Ghrelin/GHSR System in Depressive Disorder: Pathologic Roles and Therapeutic Implications.

Depression is the most common chronic mental illness and is characterized by low mood, insomnia, and affective disorders. However, its pathologic mechanisms remain unclear. Numerous studies have suggested that the ghrelin/GHSR system may be involved in the pathophysiologic process of depression. Ghrelin plays a dual role in experimental animals, increasing depressed behavior and decreasing anxiety. By combining several neuropeptides and traditional neurotransmitter systems to construct neural networks, this hormone modifies signals connected to depression. The present review focuses on the role of ghrelin in neuritogenesis, astrocyte protection, inflammatory factor production, and endocrine disruption in depression. Furthermore, ghrelin/GHSR can activate multiple signaling pathways, including cAMP/CREB/BDNF, PI3K/Akt, Jak2/STAT3, and p38-MAPK, to produce antidepressant effects, given which it is expected to become a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of depression.

Spatially Confined Alloying of Pt Accelerates Mass Transport for Fuel Cell Oxygen Reduction.

Pt-based alloy with high mass activity and durability is highly desired for proton exchange membrane fuel cells, yet a great challenge remains due to the high mass transport resistance near catalysts with lowering Pt loading. Herein, an extensible approach employing atomic layer deposition to accurately introduce a gas-phase metal precursor into platinum nanoparticles (NPs) pre-filled mesoporous channels is reported, achieved by controlling both the deposition site and quantity. Following the spatially confined alloying treatment, the prepared PtSn alloy catalyst within mesopores demonstrates a small size and homogeneous distribution (2.10 ± 0.53 nm). The membrane electrode assembly with mesoporous carbon-supported PtSn alloy catalyst achieves a high initial mass activity of 0.85 A mg Pt - 1 ${\mathrm{mg}}_{\mathrm{Pt}}^{-1}$ at 0.9 V, which is attributed to the smallest local oxygen transport resistance (3.68 S m-1) ever reported. The mass activity of the catalyst only decreases by 11% after 30000 cycles of accelerated durability test, representing superior full-cell durability among the reported Pt-based alloy catalysts. The enhanced activity and durability are attributed to the decreased adsorption energy of oxygen intermediates on Pt surface and the strong electronic interaction between Pt and Sn inhibiting Pt dissolution.

The extraordinary rearrangement of mitochondrial genome of the wheat pest, Aptinothrips stylifer and the mitochondrial phylogeny of Thripidae (Thysanoptera).

The mitochondrial gene order in Thysanoptera is notably distinct and highly rearranged, with each species exhibiting its own unique arrangement. To elucidate the relationship between gene rearrangements and phylogeny, the complete mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of the wheat pest, Aptinothrips stylifer, was sequenced and assembled, spanning a total length of 16,033 bp. Compared with the ancestral arthropod mitogenome, significant rearrangement differences were evident in A. stylifer, whereas the gene order between A. stylifer and Anaphothrips obscurus was similar. Phylogenetic trees were reconstructed based on all 13 protein-coding gene sequences using Bayesian inference and maximum-likelihood methods, both yielding similar topological structures. Notably, A. stylifer was robustly clustered with A. obscurus, affirming its classification within Anaphothrips genus group. This exemplifies the potential correlation between gene rearrangements and phylogeny in the Thripidae family. Additionally, the mitogenome of A. stylifer exhibited several atypical features, including: (1) Three putative control regions (CRs) in close proximity, with CR2 and CR3 displaying partial similarity, and CR1 differing in base composition; (2) Two transfer RNAs (tRNAs), trnS1 and trnV, lacking the DHU arm; (3) Two ribosomal RNA (rRNA) genes inverted and positioned distant from each other; (4) Negative AT and GC skew (AT skew = -0.001, GC skew = -0.077); (5) One transposition (nad6), one inverse transposition (trnQ), four inversions (trnF, trnH, trnC, and gene block nad1-trnL1-rrnL-trnV-rrnS), and four tandem duplication random loss events; and (6) Two protein-coding genes, nad2 and atp8, terminated with an incomplete stop codon "T".

Template-Guided Silicon Micromotor Assembly for Enhanced Cell Manipulation.

