Development and Application of Unmanned Aerial High-Resolution Convex Grating Dispersion Hyperspectral Imager.

This study presents the design and development of a high-resolution convex grating dispersion hyperspectral imaging system tailored for unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) remote sensing applications. The system operates within a spectral range of 400 to 1000 nm, encompassing over 150 channels, and achieves an average spectral resolution of less than 4 nm. It features a field of view of 30°, a focal length of 20 mm, a compact volume of only 200 mm × 167 mm × 78 mm, and a total weight of less than 1.5 kg. Based on the design specifications, the system was meticulously adjusted, calibrated, and tested. Additionally, custom software for the hyperspectral system was independently developed to facilitate functions such as control parameter adjustments, real-time display, and data preprocessing of the hyperspectral camera. Subsequently, the prototype was integrated onto a drone for remote sensing observations of Spartina alterniflora at Yangkou Beach in Shouguang City, Shandong Province. Various algorithms were employed for data classification and comparison, with support vector machine (SVM) and neural network algorithms demonstrating superior classification accuracy. The experimental results indicate that the UAV-based hyperspectral imaging system exhibits high imaging quality, minimal distortion, excellent resolution, an expansive camera field of view, a broad detection range, high experimental efficiency, and remarkable capabilities for remote sensing detection.

Eutrophication constrains driving forces of dissolved organic carbon biodegradation in metropolitan lake systems.

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) components can be highly variable in aquatic ecosystems, and play a pivotal role in the global carbon cycles. To comprehend potential effects of nutrient enrichment on portion of DOC biodegradability (%BDOC), we conducted an extensive investigation on 26 urban lakes in a major metropolitan area in subtropical China in a small gradient of trophic levels from mesotrophic to light and middle eutrophic. In addition to field measurements on lake ambient conditions and laboratory analysis of DOC characteristics, we conducted a 28-day temperature-controlled incubation experiment, in which %BDOC of lake waters was determined. In the mesotrophic waters, %BDOC ranged from 0.6 to 41.4 % (11.2 ± 8.9 %). The %BDOC levels spanned from 5.2 to 20.2 % (10.7 ± 4.0 %) in the light eutrophic waters, and the %BDOC ranged from 2.7 to 35.0 % (13.7 ± 8.4 %) in the middle eutrophic waters. We found a significant change in DOC chemical composition across the study lakes characterized by shifting of trophic levels. Although the experiment found significant changes in the factors that can influence %BDOC, a significant difference was not observed in %BDOC among the three trophic levels. The %BDOC was primarily influenced by the inherent DOC concentration and aromaticity, with eutrophication leading to the varied driving factors of %BDOC in lake systems. We show that most of the lake water DOC was stable. The findings indicate the intricate interplay between biological metabolism and nutrient availability governing %BDOC dynamics in urban lake ecosystems.

Toxicological and Pharmacological Activities, and Potential Medical Applications, of Marine Algal Toxins.

Marine algal toxins have garnered significant attention in the research community for their unique biochemical properties and potential medical applications. These bioactive compounds, produced by microalgae, pose significant risks due to their high toxicity, yet offer promising therapeutic benefits. Despite extensive research identifying over 300 marine algal toxins, including azaspiracids, brevetoxins, cyclic imines, and yessotoxins, gaps remain in the understanding of their pharmacological potential. In this paper, we critically review the classification, bioactive components, toxicology, pharmacological activities, and mechanisms of these toxins, with a particular focus on their clinical applications. Our motivation stems from the increasing interest in marine algal toxins as candidates for drug development, driven by their high specificity and affinity for various biological receptors. We aim to bridge the gap between toxicological research and therapeutic application, offering insights into the advantages and limitations of these compounds in comparison to other bioactive substances. This review not only enhances the understanding of marine algal toxins' complexity and diversity, but also highlights their extensive application potential in medicine and bioscience, providing a foundation for future research and development in this field.

Genome-wide study identifies novel genes associated with bone toxicities in children with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia.

