The complete genome sequence of a Paenibacillus tundrae strain MLY93 isolated from spot disease-infected tobacco leaves in China.

This study presents the complete gene sequence of a Paenibacillus tundrae strain isolated from tobacco spot disease leaves in Xingyi, Guizhou Province, China. The genetic understanding of P. tundrae is advanced by this research.

Aucklandiae radix targeted PKM2 to alleviate ulcerative colitis: Insights from the photocrosslinking target fishing technique.

BACKGROUND: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic and relapsing disease marked by chronic tissue inflammation that alters the integrity and function of the gut, seriously impacting patient health and quality of life. Aucklandiae Radix (AR), known as Mu Xiang in Chinese, is a traditional Chinese medicine documented in Chinese Pharmacopoeia with effects of strengthening the intestine and stopping diarrhea. However, the potential of AR in treating intestinal inflammation and its underlying mechanism have yet to be further elucidated. PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to explore the protective effect and the potential mechanism attributable to AR for treating ulcerative colitis (UC). STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: A murine model of UC was constructed using dextran sulfate sodium (DSS) to examine the therapeutic potential of AR in alleviating inflammation and modulating the immune response. Advanced techniques such as photocrosslinking target fishing technique, click chemistry, Western blot analysis, real-time quantitative PCR, flow cytometry, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemistry were employed to unveil the therapeutic mechanism of AR for treating IBD. RESULTS: AR decreased disease activity index (DAI) score to alleviate the course of IBD through ameliorating intestinal barrier function in DSS-induced mice. Furthermore, AR suppressed NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways to reduce the release of pro-inflammatory factors interleukin-6 and 1ß (IL-6 and IL-1ß) and tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), allowing to alleviate the inflammatory response. Flow cytometry revealed that AR could reduce the accumulation of intestinal macrophages and neutrophils, maintaining intestinal immune balance by regulating the ratio of Treg to Th17 cells. It was worth noting that pyruvate kinase isozyme type M2 (PKM2) served as a potential target of AR using the photocrosslinking target fishing technology, which was further supported by cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA), drug affinity target stability (DARTS), and PKM2 knockdown experiments. CONCLUSION: AR targeted PKM2 to inhibit NF-κB and NLRP3 pathways, thereby modulating the inflammatory response and immunity to alleviate DSS-induced UC. These findings suggested the potential of AR in the treatment of UC and AR as a candidate for developing PKM2 regulators.

OSGIN1 regulates PM2.5-induced fibrosis via mediating autophagy in an in vitro model of COPD.

Fine particulate matter (PM2.5) has been identified as a significant contributing factor to the exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). It has been observed that PM2.5 may induce lung fibrosis in COPD, although the precise molecular mechanism behind this remains unclear. In a previous study, we demonstrated that PM2.5 upregulates oxidative stress induced growth inhibitor 1 (OSGIN1), which in turn leads to injury in airway epithelial cells, thereby, suggesting a potential link between PM2.5 exposure and COPD. Based on this, we hypothesized that OSGIN1 plays a role in PM2.5-induced fibrosis in COPD. Human bronchial epithelial cells (HBEs) were treated with cigarette smoke extract (CSE) to construct an in vitro model of COPD. Our findings revealed that PM2.5 increased fibrosis indicators and upregulated OSGIN1 in CSE-stimulated HBEs (CSE-HBEs), and knockdown of OSGIN1 reduced the expression of fibrosis indicators. Through the use of microRNA target prediction software and the Gene Expression Omnibus database, we predicted miRNAs that targeted OSGIN1 in COPD. Subsequently, real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis confirmed that PM2.5 modulated miR-654-5p to regulate OSGIN1 in CSE-HBEs. Western blot demonstrated that OSGIN1 induced autophagy, thereby exacerbating fibrosis in CSE-HBEs. In summary, our results suggest that PM2.5 upregulates OSGIN1 through inhibiting miR-654-5p, leading to increased autophagy and fibrosis in CSE-HBEs.

