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Maintaining the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) while enlarging the active area is necessary for their industrialization, where the key part is the uniform carrier extraction. Here, a conformal electron transport layer (ETL) is reported with eliminated low‐conductive contacts through a tailored deposition that combines chemical bath deposition and modified spin‐coating on a light‐managing textured substrate. The KPFM and C‐AFM are utilized to prove the uniform and optimized electrical properties. This study further employs the 2D measurements of PL and TRPL mapping to focus on revealing the enhanced uniformity of electron extraction. The uniform ETL conductivity and electron extraction contribute to a substantial decrease in device up‐scaling losses, making the δPCE (PCE0.08−PCE1PCE0.08)$\frac{{{\mathrm{PC}}{{{\mathrm{E}}}_{0.08}} - {\mathrm{PC}}{{{\mathrm{E}}}_1}}}{{{\mathrm{PC}}{{{\mathrm{E}}}_{0.08}}}})\ $ between 0.08 cm2‐device and 1 cm2‐device decrease from 5.02% to 2.97%, while the perovskite film is deposited using two‐step method. When using one‐step method to deposit perovskite film, PCEs of 25.13% and 23.93% for the active area of 0.08 cm2 and 1 cm2 are achieved, and the δPCE decreases from 7.89% to 4.77%, validating the significant effects on reducing up‐scaling losses. This work provides a new perspective to maintain high efficiency while device up‐scaling, providing more opportunities to push forward the PSCs industrialization. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metal‐halide perovskite solar cells (PSCs) have emerged as a promising photovoltaic technology. Fabricating PSCs in ambient air can accelerate their low‐cost commercialization, since it can remove the reliance on atmosphere‐controlled equipment. However, the power conversion efficiency (PCE) of air‐fabricated PSCs still lags behind those fabricated in glovebox. Here, based on a technology to fabricate high‐quality perovskite film in ambient air, a compatible optimization is performed on electron transport layer (ETL) to further enhance the photovoltaic performance of PSCs. A soft‐templated deposition strategy is proposed that utilizes tetrasodium glutamate diacetate (GLDA) to finely regulate the chemical bath deposition process, leading to an ideal SnO2 ETL with no additive residual. Adopting this feature of no residual, a molecular bridge using β‐guanidinopropionic acid (βA) is constructed at the buried interface (SnO2/perovskite), which effectively enhances the electron extraction and decreases electron losses. The resulting PSCs (0.08 cm2) achieve an impressive PCE of 25.74% (certificated 25.43%), which is the highest among the air‐fabricated PSCs reported to date. A PCE of 24.61% in 1 cm2‐PSCs is also obtained, exhibiting the scalable potential of the technology. In addition, the excellent operational stability of these PSCs is also demonstrated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The doped organic hole transport layer (HTL) is crucial for achieving high‐efficiency perovskite solar cells (PSCs). However, the traditional doping strategy undergoes a time‐consuming and environment‐dependent oxidation process, which hinders the technology upgrades and commercialization of PSCs. Here, we reported a new strategy by introducing a cascade reaction in traditional doped Spiro‐OMeTAD, which can simultaneously achieve rapid oxidation and overcome the erosion of perovskite by 4‐tert‐butylpyridine (tBP) in organic HTL. The ideal dopant iodobenzene diacetate was utilized as the initiator that can react with Spiro to generate Spiro⋅+ radicals quickly and efficiently without the participation of ambient air, with the byproduct of iodobenzene (DB). Then, the DB can coordinate with tBP through a halogen bond to form a tBP‐DB complex, minimizing the sustained erosion from tBP to perovskite. Based on the above cascade reaction, the resulting Spiro‐based PSCs have a champion PCE of 25.76 % (certificated of 25.38 %). This new oxidation process of HTL is less environment‐dependent and produces PSCs with higher reproducibility. Moreover, the PTAA‐based PSCs obtain a PCE of 23.76 %, demonstrating the excellent applicability of this doping strategy on organic HTL. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

SUMMARY: The protein factors for the specific C‐to‐U RNA editing events in plant mitochondria and chloroplasts possess unique arrays of RNA‐binding pentatricopeptide repeats (PPRs) linked to carboxy‐terminal cytidine deaminase DYW domains via the extension motifs E1 and E2. The E1 and E2 motifs have distant similarities to tetratricopeptide repeats known to mediate protein–protein interactions but their precise function is unclear. Here, we investigate the tolerance of PPR56 and PPR65, two functionally characterized RNA editing factors of the moss Physcomitrium patens, for the creation of chimeras by variably replacing their C‐terminal protein regions. Making use of a heterologous RNA editing assay system in Escherichia coli we find that heterologous DYW domains can strongly restrict or widen the spectrum of off‐targets in the bacterial