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In the neurogenic niches of the adult hippocampus, new functional neurons are continuously generated throughout life, and generation of these neurons has been implicated in learning and memory. Astrocytes, as components of the neurogenic niches, are critical in the regulation of adult hippocampal neurogenesis (AHN). However, little is known about how astrocytes receive and respond to extrinsic cues to regulate AHN. By using a transgenic strategy to conditionally delete astrocytic CRHM1 in mice and AAV (adeno-associated virus)–mediated overexpression of astrocytic CHRM1 specifically in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, we systematically investigated the role of astrocytic CHRM1 in the regulation of AHN and the underlying mechanisms using the combined approaches of immunohistochemistry, retrovirus labeling, electrophysiology, primary astrocyte cultures, immunoblotting, and behavioral assays. We report that genetic ablation of CHRM1 in astrocytes led to defects in neural stem cell survival, neuronal differentiation, and maturation and integration of newborn neurons in the dentate gyrus. Astrocytic CHRM1-mediated modulation of AHN was mediated by BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor) signaling. Furthermore, CHRM1 ablation in astrocytes impaired contextual fear memory. These impairments in both AHN and memory were rescued by overexpression of astrocytic CHRM1 in the dentate gyrus. Our findings reveal a critical role for astrocytes in mediating cholinergic regulation of AHN and memory through CHRM1. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: The objective of this study is to compare the epidemiologic, clinical, laboratory, and imaging features, and outcomes in patients with Cryptococcus gattii meningitis (CGM) and Cryptococcus neoformans meningitis (CNM). Methods: We performed a retrospective study of HIV‐negative patients with CGM and CNM (2015–2021) distinguished by metagenomic next‐generation sequencing in cerebrospinal fluid in South China. Results: A total of 81 patients (17 CGM, 64 CNM) were enrolled (72.8% male, median age 49 years, range 21–77 years), and CGM patients were younger (median, 43 vs 53 years, p =.005). Of 17 CGM, VGI and VGII accounted for 70.6% and 29.4%, respectively. CGM patients had less underlying diseases (7/17 [41.2%] vs 48/64 [75%], p =.018) and focal neurologic deficit (3/17 [17.6%] vs 35/64 [54.7%], p =.022), had higher intracranial pressure (15/17 [88.2%] vs 25/64 [39.1%], p =.002), more meningeal enhancement (14/17 [82.4%] vs 32/64 [50%], p =.034), less parenchymal involvement (median, 1 vs 3, p =.018), more lung cryptococcomas (6/12 [50%] vs 6/47 [12.8%], p =.014), faster CSF fungal clearance (p =.004), less complications (median, 1 vs 3, p <.001), and more favourable outcomes (16/17 [94.1%] vs 41/64 [64.1%], p =.035). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that species identification helps to guide therapy and predict outcomes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Cryptococcal meningoencephalitis (CM) is a severe infection of central nervous system with high mortality and morbidity. Infection-related inflammatory syndrome is a rare complication of CM. Herein, we report a case of CM complicated by infection-related inflammatory syndrome.Case Presentation: A 42-year-old man with chronic hepatitis B presented with a 3-day history of aphasia and left hemiparesis at an outside medical facility. The brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed symmetric and confluent hyperintense signal abnormalities mainly located in the basal ganglia, internal capsule, external capsule, periventricular, corona radiata, frontal and temporal lobes. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examinations revealed elevated leukocyte and protein. India ink staining was positive for Cryptococcus. CSF culture and metagenomic next-generation sequencing (mNGS) confirmed Cryptococcus neoformans. Initial response was observed with intravenous fluconazole (400 mg per day). However, 11 days later, he developed impaired consciousness and incontinence of urine and feces. A repeat brain MRI showed the lesions were progressive and enlarged. The patient was referred to our department at this point of time. Repeat CSF analysis (India ink staining, culture and mNGS) re-confirmed Cryptococcus. However, clinical worsening after initial improvement, laboratory examinations and brain MRI findings suggested a diagnosis of infection-related inflammatory syndrome. Therefore, a combination of corticosteroids and antifungal therapy was