Kondoa tianchiensis f.a., sp. nov., an anamorphic yeast species isolated from plant leaves.

Two yeast strains, NYNU 236122 and NYNU 236180, were isolated from plant leaves collected in Tianchi Mountain, Henan Province, central China. Molecular phylogenetic analyses revealed the closest relatives of the strains are three described Kondoa species, Kondoa chamaenerii, Kondoa miscanthi, and Kondoa subrosea. Genetically, the isolated strains differed from the type strains of their three related species by 2-11(0.2-1.8%) base substitutions in the D1/D2 domain, 16-40 (2.6-5.6%) base mismatches in the internal transcribed spacer region, and more than 10.1% base substitutions in the partial RPB2 gene. Furthermore, the two strains differ physiologically from their closest related species, K. chamaenerii, in their ability to assimilate dl-lactate, nitrite, and l-lysine and their inability to assimilate nitrate. Additionally, they differ from K. miscanthi and K. subrosea in their ability to assimilate inulin, d-gluconate, and l-lysine. The species name of Kondoa tianchiensis f.a., sp. nov. is proposed with holotype CICC 33616T (Mycobank MB 853544).

Delayed simvastatin treatment improves neurological recovery after cryogenic traumatic brain injury through downregulation of ELOVL1 by inhibiting mTOR signaling.

Statins are well-tolerated and widely available lipid-lowering medications with neuroprotective effects against traumatic brain injury (TBI). However, whether delayed statin therapy starting in the subacute phase promotes recovery after TBI is unknown. Elongation of the very long-chain fatty acid protein 1 (ELOVL1) is involved in astrocyte-mediated neurotoxicity, but its role in TBI and the relationship between ELOVL1 and statins are unclear. We hypothesized that delayed simvastatin treatment promotes neurological functional recovery after TBI by regulating the ELOVL1-mediated production of very long-chain fatty acids (VLCFAs). ICR male mice received daily intragastric administration of 1, 2 or 5mg/kg simvastatin on Days 1-14, 3-14, 5-14, or 7-14 after cryogenic TBI (cTBI). The results showed that simvastatin promoted motor functional recovery in a dose-dependent manner, with a wide therapeutic window of at least 7 days postinjury. Meanwhile, simvastatin inhibited astrocyte and microglial overactivation and glial scar formation, and increased total dendritic length, neuronal complexity and spine density on day 14 after cTBI. The up-regulation of ELOVL1 expression and saturated VLCFAs concentrations in the cortex surrounding the lesion caused by cTBI was inhibited by simvastatin, which was related to the inhibition of the mTOR signaling. Overexpression of ELOVL1 in astrocytes surrounding the lesion using HBAAV2/9-GFAP-m-ELOVL1-3xFlag-EGFP partially attenuated the benefits of simvastatin. These results showed that delayed simvastatin treatment promoted functional recovery and brain tissue repair after TBI through the downregulation of ELOVL1 expression by inhibiting mTOR signaling. Astrocytic ELOVL1 may be a potential target for rehabilitation after TBI.

Cyberlindnera qingyuanensis f.a., sp. nov., a yeast species isolated from rotting wood.

Two yeast strains were isolated from rotting wood samples collected on Qingyuan Mountain, Fujian Province, PR China. Phylogenetic analysis, based on the concatenated sequences of the internal transcribed spacer (ITS) region and the D1/D2 domain of the large subunit rRNA gene, revealed that these two strains represent a novel species of the genus Cyberlindnera. The proposed name for this new species is Cyberlindnera qingyuanensis f.a., sp. nov. (holotype: GDMCC 2.300; ex-type: PYCC 9925) although the formation of ascospores was not observed. The novel species differs from its close relative Cyberlindnera galapagoensis by 7.7% sequence divergence (37 substitutions and seven indels) in the D1/D2 domain and 9.7% sequence divergence (42 substitutions and 34 indels) in the ITS region, respectively. Additionally, Cyb. qingyuanensis differs from its close relative Cyb. galapagoensis by its ability to grow in cellobiose, l-rhamnose, ribitol, galactitol, and dl-lactate, its growth at 37 °C, and its inability to ferment raffinose. The Mycobank number is MB 854693.

