Search

[Display omitted] In this work, the nanocables of few-layered ReS 2 nanosheets sandwiched between carbon nanotubes (CNTs) and nitrogen-doped amorphous carbon (NC) coating (i.e., CNT@ReS 2 @NC) are synthesized as high-performance anodes of both potassium-ion batteries (PIBs) and sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). The CNT@ReS 2 @NC nanocables with dual carbon modifications have the several advantages for efficient K+/Na+ storage. The few-layered ReS 2 nanosheets with a wide interlayer spacing of 0.64 nm contribute to accelerated reaction kinetics for fast K+/Na+ intercalation/extraction. The carbon nanotube skeleton with a hollow interior can effectively relieve the volume change and serve as a robust conductive network to boost structural stability. The NC layer provides rich defects as active sites and suppresses the shuttle effect of polysulfides produced in discharge/charge processes. Consequently, the CNT@ReS 2 @NC nanocables possess outstanding electrochemical performance in both PIBs and SIBs owing to the synergistic effect from the different components. A long cycling lifespan of 3500 cycles with a maintained discharge capacity of 125 mAh/g is achieved for CNT@ReS 2 @NC at 1 A/g in PIBs. In SIBs, it can keep a high capacity of 202 mAh/g over 3000 cycles at 5 A/g. Moreover, the CNT@ReS 2 @NC||Na 3 V 2 (PO 4) 3 full cell can exhibit remarkable cycling performance, yielding a low capacity decay rate of 0.019 % per cycle over 1000 cycles at 2C. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Waste activated sludge (WAS) and meat processing waste (MPW) were acted as co-substrates in anaerobic co-digestion (AcD), and biochemical methane potential (BMP) test was carried out to investigate the methane production performances. Microbial community structure and metabolic pathways analyses were conducted by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing and functional prediction analysis. BMP test results indicated that AcD of 70% WAS+30% MPW and 50% WAS+50% MPW (VS/VS) could significantly improve methane yield to 371.05 mL/g VS and 599.61 mL/g VS, respectively, compared with WAS acting as sole substrate (191.87 mL/g VS). The results of microbial community analysis showed that Syntrophomonas and Petrimonas became the dominant bacteria genera, and Methanomassiliicoccus and Methanobacterium became the dominant archaea genera after MPW addition. 16S functional prediction analysis results indicated that genes expression of key enzymes involved in syntrophic acetate oxidation (SAO), hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic methanogenesis were up-regulated, and acetoclastic methanogenesis was inhibited after MPW addition. Based on these analyses, it could be inferred that SAO combined with hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic methanogenesis was the dominant pathway for organics degradation and methane production during AcD. These findings provided systematic insights into the microbial community changes and metabolic pathways during AcD of WAS and MPW. [Display omitted] • Meat processing waste could improve methane yield during anaerobic digestion. • 16S rRNA sequencing and PICRUSt2 function prediction analysis were applied. • Meat processing waste addition could enrich Syntrophomonas and Petrimonas. • Acidogenesis and methanogenesis processes were enhanced due to MPW addition. • Hydrogenotrophic and methylotrophic methanogenesis were enhanced with MPW addition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hemorrhagic stroke (HS) is associated with severe morbidity and high mortality. Identifying the trigger factors for HS is critical for disease prevention. This study aimed to assess the associations between short-term environmental triggers (STETs) and HS risk. We systematically searched six databases for articles published up to September 9, 2022. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) were calculated using random-effect models to evaluate the associations between STETs and the risk of HS. