5). The patients treated with VPA also exhibited a small extension in mean length of utterance in words (MLU-w) when responding, but this was not statistically significant (determining cause, 5.4 ± 2.0 to 5.7 ± 1.6; making inference, 5.8 ± 2.2 to 6.0 ± 1.8; prediction, 5.9 ± 2.5 to 5.9 ± 2.1; total, 5.7 ± 2.1 to 5.9 ± 1.7). The administration of VPA led to a slight, but not statistically significant, improvement in the receptive language function (range: 144.7 ± 41.1 to 148.2 ± 39.7). Finally, there were no statistically significant changes in the percentage of articulation performance after taking VPA. Therefore, our data suggested that VPA did not have negative impact on the language function, but rather slightly improved problem-solving abilities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Poly (butylene adipate-co-terephthalate) (PBAT) has attracted much attention as a biodegradable polymer, but its biodegradation speed is slow. Starch was blended with PBAT to develop daily packing film with high biodegradation speed, and deep eutectic solvent (DES) composed of choline chloride (CHCl)/glycerol (Gly) (molar ratio of 1:2) was used as a novel plasticizer. The hydrophilic starch is in favor of the breeding of microorganisms, at the same time DES can provide energy for the breeding. The degradation was traced in a simulated composting test using kitchen waste. After the PBAT/starch-DES film was buried in a mixture of food residue for 90 D, the relative weight molecular weight (M w) of the PBAT decreased by about 50%. Furthermore, with the help of DES, the compatibility between PBAT and starch was improved, the PBAT/starch-DES film became more transparent than the PBAT and PBAT/starch film, and its tensile strength reached 7.9 MPa with an elongation at break of 335.6%. This work provided a simple and efficient solution to obtain rapidly degradable films. [Display omitted] • Deep eutectic solvent was used as a novel plasticizer to prepare PBAT/starch film. • The M w reduction of PBAT/starch-DES film was about 50% after 90D. • Kitchen waste was used to study the biodegradation of PBAT composites. • The tensile strength of the PBAT/starch-DES film reached 7.9 MPa. • The elongation at break of the above film was 335.6%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In countries that promote further EV diffusion, battery swapping opens up a market outlet for time-sensitive consumers as well as another green policy channel. To better understand this phenomenon from the perspective of policy-making, this study establishes a Hotelling model of a competitive market comprising a battery swapping service provider and a charging service provider. The analyses of three scenarios, no subsidization, consumer subsidization, and provider subsidization, reveal how to maximize social welfare. Considering subsidy amount, consumer time preferences, service time, and operating costs, the findings provide valuable insights for policymakers. Whereas incentive programs are generally helpful for battery swapping development and social welfare improvement, it is more effective to subsidize service providers than end consumers. Considering subsidy opportunity cost, it is necessary to control incentive amount and make continuous adjustments to promote battery swapping services without harming charging services. • The battery swap mode caters to time-sensitive consumers of electric vehicles. • A Hotelling model comprises two service providers for battery swap and charging. • Government subsidies to battery swap services increase overall social welfare. • Provider subsidization is more market effective than consumer subsidization. • Subsidy amount should be within a threshold not to compromise charging services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pompano fishes have been widely farmed worldwide. As a representative commercial marine species of the Carangidae family, the golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii) has gained significant popularity in China and worldwide. However, because of rapid growth and high-density aquaculture, the golden pompano has become seriously threatened by various diseases. Cell lines are the most cost-effective resource for in vitro studies and are widely used for physiological and pathological research owing to their accessibility and convenience. In this study, we established a novel immortal cell line, GPF (Golden pompano fin cells). GPF has been passaged over 69 generations for 10 months. The morphology, adhesion and extension processes of GPF were evaluated using light and electron microscopy. GPF cells were passaged every 3 days with L-15 containing 20 % fetal bovine serum (FBS) at 1:3. The optimum conditions for GPF growth were 28 °C and a 20 % FBS concentration. DNA sequencing of 18S rRNA and mitochondrial 16S rRNA confirmed that GPF was derived from