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This study was aimed to investigate the preventive effects of N-acetyl-l-cysteine (NAC) against renal tubular cell injury induced by oxalate and stone formation and further explore the related mechanism. Transcriptome sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis were performed to identify differentially expressed gene (DEG) and related pathways. HK-2 cells were pretreated with or without antioxidant NAC/with or silencing DEG before exposed to sodium oxalate. Then, the cell viability, oxidative biomarkers of superoxidase dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA), apoptosis and cell cycle were measured through CCK8, ELISA and flow cytometry assay, respectively. Male SD rats were separated into control group, hyperoxaluria (HOx) group, NAC intervention group, and TGF-β/SMAD pathway inhibitor group. After treatment, the structure changes and oxidative stress and CaOx crystals deposition were evaluated in renal tissues by H&E staining, immunohistochemical and Pizzolato method. The expression of TGF-β/SMAD pathway related proteins (TGF-β1, SMAD3 and SMAD7) were determined by Western blot in vivo and in vitro. CDKN2B is a DEG screened by transcriptome sequencing combined with bioinformatics analysis, and verified by qRT-PCR. Sodium oxalate induced declined HK-2 cell viability, in parallel with inhibited cellular oxidative stress and apoptosis. The changes induced by oxalate in HK-2 cells were significantly reversed by NAC treatment or the silencing of CDKN2B. The cell structure damage and CaOx crystals deposition were observed in kidney tissues of HOx group. Meanwhile, the expression levels of SOD and 8-OHdG were detected in kidney tissues of HOx group. The changes induced by oxalate in kidney tissues were significantly reversed by NAC treatment. Besides, expression of SMAD7 was significantly down-regulated, while TGF-β1 and SMAD3 were accumulated induced by oxalate in vitro and in vivo. The expression levels of TGF-β/SMAD pathway related proteins induced by oxalate were reversed by NAC. In conclusion, we found that NAC could play an anti-calculus role by mediating CDKN2B/TGF-β/SMAD axis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Aberrant DNA methylation is a vital molecular alteration commonly detected in type I endometrial cancers (EC), and tet methylcytosine dioxygenase 2 (TET2) and 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) play significant roles in DNA demethylation. However, little is known about the function and correlation of TET2 and 5hmC co-expressed in EC. This study intended to investigate the clinical significance of TET2 and 5hmC in EC. Methods: The levels of TET2 and 5hmC were detected in 326 endometrial tissues by immumohistochemistry, and the correlation of their level was detected by Pearson analysis. The association between the levels of TET2 and 5hmC and clinicopathologic characteristics was analyzed. Prognostic value of TET2 and 5hmC was explored by Kaplan–Meier analysis. The Cox proportional hazard regression model was used for univariate and multivariate analyses. Results: Based on the analysis results, TET2 protein level was positively correlated with 5hmC level in EC tissues (r = 0.801, P < 0.001). TET2+5hmC+ (high TET2 and high 5hmC) association was significantly associated with well differentiation, myometrial invasion, negative lymph node metastasis, and tumor stage in EC. Association of TET2 and 5hmC was confirmed as a prognostic factor (HR = 2.843, 95%CI = 1.226–3.605, P = 0.007) for EC patients, and EC patients with TET2−5hmC− level had poor overall survival. Conclusions: In summary, the association of TET2 and 5hmC was downregulated in EC tissues, and may be a potential poor prognostic indicator for EC patients. Combined detection of TET2 and 5hmC may be valuable for the diagnosis and prognosis of EC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global climate change‐caused drought stress, high temperatures and other extreme weather profoundly impact plant growth and development, restricting sustainable crop production. To cope with various environmental stimuli, plants can optimize the opening and closing of stomata to balance CO2 uptake for photosynthesis and water loss from leaves. Guard cells perceive and integrate various signals to adjust stomatal pores through turgor pressure regulation. Molecular mechanisms and signaling networks underlying the stomatal movements in response to environmental stresses have been extensively studied and elucidated. This review focuses on the molecular mechanisms of stomatal movements mediated by abscisic acid, light, CO2, reactive oxygen species, pathogens, temperature, and other phytohormones. We discussed the significance of elucidating the integrative mechanisms that regulate stomatal movements in helping design smart crops with enhanced water use efficiency and resilience in a climate‐changing world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Major depressive disorder (MDD) and bipolar disorder (BD) share clinical features, which complicates their differentiation in clinical settings. This study proposes an innovative approach that integrates structural connectome analysis with machine learning models to discern individuals with MDD from individuals with BD. High-resolution MRI images were obtained from individuals diagnosed with MDD or BD and from HCs. Structural connectomes were constructed to represent the complex interplay of brain regions using advanced graph theory techniques. Machine learning models were employed to discern unique connectivity patterns associated with MDD and BD. At the global level, both BD and MDD patients exhibited increased small-worldness compared to the HC group. At the nodal level, patients with BD and MDD showed common differences in nodal parameters primarily in the right amygdala and the right parahippocampal gyrus when compared with HCs. Distinctive differences were found mainly in prefrontal regions for BD, whereas MDD was characterized by abnormalities in the left thalamus and default mode network. Additionally, the BD group demonstrated altered nodal parameters predominantly in the fronto-limbic network when compared with the MDD group. Moreover, the application of machine learning models utilizing structural brain parameters demonstrated an impressive 90.3% accuracy in distinguishing individuals with BD from individuals with MDD. These findings demonstrate that combined structural connectome and machine learning enhance diagnostic accuracy and may contribute valuable insights to the understanding of the distinctive neurobiological signatures of these psychiatric disorders. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

AbstractHigh-pressure groundwater brings great challenges to the construction of mountain tunnels. Hence, controlling and discharging groundwater are two key problems that must be addressed before constructing tunnels in high-pressure and water-rich region. Fluid–solid coupling seepage analysis method is used to analyze the variation of displacement, stress and pore water pressure of the tunnel. A waterproof and drainage method suitable for tunnels in high-pressure and water-rich region is proposed. Curtain grouting plays a dual role in waterproof and reinforcing surrounding rock. Decompression drainage holes are designed in order to further reduce the pore water pressure acting on the initial lining. The thickness of grouting circle, the permeability coefficient ratio and the decompression drainage holes distribution rate of the initial lining are the main factors that affect the waterproof and drainage effect of tunnels in high-pressure and water-rich region. Suggested parameters on waterproof and drainage measures for tunnels in high-pressure and water-rich region are given after comprehensive analysis, which can provide basis for the technology on high-pressure groundwater treatments and constructions of underground engineering under complex geological conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Intracellular redox imbalance, achieved by exploiting the tumor microenvironment (TME), has emerged as a promising strategy for cancer therapy. In this study, we developed a multifunctional nanoadjuvant, termed GITFe/Z-HA, by modified a metal-organic backbone Fe/ZIF-8 with hyaluronic acid (HA) targeting. The nanocarriers were loaded with glucose oxidase (Gox), neoindocyanine green (IR820) and tilazamine (TPZ). This design aimed to achieve a cascade reaction within tumor cells, mediated by Gox, Fe3+, and IR820, which consumes intrinsic glucose and oxygen, leading to an elevated production of reactive oxygen species (ROS). This cascade reaction creates a hypoxic environment conducive for TPZ to exert its therapeutic action. Consequently, the combination of photothermal therapy (PTT), photodynamic therapy (PDT), and chemotherapy demonstrates a good synergistic effect. Moreover, the imbalanced ROS/glutathione (GSH) induced by this treatment approach, along with PTT, promote immunogenic cell death (ICD). This ICD triggers the release of damage-related molecular patterns and CD8+ lymphocyte infiltration sensitizes the immune checkpoint blockade (αPD-L1) response, thereby eliciting a systemic anti-tumor immune response. Collectively, this comprehensive treatment regimen, driven by environmentally stimulated multiple pathways, overcomes the limitations of single therapeutic modalities, thereby improving tumor outcomes. Additionally, these findings provide valuable insights for strategies aimed at modulating the tumor immune microenvironment. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Plant glutathione peroxidases (GPXs) are the main enzymes in the antioxidant defense system that sustain H2O2 homeostasis and normalize plant reaction to abiotic stress conditions. However, the genome-wide identification of the GPX gene family and its responses to environmental stresses, especially salt stress, in Nitraria sibirica, which is a shrub that can survive in saline environments, has not yet been reported. Here, we first report the genome-wide analysis of the GPX gene family in N. sibirica, leading to a total of seven NsGPX genes that are distributed on six of the twelve chromosomes. Phylogenetic analysis showed that NsGPX genes were grouped into four major groups (Group I-IV). Three types of cis-acting elements were identified in the NsGPX promoters, mainly related to hormones and stress response. The quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) analysis indicated that NsGPX1 and NsGPX3 were significantly up-regulated in stem and leaf, while NsGPX7 transcriptionally in root in response to salt stress. The current study identified a total seven NsGPX genes in N. sibirica via genome-wide analysis, and discovered that NsGPXs may play an important role in response to salt stress. Taken together, our findings provide a basis for further functional studies of NsGPX genes, especially in regarding to the resistance to salt stress of this halophyte plant N. sibirica, eventually aid in the discovery of new methods to restore overtly saline soil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A novel therapeutic regimen showed that the oncolytic type II herpes simplex virus (oHSV2) was able to prevent colorectal cancer growth, recurrence, and metastasis. However, no study has yet explored whether oHSV2 has an impact on the development of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). We chose the clinical chemotherapeutic drug doxorubicin (DOX) as a positive control to evaluate the effect of oHSV2 infection on the apoptotic, invasive, and proliferative capacity of DLBCL cells. We next further explored the therapeutic efficacy of oncolytic virus oHSV2 or DOX in DLBCL tumor bearing BALB/c mice, and evaluated the infiltration of CD8 + T cells and CD4 + T cells in tumor tissues. A pathological approach was used to explore the effects of oHSV2 on various organs of tumor bearing mice, including the heart, liver, and kidney. Next, SU-DHL-4 cells were co-cultured with cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) to mimic the tumor immune microenvironment (TME), to explore the impact of oHSV2 on the immune environment at the cellular level, and then analyzed the relationship between oHSV2 and the PD-1/PD-L1 immune-checkpoint. Subsequently, we further validated the efficacy of combined oHSV2 and PD-L1 treatment on transplanted tumor growth in mice at the in vivo level. DLBCL cells were sensitive to the action of the oncolytic virus oHSV2, and the decline in their proliferative activity showed a time-and dose-dependent manner. oHSV2 and DOX intervention preeminently increased the cell apoptosis, restrained cell proliferation and invasion, with the greatest changes occurring in response to oHSV2 infection. oHSV2 application effectively improved the immune status of the tumor microenvironment, favoring the invasion of CD8 + T and CD4 + T cells, thereby enhancing their antitumor effects. Besides, oHSV2 treatment has a safety profile in the organs of tumor bearing mice and indeed inhibits the PD-1/PD-L1 immune checkpoint in DLBCL. Interestingly, the combination of oHSV2 and PD-L1 antibodies results in more profound killing of DLBCL cells than oHSV2 infection alone, with a significant increase in the proportion of CD4 + T cells and CD8 + T cells. The antitumor effect was the best after combining oHSV2 and PD-L1 antibodies, suggesting that the combination therapy of oHSV2 and PD-L1 would have a better prospect for clinical application. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Most extant nutrition labeling studies examine how different nutrition labels affect consumers' purchase intentions or how nutrition knowledge influences shoppers' final decisions. However, most scholars have ignored that the channel of risk attitudes toward a food product may indirectly affect shoppers' purchase intentions as a result of the health risk perception arising at the time of seeing nutrition labels. We empirically compare the effect of the Traffic Light (TL) label with the icon-only nutrition label on participants' attitudes and health risk perceptions linked to their purchase intentions regarding a pizza product. The findings from the online experiment show that the TL label has a more significant effect on purchase intention than the icon-only nutrition label. However, this effect is different based on consumers' health risks perception. Consumers with low health risk perception were more likely to purchase pizza, but those with high health risk perception decrease their purchases. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfide-rich hydrous arc cumulates in the lower crust are considered a likely source for porphyry Cu-forming magmas in post-subduction settings. However, it remains controversial whether or not post-subduction porphyry Cu magmas can be produced by partial melting of lower crustal arc cumulates. Here we performed detailed petrographic and geochemical studies on exhumed lower to middle crustal cumulates from the Gangdese and Kohistan arc sections, and then conducted partial melting experiments of the Gangdese sulfide-rich lithologies at 1.5 GPa and 800°C–1150°C using a piston cylinder press. Both the Gangdese and the Kohistan arc-root samples formed as cumulates in the lower to middle crust, but the Kohistan samples were subsequently brought into the garnet stability field during the India–Eurasia continental collision. Most of the Gangdese samples contain relatively high abundances of magmatic sulfides preserved in the form of Cu-poor monosulfide solid solution. In contrast, most of the Kohistan samples contain very low abundances of Cu-rich sulfides preserved as inclusions in garnet, probably due to intense metamorphic dehydration and up to 2 wt% partial melting in the garnet stability field. The original magmatic sulfides at Kohistan appear to have been removed mainly by metamorphic fluids rather than by partial melts, as the arc-root samples could have experienced only very low degree of partial melting and the sulfur solubility in experimentally produced partial melts is low (≤0.1 wt%) even at oxygen fugacities two log-units above the fayalite-magnetite-quartz buffer. Furthermore, the experimental partial melts contain much less K2O, MgO, Cl and ±S than typical post-subduction porphyry Cu-forming magmas. Hence, we conclude that the role of sulfide-rich arc cumulates in the formation of post-subduction porphyry Cu magmas has been severely overestimated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic foot ulceration is a common chronic diabetic complication. Human umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hUC-MSCs) have been widely used in regenerative medicine owing to their multipotency and easy availability. We developed poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA)-based scaffold to create hUC-MSC tissue sheets. In vitro immunostaining showed that hUC-MSC tissue sheets formed thick and solid tissue sheets with an abundance of extracellular matrix (ECM). Diabetic wounds in mice treated with or without either the hUC-MSC tissue sheet, hUC-MSC injection, or fiber only revealed that hUC-MSC tissue sheet transplantation promoted diabetic wound healing with improved re-epithelialization, collagen deposition, blood vessel formation and maturation, and alleviated inflammation compared to that observed in other groups. Taken collectively, our findings suggest that hUC-MSCs cultured on PLGA scaffolds improve diabetic wound healing, collagen deposition, and angiogenesis, and provide a novel and effective method for cell transplantation, and a promising alternative for diabetic skin wound treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nitraria sibirica is a shrub that can survive in extreme drought environments. The auxin-response factors (ARFs) are a class of transcription factors that are widely involved in plant growth and development, as well as in the regulation of stress resistance. However, the genome-wide identification of the ARF gene family and its responses to environmental stresses, especially drought stress, in N. sibirica has not yet been reported. Here, we identified a total of 12 ARF genes in the genome of N. sibirica, which were distributed over 10 chromosomes and divided into three clades. Intragenome synteny analysis revealed one collinear gene pair in the ARF gene family, i.e., NsARF9a and NsARF9b. Cis-acting element analysis showed that multiple hormones and stress-responsive cis-acting elements were found in the promoters of NsARFs, suggesting that NsARFs may be involved in multiple biological processes. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) showed that many NsARFs had tissue-specific expression patterns, with the highest expression of NsARF16 in the seedlings of N. sibirica. In addition, most of the NsARFs that were upregulated under drought were independent of endogenous ABA biosynthesis, whereas the response of NsARF5 and NsARF7a to drought was disrupted by the ABA-biosynthesis inhibitor fluridone. These studies provide a basis for further research into how NsARFs in N. sibirica respond to hormonal signaling and environmental stresses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Arc magmas, a major contributor to continental crust growth, are thought to be more oxidized than mid-ocean ridge basalts as reflected by an enrichment in ferric iron relative to ferrous iron. But how arc magmas become oxidized is hotly debated. It is acknowledged that the fractionation of common Fe-rich phases (e.g., amphibole) may change the Fe valence of the derivative melt. Amphibole has Fe-rich compositions commonly found in arc systems. We present high-precision (±0.01%) Fe valence data of amphibole and cumulates from the Kohistan arc determined by Mössbauer spectroscopy and bulk cumulate Fe3+/ΣFe ratios by wet chemistry. We evaluate the Fe3+/ΣFe trend of Fe-rich amphibole during arc magma fractionation. Our results show that bulk Fe3+/ΣFe ratio of cumulates in mature island arc settings is mainly controlled by amphibole due to its abundance and decreases (from 0.4 to 0.2) with decreasing Mg# as Fe3+/ΣFe ratios decrease in amphibole (from 0.35 to 0.2). Our modeling suggests that amphibole fractionation from parental arc magmas to Fe3+/ΣFe above 0.2 may lead to an increase in Fe3+/ΣFe ratios of middle–late stage residual melts by 0.1–0.3, and the partitioning of ferrous Fe into amphibole increases with the evolution of arc magmas. Our findings highlight the importance of petrological processes in the magma that contribute to the production of fertile arc crust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Premise: The inflorescences of Solanaceae are unique and complex, which has led to long‐standing disputes over floral symmetry mainly due to different interpretations of the cyme‐like inflorescence structure. The main disagreements have been over how the phyllomes associated with the flower were arranged relative to the inflorescence axis especially during early flower initiation. Methods: Here we investigated the evolution of inflorescences in Solanaceae by analyzing inflorescence structure in the context of phylogeny using ancestral state reconstruction (ASR) to determine the evolutionary transitions between loosely arranged and tightly clustered inflorescences and between monochasial‐like and dichasial‐like cymes. We also reconstructed two‐ and three‐dimensional models for 12 solanaceous species that represent both inflorescence and phylogenetic diversity in the family. Results: Our results indicate that the most recent common ancestor of Solanaceae had a loosely arranged and monochasial‐like cyme, while tightly clustered inflorescences and dichasial‐like cymes were derived. Compared to the known process of scorpioid cyme evolution, Solanaceae achieved their scorpioid cyme‐like inflorescences through a previously undescribed way. Along the pedicel, the two flower‐preceding prophylls are not in the typical transverse position of dicotyledonous plants; they frequently have axillary buds, and the main inflorescence axis continues in a sympodial fashion. As a result, the plane of symmetry of the flower is 36° from the median, and the inflorescence axis and the two flower‐preceding prophylls are symmetrically located along that plane. Conclusions: A better understanding of the morphological evolution of solanaceous inflorescence structure helped clarify the floral symmetry of Solanaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hard metal lung disease (HMLD) drugs include dexamethasone sodium phosphate (Dex), methylprednisolone (MP) injection, N-acetylcysteine injection (NAC), and a mix of Dex, MP, and NAC (MIX). In this study, we compared the effects of these drugs on different cytokines of hard metal lung disease in a rat model. Thirty-six adult female Sprague Dawley rats were distributed equally into the control group, hard metal (HM) group, Dex group, MP group, NAC group, and MIX group. HM powder (0.5 mL, 20 mg/mL; one time) was administered by intraperitoneal injection to the HM group through the pulmonary endotracheal tube, while the control group received normal saline (0.5 mL, 20 mg/mL; one time). After 4 weeks, the drugs were administered to the experimental groups (0.5 mL, 20 mg/mL; one time). After 8 weeks, bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) and serum were examined for cytokine levels. Biochemical analysis indicated that the Dex, MP, NAC, and MIX did not improve TGF-β1, TGF-β2, KL-6, and MMP-1 in the BALF, while MIX increased TIMP-1 in BALF. In addition, the NAC treatment significantly increased the expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, KL-6, and MMP-1. The MIX treatment significantly increased the expression levels of TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and KL-6. The MP treatment significantly increased the expression levels of KL-6, and MMP-1. The Dex treatment significantly increased the expression levels of TGF-β1, KL-6, and MMP-1. This study demonstrated that administered with NAC and MIX could improve TGF-β1, TGF-β2, and KL-6 in serum of hard metal lung disease in a rat model. Therefore, NAC injection may be considered a useful candidate in the development of a preventive agent against HMLD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sulfur is an important volatile and its cycle is of great significance to the evolution of life. The role of the subducting slab as a key component in the sulfur cycle remains a topic of ongoing debate. Here, we report whole-rock sulfur isotope and chalcophile element content of lower crustal cumulates from the Kohistan complete arc section in order to investigate this cycle in terms of the subduction products, i.e. arc magmas. Results show that the Kohistan garnet-free pyroxenites have heavy sulfur isotopic compositions with δ34S values of +11.84 to +15.24‰, while the garnet-bearing ultramafic cumulates show lighter isotopic signatures with δ34S values of +3.08 to +6.35‰. The occurrence of well-preserved primitive magmatic sulfide inclusions dominated by pyrrhotite in clinopyroxene suggests that the heavy δ34S values of clinopyroxenite and websterite were inherited from the magma source. The sub-arc mantle source is thought to be modified by the 34S-rich fluid released by the subducting slab. Although the garnet-bearing ultramafic cumulates have higher Cu concentrations (up to ∼530 ppm), most of the sulfides are decomposed and distributed along mineral boundaries and fractures through interaction with CO 2 -rich metamorphic fluid before and/or during the crystallization of garnet. The sulfur isotopic compositions of the garnet-bearing cumulate can be explained by a simple Rayleigh fractionation between metamorphic fluid and sulfide. Our study identifies the heaviest sulfur isotopes (δ34S up to +15‰) of primitive arc magma with a perspective of lower crustal cumulate. These findings suggest that the subducting slab-derived sulfur recycles into the mantle wedge, highlighting the critical role of subduction zone in the global volatile cycle. • Kohistan pyroxenites possess significantly heavy sulfur isotopic compositions; • Slab-derived sulfur enters the sub-arc mantle resulting in the heavy sulfur isotopes; • Contribution of the subducting slab on sulfur recycling is confirmed in the terms of lower crustal cumulates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Toxic biogenic amines (BAs), especially histamine, in food is a major safety issue. Two autochthonous Lactobacillus plantarum strains were inoculated as starters to reduce BAs in Yucha, a kind of spontaneously fermented fish in China. Taxonomic analysis demonstrated the proportion of Lactobacillus genus in inoculated Yucha was higher than that in the spontaneously fermented Yucha, suggesting the effective colonization abilities of the starters. Higher abundance of Lactobacillus genus resulted in less BAs contents in the inoculated Yucha as compared to that in the spontaneously ones throughout the fermentation stage. At the end of fermentation, L. plantarum strains reduced total content of the six BAs by 67.5%–97.3%; specifically, they reduced the concentration of histamine by 85.4%–96.4%. The BAs‐degradation ability in the model systems indicated that the two L. plantarum strains could not degrade BAs directly. Instead, starters reduced BAs accumulation by inhibition of the growth or biological activities of BAs‐producing bacterial genera. Practical applications: The presence of biogenic amines (BAs) in fish products poses a health risk for consumers. This work provided two promising starters to reduce BAs accumulation in Yucha and a foundation