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Highlights • Artificial inoculation of onion bulbs causes basal rot. • Pathogenic infection increases emission of volatile organic compounds. • Volatile organic compounds correlate positively with the extent of infection. • 1-Propanethiol, methyl propyl sulfide and styrene are markers of fungal infection. Abstract Diseases develop during the storage of onions. To minimize losses, new methods are needed to identify diseased bulbs early in storage. Volatile organic compounds (VOCs), the respiration rate, weight loss, and the dry matter content were investigated for 1–7 weeks post inoculation of bulbs with water (control) and two strains (Fox006 or Fox260) of Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae. Photos, multispectral image analysis, and real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) showed no infection in the control onions, weak pathogenic infection in Fox006-onions, and strong pathogenic infection in Fox260-onions at week 7 post inoculation. Infected bulbs exhibited increased respiration rate, increased VOC emission rate, and increased weight loss. The control and Fox006-onions did not respond to inoculation and had similar reaction pattern. Forty-three different VOCs were measured, of which 17 compounds had sulfur in their chemical structure. 1-Propanethiol, methyl propyl sulfide, and styrene were emitted in high concentrations and were positively correlated with the extent of infection (r = 0.82 – 0.89). Therefore, these compounds were the most promising volatile markers of Fusarium basal rot infection. For the first time, we show that the extent of fungal infection determined by real-time PCR in onion bulbs is related with VOC emission. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A calibrated, coupled model of the Bohai and Yellow Seas is developed to investigate sediment transport and deposition processes around a distinct clinoform east of the Shandong Peninsula. On the clinoform, deposition patterns vary seasonally with the regional hydrography and the East Asian Monsoon. A local maximum in sediment deposition is located offshore from spring to autumn, whereas sediment deposition is greater near the coast and decreases seaward in winter. From spring to autumn, a thermal front develops around the Yellow Sea Cold Water Mass and limits sediment transport seaward, enhancing sediment deposition and leading to high deposition rate in a focused region offshore. Sediment is transported to the region by the southward basin-scale cyclonic circulation, and the cross-shelf gradient in stratification, sediment resuspension, and vertical mixing at the front lead to a convergence in sediment transport and deposition. Sediment deposition over the clinoform is the greatest during the transition from summer to autumn when the thermal front persists but sediment supply increases. This results from weakened stratification and greater resuspension near the coast due to stronger winds, waves, and sea-surface cooling. A seasonal seaward shift of the frontal position toward deeper water is consistent with the decreasing heat flux, and the corresponding shift in location of maximum sediment deposition shifts seaward. In winter, the thermocline disappears and vertical mixing increases throughout the region. SSC over the clinoform increases due to active resuspension and net deposition decreases, and instead sediment is transported seaward and deposits in the South Yellow Sea. Current velocity, SSC and sediment deposition rates decrease seaward, in contrast to the focused trapping at the thermal front from spring to autumn. The deposition rates around the thermal front from spring to autumn are greater than in the winter, so the high net sediment accumulation over an annual cycle occurs in the same region as the longer-term accumulation preserved in the omega-shaped clinoform. • Sediment deposition rates are increased at a thermal front from spring to autumn at east of the Shandong Peninsula. • Seasonal shifts of the position of thermal front and sediment depo-center broaden the sediment accumulation region. • The monsoonal climate plays a dominant role in the seasonally varying circulation and sediment transport in the Yellow Sea. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Basal rot is a common onion disease and is mainly caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cepae and Fusarium proliferatum. To study the possibility of using volatile organic compounds (VOCs) as biomarkers for these fungi, pathogenic isolates of F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum from onions were cultivated in onion medium and VOCs were measured by solid phase microextraction (SPME). Forty-two compounds were detected, and thirty of these compounds were highly related to fungal metabolic activity. Allyl mercaptan was specific to F. oxysporum isolate Fox006. Analysis of the VOCs showed significant differences between the two species and among different isolates within the same species. Sixteen of the VOCs showed were highly positively correlated with the fungal biomass estimated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Ethanol, ethyl formate, ethyl acetate, 2-methyl-1-propanol, methyl thioacetate, n-propyl acetate and 3-methyl-1-butanol are volatile metabolites that were potential indicators of Fusarium growth on onions. Highlights • VOCs from onion-pathogenic Fusarium fungi were studied for the first time. • Specific VOCs were detected from F. oxysporum and F. proliferatum. • Fungal volatiles were quantitatively related with fungal biomass. • VOCs from F. oxysporum isolates correlated with their taxonomics. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study investigates the deep circulation in the South China Sea (SCS) using oceanographic observations combined with results from a bottom layer reduced gravity model. The SCS water, 2000 m below the surface, is quite different from that in the adjacent Pacific Ocean, and it is characterized by its low dissolved oxygen (DO), high temperature and low salinity. The horizontal distribution of deep water properties indicates a basin-scale cyclonic circulation driven by the Luzon overflow. The results of the bottom layer reduced gravity model are consistent with the existence of the cyclonic circulation in the deep SCS. The circulation is stronger at the northern/western boundary. After overflowing the sill of the Luzon Strait, the deep water moves broadly southwestward, constrained by the 3500 m isobath. The broadening of the southward flow is induced by the downwelling velocity in the interior of the deep basin. The main deep circulation bifurcates into two branches after the Zhongsha Islands. The southward branch continues flowing along the 3500 m isobath, and the eastward branch forms the sub-basin scale cyclonic circulation around the seamounts in the central deep SCS. The returning flow along the east boundary is fairly weak. The numerical experiments of the bottom layer reduced gravity model reveal the important roles of topography, bottom friction, and the upwelling/downwelling pattern in controlling the spatial structure, particularly the strong, deep western boundary current. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Distribution of suspended sediment in the Bohai Sea and its seasonal variability were investigated based on the datasets obtained from four cruises carried out in different seasons in 2010 and 2012. The results indicate that the spatial distribution of suspended sediment in the Bohai Sea was dominated by the river input and coastal resuspension that depends on the type of local surface sediment and hydrodynamics. The suspended sediment was mostly concentrated in the southern Bohai Sea particularly around the Yellow River Delta in the summer season as impacted by the river plume but confined within a very limited area near the river mouth, whereas in winter–spring seasons sediment concentration became much higher as a result of active coastal resuspension induced by energetic wave actions in the shallow water. High sediment concentration was found in Liaodong Bay in winter–spring seasons when dynamics become strong but decrease significantly in summer seasons. The sediment concentration in the southern Bohai Strait was much higher than that in the northern part, suggesting evident sediment export to the Yellow Sea particularly in the winter–spring seasons. Strong seasonal variability of suspended sediment distribution in the Bohai Sea was consistent with the monsoon activity and associated wave actions and coastal currents that are varying seasonally. The dominance of seasonal monsoon signal and associated wave dynamics make the subaqueous Yellow River delta to be a major sink for the terrestrial sediment in the summer seasons, but transiting to a primary source in winter–spring seasons for sediment redistribution in the Bohai Sea and sediment export to the Yellow Sea. The seasonal patterns of suspended sediment distribution in the Bohai Sea and the dominance of monsoon activities may provide a good reference to understanding the sediment transport in the China Shelf Seas where sediment resuspension and coastal circulation are evidently driven by monsoon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] The d-galactose-6-sulfurylase was able to remove the sulfate from precursor carrageenan to form κ-carrageenan. [•] The existence of μ-carrageenan was detected in Betaphycus gelatinus by FTIR. [•] The d-galactose-6-sulfurylase was purified to monomeric protein which was metalloid and sensitive to pH and temperature. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