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran Q and I 2 tests. A total of 63 studies were included for analysis. Of these, 40 focused on air pollutants and 23 on meteorological factors. Pooling results showed that exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM 2.5; OR, 1.003 per 10 μg/m3; 95% CI, 1.001–1.007), sulfur dioxide (SO 2; OR, 1.022 per 10 ppb; 95% CI, 1.005–1.040), and nitrogen dioxide (NO 2; OR, 1.026 per 10 ppb; 95% CI, 1.004–1.047) was associated with an increase in HS risk. Moreover, exposure to PM 2.5 (OR, 1.018 per 10 μg/m3; 95% CI, 1.009–1.027) and SO 2 (OR, 1.102 per 10 ppb; 95% CI, 1.010–1.204) was positively associated with the risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. In addition, extreme temperature, high pressures, high and low relative humidity were potentially associated with HS risk. Targeted preventive measures to limit the effect of these air pollutants and extreme meteorological factors should be taken to reduce the HS disease burden. Further studies are warranted to verify these findings. • PM 2.5 , SO 2 , and NO 2 may be triggers for hemorrhagic stroke (HS). • PM 2.5 and SO 2 are positively associated with risk of intracerebral hemorrhage. • Temperature, humidity, and air pressure are potentially associated with HS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Knowledge of light partitioning into different optically active constituents, particularly chromophoric dissolved organic matter (CDOM) in the ultraviolet (UV) is indispensable for understanding UV dependent biogeochemical issues including photochemical processes in optically complex waters. Herein a new approach is presented to investigate photochemistry by blending two ocean color algorithms, namely the composite Sea UV (Cao et al., 2014) and the Sea CDOM (Cao and Miller, 2015) algorithms, and applying them to visible remote sensing reflectance (R rs) measured using the Hyperspectral Imager for the Coastal Ocean (HICO). As illustrated using photochemical carbon monoxide (CO) production from CDOM, this model approach allows high resolution examination of UV optical details with estimates of both depth-specific and depth-integrated photoproduction rates in a dynamic estuarine/coastal environment. Decoupled retrievals of inherent and apparent optical properties (i.e. diffuse attenuation coefficient (K d) and CDOM absorption coefficient (a g)) using two distinct ocean color algorithms over the entire UV spectrum allow a synoptically dynamic view of CDOM's contribution to light attenuation (a g / K d). This provides new potential to probe UV processes in complex coastal waters on regional as well as global scales using remote sensing of ocean color. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Currently, digital mobile devices, especially smartphones, can be used to acquire information conveniently through photograph taking. To protect information security in this case, we propose an efficient screen-shooting resistant watermarking scheme via deep neural network (DNN) in the frequency domain to achieve additional information embedding and source tracing. Specifically, we enhance the imperceptibility of watermarked images and the robustness against various attacks in real scene by computing the residual watermark message and encoding it with the original image using a lightweight neural network in the DCT domain. In addition, a noise layer is designed to simulate the photometric and radiometric effects of screen-shooting transfer. During the training process, the enhancing network is used to highlight the coding features of distorted images and improve the accuracy of extracted watermark message. Experimental results demonstrate that our scheme not only effectively ensures the balance between the imperceptibility of watermark embedding and the robustness of watermark extraction, but also significantly improves computational efficiency compared with some state-of-the-art schemes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gamma-interferon-inducible lysosomal thiol reductase (GILT) plays an important role in the processing of major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II-restricted antigens by catalyzing disulfide bonds reduction. Herein, a GILT homolog (ScGILT) was identified from silver carp. Its open reading frame covers 771 base pairs, encoding a protein of 256 amino acids that possesses GILT signature sequence CQHGX 2 ECX 2 NX 4 C, active-site CXXC motif, and two potential N-linked glycosylation sites. The predicted tertiary structures of ScGILT and other GILTs were quite similar in shape and positional arrangement of the key motifs. ScGILT mRNA was constitutively expressed in all detected tissues, with high-level expression in fish immune organs, spleen and head kidney. After stimulation with lipopolysaccharide, the expression of ScGILT mRNA significantly increased in spleen and head kidney cells, and ScGILT protein translocated to late endosomes and lysosomes in HeLa cells. Recombinant ScGILT fused with a His 6 tag was expressed and purified, and could reduce the interchain disulfide bonds of IgG at pH 4.5. These results suggested that ScGILT was capable of catalyzing disulfide bonds reduction, and then might play an important role in the processing of MHC class II-restricted antigens in silver carp. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains a life-threatening disease. Accumulating evidences have showed that neuroinflammatory response is a critical biological event in the progression of TBI induced astrocyte damage. However, the exact mechanisms are not well understood. In this study, we demonstrated that long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) Gm4419 promoted trauma-induced astrocyte apoptosis by up-regulating the expression of inflammatory cytokine tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α). We observed that Gm4419 was aberrantly induced after injury on astroglial cells in vitro . Overexpression of Gm4419 in injury-treated astrocytes increased protein expressions of TNF-α, Bax, cleaved caspase-3 and cleaved caspase-9, decreased levels of Bcl-2 and CyclinD1, and significantly led to cellular apoptosis. Mechanically, Gm4419 transcript could function as a sponge for miR-466l and miR-466l could target TNF-α 3′ UTR for degradation and translation inhibition. Therefore, Gm4419 could up-regulate TNF-α expression by competitively binding miR-466l and then contribute to inflammatory damage as well as astrocyte apoptosis during TBI. Generally speaking, our findings provide better understandings of the mechanism underlying Gm4419 in trauma-induced neuroinflammation and neurological deficits. Thus, the present study would expand the insight into the novel approaches for TBI therapy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Interleukin (IL) 9, a dominant cytokine in Th9 cells, has been proven to play a pathogenic role in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis (MS), by augmenting T cell activation and differentiation; however, whether IL-9 signaling affects central nervous system (CNS)-resident cells during CNS autoimmunity remains unknown. In the present study, we found that the IL-9 receptor (IL-9R) was highly expressed in astrocytes, oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs), oligodendrocytes and microglia cells, and that its expression was significantly upregulated in brain and spinal cord during EAE. In addition, IL-9 increased chemokine expression, including CXCL9, CCL20 and MMP3, in primary astrocytes. Although IL-9 had no effect on the proliferation of microglia cells, it decreased OPC proliferation and differentiation when in combination with other pro-inflammatory cytokines, but not with IFN-γ. IL-9 plus IFN-γ promoted OPC proliferation and differentiation. These findings indicate that CNS-restricted IL-9 signaling may be involved in the pathogenesis of MS/EAE, thus providing a potential therapeutic target for future MS/EAE treatment through disruption of CNS cell-specific IL-9 signaling. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Although signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (Stat3) plays crucial roles in the determination of neural stem cell (NSC) fate, Stat3 has multiple roles in NSC function. Moreover, Stat3 plays important roles in neuronal survival and tumorigenesis. To investigate the overall effects of Stat3 on NSC fate, NSC were isolated from Stat3flox/flox mouse embryos (E14–15d), in which both Stat3 alleles are flanked by LoxP sites. Isolated NSC was inoculated with an adenovirus vector expressing Cre recombinase (Ad.nCre) or a control adenovirus vector expressing β-galactosidase (Ad.nLz). Threedays later, quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) analysis revealed that treatment with Ad.nCre eliminated stat3 mRNA expression in NSC. Promoter assay confirmed that overexpression of nCre inhibited transactivation of acute responsive element (APRE) and blocked Stat3 function in NSC. Moreover, Western blot analysis and immunocytochemical analysis revealed that elimination of Stat3 in NSC promoted neurogenesis and inhibited astrogliogenesis. In addition, we investigated the effects of Stat3 elimination in NSC on the mRNA expression of Notch family members and bHLH factors. Consequently, qPCR analysis showed that elimination of Stat3 in NSC promoted neurogenesis and inhibited astrogliogenesis through down-regulation of notch1, notch2 and hes5, but not hes1 mRNA expression. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This article has been retracted: please see Elsevier Policy on Article Withdrawal (https://www.elsevier.com/about/our-business/policies/article-withdrawal). This article has been retracted at the request of the Editor-in-Chief. In investigating concerns brought up regarding the authenticity of the article, the editors reached out to the corresponding author for an explanation. The corresponding author failed to provide a satisfactory explanation. The editors therefore feel that the findings of the manuscript cannot be relied upon and that the article needs to be retracted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a rare membrane lipid in bacteria but crucial for virulence of various plant and animal pathogens. The pcs − mutant lacking PC in bacterial membranes of Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall 1336 displayed more ampicillin resistance. Ampicillin susceptibility tests gave an IC50 (half maximal inhibitory concentration) of 52 mg/ml for Pseudomonas syringae pv. syringae van Hall 1336, 53 mg/ml for the complemented strain 1336 RM ( pcs −/+) and 90 mg/ml for the 1336 pcs − mutant. Activity assay of β-lactamase in periplasmic extracts gave 0.050 U/mg for the 1336 wild type, 0.052 U/mg for the 1336RM ( pcs −/+), 0.086 U/mg for the 1336 pcs − mutant. Analysis by western blotting showed that the content of AmpC enzyme was markedly different in periplasmic extracts between the wild-type and pcs − mutant strains. Reverse transcriptase PCR also showed that the presence or absence of PC in bacterial membranes did not affect the transcription of amp C gene. The phenotype of the pcs − mutant was able to be recovered to the wild type by introducing a wild-type pcs gene into the pcs − mutant. Similar results were also obtained from the soil-dwelling bacterium Pseudomonas sp. 593. Our results demonstrate that the absence of PC in bacterial membranes facilitates the translocation of Sec-dependent β-lactamase AmpC from cytoplasm to periplasm, and the enhanced ampicillin-resistance in the pcs − strains mainly comes from effective translocation of AmpC via Sec-pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Bioelectrochemical systems were proposed as a promising approach for the efficient valorization of biomass into 6–8 carbon atom medium-chain fatty acids (MCFAs), the precursors for high value-added chemicals or renewable energy, via acetyl-CoA-mediated chain elongation (CE). To achieve CE processes, exogenous electron donors (EDs), e.g., ethanol or lactic acid, were normally prerequisites. This research built a microbial electrolysis cell (MEC) for MCFAs biosynthesis from acetate without exogenous EDs addition. A wide range of applied voltages (0.6–1.2 V) was first employed to investigate the bioelectrocatalyzing response. The results show that caproate and butyrate were the main products formed from acetate under different applied voltages. Maximum caproate concentration (501 ± 12 mg COD/L) was reached at 0.8 V on day 3. Under this applied voltage, hydrogen partial pressure stabilized at about 0.1 bar, beneficial for MCFA production. Electron and carbon balances revealed that the electron-accepting capacity achieved 32% at 0.8 V, showing the highest interspecies electron transfer efficiency. Most of the carbon was recovered in the form of caproate (carbon loss was 9%). MiSeq sequencing revealed Rhodobacter and Clostridium_sensu_stricto playing the crucial role in the biosynthesis of caproate, while Acetobacterium , Acetoanaerobium , and Acetobacter represented the main ED contributors. Four available flora, i.e., homo-acetogen, anaerobic fermentation bacteria, electrode active bacteria, and nitrate-reducing bacteria, interacted and promoted caproate synthesis by molecular ecological network analysis. [Display omitted] • Optimal applied voltages for caproate production in MECs was firstly elucidated. • Hydrogen/ethanol in situ generated served as EDs without exogenous EDs addition. • Electron acceptability, carbon balance and hydrogen partial pressure were analyzed. • Caproate concentration