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Mammary epithelial cells are the only cells in the mammary glands that are capable of lactation and they are ideal for studying cellular and molecular biology mechanisms during growth, development and lactation of the mammary glands. The limiting factors in most of the currently available mammary epithelial cells are low cell viability, transgenerational efficiency and lactation function that renders them unsuitable for subsequent studies on mammary gland's cellular and lactation mechanisms and utilizing them as bioreactors. Hence, new methods are required to obtain mammary epithelial cells with high transgenerational efficiency and lactation function. In this study, transdifferentiation of goat ear fibroblasts (GEFs) into goat mammary epithelial cells (CiMECs) was induced in only eight days by five small molecule compounds, including 500 μg/mL VPA, 10 μM Tranylcypromine, 10 μM Forskolin, 1 μM TTNPB, 10 μM RepSox. Morphological observation, marker genes comparison, specific antigen expression and comparison of gene expression levels by transcriptome sequencing between the two types of cells that led to the primary deduction that CiMECs have similar biological properties to goat mammary epithelial cells (GMECs) and comparatively more lactation capacity. Therefore, we establish a novel reprogramming route to convert fibroblasts into CiMECs under fully chemically conditions. This study is expected to provide an in vitro platform for understanding cellular mechanisms such as mammary epithelial cells' fate determination and developmental differentiation, and also to find a new way to obtain a large number of functional mammary epithelial cells in vitro. • Small molecule cocktail can induce fibroblasts to reprogram into mammary epithelial cells. • Chemically induced mammary epithelial cells (CiMECs) have milk-secreting functions. • CiMECs shared a highly similar gene expression pattern with GMECs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • GSPT1 is identified as a new oncogenic driver and a potent target to develop antitumor drugs. • The rational discovery of molecular glue degraders still remains challenging. • The safety of molecular glues targeting GSPT1 should be paid more attention than efficacy. G 1 to S phase transition 1 (GSPT1) is a key translation termination factor that significantly overexpressed in various cancer tissues and cells. Molecular glue is a kind of small molecule, which can bind to an E3 ligase such as cereblon (CRBN) and subsequently recruit neosubstrate proteins for ubiquitination-proteasomal degradation. This emerging therapeutic approach shows great potential in treating cancers and other diseases. This review aims to introduce current understanding of antitumor mechanism of molecular glues targeting GSPT1, summarize pharmacology profiles of existing molecular glues, and outline development strategies of novel molecular glues. The insights provided in this review will be valuable for future studies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antibiotic pollution has been a serious global public health concern in recent years, photodynamic inactivation is one of the most promising and innovative methods for antibacterial applications that avoids antibiotic abuse and minimizes risks of antibiotic resistance. However, limited by the weak interaction between the photosensitizers and Gram-negative bacteria, the effect of photodynamic inactivation cannot be fully exerted. Herein, photosensitizer chlorin e6-loaded polyethyleneimine-based micelle was constructed. The synergy of electrostatic and hydrophobic interactions between the nanoparticles and the bacterial surface promoted the anchoring of nanoparticles onto the bacteria, resulting in enhanced photoinactivation activities on Gram-negative bacteria. As expected, an eminent antibacterial effect was also observed on the Gram-positive bacteria Staphylococcus aureus. The cellular uptake results showed that photosensitizer was firmly anchored to the bacterial cell surface of Escherichia coli or Staphylococcus aureus by the introduction of branched polyethylenimine-containing nanoparticles. The light-triggered generation of reactive oxygen species, mainly singlet oxygen, from the membrane-bound nanoparticles caused irreversible damage to the bacterial outer membrane, achieving enhanced bactericidal efficiency than free photosensitizer. The study would provide an efficient and promising antimicrobial alternative to prevent overuse of antibiotics and have enormous potential for human healthcare and the environment remediation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MicroRNAs have a vital effect on the differentiation of many types of progenitor cells. Recent studies have suggested that miR-17 plays an important role in the differentiation process of brain neural progenitor cells (NPC). Nevertheless, its detailed functions in regulating retinal progenitor cells (RPC) remain unclear. In our study, overexpression and knockdown of miR-17 were performed by transfecting RPC with mimics and inhibitors, respectively. Next, we investigated the role of miR-17 in RPC proliferation and differentiation by the following experiments: qPCR, CCK8, Edu staining, immunostaining and Western blot. The results revealed that miR-17 inhibited RPC proliferation but enhanced differentiation. Furthermore, according to a web-based database analysis, we identified charged multivesicular body protein 1A (CHMP1A) as a target gene. A dual luciferase reporter system showed that miR-17 specifically binds to the CHMP1A 3' untranslated region (UTR). Next, our data showed upregulation of miR-17 decreased CHMP1A protein level, causing reduced proliferation and enhanced differentiation of RPC. Downregulation of miR-17 led to enhanced CHMP1A protein expression, increased RPC proliferation and decreased differentiation. Taken together, our data provide a proven pathway by which miR-17 regulates RPC proliferation and differentiation by targeting CHMP1A. • miR-17 negatively regulates RPC proliferation. • miR-17 positively regulates RPC differentiation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking water is the main cause of iodine excess among Chinese residents and we