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Abstract The contradiction between high piezoelectricity and uniquely poor temperature stability generated by polymorphic phase boundary is a huge obstacle to high-performance (K, Na)NbO3 -based ceramics entering the application market as Pb-based substitutes. We possess the phase boundary by mimicking Pb(Zr, Ti)O3’s morphotropic phase boundary structure via the synergistic optimization of diffusion phase boundary and crystal orientation in 0.94(Na0.56K0.44)NbO3−0.03Bi0.5Na0.5ZrO3−0.03(Bi0.5K0.5)HfO3 textured ceramics. As a result, a prominent comprehensive performance is obtained, including giant d 33 of 550 ± 30 pC/N and ultrahigh temperature stability (d 33 change rate less than 1.2% within 25-150 °C), representing a significant breakthrough in lead-free piezoceramics, even surpassing the Pb-based piezoelectric ceramics. Within the same temperature range, the d 33 change rate of the commercial Pb(Zr, Ti)O3−5 ceramics is only about 10%, and more importantly, its d 33 (~ 350 pC/N) is much lower than that of the (K, Na)NbO3-based ceramics in this work. This study demonstrates a strategy for constructing the phase boundary with MPB feature, settling the problem of temperature instability in (K, Na)NbO3-based ceramics.

Abstract Background Platycodon grandiflorum (P. grandiflorum) is a commonly used medicinal plant in China. Transcriptome sequencing studies of different tissues of P. grandiflorum have been widely conducted. However, studies on transcriptome sequencing and expression patterns of key genes in the saponin synthesis pathway of Tongcheng P. grandiflorum, a high-quality medicinal resource of different years, are relatively limited. Results This study involved transcriptome sequencing and bioinformatics analysis of the roots from annual, biennial, and triennial P. grandiflorum in the Tongcheng area. After data filtering and assembly, we obtained 111.44 Gb of clean base data, including 742,880616 clean reads. We identified 5,156 differential expression unigenes between at least two sample groups, with differences noted among annual, biennial, and triennial P. grandiflorum plants. GO enrichment analysis annotated 3509, 1819, and 1393 DEGs in comparison TC1vsTC2, TC1vsTC3, and TC2vsTC3, respectively. Furthermore, KEGG enrichment analysis identified 16 genes encoding key enzymes in the terpene skeleton biosynthesis, sesquiterpene and triterpene biosynthesis pathways, including SE, AACT, FPPS, DXR, HMGR, HMGS, and DXS. The results of qRT-PCR experiments showed that most of the genes were most highly expressed in annual P. grandiflorum. Conclusions The present study provided transcriptomic data from the roots of Tongcheng P. grandiflorum of different years, which provides critical bioinformatics data on the growth and development of P. grandiflorum, laying a foundation for further research on saponins and identifying key enzymes involved in this process across different growth stages.

Abstract Protein methylation is a functionally important post-translational modification that occurs on diverse amino acid residues. The current proteomics approaches are inefficient to discover the methylation on residues other than Arg and Lys, which hinders the deep understanding of the functional role of rare protein methylation. Herein, we present a methyl-specific metabolic labeling approach for global methylome mapping, which enable the acquisition of methylome dataset covering diverse methylation types. Interestingly, of the identified methylation events, His methylation is found to be preferably occurred in C3H1 zinc fingers (ZFs). These His methylation events are determined to be Nπ specific and catalyzed by CARNMT1. The His methylation is found to stabilize the structure of ZFs. U2AF1 is used as a proof-of-concept to highlight the functional importance of His methylation in ZFs in RNA binding and RNA metabolism. The results of this study enable novel understanding of how protein methylation regulates cellular processes.

Introduction This study examined the prevalence of tobacco exposure and drinking and ascertained the relationships between tobacco exposure, alcohol drinking, concurrent smoking and drinking, and hypertension in rural southwestern China. Methods Data were collected from a cross-sectional health interview and examination survey, which included 7572 adults aged ≥35 years, in rural China. Participant demographic characteristics, smoking habits, exposure to secondhand smoke (SHS), and alcohol drinking habits were obtained using a standard questionnaire. Blood pressure (BP), height, weight, and waist circumference were measured for each participant. Results The overall prevalence of smoking, SHS exposure, drinking, concurrent smoking and drinking, concurrent exposure to SHS and drinking, and hypertension was 37.7%, 27.4%, 16.2%, 12.6%, 1.6%, and 41.3%, respectively. Males had a significantly higher prevalence of smoking (74.1% vs 2.2%, p

ObjectiveTo understand the prevalence and influencing factors of nicotine dependence among rural elderly of Han, Dai, Hani, and Bai ethnicity in Yunnan province, to provide a reference for developing strategies to alleviate nicotine dependence symptoms in the population. MethodsA face-to-face survey was conducted among 5 800 residents aged ≥ 60 years recruited by multistage stratified random sampling from the above four ethnic groups in rural areas of Yunnan province from July 2021 to May 2022. The Fagerström Test of Nicotine Dependence (FTND), the Social Support Rating Scale (SSRS) developed by Chinese scholars, and a self-developed questionnaire were used in the study. A composite socioeconomic status (SES) score was constructed using principal component analysis, and the factors influencing nicotine dependence among these ethnic groups were analyzed using structural equation modeling (SEM). ResultsOf the 5 642 participants finally included in the analysis, 935 (16.57%) were classified as having nicotine dependence, and the prevalence of nicotine dependence among participants from Han, Dai, Hani, and Bai ethnic groups was 17.34%, 11.64%, 16.41%, and 20.87%, respectively, with a significant difference in prevalence among ethnic groups (χ2 = 44.410, P < 0.001). The results of the SEM analysis indicated that gender, ethnicity, SES, and smoking cessation attempt had both direct and indirect effects on nicotine dependence, with overall standardized path coefficients of – 0.33, – 0.03, 0.08, and – 0.06, respectively. Gender had an indirect effect through number of cigarettes smoked per day, while ethnicity and attempt to quit smoking influenced nicotine dependence indirectly through social support, and SES had indirect effects through both social support and number of cigarettes smoked per day, with standardized path coefficients of – 0.07, – 0.01, – 0.01, and 0.03, respectively. Social support and number of cigarettes smoked per day had direct effects on nicotine dependence, with standardized path coefficients of – 0.06 and 0.18, respectively. ConclusionThere are significant ethnic differences in nicotine dependence among rural elderly in Yunnan province, especially among males, those with a higher number of cigarettes smoked per day, at a higher SES, having a lower score of social support, those who have not tried to quit smoking, and the Bai minority group, highlighting the need for targeted prevention and control measures.

