Neoseiulus mites as biological control agents against Megalurothrips usitatus (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Frankliniella intonsa (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on cowpea crop: laboratory to field.

Megalurothrips usitatus (Bagnall) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) and Frankliniella intonsa (Trybom) (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) have been detrimental to cowpea production in many countries. Laboratory experiments were conducted to determine the prey stage preference and functional response of 2 predatory mites species, Neoseiulus barkeri (Hughes) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), and Neoseiulus californicus (McGregor) (Acari: Phytoseiidae), towards 2 thrips species (TS), M. usitatus, and F. intonsa, at varying densities and life stages on cowpea. Results shown that Neoseiulus species had a preference for different life stages of prey. Neoseiulus barkeri consumed more M. usitatus nymphs, while N. californicus consumed more F. intonsa (second-instar nymphs). The functional response of the 2 Neoseiulus spp. to nymphs of 2 TS was Type II on cowpea. The higher attack rate coefficient (a') and shorter handling time (Th) values were found on N. barkeri against M. usitatus, and a similar trend was found for those in N. californicus against F. intonsa. Field-caged trials were conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of Neoseiulus spp. in controlling 2 TS. The results have shown that Neoseiulus spp. was effective in controlling the 2 TS, with varying control efficacies at high or low release rates. The study provided valuable information on using Neoseiulus spp. as biological control agents against M. usitatus and F. intonsa in cowpea crops.

The impact of antibiotic exposure on antibiotic resistance gene dynamics in the gut microbiota of inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Background: While antibiotics are commonly used to treat inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), their widespread application can disturb the gut microbiota and foster the emergence and spread of antibiotic resistance. However, the dynamic changes to the human gut microbiota and direction of resistance gene transmission under antibiotic effects have not been clearly elucidated. Methods: Based on the Human Microbiome Project, a total of 90 fecal samples were collected from 30 IBD patients before, during and after antibiotic treatment. Through the analysis workflow of metagenomics, we described the dynamic process of changes in bacterial communities and resistance genes pre-treatment, during and post-treatment. We explored potential consistent relationships between gut microbiota and resistance genes, and established gene transmission networks among species before and after antibiotic use. Results: Exposure to antibiotics can induce alterations in the composition of the gut microbiota in IBD patients, particularly a reduction in probiotics, which gradually recovers to a new steady state after cessation of antibiotics. Network analyses revealed intra-phylum transfers of resistance genes, predominantly between taxonomically close organisms. Specific resistance genes showed increased prevalence and inter-species mobility after antibiotic cessation. Conclusion: This study demonstrates that antibiotics shape the gut resistome through selective enrichment and promotion of horizontal gene transfer. The findings provide insights into ecological processes governing resistance gene dynamics and dissemination upon antibiotic perturbation of the microbiota. Optimizing antibiotic usage may help limit unintended consequences like increased resistance in gut bacteria during IBD management.

Mitochondria-Regulated Information Processing Nanosystem Promoting Immune Cell Communication for Liver Fibrosis Regression.

Liver fibrosis is a coordinated response to tissue injury that is mediated by immune cell interactions. A mitochondria-regulated information-processing (MIP) nanosystem that promotes immune cell communication and interactions to inhibit liver fibrosis is designed. The MIP nanosystem mimics the alkaline amino acid domain of mitochondrial precursor proteins, providing precise targeting of the mitochondria. The MIP nanosystem is driven by light to modulate the mitochondria of hepatic stellate cells, resulting in the release of mitochondrial DNA into the fibrotic microenvironment, as detected by macrophages. By activating the STING signaling pathway, the developed nanosystem-induced macrophage phenotype switches to a reparative subtype (Ly6Clow) and downstream immunostimulatory transcriptional activity, fully restoring the fibrotic liver to its normal tissue state. The MIP nanosystem serves as an advanced information transfer system, allowing precise regulation of trained immunity, and offers a promising approach for effective liver fibrosis immunotherapy with the potential for clinical translation.

TET activity safeguards pluripotency throughout embryonic dormancy.

