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This study explored the effect of Ustilago esculenta infection on differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in male Manchurian wild rice (Zizania latifolia). We injected male Jiaobai plants at the five-leaf stage with U. esculenta suspension, and leaves at different timepoints after inoculation were collected for transcriptome sequencing. Transcriptome sequencing identified 1,226 DEGs mainly enriched in resistance-related processes. Weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) showed that ‘plant–pathogen interaction’ and ‘MAPK signalling pathway-plant’ were the two most important upregulated pathways, and 16 candidate genes related to response to U. esculenta infection were screened. The results provide a basis for determining the molecular mechanisms of the response of male Z. latifolia to U. esculenta infection.

Fe-based superelastic alloys, which show both superelasticity and high damping capacity, can be divided into four alloy systems based on the characteristics of the martensite transformation that is responsible for these effects, viz., Fe-Pt, Fe-Pd, Fe-Mn-Si, and Fe-Ni-Co. Since 2010, Fe-Ni-Co-Al-based alloys that exhibit a large superelastic effect have attracted widespread attention. In this paper, the characteristics of the phase transformation from austenite ( γ ) to martensite ( α ') and the effects of the martensite variants in Fe-Ni-Co-Al-based superelastic alloys are summarized. The effects of alloying elements, precipitates and texture on the thermoelastic martensite transformation and the superelastic properties are reviewed. The factors affecting the superelastic effect and recoverable strain along with the related mechanisms are discussed. In addition, research progress on the damping performance, microwire structures, and modeling of Fe-Ni-Co-Al-based superelastic alloys are outlined. Finally, the challenges and future developments of the superelastic effect in Fe-Ni-Co-Al-based alloy are explored. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

China has become the largest country for e-bikes in the past decade, leading to a surge in road-related accidents. Chinese provinces and cities have successfully formulated local regulations, which set fines for not wearing helmets levying on e-bike riders. Without considering psychological resistance which is universal under the premise of compulsory legislation, the legislation and enforcement activities cannot continuously promote electric bikers' helmet use. This study aims to investigate the predictors that influence e-bike riders' intention to wear helmets by designing a research methodology that incorporates the theory of planned behavior (TPB), the protection motivation theory (PMT), and the psychological reactance theory (PRT). A multi-method analytical approach, including structural equation modeling (SEM), fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis (fsQCA), and a Bayesian Network (BN) with a sample dataset of 846 respondents. SEM and fsQCA explored the intentions to wear helmets from linear and nonlinear perspectives. BN verifies the degree of influence between different configurations resulting from fsQCA, to predict which mental configurations could get the most significant impact on helmet use. A total of 11 configurations lead to high helmet-wearing intention, and 4 lead to low helmet-wearing intention. Policymakers could design safety policies on our research, such as driving licenses and special lectures for e-bike riders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is a glucose analog used as a promising anticancer agent. It exerts its effects by inhibiting the glycolytic energy metabolism to deplete cells of energy. The larval stage of Echinococcus relies on glycolysis for energy production. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the in vitro and in vivo efficacy of 2-DG against the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. 2-DG exhibited significant time- and dose-dependent effects against in vitro cultured E. granulosus protoscoleces and E. multilocularis metacestodes. A daily oral administration of 500 mg/kg 2-DG in E. multilocularis-infected mice effectively reduced the weight of metacestodes. Notably, the combination treatment, either 2-DG (500 mg/kg/day) + albendazole (ABZ) (200 mg/kg/day) or 2-DG (500 mg/kg/day) + half-dose of ABZ (100 mg/kg/day), exhibited a potent therapeutic effect against E. multilocularis, significantly promoting the reduction of metacestodes weight compared with the administration of 2-DG or ABZ alone. Furthermore, the combination significantly promoted apoptosis of the cells of metacestodes and inhibited glycolysis in metacestodes, compared with the administration of 2-DG or ABZ alone. In conclusion, 2-DG exerts an effective activity against the larval stage of Echinococcus. Thus, it may be a promising anti-Echinococcus drug, and its combination with ABZ may provide a new strategy for the treatment of echinococcosis in humans. Author summary: Echinococcosis is a serious but neglected helminthic zoonosis caused by the larval stage of Echinococcus granulosus and E. multilocularis. At present, clinical pharmacotherapy of echinococcosis, such as albendazole (ABZ) and mebendazole, has limited effectiveness. Thus, the development of novel therapeutic drugs for human echinococcosis is urgently needed. 2-Deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG) is a glucose analog used as a promising anticancer agent, and it exerts its effects by inhibiting the glycolytic energy metabolism to deplete cells of energy. Echinococcus in the host depends on glycolysis for energy production and glycolysis intermediates for other metabolic processes. Therefore, in this study, we investigated the efficacy of 2-DG against Echinococcus. 2-DG exerted an effective in vitro and in vivo activity against E. granulosus protoscoleces and E. multilocularis metacestodes, and the combination of this drug with ABZ further improved the therapeutic effect. Therefore, 2-DG can be developed as a promising anti-Echinococcus drug, and its combination with ABZ may provide a new strategy for the treatment of human echinococcosis in the future. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Molecular genetic changes in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) play crucial roles in leukemogenesis, including recurrent chromosome translocations, epigenetic/spliceosome mutations and transcription factor aberrations. Six1, a transcription factor of the Sine oculis homeobox (Six) family, has been shown to transform normal hematopoietic progenitors into leukemia in cooperation with Eya. However, the specific role and the underlying mechanism of Six1 in leukemia maintenance remain unexplored. Here, we showed increased expression of SIX1 in AML patients and murine leukemia stem cells (c‐Kit+ cells, LSCs). Importantly, we also observed that a higher level of Six1 in human patients predicts a worse prognosis. Notably, knockdown of Six1 significantly prolonged the survival of MLL‐AF9‐induced AML mice with reduced peripheral infiltration and tumor burden. AML cells from Six1‐knockdown (KD) mice displayed a significantly decreased number and function of LSC, as assessed by the immunophenotype, colony‐forming ability and limiting dilution assay. Further analysis revealed the augmented apoptosis of LSC and decreased expression of glycolytic genes in Six1 KD mice. Overall, our data showed that Six1 is essential for the progression of MLL‐AF9‐induced AML via maintaining the pool of LSC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Arrays of oriented poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene) (PEDOT) micro/nanorods are synthesized by electrochemical galvanostatic method at the current density of 1mAcm−2 in the cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) aqueous solution whose pH value is 1. The CTAB is used both as the surfactant and the supporting salt in the electrolyte solution. The electrochemical properties of PEDOT films are characterized by cyclic voltammetry and galvanostatic charge/discharge techniques, which indicate that the arrays of oriented PEDOT micro/nanorods can be applied as the electrode materials of supercapacitors. In addition, the cycling performance of PEDOT micro/nanorods is much better than that of traditional PEDOT particles. The effects of the concentration of CTAB, the current density, and pH value of electrolyte solutions on the morphologies and electrochemical properties of PEDOT films are investigated. The mechanism of different morphologies formation is discussed in this study as well. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]