Achieving high surface quality is vital for improving the reflectivity of aluminum alloy optical components. However, aluminum alloy materials often have large-sized grain structures, and stress accumulates at the grain boundaries during ultraprecision machining processes, resulting in raised grain boundaries and a decrease in surface quality. In this work, we utilized a multiple high energy shot peening (SP) technique to refine the surface grain structure of Al–Mg–Si alloy. The results revealed that a gradient grain structure was formed within the depth range of 0∼150 μm, accompanied by the occurrence of various substructures such as dislocations, stack faults, and low-angle grain boundaries in the severely deformed layer. This led to a significant 30% increase in hardness. Furthermore, the shot peened sample exhibited remarkable ultraprecision machinability. A comparison with the sample that has not undergone SP treatment revealed a decrease in surface roughness from 2.5 nm to 1.4 nm. The improved surface quality can be attributed to the higher deformation uniformity and reduced grain rotation. Our study provided an innovative and cost-effective method for manufacturing large-sized metal optical components.

Abstract Background Class III peroxidase (POD) enzymes play vital roles in plant development, hormone signaling, and stress responses. Despite extensive research on POD families in various plant species, the knowledge regarding the POD family in Chinese pear (Pyrus bretschenedri) is notably limited. Results We systematically characterized 113 POD family genes, designated as PbPOD1 to PbPOD113 based on their chromosomal locations. Phylogenetic analysis categorized these genes into seven distinct subfamilies (I to VII). The segmental duplication events were identified as a prevalent mechanism driving the expansion of the POD gene family. Microsynteny analysis, involving comparisons with Pyrus bretschenedri, Fragaria vesca, Prunus avium, Prunus mume and Prunus persica, highlighted the conservation of duplicated POD regions and their persistence through purifying selection during the evolutionary process. The expression patterns of PbPOD genes were performed across various plant organs and diverse fruit development stages using transcriptomic data. Furthermore, we identified stress-related cis-acting elements within the promoters of PbPOD genes, underscoring their involvement in hormonal and environmental stress responses. Notably, qRT-PCR analyses revealed distinctive expression patterns of PbPOD genes in response to melatonin (MEL), salicylic acid (SA), abscisic acid (ABA), and methyl jasmonate (MeJA), reflecting their responsiveness to abiotic stress and their role in fruit growth and development. Conclusions In this study, we investigated the potential functions and evolutionary dynamics of PbPOD genes in Pyrus bretschenedri, positioning them as promising candidates for further research and valuable indicators for enhancing fruit quality through molecular breeding strategies.

Abstract Hindered ethers are ubiquitous in natural products and bioactive molecules. However, developing an efficient method for the stereocontrolled synthesis of all stereoisomers of chiral hindered ethers is highly desirable but challenging. Here we show a strategy that utilizes in situ-generated water as a nucleophile in an asymmetric cascade reaction involving two highly reactive intermediates, 3-furyl methyl cations and ortho-quinone methides (o-QMs), to synthesize chiral hindered ethers. The Ca(II)/Au(I) synergistic catalytic system enables the control of diastereoselectivity and enantioselectivity by selecting suitable chiral phosphine ligands in this cascade hydration/1,4-addition reaction, affording all four stereoisomers of a diverse range of chiral tetra-aryl substituted ethers with high diastereoselectivities (up to >20/1) and enantioselectivities (up to 95% ee). This work provides an example of chiral Ca(II)/Au(I) bimetallic catalytic system controlling two stereogenic centers via a cascade reaction in a single operation.

ABSTRACT: In chicken, primordial germ cells (PGC) are crucial for the preservation and manipulation of genetic resources in poultry production. The HiS and FAcs culture systems are two important methods for the in vitro cultivation of chicken PGCs. The purpose of this study was to compare and analyze the two cultivation systems for PGCs (His and FAcs culture systems) to assess their efficacy and applicability in supporting PGC growth, maintaining PGC characteristics, and lineage transmission ability. The study found that both HiS and FAcs culture systems could maintain the basic biological characteristics of chicken PGCs, including the simultaneous expression of pluripotency and reproductive marker genes, as well as the presence of abundant glycogen granules. Subsequently, we identified 2,145 differentially expressed genes (DEG) through RNA sequencing. GO and KEGG analysis revealed a large number of DEGs enriched in the cell adhesion and calcium ion binding pathways, and the analysis found that these genes maintained a higher level in HiS-PGCs. Further personalized analysis found that the regulatory genes for maintaining PGC pluripotency were highly expressed in HiS-PGCs, while germ cell-related genes showed similar expression in both systems. Additionally, through RNA sequencing data and cell proliferation ability, it was found that PGCs in the FAcs system had a higher proliferation rate and a faster cell cycle. Finally, it was discovered that the expression of cell migration-related genes was maintained at a higher level in HiS-PGCs, but the migration efficiency of HiS-PGCs did not show a significant difference compared to FAcs-PGCs. These results suggest that both HiS and FAcs culture systems can maintain the proliferation and basic characteristics of chicken PGCs, but differences exist in cell proliferation, pluripotency regulation, and cell adhesion. These findings provide new information for optimizing PGC cultivation systems and are important for the preservation and genetic improvement of chicken PGCs.

Sanqi (SQ), as a health food, is clinically used as an effective complementary therapy for treating multiple cancers with the advantages of immunomodulatory potential. Nevertheless, the efficacy and the underlying mechanism of combining SQ and PD-1 inhibitors remain inconclusive. In this study, we examined the anti-lung cancer effects of SQ in combination with PD-1 inhibitors in tumor-bearing mice. We found that PD-1 inhibitors and SQ combined treatment significantly inhibited tumor growth in tumor-bearing mice. Following the administration of SQ combined with PD-1 inhibitors, there was an increase in the levels of Glycolaldehyde and N-Acetyl-D-glucosamine in the plasma of mice, while the levels of 1,4-Dihydro-1-methyl-4-oxo-3-pyridinecarboxamide decreased. Specifically, SQ supplementation increased the abundance of beneficial bacteria, such as Aerococcus, while reducing the levels of pathogenic bacteria, including norank_f_norank_o_Clostridia_UCG-014, Candidatus_Saccharimonas, and Bilophila. Our data suggested that a combination of PD-1 inhibitors and SQ treatment may be a novel therapeutic strategy for lung cancer patients.

