Search

The genus Micryletta is widely distributed in South China and Southeast Asia. Although significant progress has been made in the diversity and taxonomy of this genus over the past few years, the distribution range and taxonomy of some species still remain controversial, especially in M. inornata sensu lato. Consequently, limitations at national borders have resulted in a lack of comparative research on species from different countries. To resolve the classification dispute, assess species diversity, and determine the distribution range of Micryletta, a series of specimens were collected from the Yunnan Province of China and Thailand during herpetological surveys from 2009 to 2020. Subsequent analyses based on morphological and molecular data revealed a distinct and previously unknown lineage from western Thailand, which we formally describe as a new species. Furthermore, our study confirms that M. ‘inornata’, previously known from Mengla, Yunnan, was actually M. menglienica, and further extends its distribution range to Thailand and Laos. In addition, our findings extend the latitudinal distribution of M. inornata and M. subaraji northward into southern Thailand. Notably, this study brings the total number of known species in the genus Micryletta from 13 to 14, with the count rising from three to six species in Thailand and from one to three in Laos. Our study further confirms that species diversity within the genus Micryletta is underestimated and emphasizes the important role that international collaborations play in taxonomy. Intensifying field surveys in other regions (e.g., Myanmar, Vietnam, and Guangxi of China) will be extremely necessary in the future to clarify any taxonomic questions and reevaluate the distribution range of these species.

This study demonstrates the feasibility and effectiveness of utilizing native soils as a resource for inocula to produce n-caproate through the chain elongation (CE) platform, offering new insights into anaerobic soil processes. The results reveal that all five of the tested soil types exhibit CE activity when supplied with high concentrations of ethanol and acetate, highlighting the suitability of soil as an ideal source for n-caproate production. Compared with anaerobic sludge and pit mud, the native soil CE system exhibited higher selectivity (60.53%), specificity (82.32%), carbon distribution (60.00%), electron transfer efficiency (165.00%), and conductivity (0.59 ms∙cm−1). Kinetic analysis further confirmed the superiority of soil in terms of a shorter lag time and higher yield. A microbial community analysis indicated a positive correlation between the relative abundances of Pseudomonas, Azotobacter, and Clostridium and n-caproate production. Moreover, metagenomics analysis revealed a higher abundance of functional genes in key microbial species, providing direct insights into the pathways involved in n-caproate formation, including in situ CO2 utilization, ethanol oxidation, fatty acid biosynthesis (FAB), and reverse beta-oxidation (RBO). The numerous functions in FAB and RBO are primarily associated with Pseudomonas, Clostridium, Rhodococcus, Stenotrophomonas, and Geobacter, suggesting that these genera may play roles that are involved or associated with the CE process. Overall, this innovative inoculation strategy offers an efficient microbial source for n-caproate production, underscoring the importance of considering CE activity in anaerobic soil microbial ecology and holding potential for significant economic and environmental benefits through soil consortia exploration.

Abstract Receptor-interacting protein kinase 1 (RIPK1) is a therapeutic target in treating neurodegenerative diseases and cancers. RIPK1 has three distinct functional domains, with the center domain containing a receptor-interacting protein homotypic interaction motif (RHIM), which mediates amyloid formation. The functional amyloid formed by RIPK1 and/or RIPK3 is a crucial intermediate in regulating cell necroptosis. In this study, the amyloid structure of mouse RIPK1, formed by an 82-residue sequence centered at RHIM, is presented. It reveals the “N”-shaped folding of the protein subunit in the fibril with four β-strands. The folding pattern is shared by several amyloid structures formed by proteins with RHIM, with the central β-strand formed by the most conserved tetrad sequence I/VQI/VG. However, the solid-state NMR results indicate a structural difference between mouse RIPK1 and mouse RIPK3. A change in the structural rigidity is also suggested by the observation of weakened signals for mouse RIPK3 upon mixing with RIPK1 to form the RIPK1/RIPK3 complex fibrils. Our results provide vital information to understand the interactions between different proteins with RHIM, which will help us further comprehend the regulation mechanism in cell necroptosis.

The genus of Polypedates Tschudi, 1838 currently comprises 25 recognised species with four of these species reported in Yunnan, China. Dubois (1987) speculated the distribution of P. teraiensis in China; however, there was no study carried out to confirm its distribution in the region.We herein describe P. teraiensis as a new national record, based on a specimen collected from Yunnan border region. Phylogenetically, our sequence clustered with the sequences of recognised P. teraiensis specimens from Bangladesh, Myanmar and India. The uncorrected pairwise distances between the specimens from China and other P. teraiensis localities was small, ranging from 0.0-0.7%, based on 16S rRNA gene. Therefore, we report P. teraiensis as a new species record for China.

n-Caproate, which is produced via chain elongation (CE) using waste biomass, can supply various fossil-derived products, thus advancing the realization of carbon neutrality. Ammonia released from the degradation of nitrogen-rich waste biomass can act as a nutrient or an inhibitor in anaerobic bioprocesses, including CE, with the distinction being primarily dependent on its concentration. Currently, the optimal concentration of ammonia and the threshold of toxicity for open-culture n-caproate production using ethanol as an electron donor, along with the underlying mechanisms, remain unclear. This study revealed that the optimal concentration of ammonia for n-caproate production was 2.0 g∙L−1, whereas concentrations exceeding this threshold markedly suppressed the CE performance. Exploration of the mechanism revealed the involvement of two forms of ammonia (i.e., ammonium ions and free ammonia) in this inhibitory behavior. High ammonia levels (5.0 g∙L−1) induced excessive ethanol oxidation and suppressed the reverse β-oxidation (RBO) process, directly leading to the enhanced activities of enzymes (phosphotransacetylase and acetate kinase) responsible for acetate formation and diminished activities of butyryl-coenzyme A (CoA):acetyl-CoA transferase, caproyl-CoA:butyryl-CoA transferase, and caproyl-CoA:acetyl-CoA transferase that are involved in the syntheses of n-butyrate and n-caproate. Furthermore, the composition of the microbial community shifted from Paraclostridium dominance (at 0.1 g∙L−1 ammonia) to a co-dominance of Fermentimonas, Clostridium sensu stricto 12, and Clostridium sensu stricto 15 at 2.0 g∙L−1 ammonia. However, these CE-functional bacteria were mostly absent in the presence of excessive ammonia (5.0 g∙L−1 ammonia). Metagenomic analysis revealed the upregulation of functions such as RBO, fatty acid synthesis, K+ efflux, adenosine triphosphatase (ATPase) metabolism, and metal cation export in the presence of 2.0 g∙L−1 ammonia, collectively contributing to enhanced n-caproate production. Conversely, the aforementioned functions (excluding metal cation export) and K+ influx were suppressed by excessive ammonia, undermining both ammonia detoxification and n-caproate biosynthesis. The comprehensive elucidation of ammonia-driven mechanisms influencing n-caproate production, as provided in this study, is expected to inspire researchers to devise effective strategies to alleviate ammonia-induced inhibition.

