Metagenomics combined with untargeted metabolomics to study the mechanism of miRNA-150-5p on SiO2 -induced acute lung injury.

Acute lung injury is a significant global health issue, and its treatment is becoming a hot topic of the researchers. To investigate the feasibility of miRNA-150-5p tail vein injection in the treatment of SiO2-induced acute lung injury through the regulation of gut microbiota and serum metabolites based on multiomics technology. Twenty-four mice were randomly divided into the control, SiO2 and miRNA-150-5p intervention groups. The SiO2 and miRNA-150-5p intervention groups received a single intranasal dose of 100 µL 4 % SiO2 suspension. Meanwhile, the miRNA-150-5p intervention group was administered with two tail vein injections of miRNA-150-5p (15 nmol each per mouse) on the day of successful modelling and on the third day post modelling. Metagenomics and metabolomics techniques were used to measure gut microbiota and serum metabolites, respectively. Tail vein injection of miRNA-150-5p improved SiO2-induced acute lung injury and reduced the secretion of inflammatory factors interleukin (IL)-6, tumour necrosis factor-α and IL-1ß. These conditions altered the structure of gut microbiota, which resulted in the notable modulation of eight species at the species level. In addition, tail vein injection of miRNA-150-5p considerably reduced the levels of substances, such as phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylcholine and phosphatidylinositol, in the glycerophospholipid metabolism and glycosylphosphatidylinositol-anchor biosynthesis pathways. Tail vein injection of miRNA-150-5p can alleviate acute lung injury. Combined metagenomics and untargeted metabolomics revealed the miRNA-150-5p-mitigated SiO2-induced acute lung injury that occurred through the regulation of gut microbiota and serum metabolites.

Preliminary investigation on the establishment of a new meibomian gland obstruction model and gene expression.

Meibomian gland dysfunction is a chronic ocular surface disease with a complex pathogenesis, whose main clinical manifestations are meibomian gland obstruction or/and lipid abnormalities. To explore the mechanism of MGD due to meibomian gland obstruction (MGO), we established a rat model of MGO by cauterizing the meibomian gland orifice. The morphology of the lid margins and meibomian gland orifices were visualized by slit lamp. The tear production of rats was measured by phenol red cotton thread, the tear film breakup time and corneal fluorescein staining scores of rats were detected under cobalt blue light of slit lamp. Changes in the histological structure of the meibomian gland (MG) were observed by HE staining, Oil Red O staining and immunofluorescence staining (collagen IV). RNA sequencing was used to detect differentially expressed genes in MGO and normal rats, which were validated by qPCR. In the MGO group after 4, 8, and 16 weeks, the meibomian gland orifices were closed, tear film break-up time decreased and corneal fluorescein staining score increased (p < 0.05). MG acini was smaller at 8-week and 16-week MGO rats in HE staining. Oil Red O staining showed less condensed staining in the 8- and 16-week MGO groups, while more condensed staining in the 4-week MGO group. Additionally, the basement membrane was destroyed in 16-week MGO group by immunofluorescence staining of collagen IV. Meanwhile, RNA sequencing and qPCR showed that lipid peroxidation (LPO), transient receptor potential vanilloid-3 (TRPV3) and genes in PPAR signaling pathway were differentially expressed in 16-week meibomian gland obstructive rats (p < 0.05). Consequently, meibomian gland obstruction model rats were established successfully with corneal damage and lower tear film stability. Meibomian gland obstruction is a causative factor of MGD, which led to abnormal histological structure in MG, differential expression of PPAR signaling pathway and TRPV3.

Effects of corneal epithelial remodeling on corneal asphericity after FS-LASIK and Trans-PRK: A prospective study.