Crystal Facets-Activity Correlation for Oxygen Evolution Reaction in Compositional Complex Alloys.

Compositional complex alloys, including high and medium-entropy alloys (HEAs/MEAs) have displayed significant potential as efficient electrocatalysts for the oxygen evolution reaction (OER), but their structure-activity relationship remains unclear. In particular, the basic question of which crystal facets are more active, especially considering the surface reconstructions, has yet to be answered. This study demonstrates that the lowest index {100} facets of FeCoNiCr MEAs exhibit the highest activity. The underlying mechanism associated with the {100} facet's low in-plane density, making it easier to surface reconstruction and form amorphous structures containing the true active species is uncovered. These results are validated by experiments on single crystals and polycrystal MEAs, as well as DFT calculations. The discoveries contribute to a fundamental comprehension of MEAs in electrocatalysis and offer physics-based strategies for developing electrocatalysts.

Falcon Probe: A High-Pressure and Robust Sampling Interface for Coupling Lossless Liquid Chromatography Injection with In Situ Nanoliter-Scale Sample Pretreatment.

With the increasing demand for trace sample analysis, injecting trace samples into liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) systems with minimal loss has become a major challenge. Herein, we describe an in situ LC-MS analytical probe, the Falcon probe, which integrates multiple functions of high-pressure sample injection without sample loss, high-efficiency LC separation, and electrospray. The main body of the Falcon probe is made of stainless steel and fabricated by the computer numerical control (CNC) technique, which has ultrahigh mechanical strength. By coupling a nanoliter-scale droplet reactor made of polyether ether ketone (PEEK) material, the Falcon probe-based LC-MS system was capable of operating at mobile-phase pressures up to 800 bar, which is comparable to those of conventional ultraperformance liquid chromatography (UPLC) systems. Using the probe pressing microamount in situ (PPMI) injection approach, the Falcon probe-based LC-MS system showed high separation efficiency and good repeatability with relative standard deviations (RSDs) of retention time and peak area of 1.8% and 9.9%, respectively, in peptide mixture analysis (n = 6). We applied this system to the analysis of a trace amount of 200 pg of HeLa protein digest and successfully identified an average of 766 protein groups (n = 5). By combining in situ sample pretreatment at the nanoliter range, we further applied the present system in single-cell proteomic analysis, and 241 protein groups were identified in single 293 cells, which preliminarily demonstrated its potential in the analysis of trace amounts of samples with complex compositions.

Targeting astrocytic TDAG8 with delayed CO2 postconditioning improves functional outcomes after controlled cortical impact injury in mice.

T-cell death-associated gene 8 (TDAG8), a G-protein-coupled receptor sensing physiological or weak acids, regulates inflammatory responses. However, its role in traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains unknown. Our recent study showed that delayed CO2 postconditioning (DCPC) has neuroreparative effects after TBI. We hypothesized that activating astrocytic TDAG8 is a key mechanism for DCPC. WT and TDAG8-/- mice received DCPC daily by transiently inhaling 10% CO2 after controlled cortical impact (CCI). HBAAV2/9-GFAP-m-TDAG8-3xflag-EGFP was used to overexpress TDAG8 in astrocytes. The beam walking test, mNSS, immunofluorescence and Golgi-Cox staining were used to evaluate motor function, glial activation and dendritic plasticity. DCPC significantly improved motor function; increased total dendritic length, neuronal complexity and spine density; inhibited overactivation of astrocytes and microglia; and promoted the expression of astrocytic brain-derived neurotrophic factor in WT but not TDAG8-/- mice. Overexpressing TDAG8 in astrocytes surrounding the lesion in TDAG8-/- mice restored the beneficial effects of DCPC. Although the effects of DCPC on Days 14-28 were much weaker than those of DCPC on Days 3-28 in WT mice, these effects were further enhanced by overexpressing astrocytic TDAG8. Astrocytic TDAG8 is a key target of DCPC for TBI rehabilitation. Its overexpression is a strategy that broadens the therapeutic window and enhances the effects of DCPC.

Fully Breaking Entanglement of Multiple Harmonics for Space- and Frequency-Division Multiplexing Wireless Applications via Space-Time-Coding Metasurface.

