The evolutionary dynamics of genome sizes and repetitive elements in Ensifera (Insecta: Orthoptera).

BACKGROUND: In evolutionary biology, identifying and quantifying inter-lineage genome size variation and elucidating the underlying causes of that variation have long been goals. Repetitive elements (REs) have been proposed and confirmed as being among the most important contributors to genome size variation. However, the evolutionary implications of genome size variation and RE dynamics are not well understood. RESULTS: A total of 35 Ensifera insects were collected from different areas in China, including nine species of crickets and 26 species of katydids. The genome sizes of seven species were then determined using flow cytometry. The RepeatExplorer2 pipeline was employed to retrieve the repeated sequences for each species, based on low-coverage (0.1 X) high-throughput Illumina unassembled short reads. The genome sizes of the 35 Ensifera insects exhibited a considerable degree of variation, ranging from 1.00 to 18.34 pg. This variation was more than 18-fold. Similarly, the RE abundances exhibited considerable variation, ranging from 13.66 to 61.16%. In addition, the Tettigonioidea had larger genomes and contained significantly more REs than did the Grylloidea genomes. Analysis of the correlation between RE abundance and the genome size of 35 Ensifera insects revealed that the abundance of REs, transposable elements (TEs), long terminal repeats (LTRs), and long interspersed nuclear elements (LINEs) are significantly correlated with genome size. Notably, there is an inflection point in this correlation, where species with increasingly large genomes (e.g., > 5-10 pg) have repeats that contribute less to genome expansion than expected. Furthermore, this study revealed contrasting evolutionary directions between the Tettigonioidea and Grylloidea clades in terms of the expansion of REs. Tettigonioidea species exhibit a gradual increase in ancestral genome size and RE abundance as they diverge, while Grylloidea species experience sustained genome contraction. CONCLUSIONS: This study reveals extensive variation in genome size and RE abundance in Ensifera insects, with distinct evolutionary patterns across two major groups, Tettigonioidea and Grylloidea. This provides valuable insights into the variation in genome size and RE abundance in Ensifera insects, offering a comprehensive understanding of their evolutionary history.

A Review on Bi2WO6-Based Materials for Photocatalytic CO2 Reduction.

Photocatalytic reduction of CO2 (PCR) technology offers the capacity to transmute solar energy into chemical energy through an eco-friendly and efficacious process, concurrently facilitating energy storage and carbon diminution, this innovation harbors significant potential for mitigating energy shortages and ameliorating environmental degradation. Bismuth tungstate (Bi2WO6) is distinguished by its robust visible light absorption and distinctive perovskite-type crystal architecture, rendering it highly efficiency in PCR. In recent years, numerous systematic strategies have been investigated for the synthesis and modification of Bi2WO6 to enhance its photocatalytic performance, aiming to achieve superior applications. This review provides a comprehensive review of the latest research progress on Bi2WO6 based materials in the field of photocatalysis. Firstly, outlining the fundamental principles, associated reaction mechanisms and reduction pathways of PCR. Then, the synthesis strategy of Bi2WO6-based materials is introduced for the regulation of its photocatalytic properties. Furthermore, accentuating the extant applications in CO2 reduction, including metal-Bi2WO6, semiconductor-Bi2WO6 and carbon-based Bi2WO6 composites etc. while concludes with an examination of the future landscape and challenges faced. This review hopes to serve as an effective reference for the continuous improvement and implementation of Bi2WO6-based photocatalysts in PCR.

The worsening effect of paroxysmal atrial fibrillation on left ventricular function and deformation in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients: a 3.0 T cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking study.