initiated. At follow-up, a complete neurological recovery without any relapse was documented. The repeat brain MRI showed complete resolution of the previous lesions.Conclusions: This case demonstrated that cryptococcal inflammatory syndromes must be suspected in cases of CM if an otherwise unexplained clinical deterioration is observed after initial recovery. The same can happen even before the primary infection is controlled. Thus, timely identification and prompt treatment is vital to reduce the mortality and disability of CM. The administration of corticosteroids in combination with antifungal therapy is an effective strategy in such cases. Clinical course and treatment process of the patient. Hemiparalysis and aphasia improved after the initiation of antifungal treatment. However, the patient developed impaired consciousness companied by deterioration of brain MRI findings. He was treated with adjunctive glucocorticoid taper therapy consisting of dexamethasone (20 mg/day, intravenously) for 1 week followed by oral prednisone 1 mg/kg/day, tapered based on clinical and radiological response, along with amphotericin B (0.6 mg/kg/day, intravenously), voriconazole (400 mg/day in 2 divided doses, intravenously), and 5-flucytosine (100 mg/kg/day in 4 divided doses, orally). Two weeks later, his symptoms improved significantly. After discharge, he began oral voriconazole for consolidation and maintenance therapy for 8 weeks and 9 months respectively. He recovered without any neurological sequelae at 6-month follow-up. Note: MRI = magnetic resonance imaging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• Two novel Zn-based coordination polymers exhibited a 1D chain structures. • Two novel coordination polymers showed excellent fluorescence performances. • 1 presents selectively response to Ni2+, Cr 2 O 7 2–, nitrobenzene and nitromethane. • 2 presents selectively response to Ni2+, MnO 4 −, nitrobenzene and nitromethane. Herein, two novel Zn-based coordination polymers [Zn(HL)(1,10-phen)(H 2 O)] n (1) and [Zn 2 (HL) 2 (2,2′-bipy) 2 ] n (2) have been successfully synthesized via solvothermal method by using the semi-rigid tricarboxylic acid ligand (H 3 L:3-[(1-carboxynaphthalen-2-yl)oxy] phthalic acid) and two different nitrogen-containing heterocyclic ligands (1,10-phenanthroline, 2,2′-bipyridine). A single-crystal X-ray analysis reveals that these two novel Zn-based coordination polymers 1 and 2 exhibit a one dimensional (1D) chain structures. Moreover, two novel Zn-based coordination polymers 1 and 2 exihit excellent fluorescence performances, and selectively recognition response to Ni2+, MnO 4 −, Cr 2 O 7 2−, nitrobenzene and nitromethane through the luminescence quenching effects in aqueous solutions. The possible fluorescence recognition mechanism of 1 and 2 toward Ni2+, MnO 4 −, Cr 2 O 7 2- are investigated, which may be attribute to the synergistic effects of energy competitive absorption and weak interaction. Whereas the fluorescence quenching behaviors of 1 and 2 toward nitrobenzene and nitromethane, owing to the existence of a strong electron-withdrawing group which can obtain excited-state electrons, and leading to the occurence of electrons transfer. These results indicating that Zn-based coordination polymers have potential application values in fluorescent recognition. Two novel Zn-based coordination polymers exihit excellent fluorescence performances, and selectively recognition response to Ni2+, MnO 4 −, Cr 2 O 7 2−, nitrobenzene and nitromethane through the luminescence quenching effects inaqueous solutions. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The separation of reproductive and non-reproductive roles based on caste differentiation is the most prominent characteristic of termites. However, little is known about the mechanism of male reproductive division that underlies caste differentiation. In the present study, testicular development and stage-specific apoptotic patterns were investigated and compared during spermatogenesis in reproductives, workers and soldiers of the termite Reticulitermes labralis . The results showed that male workers were divided into two types, the workers with spermatozoa (W S ) and the workers without spermatozoa (W N ). Spermatogenesis in W N and soldiers arrested at the spermatocyte stage. Moreover, there were significant differences in testicular size and spermatogenesis among the various castes. The mode of apoptosis in late instar W S was similar to the reproductives, as demonstrated by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labelling (TUNEL) analysis. First, the majority of apoptotic cells were