have found that water iodine concentration (WIC) reduction was the effective intervening measure. In this study, to eliminate the hazards of water-borne excessive iodine, we firstly investigated the WIC of villages in Tianjin in 2017 to determine the distribution range. Secondly, the risk characterization of excessive iodine on residents in 6∼< 9 years old, 9∼< 12 years old, 12∼< 15 years old, 15∼< 18 years old and adults were evaluated, and the safe upper limit of WIC was determined. Finally, WIC was investigated again after the completion of WIC reduction in water-borne excessive-iodine villages in 2020, and the differences in urinary iodine concentration (UIC) and thyroid volume (Tvol) of children aged 8–10 years before and after WIC reduction were analyzed. The WIC of 2459 villages surveyed was 22.30 (8.60–58.80) μg/L and the maximum was 514 μg/L. There were 422 villages with WIC > 100 μg/L. Under the conditions of non-iodized salt intake, recommended amount of iodized salt intake and actual amount intake, the maximum of excessive iodine exposure hazard quotient (HQ) were the highest in the age group of 6∼< 9 years, which were 2.300, 2.663 and 2.771, the safe upper WIC limits were 223 μg/L, 142 μg/L and 118 μg/L and villages with HQ> 1 accounted for 4.14%, 6.09% and 6.88% of all villages, respectively. After the WIC reduction, the WIC of the former water-borne iodine-excess villages decreased to < 100 μg/L, and the UIC and Tvol of children decreased (both P < 0.001) and was within normal range. Determining the distribution range of water-borne iodine-excess areas, exploring appropriate intervening measure, carrying out risk assessment, determining the WIC safe upper limit, intervening and evaluating the intervention effect can be the process to eliminate the hazards of water-borne excessive iodine. [Display omitted] • When eating iodized salt normally, the safe upper limit of water iodine is 118 μg/L. • Reducing water iodine to < 100 μg/L makes iodine nutrition suitable for children. • The median and maximum of iodine-excess HQ were higher in 6∼< 9 years old children. • Our process can completely eliminate the hazards of water-borne excessive iodine. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Butylparaben is an ubiquitous environmental endocrine disruptor, that is commonly used in cosmetics and personal care product due to its anti-microbial properties. Butylparaben has been shown to cause developmental toxicity, endocrine and metabolic disorders and immune diseases. However, little is known about the impact on female fertility, especially oocyte quality. In the present study, we reported that butylparaben influenced female fertility by showing the disturbed oocyte meiotic capacity and fertilization potential. Specifically, butylparaben results in the oocyte maturation arrest by impairing spindle/chromosome structure and microtubule stability. Besides, butylparaben results in fertilization failure by impairing the dynamics of Juno and ovastacin and the sperm binding ability. Last, single-cell transcriptome analysis showed that butylparaben-induced oocyte deterioration was caused by mitochondrial dysfunction, which led to the accumulation of ROS and occurrence of apoptosis. Collectively, our study indicates that mitochondrial dysfunction and redox perturbation is the major cause of the weakened female fertility expoesd to butylparaben. [Display omitted] • BP affects female reproductive system and the hypothalamus-pituitary-ovarian axis. • Disrupted sexual hormone levels alter ovarian reserve function after BP exposure. • The maturation of the nucleus and cytoplasm was disrupted in BP-exposed oocytes. • BP reduces female fertility by impairing the fertilization potential of oocytes. • BP promotes ROS accumulation and DNA damage to induce early apoptosis in oocytes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Generally, successful cooperation can only be established when the interacting persons believe that they would not be betrayed; this belief can be updated by observing the other persons' actual choices. Thus, the process of belief updating plays an important role in conditional cooperation. Using the Prisoner's Dilemma Game (PDG) with event-related potential (ERP) hyperscanning, this study investigated the dynamics of belief updating in a dyad. During the task, participants were asked if they believed that their opponent would cooperate in the next trial, and their answers functioned as a self-reported index of reciprocal belief. The results suggested that this index shows strong associations with participants' behavioral choices (cooperate/betray). At the individual level, the amplitudes of the ERP components frontal P3a and parietal P3b elicited by the decision outcome were sensitive to belief updating. At the interpersonal level, the between-subject synchronization in P3b was higher than those in the other conditions when the paired participants confirmed each other's reciprocal beliefs. Since previous studies have linked the P3b with memory updating, we suggest that a cooperative relationship is built up when the memory systems (which support belief updating) of two interacting persons reach a high level of coordination. These findings may help explain how conditional cooperation develops between strangers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: In this paper, we consider the global existence as well as the optimal decay estimates of the Cauchy problem for the multi-dimensional Benjamin–Bona–Mahony–Burgers equation with large initial data in the whole-space. And these results are obtained by Greenʼs function method, Fourier analysis method, energy estimates method combined with the time-frequency decomposition method. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Neuroimaging studies have suggested that the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is a key brain region for social feedback processing, but previous findings are largely based on correlational approaches. In this study, we use the deep transcranial magnetic stimulation (dTMS) to manipulate mPFC activity, then investigate participants' behavioral performance and event-related potentials (ERPs) during the Social Judgment Paradigm. A between-subject design was applied, such that both the active dTMS group and the sham group consisted of 30 participants. We found that the sham group was more likely to predict that they would be socially accepted (rather than rejected) by peers, but the same was not true in the active group. Additionally, this study is the first one to observe ERP signal changes in response to dTMS manipulation. ERP results show that both the expectation stage and the experience stage of social feedback processing were modulated by dTMS: (1) at the expectation stage, the P1 component was smaller in the active group than the sham group, while the stimulus-preceding negativity showed a stronger differentiating effect between positive and negative prediction in the sham group than the active group; (2) at the experience stage, the sensitivity of the late positive potential to the valence and predictability of social feedback was stronger in the sham group than the active group. These results improve our understanding about the relationship between the mPFC and social feedback processing. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Biochar has attracted worldwide attention owing to its potential for mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, improving soil properties, increasing plant growth and so on. While, the assessment of a substantial amount of security is required to determine before biochar is more extensively applied. Our goal was to evaluate the security of biochar by determining the effect of biochar on the preference of soil arthropods for microhabitats. In this study, we examined the effect of varying amounts of biochar on the preference of the Formosan subterranean termite (Coptotermes formosanus) to microhabitats. In addition, we analyzed key soil characteristics to explore their relevance to the termite preferences. Our results found that when compared with 0% (control soil), there was no preference when 2.5% and 5% of biochar were applied. The application of >5% biochar repelled the termites, which then left these soils. Their fresh weight and rates of survival also decreased. The soil pH increased, but the humidity decreased when >5% of biochar was applied. Soil bacteria composition when biochar was amended at 20% also differed from 0% and 2.5% applications. The relative abundance of Cellvibrio and Flavisolibacter in 20% were significantly higher than 0% and 2.5%, while the relative abundance of Burkholderia, Candidatus_Solibacter, Dyella, Edaphobacter, Fulvimonas and Occallatibacter were significantly lower than them. And the functional results predicted by Bugbase suggested that biochar application can cause an increase in the soil potentially pathogen phenotype. In conclusion, our research indicated that biochar can affect the preference of termites for microhabitats and changes in the characteristics of soil might cause changes in these preferences. In addition, our results suggest that soil that has been amended with >10% biochar has the potential to control termites. [Display omitted] • Biochar can affect termites preference and 5% biochar is the dividing line. • More than 10% biochar has the potential to control termites. • Changes in soil characteristics may cause the changes of termites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Mitofusin 2 (Mfn2) is an important mitochondrial protein in maintaining mitochondrial network and bioenergetics. Recently, Mfn2 has been reported to have a potential role in regulating cell proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in many cell types. In this study, we performed immunohistochemistry, pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) DNA analysis, proliferating cell nuclear antigen expression and cell cycle analysis to determine the role of Mfn2 in hypoxia-induced pulmonary vascular remodeling. Our results showed that hypoxia promoted the proliferation of pulmonary artery smooth muscle cells, including regulating more cells at G2/M+S phase, increasing proliferating cell nuclear antigen and Cyclin A expression, whereas all these effects of hypoxia were suppressed after the cells were treated with siRNA against Mfn2. Our results also proved that PI3K/Akt signaling pathway was involved in Mfn2‐induced smooth muscle cell proliferation. Thus, these results indicate that Mfn2 mediates PASMC proliferation in hypoxic pulmonary hypertension via the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Soil nitrogen addition induces the generation and proliferation of some bacterial virulence, yet the interactive mechanisms between the two remain unclear. Here we investigated the variation of virulence genes (VGs) abundance during soil nitrogen transformation, and explored the biological mechanism and key pathways involved in the regulation of VGs by nitrogen transformation. The results showed that the diversity and abundance of virulence genes in soil under high nitrogen input (100 mg/kg) were markedly higher than those under low nitrogen input (50 mg/kg), suggesting a trade-off between the prevalence of virulence genes and nitrogen metabolism. Nutritional/metabolic factor, regulation, immune modulation and motility were the dominant virulence types. Linear regression analysis showed that soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification rate were closely correlated with the abundance of virulence genes, mainly involving adherence, nutritional/metabolic factors and immune modulation (p < 0.05). Structural equations indicated that microbial community succession associated with nitrogen transformation largely contributed to the changes in VGs abundance. Metagenomic analysis revealed that major virulence genes pilE , pchB , and galE were regulated by nitrogen-functional genes gdh , ureC , and amoC , implying that microbial nitrogen transformation influences immune modulation, nutritional/metabolic factors, and adherence-like virulence. The meta-transcriptome reiterated their co-regulation, and the key pathway may be glutamate/urea> α-ketoglutarate/ammonia > pyruvate/amino acid. The outcome provides strong evidence on the linkage between microbial nitrogen transformation and pathogenic virulence factors development in the soil environment, which will aid in the effective suppression of the prevalence of soil pathogenic virulence. [Display omitted] • Soil VGs abundance under high N input was clearly higher than its under low N input. • Soil nitrogen mineralization and nitrification were closely related to VGs abundance. • Community succession associated with N conversion largely contributed to VGs change. • Microbial nitrogen functional genes (gdh , etc) regulated VGs (pilE , pchB, etc). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Glassy carbon electrode modified with boron oxide nanoparticles supported on multiwall carbon nanotubes was obtained via a facile approach. The as-prepared modified electrode exhibits excellent electrocatalytic activity toward the redox of glucose in pH 7.0 phosphate buffer solution. The electrochemical response of the modified electrode to glucose shows a linear range of 1.5–260μM with a correlation coefficient of 0.9986 and the calculated detection limit is 0.8μM at a signal-to-noise ratio of 3, which makes it useful for developing the electrochemical determination of glucose concentrations without using glucose oxidase at physiological pH. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Combining a novel protein feature extraction approach with PSSM matrices and commonly used feature extraction methods. • In terms of feature fusion, the differential evolution algorithm has been optimized. • Innovatively, feature selection is applied twice, once during feature extraction and then again after feature fusion. • Optimized the XGBoost algorithm to enhance classification efficiency. DNA-binding proteins are a class of proteins that can interact with DNA molecules through physical and chemical interactions. Their main functions include regulating gene expression, maintaining chromosome structure and stability, and more. DNA-binding proteins play a crucial role in cellular and molecular biology, as they are essential for maintaining normal cellular physiological functions and adapting to environmental changes. The prediction of DNA-binding proteins has been a hot topic in the field of bioinformatics. The key to accurately classifying DNA-binding proteins is to find suitable feature sources and explore the information they contain. Although there are already many models for predicting DNA-binding proteins, there is still room for improvement in mining feature source information and calculation methods. In this study, we created a model called DBPboost to better identify DNA-binding proteins. The innovation of this study lies in the use of eight feature extraction methods, the improvement of the feature selection step, which involves selecting some features first and then performing feature selection again after feature fusion, and the optimization of the differential evolution algorithm in feature fusion, which improves the performance of feature fusion. The experimental results show that the prediction accuracy of the model on the UniSwiss dataset is 89.32%, and the sensitivity is 89.01%, which is better than most existing models. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present work demonstrates a simple one-step pyrolysis method for the synthesis of a catalytic sludge-based carbon (SBC) biochar containing Fe and Mn from dehydrated sludge with added KMnO 4 and Fe(II). The electrocatalytic degradation of triclosan (TCS) in water was evaluated using an Fe/Mn-SBC cathode to promote a heterogeneous Fenton-like reaction. The catalyst generated at 500 °C exhibited an abundant porous structure and a relatively high surface area, and produced an electrode with better conductivity and electron diffusion. The presence of metal oxides changed the surface structure defects of this biochar and enhanced its catalytic performance while increasing the electrochemically active surface area by 72.68 mF/cm2 compared with plain SBC. TCS was degraded (91.3%) within 180 min by oxygen species generated in situ on an Fe/Mn-SBC cathode because the activation energy for oxygen reduction was lowered by 4.62 kJ/mol. The degradation of TCS followed pseudo first-order kinetics and was controlled by TCS diffusion and interfacial chemical reactions between adsorbed TCS and the electrode. Possible TCS degradation pathways were devised based on the main intermediates, and 1O 2 was found to be more important than •OH radicals. Through toxicity test and prediction, the toxicity of degradation was gradually reduced. This study demonstrates a simple and ecofriendly method for the electrocatalytic degradation of organic pollutants. • Residual Fe/Mn used in dewatering sludge can catalyze the pollutants degradation. • Fe/Mn-SBC 500 exhibits excellent oxygen reduction capacity and so can degrade TCS. • The degradation ability of SBC is controlled by the surface diffusion of TCS. • SBC is a low-cost and environmentally friendly catalyst. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) is characterized by the deposition of fibrous pseudoexfoliation material (PEXM) in the eye, and secondary glaucoma associated with this syndrome has a faster and more severe clinical course. The incidence of PEX and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) exhibits ethnic clustering; however, few proteomic studies related to PEX and PEXG have been conducted in Asian populations. Therefore, we aimed to conduct proteomic analysis on the aqueous humor (AH) obtained from Uyghur patients with cataracts, those with PEX and cataracts, and those with PEXG and cataracts to better understand the molecular mechanisms of the disease and identify its potential biomarkers. To this end, AH was collected from patients with cataracts (n = 10, control group), PEX with cataracts (n = 10, PEX group), and PEXG with cataracts (n = 10, PEXG group) during phacoemulsification. Label-free quantitative proteomic techniques combined with bioinformatics were used to identify and analyze differentially expressed proteins (DEPs) in the AH of PEX and PEXG groups. Then, independent AH samples (n = 12, each group) were collected to validate DEPs by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The PEX group exhibited 25 DEPs, while the PEXG group showed 44 DEPs, both compared to the control group. Subsequently, we found three newly identified proteins in both PEX and PEXG groups, wherein FRAS1-related extracellular