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To obtain diesel fuels with high combustion properties from hydrotreatment of vegetable oils, inhibiting the formation of multibranched isomers (MuBI) is highly desirable. A core@shell structural ZSM-22@SiO 2 zeolite was designed to passivate external acid sites and promote the formation of monobranched isomers (MoBI), which have much higher cetane numbers than MuBI (>85 vs. <60). A series of ZSM-22@SiO 2 zeolites with different amounts of shell silica were synthesized through a facile crystal growth method. External acid sites could be successfully inactivated using the proposed method. Synthesized zeolites were used as supports for bifunctional catalysts in hydrodeoxygenation of methyl palmitate. The effects of the shell silica amount and SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio of the core zeolite were investigated. The MoBI percentage in total isomers increased from 71% to 95% at a reaction temperature of 300 °C. However, deoxygenation activity and isomerization selectivity decreased gradually with increasing amount of shell silica. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy of CO adsorption combined with transmission electron microscopy demonstrated that Pt particles exposed more Pt(1 0 0) facets than Pt(1 1 1) facets in silica-coated catalysts. This could be the most likely reason for the decreased deoxygenation activity. The decrease in the number of Brønsted acid sites could be responsible for the lowered isomerization selectivity. Catalytic performance could be enhanced by reducing the SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratio of core ZSM-22. Catalysts with lower SiO 2 /Al 2 O 3 ratios favored smaller Pt particles and exposed more active Pt(1 1 1) corner sites. Additionally, acid sites played an important role in the adsorption of oxygenates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: The lacrimal functional unit (LFU) is defined by the 2007 International Dry Eye WorkShop as ‘an integrated system comprising the lacrimal glands, ocular surface (cornea, conjunctiva and meibomian glands) and lids, and the sensory and motor nerves that connect them’. The LFU maintains a healthy ocular surface primarily through a properly functioning tear film that provides protection, lubrication, and an environment for corneal epithelial cell renewal. LFU cells express thousands of proteins. Over 200 new LFU proteins have been discovered in the last decade. Lacritin is a new LFU-specific growth factor in human tears that flows through ducts to target corneal epithelial cells on the ocular surface. When applied topically in rabbits, lacritin appears to increase the volume of basal tear secretion. Lacritin is one of only a handful of tear proteins preliminarily reported to be downregulated in blepharitis and in two dry eye syndromes. Computational analysis predicts an ordered C-terminal domain that binds the corneal epithelial cell surface proteoglycan syndecan-1 (SDC1) and is required for lacritin''s low nanomolar mitogenic activity. The lacritin-binding site on the N-terminus of SDC1 is exposed by heparanase. Heparanase is constitutively expressed by the corneal epithelium and appears to be a normal constituent of tears. Binding triggers rapid signaling to downstream NFAT and mTOR. A wealth of other new proteins, originally designated as hypothetical when first identified by genomic sequencing, are expressed by the human LFU including: ALS2CL, ARHGEF19, KIAA1109, PLXNA1, POLG, WIPI1 and ZMIZ2. Their demonstrated or implied roles in human genetic disease or basic cellular functions are fuel for new investigation. Addressing topical areas in ocular surface physiology with new LFU proteins may reveal interesting new biological mechanisms and help get to the heart of ocular surface dysfunction. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Porcine deltacoronavirus (PDCoV) is a newly identified coronavirus of pigs that was first reported in Hong Kong in 2012. Since then, many PDCoV isolates have been identified worldwide. In this study, we analyzed the codon usage pattern of the S gene using complete coding sequences and complete PDCoV genomes to gain a deeper understanding of their genetic relationships and evolutionary history. We found that during evolution three groups evolved with a relatively low codon usage bias (effective number of codons (ENC) of 52). The factors driving bias were complex. However, the primary element influencing the codon bias of PDCoVs was natural selection. Our results revealed that different