Light-driven micro/nanorobots (LMNRs) are tiny, untethered machines with great potential in fields like precision medicine, nano manufacturing, and various other domains. However, their practicality hinges on developing light-manipulation strategies that combine versatile functionalities, flexible design options, and precise controllability. Our study introduces an innovative approach to construct micro/nanorobots (MNRs) by utilizing micro/nanomotors as fundamental building blocks. Inspired by silicon Metal-Insulator-Semiconductor (MIS) solar cell principles, we design a new type of optomagnetic hybrid micromotors (OHMs). These OHMs have been skillfully optimized with integrated magnetic constituent, resulting in efficient light propulsion, precise magnetic navigation, and the potential for controlled assembly. One of the key features of the OHMs is their ability to exhibit diverse motion modes influenced by fracture surfaces and interactions with the environment, streamlining cargo conveyance along "micro expressway"-the predesigned microchannels. Further enhancing their versatility, a template-guided assembly strategy facilitates the assembly of these micromotors into functional microrobots, encompassing various configurations such as "V-shaped", "N-shaped", and 3D structured microrobots. The heightened capabilities of these microrobots, underscore the innovative potential inherent in hybrid micromotor design and assembly, which provides a foundational platform for the realization of multi-component microrobots. Our work moves a step toward forthcoming microrobotic entities boasting advanced functionalities.

Genome-based reclassification of Deinococcus saudiensis Hussain et al. 2016 as a later heterotypic synonym of Deinococcus soli Cha et al. 2014.

Deinococcus saudiensis YIM F302T was compared with Deinococcus soli N5T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of D. saudiensis YIM F302T showed high similarity (99.9 %) to that of D. soli N5T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus Deinococcus. A draft genomic comparison between the two strains revealed average nucleotide identity values of 96.8-97.9 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 80.7±1.9 %, strongly indicating that the two strains represented a single species. Based on the combined phylogenetic, genomic and phenotypic characterization presented here, we propose D. saudiensis as a later heterotypic synonym of D. soli N5T.

Pico-tesla magnetic field detection with integrated flux concentrators using a multi-frequency modulation technique on the solid nuclear spin in diamonds.

In this paper, we implement integrated magnetic flux concentrators (MFCs) combined with a multi-frequency modulation method to achieve high-magnetic-detection sensitivity using a nuclear spin on the solid nuclear spin in diamonds. First, we excited the nuclear spin in diamonds using a continuous-wave technique, and a linewidth of 1.37 MHz and frequency resolution of 79 Hz were successfully obtained, which is reduced by one order of the linewidth, and increased by 56 times in frequency resolution compared to that excited by an electron spin. The integrated high-permeability MFC was designed to magnify the magnetic field near the diamond, with a magnification of 9.63 times. Then, the multi-frequency modulation technique was used to fully excite the hyperfine energy level of Nitrogen Vacancy (NV) centers along the four axes on the diamond with MFC, and magnetic detection sensitivity of 250p T/H z 1/2 was realized. These techniques should allow designing an integrated NV magnetometer with high sensitivity in a small volume.

Pseudomonas marianensis sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from deep-sea sediments of the Mariana Trench.

A novel marine Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain PS1T, was isolated from the deep-sea sediments of the Mariana Trench and characterized phylogenetically and phenotypically. Bacterial optimal growth occurred at 35 °C (ranging 10-45 °C), pH 6 (ranging pH 5-10) and with 11% (w/v) NaCl (ranging 0-17%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity results revealed that strain PS1T was most closely related to Pseudomonas stutzeri ATCC 17588T, Pseudomonas nitrititolerans GL14T, Pseudomonas zhaodongensis NEAU-ST5-21T, Pseudomonas xanthomarina DSM 18231T and Pseudomonas kunmingensis HL22-2T with 98.3-98.7%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization values and the average nucleotide identity between strain PS1T and the reference strains were 20.4-40.1% and 78.7-79.4%, respectively. The major respiratory quinone is ubiquinone Q-9. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, diphosphatidyglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, aminoglycolipid, two unidentified glycolipids and one unidentified lipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids of strain PS1T were summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c), summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), C16:0 and cyclo-C19:0 ω8c. The G + C content of the genomic DNA was 63.0%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain PS1T represents a novel species of the genus Pseudomonas, for which the name Pseudomonas marianensis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain PS1T (= DSM 112238T = MCCC 1K05112T).

Marinomonas lutimaris sp. nov., isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the East China Sea.

