Effect of Sophorolipid Adsorption on the Coal Microstructure: Experimental and Wettability Mathematical Model Discussion.

Green biosurfactants are emerging as a promising area of research. However, there is a limited focus on the adsorption and wetting characteristics of biosurfactants on coal dust. This study explores the effects of sophorolipid (SL) biosurfactants on the microstructure and wettability of different coalification degree coal. The microstructure parameters of SL adsorbed on coal dust were measured using a surface tensiometer, contact angle analyzer, and particle size analyzer. The results indicate that SL has the lowest critical surface tension, leading to a 9.25° decrease in the contact angle for low-rank bituminous coal (YZ-LRBC). Furthermore, SL significantly altered the particle size distribution of lignite (NM-LC) and YZ-LRBC. The pore size structure of SL-infiltrated coal dust was quantified using a specific surface area analyzer, revealing a decrease in the specific surface area and an increase in the average pore size. The infrared analysis demonstrated that SL permeation significantly increased the percentage of hydrophilic functional groups (hydroxyl structures) while reducing the hydrophobic functional groups (aliphatic hydrocarbon and aromatic structure). Based on the measured microstructure parameters, a regression equation for contact angle was established: [contact angle (°)] = 73.800 - 0.860 × [D10 (nm)] + 4.280 × [specific surface area (m2/g)]. Notably, the characteristic particle size D10 had a significant negative effect on the contact angle, while the specific surface area had a significant positive effect. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the application of biosurfactants in water injection to reduce dust and improve the wetting efficiency.

ZYG11B potentiates the antiviral innate immune response by enhancing cGAS-DNA binding and condensation.

As a key dsDNA recognition receptor, cyclic guanosine monophosphate (GMP)-AMP synthase (cGAS) plays a vital role in innate immune responses. Activated cGAS, by sensing DNA, catalyzes the synthesis of the secondary messenger cyclic GMP-AMP (cGAMP), which subsequently activates downstream signaling to induce production of interferons and inflammatory cytokines. Here, we report Zyg-11 family member B (ZYG11B) as a potent amplifier in cGAS-mediated immune responses. Knockdown of ZYG11B impairs production of cGAMP and subsequent transcription of interferon and inflammatory cytokines. Mechanistically, ZYG11B enhances cGAS-DNA binding affinity, potentiates cGAS-DNA condensation, and stabilizes the cGAS-DNA condensed complex. Moreover, herpes simplex virus 1 (HSV-1) infection induces ZYG11B degradation in a cGAS-unrelated manner. Our findings not only reveal an important role of ZYG11B in the early stage of DNA-induced cGAS activation but also indicate a viral strategy to dampen the innate immune response.

MITA oligomerization upon viral infection is dependent on its N-glycosylation mediated by DDOST.

The mediator of IRF3 activation (MITA, also named STING) is critical for immune responses to abnormal cytosolic DNA and has been considered an important drug target in the clinical therapy of tumors and autoimmune diseases. In the present study, we report that MITA undergoes DDOST-mediated N-glycosylation in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) upon DNA viral infection. Selective mutation of DDOST-dependent N-glycosylated residues abolished MITA oligomerization and thereby its immune functions. Moreover, increasing the expression of Ddost in the mouse brain effectively strengthens the local immune response to herpes simplex virus-1 (HSV-1) and prolongs the survival time of mice with HSV encephalitis (HSE). Our findings reveal the dependence of N-glycosylation on MITA activation and provide a new perspective on the pathogenesis of HSE.

Synthesis, fine structure of 19F NMR and fluorescence of novel amorphous TPA derivatives having perfluorinated cyclopentenyl and benzo[b]thiophene unit.

Three novel triphenylamine (TPA) derivatives having perfluorinated cyclopentenyl and benzo[b]thiophene unit are obtained from 4-bromo-N,N-diphenyl-2-methylbenzo[b]thiophen-5-amine. The new compounds are expected to find their use in thin film devices as charge transport materials and host organic light-emitting materials. It is found that the new compounds show relatively strong fluorescence either in solution or in solid state, and are amorphous due to a special conformation which is elucidated by the fine structure of (19)F NMR. Molecular structure and properties of these compounds is characterized by (1)H NMR, (13)C NMR (broadband decoupled), ESI-HRMS, elemental analysis and thermal analysis (DSC). Fluorescent quantum yield in solution is measured using 9,10-diphenylanthrancene (DPA) as standard fluorescent substance.

Roles of xanthophylls and exogenous ABA in protection against NaCl-induced photodamage in rice (Oryza sativa L) and cabbage (Brassica campestris).

Changes in actual efficiency of PS II photochemistry, non-photochemical quenching (NPQ), content of xanthophylls and kinetics of de-epoxidation were studied in ABA-fed and non-ABA-fed leaves of rice and cabbage under NaCl stress. Salt stress induced more progressive decrease in actual efficiency of PS II photochemistry (ФPS II), higher reduction state of PS II, and a small significant increase in NPQ in NaCl-sensitive rice plants as compared with NaCl-tolerant cabbage plants, whereas exogenously supplied ABA alleviated the decrease in actual efficiency of PS II photochemistry (ФPS II), induced a lower reduction state of PS II, and caused higher capacity of NPQ in ABA-fed plants than in non-ABA-fed plants. As a result, there were higher activities of photosynthetic electron transport, higher capacity of energy dissipation, and lower cumulation of excess light in cabbage than in rice plants, and in ABA-fed leaves than in non-ABA-fed leaves. The effect of ABA was more efficient in cabbage than in rice plants. Addition of exogenous ABA resulted in enhancement of the size of the xanthophyll cycle pool, promotion of de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle components, and a rise in the level of NPQ by altering the kinetics of de-epoxidation of the xanthophyll cycle. Protection from photodamage appears to be achieved by coordinated contributions by exogenous ABA and xanthophyll cycle-mediated NPQ. This variety of photoprotective mechanisms may be essential for conferring photodamage tolerance under NaCl stress.