and specificity achieved maximum under 0.8 V. • Synergistic and competitive interactions among functional microflora were revealed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypoxia is one of the challenges in prawns aquaculture. However, the role of thiamine, which is a coenzyme in carbohydrate metabolism with antioxidant properties, in reducing hypoxia in prawns aquaculture is currently unknown. We investigated the effects of thiamine on antioxidant status, carbohydrate metabolism and acute hypoxia in oriental river prawn, Macrobrachium nipponense. One thousand eight hundred prawns (0.123 ± 0.003 g) were fed five diets (60 prawns each tank, six replicates per diet) supplemented with graded thiamine levels (5.69, 70.70, 133.67, 268.33 and 532.00 mg/kg dry mater) for eight weeks and then exposed to hypoxia stress for 12 h followed by reoxyegnation for 12 h. The results showed that, under normoxia, prawns fed the 133.67 or 268.33 mg/kg thiamine diet had significantly lower glucose 6-phosphatedehydrogenase, succinate dehydrogenase and phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase activities than those fed the other diets. Moreover, total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC) increased significantly when prawns were fed the 133.67 mg/kg thiamine diet. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and malonaldehyde (MDA) content also increased significantly when prawns were fed the 268.33 or 532.00 mg/kg thiamine diet under hypoxia. And the significantly increased SOD activity and MDA level also observed in prawns fed 532.00 mg/kg thiamine under reoxygenation. Under normoxia, prawns fed the 70.70 or 133.67 mg/kg thiamine diet decreased the mRNA expressions of AMP-activated protein kinase-alpha (AMPK-α), pyruvate dehydrogenase-E1-α subunit (PDH-E1-α) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1s (HIF-1α , HIF-1β), but increased the mRNA expressions of phosphofructokinase (PFK) significantly. After 12 h of hypoxia, the energy metabolism related genes (AMPK-β, AMPK-γ, PFK, PDH-E1-α), hypoxia-inducible factor related genes (HIF-1α , HIF-1β) and thiamine transporter gene (SLC19A2) were up-regulated significantly in prawns fed the 133.67 or 268.33 mg/kg thiamine diets. After 12 h of reoxygenation, prawns fed the 133.67 or 268.33 mg/kg diet significantly decreased the SOD activity, MDA level and SLC19A2 mRNA expression compared with other diets. The optimum thiamine was 161.20 mg/kg for minimum MDA content and 143.17 mg/kg for maximum T-AOC activity based on cubic regression analysis. In summary, supplementing 143.17 to 161.20 mg/kg thiamine in the diets for M. nipponense improves the antioxidant capacity under normoxia and reduces the oxidative damage under hypoxia stress. • The 70.70 mg/kg thiamine diet improves carbohydrate metabolism in prawns. • The 133.67 mg/kg thiamine diet alleviates hypoxia stress by balancing energy production and utilization. • Supplementing 143.17 to 161.20 mg/kg thiamine diets improve antioxidant capacity. • Prawns farmers should supplement 143.17 to 161.20 mg/kg thiamine to alleviate hypoxia stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peroxiredoxin (Prx) belongs to a cellular antioxidant protein family that plays important roles in innate immune function and anti-oxidative capability. In the present study, six Prxs were cloned from Black carp Mylopharyngodon piceus (MpPrx) by homology cloning and rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE) techniques. There were 199, 197, 250, 260, 189 and 222 amino acids in six MpPrxs, respectively. BLAST analysis reveals that MpPrxs shares high identities and similar characteristics with other known Prxs from animals. The phylogenetic analysis evidenced three major subclasses corresponding to one-Cys-Prx (MpPrx6), typical two-Cys-Prx (MpPrx1-4) and atypical 2-Cys-Prx (MpPrx5) that reflected the present hierarchy of vertebrates and invertebrates. Although six MpPrxs are constitutively expressed in all tissues, relatively higher-level mRNA expression levels of six MpPrxs can be detected in liver, eyes, heart and adipose tissues by real-time PCR assays. The transcriptional patterns of six MpPrxs mRNA in liver were detected by real-time PCR in Black carp after lipopolysaccharide (LPS) challenge and treated with graded levels of dietary carbohydrate (CHO) (106.5, 194.3, 288.4 and 379.1 g kg −1 ), respectively. These results