natural environments may have a significant impact on the genetic characteristics of the strains. In the future, more epidemiological surveys are required to examine the factors that resulted in the emergence and outbreak of this virus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Propose an entropy index selection strategy for the Masi entropy thresholding. • Propose the DP framework of the multilevel Masi entropy thresholding. • Propose an adaptive efficient Masi entropy multilevel thresholding based on DP. • Verify the performance of the proposed method on different benchmark data sets. Masi entropy multilevel thresholding can utilize additive and non-extensive information in images to effectively segment a complex image. However, the entropy index of Masi entropy cannot be selected automatically, and the time complexity of the multilevel algorithm by exhaustive searching grows exponentially with the increase of the threshold numbers. To address these two problems, an adaptive entropy index selection strategy based on image histogram information is proposed first. To improve the computation efficiency, an efficient solution for the adaptive Masi entropy multilevel thresholding algorithm based on dynamic programming (DP + AMasi) is also proposed. The DP + AMasi algorithm is compared with the Masi entropy multilevel thresholding algorithm by exhaustive search and state-of-the-art metaheuristic algorithms on three benchmark datasets. The effectiveness of the DP + AMasi is verified by fitness function values, Uniformity Measure, Davies Bouldin index, and CPU run time. In addition, the Wilcoxon test is used to analyze the differences between algorithms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Semiconductor photocatalysis can carry out selective chemical transformations under ambient conditions, mitigating the associated environmental consequences. However, a single semiconductor photocatalyst usually cannot perform the transformations satisfactorily from the aspects of light-absorption, efficiency, and selectivity, etc. To address these challenges, cadmium sulfide (CdS)/titanate hybrid was fabricated by simultaneously growing titanate and CdS and had been comprehensively characterized. The optimized CdS/titanate hybrid can power the highly selective oxidative homocoupling of amines under the irradiation of green light-emitting diodes (LEDs). Specifically, CdS with a narrow bandgap captures green light; the conduction band of titanate activates molecular oxygen (O 2). The valence band of CdS could ensure the selective oxidative homocoupling of amines in methanol (CH 3 OH). The hybridization between CdS and titanate accounts for the expeditious oxidative homocoupling of amines into imines and the improved stability. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) quenching experiments and in situ electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) tests suggest that superoxide anion (O 2 −) and benzylamine radical are intermediates en route to imines. This work highlights the viability of hybridization of dual semiconductor nanostructures in implementing visible light-powered selective conversions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Silver carp myofibrillar protein films were prepared with tannins (tannic acid and apple procyanidins) at various concentrations (30 and 50 g/kg protein) under alkaline and heating condition. Phenolics-protein interaction as well as related properties of incorporated film was evaluated. Available amino and total sulfhydryl groups in film-forming solution (FFS) were decreased especially by tannic acid, whereas protein solubilities in the film were more sharply reduced by apple procyanidin. SDS-PAGE pattern suggested that non-sulfide covalent bonds were formed between tannins and protein molecules, and more protein polymerization was induced by apple procyanidin. On the other hand, the incorporation of tannic acid and apple procyanidin led to an increased tensile strength (TS) with accompanying decreases in elongation at break (EBA) and water vapor permeability (WVP). The film with apple procyanidin had higher TS and EBA as well as lower WVP than that with tannic acid. Tannins especially condense tannin could covalently crosslink with protein molecules to form protein-phenolics- protein polymers, and thus improve some physicochemical properties of the resulting protein films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Evidence has been demonstrated that lncRNAs are involved in a variety of immune responses in vertebrate. It has been demonstrated