Abstract The development of high-performance lead-free K0.5Na0.5NbO3-based piezoceramics for replacing commercial lead-containing counterparts is crucial for achieving environmentally sustainable society. Although the proposed new phase boundaries (NPB) can effectively improve the piezoelectricity of KNN-based ceramics, the difficulty of achieving saturated poling and the underlying multiscale structures resolution of their complex microstructures are urgent issues. Here, we employ a medium entropy strategy to design NPB and utilize texture engineering to induce crystal orientation. The developed K0.5Na0.5NbO3-based ceramics enjoys both prominent piezoelectric performance and satisfactory Curie temperature, thus exhibiting an ultrahigh energy harvesting performance as well as excellent transducer performance, which is highly competitive in both lead-free and lead-based piezoceramics. Comprehensive structural analysis have ascertained that the field-induced efficient multiscale polarization configurations irreversible transitions greatly encourages high saturated poling. This study demonstrates a strategy for designing high-performance piezoceramics and establishes a close correlation between the piezoelectricty and the underlying multiscale structures.

Tianjin-monkey Chicken is a locally bred naked neck poultry with limited population size. Herein, we intended to identify potential breed-related genes based on methylome and transcriptome analyses. Tianjin-monkey Chicken and Hy-line Brown Chicken were crossbred and the individuals were divided into three groups: PN (Purebred naked neck chicken(Tianjin-monkey Chicken)) group (n = 10); CN (Crossbred naked neck chicken) group (n = 10); CF (Crossbred feathered chicken) group (n = 10). These 30 individuals were subjected to whole genome bisulfite sequencing (WGBS) and transcriptome sequencing. Differential methylated regions were detected by WGBS. No significant difference existed in naked-neck-related traits between PN and CN chicken. CpG methylation level of the promoter region differed in PN, CN vs. CF chicken. By integrating methylome and transcriptome results, four genes were identified between PN and CN groups, and 24 key genes were identified between CN and CF groups, with great potential in breeding. The 24 genes were enriched on 32 GO terms and 3 KEGG pathways, such as ion transport. The promoter region CpG methylation level was distinct between feathered and naked neck groups. We identified 24 potential genes for future breeding, valuable for targeted breeding and genetic enhancement in poultry production.

Abstract Patients who have non‐small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) mutations are more prone to brain metastasis (BM) and poor prognosis. Previous studies showed that the tumor microenvironment of BM in these patients is immunosuppressed, as indicated by reduced T‐cell abundance and activity, although the mechanism of this immunosuppression requires further study. This study shows that reactive astrocytes play a critical role in promoting the immune escape of BM from EGFR‐mutated NSCLC by increasing the apoptosis of CD8+ T lymphocytes. The increased secretion of interleukin 11(IL11) by astrocytes promotes the expression of PDL1 in BM, and this is responsible for the increased apoptosis of T lymphocytes. IL11 functions as a ligand of EGFR, and this binding activates EGFR and downstream signaling to increase the expression of PDL1, culminating in the immune escape of tumor cells. IL11 also promotes immune escape by binding to its intrinsic receptor (IL11Rα/glycoprotein 130 [gp130]). Additional in vivo studies show that the targeted inhibition of gp130 and EGFR suppresses the growth of BM and prolongs the survival time of mice. These results suggest a novel therapeutic strategy for treatment of NSCLC patients with EGFR mutations.

Irrigation and fertilization are the main measures used by farmers to maintain crop yield and quality, especially in arid and semi-arid regions. To investigate the compensation of cotton yield loss due to deficit drip irrigation in non-mulched fields by increasing nitrogen (N) fertilizer application, a split-plot experiment with irrigation amount as the main plot and N application as the subplot was carried out in southern Xinjiang, China. The experiment included two irrigation amounts of 450 mm (deficit irrigation, W1) and 540 mm (full irrigation, W2) and three N application rates of 150 kg ha−1 (F1), 225 kg ha−1 (F2), and 300 kg ha−1 (F3). From the cotton seedling stage, ET0 (reference evapotranspiration) was calculated from daily meteorological data and irrigation was applied when the cumulative ET0-P reached 45 ± 3 mm. The results showed that irrigation and fertilization significantly affected soil moisture and total N, which in turn affected cotton growth, biomass formation, and yield (P

Abstract Acid‐induced arginine decarboxylase AdiA is a typical homo‐oligomeric protein biosynthesizing alkaline nylon monomer putrescine. However, upon loss of the AdiA decamer oligomeric state at neutral and alkaline conditions the activity also diminishes, obstructing the whole‐cell biosynthesis of alkaline putrescine. Here, a structure cohesion strategy is proposed to change the pH adaptation of AdiA to alkaline environments based on the rational engineering of meridional and latitudinal oligomerization interfaces. After integrating substitutions of E467K at the latitudinal interface and H736E at the meridional channel interface, the structural stability of AdiA decamer and its substrate transport efficiency at neutral and alkaline conditions are improved. Finally, E467K_H736E is well adapted to neutral and alkaline environments (pH 7.0–9.0), and its enzymatic activity is 35‐fold higher than that of wild AdiA at pH 8.0. Using E467K_H736E in the putrescine synthesis pathway, the titer of putrescine is up to 128.9 g·L−1 with a conversion of 0.94 mol·mol−1 in whole‐cell catalysis. Additionally, the neutral pH adaptation of lysine decarboxylase, with a decamer structure similar to AdiA, is also improved using this cohesion strategy, providing an option for pH‐adaptation engineering of other oligomeric decarboxylases.

Abstract The low translocation rate of stem assimilates and lodging under high nitrogen conditions are major factors limiting the realization of the yield potential of rice. The objectives of this study were to (1) determine the characteristics of stem nonstructural carbohydrates (NSCs) translocation and lodging resistance in different types of rice varieties and (2) elucidate the responses of stem NSCs translocation and lodging resistance to reduced nitrogen (RN) input. Field experiments were conducted using four types of rice varieties with two nitrogen levels, including normal nitrogen (NN, namely, farmer's practice, 225 kg N ha−1 for indica conventional and indica hybrid rice and 300 kg N ha−1 for japonica conventional and indica–japonica hybrid rice in Jiangsu Province, China) and 20% RN (180 and 240 kg N ha−1, respectively). The results showed that there were significant differences in the stem NSCs translocation and lodging index of the basal stem among different types of varieties; indica hybrid rice was the highest, followed by indica conventional rice and indica–japonica hybrid rice, while japonica conventional rice was the lowest. The high activities of α‐amylase, β‐amylase, and sucrose phosphate synthase may contribute to high stem NSCs translocation. Correlation analysis revealed that NSCs translocation was significantly positively correlated with 1000‐grain weight, grain yield, and lodging index, while it was significantly negatively correlated with dry weight/length, dry weight/volume, and bending stress of the basal stem. Compared with NN, RN significantly improved NSCs translocation and had no significant effect on the lodging resistance‐related traits of the basal stem or grain yield. Therefore, this research indicates that a 20% reduction in nitrogen input can maintain grain yield by enhancing stem assimilate translocation without lodging resistance reduction and consequently synergizing nitrogen reduction, high yield, and lodging resistance.

