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RNA silencing is one of the conserved antiviral mechanisms in plants, and viruses encode RNA silencing suppressors (RSS) to overcome host RNA silencing and facilitate virus infection. Sugarcane streak mosaic virus (SCSMV; species Sugarcane streak mosaic virus, genus Poacevirus, family Potyviridae) is a major causal agent of sugarcane mosaic disease in many countries in Asia, including China. In this study, we used Agrobacterium co‐infiltration to show that the SCSMV P1 protein, rather than the helper component‐proteinase (HC‐Pro), functions as a strong RSS to suppress local RNA silencing in Nicotiana benthamiana. Mutational analysis indicated that the 15 amino acids (aa; aa 1–15) of the SCSMV P1 N‐terminus were not important for RNA silencing suppression, but rather another 15 aa domain (aa 108–122) containing a conserved motif (LFR/KNKQAYIST) was essential for efficient silencing suppression by P1. In addition to the 15 aa (aa 344–358) domain in the P1 N‐terminus, another 15 aa domain (aa 65–79) of P1, containing the LXKA motif and one conserved aa (D78), were associated with P1 protein stability. Furthermore, substituting the histidine (H263) residue in P1 with threonine (H263T) or alanine (H263A) also affected P1 protein stability. Notably, the H263 residue is both a positively selected site and part of the serine protease catalytic triad (HDS). Taken together, our data demonstrate that SCSMV P1, and not HC‐Pro, plays a functional role in suppressing RNA silencing, and also show that some conserved motifs and a positivelyselected site in the P1 protein are associated with RSS activity and protein stability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Adolescence is a period of heightened susceptibility to anxiety disorders. Probiotic supplementation had a positive impact on reducing anxiety. The maternal microbiome plays an important role in child health outcomes and in the establishment of the offspring microbiome. Few studies have investigated the impact of gestational probiotic supplementation on the offspring's anxiety. Methods: The present study examined the impact of prenatal Lactobacillus helveticus NS8 supplementation (LAC) on Sprague Dawley rat offspring's anxiety‐like behavior. The behaviors tested in the present study include the elevated plus maze (EPM), the open field test (OFT), and prepulse inhibition (PPI). Analyses of variance were utilized. Results: (a) The performance of LAC adolescent rats in the EPM was similar to that in the OFT, both of which reflect that LAC caused an antianxiety effect in adolescent offspring rats and the antianxiety effect without sex differences; (b) LAC did not change performance in PPI and did not change the sex and age differences in PPI; and c. LAC decreased the body mass of rat offspring. Conclusion: Lactobacillus helveticus NS8 supplementation during gestation might have a moderate antianxiety effect in both males and females (especially adolescents) and be helpful for avoiding excessive body mass. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The metallic nanostructures with unique properties of tunable plasmon resonance and large field enhancement have been cooperated with semiconductor to construct hetero-nanostructures for various applications. Herein, a general and facile approach to synthesize uniform dumbbell-like gold-sulfide core-shell hetero-nanostructures is reported. The transformation from Au nanorods (NRs) to dumbbell-like Au NRs and coating of metal sulfide shells (including Bi2S3, CdS, Cu xS, and ZnS) are achieved in a one-pot reaction. Due to the reshaping of Au core and the deposition of sulfide shell, the plasmon resonances of Au NRs are highly enhanced, especially the about 2 times enhancement for the visible transverse plasmon resonance compared with the initial Au NRs. Owing to the highly enhanced visible light absorption and strong local electric