PURPOSE: To observe the changes in corneal epithelial thickness after FS-LASIK and Trans-PRK surgery and to investigate the impact of corneal epithelial remodeling on Q-value and HOA. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 50 patients (100 eyes) underwent FS-LASIK and 45 patients (90 eyes) underwent Trans-PRK. Anterior segment OCT was used to measure the corneal epithelial thickness in different corneal zones (central zone: 0-2 mm; paracentral zone: 2-5 mm; and mid-peripheral zone: 5-6 mm) preoperatively and postoperatively at 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. The correlation between ΔCET in the superior, nasal, inferior, and temporal region at 6 months postoperatively and ΔQ and ΔHOA was analyzed. RESULTS: At 6 months postoperatively, the epithelial thickness increased in the central, paracentral, and mid-peripheral zones in FS-LASIK and Trans-PRK. Central epithelial thickness and different regions of the paracentral zone and mid-peripheral exhibited significant thickening (P < 0.001). In the para-central zone and mid-peripheral zone, the ΔCET in different regions after LASIK and Trans-PRK was positively correlated with ΔQ (P < 0.05) and ΔHOA (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: After FS-LASIK and Trans-PRK, significant epithelial thickening was observed. Epithelial changes in different regions lead to different Q-values in different regions and have different effects on HOA. This has a certain guiding significance for the design of refractive surgery, and minimizing the increase of Q-value may improve the postoperative visual quality.

The Effect of Heart Failure Symptom Clusters on Quality of Life: The Moderating Effect of Self-Care Behaviours.

BACKGROUND: Although heart failure (HF) symptoms affect patients' quality of life (QoL), improving patients' QoL requires certain self-care behaviours. However, the specific role of self-care behaviours in the relationship between HF symptoms and QoL has not been clarified. AIMS: To evaluate the status of symptom clusters, self-care behaviours and QoL in HF patients, and to analyse and test the moderating effect of self-care behaviours between symptom clusters and QoL. DESIGN: This study is a cross-sectional study. METHODS: A total of 320 HF patients who treated in the three hospitals in Chengdu, China, from December 2022 to July 2023 were selected as the research subjects. The patients were evaluated using The General Information Questionnaire, Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale Heart Failure, Self-Care of Heart Failure Index and Minnesota Living with Heart Failure Questionnaire. The statistical analysis methods were exploratory factor analysis, Pearson correlation analysis, hierarchical regression analysis and simple slope analysis. RESULTS: There were five symptom clusters in HF patients: emotional symptom cluster (sadness, anxiety, irritability, feeling nervous), digestive symptom cluster (lack of appetite, dry mouth, weight loss, nausea, abdominal distension), ischemic symptom cluster (dizziness, chest pain, palpitations, fatigue), dyspnoea symptom cluster (difficulty breathing when lying flat, waking up breathless at night, sleep difficulty) and congestion symptom cluster (cough, shortness of breath, oedema). There was a significant correlation between HF symptom group, self-care behaviours and QoL (p < 0.05). Both self-care maintenance (ß = -0.262, p < 0.001) and self-care management (ß = -0.258, p < 0.001) had a moderating effect between symptom clusters and QoL. CONCLUSION: There are a variety of symptom clusters in HF patients. Improving the self-care behaviours ability of HF patients is conducive to reducing the impact of HF symptom clusters on QoL. REPORTING METHOD: The study used the STROBE checklist for reporting. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: Medical staff should focus on the impact of HF symptom clusters and self-care behaviours on QoL, and formulate corresponding interventions for HF symptom clusters and self-care behaviours to improve the QoL of patients. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: The head nurse of the cardiovascular department actively assisted us in collecting questionnaires from HF patients, and all HF patients surveyed participated in this study seriously.

Clinical characteristics, imaging diagnostic accuracy, and prognosis of autoimmune pancreatitis: A real-world study in China.