High-Protein Mulberry Leaves Improve Glucose and Lipid Metabolism via Activation of the PI3K/Akt/PPARα/CPT-1 Pathway.

High-Protein Mulberry is a novel strain of mulberry. High-Protein Mulberry leaves (HPM) were the subject of this study, which aimed to investigate its efficacy and underlying mechanisms in modulating glucose and lipid metabolism. A six-week intervention using db/db mice was carried out to assess the effects of HPM on serum lipid levels, liver function, and insulin (INS) levels. qRT-PCR and Western Blotting were employed to measure key RNA and protein expressions in the PI3K/Akt and PPARα/CPT-1 pathways. UHPLC-MS and the Kjeldahl method were utilized to analyze the component content and total protein. Additionally, network pharmacology was employed to predict regulatory mechanism differences between HPM and Traditional Mulberry leaves. The results of the study revealed significant improvements in fasting blood glucose, glucose tolerance, and insulin resistance in mice treated with HPM. HPM notably reduced serum levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and INS, while increasing high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) levels. The treatment also effectively mitigated liver fatty lesions, inflammatory infiltration, and islet atrophy. HPM activation of the PI3K/Akt/PPARα/CPT-1 pathway suggested its pivotal role in the regulation of glucose and lipid metabolism. With its rich composition and pharmacodynamic material basis, HPM displayed a greater number of targets associated with glucose and lipid metabolism pathways, underscoring the need for further research into its potential therapeutic applications.

Effects of Glycosylation Combined with Phosphate Treatment on the Allergenicity and Structure of Tropomyosin in Litopenaeus vannamei.

Tropomyosin (TM) is the main allergen in shrimp (Litopenaeus vannamei). In this study, the effects of allergenicity and structure of TM by glycosylation (GOS-TM), phosphate treatment (SP-TM), and glycosylation combined with phosphate treatment (GOS-SP-TM) were investigated. Compared to GOS-TM and SP-TM, the IgG/IgE binding capacity of GOS-SP-TM was significantly decreased with 63.9 ± 2.0 and 49.7 ± 2.7%, respectively. Meanwhile, the α-helix content reduced, surface hydrophobicity increased, and 10 specific amino acids (K30, K38, S39, K48, K66, K74, K128, K161, S210, and K251) were modified by glycosylation on six IgE linear epitopes of GOS-SP-TM. In the BALB/c mice allergy model, GOS-SP-TM could significantly reduce the levels of specific IgE, IgG1, and CD4+IL-4+, while the levels of IgG2a, CD4+CD25+Foxp3+, and CD4+IFN-γ+ were increased, which equilibrated Th1 and Th2 cells, thus alleviating allergic symptoms. These results indicated that glycosylation combined with phosphate treatment can provide a new insight into developing hypoallergenic shrimp food.

Electrically Driven Deterministic Plasmon Light Sources Based on Arrays of Molecular Tunnel Junctions.

Surface plasmons excited via inelastic tunnelling have led to plasmon light sources with small footprints and ultrafast response speeds, which are favored by integrated optical circuits. Self-assembled monolayers of organic molecules function as highly tunable tunnel barriers with novel functions. However, limited by the low effective contact between the liquid metal electrode and the self-assembled monolayers, it is quite challenging to obtain molecular plasmon light sources with high density and uniform emission. Here, by combining lithographic patterning with a solvent treatment method, we have demonstrated electrically driven deterministic plasmon emission from arrays of molecular tunnel junctions. The solvent treatment could largely improve the effective contact from 9.6% to 48% and simultaneously allow the liquid metal to fill into lithographically patterned micropore structures toward deterministic plasmon emission with desired patterns. Our findings open up new possibilities for tunnel junction-based plasmon light sources, laying the foundation for electrically driven light-emitting metasurfaces.

The Role of Short Chain Fatty Acids in Inflammation and Body Health.

