Search

Abstract Background Artemisinin (ART) analogs, such as dihydroartemisinin, arteether, artemether, and artesunate, all featuring an endoperoxide bridge, have demonstrated efficacy against schistosomiasis. Artemisitene (ATT), which contains an additional α, β-unsaturated carbonyl structure, has shown enhanced biological activities. This study aims to evaluate the anti-schistosomaiasis japonica activity of ATT and compare it with ART. Methods We assessed liver inflammation and fibrosis in mice using hematoxylin and eosin staining and Sirius red staining, respectively. RNA sequencing analyzed transcriptomics in female and male Schistosoma japonicum (S. japonicum) adult worms and mice livers, with cytokine profiling and flow cytometry to study immune responses under ART or ATT treatment. Results ATT exhibits a marked reduction in female S. japonicum adult worms and egg numbers, damaging the adult worms’ surface. It also influences the transcription of genes related to cellular anatomical structures. Notably, ATT treatment resulted in significant reductions in liver granuloma size and collagen area, alongside lowering serum levels of glutamic pyruvic and glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase more effectively than ART. Both ART and ATT markedly decreased neutrophil frequency in the liver and elevated eosinophil counts. However, only ATT treatment significantly reduced the M1/M2 and Th1/Th2 indices, indicating a pronounced shift in immune response profiles. ATT-affected host immunity correlated with the extent of liver fibrosis and the count of single males more strongly than ART. Conclusion ATT, as a novel preventive strategy for schistosomiasis japonica in mice, significantly outperforms ART. Graphical Abstract

The purpose of this research was to determine wheat quality characteristics of individual flour flow in low-temperature flour system, which could provide reference and basis for the production of different special wheat flour. In this study, 12 flour flows samples and channel flour (the market product of this batch) in the low-temperature milling system were taken as the research object, their quality characteristics and dough rheological properties were measured to compare and analyze the quality differences between different flour flows. 12 flour flows include 4 break flour flow, 6 reduction flour flows, 1 slag- grinding flour flow and 1 tail-grinding flour flow. The results showed that the brightness of 1M、2M、3M of reduction flour flows and slag- grinding flour flow were brighter than those of other flour flows; the protein content, wet gluten content and gluten index of reduction flour flow were generally lower than those of break flour flow; the ash and damaged starch of head flour flow in the reduction and break system were lower than those of final flour flow, and the peak viscosity was higher than that of final flour flow. The water absorption of 500 FU of final flour flow in the reduction and break system were higher than those of head flour flow; the P value, W value, L value, G value, energy and maximum resistance of break flour flows were generally higher than those of the reduction flour flows, but the extensibility of wheat flour was generally lower than those of the reduction flour flows.

Based on varieties, area and distribution of wheat in China, 1 377 newly harvested wheat samples from 12 provinces were collected in 2022. The physio-chemical quality as well as end-use quality evolutions were carried out, and the current quality status of wheat were analyzed. The results showed that the average crude protein content and gluten content of wheat were 13.1% and 29.6%, respectively, and the mean gluten index was 69. Among the rheological parameters of dough, the water absorption of flour was 63.2 mL, and the average stability time was 6.7 min. The mean tensile curve area, elongation and maximum tensile resistance were 75 cm2, 140 mm and 398 EU, respectively. All samples were evaluated for the processing quality of noodles and steamed bread, and samples with strong gluten wheat varieties and wet gluten content ≤25% were evaluated for the processing quality of bread and cake, respectively. The average scores of noodles, steamed bread, bread and cake were 79, 75, 73 and 69 points, respectively. Only 1.7% of the samples met the requirements of “High quality wheat-Strong gluten wheat” (GB/T 17892—1999), while 1.3% of the samples met the requirements of “High quality wheat-Weak gluten wheat” (GB/T 17893—1999). In addition, 44.9%, 31.4% and 2.8% of the samples met the requirements of quality classification, high-quality wheat and high-quality strong gluten wheat in “Quality classification of wheat varieties” (GB/T 17320—2013), respectively, and 56.0% and 3.0% of the samples met the requirements of quality classification and strong gluten hard wheat in “The Grain & Oil Products of China-Wheat” (LS/T 3109—2017), respectively. The results showed that the processing quality of wheat in China was general, and the food quality of steamed food was higher than that of baked food. A few varieties with excellent food processing quality bred were also planted.