spermatogonia, and the spermatogonia of both late instar W S and reproductives exhibited lower apoptotic rates compared with late instar W N and soldiers. Second, the spermatocytes and spermatids showed very little apoptosis in the late instar W S and reproductives, and no TUNEL signal was detected in any of the examined spermatozoa. Our findings suggest that the male workers undergo a basal developmental schema comprising two undifferentiated larval instars, followed by a bifurcated development into either (i) the sexual lineage, in which the workers are able to provide normal spermatozoa to queens, or (ii) the neuter lineage, in which the male workers lose reproductive options. The level of testicular development may explain the significant discrepancies in reproductive capacity among the reproductives, workers and soldiers and reveal the reproductive division in male workers. These differences are controlled by apoptosis during early spermatogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reproductive division in termites is the most significant biological process that leads to the formation of caste-specific differences in tasks and status. However, little is known about the mechanism of reproductive division that underlies caste differentiation. In the present study, ovarian development and stage-specific apoptotic patterns are investigated during oogenesis in reproductive, worker and soldier termites Reticulitermes aculabialis Tsai & Hwang. The results show that the mean lengths of the ovaries of reproductives are two-fold longer compared with those of workers and six-fold longer compared with soldiers. By contrast to the reproductives, the process of oogenesis in the workers includes only the oogonium differentiation stage (stage I) and oocyte growth stage (stage II), and oogenesis in the soldiers stops at stage I. Vitelogenic oocytes (stage III) are absent from workers and soldiers. During stage II in the reproductives and workers, the layer of follicle cells has a thickness of 7.56 ± 0.52 and 2.81 ± 0.34 µm, respectively. In addition, there are significant differences in the number and size of the germ cells at the same stage in the various castes. The existence of two apoptotic patterns during oogenesis is demonstrated by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labelling ( TUNEL) assay. First, the majority of the cells showing apoptosis occur at stage I of oogenesis in reproductives, workers and soldiers. Second, DNA fragmentation is demonstrated by TUNEL staining of the follicle cell layers and oocytes at stage II in reproductives. Finally, the proliferation activity of follicle cells in the reproductives is observed by 5-bromo-2′-deoxy-uridine labelling. The level of oogenesis may explain the significant discrepancies in the reproductive capacity among the reproductives, soldiers and workers. These large discrepancies are controlled by apoptosis during early oogenesis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An unsteady magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) boundary layer flow over a shrinking permeable sheet embedded in a moving viscous electrically conducting fluid is investigated both analytically and numerically. The velocity slip at the solid surface is taken into account in the boundary conditions. A novel analytical method named DTMBF is proposed and used to get the approximate analytical solutions to the nonlinear governing equation along with the boundary conditions at infinity. All analytical results are compared with those obtained by a numerical method. The comparison shows good agreement, which validates the accuracy of the DTM-BF method. Moreover, the existence ranges of the dual solutions and the unique solution for various parameters are obtained. The effects of the velocity slip parameter, the unsteadiness parameter, the magnetic parameter, the suction/injection parameter, and the velocity ratio parameter on the skin friction, the unique velocity, and the dual velocity profiles are explored, respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The magnetohydrodynamic (MHD) Falkner-Skan boundary layer flow over a permeable wall in the presence of a transverse magnetic field is examined. The approximate solutions and skin friction coefficients of the MHD boundary layer flow are obtained by using a method that couples the differential transform method (DTM) with the Padé approximation called DTM-Padé. The approximate solutions are expressed in the form of a power series that can be easily computed with an iterative procedure. The approximate solutions are tabulated, plotted for the values