Short chain fatty acids (SCFAs), mainly including acetate, propionate and butyrate, are produced by intestinal bacteria during the fermentation of partially digested and indigestible polysaccharides. SCFAs play an important role in regulating intestinal energy metabolism and maintaining the homeostasis of the intestinal environment and also play an important regulatory role in organs and tissues outside the gut. In recent years, many studies have shown that SCFAs can regulate inflammation and affect host health, and two main signaling mechanisms have also been identified: the activation of G-protein coupled receptors (GPCRs) and inhibition of histone deacetylase (HDAC). In addition, a growing body of evidence highlights the importance of every SCFA in influencing health maintenance and disease development. In this review, we summarized the recent advances concerning the biological properties of SCFAs and their signaling pathways in inflammation and body health. Hopefully, it can provide a systematic theoretical basis for the nutritional prevention and treatment of human diseases.

Nutrient-delivery and metabolism reactivation therapy for melanoma.

To fulfil the demands of rapid proliferation, tumour cells undergo significant metabolic alterations. Suppression of hyperactivated metabolism has been proven to counteract tumour growth. However, whether the reactivation of downregulated metabolic pathways has therapeutic effects remains unexplored. Here we report a nutrient-based metabolic reactivation strategy for effective melanoma treatment. L-Tyrosine-oleylamine nanomicelles (MTyr-OANPs) were constructed for targeted supplementation of tyrosine to reactivate melanogenesis in melanoma cells. We found that reactivation of melanogenesis using MTyr-OANPs significantly impeded the proliferation of melanoma cells, primarily through the inhibition of glycolysis. Furthermore, leveraging melanin as a natural photothermal reagent for photothermal therapy, we demonstrated the complete eradication of tumours in B16F10 melanoma-bearing mice through treatment with MTyr-OANPs and photothermal therapy. Our strategy for metabolism activation-based tumour treatment suggests specific nutrients as potent activators of metabolic pathways.

Hydroxysafflor yellow A ameliorates depression-like behavior in Parkinson's disease mice.

Depression is a common non-motor symptom of Parkinson's disease. Previous studies demonstrated that hydroxysafflor yellow A had properties of improving motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease. The effect of hydroxysafflor yellow A on depression in Parkinson's disease mice is investigated in this study. To induce Parkinson's disease model, male Swiss mice were exposed to rotenone (30 mg/kg) for 6 weeks. The chronic unpredictable mild stress was employed to induce depression from week 3 to week 6. Sucrose preference, tail suspension, and forced swimming tests were conducted. Golgi and Nissl staining of hippocampus were carried out. The levels of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine and the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95, brain-derived neurotrophic factor in hippocampus were assayed. It showed that HSYA improved the depression-like behaviors of Parkinson's disease mice. Hydroxysafflor yellow A attenuated the injury of nerve and elevated contents of dopamine, 5-hydroxytryptamine in hippocampus. Treatment with hydroxysafflor yellow A also augmented the expression of postsynaptic density protein 95 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor. These findings suggest that hydroxysafflor yellow A ameliorates depression-like behavior in Parkinson's disease mice through regulating the contents of postsynaptic density protein 95 and brain-derived neurotrophic factor, therefore protecting neurons and neuronal dendrites of the hippocampus.

Potential Adverse Outcome Pathways of Chlorinated Organophosphate Flame Retardants.

What is already known about this topic?: Chlorinated organophosphate flame retardants (Cl-OPFRs) are frequently detected chemicals in the environment and biological samples, yet there is a lack of systematic evaluation regarding the adverse effects and toxicological mechanisms of Cl-OPFRs. What is added by this report?: This study utilizes the adverse outcome pathway (AOP) framework to assess the health implications and mechanisms of Cl-OPFRs, identifying multi-system toxicity, with a particular emphasis on reproductive issues and the possible toxic mechanisms. What are the implications for public health practice?: These results enhance knowledge of the health hazards linked to Cl-OPFRs, supporting the creation of focused risk evaluations and suitable regulatory actions.

Whole-genome sequence of Pseudomonas benzopyrenica MLY92: isolation from diseased leaves of tobacco in China.