transcriptome for PPR56. Surprisingly, our data suggest that these changes are not only caused by the preference of a given heterologous DYW domain for the immediate sequence environment of the cytidine to be edited but also by a long‐range impact on the nucleotide selectivity of the upstream PPRs. Significance Statement: DYW domains affect upstream PPR arrays for RNA recognition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Neuronal abnormalities are closely associated with major depressive disorder (MDD). Available evidence suggests a role for microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating the expression of genes involved in MDD. Hence, miRNAs that can be potential therapeutic targets need to be identified. Methods: A mouse model of chronic unpredictable stress (CUS) was used to evaluate the function of miRNAs in MDD. miR‐144‐5p was screened from the hippocampi of CUS mice based on sequencing results. Adenovirus‐associated vectors were used to overexpress or knockdown miR‐144‐5p in mice. BpV(pic) and LY294002 were used to determine the relationship between miR‐144‐5p target genes PTEN and TLR4 in neuronal impairment caused by miR‐144‐5p deficiency. Western blotting, immunofluorescence, ELISA immunosorbent assay, and Golgi staining were used to detect neuronal abnormalities. Serum samples from healthy individuals and patients with MDD were used to detect miR‐144‐5p levels in the serum and serum exosomes using qRT‐PCR. Results: miR‐144‐5p expression was significantly decreased within the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of CUS mice. Upregulation of miR‐144‐5p in the DG ameliorated depression‐like behavior in CUS mice and attenuated neuronal abnormalities by directly targeting PTEN and TLR4 expression. Furthermore, miR‐144‐5p knockdown in normal mice led to depression‐like behavior via inducing neuronal abnormalities, including abnormal neurogenesis, neuronal apoptosis, altered synaptic plasticity, and neuroinflammation. miR‐144‐5p deficiency‐mediated neuronal impairment was mediated by PI3K/Akt/FoxO1 signaling. Furthermore, miR‐144‐5p levels were downregulated in the sera of patients with MDD and associated with depressive symptoms. Consistently, serum exosome‐derived miR‐144‐5p levels were decreased in patients with MDD. Conclusion: miR‐144‐5p plays a vital role in regulating neuronal abnormalities in depression. Our findings provide translational evidence that miR‐144‐5p is a new potential therapeutic target for MDD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: General anesthesia can induce cognitive deficits in both humans and rodents, correlating with pathological alterations in the hippocampus. However, whether general anesthesia affects olfactory behaviors remains controversial as clinical studies have produced inconsistent results. Therefore, we aimed to investigate how olfactory behaviors and neuronal activity are affected by isoflurane exposure in adult mice. Methods: The olfactory detection test, olfactory sensitivity test, and olfactory preference/avoidance test were used to examine olfactory function. In vivo electrophysiology was performed in awake, head‐fixed mice to record single‐unit spiking and local field potentials in the olfactory bulb (OB). We also performed patch‐clamp recordings of mitral cell activity. For morphological studies, immunofluorescence and Golgi–Cox staining were applied. Results: Repeated exposure to isoflurane impaired olfactory detection in adult mice. The main olfactory epithelium, the first region exposed to anesthetics, displayed increased proliferation of basal stem cells. In the OB, a crucial hub for olfactory processing, repeated isoflurane exposure increased the odor responses of mitral/tufted cells. Furthermore, the odor‐evoked high gamma response was decreased after isoflurane exposure. Whole‐cell recordings further indicated that repeated isoflurane exposure increased the excitability of mitral cells, which may be due to weakened inhibitory input in isoflurane‐exposed mice. In addition, elevated astrocyte activation and glutamate transporter‐1 expression in the OB were observed in isoflurane‐exposed mice. Conclusions: Our findings indicate that repeated isoflurane exposure impairs olfactory detection by increasing neuronal activity in the OB in adult mice. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) vaccines are a relatively new class of vaccines that have shown great promise in the immunotherapy of a wide variety of infectious diseases and cancer. In the past 2 years, SARS‐CoV‐2 mRNA vaccines have contributed tremendously against SARS‐CoV2, which has prompted the arrival of the mRNA vaccine research boom, especially in the research of cancer vaccines. Compared with conventional cancer vaccines, mRNA vaccines have significant advantages, including efficient production of protective immune responses, relatively low side effects and lower cost of acquisition. In this review, we elaborated on the development of cancer vaccines and mRNA cancer vaccines, as well as the potential biological mechanisms of mRNA cancer vaccines and the latest progress in various tumour treatments, and discussed the challenges and future directions for the field. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Desvenlafaxine succinate is a selective serotonin–norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor for the treatment of major depressive disorder. The pharmacokinetic profile of desvenlafaxine succinate at the clinically recommended dose of 50 mg in Chinese healthy subjects has been reported rarely. The objective of this study was to evaluate the pharmacokinetics and bioequivalence of desvenlafaxine succinate in Chinese healthy subjects. A single‐dose, open‐label, randomized, two‐way crossover study with a 7‐day washout period was conducted. A total of 88 individuals were incorporated to show bioequivalence of a generic and a reference drug, with 48 individuals in the fasting state and 40 receiving a high‐fat diet. Finally, 46 and 38 individuals completed the fasting and the fed study, respectively. The 90% confidence intervals of the adjusted geometric mean ratios for maximum plasma concentration, area under the concentration–time curve from time zero to the last measurable concentration, and area under the concentration–time curve from time zero to infinity all fell in the bioequivalent interval of 80%–125% in both the fasting and fed states. A total of 33 adverse events were reported, and all were mild or moderate in severity. In summary, the generic and reference formulations were bioequivalent, with no observable safety differences in the fasting/fed state. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The self‐healing capability is highly desirable in semiconductors to develop advanced devices with improved stability and longevity. In this study, the automatic self‐healing in silicon nanowires is reported, which are one of the most important building blocks for high‐performance semiconductor nanodevices. A recovery of fracture strength (10.1%) on fractured silicon nanowires is achieved, which is demonstrated by in situ transmission electron microscopy tensile tests. The self‐healing mechanism and factors governing the self‐healing efficiency are revealed by a combination of atomic‐resolution characterizations and atomistic simulations. Spontaneous rebonding, atomic rearrangement, and van der Waals attraction are responsible for the self‐healing in silicon nanowires. Additionally, the self‐healing efficiency is affected by the fracture surface roughness, the nanowire size, the nanowire orientation, and the passivation of dangling bonds on fracture surfaces. These new findings shed light on the self‐healing mechanism of silicon nanowires and provide new insights into developing high‐lifetime and high‐security semiconductor devices. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mixed 2D/3D perovskite solar cells (PSCs) show promising performances in efficiency and long‐term stability. The functional groups terminated on a large organic molecule used to construct 2D capping layer play a key role in the chemical interaction mechanism and thus influence the device performance. In this study, 4‐(trifluoromethyl) benzamidine hydrochloride (TFPhFACl) is adopted to construct 2D capping layer atop 3D perovskite. It is found that there are two mechanisms synergistically contributing to the increase of efficiency: 1) The TFPhFA+ cations form a dipole layer promoting the interfacial charge transport. 2) The suppressed nonradiative recombination of perovskite through the coordination of TFPhFA+ cations with Pb–I octahedron, as well as the recrystallization of 3D perovskite induced by Cl‐ ions. As a result, the PSC delivers an efficiency of 24.0% with improved open‐circuit voltage (VOC) of 1.16 V, short‐circuit current density (JSC) of 25.42 mA cm‐2, and fill factor of 81.26%. The device shows no decrease in efficiency after 1500 h stored in the air indicating the good stability. The utilization of TFPhFACl not only provides a facile way to optimize the interfacial problems, but also gives a new perspective for rational design of large spacer molecule for constructing efficient 2D/3D PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Further performance enhancement of perovskite solar cells (PSCs) is limited by the defect‐assisted recombination losses. The approaches employed to decrease the losses contain defect passivation, perovskite crystallization control, interface engineering, etc. Herein, a new material of acetamidine thiocyanate (AASCN) via a facile method is synthesized, which exhibits dual functions combining a cation with passivation and an anion with crystallization. The iodine vacancies in the perovskite can be effectively passivated through hydrogen bonds formed by the NH bonds of the polar cation AA+. Furthermore, the pseudo‐halide anion SCN− can coordinate the Pb–I octahedrons, improving the perovskite film crystallization. Through vaporing the AASCN on perovskite films during the secondary crystal growth process, the defects mitigation and crystallization improvement are synergistically achieved. As a consequence, the FA0.25MA0.75PbI3 PSCs with AASCN achieve a power conversion efficiency of 23.17%, which is higher than that (21.43%) of untreated PSCs. In detail, the open‐circuit