Dormancy is an essential biological process for the propagation of many life forms through generations and stressful conditions. Early embryos of many mammals are preservable for weeks to months within the uterus in a dormant state called diapause, which can be induced in vitro through mTOR inhibition. Cellular strategies that safeguard original cell identity within the silent genomic landscape of dormancy are not known. Here we show that the protection of cis-regulatory elements from silencing is key to maintaining pluripotency in the dormant state. We reveal a TET-transcription factor axis, in which TET-mediated DNA demethylation and recruitment of methylation-sensitive transcription factor TFE3 drive transcriptionally inert chromatin adaptations during dormancy transition. Perturbation of TET activity compromises pluripotency and survival of mouse embryos under dormancy, whereas its enhancement improves survival rates. Our results reveal an essential mechanism for propagating the cellular identity of dormant cells, with implications for regeneration and disease.

Cell-free biosynthesis and engineering of ribosomally synthesized lanthipeptides.

Ribosomally synthesized and post-translationally modified peptides (RiPPs) are a major class of natural products with diverse chemical structures and potent biological activities. A vast majority of RiPP gene clusters remain unexplored in microbial genomes, which is partially due to the lack of rapid and efficient heterologous expression systems for RiPP characterization and biosynthesis. Here, we report a unified biocatalysis (UniBioCat) system based on cell-free gene expression for rapid biosynthesis and engineering of RiPPs. We demonstrate UniBioCat by reconstituting a full biosynthetic pathway for de novo biosynthesis of salivaricin B, a lanthipeptide RiPP. Next, we delete several protease/peptidase genes from the source strain to enhance the performance of UniBioCat, which then can synthesize and screen salivaricin B variants with enhanced antimicrobial activity. Finally, we show that UniBioCat is generalizable by synthesizing and evaluating the bioactivity of ten uncharacterized lanthipeptides. We expect UniBioCat to accelerate the discovery, characterization, and synthesis of RiPPs.

A Living Microecological Hydrogel with Microbiota Remodeling and Immune Reinstatement for Diabetic Wound Healing.

Dysregulated skin microbiota and compromised immune responses are the major etiological factors for non-healing diabetic wounds. Current antibacterial strategies fail to orchestrate immune responses and indiscriminately eradicate bacteria at the wound site, exacerbating the imbalance of microbiota. Drawing inspiration from the beneficial impacts that probiotics possess on microbiota, a living microecological hydrogel containing Lactobacillus plantarum and fructooligosaccharide (LP/FOS@Gel) is formulated to remodel dysregulated skin microbiota and reinstate compromised immune responses, cultivating a conducive environment for optimal wound healing. LP/FOS@Gel acts as an "evocator," skillfully integrating the skin microecology, promoting the proliferation of Lactobacillus, Ralstonia, Muribaculum, Bacillus, and Allobaculum, while eradicating colonized pathogenic bacteria. Concurrently, LP/FOS@Gel continuously generates lactic acid to elicit a reparative macrophage response and impede the activation of the nuclear factor kappa-B pathway, effectively alleviating inflammation. As an intelligent microecological system, LP/FOS@Gel reinstates the skin's sovereignty during the healing process and effectively orchestrates the harmonious dialogue between the host immune system and microorganisms, thereby fostering the healing of diabetic infectious wounds. These remarkable attributes render LP/FOS@Gel highly advantageous for pragmatic clinical applications.

Superhalide-Anion-Motivator Reforming-Enabled Bipolar Manipulation toward Longevous Energy-Type Zn||Chalcogen Batteries.