Here we present a sketch of the whole-genome sequence of Pseudomonas benzopyrenica. The strain comes from the leaf veins of a diseased tobacco plant. This study has significant research implications for gaining insights into the characteristics of microorganisms belonging to the genus Pseudomonas.

Perceived professional preparedness and identity among senior nursing students: a latent profile Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Senior nursing students' perceptions of their professional preparedness help them for expectations of their future nursing role with more confidence, and professional identity may contribute to cultivating nursing students' perceptions of professional preparedness. In this study we applied latent profile analysis to identify the latent profiles of perceived professional preparedness among senior nursing students and to examine their identity and predictors. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study. A total of 319 senior nursing students from five universities in China were enrolled. Data were collected using the Perceived Professional Preparedness of Senior Nursing Students' Questionnaire and the Professional Identity Scale for Nursing Students. RESULTS: Three latent profiles were identified and labeled as "low perceived professional preparedness" (n = 90, 28.2%), "low clinical competency-low EBP (Evidence-Based Practice)" (n = 190, 59.5%), and "high perceived professional preparedness" (n = 39, 12.2%). Place of residence, average clinical practicum hours per day, part-time experience, good relationships with classmates, and feeling nobility toward nursing due to COVID-19 significantly predicted profile membership. The average professional identity score was also statistically different across the three profiles (F = 54.69, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Senior nursing students' perceptions of their professional preparedness were divided into three profiles, and out results show that promoting professional identity may effectively foster their perceived professional preparedness. This study therefore highlights the importance of targeted interventions by considering their distinct perceptions of professional preparedness patterns.

Xiasangju alleviate metabolic syndrome by enhancing noradrenaline biosynthesis and activating brown adipose tissue.

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a clinical condition associated with multiple metabolic risk factors leading to type 2 diabetes mellitus and other metabolic diseases. Recent evidence suggests that modulating adipose tissue to adaptive thermogenesis may offer therapeutic potential for MetS. Xiasangju (XSJ) is a marketed drug and dietary supplement used for the treatment of metabolic disease with anti-inflammatory activity. This study investigated the therapeutic effects of XSJ and the underlying mechanisms affecting the activation of brown adipose tissue (BAT) in MetS. The results revealed that XSJ ameliorated MetS by enhancing glucose and lipid metabolism, leading to reduced body weight and abdominal circumference, decreased adipose tissue and liver index, and improved blood glucose tolerance. XSJ administration stimulated catecholamine biosynthesis, increasing noradrenaline (NA) levels and activating NA-mediated proteins in BAT. Thus, BAT enhanced thermogenesis and oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Moreover, XSJ induced changes in gut microbiota composition, with an increase in Oscillibacter abundance and a decrease in Bilophila, Candidatus Stoquefichus, Holdemania, Parasutterella and Rothia. XSJ upregulated the proteins associated with intestinal tight junctions corresponding with lower serum lipopolysaccharide (LPS), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels to maintain NA signaling transport. In summary, XSJ may alleviate MetS by promoting thermogenesis in BAT to ultimately boost energy metabolism through increasing NA biosynthesis, strengthening intestinal barrier integrity and reducing low-grade inflammation. These findings suggest XSJ has potential as a natural therapeutic agent for the treatment of MetS.

Nurse Life-and-Death Education From the Perspective of Chinese Traditional Culture.

This quasi-experimental study investigated the impact of traditional Chinese culture-based life-and-death education on 38 ICU nurses. Participants underwent 14 hours of training, and data were collected before and after the intervention using various questionnaires. Frequency and percentage were used for categorical data; mean and standard deviation for measurement data; and paired-sample t test for comparison of teaching effects before and after the intervention of life-and-death education programs. Results indicated significant improvements in understanding of death, reduced death anxiety, enhanced death coping abilities, and increased search for meaning (p < .05). However, there was no statistically significant change in attitude toward death (p > .05). Life-and-death education rooted in traditional Chinese culture positively influenced ICU nurses, fostering improved death cognition, reduced death anxiety, enhanced coping skills, and a heightened sense of meaning in life. Subsequent research will explore the relationship and distinctions between explicit and implicit death attitudes.

