Determination of Free Glycidol and Total Free Monochloropropanediol in Fish and Krill Oil with Simple Aqueous Derivatization and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

This study introduces a novel method for detecting free glycidol and total free monochloropropanediol (MCPD) in fish and krill oil. Before analysis on high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS), p-(dimethylamino)phenol was used for derivatization of these compounds, enabling the sensitive determination of these contaminants. The sample preparation procedure includes a simple, efficient pretreatment using NaCl aqueous solution extraction and C18 sorbent cleanup (for demulsification), distinguishing glycidol from MCPD under varied reaction conditions for derivatization (weak acidic and strong alkaline aqueous environments). This approach shows broad linearity from 1 to at least 256 ng·mL-1, improved sensitivity compared to standard GC-MS methods, with the limit of detection (LOD) and limit of quantification (LOQ) for MCPD and glycidol in both oil samples verified at 0.5 ng·mL-1 and 1 ng·mL-1, respectively. Different from previous HPLC-MS methods for direct detection of glycidol esters or MCPD esters, this is the first HPLC-MS method used for the detection of free glycidol and total free MCPD in edible oil. Furthermore, this method can be potentially developed for glycidol or monochloropropane diol esters, which is similar to the current official methods adopted for indirect detection of these contaminants in different food matrices. Application of this detection method to real dietary supplements (fish oil and krill oil) revealed MCPD residues in fish oil (maximum detected: 32.78 ng·mL-1) and both MCPD (maximum detected: 2767.3 ng·mL-1) and glycidol (maximum detected: 22.2 ng·mL-1) in krill oil, emphasizing its effectiveness and accuracy for assessing contamination in these supplements.

Bidirectional two-sample Mendelian randomization analysis identifies causal associations between oxidative stress and Parkinson's disease.

Background: Observational studies have shown that oxidative stress (OS) is associated with Parkinson's disease (PD). However, whether such observations reflect cause-effect remains largely unknown. To test this, we performed a two-sample bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) analysis to investigate the causal-effects between OS biomarkers and PD. Methods: We selected summary statistics data for single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with catalase (n = 13), glutathione peroxidases (n = 12), superoxide dismutase (n = 13), vitamin A (n = 7), vitamin C (n = 10), vitamin E (n = 12), vitamin B12 (n = 8), folate (n = 14), copper (n = 6), Zinc (n = 7), and iron (n = 23) levels, and the corresponding data for PD from the International Parkinson Disease Genomics Consortium (IPDGC, 33,674 cases and 449,056 controls). Inverse-variance weighted (IVW) MR analyses were conducted to estimate associations of OS with PD. Reverse MR analysis was further performed to predict the causal effects of PD on the above OS biomarkers. Results: As for PD, the IVW method suggested that the Zinc (Zn) levels was significantly associated with PD (OR = 1.107, 95% CI 1.013-1.211; p = 0.025), which is consistent with results from the weighted median analyses. Moreover, the results remained consistent and robust in the sensitivity analysis. However, there were no significant associations of catalase, glutathione peroxidases, superoxide dismutase, vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin E, vitamin B12, folate, copper, or iron with PD. As for OS, our reverse MR analysis also did not support a causal effect of liability to PD on OS. Conclusion: The MR study supported the causal effect of Zn on PD. These findings may inform prevention strategies and interventions directed toward OS and PD.

Persistent alterations in gray matter in COVID-19 patients experiencing sleep disturbances: a 3-month longitudinal study.