Ophiocordyceps is the largest genus in Ophiocordycipitaceae and has a broad distribution with high diversity in subtropical and tropical regions. In this study, two new species, pathogenic on lepidopteran larvae are introduced, based on morphological observation and molecular phylogeny. Ophiocordyceps fenggangensis sp. nov. is characterised by having fibrous, stalked stroma with a sterile tip, immersed perithecia, cylindrical asci and filiform ascospores disarticulating into secondary spores. Ophiocordyceps liangii sp. nov. has the characteristics of fibrous, brown, stipitate, filiform stroma, superficial perithecia, cylindrical asci and cylindrical-filiform, non-disarticulating ascospores. A new combination Ophiocordyceps musicaudata (syn. Cordyceps musicaudata) is established employing molecular analysis and morphological characteristics. Ophiocordyceps musicaudata is characterised by wiry, stipitate, solitary, paired to multiple stromata, yellowish, branched fertile part, brown stipe, immersed perithecia, cylindrical asci and cylindrical-filiform, non-disarticulating ascospores.

Abstract Ample evidence has suggested the stress etiology of depression, but the underlying mechanism is not fully understood yet. Here, we report that chronic social defeat stress (CSDS) attenuates the excitatory output of the claustrum (CLA) to the prelimbic cortex (PL) through the dynorphin/κ-opioid receptor (KOR) signaling, being critical for depression-related behaviors in male mice. The CSDS preferentially impairs the excitatory output from the CLA onto the parvalbumin (PV) of the PL, leading to PL micronetwork dysfunction by disinhibiting pyramidal neurons (PNs). Optogenetic activation or inhibition of this circuit suppresses or promotes depressive-like behaviors, which is reversed by chemogenetic inhibition or activation of the PV neurons. Notably, manipulating the dynorphin/KOR signaling in the CLA-PL projecting terminals controls depressive-like behaviors that is suppressed or promoted by optogenetic activation or inhibition of CLA-PL circuit. Thus, this study reveals both mechanism of the stress etiology of depression and possibly therapeutic interventions by targeting CLA-PL circuit.

IntroductionMushroom-forming fungi comprise diverse species that develop complex multicellular structures. In cultivated species, both ecological adaptation and artificial selection have driven genome evolution. However, little is known about the connections among genotype, phenotype and adaptation in mushroom-forming fungi.ObjectivesThis study aimed to (1) uncover the population structure and demographic history of Lentinula edodes, (2) dissect the genetic basis of adaptive evolution in L. edodes, and (3) determine if genes related to fruiting body development are involved in adaptive evolution.MethodsWe analyzed genomes and fruiting body-related traits (FBRTs) in 133 L. edodes strains and conducted RNA-seq analysis of fruiting body development in the YS69 strain. Combined methods of genomic scan for divergence, genome-wide association studies (GWAS), and RNA-seq were used to dissect the genetic basis of adaptive evolution.ResultsWe detected three distinct subgroups of L. edodes via single nucleotide polymorphisms, which showed robust phenotypic and temperature response differentiation and correlation with geographical distribution. Demographic history inference suggests that the subgroups diverged 36,871 generations ago. Moreover, L. edodes cultivars in China may have originated from the vicinity of Northeast China. A total of 942 genes were found to be related to genetic divergence by genomic scan, and 719 genes were identified to be candidates underlying FBRTs by GWAS. Integrating results of genomic scan and GWAS, 80 genes were detected to be related to phenotypic differentiation. A total of 364 genes related to fruiting body development were involved in genetic divergence and phenotypic differentiation.ConclusionAdaptation to the local environment, especially temperature, triggered genetic divergence and phenotypic differentiation of L. edodes. A general model for genetic divergence and phenotypic differentiation during adaptive evolution in L. edodes, which involves in signal perception and transduction, transcriptional regulation, and fruiting body morphogenesis, was also integrated here.