Substrate selectivity of glycerol-3-phosphate acyl transferase in rice.

Substrate selectivity of glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (EC 2. 3. 1. 15) of rice (Oryza sativa L.) was explored in a comparative study of acyltransferases from seven plant species. In vitro labeling of acyl carrier protein (ACP) with (14)C or (3)H showed that acyltransferase from chill-sensitive plants, such as rice that uses either oleic (18:1) or palmitic acid (16:0) as acyl donor at comparable rates, displays lower selectivity than the enzyme from chill-resistant plants, such as spinach, which preferentially uses oleic acid (18:1) rather than palmitic acid (16:0) as an acyl donor. This may be a result of the size and character of the substrate-binding pocket of acyltransferase. Homology modeling and protein structure-based sequence alignment of acyltransferases revealed that proteins from either chill-sensitive or chill-tolerant plants shared a highly conserved domain containing the proposed substrate-binding pocket. However, the aligned residues surrounding the substrate-binding pocket are highly heterogeneous and may have an influence mainly on the size of the substrate binding pockets of acyltransferases. The substrate selectivity of acyltransferase of rice can be improved by enlarging the substrate-binding pocket using molecular biological methods.

Microwave-assisted synthesis, structure, and tunable liquid-crystal properties of 2,5-diaryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives through peripheral n-alkoxy chains.

A series of substituted 2,5-diaryl-1,3,4-thiadiazole derivatives are prepared by microwave-assisted synthesis in the absence of an organic solvent. All derivatives are well characterized by (1)H and (13)C NMR, MS, and elemental analyses. The X-ray crystal structure of 2,5-di-(4-decyloxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole reveals the tilt lamellar arrangement of rod-shaped molecules, which are stabilized by a variety of weak non-covalent interactions. The liquid crystalline properties are studied by polarized-light optical microscopy (POM), differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and in situ variable temperature X-ray diffraction (VTXRD). By variations in the peripheral n-alkoxy chains, the calamitic mesogens exhibit enantiotropic smectic (SmC and/or SmA) mesophases with wide mesomorphic temperature ranges, whilst the disc-like mesogens form hexagonal columnar mesophase (Col(h)) at room temperature. The bulk electrical conductivity values of the smectic mesophases of 1-3 are in the range of 10(-3)-10(-4) S cm(-1), which are slightly higher than that of their solid films. In contrast, the solid film made from 2,5-di-(3,4,5-trioctyloxyphenyl)-1,3,4-thiadiazole shows poor conductivity (2x10(-7) S cm(-1)).

Relationships between phosphatidylglycerol molecular species of thylakoid membrane lipids and sensitivities to chilling-induced photoinhibition in rice.

In an attempt to explore the relationships between phosphatidylglycerol (PG) molecular species of thylakoid membrane lipids and sensitivities to chilling-induced photoinhibition, PG molecular species, D1 protein, electron transport activities of thylakoid membrane and the potential quantum yield (F(v)/F(m)) in rice treated under middle and low photon flux density (PFD) at 11 degrees C were analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography, enzyme hydrolysis, gas phase chromatography (GC) and so on. Results showed that the major molecular species of PGs in rice thylakoid membrane were 18:3/16:0, 18:3/16:1(3t), 18:2/16:0, 18:2/16:1(3t), 18:1/16:0, 18:1/16:1(3t), 16:0/16:0, 16:0/16:1(3t). There were large differences in the contents of unsaturated PG molecular species such as 18:1 approximately 3/16:0 approximately 16:1(3t) and saturated PG molecular species like 16:0/16:0 approximately 16:1(3t) among japonica cv 9516 (j-9516), japonica-indica hybrid F1 j-9516/i-SY63 (ji-95SY) and indica cv Shanyou 63 (i-SY63). J-9516 containing higher contents of unsaturated PG molecular species was manifest in stable D1 protein contents under chill and tolerant to chill-induced photoinhibition. In contrast to j-9516, i-SY63 with lower contents of unsaturated PG molecular species, exhibited unstable D1 protein contents under chill and was sensitive to chill-induced photoinhibition. ji-95SY containing middle contents of unsaturated PG molecular species between those of j-9516 and i-SY63, exhibited mid extent of sensitivity to chill-induced photoinhibition. The losses in D1 protein also account for the inhibition in electron transport activity of thylakoid membrane and the observed decline in F(v)/F(m). The PG molecular species that is efficient in raising chilling-resistant capacity were those containing unsaturated fatty acids, namely, unsaturated PG molecular species. These results implied that the substrate selectivity of the glycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase in chloroplasts towards 16:0 or 18:1 displayed greatly the difference between japonica and indica rice. It was possible to enhance the capacity of resistance to chilling-induced photoinhibition by improving or modifying the GPAT gene.