Abstract Oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is the most common head and neck malignancy. The oncometabolites have been studied in OSCC, but the mechanism of metabolic reprogramming remains unclear. To identify the potential metabolic markers to distinguish malignant oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) tissue from adjacent healthy tissue and study the mechanism of metabolic reprogramming in OSCC. We compared the metabolites between cancerous and paracancerous tissues of OSCC patients by 1HNMR analysis. We established OSCC derived cell lines and analyzed their difference of RNA expression by RNA sequencing. We investigated the metabolism of γ-aminobutyrate in OSCC derived cells by real time PCR and western blotting. Our data revealed that much more γ-aminobutyrate was produced in cancerous tissues of OSCC patients. The investigation based on OSCC derived cells showed that the increase of γ-aminobutyrate was promoted by the synthesis of glutamate beyond the mitochondria. In OSCC cancerous tissue derived cells, the glutamate was catalyzed to glutamine by glutamine synthetase (GLUL), and then the generated glutamine was metabolized to glutamate by glutaminase (GLS). Finally, the glutamate produced by glutamate-glutamine-glutamate cycle was converted to γ-aminobutyrate by glutamate decarboxylase 2 (GAD2). Our study is not only benefit for understanding the pathological mechanisms of OSCC, but also has application prospects for the diagnosis of OSCC.

Objectives Frequent attenders (FAs) visit healthcare settings at higher rates compared with the general population and use disproportionate amounts of healthcare resources. Frequent attendance (FA) has also been associated with greater morbidity and adverse socioeconomic circumstances. Our study aimed to describe the sociodemographic profile, clinical presentation, and healthcare utilisation patterns of adolescent FAs at polyclinics in Singapore and to determine the factors associated with adolescent FA.Design Retrospective electronic database analysis.Setting A cluster of eight state-subsidised public primary care clinics (polyclinics).Participants Multiethnic Asian adolescents aged 10–19 years who attended the eight polyclinics in 2021. FAs were defined as the top 10% of clinic attendees in terms of annual visit frequency.Results In 2021, 34 645 adolescents attended the polyclinics for 75 902 visits. Visits were for acute (52.8%), chronic (26.2%) and preventive (27.7%) care. FAs attended ≥4 visits annually, accounting for 14.4% of adolescents and 42.5% of total attendances. Compared with non-FAs, FAs were older (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.15 to 1.18, p

Abstract Axially chiral thioethers and sulfoxides emerge as two pivotal classes of ligands and organocatalysts, which have remarkable features in the stereoinduction of various asymmetric transformations. However, the lack of easy methods to access such molecules with diverse structures has hampered their broader utilization. Herein, an oxidative kinetic resolution for sulfides using a chiral bifunctional squaramide as the catalyst with cumene hydroperoxide as the terminal oxidant is established. This asymmetric approach provides a variety of axially chiral thioethers as well as sulfoxides bearing both axial and central chirality, with excellent diastereo‐ and enantioselectivities. This catalytic system also successfully extends to the kinetic resolution of benzothiophene‐based sulfides. Preliminary mechanism investigation indicates that the multiple hydrogen bonding interactions between the bifunctional squaramide catalyst and substrates play a crucial role in determining the enantioselectivity and reactivity.

AbstractThe mitochondrial genome (mitogenome) of Boulenophrys baishanzuensis (Anura: Megophryidae) was sequenced by the Illumina platform. The assembled circular mitogenome of B. baishanzuensis had a total length of 17,040 bp, with a GC content of 41.25%. It consisted of 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two rRNA genes, 22 tRNA genes, and a D-loop region. The majority of the PCGs were encoded by the H-strand, while one PCG (nad6) and eight tRNA genes (tRNA-Gln, tRNA-Ala, tRNA-Asn, tRNA-Cys, tRNA-Tyr, tRNA-Ser2, tRNA-Glu, and tRNA-Pro) were encoded in the L-strand. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the newly sequenced species formed a clade with other Boulenophrys species, while the genus Boulenophrys itself formed a sister group with the genus Atympanophrys.

Anguimorpha, within the order Squamata, represents a group with distinct morphological and behavioral characteristics in different ecological niches among lizards. Within Anguimorpha, there is a group characterized by limb loss, occupying lower ecological niches, concentrated within the subfamily Anguinae. Lizards with limbs and those without exhibit distinct locomotor abilities when adapting to their habitats, which in turn necessitate varying degrees of energy expenditure. Mitochondria, known as the metabolic powerhouses of cells, play a crucial role in providing approximately 95% of an organism’s energy. Functionally, mitogenomes (mitochondrial genomes) can serve as a valuable tool for investigating potential adaptive evolutionary selection behind limb loss in reptiles. Due to the variation of mitogenome structures among each species, as well as its simple genetic structure, maternal inheritance, and high evolutionary rate, the mitogenome is increasingly utilized to reconstruct phylogenetic relationships of squamate animals. In this study, we sequenced the mitogenomes of two species within Anguimorpha as well as the mitogenomes of two species in Gekkota and four species in Scincoidea. We compared these data with the mitogenome content and evolutionary history of related species. Within Anguimorpha, between the mitogenomes of limbless and limbed lizards, a branch-site model analysis supported the presence of 10 positively selected sites: Cytb protein (at sites 183 and 187), ND2 protein (at sites 90, 155, and 198), ND3 protein (at site 21), ND5 protein (at sites 12 and 267), and ND6 protein (at sites 72 and 119). These findings suggested that positive selection of mitogenome in limbless lizards may be associated with the energy requirements for their locomotion. Additionally, we acquired data from 205 mitogenomes from the NCBI database. Bayesian inference (BI) and Maximum Likelihood (ML) trees were constructed using the 13 mitochondrial protein-coding genes (PCGs) and two rRNAs (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA) from 213 mitogenomes. Our phylogenetic tree and the divergence time estimates for Squamata based on mitogenome data are consistent with results from previous studies. Gekkota was placed at the root of Squamata in both BI and ML trees. However, within the Toxicofera clade, due to long-branch attraction, Anguimorpha and (Pleurodonta + (Serpentes + Acrodonta)) were closely related groupings, which might indicate errors and also demonstrate that mitogenome-based phylogenetic trees may not effectively resolve long-branch attraction issues. Additionally, we reviewed the origin and diversification of Squamata throughout the Mesozoic era, suggesting that Squamata originated in the Late Triassic (206.05 Mya), with the diversification of various superfamilies occurring during the Cretaceous period. Future improvements in constructing squamate phylogenetic relationships using mitogenomes will rely on identifying snake and acrodont species with slower evolutionary rates, ensuring comprehensive taxonomic coverage of squamate diversity, and increasing the number of genes analyzed.

Grain size has an important effect on rice yield. Although several key genes that regulate seed size have been reported in rice, their molecular mechanisms remain unclear. In this study, a rice small grain size 2 (sms2) mutant was identified, and MutMap resequencing analysis results showed that a 2 bp insertion in the second exon of the LOC_Os02g01590 gene resulted in a grain length and width lower than those of the wild-type Teqing (TQ). We found that SMS2 encoded vacuolar acid invertase, a novel allele of OsINV3, which regulates grain size. GO and KEGG enrichment analyses showed that SMS2 was involved in endoplasmic reticulum protein synthesis, cysteine and methionine metabolism, and propionic acid metabolism, thereby regulating grain size. An analysis of sugar content in young panicles showed that SMS2 reduced sucrose, fructose, and starch contents, thus regulating grain size. A haplotype analysis showed that Hap2 of SMS2 had a longer grain and was widely present in indica rice varieties. Our results provide a new theoretical basis for the molecular and physiological mechanisms by which SMS2 regulates grain size.