BACKGROUND: Atrial fibrillation (AF) has been linked to an increased risk of cardiovascular death, overall mortality and heart failure in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). The present study investigated the additive effects of paroxysmal AF on left ventricular (LV) function and deformation in T2DM patients with or without AF using the cardiovascular magnetic resonance feature tracking (CMR-FT) technique. METHODS: The present study encompassed 225 T2DM patients differentiated by the presence or absence of paroxysmal AF [T2DM(AF+) and T2DM(AF-), respectively], along with 75 age and sex matched controls, all of whom underwent CMR examination. LV function and global strains, including radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain (PS), as well as peak systolic and diastolic strain rates (PSSR and PDSR, respectively), were measured and compared among the groups. Multivariable linear regression analysis was used to examine the factors associated with LV global strains in patients with T2DM. RESULTS: The T2DM(AF+) group was the oldest, had the highest LV end­systolic volume index, lowest LV ejection fraction and estimated glomerular filtration rate compared to the control and T2DM(AF-) groups, and presented a shorter diabetes duration and lower HbA1c than the T2DM(AF-) group. LV PS-radial, PS-longitudinal and PDSR-radial declined successively from controls through the T2DM(AF-) group to the T2DM(AF+) group (all p < 0.001). Compared to the control group, LV PS-circumferential, PSSR-radial and PDSR-circumferential were decreased in the T2DM(AF+) group (all p < 0.001) but preserved in the T2DM(AF-) group. Among all clinical indices, AF was independently associated with worsening LV PS-longitudinal (ß = 2.218, p < 0.001), PS-circumferential (ß = 3.948, p < 0.001), PS-radial (ß = - 8.40, p < 0.001), PSSR-radial and -circumferential (ß = - 0.345 and 0.101, p = 0.002 and 0.014, respectively), PDSR-radial and -circumferential (ß = 0.359 and - 0.14, p = 0.022 and 0.003, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: In patients with T2DM, the presence of paroxysmal AF further exacerbates LV function and deformation. Proactive prevention, regular detection and early intervention of AF could potentially benefit T2DM patients.

Assessment of subclinical LV myocardial dysfunction in T2DM patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy: a cardiovascular magnetic resonance study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is the most prevalent complication of diabetes, and has been demonstrated to be independently associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. This aim of this study was to investigate the subclinical left ventricular (LV) myocardial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without DPN. METHODS: One hundred and thirty T2DM patients without DPN, 61 patients with DPN and 65 age and sex-matched controls who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging were included, all subjects had no symptoms of heart failure and LV ejection fraction ≥ 50%. LV myocardial non-infarct late gadolinium enhancement (LGE) was determined. LV global strains, including radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain (PS) and peak systolic and diastolic strain rates (PSSR and PDSR, respectively), were evaluated using CMR feature tracking and compared among the three groups. Multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to determine the independent factors of reduced LV global myocardial strains in T2DM patients. RESULTS: The prevalence of non-infarct LGE was higher in patients with DPN than those without DPN (37.7% vs. 19.2%, p = 0.008). The LV radial and longitudinal PS (radial: 36.60 ± 7.24% vs. 33.57 ± 7.30% vs. 30.72 ± 8.68%; longitudinal: - 15.03 ± 2.52% vs. - 13.39 ± 2.48% vs. - 11.89 ± 3.02%), as well as longitudinal PDSR [0.89 (0.76, 1.05) 1/s vs. 0.80 (0.71, 0.93) 1/s vs. 0.77 (0.63, 0.87) 1/s] were decreased significantly from controls through T2DM patients without DPN to patients with DPN (all p < 0.001). LV radial and circumferential PDSR, as well as circumferential PS were reduced in both patient groups (all p < 0.05), but were not different between the two groups (all p > 0.05). Radial and longitudinal PSSR were decreased in patients with DPN (p = 0.006 and 0.003, respectively) but preserved in those without DPN (all p > 0.05). Multivariable linear regression analyses adjusting for confounders demonstrated that DPN was independently associated with LV radial and longitudinal PS (ß = - 3.025 and 1.187, p = 0.014 and 0.003, respectively) and PDSR (ß = 0.283 and - 0.086, p = 0.016 and 0.001, respectively), as well as radial PSSR (ß = - 0.266, p = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: There was more severe subclinical LV dysfunction in T2DM patients complicated with DPN than those without DPN, suggesting further prospective study with more active intervention in this cohort of patients.

Impact of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus on Left Atrioventricular Coupling and Left Atrial Deformation in Patients with Essential Hypertension: An MRI Feature Tracking Study.