AimThis study comprehensively assesses the incidence and profiles of treatment-related adverse events (trAEs) of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-based therapies across cancer at various sites.MethodsWe systematically searched the PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane databases for trials investigating ICI-based therapies published between their inception and August 2023.ResultsIn total, 147 studies involving 45,855 patients met the inclusion criteria. Among them, patients treated with ICIs reported 39.8% and 14.9% of all-grade and grade ≥3 immune-related adverse events (irAEs), respectively. The most common all-grade irAEs were dermatological and gastrointestinal issues, diarrhea, and pruritus, whereas patients who received ICIs showed most common grade ≥3 irAEs, including gastrointestinal events, diarrhea, increased aspartate aminotransferase and alanine transaminase levels, and hepatic and dermatological events. The overall trAE incidence in patients treated with ICIs was 83.2% for all-grade trAEs and 38.2% for grade ≥3 trAEs. TrAE incidence was highest for patients treated with cytotoxic T lymphocyte antigen-4 inhibitors for all-grade and grade ≥3 trAEs, with incidences of 86.4% and 39.2%, respectively. ICIs combined with targeted therapy showed the highest all-grade and grade ≥3 trAEs, with incidences of 96.3% and 59.4%, respectively. The most common all-grade trAEs were anemia, decrease in white blood cell count, decrease in neutrophil count, nausea, fatigue, diarrhea, and alopecia; patients who received ICIs presented relatively high incidences of grade ≥3 trAEs.ConclusionThis study provided comprehensive data regarding irAEs and trAEs in patients receiving ICIs. These results should be applied in clinical practice to provide an essential reference for safety profiles of ICIs.Systematic review registrationINPLASY platform, identifier INPLASY202380119.

Nanotechnology has emerged as a prominent field in recent times. The fabrication of biocompatible materials has taken on highlighted significance owing to their requisite application in diverse sectors including medicine, water treatment and purification, health, and other related fields. There has been a lot of research done recently on the green synthesis of various nanoparticles (NPs). Copper a high-performance metal used in agriculture to combat pathogenic attacks, has received less attention. The current work demonstrates the successful preparation of green synthesized copper oxide nanoparticles (CuO.NPs) from Mangifera indica (M. indica) leaf extract. The spectral and morphological characterization biosynthesized were observed using, FTIR, XRD, and TEM analysis. The FTIR analysis revealed the functional groups present in plant extracts. XRD was carried out to demonstrate the crystalline nature and size of nanoparticles using the Scherrer formula. UV was performed to observe the optical properties of NPs. Further, Transmission electron spectroscopy (TEM) was carried out to confirm the physical shape of CuO.NPs with 50 nm. The M. indica mediated NPs were evaluated against gram-negative and positive bacteria Escherichia coli (E. coli) and Staphylococcus aureus (S. aureus) at different concentrations. The in vivo fungicidal activity was performed against Rhizophus oryzae (R. oryzae) on Diospyros kaki (persimmon fruit). The detach fruit method was applied to evaluate the potential of NPs. Higher exposure of 100 µg·mL−1 CuO.NPs showed mycelia inhibition followed by 30, 60, and control treatments. Furthermore, Green CuO.NPs showed prominent antioxidant activities as compared to plant sources. The findings obtained suggest that the green-formulated CuO.NPs could be further investigated for the treatment of many phytopathogenic diseases.

Abstract Background Nervous system toxicity (NST) is one of the most frequent and dangerous side effects of chimeric antigen receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy, which is an effective treatment for related tumors in most relapsed/refractory (r/r) hematologic malignancies. Current clinical trial data do not fully reflect the real-world situation. Therefore, this study evaluated the NST of CAR-T therapy using the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Methods Data were retrieved from FAERS for the period from January 1, 2017 to March 31, 2023. Disproportionality analysis and Bayesian analysis were used for data mining. The reporting odds ratio (ROR) for NST with 95% confidence interval (CI) was calculated for each CAR-T product. The time to onset (TTO) and clinical outcomes due to CAR-T therapy-associated NST were assessed. Results Overall, 6946 cases of NST associated with CAR-T therapy were identified. The patients had a median age of 61 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 47–69 years). Significant signals were observed for all CAR-T products (ROR: 2.19, 95% CI: 2.13–2.44). Anti-CD19 CAR-T products showed a higher NST signal than anti-B cell maturation antigen (BCMA) CAR-T products (ROR025 2.13 vs. 1.98). Brexucabtagene autoleucel (ROR: 3.17, 95% CI: 2.90–3.47) and axicabtagene ciloleucel (ROR: 2.92, 95% CI: 2.81–3.03) had the two highest NST signals. For the preferred term “brain edema,” the highest signals were obtained for CD28 CAR-T products. The median TTO of NST for all CAR-T products was 7 days (IQR: 3–17 days). The proportion of death, life-threatening and hospitalization adverse events associated with NST was 20.06%, 7.21%, and 32.70%, respectively. The proportion of death outcomes was higher in patients treated with tisagenlecleucel (30.36%) than in those treated with other CAR-T products, except ciltacabtagene autoleucel (P

Abstract Background This study aimed to uncover the changing prevalence of obesity and its association with hypertension across socioeconomic gradients in rural southwest China. Methods Data were collected from two cross-sectional health interviews and surveys from 2011 to 2021 among individuals aged ≥ 35 years in rural China. Each participant’s height, weight, waist circumference, and blood pressure were measured. The overall prevalence of obesity, central obesity, and hypertension was directly standardized by age based on the total population of the two surveys. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between obesity and prevalence of hypertension and an individual socioeconomic position (SEP) index was constructed using principal component analysis. Results From 2011 to 2021, the prevalence of obesity, central obesity, and hypertension increased substantially, from 5.9%, 50.2%, and 26.1–12.1%, 58.0%, and 40.4% (P

Objective Tibetan chickens, which have unique adaptations to extreme high-altitude environments, exhibit phenotypic and physiological characteristics that are distinct from those of lowland chickens. However, the mechanisms underlying hypoxic adaptation in the liver of chickens remain unknown. Methods RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) technology was used to assess the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) involved in hypoxia adaptation in highland chickens (native Tibetan chicken [HT]) and lowland chickens (Langshan chicken [LS], Beijing You chicken [BJ], Qingyuan Partridge chicken [QY], and Chahua chicken [CH]). Results A total of 352 co-DEGs were specifically screened between HT and four native lowland chicken breeds. Gene ontology and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes enrichment analyses indicated that these co-DEGs were widely involved in lipid metabolism processes, such as the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors (PPAR) signaling pathway, fatty acid degradation, fatty acid metabolism and fatty acid biosynthesis. To further determine the relationship from the 352 co-DEGs, protein-protein interaction network was carried out and identified eight genes (ACSL1, CPT1A, ACOX1, PPARC1A, SCD, ACSBG2, ACACA, and FASN) as the potential regulating genes that are responsible for the altitude difference between the HT and other four lowland chicken breeds. Conclusion This study provides novel insights into the molecular mechanisms regulating hypoxia adaptation via lipid metabolism in Tibetan chickens and other highland animals.

