Lipid homeostasis is essential for oogenesis and embryogenesis in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Reproduction, a fundamental feature of all known life, closely correlates with energy homeostasis. The control of synthesizing and mobilizing lipids are dynamic and well-organized processes to distribute lipid resources across tissues or generations. However, how lipid homeostasis is precisely coordinated during insect reproductive development is poorly understood. Here we describe the relations between energy metabolism and reproduction in the silkworm, Bombyx mori, a lepidopteran model insect, by using CRISPR/Cas9-mediated mutation analysis and comprehensively functional investigation on two major lipid lipases of Brummer (BmBmm) and hormone-sensitive lipase (BmHsl), and the sterol regulatory element binding protein (BmSrebp). BmBmm is a crucial regulator of lipolysis to maintain female fecundity by regulating the triglyceride (TG) storage among the midgut, the fat body, and the ovary. Lipidomics analysis reveals that defective lipolysis of females influences the composition of TG and other membrane lipids in the BmBmm mutant embryos. In contrast, BmHsl mediates embryonic development by controlling sterol metabolism rather than TG metabolism. Transcriptome analysis unveils that BmBmm deficiency significantly improves the expression of lipid synthesis-related genes including BmSrebp in the fat body. Subsequently, we identify BmSrebp as a key regulator of lipid accumulation in oocytes, which promotes oogenesis and cooperates with BmBmm to support the metabolic requirements of oocyte production. In summary, lipid homeostasis plays a vital role in supporting female reproductive success in silkworms.

The mechanoreceptor Piezo is required for spermatogenesis in Bombyx mori.

BACKGROUND: The animal sperm shows high diversity in morphology, components, and motility. In the lepidopteran model insect, the silkworm Bombyx mori, two types of sperm, including nucleate fertile eupyrene sperm and anucleate unfertile apyrene sperm, are generated. Apyrene sperm assists fertilization by facilitating the migration of eupyrene spermatozoa from the bursa copulatrix to the spermatheca. During spermatogenesis, eupyrene sperm bundles extrude the cytoplasm by peristaltic squeezing, while the nuclei of the apyrene sperm bundles are discarded with the same process, forming matured sperm. RESULTS: In this study, we describe that a mechanoreceptor BmPiezo, the sole Piezo ortholog in B. mori, plays key roles in larval feeding behavior and, more importantly, is essential for eupyrene spermatogenesis and male fertility. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated loss of BmPiezo function decreases larval appetite and subsequent body size and weight. Immunofluorescence analyses reveal that BmPiezo is intensely localized in the inflatable point of eupyrene sperm bundle induced by peristaltic squeezing. BmPiezo is also enriched in the middle region of apyrene sperm bundle before peristaltic squeezing. Cytological analyses of dimorphic sperm reveal developmental arrest of eupyrene sperm bundles in BmPiezo mutants, while the apyrene spermatogenesis is not affected. RNA-seq analysis and q-RT-PCR analyses demonstrate that eupyrene spermatogenic arrest is associated with the dysregulation of the actin cytoskeleton. Moreover, we show that the deformed eupyrene sperm bundles fail to migrate from the testes, resulting in male infertility due to the absence of eupyrene sperm in the bursa copulatrix and spermatheca. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, our studies thus uncover a new role for Piezo in regulating spermatogenesis and male fertility in insects.

Bimetallic Ag125Cu8 Nanocluster, Structure Determination, and Nonlinear Optical Properties.