BACKGROUND: Hypertension (HTN) and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) are both associated with left ventricular (LV) and left atrial (LA) structural and functional abnormalities; however, the relationship between the left atrium and ventricle in this population is unclear. PURPOSE: To identify differences between hypertensive patients with and without T2DM as the basis for further investigation the atrioventricular coupling relationship. STUDY TYPE: Cross-sectional, retrospective study. POPULATION: 89 hypertensive patients without T2DM [HTN (T2DM-)] (age: 58.4 +/- 11.9 years, 48 male), 62 hypertensive patients with T2DM [HTN (T2DM+)] (age: 58.5 +/- 9.1 years, 32 male) and 70 matched controls (age: 55.0 +/- 9.6 years, 37 male). FIELD STRENGTH/SEQUENCE: 2D balanced steady-state free precession cine sequence at 3.0 T. ASSESSMENT: LA reservoir, conduit, and booster strain (εs, εe, and εa) and strain rate (SRs, SRe, and SRa), LV radial, circumferential and longitudinal peak strain (PS) and peak systolic strain rate and peak diastolic strain rate (PSSR and PDSR) were derived from LA and LV cine images and compared between groups. STATISTICAL TESTS: Chi-square or Fisher's exact test, one-way analysis of variance, analysis of covariance, Pearson's correlation, multivariable linear regression analysis, and intraclass correlation coefficient. A P value <0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: Compared with controls, εs, εe, SRe and PS-longitudinal, PDSR-radial, and PDSR-longitudinal were significantly lower in HTN (T2DM-) group, and they were even lower in HTN (T2DM+) group than in both controls and HTN (T2DM-) group. SRs, εa, SRa, as well as PS-radial, PS-circumferential, PSSR-radial, and PSSR-circumferential were significantly lower in HTN (T2DM+) compared with controls. Multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that: T2DM and PS-circumferential and PS-longitudinal (ß = -4.026, -0.486, and -0.670, respectively) were significantly associated with εs; T2DM and PDSR-radial and PDSR-circumferential were significantly associated with εe (ß = -3.406, -3.352, and -6.290, respectively); T2DM and PDSR-radial were significantly associated with SRe (ß = 0.371 and 0.270, respectively); T2DM and PDSR-longitudinal were significantly associated with εa (ß = -1.831 and 5.215, respectively); and PDSR-longitudinal was significantly associated with SRa (ß = 1.07). DATA CONCLUSION: In hypertensive patients, there was severer LA dysfunction in those with coexisting T2DM, which may be associated with more severe LV dysfunction and suggests adverse atrioventricular coupling. EVIDENCE LEVEL: 3. TECHNICAL EFFICACY: Stage 3.

A human serum albumin-binding-based fluorescent probe for monitoring hydrogen sulfide and bioimaging.

In this work, a fluorescent probe, TPABF-HS, was developed for detecting hydrogen sulfide (H2S) using a human serum albumin (HSA)-binding-based approach for amplifying the fluorescence signal and extending the linear correlation range. Compared to the most recent probes for H2S, the most interesting feature of the detection system developed herein was the especially wide linear range (0-1000 µM (0-100 eq.)), which covered the physiological and pathological levels of H2S. TPABF-HS could be used in applications high sensitivity and selectivity with an LOD value of 0.42 µM. Further, site-competition experiments and molecular docking simulation experiments indicated that signal amplification was realized by the binding of the TPABF fluorophore to the naproxen-binding site of HSA. Moreover, the extension of the measurement span could allow for applications in living cells and Caenorhabditis elegans for imaging both exogenous and endogenous H2S. This work brings new information to the strategy of signal processing by exploiting fluorescent probes.

Desloratadine ameliorates paclitaxel-induced peripheral neuropathy and hypersensitivity reactions in mice.