Abstract Background The enzyme phenylalanine ammonia lyase (PAL) controls the transition from primary to secondary metabolism by converting L-phenylalanine (L-Phe) to cinnamic acid. However, the function of PAL in pear plants (Pyrus bretschneideri) has not yet been fully elucidated. Results We identified three PAL genes (PbPAL1, PbPAL2 and PbPAL3) from the pear genome by exploring pear genome databases. The evolutionary tree revealed that three PbPALs were classified into one group. We expressed PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 recombinant proteins, and the purified PbPAL1 and PbPAL2 proteins showed strict substrate specificity for L-Phe, no activity toward L-Tyr in vitro, and modest changes in kinetics and enzyme characteristics. Furthermore, overexpression of PbAL1 and PbPAL1-RNAi, respectively, and resulted in significant changes in stone cell and lignin contents in pear fruits. The results of yeast one-hybrid (Y1H) assays that PbWLIM1 could bind to the conserved PAL box in the PbPAL promoter and regulate the transcription level of PbPAL2. Conclusions Our findings not only showed PbPAL’s potential role in lignin biosynthesis but also laid the foundation for future studies on the regulation of lignin synthesis and stone cell development in pear fruit utilizing molecular biology approaches.

This is an essay in the field of ceramics and composites. Alkali-activated geopolymer is a new kind of inorganic cementitious material, which is formed by cross-linking of silicon-oxygen tetrahedrons and aluminum-oxygen tetrahedrons through the bridging oxygen atoms. The negative charges of aluminum-oxygen tetrahedrons are balanced by alkali metal cations. Due to its three-dimensional network structure, geopolymers have excellent properties such as high mechanical properties, good durability, and excellent heat resistance. They have been widely used in the high-performance construction materials preparation, wastewater treatment, and solid waste recycling. This article reviews the research progress of the reaction mechanism, microstructure, and mechanical properties of alkali-activated geopolymers. In addition, the development of its application research in the fields of building materials, environmental pollution control, and solid waste resource utilization is also introduced in this article in order to comprehensively understand the research status of alkali-activated geopolymers.

Abstract A low-velocity layer atop the mantle transition zone has been extensively observed worldwide. In subduction zones, this layer is widely explained as partial melting triggered by slab subduction on a regional or global scale. However, direct observational evidence is still absent, and the response of the layer to slab subduction is not well known. Here, we image the seismic velocity around the mantle transition zone by matching synthetic and observed triplicated seismic P and sP waveforms in the Indian–Eurasian continental subduction zone. Our observations reveal a laterally varied low-velocity layer atop the mantle transition zone beneath the Hindu Kush, where a subducted slab extends to the mantle transition zone. The geometric morphology of the low-velocity layer documents that it is a partially molten layer induced by the subducted slab on a regional scale. Interestingly, our observations also support that the layer has a low viscosity. The decreased viscosity may facilitate slab motion in the deep mantle, contributing to slab stretching, tearing and break-off and its resultant rare recurring large intermediate-depth earthquakes in an intracontinental setting.

Abstract Background Panax japonicus C.A. Meyer (Zhujieshen) is widely used in traditional medicine as a tonic hemostatic and anti-inflammatory agent in China, Japan, and Korea. Furthermore, it is used as an important substitute for ginseng roots by minority ethnic groups in China. The purpose of this review is to summarize the latest research on Zhujieshen in recent years, aiming at providing a systematic overview of the current knowledge, and perspectives for future research and exploitation. Main body This review examines the research advances in botanical profile, phytochemicals, pharmacology, pharmacokinetics, and authentication of Zhujieshen. Various compounds have been reported as active components, mainly including saponins, volatile oils, and polysaccharides. Pharmacological investigations have demonstrated that Zhujieshen is an important herb with significant bioactivities, such as anti-inflammatory, hepato-protective, cardio-protective, neuro-protective, anti-tumor, anti-oxidant, anti-thrombotic and immunomodulatory activities. Conclusion Currently, research on Zhujieshen is in the preliminary stages, and further research is required to understand the active compounds present and mechanisms of action. We hope that this comprehensive review of Zhujieshen will serve as a background for future research and exploitation.

Abstract Enzymatic breakdown of sphingomyelin by sphingomyelinase (SMase) is the main source of the membrane lipids, ceramides, which are involved in many cellular physiological processes. However, the full-length structure of human neutral SMase has not been resolved; therefore, its catalytic mechanism remains unknown. Here, we resolve the structure of human full-length neutral SMase, sphingomyelinase 1 (SMPD2), which reveals that C-terminal transmembrane helices contribute to dimeric architecture of hSMPD2 and that D111 − K116 loop domain is essential for substrate hydrolysis. Coupled with molecular docking, we clarify the binding pose of sphingomyelin, and site-directed mutagenesis further confirms key residues responsible for sphingomyelin binding. Hybrid quantum mechanics/molecular mechanics (QM/MM) molecular dynamic (MD) simulations are utilized to elaborate the catalysis of hSMPD2 with the reported in vitro substrates, sphingomyelin and lyso-platelet activating fator (lyso-PAF). Our study provides mechanistic details that enhance our knowledge of lipid metabolism and may lead to an improved understanding of ceramide in disease and in cancer treatment.

As society rapidly evolves and urbanization accelerates, fire safety has become an increasingly pressing concern [...]

Abstract Computational chemistry methods are playing an increasingly pivotal role in chemical experiments. From quantum chemistry simulations to finite element simulations, researchers can always find an appropriate simulation method to elucidate the specific mechanisms at a certain resolution scale. However, in organic or inorganic synthesis, the synthesis mechanisms span multiple spatial and temporal scales of chemical experiments. Furthermore, the intricate nature of these mechanisms renders it impossible for any single simulation method to provide a comprehensive depiction of the entire process. In this perspective, using zeolite and polymer synthesis simulations as examples, we stress the significance of full‐scale modeling techniques for chemical experiments and urge the corresponding sophisticated simulation platform.

