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Efficient transcytosis across the blood-brain-barrier is an important strategy for accessing drug targets within the central nervous system. Ligusticum chuanxiong Hort. was used as a messenger drug to increase the distribution of drugs in brain tissue in Traditional Chinese Medicine. The present study investigates the transport of echinacoside (ECH) through MDCK-MDR1 cell and the effects of ligustilide (LIG), senkyunolide A (SENA) and senkyunolide I (SENI) in chuanxiong on its transport. The results indicated that the absorption of ECH was relatively poor in MDCK-MDR1cells, and was concentration dependent and not saturable. The P-glycoprotein inhibitor verapamil could significantly increase the transport of ECH. It indicated that the transport mechanism might be passive diffusion as the dominating process with the active transportation mediated mechanism involved. The increased apparent permeability of ECH in A → B direction by ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid-Na2 suggested that ECH was absorbed via the paracellular route. The transport of ECH in A → B direction significantly increased when co-administrated with increasing concentrations of LIG, SENI and SENA. Western blot analysis and a decrease in transepithelial electrical resistance during the permeation experiment indicated that LIG, SENI and SENA had enhanced the transport of ECH in the BBB models attribute to down-regulate the expressions of claudin-5 and zonula occludens-1 expression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The large spin-orbit coupling in topological insulators results in helical spin-textured Dirac surface states that are attractive for topological spintronics. These states generate an efficient spin-orbit torque on proximal magnetic moments. However, memory or logic spin devices based upon such switching require a non-optimal three-terminal geometry, with two terminals for the writing current and one for reading the state of the device. An alternative two-terminal device geometry is now possible by exploiting the recent discovery of the unidirectional spin Hall magnetoresistance in heavy metal/ferromagnet bilayers and unidirectional magnetoresistance in magnetic topological insulators. Here, we report the observation of such unidirectional magnetoresistance in a technologically relevant device geometry that combines a topological insulator with a conventional ferromagnetic metal. Our devices show a figure of merit (magnetoresistance per current density per total resistance) that is more than twice as large as the highest reported values in all-metal Ta/Co bilayers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose This study aimed to develop a moderated mediation model to explain the relationship between perceived organizational justice and the counterproductive work behavior (CWB) of Chinese public servants. In this model, the authors assumed that job burnout mediates the relationship between perceived organizational justice and CWB and that moral identity moderates the relationship between job burnout and CWB.Design/methodology/approach A total of 210 public servants in China participated in this study, and their characteristics were measured by self-report tools. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were used to test the moderated mediation model.Findings Analysis of the data demonstrated that perceived organizational justice, job burnout and moral identity influenced CWB. Moral identity moderated the relationship between job burnout and CWB, such that individuals with low moral identity are more likely to engage in CWB. Moreover, job burnout mediated the effect of perceived organizational justice on CWB, and the mediating effect of job burnout was moderated by moral identity. The indirect effect of perceived organizational justice on CWB through job burnout was significant among individuals with low moral identity but not among individuals with high moral identity.Research limitations/implications The findings highlight the self-regulatory function of moral identity in preventing CWB.Practical implications The study offers several significant suggestions to reduce CWB in Chinese public sector administration, such as by improving organizational justice perception, recruiting and selecting individuals with reference to their moral identity and monitoring employees’ job burnout regularly.Originality/value The authors developed and verified a moderated mediated model on the relationship between perceived organizational justice and CWB. The study revealed that job burnout has a mediating effect on the perceived organizational justice–CWB relation, providing important insights into the processes through which perceived organizational justice affects CWB. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to differences in stereostructure, enantiomeric compositions and enantiomeric ratios (ERs) of chiral compounds can be used to discriminate environmental processes such as abiotic and biotic degradation/transformation. In this study, the ERs of two chiral polycyclic musks, 1,3,4,6,7,8-hexahydro-4,6,6,7,8,8-hexamethylcyclopenta( g)-2-benzopyran (HHCB) and 7-acetyl-1,1,3,4,4,6-hexamethyl-1,2,3,4-tetrahydronaphthalene (AHTN), were investigated in the sediments of Zhujiang River and Dongjiang River in the Pearl River Delta (PRD), as well as in those of Suzhou Creek in Shanghai City. The results indicated that ER of HHCB varied significantly, ranging from 1.09 to 1.53 and 1.40 to 1.48 in the PRD and Suzhou Creek samples, respectively, whereas ER of HHCB exhibited limited variation, ranging from 0.98 to 1.10 and 0.98 to 1.05 for Pearl River and Suzhou Creek samples, respectively. In addition, ERs of AHTN varied substantially from 1.10 to 1.34 and 1.17 to 1.28 in the PRD and Suzhou Creek, respectively. These results suggest that HHCB in the sediment in the study area underwent biotic degradation and the preferential biotransformation isomer was (4 R,7 S)-HHCB, while AHTN simultaneously underwent a certain degree of biotic degradation/transformation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background The identification of specific epitopes targeted by the host antibody response is important for understanding the natural response to infection and for the development of epitope-based marker vaccines and diagnostic tools for toxoplasmosis. In this study, Toxoplasma gondii GRA4 epitopes were identified using software-based prediction and a synthetic peptide technique. Methods The complete GRA4 gene sequence was obtained from T. gondii of the Gansu Jingtai strain of tachyzoites. The potential B cell epitopes of GRA4 was predicted using the PROTEAN subroutine in the DNASTAR software package. The peptides with good hydrophilicity, high accessibility, high flexibility and strong antigenicity were chemically synthesized and assessed by ELISA using pig sera from different time points after infection. Results The potential B cell epitopes of GRA4 predicted by bioinformatics tools focused on six regions of GRA4, 52-77 aa, 93-112 aa, 127-157 aa, 178-201 aa, 223-252 aa and 314-333 aa. Eleven shorter peptides from the six regions were synthesized and assessed by ELISA using pig sera from different time points after infection. Three of the eleven peptides (amino acids 62-77, 233-252 and 314-333) tested were recognized by all sera. Conclusions We precisely located the T. gondii GRA4 epitopes using pig sera collected at different time points after infection. The identified epitopes may be useful for additional studies of epitope-based vaccines and diagnostic reagents. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Due to high sensitivity to various imperfections, buckling loads of thin-walled cylindrical shells subjected to axial load vary dramatically. In order to predict lower-bound buckling loads for axially loaded cylindrical shells rationally, a probabilistic analysis approach named Probabilistic Random Perturbation Load Approach (PRPLA) is developed in this study. Firstly, a Back-Propagation Neural Network (BPNN) based method is established to describe measured imperfection patterns. Next, Random Single Perturbation Load Approach (RSPLA) is loaded upon BPNN-based depicted traditional imperfection patterns to construct a stochastic dimple imperfection. The aforementioned scattering traditional imperfections, as well as a variety of scattering non-traditional imperfections, are then sampled using Monte-Carlo simulation to generate cylindrical shell models differentiating from a nominal one. The probabilistic distribution of lower-bound buckling loads is obtained by finite element analysis. A nominal shell's realistic lower-bound buckling load is determined by choosing a specified reliability level lastly. The results show that describing measured imperfection patterns via BPNN is very close to real ones, and PRPLA presented is an improved method to find lower-bound buckling loads efficiently compared with NASA SP-8007 and many commonly used numerical approaches. • Probabilistic Random Perturbation Load Approach is developed to predict lower-bound axial loads for isotropic cylinders. • Back-Propagation Neural Network shows superiority when describing the surface morphology based on measured imperfections. • The yielded lower-bound buckling loads are less conservative than the ones by NASA-SP 8007 while still being robust. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Although topological surface states are known to be robust against nonmagnetic surface perturbations, their band dispersions and spatial distributions are still sensitive to surface defects. Taking Bi2Se3 as an example, we demonstrate that Se vacancies modify the surface band structures considerably. When large numbers of Se vacancies exist on the surface, topological surface states may sink down from the first to the second quintuple layer and get separated from the vacancies. We simulated scanning tunnelling microscopy images to distinguish surfaces with Se and Bi terminations. (© 2013 WILEY‐VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA, Weinheim) Topological surface states are known to be robust