of different parameters and compared with the numerical ones obtained by employing the shooting technique. It is found that the approximate solution agrees very well with the numerical solution, showing the reliability and validity of the present work. Moreover, the effects of various physical parameters on the boundary layer flow are presented graphically and discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-small-cell lung carcinoma (NSCLC) accounts for approximately 80% of lung cancers with a high metastatic potential. Elucidating the mechanism of NSCLC metastasis will provide new promising targets for NSCLC therapy and benefit its prognosis. Plasmacytoma variant translocation 1 (PVT1) has been proven to be overexpressed in NSCLC. Although the oncogenic role of PVT1 in NSCLC has been reported, its mechanism remains unclear. Here, we verified that the knockdown of PVT1 inhibited NSCLC cell migration and invasion, and that its inhibitory role on A549 cells and H1299 cells was antagonized by interleukin-6 (IL-6) treatment. The results revealed that PVT1 regulates IL-6 by sponging miR-760 and identified the binding site of miR-760 in the 3′-UTR of IL-6. In conclusion, a new mechanism was revealed, wherein PVT1 regulates NSCLC cell migration and invasion via miR-760/IL-6, suggesting PVT1/miR-760/IL-6 as promising prognostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets for NSCLC metastasis. • Knockdown of PVT1 inhibited NSCLC cell migration and invasion. • PVT1 regulated A549 cell migration and invasion through IL-6. • PVT1 regulated IL-6 through sponging miR-760. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The complete mitochondrial genome ofReticulitermes labralis(Isoptera: Rhinotermitidae) was determined for its nucleotide sequence of 16 113 bp. Its gene content and organization were identical with otherReticulitermesspecies. The 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs) have typical ATN initiation codon. But, the stop codons were TAA, TAG and an incomplete termination codon (T) abutting an adjacent tRNA gene. Twenty-two tRNA genes, in addition to tRNASer(AGN) replaced lacking of the DHU stem with a simple loop, showed the typical clover-leaf secondary structure. The A + T-rich region was 1311 bp in length with 65.98% A + T content. In addition to the A + T-rich region, non-coding sequences of the mtDNA genome harbored 17 intergenic spacers. There were three complete repeats of repeat A in CR, which were not discovered in other termite species. Phylogenetic tree based on the 11 complete mitochondrial genome sequences of closely related termite species accords well with morphological phylogenetic analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: It is important to compare the developmental stages of lower termites and recognize the differences between parthenogenetic and sexual eggs in order to describe their embryonic development concisely. In contrast with sexual eggs, parthenogenetic eggs have a lower rate of development and hatching success. Moreover, several genes differentially expressed between the two types of embryos have been identified. By addressing such a problem in the current research, the lack of understanding in the differences and the developmental processes between the two categories of eggs can be resolved. The aim of the study was to evaluate the development, discover the differences, and determine the gene expression patterns related to the variances between the two types of eggs. The authors discovered a number of genes with differential expression between the two categories of embryos, which explain these differences. These results present important insights into the reproductive processes of termites and highlight the need to contribute further research in this area to achieve a better understanding of termite biology. Worldwide, termites are one of few social insects. In this research, the stages of embryonic development in the parthenogenetic and sexual eggs of Reticulitermes aculabialis and R. flaviceps were observed and described. In R. flaviceps, the egg development of the FF and FM groups happened during the early phases of development, whereas in R. aculabialis, this appeared mainly during the late phase of development. The variance in the number of micropyles between the R. flaviceps FF colony type and the R. aculabialis FF colony type was statistically significant. Five stages of egg development were found in both types of R. aculabialis but only the sexual eggs of R. flaviceps. In R. flaviceps, 86% of the parthenogenetic eggs stopped growing during the blastoderm development, with the yolk