ABSTRACT: Sleep disturbances are among the most prevalent neuropsychiatric symptoms in individuals who have recovered from severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 infections. Previous studies have demonstrated abnormal brain structures in patients with sleep disturbances who have recovered from coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). However, neuroimaging studies on sleep disturbances caused by COVID-19 are scarce, and existing studies have primarily focused on the long-term effects of the virus, with minimal acute phase data. As a result, little is known about the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances in the acute phase of COVID-19. To address this issue, we designed a longitudinal study to investigate whether alterations in brain structure occur during the acute phase of infection, and verified the results using 3-month follow-up data. A total of 26 COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances (aged 51.5 ± 13.57 years, 8 women and 18 men), 27 COVID-19 patients without sleep disturbances (aged 47.33 ± 15.98 years, 9 women and 18 men), and 31 age-and gender-matched healthy controls (aged 49.19 ± 17.51 years, 9 women and 22 men) were included in this study. Eleven COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances were included in a longitudinal analysis. We found that COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances exhibited brain structural changes in almost all brain lobes. The cortical thicknesses of the left pars opercularis and left precuneus were significantly negatively correlated with Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index scores. Additionally, we observed changes in the volume of the hippocampus and its subfield regions in COVID-19 patients compared with the healthy controls. The 3-month follow-up data revealed indices of altered cerebral structure (cortical thickness, cortical grey matter volume, and cortical surface area) in the frontal-parietal cortex compared with the baseline in COVID-19 patients with sleep disturbances.Our findings indicate that the sleep disturbances patients had altered morphology in the cortical and hippocampal structures during the acute phase of infection and persistent changes in cortical regions at 3 months post-infection. These data improve our understanding of the pathophysiology of sleep disturbances caused by COVID-19.

Adult-onset leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter with compound heterozygous EIF2B3 gene variants.

BACKGROUND: Leukoencephalopathy with vanishing white matter (VWM) is an autosomal recessive disorder affecting the white matter of the brain. It typically manifests during childhood, with clinical features including sudden and severe neurological deterioration triggered by stressors such as febrile illness, minor head trauma, or stressful events. Adult-onset cases of VWM are exceptionally uncommon. CASE PRESENTATION: In this case, we present an adult patient who exhibited late-onset progressive VWM characterized by ataxia, postural instability, cognitive impairment, and emotional disturbances. Comprehensive screening for endocrine, metabolic, tumor, and immunologic disorders yielded normal or negative results. Brain imaging revealed diffuse and confluent hyperintensity in the white matter on T2-weighted images, along with periventricular cavitations. Genetic testing confirmed the diagnosis of VWM, identifying two heterozygous variants in the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2B subunit γ (EIF2B3) gene: a pathogenic variant, c.1037 T > C (p.I346T), and a variant of undetermined significance, c.22A > T (p.M8L). Upon a 2-year follow-up, the patient's symptoms deteriorated rapidly following a COVID-19 infection. CONCLUSIONS: In conclusion, we have presented a case of classical adult-onset VWM. Since there are no cures or definitive treatments for the disease, it's extremely important to focus on early diagnosis and the prevention of stressors to avoid acute deterioration.

Vestibular dysfunction in Parkinson's disease: a neglected topic.

Dizziness and postural instability are frequently observed symptoms in patient with Parkinson's disease (PD), potentially linked to vestibular dysfunction. Despite their significant impact on quality of life, these symptoms are often overlooked and undertreated in clinical practice. This review aims to summarize symptoms associated with vestibular dysfunction in patients with PD and discusses vestibular-targeted therapies for managing non-specific dizziness and related symptoms. We conducted searches in PubMed and Web of Science using keywords related to vestibular dysfunction, Parkinson's disease, dizziness, and postural instability, alongside the reference lists of relevant articles. The available evidence suggests the prevalence of vestibular dysfunction-related symptoms in patients with PD and supports the idea that vestibular-targeted therapies may be effective in improving PD symptoms.

Metabolome and Transcriptome Association Analysis Reveals Mechanism of Synthesis of Nutrient Composition in Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) Seeds.