The atomic precision of the subnanometer nanoclusters has provided sound proof on the structural correlation of metal complexes and larger-sized metal nanoparticles. Herein, we report the synthesis, crystallography, structural characterization, electrochemistry, and optical properties of a 133-atom intermetallic nanocluster protected by 57 thiolates (3-methylbenzenethiol, abbreviated as m-MBTH) and 3 chlorides, with the formula of Ag125Cu8(m-MBT)57Cl3. This is the largest Ag-Cu bimetallic cluster ever reported. Crystallographic analysis revealed that the nanocluster has a three-layer concentric core-shell structure, Ag7@Ag47@Ag71Cu8S57Cl3, and the Ag54 metal kernel adopts a D5h symmetry. The nuclei number is between that of the previously reported large silver cluster [Ag136(SR)64Cl3Ag0.45]- and the large silver-rich cluster Au130-xAgx(SR)55 (x = 98). All these three clusters bear a similar metallic core structure, while the main structural difference lies in the shell motif structures. Electron counting revealed an open electron shell with 73 delocalized electrons, which was verified by the electron paramagnetic resonance analysis. The DPV electrochemical measurement indicates a multielectron state quantization double-layer charging shape and single-electron sequential charging and discharging characteristic of the AgCu alloy cluster. In addition, the open-hole Z-scan test reveals the nonlinear optical absorption (2-3 optical absorption in the NIR-II/III region) of Ag125Cu8 nanoclusters.

Controlled atmosphere storage drive proteomic change in Chinese Daohuaxiang.

Although the use of a controlled atmosphere is one of the most successful storage techniques, the mechanism thereof in rice storage remains unclear. We stored aromatic rice cultivar Daohuaxiang in a package filled with 98 % N2 and 35 % CO2 for 3 months. We investigated 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline loss, enzyme activities, and proteomics changes of rice during storage. The results showed that the content of 2-acetyl-1-pyrroline was reduced by 37.40 %, 25.65 %, and 43.89 % during storage using 98 % N2, 35 % CO2 controlled atmosphere storage, and conventional storage. Controlled atmosphere storage slowed down the increase of malondialdehyde content in Daohuaxiang. The results showed that 26S proteasome regulatory particle triple-A ATPase subunit 6, superoxide dismutase, glutathione transferase, and other key proteins were upregulated during 35 % CO2 regulation. This study provided a meaningful basis for exploring the regulation strategy of aromatic rice quality and strengthening the quality control of aromatic rice industry.

Bioremediation of Aflatoxin B1 by Meyerozyma guilliermondii AF01 in Peanut Meal via Solid-State Fermentation.

The use of microorganisms to manage aflatoxin contamination is a gentle and effective approach. The aim of this study was to test the removal of AFB1 from AFB1-contaminated peanut meal by a strain of Meyerozyma guilliermondii AF01 screened by the authors and to optimize the conditions of the biocontrol. A regression model with the removal ratio of AFB1 as the response value was established by means of single-factor and response surface experiments. It was determined that the optimal conditions for the removal of AFB1 from peanut meal by AF01 were 75 h at 29 °C under the natural pH, with an inoculum of 5.5%; the removal ratio of AFB1 reached 69.31%. The results of simulating solid-state fermentation in production using shallow pans and fermentation bags showed that the removal ratio of AFB1 was 68.85% and 70.31% in the scaled-up experiments, respectively. This indicated that AF01 had strong adaptability to the environment with facultative anaerobic fermentation detoxification ability. The removal ratio of AFB1 showed a positive correlation with the growth of AF01, and there were no significant changes in the appearance and quality of the peanut meal after fermentation. This indicated that AF01 had the potential to be used in practical production.

Custom-designed, mass silk production in genetically engineered silkworms.

Genetically engineered silkworms have been widely used to obtain silk with modified characteristics especially by introducing spider silk genes. However, these attempts are still challenging due to limitations in transformation strategies and difficulties in integration of the large DNA fragments. Here, we describe three different transformation strategies in genetically engineered silkworms, including transcription-activator-like effector nuclease (TALEN)-mediated fibroin light chain (FibL) fusion (BmFibL-F), TALEN-mediated FibH replacement (BmFibH-R), and transposon-mediated genetic transformation with the silk gland-specific fibroin heavy chain (FibH) promoter (BmFibH-T). As the result, the yields of exogenous silk proteins, a 160 kDa major ampullate spidroin 2 (MaSp2) from the orb-weaving spider Nephila clavipes and a 226 kDa fibroin heavy chain protein (EvFibH) from the bagworm Eumeta variegate, reach 51.02 and 64.13% in BmFibH-R transformed cocoon shells, respectively. Moreover, the presence of MaSp2 or EvFibH significantly enhances the toughness of genetically engineered silk fibers by ∼86% in BmFibH-T and ∼80% in BmFibH-R silkworms, respectively. Structural analysis reveals a substantial ∼40% increase in fiber crystallinity, primarily attributed to the presence of unique polyalanines in the repetitive sequences of MaSp2 or EvFibH. In addition, RNA-seq analysis reveals that BmFibH-R system only causes minor impact on the expression of endogenous genes. Our study thus provides insights into developing custom-designed silk production using the genetically engineered silkworm as the bioreactor.