for better understanding the BAs metabolic features. These findings could contribute to the safe production of Yucha and other similar fermented fish products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diarrhea in calves is a common disease that results in poor nutrient absorption, poor growth and early death which leads to productivity and economic losses. Therefore, it is important to explore the methods to reduce diarrhea in yak's calves. Efficacy of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for improvement of bacterial diarrhea is well recognized. For this purpose, two different doses (107 CFU, 1011 CFU) of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 isolated from yaks were fed to juvenile yaks exposed to E. coli O78. After a trial period of ten days fresh feces and intestinal contents of the experimental yaks were collected and metagenomics sequencing was performed. It was found that feeding a high dose of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 decreased abundance of phylum Firmicutes in the E. coli O78 infected group whereas, it was high in animals fed low dose of Lactobacillu yoelii FYL1. Results also revealed that counts of bacteria from the family Oscillospiraceae , genus Synergistes and Megasphaera were higher in control group whereas, order Bifidobacteriales and family Bifidobacteriaceae were higher in infected group. It was observed that bacterial counts for Pseudoruminococcus were significantly (P < 0.05) higher in animals of group that were given high dose of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 (HLAB). Compared to infected group multiple beneficial bacterial genera such as Deinococus and Clostridium were found higher in the animals that were given a low dose of Lactobacillus yoelii FYL1 (LLAB). The abundance of pathogenic bacterial genera that included Parascardovia , Bacteroides and Methanobrevibacter was decreased (P < 0.05) in the lower dose treated group. The results of functional analysis revealed that animals of LLAB had a higher metabolism of terpenoids and polyketides compared to animals of infected group. Virus annotation also presented a significant inhibitory effect of LLAB on some viruses (P < 0.05). It was concluded that L. yoelii FYL1 had an improved effect on gut microbiota of young yaks infected with E. coli O78. This experiment contributes to establish the positive effects of LAB supplementation while treating diarrhea. • Diarrhea in calves results in poor nutrient absorption and poor growth which leads to productivity and economic losses. • Probiotics are important to balance the intestinal flora by increasing beneficial bacteria and reducing pathogenic bacteria • L. yoelii FYL1 had an improved effect on gut microbiota of young yaks infected with E. coli O78. • The abundance of pathogenic bacterial genera (Parascardovia, Bacteroides etc.) was decreased in L. yoelii FYL1 treated group. • This experiment contributes to establish the positive effects of LAB supplementation while treating diarrhea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The temporal relationship between hyperuricemia and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is debatable. This study aimed to explore whether there exists a bidirectional or temporal relationship between them. A total of 11,585 participants were recruited from the Beijing Health Management Cohort during the period 2012–2016. We evaluated whether hyperuricemia was associated with NAFLD development (part I) and whether NAFLD was associated with hyperuricemia incidence (part II) using a logistic regression model. Further, the cross-lagged panel analysis model was used to simultaneously examine the bidirectional relationship between hepatic steatosis and serum uric acid (SUA) (part III). Subgroup and interaction analyses were also performed to assess whether other variables moderated those relationships. In part I, multiple logistic regression indicated that baseline hyperuricemia was associated with the development of NAFLD (OR = 1.5970, p < 0.0001). In part II, multiple logistic regression showed that baseline NAFLD was not correlated with hyperuricemia incidence (OR = 0.8600, p = 0.1976). In part III, cross-lagged panel analyses indicated that the standard regression coefficient of baseline SUA to follow-up hepatic steatosis (0.1516) was significantly greater than the coefficient from the baseline hepatic steatosis to follow-up SUA (−0.0044) with p < 0.0001 for the difference. This indicated a unidirectional relationship from baseline SUA to follow-up hepatic steatosis, suggesting hyperuricemia may precede NAFLD; and this relationship was not affected by age, sex, dyslipidemia, metabolism syndrome, diabetes but was moderated by abdominal obesity. This study demonstrated a unidirectional relationship from hyperuricemia to NAFLD incidence, and suggested that lowering SUA levels in hyperuricemia patients may prevent subsequent NAFLD. Image 1 • It is debatable whether incidence of hyperuricemia precedes non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) or vice versa. • There was a unidirectional relationship from hyperuricemia to NAFLD incidence. • This unidirectional relationship was moderated by abdominal obesity. • Lowering SUA may be a strategy to prevent NAFLD in hyperuricemia patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

With the development of the maritime transportation industry, the number of ships is increasing and the ships are becoming more intelligent. Due to the rapid development of maritime communication, the demand for communication spectrum is increasing. Therefore, the maritime cognitive radio (CR) system is an effective solution. Because of the multipath fading caused by sea surface and atmosphere has a more serious influence on communication signals, which increases the instability of the signal reception, the spectrum sensing technology in maritime cognitive radio is more challenging than the spectrum sensing on land. In order to solve this problem, a cyclostationary detection algorithm for multiple antennas in fading model is proposed. A maximum ratio combining algorithm based on optimal weight correlation value (OWCV-MRC) is proposed for the diversity gain and system performance degradation caused by diversity technology on multipath fading channels. The algorithm uses the correlation values of the attenuation gains on the two different branches as the weighting coefficients of each branch, thus improving the coefficient matrix in the maximum ratio combining (MRC) algorithm. The simulation results show that the proposed algorithm can effectively detect the target signal in the fading channel with ultra-low signal to noise ratio (SNR). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Carriers of balanced reciprocal chromosomal translocations are at known reproductive risk for offspring with unbalanced genotypes and resultantly abnormal phenotypes. Once fertilization of a balanced translocation gamete with a normal gamete, the partial monosomy or partial trisomy embryo will undergo abortion, fetal arrest or fetal malformations. We reported a woman with chromosomal balanced translocation who had two adverse pregnancies. Prenatal diagnosis was made for her third pregnancy to provide genetic counseling and guide her fertility. Case presentation: We presented a woman with chromosomal balanced translocation who had three adverse pregnancies. Routine G banding and CNV-seq were used to analyze the chromosome karyotypes and copy number variants of amniotic fluid cells and peripheral blood. The karyotype of the woman was 46,XX,t(4;5)(q33;p15). During her first pregnancy, odinopoeia was performed due to fetal edema and abdominal fluid. The umbilical cord tissue of the fetus was examined by CNV-seq. The results showed a genomic gain of 24.18 Mb at 4q32.3-q35.2 and a genomic deletion of 10.84 Mb at 5p15.2-p15.33 and 2.36 Mb at 15q11.1-q11.2. During her second pregnancy, she did not receive a prenatal diagnosis because a routine prenatal ultrasound examination found no abnormalities. In 2016, she gave birth to a boy. The karyotype the of the boy was 46,XY,der(5)t(4;5)(q33;p15)mat. The results of CNV-seq showed a deletion of short arm of chromosome 5 capturing regions 5p15.2-p15.33, a copy gain of the distal region of chromosome 4 at segment 4q32.3q35.2, a duplication of chromosome 1 at segment 1q41q42.11 and a duplication of chromosome 17 at segment 17p12. During her third pregnancy, she underwent amniocentesis at 17 weeks of gestation. Chromosome karyotype hinted 46,XY,der(5)t(4;5)(q33;p15)mat. Results of CNV-seq showed a deletion of short arm (p) of chromosome 5 at the segment 5p15.2p15.33 and a duplication of the distal region of chromosome 4 at segment 4q32.3q35.2. Conclusions: Chromosomal abnormalities in three pregnancies were inherited from the mother. Preimplantation genetic diagnosis is recommended to prevent the birth of children with chromosomal abnormalities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Tulasu pluton is located in the northeast of the Tulasu Basin, North Tianshan, which is composed of three rock types including quartz diorite porphyry, pyroxene diorite porphyry, and granite. Zircon U‐Pb dating indicates that the