showed that stimulation with LPS could induce up-expression of six MpPrxs mRNA, and the variations of MpPrx4 were more sensitive than these of other MpPrxs in the liver of Black carp. Compared with those in group with 106.5 g kg −1 dietary CHO, the expression levels of MpPrx2, MpPrx3 and MpPrx6 were significantly down-regulated while MpPrx5 were significantly induced in liver of Black carp fed with adequate dietary CHO (194.3 g kg −1 ). In addition, significant up-regulations of MpPrx2, MpPrx3 and MpPrx6 were observed in Black carp fed with excessive dietary CHO (379.1 g kg −1 ). And MpPrx4 could be constantly induced with increasing dietary CHO contents in this study. These results indicated that MpPrxs were constitutive and inducible proteins and might play important roles in innate immune function after LPS challenge and regulating redox homeostasis in the metabolism of dietary CHO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Humic-like substances (HULIS), as important components of brown carbon (BrC), play an important role in climate change. In this study, one-year PM 2.5 samples from 2017 to 2018 were collected at Nanjing, China and the water soluble HULIS and other chemical species were analyzed to investigate the seasonal variations, optical properties and possible sources. The HULIS concentrations exhibited highest in winter and lowest in summer. The annual averaged HULIS concentration was 2.61 ± 1.79 μg m−3, accounting for 45 ± 13% of water-soluble organic carbon (WSOC). The HULIS light absorption coefficient at 365 nm (Abs 365, HULIS) averagely accounted for 71 ± 19% of that of WSOC, suggesting that HULIS are the main light-absorbing components in WSOC. The annual averaged Ångström absorption exponent and mass absorption efficiency of HULIS at 365 nm were 5.22 ± 0.77 and 1.71 ± 0.70 m2 g−1. Good correlations between HULIS with levoglucosan and K+ suggested biomass burning (BB) influence on HULIS. High concentrations of HULIS and secondary species (e.g., NO 3 −, SO 4 2−, NH 4 +, C 2 O 4 2−) were found in present of high relative humidity, indicating strong aqueous phase secondary HULIS formation. Secondary HULIS produced from anthropogenic and biogenic precursors were quantified based on the positive matrix factorization (PMF) model and the results showed that both fossil (55%) and biogenic (45%) emission sources made great contributions to HULIS. Fossil fuel combustion significantly contributed to HULIS formation throughout the whole year, which were enriched with more secondary HULIS (30%) than primary HULIS (25%). Strongest BB contribution (39%) was found in winter and biogenic SOA contribution (32%) was found in summer. A multiple linear regression (MLR) method was further applied to obtain specific source contributions to Abs 365, HULIS and the results showed that strong light-absorbing chromophores were produced from anthropogenic precursors. Our results highlight the anthropogenic SOA and fossil fuels combustion contributions to HULIS in addition to the biggest contributor, BB, in urban area in China. • Optical properties and sources of HULIS in PM 2.5 at Nanjing, China were explored. • High HULIS and secondary species levels were observed under high relative humidity. • Secondary HULIS from anthropogenic and biogenic precursors were quantified. • Both fossil (55%) and biogenic (45%) sources made great contributions to HULIS. • HULIS produced from anthropogenic precursors showed stronger UV absorption. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By using terphenyl-3,3″,5,5″-tetracarboxylic acid (H 4 tptc) ligand and different N-donor co-ligands, two Zn(II)-based coordination polymers (CPs) {[Zn(tptc)(1,2-bimb) 2 ·4.5(H 2 O)} n (1 , 1,2-bimb ​= ​1,2-bis (imidazol-1-ylmethyl) benzene) and {[Zn 3 (Htptc) 2 (2,2´-bpy) 2 ·1.5H 2 O} n (2 , 2,2´-bpy ​= ​2,2´-bipyridine) were prepared. Compound 1 could be used as a sensor for Fe3+ ion with a low detection limit. To develop novel candidates for Alzheimer's disease (AD) treatment, ELISA detection kit was used to determine the Aβ 40 and Aβ 42 content produced in nerve cells. RT-PCR was carried out to measure the ROS related genes relative expression levels, for example, pg91 and gp21. By using terphenyl-3,3″,5,5″-tetracarboxylic acid and different N-donor co-ligands, two Zn(II)-based coordination polymers were prepared. The Fluorescent sensing performances and prevention ability