voltage has also a significant advancement from 1.095 to 1.167 V after the AASCN treatment. The design and synthesization of the multifunctional materials are supposed to provide a feasible approach for the performance improvement of PSCs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This systematic review and meta‐analysis aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of using maxillary protraction during different stages of the dentition by assessing changes in the jaws and inclination of incisors. Materials and methods: MEDLINE (PubMed), Embase, Cochrane, Web Of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure and Wanfang Databases were searched without time limitations up to 15 January 2022. Google Scholar was used to search grey literature. We included cohort studies that compared the effect of maxillary protraction by analysing primary outcomes and were grouped in age‐related conditions. Mean differences and 95% confidence intervals were used for statistical analysis, followed by Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation analysis. Results: Six studies were finally included. The heterogeneity test showed P ≥.1 and I2 ≤ 50%, and a fixed‐effect model was applied. Patients in the early treatment group (ETG) were mainly in the early‐mixed dentition stage, while patients in the late treatment group (LTG) were in the late‐mixed and early‐permanent dentition stage. Meta‐analysis showed that there were no statistical differences (P >.05) between the ETG and LTG groups in terms of SNA (the angle composed by point Sella‐Nasion‐Subspinale), SNB (the angle composed by point Sella‐Nasion‐Supramentale), ANB (the angle composed by point Subspinale‐Nasion‐Supramentale), Wits, U1/SN (the angle composed by the axis of upper incisors and Sella‐Nasion plane) and L1/MP (the angle composed by the axis of lower incisors and the mandibular plane). Conclusion: Our analysis showed that maxillary protraction applied in the late‐mixed or early‐permanent dentition stage did not cause different effects on the maxillary growth, the correction of the intermaxillary relationship, the inhibition of mandibular growth and dental tipping of skeletal class III patients when compared to that in the early‐mixed dentition stage. Collectively, these data provide a theoretical basis for widening the applicable age period of maxillary protraction and choosing the best treatment opportunity for children patients after a comprehensive assessment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The current practice involves blood sampling from the circuit line to measure acid‐base and electrolyte parameters during continuous renal replacement therapy (CRRT). However, there is limited evidence supporting its reliability due to the effects of anticoagulant mechanism and access recirculation associated with regional citrate anticoagulation (RCA). Aim: To evaluate the reliability of monitoring acid‐base and electrolyte parameters through circuit lines in regular and reversed connections during RCA‐CRRT. Study design: In this prospective cohort study, we included critically ill patients receiving RCA‐CRRT via a double‐lumen catheter. During the second hour after CRRT initiation, we collected blood samples to monitor acid‐base and electrolyte parameters and their levels were compared between samples from the circuit lines (at 0, 3, and 5 minutes) and those from the central venous catheter (CVC) line (at 0 minute). During this time, CRRT switched to the replacement state as controls. Results: We observed 128 CRRT circuits in 60 adult patients receiving RCA‐CRRT. Ninety‐eight (76.6%) circuits had regular connections, while 30 (23.4%) had reversed connections. Among regular connections, no differences were observed in any acid‐base or electrolyte parameters between samples from the CVC line and those from the circuit line at all time points (P >.05). Among reversed connections, ionized calcium levels were dramatically decreased at all three time points in samples from the circuit line compared with those from the CVC line (0.65 ± 0.12, 0.72 ± 0.11, and 0.78 ± 0.99 vs 0.98 ± 0.07 mmol/L, P <.001), with comparable levels of other acid‐base or electrolyte parameters between the sampling patterns (P >.05). Conclusions: Acid‐base and electrolyte parameters could be reliably monitored through the circuit line during RCA‐CRRT in regular connections. However, in reversed connections, pre‐filter ionized calcium concentrations determined through the circuit line were lower than those determined through the CVC line. Relevance to clinical practice: We suggest sampling from arterial or CVC lines rather than from the circuit line in a reversed connection during RCA‐CRRT. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A label‐free DNA‐based electrochemical biosensor owning high sensitivity and selectivity has been established for detecting bisphenol A in a wide range of applications. Coupling the high electrochemical performance of graphene oxide‐thionine‐Au nanomaterial with the specific binding capacity of the aptamers to BPA, the monitoring of trace amount of BPA was realized, the detection limit was 3.3 pg ⋅ mL−1 with strong anti‐interference. Besides, using molecular docking, it was found that BPA binds to the bases DC‐49, DC‐51, DG‐52, DG‐53 and DA‐63 on the aptamer via hydrogen bonding and π‐π stacking interactions. Finally, the biosensor had been successfully applied in different real samples. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Parent–adolescent emotion dynamics have attracted increasing attention in recent years because adolescence is a challenging period for both adolescents and parents. However, how emotions are coconstructed between parents and adolescents is less clear. This study examined whether mothers' and adolescents' emotion regulation strategy was linked with their own and each other's depression using the actor–partner interdependence model (APIM). The participants were 173 mother–adolescent pairs (Mother: Mage = 43.05 years old, SD = 3.78; Adolescent: Mage = 13.00 years old, SD = 0.90). The results showed that the more mothers used cognitive reappraisal, the lower their depression levels were; and the more mothers and adolescents used expressive suppression, the higher their levels of depression were. Additionally, maternal expressive suppression was associated with adolescent depressive symptoms. Moreover, the results revealed that for mothers with higher levels of expressive suppression, their adolescents' usage of expressive suppression was significantly positively related to adolescents' depression, while for those mothers with lower levels of expressive suppression, there was no significant correlation between adolescents' usage of expressive suppression and depression. The findings underscore the significance of recognising the interdependence and interconnected nature of emotions within parent–adolescent relationships for a comprehensive understanding of their emotional well‐being. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Opportunistic screening for osteoporosis can be performed using low‐dose computed tomography (LDCT) imaging obtained for other clinical indications. In this study we explored the CT‐derived bone mineral density (BMD) and prevalence of osteoporosis from thoracic LDCT in a large population cohort of Chinese men and women. A total of 69,095 adults (40,733 men and 28,362 women) received a thoracic LDCT scan for the purpose of lung cancer screening between 2018 and 2019, and data were obtained for analysis from the China Biobank Project, a prospective nationwide multicenter population study. Lumbar spine (L1–L2) trabecular volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) was derived from these scans using quantitative computed tomography (QCT) software and the American College of Radiology QCT diagnostic criteria for osteoporosis were applied. Geographic regional differences in the prevalence of osteoporosis were assessed and the age‐standardized, population prevalence of osteoporosis in Chinese men and women was estimated from the 2010 China census. The prevalence of osteoporosis by QCT for the Chinese population aged >50 years was 29.0% for women and 13.5% for men, equating to 49.0 million and 22.8 million, respectively. In women, this rate is comparable to estimates from dual‐energy X‐ray absorptiometry (DXA), but in men, the prevalence is double. Prevalence varied geographically across China, with higher rates in the southwest and lower rates in the northeast. Trabecular vBMD decreased with age in both men and women. Women had higher peak trabecular vBMD (185.4 mg/cm3) than men (176.6 mg/cm3) at age 30 to 34 years, but older women had lower trabecular vBMD (62.4 mg/cm3) than men (92.1 mg/cm3) at age 80 years. We show that LDCT‐based opportunistic screening could identify large numbers of patients with low lumbar vBMD, and that future cohort studies are now required to evaluate the clinical utility of such screening in terms of fracture prevention and supporting national health economic analyses. © 2020 The Authors. Journal of Bone and Mineral Research published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Society for Bone and Mineral Research (ASBMR).. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Inspired by the light‐regulating capabilities of naturally occurring rhodopsin, we have constructed a visible‐light‐regulated Cl−‐transport membrane channel based on a supramolecular host–guest interaction. A natural retinal chromophore, capable of a visible‐light response, is used as the guest and grafted into the artificial channel. Upon introduction of an ethyl‐urea‐derived pillar[6]arene (Urea‐P6) host, threading or de‐threading of the retinal and selective bonding of Cl− can be utilized to regulate ion transport. Based on the visible‐light responsiveness of the host–guest interaction, Cl− transport can be regulated by visible light between ON and OFF states. Visible‐light‐regulated Cl− transport as a chemical model permits to understand comparable biological ion‐selective transport behaviors. Furthermore, this result also supplies a smart visible‐light‐responsive Cl− transporter, which may have applications in natural photoelectric conversion and photo‐controlled delivery systems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Porous