The fungal endophytes are an understudied area of research with great potential for new bioactive compounds’ discovery. These are the fungal strains that live within the inner compartments of the host plant without causing it any kind of harm. These fungal endophytes, in combination with the host organisms, synthesize many compounds with a range of pharmaceutical values. Most recently, the discovery of fungal endophyte genes which are linked with the biosynthesis of plant metabolites has opened a new field of research. These plant partners assist plants against biotic stress and protect them from pathogenic attacks or diseases with the presence of some important gene families like WRKY and MYB. The bioactive metabolites from this group are known for their anticancer, antimicrobial, antioxidant, antidiabetic, and anti-tubercular properties. Therefore, these bioactive compounds offer new routes for discovering novel drugs, which can boost the pharmaceutical industry in times of great demand for novel drugs. Extracellular enzymes are also produced within the members of this distinct group which are crucial for several industrial sectors, including the biofuel production industry. Furthermore, fungal endophytes are capable of synthesizing silver nanoparticles, which exhibit significant potential in fields like biomedical imaging and water purification. This article aims to document all the available data on this group of fungi living in medicinal plants and the major compounds produced by members of this distinct group that are in use for the therapy of various ailments.

Pneumocephalus and empyema in the subarachnoid space secondary to spinal-epidural anesthesia are very rare and have not previously been reported, to our knowledge. Here, we describe the imaging features of an older woman presenting with pneumocephalus plus subarachnoid and intraventricular empyema due to Staphylococcus epidermidis infection after spinal-epidural anesthesia, with the aim of raising awareness regarding this serious complication.

Global carbon emissions have increased dramatically in recent years, leading to a spate of extreme weather events worldwide. So, it is very important to establish a scientific carbon emissions forecasting model for environmental protection and human health. Aiming at the nonlinear and nonstationary of carbon emissions, a forecasting model with optimized variational mode decomposition (VMD) and error correction, including neural network estimation time entropy (NNetEn), VMD optimized by dingo optimization algorithm (DVMD), back propagation optimized by the hunter-prey optimizer (HPOBP), complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN), error correction (EC) and least squares support vector machine optimized by African vultures optimization algorithm (AVOALSSVM), named DVMD-NNetEn-CEEMDAN-HPOBP-AVOALSSVM-EC, is proposed. To simplify the description, the name of the proposed model will be abbreviated as DNCHAE. Firstly, original data is decomposed into intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) by DVMD, and then IMFs are divided into low-complexity components and high-complexity components by NNetEn. Secondly, the sum of high-complexity components is decomposed by CEEMDAN, and HPOBP is used to forecast the decomposition results. Then, AVOALSSVM is used to forecast the low-complexity components, and all the forecasting results are combined to obtain the preliminary forecasting results. Finally, error correction is done to reduce the error, and final forecasting results are obtained. Carbon emissions from China and Russia are forecasted to validate the model's forecasting effect. Experiments show that DNCHAE has a good forecasting effect on carbon emissions. The MAE, RMSE and MAPE of China are 0.1624, 0.2048 and 0.0055 respectively, and the forecasting effect is far better than that of other forecasting models.

ObjectiveTo compare the prevalence of asthma and the impact of socioeconomic position (SEP) on economic burden of asthma among rural residents in Yunnan province in 2011 and 2021, and to provide evidence for the prevention and treatment of asthma in the population. MethodsUsing stratified multistage random sampling, we conducted face-to-face surveys during 2011 and 2021 among 8 187 and 7 572 rural residents aged ≥ 35 years in Yunnan province. A self-designed questionnaire was used to collect information on demographics, SEP, asthma clinically diagnosed at township and upper level hospitals, and asthma-related economic burden for analyses on asthma prevalence and the influence of SEP on asthma-induced economic burden among the participants. ResultsAmong the rural adults surveyed in 2011 and 2021, totally 111 and 122 asthma cases were identified, with the asthma prevalence rate of 1.36% and 1.61% and without significant difference between the two prevalence rates. Compared to those reported by the adults with asthma incidence in 2011, significantly higher per capita asthma-related direct cost (4 230.11 vs. 2 776.85 Chinese Yuan), indirect cost (69.57 vs. 49.86), and total cost (4 299.68 vs. 2826.71) were reported by the adults with asthma incidence in 2021 (all P < 0.05). Contrasting to that in 2011, the per capita asthma-related total cost increased significantly in 2021 for the asthma sufferers of various SEP groups (P < 0.05 for all) and the total cost increment varied in a descending order for the asthma sufferers with high, low, lower-middle, and upper-middle SEP. Conclusion Among the rural adult residents in Yunnan province, the prevalence of asthma was not significantly different but the economic burden of asthma sufferers increased substantially between 2011 and 2022 and the sufferers' economic burden varied with their socioeconomic position.

Abstract In eukaryotes, the dynamic assembly of microtubules (MT) plays an important role in numerous cellular processes. The underlying mechanism of GTP triggering MT assembly is still unknown. Here, we present cryo-EM structures of tubulin heterodimer at their GTP- and GDP-bound states, intermediate assembly states of GTP-tubulin, and final assembly stages of MT. Both GTP- and GDP-tubulin heterodimers adopt similar curved conformations with subtle flexibility differences. In head-to-tail oligomers of tubulin heterodimers, the inter-dimer interface of GDP-tubulin exhibits greater flexibility, particularly in tangential bending. Cryo-EM of the intermediate assembly states reveals two types of tubulin lateral contacts, “Tube-bond” and “MT-bond”. Further, molecular dynamics (MD) simulations show that GTP triggers lateral contact formation in MT assembly in multiple sequential steps, gradually straightening the curved tubulin heterodimers. Therefore, we propose a flexible model of GTP-initiated MT assembly, including the formation of longitudinal and lateral contacts, to explain the nucleation and assembly of MT.