• Fe was highly dispersed on MIL-100(Fe) derived porous carbon with a high loading (>37 wt%). • XRD and HRTEM show particle size decrease for Na, Cu, and Ru-promoted catalysts. • Cu-promoted catalysts show a high CO conversion and a stable FT activity. • Na addition increased O/P ratio and C 5+ selectivity in product distribution. • Ru-promoted catalysts show a deactivation at high reaction temperature (340 °C). Fischer-Tropsch synthesis (FTS) is studied over Metal-organic framework (MOF) based porous carbon supported iron catalysts promoted with Na, Cu and Ru metals. The FTS results showed that all promoters can enhance CO conversion, FT product yield (FTY), and CO 2 selectivity is also increased. Among all promoters, Cu-based sample exhibits the best promoting effect in activity (FTY=0.154 mol CO g Fe −1 h −1). Interestingly, the activity is about 2 times higher to that of unpromoted catalysts. Ru-contained sample exhibits the most significant influence on the light hydrocarbon production, with the C 1–4 hydrocarbon selectivity above 70%. Na-contained sample performed the highest C 5+ selectivity of 66% with a medium CO conversion of 51%. The improved FTS activity and selectivity of promoted catalysts is related to the decrease in iron particle size as confirmed by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It is confirmed, the small iron particles of the promoted catalyst are stabilized on the surface of carbon matrix, preventing further aggregation at high temperature, which is contributed to the improved FTS performance. Our research study showed that Na, Cu and Ru can not only affect the distribution of resulting products but also improve the activity of FTS. In short, the effect of Cu is remarkable on the MOF-derived catalyst. Similarly, the MOF-derived porous carbon catalysts confined the iron species during the reaction process, provide a clear structure-activity relationship between the promoters and the catalytic performance. Finally, this novel work can provide a new pathway for metal-organic framework-derived Fe-embedded porous carbon catalysts for Fischer-Tropsch synthesis. [Display omitted] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The present study elucidates the underlying mechanism through which PUE confers protection against CDDP-induced ototoxicity. PUE effectively regulates Calcium overload and suppresses the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) through the regulation of TRPV1 expression, thereby mitigating damage to the auditory system. To illustrate this mechanism, a schematic diagram has been presented. [Display omitted] Puerarin (PUE), a flavonoid derivative with vasodilatory effects found in the traditional Chinese medicine kudzu, has anti-sensorineural hearing loss properties. However, the mechanism of its protective effect against ototoxicity is not well understood. In this study, we used in vitro and in vivo methods to investigate the protective mechanism of puerarin against cisplatin (CDDP)-induced ototoxicity. We established an ototoxicity model of CDDP in BALB/c mice and assessed the degree of hearing loss and cochlear cell damage. We used bioinformatics analysis, molecular docking, histological analysis, and biochemical and molecular biology to detect the expression of relevant factors. Our results show that puerarin improved CDDP-induced hearing loss and reduced hair cell loss. It also blocked CDDP-induced activation of TRPV1 and inhibited activation of IP3R1 to prevent intracellular calcium overload. Additionally, puerarin blocked CDDP-stimulated p65 activation, reduced excessive ROS production, and alleviated cochlear cell apoptosis. Our study provides new evidence and potential targets for the protective effect of puerarin against drug-induced hearing loss. Puerarin ameliorates cisplatin-induced ototoxicity and blocks cellular apoptosis by inhibiting CDDP activated TRPV1/IP3R1/p65 pathway, blocking induction of calcium overload and excessive ROS expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Oxidative stress is considered to be a major contributor to age-related hearing loss (ARHL). Here, we investigated whether pomegranate peel extract (PPE) protected