Harmonic generation and utilization are significant topics in nonlinear science. Although the progress in the microwave region has been expedited by the development of time-modulated metasurfaces, one major issue of these devices is the strong entanglement of multiple harmonics, leading to criticism of their use in frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) applications. Previous studies have attempted to overcome this limitation, but they suffer from designing complexity or insufficient controlling capability. Here a new space-time-coding metasurface (STCM) is proposed to independently and precisely synthesize not only the phases but also the amplitudes of various harmonics. This promising feature is successfully demonstrated in wireless space- and frequency-division multiplexing experiments, where modulated and unmodulated signals are simultaneously transmitted via different harmonics using a shared STCM. To illustrate the advantages, binary frequency shift keying (BFSK) and quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK) modulation schemes are respectively implemented. Behind the intriguing functionality, the mechanism of the space-time coding strategy and the analytical designing method are elaborated, which are validated numerically and experimentally. It is believed that the achievements can potentially propel the time-vary metasurfaces in the next-generation wireless applications.

Targeting Neuronal GPR65 With Delayed BTB09089 Treatment Improves Neurorehabilitation Following Ischemic Stroke.

BACKGROUND: GPR65 (G protein-coupled receptor 65) can sense extracellular acidic environment to regulate pathophysiological processes. Pretreatment with the GPR65 agonist BTB09089 has been proven to produce neuroprotection in acute ischemic stroke. However, whether delayed BTB09089 treatment and neuronal GPR65 activation promote neurorestoration remains unknown. METHODS: Ischemic stroke was induced in wild-type (WT) or GPR65 knockout (GPR65-/-) mice by photothrombotic ischemia. Male mice were injected intraperitoneally with BTB09089 every other day at days 3, 7, or 14 poststroke. AAV-Syn-GPR65 (adenoassociated virus-synapsin-GPR65) was utilized to overexpress GPR65 in the peri-infarct cortical neurons of GPR65-/- and WT mice. Motor function was monitored by grid-walk and cylinder tests. The neurorestorative effects of BTB09089 were observed by immunohistochemistry, Golgi-Cox staining, and Western blotting. RESULTS: BTB09089 significantly promoted motor outcomes in WT but not in GPR65-/- mice, even when BTB09089 was delayed for 3 to 7 days. BTB09089 inhibited the activation of microglia and glial scar progression in WT but not in GPR65-/- mice. Meanwhile, BTB09089 reduced the decrease in neuronal density in WT mice, but this benefit was abolished in GPR65-/- mice and reemerged by overexpressing GPR65 in peri-infarct cortical neurons. Furthermore, BTB09089 increased the GAP43 (growth-associated protein-43) and synaptophysin puncta density, dendritic spine density, dendritic branch length, and dendritic complexity by overexpressing GPR65 in the peri-infarct cortical neurons of GPR65-/- mice, which was accompanied by increased levels of p-CREB (phosphorylated cAMP-responsive element-binding protein). In addition, the therapeutic window of BTB09089 was extended to day 14 by overexpressing GPR65 in the peri-infarct cortical neurons of WT mice. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings indicated that delayed BTB09089 treatment improved neurological functional recovery and brain tissue repair poststroke through activating neuronal GRP65. GPR65 overexpression may be a potential strategy to expand the therapeutic time window of GPR65 agonists for neurorehabilitation after ischemic stroke.

Transmission of human-pet antibiotic resistance via aerosols in pet hospitals of Changchun.