the golden pompano. Chromosomal analysis revealed that the number pattern of GPF was 48 chromosomes. Transfection experiments demonstrated that GPF could be utilized to express foreign genes. Furthermore, heavy metals (Cd, Cu, and Fe) exhibited dose-dependent cytotoxicity against GPF. After polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid (poly I:C) treatment, transcription of the retinoic acid-inducible gene I-like receptor (RLR) pathway genes, including mda5 , mita , tbk1 , irf3 , and irf7 increased, inducing the expression of interferon (IFN) and anti-viral proteins in GPF cells. In addition, lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation up-regulated the expression of inflammation-related factors, including myd88 , irak1 , nfκb , il1β , il6 , and cxcl10 expression. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study on the immune response signaling pathways of the golden pompano using an established fin cell line. In this study, we describe a preliminary investigation of the GPF cell line immune response to poly I:C and LPS, and provide a more rapid and efficient experimental material for research on marine fish immunology. • GPF was established and became a stable fin cell line of Trachinotus blochii. • GPF can be used to assess the cytotoxicity of heavy metals. • GPF can be utilized to express foreign genes with 32 % transfection efficiency. • GPF's immune response to LPS and poly I: C challenge proved it can be used for in vitro immunology study. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding microglia development could improve our understanding of the central nervous system (CNS) and neurological diseases. To explore the immune phenotypic changes that occur in microglia during development, we studied the morphology, inflammatory response, and expression of several important immune-related proteins in normal microglia from the embryonic, neonatal (postnatal day 3), and adult stages. Results showed that implantation of microglia into the CNS until adulthood resulted in dynamic changes in the expression levels of CD11b (α chain of complement receptor 3) and CX3CR1 (a chemokine receptor), which were consistent and correlated. Expression of proinflammatory cytokines in microglia during development is dynamic and highest in perinatal period. The inflammatory response of microglia was more vigorous and intense in the neonatal microglia than in the adult microglia. Furthermore, the morphology and function of neonatal and adult microglia differed, and thus neonatal microglia cannot be used in lieu of adult microglia for functional studies. Taken together, our results suggest that microglial integrin, chemokine receptors, and inflammatory responses vary with developmental age, which is an important finding for studying the role of microglia in different age-related neurological diseases. • CD11b show dynamic expression changes from embryonic to adult microglia. • CX3CR1 show dynamic expression changes from embryonic to adult microglia. • CD11b expression correlated with CX3CR1expression in microglia. • IL-1β and TNF-α expression levels change during microglial development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Estrogen (E2) is crucial for the development of breast cancer caused by BRCA1 mutation, and can increase the DNA damage in BRCA1-deficient cells. However, the mechanisms through which BRCA1 deficiency and E2 synergistically induce DNA damage remains unclear. In this study, we analyzed the distribution of DNA damage in E2-treated BRCA1-deficient cells. We detected DNA lesions in the vicinity of genes that are transcriptionally activated by estrogen receptor-α (ER). Loss of BRCA1 altered chromatin binding by ER, which significantly affected the distribution of DNA damage. Moreover, these changes were associated with the established mutations in BRCA1-mutant breast cancer. Taken together, our findings reveal a new mechanism underlying the DNA damage in breast cancer cells that is synergistically induced by BRCA1 deficiency and E2. [Display omitted] • BRCA1 deficiency increased ER binding on specific genome region where tends to occur DNA damage. • DNA damages accumulate at the genes transcriptionally activated by ER. • DNA damage synergistically induced by BRCA1 deficiency and E2 is associated with clinical mutations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To gain a comprehensive understanding of the seasonal variation in the structure of phytoplankton communities in the Southern Yellow Sea (SYS), two research expeditions were conducted from 12 to 24 in April 2019, and from 12 to 22 in October of 2019. During the spring season, the phytoplankton community within the SYS was primarily comprised of diatoms and dinoflagellates, while in autumn, diatoms and cyanobacteria dominated. Thalassiosira rotula and Paralia sulcata were the dominant