The DA1-like gene family plays a crucial role in regulating seed and organ size in plants. The DA1 gene family has been identified in several species but has not yet been reported in sweet potatoes. In this study, nine, eleven, and seven DA1s were identified in cultivated sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas, 2n = 6x = 90) and its two diploid wild relatives, I. trifida (2n = 2x = 30) and I. triloba (2n = 2x = 30), respectively. The DA1 genes were classified into three subgroups based on their phylogenetic relationships with Arabidopsis thaliana and Oryza sativa (rice). Their protein physiological properties, chromosomal localization, phylogenetic relationships, gene structure, promoter cis-elements, and expression patterns were systematically analyzed. The qRT-PCR results showed that the expression levels of four genes, IbDA1-1, IbDA1-3, IbDA1-6, and IbDA1-7, were higher in the sweet potato leaves than in the roots, fiber roots, and stems. In our study, we provide a comprehensive comparison and further the knowledge of DA1-like genes in sweet potatoes, and provide a theoretical basis for functional studies.

Background: Recently, Professor Chunxue Bai and colleagues have proposed a definition of the Metaverse in Medicine as the medical Internet of Things (MIoT) facilitated using AR and/or VR glasses. Methods: A multi-disciplinary panel of doctors and IT experts from Asia, the United States, and Europe analyzed published articles regarding expert consensus on the Medical Internet of Things, with reference to study results in the field of metaverse technology. Findings: It is feasible to implement the three basic functions of the MIoT, namely, comprehensive perception, reliable transmission, and intelligent processing, by applying a metaverse platform, which is composed of AR and VR glasses and the MIoT system, and integrated with the technologies of holographic construction, holographic emulation, virtuality-reality integration, and virtuality-reality interconnection. In other words, through interactions between virtual and real cloud experts and terminal doctors, we will be able to carry out medical education, science popularization, consultation, graded diagnosis and treatment, clinical research, and even comprehensive healthcare in the metaverse. The interaction between virtual and real cloud experts and terminal users (including terminal doctors, patients, and even their family members) could also facilitate different medical services, such as disease prevention, healthcare, physical examination, diagnosis and treatment of diseases, rehabilitation, management of chronic diseases, in-home care, first aid, outpatient attendance, consultation, etc. In addition, it is noteworthy that security is a prerequisite for the Metaverse in Medicine, and a reliable security system is the foundation to ensure the normal operation of such a platform. Conclusion: The application of a Cloud Plus Terminal platform could enable interaction between virtual and real cloud experts and terminal doctors, in order to realize medical education, science popularization, consultation, graded diagnosis and treatment, clinical research, and even comprehensive healthcare in the metaverse.

The combination of transition metal catalysis and organocatalysis can afford both good reactivity and selectivity. Here, the authors present an α − propargylation of N-unprotected amino acid esters with propargylic alcohol derivatives via dual nickel and chiral aldehyde catalysis.

The Asian cultivated rice Oryza sativa can be classified into two major subspecies: japonica/geng and indica/xian. There are large physiological and phenotypic differences between the two subspecies, with each having its advantages and disadvantages. Understanding the differences between xian and geng could provide a foundation for cultivar improvement based on hybridization between subspecies in order to synthesize favorable traits. We review the origin and domestication of xian and geng rice, compare their differences in terms of physiological and phenotypical traits, and describe the molecular mechanism differences between the subspecies. Based on this knowledge, we propose an ideal plant architecture of geng rice varieties for northern regions.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of miRNA-451 on rhesus macaque choroid-retinal endothelial (RF/6A) cell function and proteome profile. METHODS: The RF/6A cells were transfected with miRNA-451 mimic and inhibitor. The role of miRNA-451 on proliferation ability was evaluated by CCK-8 assay. Furthermore, iTRAQ quantitative proteomic analysis was applied to comprehensively illuminate the change of cellular proteins and biological function between different groups. RESULTS: In miRNA-451 overexpression group, cell proliferation of RF/6A decreased both at 24h and 48h; while in miRNA-451 inhibition group, on the contrary, RF/6A cell proliferation was increased at 48h. Based on iTRAQ quantitative proteomic analysis, 23 differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) were detected in the comparison of miRNA-451 mimic and mimic control-transfected RF/6A cells, and 30 DEPs were identified in the comparison of RF/6A cells transfected with miRNA-451 inhibitor and inhibitor control. DEPs such as GORASP2, KRT1, SLC7A2, RIC8A, DDX42, CAP1, PCBP2 might be closely related to the inhibitory effect of miRNA-451 on RF/6A cell proliferation, while PCYT1A, MGAT1, TUBB, MCU, SIL1, BID, MSH6 might account for the positive effect of miRNA-451 inhibitor on RF/6A cell growth. PTPN1, as the only protein exhibiting an opposite trend between miRNA-451 mimic and inhibitor-transfected cells, was most likely accountable for the inhibition of miRNA-451 mimic on RF/6A cell growth, and the promotion of miRNA-451 inhibitor on RF/6A cell proliferation. CONCLUSION: miRNA-451 overexpression can suppress the growth of RF/6A cells while knockdown of miRNA-451 can promote RF/6A cell viability. Among all DEPs, increased PTPN1 is most likely to account for the negative regulation of miRNA-451 on RF/6A proliferation. miRNA-451 can be a protective factor for neovascular disease of fundus via regulating choroid retinal endothelial cell function.

AIM: To conduct a Meta-analysis pooling randomized controlled trials (RCTs) to compare hydrophobic with hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses in terms of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) development. METHODS: Electronic databases including PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library were queried from their starting till January 2020. RCTs investigating the impact of hydrophobic versus hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses on PCO were considered eligible in this study. The pooled effect estimates were calculated using the random-effects model. RESULTS: Thirteen RCTs comprising of 939 patients (1263 eyes) were covered in this study. Patients with hydrophobic acrylic intraocular lenses had a lower PCO score than those with a hydrophilic acrylic intraocular lenses [standard mean difference: -1.80; 95% confidence interval (CI): -2.62 to -0.98; P

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, motile bacterium with multi-flagella, strain RST, was isolated from bacterial wilt of tobacco in Yuxi city of Yunnan province, China. The strain contains the major fatty acids of C16:0, summed feature 3 (C16:1ω7c and/or C16:1ω6c), and summed feature 8 (C18:1ω7c and/or C18:1ω6c). The polar lipid profile of strain RST consists of diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylethanolamine, and unidentified aminophospholipid. Strain RST contains ubiquinones Q-7 and Q-8. 16S rRNA gene sequence (1,407 bp) analysis showed that strain RST is closely related to members of the genus Ralstonia and shares the highest sequence identities with R. pseudosolanacearum LMG 9673T (99.50%), R. syzygii subsp. indonesiensis LMG 27703T (99.50%), R. solanacearum LMG 2299T (99.28%), and R. syzygii subsp. celebesensis LMG 27706T (99.21%). The 16S rRNA gene sequence identities between strain RST and other members of the genus Ralstonia were below 98.00%. Genome sequencing yielded a genome size of 5.61 Mbp and a G + C content of 67.1 mol%. The genomic comparison showed average nucleotide identity (ANIb) values between strain RST and R. pseudosolanacearum LMG 9673T, R. solanacearum LMG 2299T, and R. syzygii subsp. indonesiensis UQRS 627T of 95.23, 89.43, and 91.41%, respectively, and the corresponding digital DNA–DNA hybridization (dDDH) values (yielded by formula 2) were 66.20, 44.80, and 47.50%, respectively. In addition, strains belonging to R. solanacearum phylotype I shared both ANIb and dDDH with strain RST above the species cut-off values of 96 and 70%, respectively. The ANIb and dDDH values between the genome sequences from 12 strains of R. solanacearum phylotype III (Current R. pseudosolanacearum) and those of strain RST were below the species cut-off values. Based on these data, we concluded that strains of phylotype I, including RST, represent a novel species of the genus Ralstonia, for which the name Ralstonia nicotianae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Ralstonia nicotianae sp. nov. is RST (=GDMCC 1.3533T = JCM 35814T).

