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Apoptosis is a major pathophysiological change following myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury. Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) and its receptor GLP-1R are widely expressed in the cardiovascular system and GLP-1/GLP-1R activates the protein kinase G (PKG)-related signaling pathway. Therefore, this study tested whether semaglutide, a new GLP-1 analog, inhibits I/R injury-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating the PKG/PKCε/ERK1/2 pathway. We induced myocardial I/R injury in rats and hypoxia/reoxygenation (H/R) injury in H9C2 cells and detected the effects of semaglutide, a PKG analog (8-Br-cGMP), and a PKG inhibitor (KT-5823) on the PKG/PKCε/ERK1/2 pathway and cardiomyocyte apoptosis. We found that semaglutide upregulated GLP-1R levels, and both semaglutide and 8-Br-cGMP activated the PKG/PKCε/ERK1/2 pathway, inhibited myocardial infarction (MI), decreased hs-cTNT levels, increased NT-proBNP levels, and suppressed cardiomyocyte apoptosis in I/R rats and H/R H9C2 cells. However, KT-5823 exerted contrasting effects with semaglutide and 8-Br-cGMP, and KT-5823 weakened the cardioprotective effects of semaglutide. In conclusion, semaglutide inhibits I/R injury-induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis by activating the PKG/PKCε/ERK1/2 pathway. The beneficial effect of GLP-1/GLP-1R, involved in the activation of the PKG/PKCε/ERK1/2 pathway, may provide a novel treatment method for myocardial I/R injury. • Semaglutide could increase GLP-1R level in the ischemic/reperfusion rats and hypoxia/reoxygenation H9C2 cells. • Both semaglutide and 8-Br-cGMP play a protective role in the ischemic/reperfusion rats and hypoxia/reoxygenation H9C2 cells. • KT-5823 could weaken the cardioprotective effects of semaglutide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • A phosphorylated bio-based chitosan functionalized MXene (PCS-MXene) was synthesized. • The TPU/PCS-MXene composites exhibited excellent thermal stability and mechanical performance. • The synergistic flame-retardant mechanism of MXene and phosphorylated chitosan in TPU were discussed and clarified. Recently, two-dimensional MXene demonstrated promising advantages to improve the flame-retardant performance of composites; however, its compatibility with polymer matrix is a great concern. In this study, MXene was first functionalized with phosphorylated chitosan (PCS) to obtain the PCS-MXene nanohybrid. The resulting nanohybrid was introduced into the thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) matrix via solution mixing followed by the hot-pressing method, affording TPU/PCS-MXene nanocomposite. The resulting nanohybrid exhibited superior compatibility with the TPU matrix, enhancing mechanical performance of the TPU/PCS-MXene nanocomposite compared to the pristine TPU and TPU/MXene nanocomposite. Besides, the flame-retardant performance of TPU/PCS-MXene nanocomposite was greatly enhanced, while the smoke emission was effectively suppressed. As only 3 wt% PCS-MXene was introduced, peak heat release rate, total heat release, and total smoke production of the composite decreased by 66.7%, 21.0%, and 27.7%, respectively, compared to the pristine TPU. Systematical characterization was then carried out to investigate the enhancement mechanism of PCS-MXene, highlighting the crucial role of PCS combined with the catalytic effect of MXene. In brief, the compatibility issues of MXene were effectively addressed, and its flame-retardancy enhanced greatly via the PCS modification, the bio-based characteristic of which, in turn greatly benefits the further development of MXene-polymer composite. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper is devoted to studying in R n × (0 , T) (n ≥ 1) the Cauchy problem for a semilinear heat equation with source term f (x) non-rarefied at infinity, subjected to zero initial data. To such a problem, the novelty of this work lies in: (a) similar to no source case, non-rarefaction of f at infinity brings about its classical solution blowing up in a finite time T ⁎ > 0 ; (b) we derive the optimal upper and lower bound on the life span T ⁎. This may throw some light on studies of life span. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The hypoxic region microenvironment reduces the susceptibility of the cancer cells to radiotherapy and anticancer drugs of the solid tumors. However, the reduced oxygen surroundings provide an appreciable habitat for anaerobic bacteria to colonize and proliferate. Herein, we present a biocompatible bacteriabased system that can deliver poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)(PLGA) nanoparticles(PLGA NPs) specifically targeting into solid tumor to achieve precision imaging and treatment. In our strategy, anaerobic bacterium Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum) that colonizes selectively in hypoxic regions of animal body was successfully used as a vehicle to conjugate with PLGA NPs and transported into solid tumors. To improve the efficacy and specificity of tumor therapy, low-boiling point perfluorohexane (PFH) liquid was wrapped in the core of PLGA NPs (PFH/PLGA NPs), which could increase the deposition of energy by affecting the acoustic environment of the tumor and destroy cells after liquid-gas phase transition during High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) irradiation. This strategy shows an effective diagnosis and treatment integration for giving stronger imaging, longer retention period and more effective tumor therapy. • Bifidobacterium was conjugated with nanoparticles by carbodiimide method, and the biological activity of Bifidobacterium was not affected. • In vitro experiments demonstrated high efficient and stable binding efficiencies. • In vivo tumor targeting showed stronger fluorescence signal and longer retention time, achieving precision imaging. • In vivo precision targeted treatment showed more therapeutic effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We consider L 2 -constraint minimizers of the mass critical Hartree energy functional with a trapping potential V ( x ) in a bounded domain Ω of R 4 . We prove that minimizers exist if and only if the parameter a > 0 satisfies a < a ⁎ = ‖ Q ‖ 2 2 , where Q > 0 is the unique positive solution of − Δ u + u − ( ∫ R 4 u 2 ( y ) | x − y | 2 d y ) u = 0 in R 4 . By investigating new analytic methods, the refined limit behavior of minimizers as a ↗ a ⁎ is analyzed for both cases where all the mass concentrates either at an inner point x 0 of Ω or near the boundary of Ω, depending on whether V ( x ) attains its flattest global minimum at an inner point x 0 of Ω or not. As a byproduct, we also establish two Gagliardo–Nirenberg type inequalities which are of independent interest. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The vapor–liquid equilibrium of R1243zf in PEC7 and PEC9 were measured. • The NRTL model was utilized to model the experimental values. • Henry's law constants for the two mixtures were determined and analyzed. Vapor-liquid equilibrium measurements for 3, 3, 3‑trifluoropropene (R1243zf) with pentaerythritol tetraheptanoate (PEC7) and pentaerythritol tetranonanoate (PEC9) were performed using isochoric saturation method over temperatures from 278.15 K to 343.15 K and pressures up to 1.0 MPa. The experimental data were regressed by non-random two liquid (NRTL) activity coefficients model. In addition, the dissolving abilities of different refrigerants (R1243zf, R600a, RE170, R1234ze(E), R152a, R134a, R1234yf) in PEC7 and PEC9 were compared and analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Aleutian mink disease virus (AMDV) is the only member in genus Amdovirus of the family Parvoviridae. During AMDV infection, six species of viral transcripts are generated from one precursor mRNA through alternative splicing and alternative polyadenylation. In addition to the large non-structural protein NS1, two small non-structural proteins, NS2 and NS3, are putatively encoded (Qiu J, et al., 2006. J. Virol. 80 654–662). However, these two proteins have not been experimentally demonstrated during virus infection, and nothing is known about their function. Here, we studied the nonstructural protein expression profile of AMDV, and for the first time, confirmed expression of NS2 and NS3 during infection, and identified their intracellular localization. More importantly, we provided evidence that both NS2 and NS3 are necessary for AMDV replication. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In this note, we study minimal Lagrangian surfaces in B 4 with Legendrian capillary boundary on S 3. On the one hand, we prove that any minimal Lagrangian surface in B 4 with Legendrian free boundary on S 3 must be an equatorial plane disk. On the other hand, we show that any annulus type minimal Lagrangian surface in B 4 with Legendrian capillary boundary on S 3 must be congruent to one of the Lagrangian catenoids. These results confirm the conjecture proposed by Li, Wang and Weng [12]. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Let and , and assume that f is a conformal map from into , with , then with , and is a moving frame on and it satisfies the following equation where ⋆ is the Hodge star operator on with respect to the standard metric. We will study the Dirichlet energy of this frame and give some applications. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The controllable synthesis of novel dumbbell-like BiVO4 hierarchical nanostructures has been successfully obtained via a simple hydrothermal route. The as-synthesized products were studied by X-ray powder diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy and UV–vis absorption spectroscopy. The results showed that the nucleation and growth of the nanodumbbells were governed by an oriented aggregation growth mechanism. It is noteworthy that the concentration of poly(vinyl pyrrolidone) and the volume ratio of H2O to CH3COOH were crucial to the growth of the final nanoarchitectures. Control experiments were also carried out to investigate the factors which impact on the morphology of the products. Furthermore, the as-prepared BiVO4 hierarchical nanostructures demonstrated the superior visible-light-driven photocatalytic efficiency, which is helpful for the separation and recycle considering their promising applications in harmful pollutants disposal. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We prove several basic properties for difference ascending chains, including a necessary and sufficient condition for an ascending chain to be the characteristic set of its saturation ideal and a necessary and sufficient condition for an ascending chain to be the characteristic set of a reflexive prime ideal. Based on these properties, we propose an algorithm to decompose the zero set of a finite set of difference polynomials into the union of zero sets of certain ascending chains. This decomposition algorithm is implemented and used to solve the perfect ideal membership problem, and to prove certain difference identities automatically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Human interleukin-7 (IL-7) is a member of the interleukin family. Numerous studies have demonstrated IL-7’s effect on B- and T-cell development as well as its potential in various clinical applications. Previously, a study reported that IL-7 could be purified from inclusion bodies using a prokaryotic system, however, the required refolding step limits the recovery rate. This study was designed to produce a bioactive recombinant human IL-7 (rhIL-7) in a eukaryotic expression system in order to obtain higher yields of the protein with simpler purification steps. We cloned human IL-7 cDNA and successfully expressed active recombinant protein in yeast using the Pichia pastoris expression system. A simple purification strategy was established to purify the rhIL-7 from the fermentation supernatant, yielding 35mg/L at 95% purity by the use of a common SP Sepharose FF cation-exchange chromatography. Functional analysis of the purified rhIL-7 by the pre-B cell MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazolyl-2)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) proliferation assay demonstrated a specific activity comparable to commercial sources. These results suggest that purification of rhIL-7 from yeast provides a sound strategy for large-scale production of the rhIL-7 for clinical applications as well as basic researches. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Alternaria spp. cause leaf spot of almond and Alternaria late blight of pistachio in California, and azoxystrobin is a strobilurin fungicide that has been registered for the control of these diseases. To date, only a single point mutation of G143A in cytochrome b resulting to azoxystrobin resistance in Alternaria spp. was found in California. Based on this single point mutation, a real-time PCR assay was developed to quantify the frequency of the resistant allele G143A (FA) in pathogen samples taken from orchards. Forty-one almond and pistachio orchards were arbitrarily selected in eight counties of California. Fifty leaf lesions caused by Alternaria spp. per orchard were cut to extract the fungal DNA for a real-time PCR assay to determine the FA. About 88% of 41 surveyed orchards had Alternaria spp. with FA>0.90, while six pistachio orchards showed a FA<0.90. Therefore, azoxystrobin-resistant Alternaria populations are predominant in almond and pistachio orchards in California, and sprays of azoxystrobin to control Alternaria diseases are not recommended in these orchards. This study shows a potential use of a real-time PCR assay to efficiently quantify the frequency of azoxystrobin-resistant Alternaria spp. from large number of samples. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Coercive subtyping is a general approach to abbreviation and subtyping in dependent type theories with inductive types. Coherence and admissibility of transitivity are important both for understanding of the framework and for its correct implementation. In this paper, we study the issue of transitivity in the context of subtyping for parameterised inductive types. In particular, we propose and study the notion of weak transitivity and show that, for a large class of parameterised inductive types, the natural subtyping rules are coherent and weak transitivity is admissible in an intensional type theory. A possible extension of type theory with certain extensional computation rules is also discussed for achieving admissibility of transitivity in general. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

