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Blood amino acid levels are maintained in a narrow physiological range. The pancreatic α cells have emerged as the primary aminoacidemia regulator through glucagon secretion to promote hepatic amino acid catabolism. Interruption of glucagon signaling disrupts the liver–α cells axis leading to hyperaminoacidemia, which triggers a compensatory rise in glucagon secretion and α cell hyperplasia. The mechanisms of hyperaminoacidemia-induced α cell hyperplasia remain incompletely understood. Using a mouse α cell line and in vivo studies in zebrafish and mice, we found that hyperaminoacidemiainduced a cell hyperplasia requires ErbB3 signaling. In addition to mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1, another ErbB3 downstream effector signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 also plays a role in α cell hyperplasia. Mechanistically, ErbB3 may partner with ErbB2 to stimulate cyclin D2 and suppress p27 via mechanistic target of rapamycin complex 1 and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3. Our study identifies ErbB3 as a new regulator for hyperaminoacidemia induced α cell proliferation and a critical component of the liver–α cells axis that regulates aminoacidemia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The glucagon receptor (GCGR) is a potential target for diabetes therapy. Several emerging GCGR antagonism-based therapies are under preclinical and clinical development. However, GCGR antagonism, as well as genetically engineered GCGR deficiency in animal models, are accompanied by α-cell hyperplasia and hyperglucagonemia, which may limit the application of GCGR antagonism. To better understand the physiological changes in α cells following GCGR disruption, we performed single cell sequencing of α cells isolated from control and gcgr-/- (glucagon receptor deficient) zebrafish. Interestingly, beyond the α-cell hyperplasia, we also found that the expression of gcga, gcgb, pnoca, and several glucagon-regulatory transcription factors were dramatically increased in one cluster of gcgr-/- α cells. We further confirmed that glucagon mRNA was upregulated in gcgr-/- animals by in situ hybridization and that glucagon promoter activity was increased in gcgr-/-;Tg(gcga:GFP) reporter zebrafish. We also demonstrated that gcgr-/- α cells had increased glucagon protein levels and increased granules after GCGR disruption. Intriguingly, the increased mRNA and protein levels could be suppressed by treatment with high-level glucose or knockdown of the pnoca gene. In conclusion, these data demonstrated that GCGR deficiency not only induced α-cell hyperplasia but also increased glucagon expression in α cells, findings which provide more information about physiological changes in α-cells when the GCGR is disrupted. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Vulnerability analysis of long-span structures explores the weakness regions, which should be concerned during structural design and operation stages. However, the vulnerability analysis procedure under regular loads is conventionally a tough task in virtue of structural complexity and uncertainties. Therefore, a Bayesian networks (BNs) framework has been developed for hierarchical vulnerability evaluation of long-span structures under regular loads. External loads, structural systems and components are defined as network nodes, and mechanical and risk causalities are simultaneously considered during network establishment. The causality strength between two nodes is quantitatively expressed by a conditional probability table. The state probability inference of nodal variables is accomplished after inputting the observed state of a damaged component as the evidence into the established BN. A new component importance coefficient is defined and calculated on the inferred nodal state probabilities. A component vulnerability index is further defined to predict the most likely failure sequence of components. In addition, a system vulnerability measure is proposed for evaluating the safety risk of the system. The proposed method has been verified against an experimental space truss model and an actual cable-stayed bridge. The component importance of the truss members and the cables was well evaluated with the predictions of their most likely failure sequences. The estimated system vulnerability could indicate the safety risk of the long-span structures due to the damaged components • Bayesian networks visually express the vulnerability causality within a long-span structure. • Hierarchical network establishment considers both mechanical and risk causalities. • Vulnerability analysis includes component- and system-level evaluation. • Three indicators are proposed based on the inferred results of Bayesian networks. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

TiB 2 /metal composite material was prepared by magnetic-field-assisted laser cladding on Ti–6Al–4V to improve wear resistance and decrease crack sensitivity. The influences of the magnetostrictive effect on the crack sensitivity and mechanical properties were studied. Moreover, the effects of the magnetic field on the microstructure, lattice parameters, and wear properties of the laser layers were investigated. TiB 2 particles were synthesized on the surface of the Ti–6Al–4V alloy in situ by laser cladding. The magnetic intensity influenced the mechanical properties of the laser cladding layers. The wear properties of the composite cladding layers were improved by increasing the hardness and decreasing the elastic modulus of the cladding layer. The lattice mismatch phenomenon in the cladding layer was reduced, and the mechanical properties of the cladding layer