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Both mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades and reactive oxygen species (ROS) are critical to signaling in eukaryotes. Cadmium induces MAPK activation and ROS production in plants. This study aims to identify specific MAPKs activated by CdCl 2 in maize roots, and examine the relationship between MAPK activation and ROS production under CdCl 2 treatment. Using in-gel kinase assays, immunoprecipitation, and immunoblot analysis, we identified 43 and 45 kDa ERK-like MAPKs in response to CdCl 2. Further analysis revealed that ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1 correspond to the 43 and 45 kDa MAPKs, respectively. In addition, CdCl 2 induced ROS production prior to the activation of ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1. Inhibition of ROS attenuated Cd-activation of ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1, whereas inhibition of MAPK signaling did not disturb Cd-induced ROS production. Collectively, these results indicate that, in maize roots, cadmium stress activates ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1 via ROS induction. • Cadmium activates 43 and 45 kDa ERK-like MAPKs in maize roots. • ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1 correspond to the 43 and 45 kDa MAPKs, respectively. • Cadmium induces ROS production prior to the activation of ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1. • Inhibition of ROS attenuates Cd-activation of ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1. • Cadmium up-regulates expression of ZmRBOHs , but not ZmMPK3-1 and ZmMPK6-1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Monodisperse spheres of silica were uniformly coated with titania through the hydrolysis of titanium alkoxide in order to increase the refractive index of complex submicrospheres and keep their monodispersity as well as their surface morphology. On the basis of the hydrolysis of tetrabutyl orthotitanate (TBOT), a continuous-feeding procedure was used to fabricate 10-nm titania coatings on monodisperse colloidal silica submicrospheres of diameter 200 nm. The TiO2/SiO2 composite spheres were assembled to achieve structures with three-dimensional order by gravity sedimentation and vertical deposition. The complex sphere composition, quality, and morphology were characterized by different techniques. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

For linear combinations of Bernstein–Kantorovich operators Kn, r(f, x), we give an equivalent theorem with ω2rϕλ(f, t). The theorem unites the corresponding results of classical and Ditzian–Totik moduli of smoothness. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Madin-Darby canine kidney(MDCK) cells can be used to prepare cell-based influenza vaccines; however, little is known regarding the effect of lncRNA regulatorson tumorigenicity. In the present study, two cell lines with low tumorigenicity were screened from highly tumorigenic MDCK cell lines using monoclonal cell technology. Accordingly, three groups of lncRNAs were extracted from three cell lines and investigated using strand-specific Ribo-Zero RNA sequencing, detecting 1092 known and 619 novel lncRNAs. Moreover, in pairwise comparisons between the libraries of the nominally tumorigenic clones and the highly tumorigenic parent cell line, a total of 344 transcripts were expressed differentially, which were validated by qPCR using six randomly selected lncRNA genes. Furthermore, 63 target genes were identified in the upstream and downstream 100 kb of lncRNAs and their relative functions were analyzed. It was found that ten GO terms and twelve KEGG terms related to tumor by target genes and functional items. Five lncRNA transcripts and the corresponding differentially expressed target genes were used for co-expression network analysis. In addition, certain classical tumor pathways were also activated by target genes, among which, lncRNA MSTRG.1056.2 directly regulates ERBB3 to activate the PI3K-Akt pathway, contributing to tumorigenesis. Consequently, direct evidence was obtained that lncRNA regulates tumorigenesis, and a variety of target genes regulated by lncRNA were elucidated, which may be significant for non-tumorigenic MDCK cells lines acquisition. • Three groups of lncRNAs were extracted from three cell lines and investigated using strand-specific Ribo-Zero RNA sequencing. • 63 target genes were identified and their relative functions were analyzed. • Ten GO terms and twelve KEGG terms related to tumor by functional analysis. • Five lncRNA-genes