Abstract In this paper, newly proposed microstrip quint‐band lowpass–bandpass filters are presented. The lowpass filter structure comprises a meandered transmission line and modified T‐shaped resonators. Based on such an lowpass filter (LPF) structure, a quad‐band λ/4 inductively‐coupled dual‐mode stub‐loaded stepped impedance resonators BPF with one pair of a coupled I/O feeding line are parallelled on both sides of LPF to construct a quint‐band lowpass–bandpass filter. By incorporating the parallel I/O coupled line and utilising multiple coupling paths, four bandpass bands can be fully controlled and designed independently. Specially, two distinct types of bandpass filters with different generating mechanisms are investigated and then combined to provide the quad‐band responses. To validate the design concept, two types of quint‐band lowpass–bandpass filters are designed, fabricated, and tested, where simulation results agree well with measurement results.

The catalytic asymmetric benzylations of prochiral nucleophiles are very limited. Here, the authors disclose an asymmetric α−benzylation of N-unprotected amino acids with benzyl alcohol derivatives by a chiral aldehyde-involved catalytic system.

There is the minimal restriction to users’ speech in cyberspace. The Internet provides a space where people can freely present their speech, which puts a Utopian sense of freedom of speech into practice. However, the appearance of hate speech is a significant side effect of online freedom of speech. Some users use hate speech to attack others, making the attacked targets uncomfortable. The proliferation of hate speech poses severe challenges to cyber society. Users may hope that social media platforms and online communities promote anti-hate speech. However, hate speech detection is still a developing technology that requires system developers to create a method to detect unacceptable hate speech while maintaining the online freedom of speech environment. No excellence detection approach has yet been proposed, although some literature has focused on it. The current study proposes an approach to build a political hate speech lexicon and train artificial intelligence classifiers to detect hate speech. Our academic and practical contributions include the collection of a Chinese hate speech dataset, creating a Chinese hate speech lexicon, and developing both a deep learning-based and a lexicon-based approach to detect Chinese hate speech. Although we focus on Chinese hate speech detection, our proposed hate speech detection system and hate speech lexicon development approach can also be used for other languages.

Antibiotic-producing organisms need to co-evolve self-protection mechanisms to avoid any damage to themselves caused by the antibiotic pharmacophore (the reactive part of the compound). In this study, the authors report a self-defense strategy in naphthyridinomycin (NDM)-producing Streptomyces lusitanus, that comprises reductive inactivation of the hemiaminal pharmacophore by short-chain dehydrogenases/reductases (SDRs) NapW and HomW.

The phylogenetic relationship of Ephemeridae (Insect: Ephemeroptera) remains hotly debated using mitochondrial (mt) genomes. All previously reported mt genomes of Ephemeridae belong to the genus Ephemera. This study provides the first complete mt genome sequence from the genus Hexagenia with an analysis of the mitogenome of Hexagenia rigida Mc Dunnough, 1924 (Ephemeroptera: Ephemeridae) and providing new information to discuss the phylogenetic relationships within Ephemeroptera. The complete mt genome of H. rigida was a circular molecule of 16,159 bp in length, containing 37 genes (2 rRNA genes, 13 protein-coding genes, 22 tRNA genes), which showed the typical mt gene arrangement of insects. The AT content of the whole genome was 70.0% and the length of the control region was 1091 bp. All protein-coding genes used ATN as the start codon, and most PCGs used TAA/TAG as the stop codons excluding COI, COII, ND5 and Cyt b that used T as the stop codon. BI and ML phylogenetic trees constructed from 27 species of 13 families showed that Ephemeridae is a sister clade to the clade Polymitarcyidae.

The light weight, electrical conductivity, environmental friendliness, and high mechanical properties of graphene/PEKK composites make them popular in biomedical, electronic component and aerospace fields. However, the compaction density and carbonization of the specimen influence the microstructure and conductivity of the graphene/PEKK composite prepared by in situ polymerization, so electromagnetic-assisted molding was used to manufacture products to avoid carbonization and enhance the compaction density. The effects of different discharge voltages on the microstructure of the formed graphene/PEKK specimens were compared. Increasing the discharge voltage will lead to a closer distribution of flake graphene in the matrix to improve the compaction density, mechanical performance and conductivity. At the same time, the numerical analysis model was validated by comparison with the compaction density of the experimental results. Based on this research, the stress/strain distribution on the specimen was obtained with increasing discharge voltages.

Rana johnsi (Smith ) firstly considered as the member of genus Pseudorana, has been moved into the genus Rana. In this study, we sequenced the complete mitochondrial (mt) genome of R. johnsi using the Sanger method. The circular mt genome was 17,873 bp in length and contains 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, two ribosome RNA genes, and one control region. The overall nucleotide composition in majority-strand was 28% A, 29% T, 29% C, and 14% G. We discussed the phylogenetic relationship of R. johnsi in genus Rana using ML and BI analyses based on 13 PCGs. Excluding the clade of subgenus Lithobates, Rana draytonii was the basal clade to all other Rana species, which included R. johnsi as the basal clade. The monophyly of genus Rana was supported, whereas Pseudorana was failed to support.

Receptor Interacting Protein Kinase 3 (RIPK3) has a key role in TNF-induced necroptosis. Here, the authors combine solid state NMR measurements, MD simulations and cell based assays to characterize mouse RIPK3 and they present the structure of the RIPK3 amyloid core.

Selecting suitable promoters to drive gene overexpression can provide significant insight into the development of engineered bacteria. In this study, we analyzed the transcriptome data of Burkholderia pyrrocinia JK-SH007 and identified 54 highly expressed genes. The promoter sequences were located using genome-wide data and scored using the prokaryotic promoter prediction software BPROM to further screen out 18 promoter sequences. We also developed a promoter trap system based on two reporter proteins adapted for promoter optimization in B. pyrrocinia JK-SH007: firefly luciferase encoded by the luciferase gene set (Luc) and trimethoprim (TP)-resistant dihydrofolate reductase (TPr). Ultimately, eight constitutive promoters were successfully inserted into the probe vector and transformed into B. pyrrocinia JK-SH007. The transformants were successfully grown on Tp antibiotic plates, and firefly luciferase expression was determined by measuring the relative light unit (RLU). Five of the promoters (P4, P9, P10, P14, and P19) showed 1.01–2.51-fold higher activity than the control promoter λ phage transcriptional promoter (PRPL). The promoter activity was further validated via qPCR analysis, indicating that promoters P14 and P19 showed stable high transcription levels at all time points. Then, GFP and RFP proteins were overexpressed in JK-SH007. In addition, promoters P14 and P19 were successfully used to drive gene expression in Burkholderia multivorans WS-FJ9 and Escherichia coli S17-1. The two constitutive promoters can be used not only in B. pyrrocinia JK-SH007 itself to gene overexpression but also to expand the scope of application.