Quinoa (Chenopodium quinoa Willd.) seeds are rich in nutrition, superior to other grains, and have a high market value. However, the biosynthesis mechanisms of protein, starch, and lipid in quinoa grain are still unclear. The objective of this study was to ascertain the nutritional constituents of white, yellow, red, and black quinoa seeds and to employ a multi-omics approach to analyze the synthesis mechanisms of these nutrients. The findings are intended to furnish a theoretical foundation and technical support for the biological breeding of quinoa in China. In this study, the nutritional analysis of white, yellow, red, and black quinoa seeds from the same area showed that the nutritional contents of the quinoa seeds were significantly different, and the protein content increased with the deepening of color. The protein content of black quinoa was the highest (16.1 g/100 g) and the lipid content was the lowest (2.7 g/100 g), among which, linoleic acid was the main fatty acid. A combined transcriptome and metabolome analysis exhibited that differentially expressed genes were enriched in "linoleic acid metabolism", "unsaturated fatty acid biosynthesis", and "amino acid biosynthesis". We mainly identified seven genes involved in starch synthesis (LOC110716805, LOC110722789, LOC110738785, LOC110720405, LOC110730081, LOC110692055, and LOC110732328); five genes involved in lipid synthesis (LOC110701563, LOC110699636, LOC110709273, LOC110715590, and LOC110728838); and nine genes involved in protein synthesis (LOC110710842, LOC110720003, LOC110687170, LOC110716004, LOC110702086, LOC110724454 LOC110724577, LOC110704171, and LOC110686607). The data presented in this study based on nutrient, transcriptome, and metabolome analyses contribute to an enhanced understanding of the genetic regulation of seed quality traits in quinoa, and provide candidate genes for further genetic improvements to improve the nutritional value of quinoa seeds.

Dural arteriovenous fistula and sinus thrombosis presenting as parkinsonism and dementia: a case report with literature review.

Introduction: Dural arteriovenous fistula (DAVF) is an uncommon malformation involving an abnormal connection between dural arteries, or the pachymeningeal branches of cerebral arteries, and dural veins. Its exact pathogenesis remains elusive. Known potential triggers for DAVF include cerebral venous sinus thrombosis (CVST), trauma, ear infections, and cranial surgeries. Due to its rarity and diverse clinical presentations, diagnosing DAVF can be a challenge. Case description: We present a case of DAVF associated with CVST, manifesting as rapidly advancing parkinsonism accompanied by dementia over a month. Brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed bilateral symmetric T2 hyperintensities in the basal ganglia and brain stem. Cerebral angiography further confirmed a fistula between the torcular herophili and the transverse-sigmoid sinuses. Despite strong recommendations for transvenous embolization of the fistula, the patient declined the procedure. The anticoagulant therapy and symptomatic treatments administered did not yield any improvement in the patient's condition. Additionally, we reviewed 27 DAVF-derived parkinsonism and dementia cases. Conclusion: DAVF must be considered in the differential diagnosis of cases of rapidly progressive parkinsonism with concurrent dementia. Given its potential for treatment and reversibility, timely diagnosis and intervention for DAVF are paramount.

Metagenomic next-generation sequencing for diagnosis of fatal Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis.

INTRODUCTION: Balamuthia amoebic encephalitis (BAE), caused by Balamuthia mandrillaris, is a rare and life-threatening infectious disease with no specific and effective treatments available. The diagnosis of BAE at an early stage is difficult because of the non-specific clinical manifestations and neuroimaging. CASE DESCRIPTION: A 52-year-old male patient, who had no previous history of skin lesions, presented to the emergency department with an acute headache, walking difficulties, and disturbance of consciousness. The patient underwent a series of examinations, including regular cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) studies and magnetic resonance imaging, and tuberculous meningoencephalitis was suspected. Despite being treated with anti-TB drugs, no clinical improvement was observed in the patient. Following corticosteroid therapy, the patient developed a rapid deterioration in consciousness with dilated pupils. Metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) revealed an unexpected central nervous system (CNS) amoebic infection, and the patient died soon after the confirmed diagnosis. CONCLUSION: This study highlights the application of mNGS for the diagnosis of patients with suspected encephalitis or meningitis, especially those caused by rare opportunistic infections.

Alteration of white matter microstructure in patients with sleep disorders after COVID-19 infection.