OBJECTIVE: In this study we aimed to comprehensively evaluate the clinical features and treatment outcomes of Chinese patients with autoimmune pancreatitis (AIP) through a single-center real-world study. METHODS: Patients diagnosed with AIP in Changhai Hospital, Naval Medical University from January 2014 to December 2021 were included. Baseline characteristics, laboratory test results, cross-sectional imaging and endoscopic ultrasound (EUS) findings, and long-term follow-up data were obtained. The differences in these characteristics between type 1 and type 2 AIP patients were analyzed. RESULTS: Among all 320 patients, 271 (84.7%) and 49 (15.3%) had type 1 and type 2 AIP, respectively. The most common initial symptom was abdominal discomfort (58.1%), followed by obstructive jaundice (32.5%). Extrapancreatic organ involvement was identified in 126 (39.4%) patients, with the biliary system being the most commonly involved (36.6%). Elevated serum IgG4 level was rare in type 2 AIP patients. The diagnostic accuracy of computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and EUS for definitive and probable AIP were 78.0%, 68.7%, and 80.5%, respectively. EUS-guided tissue acquisition with immunohistochemical staining helped establish a final diagnosis in 39.7% of patients. During the follow-up period of 60 months, 18.6% of patients experienced relapse. The 1-, 3-, and 5-year relapse rates were higher in type 1 AIP patients, with an accumulated rate of 8.0%, 12.6%, and 15.1%, when compared with those with type 2 AIP. CONCLUSIONS: Type 2 AIP is not uncommon in Chinese population. The diagnostic accuracy of CT and EUS for AIP might be superior to that of MRI.

Efficient Elimination of Inorganic/Organic Pollutants by Fe3O4/biochar@sodium Alginate Gel Beads.

The magnetic composite gel bead (Fe3O4-C@SA GB) adsorbent was prepared by sodium alginate (SA) crosslinking with pitaya peel-derived porous carbons (PPDPCs) and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs). The adsorption effects of Fe3O4-C@SA GBs on heavy metal ions (HMIs) and 17 ß-estradiol (E2) in water are evaluated by classical kinetic models and isotherm models. The pseudo-second-order kinetic model shows that Fe3O4-C@SA GBs have maximum adsorption capacities of 9.62, 7.50, and 13.61 mg/g for Cu (II), Cd (II), and Pb (II), respectively. Meanwhile, the highest adsorption performance of the synthesized gel beads to E2 is of ca. 276.3 mg/g. In addition, the Fe3O4-C@SA GBs can still maintain a high level of adsorption efficiency after five adsorption cycles, displaying economic efficiency and reusability. Hence, this work provides useful insights into the efficient adsorption elimination of pollutants in sewage and the corresponding adsorption mechanisms.

Long noncoding RNA steroid receptor RNA activator 1 inhibits proliferation and glycolysis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: The clinical effects and detailed roles of long non-coding RNA (LncRNA) steroid receptor RNA activator 1 (SRA1) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC) remain ambiguous. In the present study, the complementary sites between lncRNA SRA1, miRNA-363-5p, and phospholysine phosphohistidine inorganic pyrophosphate phosphatase (LHPP) predicted via bioinformatics analysis stimulated us to hypothesize that miRNA-363-5p/LHPP axis might be required for SRA1-mediated ESCC progression. AIM: To investigate the molecular events of SRA1 in the malignant behavior in ESCC. METHODS: Thirty-eight ESCC tissues and paired adjacent normal tissues were acquired. SRA1 expression was detected in ESCC tissues and cell lines using quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Cell counting Kit-8 assay, transwell invasion assay, glycolysis assay, and xenograft tumor model were performed to address the malignant biological behaviors of ESCC cells after the introduction of SRA1. The t-test and the χ 2 test were used for comparison between groups. Survival curve analysis was performed using the Kaplan-Meier method. RESULTS: SRA1 downregulation was identified in ESCC. ESCC patients exhibiting a low SRA1 expression faced shorter overall survival than those with a high SRA1 expression. The introduction of SRA1 inhibited cell proliferation, glucose uptake, and lactate production in ESCC. In vivo, the growth of ESCC was hindered by SRA1 overexpression. Then, SRA1 overexpresses the LHPP by inhibiting miRNA-363-5p. Lastly, the introduction of small interfering RNA si-LHPP or miRNA-363-5p mimic could abrogate the inhibition roles triggered by SRA1. CONCLUSION: SRA1 inhibits the oncogenicity of ESCC via miRNA-363-5p/LHPP axis. The SRA1/miRNA-363-5p/LHPP pathway may be a therapeutic target for ESCC.