Hyla sanchiangensis (Anura: Hylidae) is endemic to China and is distributed across Anhui, Zhejiang, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi, Hunan, and Guizhou provinces. The mitogenomes of H. sanchiangensis from two different sites (Jinxiu, Guangxi, and Wencheng, Zhejiang) were sequenced. Phylogenetic analyses were conducted, including 38 mitogenomes of Hylidae from the NCBI database, and assessed the phylogenetic relationship of H. sanchiangensis within the analyzed dataset. Two mitogenomes of H. sanchiangensis showed the typical mitochondrial gene arrangement with 13 protein-coding genes (PCGs), two ribosomal RNA genes (12S rRNA and 16S rRNA), 22 transfer RNA (tRNA) genes, and one non-coding control region (D-loop). The lengths of the 12S rRNA and 16S rRNA genes from both samples (Jinxiu and Wencheng) were 933 bp and 1604 bp, respectively. The genetic distance (p-distance transformed into percent) on the basis of the mitogenomes (excluding the control region) of the two samples was calculated as 4.4%. Hyla sanchiangensis showed a close phylogenetic relationship with the clade of (H. annectans + H. tsinlingensis), which was supported by ML and BI analyses. In the branch-site model, five positive selection sites were found in the clade of Hyla and Dryophytes: Cytb protein (at position 316), ND3 protein (at position 85), and ND5 protein (at position 400) have one site, respectively, and two sites in ND4 protein (at positions 47 and 200). Based on the results, we hypothesized that the positive selection of Hyla and Dryophytes was due to their experience of cold stress in historical events, but more evidence is needed to support this conclusion.

Purple sweet potato (PSP) powder with anthocyanins possesses the ability to reduce oxidative stress and inflammation. Studies have presumed a positive correlation between body fat and dry eye disease (DED) in adults. The regulation of oxidative stress and inflammation has been proposed as the mechanism underlying DED. This study developed an animal model of high fat diet (HFD)-induced DED. We added 5% PSP powder to the HFD to evaluate the effects and underlying mechanisms in mitigating HFD-induced DED. A statin drug, atorvastatin, was also added to the diet separately to assess its effect. The HFD altered the structure of lacrimal gland (LG) tissue, reduced LG secretory function, and eliminated the expression of proteins related to DED development, including α-smooth muscle actin and aquaporin-5. Although PSP treatment could not significantly reduce body weight or body fat, it ameliorated the effects of DED by preserving LG secretory function, preventing ocular surface erosion, and preserving LG structure. PSP treatment increased superoxide dismutase levels but reduced hypoxia-inducible factor 1-α levels, indicating that PSP treatment reduced oxidative stress. PSP treatment increased ATP-binding cassette transporter 1 and acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1 levels in LG tissue, signifying that PSP treatment regulated lipid homeostasis maintenance to reduce the effects of DED. In conclusion, PSP treatment ameliorated the effects of HFD-induced DED through the regulation of oxidative stress and lipid homeostasis in the LG.

Abstract Distance metric forms the basis of pattern classification, as almost all classifiers depend on such a metric for making classification decisions. However, the existing research testifies that a single‐distance metric is not robust enough for classification. In this Letter, the authors propose a dual distance metrics method and modify collaborative representation using dual distance metrics, that is, collaborative representation related class distance and conventional sample distance. These two distance metrics are fused by a parameter‐free multiplication scheme. The rationale of the designed multiplication fusion can be interpreted from the viewpoint of probability. As the multiplication fusion exploit the two distance metrics effectively and allow the best of the distance metrics to dominate the final classification decision, the improved collaborative representation based on dual distance metric can achieve a very high accuracy rate. Experimental results show that the proposed method has promising performance. It is also noted that the values of the two distance metrics vary with the test sample, therefore, the two distance metrics play different roles for different test samples. In other words, the two distance metrics are adaptive for test samples. The idea of the dual distance metrics method is also suitable for other combinations of other distance metrics.

BackgroundThe evidence of the association between parity and risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) or dementia is mixed, and the relationship between parity and longitudinal cognitive changes is less clear. We investigated these issues in a large population of older women who were carefully monitored for development of MCI and probable dementia.MethodsUsing the Women’s Health Initiative Memory Study, 7,100 postmenopausal women (mean age 70.1 ± 3.8 years) with information on baseline parity (defined as the number of term pregnancies), measures of global cognition (Modified Mini-Mental State Examination score) from 1996–2007, and cognitive impairment (centrally adjudicated diagnoses of MCI and dementia) from 1996–2016 were included. Multivariable linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the rate of changes in global cognition. Cox regression models were used to evaluate the risk of MCI/dementia across parity groups.ResultsOver an average of 10.5 years, 465 new cases of MCI/dementia were identified. Compared with nulliparous women, those with a parity of 1–3 and ≥4 had a lower MCI/dementia risk. The HRs were 0.75 (0.56–0.99) and 0.71 (0.53–0.96), respectively (P < 0.01). Similarly, a parity of 1–3 and ≥4 was related to slower cognitive decline (β = 0.164, 0.292, respectively, P < 0.05).ConclusionHigher parity attenuated the future risk for MCI/dementia and slowed the rates of cognitive decline in elderly women. Future studies are needed to determine how parity affects late-life cognitive function in women.

Abstract Background To investigate the efficacy of a PLGA-based nanobody complex in photodynamic therapy (PDT) and NIR-II imaging in A549 tumor hypoxic model. Method IR1048-MZ was firstly synthesized by conjugating a nitro imidazole group to IR1048. IR1048-MZ and Cat were then encapsulated in PLGA-SH solution. Anti-EGFR-Nanobody was also expressed and purified, and finally Anti-EGFR-Nanobody@PLGA-IR1048MZ-Cat (Nb@IC-NPs) nanobody complex was obtained based on the formation of desulfide bond between PLGA-SH and Anti-EGFR-Nanobody. Size distribution and morphology were characterized by TEM and DLS. Spectrum of Nb@IC-NPs towards NTR was measured by UV and fluorescence, while the particle’s selective response was studied using fluorescence. The uptake of Nb@IC-NPs in A549 cells was observed by flow cytometry and CLSM. In the meantime, its’ catalytic ability that decomposes H2O2 both extra-and intra-cellular was observed by fluorescence and CLSM. In vitro photodynamic toxicity of Nb@IC-NPs was examined by MTT, Live/Dead Cell Staining, Flow Cytometry and Apoptosis Assay. Tumor-bearing model was constructed to observe a semi-quantitative fluorescent distribution and the possibility of NIR-II fluorescence/photoacoustic (PA) imaging. Effect of Nb@IC-NPs on enhancing A549 tumor hypoxia and expression profile of HIF-1α was investigated in the presence of NIR. An A549 tumor metastasis model was also constructed to confirm the complex’ potential to destroy primary tumor, inhibit lung metastasis, and prolong mice’ survival. Lastly, impact of Nb@IC-NPs on mice’ main organs and blood indices was observed. Results Nb@IC-NPs was successfully fabricated with good homogeneity. The fluorescent absorbance of Nb@IC-NPs showed a linear relationship with the concentration of NTR, and a higher concentration of NTR corresponded to a stronger photoacoustic signal. In addition, Nb@IC-NPs showed a stable selectivity toward NTR. Our results also suggested a high efficient uptake of Nb@IC-NPs in A549 cells, which was more efficient than IC-NPs and IR1048-MZ alone. In vitro assays confirmed the effects of Nb@IC-NPs on catalytic O2 generation even in hypoxic cells. The cell viability was upregulated with the nanocomplex at the absence of the laser, whereas it was dramatically declined with laser treatment that excited at 980 nm. Nb@IC-NPs achieved tumor hypoxia NIR-II/PA imaging through assisting A549 gathering. When NIR was applied, Nb@IC-NPs can significantly relieve A549 cellular/tumor hypoxia by generating more reactive oxygen species (ROS), which in turn helps lower the expression level of HIF-1α. In summary, Nb@IC-NPs based PDT can efficiently decimate A549 primary tumor, inhibit metastatic lung cancer, and prolong the lifespan of the mice under tolerable dosage. At last, in vivo toxicity tests of the nanocomplex showed its biosafety to the main organs and normal blood indices values. Conclusion Nb@IC-NPs improves tumor hypoxia through catalytic reaction and lowers the expression level of HIF-1α. It achieves tumor PA imaging through intensified NIR-II fluorescence signal that caused by response of the complex to the lesion’s nitroreductase (NTR). Nb@IC-NPs based PDT can efficiently kill A549 primary tumor, inhibit a lung metastasis, as well as prolong mice’ survival cycle.