were enhanced by introducing a magnetostrictive effect. The application of 20 mT magnetic intensity was appropriate for generating a negative magnetostrictive effect, and the lattice misfit parameter, wear volume, and coefficient of friction were the lowest among all the samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The solar photocatalytic hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) with Z-scheme driven by the two-dimensional (2D) AuSe/SnSe heterostructure is explored. Three preferable geometrical configurations of the heterostructure are identified from nine structures stacked with the SnSe and AuSe monolayers by formation energies, and thermodynamic stability is confirmed by ab initio molecular dynamics simulation at 400 K. The projected band edges of the monolayers in the heterostructure, interlayer charge transfer, and built-in fields support the AuSe/SnSe heterostructure to drive the photocatalytic HER with the direct Z-scheme, which increases not only the overpotentials of the photocatalytic water decomposition to produce hydrogen, but also the optical absorptions. Thus, the maximum solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency could attain 32.95% if a suitable biaxial strain is applied. The effects of the interlayer distance on the geometrical structures and electronic properties are also examined, and the results show that the increase in distance is safe, but the decrease will damage the character of the vdW heterostructure. The changes of Gibbs free energies confirm that the HER with Z-scheme driven by the AuSe/SnSe heterostructure is feasible. These results could provide a theoretical guide for the development of photocatalysts for the efficient HER with the direct Z-scheme by using the AuSe/SnSe heterostructure. [Display omitted] • The stable configurations of the AuSe/SnSe heterostructure are identified. • The newfound heterostructure can drive solar photocatalytic HER with Z-scheme. • 32.95% of solar-to-hydrogen conversion efficiency can be achieved under 4% strain. • Both strain and interlayer distance impact the band edges and conversion efficiency. • The feasibility of the HER with Z-scheme is confirmed with Gibbs free energy changes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• The magnetic field can reduce the crack sensitivity of the laser cladding layer. • The pore in the cladding layer is sensitive to crack under compressive stress. • CoFe phase helps to reduce the thermal stress of the laser cladding layer. • The magnetic field can improve the microhardness of the laser cladding layer. The Co-based laser cladding layer was prepared on the 42CrMo substrate. The magnetic field was applied during the laser cladding process. The causes of cracks and pores in the cladding layer are analyzed systematically. The magnetic field has a remarkable effect on the defect and properties of the cladding layer. The morphology evolution, phase composition, element distribution, thermal expansion, and thermal stress were investigated. The result indicates that the magnetostriction effect decreased thermal expansion and thermal stress in the magnetization-induced laser cladding process, which reduces the cladding layer's crack sensitivity. The cladding layer's average microhardness and morphology properties were increased to that of the cladding layer without the magnetic field-assisted. The magnetic field can improve the element distribution uniformity and lower the element segregation that the crack sensitivity of the cladding layer was reduced. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexploitation and preliminary artificial breeding have led to an increasing interest in studying the reproductive biology and biochemical changes during gonad development in Oratosquilla oratoria. In this study, we established an accurate one-to-one correspondence between physical (and ovarian) morphology and ovarian histology during different maturity stages and improved the understanding of trophic dynamics with the progress of maturation, which will aid the aquaculture and artificial breeding techniques for this commercially important species. Based on ovarian histology and morphology, the ovaries were differentiated into six developmental stages, with five changes in color: immature stage (black), previtellogenesis (black), primary vitellogenesis (faint yellow), secondary vitellogenesis (golden yellow), maturation (light orange) and spent stage (brownish yellow). The visible colors of the median triangular structure of the telson can be used as an external morphological indicator of ovarian development status, and indicates that the females are near-ripe broods stocks when median triangular structure is almost filled with yellow. The gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed a statistically significant inverse correlation with the hepatopancreatic index (HPI) and muscle-somatic index (MSI). GSI significantly increased until stage III and HPI significantly decreased at stage II and recovered slowly thereafter. Nevertheless the MSI increased during the first two stages and decreased thereafter. A continuous decline in feeding intensity of females with ovarian development was found. The protein level in the muscle and hepatopancreas increased with protein accumulation in the ovary. Ovarian lipid concentration continued to increase, while, as in the hepatopancreas and muscle, lipid content decreased significantly at stage II and then recovered rapidly, followed by a sharp decline. Glycogen concentrations in the ovary kept steady, while in the hepatopancreas and muscle, there was a downward trend after a rise to the highest value. In conclusion, the energy for supporting ovarian development inevitably