Objective: Circ_0001946 has been identified as an oncogenic factor, and the aim of this study was to explore the detailed roles and putative targets of circ_0001946 in acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Materials and Methods: Levels of circ_0001946 were examined in AML tissues and cells. Furthermore, the regulatory functions of circ_0001946 in AML were explored. The expression of circ_0001946 was evaluated in AML samples and a matched para-carcinoma control, as well as in AML cell lines and a human bone marrow stromal cell line using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Cell proliferation was examined using a CCK-8 kit, and migration/ invasion was measured by transwell assay. Furthermore, interactions between associated molecules were assessed using RNA pulldown, and the mRNA stability of the relevant gene was examined by mRNA stability assay. Results: Our data indicated that circ_0001946 was upregulated in AML specimens/cells. Additionally, overexpression of circ_0001946 promoted the proliferation, migration, and invasion of AML cells and, vice versa, these biological processes were suppressed by knockdown of circ_0001946. Furthermore, PDL1 is a potential downstream molecule of circ_0001946 in AML and its stability was improved by circ_0001946. The expression of PDL1 was increased in AML specimens and positively correlated with circ_0001946 expression. Moreover, biological behavioral alterations in AML cells induced by oe-circ_0001946 were abrogated by sh-PDL1 and the effects of sh-circ_0001946 were enhanced by treatment with sh-PDL1. Conclusion: Taken together, these data suggest that levels of circ_0001946 are elevated in AML and that circ_0001946 could promote the growth of AML cells. Furthermore, PDL1 is a novel downstream molecule of circ_0001946 in AML. Circ_0001946/PDL1 signaling may play crucial roles in tumor progression in AML and could be a novel candidate for targeted treatments for AML patients.

With the aggravation of traffic congestion, traffic flow data (TFD) prediction is very important for traffic managers to control traffic congestion and for traffic participants to plan their trips. However, its effective prediction faces great difficulties and challenges. Aiming at handling complexity of TFD, a new TFD prediction model based on complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (CEEMDAN), neural network estimation time entropy (NNetEn), variational mode decomposition (VMD) improved by northern goshawk optimization (NGO) algorithm, kernel extreme learning machine (KELM) improved by artificial rabbits optimization (ARO) algorithm and error correction (EC) is proposed. Aiming at choosing the decomposition layers and penalty coefficient of VMD, VMD improved by NGO, named NVMD, is proposed. Aiming at handling the problem of selecting KELM parameters, KELM improved by ARO, ARO-KELM, is proposed. Firstly, CEEMDAN is used to decompose TFD into a limited number of IMF components. NNetEn is used to divide IMF components into high- and low-complexity components. The sum of high-complexity components is selected for secondary decomposition by NVMD. Then ARO-KELM is used to predict all decomposed components. Finally, error correction is introduced to further improve the prediction accuracy. TFD from England highway is used in the experiments. Taking TFD I as an example, the RMSE, MAE, MAPE and R2 are 4.5682, 3.3104, 0.0458 and 0. 9997 respectively. The results show that the proposed model is superior to the other six comparison models at 99% confidence level, which provides a theoretical and data basis for controlling traffic jams, accidents and pollution.

The utilization of chicken embryonic-derived pluripotent stem cell (PSC) lines is crucial in various fields, including growth and development, vaccine and protein production, and germplasm resource protection. However, the research foundation for chicken PSCs is relatively weak, and there are still challenges in establishing a stable and efficient PSC culture system. Therefore, this study aims to investigate the effects of the FGF2/ERK and WNT/β-catenin signaling pathways, as well as different feeder layers, on the derivation and maintenance of chicken embryonic-derived PSCs. The results of this study demonstrate that the use of STO cells as feeder layers, along with the addition of FGF2, IWR-1, and XAV-939 (FIX), allows for the efficient derivation of chicken PSC-like cells. Under the FIX culture conditions, chicken PSCs express key pluripotency genes, such as POUV, SOX2, and NANOG, as well as specific proteins SSEA-1, C-KIT, and SOX2, indicating their pluripotent nature. Additionally, the embryoid body experiment confirms that these PSC-like cells can differentiate into cells of three germ layers in vitro, highlighting their potential for multilineage differentiation. Furthermore, this study reveals that chicken Eyal–Giladi and Kochav stage X blastodermal cells express genes related to the primed state of PSCs, and the FIX culture system established in this research maintains the expression of these genes in vitro. These findings contribute significantly to the understanding and optimization of chicken PSC culture conditions and provide a foundation for further exploration of the biomedical research and biotechnological applications of chicken PSCs.

Background: The incidence of renal clear cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is steadily growing, and cellular metastasis and extensive infiltration of CD8+ T cells are the primary factors contributing to its undesirable prognosis. GLIPR2 (GLI pathogenesis related 2) belongs to the PR-1 family, and it was upregulated in hepatocellular carcinoma, playing a role in the regulation of epithelial cell to mesenchymal transition (EMT). However, its involvement in ccRCC remains unknown. Methods: Genes associated with tumor metastasis and CD8+ T cell levels were identified through weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA) leveraging the TCGA and GEO databases. Afterwards we follow survival, univariate Cox regression, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) and drug susceptibility analyses confirmed the most influential gene. Further exploration of its molecular, metastatic, and immune properties was carried out through bioinformatics analysis and experimental validation. Results: Initially, GLIPR2 was identified as the most influential gene via WGCNA. Our findings indicated that GLIPR2 exhibited high expression levels in ccRCC and metastatic ccRCC, and its over-expression is significantly correlated with an unfavorable prognosis. Competing endogenous RNAs (CeRNA) network analysis offered insights into the potential regulatory mechanisms governing its expression. Pathway enrichment analysis revealed the involvement of GLIPR2 in multiple pathways intertwined with immune and cellular metastasis. Meanwhile, experiments provided confirmation that GLIPR2 may facilitate the metastasis of ccRCC through EMT. However, the specific mechanisms by which GLIPR2 regulated EMT to promote invasion and migration in ccRCC required in-depth exploration. Single-cell sequencing, immune infiltration, immune survival, and immunotherapy analysis demonstrated the close association between GLIPR2 and CD8+ T cells in ccRCC, as well as its potential for immunotherapeutic intervention. Conclusions: The upregulation of GLIPR2 in ccRCC is associated with cellular metastasis and enrichment of CD8+ T cells. Herein, it may hold promising potential as a predictive independent biomarker for ccRCC metastasis, immune infiltration, and prognosis.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0287187.].

Based on the data of the State of Global Air (2020), air quality deterioration in Thailand has caused ~32,000 premature deaths, while the World Health Organization evaluated that air pollutants can decrease the life expectancy in the country by two years. PM2.5 was collected at three air quality observatory sites in Chiang-Mai, Bangkok, and Phuket, Thailand, from July 2020 to June 2021. The concentrations of 25 elements (Na, Mg, Al, Si, S, Cl, K, Ca, Sc, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Ga, As, Se, Br, Sr, Ba, and Pb) were quantitatively characterised using energy-dispersive X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. Potential adverse health impacts of some element exposures from inhaling PM2.5 were estimated by employing the hazard quotient and excess lifetime cancer risk. Higher cancer risks were detected in PM2.5 samples collected at the sampling site in Bangkok, indicating that vehicle exhaust adversely impacts human health. Principal component analysis suggests that traffic emissions, crustal inputs coupled with maritime aerosols, and construction dust were the three main potential sources of PM2.5. Artificial neural networks underlined agricultural waste burning and relative humidity as two major factors controlling the air quality of Thailand.