Neutrophilic superhalide-anion-triggered chalcogen conversion-based Zn batteries, despite latent high-energy merit, usually suffer from a short lifespan caused by dendrite growth and shuttle effect. Here, a superhalide-anion-motivator reforming strategy is initiated to simultaneously manipulate the anode interface and Se conversion intermediates, realizing a bipolar regulation toward longevous energy-type Zn batteries. With ZnF2 chaotropic additives, the original large-radii superhalide zincate anion species in ionic liquid (IL) electrolytes are split into small F-containing species, boosting the formation of robust solid electrolyte interphases (SEI) for Zn dendrite inhibition. Simultaneously, ion radius reduced multiple F-containing Se conversion intermediates form, enhancing the interion interaction of charged products to suppress the shuttle effect. Consequently, Zn||Se batteries deliver a ca. 20-fold prolonged lifespan (2000 cycles) at 1 A g-1 and high energy/power density of 416.7 Wh kgSe-1/1.89 kW kgSe-1, outperforming those in F-free counterparts. Pouch cells with distinct plateaus and durable cyclability further substantiate the practicality of this design.

Enhancement of nitrogen on core taxa recruitment by Penicillium oxalicum stimulated microbially-driven soil formation in bauxite residue.

Microbially-driven soil formation process is an emerging technology for the ecological rehabilitation of alkaline tailings. However, the dominant microorganisms and their specific roles in soil formation processes remain unknown. Herein, a 1-year field-scale experiment was applied to demonstrate the effect of nitrogen input on the structure and function of the microbiome in alkaline bauxite residue. Results showed that the contents of nutrient components were increased with Penicillium oxalicum (P. oxalicum) incorporation, as indicated by the increasing of carbon and nitrogen mineralization and enzyme metabolic efficiency. Specifically, the increasing enzyme metabolic efficiency was associated with nitrogen input, which shaped the microbial nutrient acquisition strategy. Subsequently, we evidenced that P. oxalicum played a significant role in shaping the assemblages of core bacterial taxa and influencing ecological functioning through intra- and cross-kingdom network analysis. Furthermore, a recruitment experiment indicated that nitrogen enhanced the enrichment of core microbiota (Nitrosomonas, Bacillus, Pseudomonas, and Saccharomyces) and may provide benefits to fungal community bio-diversity and microbial network stability. Collectively, these results demonstrated nitrogen-based coexistence patterns among P. oxalicum and microbiome and revealed P. oxalicum-mediated nutrient dynamics and ecophysiological adaptations in alkaline microhabitats. It will aid in promoting soil formation and ecological rehabilitation of bauxite residue. ENVIRONMENT IMPLICATION: Bauxite residue is a highly alkaline solid waste generated during the Bayer process for producing alumina. Attempting to transform bauxite residue into a stable soil-like substrate using low-cost microbial resources is a highly promising engineering. However, the dominant microorganisms and their specific roles in soil formation processes remain unknown. In this study, we evidenced the nitrogen-based coexistence patterns among Penicillium oxalicum and microbiome and revealed Penicillium oxalicum-mediated nutrient dynamics and ecophysiological adaptations in alkaline microhabitats. This study can improve the understanding of core microbes' assemblies that affect the microbiome physiological traits in soil formation processes.

Differential gene expression and immune cell infiltration in maedi-visna virus-infected lung tissues.

BACKGROUND: Maedi-visna virus (MVV) is a lentivirus that infects monocyte/macrophage lineage cells in sheep, goats, and wild ruminants and causes pneumonia, mastitis, arthritis, and encephalitis. The immune response to MVV infection is complex, and a complete understanding of its infection and pathogenesis is lacking. This study investigated the in vivo transcriptomic patterns of lung tissues in sheep exposed to MVV using the RNA sequencing technology. RESULT: The results indicated that 2,739 genes were significantly differentially expressed, with 1,643 downregulated genes and 1,096 upregulated genes. Many variables that could be unique to MVV infections were discovered. Gene Ontology analysis revealed that a significant proportion of genes was enriched in terms directly related to the immune system and biological responses to viral infections. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes analysis revealed that the most enriched pathways were related to virus-host cell interactions and inflammatory responses. Numerous immune-related genes, including those encoding several cytokines and interferon regulatory factors, were identified in the protein-protein interaction network of differentially expressed genes (DEGs). The expression of DEGs was evaluated using real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot analysis. CXCL13, CXCL6, CXCL11, CCR1, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, TNFSF8, TNFRSF8, IL7R, IFN-γ, CCL2, and MMP9 were upregulated. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed to identify the types of immune cells that infiltrated MVV-infected tissues. B cells, CD4+ and CD8+ T cells, and macrophages were the most prevalent immune cells correlated with MVV infection in the lungs. CONCLUSION: Overall, the findings of this study provide a comprehensive understanding of the in vivo host response to MVV infection and offer new perspectives on the gene regulatory networks that underlie pathogenesis in natural hosts.