quartz diorite porphyry and pyroxene diorite porphyry were crystallized in the Late Devonian (with ages at 360.3 ± 7.8 and 375.4 ± 6.2 Ma, respectively), while the granitic rocks was formed in the Late Carboniferous (at 305.9 ± 5.9 Ma), suggesting that the Tulasu pluton was the product of two magmatic episodes. The Late Devonian quartz diorite and pyroxene diorite porphyry are metaluminous and belong to calc‐alkaline to high‐K calc‐alkaline series. Quartz diorite porphyry and pyroxene diorite porphyry are characterized by the prominent enrichment in LILEs, such as Rb, Th, U, and K, and depletion in HFSEs, such as Nb, Ta, P, and Ti, which is similar to typical subduction‐related arc magma. The εHf(t) values of quartz diorite porphyry and pyroxene diorite porphyry are +4.5–+8.8 and +2.0–+6.4, respectively, indicating that they are derived from depleted mantle wedge. Their TDM2 ages are 814–1,087 Ma and 955–1,227 Ma, respectively, which shows that the Mesoproterozoic to the Neoproterozoic crustal materials were involved. Their high Ba/La (10.26–17.92), low Th/Yb (1.96–5.80), and relatively low Ce/Th (3.16–7.34) and Ba/Th (18.29–38.92) ratios indicate that they were probably produced by partial melting of depleted mantle wedge metasomatized by slab‐derived aqueous fluids, with involvement of subducted sediment. Geochemical characteristics indicate that the Late Devonian dioritic magma was generated in an arc‐related tectonic setting. The Late Carboniferous granitic rocks were composed of granodiorite porphyry and granite porphyry. The granodiorite porphyry samples are high‐K calc‐alkaline and peraluminous, while the granite porphyry samples are in the boundary zones of shoshonite and high‐K calc‐alkaline, as well as metaluminous and weakly peraluminous. Granodiorite porphyry shows features of I‐type granite, while granite porphyry has the characteristics of A‐type granite. High 176Hf/177Hf ratios (0.282600–0.282833) and εHf(t) values (+0.4–+8.7) indicate that granitic rocks have affinities with both depleted mantle and crust. Geochemical characteristics suggest that the Late Carboniferous granitic magma was formed in post‐collisional setting. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pentraxin-3 (PTX3) is a multifunctional protein involved in both innate and adaptive immunity. Glucocorticoid (GC) is the first-line therapy to mitigate airway inflammation in asthma. Previous pieces of evidence showed that GC has divergent effects on PTX3 production in various cell types. The molecular mechanisms controlling PTX3 expression in HASMC are, however, not yet characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that the synthetic GC, dexamethasone (DEX) increases the expression of PTX3 both at the protein and mRNA levels. We also found that such an effect of DEX was dependent on de novo protein synthesis and the GC receptor (GR). While DEX increases PTX3 mRNA stability, it did not affect its promoter activity. Interestingly, HASMC pre-treated with p42/p44 ERK inhibitor, but not with p38 or JNK-MAPK inhibitors, significantly interfered with DEX-induced PTX3 secretion. Taken together, our data suggest that GC regulates PTX3 expression in HASMC through transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms in a GR and ERK-dependent manner. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To effectively extract biogenic amines (BAs) from complex food matrices is an important issue. In this study, a stop‐and‐go‐extraction tip (StageTip)‐based method for simultaneous enrichment of six BAs including histamine, tyramine, putrescine, cadaverine, tryptamine, and β‐phenylethylamine in fish samples was developed and optimized. This StageTip‐based BAs extraction method required short extraction time, small sample size, and minimal consumption of organic solvents. In addition, an ultrahigh‐performance liquid chromatography coupled with triple quadrupole mass spectrometer was used to identify and quantify BAs without derivatization. Target recovery efficiencies of BAs from spiked fish samples ranged from 84% to 110%. Linear regression models were established to determine BAs in the range of 0.4 to 3.0 mg/L (R2 > 0.995). Good repeatability was obtained with relative standard deviation of peak areas (1.17 to 5.61%) and retention time (0.09 to 0.20%). High sensitivity was achieved for the detection of six BAs (0.064 to 1.00 ng/L for the limit of detection, 0.10 to 5 ng/L for the limit of quantification). The proposed method had an obvious advantage in the analysis of BAs in complex food matrices such as fish tissues since it could reflect the subtle distribution of BAs from one fish fillet. Practical Application: A StageTip‐based BAs enrichment combined with UPLC‐MS analysis method was developed and optimized, which was low‐cost, environmentally friendly, and with good analytical performances. As such, it has the potential to become a powerful tool for the analysis of BAs in different complex food matrices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Respiration in leaves and the continued elevation in the atmospheric CO2 concentration cause CO2‐mediated reduction in stomatal pore apertures. Several mutants have been isolated for which stomatal responses to both abscisic acid (ABA) and CO2 are simultaneously defective. However, there are only few mutations that impair the stomatal response to elevated CO2, but not to ABA. Such mutants are invaluable in unraveling the molecular mechanisms of early CO2 signal transduction in guard cells. Recently, mutations in the mitogen‐activated protein (MAP) kinase, MPK12, have been shown to partially impair CO2‐induced stomatal closure. Here, we show that mpk12 plants, in which MPK4 is stably silenced specifically in guard cells (mpk12 mpk4GC homozygous double‐mutants), completely lack CO2‐induced stomatal responses and have impaired activation of guard cell S‐type anion channels in response to elevated CO2/bicarbonate. However, ABA‐induced stomatal closure, S‐type anion channel activation and ABA‐induced marker gene expression remain intact in the mpk12 mpk4GC double‐mutants. These findings suggest that MPK12 and MPK4 act very early in CO2 signaling, upstream of, or parallel to the convergence of CO2 and ABA signal transduction. The activities of MPK4 and MPK12 protein kinases were not directly modulated by CO2/bicarbonate in vitro, suggesting that they are not direct CO2/bicarbonate sensors. Further data indicate that MPK4 and MPK12 have distinguishable roles in Arabidopsis and that the previously suggested role of RHC1 in stomatal CO2 signaling is minor, whereas MPK4 and MPK12 act as key components of early stomatal CO2 signal transduction. Significance statement: We show that MPK4 and MPK12 are required for CO2‐triggered stomatal responses but not for ABA‐induced stomatal closure. These results suggest that these two MAP kinases function upstream of the convergence of CO2 and ABA signaling. However, activities of MPK4 and MPK12 were not modulated by CO2/bicarbonate and, thus, direct HCO3−/CO2 sensing mechanisms remain to be identified. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Intracellular malate–starch interconversion plays an important role in stomatal movements. We investigated whether malate or oxaloacetate from the cytosolic membrane side regulate anion channels in the plasma membrane of Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. Physiological concentrations of cytosolic malate have been reported in the range of 0.4–3 mM in leaf cells. Guard cell patch clamp and two‐electrode oocyte voltage‐clamp experiments were pursued. We show that a concentration of 1 mM cytosolic malate greatly activates S‐type anion channels in Arabidopsis thaliana guard cells. Interestingly, 1 mM cytosolic oxaloacetate also activates S‐type anion channels. Malate activation was abrogated at 10 mM malate and in SLAC1 anion channel mutant alleles. Interestingly, malate activation of S‐type anion currents was disrupted at below resting cytosolic‐free calcium concentrations ([Ca2+]cyt), suggesting a key role for basal [Ca2+]cyt signaling. Cytosolic malate was not able to directly activate or enhance SLAC1‐mediated anion currents in Xenopus oocytes, whereas in positive controls, cytosolic NaHCO3 enhanced SLAC1 activity, suggesting that malate may not directly modulate SLAC1. Cytosolic malate activation of S‐type anion currents was impaired in ost1 and in cpk5/6/11/23 quadruple mutant guard cells. Together these findings show that these cytosolic organic anions function in guard cell ‘plasma membrane’ ion channel regulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Direct control of protein level enables rapid and efficient analyses of gene functions in crops. Previously, we developed the RDDK‐Shield1 (Shld1) system in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana for direct modulation of protein stabilization using a synthetic small molecule. However, it was unclear whether this system is applicable to economically important crops. In this study, we show that the RDDK‐Shld1 system enables rapid and tunable control of protein levels in rice and wheat. Accumulation of RDDK fusion proteins can be reversibly and spatio‐temporally controlled by the synthetic small‐molecule