Bone toxicities are common among paediatric patients treated for acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (ALL) with potentially major negative impact on patients' quality of life. To identify the underlying genetic contributors, we conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) and a transcriptome-wide association study (TWAS) in 260 patients of European-descent from the DFCI 05-001 ALL trial, with validation in 101 patients of European-descent from the DFCI 11-001 ALL trial. We identified a significant association between rs844882 on chromosome 20 and bone toxicities in the DFCI 05-001 trial (p = 1.7 × 10-8). In DFCI 11-001 trial, we observed a consistent trend of this variant with fracture. The variant was an eQTL for two nearby genes, CD93 and THBD. In TWAS, genetically predicted ACAD9 expression was associated with an increased risk of bone toxicities, which was confirmed by meta-analysis of the two cohorts (meta-p = 2.4 × 10-6). In addition, a polygenic risk score of heel quantitative ultrasound speed of sound was associated with fracture risk in both cohorts (meta-p = 2.3 × 10-3). Our findings highlight the genetic influence on treatment-related bone toxicities in this patient population. The genes we identified in our study provide new biological insights into the development of bone adverse events related to ALL treatment.

Control of lysogeny and antiphage defense by a prophage-encoded kinase-phosphatase module.

The filamentous 'Pf' bacteriophages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa play roles in biofilm formation and virulence, but mechanisms governing Pf prophage activation in biofilms are unclear. Here, we identify a prophage regulatory module, KKP (kinase-kinase-phosphatase), that controls virion production of co-resident Pf prophages and mediates host defense against diverse lytic phages. KKP consists of Ser/Thr kinases PfkA and PfkB, and phosphatase PfpC. The kinases have multiple host targets, one of which is MvaU, a host nucleoid-binding protein and known prophage-silencing factor. Characterization of KKP deletion and overexpression strains with transcriptional, protein-level and prophage-based approaches indicates that shifts in the balance between kinase and phosphatase activities regulate phage production by controlling MvaU phosphorylation. In addition, KKP acts as a tripartite toxin-antitoxin system that provides defense against some lytic phages. A conserved lytic phage replication protein inhibits the KKP phosphatase PfpC, stimulating toxic kinase activity and blocking lytic phage production. Thus, KKP represents a phosphorylation-based mechanism for prophage regulation and antiphage defense. The conservation of KKP gene clusters in >1000 diverse temperate prophages suggests that integrated control of temperate and lytic phage infection by KKP-like regulatory modules may play a widespread role in shaping host cell physiology.

An Efficient MnO2 Photocathode with an Excellent SnO2 Electron Transport Layer for Photo-Accelerated Zinc Ion Batteries.

Photo-accelerated rechargeable batteries play a crucial role in fully utilizing solar energy, but it is still a challenge to fabricate dual-functional photoelectrodes with simultaneous high solar energy harvesting and storage. This work reports an innovative photo-accelerated zinc-ion battery (PAZIB) featuring a photocathode with a SnO2@MnO2 heterojunction. The design ingeniously combines the excellent electronic conductivity of SnO2 with the high energy storage and light absorption capacities of MnO2. The capacity of the SnO2@MnO2-based PAZIB is ≈598 mAh g-1 with a high photo-conversion efficiency of 1.2% under illumination at 0.1 A g-1, which is superior to that of most reported MnO2-based ZIB. The boosting performance is attributed to the synergistic effect of enhanced photogenerated carrier separation efficiency, improved conductivity, and promoted charge transfer by the SnO2@MnO2 heterojunction, which is confirmed by systematic experiments and theoretical simulations. This work provides valuable insights into the development of dual-function photocathodes for effective solar energy utilization.

Ball Milling Improves Physicochemical, Functionality, and Emulsification Characteristics of Insoluble Dietary Fiber from Polygonatum sibiricum.

