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Diarrhea in calves is a common disease that results in poor nutrient absorption, poor growth and early death which leads to productivity and economic losses. Therefore, it is important to explore the methods to reduce diarrhea in yak's calves. Efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for improvement of bacterial diarrhea is well recognized. For this purpose, two different doses (107 CFU, 1011 CFU) of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 isolated from yaks were fed to juvenile yaks exposed to E. coli O78. After a trial period of ten days fresh feces and intestinal contents of the experimental yaks were collected and metagenomics sequencing was performed. It was found that feeding a high dose of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 decreased abundance of phylum Firmicutes in the E. coli O78 infected group whereas, it was high in animals fed low dose of Lactobacillu yoelii FYL1. Results also revealed that counts of bacteria from the family Oscillospiraceae , genus Synergistes and Megasphaera were higher in control group whereas, order Bifidobacteriales and family Bifidobacteriaceae were higher in infected group. It was observed that bacterial counts for Pseudoruminococcus were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in animals of group that were given high dose of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 (HLAB). Compared to infected group multiple beneficial bacterial genera such as Deinococus and Clostridium were found higher in the animals that were given a low dose of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 (LLAB). The abundance of pathogenic bacterial genera that included Parascardovia , Bacteroides and Methanobrevibacter was decreased (P < 0.05) in the lower dose treated group. The results of functional analysis revealed that animals of LLAB had a higher metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides compared to animals of infected group. Virus annotation also presented a significant inhibitory effect of LLAB on some viruses (P < 0.05). It was concluded that L. yoelii FYL1 had an improved effect on gut microbiota of young yaks infected with E. coli O78. This experiment contributes to establish the positive effects of LAB supplementation while treating diarrhea. • Diarrhea in calves results in poor nutrient absorption and poor growth which leads to productivity and economic losses. • Probiotics are important to balance the intestinal flora by increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing pathogenic bacteria • L. yoelii FYL1 had an improved effect on gut microbiota of young yaks infected with E. coli O78. • The abundance of pathogenic bacterial genera (Parascardovia, Bacteroides etc.) was decreased in L. yoelii FYL1 treated group. • This experiment contributes to establish the positive effects of LAB supplementation while treating diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbial community of spontaneously fermented fish plays an important role in product sensory quality. Recently, microbiota research has seen a shift in perspective from taxonomy to function. The investigation of the microbial community metaproteome will reveal information on strains as well as the expressed proteins to better understand the roles of the microbiota in fermented fish. In this study, shotgun metaproteomic methods were used to identify and annotate 2175 proteins from the traditional Chinese fermented fish Siniperca chuatsi . These proteins belonged to 553 bacterial strains of 19 phyla, including 10 strains of lactic acid bacteria. Based on the KEGG annotation system, 1217 proteins were found to be involved in metabolic pathways, among which 352 proteins were related to amino acid metabolism. Specifically, 63 amino acid degradation-related proteins were identified in Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Escherichia sp., and Pseudoalteromonas sp., which indicated that these strains were potential candidates for generating aroma compounds and thus contributors to the special flavour of the fermented fish. This information on metaproteomes in fermented S. chuatsi increases the understanding of microbial metabolic modes and leads to knowledge-based improvements of the stability and palatability of fermented fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic amines (BAs), deriving from the microbial decarboxylation of free amino acids (FAAs) in fish products, have toxicological effects on human health. This study selected two Lactobacillus plantarum strains to reduce BAs accumulation in salted mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius). Compared with BAs in spontaneously fermented salted S. niphonius , the concentration of BAs in samples inoculated with L. plantarum YC-5 and YC-6 strains decreased by 17.9% and 53.8%, while the histamine contents decreased by 96.9% and 86.5%, respectively. The histamine contents in samples inoculated with L. plantarum YC-5 were lower than the safety level during the entire process, although the precursor (histidine) was available at this stage. Then, the antibacterial activity of the L. plantarum strains was analyzed. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the L. plantarum reduced the biomass of the histamine-producing Morganella morganii and displayed stability at different pH and temperatures. Resequencing and bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that the L. plantarum strains contained plantaricin EF and JK encoding gene clusters. This study provided two promising LAB starters to reduce BAs accumulation in salted S. niphonius and elucidated their possible elimination mechanism of BAs, contributing to the safe production of salted fish. • L. plantarum YC-5 and YC-6 could effectively reduce BAs content in salted fish S. niphonius. • L. plantarum strains could inhibit the growth of the BAs-producing bacteria. • L. plantarum YC-5 and YC-6 contained plantaricin EF and JK encoding genes clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Casper/c-FLIP is a caspase-8-related molecule critically involved in regulation of death receptor-induced apoptosis. It has been shown that Casper can either promote or antagonize apoptosis and can activate the transcription factor NF-κB. The exact functions of Casper are controversial. To further understand how Casper signals, we searched Casper-interacting proteins by yeast two-hybrid screening. This effort identified NF-κB1 (p105), an atypical IκB molecule and the precursor of NF-κB subunit p50. Co-immunoprecipitation experiments indicated that Casper interacted with p105 in 293 cells and this interaction was mediated through the C-terminal IκB-like domain (IκBγ). Overexpression of p105 and IκBγ inhibited Casper-induced NF-κB activation and potentiated Casper-induced apoptosis. Furthermore, Casper and its C-terminal caspase-like domain inhibited p105 processing into p50. Our findings suggest that p105 is involved in Casper-mediated regulation of apoptosis and NF-κB activation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A heterostructured Co-based electrocatalyst is successfully synthesized using bifunctional ligand Co metal–organic frameworks as precursors. The bifunctional ligands provide enough N and O atoms that can simultaneously convert Co ions into CoN x moieties, Co nanoparticles and Co oxides via one-step pyrolysis. The obtained electrocatalysts with heterostructured CoO x /Co nanoparticles encapsulated by porous conductive carbon rich in CoN x active sites deliver remarkable oxygen reduction reaction and oxygen evolution reaction activities. With the synergistic effects among these multifunctional components, a rechargeable zinc–air battery built with this electrocatalyst exhibits a high-power density and long-lasting rechargeability. [Display omitted] Rational construction of efficient and robust bifunctional oxygen electrocatalysts is key but challenging for the widespread application of rechargeable zinc-air batteries (ZABs). Herein, bifunctional ligand Co metal–organic frameworks were first explored to fabricate a hybrid of heterostructured CoO x /Co nanoparticles anchored on a carbon substrate rich in CoN x sites (CoO x /Co@Co N C) via a one-step pyrolysis method. Such a unique heterostructure provides abundant CoN x and CoO x /Co active sites to drive oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER), respectively. Besides, their positive synergies facilitate electron transfer and optimize charge/mass transportation. Consequently, the obtained CoO x /Co@Co N C exhibits a superior ORR activity with a higher half-wave potential of 0.88 V than Pt/C (0.83 V vs. RHE), and a comparable OER performance with an overpotential of 346 mV at 10 mA cm−2 to the commercial RuO 2. The assembled ZAB using CoO x /Co@Co N C as a cathode catalyst displays a maximum power density of 168.4 mW cm−2, and excellent charge–discharge cyclability over 250 h at 5 mA cm−2. This work highlights the great potential of heterostructures in oxygen electrocatalysis and provides a new pathway for designing efficient bifunctional oxygen catalysts toward rechargeable ZABs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Three strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB), including two strains of Lactobacillus plantarum and one strain of Lactococcus lactis isolated from spontaneously fermented Yucha, a traditional Chinese home-made fermented fish product, were evaluated as starter cultures for Yucha production. All three starter cultures could drive Yucha fermentation processes by rapid colonizing and fast acidifying the raw fish materials, and restricting the growth of undesirable bacteria. As a result, the starter-inoculated Yucha products were safer than their spontaneously-fermented counterpart, and fewer biogenic amines were detected in them. During the late stage of Yucha fermentation, the initial L. lactis was gradually replaced by endogenous L. plantarum , indicating that Yucha environmental condition is a favorable niche of L. plantarum. Volatile compounds profiling combined with cluster analysis demonstrated that the competition between the two species significantly shaped the development of aroma and flavor compounds in Yucha. Besides, correlation analysis suggested that 1-methyl-naphthalene could be a potential indicator to evaluate the degree of ripeness in Yucha products. • Three starter cultures could all accelerate Yucha fermentation process. • The inoculated Yucha products were safer than their spontaneous counterparts. • The starter L. lactis was replaced by L. plantarum at the end of fermentation. • The interaction between bacteria greatly shaped volatiles profiles of Yucha. • 1-methyl-naphthalene could be an indicator to predict the maturity of Yucha. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hollow O v -CeO 2 /CdS photocatalyst with atomic-level intimate interface has been synthesized via a defect-induced strategy and exhibits a high hydrogen production rate ∼12.6 mmol·g−1·h−1. [Display omitted] Construction of Z-scheme heterojunction catalysts with high-speed charge transfer channels for efficient photocatalytic hydrogen production from water splitting is still a challenge. In this work, a lattice-defect-induced atom migration strategy is proposed to construct an intimate interface. The oxygen vacancies of cubic CeO 2 obtained from a Cu 2 O template are used to induce lattice oxygen migration and form S O bonds with CdS to form a close contact heterojunction with a hollow cube. The hydrogen production efficiency reaches ∼12.6 mmol·g−1·h−1 and maintains a high value over 25 h. A series of photocatalytic tests combined with density functional theory (DFT) calculations show that the close contact heterostructure not only promotes the separation/transfer of photogenerated electron-hole pairs but also regulates the intrinsic catalytic activity of the surface. A large number of oxygen vacancies and S O bonds at the interface participate in charge transfer, which accelerates the migration of photogenerated carriers. The hollow structure improves the ability to capture visible light. Therefore, the synthesis strategy proposed in this work, as well as the in-depth discussion of the interface chemical structure and charge transfer mechanism, provides new theoretical support for the further development of photolytic hydrogen evolution catalysts. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aspergillus flavus and the produced aflatoxins are common hazardous contaminants in grains and food, which generated great damage to food security and human health. Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC), catalyzing acetyl-CoA to malonyl-CoA, is the first and speed-determining step in fatty acid biosynthesis (cell membrane composition) and aflatoxins biosynthesis process in A. flavus. Here, we demonstrated that dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS), emitted from bacteria, could interact with ACC, decrease the enzymatic activity from 377.62 to 191.42 kat/g in vitro , down-regulate the expression of ACC and other important genes in fatty acid and aflatoxin biosynthesis pathway, reduce the content of hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid and eicosanoic acid, and finally prevent A. flavus growth and aflatoxins production. Two binding sites containing 19 amino acids were detected between DMTS and ACC through molecular docking analysis. These amino acids were highly conserved in different filamentous fungi, which accounted for the broad antifungal spectrum of DMTS. Therefore, we concluded that ACC is the molecular target of DMTS on A. flavus growth and aflatoxins production. These results elucidate the inhibitory mechanism of DMTS on fungal pathogens, and provide basic theories for the development of novel antifungal agents. [Display omitted] • Acetyl-CoA carboxylase (ACC) is key for A. flavus growth and aflatoxin production. • Dimethyl trisulfide (DMTS) reduced the ACC activity, down-regulated ACC expression. • DMTS significantly decreased the content of fatty acid and aflatoxin in A. flavus. • ACC is potential target of DMTS against A. flavus growth and aflatoxin production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Compression and incorporated graphene significantly improve light transmittances and charge transport properties of an opaque and poor internal-connected mesoporous photoanode, as well as improve the PCE of the corresponding device. Semi-transparent TiO 2 /graphene photoanodes are prepared at room temperature via an electrophoretic deposition method followed by compression and applied in dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs). Compression enhances the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of a DSSC, which constitutes up 18.4 times improvement compared to the uncompressed device. Incorporating graphene into the compressed film further improves the PCE by 28.8%. Simultaneously, compressing and graphene incorporating can greatly increase the film's transmittance at long wavelengths, benefiting to the use of DSSCs as front unit in tandem solar cells. Scanning electron microscopy, porosity measurements, electrochemical impedance spectroscopy and open circuit voltage decay are performed to investigate the mechanisms. It is demonstrated that compressing a film can reduce the porosity and improve the inter-particle connections, which accounts for the increased light transmittance and enhanced PCE. The incorporated graphene can provide extra charge carrier pathway due to its excellent charge transport properties, as well as protect TiO 2 nanostructure by preventing film cracking upon pressing due to its good flexibility, thus increases PCE to 6.75%, which, to our best knowledge, is the highest value among DSSCs with room-temperature prepared photoanodes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Endometritis is a significant contributor to reduced productivity in yaks in Tibet, China. The Cyt-c/Caspase-3 signaling axis plays a crucial role in the mitochondrial pathway that triggers cell apoptosis due to endogenous factors. In this study, we examined the endometrial epithelial tissue of yaks with endometritis using pathological examination, immunohistochemical analysis, TUNEL staining, qRT-PCR, and Western blot. The results indicated significant changes in the apoptotic factors of the Cyt-c/Caspase-3 signaling axis. The expression levels of Bak1, Bax, Cyt-c, Apaf-1, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 were significantly increased (P < 0.05), while the expression level of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased. Immunohistochemistry results revealed significant increase in Bak1, Bax, Cyt-c, Apaf-1, Caspase-9, and Caspase-3 expression in the cytoplasm compared to the