A Gram-stain-negative bacterial strain, designated as E165T, was isolated from a tidal flat sediment of the East China Sea. Strain E165T grew optimally at pH 6, at 32 °C and with 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl. The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity results revealed that strain E165T was most closely related to Marinomonas rhizomae IVIA-Po-145T, Marinomonas polaris CK13T, Marinomonas foliarum IVIA-Po-155T, Marinomonas hwangdonensis HDW-15T, Marinomonas pontica 46-16T, Marinomonas mangrovi B20-1T and Marinomonas shanghaiensis DSL-35T with values of 97.0-98.5 %. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between strain E165T and the reference strains were 21.9-34.3 % and 77.6-87.3 %, respectively. The DNA G+C content of the isolate was 42.9 mol%. Strain E165T contained Q-8 as the sole ubiquinone and C16 : 0, summed feature 8 (C18 : 1 ω7c and/or C18 : 1 ω6c) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1 ω7c and/or C16 : 1 ω6c) as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipids of strain E165T were diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid and aminophospholipid. On the basis of phenotypic characteristics, phylogenetic analysis and DNA-DNA relatedness, a novel species, Marinomonas lutimaris sp. nov., is proposed with E165T (=MCCC 1K06241T=KCTC 82809T) as the type strain.

Muricauda abyssi sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from deep seawater of the Mariana Trench.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain W52T, was isolated from deep seawater of the Mariana Trench and characterized phylogenetically and phenotypically. The strain could grow at 10-47 °C (optimum 32 °C), at pH 5.0-8.0 (optimum 6.0) and with 0-9% NaCl (optimum 3 %, w/v). The results of phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that W52T was related to members of the genus Muricauda and shared the highest identity with Muricauda oceani 501str8T (99.0 %), followed by Muricauda aquimarina JCM 11811T, Muricauda ruestringensis DSM 13258T, Muricauda oceanensis 40DY170T, Muricauda beolgyonensis KCTC 23501T and Muricauda zhangzhouensis 12C25T with 97.0-98.8 % sequence similarity. 16S rRNA gene sequence identities between W52T and other members of the genus Muricauda were below 97.0 %. The major respiratory quinone was MK-6. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), one unidentified aminolipid and three unidentified lipids. The strain had iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 1G as the major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.7 %. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain W52T represents a novel species of the genus Muricauda, for which the name Muricauda abyssi sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain W52T (=MCCC 1K05111T= KCTC 82315T).

Proteolysis-Targeting Chimeras (PROTACs) in Cancer Therapy: Present and Future.

The PROteolysis TArgeting Chimeras (PROTACs) is an innovative technique for the selective degradation of target proteins via the ubiquitin-proteasome system. Compared with traditional protein inhibitor drugs, PROTACs exhibit advantages in the efficacy and selectivity of and in overcoming drug resistance in cancer therapy, providing new insights into the discovery of anti-cancer drugs. In the last two decades, many PROTAC molecules have been developed to induce the degradation of cancer-related targets, and they have been subjected to clinical trials. Here, we comprehensively review the historical milestones and latest updates in PROTAC technology. We focus on the structures and mechanisms of PROTACs and their application in targeting tumor-related targets. We have listed several representative PROTACs based on CRBN, VHL, MDM2, or cIAP1 E3 ligases, and PROTACs that are undergoing anti-cancer clinical trials. In addition, the limitations of the current research, as well as the future research directions are described to improve the PROTAC design and development for cancer therapy.

Switchable and spacing tunable dual-wavelength spatiotemporal mode-locked fiber laser.

We report a switchable and spacing tunable dual-wavelength spatiotemporal mode-locked (STML) laser based on the multimode interference filtering effect in an all-fiber linear cavity. The dual-wavelength STML operations combined with different pulse patterns are achieved. By adjusting the polarization controllers, the dual-wavelength STML pulses can be switched to single wavelength operation, which is tunable up to 35 nm under certain pump powers. Moreover, the dual-wavelength spacing can also be tuned from 8 nm to 22 nm. The obtained results contribute to understanding and exploring the spatiotemporal characteristics operating in the multi-wavelength regime of STML fiber lasers. All-fiber STML lasers with lasing wavelength tunability and flexibility may have applications in the fields of optical communications and optical measurements.

Aestuariisphingobium litorale Li et al. 2020 is a later heterotypic synonym of Chakrabartia godavariana Jani et al. 2019.

Chakrabartia godavariana PRB40T was compared with Aestuariisphingobium litorale SYSU M10002T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of C. godavariana PRB40T had high similarity (99.8 %) to that of A. litorale SYSU M10002T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus Chakrabartia. A draft genomic comparison between the two strains revealed an average nucleotide identity of 97.3 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 79.5±2.9 %, strongly indicating that the two strains represented a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking differences in metabolic, physiological or chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, we propose that Aestuariisphingobium litorale is a later heterotypic synonym of Chakrabartia godavariana.