cell assembling frequently in the center of the egg. According to the results of the single-cell transcriptome sequencing, we investigated the egg-to-larval expression level of genes (pka, map2k1, mapk1/3, hgk, mkp, and pax6) and indicated that the levels of essential gene expression in RaFF were considerably higher than in RfFF (p < 0.05). We also discovered that the oocyte cleavage rate in the FF colony type was considerably lower in R. flaviceps compared to R. aculabialis, which gave rise to a smaller number of mature oocytes in R. flaviceps. During ovulation in both species, oocytes underwent activation and one or two cleavage events, but the development of unfertilized eggs ceased in R. flaviceps. It was shown that termite oocyte and embryonic development were heavily influenced by genes with significant expressions. Results from the databases KEGG, COG, and GO unigenes revealed the control of numerous biological processes. This study is the first to complete a database of parthenogenetic and sexual eggs of R. flaviceps and R. aculabialis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

As spectra-based fault localization techniques report suspicious statements by analyzing the coverage of test cases, the effectiveness of the results is highly dependent on the composition of test suites. This paper proposes an approach for selecting a subset of the passed test suite when a failure revealed by a failed test case. The goal is to obtain a more effective fault localization using a minimal number of test cases than using the originally given large number of test cases. A novelty is that a prioritization criterion and a selection criterion are defined. Different from previous studies, the failed trace is fully considered. The prioritization criterion partitions statements in the failed trace into more suspicious and less suspicious, and then ranks passed test cases by their ability in distinguishing the more suspicious statements from the less suspicious ones. The selection criterion selects the minimal passed test suite which can maximize the number of coverage equivalent classes in the failed trace, so as to distinguish the suspicious statements and meanwhile reduce the size of the test suite. Another novelty is that our approach turns the test case selection into a multi-criteria optimization to make the prioritization and the selection criteria complement each other. This approach was evaluated with 5 fault localization techniques, 8 subject programs and 35,392 test cases. The results show that the fault localization effectiveness can be significantly improved with less than 5% passed test cases. Our approach has advantages over the statement- based and vector-based test suite reduction approaches in both fault localization effectiveness and test suite reduction rate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The longevity phenomenon is entirely controlled by the insulin signaling pathway (IIS-pathway). Both vertebrates and invertebrates have IIS-pathways that are comparable to one another, though no one has previously described de novo transcriptome assembly of IIS-pathway-associated genes in termites. In this research, we analyzed the transcriptomes of both reproductive (primary kings "PK" and queens "PQ", secondary worker reproductive kings "SWRK" and queens "SWRQ") and non-reproductive (male "WM" and female "WF" workers) castes of the subterranean termite Reticulitermes chinensis. The goal was to identify the genes responsible for longevity in the reproductive and non-reproductive castes. Through transcriptome analysis, we annotated 103,589,264 sequence reads and 184,436 (7G) unigenes were assembled, GC performance was measured at 43.02%, and 64,046 sequences were reported as CDs sequences. Of which 35 IIS-pathway-associated genes were identified, among 35 genes, we focused on the phosphoinositide-dependent kinase-1 (Pdk1), protein kinase B2 (akt2-a), tuberous sclerosis-2 (Tsc2), mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4E (EIF4E) and ribosomal protein S6 (RPS6) genes. Previously these genes (Pdk1, akt2-a, mTOR, EIF4E, and RPS6) were investigated in various organisms, that regulate physiological effects, growth factors, protein translation, cell survival, proliferation, protein synthesis, cell metabolism and survival, autophagy, fecundity rate, egg size, and follicle number, although the critical reason for longevity is still unclear in the termite castes. However, based on transcriptome profiling, the IIS-pathway-associated genes could prolong the reproductive caste lifespan and health span. Therefore, the transcriptomic shreds of