Paclitaxel (PTX) serves as a primary chemotherapy agent against diverse solid tumors including breast cancer, lung cancer, head and neck cancer and ovarian cancer, having severe adverse effects including PTX-induced peripheral neuropathy (PIPN) and hypersensitivity reactions (HSR). A recommended anti-allergic agent diphenhydramine (DIP) has been used to alleviate PTX-induced HSR. Desloratadine (DLT) is a third generation of histamine H1 receptor antagonist, but also acted as a selective antagonist of 5HTR2A. In this study we investigated whether DLT ameliorated PIPN-like symptoms in mice and the underlying mechanisms. PIPN was induced in male mice by injection of PTX (4 mg/kg, i.p.) every other day for 4 times. The mice exhibited 50% reduction in mechanical threshold, paw thermal response latency and paw cold response latency compared with control mice. PIPN mice were treated with DLT (10, 20 mg/kg, i.p.) 30 min before each PTX administration in the phase of establishing PIPN mice model and then administered daily for 4 weeks after the model was established. We showed that DLT administration dose-dependently elevated the mechanical, thermal and cold pain thresholds in PIPN mice, whereas administration of DIP (10 mg/kg, i.p.) had no ameliorative effects on PIPN-like symptoms. We found that the expression of 5HTR2A was selectively elevated in the activated spinal astrocytes of PIPN mice. Spinal cord-specific 5HTR2A knockdown by intrathecal injection of AAV9-5Htr2a-shRNA significantly alleviated the mechanical hyperalgesia, thermal and cold hypersensitivity in PIPN mice, while administration of DLT (20 mg/kg) did not further ameliorate PIPN-like symptoms. We demonstrated that DLT administration alleviated dorsal root ganglion neuronal damage and suppressed sciatic nerve destruction, spinal neuron apoptosis and neuroinflammation in the spinal cord of PIPN mice. Furthermore, we revealed that DLT administration suppressed astrocytic neuroinflammation via the 5HTR2A/c-Fos/NLRP3 pathway and blocked astrocyte-neuron crosstalk by targeting 5HTR2A. We conclude that spinal 5HTR2A inhibition holds promise as a therapeutic approach for PIPN and we emphasize the potential of DLT as a dual-functional agent in ameliorating PTX-induced both PIPN and HSR in chemotherapy. In summary, we determined that spinal 5HTR2A was selectively activated in PIPN mice and DLT could ameliorate the PTX-induced both PIPN- and HSR-like pathologies in mice. DLT alleviated the damages of DRG neurons and sciatic nerves, while restrained spinal neuronal apoptosis and CGRP release in PIPN mice. The underlying mechanisms were intensively investigated by assay against the PIPN mice with 5HTR2A-specific knockdown in the spinal cord by injection of adeno-associated virus 9 (AAV9)-5Htr2a-shRNA. DLT inhibited astrocytic NLRP3 inflammasome activation-mediated spinal neuronal damage through 5HTR2A/c-FOS pathway. Our findings have supported that spinal 5HTR2A inhibition shows promise as a therapeutic strategy for PIPN and highlighted the potential advantage of DLT as a dual-functional agent in preventing against PTX-induced both PIPN and HSR effects in anticancer chemotherapy.

Coupling of Photon Emitters in Monolayer WS2 with a Photonic Waveguide Based on Bound States in the Continuum.

On-chip light sources are an essential component of scalable photonic integrated circuits (PICs), and coupling between light sources and waveguides has attracted a great deal of attention. Photonic waveguides based on bound states in the continuum (BICs) allow optical confinement in a low-refractive-index waveguide on a high-refractive-index substrate and thus can be employed for constructing PICs. In this work, we experimentally demonstrated that the photoluminescence (PL) from a monolayer of tungsten sulfide (WS2) could be coupled into a BIC waveguide on a lithium-niobate-on-insulator (LNOI) substrate. Using finite-difference time-domain simulations, we numerically obtained a coupling efficiency of ∼2.3% for an in-plane-oriented dipole and a near-zero loss at a wavelength of 620 nm. By breaking through the limits of 2D-material integration with conventional photonic architectures, our work offers a new perspective for light-matter coupling in monolithic PICs.