on Alzheimer's disease properties were evaluated. Image 1 [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• D3R was expressed in astrocyte and microglia in the mesolimbic reward regions of normal mice. • D3R deficiency resulted in microglial activation in the mesolimbic dopaminergic brain regions. • Microglial inhibition partially ameliorated depressive-like behavior and neuroinflammation in the selected mesolimbic reward areas induced by D3R deficiency. • Microglial inhibition attenuated the elevation in BDNF expression and synaptic density in the NAc in D3RKO mice. We previously demonstrated that the dopamine D3 receptor (D3R) inhibitor, NGB2904, increases susceptibility to depressive-like symptoms, elevates pro-inflammatory cytokine expression, and alters brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) levels in mesolimbic dopaminergic regions, including the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), nucleus accumbens (NAc), and ventral tegmental area (VTA) in mice. The mechanisms by which D3R inhibition affects neuroinflammation and onset of depression remain unclear. Here, using D3R-knockout (D3RKO) and congenic wild-type C56BL/6 (WT) mice, we demonstrated that D3RKO mice displayed depressive-like behaviors, increased tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and IL-6 levels, and altered BDNF expression in selected mesolimbic dopaminergic regions. D3R expression was localized to astrocytes or microglia in the mPFC, NAc, and VTA in WT mice. D3RKO mice exhibited a large number of Iba1-labelled microglia in the absence of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP)-labelled astrocytes in mesolimbic dopaminergic brain areas. Inhibition or ablation of microglia by minocycline (25 mg/kg and 50 mg/kg) or PLX3397 (40 mg/kg) treatment ameliorated depressive-like symptoms, alterations in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels, and BDNF expression in the indicated brain regions in D3RKO mice. Minocycline therapy alleviated the increase in synaptic density in the NAc in D3RKO mice. These findings suggest that microglial activation in selected mesolimbic reward regions affects depressive-like behaviors induced by D3R deficiency. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Feeding frequency is important for the improvement of growth performance and immunity of aquatic animals. In this study, the effect of feeding frequency on growth, body composition, antioxidant status and mRNA expression of immunodependent genes before or after ammonia-N stress was examined in Macrobrachium nipponense . Prawns were randomly assigned to one of five feeding frequencies (1, 2, 3, 4 and 6 times/day) following the same ration size over an 8-week growth trial. After the feeding trial, prawns were challenged by ammonia-N. The weight gain of prawns fed with 3–6 times/day was significantly higher than that of prawns fed with 1 time/day. The best feed conversion ratio was obtained from prawns fed with 3–6 times/day. Body crude lipid with feeding frequency of 3, 4 or 6 times/day was quite lower than that with 1 time/day. High feeding frequency (6 times/day) induced significantly elevated hepatopancreas super oxide dismutase and catalase activities. The malondialdehyde level in prawns fed with 6 times/day was also significantly increased, which was higher than that of prawns fed with other feeding frequency. mRNA expression of toll like receptor 3 and myeloid differentiation primary response protein MyD88 was promoted by feeding frequency from 3 to 4 time/day but inhibited by high or low feeding frequency. Similar mRNA expression variation trends of the two genes were observed in prawns after ammonia-N stress. After ammonia-N challenge, the highest cumulative mortality was observed in prawns fed with 6 times/day, which was significantly higher than that of prawns fed with 2–4 times/day. These findings demonstrate that (1) too high feeding frequency induced oxidative stress and malondialdehyde accumulation, negatively affecting the health status of prawns and reduced its resistance to ammonia-N stress; (2) the optimal feeding frequency to improve growth and immune response of this species at juvenile stage is 3–4 times/day; (3) considering costs of labour, a feeding frequency of 3 times/day is recommended for this prawn. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The paracrine function of BMSCs play key roles in the process of bone repair. • TGF-β1 produced by BMSCs enhanced the osteogenic activity of osteoblasts. • TGF-β1 mediated the BMSC-induced osteogenesis and migration of osteoblasts. • There was intercellular communication between BMSCs and osteoblasts in bone repair. Bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) are an important source of seed cells for regenerative medicine and tissue engineering therapy. BMSCs have multiple differentiation potentials and can release paracrine factors to facilitate tissue repair. Although the role of the osteogenic differentiation of BMSCs has been fully confirmed, the function and mechanism of BMSC paracrine factors in bone repair are still largely unclear. This study aimed to determine the roles of transforming growth factor beta-1 (TGF-β1) produced by BMSCs in bone tissue repair. To confirm our hypothesis, we used a Transwell system to coculture hBMSCs and human osteoblast-like cells without contact, which could not only avoid the interference of the osteogenic differentiation of hBMSCs but also establish the cell–cell relationship between hBMSCs and human osteoblast-like cells and provide stable paracrine substances. In the transwell coculture system, alkaline phosphatase activity, mineralized nodule formation, cell migration and chemotaxis analysis assays were conducted. Osteogenesis, migration and chemotaxis of osteoblast-like cells were regulated by BMSCs in a paracrine manner via the upregulation of osteogenic and migration-associated genes. A TGF-β receptor I inhibitor (LY3200882) significantly antagonized BMSC-induced biological activity and related gene expression in osteoblast-like cells. Interestingly, coculture with osteoblast-like cells significantly increased the production of TGF-β1 by BMSCs, and there was potential intercellular communication between BMSCs and osteoblast-like cells. Our findings provide evidence that the biological mechanism of BMSC-produced TGF-β1 promotes bone regeneration and repair, providing a theoretical basis and new directions for the application of BMSC transplantation in the treatment of osteonecrosis and bone injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) lockdown policy reduced anthropogenic emissions and impacted the atmospheric chemical characteristics in Chinese urban cities. However, rare studies were conducted at the high mountain site. In this work, in-situ measurements of light absorption by carbonaceous aerosols and carbon dioxide (CO 2) concentrations were conducted at Waliguan (WLG) over the northeastern Tibetan Plateau of China from January 3 to March 30, 2020. The data was employed to explore the influence of the COVID-19 lockdown on atmospheric chemistry in the background-free troposphere. During the sampling period, the light absorption near-infrared (>470 nm) was mainly contributed by BC (>72%), however, BC and brown carbon (BrC) contributed equally to light absorption in the short wavelength (∼350 nm). The average BC concentrations in the pre-, during and post-lockdown were 0.28 ± 0.25, 0.18 ± 0.16, and 0.28 ± 0.20 μg m−3, respectively, which decreased by approximately 35% during the lockdown period. Meanwhile, CO 2 also showed slight decreases during the lockdown period. The declined BC was profoundly attributed to the reduced emissions (∼86%), especially for the combustion of fossil fuels. Moreover, the declined light absorption of BC, primary and secondary BrC decreased the solar energy absorbance by 35, 15, and 14%, respectively. The concentration weighted trajectories (CWT) analysis suggested that the decreased BC and CO 2 at WLG were exclusively associated with the emission reduction in the eastern region of WLG. Our results highlighted that the reduced anthropogenic emissions attributed to the lockdown in the urban cities did impact the atmospheric chemistry in the free troposphere of the Tibetan Plateau. • BC decreased up to 35% with 15% due to meteorological conditions and 85% due to emissions, and with 20% due to biomass burning and 80% due to fossil.. • Solar energy absorbed by BC, primary, and secondary brown carbon decreased 35, 15, and 14%, respectively.. • The main potential source area was the eastern urban near the site and the intensity of both BC and CO2 decreased.. • The eastern BC and CO2 accounted for 97% and 108% of the decline for the total BC and CO2. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]