The effects of ball milling on the physicochemical, functional, and emulsification characteristics of Polygonatum sibiricum insoluble dietary fiber (PIDF) were investigated. Through controlling milling time (4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 h), five PIDFs (PIDF-1, PIDF-2, PIDF-3, PIDF-4, and PIDF-5) were obtained. The results showed that ball milling effectively decreased the particle size and increased the zeta-potential of PIDF. Scanning electron microscope results revealed that PIDF-5 has a coarser microstructure. All PIDF samples had similar FTIR and XRD spectra. The functional properties of PIDF were all improved to varying degrees after ball milling. PIDF-3 had the highest water-holding capacity (5.12 g/g), oil-holding capacity (2.83 g/g), water-swelling capacity (3.83 mL/g), total phenol (8.12 mg/g), and total flavonoid (1.91 mg/g). PIDF-4 had the highest ion exchange capacity. Fat and glucose adsorption capacity were enhanced with ball milling time prolongation. PIDF-5 exhibited a contact angle of 88.7° and lower dynamic interfacial tension. Rheological results showed that PIDF-based emulsions had shear thinning and gel-like properties. PE-PIDF-5 emulsion had the smallest particle size and the highest zeta-potential value. PE-PIDF-5 was stable at pH 7 and high temperature. The findings of this study are of great significance to guide the utilization of the by-products of Polygonatum sibiricum.

Mechanism of folium polygoni cuspidati in liver-yang-hyperactivity hypertension based on network pharmacology, molecular docking and experimental pharmacological validation.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: At present,the global form of hypertension is severe,and liver-yang-hyperactivity hypertension（GYSK hypertension）is the most common type of hypertension.Folium Polygoni Cuspidati（HZY）are mainly used in Yunnan, China,to treat dizziness, headache,and hypertension caused by GYSK,and the content of the active ingredients of HZY and its efficacy varies in different periods.However,the mechanism of action and the effect of harvesting period are not clear. AIM OF THE STUDY: The purpose of this research was to investigate the effect of HZY in April and September on GYSK hypertension. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The model of GYSK hypertension was established with aconite decoction and L-NAME,and the blood pressure,the symptoms of GYSK,the cardiac index and the pathological changes of aorta were observed,to study the effect of HZY in April and September on GYSK hypertension.The chemical composition of HZY was analysed by UPLC-QTOF-MS and its mechanism for the treatment of GYSK hypertension was predicted by network pharmacological studies and experimentally validated using serum metabolomics and Western blot techniques. RESULTS: April HZY and September HZY can significantly improve the GYSK symptoms of rats, inhibit the RAAS system, improve oxidative stress and regulate blood lipids so as to play a blood pressure lowering efficacy and have a protective effect on the vascular endothelial cells.UPLC-QTOF-MS yielded 29 components of HZY,and network pharmacology predicted that its mechanism may be related to Lipid and atherosclerosis,PI3K/Akt signaling pathway, MAPK signaling pathway and TNF signaling pathway,etc.Western Blot validation showed that HZY activated PI3K,p-Akt protein expression and inhibited p-erk,p-p38 and TNF-α protein expression.Serum metabolomics suggested that April HZY exerts its efficacy mainly by regulating amino acid metabolism and September HZY mainly by regulating lipid metabolism. CONCLUSIONS: In GYSK hypertensive rats treated for three weeks, both April HZY and September HZY could have antihypertensive effects,but the mechanisms of action were different and similar, both could regulate metabolite disorders of sugars, lipids,amino acids and peptides,and regulate blood pressure through the PI3K/Akt-eNOS and MAPK signalling pathways, with the difference that April HZY had stronger regulatory effects on the metabolism of amino acids.metabolism.

Palladium-catalyzed decarboxylative (4 + 3) cycloadditions of bicyclobutanes with 2-alkylidenetrimethylene carbonates for the synthesis of 2-oxabicyclo[4.1.1]octanes.

While cycloaddition reactions of bicyclobutanes (BCBs) have emerged as a potent method for synthesizing (hetero-)bicyclo[n.1.1]alkanes (usually n ≤ 3), their utilization in the synthesis of bicyclo[4.1.1]octane derivatives (BCOs) is still underdeveloped. Here, a palladium-catalyzed formal (4 + 3) reaction of BCBs with 1,4-O/C dipole precursors for the synthesis of oxa-BCOs is described. Unlike previous catalytic polar (3 + X) cycloadditions of BCBs, which are typically achieved through the activation of BCB substrates, the current reaction represents a novel strategy for realizing the cycloaddition of BCBs through the activation of the "X" cycloaddition partner. Moreover, the obtained functionalized oxa-BCOs products can be readily modified through various synthetic transformations.

