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Starch-lipid composite nanoparticles were prepared by using dry and wet methods.The properties of nanoparticles,such as the lipid composite index,solubility,microscopic morphology,particle size distribution,three-phase contact angle,crystal structure,and emulsifying property,were studied to create a new starch-based Pickering emulsifier.The results show that the lipid composite index of the nanoparticles prepared by using the dry method is significantly higher than by using the wet method,which is related to the combination form between lipids and starch demonstrated by X-ray.Scanning electron microscopy results show that both particles exhibited the aggregated nanoscale distribution,and the average particle size of the dry method is significantly higher than the wet.The contact angle of the nanoparticles prepared with the dry method is significantly higher than that with the wet method.Emulsification property results show that the Pickering emulsion stabilized by nanoparticles prepared with the dry method has a smaller particle size and a more even distribution.Pickering emulsion gels were formed after 7 days of storage with the addition of 3%～5% emulsifier.

To explore the impact of shade treatment on grape berries, 'Marselan' grape berries were bagged under different light transmission rates (100% (CK), 75% (A), 50% (B), 25% (C), 0% (D)). It was observed that this treatment delayed the ripening of the grape berries. The individual weight of the grape berries, as well as the content of fructose, glucose, soluble sugars, and organic acids in the berries, was measured at 90, 100, and 125 days after flowering (DAF90, DAF100, DAF125). The results revealed that shading treatment reduced the sugar content in grape berries; the levels of fructose and glucose were higher in the CK treatment compared to the other treatments, and they increased with the duration of the shading treatment. Conversely, the sucrose content exhibited the opposite trend. Additionally, as the weight of the grape berries increased, the content of soluble solids and soluble sugars in the berries also increased, while the titratable acidity decreased. Furthermore, 16 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in the photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway from the transcriptome sequencing data. Correlation analysis revealed that the expression levels of genes VIT_08s0007g02190 (Lhcb4) and VIT_15s0024g00040 (Lhca3) were positively correlated with sugar content in the berries at DAF100, but negatively correlated at DAF125. qRT-PCR results confirmed the correlation analysis. This indicates that shading grape clusters inhibits the expression of genes in the photosynthesis-antenna protein pathway in the grape berries, leading to a decrease in sugar content. This finding contributes to a deeper understanding of the impact mechanisms of grape cluster shading on berry quality, providing important scientific grounds for improving grape berry quality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Phototropism movement is crucial for plants to adapt to various environmental changes. Plant P‐type H+‐ATPase (HA) plays diverse roles in signal transduction during cell expansion, regulation of cellular osmotic potential and stomatal opening, and circadian movement. Despite numerous studies on the genome‐wide analysis of Vitis vinifera, no research has been done on the P‐type H+‐ATPase family genes, especially concerning pulvinus‐driven leaf movement. In this study, 55 VvHAs were identified and classified into nine distinct subgroups (1 to 9). Gene members within the same subgroups exhibit similar features in motif, intron/exon, and protein tertiary structures. Furthermore, four pairs of genes were derived by segmental duplication in grapes. Cis‐acting element analysis identified numerous light/circadian‐related elements in the promoters of VvHAs. qRT‐PCR analysis showed that several genes of subgroup 7 were highly expressed in leaves and pulvinus during leaf movement, especially VvHA14, VvHA15, VvHA16, VvHA19, VvHA51, VvHA52, and VvHA54. Additionally, we also found that the VvHAs genes were asymmetrically expressed on both sides of the extensor and flexor cell of the motor organ, the pulvinus. The expression of VvHAs family genes in extensor cells was significantly higher than that in flexor cells. Overall, this study serves as a foundation for further investigations into the functions of VvHAs and contributes to the complex mechanisms underlying grapevine pulvinus growth and development. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Six specimens were made and tested to study the mechanical properties of LBL beams. The mean ultimate loading value is 68.39 MPa with a standard deviation of 6.37 MPa, giving a characteristic strength (expected to be exceeded by 95% of specimens) of 57.91 MPa, and the mean ultimate deflection is 53.3 mm with a standard deviation of 5.5 mm, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 44.3 mm. The mean ultimate bending moment is 20.18 kN.m with a standard deviation of 1.88 kN.m, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 17.08 kN.m. The mean elastic modulus is 9688 MPa with a standard deviation of 1765 MPa, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 6785 MPa, and the mean modulus of rupture is 93.3 MPa with a standard deviation of 8.6 MPa, giving the characteristic elastic modulus of 79.2 MPa. The strain across the cross-section for all LBL beams is basically linear throughout the loading process, following standard beam theory.

