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There is an urgent need for influenza vaccines that offer broad cross-protection. The highly conserved ectodomain of the influenza matrix protein 2 (M2e) is a promising candidate; however, its low immunogenicity can be addressed. In this study, we developed influenza vaccines using the Lumazine synthase (LS) platform. The primary objective of this study was to determine the protective potential of M2e proteins expressed on Lumazine synthase (LS) nanoparticles. M2e-LS proteins, produced through the E. coli system, spontaneously assemble into nanoparticles. The study investigated the efficacy of the M2e-LS nanoparticle vaccine in mice. Mice immunized with M2e-LS nanoparticles exhibited significantly higher levels of intracellular cytokines than those receiving soluble M2e proteins. The M2e-LS protein exhibited robust immunogenicity and provided 100% protection against cross-clade influenza. • We successfully constructed the 5M2e-LS nanoparticle units, which could be seen as small flat spheres with a diameter of about 40 nm by TEM. • The 5M2e-LS nanoparticles demonstrated good immunogenicity, which could enhance antibody titers and cellular immune responses effectively. • The 5M2e-LS nanoparticles induced the IgG antibodies that could recognize influenza virions and SIV-infected cells. • Mice immunized with 5M2e-LS nanoparticles vaccines could be protective against cross-clade H1N1 influenza A virus challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] Broadband surface-enhanced Raman scattering (SERS) substrates can achieve strong SERS enhancement at multiple excitation wavelengths, which is highly desirable in diverse fields. Here, a facile and reliable interfacial layer-by-layer self-assembly technique was proposed to construct broadband and sensitive Au@Ag nanorod (NR) monolayer film over nanosphere (MFON) substrate. The Au@Ag NR MFON substrate with ultra-broad spectrum from visible to near-infrared region was achieved by varying the shape of plasmonic nanoparticles, which exhibits excellent SERS activity at different excitation wavelengths. Besides, the size of Au@Ag NRs and polystyrene spheres, and the layer numbers of Au@Ag NR film were altered to optimize the sensitivity of SERS substrates. Notably, the SERS intensity of the optimally designed Au@Ag NR MFON substrate is 25-fold larger than that of Au@Ag NR monolayer film deposition on the plane Si wafer. Furthermore, the optimal Au@Ag NR MFON substrate presents excellent reproducibility and a much wider quantitative detection range, which enables a wide-linear-range analysis of thiram in grape juice by a portable Raman spectrometer. Therefore, we envision that this study opens a new avenue toward the design of ultra-sensitive and broadband SERS platforms with widespread applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The development of metal ion detection probes with high sensitivity and selectivity is of utmost importance for the promotion of public health and environmental sustainability. In this work, a series of ratiometric fluorescent probes (RhB@UiO-67-NH 2) were successfully prepared using a one-pot method for the detection of metal ions, particularly As5+ and Fe3+. Notably, the ratiometric fluorescent probe RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 (1:4) demonstrates dual functionality as a Fe3+ turn-off probe and an As5+ turn-on probe. The limits of detection (LODs) for As5+ and Fe3+ using RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 (1:4) were determined to be 0.521 μM (39.03 ppb) and 0.107 μM (5.97 ppb), respectively, which were the lowest records of reported LMOFs so far. The fluorescence quenching of Fe3+ can be attributed to various mechanisms such as fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET), photoinduced electron transfer (PET), and competitive absorption (CA). Additionally, the fluorescence enhancement of As5+ is primarily due to absorbance-caused enhancement (ACE) and PET. Moreover, the composite material RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 (1:4) exhibited excellent anti-interference capability and reproducibility for detecting Fe3+ and As5+. The removal efficiency of As5+ by RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 (1:4) exceeded 50.9 % when the initial concentration of As5+ was below 20 mg/L. This work presents a valuable reference for future investigations and utilization of As5+ and Fe3+ sensing. RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 serves as an effective turn-on/off fluorescent probe for simultaneous As5+/Fe3+ identification. [Display omitted] • The ratio fluorescent probe RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 (1:4) can effectively detect As5+/Fe3+. • LODs of As5+ and Fe3+ for RhB@UiO-67-NH 2 (1:4) were 0.521 and 0.107 μM, respectively. • DFT simulation provided theoretical guidance for sensing mechanisms. • The fluorescence enhancement of As5+ was primarily due to ACE and PET. • The fluorescence quenching of Fe3+ was attributed to FRET, PET and CA mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Diabetic nephropathy (DN) is a prevalent chronic microvascular complication of diabetes and the leading cause of end-stage renal disease (ESRD). Understanding the progressive etiology of DN is critical for the development of effective health policies and interventions. Recent research indicated that polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) contaminate our diets and accumulate in various organs, including the liver, kidneys, and muscles. In this study, ten-week-old db/db mice and db/m mice were fed. Besides, db/db mice were divided into two groups: PS-MPs group (oral administration of 0.5 µm PS-MPs) and an H 2 O group, and they were fed for three months. A type II diabetes model was established using db/db mice to investigate the effects of PS-MPs on body weight, blood glucose level, renal function, and renal fibrosis. The results demonstrated that PS-MPs significantly exacerbated various biochemical indicators of renal tissue damage, including fasting blood glucose, serum creatinine, blood urea nitrogen, and blood uric acid. Additionally, PS-MPs worsened the pathological alterations and degree of fibrosis in renal tissue. An increased oxidative stress state and elevated levels of inflammatory cytokines, such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) were