One-pot sustainable synthesis of glucosylglycerate from starch and glycerol through artificial in vitro enzymatic cascade.

Glucosylglycerate (R-2-O-α-D-glucopyranosyl-glycerate, GG) is a negatively charged compatible solution with versatile functions. Here, an artificial in vitro enzymatic cascade was designed to feasibly and sustainably produce GG from affordable starch and glycerol. First, Spirochaeta thermophila glucosylglycerate phosphorylase (GGP) was carefully selected because of its excellent heterologous expression, specific activity, and thermostability. The optimized two-enzyme cascade, consisting of alpha-glucan phosphorylase (αGP) and GGP, achieved a remarkable 81 % conversion rate from maltodextrin and D-glycerate. Scaling up this cascade resulted in a practical concentration of 58 g/L GG with a 62 % conversion rate based on the added D-glycerate. Additionally, the production of GG from inexpensive starch and glycerol in one-pot using artificial four-enzyme cascade was successfully implemented, which integrates alditol oxidase and catalase with αGP and GGP. Collectively, this sustainable enzymatic cascade demonstrates the feasibility of the practical synthesis of GG and has the potential to produce other glycosides using the phosphorylase-and-phosphorylase paradigm.

The influence of gratitude on patriotism among college students: a cross-sectional and longitudinal study.

Introduction: Patriotism, a positive emotional attachment to one's country, has been associated with prosocial behavior, social responsibility, and gratitude. It plays a crucial role in promoting social harmony and national development. However, the factors influencing patriotism and their mechanisms remain unclear. This research consists of two studies exploring the internal mechanisms that connect gratitude and patriotism. Methods: Study 1 conducted a cross-sectional analysis among 3,826 college students to investigate the influence of gratitude on patriotism, emphasizing the mediating role of general life satisfaction and the moderating impact of socioeconomic status. This approach aimed to elucidate the complex relationships between these variables within college students. Study 2 adopted a longitudinal approach, surveying 905 college students across three-time points. This study was designed to explore the temporal mediation of general life satisfaction in the gratitude-patriotism relationship, offering insights into the evolution of these constructs over time. The sequential surveys aimed to capture the dynamic nature of gratitude's impact on patriotism, considering the continuous interplay with general life satisfaction among college students. Results: Study 1 reveals a noteworthy finding: Gratitude enables the direct prediction of patriotism, while additionally, general life satisfaction plays a role between them. Furthermore, the predictive effect of gratitude on patriotism is strengthened among individuals with higher levels of socioeconomic status. However, there is no significant moderating effect between general life satisfaction and patriotism by socioeconomic status. Study 2 demonstrates that general life satisfaction plays a significant mediating role in the relationship between gratitude and patriotism, over a period of three times. However, the moderating influence of socioeconomic status was not substantiated in the longitudinal mediation model. Conclusion: These two studies shed light on the complex relationship between gratitude and patriotism. They emphasize the significance of gratitude, general life satisfaction, and socioeconomic status in shaping patriotism, offering potential avenues for understanding the internal mechanisms that influence patriotism.

A High-Strength Solid Oxide Fuel Cell Supported by an Ordered Porous Cathode Membrane.

The phase inversion tape casting has been widely used to fabricate open straight porous supports for solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs), which can offer better gas transmission and minimize the concentration polarization. However, the overall weak strength of the macro-porous structure still limits the applications of these SOFCs. In this work, a novel SOFC supported by an ordered porous cathode membrane with a four-layer configuration containing a finger-like porous 3 mol% yttria- stabilized zirconia (3YSZ)-La0.8Sr0.2Co0.6Fe0.4O3-δ (LSCF) catalyst, porous 8 mol% yttria-stabilized zirconia (8YSZ)-LSCF catalyst, and dense 8YSZ porous 8YSZ-NiO catalyst is successfully prepared by the phase inversion tape casting, dip-coating, co-sintering, and impregnation process. The flexural strength of the open straight porous 3YSZ membrane is as high as 131.95 MPa, which meets the requirement for SOFCs. The cathode-supported single cell shows a peak power density of 540 mW cm-2 at 850 °C using H2 as the fuel. The degradation mechanism of the SOFC is investigated by the combination of microstructure characterization and distribution of relaxation times (DRT) analysis.