BACKGROUND: The pathophysiology of coronasomnia remains unclear. This study aimed to investigate changes in white matter (WM) microstructure and inflammatory factors in patients with sleep disorders (SD) characterized by poor sleep quantity, quality, or timing following coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) infection in the acute phase (within one month) and whether these changes could be recovered at 3-month follow-up. METHODS: 29 acute COVID-19 patients with SD (COVID_SD) and 27 acute COVID-19 patients without SD (COVID_NonSD) underwent diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), tested peripheral blood inflammatory cytokines level, and measured Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and matched 30 uninfected healthy controls. Analyzed WM abnormalities between groups in acute phase and explored its changes in COVID_SD at 3-month follow-up by using tract-based spatial statistics (TBSS). Correlations between DTI and clinical data were examined using Spearman partial correlation analysis. RESULTS: Both COVID_SD and COVID_NonSD exhibited widespread WM microstructure abnormalities. The COVID_SD group showed specific WM microstructure changes in right inferior fronto-occipital fasciculus (IFOF) (lower fractional anisotropy [FA]/axial diffusivity [AD] and higher radial diffusivity [RD]) and left corticospinal tract (CST) (higher FA and lower RD) and higher interleukin-1ß (IL-1ß) compared with COVID_NonSD group. These WM abnormalities and IL-1ß levels were correlated PSQI score. After 3 months, the IFOF integrity and IL-1ß levels tended to return to normal accompanied by symptom improvement in the COVID_SD relative to baseline. CONCLUSION: Abnormalities in right IFOF and left CST and elevated IL-1ß levels were important neurophenotypes correlated with COVID_SD, which might provide new insights into the pathogenesis of neuroinflammation in SD patients induced by COVID-19.

Genetic analysis of transcription factors in dopaminergic neuronal development in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Genetic variants of dopaminergic transcription factor-encoding genes are suggested to be Parkinson's disease (PD) risk factors; however, no comprehensive analyses of these genes in patients with PD have been undertaken. Therefore, we aimed to genetically analyze 16 dopaminergic transcription factor genes in Chinese patients with PD. METHODS: Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed using a Chinese cohort comprising 1917 unrelated patients with familial or sporadic early-onset PD and 1652 controls. Additionally, whole-genome sequencing (WGS) was performed using another Chinese cohort comprising 1962 unrelated patients with sporadic late-onset PD and 1279 controls. RESULTS: We detected 308 rare and 208 rare protein-altering variants in the WES and WGS cohorts, respectively. Gene-based association analyses of rare variants suggested that MSX1 is enriched in sporadic late-onset PD. However, the significance did not pass the Bonferroni correction. Meanwhile, 72 and 1730 common variants were found in the WES and WGS cohorts, respectively. Unfortunately, single-variant logistic association analyses did not identify significant associations between common variants and PD. CONCLUSIONS: Variants of 16 typical dopaminergic transcription factors might not be major genetic risk factors for PD in Chinese patients. However, we highlight the complexity of PD and the need for extensive research elucidating its etiology.

Case report: A case of primary angiitis of the central nervous system: misdiagnosed for 3.5 years.

Introduction: Primary angiitis of the central nervous system (PACNS) is an uncommon inflammatory condition that exclusively affects blood vessels within the brain parenchyma, leptomeninges, and spinal cord. Due to its infrequency and the variability in its clinical presentation and imaging findings, diagnosing PACNS can be challenging. Case description: In this study, we present the case of a teenager who initially presented with headaches and epilepsy. Comprehensive laboratory tests yield normal results. A series of brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) revealed a progression of changes, starting from localized cerebral atrophy and culminating in the development of a contrast-enhanced mass with vasogenic edema. Immune-associated encephalitis and mitochondrial encephalopathy were suspected, but immunologic investigations, mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) and nuclear DNA (nDNA) sequencing using biopsied muscle, and muscle pathologies were all negative. Ultimately, a diagnosis of PACNS was confirmed through a stereotactic brain biopsy, which took place 3.5 years after the onset of symptoms. The patient responded favorably to treatment with glucocorticoids and cyclophosphamide. Conclusion: In summary, we have described a case of PACNS characterized by localized cerebral atrophy and tumor-like MRI findings, who was misdiagnosed as immune-associated encephalitis or mitochondrial encephalopathy for 3.5 years. We emphasize the importance of dynamic observation of MRI changes, as well as brain biopsy.

Case report: Desquamating dermatitis, bilateral cerebellar lesions in a late-onset methylmalonic acidemia patient.