evidence related to IIS-pathway genes provide new insights into the maintenance and relationships between biomolecular homeostasis and remarkable longevity. Finally, we propose a strategy for future research to decrypt the hidden costs associated with termite aging in reproductive and non-reproductive castes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It would not surprise that two related termite species are similar in many traits, especially those related to reproduction such as similarity in sexual organs, spermathecae, gametes, glands in genital organs and micropyles of eggs. Because similarities of them are thought to be directly linked to increase their reproductive fitness. Moreover, the key data showing successful hybridization between the two termite species under laboratory conditions and in the field. The present study was conducted on the base of morphometric analyses and histological examinations of the sperm, testes, vas deferens, accessory glands, ejaculatory duct and spermathecae of Reticulitermes flaviceps and R. chinensis. The accessory glands of male alates were found without spermatozoa in both termites. The patterns of spermatogenesis in the alate testes of both species were quite similar and the gametes (spermatogonia, spermatocytes, spermatids, and sperm) produced in a sequence of essential developmental processes. The aflagellated sperm were transferred by male numerous times in a day after few copulations. They were stored alive in spermatheca by female and used for fertilization of oocytes. The nutrition was obtained by the sperm from the secretory cells, for a living and being functional during storage in the spermathecae. The spermathecae have finger shape and their thick walls divided into 4 type cells. Anatomically spermathecae of the two termite species consisted of lumens, ductules, and few glands, in thick wall structures. While the entire examinations revealed no more differences in the sexual organs of the two different species since R. flaviceps and R. chinensis can hybridize under experimental conditions as well as in wild to produce offspring. The similarity in the structure of sexual organs of both heterospecies provides possible evidence for the successful hybridization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Herein, a novel Cd-based coordination polymer [Cd(HL)(4,4′-bipy)(H 2 O)] n (1) and a metal-organic framework {[Cd 3 (L) 2 (bip) 2 (H 2 O) 3 ]·5H 2 O} n (2) have been synthesized by employing semi-rigid tricarboxylic acid ligands (H 3 L) and different N -containing ligands under hydrothermal conditions. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 presents a 4-connected 2D network structure with a Schläfli symbol of (44·62), 2 possesses a (3,4,4)-connected 3D framework with a Schläfli symbol of (4.82) 2 (42.82.102)(8.104.12). A series of fluorescence detection studies confirm that 1 present a highly and drastically selective response towards Co2+, Cr 2 O 7 2–, nitrobenzene and nitromethane, while 2 for Ag+, CrO 4 2– and nitrobenzene. The possible fluorescence quenching mechanisms are studied in detail, revealing that fluorescence quenching is related to weak interaction, competitive energy absorption and electron transfer. [Display omitted] Highly effective recognition and detection of metal ions, anions and organic small molecules from water have attracted remarkable attention for environmental safety. Herein, a novel Cd-based coordination polymer [Cd(HL)(4,4′-bipy)(H 2 O)] n (1) and a metal–organic framework {[Cd 3 (L) 2 (bip) 2 (H 2 O) 3 ]·5H 2 O} n (2) have been synthesized by employing a semi-rigid tricarboxylic acid ligand (H 3 L) and different N -containing ligands under hydrothermal conditions, where H 3 L = 3-[(1-carboxynaphthalen-2-yl)oxy] phthalic acid, 4,4′-bipy = 4,4′-bipyridine, bip = 1,4-di(pyridine-4-yl) benzene. Single crystal X-ray analysis reveals that 1 presents a 4-connected 2D network structure with a Schläfli symbol of (44·62),whilst 2 possesses a (3,4,4)-connected 3D framework with a Schläfli symbol of (4.82) 2 (42.82.102)(8.104.12). Furthermore, 1 and 2 have been characterized by elemental analyses, FT-IR, powder X-ray diffraction, thermogravimetric analyses, fluorescence and UV spectra, exhibiting good stability and excellent photoluminescence properties. 