Search

Chestnut (Castanea mollissima) is an economically important forest tree species, and its flowers possess functions such as repelling mosquitoes, killing bacteria, and clearing heat. However, the regulatory mechanisms of floral volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in chestnut are still unclear. This study analyzed the contents of major volatile compounds and related gene expression levels in chestnut flowers during the initial flowering stage (IFS) and full-flowering stage (FFS) using metabolomics and transcription techniques. In total, 926 volatile compounds were detected, mainly terpenes, heterocyclic compounds, and esters. Acetylenone, styrene, and β-pinene had contents that exceeded 5% in FFS chestnut flowers. In total, 325 differential metabolites between the IFS and FFS were significantly (p < 0.05) enriched in the biosynthetic pathways of sesquiterpenes and triterpenes, as well as the ethylbenzene metabolic pathway. In total, 31 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were related to terpenoid biosynthesis. There were only two DEGs related to the ethylbenzene metabolic pathway. In summary, we identified the volatile components of chestnut flowers and analyzed the changes in the contents of major volatile compounds in the flowers and the expression patterns of the related genes. The research results are helpful for understanding the regulation of VOCs in chestnut flowers. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Based on the properties of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), combining them to construct multifunctional nanotheranostics can leverage strengths and avoid weaknesses for tumor diagnosis and treatment. However, certain problems remain unsolved, notably the short observation window caused by insufficient retention time. In this study, a GSH‐responsive shape‐transformable nanotheranostics Gd‐Ce6‐FFVLGGGC‐SS‐PEG are designed (abbreviated as GdCFS) by combining a single metal Gd with Ce6, and peptide (Phe‐Phe‐Val‐Leu‐Gly‐Gly‐Gly‐Cys) disulfide‐conjugated with polyethylene glycol (PEG) to perform dual‐modal T1/T2 MRI specifically at the tumor site. Due to its amphiphilic features, GdCFS can self‐assemble to spherical nanoparticles, while transforming to nanofibers (NFs) in the presence of intracellular overexpressed GSH stimuli. After NFs formation, the hydrophobic core of GdCFS is exposed, resulting in T1 positive contrast enhancement, whereas NFs can simultaneously achieve T2 negative contrast enhancement. Furthermore, GSH depletion can cause imbalance in intracellular redox state, ultimately improving PDT efficacy. GdCFS benefits from the shape‐transformation in terms of sufficient retention time, thus positively minimizing the toxicity risk. On the tumor model of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, in vivo and in vitro outcomes confirm that GdCFS can be a promising candidate for early diagnosis, real‐time monitoring, and precise treatment of tumors with great biocompatibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The effective attachment of antibodies to the immune sensing interface is a crucial factor that determines the detection performance of immunosensors. Therefore, this study aims to investigate a novel antibody immobilization material with low molecular weight, high stability, and excellent directional immobilization effect. In this study, we employed molecular docking technology based on the ZDOCK algorithm to virtually screen DNA functional ligands (DNAFL) for the Fc segment of antibodies. Through a comprehensive analysis of the key binding sites and contact propensities at the interface between DNAFL and IgG antibody, we have gained valuable insights into the affinity relationship, as well as the principles governing amino acid and nucleotide interactions at this interface. Furthermore, molecular affinity experiments and competitive binding experiments were conducted to validate both the binding ability of DNAFL to IgG antibody and its actual binding site. Through affinity experiments using multi-base sequences, we identified bases that significantly influence antibody-DNAFL binding and successfully obtained DNAFL with an enhanced affinity towards the IgG Fc segment. These findings provide a theoretical foundation for the targeted design of higher-affinity DNAFLs while also presenting a new technical approach for immunosensor preparation with potential applications in biodetection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: This study aimed to identify genetic variants related to differences in milk production in Chinese Holstein