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Extensive hierarchical yet highly reciprocal interactions among cortical areas are fundamental for information processing. However, connectivity rules governing the specificity of such corticocortical connections, and top-down feedback projections in particular, are poorly understood. We analyze synaptic strength from functionally relevant brain areas to diverse neuronal types in the primary somatosensory cortex (S1). Long-range projections from different areas preferentially engage specific sets of GABAergic neurons in S1. Projections from other somatosensory cortices strongly recruit parvalbumin (PV)-positive GABAergic neurons and lead to PV neuron-mediated feedforward inhibition of pyramidal neurons in S1. In contrast, inputs from whisker-related primary motor cortex are biased to vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP)-positive GABAergic neurons and potentially result in VIP neuron-mediated disinhibition. Regardless of the input areas, somatostatin-positive neurons receive relatively weak long-range inputs. Computational analyses suggest that a characteristic combination of synaptic inputs to different GABAergic IN types in S1 represents a specific long-range input area. • Diverse long-range inputs engage distinct GABAergic neurons in S1 • S2 inputs recruit PV neurons leading to feedforward inhibition of pyramidal cells in S1 • M1 inputs recruit VIP neurons leading to disinhibition of pyramidal cells in S1 • SST neurons receive relatively weak long-range inputs regardless of input area Naskar et al. show how functionally relevant brain areas interact with neurons in the primary somatosensory cortex, demonstrating that long-range projections from diverse brain areas differentially recruit specific subtypes of GABAergic neurons in S1, and each distinct subtype of GABAergic neurons differentially affects local network activity in S1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary The greater wax moth, Galleria mellonella, degrades wax and plastic molecules. Despite much interest, the genetic basis of these hallmark traits remains poorly understood. Herein, we assembled high-quality genome and transcriptome data from G. mellonella to investigate long-chain hydrocarbon wax metabolism strategies. Specific carboxylesterase and lipase and fatty-acid-metabolism-related enzymes in the G. mellonella genome are transcriptionally regulated during feeding on beeswax. Strikingly, G. mellonella lacking intestinal microbiota successfully decomposes long-chain fatty acids following wax metabolism, although the intestinal microbiome performs a supplementary role in short-chain fatty acid degradation. Notably, final wax derivatives were detected by gas chromatography even in the absence of gut microbiota. Our findings provide insight into wax moth adaptation and may assist in the development of unique wax-degradation strategies with a similar metabolic approach for a plastic molecule polyethylene biodegradation using organisms without intestinal microbiota. Graphical Abstract Highlights • The weight of G. mellonella larvae is maintained by feeding wax in germ-free conditions • Intestinal beeswax metabolism is similar regardless of intestinal microbiota • Genome and RNA sequencing provides insights into molecular mechanisms of wax degradation • Polyethylene metabolism can occur independently of intestinal microbiota The evolutionarily expanded long-chain fatty acid degradation gene products of Galleria mellonella decompose long-chain hydrocarbons independently of intestinal microorganisms. Kong et al. show that beeswax and degradation products are detected equally in larvae in the presence or absence of intestinal microbes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Addressed image quality degradation in dark-field imaging due to wraparound artifacts using motion blurring. • Overcame limitations of existing methods that reduce FOV and correlation length when removing artifacts. • Developed modified motion conditions for tilted grid systems to prevent moiré artifacts. • Enhanced CNR for SAXS signals in dark-field images. • The detection accuracy for materials that generate SAXS in SHI-based DFXI has been improved. Dark-field X-ray imaging (DFXI), which is based on spatial harmonic imaging (SHI), is an imaging modality that can rapidly and easily acquire microstructural information on macroscopic samples that cannot be detected by conventional X-ray imaging systems. It has potential in various fields. However, it cannot obtain accurate information concerning microstructures, owing to image distortion caused by wraparound artifacts. In this study, we examined the use of motion-blurring technique to eliminate these artifacts and devised a modified motion condition for a tilted grid system designed to prevent moiré artifacts in SHI-based DFXI. Experimental results indicated that the technique successfully eliminated the artifacts in dark-field images and increased the contrast-to-noise ratio for small-angle X-ray scattering signals, which are the measures of microstructural information of the sample. Furthermore, the technique increased the accuracy of detection of low-density foreign bodies in SHI-based DFXI-particularly when the sample had sharp edges. The results indicate the applicability of motion-blurring technique to SHI-based DFXI. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study presents a novel approach for detecting low-density foreign bodies (FBs) in food products using single-shot grid-based dark-field X-ray imaging (SG-DFXI). SG-DFXI obtains information related to the sample's small-angle X-ray scattering using a conventional X-ray source and grid. It is specifically utilized to detect low-density materials that are invisible when using conventional techniques. To demonstrate its efficacy, an experiment was conducted with food samples containing low-density FBs such as wood, Styrofoam, pencil lead, and soft plastic. A quantitative evaluation was conducted based on the contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) and relative contrast gain (RCG). The proposed method detected low-density FBs barely visible in absorption images. Additionally, the CNR values measured in dark-field images were approximately 2.8–10.5 times larger than those in the absorption images, indicating that the proposed approach significantly improved the ability to detect low-density FBs in food samples. The RCG characteristic was improved as the system's autocorrelation length (ξ G) increased; the RCG value for ξ G = 453 nm was approximately 2.5 times larger than that for ξ G = 171 nm. • Method detecting low-density foreign bodies (FBs) in food products is proposed. • Single-shot grid-based dark-field X-ray imaging (SG-DFXI) method is used. • SG-DFXI obtains information related to samples' small-angle X-ray scattering. • The experiment used food samples with FBs like wood, Styrofoam, soft plastic, etc. • CNR and relative contrast gain (RCG) were used for quantitative evaluation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Using in silico docking calculations, NMR analysis of target–ligand binding, and hemolytic activity assays, we searched a 30,000-compound library for an effective inhibitor of tolaasin I, a Pseudomonas tolaasii toxin that causes virulent infection in mushrooms. Of more than 30,000 compounds screened in silico, two compounds were selected. One of these compounds, sorbitololeic acid, bound to tolaasin I and inhibited its hemolytic activity in vitro. Therefore, sorbitololeic acid can be a potential inhibitor of tolaasin I. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sulfate is essential for human growth and development, and circulating sulfate levels are maintained by the NaS1 sulfate transporter which is expressed in the kidney. Previously, we generated a NaS1-null (Nas1 −/−) mouse which exhibits hyposulfatemia. In this study, we investigated the kidney transcriptome of Nas1 −/− mice. We found increased (n =25) and decreased (n =60) mRNA levels of genes with functional roles that include sulfate transport and steroid metabolism. Corticosteroid-binding globulin was the most up-regulated gene (110% increase) in Nas1 −/− mouse kidney, whereas the sulfate anion transporter-1 (Sat1) was among the most down-regulated genes (≥50% decrease). These findings led us to investigate the circulating and urinary steroid levels of Nas1 −/− and Nas1 +/+ mice, which revealed reduced blood levels of corticosterone (≈50% decrease), dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA, ≈30% decrease) and DHEA-sulfate (≈40% decrease), and increased urinary corticosterone (≈16-fold increase) and DHEA (≈40% increase) levels in Nas1 −/− mice. Our data suggest that NaS1 is essential for maintaining a normal metabolic state in the kidney and that loss of NaS1 function leads to reduced circulating steroid levels and increased urinary steroid excretion. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]