identified. Furthermore, PS-MPs significantly enhanced renal fibrosis by inhibiting the transition from epithelial cells to mesenchymal cells, specifically through the inhibition of the TGF-β/Smad signaling pathway. The expression levels of NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD (ASC), Caspase-1, and cleaved Caspase-1, which are inflammasome proteins, were significantly elevated in the PS-MPs group. The findings suggested that PS-MPs could aggravate kidney injury and renal fibrosis in db/db mice by promoting NLRP3/Caspase-1 and TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathways. These findings had implications for elucidating the role of PS-MPs in DN progression, underscoring the necessity for additional research and public health interventions. [Display omitted] • Polystyrene microplastics (PS-MPs) exacerbate renal fibrosis and kidney damage in mice with diabetes. • Polystyrene microplastics contribute to the EMT process in diabetic mice by activating the TGF-β1/Smad2/3 signaling pathway. • Polystyrene microplastics trigger pyroptosis through the NLRP3 inflammasome signaling pathway in diabetic mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Zinc is an essential trace element and participates in a variety of biological processes. ZnT (SLC30) family members are generally responsible for zinc efflux across the membrane regulating zinc homeostasis. In mammals, the only predominantly plasma membrane resident ZnT has been reported to be ZnT1, and ZnT1 - /ZnT1 - mice die at the embryonic stage. In Drosophila, knock down of ZnT1 homologue (dZnT1//ZnT63C/CG17723) results in growth arrest under zinc-limiting conditions. To investigate the essentiality of dZnT1 for zinc homeostasis, as well as its role in dietary zinc uptake especially under normal physiological conditions, we generated dZnT1 mutants by the CRISPER/Cas9 method. Homozygous mutant dZnT1 is lethal, with substantial zinc accumulation in the iron cell region, posterior midgut as well as gastric caeca. Expression of human ZnT1 (hZnT1), in the whole body or in the entire midgut, fully rescued the dZnT1 mutant lethality, whereas tissue-specific expression of hZnT1 in the iron cell region and posterior midgut partially rescued the developmental defect of the dZnT1 mutant. Supplementation of zinc together with clioquinol or hinokitiol conferred a limited but observable rescue upon dZnT1 loss. Our work demonstrated the absolute requirement of dZnT1 in Drosophila survival and indicated that the most essential role of dZnT1 is in the gut. • A genetic mutant of dZnT1were built by CRISPER-Cas9 system. • The mutation resulted in early lethality of Drosophila , similar to that in the mouse studies. • Gut expression of ZnT1 (dZnT1 and mammalian ZnT1 alike) largely rescued dZnT1 mutant. • Supplementation of zinc together with clioquinol or hinokitiol conferred a limited but observable rescue upon dZnT1 loss. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A greenhouse experiment was conducted to investigate an enhanced phytoremediation technique for multi-metal contaminated mine tailings by Solanum nigrum L. and using biochar/attapulgite as soil amendments. The 10% attapulgite (MA 2) and 10% biochar (MB 2) were recommended as the optimum chemical proportions for amendment materials. Plant length and fresh weight in the MA 2 /MB 2 -applied treatments were significantly higher than that in the non-amended treatment, indicating MA 2 and MB 2 amendments could alleviate metal phytotoxicity. Metal uptake in plant leaves was lower with MA 2 and MB 2 application than that in the non-amended treatment. However, metal uptake in plant roots was significantly increased with MA 2 and MB 2 application from the fifth month, suggesting that MA 2 and MB 2 had significant enhancement on metal stabilization. Temporal variation of metal translocation in soil-to-plant system showed that the function of MA 2 and MB 2 reached the plateau nearly in the seventh month. The removal rates of metals were higher after the application of MA 2 than MB 2 , and by the following order: Cu (39.6%) > Zn (35.0%) > Cd (34.1%) > Hg (32.1%) > Pb (31.8%) > Mn (19.1%). The synergistic effect between S. nigrum L. and MA 2 /MB 2 appeared to be particularly effective in terms of metal phytostabilization, and MA 2 was superior to MB 2. • Attapulgite and biochar amendments significantly increased plant growth. • Metals were immobilized by S. nigrum L. and attapulgite/biochar amendments. • Plant phytoextraction potential was enhanced with addition of soil amendments. • Cationic exchange/adsorption were the main mechanisms for attapulgite/biochar. • Metal species and temporal variation are the influencing factors for remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract The combined application of plant, microorganism, and amendment on the phytoremediation of heavy metals was optimized as a remediation technique for mine tailings by a field-scale orthogonal (L 16) experiment, aimed to achieve the maximum of phytoremediation effect. Soybean, M. Circinelloides, and A3 amendment (organic fertilizer: rice husk: biochar: ceramsite = 1:1:2:1) were recommended as the best plant, microorganism, and amendment materials, respectively. With the combined plant, microorganism, amendment application, effective fractions of Cu, Zn, Pb, Cd, Mn were immobilized for decreased bioavailability, indicating the phytostabilization served as a major repair pathway. Plant length and biomass in the treatments were significantly higher than that in the control, indicating their phytoremediation potentials were enhanced. The final contents of heavy metals in soil were decreased, and the removal rates of soil heavy metals were in the order of Pb＞Cd＞Cu＞Zn＞Mn. Temporal variations of soil microorganism populations indicated that the abundance of soil microorganism in the treatments was significantly higher than that in the control, and bacteria became the dominant microbial species. Results showed that the soil organic matter and catalase, urease, phosphatase activities of the treatments were all significantly higher than that of the control. This study provided optimized combined plant, microorganism, amendment materials in the enhanced phytoremediation field to make up the deficiencies of the long-term phytoremediation for heavy metals. Highlights • The