Search

Investigating the influence of the ambient chemical environment on molecular behaviors in liposomes is crucial for understanding and manipulating cellular vitality as well as the capabilities of lipid drug carriers in various environments. Here, we designed and synthesized a second harmonic generation (SHG) and fluorescence probe molecule called Pyr-Py+-N+ (PPN), which possesses membrane-targeting capability. We employed PPN to investigate the response of lipid vesicles composed of cardiolipin to the presence of exogenous salt. The kinetic behaviors, including the adsorption and embedding of PPN on the surface of small unilamellar vesicles (SUVs) composed of cardiolipin, were analyzed. The response of the SUVs to the addition of NaCl was also monitored. A rapid decrease in vesicle size can be evidenced through the rapid drop in SHG emission originating from PPN located on the vesicle surface. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Subtribe Calypsoinae (Epidendroideae, Orchidaceae) comprises several fully mycoheterotrophic species. Phylogenetic analysis indicates that full mycoheterotrophy has evolved independently at least four times within this group, including the Yoania clade. The taxonomic classification of Yoania species has been challenging. Therefore, to understand the plastomic degeneration during the evolution of mycoheterotrophy and to uncover the phylogenetic relationship within Yoania , we conducted a phylogenetic analysis using eight specimens representing all six recognized Yoania taxa from the complete plastome and partial ribosomal DNA (rDNA) operon sequence (ETS–18S–ITS1–5.8S–ITS2–26S). Among the Calypsoinae taxa examined, Yoania possessed the shortest plastome, ranging from 43 998 to 44 940 bp. Comparative analysis of the plastomes revealed a relatively conserved gene structure, content, and order, with species-level sequence variation (in the form of indels) primarily observed in the intergenic spacer regions. Plastomic gene-block inversions were observed between Yoania and Danxiaorchis singchiana , but not between Yoania and other related genera. Phylogenetic analyses based on the plastome and rDNA data strongly supported the monophyletic placement of Yoania within Calypsoinae, and indicated substantial molecular divergence between Yoania and other Calypsoinae taxa. Yoania can thus be considered genetically isolated from the other Calypsoinae taxa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Natural evolution endows some insects and marine organisms with a special class of protein-based elastic tissues that possess energy feedback characteristics, providing them with the foundation for jumping and flying, and protecting them from the damage caused by movements or waves. However, the design and fabrication of such protein-based elastomeric materials that can function in human society through biomimetic strategies still remains challenging. Recombinant proteins designed by synthetic biology can mimic the advantageous structures in natural proteins and can be biosynthesized without the requirements for harsh conditions such as high temperatures and cytotoxic agents, which provides a great opportunity to prepare protein-based elastomeric materials. In this review, starting from the design of protein molecules, we highlight an overview of the synthesis of elastomeric materials based on recombinant resilin, recombinant elastin-like proteins and other recombinant folded proteins, etc., and then demonstrate their application progress in the fields of biomedicine and high technology. Finally, the challenges and prospects for the future development of protein-based elastomeric materials are envisioned to provide insights into the design and synthesis of the next generation of protein-based elastomeric materials. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is associated with persistent systemic inflammation. Reduced red blood cell (RBC) survival in patients with CKD has been identified for several decades. The purpose of this study is to explore whether excessive erythrophagocytosis exists and contributes to systemic inflammation in CKD. Patients and methods: A CKD rat model was induced by 5/6 nephrectomy. Erythrocyte osmotic fragility was determined with hypotonic NaCl solutions. Erythrocyte deformability was evaluated by filterability. RBC cell death was quantified using fluorescence-activated cell sorting analyses of fluorescent annexin V–bound surface phosphatidylserine (PS). Erythrophagocytosis was evaluated in vivo and in vitro. RT-qPCR and immunohistochemistry were used to determine the inflammatory effects after erythrophagocytosis. Results: Erythrocyte osmotic fragility and deformability progressively declined, and the percentage of PS-exposing RBCs progressively increased in CKD rats. Levels of erythrophagocytosis in vivo were evaluated by autologous injection of CFSE-labeled erythrocytes. In comparison with the control group, higher fluorescence intensity of CFSE was detected in the spleen homogenates of rats with CKD. In vitro, more of erythrocytes from 5/6Nx rats were phagocytosed by peritoneal macrophages in comparison to those from control rats. Compared with macrophages phagocytosed control erythrocytes, macrophages phagocytosed CKD erythrocytes exhibited higher mRNA levels of IL-6, CXCL-10, CXCL-11, iNOS, IL-1β, ICAM-1 and MCP-1. Compared with the control group, the red pulp of rats with CKD exhibited higher levels of p-NFκB, IL-6, iNOS and CXCL-10. ELISA results showed significantly increased plasma levels of both IL-6 and CXCL-10 in patients with long-term hemodialysis compared with those in healthy controls (2.30 ± 1.38 pg/mL vs 1.33 ± 0.65 pg/mL, P=0.01; 78.11 ± 27.34 pg/mL vs 37.45 ± 7.08 pg/mL, P=0.001). Conclusion: Our results indicated that excessive erythrophagocytosis may contribute to systemic inflammation in CKD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a traffic flow control scheme of connected vehicles to stabilize a traffic system with on-ramps from a macromodel point of view. Firstly, this paper establishes a lattice hydrodynamic model with on-ramps, and an output feedback controller is designed based on the characteristics of connected vehicles. Then, by using the Lyapunov-Krasovskill functional analysis method, this paper studies the delay-dependent convergence conditions of the control method. String stability is defined as the nonamplification of the downstream disturbance of a traffic flow when it propagates upstream. The influence of the on-ramps is regarded as a stochastic disturbance in this paper. Through a theoretical analysis, the control conditions that can ensure the string stability of the traffic system under the influence of on-ramp are obtained. Finally, numerical experiments are carried out to compare the traffic states of the traffic system with and without control. The results show that the proposed control can effectively suppress the instability of the traffic system., Author(s): Yicai Zhang [1,2]; Min Zhao (corresponding author) [1,2]; Dihua Sun [1,2]; Hang Zhao [1,2]; Zhongcheng Liu [1,2]; Dong Chen [3] 1. Introduction With the rapid economic development and accelerating [...]

Bones are vital for anchoring muscles, tendons, and ligaments, serving as a fundamental element of the human skeletal structure. However, our understanding of bone development mechanisms and the maintenance of bone homeostasis is still limited. Extracellular signal-related kinase 5 (ERK5), a recently identified member of the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) family, plays a critical role in the pathogenesis and progression of various diseases, especially neoplasms. Recent studies have highlighted ERK5's significant role in both bone development and bone-associated pathologies. This review offers a detailed examination of the latest research on ERK5 in different tissues and diseases, with a particular focus on its implications for bone health. It also examines therapeutic strategies and future research avenues targeting ERK5. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]