matrix protein 2 (FREM2) and osteoclast-associated receptor (OSCAR) exhibited downregulation, whereas coagulation Factor IX (F9) displayed upregulation. Bioinformatics analysis suggested that extracellular matrix interactions, abnormal blood-derived proteins, and lysosomes were mainly involved in the process of PEX and PEXG, and the PPI network further revealed F9 may serve as a potential biomarker for both PEX and PEXG. In conclusion, this study provides new information for understanding the proteomics of AH in PEX and PEXG. Overview of pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PEX) and pseudoexfoliative glaucoma (PEXG) and the experimental procedure of our study. A) Examination of the patients with PEX. Clinical signs of PEX include a 3-ring pattern of pseudoexfoliation materials (PEXM) on the anterior lens surface, i.e., a central disc, an intermediate clear zone, and a granular peripheral zone. PEXG diagnosis is established based on PEX diagnosis and the accompanying changes in the glaucoma fundus and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL). a. Cup-to-disc ratio >0.9 and optic atrophy in fundus image. b. Thinning of the RNFL near the optic disc on optical coherence tomography imaging. B, C, D) Represent limitations in genetic research, clinical diagnosis and treatment, and experimental models of PEX, respectively. E) Describes epidemiological characteristics. Experimental procedure: The workflow involves collecting, digesting, and processing AH samples from patients with cataracts, PEX with cataracts, and PEXG with cataracts for LC-MS/MS proteomics and bioinformatics analysis. Subsequently, the DEPs were validated, and data were visualized (30 A H samples for label-free proteomic, 36 A H samples for ELISA). BP: biological process, CC: cellular component, MF: molecular function. [Display omitted] • We revealed the proteome of AH in Uyghur patients with PEX and PEXG. • FREM2 and OSCAR were downregulated in AH of PEX and PEXG. • F9 was upregulated in AH of PEX and PEXG. • Bioinformatics identified F9 as a potential biomarker for both PEX and PEXG. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• TMS with fMRI reveals rVLPFC's causal role in social pain relief, unveiling neural circuits. • rVLPFC activation strengthens DLPFC coupling amid negative social feedback, inversely linked to subjective negativity. • Improved attitudes toward feedback senders were found with rVLPFC activation. • Hippocampus activity impacts subsequent social attitudes, particularly when excitatory TMS over the rVLPFC. • This study reveals neural circuits in TMS-enhanced rVLPFC, proposing interventions for social interactions. Social pain, a multifaceted emotional response triggered by interpersonal rejection or criticism, profoundly impacts mental well-being and social interactions. While prior research has implicated the right ventrolateral prefrontal cortex (rVLPFC) in mitigating social pain, the precise neural mechanisms and downstream effects on subsequent social attitudes remain elusive. This study employed transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) integrated with fMRI recordings during a social pain task to elucidate these aspects. Eighty participants underwent either active TMS targeting the rVLPFC (n = 41) or control stimulation at the vertex (n = 39). Our results revealed that TMS-induced rVLPFC facilitation significantly reduced self-reported social pain, confirming the causal role of the rVLPFC in social pain relief. Functional connectivity analyses demonstrated enhanced interactions between the rVLPFC and the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex, emphasizing the collaborative engagement of prefrontal regions in emotion regulation. Significantly, we observed that negative social feedback led to negative social attitudes, whereas rVLPFC activation countered this detrimental effect, showcasing the potential of the rVLPFC as a protective buffer against adverse social interactions. Moreover, our study uncovered the impact role of the hippocampus in subsequent social attitudes, a relationship particularly pronounced during excitatory TMS over the rVLPFC. These findings offer promising avenues for improving mental health within the intricate dynamics of social interactions. By advancing our comprehension of the neural mechanisms underlying social pain relief, this research introduces novel intervention strategies for individuals grappling with social distress. Empowering individuals to modulate rVLPFC activation may facilitate reshaping social attitudes and successful reintegration into communal life. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper rationally designs the morphology and phase structure of carbon nanotube/polyaniline@MoS 2 (CNT/PANI@MoS 2) composites, with MoS 2 conductive wrapping growing vertically on the outer layer of the composites via hydrothermal method. The crystalline nature and chemical properties are characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD), Flourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR), Raman spectroscopy (Raman), X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Morphology and microstructures are determined by Scanning electric microscopy (SEM), Transmission electron microscope (TEM) and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET). The developed composites possess excellent electrochemical properties (the specific capacitance is substantially increased by ~119%, reaching 700.0 F g−1 after wrapping by MoS 2) and good cycling stability (after over 5000 cycles retains 80.8% capacitance) in three-electrode systems, which indicating that the unique morphology of MoS 2 shells endow the channels to composites for rapid charge transport and ionic diffusion. Furthermore, symmetric supercapacitors devices assembled with the CNT/PANI@MoS 2 composites achieve specific capacitance of 459.7 F g−1 at 1 A g−1, capacitance retention is 97.4% after 10,000 cycles and reach superior energy density of 40.9 Wh kg−1 at the power density of 400 W kg−1. This strategy of three-dimensional wrapping method may open up a new potential to relieve the dilemma of degraded performance of supercapacitor, while improving the capacitance and stability for