combined of plant, microorganism, amendment was an enhanced remediation way. • Phytostabilisation served as a major phytoremediation pathway for heavy metals. • Mucor circinelloides was one of the best microorganism options. • Soybean was one of the best plant options. • Biochar played the most important role in the phytoremediation effect of amendment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study focused on the bioremediation mechanisms of lead (0, 100, 500, 1000 mg kg −1 ) and cadmium (0,10,50,100 mg kg −1 ) contaminated soil using two indigenous fungi selected from mine tailings as the phytostimulation of Arabidopsis thaliana. The two fungal strains were characterized as Mucor circinelloides (MC) and Trichoderma asperellum (TA) by internal transcribed spacer sequencing at the genetic levels. Our research revealed that Cadmium was more toxic to plant growth than lead and meanwhile, MC and TA can strengthen A. thaliana tolerance to cadmium and lead with 40.19–117.50% higher root length and 58.31–154.14% shoot fresh weight of plant compared to non-inoculation. In this study, TA exhibited a higher potential to the inactivation of cadmium; however, MC was more effective in lead passivation. There was a direct correlation between the type of fungi, heavy metal content, heavy metal type and oxidative damage in plant. Both lead and cadmium induced oxidative damage as indicated by increased superoxide dismutase and catalase activities, while the antioxidant levels were significantly higher in fungal inoculated plants compared with those non-inoculated. The analysis of soil enzyme activity and taxonomic richness uncovered that the dominant structures of soil microbial community were altered by exogenous microbial agents. MC enhanced higher microbial diversity and soil enzyme activity than TA. The two indigenous fungi lessened several limiting factors with respect to phytoremediation technology, such as soil chemistry, contamination level and transformation, and metal solubility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine a counterintuitive effect of motherhood and parental leave policies: supervisors and coworkers may view early career women who have yet to have children (i.e., childless women) with greater uncertainty and inconvenience than their counterparts (i.e., childless men), especially in organizations offering more maternal than paternal leave. We propose that these “maybe baby” expectations manifest as workplace incivility, which predicts later career withdrawal. In a time-lagged survey study, we examined 474 early career employees' experiences of workplace incivility and career withdrawal cognitions one year later; we also collected objective data on organizations' maternal and paternal leave policies. As expected, childless women experienced more incivility than their counterparts, a difference that was greater in organizations with larger differences between maternal leave and paternal leave policies and positively associated with subsequent career withdrawal. Discussion focuses on the importance of examining individual- and organizational-level work-family antecedents for understanding modern workplace mistreatment and its career effects in context, as well as the effective design and implementation of work-family policies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The mechanism of Fe2+-activated peroxodisulfate (PDS) by hydroxylamine (HA) has been investigated, however, nano zero-valent iron-activated persulfate (nZVI/PDS) has a more optimal effect and needs further investigation. This study investigated the addition of HA to nZVI/PDS to improve Fe2+ regeneration and accelerate methylparaben (MP) degradation by Fe (0/II/III) cycle. After 60 min of reaction, the HA-enhanced nZVI/PDS (HA/nZVI/PDS) system afforded a 21% increase in MP degradation, reaching 93.26% (1 mM HA, 1 mM nZVI, and 2 mM PDS). nZVI/PDS system was a second-order reaction, but after adding HA, the reaction was more suitable for the first-order reaction. The addition of HA effectively promoted the reduction of Fe3+ to Fe2+ to improve the effect and reaction rate of PDS degradation of MP (k increased from 0.0127 min−1 to 0.0198 min−1) and broadened the reaction pH range. The results of various characterizations of nZVI before and after the reaction revealed that nZVI changed from a spherical structure to a bundle structure and was slightly oxidized. Changes in the Fe2+ and Fe3+ concentrations as well as in the pH of the reaction systems were monitored and the possible reactions of the HA/nZVI/PDS system were derived for the first time (k nZVI/PDS <3.7 × 106 M−1 s−1, k Fe3+/NH2O· >4.2 min−1). 12 potential compounds were investigated and MP breakdown pathways were speculated; hydroxylation was determined to be the most important pathway of degradation. And the HA/nZVI/PDS system had universal applicability. [Display omitted] • The addition of HA resulted in a 21% increase in MP degradation, reaching 93.26%. • HA by the dynamic transformation of Fe3+ and Fe2+ to improve the degradation of MP. • SO 4 · − was dominant under acidic condition, ·OH was dominant under alkaline condition. • Most significant cause of MP degradation was hydroxylation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Methylparaben (MP) is an emerging pollutant, and the optimal conditions and kinetics of MP degradation using nano-zero-valent iron-activated persulfate (nZVI/PDS) need to be further investigated. This paper firstly investigated the response surface methodology (RSM) analysis of MP degradation by the heterogeneous system nZVI/PDS and concluded that the initial pH had the most significant effect on MP degradation. The optimal experimental conditions predicted by the RSM were as follows: initial pH 2.75, [nZVI] 0 = 2.87 mM, [PDS] 0 = 2.18 mM (MP degradation level of 95.30%). First- and second-order kinetic fits were performed for different initial pH levels and different concentrations of MP, nZVI, and PDS. It was determined that k = 0.0365 min−1 (R2 = 0.984) when the initial pH was 3, [PDS] 0 = 2 mM, [MP] 0 = 20 mg L−1, and [nZVI] 0 = 3 mM (MP degradation level of 94.25%). The rest of the conditions were more closely fitted to the second-order reactions. The effects of different concentrations of anions and humic acid (HA) on the MP degradation level and k were examined, and it was found that Cl− could promote