against local defects such as vacancies and dangling bonds. In this Letter, another aspect of the topological protection is demonstrated. On the Bi2Se3 surface, topological surface states are found to sink down from the outer surface to the inner atomic layers, separating themselves away from defects, if a large number of Se vacancies exists on the surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A newly identified arbitrium communication system regulates the lysis-to-lysogeny decision in a Bacillus bacteriophage. This system contains an arbitrium hexapeptide as a signal, the cellular receptor AimR, and the lysogenic negative regulator AimX. AimR specifically targets the downstream DNA to activate aimX gene expression. The arbitrium peptide binds to AimR, inhibiting its DNA-binding to promote phage lysogeny. Recently, we and other groups have elucidated how arbitrium peptide sensed by AimR. However, the molecular mechanisms of DNA recognition by AimR and the regulation of its DNA-binding activity by the peptide remain largely unknown. Here, we report the crystal structure of the AimR–DNA complex at 2.1 Å resolution. The N-terminal HTH motif recognizes the palindromic DNA sequence, buttressed by interactions between positively charged residues and the DNA phosphate groups. The DNA-bound AimR assembles a more closed dimer than the peptide-bound form. Single-molecule FRET and crosslinking assays revealed that the AimR protein samples both open and closed conformations in solution. Arbitrium peptide binding induces a closed-to-open conformational change of AimR, eliminating DNA targeting. Our structural and functional analysis provides new insights into the DNA recognition mechanism of AimR and its regulation by the arbitrium peptide in the context of phage lysis-lysogeny decisions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Insects detect and discriminate a diverse array of chemicals using odorant receptors (ORs), which are ligand-gated ion channels comprising a divergent odorant-sensing OR and a conserved odorant receptor co-receptor (Orco). In this work, we report structures of the ApOR5-Orco heterocomplex from the pea aphid Acyrthosiphon pisum alone and bound to its known activating ligand, geranyl acetate. In these structures, three ApOrco subunits serve as scaffold components that cannot bind the ligand and remain relatively unchanged. Upon ligand binding, the pore-forming helix S7b of ApOR5 shifts outward from the central pore axis, causing an asymmetrical pore opening for ion influx. Our study provides insights into odorant recognition and channel gating of the OR-Orco heterocomplex and offers structural resources to support development of innovative insecticides and repellents for pest control. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We examine the thermal origin of the detected "saw-tooth" shaped Hall resistance (R xy ) signals in the spin–orbit torque switching experiment for antiferromagnetic MnN. Compared with the results of the heavy metal/antiferromagnet bilayers (MnN/Ta), the qualitatively same "saw-tooth" shaped signals also appear in the samples with the heavy metal layer alone (either Ta or Pt) without the MnN layer. In addition, the R xy signal changes oppositely in the devices with Ta and Pt, due to the opposite temperature coefficient of resistivity of the two materials. All those results are consistent with the "localized Joule heating" mechanism in devices with Hall crosses geometry. Moreover, by utilizing a structure with separated writing current paths and Hall cross area, the quadratic relationship between Δ R xy and the writing current's amplitude is observed, which provides quantitative evidence of the thermal contribution. These results reveal the dominant thermal artifact in the widely used Hall crosses geometry for Néel vector probing and also provide a strategy to semi-quantitatively evaluate the thermal effect, which can shed light on a more conclusive experiment design. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In plant leaves, starch is composed of glucan polymers that accumulate in chloroplasts as the products of photosynthesis during the day; starch is mobilized at night to continuously provide sugars to sustain plant growth and development. Efficient starch degradation requires the involvement of several enzymes, including β-amylase and glucan phosphatase. However, how these enzymes cooperate remains largely unclear. Here, we show that the glucan phosphatase LIKE SEX FOUR 1 (LSF1) interacts with plastid NAD-dependent malate dehydrogenase (MDH) to recruit β-amylase (BAM1), thus reconstituting the BAM1–LSF1–MDH complex. The starch hydrolysis activity of BAM1 drastically increased in the presence of LSF1–MDH in vitro. We determined the structure of the BAM1–LSF1–MDH complex by a combination of cryo-electron microscopy, crosslinking mass spectrometry, and molecular docking. The starch-binding domain of the dual-specificity phosphatase and carbohydrate-binding module of LSF1 was docked in proximity to BAM1, thus facilitating BAM1 access to and hydrolysis of the