Given increased acceptance of the CoronaVac, there is an unmet need to assess the safety and immunogenic changes of CoronaVac in patients with rheumatic diseases (RD). Here we comprehensively analysed humoral and cellular responses in patient with RD after a three‐dose immunization regimen of CoronaVac. RD patients with stable condition and/or low disease activity (n = 40) or healthy controls (n = 40) were assigned in a 1:1 ratio to receive CoronaVac (Sinovac). The prevalence of anti‐receptor binding domain (RBD) antibodies and neutralizing antibodies was similar between healthy control (HC) and RD patients after the second and the third vaccination. However, the titers of anti‐RBD IgG and neutralizing antibodies were significantly lower in RD patients compared to HCs (p < 0.05), which was associated with an impaired T follicular helper (Tfh) cell response. Among RD patients, those who generated an antibody response displayed a significantly higher Tfh cells compared to those who failed after the first and the second vaccination (p < 0.05). Interestingly, subjects with a negative serological response displayed a similar Tfh memory response to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS‐CoV‐2)‐derived peptides as their anti‐RBD IgG positive counterpart, and all (4/4) of the non‐responders in HCs, and 62.5% (5/8) of the non‐responders in patients with RD displayed a positive serological response following the third dose. No serious adverse events were observed. In conclusion, our findings support SARS‐CoV‐2 vaccination in patients with RD with stable and/or low disease activity. The impaired ability in generating vaccine‐specific antibodies in patients with RD was associated with a reduction in Tfh cells induction. The window of vaccination times still needs to be explored in future studies. Clinical trial registration: This trial was registered with ChiCTR2100049138. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Autoimmune diseases are often treated by glucocorticoids and immunosuppressive drugs that could increase the risk for infection, which in turn deteriorate disease and cause mortality. Low-dose IL-2 (Ld-IL2) therapy emerges as a new treatment for a wide range of autoimmune diseases. To examine its influence on infection, we retrospectively studied 665 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) including about one third receiving Ld-IL2 therapy, where Ld-IL2 therapy was found beneficial in reducing the incidence of infections. In line with this clinical observation, Ld-IL2 treatment accelerated viral clearance in mice infected with influenza A virus or lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV). Noticeably, despite enhancing anti-viral immunity in LCMV infection, Ld-IL2 treatment exacerbated CD8+ T cell-mediated immunopathology. In summary, Ld-IL2 therapy reduced the risk of infections in SLE patients and enhanced the control of viral infection, but caution should be taken to avoid the potential risk of CD8+ T cell-mediated immunopathology in severe infections. Author summary: Opportunistic infections cause disease exaggeration in patients with autoimmune diseases, representing a leading cause of mortality. Corticosteroids and immunosuppressive therapies often increase the risk of infections. Low-dose IL-2 therapy emerged as a promising new therapy to treat a wide range of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, but the effect of this therapy to infections has not been systemically evaluated. In this retrospective study, Low-dose IL-2 therapy was found to be associated with the reduced incidence of infection in systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients. In mouse models of influenza A and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) infection, Low-dose IL-2 treatment enhanced the effector function of CD8+ T cells and accelerated viral clearance but exacerbated CD8+ T cell-mediated immunopathology in acute LCMV infection. Our findings show that Low-dose IL-2 therapy might particularly benefit autoimmune disease patients with increased risk of infection due to compromised immunity, such as reduced CD8+ T cell function, but caution should be taken to avoid the potential risk of CD8+ T cell-mediated immunopathology in severe infections. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]