All-Optical Control of Vortex Lasing in Silicon-Organic Lattices.

This paper reports a silicon-organic hybrid lattice that can lase with vortex emission and allow all-optical control. We combine an array of amorphous silicon nanodisks with gain from dye molecules in organic solvents to generate vortex lasing from bound states in the continuum under pulsed optical pumping. Irradiating the device with an additional continuous wave green laser beam can cause optical heating in silicon and lead to negative change in the refractive index of the organic solvents; meanwhile, the green laser beam can provide additional gain. Dynamic tuning of the lasing wavelength is achieved by varying the intensity of the controlling beam. Furthermore, the vortex beam lasing can be switched to single-lobed beam lasing by moving the controlling spot to break the in-plane symmetry within the pumping spot. Our findings could shed new light on active silicon topological devices.

Study on the Chemical Constituents, Pharmacological Activities, and Clinical Application of Taxus.

Taxus, a rare and protected genus predominantly distributed across the Northern Hemisphere's temperate regions, has garnered global attention due to its significant potential in medical research and pharmaceutical development, bolstered by advancements in cultivation techniques and medical technology. This review primarily focuses on the chemical constituents and pharmacological activities of Taxus, underscoring the progress and potential of these components in clinical applications. Recent studies have revealed that Taxus contains not only taxane active components but also flavonoids and polysaccharides with distinct activities. These compounds from Taxus exhibit potent antitumor, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, antibacterial, and antidiabetic properties with evident mechanisms of action. Notably, the representative compound, paclitaxel, has demonstrated significant efficacy in treating various cancers, such as ovarian, breast, and lung cancer. This paper also reviews the basic situation of Taxus drug formulations, with extracts primarily administered orally and monomeric taxanes typically via injection, reflecting a mature development stage with ongoing research into oral formulations. Finally, this review summarizes the pharmacokinetic characteristics of crucial compounds in Taxus, including their absorption, distribution, metabolism, and excretion patterns in the human body. These pharmacokinetic profiles provide crucial guidance for evaluating the overall dosing regimen of Taxus and its components. The paper concludes with a forward-looking analysis of the potential applications of these compounds in disease treatment, envisioning their role in the future of medical and pharmaceutical advancements.

Wettability-Oriented Laser Microgrooving Process on Cemented Carbide Surface.

Surface micro-texture has been shown to enhance wettability and reduce wear on cutting tools. However, there is limited research on how laser parameters impact the dimensional accuracy of surface texture and its wettability. This study focuses on producing arrayed groove textures on WC/Co cemented carbide surfaces using Nd: YAG laser, evaluating the effect of the laser parameters on surface topography and texture accuracy through microscopic observation and simulation. The results indicate that, with laser parameters such as a number of passes less than 5, approximately 16 W power, scanning speed of 100-150 mm/s, and pulse frequency of 30 kHz, the error between the groove width and laser spot diameter was 4.7%. Additionally, the study explores the impact of the groove texture on surface wettability using the solid droplet method and XPS analysis. Comparative experiments reveal that increased surface roughness enhanced oleophobicity, with surfaces exhibiting high texture accuracy and integrity showing improved oleophobic and spreading properties. Thus, the precise regulation of laser processes is crucial for maintaining surface texture integrity and enhancing surface wettability.

PANoptosis: Novel insight into regulated cell death and its potential role in cardiovascular diseases (Review).

