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The removal of endocarp, which has great effects on protein properties, is indispensable during developing pecan kernel protein. The effect of different removal methods, namely alkaline peeling (AP), enzymatic peeling (EP), and mechanical peeling (MP), on the physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of pecan kernel protein was investigated. The obtained proteins by three peeling methods had similar molecular weight (14–66 kDa) and amino acids (18 in all) composition. The average particle size of obtained protein samples in series of EP, AP, MP were 0.89, 0.74, and 0.80 μm respectively, the protein contents were 70.34%, 74.72%, and 73.12% respectively, and the L* values (representative of lightness) were 49.21, 65.18, 59.78 respectively. The protein structure of AP and EP samples was greatly changed, behaving as the reduction of the α-helix and β-sheet in secondary structure and the red-shift of the maximum wavelength in the endogenous fluorescence, while the MP was beneficial to maintain the structure. The AP sample presented better solubility, oil absorption capacity, and emulsification; The MP sample showed the best foaming property. These results confirmed that different peeling methods could greatly influence the physicochemical, structural, and functional properties of pecan protein. This research would provide a useful guideline for the production and applications of pecan protein.

Pancreatic cancer is one of the world’s leading causes of cancer-related death. Activation of STAT3 has been reported as a major contributor in pancreatic cancer tumorigenesis and chemoresistance. However, treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer patients with STAT3 inhibitors often meets drug resistance and heterogeneous response. We found that EGFR activation is a main cause for resistance to STAT3 inhibitors in pancreatic cancer cells, regardless of KRAS mutation status. Mechanistically, inhibition of STAT3 promotes STAT1- and STAT4-mediated TGF-α expression, leading to activation of the EGFR pathway. Combined treatment of pancreatic cancer cells with EGFR and STAT3 inhibitors persistently blocks EGFR and STAT3 signaling, and exerts synergistic antitumor activity both in vitro and in vivo, with or without KRAS mutation. Our results indicate that reciprocal cross-talk between STAT3 and EGFR pathways is a key molecular mechanism leading to resistance in pancreatic cancer cells. Furthermore, the study shows that combined inhibition of both EGFR and STAT3 might overcome drug resistance encountered during treatment with single agent alone. This study suggests an improved therapeutic strategy, through combined treatment with STAT3 and EGFR inhibitors, for pancreatic cancer patients.

The Asian summer monsoon (ASM) is teleconnected to the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but this relationship is nonstationary and has shifted significantly in recent decades. Characterizing the drivers of such shifts is crucial for improving ASM prediction and extreme event preparedness. Paleoclimate records indicate a link between ASM strength and solar activity on multidecadal‐to‐centennial timescales, but 20th‐century data are too short to test mechanisms. Here we evaluate how solar irradiance influences the ASM‐ENSO relationship using last‐millennium paleoclimate data assimilation reconstructions and model simulations. We find that high solar irradiance weakens the ENSO‐East Asian summer monsoon (EASM) correlation, but strengthens the ENSO‐South Asian summer monsoon (SASM) correlation. Solar irradiance likely influences the strength of the ENSO‐EASM and ENSO‐SASM teleconnections via changes in the Western Pacific Subtropical High and the amplitude of ENSO events, respectively. We suggest a need for considering solar activity in decadal ASM rainfall predictions under global warming scenarios. The Asian summer monsoon (ASM) affects over one‐third of the world's population, with significant environmental and economic impacts. The ASM is influenced by the El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), but the ENSO‐ASM relationship has undergone notable changes in recent decades. Understanding the drivers of these changes is essential for improving ASM prediction. Previous studies based on individual records of past climate change have indicated a connection between ASM strength and solar activity over long periods, but 20th‐century instrumental data are too short to fully understand this link. In this study, we investigated the influence of solar activity on the ENSO‐ASM relationship using past climate records and model simulations spanning the last 1,000 years. We find that high solar irradiance weakens the ENSO‐East Asian summer monsoon relationship while strengthening the ENSO‐South Asian summer monsoon relationship. Solar irradiance might impact the strength of the ENSO‐ASM relationship by causing changes in the air pressure systems over the western Pacific and the intensity of ENSO events. These findings imply that solar activity, combined with global warming, will affect rainfall in the ASM region. It is crucial to consider solar activity in the long‐term prediction of ASM rainfall as the climate continues to warm. Solar irradiance altered the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Asian summer monsoon relationship during the past millenniumHigh solar irradiance weakens (strengthens) the ENSO‐East Asian (South Asian) summer monsoon correlationSolar irradiance modulates the ENSO‐ASM teleconnection through changes in the Western Pacific Subtropical High and ENSO event amplitude Solar irradiance altered the El Niño‐Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Asian summer monsoon relationship during the past millennium High solar irradiance weakens (strengthens) the ENSO‐East Asian (South Asian) summer monsoon correlation Solar irradiance modulates the ENSO‐ASM teleconnection through changes in the Western Pacific Subtropical High and ENSO event amplitude