In recent years, aerosols have been recognized as a prominent medium for the transmission of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and genes. Among these, particles with a particle size of 2 µm (PM2.5) can directly penetrate the alveoli. However, the presence of antibiotic-resistant genes in aerosols from pet hospitals and the potential risks posed by antibiotic-resistant bacteria in these aerosols to humans and animals need to be investigated. In this study, cefotaxime-resistant bacteria were collected from 5 representative pet hospitals in Changchun using a Six-Stage Andersen Cascade Impactor. The distribution of bacteria in each stage was analyzed, and bacteria from stage 5 and 6 were isolated and identified. Minimal inhibitory concentrations of isolates against 12 antimicrobials were determined using broth microdilution method. Quantitative Polymerase Chain Reaction was employed to detect resistance genes and mobile genetic elements that could facilitate resistance spread. The results indicated that ARBs were enriched in stage 5 (1.1-2.1 µm) and stage 3 (3.3-4.7 µm) of the sampler. A total of 159 isolates were collected from stage 5 and 6. Among these isolates, the genera Enterococcus spp. (51%), Staphylococcus spp. (19%), and Bacillus spp. (14%) were the most prevalent. The isolates exhibited the highest resistance to tetracycline and the lowest resistance to cefquinome. Furthermore, 56 (73%) isolates were multidrug-resistant. Quantitative PCR revealed the expression of 165 genes in these isolates, with mobile genetic elements showing the highest expression levels. In conclusion, PM2.5 from pet hospitals harbor a significant number of antibiotic-resistant bacteria and carry mobile genetic elements, posing a potential risk for alveolar infections and the dissemination of antibiotic resistance genes.

Three new species of Teunia (Cryptococcaceae, Tremellales) identified through phenotypic and phylogenetic analyses.

Teunia, belonging to the family Cryptococcaceae of the order Tremellales, is a genus of plant-inhabiting fungi distributed across the globe. Its members form associations with different plant parts, including flowers, fruits, leaves, seeds, and twigs. Recent efforts have aimed to explore the diversity of Teunia in China, however, many geographical regions have not yet been explored. In this study, we included results of five Teunia yeast strains that were isolated from plant materials collected in Fujian, Guizhou and Henan provinces, with descriptions, illustrations, and phylogenetic analyses of three new species: T.acericola, T.mussaendrae isolated from leaf surfaces in Fujian, Guizhou and Henan Provinces, and T.qingyuanensis obtained from rotting wood in Fujian Province.

Amorphous conversion in pyrolytic symmetric trinuclear nickel clusters trigger trifunctional electrocatalysts.

The pursuit of multifunctional electrocatalysts holds significant importance due to their comprehension of material chemistry. Amorphous materials are particularly appealing, yet they pose challenges in terms of rational design due to their structural disorder and thermal instability. Herein, we propose a strategy that entails the tandem (low-temperature/250-350 °C) pyrolysis of molecular clusters, enabling preservation of the local short-range structures of the precursor Schiff base nickel (Ni3[2(C21H24N3Ni1.5O6)]). The temperature-dependent residuals demonstrate exceptional activity and stability for at least three distinct electrocatalytic processes, including the oxygen evolution reaction (η10 = 197 mV), urea oxidation reaction (η10 = 1.339 V), and methanol oxidation reaction (1358 mA cm-2 at 0.56 V). Three distinct nickel atom motifs are discovered for three efficient electrocatalytic reactions (Ni1 and Ni1' are preferred for UOR/MOR, while Ni2 is preferred for OER). Our discoveries pave the way for the potential development of multifunctional electrocatalysts through disordered engineering in molecular clusters under tandem pyrolysis.

Unveiling the role of proton concentration in dinuclear metal complexes for boosting photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

The reaction kinetics of photocatalytic CO2 reduction is highly dependent on the transfer rate of electrons and protons to the CO2 molecules adsorbed on catalytic centers. Studies on uncovering the proton effect in catalysts on photocatalytic activity of CO2 reduction are significant but rarely reported. In this paper, we, from the molecular level, revealed that the photocatalytic activity of CO2 reduction is closely related to the proton availability in catalysts. Specifically, four dinuclear Co(II) complexes based on Robson-type ligands with different number of carboxylic groups (-nCOOH; n = 0, 2, 4, 6) were designed and synthesized. All these complexes show photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction to CO in a water-containing system upon visible-light illumination. Interestingly, the CO yields increase positively with the increase of the carboxylic-group number in dinuclear Co(II) complexes. The one containing -6COOH shows the best photocatalytic activity for CO2 reduction to CO, with the TON value reaching as high as 10,294. The value is 1.8, 3.4, and 7.8 times higher than those containing -4COOH, -2COOH, and -0COOH, respectively. The high TON value also makes the dinuclear Co(II) complex with -6COOH outstanding among reported homogeneous molecular catalysts for photocatalytic CO2 reduction. Control experiments and density functional theory calculation indicated that more carboxylic groups in the catalyst endow the catalyst with more proton relays, thus accelerating the proton transfer and boosting the photocatalytic CO2 reduction. This study, at a molecular level, elucidates that more carboxylic groups in catalysts are beneficial for boosting the reaction kinetics of photocatalytic CO2 reduction.

