SmCSP4 from aphid saliva stimulates salicylic acid-mediated defence responses in wheat by interacting with transcription factor TaWKRY76.

Aphid salivary proteins are critical in modulating plant defence responses. Grain aphid Sitobion miscanthi is an important wheat pest worldwide. However, the molecular basis for the regulation of the plant resistance to cereal aphids remains largely unknown. Here, we show that SmCSP4, a chemosensory protein from S. miscanthi saliva, is secreted into wheat plants during aphid feeding. Delivery of SmCSP4 into wheat leaves activates salicylic acid (SA)-mediated plant defence responses and subsequently reduces aphid performance by deterring aphid feeding behaviour. In contrast, silencing SmCSP4 gene via nanocarrier-mediated RNAi significantly decreases the ability of aphids to activate SA defence pathway. Protein-protein interaction assays showed that SmCSP4 directly interacts with wheat transcriptional factor TaWRKY76 in plant nucleus. Furthermore, TaWRKY76 directly binds to the promoter of SA degradation gene Downy Mildew Resistant 6 (DMR6) and regulates its gene expression as transcriptional activator. SmCSP4 secreted by aphids reduces the transcriptional activation activity of TaWRKY76 on DMR6 gene expression, which is proposed to result in increases of SA accumulation and enhanced plant immunity. This study demonstrated that SmCSP4 acts as salivary elicitor that is involved in activating SA signalling defence pathway of wheat by interacting with TaWRKY76, which provide novel insights into aphid-cereal crops interactions and the molecular mechanism on induced plant immunity.

Intestinal flora and immunity response to different viscous diets in juvenile largemouth bass, Micropterus salmoides.

An 8-weeks feeding trial was conducted to estimate the effects of different viscous cellulose on the intestinal flora and health in juvenile largemouth bass (Micropterus salmoides). Four isoproteic and isolipidic experimental diets were formulated (crude protein 42.50%, crude lipid 13.70%) to contain 8% cellulose (control group; 5.14 mPa s), 8% low viscous carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) with 800 mPa s (Lvs-CMC group; 182.15 mPa s), 8% middle viscous CMC with 2000 mPa s (Mvs-CMC group; 320.48 mPa s) and 8% high viscous CMC with 5000 mPa s (Hvs-CMC group; 440.65 mPa s), respectively. The weight gain rate, specific growth rate, protein efficiency ratio, protein and lipid deposition rate in the CMC groups were dramatically lower than those in the control group, while feed conversion rate showed an opposite result. Plasma diamine oxidase activity, endothelin-1 and lipopolysaccharide concentrations in the Mvs-CMC and Hvs-CMC groups were significantly higher than in the control group, accompanied by a significant down-regulation of Occludin, Caludin-1 and Caludin-4. Intestinal glutathione concentration, superoxide dismutase and catalase activities in the CMC groups were significantly lower than in the control group, accompanied by a significant up-regulation of Keap1 and down-regulation of Nrf2. Moreover, CMC diets dramatically down-regulated the expression levels of IL-10 and TGF-ß1. Digesta total short chain fatty acid and acetate concentrations in the CMC groups were dramatically higher than in the control group, while butyrate concentration showed an opposite result. The OTU, Sobs, Shannon and Simpson indices of intestinal flora in the CMC groups were dramatically lower than in the control group. Notably, structural analysis showed that dietary CMC dramatically increased the abundance of C. somerae and P. shigelloides, but reduced the abundance of C. colicanis and C. perfringens. In summary, increasing dietary viscosity adversely affects the intestinal flora structure and diversity, increases acetate/butyrate-producing bacterial ratio and the abundance of pathogenic microorganisms, disrupting intestinal flora homeostasis, impairs mucosa barrier function, induces intestinal inflammation and epithelial cell apoptosis in juvenile largemouth bass. Our findings demonstrate that soluble cellulose is more detrimental to intestinal health and growth in juvenile largemouth bass compared to insoluble cellulose, and the adverse effects of soluble cellulose are mainly caused by its viscosity. Importantly, this study demonstrate that viscosity is the main characteristic of non-starch polysaccharides that are detrimental to the intestinal health of fish.

Hierarchically Annular Mesoporous Carbon Derived from Phenolic Resin for Efficient Removal of Antibiotics in Wastewater.

Antibiotics have become a new type of environmental pollutant due to their extensive use. High-performance adsorbents are of paramount significance for a cost-effective and environmentally friendly strategy to remove antibiotics from water environments. Herein, we report a novel annular mesoporous carbon (MCN), prepared by phenolic resin and triblock copolymer F127, as a high-performance adsorbent to remove penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline hydrochloride from wastewater. The MCNs have high purity, rich annular mesoporosity, a high surface area (605.53 m2/g), and large pore volume (0.58 cm3/g), improving the adsorption capacity and facilitating the efficient removal of penicillin, streptomycin, and tetracycline hydrochloride from water. In the application of MCNs to treat these three kinds of residual antibiotics, the adsorption amounts of tetracycline hydrochloride were higher than penicillin and streptomycin, and the adsorption capacity was up to 880.6 mg/g. Moreover, high removal efficiency (99.6%) and excellent recyclability were achieved. The results demonstrate that MCN adsorbents have significant potential in the treatment of water contaminated with antibiotics.