polyglucans of starch, thus revealing the molecular mechanism by which the LSF1–MDH complex improves the starch degradation activity of BAM1. Moreover, LSF1 is phosphatase inactive, and the enzymatic activity of MDH was dispensable for starch degradation, suggesting nonenzymatic scaffold functions for LSF1–MDH in starch degradation. These findings provide important insights into the precise regulation of starch degradation. Phosphatase-inactive LIKE SEX FOUR 1 interacts with moonlighting malate dehydrogenase to form a binary complex acting as a scaffold to recruit β-amylase to promote starch degradation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Recent advancement in the switching of perpendicular magnetic tunnel junctions with an electric field has been a milestone for realizing ultra-low energy memory and computing devices. To integrate with current spin-transfer torque-magnetic tunnel junction and spin–orbit torque-magnetic tunnel junction devices, the typical linear fJ/V m range voltage controlled magnetic anisotropy (VCMA) needs to be significantly enhanced with approaches that include new materials or stack engineering. A possible bidirectional and 1.1 pJ/V m VCMA effect has been predicted by using heavily electron-depleted Fe/MgO interfaces. To improve upon existing VCMA technology, we have proposed inserting high work function materials underneath the magnetic layer. This will deplete electrons from the magnetic layer biasing the gating window into the electron-depleted regime, where the pJ/V m and bidirectional VCMA effect was predicted. We have demonstrated tunable control of the Ta/Pd(x)/Ta underlayer's work function. By varying the Pd thickness (x) from 0 to 10 nm, we have observed a tunable change in the Ta layer's work function from 4.32 to 4.90 eV. To investigate the extent of the electron depletion as a function of the Pd thickness in the underlayer, we have performed DFT calculations on supercells of Ta/Pd(x)/Ta/CoFe/MgO, which demonstrate that electron depletion will not be fully screened at the CoFe/MgO interface. Gated pillar devices with Hall cross geometries were fabricated and tested to extract the anisotropy change as a function of applied gate voltage for samples with various Pd thicknesses. The electron-depleted Pd samples show three to six times VCMA improvement compared to the electron accumulated Ta control sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Perpendicular magnetic materials with low damping constant and high thermal stability have great potential for realizing high-density, non-volatile, and low-power consumption spintronic devices, which can sustain operation reliability for high processing temperatures. In this work, we study the Gilbert damping constant (α) of perpendicularly magnetized W/CoFeB/MgO films with a high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy (PMA) and superb thermal stability. The α of these PMA films annealed at different temperatures (Tann) is determined via an all-optical Time-Resolved Magneto-Optical Kerr Effect method. We find that α of these W/CoFeB/MgO PMA films decreases with increasing Tann, reaches a minimum of α = 0.015 at Tann = 350 °C, and then increases to 0.020 after post-annealing at 400 °C. The minimum α observed at 350 °C is rationalized by two competing effects as Tann becomes higher: the enhanced crystallization of CoFeB and dead-layer growth occurring at the two interfaces of the CoFeB layer. We further demonstrate that α of the 400 °C-annealed W/CoFeB/MgO film is comparable to that of a reference Ta/CoFeB/MgO PMA film annealed at 300 °C, justifying the enhanced thermal stability of the W-seeded CoFeB films. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: N6-methyladenosine (m6A) modification, the most abundant internal methylation of eukaryotic RNA transcripts, is critically implicated in RNA processing. As the largest known component in the m6A methyltransferase complex, KIAA1429 plays a vital role in m6A methylation. However, its function and mechanism in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remain poorly defined. Methods: Quantitative PCR, western blot and immunohistochemistry were used to measure the expression of KIAA1429 in HCC. The effects of KIAA1429 on the malignant phenotypes of hepatoma cells were examined in vitro and in vivo. MeRIP-seq, RIP-seq and RNA-seq were performed to identify the target genes of KIAA1429. Results: KIAA1429 was considerably upregulated in HCC tissues. High expression of KIAA1429 was associated with poor prognosis among HCC patients. Silencing KIAA1429 suppressed cell proliferation and metastasis in vitro and in vivo. GATA3 was identified as the direct downstream target of KIAA1429-mediated m6A modification. KIAA1429 induced m6A methylation on the 3′ UTR of GATA3 pre-mRNA, leading to the separation of the RNA-binding protein HuR and the degradation of GATA3 pre-mRNA. Strikingly, a long noncoding RNA (lncRNA) GATA3-AS, transcribed from the antisense strand of the GATA3 gene, functioned as a cis-acting element for the preferential interaction of KIAA1429 with GATA3 