Cellulomonas aurantiaca Kim et al. 2020 is a later heterotypic synonym of Cellulomonas algicola Yamamura et al. 2019.

Cellulomonas algicola KZ-21T was compared with Cellulomonas aurantiaca THG-SMD2.3T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of Cellulomonas algicola KZ-21T shared complete similarity (100.0 %) with that of Cellulomonas aurantiaca THG-SMD2.3T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus Cellulomonas. Genome comparison between the two strains revealed an average nucleotide identity of 99.2 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 93.7±1.8 %, strongly indicating that the two strains belong to a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking differences in metabolic, physiological or chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, we propose Cellulomonas aurantiaca as a later heterotypic synonym of Cellulomonas algicola.

Hanstruepera crassostreae He et al. 2018 is a later heterotypic synonym of Pseudobizionia ponticola Park et al. 2018.

Hanstruepera crassostreae L53T was compared with Pseudobizionia ponticola MM-14T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of H. crassostreae L53T had complete similarity (100.0%) to that of P. ponticola MM-14T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus Pseudobizionia. Draft genomic comparison between the two strains revealed an average nucleotide identity of 96.9 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 75.3±2.8 %, strongly indicating that the two strains represented a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking difference in metabolic, physiological or chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, we propose that Hanstruepera crassostreae is a later heterotypic synonym of Pseudobizionia ponticola.

Nonomuraea nitratireducens Qu et al. 2020 is a later heterotypic synonym of Nonomuraea phyllanthi Klykleung et al. 2020.

Nonomuraea nitratireducens WYY166T was compared with Nonomuraea phyllanthi PA1-10T to examine the taxonomic relationship between the two type strains. The 16S rRNA gene sequence of N. nitratireducens WYY166T had high similarity (99.9 %) to that of N. phyllanthi PA1-10T. The results of phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the two strains formed a tight cluster within the genus Nonomuraea. Draft genomic comparison between the two strains revealed an average nucleotide identity of 99.3 % and a digital DNA-DNA hybridization estimate of 94.4±1.8 %, strongly indicating that the two strains represented a single species. In addition, neither strain displayed any striking difference in metabolic, physiological or chemotaxonomic features. Therefore, we propose Nonomuraea nitratireducens as a later heterotypic synonym of Nonomuraea phyllanthi.

Metabacillus sediminilitoris sp. nov., a marine bacterium isolated from a tidal sediment.

A Gram-stain-positive, endospore-forming, motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain DSL-17T, was isolated from a tidal sediment of the East China Sea and characterized phylogenetically and phenotypically. The strain could grow at 16-47 °C (optimum 37 °C), at pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum 6.0) and with 1-7% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 3 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DSL-17T was related to members of the genus Metabacillus and shared the highest similarity with Metabacillus litoralis SW-211T (98.6 %), followed by Metabacillus halosaccharovorans E33T (97.9 %), Metabacillus crassostreae JSM 100118T (97.7 %), Metabacillus niabensis 4T19T (97.7 %) and Metabacillus malikii NCCP-662T (97.5 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain DSL-17T and other members of the genus Metabacillus were below 96.6 %. The sole respiratory quinone was MK-7. Strain DSL-17T had a cell-wall peptidoglycan based on meso-diaminopimelic acid. The polar lipids were diphosphatidylglycerol (DPG), phosphatidylglycerol (PG), three unidentified glycolipids and six unidentified lipids. The strain had iso-C15 : 0, anteiso-C15 : 0, iso-C14 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C16 : 0 as major fatty acids. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 35.7 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain DSL-17T represents a novel species of the genus Metabacillus, for which the name Metabacillus sediminilitoris sp. nov. is proposed The type strain is DSL-17T (=MCCC 1K03777T=DSM 109843T).

Muricauda hadalis sp. nov., a novel piezophile isolated from hadopelagic water of the Mariana Trench and reclassification of Muricauda antarctica as a later heterotypic synonym of Muricauda teanensis.