Shld1. Moreover, RDDK‐Bar and RDDK‐Pid3 fusions confer herbicide and rice blast resistance, respectively, in a Shld1‐dependent manner. Therefore, the RDDK‐Shld1 system provides a reversible and tunable technique for controlling protein functions and conditional expression of transgenes in crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PREMISE OF THE STUDY: Observations of floral ontogeny indicated that floral organ initiation in pentapetalous flowers most commonly results in a median-abaxial (MAB) petal during early development, a median-adaxial (MAD) petal being less common. Such different patterns of floral organ initiation might be linked with different morphologies of floral zygomorphy that have evolved in Asteridae. Here, we provide the first study of zygomorphy in pentapetalous angiosperms placed in a phylogenetic framework, the goal being to find if the different patterns of floral organ initiation are connected with particular patterns of zygomorphy. METHODS: We analyzed patterns of floral organ initiation and displays of zygomorphy, extracted from floral diagrams representing 405 taxa in 330 genera, covering 83% of orders (30 out of 36) and 37% of families (116 out of 313) in core eudicots in the context of a phylogeny using ancestral state reconstructions. KEY RESULTS: The MAB petal initiation is the ancestral state of the pattern of floral organ initiation in pentapetalous angiosperms. Taxa with MAD petal initiation represent ∼30 independent origins from the ancestral MAB initiation. There are distinct developmental processes that give rise to zygomorphy in different lineages of pentapetalous angiosperms, closely related lineages being likely to share similar developmental processes. CONCLUSIONS: We have demonstrated that development indeed constrains the processes that give rise to floral zygomorphy, while phylogenetic distance allows relaxation of these constraints, which provides novel insights on the role that development plays in the evolution of floral zygomorphy. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Solanaceae, a group dominated by actinomorphic-flowered species, floral zygomorphy is frequently observed among the early-branching clades. Morphological studies indicated that a zygomorphic androecium is much more common than a zygomorphic corolla in the family. Ontogenic studies suggested the evolution of floral zygomorphy in these two whorls is independent. Here, we have examined the evolution of floral symmetry in the androecium and corolla in Solanaceae. The character states of floral symmetry were assembled for androecium and corolla separately, and ancestral state reconstructions were carried out at both the genus and species levels for Solanaceae and its outgroups. Correlation tests were performed to determine whether the presence of floral zygomorphy in the androecium and corolla is correlated. The ancestral state reconstructions suggest the flower of the most recent common ancestor of Solanaceae is likely zygomorphic in the androecium but actinomorphic in the corolla. Multiple losses and gains of floral zygomorphy in androecium and corolla explain the existing pattern of floral symmetry in Solanaceae. A significant positive correlation between the possession of floral zygomorphy in the androecium and corolla of Solanaceae was detected. Floral zygomorphy likely has evolved in androecium and corolla along separate evolutionary trajectories, and zygomorphy in the androecium may be a precursor for the many gains of zygomorphy in the corolla in Solanaceae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The aim of study was to observe the effect of increased lactate levels during high-intensity interval training (HIIT) on protein lactylation, identify the target protein, and investigate the regulatory effect of lactylation on the function of the protein. Methods: C57B/L6 mice were divided into 3 groups: the control group, HIIT group, and dichloroacetate injection + HIIT group (DCA + HIIT). The HIIT and DCA + HIIT groups underwent 8 weeks of HIIT treatment, and the DCA + HIIT group was injected DCA before HIIT treatment. The expression of lipid metabolism-related genes was determined. Protein lactylation in subcutaneous adipose tissue was identified and analyzed using 4D label-free lactylation quantitative proteomics and bioinformatics analyses. The fatty acid synthase (FASN) lactylation and activity was determined. Results: HIIT had a significant effect on fat loss; this effect was weakened when lactate production was inhibited. HIIT significantly upregulated the protein lactylation while lactate inhibition downregulated in iWAT. FASN had the most modification sites. Lactate treatment increased FASN lactylation levels, inhibited FASN activity, and reduced palmitate and triglyceride synthesis in 3T3-L1 cells. Conclusions: This investigation revealed that lactate produced by HIIT increased protein pan-lactylation levels in iWAT. FASN lactylation inhibited de novo lipogenesis, which may be an important mechanism in HIIT-induced fat loss. Highlights: 1. Lactate is involved in the fat-reducing effect of HIIT. 2. Lactate produced by HIIT induces protein lactylation in subcutaneous adipose tissue of mice. 3. Lactate induces FASN lactylation, which inhibits its activity and function. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The microbial community of spontaneously fermented fish plays an important role in product sensory quality. Recently, microbiota research has seen a shift in perspective from taxonomy to function. The investigation of the microbial community metaproteome will reveal information on strains as well as the expressed proteins to better understand the roles of the microbiota in fermented fish. In this study, shotgun metaproteomic methods were used to identify and annotate 2175 proteins from the traditional Chinese fermented fish Siniperca chuatsi . These proteins belonged to 553 bacterial strains of 19 phyla, including 10 strains of lactic acid bacteria. Based on the KEGG annotation system, 1217 proteins were found to be involved in metabolic pathways, among which 352 proteins were related to amino acid metabolism. Specifically, 63 amino acid degradation-related proteins were identified in Streptococcus sp., Bacillus sp., Escherichia sp., and Pseudoalteromonas sp., which indicated that these strains were potential candidates for generating aroma compounds and thus contributors to the special flavour of the fermented fish. This information on metaproteomes in fermented S. chuatsi increases the understanding of microbial metabolic modes and leads to knowledge-based improvements of the stability and palatability of fermented fish. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We report on the interfacial passivation mechanism in CdSe quantum dot-sensitized ZnO nanocrystalline thin film, where different sulfide semiconductors (such as ZnS and CdS) and sulfide ions are used to modify ZnO nanocrystalline thin film before deposition of CdSe quantum dots (QDs). It is noticed that the highest light-to-electric conversion efficiency of CdSe quantum dot-sensitized ZnO nanocrystalline thin film solar cell is attained up to 4.18 % after CdS interfacial modification. Meanwhile, a simple treatment of ZnO nanocrystalline thin film in NaS solution can also increase the conversion efficiency of CdSe quantum dot-sensitized solar cell up to 3.45 %. The electron transfer and recombination processes occurred in the interface of QD-sensitized nanocrystalline thin films with and without the different interfacial modifications are detected by measuring intensity modulated photovoltage spectroscopy and electrochemical impedance spectroscopy of solar cells. These results indicate that adsorption of S ions on the surface active sites of ZnO nanoparticles is the main reason for the conversion efficiency improvement due to the interfacial passivation of sulfide semiconductors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This Letter proposes a new scheme to eliminate the bit‐line leakage current of static random access memory. The proposed scheme utilises a four‐input sense amplifier to amplify the voltages of self‐compared bit‐line pairs. The bit‐lines of the proposed structure have no series capacitances and are directly connected to the sense amplifier input. By this way, read delay and error caused by the leakage current of bit‐lines will be eliminated. Simulation results in SMIC 28 nm CMOS process design kits show that the proposed scheme has better stability and can decrease delay time by 41.1% at 0.9 V supply voltage compared with the X‐Calibration technology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Using observations from the EUV Imaging Spectrometer (EIS) onboard Hinode, we exam the plasma dynamics around the edge of the active region 10977, possibly associated with the source of nascent slow/intermediate solar wind. The correlation between the temporal profiles of the radiation intensity and Doppler shift for each emission line are analyzed. And three small regions with positive correlations for all the five emission lines are selected for a detailed analysis. In this work, Doppler blue (red) shift is defined as negative (positive). We find that in Region 1, the radiation intensity (Doppler velocity) decreases by about 15% (about 3 km s), and logarithmical differential emission measures (lg(DEMs)) reduces by about 0.06-0.10% at all temperatures, called 'weak dimming', during a 30-min interval. In Region 2 and Region 3, however, the radiation intensity (Doppler velocity) increases by about 15% (about 3 km s), and lg(DEMs) increases by about 0.06%-0.10% at all temperatures, called 'weak brightening'. Such weak dimming (weak brightening) could reflect a slow draining (replenishing) of plasma in the solar wind flux tubes, possibly due to a larger (smaller) outflow flux at high altitude than at low altitude. These suggest that the plasma supply could be intermittent with an alternation of draining and replenishing, for which the underlying physical process is yet unknown, at the source region of slow/intermediate solar wind. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ecosystem service changes associated with land use and land cover change (LULC) will provide an important indicator and an early warning of ecological changes. However, there have been few attempts to estimate the effects of LULC on ecosystem services in desert-oasis ecotones, which are recognized as critical ecological barriers and buffers that prevent deserts from expanding into oases. Here, we used Landsat image-based LULC maps (1988–2018) and a modified benefit transfer method to estimate the changes in ecosystem service value (ESV) in response to LULC in Dengkou County along the Yellow River, China. Our results showed that the most significant feature of LULC in Dengkou County was a large area expansion of cropland and a reduction in the area of desert. The total estimated ESV was nearly US $400 million year−1, of which 76% was derived from cropland, water bodies and rangelands. LULC resulted in a net increase in the total ESV by US$ 43.7 million during 1988–2018. Cropland expansion accounted for approximately 72% of the increase in the total ESV, thereby outweighing the huge decrease in ESV due to the expense of woodlands, rangelands and water bodies. Many low ESV clustering areas appeared in the central part of the county, resulting in ESV loss of approximately US $13.4 million, all of which was due to the conversion of water bodies to bare land and rangelands. Our results provide powerful evidence to make informed land use decisions for relevant managers and help fill the gap between the supply of ecosystem services and the societal demands for these services. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biogenic amines (BAs), deriving from the microbial decarboxylation of free amino acids (FAAs) in fish products, have toxicological effects on human health. This study selected two Lactobacillus plantarum strains to reduce BAs accumulation in salted mackerel (Scomberomorus niphonius). Compared with BAs in spontaneously fermented salted S. niphonius , the concentration of BAs in samples inoculated with L. plantarum YC-5 and YC-6 strains decreased by 17.9% and 53.8%, while the histamine contents decreased by 96.9% and 86.5%, respectively. The histamine contents in samples inoculated with L. plantarum YC-5 were lower than the safety level during the entire process, although the precursor (histidine) was available at this stage. Then, the antibacterial activity of the L. plantarum strains was analyzed. The cell-free supernatant (CFS) of the L. plantarum reduced the biomass of the histamine-producing Morganella morganii and displayed stability at different pH and temperatures. Resequencing and bioinformatic analysis demonstrated that the L. plantarum strains contained plantaricin EF and JK encoding gene clusters. This study provided two promising LAB starters to reduce BAs accumulation in salted S. niphonius and elucidated their possible elimination mechanism of BAs, contributing to the safe production of salted fish. • L. plantarum YC-5 and YC-6 could effectively reduce BAs content in salted fish S. niphonius. • L. plantarum strains could inhibit the growth of the BAs-producing bacteria. • L. plantarum YC-5 and YC-6 contained plantaricin EF and JK encoding genes clusters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: ZnO porous thin films with nanowire structure were deposited by the one-step electrochemical deposition method. And a CdS layer was coated on the as-deposited ZnO nanowire thin films by successive ionic layer adsorption and reaction (SILAR) method to passivate surface states. Then the films were further sensitized by CdSe quantum dots (QDs) to serve as a photoanode for fabricating quantum dots-sensitized solar cells (QDSSCs). The effect of the CdS interfacial passivation layer on the performance of the QDSSCs was systematically investigated by varying the SILAR cycle number and heating the passivation layer. The amorphous CdS layer with an optimized thickness can effectively suppress the recombination of the injected electrons with holes on QDs and the redox electrolyte. The newly formed CdS layer on the surface of the ZnO nanowire thin film obviously prolongs the electron lifetime in the passivated ZnO nanoporous thin film because of the lower surface trap density in the ZnO nanowires after CdS deposition, which is favorable to the higher short-circuit photocurrent density (J sc). For the CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO nanoporous thin film with the interfacial passivation layer, the J sc and conversion efficiency can reach a maximum of 8.36mAcm−2 and 2.36%, respectively. The conversion efficiency was improved by 83.47% compared with that of the cell based on the CdSe QDs-sensitized ZnO nanoporous thin film without CdS interfacial passivation (0.39%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Heart failure (HF) is the leading cause of death worldwide. The most effective HF treatment is heart transplantation, the use of which is restricted by the limited supply of donor hearts. The human pluripotent stem cell (hPSC), including human embryonic stem cell (hESC) and the induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC), could be produced in an infinite manner and differentiated into cardiomyocytes (CMs) with high efficiency. The hPSC-CMs have, thus, offered a promising alternative for heart transplant. In this review, we introduce the tissue-engineering technologies for hPSC-CM, including the materials for cell culture and tissue formation, and the delivery means into the heart. The most recent progress in clinical application of hPSC-CMs is also introduced. In addition, the bottleneck limitations and future perspectives for clinical translation are further discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: A novel thixotropic composite electrolyte was fabricated by using the amine group-functionalized silica nanoparticles as the gelator of an ionic liquid-based electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. The SEM image of electrode deposited with electrolyte confirms that the high viscous gel electrolyte has a good contact with TiO2 electrode ascribed to the thixotropic property of the electrolyte. Based on the thixotropic and ionic liquid based-electrolyte containing the amine group-functionalized silica particles, the cells show better performance owing to the increased open-circuit voltage than that of the liquid device, yield a high energy conversion efficiency of 6.69% under AM 1.5 illumination at 100mVcm−2 when the content of the amine group-functionalized silica is 15wt.% and exhibit a long-term stability without sealing. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: A new kind of carboxyl group-functionalized silica nanoparticles were synthesized and employed as framework to form “soggy sand” electrolyte for dye-sensitized solar cells. The property of this electrolyte has been evaluated by studying the effect of the carboxyl group-functionalized silica nanoparticles content on the performance of dye-sensitized solar cells. The cells based on electrolyte containing the carboxyl group-functionalized silica nanoparticles show better performance owing to the increased short-circuit photocurrent than that of the liquid device and yield the energy conversion efficiency of 7.1% under AM 1.5 illumination at 100mVcm−2 when the content of the carboxyl group-functionalized silica is 15wt.%. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