cows. By analyzing specific genes involved in lipid metabolism, researchers identified variants linked to the milk, fat, and protein yield cows produce over time. They also found patterns in these genetic variations that could affect how the genes work together. The results of this study suggest that these genetic markers could be useful for selecting cows with better milk-production traits. Additionally, the findings could help scientists better understand how these genes influence milk production, potentially leading to improved strategies for breeding dairy cattle. Overall, this research provides valuable insights into enhancing milk production in dairy farming, which could ultimately benefit both farmers and consumers. Our preliminary research proposed the cytochrome P450 family 7 subfamily A member 1 (CYP7A1) and hydroxyacyl-coenzyme A dehydrogenase trifunctional multienzyme complex beta subunit (HADHB) genes as candidates for association with milk-production traits in dairy cattle because of their differential expression across different lactation stages in the liver tissues of Chinese Holstein cows and their potential roles in lipid metabolism. Hence, we identified single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of the CYP7A1 and HADHB genes and validated their genetic effects on milk-production traits in a Chinese Holstein population with the goal of providing valuable genetic markers for genomic selection (GS) in dairy cattle, This study identified five SNPs, 14:g.24676921A>G, 14:g.24676224G>A, 14:g.24675708G>T, 14:g.24665961C>T, and 14:g.24664026A>G, in the CYP7A1 gene and three SNPs, 11:g.73256269T>C, 11:g.73256227A>C, and 11:g.73242290C>T, in HADHB. The single-SNP association analysis revealed significant associations (p value ≤ 0.0461) between the eight SNPs of CYP7A1 and HADHB genes and 305-day milk, fat and protein yields. Additionally, using Haploview 4.2, we found that the five SNPs of CYP7A1 formed two haplotype blocks and that the two SNPs of HADHB formed one haplotype block; notably, all three haplotype blocks were also significantly associated with milk, fat and protein yields (p value ≤ 0.0315). Further prediction of transcription factor binding sites (TFBSs) based on Jaspar software (version 2023) showed that the 14:g.24676921A>G, 14:g.24675708G>T, 11:g.73256269T>C, and 11:g.73256227A>C SNPs could alter the 5′ terminal TFBS of the CYP7A1 and HADHB genes. The 14:g.24665961C>T SNP caused changes in the structural stability of the mRNA for the CYP7A1 gene. These alterations have the potential to influence gene expression and, consequently, the phenotype associated with milk-production traits. In summary, we have confirmed the genetic effects of CYP7A1 and HADHB genes on milk-production traits in dairy cattle and identified potential functional mutations that we suggest could be used for GS of dairy cattle and in-depth mechanistic studies of animals. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

On the basis of the previous research, the Traditional Chinese Medicine theory was used to improve the drug composition for gastrointestinal acute radiation syndrome (GI-ARS). The purpose of this study was to study the therapeutic mechanism of Liangxue-Guyuan-Yishen decoction (LGYD) on GI-ARS and to provide a new scheme for the treatment of radiation injury. Here, we investigated the effects of LGYD on intestinal stem cells (ISCs) in a GI-ARS rat model. Rat health and survival and the protective efficacy of LGYD on the intestines were analyzed. The active principles in LGYD were detected using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC–MS). ISC proliferation, intestinal epithelial tight junction (TJ) protein expression and regulatory pathways were explored using immunohistochemistry, western blotting (WB) and reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), respectively. Involvement of the WNT and MEK/ERK pathways in intestinal recovery was screened using network pharmacology analysis and validated by WB and RT-qPCR. LGYD administration significantly improved health and survival in GI-ARS rats. Pathological analysis showed that LGYD ameliorated radiation-induced intestinal injury and significantly promoted LGR5+ stem cell regeneration in the intestinal crypts, upregulated TJ protein, and accelerated crypt reconstruction in the irradiated rats. LC–MS revealed ≥13 constituents that might contribute to LGYD's protective effects. Collectively, LGYD can promote crypt cell proliferation and ISCs after radiation damage, the above effect may be related to WNT and MEK/ERK pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]