Lung cancer is a major health concern and significant barrier to human well-being and social development. Although targeted therapy has shown remarkable progress in the treatment of lung cancer, the emergence of drug resistance has limited its clinical efficacy. Sijunzi Tang (SJZ) is a classical Chinese herbal formula known for tonifying qi and nourishing the lungs, has been recognized for its potential in lung cancer management. However, the underlying mechanism of its combined use with anti-cancer drugs remains unclear. Here, we investigated the anti-lung cancer efficacy and underlying mechanisms of the combination of gefitinib and SJZ in gefitinib-resistant human lung adenocarcinoma cells (PC-9/GR). We conducted in vitro and in vivo experiments using histopathology and targeted metabolomics approaches. Our results demonstrated that the combination of SJZ and gefitinib exhibited synergistic effects on tumor growth inhibition in PC-9/GR-bearing nude mice. Notably, the co-administration of SJZ and gefitinib synergistically promoted tumor cell apoptosis, potentially through the regulation of BAX and BCL-2 expression. Immunohistochemistry and western blot analysis found down-regulation of GLS, GS, and SLC1A5 expression in the co-administration group compared to the control and the individual treatment groups. Targeted metabolomics revealed significant alterations in the plasma glutamine metabolic markers glutamine, alanine, succinate, glutamate, and pyruvate. Of the glutamine metabolism markers measured in tumor tissues, glutamine and pyruvate demonstrated significant differences across the treatment groups. These findings suggest that administration of SJZ improves gefitinib resistance in the treatment of lung cancer without toxic effects. Moreover, SJZ may affect glutamine metabolism by regulating key targets involved in glutamine metabolism (SLC1A5, GLS, and GS) and modulating the levels of related metabolic markers, ultimately reducing gefitinib resistance.

Given the China's construction of green aviation, a reliable carbon emissions prediction is essential to identify and mitigate the environmental impact of the aviation industry. In this regard, the current research aims at constructing “decomposition-prediction” to predict carbon emissions. To develop the above techniques, 1044 data points derived from the carbon emission accounts and datasets were used (70 % of the points for training and 30 % for validation). To solve the selection of mode number K and penalty factor α of variational mode decomposition (VMD) and calculate the matrix weight coefficient and kernel functions of extreme learning machine (ELM), optimized VMD and ELM is proposed. To begin with, improved complete ensemble empirical mode decomposition with adaptive noise (ICEEMDAN) is used to decompose the experimental data and spatial-dependence recurrence sample entropy (SdrSampEn) is used to quantify the complexity of all intrinsic mode functions (IMFs) to obtain the high and low complexity IMFs respectively. Then, high complexity IMFs are integrated, and then VMD of gray wolf optimizer algorithm (GWO) is used for decomposition to obtain IMFs, named G-IMFs. Next, low complexity IMFs are predicted by optimization ELM of slime mould algorithm (SMA) and G-IMFs are predicted by optimization ELM of particle swarm optimization algorithm (PSO). Lastly, all prediction results are reconstructed to obtain the final prediction results. To validate the superiority of the proposed method, 9 comparative models are established and their prediction effectiveness is assessed by R2 and RMSE. The results show that the proposed method has the best prediction performance for domestic aviation (R2 = 0.9978, RMSE = 0.0015) and international aviation (R2 = 0.9942, RMSE = 0.0003) respectively.

Membranes with fast and selective ion transport are essential for electrochemical processes. Here the authors provide mechanistic insights into the structures of metal-ion coordinated polybenzimidazole membranes and the preferential K+ transport, and their application in an alkaline zinc-iron flow battery.

IntroductionKNOX plays a pivotal role in governing plant growth, development, and responses to diverse abiotic and biotic stresses. However, information on the relationship between the KNOX gene family and expression levels under different treatments in Dendrobium is still limited.MethodsTo address this problem, we first used bioinformatics methods and revealed the presence of 19 KNOX genes distributed among 13 chromosomes in the Dendrobium huoshanense genome. Through an analysis of phylogenetic relationships, these genes were classified into three distinct clades: class I, class II, and class M. Our investigation included promoter analysis, revealing various cis-acting elements associated with hormones, growth and development, and abiotic stress responses. Additionally, qRT-PCR experiments were conducted to assess the expression patterns of DhKNOX genes under different treatments, including ABA, MeJA, SA, and drought.ResultsThe results demonstrated differential expression of DhKNOX genes in response to these treatments, thereby highlighting their potential roles in stress adaptation.DiscussionOverall, our results contribute important insights for further investigations into the functional characterization of the Dendrobium KNOX gene family, shedding light on their roles in plant development and stress responses.

Tianjin-monkey Chicken is a locally bred dual-purpose naked neck poultry with high tolerance to heat stress and poor reproductive ability. We aim to explore breeding-related genes to promote its growth, reproduction, meat, and egg performances. In this study, purebred, crossbred neck-naked and crossbred neck-feathered Tianjin-monkey Chickens (male = 5 and female = 5 in each group) were sampled for transcriptome analysis. Differential gene expression analysis was performed to identify candidate genes based on mRNA expression profiles. Functional enrichment analyses including GO, KEGG and GSEA analysis were conducted. Forty-five candidate breeding-related genes were identified, which were significantly enriched in 5 KEGG pathways and 37 GO terms. Some of the candidate genes were considered to be valuable in guiding breeding in the future, including SPRY3, CPXM2, FST, HDDC2, TLR1B, CYBB, and EHHADH.

2,3-Butanediol (2,3-BDO) is an important industrial diol that could function in various fields. Currently, there are many substrates used for 2,3-BDO biosynthesis, but studies using green carbon sources such as corncob hydrolysate as a substrate are lacking. As a widely distributed waste lignocellulose-derived substrate, corncob hydrolysate is nutrient-rich and cost-effective. The present study evaluated 2,3-BDO production via an Enterobacter cholerae strain using corncob hydrolysate as carbon source. Chemical component analysis showed that concentrated corncob hydrolysate contained 233 g/L total sugar and showed no inhibitory effect, but it was beneficial for 2,3-BDO synthesis. Optimization experiments for fermentation resulted in a titer of 47.23 g/L 2,3-BDO with a yield of 0.30 g/g and a productivity rate of 0.66 g/L•h. This study is expected to provide insights for large-scale bioproduction of bulk chemicals utilizing corncob hydrolysates.