field, we find the photocatalytic activity of dumbbell-like Au-Bi2S3 NRs is largely enhanced compared with pure Bi2S3 and normal Au-Bi2S3 NRs by testing the photodegradation rate of Rhodamine B (RhB). Moreover, the second-layer sulfide can be coated and the double-shell Au-Bi2S3-CdS hetero-nanostructures show further improved photodegradation rate, especially about 2 times than that of Degussa P25 TiO2 (P25) ascribing to the optimum band arrangement and then the prolonged lifetime of photo-generated carriers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal/semiconductor Au/Ag2S core/shell hetero‐nanorods with controlled morphology are synthesized and their tunable plasmon enhancements (involving linear and nonlinear optical processes) are demonstrated. The synthesis involves site‐selective deposition of Ag layer onto Au nanorod seeds, followed by site‐selective sulfuration of the Ag layer, resulting in three types of Au/Ag2S core/shell nanorods with complete, corner‐opened, or end‐opened shells. The plasmon resonance and local field confinements varing with shell morphology are analyzed using FDTD calculations. Nonlinear measurements reveal that the Ag2S shell with appropriate morphology leads to the nonlinear refraction and saturable intensity of the Au nanorods increasing 7.6 and 4.1 times, respectively, which indicates strong plasmon enhancements and energy relaxation in the Au/Ag2S core/shell nanorods. This site‐selective shell growth strategy offers a constructive bottom‐up approach to maneuver the optical properties of plasmonic nanocrystals for various applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a short‐day plant whose heading date is largely determined by photoperiod sensitivity (PS). Many parental lines used in hybrid rice breeding have weak PS, but their F1 progenies have strong PS and exhibit an undesirable transgressive late‐maturing phenotype. However, the genetic basis for this phenomenon is unclear. Therefore, effective methods are needed for selecting parents to create F1 hybrid varieties with the desired PS. In this study, we used bulked segregant analysis with F1 Ningyou 1179 (strong PS) and its F2 population, and through analyzing both parental haplotypes and PS data for 918 hybrid rice varieties, to identify the genetic basis of transgressive late maturation which is dependent on dominance complementation effects of Hd1, Ghd7, DTH8, and PRR37 from both parents rather than from a single parental genotype. We designed a molecular marker‐assisted selection system to identify the genotypes of Hd1, Ghd7, DTH8, and PRR37 in parental lines to predict PS in F1 plants prior to crossing. Furthermore, we used CRISPR/Cas9 technique to knock out Hd1 in Ning A (sterile line) and Ning B (maintainer line) and obtained an hd1‐NY material with weak PS while retaining the elite agronomic traits of NY. Our findings clarified the genetic basis of transgressive late maturation in hybrid rice and developed effective methods for parental selection and gene editing to facilitate the breeding of hybrid varieties with the desired PS for improving their adaptability. Significance Statement: We identified the genetic basis of transgressive late maturation in hybrid rice, which is dependent on dominance complementation effects of Hd1, Ghd7, DTH8, and PRR37 from both parents and developed effective methods for parental selection and gene editing to facilitate the breeding of hybrid varieties with the desired photoperiod sensitivity. Our study lays an important foundation for improving the breeding efficiency and latitude adaptability of hybrid rice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Examines the genetic alterations in primary and secondary hyperparathyroidism. Occurrence of calcium-sensing receptor gene mutation in neonatal severe hyperparathyroidism; Difference between parathyroid hyperplasia and neoplasia; Clinical manifestations of multiple endocrine neoplasia type 1.