Subclinical left ventricular deformation and microvascular dysfunction in T2DM patients with and without peripheral neuropathy: assessed by 3.0 T cardiac magnetic resonance imaging.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) has been shown to be independently associated with cardiovascular events and mortality. This study aimed to evaluate changes in left ventricular (LV) microvascular perfusion and myocardial deformation in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with and without DPN, as well as to investigate the association between myocardial perfusion and LV deformation. METHODS: Between October 2015 and July 2022, one hundred and twenty-three T2DM patients without DPN, fifty-four patients with DPN and sixty age­ and sex­matched controls who underwent cardiovascular magnetic resonance imaging were retrospectively analyzed. LV myocardial perfusion parameters at rest, including upslope, time to maximum signal intensity (TTM), max signal intensity (max SI), and myocardial strains, including global radial, circumferential and longitudinal strain (GRS, GCS and GLS, respectively), were calculated and compared among the groups with One­way analysis of variance. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were performed to explore the independent factors influencing LV myocardial perfusion indices and LV strains in diabetes. RESULTS: The LV GLS, upslope and max SI were significantly deteriorated from controls, through patients without DPN, to patients with DPN (all P < 0.001). Compared with controls, TTM was increased and LV GRS and GCS were decreased in both patient groups (all P < 0.05). Multivariable regression analyses considering covariates showed that DPN was independently associated with reduced upslope, max SI and LV GLS (ß = - 0.360, - 2.503 and 1.113, p = 0.021, 0.031 and 0.010, respectively). When the perfusion indices upslope and max SI were included in the multivariable analysis for LV deformation, DPN and upslope (ß = 1.057 and - 0.870, p = 0.020 and 0.018, respectively) were significantly associated with LV GLS. CONCLUSION: In patients with T2DM, there was more severe LV microvascular and myocardial dysfunction in patients with complicated DPN, and deteriorated subclinical LV systolic dysfunction was associated with impaired myocardial circulation.

Visualize the vibronic coupling in Auger final states in N2 molecule.

Vibronic coupling is a critical mechanism in chemical reactions. However, its quantitative evaluation is challenging due to mathematical complexity and programming difficulty, and its experimental proof is often elusive due to overlap among neighboring states. Here, after exciting a vibrational level (ν = 0, 1, 2) of the intermediate N 1s→πg* core-excited state in N2 molecules, we separate the resonant Auger decay channels that lead to the lowest dissociation limit in the two-dimensional energy correlation maps. From three kinetic energy release spectra of these channels at different vibrational quantum numbers, we give the first experimental proof of the vibronic coupling between two resonant Auger final states 12Πg and 22Πg.

Minocycline and Pyrrolidine Dithiocarbamate Attenuate Hypertension via Suppressing Activation of Microglia in the Hypothalamic Paraventricular Nucleus.

Proinflammatory cytokines, reactive oxygen species and imbalance of neurotransmitters are involved in the pathophysiology of angiotensin II-induced hypertension. The hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) plays a vital role in hypertension. Evidences show that microglia are activated and release proinflammatory cytokines in angiocardiopathy. We hypothesized that angiotensin II induces PVN microglial activation, and the activated PVN microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and cause oxidative stress through nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, which contributes to sympathetic overactivity and hypertension. Male Sprague-Dawley rats (weight 275-300 g) were infused with angiotensin II to induce hypertension. Then, rats were treated with bilateral PVN infusion of microglial activation inhibitor minocycline, NF-κB activation inhibitor pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate or vehicle for 4 weeks. When compared to control groups, angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats had higher mean arterial pressure, PVN proinflammatory cytokines, and imbalance of neurotransmitters, accompanied with PVN activated microglia. These rats also had more PVN gp91phox (source of reactive oxygen species production), and NF-κB p65. Bilateral PVN infusion of minocycline or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate partly or completely ameliorated these changes. This study indicates that angiotensin II-induced hypertensive rats have more activated microglia in PVN, and activated PVN microglia release proinflammatory cytokines and result in oxidative stress, which contributes to sympathoexcitation and hypertensive response. Suppression of activated PVN microglia by minocycline or pyrrolidine dithiocarbamate attenuates inflammation and oxidative stress, and improves angiotensin II-induced hypertension, which indicates that activated microglia promote hypertension through activated NF-κB. The findings may offer hypertension new strategies.