that immune-related lncRNAs play vital functions in immune regulation against infections in teleost. Nocardia seriolae, as one of the Gram-positive bacteria, can cause chronic systemic granulomatous disease for snakehead (Channa argus). However, how lncRNAs function in the immune regulation process once snakehead was infected with N. seriolae infection has not been studied so far. Accordingly, transcription landscapes of lncRNAs and mRNAs in snakehead were investigated. A total of 1,991 lncRNA were obtained. Totally, we predicted 57,584 co-expression and 16,047 co-location lncRNA-mRNA pairs. To further analyze the potential function of these lncRNAs, GO enrichment analysis and KEGG signal pathways were performed on the target mRNAs of these differently expressed lncRNAs, suggesting that lncRNAs may play essential roles in modulating mRNA expression levels, and subsequently trigger downstream immune signaling pathways to regulate the immune response in snakehead. In addition, 9 DEmRNA and 3 lncRNAs were randomly selected for qRT-PCR analyzed, which confirmed the accuracy of transcriptome data. These results can provide novel knowledge about lncRNAs in immune responses process in snakehead, and can serve as important resources for further investigating the roles of lncRNAs during pathogen infections in teleost. • A total of 1991 lncRNA were identified in snakehead. • 7584 co-expression and 16,047 co-location lncRNA-mRNA pairs were found in snakehead. • 13 core lncRNA-mRNAs networks were constructed in N. seriolae infected snakehead. • 9 DEmRNA and 3 lncRNAs were randomly selected for qRT-PCR analyzed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myofibrillar protein-based films incorporated with grape seed procyanidins (GSPC) and green tea polyphenol (GTP) were prepared and characterized in terms of physical, mechanical, water barrier and thermal properties. Incorporation of GSPC and GTP markedly decreased water solubility, water vapor permeability and elongation at break, whereas increased tensile strength as well as moisture content. Thermal properties of incorporated films were also improved as evidenced by the higher shift of degradation temperature. Loss in protein solubility and decrease in protein pattern suggested the formation of covalent-crosslinking between phenol and protein molecules. Furthermore, GSPC had a slight greater impact on film properties due to its larger molecule size. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs play crucial roles in various biological processes, including but not limited to differentiation, development, disease, and immunity. However, their immunoregulatory roles in half-smooth tongue sole are lacking. Our previous studies indicated that miR-722 could target C5aR1 to modulate the complement pathway to alleviate inflammatory response and even affect the mortality after the bacterial infection with Vibrio anguillarum. Driven by the purpose of revealing the underlying mechanisms, in this study, we investigated the effects of miR-722 on the gene expression and alternative splicing (AS) in the liver of half-smooth tongue sole after Vibrio anguillarum infection, with the approach of miR-722 overexpression/silencing and subsequent RNA-seq. Among the different comparisons, the I group (miR-722 inhibitor and V. anguillarum) versus blank control (PBS) exhibited the highest number of differentially expressed genes (DEGs), suggesting that the immune response was overactivated after inhibiting the miR-722. In addition, enrichment analyses were performed to reveal the functions of DEGs and differential AS (DAS) genes, reflecting the enrichment of RNA splicing and immune-related pathways including NF-κB and T cell receptor signaling pathway. Comparing the M group (miR-722 mimic and V. anguillarum) with the negative control (random sequence and V. anguillarum), two immune-related genes, cd48 and mapk8 , were differentially expressed, of which mapk8 was also differentially spliced, indicating their importance in the immune response. Furthermore, representative gene analysis was performed, suggesting their corresponding functional changes due to AS. To verify the RNA-seq data, quantitative real-time PCR was employed with twenty pairs of primers for DEGs and DAS events. Overall, our results demonstrated that miR-722 could mediate the transcriptome-wide changes of gene expression and AS in half-smooth tongue sole, and provided insights into the regulatory role of miR-722 in immune responses, laying the foundation for further functional analyses and practical applications in aquaculture. • miR-722 mediated the transcriptome-wide changes of gene expression and AS in tongue sole. • DAS contributed significantly to the immune response after the bacterial infection. • mapk8 was the only gene that underwent both differential expression and DAS in M vs N. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Exposure to arsenic is a risk factor for nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Ferroptosis is a form of regulated cell death defined by the accumulation of lipid peroxidation. In the current study, we observed the occurrence of ferroptosis in arsenic-induced NASH by assessing ferroptosis related hallmarks. In vitro , we found that ferrostatin-1 effectively attenuated the executing of ferroptosis and NASH. Simultaneously, the expression of ACSL4 (acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4) was upregulated in rat's liver and L-02 cells exposed to arsenic. While, suppression of ACSL4 with rosiglitazone or ACSL4 siRNA remarkably alleviated arsenic-induced NASH and ferroptosis through diminishing 5-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (5-HETE) content. Additionally, Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), a physical tether between endoplasmic reticulum and mitochondria, has rarely been explored in the ferroptosis. Using Mfn2 siRNA or inositol-requiring enzyme 1 alpha (IRE1α) inhibitor, we found NASH and ferroptosis were obviously mitigated through reducing 5-HETE content. Importantly, Co-IP assay indicated that Mfn2 could interact with IRE1α and promoted the production of 5-HETE, ultimately led to ferroptosis and NASH. Collectively, our data showed that ferroptosis is involved in arsenic-induced NASH. These data provide insightful viewpoints into the mechanism of arsenic-induced NASH. • Ferroptosis is involved in NaAsO 2 -induced nonalcoholic steatohepatitis. • NaAsO 2 -induced ferroptotic cell death depends on the interaction of Mfn2 and IRE1α. • The ACSL4 plays a leading role in the progression of ferroptosis induced by NaAsO 2 via manipulating 5-HETE content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complement system is essential to host defense, but its excessive activation caused by severe pathogen invasion is a driving force in adverse inflammatory. The binding of complement component 5a (C5a) and complement component 5a receptor 1 (C5aR1) is the key to trigger complement-mediated inflammatory response in mammals. However, the role of C5a-C5aR1 axis in fish immune response remains obscure. In this study, the role of C5a-C5aR1 axis of zebrafish (Danio rerio) after serious infection with Aeromonas hydrophila was investigated. C5a and C5aR1 of zebrafish were cloned, with CDS sequences of 228 and 1041 bp, respectively, and they were widely expressed in various tissues with the highest expression in the liver and spleen, respectively. The survival of zebrafish was closely correlated to the dose of A. hydrophila. The cytokine storm occurred at high concentrations of A. hydrophila infection. At 24 h post infection (hpi), the expression of C5a and C5aR1 in the spleen increased 26.8-fold and 9.9-fold in treatment group 1 (TG1, 3.0 × 107 CFU/mL) (P < 0.01), and 4.7-fold and 3.4-fold in treatment group 2 (TG2, 1.0 × 107 CFU/mL) (P < 0.05), respectively. Correspondingly, proinflammatory cytokines interleukin-1β (IL-1β), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and interleukin-17 (IL-17) were positively correlated to C5a and C5aR1 at mRNA and protein expression levels. The expression of IL-1β was significantly increased in the spleen at 6 hpi, with a 599.2-fold and 203.2-fold upregulation in TG1 and TG2 (P < 0.001), respectively. Moreover, after inhibition of C5a-C5aR1 binding treated with C5aR1 antagonist (W-54011), zebrafish showed lower expression of C5a , C5aR1 , and cytokines, less intestinal damage, and significantly enhancement of survival (P < 0.05) after A. hydrophila challenge. This study revealed that the inflammatory effect of C5a was achieved by binding to C5aR1 in zebrafish, providing novel insights into using C5a-C5aR1 axis as an effective target to reduce bacterial inflammation and disease in fish. • C5a-C5aR1 axis was activated by bacterial infection with dose effect. • Hyperactivation of C5a-C5aR1 axis triggered a "cytokine storm" at both mRNA and protein levels in zebrafish. • Inhibition of C5a-C5aR1 axis significantly reduced the inflammatory response after bacterial infection in zebrafish. • The inflammatory effect of C5a was achieved by binding to C5aR1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]