pairs associated with tumorigenesis in nude mice were obtained. • LncRNA MSTRG.1056.2 directly regulates ERBB3 to activate the PI3K-Akt pathway, contributing to tumorigenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• A high-sensitivity, quasi-temperature-insensitive magnetic field sensor is experimentally demonstrated. • Temperature affect induced by thermal expansion is eliminated by the symmetry of optical structure. • Experimental results show that the maximum sensitivity could be 4.36 nm/mT. This paper proposed and experimentally demonstrated a high resolution and quasi-temperature-insensitive magnetic field sensor based on hybrid interferometer. The sensor is created by cascading a Mach Zehnder interferometer (MZI) and a Sagnac loop interferometer (SI). Due to the symmetry of the MZI's two arms, the length change induced by thermal expansion is approximate identical, meaning the temperature perturbation would be eliminated. Moreover, the free spectrum ranges of MZI and SI are extremely close, thus the sensitivity is amplified by the vernier effect. Experiment results indicate that the magnetic field sensitivity of the MZI is 118.8 pm/mT, while the sensitivity of the sensor is 4.36 nm/mT, which is about 36.9 times higher than it in the MZI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Efforts to perform genetic analysis in Moraxella catarrhalis have been hampered by the lack of a cloning vector. M. catarrhalis strain E22 was previously shown to contain plasmid pLQ510 which lacked a selectable antibiotic resistance marker. Several methods were used to eliminate unnecessary DNA from pLQ510. Then, a 1.2kb spectinomycin resistance cartridge, a multiple cloning site, and the origin of replication from pACYC184 were cloned into this plasmid backbone to obtain the 7.2kb plasmid pWW102B. This new plasmid could replicate in M. catarrhalis as well as in both Escherichia coli and Haemophilus influenzae. This shuttle vector was used to clone and express two different M. catarrhalis genes, respectively, encoding an adhesin and a protein involved in serum resistance. When these two plasmids were introduced into appropriate M. catarrhalis mutants, they complemented the phenotypic deficiency of each mutant. This is the first report of functional complementation in trans in this pathogen. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Macrophages are the first-line host defense that the invading Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) encounters. It has been recently reported that host aerobic glycolysis was elevated post the infection by a couple of virulent mycobacterial species. However, whether this metabolic transition is required for host defense against intracellular pathogens and the underlying mechanisms remain to be further investigated. A pathogenic mycobacterial species, M. marinum , is genetically close to Mtb and was utilized in this study. Through analyzing cellular carbon metabolism of RAW 264.7 (a murine macrophage-like cell line) post M. marinum infection, a strong elevation of glycolysis was observed. Next, three glycolysis inhibitors were examined for their ability to inhibit mycobacterial proliferation inside RAW264.7 macrophages. Among them, a glucose analog, 2-deoxyglucose (2-DG) displayed a protective role against mycobacterial infection. Treatment with 2-DG at concentrations of 0.5 or 1 mM significantly induced autophagy and decreased the phagocytosis of M. marinum by macrophages. Moreover, 2-DG pre-treatment exerted a significantly protective effect on zebrafish larvae by limiting the proliferation of M. marinum , and such effect was correlated to tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) as the 2-DG pre-treatment increased the expression of TNF-α in both mouse peritoneal macrophages and zebrafish. On the contrary, the 2-DG treatment post infection did not restrain proliferation of M. marinum in WT zebrafish, and even accelerated bacterial replication in TNF-α−/− zebrafish. Together, modulation of glycolysis prior to infection boosts host immunity against M. marinum infection, indicating a potential intervention strategy to control mycobacterial infection. • Macrophages displayed an elevated glycolysis post M. marinum infection. • 2-DG reduced phagocytosis and M. marinum burden inside macrophages. • 2-DG pretreatment led to autophagy or apoptosis of RAW cells. • 2-DG pre-treatment inhibited the proliferation of M. marinum in WT zebrafish. • 2-DG accelerated M. marinum proliferation in zebrafish missing TNF-α. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]