MP degradation to 97.69% (increased by 3.65%) and increase the k in accordance with the first-order reaction kinetics (0.0780 min−1, R2 = 0.991). Finally, the analysis of intermediates revealed 5 reaction pathways and 7 reaction intermediates, which inferred a possible reaction mechanism with the recycling performance of nZVI. In this paper, the superiority of nZVI/PDS for the purposes of activating MP degradation was affirmed. The presence of Cl− can enhance the level of MP degradation was confirmed, which provides a new direction for future practical engineering applications. [Display omitted] • nZVI/PDS can improve the MP degradation rate to 95.42% (k = 0.0365 min−1). • First- and second-order kinetics were analyzed for all MP degradation reactions. • The optimal condition was derived in accordance with first-order reaction kinetics. • The addition of Cl− increased the MP degradation rate by nZVI/PDS to 97.69%. • Cl−/nZVI/PDS was in accordance with the first-order kinetics (k = 0.0780 min−1). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Myocardial ischemia–reperfusion (I/R) injury severely impacts the postoperative survival rate of coronary atherosclerotic heart disease. Radioprotective 105 kDa protein (RP105) is a regulator of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), an inflammatory factor whose functions have been reported in myocardial I/R injury. To investigate the roles of RP105 in mediating myocardial I/R injury, we overexpressed RP105 by injecting its adenovirus vectors, and induced myocardial I/R injury rat model in this study. Myocardial structure injuries of rat hearts were examined by hematoxylin eosin staining, and myocardial infarct area was calculated after Evans blue and triphenyltetrazolium chloride dual staining. Expression changes of TLR4, myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88), and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) in myocardia were detected by quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot. Amount changes of tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results showed that RP105 attenuated myocardial injuries and effectively reduced myocardial infarct area after I/R ( P < 0.05). RP105 was also proved to significantly inhibit TLR4 and downstream inflammatory factors MyD88, NF-κB, TNF-α and IL-6 ( P < 0.05), whose expression levels were up-regulated by I/R induction. These results indicated that RP105 could protect against myocardial I/R injury via suppressing inflammatory responses mediated by TLR4 signaling pathways. This study revealed the anti-inflammatory roles of RP105 and its potential in preventing and treating myocardial I/R injury. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In thermal hydrolysis (TH) of waste activated sludge (WAS), the material transformation of a specific temperature heating for a set duration is generally examined. However, this study looked at the material changes of TH as the temperature rose (90–210 °C) and the kinetic derivation of soluble chemical oxygen demand (SCOD), protein, and carbohydrate using the Coats-Redfern model. It was found that the proportion of soluble protein and soluble carbohydrate in the organic components and their contents reached the maximum (17.39 and 8.10 g L−1 respectively) at 180 °C. Differently, volatile fatty acid (VFA), amino acids, and ammonia nitrogen increased with the TH temperature and reached a maximum at 210 °C. The fitting equations of non-isothermal dynamics at the medium- and low-temperature stages (90–180 °C) at n = 1, 0.5, and 2 were studied. When n = 1, the activation energies of COD, protein, and carbohydrate were 33.32, 23.34, and 36.15 kJ mol−1, respectively. And the kinetic analysis results were in good agreement with the experimental results (the maximum rate of increase in protein and carbohydrate was at 135–150 °C and 150–180 °C, respectively). Moreover, the pattern of anaerobic digestion performance of WAS was comparable to the trend of protein and carbohydrate in TH, the highest cumulative methane production was 159.68 mL·g−1VS for the TH sludge at 180 °C. This study provided a theoretical foundation for the use of thermal hydrolysis in engineering. [Display omitted] • The Coats-Redfern model was used as the basis for kinetic derivation. • Protein and carbohydrate showed the maximum in TH at 180 °C (17.39 and 8.10 g L−1). • The total amino acid and ammonia nitrogen content increased with TH temperature. • The E a of protein and carbohydrate were 23.34 and 36.15 kJ. mol−1, respectively • The maximum methane production was 159.68 mL·g−1VS (180 °C TH). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The biosorption and bioaugmentation performances of Mucor circinelloides were investigated under different contact time, initial metal(loid) concentration and species. The microbe-plant interaction appeared synergistic with enhancing plant growth and alleviating oxidative damages induced by lead, cadmium and arsenic. The bioaugmentation with M. circinelloides led to significant immobilization on lead, cadmium and arsenic as indicated by the decreases of metal(loid) transfer and bioavailability in plant-microbe aqueous system. Lead, cadmium and arsenic were mainly allocated on cell wall and a few parts entered into intercellular system, suggesting cell wall adsorption and intracellular bioaccumulation served as the main mechanisms of M. circinelloides. The adsorption kinetics and isotherms on lead, cadmium and arsenic were fitted well with the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models, with the maximum adsorption capacities of 500, 15.4 and 29.4 mg·g−1 fungal biomass at pH 6.0 and 25 ℃. The optimum initial concentration and contact time were 300–10–20 mg·L−1 and 2 h. This study provides a basis for M. circinelloides as a promising adsorbent and bioaugmented agent for the cleanup of soil/aqueous environment contaminated with lead, cadmium and arsenic. ga1 • The adsorption best fitted with the pseudo-second-order and Langmuir models. • Most Pb, Cd and As allocated on cell wall via microbial passivation. • Microbe-plant interaction alleviated oxidative damage of combined Pb, Cd and As. • M. circinelloides reduced the translocation and bioavailability of Pb, Cd and As. • Bioaugmentation-assisted strategy improved phytoremediation of S. nigrum L. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dissolved organic matter extracted from compost tea, can be regarded as alternatives to inorganic fertilizers as well to be used as a washing agent for heavy metal polluted soil. However, the composition and quality of compost tea produced under different extraction time are still unknown. The objective of the current study was set to explore the influence of different extraction time (i.e., 6, 12, and 24 h) on the composition, quality, and copper binding capacity of compost tea originated from pig manure compost. The results indicated that the extraction time obviously influenced the phenolic, aromatic carboxylic, and polycyclic aromatic groups of compost tea. In addition, the compost tea undergo the shorter extraction time (i.e., 6 and 12 h) contained more protein and humic-like compositions. Among the all treatments tested herein, the compost tea produced from 12 h extraction time obviously exhibited higher aromaticity, molecular weight, and humification degree than other two treatments. The highest stability constant value (log K M) was observed for the shortest extraction time, i.e., 6.08. According to the quality measures and copper binding capability, shorter extraction times (i.e., 6 and 12 h) would be suggested for compost tea production from pig manure compost. • Extraction time influence the quality and copper binding ability of compost tea. • Compost tea from 6 and 12 h contained more protein and humic-like compounds. • Compost tea produced from 6 h presented higher copper binding ability than others. • Short extraction time (6 and 12 h) was suggested to produce the compost tea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radix aconiti lateralis (Fuzi) is widely used in China as a traditional Chinese medicine for the treatment of asthenia, pain and inflammation. However, its toxic alkaloids often lead to adverse reactions. Currently, most of the toxicity studies on Fuzi are focused on the heart and nervous system, and more comprehensive toxicity studies are needed. In this study, based on the previous reports of Fuzi hepatotoxicity, serum pharmacochemistry and network toxicology were used to screen the potential toxic components of Heishunpian(HSP), a processed product of Fuzi, and to explore the possible mechanism of HSP-induced hepatotoxicity. The results obtained are expressed based on the toxicological evidence chain (TEC). It was found that 22 potential toxic components screened can affect Th17 cell differentiation, Jak-STAT signaling pathway, glutathione metabolism, and other related pathways by regulating AKT1, IL2, F2, GSR, EGFR and other related targets, which induces oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, cell apoptosis, immune response, and excessive release of inflammatory factors, eventually inducing liver damage in rats. This is the first study on HSP-induced hepatotoxicity based on the TEC concept, providing references for further studies on the toxicity mechanism of Fuzi. Image 1 • The first systematic study of HSP-induced hepatotoxicity based on the TEC concept. • 22 candidate potential hepatotoxic components of HSP were obtained. • Inflammation, oxidative stress, metabolic disorders, and apoptosis are closely related to HSP-induced hepatotoxicity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Complemented croplands are a crucial component of cropland resources and play a significant role in ensuring national food security. In recent decades, to counter the loss of prime farmland caused by urban construction, the Chinese government introduced a requisition–compensation balance policy, leading to the substantial expansion of new croplands. Therefore, there is an urgent need to determine whether these complemented croplands can be effectively used. Taking Southwest China as a case study, we used high-precision long-term land-use data from 1990 to 2020 to reveal the dynamics of complemented cropland utilization, evaluate the efficiency of complemented cropland utilization from the perspective of abandoned farmland, and identify the factors driving complemented cropland use efficiency based on more than 13 million land parcels. The results showed that: (1) From 1990 to 2020, complemented cropland amounted to approximately 1170.07 × 104 hm2, accounting for 32.67% of the total arable land area in 1990. The potential grain production capacity of these complemented croplands was significantly lower than that of base croplands. (2) The abandonment of complemented croplands was more serious than that of base croplands, and 47.03% of the complemented croplands experienced abandonment at least once during the study period, and the average efficiency of the complemented croplands was 75.61%. (3) The labor population ratio, elevation, and land parcel size played pivotal roles in influencing the complemented cropland utilization efficiency; however, there was substantial variation among the different provinces. Labor replacement, overcoming farming difficulties brought by mountainous terrain, and improving farmers' income are the keys to alleviating cropland abandonment in mountainous areas and improving cropland utilization efficiency. This study provides novel insights into the efficiency assessment and exploration of the mechanisms driving complemented croplands and can provide references for cropland management. [Display omitted] • A novel perspective for the evaluation of cropland use efficiency was developed. • Complemented cropland abandonment was more serious than that of base cropland. • Average use efficiency of complemented cropland was 75.61% in Southwest China. • Labor force ratio, elevation, and land parcel size were the primary driving factors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Excessive dietary carbohydrate commonly impairs the functions of liver and intestine in carnivorous fish. In the present study, a 10-week feeding trial was carried out to explore the regulation of biotin on the hepatic and intestinal inflammation and apoptosis in turbot (Scophthalmus maximus L.) fed with high carbohydrate diets. Three isonitrogenous and isolipidic experimental diets were designed as follows: the CC diet with 18.6% of carbohydrate and 0.04 mg/kg of biotin, the HC diet with 26.9% of carbohydrate and 0.05 mg/kg of biotin, and the HCB diet with 26.9% of carbohydrate and 1.62 mg/kg of biotin. Results showed that high dietary carbohydrate (HC diet) impaired the morphology of liver and intestine, however, inclusion of dietary biotin (HCB diet) normalized their morphology. Inflammation-related gene expression of nuclear factor κB p65 (nf-κb p65), tumor necrosis factor α (tnf-α), interleukin-1β (il-1β), il-6 and il-8, and the protein expression of NF-κB p65 in the liver and intestine were significantly up-regulated in the HC group compared to those in the CC group (P < 0.05), the HCB diet decreased their expression compared to the HC group (P < 0.05). The gene expression of il-10 and transforming growth factor-β (tgf-β) in the liver and intestine were significantly decreased in the HC group compared to the CC group (P < 0.05), and inclusion of dietary biotin increased the il-10 and tgf-β expression in the liver and intestine (P < 0.05). Moreover, compared to the CC group, the HC group had a stronger degree of DNA fragmentation and more TUNEL-positive cells in the liver and intestine, and the HCB group had a slighter degree of DNA fragmentation and fewer TUNEL-positive cells compared to the HC group. Meanwhile, the gene expression of B-cell lymphoma protein-2-associated X protein (bax) and executor apoptosis-related cysteine peptidase 3 (caspase-3) were significantly up-regulated and the gene expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (bcl-2) was significantly down-regulated both in the liver and intestine in the HC group compared with those in the CC group (P < 0.05). Inclusion of dietary biotin significantly decreased the bax and caspase- 3 mRNA levels and increased bcl- 2 mRNA level in the liver and intestine (P < 0.05). In conclusion, high dietary carbohydrate (26.9% vs 18.6%) induced inflammation and apoptosis in liver and intestine. Supplementation of biotin (1.62 mg/kg vs 0.05 mg/kg) in diet can alleviate the high-dietary-carbohydrate-induced hepatic and intestinal inflammation as well as inhibit apoptosis in turbot. The present study provides basic data for the application of biotin into feed, especially the high-carbohydrate feed for turbot. • High dietary carbohydrate (26.9%) impaired the morphology of liver and intestine of turbot. • High dietary carbohydrate induced inflammation and apoptosis in liver and intestine. • Biotin alleviated the inflammation induced by high carbohydrate potentially via NF-κB pathway. • Biotin regulated apoptosis caused by high carbohydrate potentially via bax / bcl2 / caspase3 pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A series of poly(methyl methacrylate)- block -poly(perfluoroalkyl ethyl acrylate) (PMMA- b -PFAEA) with various fluorine content were employed to fabricate honeycomb ordered films via breath figure strategy. The influences of temperature, concentration, relative humidity, fluorine content on the morphology of porous films were investigated. Wetting behavior including hydrophobic property and wetting state of the films was studied. High surface roughness from the porous structure and low surface free energy from the increasing PFAEA fraction led to the enhancement of hydrophobicity. Additionally, fabrication of porous films by the mixture of PMMA and PMMA- b -PFAEA was investigated. Ordered porous film with excellent hydrophobicity and oleophobicity was obtained with only 7 wt% of PMMA- b -PFAEA by simultaneous processes of breath figure mechanism and phase separation. This work facilitates our further comprehension of the mechanism of breath figure and contributes to the fabrication of porous film from fluorinated copolymers. Meanwhile, it opens a new route to prepare films possessing excellent hydrophobicity and oleophobicity with extremely low fluorine content. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A new type of binder was developed by grafting casein and β-glucan to investigate its effect on tailings erosion and plant growth. 6% casein and 2% β-glucan were recommended as the best ratio of the new biopolymer binder, which had the best effect on the soil utilization of iron tailings. The infrared analysis of the new binder demonstrated that casein and β-glucan reacted adequately as raw materials. The results of physichemical properties and loss prevention of iron tailings showed that the binder-treated soils demonstrated lower erodibility compared with untreated iron tailings. The particle size of the tailings was increased after the addition of the binder. In treated soil, the content of soil organic matter increased significantly, which provided sufficient nutrients for the plants growing. Compared with natural tailings without binder, plant height, fresh weight, chlorophyll content, and enzyme activity (POD and SOD) were also significantly increased. This study overcame the current defects of biopolymer in soil improvement and provided an environmentally friendly method to prevent the loss of iron tailings and promote its soil utilization efficiency. [Display omitted] • Casein and β-glucan can be grafted to form environmental - friendly soil binder. • The physichemical properties of tailings with binder are improved obviously. • The problems of erosion of iron tailings can be solved after adding the binder. • The binder provides better soil conditions for plants, thus promoting the soil utilization of iron tailings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A 120-day feeding trial was conducted to investigate the effects of relative higher and lower dietary protein levels on the growth, immunity and anti-stress of abalone Haliotis discus hannai fed diets with 17.64% (low), 30.49% (normal) and 43.27% (high) of proteins, respectively. The results showed that compared with 30.49% of dietary protein, 17.64% and 43.27% of dietary protein levels significantly decreased the weight gain rate and the activities of α-amylase, trypsin, alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase in the hepatopancreas and serum of abalone (P < 0.05). Abalone fed 30.49% of dietary protein had the highest activity of superoxidase, acid phosphatase, alkaline phosphatase, lysozyme and the total anti-oxidative capacity, and the lowest content of malondialdehyde in the serum and hepatopancreas (P < 0.05). The gene expressions of TOR, S6k, Bcl-2, IκB, NfκB, TNF-α and Nrf 2 were significantly up-regulated in the group with 30.49% of dietary protein (P < 0.05). Pathological abnormalities in hepatocyte cells of abalone were found in the groups with 