A novel marine Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic and rod-shaped bacterium, designated as strain MT-229T, was isolated from the deep seawater in the Mariana Trench and characterized phylogenetically and phenotypically. Bacterial optimal growth occurred at 30 °C (ranging 10-40 °C), pH 6 (ranging 3-11) and with 11 % (w/v) NaCl (ranging 0-17 %). Strain MT-229T was a piezophile, growing optimally at 20 MPa (range 0.1-70 MPa). The nearest phylogenetic neighbours were Muricauda antarctica CGMCC 1.2174T and Muricauda taeanensis JCM 17757T with 16S rRNA gene similarity of 98.7 %. The sole respiratory quinone was menaquinone-6 (MK-6). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine (PE), two unidentified aminolipids (AL) and ten unidentified lipids. The major fatty acids of strain MT-229T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 1 G. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 45.6 mol%. The combined genotypic and phenotypic data indicated that strain MT-229T represents a novel species of the genus Muricauda, for which the name Muricauda hadalis sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain MT-229T (=DSM 109894T=MCCC 1K04201T). In addition, the whole-genome-based comparisons revealed that the type strains of Muricauda antarctica and Muricauda teanensis belong to a single species. It is, therefore, proposed that M. antarctica be recognized as a heterotypic synonym of M. teanensis.

Correction to: CBFA2T2 is associated with a cancer stem cell state in renal cell carcinoma.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1186/s12935-017-0473-z.].

[Current research situation of nephrotoxicity of Chinese herbal medicine].

To provide the basis for the future research on the nephrotoxicity of Chinese herbal medicine through systematic and comprehensive summary of all the Chinese herbal medicines which may lead to nephrotoxicity. Foreign resources included PubMed and Cochrane library， and domestic research resources was China Food and Drug Administration(CDFA) Adverse Drug Reaction Monitoring Center database. The databases were searched from establishment to January 1， 2017. There was no limitation on research type. 28 English studies were found， including 97 Chinese herbs or prescriptions with the risk of nephrotoxicity. The following six Chinese herbal medicines with the risk of nephrotoxicity had a large number of studies： aristolochic acid(5 studies)， Tripterygium wilfordii(4 studies)， Erycibe obtusifolia(2 studies)， Rheum palmatum(2 studies)， Ephedra sinica(2 studies)， and Atractylodes lances(2 studies). The remaining 91 Chinese medicines were reported with risk of nephrotoxicity in only 1 study respectively. CDFA reported 16 Chinese herbal medicines with the risk of nephrotoxicity， including Ganmaoqing Pian(capsule)， Zhenju Jiangya Pian， T. wilfordii preparation， Vc-Yinqiao Pian， Chuanhuning injection， Shuanghuanglian injection， Qingkailing injection， Lianbizhi injection， herbal decoction containing Aristolochiae Radix， Guanxin Suhe Wan， Shugan Liqi Wan， Ershiwuwei Songshi Wan， herbal decoction containing Aristolochia Fangchi， herbal granules containing root of Kaempfer Dutchmanspipe， Ganmaotong(tablets)， and Longdan Xiegan Wan. Currently， in addition to aristolochic acids， the most reported Chinese herbal medicine with the risk of nephrotoxicity is T. wilfordii preparation.

[Evaluation of reporting quality of RCT on nephrotoxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii preparations according to CONSORT HARMs statement].

To evaluate the quality of randomized controlled trials(RCT) on nephrotoxicity of Tripterygium wilfordii preparations according to the CONSORT HARMs statement. The report quality of each included study was evaluated according to the CONSORT HARMs statement， and the number of entries that comply with CONSORT HARMs statement was calculated in each study to evaluate the report quality on nephrotoxicity-related adverse reactions of T. wilfordii preparations and summarize the problems in domestic studies on nephrotoxicity-related adverse reactions. A total of 16 RCTs were included， with an average of 7 entries complying with CONSORT HARMs statement per study. The report of the nephrotoxic-associated RCT of T. wilfordii preparations was of poor quality and the most non-repeating entries included the following ones： using validated tools to report adverse effects， standards for coding of the adverse reactions， describing how and when to collect data on adverse reactions in Method， describing how adverse reactions are attributed to T. wilfordii， clearly stating who has reported the adverse reactions， describing the analysis method of adverse reactions， describing the method of collecting recurrent adverse reaction data， describing any subgroup analysis and exploratory analysis associated with the hazard. We suggest that the studies on adverse reactions of traditional Chinese medicine should strictly report the entries according to the CONSORT HARMs statement， and take the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine into account to report the details of the Chinese medicine like compositions， dose， taking time， combined medication and the dialectical typology of research objects.