Multichannel highly secure wireless communication system with information camouflage capability.

Information metasurface has shown great potential in wireless communications owing to its ability to flexibly control electromagnetic waves. However, it is still a big challenge to achieve high-security and large-channel capacity wireless communications by a simple system. Here, we propose a space-polarization-division multiplexing secure wireless communication system with information camouflage capability based on the information metasurface, which can realize multichannel encrypted wireless communications with different polarization coding strategies independently and simultaneously. A polarization mask key is introduced to encrypt the target message, and the cipher message is further concealed behind a cover image with steganography and sent to the user by using the polarization modulation strategy. Different polarization mask keys can be adopted in each individual communication by changing the polarization coding strategy to enhance the system security. The proposed scheme integrates computational algorithm encryption and physical layer security together and thus has the advantages of high security, large channel capacity, and strong camouflage ability.

Glycosides constituents from Codonopsis pilosula.

A new glycoside (1) along with six known analogues (1-7) were isolated from Codonopsis pilosula collected at Shanxi in China. The structure of 1 was established based on comprehensive spectroscopic data and literature comparison. The anti-inflammatory effects of isolated compounds were further investigated in LPS-induced RAW264.7 macrophage.

Hybrid Membrane-Coated Nanoparticles for Precise Targeting and Synergistic Therapy in Alzheimer's Disease.

The blood brain barrier (BBB) limits the application of most therapeutic drugs for neurological diseases (NDs). Hybrid cell membrane-coated nanoparticles derived from different cell types can mimic the surface properties and functionalities of the source cells, further enhancing their targeting precision and therapeutic efficacy. Neuroinflammation has been increasingly recognized as a critical factor in the pathogenesis of various NDs, especially Alzheimer's disease (AD). In this study, a novel cell membrane coating is designed by hybridizing the membrane from platelets and chemokine (C-C motif) receptor 2 (CCR2) cells are overexpressed to cross the BBB and target neuroinflammatory lesions. Past unsuccessful endeavors in AD drug development underscore the challenge of achieving favorable outcomes when utilizing single-mechanism drugs.Two drugs with different mechanisms of actions into liposomes are successfully loaded to realize multitargeting treatment. In a transgenic mouse model for familial AD (5xFAD), the administration of these drug-loaded hybrid cell membrane liposomes results in a significant reduction in amyloid plaque deposition, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairments. Collectively, the hybrid cell membrane-coated nanomaterials offer new opportunities for precise drug delivery and disease-specific targeting, which represent a versatile platform for targeted therapy in AD.

Crossed renal ectopia with rectal cancer: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Crossed renal ectopia (CRE) occurs when one kidney crosses the midline from the primary side to the contralateral side while the ureter remains on the primary side. Rectal cancer, one of the most common malignant tumors of the digestive tract, refers to cancer from the dentate line to the rectosigmoid junction. The concurrent presentation of CRE alongside rectal cancer is an uncommon clinical observation. CASE SUMMARY: Herein, we report a 69-year-old male patient with rectal cancer who was diagnosed with CRE via computed tomography during hospitalization. Following thorough preoperative evaluations, the patient underwent Dixon surgery. CONCLUSION: We performed laparoscopic radical resection of rectal cancer and adequate lymph node removal in a patient with CRE with no postoperative discomfort.

Sinomenine Hydrochloride Protects IgA Nephropathy Through Regulating Cell Growth and Apoptosis of T and B Lymphocytes.