healthy group, except for Bcl-2, which showed a significant decrease. Pathological section analysis demonstrated that clinical endometritis in yaks led to structural damage, bleeding, congestion, and inflammatory cell infiltration in the endometrial epithelium. Our study findings indicated that clinical endometritis in yaks can modulate apoptosis of endometrial epithelial cells via the Cyt-c/Caspase-3 signaling pathway, resulting in different levels of damage. This research is pioneering in exploring cell apoptosis induced by clinical endometritis in yaks, offering novel insights and potential strategies for the future prevention and treatment of endometritis in yaks. • The occurrence of yak endometritis is accompanied by cell apoptosis. • The Cyt-c/Caspase-3 signaling axis and its related factors play a significant role in the development of yak endometritis. • This study provides new insights into the relationship between endometritis and apoptosis in yak. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylamine lead iodide (CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3) perovskite thin film solar cell has attracted much attention due to its low cost and high photoelectric conversion efficiency. Preparation of high quality perovskite thin film is the key to obtain high conversion efficiency of solar cells. Here, the pinhole-free CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 layer with high coverage and smooth surface is prepared by the one-step solution method in air with ethylacetate as anti-solvent on an electron transport hybrid layer of TiO 2 nanoparticles coated porous carbon. The effect of ethylacetate as anti-solvent on the quality of perovskite thin film is studied in detail by comparing with chlorobenzene and ethylether. The high saturation and humidity resistance of ethylacetate in air control the nucleation and growing kinetics of perovskite crystals during the spin coating process, which facilitates the formation of uniform pinhole-free perovskite thin films. The perovskite solar cell based on the prepared high quality thin film achieves the highest conversion efficiency of 17.41% in ambient air with a relative humidity of 35%, which is superior to the perovskite thin films prepared with chlorobenzene and ethylether (conversion efficiency of 10.80% and 10.20%). The higher light-to-electric conversion efficiency is due to high coverage of the pinhole-free perovskite thin film and good contact with the electron transport layer and the hole transport layer. The high quality CH 3 NH 3 PbI 3 layer is prepared by the one-step solution method in air with ethylacetate as anti-solvent on an electron transport hybrid layer of TiO 2 nanoparticles coated porous carbon. The perovskite solar cell based on the prepared high quality thin film achieves the highest conversion efficiency of 17.41% in ambient air, which is due to high coverage of the pinhole-free perovskite thin film and good contact with the electron transport layer. Image 1 • Ethylacetate was used as anti-solvent to deposit high quality perovskite layer in air. • The saturation and humidity resistance of ethylacetate change the crystal kinetics. • The smooth pinhole-free perovskite layer with high coverage was prepared in air. • Perovskite solar cell based on the prepared film achieves the conversion efficiency of 17.41%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medial arterial calcification associated with hyperphosphatemia is a main cause of cardiovascular mortality in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD), but the mechanisms underlying high phosphate-induced vascular calcification remain largely unknown. Here, we observed a significant decrease in the expression of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma (PPARγ) in calcified arteries both in CKD patients and in a mouse model of CKD with hyperphosphatemia. In vitro, high phosphate treatment led to a decreased expression of PPARγ in mouse vascular smooth muscle cells (VMSCs), accompanied by apparent osteogenic differentiation and calcification. Pretreatment with PPARγ agonist rosiglitazone significantly reversed high phosphate-induced VSMCs calcification. Further investigation showed that methyl-CpG binding protein 2 (Mecp2)-mediated epigenetic repression was involved in high phosphate-induced PPARγ downregulation. Moreover, the expression of Klotho that has the ability to inhibit vascular calcification by regulating phosphate uptake decreased with the PPARγ reduction in VSMCs after high phosphate treatment, and rosiglitazone failed to inhibit high phosphate-induced calcification in VSMCs with knockdown of Klotho or in aortic rings from Klotho-deficient ( kl/kl ) mice. Finally, an in vivo study demonstrated that oral administration of rosiglitazone could increase Klotho expression and protect against high phosphate-induced vascular calcification in CKD mice. These findings suggest that the inhibition of PPARγ expression may contribute to the pathogenesis of high phosphate-induced vascular calcification, which may provide a new therapeutic target for vascular calcification in CKD patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nephrotoxicity is a common complication of cisplatin chemotherapy and thus limits the use of cisplatin in clinic. The purinergic 2X7 receptor (P2X7R) plays important roles in inflammation and apoptosis in some inflammatory diseases; however, its roles in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity remain unclear. In this study, we first assessed the expression of P2X7R in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity in C57BL/6 mice, and then we investigated the changes of renal function, histological injury, inflammatory response, and apoptosis in renal tissues after P2X7R blockade in vivo using an antagonist A-438079. Moreover, we measured the changes of nod-like receptor family, pyrin domain containing proteins (NLRP3) inflammasome components, oxidative stress, and proapoptotic genes in renal tissues in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity after treatment with A-438079. We found that the expression of P2X7R was significantly upregulated in the renal tubular epithelial cells in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity compared with that of the normal control group. Furthermore, pretreatment with A-438079 markedly attenuated the cisplatin-induced renal injury while lightening the histological damage, inflammatory response and apoptosis in renal tissue, and improved the renal function. These effects were associated with the significantly reduced levels of NLRP3 inflammasome components, oxidative stress, p53 and caspase-3 in renal tissues in cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity. In conclusions, our studies suggest that the upregulated activity of P2X7R might play important roles in the development of cisplatin-induced nephrotoxicity, and P2X7R blockade might become an effective therapeutic strategy for this disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, bilayer emulsion loading lycopene was prepared using lycopene oil solution (0.8 wt%) as oil phase, whey protein isolate (WPI) solution (0.6 wt%) as the first layer and the chitosan solutions (0–1.50 wt%) as the second layer. The effect of chitosan concentration on droplet size, zeta (ζ)-potential and physical stability of the bilayer emulsion was evaluated and the bilayer emulsion stabilized by chitosan solution of 0.5 wt% concentration showed the best physical stability. In addition, the effects of environmental stress, pH and ionic strength on the bilayer emulsion were measured and the result proved that the bilayer emulsion could provide a better protection for lycopene encapsulated than the WPI monolayer emulsion. Besides, different antioxidants (oil-soluble: oil-soluble tea polyphenol, ascorbyl palmitate and vitamin E; hydrosoluble: bamboo leaf flavonoid, D-sodium erythorbate and vitamin C) were added into the oil phase, the first layer and the second layer of the lycopene bilayer emulsions, respectively. The physical characteristics, storage stability and light stability of the bilayer emulsion were then evaluated to determine the effects of antioxidants in different locations on the emulsion. • WPI and chitosan were combined to form bilayer emulsion via layer-by-layer. • The droplet characteristics and physicochemical stability of lycopene bilayer emulsions were examined. • WPI-chitosan bilayer emulsion showed better physical stability against environmental stresses. • Effects of antioxidants added into different locations of bilayer emulsion were determined. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Receptor-interacting protein (RIP) is a serine/threonine protein kinase that is critically involved in tumor necrosis factor receptor-1 (TNF-R1)-induced NF-κB activation. In a yeast two-hybrid screening for potential RIP-interacting proteins, we identified a novel protein designated as NKAP. Although NKAP interacts with RIP in yeast, NKAP does not interact with RIP in mammalian cells in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. When overexpressed in 293 cells, NKAP activated NF-κB in a dose-dependent manner. Moreover, down-regulation of NKAP by antisense RNA significantly inhibited TNF- and IL-1-induced NF-κB activation. Immunofluorescent staining indicated that NKAP was localized in the nucleus. Our findings suggest that NKAP is a novel nuclear regulator of TNF- and IL-1-induced NF-κB activation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Metal-Organic Frameworks (MOFs) have attracted much attention due to its large specific surface, flexible porosity and unsaturated coordination bonds. Cathodic deposition is a unique in-situ potential-driven synthesis method for the deposition of thin film MOFs; however, the gradually consumption of reactants during cathodic deposition might lead to unstable and uncontrollable reaction during thin-film MOF deposition. Herein, oxygen is selected as the initial reactant for the formation of OH−, which can result in gradually and successive formation of thin-film MAF-66 (Metal azolate framework-66), and the particle size and film thickness of the MAF-66 film can be easily tuned by the deposition time. Furthermore, the cathodic deposited thin-film MAF-66 show good adsorption property for heavy metal ions, with Cd2+ as a representative species. The adsorption capacity can reach 32.3 ​mg/g (removal ratio: 69%) and the deposited MAF-66 film can achieve a satisfactory recovery degree with structural and morphological stability. In this way, a novel, environmental-friendly, and controllable cathode deposition method is developed for preparation of thin-film MAF-66, which also show great promise as a candidate for heavy metal ions adsorbent. Schematic illustration of the cathodic deposition of thin-film MAF-66 and its application for Cd2+ Adsorption. [Display omitted] • A simple, environmental friendly, and sustainable cathode deposition method is developed to prepare MAF-66 film. • The particle size and film thickness of MAF-66 film can be easily tuned. • The MAF-66 film exhibits good adsorption capacity toward Cd2+ adsorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]