This paper is concerned with ground states of attractive Bose gases confined in an anharmonic trap V (x) = ω (| x | 2 + k | x | 4) rotating at the velocity Ω > 0 , where ω > 0 denotes the trapping frequency, and k > 0 represents the strength of the quartic term. It is known that for any Ω > 0 , ground states exist in such traps if and only if 0 < a < a ⁎ , where a ⁎ : = ‖ Q ‖ 2 2 and Q > 0 is the unique positive solution of Δ Q − Q + Q 3 = 0 in R 2. By analyzing the refined energies and expansions of ground states, we prove that there exists a constant C > 0 , independent of 0 < a < a ⁎ , such that ground states do not have any vortex in the region R (a) : = { x ∈ R 2 : | x | ≤ C (a ⁎ − a) − 1 − 6 β 20 } as a ↗ a ⁎ , for the case where ω = 3 Ω 2 4 , k = 1 6 , and Ω = C 0 (a ⁎ − a) − β varies for some β ∈ [ 0 , 1 6) and C 0 > 0. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxocara canis is an common intestinal nematode of canids and the principal causative agent of human toxocariasis. Vitellogenin (Vg), a source of amino acids and lipids in the eggs, are considered to play an important role in embryo development of a wide range of organisms. In the present study, the transcriptional levels of Tc-vit-6 gene in male and female adult T. canis were determined by quantitative real-time PCR, which indicated high transcription of Tc-vit-6 in the intestine, reproductive tract and body wall of male and female adult T. canis . The fragment of Tc-vit-6 encoding a vWD domain, was cloned and expressed to produce a rabbit anti- Tc vWD polyclonal antibody. Tissue distribution of Tc Vg6 was detected by immunohistochemical assays, which showed predominant distribution of Tc Vg6 in the tissues of intestine, as well as reproductive tract (including some of the germ cells) and musculature of male and female adult worms. Collectively, these results indicated multiple biological roles of Tc Vg6 apart from that in the reproduction of T. canis . [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

High-fidelity computation of shock-associated noise places stringent requirements on the accuracy, linear and nonlinear spectral properties of shock-capturing scheme. In this paper, a novel weighted nonlinear compact scheme with seventh-order accuracy is developed for the purpose of improving the linear and nonlinear spectral properties of original scheme (Zhang et al., (2008) [1]). The numerical fluxes at cell centers are obtained using upwind-biased weighted nonlinear interpolation based on the new S-type smoothness indicator that be constant for sine and cosine functions (Wu et al., (2020) [2]). Through systematic spectral analysis and numerical experiments, it is demonstrated that the newly proposed scheme has very weak nonlinear effect and reduces the dissipation and dispersion at the medium and high wavenumbers. The resolution for the short waves and the fine-scale structures is improved. It has the potential to become a suitable candidate for the computation of shock-associated noise. • A novel seventh-order weighted compact scheme named WCOM7S is proposed. • WCOM7S reduces the dissipation and dispersion at medium and high wavenumbers. • WCOM7S has good nonlinear spectral properties and weak nonlinear effect. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To investigate the impact and mechanism of Cd-tolerant bacteria in soil on promoting Cd accumulation in Ageratum conyzoides L., we verified the impact of inoculating two strains, B-1 (Burkholderia contaminans HA09) and B-7 (Arthrobacter humicola), on Cd accumulation in A. conyzoides through a pot experiment. Additionally, we investigated the dissolution of CdCO 3 and nutrient elements, as well as the release of indoleacetic acid (IAA) by the two strains. The results showed that both strains can significantly improve the dissolution of CdCO 3. Strains B-1 and B-7 had obvious effect of dissolving phosphorus, which was 5.63 and 2.76 times higher than that of the control group, respectively. Strain B-7 had significant effect of dissolution potassium, which was 1.79 times higher than that of the control group. Strains B-1 and B-7 had significant nitrogen fixation effect, which was 29.53 and 44.39 times higher than that of the control group, respectively. In addition, inoculating with strain B-1 and B-7 significantly increased the Cd extraction efficiency of A. conyzoides (by 114% and 45% respectively) through enhancing