Chiral aldehyde catalysis is a useful strategy in the catalytic asymmetric α-functionalization of amino methyl compounds but these reaction types are limited. Here, the authors report two chiral aldehyde-catalysed diastereodivergent reactions, namely, a 1,6-conjugate addition and a bio-inspired Mannich reaction.

Abstract Cutinases could degrade insoluble polyester, including natural cutin and synthetic plastic. However, their turnover efficiency for polyester remains too low for industrial application. Herein, we report the 1.54-Å resolution X-ray crystal structure of a cutinase from Thermobifida fusca and modeling structure in complex with a cutin mimic oligo-polyester C24H42O8. These efforts subsequently guided our design of cutinase variants with less bulky residues in the vicinity of the substrate binding site. The L90A and I213A variants exhibit increased hydrolysis activity (5- and 2.4-fold, respectively) toward cutin and also showed enhanced cotton scouring efficiency compared with the wild-type enzyme.

This study was aimed at examining the impacts of the Sharing economy on the individual and community Quality of Life (QOL) and wellbeing by looking at their associated influencing factors using Village Savings and Loans Associations as a model of sharing economy in Malawi. An online community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted from November 2020 through January 2021. In the survey, 402 Village Savings and Loans Associations (VSLAs) members from the Mzuzu City area participated, recruited using snowball and respondent-driven sampling techniques. The sample size was computed using a single population proportion using the Yamane formula. Descriptive statistics and ordinal logistic regression model techniques were also employed. Additionally, we used the Chi-Square test, two-way ANOVA, and Ordinal regression model to determine statistical associations between socioeconomic data and QOL and wellbeing variables with a 5% level of significance. On the aspect of community wellbeing, the findings of our study indicated that income (levels and disposal) provided members with options to live a better QOL and wellbeing within the community by either facilitating payment for better education, eating healthier foods, acquiring assets, etc. Further, the absence of discrimination provided a platform for voice, inclusion, and social trust, enhancing freedom of expression. We also found that education facilitated better earnings and knowledge of public health-related issues. As for the contribution to the sharing economy, our study has emphasized the role played by trust in enhancing sharing economy. We recommend and encourage people to join these VSLAs so as to improve their QOL and wellbeing. However, there is a need to replicate the study on a larger scale to validate our study findings for effective policy formulation and implementation geared to improving the overall quality of people’s lives. Based on these findings, we further recommend that authorities reinstate programs like National Strategy for Financial Inclusion 2016–2020 and Savings and Loan Groups Best Practice Guidelines (SLG BPGs) 2016–2017 that could further enhance the future of VSLAs, which are vital for QOL and community wellbeing of the people in developing countries like Malawi.

Hyperthermophilic Thermotoga spp. are candidates for cellulosic ethanol fermentation. A bifunctional iron-acetaldehyde/alcohol dehydrogenase (Fe-AAdh) has been revealed to catalyze the acetyl-CoA (Ac-CoA) reduction to form ethanol via an acetaldehyde intermediate in Thermotoga neapolitana (T. neapolitana). In this organism, there are three additional alcohol dehydrogenases, Zn-Adh, Fe-Adh1, and Fe-Adh2, encoded by genes CTN_0257, CTN_1655, and CTN_1756, respectively. This paper reports the properties and functions of these enzymes in the fermentation pathway from Ac-CoA to ethanol. It was determined that Zn-Adh only exhibited activity when oxidizing ethanol to acetaldehyde, and no detectable activity for the reaction from acetaldehyde to ethanol. Fe-Adh1 had specific activities of approximately 0.7 and 0.4 U/mg for the forward and reverse reactions between acetaldehyde and ethanol at a pHopt of 8.5 and Topt of 95 °C. Catalyzing the reduction of acetaldehyde to produce ethanol, Fe-Adh2 exhibited the highest activity of approximately 3 U/mg at a pHopt of 7.0 and Topt of 85 °C, which were close to the optimal growth conditions. These results indicate that Fe-Adh2 and Zn-Adh are the main enzymes that catalyze ethanol formation and consumption in the hyperthermophilic bacterium, respectively.

In order to adapt to diverse habitats, organisms often evolve corresponding adaptive mechanisms to cope with their survival needs. The species-rich family of Scincidae contains both limbed and limbless species, which differ fundamentally in their locomotor demands, such as relying on the movement of limbs or only body swing to move. Locomotion requires energy, and different types of locomotion have their own energy requirements. Mitochondria are the energy factories of living things, which provide a lot of energy for various physiological activities of organisms. Therefore, mitochondrial genomes could be tools to explore whether the limb loss of skinks are selected by adaptive evolution. Isopachys gyldenstolpei is a typical limbless skink. Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genomes of I. gyldenstolpei, Sphenomorphus indicus, and Tropidophorus hainanus. The latter two species were included as limbed comparator species to the limbless I. gyldenstolpei. The results showed that the full lengths of the mitochondrial genomes of I. gyldenstolpei, S. indicus, and T. hainanus were 17,210, 16,944, and 17,001 bp, respectively. Three mitochondrial genomes have typical circular double-stranded structures similar to other reptiles, including 13 protein-coding genes, 22 transfer RNAs, 2 ribosomal RNAs, and the control region. Three mitochondrial genomes obtained in this study were combined with fifteen mitochondrially complete genomes of Scincidae in the NCBI database; the phylogenetic relationship between limbless I. gyldenstolpei and limbed skinks (S. indicus and T. hainanus) is discussed. Through BI and ML trees, Sphenomorphinae and Mabuyinae were monophyletic, while the paraphyly of Scincinae was also recovered. The limbless skink I. gyldenstolpei is closer to the species of Tropidophorus, which has formed a sister group with (T. hainanus + T. hangman). In the mitochondrial genome adaptations between limbless I. gyldenstolpei and limbed skinks, one positively selected site was found in the branch-site model analysis, which was located in ND2 (at position 28, BEB value = 0.907). Through analyzing the protein structure and function of the selected site, we found it was distributed in mitochondrial protein complex I. Positive selection of some mitochondrial genes in limbless skinks may be related to the requirement of energy to fit in their locomotion. Further research is still needed to confirm this conclusion though.