A Tension/Pressure Integrated Resistive Sensor Comprising of a PDMS-LC-MWCNT Composite.

A flexible strain sensor which integrates both pressure sensing and tension sensing functions is demonstrated with an active layer comprising of polydimethy-lsiloxane (PDMS) elastomer, liquid crystal (LC), and multi-walled carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs). The introduction of LC improves the agglomeration of MWCNTs in PDMS and decreases Young's modulus of flexible resistive sensors. The tension/pressure integrated resistive sensor not only shows a broad tensile sensing range of 140% strain but also shows a good sensitivity of the gauge factor, 40, with tensile force. Besides, the tension/pressure integrated resistive sensor also shows good linearity and sensitivity under pressure. The resistance of the pressure sensor increases as the applied pressure increases because of the decrease in the cross-sectional area of the path. The sensor also shows good hydrophobic properties which may help it to work under complex environment. The tension/pressure integrated sensor shows great promising applications in electronic skins and wearable devices.

Molecular Dynamics Study of Mg2+/Li+ Separation via Biomimetic Graphene-Based Nanopores: The Role of Dehydration in Second Shell.

Residual Mg2+ reduces the performance of lithium-ion batteries. However, separating Mg2+ and Li+ is difficult because of their similar ionic properties. Inspired by the high selectivity of biological Mg2+ channels, this work utilizes atomistic simulations to investigate the ability of graphene-based nanopores with diameters of 0.789, 1.024, and 1.501 nm to separate Mg2+ and Li+ under a series of transmembrane voltages. We analyzed the spatial distribution of molecules in the nanopores' vicinity, structure properties of ionic hydration, and potential of mean force of ions traveling through the nanopores. Separation was mainly caused by the difference in dehydration between the second hydration shells of Mg2+ and Li+. When ions traveled through nanopores, Li+ had to overcome a greater energy barrier than Mg2+ because it had to shed more water molecules and break more hydrogen bonds in the second hydration shell compared with Mg2+. Moreover, the ionic Coulomb blockade of Mg2+ occurred near the pore mouth, impeding Li+ transport and increasing selectivity when the pore diameter decreased to subnanometer.

Transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation and solifenacin succinate versus solifenacin succinate alone for treatment of overactive bladder syndrome: A double-blind randomized controlled study.

OBJECTIVE: We evaluated a combination of transcutaneous electrical nerve stimulation (TENS) and solifenacin succinate versus solifenacin alone in the treatment of overactive bladder (OAB). METHODS: Ninety-seven female outpatients with OAB were screened for this double-blind randomized controlled study. Eighty-six patients who met our inclusion criteria were divided randomly into two groups. In group A (43 patients), patients received oral solifenacin and "fake" TENS on the foot; in group B (43 patients), patients received oral solifenacin and effective TENS on the foot. Improvements in OAB symptoms were assessed by Overactive Bladder Symptom Score (OABSS), Overactive Bladder Questionnaire (OAB-q), voiding diaries and urodynamic tests. 70 of 86 patients (36 in group A, 34 in group B) completed the 2 months of treatment and 3 months of follow-up. RESULTS: Statistically, the maximum bladder volume and OAB symptoms of both groups improved significantly after treatment. The improvement in group B was significantly better than that in group A, as indicated by the maximum bladder volume, OAB-q score and voiding diary. Some mild adverse effects were observed, including dry mouth, stomach upset, constipation, muscle pain and local paresthesia. CONCLUSION: The combination of TENS and solifenacin was more effective in improving OAB symptoms than solifenacin alone.

Preparation and antioxidant activity of sodium alginate and carboxymethyl cellulose edible films with epigallocatechin gallate.

The active edible films were prepared by incorporating epigallocatechin gallate (EGCG) into sodium alginate (SA) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC). The effects of EGCG addition on the physical and morphological properties of SA-CMC films were evaluated. Meanwhile, the release characteristics of EGCG from edible films and its antioxidant activity in fat food simulant (95% ethanol) were also detected. The results showed that the addition of EGCG could improve the tensile strength (TS) of edible films and reduce their elongation at break (E). Especially, the color of edible film added with EGCG deepened and the transmittance decreased. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) images displayed that the films were dense and compact with a little roughness. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis indicated that the incorporation of EGCG into SA-CMC caused interactions occurring between SA-CMC and EGCG. In addition, the release and DPPH radical scavenging assay of incorporating EGCG in SA-CMC films showed that the obtained SA-CMC films with high EGCG content could release EGCG slowly and had strong antioxidant activity in fatty foods. Thus, incorporating EGCG into SA-CMC film was an effective way in order to develop active and environmental friendly packing materials for food industry.