species in both seasons. In spring, P. sulcata displayed no obvious correlation with any environmental parameter, while in autumn, it exhibited negative correlations with environmental factors. According to the cluster and multidimensional scaling analyses, the phytoplankton community was stratified into three distinct ecological provinces in the SYS: the Western Yellow Sea, the Yellow Sea basin, and the southern coastal region. The phytoplankton community composition was predominantly affected by seasonal fluctuations in temperature and nutrient levels. Notably, the Yellow Sea basin exhibited the lowest phytoplankton abundance, largely because of the impact of the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass. Furthermore, the presence of cyanobacteria, particularly prevalent in the Yellow Sea basin, may have been facilitated by transport mechanisms associated with the Kuroshio current. Aggregated boosted tree (ABT) and Generalized Additive models (GAM) suggested that temperature, DIN, salinity, and DIP were significant parameters of phytoplankton abundance in SYS. Additionally, the N:P nutrient ratio was a key parameter in governing the structure of phytoplankton communities during both seasons. • The Southern Yellow Sea was divided into three ecological provinces. • Phytoplankton community composition was influenced by temperature and nutrient levels. • The N:P ratio was a key parameter in governing the phytoplankton structure. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The oriental fruit fly, Bactrocera dorsalis (Hendel), an invasive insect pest infesting fruits and vegetables, possesses a remarkable capacity for environmental adaptation. The investigation of behind mechanisms of the stress adaptability in B. dorsalis holds significantly practical relevance. Previous studies on the molecular mechanism underlying stress resistance in B. dorsalis have predominantly focused on nuclear-coding genes, with limited exploration on organelle-coding genes. In this study, we assessed alterations in the mitochondrial physiological parameters of B. dorsalis under exposure to malathion, avermectin, and beta-cypermethrin at LD 50 dosages. The results showed that all three insecticides were capable of reducing mitochondrial complex IV activity and ATP content. Expression patterns of mitochondrial coding genes across different developmental stages, tissues and insecticide exposures were analyzed by RT-qPCR. The results revealed that these mitochondrial coding genes were expressed in various tissues and at different developmental stages. Particularly noteworthy, atp6 , cox2 , and cytb exhibited substantial up-regulation in response to malathion and avermectin treatment. Furthermore, RNAi-mediated knockdown of atp6 and cox2 resulted in the increased toxicity of malathion and avermectin against B. dorsalis , and cox2 silencing was also associated with the decreased complex IV activity. These findings suggest that atp6 and cox2 most likely play pivotal roles in mediating tolerance or resistance to malathion and avermectin in B. dorsalis. Our results provide novel insights into the role of mitochondrial coding genes in conferring tolerance to insecticides in B. dorsalis , with practical implications for controlling this pest in the field. [Display omitted] • Malathion, avermectin and beta-cypermethrin inhibited complex IV activity and ATP content. • B. dorsalis mitochondrial coding genes expressed at various developmental stages and tissues. • atp6 , cox2 , and cytb significantly up-regulated after malathion and avermectin treatment. • Knockdown of atp6 and cox2 remarkably increase the mortality of B. dorsalis to malathion. • Silencing of cox2 resulted in increasing mortality of B. dorsalis to avermectin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The golden pompano (Trachinotus blochii), a pivotal commercial marine species in China, has gained significant popularity worldwide. However, accompanied with rapid growth and high density aquaculture, golden pompano has been seriously threatened by Nervous necrosis virus (NNV), while its molecular biology research regarding the innate immune system remains unexplored, which is crucial for understanding the activation of interferon (IFN) production and antiviral responses. In this study, we aimed to identify the characterization and function of golden pompano TANK-binding kinase 1 (gpTBK1), thereby providing evidence of the conservation of this classical factor in the RLR pathway among marine fish. Initially, we found the expression of gpTBK1 upregulation in diseased golden pompano with NNV infection and we successfully cloned the full-length open reading frame (ORF) of gpTBK1, consisting of 2172 nucleotides encoding 723 amino acids, from the head kidney. Subsequent analysis of the amino acid sequence revealed homology between gpTBK1 and other fish TBK1 