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V-set and transmembrane domain-containing protein 1 (VSTM1) is negatively correlated with inflammation. However, its effect on atherosclerosis (AS) remains largely unexplored. In this study, we aimed to assess the effect of VSTM1 on the biological function of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells /macrophages stimulated by oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL).

OBJECTIVES Due to the advantages of simple sample preparation, non-destructive determination, and rapid detection, the X-ray fluorescence spectrometry technique has become a robust method for determination of manganese in soil or sediment. Manganese in soil and sediment standard material has the maximum content of 2490mg/kg, thus the traditional X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRF) can easily suffer from the drawbacks of standard curve measurement range due to the limited manganese content in standard soil or sediment samples. OBJECTIVES To develop a good method for the determination of manganese in polluted soil or sediment. METHODS To address this major concern, manganese solutions were added to the commercially available soil standards in a quantitative manner to give a series of new soil standards with higher manganese content. The content of manganese can be determined by X-ray fluorescence spectrometry. RESULTS The establishment of a novel standard curve by taking advantage of these new soil standards could significantly promote the upper limit of manganese measurement from 2490mg/kg to 3780mg/kg. The analytical results of manganese were consistent with the reference value and a recovery of 97.8%-108.3%. The results of high-manganese samples were consistent with the values acquired by inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, with the relative deviation less than 5.7% and the relative standard deviation lower than 0.4% (n=7). Conclusion Results show good accuracy and precision in the determination of high-manganese soils and sediments.

Mercury intrusion is a common method for the determination of pore characteristics of shale, but the measurement results are affected by a number of factors, such as sample size and measuring range. The pore characteristics of shale and synthetic materials were analyzed under different contact angles, sample sizes and measuring ranges, all of which are reported in this paper. Porosity was related to the measuring range, and high precision results were acquired when the measuring range was between 7.1 nm and 100 μm. The fractures produced during sample preparation may have increased the porosity. Compared with synthetic samples, the mean pore diameter, the porosity and the specific pore volume of the shale were strongly influenced by the sample size, within a certain measurement range. Reducing the sample size of shale, not only increased the connectivity between the small pores, but also reduced the impact of large fractures. The mean pore diameter increased by 35% when the contact angle increased from 130° to 150°. Therefore, in order to improve the accuracy and comparability of the results, the measurement should be performed using small sample sizes and exact contact angle. Meanwhile it is necessary to further perfect the test standard concerning the measurement of pore characteristics of shale by mercury intrusion.

Fruit colour is a critical determinant for the appearance quality and commercial value of apple fruits. Viroid‐induced dapple symptom severely affects the fruit coloration, however, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. In this study, we identified an apple dimple fruit viroid (ADFVd)‐derived small interfering RNA, named vsiR693, which targeted the mRNA coding for a bHLH transcription factor MdPIF1 (PHYTOCHROME‐INTERACTING FACTOR 1) to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple. 5' RLM‐RACE and artificial microRNA transient expression system proved that vsiR693 directly targeted the mRNA of MdPIF1 for cleavage. MdPIF1 positively regulated anthocyanin biosynthesis in both apple calli and fruits, and it directly bound to G‐box element in the promoter of MdPAL and MdF3H, two anthocyanin biosynthetic genes, to promote their transcription. Expression of vsiR693 negatively regulated anthocyanin biosynthesis in both apple calli and fruits. Furthermore, co‐expression of vsiR693 and MdPIF1 suppressed MdPIF1‐promoted anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple fruits. Infiltration of ADFVd infectious clone suppressed coloration surrounding the injection sites in apple fruits, while a mutated version of ADFVd, in which the vsiR693 producing region was mutated, failed to repress fruit coloration around the injection sites. These data provide evidence that a viroid‐derived small interfering RNA targets host transcription factor to regulate anthocyanin biosynthesis in apple. Summary Statement: Our work identifies an apple dimple fruit viroid‐derived small RNA that mediating the cleavage of mRNA of a bHLH transcription factor MdPIF1, a positive regulator in anthocyanin biosynthesis, resulting in decreased synthesis and accumulation of anthocyanin in apple (Malus domestica) fruits. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Alginate oligosaccharides (AOs), derived from alginate degradation, exhibit diverse biological activities and hold significant promise in various fields. The enzymatic preparation of AOs relies on alginate lyases, which offers distinct advantages. In contrast to the conventional use of sodium alginate derived from brown algae as the substrate for the enzymatic preparation of AOs, AO preparation directly from brown algae is more appealing due to its time and energy efficiency. Thus, the identification of potent alginate lyases and cost-effective brown algae substrates is crucial for optimizing AO production. Herein, we identified and characterized an alginate lyase, AlyP18, capable of efficiently decomposing algae, from a marine bacterium Pseudoalteromonas agarivorans A3 based on secretome analysis. AlyP18 is a mesothermal, endo-type and bifunctional alginate lyase with high enzymatic activity. Two brown algae substrates, Laminaria japonica roots and Macrocystis pyrifera, were used for the AO preparation by AlyP18. Upon optimization of AlyP18 hydrolysis parameters, the substrate degradation efficiency and AO production reached 53% and ~32% for L. japonica roots, respectively, and 77% and ~46.5% for M. pyrifera. The generated AOs primarily consisted of dimers to pentamers, with trimers and tetramers being dominant. This study provides an efficient alginate lyase and alternative brown algal feedstock for the bioconversion of high-value AOs from brown algae. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]