This experiment investigates the effect of Nb on the oxidation resistance of high-chromium cast iron by adding different contents of Nb to high-chromium cast iron. The experimental results show that the oxidation resistance of high-chromium cast iron with the addition of 1 wt% Nb is increased by 43% compared with high-chromium cast iron without the addition of Nb, which may be related to the formation of a large area of weak oxidation area on the surface of high-chromium cast iron. When more than 2.5 wt% Nb is added to high-chromium cast iron, the oxidation resistance of high-chromium cast iron deteriorates significantly due to a large amount of Fe oxide formed around the Nb2O5. However, as the subsequent Nb content continues to increase to 5 wt%, the oxidation resistance of high-chromium cast iron is improved compared to 2.5 wt% Nb because the dispersion of NbC in the matrix decreases.

High-speed steel (HSS) rolls modified by different additions of NbC were prepared. The microstructure of as-cast and heat-treated NbC-modified HSS rolls were observed by means of optical microscope (OM), scanning electron microscope (SEM) and energy spectroscopy (EDS), combining with the result of dissolution behavior of NbC particles and interface energy of NbC/γ-Fe calculated by dissolution kinetic and first-principle, the effect of addition of NbC on microstructure of HSS rolls were discussed. Results show that NbC particles do not dissolve in melt under experimental conditions, and the NbC particles even coarsen due to the absorption of alloying elements during the subsequent cooling process. The NbC particles can act as the heterogeneous nucleuses of pre-eutectic austenite to refine the as-cast microstructure of HSS rolls. However, the added amount of NbC particles influence the distribution of NbC. With the increase of the amount of NbC particles, the distribution of NbC particles changes from austenite inter-dendrite region to dendrite. The NbC particles distributed in austenite inter-dendrite region can restrain the movement of solid-liquid interface, and refine the as-cast microstructure. The distribution of NbC within the austenite dendrites enhances the potential of NbC as a non-homogeneous phase nucleus, thereby further refining the microstructure.

Thrixspermum taeniophyllum is described as a new orchid species from Wenchuan County, Sichuan Province of southwest China. It is morphologically similar to T. japonicum, but it differs from the latter in having branched stems, slightly fleshy strap-shaped leaves, longer inflorescences with 3–6 flowers and a capitate gynandrium with a lip-shaped mouth opening. Its species status is also supported by molecular phylogenetic analyses, based on nuclear ribosome internal transcribed spacer (nrITS) and three chloroplast DNA fragments (matK, psbA-trnH and trnL-F), which showed distinct systematic boundaries from the most morphologically similar T. japonicum and their morphological relatives T. saruwatarii and T. pygmaeum.

AIM:To observe the effect of implantable collamer lens V4c(ICL V4c)implantation on high myopia, and the changes in anterior segment morphology.METHODS:A prospective study was conducted on 100 patients(200 eyes)with high myopia who were treated with ICL V4c implantation in the hospital from February 2018 to March 2021. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA), intraocular pressure, higher-order aberration, anterior segment morphology [iridocorneal angle(ICA), central anterior chamber depth(ACD), anterior chamber volume(ACV), central corneal thickness(CCT)and K-value(K)], photopic and scotopic contrast sensitivity before operation and 6 and 12mo after operation were comparatively analyzed.RESULTS:All patients were followed-up. UCVA and BCVA were significantly improved at 6 and 12mo after operation(P0.05). Spherical aberration, ICA, ACD and ACV at 6 and 12mo after operation were significantly smaller than those before operation(P0.05).CONCLUSION:Although ICA, ACD and ACV in patients with high myopia are reduced after ICL V4c implantation, the operation can effectively improve visual acuity and visual quality.

The ever-increasing demand for oil & gas exploration from land to subsea necessitates using higher-strength and high-ductility heavy-wall thickness pipes, which may increase the microstructural inhomogeneity along the steel plate sections, ultimately impacting the mechanical properties. In this work, the differences in microstructure and mechanical properties between the through-thickness layers of a heavy-wall ferrite/bainite (F/B) dual-phase (DP) X70 pipeline steel plate were studied. The results showed that the size of the ferrite grain and the volume fraction of bainite increased from the surface layer to the mid-thickness layer of the DP X70 pipeline steel plate. The surface and mid-thickness layers had a lower uniform elongation and higher strength and hardness. In comparison, the quarter layer had higher uniform elongation and lower strength and hardness. The refined grain size and the strong {001} texture were responsible for enhanced in strength and hardness. The higher γ-fiber texture at the quarter layer favored the higher plasticity. The analysis results of strain-hardening behaviors based on the modified C-J model showed that the mid-thickness layer had a higher strain-hardening capacity at the beginning of the plastic strain, leading to deformation instability and reduced material plasticity. The surface layer maintained a high hardening exponent even at high plastic strains, which facilitated the deformation properties of the material. The results provide a basis for evaluating the influence of microstructural factors on the strength and plasticity of heavy-wall X70 pipeline steel and the coordination mechanism of micro deformation in DP steels.