Ultrasound-assisted intensification of Pickering interfacial biocatalysis preparation of vitamin A aliphatic esters.

A novel approach to ultrasound-assisted Pickering interfacial biocatalysis (PIB) has been proposed and implemented for the efficient enzymatic transesterification production of vitamin A fatty acid esters. This is the first instance of exploiting the synergistic effect of ultrasound and the bifunctional modification of enzyme supports to accelerate biocatalytic performance in PIB systems. The optimal conditions were determined to be ultrasound power of 70 W, on/off time of 5 s/5 s, substrate molar ratio of 1:1, enzyme addition of 2 %, and a volume ratio of n-hexane to PBS of 3:1, a temperature of 40 °C, and a time of 30 min. The application of ultrasound technology not only improved lipase activity but also allowed for a reduction in emulsion droplet size to enhance interfacial mass transfer.Bifunctional modification of silica-based supports enhanced stability of immobilized enzymes by increasing hydrogen bonding while maintaining the active interface microenvironment. Compared with a non-ultrasound-assisted PIB system stabilized by mono-modified immobilized enzyme particles, the catalytic efficacy (CE) of the novel system reached 8.18 mmol g-1 min-1, which was enhanced by 3.33-fold, while the interfacial area was found to have increased by 17.5-fold. The results facilitated the conversion of vitamin A palmitate (VAP), vitamin A oleate (VAO), vitamin A linoleate (VAL), and vitamin A linolenate (VALn), with conversion rates of approximately 98.2 %, 97.4 %, 96.1 %, and 94.7 %, respectively. This represents the most efficient example that has been reported to our knowledge. Furthermore, the system demonstrated improved reusability, with a conversion rate of 62.1 % maintained even after 10 cycles. The findings presented in this paper provide valuable insights into an efficient and conveniently promising protocol for the development of PIB systems.

Common occurrence of hotspots of single strand DNA breaks at transcriptional start sites.

BACKGROUND: We recently developed two high-resolution methods for genome-wide mapping of two prominent types of DNA damage, single-strand DNA breaks (SSBs) and abasic (AP) sites and found highly complex and non-random patterns of these lesions in mammalian genomes. One salient feature of SSB and AP sites was the existence of single-nucleotide hotspots for both lesions. RESULTS: In this work, we show that SSB hotspots are enriched in the immediate vicinity of transcriptional start sites (TSSs) in multiple normal mammalian tissues, however the magnitude of enrichment varies significantly with tissue type and appears to be limited to a subset of genes. SSB hotspots around TSSs are enriched on the template strand and associate with higher expression of the corresponding genes. Interestingly, SSB hotspots appear to be at least in part generated by the base-excision repair (BER) pathway from the AP sites. CONCLUSIONS: Our results highlight complex relationship between DNA damage and regulation of gene expression and suggest an exciting possibility that SSBs at TSSs might function as sensors of DNA damage to activate genes important for DNA damage response.

Micro-mesoporous cobalt phosphosulfide (Co3S4/CoP/NC) nanowires for ultrahigh rate capacity and ultrastable sodium ion battery.

