TaF4: A Novel Two-Dimensional Antiferromagnetic Material with a High Néel Temperature Investigated Using First-Principles Calculations.

The structural, electronic, and magnetic properties of a novel two-dimensional monolayer material, TaF4, are investigated using first-principles calculations. The dynamical and thermal stabilities of two-dimensional monolayer TaF4 were confirmed using its phonon dispersion spectrum and molecular dynamics calculations. The band structure obtained via the high-accuracy HSE06 (Heyd-Scuseria-Ernzerhof 2006) functional theory revealed that monolayer two-dimensional TaF4 is an indirect bandgap semiconductor with a bandgap width of 2.58 eV. By extracting the exchange interaction intensities and magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy in a J1-J2-J3-K Heisenberg model, it was found that two-dimensional monolayer TaF4 possesses a Néel-type antiferromagnetic ground state and has a relatively high Néel temperature (208 K) and strong magnetocrystalline anisotropy energy (2.06 meV). These results are verified via the magnon spectrum.

Longistylin A from Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. disturbs glycerophospholipid metabolism and cytokinin biosynthesis of Nocardia seriolae.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Nocardiosis is an uncommon infectious disease that bears certain similarities to tuberculosis, with a continuous increase in its incidence and a poor prognosis. In traditional Chinese medicine, the leaves of Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp. are employed to treat wounds, malaria, coughs, and abdominal pain. AIM OF THE STUDY: In this study, we investigated the effects and mechanisms of longistylin A (LGA), a natural stilbene isolated from C. cajan, as a potential antibiotic against nocardiosis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: LGA was isolated from the leaves of C. cajan and assessed using a minimum bactericidal concentration (MBC) determination against Nocardia seriolae. Multi-omics analysis encompassing genes, proteins, and metabolites was conducted to investigate the impact of LGA treatment on N. seriolae. Additionally, quantitative analysis of 40 cytokinins in N. seriolae mycelium was performed to assess the specific effects of LGA treatment on cytokinin levels. Cryo-scanning electron microscopy was utilized to examine morphological changes induced by LGA treatment, particularly in the presence of exogenous trans-zeatin-O-glucoside (tZOG). The therapeutic effect of LGA was investigated by feeding N. seriolae-infected largemouth bass. RESULTS: LGA exhibited significant efficacy against N. seriolae, with MBC value of 2.56 µg/mL. Multi-omics analysis revealed that LGA disrupted glycerophospholipid metabolism and hormone biosynthesis by notably reducing the expression of glycerol-3-phosphate dehydrogenase and calmodulin-like protein. Treatment with LGA markedly disrupted 12 distinct cytokinins in N. seriolae mycelium. Additionally, the addition of exogenous tZOG counteracted the inhibitory effects of LGA on filamentous growth, resulting in mycelial elongation and branching. Furthermore, LGA treatment improved the survival rate of largemouth bass infected with N. seriolae. CONCLUSIONS: We found for the first time that LGA from C. cajan exhibited significant efficacy against N. seriolae by interfering with glycerophospholipid metabolism and cytokinin biosynthesis.

[Polymorphisms of seven short tandem repeat loci: D1S2142, D1S3733, D2S1774, D3S2459, D21S1409, D21S1437 and D21S2055 of Chinese Han population in Chengdu].

OBJECTIVE: To obtain the data in polymorphism distribution of the seven short tandem repeat (STR) loci: D1S2142, D1S3733, D2S1774, D3S2459, D21S1409, D21S1437 and D21S2055 of Chinese Han population in Chengdu, and evaluate the polymorphism data usefulness to the forensic science. METHODS: PCR, polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) and silver staining techniques were used to analyze the DNA samples from unrelated individuals of Chinese Han ethnic group in Chengdu. RESULTS: Eleven alleles and twenty-three genotypes were observed in D1S2142. Eight alleles and nineteen genotypes were observed in D1S3733. Eight alleles and fifteen genotypes were observed in D2S1774. Seven alleles and nineteen genotypes were observed in D3S2459. Six alleles and twelve genotypes were observed in D21S1409. Nine alleles and twenty-six genotypes were observed in D21S1437. Twenty alleles and seventy-seven genotypes were observed in D21S2055. The genotype distributions of the seven STR loci showed no deviation from the Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The parentage testing of 50 cases revealed an autosomal codominant inheritances and no mutations happened to seven STR loci. CONCLUSION: These data indicate that D1S2142, D1S3733, D2S1774, D3S2459, D21S1409, D21S1437 and D21S2055 have good polymorphism, with high probability of exclusion and probability of discrimination power as well as being loci available as the candidate genetic markers to forensic parentage testing and personal identification.