A simple and efficient electrocatalytic carboxylation of arylic bromides has been developed using silver as cathode and magnesium as anode in N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF) under mild conditions. The influences of some key factors (such as the nature of cathode material, current density, and temperature) on this reaction were investigated. The investigations were extended to other arylic bromides under the optimized conditions, and the corresponding carboxylic acids were obtained in moderate to good yields (30-78%). The electrochemical behavior was studied at different electrodes (Ag, Cu, Ni, and Ti) by cyclic voltammetry, which showed significant electrocatalytic effect of the silver electrode toward the reductive carboxylation of arylic bromides. [image omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Redox reactions of eosin Y (EY) in aqueous solutions in the presence and absence of Zn2+ were studied by spectroelectrochemical measurements combining cyclic voltammetry and in situ monitoring of absorption spectra, employing an optically transparent thin layer electrode (OTTLE). In the absence of Zn2+, the original dianion, EY2−, undergoes one electron reduction to trianion radical that is stable above pH 11, but is protonated and doubly reduced under the lower pH to become highly stabilized against re-oxidation. When Zn2+ is present, the reduction occurs as a two electron process coupled with complexation of two Zn2+ ions to bridge eosin Y molecules, resulting in polymeric mixed aggregates that are also greatly stabilized against re-oxidation. This reaction has been identified as the key process in the electrochemical self-assembly of ZnO/eosin Y hybrid thin films in nanowire structures. On the other hand, two electron oxidation of EY2− was found to convert the molecule into lactone form which is strongly stabilized against re-reduction. Despite of such highly complex redox reactions, these processes in overall were found to be reversible both electrochemically and spectroscopically. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: We prepared highly ordered titanium dioxide nanotube arrays (TNAs) by anodizing Ti foils in F− containing electrolyte. The thickness and dye loading amount of TNAs were 26μm and 1.06×10−7 molcm−2, respectively. TiO2 nanoparticles (TNPs) were electrophoretically deposited on the inner wall of nanotube to produce coated nanotube arrays (TNAP). The dye loading was increased to 1.56×10−7 molcm−2, and the electron transport rate improved. TNAs and TNAP were sensitized with ruthenium dye N3 to yield dye-sensitized TiO2 nanotube solar cells. The power conversion efficiency of TNA-based dye-sensitized solar cells (DSSCs) was 4.28%, whereas the efficiency of TNAP-based DSSCs increased to 6.28% when illuminated from the counter electrode. The increase of power conversion efficiency of TNAP-based DSSCs is ascribed to the increased surface area of TNAs and the faster electron transport rate. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Sinomenine has been used to treat autoimmune diseases for centuries. However, the mechanism underlying its therapeutic effects remains unknown. Increasing recognition of the importance of the Th1/Th2 imbalance in nephritis has raised the questions of whether there is a Th1/Th2 imbalance in patients with mesangial proliferative nephritis (MsPGN) and whether sinomenine can modulate the Th1/Th2 imbalance. In this study, 25 MsPGN patients were treated with sinomenine and followed for 3 months. The expression of T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) and the serum levels of interferon-γ (IFN-γ), interleukin (IL)-4, and IL-10 were studied at month 0, month 1, and month 3. The intra-renal expression of T-bet and GATA-3 was studied via immunohistochemistry. Results reveal that PBMCs from MsPGN patients expressed high levels of T-bet mRNA and low levels of GATA-3 mRNA, and the T-bet/GATA-3 ratio in MsPGN patients was significantly higher than that in healthy donors. Meanwhile, MsPGN patients were found to have simultaneously elevated IFN-γ values and decreased IL-10 values. Immunohistochemistry revealed increased T-bet and decreased GATA-3 expression in renal tissues from MsPGN patients. Moreover, sinomenine was found to cause a decrease in T-bet mRNA expression, resulting in a drop in the T-bet/GATA-3 ratio. Sinomenine was also found to elicit a decrease in the serum levels of IFN-γ. These results suggest that a shift toward the Th1 pathway of Th cell activation occurs in MsPGN patients, and that sinomenine has the potential to counter this shift in the Th1/Th2 balance and thereby produce therapeutic effects. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: The co-inhibitory molecule B7-H1 has been broadly detectable on human inflammatory renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) and is proposed to limit tubular damage through down-regulation of tubulointerstitial infiltration T cell activation. Nevertheless, factors that initiate B7-H1 expression on TECs remain unclarified. The terminal complement complex C5b-9, which deposits diffusely on tubules and glomerules of diseased kidneys, is now recognized as a mediator that triggers cellular activation rather than inducing cell death. Whether the up-regulation of B7-H1 on tubules is also induced by C5b-9 is uncertain. Here, after assembling functional sublytic C5b-9 on the membranes of TECs based on purified complement components, we found that B7-H1 gene transcription and protein synthesis was enhanced by C5b-9. Promoter constructs in a luciferase assay, site-directed mutagenesis and laser scanning confocal microscopy assay (LSCM) revealed that the transcription factor NF-κB is primarily responsible for C5b-9-mediated B7-H1 expression. To further detect the physiologic function of B7-H1, triggering B7-H1 with its agonist mAb (clone 5H1) profoundly enhanced Fas expression on C5b-9-treated TECs and thus induced TEC apoptosis. Interestingly, pretreatment of TECs with Fas blocking antibodies prevented this effect. Our results propose that C5b-9 regulates tubular pathogenesis in glomerulonephritis or other renal autoimmune diseases, possibly through enhances cell apoptosis mediated by B7-H1 signals, in addition to it directly promotes tubular damage. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: This work entails a method to improve the performance of dye-sensitized nanocrystalline TiO2 solar cells by adding surface passivating elements to the electrolyte. The presence of either CO2, Li2CO3 or K2CO3 in electrolyte increases both the photocurrent and the photovoltage, resulting in higher overall conversion efficiency of these solar cells. The additives are used to form a passivation layer of lithium carbonate on the dye free surface of the TiO2 nanoparticles and the conductive substrate. This layer suppresses the rate of the main recombination reaction between the photoinjected electrons and the oxidized ions in the electrolyte solution. While blocking part of the recombination, the lithium carbonate layer allows motion of the Li+ ions towards the TiO2 surface for charge screening. Consequently using this simple treatment, the conversion efficiency of dye-sensitized solar cell most improved by 17.2% (from 6.4% to 7.5%). [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Triptolide has been used extensively in China for the treatment of autoimmune diseases and tumor for many centuries. Nevertheless, little is known about its exact immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Increasing recognition of the importance of renal tubular epithelial cells (TECs) in renal diseases raises the question whether triptolide can regulate TEC activity. In this study, various cultured human and murine TECs were exposed to tumor necrotic factor-α (TNF-α) and triptolide, followed to examine the expression of B7-H1 and B7-DC. Flow cytometric analysis revealed that B7-H1 but not B7-DC constitutively expresses on TECs, and the B7-H1 protein expression was profoundly up-regulated by the stimulation of TNF-α with a dose-dependent manner. However, triptolide under non-cytotoxic concentration could down-regulate B7-H1 expression on activated TECs at both mRNA and protein level. This effect was transcription factor NF-κB dependent. Interestingly, the significant damping effect of triptolide on B7-H1 signal could promote interleukin-2 production by T cell hybridoma (C10) after antigen presentation and enhance cytokine (IFN-γ and IL-2) secretion by anti-CD3 activated T cells. Our results indicated that triptolide could regulate TEC activity via B7-H1, in addition to previously reported it directly affects the production of some inflammatory factors by T cells, tumor cells and peripheral blood mononuclear cells. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Hepatitis B virus (HBV)-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTLs) are thought to play key roles in viral control and liver damage. We have used HLA-A&ast;02 tetramer complex to human HBV core 18–27 (Tc 18–27), envelope 183–191 (Te 183–191), envelope 335–343 (Te 335–343), and polymerase 575–583 (Tp 575–583) epitopes to characterize HLA class I-restricted CD8+ T cells in active chronic HBV infection. The frequencies of specific epitopes circulating tetramer+ cells were determined in whole-blood samples by analysis of flow cytometry. The correlation of HBV epitope-specific CTL, between viral replication and liver damage, was analyzed by multiple regression. Our data shown that HBV-specific CD8+ T cells can be easily detected in peripheral blood of active chronic HBV infections. No significant correlation was found between either the frequency of HBV-specific CD8+ T cells and the viral load, or the frequency of HBV-specific CD8+ T cells and the levels of alanine transaminase. These results suggest that the existence of epitope-specific HBV CTLs are not directly correlated to hepatocyte injury, and the frequencies of HBV-specific T cells are not determinant of immune-mediated protection in chronic HBV infection. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]