17.64% and 43.27% of dietary protein. Meanwhile, accumulative mortalities of abalone after the Vibrio parahaemolyticus challenge test and heat stress test were significantly increased within these two groups (P < 0.05). In conclusion, the excessive (43.27) or deficient (17.64) dietary protein levels depressed the growth and immunity of abalone. Combined with the stress tests results, 17.63% or 43.27% of dietary protein contents are not recommended to the abalone facing the stress of vibriosis or high-water temperature (≥28 °C). • Abalones were fed diets with 17.64% (low), 30.49% (normal) and 43.27% (high) of proteins, respectively, for 120 days. • Relative low or high dietary protein contents decreased the growth of abalone. • Normal dietary protein had the higher anti-oxidation and immune related enzyme activities and TOR expressions. • 17.63% or 43.27% of dietary protein contents are not recommended to the abalone facing the environmental stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are a significant group of pathogens that pose a serious threat to both human and animal health, with some being zoonotic and displaying frequent cross-species transmission. Human CoV-OC43 (HCoV-OC43) is one of the four common human CoVs that can cause seasonal mild to moderate respiratory diseases in humans. In this study, we identified HCoV-OC43 for the first time in two asymptomatic pet hamsters, which share a high similarity with the human-derived HCoV-OC43 strain, suggesting potential cross-species transmission of HCoV-OC43 to pet hamsters. The finding emphasizes the need to strengthen pathogen monitoring of livestock and pets in close contact with humans to provide early warning of public safety. • We identified HCoV-OC43 for the first time in hamsters and its close similarity to the human-origin virus. • Hamster-derived HCoV-OC43 has some unique amino acid mutations compared to human-derived strains. • The findings of this study emphasize the necessity of pathogen monitoring in animals with close contact to humans. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

When the structures or parts are subjected to fatigue damage, its nonlinear characteristics will be characterized sensitively. The nonlinear characteristics of the system can be well described by the nonlinear output frequency response function deduced by the Volterra series. The nonlinear output frequency response function is the collection of frequency functions of various orders which contain different nonlinear information about the system. In other words, it is not intuitive when it is used directly for the detection of fatigue damage to structures or parts. Therefore, how to build an intuitive detection index will be the key to the application of the nonlinear output frequency response function in engineering practice. In this paper, based on the concept of information entropy, complexity and divergence, 4 detection indexes were proposed and the definition and estimation methods were given. Fatigue tests were carried out on the specimens by a fatigue test machine, and a series of specimens with different fatigue cycle times were obtained. The nonlinear output frequency response function was estimated by using the data of the hammer excitation measurement. The detection effect of 4 detection indexes and traditional detection index Fe was analyzed and compared. The results show that the proposed detection indexes are more sensitive and effective for detecting fatigue damage before microcracks formed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cumulative fatigue damage detection for used parts plays a key role in the process of remanufacturing engineering and is related to the service safety of the remanufactured parts. In light of the nonlinear properties of used parts caused by cumulative fatigue damage, the based nonlinear output frequency response functions detection approach offers a breakthrough to solve this key problem. First, a modified PSO-adaptive lasso algorithm is introduced to improve the accuracy of the NARMAX model under impulse hammer excitation, and then, an effective new algorithm is derived to estimate the nonlinear output frequency response functions under rectangular pulse excitation, and a based nonlinear output frequency response functions index is introduced to detect the cumulative fatigue damage in used parts. Then, a novel damage detection approach that integrates the NARMAX model and the rectangular pulse is proposed for nonlinear output frequency response functions identification and cumulative fatigue damage detection of used parts. Finally, experimental studies of fatigued plate specimens and used connecting rod parts are conducted to verify the validity of the novel approach. The obtained results reveal that the new approach can detect cumulative fatigue damages of used parts effectively and efficiently and that the various values of the based nonlinear output frequency response functions index can be used to detect the different fatigue damages or working time. Since the proposed new approach can extract nonlinear properties of systems by only a single excitation of the inspected system, it shows great promise for use in remanufacturing engineering applications. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Senecavirus A (SVA) infection was recently confirmed in pigs in Brazil, United States of America and Canada. To better understand the molecular characteristics of isolated SVA genomes, we first reported genome-wide comprehensive analyses of codon usage and various factors that have contribute to the molecular evolution in SVA. The effective number of codons (ENC) ranged from 54.51 to 55.54 with an average of 54.87 ± 0.285, which reveals a relatively stable nucleotide composition. We found that codon usage bias of the SVA was low. Mutational pressure acted as an increasingly dominant factor for the evolution of the virus compared with the natural selection. Notably, codon usage bias was also affected by the geographic distribution and isolated time. The first systemic analysis on the codon usage bias of the SVA provides important information for the understanding of the evolution of the SVA and has fundamental and theoretical benefits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• We propose an energy-concentrated time-frequency analysis method that can not only deal with