Artificial intelligence technology has shown incomparable advantages in solving traditional agricultural problems. At present, the determination of moisture content and grade of high moisture corn in grain purchase is still mainly based on artificial sensory detection. There are many problems such as heavy workload, low efficiency, poor repeatability, and strong subjectivity, which will cause the loss of grain quantity and quality, and this problems even affect the benefits of enterprises and farmers. Aiming at the technical difficulties in rapid detection of high moisture maize, this study obtains enlightenment from the experience of front line personnel in visual measurement of moisture. Based on mining the rich information in corn kernel images, a new bionic image rapid nondestructive measurement method using the mutual information entropy as the coupling degree evaluation index, were studied then a intelligent purchase grading system of high moisture corn were developed and tested. The test results show that on the basis of realization of the bionic intelligent algorithm of ‘watching moisture by machine’, the purchase of high moisture corn is a technical path worth exploring.

Hot air drying is the key link of bulk grain and agricultural product processing. Because of the adjustment of national environmental protection and energy utilization policies in the new era, it is required to research and develop the energy saving technology of hot air drying for agricultural product. The current research is mostly limited to practical work tracking and empirical design, and there are also numerical calculations by heat and mass transfer theory. However these approaches have some limitations. Physical simulation is an effective potential method. In the process of studying the condensation increasing efficiency and energy saving technology, this paper has developed a test system which can simulate the actual hot air drying recycling energy. It has multi-parameter adjustable, graphical display drying state, energy consumption monitoring and other functions, and it can also provide effective means to study energy saving technology of hot air drying of agricultural product. The corn drying test for this system showed that energy recycling energy-saving drying could save energy 32%~56% when compared with ordinary open hot air drying.

Research on process parameter optimization and process intelligent control is an important element in the design and development of grain drying equipment. Existing methods mostly use simulation, device experiments or field experiments to obtain data, which have large differences with the actual drying results or the experimental process is time-consuming and vulnerable to interference. In this study, with reference to the process and structure of large continuous grain drying production equipment, a continuous grain drying simulation experimental system was developed and designed, including grain feeding equipment, dryer main body, grain discharge equipment, waste heat recovery, condensing device, hot air equipment and measurement and control system, which can simulate the grain drying operation process. This system can also optimize the drying process parameters, and carry out indoor grain drying quality change law, energy consumption law and production efficiency. The system can be used as the first-line staff post. The system could be used as the pre-service training for the workers on the production line, the experimental teaching of related majors in universities and colleges and the experimental research system of scientific research institutions.

High gluten wheat Jimai 44 was used as the experimental material ,and stored in a controlled atmosphere box with a nitrogen concentration of 98%. After storage for 1 month, it was unsealed. The quality change law of 6 months after unsealing was studied, and the samples stored in self sealed bags were used as the control. The results showed that the moisture content, water absorption of gluten, falling number, gluten content, gluten index, peak viscosity, final viscosity, farinograph parameters and tensile parameters of wheat after controlled atmosphere unsealing all showed the same changes as those of the control samples. The falling value of wheat flour has significant difference at the end of storage period (i.e. the sixth month) at 20 ℃, and there is no significant difference at 30 ℃, while there is no significant difference among the whole storage period, which does not mean that the falling value of wheat flour is affected after controlled atmosphere with nitrogen. The short-term storage after controlled atmosphere with nitrogen may have a certain water retention effect, but the absolute difference is small. The absolute difference of moisture content between the samples after controlled atmosphere with nitrogen and the control samples in the sixth month at 20 ℃ and 30 ℃ is 0.3% and 0.4% respectively, which has little impact on actual production. Except for water content and falling number, there is no significant difference in other indicators.

Here, the authors show that pre-existing equatorial waves are useful precursors to tropical cyclone occurrence and intensification up to two weeks ahead.