To assess the correlation of p53 oncoprotein expression with the high risk of developing carcinomas in patients with multiple colorectal adenomas, 25 cases with histologic carcinoma in adenoma (CIA) were examined by immunohistochemistry using a monoclonal antibody specific to human p53 protein (wild and mutant). The 25 cases were classified into multiple and single groups. The former contained 13 cases with synchronous multiple colorectal adenomas (one to six adenomas) and adenocarcinoma. The latter included 12 cases with single CIA only. This study revealed an overall incidence of 57.14% of p53 overexpression in carcinomatous lesions and 31.9% in adenomatous lesions, which was statistically significant (P<0.05). The carcinomatous lesions showed a diffuse staining pattern, whereas the adenomatous lesions showed a focal pattern. A significant finding was that the incidence of p53 overexpression was significantly higher in multiple groups (81.25%) than in single groups (31.43%) in the carcinomatous (P<0.01) rather than in the adenomatous (P>0.05) lesions. There were no correlations between p53 overexpression and proliferation activity or carcinoembryonic antigen expression. The results indicate that p53 abnormality may be an important genetic factor responsible for the high risk of developing carcinomas in patients with multiple adenomas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Peripheral nerve stimulators have emerged as a crucial instrument in the realm of neurological disease, capable of modulating nerve activity through precisely targeted electrical stimulation to specific sites within the nervous system. Herein, a new wireless battery‐free peripheral nerve stimulation device for remote muscle activation is developed. The device with conch‐inspired bionic design can be wirelessly powered and controlled by a mobile phone playing audio via the piezoelectric effect. The device consists of two parts: a conch‐like signal‐intensifying piezoelectric resonator for converting acoustic wave into electrostimulation signal; and a pedestal with stimulation electrodes for transmitting the electrostimulation signal to a peripheral nerve. For remote nerve intervention, a programmed audio tone from one mobile phone can be tele‐transmitted from other phones according to the desired stimulation protocols. In‐vivo experiments in stimulating the sciatic nerve in mice showed that the device can activate muscles (e.g., 1 Hz 920 mV for 26 degree of leg movement), and the neuron‐muscle interaction has been confirmed by electromyogram (EMG). The wireless peripheral nerve stimulation conch achieves feasible remote muscle activation without batteries, and can extend the scope of self‐powered techniques for telemedicine and limb/trunk rehabilitation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Adolescence is a remarkable period of brain development. Prenatal stress can increase the risk of various neuropsychiatric disorders. This research investigated neurochemical and behavioural changes in the offspring rats (especially adolescences) who were treated with repeated variable prenatal stress (PNS) during the third week of gestation. The study tested the concentration of brain‐derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), cluster of differentiation 68 (CD68), synaptotagmin‐1(Syt‐1), 5‐hydroxytryptamine (5‐HT), dopamine (DA), glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) and oestrogen receptors (ERs) in the PFC (prefrontal cortex). We also tested prepulse inhibition (PPI) of the acoustic startle reflex (ASR) (a measure of sensorimotor gating). The main results were as follows: PNS increased the BDNF and CD68 concentrations in adolescent females, and increased the Syt‐1 concentration in adolescent males. The increases in BDNF/CD68 concentration (in females) and Syt‐1/DA concentration (in males) with age were disturbed by PNS, and PNS changed the sex differences in CD68 concentration in adolescence and disturbed the sex differences in the Syt‐1 concentration (in adolescence) and DA concentration (in adults). In conclusion, we found that PNS lead to Sex‐dependent aberrant PFC development, and might accelerate the development of the adolescent PFC, and so that lessened the age difference (between adolescence and adulthood) and the sex difference. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As a typical heavy metal pollutant, chromium has caused great harm to the natural environment. Chromium mainly exists in trivalent and hexavalent compounds in nature, among which Cr(VI) is more toxic. As an outstanding fluorescent material, carbon quantum dots (CQDs) have the advantages of easy preparation, low cost, good optical stability, good biocompatibility, and low toxicity. The composite carbon quantum dots formed by compounding carbon quantum dots with other functional molecules can not only effectively reduce the preparation cost but also have stable fluorescence emission and metal ion recognition functions. In this paper, l‐arginine modified lignin composite carbon quantum dots (Arg‐l‐CQDs) are synthesized, their fluorescence responsiveness to a series of metal ions is analyzed, and their feasibility for Cr(VI) detection is analyzed. The results show that the Arg‐l‐CQDs can be used as a fluorescent probe to achieve specific fluorescence response, high selectivity, and anti‐interference to Cr(VI). There is a certain linear relationship between the concentration and the fluorescence intensity of the fluorescent probe. The linear equation is F/F0 = 0.5568‐0.0012C[Cr(VI)], the linear correlation coefficient is 0.9945, and the detection limit of the fluorescent probe is 0.8625 µmol L−1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Seed size is one of the most important agronomic traits determining the yield of crops. Cloning the key genes controlling seed size and pyramiding their elite alleles will facilitate yield improvement. To date, few genes controlling seed size have been identified in soybean, a major crop that provides half of the plant oil and one quarter of the plant protein globally. Here, through a genome‐wide association study of over 1800 soybean accessions, we determined that natural allelic variation at GmST05 (Seed Thickness 05) predominantly controlled seed thickness and size in soybean germplasm. Further analyses suggested that the two major haplotypes of GmST05 differed significantly at the transcriptional level. Transgenic experiments demonstrated that GmST05 positively regulated seed size and influenced oil and protein contents, possibly by regulating the transcription of GmSWEET10a. Population genetic diversity analysis suggested that allelic variations of GmST05 were selected during geographical differentiation but have not been fixed. In summary, natural variation in GmST05 determines transcription levels and influences seed size and quality in soybean, making it an important gene resource for soybean molecular breeding. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Microbial diversity and volatile compounds in Qingke barley fresh noodles (QBFN) with different storage time at 25 ± 1 °C were investigated. The results showed that Pseudomonas, Pantoea, Erwinia and Alternaria, Pyrenophora, Penicillium were the dominant microorganisms in edible QBFN (stored for 0 and 12 h), while Pantoea, Erwinia, Bacillus and Penicillium, Aspergillus were the dominant spoilage microorganisms in deteriorated QBFN (stored for 18 h). The edible QBFN have high concentration of aldehydes (61.27 μg kg−1), furan and pyrazines (60.87 μg kg−1), alcohols (49.74 μg kg−1) and ketones (29.74 μg kg−1) that give basic flavours to the QBFN. As storage time increased, the concentrations of above volatile compounds decreased, and new esters and sulphuric compounds which gave unpleasant odours to the QBFN appeared. Multivariate data analysis methods showed that 2‐pentyl‐furan, hexanal, 5‐Ethylcyclopent‐1‐enecarboxaldehy, cyclohexanol and methyl allyl sulphide, ethyl isovalerate were the main volatile compounds that make a difference in flavour between the edible and deteriorated QBFN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: The impact of noodle processing, storage and cooking on the total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) was assessed. Total phenol content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) of mixed flour were 77.50 and 39.56 mg per 100 g, respectively, and it decreased to 71.80 and 36.30 mg per 100 g after noodle processing. For the fresh Qingke barley noodles (FQBNs), stored at 25 °C, both TPC and TFC decreased significantly during storage. After cooking the fresh noodles, the TPC of the noodles stored for 0 and 4 h increased, while it decreased for the noodles stored for 8, 16 and 24 h; the TFC of all cooked Qingke barley noodles (CQBNs) decreased. Compared with the flour, the DPPH•, ABTS•+, HO• and O2∙- scavenging ability and ferric reducing antioxidant power (FRAP) decreased significantly (P < 0.05) after noodle processing. For FQBN, increased storage time led to a reduction in antioxidant ability. After cooking, the DPPH• and HO• scavenging ability and FRAP of noodles stored at 25 °C for 0 and 4 h, and the ABTS•+ and O2∙- scavenging ability of noodles stored at 25 °C for 0, 4 and 8 h increased. Overall, noodle processing, storage and cooking will affect the phenolic compound content and antioxidant activities of barley noodles. Although the shelf life of FQBN is 17 h at 25 °C, from the perspective of nutrition, it is not suitable for long‐term storage, and it is best choice to consume it within the first 4 h. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Enzymatic catalysis is of great importance due to its high catalytic activity and high selectivity. However, intrinsic fragile property of enzyme limits its application in a wide range, where inactive inorganic materials have proven promising in enhancing the stability of the enzyme in industry. Here, Prussian blue nanoparticles (PB) as peroxidase mimics were adopted for encapsulation of peroxidase, Cytochrome c (Cyt c). Prussian blue/Cytochrome c (PB@Cyt c) composite developed via in‐situ assembly exhibited a 2.6‐fold higher apparent enzymatic activity than the sum activity of equivalent Cyt c and PB due to synergistic effect. Mechanism investigation showed that interaction between irons ions from PB and carbonyl group and nitrogen from enzyme led to a favorable catalytic conformation of Cyt c. Moreover, PB shielded the encapsulated Cyt c against harsh conditions (e. g. high temperature and organic solvents). This new efficient hybrid catalyst would open opportunities for wide applications in biosensors and biocatalysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this work, the effect of microwave (MW), ε‐poly‐L‐lysine (ε‐PL), calcium propionate (CP), and their combinations on the shelf life and quality characteristics of highland barley fresh noodle (HBFN) was studied. Firstly, the mixed flour was treated by MW (800 W) for different time. Subsequently, HBFN was prepared by mixing flour and sterilized water with addition of 0.04% ε‐PL combined with different concentrations of CP (0.025%, 0.020%, 0.015%) and stored at 25 ± 1°C. Changes of total plate count (TPC), moisture content, water state, textural properties, color, and pH in HBFN were monitored during storage. The results indicated that microwave treatment (40 s) provided 30% reduction of initial TPC of the flour without decline of noodle quality. Shelf life of HBFN treated with MW + ε‐PL (0.04%) + CP (0.02%/0.025%) reached 80 and 88 hr, respectively, and had good edible qualities during storage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The influence of crack‐induced on the intergranular corrosion (IGC) behavior of aerial aluminum alloy subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) is investigated in this work. Addressing this problem, a particular SPD technology, namely elliptical cross‐sectioned spiral equal channel extrusion (ECSEE), is employed to prefabricate cracks. The microstructure, induced‐crack observation and IGC behavior of the ECSEE‐ed alloy are observed. ECSEE can significantly refine the grains, while lots of small and deep dimples as well as broken second‐phase particles appear on fracture surface. The formation mechanism of the fracture surface is revealed based on the observation of fracture morphology. A typical stress corrosion cracking characteristic is observed in IGC tested ECSEE‐ed alloy, and the corroded fracture consisted of higher volume fraction of brittle intergranular fractures that are made up of rockcandy‐like brittle and intergranular fracture. The mechanism of intergranular corrosion of dehiscence and cracking is determined considering the factors such as grain refinement, grain boundary precipitations, preexisted crack, and residual stress. The influence of crack‐induced on the intergranular corrosion (IGC) behavior of aerial aluminum alloy subjected to severe plastic deformation (SPD) is investigated. The mechanism of intergranular corrosion of dehiscence and cracking is determined considering the factors such as grain refinement, grain boundary precipitations, preexisted crack, and residual stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article presents chemical equations related to the article "Synthesis of Pyrrolo(spiro-[2.3']-oxindole)-spiro-[4.3'']-oxindole via 1,3-Dipolar Cycloaddition of Azomethine Ylides with 3-Acetonylideneoxindole" by S. Liang and others, in the periodical "Journal of Organic Chemistry" in 2013.

Abstract: The hierarchy of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) in human umbilical cord blood has been disclosed. In this study we compare, for the first time, the angiogenic potential difference between two types of EPCs. We cultured mononuclear cells (MNCs) isolated from human umbilical cord blood using endothelial cell-conditioned medium and obtained two types of EPCs, referred to as circulating angiogenic cells (CACs) and high proliferative potential endothelial progenitor cells (HPP-EPCs). Both types of cells possess characteristics of EPCs, including expressing CD31, VE-cadherin, KDR and von Willebrand factor, uptake of Ac-LDL and binding to lectin. However, unlike CACs, which express CD14 but not CD133, HPP-EPCs express CD133 but not CD14. Also, unlike CACs, HPP-EPCs display stronger proliferation and clonogenic potential in vitro and show stronger ability to promote vascular growth in the hind-limb model of ischemia in mice (BALB/C-nu) in vivo. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]