proteins, with conserved N-terminal Serine/Threonine protein kinases catalytic domain (S_TKc) and C-terminal coiled coil domain (CCD). Moreover, the expression pattern showed that gpTBK1 exhibited ubiquitous expression across all evaluated tissues. Furthermore, functional identification experiments indicated that gpTBK1 activated interferon promoters' activity in golden pompano and induced the expression of downstream IFN-stimulated genes (ISGs). Notably, gpTBK1 was found to co-localize and interact with gpIRF3 in the cytoplasm. Collectively, these data provide a comprehensive analysis of the characterization and functional role of gpTBK1 in promoting interferon production. This research may facilitate the further study of the innate antiviral response, particularly the anti-NNV mechanisms, in golden pompano. • gpTBK1 is highly homologous and the N-terminal S_TKc and C-terminal CCD domains are conserved. • The expression of gpTBK1 is upregulated in diseased golden pompano with NNV infection. • gpTBK1 is ubiquitously expressed in the evaluated tissues of the golden pompano. • gpTBK1 activates gpIFN promoters' activity and induces IFN-stimulated genes expression. • gpTBK1 is localized in the cytoplasm and has co-localization and interaction with gpIRF3. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Organic fertilizer can alleviate soil degradation. While numerous studies have explored the immediate impacts of organic fertilizer on soil properties and crop production, the legacy effects of organic fertilizer addition remain less understood. This research investigated the subsequent effects of organic fertilizer addition during the winter wheat season on soil microbial community structure, co-occurrence networks, soil function, and summer maize yield from 2018 to 2020. Six fertilization treatments were implemented as chemical nitrogen fertilizer (N) alone or combined sheep manure and nitrogen fertilizer (SMN) at low, medium, and high fertilization levels during the winter wheat season, with only N fertilizer applied during the maize season. The findings revealed significant variations in bacterial and fungal community structures between the SMN and N treatments. The SMN treatments increased the relative abundance of Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes and decreased the relative abundance of Rokubacteria, Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Chloroflexi, and Nitrospirae compared to the N treatment. The SMN treatments had higher fungal network connectivity and lower mean path distance and modularity than the N treatment, resulting in heightened sensitivity of fungi to environmental changes. The legacy effects of organic fertilizer changed the functional potential of the N and C cycles, with keystone taxa such as Proteobacteria, Actinomycetes, Acidobacteria, Gemmatimonadetes, Bacteroides, and Ascomycota significantly correlating with functional genes related to the C and N cycles. Surprisingly, no significant differences in summer maize yield occurred between the SMN and N treatments. However, the random forest model revealed that the SMN treatments had significantly higher explanatory power of soil microbial community structure for maize yield (74.31%) than the N treatment (13.07%). These results were corroborated in subsequent studies and underscore the legacy effects of organic fertilizer addition on soil microbial communities. This research offers valuable insights into organic fertilizer use for enhancing soil quality and sustaining agricultural productivity. [Display omitted] • Stronger response of fungal networks to organic fertilizer legacy than bacteria. • Organic fertilizer legacy changed the functional potential of N cycle and C cycle. • Keystone taxa significantly correlate with genes related to the C and N cycles. • No significant difference in yield occurred between organic fertilizer legacy and N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) is a common injury leading to ischemic stroke. At present, I/R treatment remains limited, highlighting the urgent need for the discovery and development of new protective drugs for brain injury. Here, we investigated the neuroprotective effects of short peptide OM-LV20 previously identified from amphibian against I/R rats. Results showed that intraperitoneal administration of OM-LV20 (20 ng/kg) significantly reduced infarct area formation, improved behavioral abnormalities, and protected cortical and hippocampal neurons against death caused by I/R. Moreover, the underlying molecular mechanism was involved with the regulation of the MAPK and BDNF/AKT signaling pathways, as well as the levels of cyclic adenosine monophosphate, pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide receptor, and tryptophan hydroxylase 1. To the best of our knowledge, this research was the first report to describe the neuroprotective effects of an amphibian skin secretion-derived peptide in I/R rats and highlighted OM-LV20 as a promising drug candidate for the development of novel anti-stroke therapies. Image 1 • A short active peptide OM-LV20 was reported to have anti-stroke effects in I/R rats. • It was the first time to show that amphibian-skin-secretion-derived peptide had neuroprotective effects in I/R rats. • The underlying molecular mechanism was involved activate the MAPK and BDNF/Akt pathway to protect neurons against death. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ischemic stroke is a severe threat to human health due to its high recurrence, mortality, and disability rates. As such, how to prevent and treat ischemic stroke effectively has become a research hotspot in recent years. Here, we identified a novel peptide, named HsTx2 (AGKKERAGSRRTKIVMLKCIREHGH, 2 861.855 Da), derived from the scorpion Heterometrus spinifer , which showed obvious anti-apoplectic effects in rats with ischemic stroke. Results further demonstrated that HsTx2 significantly reduced formation of infarct area and improved behavioral abnormalities in ischemic stroke rats. These protective effects were likely exerted via activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway, i.e., up-regulation of phosphorylated ERK1/2 in both rat cerebral cortex and activated microglia (AM); up-regulation of phosphorylated p38 (p-p38) in the cerebral cortex; and inhibition of phosphorylated JNK and p-p38 levels in the AM. In conclusion, this study highlights HsTx2 as a potential neuroprotective agent for stroke. • A novel peptide HsTx2 showed obvious anti-apoplectic effects in rats with ischemic stroke. • HsTx2 significantly reduced formation of infarct area and improved behavioral abnormalities in ischemic stroke rats. • The protective effects of HsTx2 were likely exerted via activation of the MAPK signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Long noncoding RNAs (LncRNAs) show dysregulation in a variety of cancers. However, the function and specific mechanism of LncRNA GSEC in the progression of osteosarcoma remain mostly unknown. In this study, we sought to elucidate the role and mechanism of LncRNA GSEC in the occurrence and progression of osteosarcoma. we examined the expression of LncRNA GSEC in osteosarcoma cell lines by quantitative real time PCR. In vitro experiments, including transwell assays, cck8 assays, and flow cytometry analysis have biologically demonstrated the effect of LncRNA GSEC on the proliferation and migration of osteosarcoma cell lines. Furthermore, the regulation of miR-588 by LncRNA GSEC was determined by luciferase reporter assay and quantitative real time PCR. What's more, subcutaneous tumor formation was performed in nude mice to monitor the growth of the tumor in vivo. We found that the expression of LncRNA GSEC was up-regulated in osteosarcoma cell lines. Overexpression of LncRNA GSEC promoted the proliferating and migratory capacity, and inhibited the apoptosis of osteosarcoma cells. Conversely, knockdown of LncRNA GSEC resulted in the opposite effect. Mechanistically, we identified LncRNA GSEC functioned as the sponge of miR-588, thus inhibiting the miR-588/EIF5A2 signal pathway. In addition, the expression of miR-588 was negatively correlated with LncRNA GSEC, and the effect by silencing or overexpressing LncRNA GSEC could be rescued by the introduction of miR-588 mimics or inhibitors, respectively. In summary, this study shows that LncRNA GSEC promotes the proliferation and invasion of OS through the regulation of miR-588/EIF5A2 pathway, which might provide a new strategy for the treatment of osteosarcoma in the future. Image 1 • Bioinformatics prediction combined with cell experiments to verify the function of LncRNA GSEC in osteosarcoma cells. • Bioinformatics combined with double luciferase reporting experiment to reveals the downstream targets of LncRNA GSEC. • The role of LncRNA GSEC in the malignantprogression of osteosarcoma was revealed byexperiments in vivo and in vitro. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Current anabolic drugs to treat osteoporosis and other disorders of low bone mass all have important limitations in terms of toxicity, contraindications, or poor efficacy in certain contexts. Addressing these limitations will require a better understanding of the molecular pathways, such as the mitogen activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways, that govern osteoblast differentiation and, thereby, skeletal mineralization. Whereas MAP3Ks functioning in the extracellular signal-regulated kinases (ERK) and p38 pathways have been identified in osteoblasts, MAP3Ks mediating proximal activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) pathway have yet to be identified. Here, we demonstrate that thousand-and-one kinase 3 (TAOK3, MAP3K18) functions