against hearing loss by decreased oxidative stress in the cochlea of D -galactose–induced accelerated aging mice. The aging mice exhibited an increase in hearing threshold shifts and hair cells loss, which were improved in the PPE-treated aging mice. The aging mice also exhibited an increase in 4-hydroxynonenal, the expression of protein phosphatase 1 nuclear targeting subunit (PNUTS), p53 and caspase-3, and a decrease in protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and MDM2 in the cochlea. PPE treatment reversed the changes in aforementioned molecules. Our results suggested that PPE can protect against ARHL, the underlying mechanisms may involve in the inhibition of oxidative damage of cochlea, possibly by regulating PNUTS/PP1 pathway. The results from the present study provide a new therapeutic strategy to use PPE for prevention of ARHL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: Scorpion venoms metalloproteinase is involved in a number of important biological, physiological and pathophysiological processes. In this work, a complete sequence of metalloproteinase was first obtained from venom of scorpion Buthus martensi and named as BumaMPs1. BumaMPs1 has 393 amino acid residues containing with a molecular mass of 44.53 kDa, showing an isoelectric point of 5.66. The primary sequence analysis indicated that the BumaMPs1 contains a zinc-binding motif (HELGHNLGISH), methionine-turn motif (YIM), disintegrin-like domain (ETCD) and N-glycosylation site. The multiple alignment of its deduced amino acid sequence and those of other metalloproteinase showed a high structural similarly, mainly among class reprolysin proteases. The phylogenetic analysis showed early divergence and independent evolution of BumaMPs1 from other metalloproteinase. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Highlights: [•] The Gal-6-sulfurylase from Eucheuma striatum was first purified to homogeneity. [•] Enzymatic treatment improved the gel strength of κ-carrageenan to 1630.2g/cm2. [•] This improvement is due to the cyclization of 3,6-AG by removing sulfate groups. [•] This study provides an eco-friendly method to produce better quality κ-carrageenan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

MiR-346-5p is overexpressed in several cancers, including colorectal cancer (CRC). However, the effects of miR-346-5p on CRC progression have not yet been clarified. In our study, miR-346-5p levels in four CRC cell lines and normal human colon epithelial cells were determined by real-time PCR. SW620 and HCT116 cells were selected and then transfected with miR-346-5p mimic, miR-346-5p inhibitor, or specific siRNAs targeting F-box/LRR-repeat protein 2 (FBXL2). Cell proliferation, cell cycle distribution and cell cycle regulators were examined by CCK-8 assay, flow cytometry, and western blot. The binding of miR-346-5p on 3′ untranslated region (UTR) of FBXL2 were verified by dual-luciferase reporter assay. CRC cells were co-transfected with miR-346-5p inhibitor and siFBXL2 to investigate the involvement of FBXL2. Interaction of FBXL2 with forkhead box M1 (FoxM1) was examined by co-immunoprecipitation (Co-IP) assay. The effect of miR-346-5p knockdown on CRC tumorigenesis in vivo was investigated. Here, we found that miR-346-5p overexpression promoted, while miR-346-5p knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and G1-S transition. Inhibition of FBXL2 showed similar effects as miR-346-5p overexpression. Moreover, we verified that FBXL2 was a direct target of miR-346-5p. FBXL2 interacted with FoxM1, and then negatively regulated both FoxM1 and nuclear β-catenin levels. Additionally, FBXL2 knockdown reversed the effects of miR-346-5p inhibitor. In xenograft models, miR-346-5p knockdown significantly inhibited tumor growth, increased FBXL2 expression, and downregulated the levels of FoxM1 and nuclear β-catenin. In conclusion, miR-346-5p may promote CRC growth by targeting FBXL2 and activating the β-catenin signaling pathway. MiR-346-5p may be a novel target in cancer therapy. Unlabelled Image • MiR-346-5p overexpression promoted, while miR-346-5p knockdown inhibited cell proliferation and G1-S transition in vitro. • FBXL2 knockdown showed similar effects as miR-346-5p overexpression on cell proliferation and cell cycle distribution. • FBXL2 interacted with FoxM1, and then negatively regulated both FoxM1 and nuclear β-catenin levels • MiR-346-5p knockdown significantly inhibited tumor growth in vivo. • MiR-346-5p may promote CRC growth by targeting FBXL2 and activating the β-catenin signaling pathway [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]