Effects of continuous intravenous infusion with propofol on intestinal metabolites in rats.

Microbial metabolites play an important role in regulating intestinal homeostasis and immune responses. Propofol is a common anesthetic in clinic, but it is not clear whether it affects intestinal metabolites in rats. Tail vein puncture was performed after adaptive feeding for 1 month in eight 2-month-old rats and they were given continuous intravenous infusion of propofol for 3 h. The feces of rats were divided into different groups based on time periods, with before and after anesthesia with propofol on days 1, 3 and 7 labeled as groups P, A1, A3 and A7, respectively. The effect of continuous intravenous infusion with propofol on rat fecal metabolites was determined using the non-targeted metabolomics technique gas chromatography coupled with a time-of-flight mass spectrometer analysis. The types and contents of metabolites in rat feces were changed after continuous intravenous infusion with propofol, but the changes were not statistically significant. The contents of the metabolites 3-hydroxyphenylacetic acid and palmitic acid increased from day 3 to 7, and it was shown that the two metabolites were positively correlated at a statistically significant level. Linoleic acid decreased to its lowest level on day 3, and it returned to pre-anesthesia level on day 7. At the same time, linoleic acid metabolism was a metabolic pathway that was co-enriched 7 days after infusion with propofol. Spearman correlation analysis showed that there was significant correlation between some differential metabolites and differential microorganisms. It was observed that zymosterol 1, cytosin and elaidic acid were negatively correlated with Alloprevotella in the A3 vs. P group. In the A7 vs. P group, cortexolone 3 and coprostan-3-one were positively correlated with Faecalibacterium, whilst aconitic acid was negatively correlated with it. In conclusion, the present study revealed statistically insignificant effects of continuous intravenous propofol on the intestinal metabolites in rats.

Changing global epidemiology of chronic hepatitis C virus-related outcomes from 2010 to 2019: cirrhosis is the growing burden of hepatitis C virus-related disease.

BACKGROUND: Chronic infection with hepatitis C virus (HCV) has a long-term impact on hepatic consequences. A comprehensive evaluation of the global burden of HCV-related health outcomes can help to develop a global HCV prevention and treatment program. METHODS: We used the 2019 Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study to comprehensively investigate burden and temporal trends in incidence, mortality and disability-adjusted life-years (DALYs) of HCV-related diseases, including liver cancer and cirrhosis and other liver diseases across 264 countries and territories from 2010 to 2019. RESULTS: Globally, there were 152 225 incident cases, 141 811 deaths and approximately 2.9 million DALYs because of HCV-related liver cancer, and 551 668 incident cases, 395 022 deaths and about 12.2 million DALYs because of HCV-related cirrhosis in 2019. Worldwide, during the 2010-2019 period, liver cancer incidence declined, however, there was a 62% increase in cirrhosis incidence. In 2019, the Eastern Mediterranean was the region with the highest rates of incidence and mortality of both liver cancer and cirrhosis. Africa was the region with the fastest-growing trend of incidence of cirrhosis in the 2010-2019 period [annual percentage change (APC) = 2.09, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.93-2.25], followed by the Western Pacific region (APC = 1.17, 95% CI: 1.09-1.22). Americas were the only region observing increased trends in liver cancer and cirrhosis mortality (APC = 0.70 and 0.12, respectively). We identified three patterns of temporal trends of mortality rates of liver cancer and cirrhosis in countries that reported HCV treatment rates. CONCLUSION: Urgent measures are required for diagnosis, treatment and research on HCV-related cirrhosis at global, regional and country levels, particularly in Africa, the Western Pacific and the Eastern Mediterranean.