as an upstream activator of the JNK pathway in osteoblasts both in vitro and in vivo. Taok3 -deficient osteoblasts displayed defective JNK pathway activation and a marked decrease in osteoblast differentiation markers and defective mineralization, which was also confirmed using TAOK3 deficient osteoblasts derived from human MSCs. Additionally, reduced expression of Taok3 in a murine model resulted in osteopenia that phenocopies aspects of the Jnk1 -associated skeletal phenotype such as occipital hypomineralization. Thus, in vitro and in vivo evidence supports TAOK3 as a proximal activator of the JNK pathway in osteoblasts that plays a critical role in skeletal mineralization. • TAOK3 is an upstream activator of the JNK pathway in osteoblasts. • TAOK3-deficient osteoblasts display defective differentiation in vitro. • TAOK3-deficient mice display skeletal hypomineralization and low bone mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Associations between IL and 10 polymorphisms and acute leukemia risk were evaluated. • IL-10 rs1800896 and rs1800872 polymorphisms were associated with acute leukemia risk. • IL-10 rs1800896 and rs1800872 may be potential biomarkers for AL risk prediction. Recently, increasing evidence has demonstrated that IL-10 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) are associated with the risk of acute leukemia (AL), but the findings of different articles remain controversial. Thus, we performed a meta-analysis to further investigate the exact roles of IL-10 SNPs in AL susceptibility. Six common Chinese and English databases were utilized to retrieve eligible studies. The strength of the association was assessed by calculating odds ratios and 95 % confidence intervals. All analyses were carried out using Review Manager (version 5.3) and STATA (version 15.1). The registered number of this research is CRD42022373362. A total of 6391 participants were enrolled in this research. The results showed that the AG genotype of rs1800896 increased AL risk in the heterozygous codominant model (AG vs. AA, OR = 1.41, 95 % CI = 1.04–1.92, P = 0.03) and overdominant model (AG vs. AA + GG, OR = 1.32, 95 % CI = 1.04–1.70, P = 0.03). In the subgroup analysis, associations between the G allele, GG genotype, AG genotype, AG + GG genotype of rs1800896 and increased AL risk were also observed in the mixed population based on allelic, homozygote codominant, heterozygous codominant, dominant, and overdominant models. Furthermore, an association between the AC genotype of rs1800872 and increased AL risk was observed in the Caucasian population in the overdominant model. However, the rs1800871, rs3024489 and rs3024493 polymorphisms did not affect AL risk. IL-10 rs1800896 and rs1800872 affected the susceptibility of AL and therefore may be biomarkers for early screening and risk prediction of AL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diatoms have long been thought to dominate the marine silicon (Si) cycle, as well as play an important role in the ocean's carbon (C) export, due to density-driven particle sedimentation. Research in the past decade has shed new light on the potential importance of picocyanobacteria to C export, although the sinking mechanism is still unclear. Interestingly, the recent discovery of Si accumulation by picocyanobacteria of the genus Synechococcu s has strong implications for the marine Si cycle, which may also have profound influence on the oceanic C export. Understanding the mechanisms of Synechococcus Si accumulation and its ecological effects are therefore critical for addressing wider issues such as Si and C exports by small cells via biological pump. Here, we show that recent advances in process studies indicate that the presence of Si within picocyanobacteria may be a common and universal feature. Subsequently, we generalize four biochemical forms of Si potentially present in picocyanobacterial cells, which are all different from diatomaceous opal-A, and hypothesize that these various structures of Si phases may be several stage products of Si precipitation. At the same time, several aspects of Si dynamics in Synechococcus are also discussed emphatically. In addition, we provide a first estimate of picocyanobacteria Si stock and production for the global ocean, accounting for 12% of the global Si inventory and 45% of the global annual Si production in the surface ocean, respectively. The implication is that picocyanobacteria may exert a significant influence on the marine Si cycle, which is likely to alter our understanding of the long-term control of the oceanic Si cycling by diatoms. Finally, we summarize three possible mechanisms and pathways through which picocyanobacteria-derived Si can be transported to the deep ocean. Altogether, marine picocyanobacteria, despite very small in cell size, are a non-negligible group for the export of biomineral