relies on energy reserves in the hepatopancreas and muscle and attention should be given to how to promote the transfer of organic reserves and energy to the ovaries during stock culture. • An accurate one-to-one correspondence between physical (and ovarian) morphology was established. • The visible colors of the median triangular structure of the telson can be used as an external morphological indicator of ovarian development status and the females are near ripe when median triangular structure is almost filled with yellow. • The gonadosomatic index (GSI) showed a statistically significant inverse correlation with the hepatopancreatic index (HPI) and muscle-somatic index (MSI). • A continuous decline in feeding intensity of females with ovarian development was found. • The energy for supporting ovarian development inevitably relies on energy reserves in the hepatopancreas and muscle. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• AGS was used in a continuous-flow reactor treating real wastewater containing EG. • 2.A stable COD removal was achieved at an influent concentration of about 2000 mg/L. • 3.Toxicity of EG to microorganisms reflected in the destruction of cell membranes. • 4.The defense function rather than repair was enhanced by microorganisms at EG stress. The application of aerobic granular sludge in continuous-flow treatment of real organic industrial wastewater has been a current research hotspot. This research explored the feasibility of real ethylene glycol wastewater treatment by aerobic granular sludge in a continuous-flow process. In this study, an 80-day continuous-flow reactor operation was established to investigate the toxic effects of ethylene glycol industrial wastewater on aerobic granular sludge and the resistance mechanism of aerobic granules during long-term operation. Results revealed that after 40 days of domestication, the degradation rate of COD for 2000 ± 150 mg/L remained above 85 % and EG concentration was below the detection limit. Flow cytometry results showed that the toxicity of ethylene glycol to cells was mainly reflected in the destruction of cell membranes, leading to the decline of the microbial activity. Long-term exposure to ethylene glycol industrial wastewater would reduce the mechanic strength of aerobic granules. Through metagenomic sequencing technology, it was confirmed that the ability to metabolize organic matter and the defense function were improved by microorganisms in aerobic granules during the process, however, the productivity of cells was reduced, and both the intracellular repair and cytoskeleton synthesis of AGS were inhibited. Based on the KEGG database, a metabolic network of ethylene glycol from granular sludge microorganisms was reconstructed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Tea possesses a great value due to its popularity as a drink and as a source of secondary metabolic products. Up to now, the genomic information and the gene expression patterns of tea plant (Camellia sinensis) have not been studied in detail. In this report, a total of 4320 cDNA clones from a cDNA library of tender shoots from tea plant were randomly sequenced and analyzed. We generated a total of 1684 high-quality EST sequences (average 478bp in length), among which 1200 ESTs had significant homology with the sequences in NCBI non-redundant protein database by BlastX analysis. The database-matched ESTs were further classified into 12 putative cellular roles based on the functional categories established for Arabidopsis, i.e., metabolism-related category (corresponding 8.3% of total BlastX matched ESTs), energy (26.4%), cell growth and division (3.8%), transcription (3.9%), protein synthesis (17.9%), protein destination and storage (1.7%), transporters (4.7%), cell structure (10.7%), signal transduction (5.4%), disease and defence (9.2%), secondary metabolism (4.8%), and unclear classification (3.4%). One thousand and eight ESTs of known or putative functions could be assigned to 304 functional genes and they were grouped to highly abundant (10%), moderate abundant (30%) and low abundant (60%) expression, respectively. Our study provides an overview of mRNA expression profile and a diverse genetic resource for tea plant research. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

In current scenario, crop productivity is being challenged by decreasing soil fertility. To cope up with this problem, different beneficial microbes are explored to increase the crop productivity with value additions. In this study, Brassica napus L., an important agricultural economic oilseed crop with rich source of nutritive qualities, was interacted with Piriformospora indica , a unique root colonizing fungus with wide host range and multifunctional aspects. The fungus-treated plants showed a significant increase in agronomic parameters with plant biomass, lodging-resistance, early bolting and flowering, oil yield and quality. Nutritional analysis revealed that plants treated by P. indica had reduced erucic acid and glucosinolates contents, and increased the accumulation of N, Ca, Mg, P, K, S, B, Fe and Zn elements. Low erucic acid and glucosinolates contents are important parameters for high quality oil, because oils high in erucic acid and glucosinolates are considered undesirable for human nutrition. Furthermore, the expression profiles of two encoding enzyme genes, Bn-FAE1 and BnECR , which are responsible for regulating erucic acid biosynthesis, were down-regulated at mid- and late- life stages during seeds development in colonized plants. These results demonstrated that P. indica played an important role in enhancing plant growth, rapeseed yield and quality improvement of B. napus. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] A series of laboratory tests were performed to explore mechanical properties of rock salt subjected to triaxial cyclic loading. [•] A new theoretical approach to calculate the Young’s modulus and Poisson’s ratio was proposed. [•] The Young’s modulus decreases with loading cycles nonlinearly and drives to a constant after 50–100 loading cycles. [•] The two-stage evolution law in both the axial and lateral deformation of salt increases with an increase in the maximum applied stress or with a decrease in the minimum applied stress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The plasma membrane is the most direct target of low temperature injury in plants. We have cloned a cold-induced gene (MpRCI) from plantain (Musa paradisiaca L.; ABB Group). Expression of an MpRCI::GFP fusion protein in onion epidermal cells showed localization of the protein product in the plasma membrane. The expression profile of MpRCI was analyzed by RT-PCR and the results indicated that MpRCI is induced by low temperatures in leaves and leafstalk, but not in the shoot meristematic or roots. We also cloned a 1.2kb fragment upstream of MpRCI, predicted to contain several elements related to abiotic stresses, and demonstrated that the sequence has characteristics of low temperature- and ABA-induced promoter activity. Furthermore, the results of the phenotypic espial and ion leakage assays, using transgenic tobacco containing the gene, indicated that over-expression of the cold-induced plasma membrane protein gene MpRCI enhanced low temperature-resistance in the these plants. These results suggest that MpRCI is involved in maintaining the stability of the plasma membrane at low temperatures. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Abstract: Genetic variability of 18 microsatellites in five Chinese goat breeds was characterized and then individual-breed assignments were implemented on the basis of microsatellite multi-genotypes. Although the low Gst value of 5.7% occurred among these breeds, the accumulated non-parental exclusion probabilities of 99.99% and the correct assignment percentage of 82% demonstrated that microsatellites were feasible for paternity testing and individual-breed assignments in caprine populations. All of loci showed high polymorphism except that MAF35 had only two alleles, and INRA0132 had potential null allele in these breeds. The non-parental exclusion probability per locus varied from 0.081 to 0.534 under case I for paternity testing and ranged from 0.161 to 0.699 under case II, respectively. Both of Excl 1 and Excl 2 were significantly correlated to the genetic diversity measures including genetic heterozygosity, polymorphism information content (PIC) and gene differential coefficients, and that suggested genetic polymorphism of marker provide enough information for microsatellite selection. In addition, the Bayesian method was proven to have superiority of the correct assignment percentage in comparison to gene frequency method and genetic distance methods, with the assumptions of locus-population Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium and no linkage between loci. The correct assignment percentage were always higher in YC and Boer than other three goat breeds, implying assignment efficiency was positively relative to populations with greater uniformity and low population genetic variability. The correct assignment percentage rose with the increase of number of loci used, and it could reach 71.5% when nine microsatellites with the highest genetic polymorphism were combined together. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

The lateral habenula (LHb) is activated by a range of aversive states including those related to alcohol withdrawal and has glycine receptors (GlyRs), a sensitive target of alcohol. However, whether GlyRs in the LHb contribute to alcohol-related behaviors is unknown. Here, we report that rats experiencing withdrawal from chronic alcohol consumption showed higher anxiety and sensitivity to stress compared to their alcohol-naïve counterparts. Intra-LHb injection of glycine attenuated these aberrant behaviors and reduced alcohol intake upon alcohol re-access. Glycine's effect was blocked by strychnine, a GlyR antagonist, indicating that it was mediated by strychnine-sensitive GlyRs. Conversely, intra-LHb strychnine elicited anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in Naïve rats but not in withdrawal rats. Additionally, both the frequency and the amplitude of the spontaneous IPSCs were lower in LHb neurons in slices of withdrawal rats compared to naïve rats. Also, there were sporadic strychnine-sensitive synaptic events in some LHb neurons. Bath perfusion of strychnine induced a depolarizing inward current and increased action potential firings in LHb neurons. By contrast, bath perfusion of glycine or sarcosine, a glycine transporter subtype 1 inhibitor, inhibited LHb activity. Collectively, these data reveal that LHb neurons are under the tonic glycine inhibition both in physiological and pathological conditions. Activation of GlyRs reverses LHb hyperactivity, alleviates aberrant behaviors, and reduces alcohol intake, thus highlighting the GlyRs in the LHb as a potential therapeutic target for alcohol-use disorders. • Intra-LHb glycine rescues anxiety and depression in alcohol-withdrawal rats. • Intra-LHb glycine reduces alcohol intake upon alcohol re-access. • Intra-LHb strychnine induces anxiety- and depression-like behaviors in naïve rats. • Strychnine induces depolarizing currents and excitation of LHb neurons. • Glycine or sarcosine, a glycine transporter subtype 1 inhibitor inhibit LHb neurons. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]