electrospun nanofibers, as new materials for solid-phase extraction, were synthesized by electrospinning and coupled with ultra high performance liquid chromatography and mass spectrometry to determine sulfonamide residues in environmental water. Aligned porous polystyrene electrospun nanofibers were fabricated under the mechanism of phase separation. The high-specific surface of these nanofibers (70 m2/g) could improve recoveries of the target sulfonamides 4-10 times compared with that of polystyrene nonporous material (3.8 m2/g). Under the optimized conditions, 13 sulfonamide residues showed an excellent linear relationship in the range of 0.125-12.5 ng/mL with a linear correlation coefficient ( r2) greater than 0.99, and the detection limits of sulfonamides were as low as 0.80-5.0 ng/L. Compared to the commercial C18 and HLB columns, the homemade porous nanofibers columns had some merits including simple fabrication and extraction process, short process time and environmental friendliness. The optimized method was applied to eight water samples collected from different livestock farms (Xuzhou, China). The results showed that polystyrene porous nanofibers were promising to preconcentrate sulfonamides of different polarities in the waste water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ABSTACT Nitric oxide (NO) derived from endothelial NO synthase (eNOS) mediates vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF)-stimulated endothelial cytoskeleton remodeling and migration; however, the underlying mechanisms are elusive. Covalent adduction of a NO moiety (NO•) to cysteines called S-nitrosylation (SNO) is a key NO signaling pathway. The small actin-binding protein cofilin-1 (CFL1) is essential for actin cytoskeleton remodeling. We investigated whether S-nitrosylation regulates CFL1 function and endothelial cytoskeleton remodeling and migration upon VEGF stimulation. VEGF rapidly stimulated S-nitrosylation of CFL1, which was blocked by NO Synthase inhibition and eNOS knockdown by specific eNOS-siRNA. Cys80 and Cys139 were identified as the major SNO-sites in CFL1 by LC-MS/MS. The actin severing activity of recombinant SNO-mimetic CFL1 (C80/139A DMA-CFL1), but not SNO-deficient CFL1 (C80/139S DMS-CFL1), was significantly greater than that of wild-type CFL1 (wt-CFL1). When wt-CFL1 and its mutants were overexpressed in endothelial cells, basal actin bound wt-CFL1 was undetectable but significantly increased by VEGF; basal actin bound DMA-CFL1 was readily high and basal actin bound DMS-CFL1 was detectable but low, and both were unresponsive to VEGF. Treatment with VEGF significantly increased filamentous (F-) actin and filopodium formation and cell migration in endothelial cells. Overexpression of wt-CFL1 inhibited VEGF-induced F-actin formation. Overexpression of DMA but not DMS CFL1 decreased basal but not VEGF-stimulated F-actin formation. Overexpression of DMA but not DMS CFL1 suppressed VEGF-stimulated filopodium formation and migration in endothelial cells. Thus, S-nitrosylation of CFL1 provides a novel signaling pathway post-NO biosynthesis via eNOS-derived NO for endothelial cytoskeleton remodeling and migration upon VEGF stimulation. J. Cell. Physiol. 230: 406-417, 2015. © 2014 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heterologous expression is an efficient alternative to conventional extraction to produce a specific Buthus martensii Karsch ( Bm K) peptide. In this work, Bm K1 was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli after genetic codon optimization, but Bm K1 content was <6% of total cellular protein. To improve Bm K1 expression, a trc promoter library with a wide relative strength was constructed, and three promoters, PpJF136 (0.55), PpJF325 (1.29), and PpJF288 (2.31), were selected to control Bm K1 expression. A higher Bm K1 expression (>13.9% of total protein) was obtained using a stronger promoter, PpJF325. Furthermore, a maximum Bm K1 content (>21.7% of total protein) was obtained by combining promoter PpJF325 and three copies of the Bm K1 gene. The yield of the purified Bm K1 achieved 196.74 mg L−1 in E. coli BL21( DE3) p JF431, which was improved 2.09-fold compared with the control. This was the highest reported production of scorpion peptides in E. coli. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Reverse micelle extraction is a novel technology for the separation of plant components such as proteins and oil. In this study, sodium bis(2-ethylhexyl) sulphosuccinate ( AOT) reverse micelle system and AOT/Tween 85 reverse micelle system were used to extract soya bean protein and oil from soya bean flour. The physicochemical properties of the protein and oil extracted were investigated and compared with traditional extraction methods. The results showed that the efficiency of forward extraction of soya bean protein using an AOT/Tween 85 reverse micelle system was superior to that using an AOT reverse micelle system at the optimal extraction conditions. In addition, soya bean proteins extracted using reverse micelle extraction had no unordered structure under Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The acid and peroxide values of oil products from two reverse micelle extractions were lower than that from immersion. The results indicated that AOT/Tween 85 reverse micelle system is effective in extracting soya bean protein and oil. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Thiazolidinediones ( TZDs) markedly reduce hepatic steatosis in both rodents and humans. However, the effects and mechanisms of action of TZDs on hepatic fibrosis remain unclear. The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of TZDs on histological changes in the liver and on the modulation by adiponectin via the AMP-activated protein kinase ( AMPK) signalling pathway in rats with non-alcoholic steatohepatitis ( NASH)., Forty rats were divided into normal control, high-fat diet ( HFD), pioglitazone control and pioglitazone intervention groups. After 24 weeks treatment with pioglitazone (10 mg/kg per day by gavage), changes in liver histology, serum aminotransaminase, triglyceride ( TG), free fatty acid ( FFA), glucose, insulin, adiponectin and transforming growth factor ( TGF)-β1 concentrations and hepatic adiponectin, AMPK, α-smooth muscle actin (α- SMA) and collagen I expression were evaluated., The degree of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis was significantly higher in HFD-induced NASH rats compared with normal controls, as were serum concentrations of aminotransaminase, TG, FFA, glucose, insulin and TGF-β1 and hepatic expression of α- SMA and collagen I protein. Serum adiponectin concentrations and hepatic expression of adiponectin mRNA and AMPK protein were significantly lower in the HFD-induced NASH rats compared with the normal control., Pioglitazone significantly reduced the degree of hepatic steatosis and fibrosis, as well as serum concentrations of aminotransaminase, TG, FFA, glucose, insulin and TGF-β1 and hepatic expression of α- SMA and collagen I protein. In addition, pioglitazone significantly increased serum adiponectin concentrations and hepatic expression of adiponectin mRNA and AMPK protein., In conclusion, the TZD pioglitazone improved hepatic fibrosis in rats with NASH by upregulating adiponectin expression and activating AMPK, thus subsequently inhibiting the activation of hepatic stellate cells and the overproduction of extracellular matrix. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Overexpression of acyl-CoA binding protein (ACBP) was induced in a rat hepatoma cell line (McA-RH 7777) by stable integration of rat ACBP cDNA. The transfected cells (ACBP-27) had 3.5-fold higher concentrations of ACBP than control cells (14 vs. 4 ng/μg DNA). Both ACBP-27 and control cells were cultured in the presence of various concentrations of radiolabeled palmitic acid; and the effects of ACBP on lipogenesis and β-oxidation were studied. Incubation of the cells with 100 μM palmitic acid resulted in 42% greater incorporation of the fatty acid in ACBP-27 cells as compared to that in the control cells. This increased incorporation of the fatty acid was observed predominanly in the triglyceride fraction. Higher concentrations of palmitic acid (200 to 400 μM) were associated with a significant decrease in the production of 14CO2 in the ACBP-27 cell line than in the control cells, while lower concentrations had not effect. Our data suggest a role for ACBP in the partitioning of fatty acids between esterification reactions leading to the formation of neutral lipids and β-oxidation. ACBP may play a regulatory role by influencing this important branch point in intermediary lipid metabolism. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phenology reflects the life cycle of vegetation, crucial for monitoring global vegetation diversity, ecosystem stability, and agricultural security. However, there is currently no dataset related to phenology. The 24 solar terms (24STs), based on the Sun's annual motion, reflect the changing seasons, temperature fluctuations, and phenological phenomena. They serve as a vital means to characterize vegetation phenology. This study generate a global Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) product based on 24STs using Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) on the Google Earth Engine (GEE). The 24STs NDVI dataset adopted the maximum value compositing (MVC) to process the NDVI values between two adjacent 24STs. The product has a spatial resolution of 250 m, covering the period from 2001 to 2022. Comparing with the MOD13Q1, good spatiotemporal consistency between the two datasets was observed, confirming the reliability of the 24STs product. However, the 24STs product holds distinct phenological meanings. This product introduces, for the first time, a vegetation index dataset based on the 24STs, enriching the vegetation index dataset and facilitating further research on phenology. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Background: Macrosomia is associated with both neonatal complications and adult diseases (obesity, diabetes mellitus, etc.). Previous studies have reported maternal exposure to PM2.5 might influence metabolism and fetal development and cause adverse pregnancy outcomes. Studies conducted in areas with low PM2.5 concentration have found relationship between gestational PM2.5 exposure and birth weight. However, the impact of air pollution on macrosomia has not been studied, especially in highly polluted areas. Objective: To evaluate the association between fine particulate matter (PM2.5) exposure during pregnancy and the risk of macrosomia. Methods: Data from preconception health examination and prenatal and postnatal records were collected from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2012 in the National Free Preconception Health Examination Project. Monthly mean of PM2.5 concentration during pregnancy was estimated from satellite data using an ensemble machine learning model. A newborn with birth weight above 4000 g was defined as macrosomia. Logistic regression models were used to examine the association between maternal exposure to PM2.5 and the risk of macrosomia, after adjusting for maternal age, pre‐pregnancy body mass index, parity, neonatal sex, duration of gestation, seasonality, educational level, smoking and drinking habits, past history of diabetes mellitus and hypertension, and family history of diabetes mellitus. Restricted cubic spline models were used to evaluate the dose‐response relationship between the risk of macrosomia and PM2.5 concentration. Results: Of 177 841 singleton nonlow birth weight newborns included, 14 598 (8.2%) had macrosomia. The mean PM2.5 concentrations were 70.7, 71.5, and 80.9 μg/m3 in the first, second, and third trimesters. In full‐adjusted logistic regression models, significant associations were found between increased risk of macrosomia and every 10 μg/m3 increase of PM2.5 concentration over the first (odds ratio [OR]: 1.045; 95% CI, 1.037‐1.052), second (OR: 1.035; 95% CI, 1.028‐1.043), and third (OR: 1.033; 95% CI, 1.026‐1.039) trimesters. There was a nonlinear does‐response association between PM2.5 concentration and the risk of macrosomia. Conclusions: Maternal exposure to PM2.5 during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of macrosomia in China. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Insulin resistance as a significant vascular risk factor has been studied in relation to cerebral small vessel disease (SVD). Evidence suggests that insulin resistance might trigger high blood pressure (BP). Therefore, we aimed to investigate whether insulin resistance impacts SVD with a mediating effect of BP in nondiabetic subjects., Methods and Results: PRECISE (Polyvascular Evaluation for Cognitive Impairment and Vascular Events) study participants underwent brain and vascular imaging techniques and metabolomic risk factors measurements. Insulin resistance was evaluated by the insulin sensitivity index and the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance based on the standard oral glucose tolerance test. On average, 2752 nondiabetic subjects (47.1% men) aged 60.9 years were included. The multivariable logistic regression model and linear regression model tested the association of insulin resistance with BP components (including systolic BP [SBP], diastolic BP (DBP), and pulse pressure [PP]) and SVD, and of BP components with SVD. In the mediation analysis, SBP, DBP, and PP were found to partially mediate the detrimental effect of insulin resistance (assessed by the insulin sensitivity index) on lacunes (mediation percentage: SBP, 31.15%; DBP, 34.21%; PP, 10.43%), white matter hyperintensity (mediation percentage: SBP, 37.34%; DBP, 44.15%; PP, 9.80%), and SVD total burden (mediation percentage: SBP, 42.07%; DBP, 49.29%; PP, 11.71%) (all P <0.05). The mediation analysis results were not significant when using the Homeostatic Model Assessment for Insulin Resistance to assess insulin resistance., Conclusions: Higher insulin resistance was associated with SVD in this community-dwelling population. The association of insulin resistance with lacunes, white matter hyperintensity, and SVD total burden was explained in part by BP., Registration: URL: https://www.clinicaltrials.gov; Unique identifier: NCT03178448.

Heterologous expression is an efficient alternative to conventional extraction to produce a specific Buthus martensii Karsch (BmK) peptide. In this work, BmK1 was successfully expressed in Escherichia coli after genetic codon optimization, but BmK1 content was <6% of total cellular protein. To improve BmK1 expression, a trc promoter library with a wide relative strength was constructed, and three promoters, PpJF136 (0.55), PpJF325 (1.29), and PpJF288 (2.31), were selected to control BmK1 expression. A higher BmK1 expression (>13.9% of total protein) was obtained using a stronger promoter, PpJF325 . Furthermore, a maximum BmK1 content (>21.7% of total protein) was obtained by combining promoter PpJF325 and three copies of the BmK1 gene. The yield of the purified BmK1 achieved 196.74 mg L(-1) in E. coli BL21(DE3) pJF431, which was improved 2.09-fold compared with the control. This was the highest reported production of scorpion peptides in E. coli., (© 2013 The Authors. Biotechnology and Applied Biochemistry published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of the International Union of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Inc.)