Introduction: Cobalamin C (cblC) deficiency is a rare hereditary disorder affecting intracellular cobalamin metabolism, primarily caused by mutations in MMACHC. This condition is characterized by combined methylmalonic acidemia and hyperhomocysteinemia, displaying a wide range of clinical manifestations involving multiple organs. Owing to its uncommon occurrence and diverse clinical phenotypes, diagnosing cblC deficiency is challenging and often leads to delayed or missed diagnoses. Case description: In this report, we present a case of late-onset cblC deficiency with brown desquamating dermatitis on the buttocks. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the brain revealed bilateral cerebellar abnormalities. The suspicion of an inherited metabolic disorder was raised by abnormal serum amino acid and acylcarnitine levels, along with increased urine methylmalonic acid and serum homocysteine levels. Whole-exome sequencing helped identify a homozygous variant (c.482G>A) in MMACHC, confirming the diagnosis of cblC deficiency. However, despite receiving treatment with hydroxocobalamin and betaine, the patient did not experience clinical improvement, which may be attributed to the delayed diagnosis as indicated by the declining homocysteine and methylmalonic acid levels. Conclusion: Collectively, we emphasize the significance of recognizing the skin lesions and observing serial MRI changes in patients with cblC deficiency. Our case underscores the importance of early diagnosis and timely therapeutic intervention for this severe yet frequently manageable condition.

Rapid Sample Enrichment, Novel Derivatization, and High Sensitivity for Determination of 3-Chloropropane-1,2-diol in Soy Sauce via High-Performance Liquid Chromatography-Tandem Mass Spectrometry.

A novel, simplified derivatization method and a rapid sample preparation process using carbon yarn as a sorbent for the determination of 3-chloropropane-1,2-diol (3-MCPD) in soy sauce via high-performance liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (HPLC-MS/MS) was developed. 3-MCPD was first enriched and purified with carbon yarn and then eluted with a methanol-water solution. Subsequently, the analyte underwent derivatization with p-(dimethylamino)-phenol for sensitive detection via HPLC-MS/MS. The limit of detection and the limit of quantitation for 3-MCPD were validated to be 0.5 and 1.0 µg/kg, respectively. Spiking experiments showed recoveries between 83 and 94%, with a relative standard deviation of ≤10%. The method was further validated with a certified reference material. Furthermore, 11 real soy sauce samples from local markets were tested by using this method. These results reveal the widespread 3-MCPD contamination. Consequently, this study offers a preferable alternative for the sensitive, accurate, and precise determination of 3-MCPD in soy sauce.

Case report: Reversible encephalopathy caused by dyskinesia-hyperpyrexia syndrome.

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common neurodegenerative disorder. Some patients with advanced-stage disease are accompanied by emergencies and critical issues such as dyskinesia-hyperpyrexia syndrome (DHS), parkinsonism-hyperpyrexia syndrome (PHS), and serotonin syndrome (SS). In this study, we report a patient with reversible encephalopathy caused by DHS who presented with an acute onset of fidgetiness, dyskinesia, and hyperpyrexia after antiparkinsonian drug abuse. In the present case, brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed multiple abnormal signals in the cortex and subcortex of the bilateral parietal and occipital lobes that resolved within weeks, which coincided with the characteristic MRI findings in posterior reversible encephalopathy (PRES). Our report expands on the neuroimaging features of DHS and highlights the importance of early identification, diagnosis, and treatment to improve patient prognosis.

Selective surface enhanced Raman detection and effective photocatalytic degradation of sulfonamides antibiotic based on a flexible three-dimensional chitosan/carbon nitride/silver substrate.

The prevalence of sulfonamide residues in aquatic environments poses serious environmental risks, and the sensitive detection and effective degradation of sulfonamides have attracted widespread attention. Here, the environmentally friendly chitosan (CS)/carbon nitride (CN) with three-dimensional porous structure is fabricated by freeze-drying method, and subsequently a new bifunctional flexible substrate (CS/CN/Ag) is prepared by anchoring of small sized AgNPs (6 ∼ 12 nm) on CS/CN. Importantly, the CS/CN/Ag substrate shows high adsorption capacity (∼ 83.06%) for sulfamethoxazole (SMX) solution within 20 mins and the limit of detection can be as low as 7.46 × 10-9 mol·L-1 with an enhancement factor of 3.3 × 105. Also, the CS/CN/Ag substrate displays highly selective for surface-enhanced Raman spectroscopy (SERS) detection of sulfonamides and also shows excellent SERS response for SMX in hospital wastewater samples. In addition, the photocatalytic degradation efficiency of SMX could reach as high as 99.22% within 20 mins of irradiation and the CS/CN/Ag still maintains outstanding photocatalytic performance after six cycles. Moreover, the Ag content in the CS/CN/Ag substrate is only 2.35%, and also the CS/CN/Ag exhibits good uniformity, repeatability, recyclability and stability. Therefore, this flexible and cost-effectively substrate of CS/CN/Ag shows great potential for the simultaneous SERS detection and photocatalytic degradation of pollutants in actual wastewater samples.