Tourism plays an important role in rural restructuring, especially in mountainous areas. Mismatches between tourism and rural in terms of the development level and efficiency have given rise to a variety of challenges. In order to achieve the orderly growth of tourism and sustainable rural restructuring, there is an urgent need to explore the interaction between the two. Thus, we introduce the concept of synergistic development potential (SDP) and construct an assessment framework using coupling analysis. Southern Shaanxi, in the Qin-Ba mountainous area, a Chinese region rich in ecological tourism resources, was selected as a case study to evaluate the SDP during the period 2013 to 2018. In our framework, a comprehensive index system with 21 indicators was developed to evaluate the tourism development levels (TDL) and rural development levels (RDL) in 2013 and 2018, and the tourism development efficiency (TDE) and rural restructuring efficiency (RRE) during this period. Secondly, correlations between TDL and RDL, as well as correlations between TDE and RDE, were quantified using the coupling coordination degree model (CCDM). Finally, the SDP evaluation model was constructed through combing the coupling coordination degrees of current development levels and development efficiencies. The case study results indicate that the primary-level coordination counties are both dominated in this region in terms of the relationship of development levels as well as the development efficiencies. Additionally, the SDP results show a significant difference in 25 counties, with 36% of them having low potential, 48% having medium potential, and 16% having high potential. This study could intuitively show the development differences among various units and provide theoretical and methodological support for the rural tourism zoning strategies.

The Booroola fecundity (FecB) gene is a major fertility-related gene first identified in Booroola sheep. Numerous studies have investigated whether the FecB gene is a major fecundity gene in goats or whether there are other genes that play a critical role in goat fertility. Nevertheless, little attention has been paid to the role of the FecB gene in the body morphometric traits of goats, despite the positive relationship discerned between litter size and growth. We identified five copy number variations (CNVs) within the FecB gene in 641 goats, including 318 Shaanbei white cashmere (SBWC) goats, 203 Guizhou Heima (GZHM) goats, and 120 Nubian goats, which exhibited different distributions among these populations. Our results revealed that these five CNVs were significantly associated with goat morphometric traits (p < 0.05). The normal type of CNV3 was the dominant type and displayed superior phenotypes in both litter size and morphometric traits, making it an effective marker for goat breeding. Consequently, LD blocks in the region of 10 Mb upstream and downstream from FecB and potential transcription factors (TFs) that could bind with the CNVs were analyzed via bioinformatics. Although no significant LD block was detected, our results illustrated that these CNVs could bind to growth-related TFs and indirectly affect the growth development of the goats. We identified potential markers to promote litter size and growth, and we offer a theoretical foundation for further breeding work.

Ephemeroptera (Insecta: Pterygota) are widely distributed all over the world with more than 3500 species. During the last decade, the phylogenetic relationships within Ephemeroptera have been a hot topic of research, especially regarding the phylogenetic relationships among Vietnamellidae. In this study, three mitochondrial genomes from three populations of Vienamella sinensis collected from Tonglu (V. sinensis TL), Chun’an (V. sinensis CN), and Qingyuan (V. sinensis QY) in Zhejiang Province, China were compared to discuss the potential existence of cryptic species. We also established their phylogenetic relationship by combining the mt genomes of 69 Ephemeroptera downloaded from NCBI. The mt genomes of V. sinensis TL, V. sinensis CN, and V. sinensis QY showed the same gene arrangement with lengths of 15,674 bp, 15,674 bp, and 15,610 bp, respectively. Comprehensive analyses of these three mt genomes revealed significant differences in mt genome organization, genetic distance, and divergence time. Our results showed that the specimens collected from Chun’an and Tonglu in Zhejiang Province, China belonged to V. sinensis, and the specimens collected from Qingyuan, Zhejiang Province, China were a cryptic species of V. sinensis. In maximum likelihood (ML) and Bayesian inference (BI) phylogenetic trees, the monophyly of the family Vietnamellidae was supported and Vietnamellidae has a close relationship with Ephemerellidae.

Dynein Axonemal Heavy Chain 1 (DNAH1) encodes proteins which provide structural support for the physiological function and motor structure of spermatozoa (hereafter referred to as sperm) and ova. This study found that three single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), the 27-bp insertion/deletion (InDel) mutations and three exonic copy number variations (CNVs) within DNAH1 were significantly associated with litter size of Shaanbei white cashmere goats (n = 1101). Goats with the wildtypes of these three SNPs had higher litter sizes than other carriers (p < 0.05). II genotype of the 27-bp InDel had the highest litter size compared with ID carriers (p = 0.000022). The gain genotype had the largest litter sizes compared with the loss or medium carriers for the three CNV mutations (p < 0.01). Individuals with the AA-TT-CC-II-M1-M2-M3 and AA-TT-CC-II-G1-G2-M3 combination genotypes had larger litter sizes compared with the other genotypes. This study also showed the DNAH1 expression in mothers of multiple kids was higher than mothers of single kids. These three SNPs, the 27-bp InDel and three CNVs in DNAH1 could be used as molecular markers for the selection of goat reproductive traits.

Most methods for sparse representation are designed to be used in the original space. However, their performance is not always satisfactory especially when training samples are limited. According to the previous studies, more information can be obtained from samples in the feature space than those in the original space. The authors propose a novel kernel difference maximisation-based sparse representation method, and its remarkable performance in face recognition is demonstrated by the experiments. The proposed method converts all the samples into the feature space, and a test sample can be denoted as a representation with all the training samples’ linear combinations. Besides, a novel solution scheme for sparse representation is utilised to obtain the [inline-formula] regularisation-based sparse solution. Finally, the classification of the test sample can be easily judged according to the representation result. The representation results of test samples from different classes obtained by their method are very different, making the classification of test samples easier. Besides, the proposed method is simpler than the related methods and does not require dictionary learning.

Grain shape (GS) is an important agronomic trait that can improve rice breeding for optimal appearance quality, and it varies highly between indica and japonica subspecies. In this study, we conducted a genome sequencing of a series of recombination inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between japonica variety Shennong265 (SN265) and indica variety R99, and we successfully detected seven loci associated with GS. Subsequent analysis showed that a major quantitative trait locus (QTL) corresponded to the qSW5/GW5. To identify a main-effect locus, we conducted bulked segregant analysis (BSA) in two F2 populations. A 0.8-Mb region on chromosome 9 was identified as the candidate region of GS. There are 101 predicted genes in this region, and eight single nucleotide polymorphisms/insertions and deletions (SNPs/INDELs) caused frameshift. We found that a 637-bp stretch in exon 5 of the DENSE AND ERECT PANICLE 1 (DEP1) locus in SN265 was replaced by a 12-bp sequence. The two types of CRISPR/Cas9 gene-edited plants confirmed that DEP1 affected GS, and both Gγ and Cys-rich domains participated in this regulatory mechanism. These findings improve our understanding of the underlying mechanism of GS in rice and provide an effective and rapid strategy for the identification of main-effect loci of target traits.

