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The application of fungicide mixture is one of the most important measures to extend the service life of highly selective fungicides. Pyraclostrobin (PYR), which has been extensively used to control plant diseases by inhibiting mitochondrial respiration of pathogenic fungi, is at a high risk of resistance development. In this study, the potential of PYR alone or in combination with cystamine, an inhibitor of microbial transglutaminase, to suppress Fusarium graminearum was tested in vitro and in vivo. A synergistic effect of PYR/CYS mixture was observed both in vitro and when applied to etiolated wheat coleoptile. The control effect of PYR/CYS mixture on F. graminearum was better than that of PYR alone, which was reflected by the increased protection effect. The discrepancies of membrane permeability and the redox-physiological state were observed between PYR and PYR/CYS treatments, suggesting that an increased PYR availability in F. graminearum mycelia could be related with the observed synergistic action. Moreover, a synergistic profile was observed between PYR and CYS in regard of massive autophagosomes in mycelia, indicating that enhanced autophagy could be involved in the mode of action of PYR/CYS mixture. The differential content of mitochondrial metabolites between PYR and PYR/CYS treatments also provided evidence for CYS contribution to the fungicidal action of PYR/CYS mixture. The results provide insight into the synergistic mechanism of action of PYR/CYS mixture and an effective way to enhance the efficiency of PYR to combat F. graminearum. [Display omitted] • Cystamine (CYS) exhibits synergistic action with pyraclostrobin (PYR) against F. graminearum. • Autophagy and membrane permeability are involved in mode of action of PYR/CYS combination. • PYR/CYS combination induces severe mitochondrial dysfunctions in F. graminearum. • PYR/CYS combination provides a potential strategy by reducing PYR use to combat F. graminearum. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: For a flexible rotor system under seismic excitation, H 2, H ∞ and mixed H 2/H ∞ control strategies were formulated by means of linear matrix inequality (LMI) to attenuate the transient vibration of the flexible rotor system under a nonstationary seismic excitation and to improve robust performance of the flexible rotor system. A double-disc cantilever flexible rotor system was used as an example to verify the feasibility and the validity of the H 2, H ∞ and mixed H 2/H ∞ control strategies in active vibration control for a rotor system subjected to nonstationary El Centro seismic excitation. The performances of the rotor system in both frequency and time domains were analysed based on numerical optimization technique, which bases on an efficient convex optimization software. The feasibility and the effectiveness of the control strategies presented in active vibration control for a rotor system were verified. It is shown that for the H ∞ control, the displacement responses of the rotor system are effectively suppressed in the frequency domain, but transient-response performances are not so good. For the H 2 control, the transient responses of the rotor system attenuate quickly, but the frequency-response performances are not so good. The effectiveness of the mixed H 2/H ∞ control to suppress the displacement responses of the rotor system in the frequency domain and the transient response in time domain greatly depends on the H ∞ performance index. If the H ∞ performance index in the mixed H 2/H ∞ control is properly chosen, the mixed H 2/H ∞ control can effectively suppress both the displacement responses of the rotor system in the frequency domain and the transient response in time domain. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

[Display omitted] Developing efficient and stable electrocatalysts at affordable costs is very important for large-scale production of green hydrogen. In this study, unique amphoteric metallic element-doped NiFe-LDH nanosheet arrays (NiFeCd-LDH, NiFeZn-LDH and NiFeAl-LDH) using as high-performance bifunctional electrocatalysts for hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and oxygen evolution reaction (OER) were reported, by tuning electronic structure and vacancy engineering. It was found that NiFeCd-LDH possesses the lowest overpotentials of 85 mV and 240 mV (at 10 mA cm−2) for HER and OER, respectively. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations reveal the synergistic effect of Cd vacancies and Cd doping on improving alkaline HER performance, which promote the achievement of excellent catalytic activity and ultrastable hydrogen production at a large current density of 1000 mA cm−2 within 250 h. Besides, the overall water splitting performance of the as-prepared NiFeCd-LDH requires only 1.580 V to achieve a current density of 10 mA cm−2 in alkaline seawater media, underscoring the importance of modifying the electronic properties of LDH for efficient overall water splitting in both alkaline water/seawater environments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Melanoma, the type of skin cancer considered as most malignant, and known to be linked with a high incidence as well as high mortality rate. Although the dysregulation of ASF1B and miR-767-3p expression is involved in the progression of various cancers, their biological function in melanoma remains unclear. Real-time qPCR was the primary source for determining the levels of ASF1B and miR-767-3p in melanoma. For the validation of association among miR-767-3p and ASF1B, luciferase activity assay was used. Quantification of cell apoptosis, proliferation, migration and viability in melanoma cells were carried out by flow cytometry, BrdU, transwell assays, and CCK-8, respectively. Further evaluation of tumor growth was achieved by xenograft in vivo. Results showed an increased expression of ASF1B while declined expression of miR-767-3p in melanoma. ASF1B knockdown repressed cell migration, viability, proliferation, and tumor growth whereas boosted apoptosis in A375 as well as in A875 melanoma cells. Moreover, miR-767-3p attenuated the migration and proliferation of melanoma cells and encouraged cell apoptosis by reducing ASF1B levels. In this study, miR-767-3p was shown to inhibit ASF1B which will attenuate melanoma tumorigenesis, and by this it can be a potential new effective biomarker for the treatment of melanoma. • ASF1B is identified as the miR-767-3p downstream effector. • ASF1B was obviously increased in melanoma. • ASF1B knockdown inhibited tumor growth of melanoma in vivo. • ASF1B accelerated the progression of melanoma cells. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of yeast culture on the growth, health and microflora of the juvenile largemouth bass fed high-starch diet. The experiment set three isonitrogenous and isolipidic diets, control (high-starch diet), HSY 1 (high-starch diet with 1% yeast culture) and HSY 3 (high-starch diet with 3% yeast culture). A feeding trial was conducted in largemouth bass juveniles for 8 weeks. The results indicated fish fed with 3% yeast culture not only could improve specific growth rate (SGR), but also significantly decreased hepatic lipid content, hepatic glycogen content, and hepatopancreas somatic index (HSI) compared with the control group (p<0.05). The total superoxide dismutase (T-SOD) and catalase (CAT) activities of HSY 3 group significantly increased while malondialdehyde (MDA) content significantly reduced in liver compared with the control group (p<0.05). Meanwhile, the mRNA expression levels of hepatic Sod and Cat were up-regulated (p<0.05), and liver metabolism showed 111 metabolites were significantly changed in HSY 3 group, liver lipid metabolism pathway remarkably changed. Besides, the intestinal anti-inflammatory cytokines were significantly up-regulated, and the pro-inflammatory cytokines were significantly down-regulated as the inclusion of yeast culture (p<0.05). Notably, HSY 3 group diet up-regulated the expression of Zo-1 , Claudin and Occludin in intestine compared with the other groups (p<0.05). Serum d -lactate (D-lac), diamine oxidase (DAO) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS) decreased significantly with the inclusion of yeast culture (p<0.05). Furthermore, the abundance of probiotics (such as Lactobacillus , Bacillus and Bifidobacterium) increased significantly, and the abundance of intestinal potential pathogenic bacteria (Plesiomonas) decreased in HSY 3 group (p<0.05). The phenotypic analysis showed that gram-negative bacteria significantly decreased while gram-positive bacteria increased in HSY 3 group (p<0.05). All in all, this study revealed that supplementation of 3% yeast culture can improve the growth performance and the health of juvenile largemouth bass, and has the potential to be used as an effective synbiotics for M. salmoides. • The 3% yeast culture could enhance growth performance and liver functiono of M. salmoides fed high-starch diet. • The yeast culture could reinforce intestinal physical barrier and immune barrier of M. salmoides at high dietary starch levels. • The yeast culture could regulate intestinal microbiota of M. salmoide. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MXenes (two-dimensional early transition metal carbides and carbonitrides) possess both excellent conductivity and surface hydrophilicity, enabling more diverse potential applications. However, in flexible strain sensors, the flexible substrates are usually composed of hydrophobic elastomers such as thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). To enhance the interactions between MXenes and hydrophobic. substrates, it is wiser to change the composition of the flexible substrate than to modify the surface of MXenes, so as to improve the interactions between the flexible substrate and MXenes without losing the excellent conductivity of MXene. We introduce polyacrylonitrile (PAN) into TPU, and then fabricate a flexible TPU/PAN mat through electrospinning. A highly conductive and stretchable Ti 3 C 2 MXene/TPU/PAN mat was then prepared by a simple dip-coating process. The interaction mechanism between Ti 3 C 2 MXene nanosheets and TPU/PAN mat was investigated by XPS and FT-IR. Finally, we build the MXene/TPU/PAN mat into a flexible strain sensor with excellent properties. By introducing PAN into flexible substrate, the interaction between Ti 3 C 2 MXene and the flexible substrate was effectively improved without compromising Ti 3 C 2 MXene's excellent conductivity. The MXene/TPU/PAN strain sensor possesses a wide sensing range (0–80%), a fast response (<140.6 ms), a low limit of detection (<0.1%), splendid coating adhesion and excellent durability (>1750 cycles). All of these properties are demanded in wearable electronics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TCA exhibits protective effects on memory and synaptic impairment in PS cDKO mice. • TCA improves neuroinflammatory-mediated NMDAR dysfunction by blocking NF-κB pathway. • TCA represents a potent therapeutic drug against neurodegenerative disorders. A chronic neuroinflammatory response has been considered as a critical pathogenesis promoting neurodegenerative progression in Alzheimer's disease (AD). During neuroinflammatory process, microglia are excessively activated and simultaneously release numerous pro-inflammatory mediators that cause synaptic dysfunction in the forebrain prior to neuronal degeneration and memory deficits in AD. Thus, prevention of neuroinflammation-mediated synaptic dysfunction may be a potential therapeutic approach against neurodegenerative disorders. Trans -cinnamaldehyde (TCA) is a primary bioactive component derived from the stem bark of Cinnamomum cassia , and it possesses potent anti-inflammatory and neuroprotective activities in in vivo and in vitro experiments. However, the in-depth molecular mechanisms of TCA underlying anti-neuroinflammatory and neuroprotective effects on memory deficits in AD are still unclear. The presenilin 1 and 2 conditional double knockout (PS cDKO) mice exhibit AD-like phenotypes including obvious neuroinflammatory responses and synaptic dysfunction and memory deficits. Here, PS cDKO were used to evaluate the potential neuroprotective effects of TCA against neuroinflammation-mediated dementia by performing behavioral tests, electrophysiological recordings and molecular biology analyses. We observed that TCA treatment reversed abnormal expression of synaptic proteins and tau hyperphosphorylation in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of PS cDKO mice. TCA treatment also ameliorated NMDA receptor (NMDAR) dysfunction including impaired NMDAR-mediated responses and long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in the hippocampus of PS cDKO mice. Moreover, TCA possesses an ability to suppress neuroinflammatory responses by diminishing microglial activation and levels of pro-inflammatory mediators in the hippocampus and prefrontal cortex of PS cDKO mice. Importantly, improving NMDAR dysfunction and memory deficits of PS cDKO mice was due to the inhibition of neuroinflammatory responses through TCA's interruptive effect on the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) signaling pathway. Therefore, TCA may be a potential anti-neuroinflammatory agent for deterring neurodegenerative progression of AD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights • A novel optical fiber sensor with two concatenated abrupt-tapers in twin-core fiber. • Multicore