The construction of heterostructure materials has been demonstrated as the promising approach to design high-performance anode materials for sodium ion batteries (SIBs). Herein, micro-mesoporous cobalt phosphosulfide nanowires (Co3S4/CoP/NC) with Co3S4/CoP hetero-nanocrystals encapsulating into N-doped carbon frameworks were successfully synthesized via hydrothermal reaction and subsequent phosphosulfidation process. The obtained micro-mesoporous nanowires greatly improve the charge transport kinetics from the facilitation of the charge transport into the inner part of nanowire. When evaluated as SIBs anode material, the Co3S4/CoP/NC presents outstanding electrochemical performance and battery properties owing to the synergistic effect between Co3S4 and CoP nanocrystals and the conductive carbon frameworks. The electrode material delivers outstanding reversible rate capacity (722.33 mAh/g at 0.1 A/g) and excellent cycle stability with 522.22 mAh/g after 570 cycles at 5.0 A/g. Besides, the Ex-situ characterizations including XRD, XPS, and EIS further revealed and demonstrated the outstanding sodium ion storage mechanism of Co3S4/CoP/NC electrode. These findings pave a promising way for the development of novel metal phosphosulfide anodes with unexpected performance for SIBs and other alkali ion batteries.

[Prevalence and Influencing Factors of Isolated Diastolic Hypertension in Tibetan Population in Tibet]. / è¥¿è—åœ°åŒºè—æ—äººç¾¤å•çº¯èˆ’å¼ æœŸé«˜è¡€åŽ‹çš„æ‚£ç— çŽ°çŠ¶åŠå ¶å½±å“å› ç´ åˆ†æž.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and influencing factors of isolated diastolic hypertension (IDH) in the Tibetan population in Tibet and to provide some evidence for the prevention and control of hypertension and other related diseases in high-altitude areas. Methods: A multistage stratified whole-group random sampling method was used to enroll participants from Ngari Prefecture, Nagqu City, Shannan City, and Lhasa City, Tibet. A total of 3918 native Tibetans with complete data were enrolled in the survey between June 2020 and August 2023. The participants were aged from 18 to 80. The demographic data, life habits, and chronic disease prevalence of the participants were collected. Fasting venous blood samples were collected to perform the routine blood tests and blood biochemistry tests. The prevalence of IDH in subgroups with different characteristics was analyzed and the influencing factors were analyzed by multivariate logistic regression, accordingly. The predictive value of influencing factors on the prevalence of IDH was analyzed by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve and the findings were compared with those of the previous prediction models for IDH. Results: The prevalence of hypertension in the participants was 33.7% (n=1321), among which, 395 had IDH, accounting for 29.9% of the hypertensive patients. The results of multivariate regression showed that age, heart rate, body mass index, waist circumference, hemoglobin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were associated with risks of developing IDH (P<0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) was 0.71, which indicated improved accuracy for predicting the risks for IDH in comparison with previous predictive models for IDH. Among the influencing factors, BMI showed the best predictive value for IDH risks. Conclusion: The prevalence of IDH is high among Tibetans in Tibet, suggesting the necessity for rational allocation of health resources in accordance. Compared with the previous IDH prediction models, the model proposed in this study is more suited for the Tibetan population. Targeted interventions should be carried out for the high-risk populations, such as young and middle-aged adults and populations suffering from overweight/obesity, central obesity, high-altitude polycythemia, and dyslipidemia, so as to effectively control the occurrence and development of IDH.

Surface wettability control and electron transport regulation in zerovalent iron for enhanced removal of emerging polystyrene microplastics-heavy metal contaminants.

Emerging microplastics-heavy metal (MPs-HM) contaminants in wastewaters pose an emerging health and environmental risk due to their persistence and increasing ecological risks (e.g., "Trojan horse" effect). Hence, removing MPs in solution and preventing secondary releases of HM has become a key challenge when tackling with MPs pollution. Leveraging the hydrophobic nature of MPs and the electron transfer efficiency from Fe0 to HM, we demonstrate an alkylated and sulfidated nanoscale zerovalent iron (AS-nZVI) featuring a delicate "core-shell-hydrophobic film" nanostructure. Exemplified by polystyrene (PS) MPs-Pb(II) removal, the three nanocomponents offer synergistic functions for the rapid separation of MPs, as well as the reduction and stabilization of Pb(II). The outmost hydrophobic film of AS-nZVI greatly improves the anticorrosion performance of nanoscale zerovalent iron and the enrichment abilities of hydrophobic MPs, achieving a maximum removal capacity of MPs to 2725.87 mgMPs·gFe-1. This MPs enrichment promotes the subsequent reductive removal of Pb(II) through the electron transfer from the iron core of AS-nZVI to Pb(II), a process further strengthened by the introduced sulfur. When considering the inevitable aging of MPs in wastewaters due to mechanical wear or microbial degradation, our study concurrently examines the efficiencies and behaviors of AS-nZVI in removing virgin-MPs-Pb(II) and aged-MPs-Pb(II). The batch results reveal that AS-nZVI has an exceptional ability to remove above 99.6 % Pb(II) for all reaction systems. Overall, this work marks a pioneering effort in highlighting the importance of MPs-toxin combinations in dealing with MPs contamination and in demonstrating the utility of nZVI techniques for MPs-contaminated water purification.