PANoptosis, a complex form of proinflammatory programmed cell death, including apoptosis, pyroptosis and necroptosis, has been an emerging concept in recent years that has been widely reported in cancer, infectious diseases and neurological disorders. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are an important global health problem, posing a serious threat to individuals' lives. An increasing body of research shows that inflammation has a pivotal role in CVDs, which provides an important theoretical basis for PANoptosis to promote the progression of CVDs. To date, only sporadic studies on PANoptosis in CVDs have been reported and its role in the field of CVDs has not been fully explored. Elucidating the various modes of cardiomyocyte death, the specific molecular mechanisms and the links among the various modes of death under various stressful stimuli is of notable clinical significance for a deeper understanding of the pathophysiology of CVDs. The present review summarizes the molecular mechanisms of apoptosis, pyroptosis, necroptosis and PANoptosis and their prospects in the field of CVDs.

Acupuncture modulation of the ACE/Ang II/AT1R and ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR pathways in the rostral ventrolateral medulla reduces sympathetic output and prevents cardiac injury caused by SHR hypertension.

Acupuncture can reduce blood pressure, heart rate (HR), and ameliorate cardiac damage by modulating the excitability of the sympathetic nervous system, but the exact mechanism of this effect remains unclear. This study investigated the potential mechanisms of acupuncture in the treatment of cardiac damage in hypertension. Spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) were used as the hypertension model with Wistar-Kyoto rats as the control. Manual acupuncture, electroacupuncture, and metoprolol were used as interventions. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP, DBP) plus HR were monitored with cardiac structure determined using Masson staining. Angiotensin II (Ang II) and norepinephrine in myocardium were detected with ELISA as was Ang(1-7) and gamma aminobutyric acid (GABA) in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM). Expression of mRNA for collagen type I (Col-I), Col-III, actin α1 (ACTA1), and thrombospondin 4 (THBS4) in myocardium was detected using real-time PCR. Expression of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE), Ang II, angiotensin II type 1 receptor (AT1R), ACE2, and Mas receptor (MasR) proteins in RVLM was monitored using western blot. After manual acupuncture and electroacupuncture treatment, SHRs showed decreased SBP, DBP and HR, reduced myocardial damage. There was decreased expression of the ACE/Ang II/AT1R axis, and increased expression of the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR axis within the RVLM. GABA levels were increased within the RVLM and norepinephrine levels were decreased in myocardial tissue. Metoprolol was more effective than either manual acupuncture or electroacupuncture. Acupuncture directed against hypertensive cardiac damage may be associated with regulation of ACE/Ang II/AT1R and the ACE2/Ang(1-7)/MasR pathway within the RLVM to reduce cardiac sympathetic excitability.

A nuclease domain fused to the Snf2 helicase confers antiphage defence in coral-associated Halomonas meridiana.

The coral reef microbiome plays a vital role in the health and resilience of reefs. Previous studies have examined phage therapy for coral pathogens and for modifying the coral reef microbiome, but defence systems against coral-associated bacteria have received limited attention. Phage defence systems play a crucial role in helping bacteria fight phage infections. In this study, we characterized a new defence system, Hma (HmaA-HmaB-HmaC), in the coral-associated Halomonas meridiana derived from the scleractinian coral Galaxea fascicularis. The Swi2/Snf2 helicase HmaA with a C-terminal nuclease domain exhibits antiviral activity against Escherichia phage T4. Mutation analysis revealed the nickase activity of the nuclease domain (belonging to PDD/EXK superfamily) of HmaA is essential in phage defence. Additionally, HmaA homologues are present in ~1000 bacterial and archaeal genomes. The high frequency of HmaA helicase in Halomonas strains indicates the widespread presence of these phage defence systems, while the insertion of defence genes in the hma region confirms the existence of a defence gene insertion hotspot. These findings offer insights into the diversity of phage defence systems in coral-associated bacteria and these diverse defence systems can be further applied into designing probiotics with high-phage resistance.

Hydrogen-Bonding Integrated Low-Dimensional Flexible Electronics Beyond the Limitations of van der Waals Contacts.