supercapacitors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cause of Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS) remains unknown and its frequent recurrence may eventually lead to irreversible damage of the optic nerve. The influence of immune factors in the pathophysiology of PSS is gaining more and more interest. Increasing evidence suggests that gut dysbiosis plays vital roles in a variety of neurodegenerative and immune-related diseases. However, alterations of the gut microbiota in PSS patients have not been well defined yet. In this study, 16S rRNA sequencing was used to explore the difference of gut microbiota between PSS patients and healthy controls, and the correlation between the microbiota profile and clinical features was also analyzed. Our data demonstrated a significant increase of Prevotella and Prevotellaceae , and a significant reduction of Bacteroides and Bacteroidaceae in PSS patients, and KEGG analysis showed dysfunction of gut microbiota between PSS patients and healthy controls. Interestingly, further analysis showed that the alteration of gut microbiota was correlated with the PSS attack frequency of PSS. This study demonstrated the gut microbiota compositional profile of PSS patients and speculated the risk microbiota of PSS, which is expected to provide new insights for the diagnosis and treatment of PSS. • Our study suggested that the gut microbiome in Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS) patients is distinct from healthy controls. • Six bacterial taxa include Prevotella and Prevotellaceae were enriched in PSS, and 14 bacterial taxa include Bacteroides and Bacteroidaceae were dominant in healthy controls. • KEGG analysis showed dysfunction of gut microbiota between PSS patients and healthy controls. • The alteration of gut microbiota was correlated with the PSS attack frequency of PSS. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • Novel, potent and effective EZH2 degraders were developed. • Compound P4 can effectively induce EZH2 protein degradation and inhibit breast cancer cell growth. • Compound P4 can significantly decrease the degree of H3K27me3 in MDA-MB-231 cell line, induce apoptosis and G 0 /G 1 phase arrest in Pfeiffer and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. • Compound P4 significantly inhibited the migratory and invasive capacity of MDA-MB-231 cells at micromolar concentrations in a dose-dependent manner. • Adequate metabolic stability in vitro. EZH2 (enhancer of zeste homolog 2) is one of the most important histone methyltransferases (HMTs), and overexpression of EZH2 can lead to proliferation, migration and angiogenesis of tumor cells. But most of EZH2 inhibitors are only effective against some hematologic malignancies and have poor efficacy against solid tumors. Here, we report the design, synthesis, and evaluation of highly potent proteolysis targeting chimeric (PROTACs) small molecules targeting EZH2. We developed a potent and effective EZH2 degrader P4 , which effectively induced EZH2 protein degradation and inhibited breast cancer cell growth. Further studies showed that P4 can significantly decrease the degree of H3K27me3 in MDA-MB-231 cell line, induce apoptosis and G 0 /G 1 phase arrest in Pfeiffer and MDA-MB-231 cell lines. Therefore, P4 is a potential anticancer molecule for breast cancer treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Smooth muscle 22α (SM22α, namely Transgelin), as an actin-binding protein, regulates the contractility of vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) by modulation of the stress fiber formation. However, little is known about the roles of SM22α in the regulation of uterine contraction during parturition. Here, we showed that contraction in response to oxytocin (OT) was significantly decreased in the uterine muscle strips from SM22α knockout (Sm22α -KO) mice, especially at full-term pregnancy, which may be resulted from impaired formation of stress fibers. Furthermore, serious mitochondrial damage such as the mitochondrial swelling, cristae disruption and even disappearance were observed in the myometrium of Sm22α -KO mice at full-term pregnancy, eventually resulting in the collapse of mitochondrial membrane potential and impairment in ATP synthesis. Our data indicate that SM22α is necessary to maintain uterine contractility at delivery in mice, and acts as a novel target for preventive or therapeutic manipulation of uterine atony during parturition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Accurate reprogramming of DNA methylation occurring in preimplantation embryos is critical for normal development of both fetus and placenta. Environmental stresses imposed on oocytes usually cause the abnormal DNA methylation reprogramming of early embryos. However, whether oocyte vitrification alters the reprogramming of DNA methylation (5 mC) and its derivatives in mouse preimplantation embryo development remains largely unknown. Here, we found that the rate of cleavage and blastocyst formation of embryos produced by IVF of vitrified matured oocytes was significantly lower than that in control counterparts, but the quality of blastocysts was not impaired by oocyte vitrification. Additionally, although vitrification neither altered the dynamic changes of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC) and 5-formylcytosine (5 fC) before 4-cell stage nor affected the levels of 5 mC and 5-carboxylcytosine (5caC) throughout the preimplantation development, vitrification significantly reduced the levels of 5hmC and 5 fC from 8-cell stage onwards. Correspondingly, vitrification did not alter the expression patterns of Tet3 in preimplantation embryos but apparently reduced the expression levels of Tet1 in 4-cell and 8-cell embryos and increased the expression levels of Tet2 at morula stage. Taken together, these results demonstrate that oocyte vitrification perturbs DNA methylation reprogramming in mouse preimplantation embryo development. Highlights • Oocyte vitrification perturbs dynamics of 5hmC and 5fC in mouse early embryos. • Oocyte vitrification alters the expression of both Tet1 and Tet2 in early embryos. • Oocyte vitrification does not impair reprogramming of 5mC and 5caC in mouse early embryos. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