Si to deeper waters and ocean sediments. • The presence of Si in picocyanobacteria may be a common feature. • Four biochemical forms of Si may be present in picocyanobacterial cells. • There are three pathways for picocyanobacteria transporting Si to the depth. • Picocyanobacteria exert a significant influence on the marine Si cycle. • Quantifying the Si and C export of picocyanobacteria are important in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sediment is thought to be a vital reservoir to spread antibiotic resistance genes (ARGs) among various natural environments. However, the spatial distribution patterns of the sedimental antibiotic resistomes around the Bohai Bay region, a river-connected coastal water ecosystem, are still poorly understood. The present study conducted a comprehensive investigation of ARGs among urban rivers (UR), estuaries (ES) and Bohai Bay (BHB) by metagenomic sequencing. Overall, a total of 169 unique ARGs conferring resistance to 15 antimicrobial classes were detected across all sediment samples. The Kruskal-Wallis test showed that the diversity and abundance of ARGs in the UR were all significantly higher than those in the ES and BHB (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01), revealing the distance dilution of the sedimental resistomes from the river to the ocean. Multidrug resistance genes contained most of the ARG subtypes, whereas rifamycin resistance genes were the most abundant ARGs in this region. Our study demonstrated that most antimicrobial resistomes were highly accumulated in urban river sediments, whereas beta-lactamase resistance genes (mainly PNGM-1) dramatically increased away from the estuary to the open ocean. The relative abundance of mobile genetic elements (MGEs) also gradually decreased from rivers to the coastal ocean, whereas the difference in pathogenic bacteria was not significant in the three classifications. Among MGEs, plasmids were recognized as the most important carriers to support the horizontal gene transfer of ARGs within and between species. According to co-occurrence networks, pathogenic Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria, and Bacteroidetes were recognized as potential and important hosts of ARGs. Heavy metals, pH and moisture content were all recognized as the vital environmental factors influencing the distribution of ARGs in sediment samples. Overall, the present study may help to understand the distribution patterns of ARGs at a watershed scale, and help to make effective policies to control the emergence, spread and evolution of different ARG subtypes in different habitats. • Sediment resistomes around Bohai Bay region was explored by metagenomic analysis. • The most diversity and abundant resistomes in this region were multidrug and rifamycin resistance genes, respectively. • The relative abundance of ARGs decreased along the river inlet towards the open ocean. • Heavy metals, pH and moisture content were key environmental parameters to influence the distribution of ARGs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Type 2 diabetes osteoporosis has recently become a hot topic in the study of diabetic complications, but the specific mechanism of its development remains unclear. Non-imprinted in Prader-Willi/Angelman syndrome region protein 2 (NIPA2), a highly-selective magnesium ion transporter, has been found to be associated with type 2 diabetes. In this study we aimed to investigate the specific role and mechanism of NIPA2 in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes osteoporosis. We first used western blotting, PCR, immunofluorescence, and magnesium ion probes to detect changes of NIPA2 and intracellular magnesium levels in osteoblasts at different concentrations of advanced glycation end products (AGEs). We then up- or down-regulated NIPA2 using a lentivirus and analyzed apoptotic biomarkers as well as the osteogenic ability of osteoblasts. We found that AGEs dose-dependently down-regulated the expression of NIPA2 in osteoblasts. NIPA2 also regulated osteoblast apoptosis by affecting the intracellular magnesium level and further affecting the osteogenic capacity of osteoblasts. Our study revealed the changes of NIPA2 in response to AGEs in the environment, as well as its function and mechanism in osteoblasts, demonstrating its important role in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes osteoporosis. The study suggests that NIPA2 is a potential target for the treatment of type 2 diabetes osteoporosis. • AGEs downregulate the expression of magnesium transporter NIPA2 in osteoblast. • Deficiency of NIPA2 leads to decreased intracellular Mg2+ under AGEs treatment. • NIPA2 positively regulates the function of osteoblasts via regulating apoptosis. • NIPA2 regulates caspase-dependent apoptosis via PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]