Heavy metals in roadside soil along an expressway connecting two megacities in China: Accumulation characteristics, sources and influencing factors.

Transportation is widely recognized as a significant contributor to heavy metal (HM) pollution in roadside soils. A better understanding of HM pollution in soils near expressways is crucial, particularly given the rapid expansion of expressway transportation in China in recent years. In this study, 329 roadside topsoil samples were collected along the Beijing-Tianjin Expressway, which connects two megacities in China. Chemical analysis showed that HM concentrations in the soil samples were generally below national limits. The mean pollution index (Pi) values for As, Cr, Cu, Ni, Pb, and Zn ranged from 0.94 to 1.01, while Cd and Hg exhibited slightly higher mean Pi values of 1.19 and 1.13, respectively. The Nemerow integrated pollution index values for all samples ranged from 0.71 to 4.97, with a mean of 1.26. This suggests a slight enrichment of HM above natural background levels, especially for Cd and Hg. Source apportionment using positive matrix factorization revealed that natural sources contributed the most to soil HMs (64.51 %), followed by agricultural sources (19.15 %), traffic sources (9.77 %), and industrial sources (6.57 %). The Shapley additive explanation analysis, based on the random forest model, identified soil organic carbon, deep soil HM content, altitude, total soil K2O, urbanization composite impact index, and total soil P as primary influencing factors. This indicates that the impact of transportation on roadside soils along the Beijing-Tianjin Expressway is currently relatively limited. The prominent influence of soil properties and altitude underscored the importance of "transport" and "receptor" in the soil HMs accumulation process at the local scale. These findings provide critical data and a scientific basis for decision-makers to develop policies for expressway design and roadside soil protection.

Comparative Analysis of Serum and Serum-Free Medium Cultured Mesenchymal Stromal Cells for Cartilage Repair.

Mesenchymal stromal cells (MSCs) are promising candidates for cartilage repair therapy due to their self-renewal, chondrogenic, and immunomodulatory capacities. It is widely recognized that a shift from fetal bovine serum (FBS)-containing medium toward a fully chemically defined serum-free (SF) medium would be necessary for clinical applications of MSCs to eliminate issues such as xeno-contamination and batch-to-batch variation. However, there is a notable gap in the literature regarding the evaluation of the chondrogenic ability of SF-expanded MSCs (SF-MSCs). In this study, we compared the in vivo regeneration effect of FBS-MSCs and SF-MSCs in a rat osteochondral defect model and found poor cartilage repair outcomes for SF-MSCs. Consequently, a comparative analysis of FBS-MSCs and SF-MSCs expanded using two SF media, MesenCult™-ACF (ACF), and Custom StemPro™ MSC SFM XenoFree (XF) was conducted in vitro. Our results show that SF-expanded MSCs constitute variations in morphology, surface markers, senescence status, differentiation capacity, and senescence/apoptosis status. Highly proliferative MSCs supported by SF medium do not always correlate to their chondrogenic and cartilage repair ability. Prior determination of the SF medium's ability to support the chondrogenic ability of expanded MSCs is therefore crucial when choosing an SF medium to manufacture MSCs for clinical application in cartilage repair.

A zero-background fluorescent probe for sensing and imaging of glutathione via the "covalent-assembly" approach.