Cd accumulation and the biomass of A. conyzoides. Furthermore, the inoculation of strain B-1 and B-7 led to a significant increase in the activities of CAT and SOD, as well as the content of chlorophyll a and total chlorophyll in the leaves of A. conyzoides. To sum up, strain B-1 and B-7 can promote the phytoremediation efficiency of A. conyzoides on Cd by promoting the biomass and Cd accumulation of A. conyzoides. [Display omitted] • Strain B-1 and B-7 raised Cd extraction by A. conyzoides by 114% and 45%. • Strains boosts Cd remediation by promoting biomass and Cd extraction of A. conyzoides. • Strain B-1 and B-7 can release a large amount of IAA. • Strain B-1 and B-7 can promote the release of nutrition (such as N, P and K). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, the multiple scattering features of acoustic waves by a vortex array are studied by numerical simulation through solving the two-dimensional Euler equations in the time domain with high-order-accurate finite-difference methods. The computations of scattered fields with a very small amplitude are found to be in excellent agreement with a benchmark provided by previous studies. A more physical vortex array model as the base flow for the problem of the multiple acoustic scattering is proposed and validated numerically. The influences of the spatial scales on the scattered fields are investigated, and the significant scattering is observed in the regime where the spatial scales of acoustic waves and vortical fields are comparable. Compared with single scattering, multiple scattering involves the interferences of scattered waves induced by each vortex of the array and shows more complexities. The most valuable observation is that the "zone of silence" arises behind the vortex array. A significant noise reduction of 10 decibels is achieved by using the optimized vortex array. • A more physical vortex array model as the base flow for the problem of the multiple acoustic scattering is developed and validated. • A method to measure the intensity of the interference field due to the multiple scattering is proposed. • The influences of the vortex strength, the length-scale ratio, and the direction angle on the interference fields are presented. • A significant noise reduction of 10 decibels is achieved by using the optimized vortex array. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Helicobacter pylori is a bacterium that causes chronic active gastritis and peptic ulcers. Drugs targeting H. pylori phosphopantetheine adenylyltransferase (HpPPAT), which is involved in CoA biosynthesis, may be useful. Herein, we report the expression in Escherichia coli and purification of recombinant HpPPAT and describe a crystal structure for an HpPPAT/CoA complex. As is the case for E. coli PPAT (EcPPAT), HpPPAT is hexameric in solution and as a crystal. Each protomer has a well-packed dinucleotide-binding fold in which CoA binds. Structural characterisation demonstrated that CoA derived from the E. coli expression system bound tightly to HpPPAT, presumably to initiate feedback inhibition. However, the interactions between the active-site residues of HpPPAT and CoA are not identical to those of other PPATs. Finally, CoA binding affects HpPPAT thermal denaturation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Among the six classes of Zeeman''s classification for three-dimensional Lotka–Volterra competitive systems with limit cycles, besides the classes 26, 27, 28 and 29, multiple limit cycles are found in classes 30 and 31 by an algorithmic method proposed by Hofbauer and So [J. Hofbauer, J.W. So, Multiple limit cycles for three-dimensional Lotka–Volterra equations, Appl. Math. Lett. 7 (1994) 65–70]. This also gives an answer to a problem proposed in [J. Hofbauer, J.W. So, Multiple limit cycles for three-dimensional Lotka–Volterra equations, Appl. Math. Lett. 7 (1994) 65–70]. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The complete two-component histidine kinase gene (Bos1) was sequenced from eight dicarboximide-resistant (DR) and six-sensitive (DS) field isolates of Botrytis cinerea. Comparisons in the predicted amino acid sequences of Bos1 showed that each two DR isolates had a single point mutation at amino acid position 365 from an isoleucine to serine (I365S) or to an asparagine (I365N). Three DR isolates were characterized with a change from glutamine to proline at position 369 (Q369P) as well as an asparagine to serine at the position 373 (N373S). These mutations located within the 90-amino-acid repeats of Bos1 have been reported previously. One new mutation, however, was found in the DR isolate 65-E8. In this isolate, a null mutation at the amino acid position 1040 in the Bos1 was detected. Inoculation tests showed that this isolate was nearly nonpathogenic to cucumber. After the Bos1 gene from the sensitive isolate 38B1 was transferred into the resistant isolate 65-E8, all transformants tested were sensitive to iprodione and capable of infecting cucumber. DNA fingerprint generated by micro-satellite primed-PCR showed that isolates were not clustered based on their sensitivity to iprodione. Results from this study indicate that mutations in the Bos1 gene associated with dicarboximide resistance are diverse in B. cinerea, and the Bos1 gene is associated with virulence of B. cinerea. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The increasing level of osteogenic (OS) differentiation of bone marrow derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) could be potentially used to relieve the signs and symptoms associated with osteoporosis (OP). Inhibition of osteoprotegerin (OPG)/ R eceptor A ctivator of N uclear factor- K appa B L igand (RANKL) pathway plays an important role in OS differentiation, leading to excessive osteoclasts and reduction of osteoblasts, and finally causing OP. Recent studies revealed that microRNAs exert an essential role in regulating OS differentiation. Here, we investigated the dysregulation of miR-212 and miR-384 and the mechanism by which they are involved in OS differentiation-induced MSCs. Quantitative real-time PCR revealed that miR-212 and miR-384 were significantly upregulated in an OP animal model, but markedly downregulated in OS differentiation-induced MSCs. Interference of miR-212 and miR-384 promoted OS differentiation and alleviated OP by targeting RUNX2 in vitro and in vivo. Notably, the inhibition of miR-212 and miR-384 promoted OS differentiation via upregulating RUNX2, and activating OPG/RANKL pathway. Together, our findings demonstrated that interference of miR-212 and miR-384 alleviated OP via RUNX2/OPG/RANKL pathway, providing a novel target of treating OP. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract In this study, the tilapia was orally vaccinated by the attenuated Streptococcus agalactiae (S. agalactiae) strain YM001, and the distribution and the pathological effect of strain YM001 in different intestinal segments of tilapia were evaluated by real-time PCR(qPCR), immunohistochemistry(IHC) and histomorphology. The qPCR results showed that the number of bacteria was the highest in the intestinal tracts at 12 h post oral gavage in the YM001 group, then began to decrease sharply and eliminated at 7 d. And the number of bacteria was highest in the foregut, hindgut, and rectum at 12 h, 24 h, and 3 d, respectively. IHC indicated that bacteria mainly distributed in the margin epithelium and the goblet cells at 12 h - 24 h, and in the submucosa and muscle layer in the YM001 group in 3 d post gavage, then almost disappeared at 7 d. Histological examination of intestines post gavage displayed that an inflammation was observed at 7 d in the YM001 group and the intestinal structure was fully recovered at 15 d. and the intestinal structure was fully recovered at 15 d. Conclusion: The attenuated S. agalactiae vaccine strain YM001 could enter the intestinal tissue after oral gavage and had a strong spatial and temporal selectivity in the intestinal tract, which could cause obvious mucosal immune response and mild pathological reaction, but the pathological change could be gradually repaired with the extinction of bacteria in the body. Highlights • The attenuated S. agalactiae vaccine strain YM001 could enter the intestinal tissue. • The strain YM001 had a strong spatial and temporal selectivity in the intestinal tract. • Fish can be repaired with the extinction of bacteria in the body. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a category of short, highly conserved, noncoding RNAs that modulate various physiological activities correlated with plant growth, stress response, and virus-host interaction. However, the miRNAs associated with cucumber mosaic virus (CMV) resistance in hot pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) remain unexplored. The present work employed small RNA sequencing to compare CMV-infected pepper seedlings with the control seedlings at different time points. The analysis using miRDeep2 software identified 216 known and 34 novel miRNAs from the 12 pepper libraries generated in this study. Further research predicted 3914 targets for these novel miRNAs, of which 3502 were conserved miRNA target genes and 412 were novel miRNA target genes. Functional analysis revealed significant enrichment of these miRNA in 'plant-pathogen interaction', 'ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis', and 'metabolic pathways'. Finally, quantitative RT-PCR validated the sRNA sequencing data. These findings set the groundwork for further studies on the CMV resistance mechanisms of pepper. • Identified 216 known and 34 novel miRNAs from the 12 pepper libraries, and 3914 potential targets were predicted. • The divergent expressions of these miRNAs during CMV infection revealed their role in regulating resistance. • These miRNAs significantly enriched several defense pathways, including 'Plant-pathogen interaction' and 'Ubiquitin-mediated proteolysis'. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mitochondrial metabolism plays a pivotal role in various cellular processes and fibrosis. However, the mechanism underlying mitochondrial metabolic function and liver fibrosis remains poorly understood. In this study, we determined whether mitochondrial metabolism mediates liver fibrosis using cells, animal models, and clinical samples to elucidate the potential effects and underlying mechanism of mitochondrial metabolism in liver fibrosis. We report that AlkB Homolog 5 (ALKBH5) decreases mitochondrial membrane potential (MMP) and oxygen consumption rate (OCR), suppresses mitochondrial fission and hepatic stellate cell (HSC) proliferation and migration and ameliorates liver fibrosis. Enhancement of mitochondrial fission, an essential event during HSC proliferation and migration, is dependent on decreased ALKBH5 expression. Furthermore, we reveal that low ALKBH5 expression is associated with elevated N6-methyladenosine (m6A) mRNA levels. Mechanistically, ALKBH5 mediates m6A demethylation in the 3'UTR of Drp1 mRNA and induces its translation in a YTH domain family proteins 1 (YTHDF1)-independent manner. Subsequently, in transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) induced HSC, Dynamin-related protein 1 (Drp1) mediates mitochondrial fission and increases cell proliferation and migration. Decreased Drp1 expression inhibits mitochondrial fission and suppresses HSC proliferation and migration. Notably, human fibrotic liver and heart tissue exhibited enhanced mitochondrial fission; increased YTHDF1, Drp1, alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and collagen I expression; decreased ALKBH5 expression and increased liver fibrosis. Our results highlight a novel mechanism by which ALKBH5 suppresses mitochondrial fission and HSC proliferation and migration by reducing Drp1 methylation in an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent manner, which may indicate a demethylation-based approach for liver fibrosis diagnosis and therapy. [Display omitted] • Crucial roles of Drp1 in TGF-β1 induced HSC proliferation and migration and mitochondrial fission. • ALKBH5 mediated m6A demethylation in the 3'UTR of Drp1 mRNA and induced its translation. • ALKBH5 loss upregulated Drp1 levels in an m6A-YTHDF1-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: We have generated a quantitative transcription profile of human bocavirus type 1 (HBoV1) by transfecting a nearly full-length clone in human lung epithelial A549 cells as well as in a replication competent system in 293 cells. The overall transcription profile of HBoV1 is similar to that of two other members of genus Bocavirus, minute virus of canines and bovine parvovirus 1. In particular, a spliced NS1-transcript that was not recognized previously expressed the large non-structural protein NS1 at approximately 100kDa; and the NP1-encoding transcripts were expressed abundantly. In addition, the protein expression profile of human bocavirus type 2 (HBoV2) was examined in parallel by transfection of a nearly full-length clone in A549 cells, which is similar to that of HBoV1. Moreover, our results showed that, unlike human parvovirus B19 infection, expression of the HBoV1 proteins only does not induce cell cycle arrest and apoptosis of A549 cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Interleukin-1 receptor activated kinases (IRAKs) play crucial roles in the Toll-like receptor (TLR) mediated signal transduction pathways that control host innate immune responses. Here we report the cloning of an IRAK1 cDNA (named ScIRAK1) from the mandarin fish. The predicted ScIRAK1 peptide contains a death domain and a serine/threonine-specific kinase domain. Quantitative RT-PCR showed that ScIRAK1 mRNA was primarily expressed in blood cells and posterior kidney. Seven days following infection with infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus (ISKNV), the ScIRAK1 mRNA level was significantly higher in the blood cells of clinically symptomatic fish than in the blood cells of asymptomatic fish or control fish injected with phosphate-buffered saline. Additional experiments showed that overexpression of ScIRAK1 in the 293T cells could induce NF-κB activation. These results suggest that ScIRAK1 may play a role in the pathology of ISKNV infection in the mandarin fish. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]