Puerarin Delays Mammary Gland Aging by Regulating Gut Microbiota and Inhibiting the p38MAPK Signaling Pathway.

Mammary gland aging is one of the most important problems faced by humans and animals. How to delay mammary gland aging is particularly important. Puerarin is a kind of isoflavone substance extracted from Pueraria lobata, which has anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and other pharmacological effects. However, the role of puerarin in delaying lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced mammary gland aging and its underlying mechanism remains unclear. On the one hand, we found that puerarin could significantly downregulate the expression of senescence-associated secretory phenotype (SASP) and age-related indicators (SA-ß-gal, p53, p21, p16) in mammary glands of mice. In addition, puerarin mainly inhibited the p38MAPK signaling pathway to repair mitochondrial damage and delay mammary gland aging. On the other hand, puerarin could also delay the cellular senescence of mice mammary epithelial cells (mMECs) by targeting gut microbiota and promoting the secretion of gut microbiota metabolites. In conclusion, puerarin could not only directly act on the mMECs but also regulate the gut microbiota, thus, playing a role in delaying the aging of the mammary gland. Based on the above findings, we have discovered a new pathway for puerarin to delay mammary gland aging.

Random mutagenesis and transcriptomics-guided rational engineering in Zygosaccharomyces rouxii for elevating D-arabitol biosynthesis.

D-arabitol, a versatile compound with applications in food, pharmaceutical, and biochemical industries, faces challenges in biomanufacturing due to poor chassis performance and unclear synthesis mechanisms. This study aimed to enhance the performance of Zygosaccharomyces rouxii to improve D-arabitol production. Firstly, a mutant strain Z. rouxii M075 obtained via atmospheric and room temperature plasma-mediated mutagenesis yielded 42.0 g/L of D-arabitol at 96 h, with about 50 % increase. Transcriptome-guided metabolic engineering of pathway key enzymes co-expression produced strain ZR-M3, reaching 48.9 g/L D-arabitol after 96 h fermentation. Finally, under optimized conditions, fed-batch fermentation of ZR-M3 in a 5 L bioreactor yielded an impressive D-arabitol titer of 152.8 g/L at 192 h, with a productivity of 0.8 g/L/h. This study highlights promising advancements in enhancing D-arabitol production, offering potential for more efficient biomanufacturing processes and wider industrial applications.

Rainbow screening: Chromoproteins enable visualized molecular cloning.

Molecular cloning facilitates the assembly of heterologous DNA fragments with vectors, resulting in the generation of plasmids that can steadily replicate in host cells. To efficiently and accurately screen out the expected plasmid candidates, various methods, such as blue-white screening, have been developed for visualization. However, these methods typically require additional genetic manipulations and costs. To simplify the process of visualized molecular cloning, here we report Rainbow Screening, a method that combines Gibson Assembly with chromoproteins to distinguish Escherichia coli (E. coli) colonies by naked eyes, eliminating the need for additional genetic manipulations or costs. To illustrate the design, we select both E. coli 16s rRNA and sfGFP expression module as two inserted fragments. Using Rainbow Screening, false positive colonies can be easily distinguished on LB-agar plates. Moreover, both the assembly efficiency and the construct accuracy can exceed 80%. We anticipate that Rainbow Screening will enrich the molecular cloning methodology and expand the application of chromoproteins in biotechnology and synthetic biology.