Developing selective and sensitive fluorescent probes for the detection of glutathione (GSH) concentration and intracellular distribution is of great significance for early diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as liver injury and cancer since GSH plays irreplaceable roles in regulating intracellular redox homeostasis. Herein, we present a new fluorescent probe that can be specifically activated by GSH through the conjugate addition and hydrolysis induced covalent-assembly approach for achieving zero-background interference fluorescence off-on sensing. Besides, the probe exhibited prominent selectivity and sensitivity, a low detection limit and cytotoxicity, thus successfully realizing specific real-time monitoring and tracking of GSH levels in living cells. As a consequence, this work might provide a potentially promising candidate for validating the function of GSH in various physiological and pathological processes, which is beneficial for early diagnosis and therapeutics of related diseases.

Development and validation of a novel liquid-liquid phase separation gene signature for bladder cancer.

Bladder carcinoma (BLCA) represents a common urinary tract malignancy, characterized by aggressive behavior and high recurrence rates. The biological response regulation during tumor proliferation and metastasis is intimately associated with liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS). For the purpose of enhancing early detection and treatment, this study employed transcriptomic data to examine the prognostic implications of LLPS-associated genes and formulate a predictive model. Clinical and transcriptomic data of bladder cancer patients were sourced from the GEO and TCGA databases. This study applied a clustering algorithm using non-negative matrix factorization (NMF) to classify samples, which were systematically compared based on their liquid-liquid phase separation characteristics. Prognostic models were developed using multivariate Cox regression and the Least Absolute Shrinkage Selection Operator (LASSO) algorithm to establish risk formulas for nine genes. The gene signature's validity was tested across the entire TCGA cohort (406 cases), the TCGA testing cohort (120 cases), and the external validation dataset GSE13507. The predictive accuracy of the signature system was assessed using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and Kaplan-Meier curves. Additionally, decision curve analysis incorporating clinicopathological parameters and the genetic signature was employed to predict individual survival. This study identified two distinct molecular subtypes, C1 and C2. Patients with the C1 subtype exhibited significantly better prognoses than those with the C2 subtype. Low-risk group patients consistently showed superior prognoses compared to high-risk groups across the entire TCGA, GEO, and TCGA training cohorts. Furthermore, the LLPS-related gene model demonstrated prognostic value independent of other clinical traits. This study identifies LLPS-associated gene clusters and establishes an independent, accurate prognostic model for BLCA. The model holds potential for clinical application in BLCA prognosis assessment.

Quercetin-primed BMSC-derived extracellular vesicles ameliorate chronic liver damage through miR-136-5p and GNAS/STAT3 signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Chronic liver damage (CLD) is a long-term and progressive liver condition characterized by inflammation, fibrosis, and impaired liver function, which ultimately lead to severe complications such as cirrhosis or liver cancer. Quercetin (Que), a flavonoid in various plants, possesses anti-inflammatory, antiviral, anti-ischemic, and anticancer properties. Recently, extracellular vesicles (EVs) derived from pretreated bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) have shown immense potential in treating various diseases, including CLD. Thus, this study evaluated the regulatory effects of Que-preconditioned BMSC-derived EVs (Que-EVs) on LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 cells and their therapeutic effects on mice with CLD. METHODS: Que-EVs and control-EVs were harvested from the cell culture supernatant of BMSCs. The EVs were characterized using western blot, transmission electron microscopy, and nanoparticle tracking analysis. Further, the DIR labeling of EVs was used to detect in vitro and in vivo uptake. Next, LPS pre-stimulated RAW264.7 cells were treated with Que-EVs and control-EVs for 24 h. The relative expression of inflammatory cytokines and macrophage polarization markers genes was assessed using RT-qPCR, and western blot was conducted to evaluate the GNAS, PI3K, ERK, and STAT3 gene and protein expressions in RAW264.7 cells. Furthermore, transfection techniques were employed to induce miR-136-5p inhibition and GNAS overexpression in RAW264.7 cells to validate the role of miR-136-5p in alleviating inflammation through the GNAS/PI3K/ERK/STAT3 pathway. Subsequently, the outcomes were validated via in vitro experiments. RESULTS: Que enhanced miR-136-5p expression in BMSC-EVs. Furthermore, it was shown that EVs delivered miR-136-5p to macrophages, thereby attenuating M1-type macrophage polarisation through the GNAS/PI3K/ERK/STAT3 pathway, reducing liver inflammation, improving liver function and treating CLD.