harmonic-like signals, but also characterize impulsive-like signals. • The proposed method can obtain ideal time-frequency analysis results when dealing with strong time-varying and strong frequency-varying signals. • The numerical and experimental examples are employed to validate the proposed method. Practical engineering signals usually show the characteristics of non-stationary and nonlinear, while time-frequency (TF) analysis is an effective means to deal with such signals. To accurately capture the transient features of fast varying signals, an iterative reassignment method is proposed. Firstly, the limitations of the synchrosqueezing transform (SST), time-reassigned synchrosqueezing transform (TSST), and the reassignment method (RM) in signal processing are discussed. Then, an iterative process is applied to the RM method, and the implementation process of the algorithm is introduced. Finally, several simulated signals and two sets of experimental data are employed to verify the effectiveness of the proposed method. The results show that the proposed method can not only deal with harmonic-like signals, but also characterize impulsive-like signals. By comparisons, it is shown that the proposed method has the better ability to extract transient features of strongly time-varying signals and strongly time-varying signals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: There has been considerable interest in a recently recognized and important sink in the global carbon pool, commonly referred to as “blue carbon”. The major goal of this study was to determine the historical reconstruction of mangrove expansion (Avicennia germinans) into salt marshes (Spartina alterniflora) and its effects on carbon sequestration and soil chemistry in wetland soils of the northwestern Gulf of Mexico. We used bulk stable isotopic, chemical biomarker analyses, and aerial imagery analysis to identify changes in OC wetland sources, and radiotracers (137Cs and 210Pb) for chronology. Soil cores were collected at two sites at Port Aransas, Texas (USA), Harbor Island and Mud Island. Stable isotopic values of δ13C and δ15N of all soil samples ranged from −26.8 to −15.6‰ and 1.8–10.4‰ and showed a significant trend of increasing depletion for each isotope from bottom to surface soils. The most depleted δ13C values were in surface soils at the Mud Island (Mangrove 2) location. Carbon sequestration rates were greater in mangroves and for the Mud Island Mangrove 1 and the Marsh 1 sites ranged from 253 to 270 and 101–125 g C m−2 yr−1, respectively. Lignin storage rates were also greater for mangrove sites and for the Mud Island Mangrove 1 and the Marsh 1 ranged from 19.5 to 20.1 and 16.5 to 12.8 g lignin m−2 yr−1, respectively. Τhe Λ8 and Λ6 values for all cores ranged from 0.5 to 21.5 and 0.4 to 16.5, respectively, and showed a significant increase from bottom to surface sediments. If regional changes in the Gulf of Mexico are to persist and much of the marsh vegetation was to be replaced by mangroves, there could be significant increases on the overall storage and sequestration of carbon in the coastal zone. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

As a novel member of the Orthomyxoviridae , influenza D virus (IDV) was firstly isolated from swine. However, cattle were found to serve as its primary reservoir. The study of IDV emergence can shed light into the dynamics of zoonotic infections and interspecies transmission. Although there is an increasing number of strains and sequenced IDV strains, their origin, epidemiology and evolutionary dynamics remain unclear. In this study, we reconstruct the diversity and evolutionary dynamics of IDVs. Molecular detection of swine tissue samples shows that six IDV positive samples were identified in the Eastern China. Phylogenetic analyses suggest three major IDV lineages designated as D/Japan, D/OK and D/660 as well as intermediate lineages. IDVs show strong association with geographical location indicating a high level of local transmission, which suggests IDVs tend to establish a local lineage of in situ evolution. In addition, the D/OK lineage widely circulates in swine in Eastern China, and all of the Chinese virus isolates form a distinct sub-clade (D/China sub-lineage). Furthermore, we identified important amino acids in the HEF gene under positive selection that might affect its receptor binding cavity relevant for its broader cell tropism. The combined results highlight that more attention should be paid to the potential threat of IDV to livestock and farming in China. • We reconstruct the genetic diversity and evolutionary dynamics of IDVs. • IDVs show strong association with geographical location indicating a high level of local transmission. • The mutations in the HEF might affect its receptor binding cavity relevant for its broader cell tropism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Train wheelset is an important part of the train. After long-time and high load working, fatigue damage will appear. Then the micro-cracks will form and expand into macro cracks, which may cause a serious accident. Therefore, it is necessary to study the fatigue damage detection methods for train wheelset. Fatigue damage will cause nonlinear effects. The Nonlinear Output Frequency Response Functions (NOFRFs) is an effective tool to characterize the nonlinearity of the system. In this paper, based on the concept of Kull Back-Leibler (KL) divergence and NOFRFs, a detection method denoted as NOFRFs-KL (NKL) is proposed to study the feasibility of comprehensively evaluate the fatigue damage of wheelset. The train wheelset is considered as a single input multiple output (SIMO) nonlinear system while hammering on one point in the hammering test. And the estimated NOFRFs of multiple positions in the SIMO system are used to evaluate the fatigue damage at each output position. To verify the effectiveness of the NKL, some hammering tests are carried out. The NOFRFs of the wheelsets with micro-cracks, repaired wheelsets are calculated. The NOFRFs of the wheelsets with different served time are calculated. And then the corresponding NKL values are obtained. The results show that the fatigue damage in the wheelsets can be identified by the NKL index, and the NKL index can be proportional to the service time of the wheelset. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]