KIF11 UFMylation Maintains Photoreceptor Cilium Integrity and Retinal Homeostasis.

The photoreceptor cilium is vital for maintaining the structure and function of the retina. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying the photoreceptor cilium integrity and retinal homeostasis are largely unknown. Herein, it is shown that kinesin family member 11 (KIF11) localizes at the transition zone (connecting cilium) of the photoreceptor and plays a crucial role in orchestrating the cilium integrity. KIF11 depletion causes malformations of both the photoreceptor ciliary axoneme and membranous discs, resulting in photoreceptor degeneration and the accumulation of drusen-like deposits throughout the retina. Mechanistic studies show that the stability of KIF11 is regulated by an interplay between its UFMylation and ubiquitination; UFMylation of KIF11 at lysine 953 inhibits its ubiquitination by synoviolin 1 and thereby prevents its proteasomal degradation. The lysine 953-to-arginine mutant of KIF11 is more stable than wild-type KIF11 and also more effective in reversing the ciliary and retinal defects induced by KIF11 depletion. These findings identify a critical role for KIF11 UFMylation in the maintenance of photoreceptor cilium integrity and retinal homeostasis.

Role of prostaglandin E2 and its receptors in chronic liver disease.

Chronic liver disease (CLD) is a major global health burden in terms of growing morbidity and mortality. Although many conditions can cause CLD, leading to cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), viral hepatitis, drug-induced liver injury (DILI), alcoholic liver disease (ALD) and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) are the most common culprits. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2), produced in the liver, is an important lipid mediator derived from the ω-6 polyunsaturated fatty acid, arachidonic acid, and plays a critical role in hepatic homeostasis. The physiological effects of PGE2 are mediated through four classes of E-type prostaglandin (EP) receptors, namely EP1, EP2, EP3 and EP4. In recent years, an increasing number of studies has been done to clarify the effects of PGE2 and EP receptors in regulating liver function and the pathogenesis of CLD to create a new potential clinical impact. In this review, we overview the biosynthesis and regulation of PGE2 and discuss the role of its synthesizing enzymes and receptors in the maintenance of normal liver function and the development and progress of CLD. We also discuss the potential of the PGE2-EP receptors system in treating CLD with various etiologies.

Review of yeast culture concerning the interactions between gut microbiota and young ruminant animals.

Microorganisms inhabit the gastrointestinal tract of ruminants and regulate body metabolism by maintaining intestinal health. The state of gastrointestinal health is influenced not only by the macro-level factors of optimal development and the physiological structure integrity but also by the delicate equilibrium between the intestinal flora and immune status at the micro-level. Abrupt weaning in young ruminants causes incomplete development of the intestinal tract resulting in an unstable and unformed microbiota. Abrupt weaning also induced damages to the microecological homeostasis of the intestinal tract, resulting in the intestinal infections and diseases, such as diarrhea. Recently, nutritional and functional yeast culture has been researched to tackle these problems. Herein, we summarized current known interactions between intestinal microorganisms and the body of young ruminants, then we discussed the regulatory effects of using yeast culture as a feed supplement. Yeast culture is a microecological preparation that contains yeast, enriched with yeast metabolites and other nutrient-active components, including ß-glucan, mannan, digestive enzymes, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, and some other unknown growth factors. It stimulates the proliferation of intestinal mucosal epithelial cells and the reproduction of intestinal microorganisms by providing special nutrient substrates to support the intestinal function. Additionally, the ß-glucan and mannan effectively stimulate intestinal mucosal immunity, promote immune response, activate macrophages, and increase acid phosphatase levels, thereby improving the body's resistance to several disease. The incorporation of yeast culture into young ruminants' diet significantly alleviated the damage caused by weaning stress to the gastrointestinal tract which also acts an effective strategy to promote the balance of intestinal flora, development of intestinal tissue, and establishment of mucosal immune system. Our review provides a theoretical basis for the application of yeast culture in the diet of young ruminants.