pre-mRNA. Accordingly, we found that the tumor growth and metastasis driven by KIAA1429 or GATA3-AS were mediated by GATA3. Conclusion: Our study proposed a complex KIAA1429-GATA3 regulatory model based on m6A modification and provided insights into the epi-transcriptomic dysregulation in hepatocarcinogenesis and metastasis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Summary: Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt)‐secreted crystal (Cry) toxins form oligomeric pores in host cell membranes and are a common element in generating insect‐resistant transgenic crops. Although Cry toxin function has been well documented, cellular defences against pore‐formation have not been as well developed. Elucidation of the processes underlying this defence, however, could contribute to the development of enhanced Bt crops. Here, we demonstrate that Cry1Ca‐mediated downregulation of microRNA‐7322‐5p (miR‐7322‐5p), which binds to the 3′ untranslated region of p38, negatively regulates the susceptibility of Chilo suppressalis to Cry1Ca. Moreover, Cry1Ca exposure enhanced phosphorylation of Hsp19, and hsp19 downregulation increased susceptibility to Cry1Ca. Further, Hsp19 phosphorylation occurs downstream of p38, and pull‐down assays confirmed the interactions between Hsp19 and Cry1Ca, suggesting that activation of Hsp19 by the miR‐7322‐5p/p38/Hsp19 pathway promotes Cry1Ca sequestration. To assess the efficacy of targeting this pathway in planta, double‐stranded RNA (dsRNA) targeting C. suppressalis p38 (dsp38) was introduced into a previously generated cry1Ca‐expressing rice line (1CH1‐2) to yield a single‐copy cry1Ca/dsp38 rice line (p38‐rice). Feeding on this rice line triggered a significant reduction in C. suppressalis p38 expression and the line was more resistant to C. suppressalis than 1CH1‐2 in both short term (7‐day) and continuous feeding bioassays as well as field trials. These findings provide new insights into invertebrate epithelium cellular defences and demonstrate a potential new pyramiding strategy for Bt crops. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phase-amplitude coupling (PAC) plays an important role in anesthetic-induced unconsciousness. The delta-alpha PAC signature during anesthetic-induced unconsciousness is gradually becoming known; however, the frequency dependence and spatial characteristics of PAC are still unclear. Multi-channel electroencephalography (EEG) was performed during the loss and recovery phases of consciousness in patients undergoing general anesthesia using sevoflurane. First, a spectral analysis was used to investigate the power change of the different frequency bands in the EEG signals. Second, PAC comodulogram analysis was performed to confirm the frequencies of the PAC phase drivers. Finally, to investigate the spatial characteristics of PAC, a novel PAC network was constructed using within- and cross-lead PAC, and a K-means clustering algorithm was used to identify PAC network patterns. Our results show that, in addition to the delta-alpha PAC, unconsciousness induced by sevoflurane was accompanied by spatial non-uniform alpha-gamma PAC in the cortical network, and dynamic PAC patterns between the anterior and posterior brain were observed during the unconscious phase. The dynamic transition of PAC network patterns indicates that brain states under sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness emerge from the regulation of functional integration and segregation instantiated by delta-alpha and alpha-gamma PAC. • Sevoflurane-induced unconsciousness was accompanied by the alpha-gamma PAC in the cortical network. • Dynamic PAC patterns were observed during the recovery of consciousness. • Delta-alpha and alpha-gamma PAC indicates the balance of integration and segregation during LOC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Genetically modified plants with insecticidal proteins from Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) have been successfully utilized to control various kinds of pests in crop production and reduce the abuse of pesticides. However, a limited number of genes are available for the protection of crops from rice planthopper. Recently, Cry78Aa protein from Bt strain C9F1 has been found to have high insecticidal activity against Laodelphax striatellus and Nilaparvata lugens. It is the first reported single-component protein in the world to combat rice planthoppers, making it very promising for use in transgenic crops. The ambiguous mechanism of Cry78Aa functions prevented further engineering or application. Here, we report the crystal structure of Cry78Aa, which consists of two domains: a C-terminal β-pore forming domain belonging to the aerolysin family and an N-terminal trefoil domain resembling the S-type ricin B lectin. Thus, Cry78Aa could represent a distinctive type of β-pore forming toxin. We also found that Cry78Aa binds carbohydrates such as galactose derivatives and is essential for insecticidal activity against Laodelphax striatellus. Our results suggest a mechanism underlying the function of Cry78Aa against rice