An Updated Review of Emerging Sources of Selenium in Weaned Piglet Nutrition.

The antioxidant and immune systems of weaned piglets are not fully mature and are also subjected to serious stress challenges related to oxidative stress and inflammation. Selenium (Se) is an essential element for pigs, with documented roles encompassing antioxidative and anti-inflammatory properties via selenoproteins. Sodium selenite and Se-enriched yeast are commonly acknowledged as conventional sources of Se for piglets. In the past decade, several novel Se sources have emerged in the field of weaned piglet nutrition. In this review, we will initially outline the historical timeline of Se sources as reported in weaned piglet nutrition. Afterwards, our attention will turn towards the nutritional regulation of Se sources in relation to the antioxidant and anti-inflammatory aspects of healthy weaned piglets. Ultimately, we will provide a detailed review highlighting the potential of emerging Se sources in alleviating various adverse effects of stress challenges faced by weaned piglets. These challenges include oxidative stress, enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli infection, lipopolysaccharide-induced inflammation, heat stress, and exposure to feed mycotoxins. The output of this review will emphasize the fundamental importance of incorporating emerging Se sources in the diet of weaned piglets.

Inhibition of GZMB activity ameliorates cognitive dysfunction by reducing demyelination in diabetic mice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) has attracted increased attention, but its precise mechanism remains to be explored. Oligodendrocytes form myelin sheaths that wrap around axons. Granzyme B (GZMB) can cause axonal degeneration of the central nervous system. However, the role of GZMB in diabetic cognitive dysfunction (DCD) has not been reported. This study aimed to investigate whether GZMB promotes demyelination and participates in DCD by regulating the endoplasmic reticulum stress function of oligodendrocytes. METHODS: Streptozotocin was injected intraperitoneally to establish a diabetic model in C57BL/6 mice. The mice were randomly divided into four groups: control group, diabetic group, diabetic + SerpinA3N group, and diabetic + saline treatment group. We performed the Morris water maze test to assess the learning and memory abilities of the mice. An immunofluorescence assay was performed to detect the expression sites of GZMB and OLIG2 in the hippocampal CA1 region. Luxol Fast Blue staining and electron microscopy were performed to detect the myelin number and myelin plate densities. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect the expression levels of MBP and CNPase. Protein blotting was used to assess the expression levels of GZMB, PERK, p-PERK, eIF2α, p-eIF2α, NLRP3, Caspase-1, GSDMD-N, IL-1ß, and IL-18 as well as MBP and CNPase. RESULTS: The GZMB inhibitor SerpinA3N reduces escape latency and increases the traversing platforms and residence time in the target area, improving DCD in mice. It also reduces endoplasmic reticulum stress in hippocampal oligodendrocytes and focal prolapse, further promoting MBP and CNPase expression and reducing demyelination. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that inhibition of GZMB activity modulates oligodendrocyte endoplasmic reticulum stress and pyroptosis, reduces demyelination, and ameliorates diabetes-related cognitive impairment.

Synthesis of N/O Atoms Co-Doped Biochar with 3D Porous Structure for Effective Electromagnetic Wave Absorption.

Developing biochar with large specific surface area (SSA), heteroatom doping, and porous structure is attracting substantial attention to absorb electromagnetic wave (EMW) in recent. Herein, a novel method of ethanol and KOH co-treatment is used to produce the biomass carbon deriving from pitaya peels. The obtained carbon possesses the high SSA of 1580 m2/g, successful N/O atoms co-doping, and massive pores with different size. The results of EMW absorption measurement show that the prepared biochar could achieve over 99 % absorpition to EMW, which the highest reflection loss is of ca. -45.25 dB at 7.54 GHz with an effective absorption bandwidth (EAB) of ca. 4.87 GHz. The execellent microwave absorption property is caused by the surface defects, dipole and interface polarizations of the synthesized biochar owning unique microstructure and N/O atoms co-doping. Hence, this avenue provides a new reference for fabricating low-cost and eco-friendly biochar as a microwave absorber.