Near-Field Modulation of Differently Oriented Single Photon Emitters with A Plasmonic Probe.

Single photon emitters (SPEs) are critical components of photon-based quantum technology. Recently, the interaction between surface plasmons and emitters has attracted increasing attention because of its potential to improve the quality of single-photon sources through stronger light-matter interactions. In this work, we use a hybrid plasmonic probe composed of a fiber taper and silver nanowire to controllably modulate the radiation properties of SPEs with differently oriented polarization. For out-of-plane oriented SPEs such as single CdSe quantum dots, the radiation lifetime could be reduced by a factor as large as seven; for in-plane oriented SPEs such as hBN defect SPEs, the average modulation amplitude varied from 0.69 to 1.23, depending on the position of the probe. The experimental results were highly consistent with the simulations and theory. This work provides an efficient approach for optimizing the properties of SPEs for quantum photonic integration.

NOTCH2NLC Intermediate-Length Repeat Expansions Are Associated with Parkinson Disease.

NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansions were recently identified in neuronal intranuclear inclusion disease (NIID); however, it remains unclear whether they occur in other neurodegenerative disorders. This study aimed to investigate the role of intermediate-length NOTCH2NLC GGC repeat expansions in Parkinson disease (PD). We screened for GGC repeat expansions in a cohort of 1,011 PD patients and identified 11 patients with intermediate-length repeat expansions ranging from 41 to 52 repeats, with no repeat expansions in 1,134 controls. Skin biopsy revealed phospho-alpha-synuclein deposition, confirming the PD diagnosis in 2 patients harboring intermediate-length repeat expansions instead of NIID or essential tremor. Fibroblasts from PD patients harboring intermediate-length repeat expansions revealed NOTCH2NLC upregulation and autophagic dysfunction. Our results suggest that intermediate-length repeat expansions in NOTCH2NLC are potentially associated with PD. ANN NEUROL 2021;89:182-187.

Beneficial effects of metformin supplementation in hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus and arcuate nucleus of type 2 diabetic rats.

Background Oxidative stress and inflammation play important roles in the development of diabetes. Metformin (MET) is considered as the first-line therapy for patients with type 2 diabetes (T2D). Hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) and hypothalamic arcuate nucleus (ARC) are vital in obesity and diabetes. However, there have been few studies on the effects of MET on inflammatory reaction and oxidative stress in the PVN and ARC of T2D diabetic rats. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were fed with high-fat diet (HFD), and intraperitoneally injected with low-dose streptozotocin (STZ, 30 mg/kg) at 6th week to induce T2D diabetes. After injection of STZ, they were fed with HFD continually. Starting from the 8th week of HFD feeding, T2D rats received intragastrical administration of MET (150 mg/kg/day) in addition to the HFD for another 8 weeks. At the end of the 15th week, the rats were anaesthetized to record the sympathetic nerve activity and collect blood and tissue samples. Results In comparison with control rats, T2D diabetic rats had higher levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines (PICs) and excessive oxidative stress in the PVN and ARC, accompanied with more activated astrocytes. The renal sympathetic nerve activity (RSNA) and the plasma norepinephrine (NE) increased in T2D diabetic rats. The expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) increased and the expression of 67-kDa isoform of glutamate decarboxylase (GAD67) decreased in T2D diabetic rats. Supplementation of MET decreased blood glucose, suppressed RSNA, decreased PICs (TNF-α, IL-1ß and IL-6) in PVN and ARC, attenuated oxidative stress and activation of astrocytes in ARC and PVN of T2D diabetic rats, as well as restored the balance of neurotransmitter synthetase. The number of Fra-LI (chronic neuronal excitation marker) positive neurons in the ARC and PVN of T2D diabetic rats increased. Chronic supplementation of MET also decreased the number of Fra-LI positive neurons in the ARC and PVN of T2D diabetic rats. Conclusion These findings suggest that the PVN and ARC participate in the beneficial effects of MET in T2D diabetic rats, which is possibly mediated via down-regulating of inflammatory molecules, attenuating oxidative stress and restoring the balance of neurotransmitter synthetase by MET in the PVN and ARC.