[Display omitted] • The passive shunt circuit for semi-active piezoelectric vibration control relies on energy dissipations switching. • The dissipations of elastic potential energy and electrical energy are realized by the shunt circuit switching to different states. • The modeling is used to reveal the vibration control principle of the passive shunt circuit. • The correctness is verified by simple harmonic vibration and attenuation experiments. • The effectiveness and superiority are demonstrated through experimental comparisons. Piezoelectric vibration control holds the advantages of lightweight and anti-electromagnetic interference, and has broad application prospects in fields such as aerospace and mechanical engineering. A semi-active control method based on a piezoelectric smart cantilever beam with a passive shunt circuit is proposed for vibration control. The contribution is that the proposed semi-active control method is used to achieve energy dissipations switching by changing the piezoelectric electrical boundary conditions. The open-circuit state of piezoelectric materials corresponds to higher stiffness and dissipation of elastic potential energy, while the short-circuit state is accompanied by lower stiffness and dissipation of electrical energy. Firstly, the stiffness difference of different electrical boundary conditions of the piezoelectric materials is derived and its effect on the vibration characteristics is analyzed. Then, the proposed passive shunt circuit for the vibration control principle is analyzed, and the modeling of the piezoelectric smart cantilever beam with the passive shunt circuit is developed. Finally, a prototype is manufactured and the measurement system is constructed. The correctness and the feasibility of the semi-active vibration control method are verified by experiments, and the logarithmic damping coefficient is 0.8919. The superiority of the proposed shunt circuit is demonstrated experimentally with the comparison groups including depolarized comparison group and the common shunt circuits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study highlights the potential advantages of group discussions. • This study shows group identification is a mediator. • This study proposes a multiparticipant theoretical model. Information exchange is a key factor in the attainment of collective outcomes and the navigation of social life. In the current study, we investigated whether and how information exchange enhanced collective performance by combining behavioral and neuroimaging approaches from the perspective of multiparticipant neuroscience. To evaluate collective performance, we measured the collaborative problem-solving abilities of triads working on a murder mystery case. We first found that verbal information exchange significantly enhanced collective performance compared to nonverbal exchange. Moreover, both group sharing and group discussion positively contributed to this effect, with group discussion being more essential. Importantly, group identification mediated the positive effect of verbal information exchange on collective performance. This mediation was supported by higher interactive frequency and enhanced within-group neural synchronization (GNS) in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). Taken together, we provided a multiparticipant theoretical model to explain how verbal information exchange enhanced collective performance. Our findings deepen the insight into the workings of group decision-making. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The cotton bollworm (Helicoverpa armigera) is a worldwide agricultural pest that infests many important crops. Pyrethroids targeting the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) have been long used in the control of the cotton bollworm. Two amino acid substitutions (D1561V and E1565G) in H. armigera VGSC (HaVGSC) and the presence of a chimeric P450 gene (CYP337B3) have been documented to be associated with pyrethroid resistance. To understand the current occurrence of kdr mutations and the CYP337B3 gene in Chinese H. armigera populations, high-throughput amplicon sequencing was adopted to detect potential nucleotide variations in three fragments of the VGSC gene that cover 10 reported knockdown resistance (kdr) sites in insects, and gene-specific PCR was performed to examine the presence of CYP337B3 gene in H. armigera samples collected across China. The nucleotide variation analysis revealed a wealth of nucleotide variations in not only exons but also introns in the VGSC gene in Chinese H. armigera populations. However, neither previously reported kdr -conferring amino acid replacements nor other non-synonymous mutations were observed in a total of 1439 examined individuals. Population genetic analysis suggested that the H. armigera population in Nanchang, Jiangxi Province (JNC) had a moderate genetic differentiation from other populations, while no significant divergence was observed in other populations in northern and northwestern China. The CYP337B3 was present in all the examined individuals, indicating that CYP337B3 is extensively fixed in H. armigera populations across China. These results support that point mutations in VGSC are not a major factor involved in the current pyrethroid resistance in H. armigera. Instead, CYP337B3 plays a prevalent role in the development of resistance to pyrethroids in H. armigera. [Display omitted] • Amplicon sequencing is used to detect knockdown resistance (kdr) mutation in H. armigera. • Extensive nucleotide variations are observed in the voltage-gated sodium channel (VGSC) gene. • Neither the reported kdr mutations nor other non-synonymous variations are identified in VGSC. • The CYP337B3 gene is commonly fixed in field populations of H. armigera across China. • A low overall genetic differentiation is found among different H. armigera populations. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Smooth muscle cell marker, SM22α, was down-regulated in the pathogenesis of arterial diseases including atherosclerosis, restenosis and abdominal aortic aneurysms. However, the question still exists whether this down-regulation actively contributes to the pathogenesis of vascular diseases. In an ongoing effort to understand the role of SM22α, here we explored transcriptome profiling by RNA-Seq from arteries of SM22α−/− and SM22α+/+ mice. Analysis revealed that the most enriched pathways caused by SM22α-knockout were hematopoiesis, inflammation and lipid metabolism, respectively, and NF-κB, RXRα and PPARα were the major upstream regulators. The candidate genes involved in inflammation and lipid metabolism were clustered in atherosclerosis. Thus we suspected that the molecular basis in SM22α−/− mice was already prepared for the initiation of atherosclerosis. Further analysis suggested the up-regulated TNF caused NF-κB pathway activation. Our results showed loss of SM22α exacerbated TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation and increased the expression levels of ApoCI in vitro, while overexpression of SM22α suppressed TNF-α-mediated NF-κB activation. In addition, disruption of SM22α enhanced injury-induced neointimal hyperplasia, and increased expression levels of molecules related with cellular adhesion and extracellular matrix degradation. Taken together, these findings not only suggested down-regulation of SM22α can actively contribute to the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis from the molecular basis, but also further confirmed that the vascular cells of SM22α−/− mice may become more sensitive to extracellular stimulation, increasing its tendency to develop vascular diseases. Meanwhile, rescuing SM22α expression may provide a novel therapeutic strategy for arterial diseases. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Objective: To guarantee a better perfusion, the preservation of the uterine arteries during ART has sometimes been performed but has seldom been tested. We share the results of our tests to provoke a potentially different point of view on such uses of ART. Methods: Using computed tomography angiography (CTA), we identified the uterine blood supply in patients who underwent ART with uterine artery preserved and sacrificed. Results: We included 26 consecutive post-ART patients from the outpatient service. The uterine arteries were preserved in 16 patients (61.5%) and ligated in 10 patients (38.5%). Out of the 26 patients studied, 17 (65.4%) were supplied by only the ovarian arteries; seven (26.9%) by one uterine artery and the contralateral ovarian artery; and only 2 (7.6%) by the uterine artery supply alone. No recanalization of the ligated uterine artery or other newly formed compensatory circulation was observed. Among the 16 patients who had preserved uterine arteries, only two (12.5%) showed identifiable bilateral uterine arteries, whereas seven (43.6%) had unilateral uterine artery occlusion and another seven (43.6%), bilateral occlusion. We had three obstetric outcomes, two of which came from the ovarian artery supplying group and one from the hybrid supplying group. Conclusions: The ovarian artery became the dominant supplying vessel after ART. The anatomically preserved uterine artery had an 87.5% chance of occlusion after the procedure. Moreover, the contributing uterine artery did not show any functional superiority. Thus, the benefit of preserving the uterine arteries during ART is probably very limited. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The purpose of this study was to establish an efficient modern strategy for the reduction and control of cadmium (Cd) content in the crab viscera homogenate. To this end, the coupling of an artificial neural network (ANN) technique with the genetic algorithm (GA) method and compared the performance of GA-ANN with response surface methodology (RSM) were demonstrated in the prediction and optimization of the ultrasonic-assisted adsorption of Cd using a aerogel adsorbent. On the basis of single factor test, the data sample was established by Box–Behnken Design, and the effects of ultrasonic time, temperature, the addition amount of aerogel, and pH on the removal rate of Cd were researched. The results revealed that the RSM and GA-ANN models had relative errors and coefficients of determination R2 values of 3.90%, 0.8440, and 1.79%, 0.9283, respectively, suggesting that GA-ANN is more accurate than RSM. The maximum percentage of Cd extracted (79.13%) was obtained using GA-ANN model as ultrasonic time of 87 min, temperature of 81 °C, adsorbent dosage of 0.07 g, pH of 3.20. In conclusion, the present results provide an effective method for optimizing multi-technology coupling to reduce the toxic heavy metal content in aquatic products. • A novel porous aerogel adsorbent was synthesized using tea residue and acrylic. • The proposed gel was used for the extraction of cadmium from crab viscera homogenate. • Multiple co-technologies were firstly applied to improve the removal rate of cadmium. • Experimental results were modeled and compared via RSM and GA-ANN. • Comparatively, GA-ANN modeling proved to be superior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) after cataract surgery is one of the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness. The cause of PCO is the capsule fibrosis developed on implanted Intraocular Lens (IOLs) by the de-differentiation of Lens Epithelial Cells (LECs) undergoing epithelial mesenchymal transition. How to prevent PCO has been a challenge to scientists and ophthalmologists for decades. Here we demonstrated the use of carboxylated CuInS/ZnS quantum dots (ZCIS QDs), which are free of toxic heavy metals and are more biocompatible, as photothermal nanomedicines. The ZCIS QDs are modified onto the non-optical section of IOLs by a facial activation-immersion method. Under mild NIR laser irradiation, ZCIS QDs modified IOLs (QDs-IOLs) will generate localized heat and prevent the proliferation of LECs onto the surface of QDs-IOLs. Our findings provide experimental evidence for further application of combined nanotechnology and photothermal therapy for the clinical treatment of PCO. • Carboxylated CuInS/ZnS quantum dots modified intraocular lens (QDs-IOLs) are fabricated. • Under mild NIR laser irradiation, QDs-IOLs will generate localized heat and prevent the proliferation of LECs. • Application of combined nanotechnology and photothermal therapy for the clinical treatment of PCO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]