GhPME36 aggravates susceptibility to Liriomyza sativae by affecting cell wall biosynthesis in cotton leaves.

BACKGROUND: Cotton is an important economic crop and a host of Liriomyza sativae. Pectin methylesterase (PME)-mediated pectin metabolism plays an indispensable role in multiple biological processes in planta. However, the pleiotropic functions of PME often lead to unpredictable effects on crop resistance to pests. Additionally, whether and how PME affects susceptibility to Liriomyza sativae remain unclear. RESULTS: Here, we isolated GhPME36, which is located in the cell wall, from upland cotton (Gossypium hirsutum L.). Interestingly, the overexpression of GhPME36 in cotton caused severe susceptibility to Liriomyza sativae but increased leaf biomass in Arabidopsis. Cytological observations revealed that the cell wall was thinner with more demethylesterified pectins in GhPME36-OE cotton leaves than in WT leaves, whereas the soluble sugar content of GhPME36-OE cotton leaf cell walls was accordingly higher; both factors attracted Liriomyza sativae to feed on GhPME36-OE cotton leaves. Metabolomic analysis demonstrated that glucose was significantly differentially accumulated. Transcriptomic analysis further revealed DEGs enriched in glucose metabolic pathways when GhPME36 was overexpressed, suggesting that GhPME36 aggravates susceptibility to Liriomyza sativae by affecting both the structure and components of cell wall biosynthesis. Moreover, GhPME36 interacts with another pectin-modifying enzyme, GhC/VIF1, to maintain the dynamic stability of pectin methyl esterification. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our results reveal the cytological and molecular mechanisms by which GhPME36 aggravates susceptibility to Liriomyza sativae. This study broadens the knowledge of PME function and provides new insights into plant resistance to pests and the safety of genetically modified plants.

Exploring Novel Umami Peptides from Bovine Bone Soups Using Nano-HPLC-MS/MS and Molecular Docking.

In this study, umami peptides were screened and characterized from bovine bone soups manufactured via atmospheric and high-pressure boiling. Peptide fractions with molecular weights less than 3 kDa were selected for peptide sequencing using LC-MS/MS, the toxicity prediction of the umami peptides was carried out by using an website, and the peptides were screened according to the binding energy, i.e., three peptides including YDAELS, TDVAHR, and ELELQ were selected. The three umami peptides were further synthesized, and their umami thresholds were determined through sensory evaluation and electronic tongue analysis, ranging from 0.375 to 0.75 mg/mL. All three peptides exhibited a significant synergistic taste enhancement effect when combined with MSG (monosodium glutamate) solution. The molecular docking of the umami peptides with the T1R1/T1R3 receptor revealed the mechanism of umami presentation, and the main interaction forces between the three umami peptides and the receptor were hydrogen bonding, electrostatic interactions, and hydrophobic interactions.