Integrated transcriptome and metabonomic analysis of key metabolic pathways in response to cadmium stress in novel buckwheat and cultivated species.

Introduction: Buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum), an important food crop, also has medicinal uses. It is widely planted in Southwest China, overlapping with planting areas remarkably polluted by cadmium (Cd). Therefore, it is of great significance to study the response mechanism of buckwheat under Cd stress and further develop varieties with excellent Cd tolerance. Methods: In this study, two critical periods of Cd stress treatment (days 7 and 14 after Cd treatment) of cultivated buckwheat (Pinku-1, named K33) and perennial species (F. tatari-cymosum Q.F. Chen) (duoku, named DK19) were analyzed using transcriptome and metabolomics. Results: The results showed that Cd stress led to changes in reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the chlorophyll system. Moreover, Cd-response genes related to stress response, amino acid metabolism, and ROS scavenging were enriched or activated in DK19. Transcriptome and metabolomic analyses highlighted the important role of galactose, lipid (glycerophosphatide metabolism and glycerophosphatide metabolism), and glutathione metabolism in response to Cd stress in buckwheat, which are significantly enriched at the gene and metabolic levels in DK19. Discussion: The results of the present study provide valuable information for a better understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying Cd tolerance in buckwheat and useful clues for the genetic improvement of drought tolerance in buckwheat.

Analysis of histomorphometric and proteome dynamics inside the silk gland lumen of Bombyx mori revealed the dynamic change of silk protein during the molt stage.

Silkworms spin different silks at different growth stages for specific purposes. The silk spun before the end of each instar is stronger than that at the beginning of each instar and cocoon silk. However, the compositional changes in silk proteins during this process are unknown. Consequently, we performed histomorphological and proteomic analyses of the silk gland to characterize changes from the instar end to the next instar beginning. The silk glands were collected on day 3 of third- and fourth-instar larvae (III-3 and IV-3) and the beginning of fourth-instar larvae (IV-0). Proteomic analysis identified 2961 proteins from all silk glands. Silk proteins P25 and Ser5 were significantly more abundant in III-3 and IV-3 than in IV-0, and many cuticular proteins and protease inhibitors increased significantly in IV-0 compared with III-3 and IV-3. This shift may cause mechanical property differences between the instar end and beginning silk. Using section staining, qPCR, and western blotting, we found for the first time that silk proteins were degraded first and then resynthesized during the molting stage. Furthermore, we revealed that fibroinase mediated the changes of silk proteins during molting. Our results provide insights into the molecular mechanisms of silk proteins dynamic regulation during molting.

A portable architectonics of Al/carbon nitride/metal-organic frameworks anchored Ag nanoparticles for SERS detection and photocatalytic degradation of fungicide.

In recent years, it is urgent to develop bi-functional materials for highly sensitive SERS detection and photocatalytic degradation of contaminants in water of fish pond. Herein, using 5-mercapto-1-methyltetrazole as the ligand, the tree-trunk like zeolitic imidazolate framework (ZIF-8) is induced and in-situ grown on the surface of aluminum/flower carbon nitride (Al/f-C3N4). Then, AgNPs are tightly anchored in ZIF-8 of Al/f-C3N4/ZIF-8 by strong Ag-N and Ag-S bonds, and a portable architecture of Al/f-C3N4/ZIF-8/Ag is successfully prepared. Results indicate that the Al/f-C3N4/ZIF-8/Ag architecture exhibits excellent SERS activity and the detection limit can as low as 2.15 × 10-11 mol⋅L-1 for crystal violet (CV, a typical fungicide). Also, the Al/f-C3N4/ZIF-8/Ag substrate presents good photocatalytic activity for CV molecule, and the degradation efficiency reaches 98.58% after illumination for 90 min. This is mainly due to the good adsorption capacity of ZIF-8 which can enrich more CV molecules and pull them to "hot spots" generated by Ag in Al/f-C3N4/ZIF-8/Ag, and thus SERS response are enhanced significantly. Besides, the strong synergistic effect of f-C3N4, ZIF-8 and AgNPs is also important which facilitates the separation of photogenerated electrons and holes. Thus, the designed portable and bi-functional substrate could be used as a potential material for the detection and removal of CV in practical application.