A determining factor for insect feeding preference in the silkworm, Bombyx mori.

Feeding preference is critical for insect adaptation and survival. However, little is known regarding the determination of insect feeding preference, and the genetic basis is poorly understood. As a model lepidopteran insect with economic importance, the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, is a well-known monophagous insect that predominantly feeds on fresh mulberry leaves. This species-specific feeding preference provides an excellent model for investigation of host-plant selection of insects, although the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon remains unknown. Here, we describe the gene GR66, which encodes a putative bitter gustatory receptor (GR) that is responsible for the mulberry-specific feeding preference of B. mori. With the aid of a transposon-based, clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein-9 nuclease (Cas9) system, the GR66 locus was genetically mutated, and homozygous mutant silkworm strains with truncated gustatory receptor 66 (GR66) proteins were established. GR66 mutant larvae acquired new feeding activity, exhibiting the ability to feed on a number of plant species in addition to mulberry leaves, including fresh fruits and grain seeds that are not normally consumed by wild-type (WT) silkworms. Furthermore, a feeding choice assay revealed that the mutant larvae lost their specificity for mulberry. Overall, our findings provide the first genetic and phenotypic evidences that a single bitter GR is a major factor affecting the insect feeding preference.

TMT induces apoptosis and necroptosis in mouse kidneys through oxidative stress-induced activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Trimethyltin chloride (TMT) is an organotin heat stabilizer that is widely used in the production of plastics, and has strong toxicity. Here, the effect of trimethyltin chloride on mouse kidneys and its related mechanism were studied by taking TMT mouse with drinking water as a model. Histological examination and TUNEL results showed that the trimethyltin chloride group had typical apoptosis and necroptosis characteristics. Therefore, the level of oxidative stress was detected,and the expression of related genes was verified by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and Western blot methods. The results showed that oxidative stress was activated (MDA,SOD,CAT,T-AOC), released ROS, activated NF-κB pathway,activated inflammasome (NLRP3,Caspase-1,ASC), and inflammasome-secreted inflammatory factors (IL-1ß). The expression of apoptosis (BCL-2, BAX, Caspase-3, Caspase-9) and necroptosis (RIPK1, RIPK33, MLKL, Caspase-8) increased.In addition, HEK293T human embryonic kidney cells were treated with trimethyltin chloride, and the results were similar to the tissue. In conclusion, TMT can induce oxidative stress, activate NF-κB pathway, and induce apoptosis and necroptosis through inflammasomes.

Identification and Biological Activity of NFAT-133 Congeners from Streptomyces pactum.

The soil bacterium Streptomyces pactum ATCC 27456 produces a number of polyketide natural products. Among them is NFAT-133, an inhibitor of the nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT) that suppresses interleukin-2 (IL-2) expression and T cell proliferation. Biosynthetic gene inactivation in the ATCC 27456 strain revealed the ability of this strain to produce other polyketide compounds including analogues of NFAT-133. Consequently, seven new derivatives of NFAT-133, TM-129-TM-135, together with a known compound, panowamycin A, were isolated from the culture broth of S. pactum ATCC 27456 ΔptmTDQ. Their chemical structures were elucidated on the basis of their HRESIMS, 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopy, and ECD calculation and spectral data. NFAT-133, TM-132, TM-135, and panowamycin A showed no antibacterial activity or cytotoxicity, but weakly reduced the production of LPS-induced nitric oxide in RAW264.7 cells in a dose-dependent manner. A revised chemical structure of panowamycin A and proposed modes of formation of the new NFAT-133 analogues are also presented.

Phomaligols F-I, polyoxygenated cyclohexenone derivatives from marine-derived fungus Aspergillus flavus BB1.