Draft genome sequence of Monascus ruber strain FM39-7.

In China, certain Monascus ruber strains are traditionally used as edible fungi. We sequenced the genome of M. ruber FM39-7 strain, an isolate from fermented rice. The genome is 25.89 Mb with a G + C content of 48.86%, containing 8485 annotated genes.

Cost-Efficient Micro-Well Array-Based Colorimetric Antibiotic Susceptibility Testing (MacAST) for Bacteria from Culture or Community.

Rapid and cost-efficient antibiotic susceptibility testing (AST) is key to timely prescription-oriented diagnosis and precision treatment. However, current AST methods have limitations in throughput or cost effectiveness, and are impractical for microbial communities. Here, we developed a high-throughput micro-well array-based colorimetric AST (macAST) system equipped with a self-developed smartphone application that could efficiently test sixteen combinations of bacteria strains and antibiotics, achieving comparable AST results based on resazurin metabolism assay. For community samples, we integrated immunomagnetic separation into the macAST (imacAST) system to specifically enrich the target cells before testing, which shortened bacterial isolation time from days to only 45 min and achieved AST of the target bacteria with a low concentration (~103 CFU/mL). This proof-of-concept study developed a high-throughput AST system with an at least ten-fold reduction in cost compared with a system equipped with a microscope or Raman spectrum. Based on colorimetric readout, the antimicrobial susceptibility of the bacteria from microbial communities can be delivered within 6 h, compared to days being required based on standard procedures, bypassing the need for precise instrumentation in therapy to combat bacterial antibiotic resistance in resource-limited settings.

Mulberry leaf flavonoids activate BAT and induce browning of WAT to improve type 2 diabetes via regulating the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α signaling pathway.

Mulberry (Morus alba L.) leaf is a well-established traditional Chinese botanical and culinary resource. It has found widespread application in the management of diabetes. The bioactive constituents of mulberry leaf, specifically mulberry leaf flavonoids (MLFs), exhibit pronounced potential in the amelioration of type 2 diabetes (T2D). This potential is attributed to their ability to safeguard pancreatic ß cells, enhance insulin resistance, and inhibit α-glucosidase activity. Our antecedent research findings underscore the substantial therapeutic efficacy of MLFs in treating T2D. However, the precise mechanistic underpinnings of MLF's anti-T2D effects remain the subject of inquiry. Activation of brown/beige adipocytes is a novel and promising strategy for T2D treatment. In the present study, our primary objective was to elucidate the impact of MLFs on adipose tissue browning in db/db mice and 3T3-L1 cells and elucidate its underlying mechanism. The results manifested that MLFs reduced body weight and food intake, alleviated hepatic steatosis, improved insulin sensitivity, and increased lipolysis and thermogenesis in db/db mice. Moreover, MLFs activated brown adipose tissue (BAT) and induced the browning of inguinal white adipose tissue (IWAT) and 3T3-L1 adipocytes by increasing the expressions of brown adipocyte marker genes and proteins such as uncoupling protein 1 (UCP1) and beige adipocyte marker genes such as transmembrane protein 26 (Tmem26), thereby promoting mitochondrial biogenesis. Mechanistically, MLFs facilitated the activation of BAT and the induction of WAT browning to ameliorate T2D primarily through the activation of AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK)/sirtuin 1 (SIRT1)/peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator 1α (PGC-1α) signaling pathway. These findings highlight the unique capacity of MLF to counteract T2D by enhancing BAT activation and inducing browning of IWAT, thereby ameliorating glucose and lipid metabolism disorders. As such, MLFs emerge as a prospective and innovative browning agent for the treatment of T2D.