Early screening of post-stroke fall risk: A simultaneous multimodal fNIRs-EMG study.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is the third-leading cause of death and disability, and poststroke falls (PSF) are common at all stages after stroke and could even lead to injuries or death. Brain information from functional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRs) may precede conventional imaging and clinical symptoms but has not been systematically considered in PSF risk prediction. This study investigated the difference in brain activation between stroke patients and healthy subjects, and this study was aimed to explore fNIRs biomarkers for early screening of PSF risk by comparing the brain activation in patients at and not at PSF risk. METHODS: In this study, we explored the differences in brain activation and connectivity between stroke and healthy subjects by synchronizing the detection of fNIRs and EMG tests during simple (usual sit-to-stand) and difficult tasks (sit-to-stand based on EMG feedback). Thereby further screened for neuroimaging biomarkers for early prediction of PSF risk by comparing brain activation variability in poststroke patients at and not at fall risk during simple and difficult tasks. The area under the ROC curve (AUROC), sensitivity, and specificity were used to compare the diagnostic effect. RESULTS: A total of 40 patients (22 not at and 18 at PSF risk) and 38 healthy subjects were enrolled. As the difficulty of standing task increased, stroke patients compared with healthy subjects further increased the activation of the unaffected side of supplementary motor area (H-SMA) and dorsolateral prefrontal cortex-Brodmann area 46 (H-DLFC-BA46) but were unable to increase functional connectivity (Group*Task: p < 0.05). More importantly, the novel finding showed that hyperactivation of the H-SMA during a simple standing task was a valid fNIRs predictor of PSF risk [AUROC 0.74, p = 0.010, sensitivity 77.8%, specificity 63.6%]. CONCLUSIONS: This study provided novel evidence that fNIR-derived biomarkers could early predict PSF risk that can facilitate the widespread use of real-time assessment tools in early screening and rehabilitation. Meanwhile, this study demonstrated that the higher brain activation and inability to increase the brain functional connectivity in stroke patients during difficult task indicated the inefficient use of brain resources.

Effect of Ce Addition on Microstructure, Thermal Conductivity, and Mechanical Properties of As-Cast and As-Extruded Mg-3Sn Alloys.

In the present research, the impacts of Ce additions at various concentrations (0, 1.0, 3.4, and 4.0 wt.%) on the evolution of the microstructure, mechanical properties, and thermal conductivity of as-cast and as-extruded Mg-3Sn alloys were investigated. The findings demonstrate that adding Ce caused the creation of a new ternary MgSnCe phase in the magnesium matrix. Some new Mg17Ce2 phases are generated in the microstructure when Ce levels reach 4%. The thermal conductivity of the Mg-3Sn alloy is significantly improved due to Ce addition, and the Mg-3Sn-3.4Ce alloy exhibits the highest thermal conductivity, up to 133.8 W/(m·K) at 298 K. After extrusion, both the thermal conductivity and mechanical properties are further improved. The thermal conductivity perpendicular to the extrusion direction of Mg-3Sn-3.4Ce alloy could achieve 136.28 W/(m·K), and the tensile and yield strengths reach 264.3 MPa and 227.2 MPa, with an elongation of 7.9%. Adding Ce decreases the dissolved Sn atoms and breaks the eutectic α-Mg and Mg2Sn network organization, leading to a considerable increase in the thermal conductivity of as-cast Mg-3Sn alloys. Weakening the deformed grain texture contributed to the further enhancement of the thermal conductivity after extrusion.

Synergistic Effect of Ionic Liquid and Embedded QDs on 2D Ferroelectric Perovskite Films with Narrow Phase Distribution for Self-Powered and Broad-Band Photodetectors.

2D layered metal halide perovskites (MHPs) are a potential material for fabricating self-powered photodetectors (PDs). Nevertheless, 2D MHPs produced via solution techniques frequently exhibit multiple quantum wells, leading to notable degradation in the device performance. Besides, the wide band gap in 2D perovskites limits their potential for broad-band photodetection. Integrating narrow-band gap materials with perovskite matrices is a viable strategy for broad-band PDs. In this study, the use of methylamine acetate (MAAc) as an additive in 2D perovskite precursors can effectively control the width of the quantum wells (QWs). The amount of MAAc greatly affects the phase purity. Subsequently, PbSe QDs were embedded into the 2D perovskite matrix with a broadened absorption spectrum and no negative effects on ferroelectric properties. PM6:Y6 was combined with the hybrid ferroelectric perovskite films to create a self-powered and broad-band PD with enhanced performance due to a ferro-pyro-phototronic effect, reaching a peak responsivity of 2.4 A W-1 at 940 nm.