planthoppers and pave the way to maximizing the usage of the toxin. The crystal structure of the Bacillus thuringiensis protein Cry78Aa shows it consists of a C-terminal β-pore forming domain and an N-terminal trefoil domain and suggests a mechanism underlying the function of Cry78Aa against rice planthoppers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Highlights: [•] Atmospheric PAH levels in enclosed/semi-enclosed parking lots were much higher than urban areas. [•] BaPeq values of these parks far exceed the air quality standards of China and WHO. [•] Monte Carlo simulation results suggest the lifetime PAH inhalation cancer risks were acceptable. [•] Vehicle exhaust, oil and/or coal combustion are dominant PAH contributors in these parks. [•] Absorption into organic matter dominate PAH partition process over adsorption onto black carbon. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Keywords: photoreceptors; photobody; cryptochromes; phase separation; NMR EN photoreceptors photobody cryptochromes phase separation NMR 460 462 3 02/23/23 20230301 NES 230301 In plants, cryptochromes (CRYs) are blue light receptors that regulate various developmental progress. (g) Speckles morphology of CRY2 N538-R557-EGFP and CRY2 N538-R557-EGFP+T-NLS in Arabidopsis protoplasts. The introduction of CRY2-EGFP but not EGFP, CRY2 SP PHR sp -EGFP+T-NLS or CRY2 SP D387A sp -EGFP rescued the long hypocotyl phenotype. [Extracted from the article]

[Display omitted] • The Paleo-Tethys Ocean underwent northward subduction beneath the Tianshuihai terrane during the Carboniferous–Early Triassic. • The Carboniferous–Permian magmatism was continuous in the Western Kunlun orogenic belt. • The Mazha–Kangxiwa Paleo-Tethys Ocean was closed at the Middle Triassic. The Western Kunlun orogenic belt in the northwest Tibetan Plateau is composed of the North Kunlun, South Kunlun, Tianshuihai, and Karakorum terranes, and has records about the tectonic evolution of the Paleo-Tethys Ocean. To provide new insights into the Paleo-Tethys orogeny in Western Kunlun, we present detrital zircon U-Pb and Lu-Hf isotopic data from the Late Carboniferous–Triassic sedimentary successions in the Tianshuihai terrane. Zircons with ages of 350–250 Ma are abundant in the Late Carboniferous–Late Permian samples and yielded ε Hf (t) values ranging from + 14.9 to −18.9. This indicates continuous arc-related magmatism in the Tianshuihai terrane during the Early Carboniferous–Late Permian. The Upper Permian Huangyangling Group primarily comprised Paleozoic detrital zircons predominantly sourced from the Tianshuihai terrane. Other strata contain higher proportion of Precambrian detrital zircons compared to the Huangyangling Group. This feature indicates that detritus from these strata were primarily originated from the North Kunlun, South Kunlun, and Tianshuihai terranes. We present a synthesis of provenance analysis, late Paleozoic–Triassic magmatic rocks, and Triassic metamorphic records associated with the Mazha–Kangxiwa suture zone. These data indicate that the Paleo-Tethys Ocean between the South Kunlun and Tianshuihai terranes opened at ca. 350 Ma and closed during the Middle Triassic, following continuous Carboniferous–Early Triassic subduction. Our study provides an important example of the provenance of clastic rocks in the orogen, which can be used to reconstruct information about eroded magmatic rocks and provide insights into the tectonic evolution of the orogen. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Microcystinase C (MlrC), one key hydrolase of the microcystinase family, plays an important role in linearized microsystin (L-MC) degradation. However, the three-dimensional structure and structural features of MlrC are still unclear. This study obtained high specific activity and high purity of MlrC by heterologous expression, and revealed that MlrC derived from Sphingomonas sp. ACM-3962 (ACM-MlrC) can degrade linearized products of MC-LR, MC-RR and MC-YR to product 3-amino-9-methoxy-2,6,8-trimethyl-10-phenyldeca-4,6-dienoic acid (Adda), indicating the degradation function and significance in MC-detoxification. More importantly, this study reported the crystal structure of ACM-MlrC at 2.6 Å resolution for the first time, which provides a basis for further understanding the structural characteristics and functions of MlrC. MlrC had a dual-domain feature, namely N and C terminal domain respectively. The N -terminal domain contained a Glutamate-Aspartate-Histidine-Histidine catalytic quadruplex coordinated with zinc ion in each monomer. The importance of zinc ions and their coordinated residues was analyzed by dialysis and site-directed mutagenesis methods. Moreover, the important influence of the N/C-terminal flexible regions of ACM-MlrC was also analyzed by sequence truncation, and then the higher yield and total activity of variants were obtained, which was beneficial to study the better function and application of MlrC. [Display omitted] • The first crystal structure of MlrC was solved at 2.6 Å resolution. • ACM-MlrC degraded linearized products of microcystin-LR/RR/YR into Adda. • The important influence of N/C terminal flexible regions for MlrC was analyzed. • The key role of zinc ion and its coordinated residues were studied in detail. • The higher yield, total activity and stability of ACM-MlrC variants were obtained. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In recent years, gene knockdown technology using double-stranded RNA (dsRNA) has been widely used as an environment-friendly pest control strategy, but its instability and limited cellular uptake have limited its overall effect. Studies have shown that the efficiency of single dsRNA can be improved by using various nanomaterials. However, the effect of stacked-dsRNA wrapped by nanomaterial on pests remains unclear. In the present study, both CYP15C1 and C-factor genes were cloned from the midgut of C. suppressalis , and the transcript of C-factor is most highly expressed in heads. Feeding a ds CYP15C1 or ds C-factor - nanomaterial mixture can downregulate the gene expression and significantly increase larval mortality. More importantly, feeding the stacked-dsRNA wrapped by nanomaterial can significantly increase the mortality of C. suppressalis , compared with feeding ds CYP15C1 or ds C-factor - nanomaterial mixture alone. These results showed that CYP15C1 and C-factor could be potential targets for an effective management of C. suppressalis , and we developed a nanoparticle-facilitated stacked-dsRNA strategy in the control of C. suppresallis. Our research provides a theoretical basis for gene function analysis and field pest control, and will promote the application of RNAi technology in the stacked style of pest control. [Display omitted] • The stacked-dsRNA wrapped by nanomaterial can effectively control C. suppressalis. • CsCYP15C1 and CsC-factor are ideal targets for RNAi-mediated pest management. • The stacked-dsRNA strategy in pest control contributes to environmental protection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Taihu Lake is the most important drinking water source of the major cities in the Yangtze River Delta. The pollution of endocrine disruptors (EDCs)in Taihu Lake has been increasing recently, the accurate determination is an important guide for predicting its health risks and developing appropriate controls. Monitoring organic pollutants in water using the diffusive gradient in thin film technique (DGT) has attracted much attention due to more accuracy and convenience than the grab sampling methods. In this study, a novel cyclodextrin polymer (CDP) synthesized by the simple and green method in water was taken as an adsorbent for the binding gel. Four endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs), bisphenol A (BPA), 17α-ethinylestradiol (EE2), 17β-estradiol (E2), and estriol (E3), were taken as models to determine the diffusion coefficients (4.68 × 10−6, 3.38 × 10−6, 3.34 × 10−6 and 4.31 × 10−6 cm2/s) and to test the performance of DGT, such as adsorption capacity and deployment time (1–5 day). The assembled CDP-DGT was adopted to determine four EDCs in a simulated water environment (3–9 of pH, 0.001–0.5 M of ionic strength (IS), and dissolved organic matter (DOM) of 0–20 mg/L). The ability of CDP-DGT sampling was verified in the Jiuxiang River and was carried out for a large-scale field application of in situ sampling EDCs in Taihu Lake basin. The results show that the total EDCs concentration range and the estradiol equivalent concentrations (EEQ) in Taihu Lake and its main rivers are 2.78 ng/L to 11.08 ng/L and 2.62 ng/L to 10.91 ng/L, respectively. The risk quotients (RQs) of all sampling sites in the region were greater than 1, indicating that EDCs pose a serious threat to aquatic organisms in the area. Therefore, the monitoring of EDCs in the Taihu Lake basin should be further strengthened. [Display omitted] • A DGT loaded with a β -cyclodextrin polymer was proposed for the measurement of endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs). • The DGT method is stable and effective over a wide range of environmental factors. • Monitoring the concentration of EDCs in Taihu Lake through DGT and assessing the risk. Synopsis: A new diffusive gradient in thin film technology (DGT) device equipped with cyclodextrin-based gels has been developed which enables convenient and accurate monitoring of time-averaged concentrations of endocrine-disrupting chemicals in water. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper investigates the buckling behaviors of thin rectangular functionally graded carbon nanotubes reinforced composite (FG-CNTRC) plate subjected to the arbitrarily distributed partial edge compression loads. Three distribution types of carbon nanotubes (CNTs) are considered and the effective material properties of carbon nanotube reinforced composite are given according to the extended rule of mixture, in which the distribution uncertainty of CNTs is also taken into account. Based on the differential quadrature method (DQM) and work equivalent method, the pre-buckling in-plane stress distribution of thin rectangular FG-CNTRC plate are determined firstly. Then the accurate critical buckling loads and buckling modes of FG-CNTRC plate are consequently obtained. By comparing with the results in published literatures, the feasibility and accuracy of present numerical method are validated. Finally, the systematic parametric studies are carried out to elaborate the effects of distribution type, volume fraction and distribution uncertainty of CNTs as well as the distribution width, position and distribution type of partial edge compression loads on the buckling behaviors of thin rectangular FG-CNTRC plate for the first time. • A numerical method for buckling analysis of thin rectangular FG-CNTRC plate under arbitrarily distributed partial edge compression loads is developed. • The influence of CNTs distribution uncertainty in the matrix of FG-CNTRC plate is considered and discussed in details. • Effects of partial edge compression loads on the buckling behaviors of FG-CNTRC plate are studied for the first time. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: This study aims to prioritize genes potentially involved in multifactorial or causal relationships with gout., Methods: Using the Summary Data-based Mendelian Randomization (SMR) approach, this research analyzed expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) data from blood and renal tissues and genome-wide association study (GWAS) data related to gout. It sought to identify genetic loci potentially involved in gout. Heterogeneity testing was conducted with the HEIDI test, and results were adjusted for the False Discovery Rate (FDR). Blood cis-eQTL data were sourced from the eQTLGen Consortium's summary-level data, and renal tissue data came from the V8 release of the GTEx eQTL summary data. Gout GWAS data was sourced from the FinnGen Documentation of the R10 release., Result: SMR analysis identified 14 gene probes in the eQTLGen blood summary-level data significantly associated with gout. The top five ranked genes are: ENSG00000169231 (labeled THBS3, P SMR = 4.16 × 10 -13 ), ENSG00000231064 (labeled THBS3-AS1, P SMR = 1.88 × 10 -8 ), ENSG00000163463 (labeled KRTCAP2, P SMR = 3.88 × 10 -6 ), ENSG00000172977 (labeled KAT5, P SMR = 1.70 × 10 -5 ), and ENSG00000161395 (labeled PGAP3, P SMR = 3.24 × 10 -5 ). Notably, increased expression of KRTCAP2 and PGAP3 is associated with an increased risk of gout, whereas increased expression of THBS3, THBS3-AS1, and KAT5 is associated with a reduced gout risk. No significant gene associations with gout were observed in renal tissue, likely due to the limited sample size of kidney tissue., Conclusion: Our findings have highlighted several genes potentially involved in the pathogenesis of gout. These results offer valuable insights into the mechanisms of gout and identify potential therapeutic targets for its treatment., Competing Interests: The authors declare that the research was conducted in the absence of any commercial or financial relationships that could be construed as a potential conflict of interest., (Copyright © 2024 Wang, Chen, Yao, Li, Xu and Zhang.)

Campanumoea javanica Bl. (CJ) traditionally used in Southwestern China, is now widely consumed as a health food across the nation. Due to its similar efficacy to Codonopsis Radix (CR) and their shared botanical family, CJ is often used as a substitute for CR. According to the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, Codonopsis pilosula var. modesta (Nannf.) L.T. Shen (CPM), Codonopsis pilosula (Franch.) Nannf. (CP), and Codonopsis tangshen Oliv. (CT) are the primary sources of CR. However, details on the differences in composition, effectiveness, and compositional between CJ and CR are still limited. Besides, there is little evidence to support the application of CJ as a drug. In this study, we employed widely targeted metabolomics, network pharmacology analysis, and molecular docking to explore the disparities in metabolite profiles between CJ and CR and to predict the pharmacological mechanisms of the dominant differential metabolites of CJ and their potential medicinal applications. The widely targeted metabolomics results indicated that 1,076, 1,102, 1,102, and 1,093 compounds, most phenolic acids, lipids, amino acids, and flavonoids, were characterized in CJ, CPM, CP, and CT, respectively. There were an average of 1061 shared compounds in CJ and CRs, with 95.07% similarity in metabolic profiles. Most of the metabolites in CJ were previously unreported. Twelve of the seventeen dominant metabolites found in CJ were directly associated with treating cancer and lactation, similar to the traditional medicinal efficacy. The molecular docking results showed that the dominant metabolites of CJ had good docking activity with the core targets PIK3R1, PIK3CA, ESR1, HSP90AA1, EGFR, and AKT1. This study provides a scientific basis for understanding the similarities and differences between CJ and CR at the metabolome level, offering a theoretical foundation for developing innovative medications from CJ. Additionally, it significantly enhances the metabolite databases for both CJ and CR., (© 2024. The Author(s).)