Purpose: Sinomenine hydrochloride (SH) is used to treat chronic inflammatory diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis and may also be efficacious against Immunoglobulin A nephropathy (IgAN). However, no trial has investigated the molecular mechanism of SH on IgAN. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effect and mechanism of SH on IgAN. Methods: The pathological changes and IgA and C3 depositions in the kidney of an IgAN rat model were detected by periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) and direct immunofluorescence staining. After extracting T and B cells using immunomagnetic beads, we assessed their purity, cell cycle phase, and apoptosis stage through flow cytometry. Furthermore, we quantified cell cycle-related and apoptosis-associated proteins by Western blotting. Results: SH reduced IgA and C3 depositions in stage 4 IgAN, thereby decreasing inflammatory cellular infiltration and mesangial injury in an IgAN model induced using heteroproteins. Furthermore, SH arrested the cell cycle of lymphocytes T and B from the spleen of IgAN rats. Regarding the mechanism, our results demonstrated that SH regulated the Cyclin D1 and Cyclin E1 protein levels for arresting the cell cycle and it also regulated Bax and Bcl-2 protein levels, thus increasing Cleaved caspase-3 protein levels in Jurkat T and Ramos B cells. Conclusion: SH exerts a dual regulation on the cell cycle and apoptosis of T and B cells by controlling cell cycle-related and apoptosis-associated proteins; it also reduces inflammatory cellular infiltration and mesangial proliferation. These are the major mechanisms of SH in IgAN.

Catalpol attenuates ischemic stroke by promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis via the SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway.

BACKGROUND: Stroke is a leading cause of disability and death worldwide. Currently, there is a lack of clinically effective treatments for the brain damage following ischemic stroke. Catalpol is a bioactive compound derived from the traditional Chinese medicine Rehmannia glutinosa and shown to be protective in various neurological diseases. However, the potential roles of catalpol against ischemic stroke are still not completely clear. PURPOSE: This study aimed to further elucidate the protective effects of catalpol against ischemic stroke. METHODS: A rat permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (pMCAO) and oxygen-glucose deprivation (OGD) model was established to assess the effect of catalpol in vivo and in vitro, respectively. Behavioral tests were used to examine the effects of catalpol on neurological function of ischemic rats. Immunostaining was performed to evaluate the proliferation, migration and differentiation of neural stem cells (NSCs) as well as the angiogenesis in each group. The protein level of related molecules was detected by western-blot. The effects of catalpol on cultured NSCs as well as brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMECs) subjected to OGD in vitro were also examined by similar methods. RESULTS: Catalpol attenuated the neurological deficits and improved neurological function of ischemic rats. It stimulated the proliferation of NSCs in the subventricular zone (SVZ), promoted their migration to the ischemic cortex and differentiation into neurons or glial cells. At the same time, catalpol increased the cerebral vessels density and the number of proliferating cerebrovascular endothelial cells in the infracted cortex of ischemic rats. The level of SDF-1α and CXCR4 in the ischemic cortex was found to be enhanced by catalpol treatment. Catalpol was also shown to promote the proliferation and migration of cultured NSCs as well as the proliferation of BMECs subjected to OGD insult in vitro. Interestingly, the impact of catalpol on cultured cells was inhibited by CXCR4 inhibitor AMD3100. Moreover, the culture medium of BMECs containing catalpol promoted the proliferation of NSCs, which was also suppressed by AMD3100. CONCLUSION: Our data demonstrate that catalpol exerts neuroprotective effects by promoting neurogenesis and angiogenesis via the SDF-1α/CXCR4 pathway, suggesting the therapeutic potential of catalpol in treating cerebral ischemia.

One-Shot Single-Cell Proteome and Metabolome Analysis Strategy for the Same Single Cell.

Characterizing the profiles of proteome and metabolome at the single-cell level is of great significance in single-cell multiomic studies. Herein, we proposed a novel strategy called one-shot single-cell proteome and metabolome analysis (scPMA) to acquire the proteome and metabolome information in a single-cell individual in one injection of LC-MS/MS analysis. Based on the scPMA strategy, a total workflow was developed to achieve the single-cell capture, nanoliter-scale sample pretreatment, one-shot LC injection and separation of the enzyme-digested peptides and metabolites, and dual-zone MS/MS detection for proteome and metabolome profiling. Benefiting from the scPMA strategy, we realized dual-omic analysis of single tumor cells, including A549, HeLa, and HepG2 cells with 816, 578, and 293 protein groups and 72, 91, and 148 metabolites quantified on average. A single-cell perspective experiment for investigating the doxorubicin-induced antitumor effects in both the proteome and metabolome aspects was also performed.