By tracing the 13C NMR resonances for carbonyls and enols, four new oxidized phomaligol derivatives, phomaligols F-I (1-4), along with seven known compounds (5-11) were isolated from the culture of the fungus Aspergillus flavus BB1 isolated from the marine shellfish Meretrix meretrix collected on Hailing Island, Yangjiang, China. The chemical structures and the absolute configurations of the new compounds were elucidated by MS, NMR, ECD, optical rotation, and 13C NMR calculations. Compounds 1 and 2 represent the first examples of phomaligol derivatives that contain an unusual bicyclic skeleton. All isolated compounds were tested for their cytotoxic activity. Among them, sporogen-AO 1 (8) showed potent inhibitory activity against the cancer cell lines A549, H1299, SK-BR-3, and HCT116 with IC50 values of 0.13, 0.78, 1.19, and 1.32 µM, respectively. Phomaligol G (2) displayed cytotoxic activity against the A549 and H1299 cell lines with IC50 values of 46.86 and 51.87 µM respectively. Additionally, phomaligol H (3) demonstrated cytotoxic activity against the A549 cell line with an IC50 value of 65.53 µM. Mechanistic studies of compound 8 showed that it induced apoptosis of HCT116 cells in a dose-dependent manner.

Primary Reconstruction of Extensive Forehead Defects Using Supraorbital Artery Propeller Perforator Flap.

PURPOSE: Extensive resection of skin carcinomas in the periorbital and forehead regions often results in complicated defects involving the upper eyelid, superciliary arch, and nasal dorsum. The aim of this study is to report our experience with the use of supraorbital artery perforator propeller flaps for primary repair of complicated forehead defects. METHODS: A total of 6 patients underwent carcinoma resection with primary surgical reconstruction using supraorbital propeller flap at the Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from December 2015 to December 2018. We describe the technique and retrospectively review the outcomes. RESULTS: A single propeller flap was used in 5 patients and 2 propeller flaps (supraorbital and nasolabial artery propeller flaps) in 1 patient. Two patients developed venous congestion of the flap on the first postoperative day; however, in both cases it was relieved by multiple needle punctures. All flaps had survived well at 1-year follow-up. Five patients had a normal eyelid closure, but 1 patient presented with lagophthalmos, which required correction by secondary surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Propeller flap based on the supraorbital artery is a feasible option for primary reconstruction of supraorbital-forehead defect.

Differences in metabolic profiles between bicuspid and tricuspid aortic stenosis in the setting of transcatheter aortic valve replacement.

BACKGROUND: To explore why bicuspid aortic stenosis has certain clinical differences from the tricuspid morphology, we evaluated the metabolomics profile involved in bicuspid aortic valve (BAV) aortic stenosis prior to and after transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) in comparison with tricuspid aortic valve (TAV). METHODS: In this TAVR cohort with prospectively collected data, blood samples were obtained before TAVR valve deployment and at the 7th day after TAVR, which were then sent for liquid and gas chromatography-mass spectrometry detection. Besides comparisons between BAV and TAV, BAV patients were also divided in subgroups according to baseline hemodynamics (i.e. maximal transaortic velocity, Vmax) and post-procedural reverse left ventricular (LV) remodeling (i.e. the change in LV mass index from baseline, ∆LVMI) for further analysis. Metabolic differences between groups were identified by integrating univariate test, multivariate analysis and weighted correlation network analysis algorithm. RESULTS: A total of 57 patients were enrolled including 33 BAV patients. The BAV group showed lower arginine and proline metabolism both before and post TAVR than TAV represented by decreased expression of L-Glutamine. In BAV subgroup analysis, patients with baseline Vmax > 5 m/s (n = 11) or the 4th quartile of change in ∆LVMI at one-year follow-up (i.e. poorly-recovered LV, n = 8) showed elevated arachidonic acid metabolism compared with Vmax < 4.5 m/s (n = 12) or the 1st quartile of ∆LVMI (i.e. well-recovered LV, n = 8) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Difference in arginine and proline metabolism was identified between BAV and TAV in TAVR recipients. Elevated arachidonic acid metabolism may reflect more severe baseline hemodynamics and worse LV reserve remodeling after TAVR in BAV.