Botryococcus braunii, a prestigious energy microalga, has recently received widespread attention because it can secrete large amounts of exopolysaccharides (EPS) with potential applications in food, cosmetics, and nutraceuticals. Unfortunately, the insufficiency of research on the bioactivity and structure–activity relationship of B. braunii EPS has impeded the downstream applications. In the present study, alcohol precipitation, deproteinization, and DEAE-cellulose column chromatography were used to extract and purify B. braunii SCS-1905 EPS. It was found that B. braunii SCS-1905 EPS were high-molecular-weight heteropolysaccharides containing uronic acid (7.43–8.83%), protein (2.30–4.04%), and sulfate groups (1.52–1.95%). Additionally, the EPS primarily comprised galactose (52.34–54.12%), glucose (34.60–35.53%), arabinose (9.41–10.32%), and minor amounts of fucose (1.80–1.99%), with the presence of a pyranose ring linked by a β-configurational glycosidic bond. Notably, the antioxidant activity of crude exopolysaccharides (CEPS) was stronger, and the half maximal inhibitory concentration (IC50) for ABTS and hydroxyl radicals was significantly lower than that of deproteinized exopolysaccharides (DEPS). Overall, this study indicated a potential application of B. braunii SCS-1905 EPS as a natural antioxidant. In summary, B. braunii EPS could be used as a potential feedstock for the production of antioxidant health foods.

Heterotrimeric G protein signaling is an evolutionarily conserved mechanism in diverse organisms that mediates intracellular responses to external stimuli. In rice, the G proteins are involved in the regulation of multiple important agronomic traits. In this paper, we present our finding that two type C G protein gamma subunits, DEP1 and GS3, antagonistically regulated grain yield and grain quality. The DEP1 gene editing we conducted, significantly increased the grain number per panicle but had a negative impact on taste value, texture properties, and chalkiness-related traits. The GS3 gene editing decreased grain number per panicle but significantly increased grain length. In addition, the GS3 gene-edited plants showed improved taste value, appearance, texture properties, and Rapid Visco Analyser (RVA) profiles. To combine the advantages of both gs3 and dep1, we conducted a molecular design breeding at the GS3 locus of a “super rice” variety, SN265, which has a truncated dep1 allele with erect panicle architecture, high-yield performance, and which is of mediocre eating quality. The elongated grain size of the sn265/gs3 gene-edited plants further increased the grain yield. More importantly, the texture properties and RVA profiles were significantly improved, and the taste quality was enhanced. Beyond showcasing the combined function of dep1 and gs3, this paper presents a strategy for the simultaneous improvement of rice grain yield and quality through manipulating two type C G protein gamma subunits in rice.

Abstract Background Two of the most widely cultivated rice strains are Oryza sativa indica and O. sativa japonica, and understanding the genetic basis of their agronomic traits is of importance for crop production. These two species are highly distinct in terms of geographical distribution and morphological traits. However, the relationship among genetic background, ecological conditions, and agronomic traits is unclear. Results In this study, we performed the de novo assembly of a high-quality genome of SN265, a cultivar that is extensively cultivated as a backbone japonica parent in northern China, using single-molecule sequencing. Recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from a cross between SN265 and R99 (indica) were re-sequenced and cultivated in three distinct ecological conditions. We identify 79 QTLs related to 15 agronomic traits. We found that several genes underwent functional alterations when the ecological conditions were changed, and some alleles exhibited contracted responses to different genetic backgrounds. We validated the involvement of one candidate gene, DEP1, in determining panicle length, using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Conclusions This study provides information on the suitable environmental conditions, and genetic background, for functional genes in rice breeding. Moreover, the public availability of the reference genome of northern japonica SN265 provides a valuable resource for plant biologists and the genetic improvement of crops.

Genistein, a potent antioxidant compound, protects dopaminergic neurons in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease. However, the mechanism underlying this action remains unknown. This study investigated human SH-SY5Y cells overexpressing the A53T mutant of α-synuclein. Four groups of cells were assayed: a control group (without any treatment), a genistein group (incubated with 20 μM genistein), a rotenone group (treated with 50 μM rotenone), and a rotenone + genistein group (incubated with 20 μM genistein and then treated with 50 μM rotenone). A lactate dehydrogenase release test confirmed the protective effect of genistein, and genistein remarkably reversed mitochondrial oxidative injury caused by rotenone. Western blot assays showed that BCL-2 and Beclin 1 levels were markedly higher in the genistein group than in the rotenone group. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling revealed that genistein inhibited rotenone-induced apoptosis in SH-SY5Y cells. Compared with the control group, the expression of NFE2L2 and HMOX1 was significantly increased in the genistein + rotenone group. However, after treatment with estrogen receptor and NFE2L2 channel blockers (ICI-182780 and ML385, respectively), genistein could not elevate NFE2L2 and HMOX1 expression. ICI-182780 effectively prevented genistein-mediated phosphorylation of NFE2L2 and remarkably suppressed phosphorylation of AKT, a protein downstream of the estrogen receptor. These findings confirm that genistein has neuroprotective effects in a cell model of Parkinson's disease. Genistein can reduce oxidative stress damage and cell apoptosis by activating estrogen receptors and NFE2L2 channels.

Abstract Background Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is cultivated in a wide range of climatic conditions, and is one of mankind’s major staple foods. The interaction of environmental factors with genotype effects major agronomic traits such as yield, quality, and resistance in rice. However, studies on the environmental factors affecting agronomic traits are often difficult to conduct because most environmental factors are dynamic and constantly changing. Results A series of recombinant inbred lines (RILs) derived from an indica/japonica cross were planted into four typical rice cultivated areas arranging from latitude N22° to N42°. The environmental data from the heading to mature (45 days) stages were recorded for each RIL in the four areas. We determined that light, temperature, and humidity significantly affected the milling quality and cooking quality overall the four areas. Within each area, these environmental factors mainly affected the head rice ratio, grain length, alkali consumption, and amylose and protein content. Moreover, the effect of these environmental factors dynamically changed from heading to mature stage. Compared to light and humidity, temperature was more stable and predictable, and night temperature showed a stronger correlation efficiency to cooking quality than day temperature, and the daily temperature range had contrary effects compared to day and night temperature on grain quality. Conclusions The present study evaluated the critical phase during the grain filling stage by calculating the dynamic changes of correlation efficiency between the quality traits and climate parameters. Our findings suggest that the sowing date could be adjusted to improve rice quality so as to adjust for environmental changes.

Melanocortin-3 receptor (MC3R) plays an important role in the energy homeostasis of animals under different nutritional conditions. Onychostoma macrolepis is a hibernating cavefish found in the northern part of the Yangtze River, and its adaptation to a nutrient-poor environment has attracted growing interest. In this study, we characterized the protein structure of Onychostoma macrolepis Mc3r (omMc3r), examined its tissue distribution, and investigated its function in mediating cellular signaling. We showed that the CDS of omMc3r is 978 bp, encoding a putative protein of 325 amino acids. Homology and phylogenetic analyses indicated that omMc3r is evolutionary close to cyprinids. Real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) revealed that omMc3r was highly expressed in the liver and brain. The functions of omMc3r to mediate ligands activating downstream signaling have also been confirmed by using signal pathway-specific reporters. The four agonists α-MSH, β-MSH, NDP-MSH, and ACTH (1–24) can all activate the cAMP and MAPK/ERK signaling pathway, albeit with different potency orders. The “primitive” ligand ACTH (1–24) had the highest potency on the cAMP signaling pathway, while the synthetic ligand NDP-MSH had the highest activation effect on the MAPK/ERK signaling pathway. This research will lay the foundation for studying the energy regulation mechanism of cavefish in an oligotrophic environment.