Van der Waals (vdW) integration enables clean contacts for low-dimensional electronic devices. The limitation remains; however, that an additional tunneling contact resistance occurs owing to the inherent vdW gap between the metal and the semiconductor. Here, it is demonstrated from theoretical calculations that stronger non-covalent hydrogen-bonding interactions facilitate electron tunneling and significantly reduce the contact resistance; thus, promising to break the limitations of the vdW contact. π-plane hydrogen-bonding contacts in surface-engineered MXene/carbon nanotube metal/semiconductor heterojunctions are realized, and an anomalous temperature-dependent tunneling resistance is observed. Low-dimensional flexible thin-film transistors integrated by hydrogen-bonding contacts exhibit both excellent flexibility and carrier mobility orders of magnitude higher than their counterparts with vdW contacts. This strategy demonstrates a scalable solution for realizing high-performance and low-power flexible electronics beyond vdW contacts.

Research on the Medicinal Chemistry and Pharmacology of Taxus × media.

Taxus × media, belonging to the genus Taxus of the Taxaceae family, is a unique hybrid plant derived from a natural crossbreeding between Taxus cuspidata and Taxus baccata. This distinctive hybrid variety inherits the superior traits of its parental species, exhibiting significant biological and medicinal values. This paper comprehensively analyzes Taxus × media from multiple dimensions, including its cultivation overview, chemical composition, and multifaceted applications in the medical field. In terms of chemical constituents, this study delves into the bioactive components abundant in Taxus × media and their pharmacological activities, highlighting the importance and value of these components, including paclitaxel, as the lead compounds in traditional medicine and modern drug development. Regarding its medicinal value, the article primarily discusses the potential applications of Taxus × media in combating tumors, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activities, and treating diabetes. By synthesizing clinical research and experimental data, the paper elucidates the potential and mechanisms of its primary active components in preventing and treating these diseases. In conclusion, Taxus × media demonstrates its unique value in biological research and tremendous potential in drug development.

Visualization Analysis of Small Extracellular Vesicles in the Application of Bone-Related Diseases.

Small extracellular vesicles were shown to have similar functional roles to their parent cells without the defect of potential tumorigenicity, which made them a great candidate for regenerative medicine. The last twenty years have witnessed the rapid development of research on small extracellular vesicles. In this paper, we employed a scientometric synthesis method to conduct a retrospective analysis of small extracellular vesicles in the field of bone-related diseases. The overall background analysis consisted the visualization of the countries, institutions, journals, and authors involved in research. The current status of the research direction and future trends were presented through the analysis of references and keywords, which showed that engineering strategies, mesenchymal stem cell derived exosomes, and cartilage damage were the most concerning topics, and scaffold, osteoarthritis, platelet-rich plasma, and senescence were the future trends. We also discussed the current problems and challenges in practical applications, including the in-sight mechanisms, the building of relevant animal models, and the problems in clinical trials. By using CiteSpace, VOSviewer, and Bibliometrix, the presented data avoided subjective selectivity and tendency well, which made the conclusion more reliable and comprehensive. We hope that the findings can provide new perspectives for researchers to understand the evolution of this field over time and to search for novel research directions.

Palladium-Catalyzed Ligand-Controlled Switchable Hetero-(5 + 3)/Enantioselective [2σ+2σ] Cycloadditions of Bicyclobutanes with Vinyl Oxiranes.

For nearly 60 years, significant research efforts have been focused on developing strategies for the cycloaddition of bicyclobutanes (BCBs). However, higher-order cycloaddition and catalytic asymmetric cycloaddition of BCBs have been long-standing formidable challenges. Here, we report Pd-catalyzed ligand-controlled, tunable cycloadditions for the divergent synthesis of bridged bicyclic frameworks. The dppb ligand facilitates the formal (5+3) cycloaddition of BCBs and vinyl oxiranes, yielding valuable eight-membered ethers with bridged bicyclic scaffolds in 100% regioselectivity. The Cy-DPEphos ligand promotes selective hetero-[2σ+2σ] cycloadditions to access pharmacologically important 2-oxabicyclo[3.1.1]heptane (O-BCHeps). Furthermore, the corresponding catalytic asymmetric synthesis of O-BCHeps with 94-99% ee has been achieved using chiral (S)-DTBM-Segphos, representing the first catalytic asymmetric cross-dimerization of two strained rings. The obtained O-BCHeps are promising bioisosteres for ortho-substituted benzenes.