1 and 2 have been chosen as fluorescent probes to sense different target analytes, showing an obvious selective recognition response to Co2+, Ag+, Cr 2 O 7 2-, CrO 4 2-, nitrobenzene and nitromethane through luminescence quenching effects in aqueous solutions. The possible fluorescence quenching mechanisms are studied in detail, revealing that fluorescence quenching is mainly related to weak interactions, competitive energy absorption and electron transfer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The subterranean termite Reticulitermes aculabialis was firstly described from the soldier caste in 1977 and diagnose from the imago has been difficult due to the lack of description of alate. In this paper, a detailed description of alate for R. aculabialis is presented, including additional data to soldiers. The data are chiefly based on the external morphology of R. aculabialis imago, which has never been described before. All the samples of alates and soldiers were collected in Xi'an, Shaanxi province, China. All of the essential specific characteristics are illustrated for identification purposes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aging and longevity is a dynamic, chronological process assumed to originate from several hallmarks causing archetypal and beguiling cycles with incredible natural diversity. This phenomenon is widely observed in different animals, and the estimated age of Drosophila melanogaster, Caenorhabditis elegans,Daphnia longispina are a few days to weeks. Reproductive termites live for 30 years, although the root cause of longevity in termite castes is still debated for molecular and cellular changes. Insulin and insulin signaling pathway‐related (IIS) genes are important metabolic factors (glucose) highly conserved in lower to higher organisms. Therefore, in this study, we pooled Reticulitermes chinensis castes as primary king (PK), primary queen (PQ), ergatoid king "SWRK" and queen "SWRQ", male (WM), and female (WF) workers. We determined transcriptome sequencing of R. chinensis castes as a model organism for longevity to investigate the insulin signaling pathway and longevity genes. Through RNA‐sequencing, we identified 35 IIS‐pathway‐related genes out of 343 to the KEGG pathway in ergatoid king and queen, PK, PQ, WM, and WF. Among these genes, Tsc2, akt2‐a, mTOR, EIF4E, Pdk1, and RPS expressed highly in ergatoid king and queen, PK, and PQ. However, a significant cornerstone tradeoff between reproductive and non‐reproductive efforts for early life is essential for evolutionary longevity. The present study concludes that a highly conserved IIS‐pathway is evidence for the prolonged termite reproductive life span. We recommended devoting insulin signaling pathway genes to their biological function for termite survival and new insights into the maintenance and relationships between biomolecular homeostasis and remarkable longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Yang and Ciou recently proposed a two-in-one image secret sharing scheme (TiOISSS), which can easily preview a vague image by human eyes, but also provide a perfect reconstruction of the original image by computation. However, their scheme cannot recover the lossless image by computation as they claimed. In this paper, we resolve the problem of lossless reconstruction. In addition, we improve the visual quality of the previewed image. Also, we introduce a new definition of contrast to evaluate the visual quality of the previewed image. Compared with Yang and Ciou’s TiOISSS, our scheme can gain the lossless secret image and meantime enhance the contrast of previewed image. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Insulin is a protein hormone that controls the metabolism of sugar, fat and protein via signal transduction in cells, influencing growth and developmental processes such as reproduction and ageing. From nematodes to fruit flies, rodents and other animals, glucose signalling mechanisms are highly conserved. Reproductive termites (queens and kings) exhibit an extraordinarily long lifespan relative to non-reproductive individuals such as workers, despite being generated from the same genome, thus providing a unique model for the investigation of longevity. The key reason for this molecular mechanism, however, remains unclear. To clarify the molecular mechanism underlying this phenomenon, we sequenced the transcriptomes of the primary kings (PKs), primary queens (PQs), male (WMs) and female (WFs) workers of the lower subterranean termite Reticulitermes chinensis. We performed RNA sequencing and identified 33 insulin signalling pathway-related genes in R. chinensis. RT-qPCR analyses revealed that EIF4E and RPS6 genes were highly expressed in WMs and WFs workers, while mTOR expression was lower in PKs and PQs than in WMs and WFs. PQs and PKs exhibited lower expression of akt2-a than female workers. As the highly conserved insulin signalling pathway can significantly