optical fibers cause interference between modes. • The structural design of two-abrupt taper enhances the interference between modes. • Maximum interference resonance dip exceeds 19 dB, and higher sensitivity has achieved. • The proposed sensor is easy-fabricated, low-cost and high sensitivity. Abstract In this paper, a novel and high sensitivity optical fiber sensor based on Mach-Zehnder interferometer (MZI) with two concatenated abrupt-tapers in twin-core fiber (TCF) is proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The setup includes two abrupt-tapers with different size in TCF and then spliced with two segment of normal single mode fibers (SMFs). The multiple cladding mode will be excited within the TCF, partly coupled with the core mode while in the first taper. After propagation of these coupled modes, they will be recouped in the second tapers. Through the two abrupt-tapers, we realized twice MZI. It is because of the two abrupt-tapers structure that the interference between modes is strengthened. Maximum interference resonance dips exceeds 19 dB. The interference fringe of this device would shift with the variation of strain. Therefore, we can desire the parameters through monitoring the wavelength shift of the transmission spectrum. The experimental results show that the sensitivity of the strain sensor is 6.39 pm/με when the resonance wavelength is 1466.2 nm. Especially, a higher sensitivity has achieved in this paper compared with other strain sensor, which sensitivity is up to 7.6 pm/με at 1716.5 nm with interferometer extinction ratio of 11 dB. The proposed sensor is easy-fabricated, low-cost and high sensitivity, which is very suitable for physical application of strain measurement. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Isobavachin was identified as a novel natural scaffold hURAT1 inhibitor by shape-based and docking-based virtual screenings. • Isobavachin exhibited dual target inhibitory effects of URAT1 and GLUT9, and a modest inhibitory effect on XOD activity. • Isobavachin exhibited excellent urate-lowering effect and safe profile in vitro and in vivo. Previously we discovered a novel natural scaffold compound, isobavachin (4′, 7-dihydroxy-8-prenylflavanone), as a potent URAT1 inhibitor by shape and structure based on a virtue screening approach. In this study, further urate-lowering mechanism, pharmacokinetics and toxicities of isobavachin were conducted. Isobavachin inhibited URAT1 with an IC 50 value of 0.24 ± 0.06 μM, and residues S35, F365, I481 and R477 of URAT1 contributed to high affinity for isobavachin. Isobavachin also inhibited glucose transporter 9 (GLUT9), another pivotal urate reabsorption transporter, with an IC 50 value of 1.12 ± 0.26 μM. Molecular docking and MMGBSA results indicated that isobavachin might compete residues R171, L75 and N333 with uric acid, which leads to inhibition of uric acid transport of GLUT9. Isobavachin weakly inhibited urate secretion transporters OAT1 with an IC 50 value of 4.38 ± 1.27 μM, OAT3 with an IC 50 of 3.64 ± 0.62 μM, and ABCG2 with an IC 50 of 10.45 ± 2.17 μM. Isobavachin also inhibited xanthine oxidase (XOD) activity in vitro with an IC 50 value of 14.43 ± 3.56 μM, and inhibited the hepatic XOD activities at 5–20 mg/kg in vivo. Docking and MMGBSA analysis indicated that isobavachin might bind to the Mo-Pt catalyze center of XOD, which leads to inhibition of uric acid production. In vivo , isobavachin exhibited powerful urate-lowering and uricosuric effects at 5–20 mg/kg compared with the positive drugs morin (20 mg/kg) and RDEA3170 (10 mg/kg). Safety assessments revealed that isobavachin was safe and had no obvious toxicities. Isobavachin has little cell toxicity in HK2 cells as indicated by the MTT assay. In vivo, after treatment with 50 mg/kg isobavachin for 14 days, isobavachin had little renal toxicity, as revealed by serum CR/BUN levels, and no hepatotoxicity as revealed by ALT/AST levels. Further HE examination also suggests that isobavachin has no obvious kidney/liver damage. A pharmacokinetic study in SD rats indicated isobavachin had lower bioavailability (12.84 ± 5.13 %) but long half-time (7.04 ± 2.68 h) to maintain a continuous plasma concentration. Collectively, these results indicate that isobavachin deserves further investigation as a candidate anti-hyperuricemic drug with a novel mechanism of action: selective urate reabsorption inhibitor (URAT1/GLUT9) with a moderate inhibitory effect on XOD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]