Effects of Basal Selenium Fertilizer Application on Agronomic Traits, Yield, Quality, and Se Content of Dryland Maize.

To explore the efficiency of selenium (Se) fertilizer application in dryland maize, we tested five Se fertilizer application treatments: 0 g ha-1 (Se0), 75 g ha-1 (Se1), 150 g ha-1 (Se2), 225 g ha-1 (Se3), and 300 g ha-1 (Se4). Compared with Se0, Se2 increased the leaf area, chlorophyll content, internode length, plant height, and ear height by 7.95%, 3.20%, 13.19%, 1.89%, and 7.98%, respectively. Se2 and Se3 significantly affected the stem internode diameter, cortex thickness, and cellulose content, which were positively correlated with lodging resistance. Compared with Se0, Se3 promoted the contents of soluble sugar, crude protein, crude fat, and starch in grains, which increased by 9.48%, 6.59%, 1.56%, and 4.82%, respectively. It implies that maize grain application of Se significantly improves their Se content. Se1 did not observably influence the growth of maize, and the promoting effect of Se4 on maize decreased. The lodging resistance of maize as analyzed by Pearson correlation analysis correlated with the application of Se fertilizer. It proved that higher yield, grain quality, grain Se content, and lodging resistance of stems were concerned with Se fertilizer application in the range of 150-225 g ha-1. The results provide useful information for Se fertilizer treatment in dryland maize.

Insights into the structure and composition of mineralized hard cocoons constructed by the oriental moth, Monema (Cnidocampa) flavescens Walker.

Animals widely use minerals and organic components to construct biomaterials with excellent properties, such as teeth, bones, molluscan shells and eggshells. The larvae of the oriental moth, Monema (Cnidocampa) flavescens Walker, secrete silk proteins that combine closely with calcareous minerals to construct a hard cocoon, which is completely different from the mineral-free Bombyx mori cocoon. The cocoons of oriental moths are likely to be the hardest among the cocoons constructed by insect species. The cocoons of oriental moths were found to be mainly composed of calcium oxalates and Asx/Ser/Gly-rich cocoon proteins, but the types of calcium oxalates and cocoon proteins remain to be elucidated. In this study, we provide an in-depth explanation of the inorganic and organic components in the oriental moth cocoon. Microscopy and imaging technologies revealed that the cocoon is composed of mineral crystals, silk fibers and other organic matter. X-ray diffraction and infrared spectral analyses showed that the mineral crystals in the oriental moth cocoon were mainly CaC2H2O4·H2O. ICP-OES analysis suggested that the mineral crystals in the cocoons were mainly CaC2H2O4·H2O. LC-MS/MS-based proteomics allowed us to identify 467 proteins from the oriental moth cocoon, including 252 uncharacterized proteins, 87 enzymes, 36 small molecule binding proteins, and 5 silk proteins. Among the uncharacterized proteins, 25 of which were Asn-rich proteins because they contained a high proportion of Asn residues (19.1%-41.4%). Among the top 20 cocoon proteins with the highest abundance, 9 of which were Asn-rich proteins. The qPCR was used to investigate the expression patterns of the major cocoon protein-coding genes. Three fibroins and three Asn-rich proteins were expressed only in the silk gland but not in other tissues. The expression of Asn-rich proteins in the silk gland gradually increased from the anterior silk gland to the posterior silk gland. These findings provide important references for understanding the formation mechanism and mechanical properties of mineralized hard cocoons constructed by oriental moths.