prolong the healthspan and lifespan, so we infer that the insulin signalling pathway regulates ageing in the subterranean termite R. chinensis. Further studies are recommended to reveal the biological function of insulin signalling pathway-related genes in the survival of termites to provide new insights into biomolecular homeostasis maintenance and its relationship to remarkable longevity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and genetic determinants of resistance of N. gonorrhoeae isolates from Hefei, China, were characterized adding a breadth of information to the molecular epidemiology of gonococcal resistance in China.Methods: 126 N. gonorrhoeae isolates from a hospital clinic in Hefei, were collected between January, 2014, and November, 2015. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of N. gonorrhoeae isolates for seven antimicrobials were determined by the agar dilution method. Isolates were tested for mutations in penA and mtrR genes and 23S rRNA, and also genotyped using N. gonorrhoeae multi-antigen sequence typing (NG-MAST).Results: All N. gonorrhoeae isolates were resistant to ciprofloxacin; 81.7% (103/126) to tetracycline and 73.8% (93/126) to penicillin. 39.7% (50/126) of isolates were penicillinase producing N. gonorrhoeae (PPNG), 31.7% (40/126) were tetracycline resistant N. gonorrhoeae (TRNG) and 28.6% (36/126) were resistant to azithromycin. While not fully resistant to extended spectrum cephalosporins (ESCs), a total of 14 isolates (11.1%) displayed decreased susceptibility to ceftriaxone (MIC ≥ 0.125 mg/L, n = 10), cefixime (MIC ≥ 0. 25 mg/L, n = 1) or to both ESCs (n = 3). penA mosaic alleles XXXV were found in all isolates that harbored decreased susceptibility to cefixime, except for one. Four mutations were found in mtrR genes and mutations A2143G and C2599T were identified in 23S rRNA. No isolates were resistant to spectinomycin. Gonococcal isolates were distributed into diverse NG-MAST sequence types (STs); 86 separate STs were identified.Conclusions: N. gonorrhoeae isolates from Hefei during 2014-2015, displayed high levels of resistance to antimicrobials that had been recommended previously for treatment of gonorrhea, e.g., penicillin, tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. The prevalence of resistance to azithromycin was also high (28.6%). No isolates were found to be fully resistant to spectinomycin, ceftriaxone or cefixime; however, 11.1% isolates, overall, had decreased susceptibility to ESCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Twoseries of eight polycarboxylate lanthanide coordination complexes,namely, [Ln(cpia)(H2O)2]·4H2O {Ln = Ce (1), Nd (2), and Sm (3)} and [Ln(cpia)(H2O)n]2·2H2O {Ln = Eu (4), Gd (5), Tb (6), Er (7),and Lu (8), n= 5 in 4–7; n= 4 in 8} {H3cpia = N-[4-(carboxymethoxy)phenyl]iminodiaceticacid}, have been synthesized by self-assembly and characterized byIR, thermogravimetric analysis, and X-ray crystallography. Complexes 1–3are isomorphic featuring two-dimensionaldouble layer structures, while the isomorphic complexes 4–8exhibit [2 + 2] rectangle metallomacrocyclestructures. Further, photoluminescence (PL) spectra of complexes 2, 4, and 6show the strong characteristicluminescence of Eu(III), Tb(III), and Nd(III) ions, respectively,suggesting that cpia3–is able to efficiently sensitizethe luminescence of lanthanide ions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Furfural from lignocellulosic hydrolysates is the prevalent inhibitor to microorganisms during cellulosic ethanol production, but the molecular mechanisms of tolerance to this inhibitor in Zymomonas mobilis are still unclear. In this study, genome-wide transcriptional responses to furfural were investigated in Z. mobilis using microarray analysis. We found that 433 genes were differentially expressed in response to furfural. Furfural up- or down-regulated genes related to cell wall/membrane biogenesis, metabolism, and transcription. However, furfural has a subtle negative effect on Entner-Doudoroff pathway mRNAs. Our results revealed that furfural had effects on multiple aspects of cellular metabolism at the transcriptional level and that membrane might play important roles in response to furfural. This research has provided insights into the molecular response to furfural in Z. mobilis, and it will be helpful to construct more furfural-resistant strains for cellulosic ethanol production. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

An amendment to this paper has been published and can be accessed via a link at the top of the paper. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]